Thunder Week 13 By The Numbers: Results and Preview

Bombs away! The Basterds (11-1) threw touchdown passes of 62, 83,50, and 54 yards as they beat inner division AC West foe Barossa Bulldogs (8-4) 38-20 away at “Kennell Road”. The Bulldogs themselves had a passing bomb of 58 yards in the second quarter and led this one 20-17 in the 4th quarter before the Basters last 3 bombs made the score look like a blow-out. Both teams ran the ball poorly, only combined for 25 first downs and went a combined 8- 32 on 3rd downs. The Basterds were sacked 7 times in this game but had a stellar performance from 22-year-old- homegrown-S37 youth promotee WR Echart Huber who registered 6 catches (1drop) for 171 yards (28.5 avg), a long of 83 yards, 130 Yac (21.7 yac avg), 3 broken tackles, and 2 touchdowns. This win puts the Basterds 3 up in the AC West as the Bulldogs now barely cling on to the 2nd AC wildcard position.

7 field goals, 1 defensive touchdown, and 2 offensive touchdowns were the scoring log between the top 2 teams in the NC West at Waukesha Wolverines (7-5) pulled within one game of Bulldozer (8-4), beating them 27-22 at home at “ Domingo Samudio Stadium”. Another game where the running game was non-existent, probably the worst any two teams could have, as both teams combined for 89 yards on 68 carries. Yikes! On 3rd down, they combined to go 4 of 31. Yikes again! Those numbers lead to a combined 15 punts and 9 field goal attempts. It wasn't all bad...the Wolverines had a pair of DL stand-up stout in this one. Homegrown-22-year-old- S38 youth promotee Lou Adamson had 17 tackles, 1 missed, and 10 tackles for loss, while 30-year-old- former GLADIATORI ROMA S30 youth player Anjelo Facchin had 11 tackles, 0 missed, 4 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery.

Overtime!!!! That's what the league's only unbeaten team found themselves in after scoring 17 straight including an 18-yard field goal with 21 seconds left to send this game into the extra session. And in overtime, it was a 25-yard field goal from the Duluth Eskimos (10-2) that beat the previously undefeated Istanbul Whitings (11-1) 41-38 on the road at “Uçaksavar Sahası”. The Eskimos led 38-21before the 4th quarter meltdown but overall asserted dominance on the ground. They ran it 31 times for 239 yards (7.7 avg). 22-year-old, 1.5 million-S40 transfer buy RB Darren Whyte rushed 14 times for 111 yards (7.9 avg), a long of 15, 14 whopping broken tackles, and 1 touchdown. The Whitings had the ball first in overtime and were driving well, but on a 2nd and 9 from the opponents 45, lost the ball on a fumble. This huge win keeps the Eskimos 1 game up in the AC North while the Whitings still own the top spot in the entire NC and 2nd in the entire Thunder league.

The Nashville Renegades (3-9), Inbhir Narann (7-5), Kalapana Wild Thangs (10-2), Kokomo Mantis (9-3), RC Frogs (4-8), and Valiant Pinoys (9-3) all proved to be better prepared than their opponents while the Deflators (11-1), Fredericksburg Comanches (8-4), Vicious Attack Dogs (11-1), Woflings (10-2), and Xu Da (7-5) all beat bots.


Upcoming Games To Watch

Barossa Bulldogs (8-4) @ Bulldozer (8-4)
Deflators (11-1) @ Vicious Attack Dogs (11-1)
Fredericksburg Comanches (8-4) @ Duluth Eskimos (10-2)
Istanbul Whitings (11-1) @ Vienna Falcons (10-2)

Why Watch Em'

2 teams sitting at 8-4 from opposite conferences that can't afford to lose square off in a matchup of “The Bulls”. The Barossa Bulldogs hold on to the 2nd wildcard spot in the AC, just 2 PD ahead of Fredericksburg Comanches. They are 2nd in rushing offense, 4th in passing defense, and 8th in rushing offense. Bulldozer leads the NC West by 1 game and has lost 2 in a row. Bulldozer is 7th in rushing offense, 10th in passing defense, and 3rd in rushing defense. Barossa won the only matchup in the series 27-26 last season.

2 teams sitting at 11-1 in the NC square off in a game where the loser will sit in the 3rd seed afterward for the time being. The Deflators have clinched the NC South and hold the 2nd seed in the NC just 5 PD behind 1st place Istanbul Withings. The Deflators have won 7 straight and are 5th in passing offense, 9th in rushing offense, 8th in passing defense, and 1st in rushing defense. The Vicious Attack Dogs lead the NC South by 2 games and have won 3 in a row. The Attack Dogs are 4th in rushing offense.

The Fredericksburg Comanches sit 2 PD back from the final AC Wildcard spot and trail the AC East by 2 games. The Comanches are 8th in rushing offense and 5th in rushing defense. The Eskimos sit 1st in the AC North by 1 game and 3rd overall in the AC. The Eskimos have won 2 straight and 1st best rushing offense and 9th best rushing defense.

The top 2 teams in the NC North collide. The Istanbul Whitings lead this division by one game over the Vienna Falcons and sit as the top seed in the NC North by just 5 PD over the Wolfings. Win or lose this one, they will still lead the NC North as the Falcons can only swing 120 PD in a single game making their 259 PD lead safe for now. The Whitings are 9th in passing offense and defense and 10th in rushing offense and defense. The Falcons hole the 1st NC Wildcard spot over the Kokomo Mantis. The Falcons are 10th in passing offense.

Last game of the season is borderline, but then again next season is his last as I will not be renewing his contract, so he might end up being the #2 next season.

Pretty cool. My Supercup match made "Match of the day". That's the first I've had that privilege. Too bad I expect a defeat. I haven't faired well with the elite experienced managers.

Add in his payroll, and I'm sure my players will be overmatched.

Wow...what a game with Bovakian today. I should not have won that game. He had much better yardage, and did better on 3rd downs than my team (by far). My team was 1 of 11 on 3rd downs, so you might ask, how did you win, right?

Well, Narann threw 4 interceptions and lost a fumble. 1 was returned for a TD, and another left the Mantis a few yards away from another TD (which they scored on the next play).

Thunder playoff races with 3 games remaining (date March 30, 2021)

AC

1-*Basterds 12-1 (PD 498) AC west lead, playoff bound
2-Kalapana Wild Thangs 11-2 (PD 530) 3 game AC south lead
3-Wolflings 11-2 (PD 323) 3 game AC east lead
4-Duluth Eskimos 10-2 (PD 290) 1 game AC north lead
5-Valiant Pinoys 10-3 (PD 309) AC north 2nd
6-Barossa Bulldogs 9-4 (PD 274) AC west 2nd

in the hunt
7-Fredericksburg Comanches 8-5 (PD 260) AC east 2nd
8-Xu Da 8-5 (PD 260) AC south 2nd

NC

1-*Istanbul Whitings 12-1 (PD 463) 2 game NC east lead, in playoffs
2-*Vicious Attack Dogs 12-1 (PD 379) 2 game NC south lead, in playoffs
3-*Deflators 11-2 (PD 414) *wrapped up playoff spot
4-Waukesha Wolverines 8-5 (PD 201) NC west 1st place tie
5-Kokomo Mantis 10-3 (PD 288) NC south 2nd
6-Vienna Falcons 10-3 (PD 116) NC east 2nd

in the hunt
7-Bulldozer 8-5 (PD 181) NC west 1st place tie
8-Inbhir Narann 7-6 (PD 232) NC south 3rd place tie
9-Totoras Patriots 7-6 (PD 202) NC south 3rd place tie
10-STATE of 5-8 (PD +3) NC west 3rd, and can't qualify via a wild card spot

Thunder Week 14 By The Numbers: Results and Preview

In a week full of blowouts, even between teams that were previewed, one game gives us a thrilling finish. K Tristain Paterson nailed an 18-yard field goal with 18 seconds left as the Duluth Eskimos (11-2) came from behind at home (The Igloo) and beat the Fredericksburg Comanches (8-5) 24-23. The Eskimos trailed 20-7 midway through the 3rd quarter and finished with a 17-3 run to win it. The Eskimos were blistering on 3rd downs going 10 of 13. The Eskimos still lead all of Thunder in rushing despite only rushing for 98 yards on 20 attempts. Their early hole led them to pass the ball 63 times, and they were able to move the chains with 32 total 1st downs. The Eskimos 27-year-old- free agent signee- WR Manole Apetria dominated the Comanches secondary with 17 catches, 136 yards (8.0 Avg), 78 YAC(4.6 avg), 2 broken tackles, 4 drops, and 3 touchdowns. The playoff race looks over for the Comanches as they now trail in the wildcard race by 2 games behind the Valiant Pinoys who have 2 bots left on their schedule, and 1 game behind Barossa Bulldogs who have a schedule that should see them win out.

The Barossa Bulldogs (9-4), Vicious Attack Dogs (12-1), Kokomo Mantis (10-3), Istanbul Whitings (12-1), RC Frogs (5-8), Kalapana Wild Thangs (11-2), Valiant Pinoys (10-3), Waukesha Wolverines (8-5), and Totoras Patriots (7-6) all proved to be better prepared than their opponents while the Basterds (12-1), Nashville Renegades (4-9), Wolflings (11-2), and Xu Da (8-5) all beat bots.


Upcoming Game To Watch

Duluth Eskimos (11-2) @ Valiant Pinoys (10-3)


Why Watch it

Regardless of the outcome, it appears both the Duluth Eskimos and the Valiant Pinoys will make the playoffs. This game however is for the AC North title. The Valiant Pinoys trail this division by one game but lead in PD (309- 290). A win by the Pinoys will keep them ahead in PD and could very well increase that given the last two matchups these 2 teams will have left. A win for the Eskimos and the division is theirs, even if it won't be official. The Eskimos have won all 3 matchups between these two teams including a 41-29 victory earlier this season.

Bonus Points

The Vienna Falcons play the Barossa Bulldogs and the Kokomo Mantis play a bot. Both teams sit at 10 wins and should win their respective matchups, If they do the Totoras Patriots and Inbhir Narann both will be eliminated from playoff contention. Kokomo has 2 bots remaining so at worst they finish 12-4...good enough for the playoffs. The Mantis is unofficially in!

The Waukesha Wolverines game between the Totoral Patriots is huge, even if the Patriots won't make the playoffs. A Wolverines win will leave them with 2 bots left and an 11-5 record to end the season. Bulldozer, who also sits at 8-5 and looking to win the NC West plays a bot this week and STATE oF in the season finale. However, they have the Basterds next week. That means a Wolverine win, coupled with the 2 bots should give them enough PD to make the playoffs even if Bulldozer wins out. A Wolverines loss will mean all tier hopes rest on the Basterds beating Bulldozer. Bulldozer's only hope of the playoffs in my opinion is to win out!

The AC waters are a little murkier but at the same time not really. Two teams look to win the AC North while all 5 are in play for 2 wild card slots. 3 of the 5 teams will make it below.

(AC North or Wild Card) The Eskimos (11-2) have the Pinoys, Xu Da Wap Bam Boogie left to play.
(AC North or Wild Card) The Pinoys (10-3) have the Eskimos, Bot, Flames left to play
(Wild Card) The Barossa Bulldogs (9-4) have the State oF, Bot, Bot left to play
(Wild Card) Xu Da (8-5)has the Wild Thangs, Eskimos and a bot left to play.
(Wild Card) Comanches (8-5) has the Attack Dogs, Wolflings, Bot left to play.

I see the Eskimos, Pinoys, and Bulldogs all getting to 12 wins which means Xu Da and Comanches who can only cap at 11 wins if they win out, will not make it.

Brilliant preview, as ever. No pressure then ;o)

Agree, that is a great preview as we are winding down the regular season. However, still lots of great games upcoming that will determine our playoffs!

I think we have blown it now. We got closer than ever yesterday, but I need to find the time to do research and get a playbook now if we are to move on to the next level and be competitive against the better teams.

Thunder Week 15 By The Numbers: Results and Preview: Playoff Race Edition

Here's how things stood before week 14 games were played and the results

1-*Basterds 12-1 (PD 498) Beat a bot and added 60 PD
2-Kalapana Wild Thangs 11-2 (PD 530) Beat inner-division rival and playoff hopeful Xu Da 48-31
3-Wolflings 11-2 (PD 323) Beat a bot to pick up 33 PD
4-Duluth Eskimos 11-2 (PD 290) Beat inner-division rival and playoff hopeful Valiant Pinoys 38-31
5-Valiant Pinoys 10-3 (PD 309) Lost to inner - division rival Duluth Eskimos and playoff hopeful 31-38
6-Barossa Bulldogs 9-4 (PD 274) Beat State oF 33-31

in the hunt
7-Fredericksburg Comanches 8-5 (PD 260) Lost to playoff-bound Vicious Attack Dogs 12-28
8-Xu Da 8-5 (PD 260) Lost to inner- division rival and playoff hopeful Kalapana Wild Thangs 31-48

NC

1-*Istanbul Whitings 12-1 (PD 463) Beat a bot and added 56 PD
2-*Vicious Attack Dogs 12-1 (PD 379) Beat playoff-hopeful Fredericksburg Comanches 28-12
3-*Deflators 11-2 (PD 414) Beat a bot and picked up 60
4-Waukesha Wolverines 8-5 (PD 201) Lost to playoff hopeful Totoras Patriots 9-20
5-Kokomo Mantis 10-3 (PD 288) Beat a bot and added 60 PD
6-Vienna Falcons 10-3 (PD 116) Beat Boonley Bulldozers 97-20

in the hunt
7-Bulldozer 8-5 (PD 181) Beat a bot and added 37 PD
8-Inbhir Narann 7-6 (PD 232) Beat Jarheads 48-7
9-Totoras Patriots 7-6 (PD 202) Beat playoff-hopeful Waukesha Wolverines 20-9
10-STATE of 5-8 (PD +3) Lost to playoff hopeful Barossa Bulldogs 33-31


In the AC, the Kalapana Wild Thangs, Woflings, and Duluth Eskimos all made the playoffs official. Congrats! Meanwhile, all the top 4 teams seeded in the AC won and remained seeded the same. There also were no changes for the 2 Ac wildcard teams as well. Losses by the Fredericksburg Comanches and Xu Da put them on life support.

The Kokomo Mantis and Vienna have officially made the playoffs. Congrats! The Waukesha Wolverines made the right play in choosing to play MOTY vs the Totoras Patriots...but still lost. A big blow as they fall from the 4th seed in the NC to the 9th. The loss by State oF eliminates them from NC West title contention and thus the playoffs as the only spot left to claim will come from the NC West champion. Even though both Inbhir Narann and Totoras Patriots won they were eliminated from playoff contention as well.


Updated Seedings


AC
Z 1 AC West Bastards (13-1) PD 558 plays @ playoff-hopeful Bulldozer next
Z 2 AC South Kalapana Wild Thangs (12-2) PD 547 plays vs Moreland Flames next
Z 3 AC East Wolflings (12-2) PD 356 plays inner-division rival and playoff hopeful Fredericksburg Comanches next
X 4 AC North Duluth Eskimos PD 297 plays @ playoff-hopeful Xu Da next
5 AC Valiant Pinoys (10-4) PD 302 plays a bot next
6 AC West Barossa Bulldogs (10-4) PD 276 plays a bot next

In the hunt

AC East Fredericksburg Comanches (8-6) PD 244 plays @ playoff-bound Wolflings next
AC South Xu Da (8-6) PD 243 plays vs playoff-bound Duluth Eskimos next

NC
X 1 NC East Istanbul Withings (13-1) PD 592 plays a bot next
X 2 NC South Vicious Attack Dogs (13-1) PD 395 plays @ Inbhir Narann next
Z 3 NC North Deflators (12-2) PD 448 plays vs RC Frogs next
4 NC West Bulldozer (9-5) PD 218 plays vs playoff-bound Basterds next
X 5 NC South Kokomo Mantis (11-3) PD 348 plays a bot next
X 6 NC East Vienna Falcons (11-3) PD 176 plays a bot next
In the hunt
NC West Waukesha Wolverines 8-6 PD 190 plays a bot next


What's at stake!

The Duluth Eskimos will clinch the AC North with a win. The Valiant Pinoys and Barossa Bulldogs both play a bot next and need a win to clinch a playoff berth. A Wild Thangs win coupled with a Basterds loss could potentially flip the top AC spot depending on the PD. The Whitings will clinch the NC East with a win vs the bot they play. Attack Dogs can win the AC South with a win. The Deflators are still in play for a bye in the first round with an Attack Dogs loss. A Bulldozer win vs Basterds will be huge while a loss could see them drop outside the playoff race.