Division Previews

Hello all. I'm going to post a preseason division favorite and overall league grouping (champion, contending for playoff, building for future, avoiding relegation). I'll u p d a t e at the quarter, half, and three quarter marks of the season. In between those I'll also post previews to games of interest and review games of interest.

AC East

Alert Polar Bears

Overall Team Rating 75.1%. Pretty Balanced in this regard. Finished last season 11-5 and lost in the divisional round to Seahawks.

Last season had #3 pass offense #27 rush offense #9 pass defense and #16 rush defense.

Lonestar Armadillos

Overall Team Rating 75.7% Finished last season 8-8. With three weeks to go in the season they were one game behind Polar Bears and in second place. Unfortunately they lost the last 3 games to divisional foes.

Last season had # 12 pass offense # 14 rush offense # 21 pass defense # 13 rush defense

Paladins

Overall Team Rating 80.8% Finished last season 10-6 second in division and just outside the playoffs.

Last season had # 17 pass offense #17 rush offense # 29 pass defense # 19 rush defense

Ueterlande 49er

Overall Team Rating 72.3% Finished last season a respectable 9-7.

Last season had # 8 pass offense # 11 rush offense #14 pass defense # 4 rush defense

This is a tough A division! Top to bottom there was no losing record. From this division it is difficult to name a favorite since not much separated them. I know Polar Bears won last season but for some reason I'm leaning towards Paladins.

AC North

Jackalopes

Overall Team Rating 76.4 Finished last season 13-3, second in the division, and lost in the divisional round to the AC North Champ and eventual league champ, Ergodicity.

Last season had # 14 pass offense # 4 rush offense # 5 pass defense # 21 rush defense

Westlake Marines

Overall Team Rating 77.9 Finished last season 12-4, 3rd in the division, and lost in the divisional round to Polar Bears by 3 points.

Last season had # 18 pass offense #5 rush offense # 13pass defense # 10rush defense

Quack Attack

Overall Team Rating 73.5 Finished last season 6-10 and losing the final 7 games of the season. They happen to be the situation of having such a stacked division last year.

Last season had # 16 pass offense #18 rush offense # 8 pass defense # 20 rush defense

Panthers

Overall Team Rating 75.3 Finished last season 3-13 in the RZA Elite league and is here by relegation. The rankings below are based off that league.

Last season had # 22 pass offense # 13 rush offense # 29 pass defense # 3 rush defense

This was a hellish division last season with 3 teams in the playoffs and third place had only 4 losses? Also had the league champ? I am glad I didn't land here this season lol. Gone are the champs but Jackalopes and Marines are strong! Panthers might also be strong. Duel between Marines and Jackalopes!

AC South

Viper

Overall Team Rating 71.3% Finished last season last 10-6 won the division and lost in the first round to Jackalopes by one point. What is surprising is they won the division despite having a -44 point differential. Although the smackdown by the Jackalopes when they won by over 70 points contributed to that for sure.

Last season had # 7 pass offense # 19 rush offense # 20 pass defense # 23 rush defense

Wolves

Overall Team Rating 75.5% Finished last season 9-7 and just outside the playoff picture.

Last season had # 27 pass offense # 12 rush offense # 32 pass defense # 24 rush defense

Deventer Devils

Overall Team Rating 73.8% Finished last season 6-10 and losing 7 of the last 8 games.

Last season had # 4 pass offense # 25 rush offense # 10 pass defense # 26 rush defense

Turigtians

Overall Team Rating 67.3 Finished last season 15-1, won their D2 division, and AC champs for D2. Tough defense and crafty game planning.

Last season had # 10 pass offense # 2 rush offense # 12 pass defense # 3 rush defense

This division certainly had some defensive issues. Only one team had a ranking for division above 20 and that was the devils having a #10 pass defense. 3 out of 4 teams had a negative point differential. The new guy on the block is Turigtians who ,in D2, at least had a great defense. Viper had the better defenses out of the rest and could throw the ball. Their point differential is mostly from Jackalopes. So I guess they are the early favorite but I wouldn't be surprised to see the new guy compete.

AC West

Mulheim Seahawks

Overall Team Rating 76.5 Finished last season 12-4, won the division, and lost in wild card round.

Last season had # 21 pass offense # 7 rush offense # 28 pass defense #5 rush defense

Baltic Stars

Overall Team Rating 73.6 Finished last season 5-11

Last season had # 1 pass offense # 31 rush offense # 31 pass defense # 17 rush defense

Wuppertaler Greyhounds

Overall Team Rating 69.6 Finished last season 3-13

Last season had # 2 pass offense # 32 rush offense # 23 pass defense # 15 rush defense

Sfniner08

Overall Team Rating 67 Finished last season 15-1, won D2 division, and lost in Conf. Championship game D2.

Last season had # 5 pass offense # 5 rush offense # 10 pass defense # 2 rush defense

The Seahawks dominated last season at 12-4 while the other 3 teams combined for a total of 9 wins. This division had the #1 an #2 passing offenses but is that because they were behind? Those teams also had the lowest ranked defenses. It seems difficult to see them rising up in a single off season strong enough to challenge the Seahawks. I don't think my own team is bad per se but I highly doubt I can keep up with the Seahawks (that hurts so much to type as a 49er fan lol) yet. I plan to within 2 seasons though. Seahawks run away with this one.


Note: Greyhounds haven't logged on since Dec. 30.


NC East

Budapest Wolves

Overall Team Rating 72% Finished last season 15-1 and lost in 2nd round of D2 playoffs.

Last season had # 8 pass offense # 3 rush offense # 21 pass defense # 5 rush defense

Nottingham Outlaws

Overall Team Rating 74.1% Finished last season 8-8 first in the division, lost in first round.

Last season had # 9 pass offense # 20 rush offense # 1 pass defense # 12 rush defense

St. Pauli Packers

Overall Team Rating 71.7% Finished last season 13-3, won division, conf champ, and league champ for D2.

Last season had # 2 pass offense # 9 rush offense # 14 pass defense # 20 rush defense

Tilburg Torpedos 8-8 second in the division.

Overall Team Rating 77.9% Finished last season

Last season had # 26 pass offense # 16 rush offense # 15 pass defense # 22 rush defense

From an outsider point of view this seems like the division was won by defense last season. If that is true then this will be a very interesting division. The 2 newcomes pack an offense punch. In fact St. Pauli basically tries to outscore you in a slugfest. They thrive on getting turnovers and scoring on offense. Budapest also scores a lot but has a much better defense than St. Pauli. I don't think it is a given that the incumbents win the division. If I had to put money on it I'd actually wager on Budapest to win it with St. Pauli an Outlaws right there. The team ratings and player levels aren't that different among the 4 teams.

NC North

Gardians

Overall Team Rating 78.7% Finished last season 10-6 and right out of the playoff picture.

Last season had # 13 pass offense # 6 rush offense # 17 pass defense # 8 rush defense

Nuthuggers

Overall Team Rating 76.7% Finished last season 3-13

Last season had # 20 pass offense # 23 rush offense # 6 pass defense # 27 rush defense

Old Town Rooks

Overall Team Rating 76.1% Finished last season 10-6 and also right outside the playoff picture.

Last season had # 23 pass offense # 8 rush offense # 16 pass defense # 11 rush defense

Rio Atoms

Overall Team Rating 79.6% Finished last season 12-4 losing in the second round.

Last season had # 10 pass offense # 9 rush offense # 19 pass defense # 9 rush defense

This division is returning all 4 teams so not much mystery and I don't think I'm going out on a limb to say Rio is the favorite with the most balanced team.

NC South

Miami Dolphins

Overall Team Rating 70.2% Finished last season 13-3, won division, lost in divisional round D2.

Last season had # 4 pass offense # 14 rush offense # 31 pass defense # 15 rush defense

Mulheim Steelers

Overall Team Rating 77.9% Finished last season 11-5, second in division, and lost in wild card round.

Last season had # 19 pass offense # 3 rush offense # 7 pass defense # 18 rush defense

The Blackmanes

Overall Team Rating 69.2% Finished last season 12-4, second in division, and lost in D2 conf. championship game.

Last season had # 24 pass offense # 4 rush offense # 16 pass defense # 9 rush defense

The Pinellas Pikes

Overall Team Rating 81.5% Finished last season 14-2 won division and lost in conf championship game.

Last season had # 5 pass offense # 2 rush offense # 2 pass defense # 1 rush defense

Pikes are obvious favorites. You don't finish top 5 in all rankings by accident. Plus the team rating is high as well. Plenty of track record. I'm curious how the game will turn out when Steelers play Blackmanes as they seem to have similar styles. They like to run. As for Miami, they were in Dragons in season 44 in the AC West and are now in the NC North. What is similar is there is a Mulheim team in both lol. He traded the Seahawks for the Steelers. Will this time be different for Miami?

NC West

Budapest Janitors

Overall Team Rating 75.9% Finished last season 10-6 and just outside the playoffs.

Last season had # 29 pass offense #15 rush offense # 25 pass defense #14 rush defense

Girona Dragons

Overall Team Rating 71.7% Finished last season 5-11

Last season had # 15 pass offense #22 rush offense # 11 pass defense # 3 rush defense

Moraira Moors

Overall Team Rating 84% Finished last season 5-11 in RZA Elite.

Last season had # 7 pass offense # 29 rush offense # 14 pass defense #30 rush defense

Home of Werewolves

Overall Team Rating 80.3% Finished last season 12-4, 2nd in division, and losing in 2nd round by 1 point to Pikes.

Last season had # 6 pass offense #18 rush offense # 13 pass defense # 6 rush defense

I'm a little shocked to see Girona at 5-11 with a solid defense like they have. After looking I noticed that 5 games they lost were single digit differentials. The 6 double digit losses they had were by 2 teams mostly. They lost to Werewolves and Dolphins by double digit twice. The other two double digit losses was 10 to Seahawks and 11 to Greyhounds. All of this to say they are a dark horse.

The favorite still is between Werewolves and Moors. Even though Moors were relegated they could still score plenty on the Elite league.

Champion Contenders

AC

Jackalopes
Marines

NC

Pikes
Rio

Contenders to get into playoffs

AC

Polar Bears
Paladins
Panthers
Vipers
Seahawks
Turigtians

NC

Outlaws
Packers
Wolves
Gardians
Steelers
Moors
Werewolves

Some of these are based on what division they are in. Obviously some divisions are stronger than others.

I do not think that my team is a title contender. Actually I am not even confident on keeping NC North crown dueling with Gardians and and Oldtown Rooks while my schedule includes Pikes and Moors.

I believe that Moors and Werewolves are definitely prepared to battle the Pikes for promotion to Elite. They have strong squads with good QBs. And both are better managers/coaches than me (and I am sure that the tactical part will be truly important in this season).

But I liked this first preview a lot! Just take care with those ratings as most teams had squad changes during season rollover so those numbers are slightly different now.

I really like those posts
Really fun to read.

for edit: I lost in div round not in wild card round


I think Moors is the other Champion contender for the NC.

He is really really good.

Its really hard to predict some of these DIVs.

I though before the season, when moors are gooing into NC, i really have a good chance to go to elite this season.
But my schedule is pretty hard, while playing the whole NC west.

And this AC north looks kind of scary

At least im pretty lucky with my divison at the moment. No front to any of those teams

Im looking forward to this season, while keeping almost my whole roster, only lost 1 Oliner

Thanks for the report Sfniner08, great job!

I'll do what I can to make our games entertaining lol.
Although I was 1-9 in friendlies against D1 last season so don't get your hopes up.

Placeholder, will finish later today.

Jan 15th Games Preview

Jackalopes @ Steelers

These two teams have not played each other in a league game since season 39! Based on last seasons rankings and main stats they seem to be built similar on offense. Jackalopes #3 rushing Steelers # 4 rushing. Jackalopes #19 passing Steelers #14 passing. The difference is in how they score. Jackalopes scored 26 tds on the ground while Steelers scored 37. Jackalopes scored 35 passing and Steelers 20 td's passing.

Defense is pretty similar as both are top 10 in pass defense while on rushing defense steelers were 18th and Jackalopes were 21st.

Neither team had common opponents either.

I think the key to this game is who controls the clock the most and doesn't turn it over. Two running teams that both allow rushing yards on defense will make it feel like a smash mouth game.

Rio @ Pikes

Last season the Pikes took a 21-16 lead heading into the 4th quarter. Rio proceeded to complete 2 drives in the 4th quarter that consumed 10 minutes combined and resulted in touchdowns. A 15 play 88 yard drive and a 12 play 79 yard drive. What kept them in the game up to that point was two interceptions off the Pikes that resulted in 10 points.

Late in the season they played a friendly that saw the Pikes win by 3 points. Who knows in a friendly if they played serious or not.

Based on stats last season I would think the Pikes win but really it is a close game with two top level teams.

Polar Bears @ Paladins

Nice way to start a new season with an in division game that features two team competing to claim the division champ title. In their first match up last season the Polar Bears demolished the Paladins on the scoreboard but statistically it was a close game. The second matchup the Paladins eaked out a one point victory. Much like in football in real life there are some things that sway the course of a game. The victor in both contests also won the turnover battle. Another aspect is the big play. In the first matchup the Polar Bears had 2 touchdowns passes in the 3rd quarter that were over 75 yards each. Keys to this game are turnovers and the big play.

SF Personal Game of Interest

I might have a game or two that I personally find interesting even though they may or may not impact league wide impact. This is one of those games.

Blackmanes @ St. Pauli

These two were division rivals in Dragons 2 last season. They are opposites in how they are built. Blackmanes run and try to not give up big yardage plays. St. Pauli throws all over the place with big plays and on defense bends a lot but gets turnovers. In their first game St. Pauli won 35-30, the second game doesn't count as St. Pauli forgot (I'm guessing) to not remove relaxed mode and they were smoked, and the final game they played was the Conference championship game where St. Pauli won 23-20. In both games of consequence it was the same story where St. Pauli had the lead and Blackmanes chased the whole time. They were always within a score but just couldn't take the lead late in the game. I'm curious if Blackmanes have improved or figured out what to do to get over the hump of their rival.

Post Game for Week 1

Some of these matches lived up to the hype!

Pikes 38 Rio 31

This is a match between two of the stronger teams in D1 and the stats were fairly even. The Pikes won despite losing the turnover battle.

With 4 minutes remaining Rio scored a touchdown to tie the game up at 31. On the ensuing kickoff the Pikes returned it for 53 yards. Tough time for a big return if you are the Rio Manager! With that incredibly short field the Pikes didn't face any third downs and getting a touchdown to take the lead. Rio did get the ball back with a minute to go but missed connecting on the pass plays on the final drive.

I looked through the stats and couldn't find any one thing that tipped the scales. In my opinion I think it was a matter of the Pikes just moving the ball a little bit better per play. The Pikes had a better rush average and a better yards per pass average.

Steelers 30 Jackalopes 13

Well I wiffed on this preview. The Steelers took the Jackalopes behind the woodshed and gave them a lashing. Steelers double Jackalopes in yards, points, and time of possession. The stat the Jackalopes did have better was turnovers. The first half was closer but Jackalopes managed only 3 points in the second half.

Old Town Rooks 34 Gardians 28

I didn't preview this matchup but after looking at it now it was an entertaining match.
The first half the OTR scored 2 field goals and then scored 3 touchdowns off of interceptions thrown by Gardians. The first INT was returned for a TD and the other 2 the OTR got were on the Gardians 20 and 30 yard line. Gardians did get a touchdown in the 2nd quarter that was a 13 play 80 yard drive. At halftime the OTR had a commanding 27 to 7 lead.

In the second half there were no more turnovers and the OTR had to hold off against a 21 point comeback by the Gardians to take a 1 point lead with 8:44 remaining in the game. The OTR struggled in the second half with the first 3 drives netting under 50 total yards. The 4th drive was a 61 yard drive that resulted in a missed field goal. When it mattered the OTR put together a 16 play TD drive that was 78 yards and ate up over 6 minutes of game clock to take the lead 34-28. Gardians were driving on their last drive but ran out of time since they had less than 2 minutes left when they got the ball.

Paladins 27 Polar Bears 24

It started and finished unfavorably for the Polar Bears. They also may be considering firing their kicker lol. On the first drive the Bears threw the only turnover of the game and the Paladins took that INT and drove down 57 yards for a touchdown. The Bears threw to 80+ yard touchdown passes in this game. There was some back and forth.

Then the 4th quarter starts with the Bears holding on to a 24 to 20 lead. Each team got 2 drives in the fourth quarter. The Bears had two drives that were 10 and 11 plays each. Both ended in field goal misses. A 45 yard and a 49 yard attempt. The Paladins punted and scored a touchdown on their 2 drives and this is the difference in the game. On one of this missed field goals it was a 4th and 1. Heartbreaking loss for Bears. Great win for Paladins. Can't wait to see the rematch!

I think I'm going to hold off on previews for a few weeks until I have a better read on teams. I'll continue to write the post for games though.

Hey as far as my game vs steelers I totally blew my defensive depth chart. I had peeps out of position and my starting bad ass corners didnt get the start. I still had it all locked in on my off season friendly rotation.



Quality write ups for sure sfniner!

and I now have my dc set and triple checked for our game just for you!

Thought I'll get a review after my suprise win over the massively favoured Moors....

If it caught me offguard I'm pretty sure it did the same to others.