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Week Twelve
Top Five
1. Phoenix Riders (10-1) - W 48-31 over St. Paul Bandits - LW #1
It looks like QB Carl Reese is finally getting used to the players around him and system he is in. He had his best game as a Rider, throwing for 325 yards and three touchdowns, against one of the leagues best teams. That was the first game of a four straight home stand. Next week the Riders host the (2-9) Portland Phantoms. They are favored by 16.
2. Baltimore Bulls (10-1) - W 41-7 over Punx Phils - LW #2
Dominated. The Bulls scored on their first five drives. This team however, will now play four straight road games. I think the Bulls are good enough to handle this road trip, but don't be shocked if they lose a game or two. Next week is the (6-5) North Liberty Enforcers.
3. St. Paul Bandits (9-2) - L 31-48 to Phoenix Riders – LW #3
This loss just proves that they are not quite on the Phoenix/Baltimore level. The St. Paul Bandits are a great team that could make noise in the playoffs, but the Riders and Bulls are on a different level. The Bandits finish the season with four out of five games being at home. First up, the (2-9) Boston Fighting Irish.
4. New Orleans Stingrays (8-3) - W 31-24 over Columbus Catfish - LW #4
HUGE come from behind win for the Stingrays. After week 9, this team was 7-2, coming off a bye. Then they lost to Waco, and entering the 4th quarter against Columbus, they were down 14-24, heading towards 7-4. The Stingrays responded with 17 points, 10 of which came in the final five minutes, to pull out the comeback win. Next week they host the (6-5) Denver Grizzlies.
5. Tie - Kalispel Stags, Camden Cutters and Memphis Admirals
None of these teams are super impressive to me. They are the "best of the rest" bunch.
Bottom One
1. Charlotte Knights - W 27-14 over Port City Steam
CALLED IT. I figured the Knights best chance to win was against the Steam, coming off a bye and defending the home turf. Charlotte has four of its next five games on the road to finish out the season. 1-16 might be in reach!
Game of the Week
I was on bye, in the game, and from doing the write-up last week, so I didn't make a GOTW call.
Next weeks "Game of the Week" is between the (6-5) Lake County Xtreme and the (8-3) Kalispel Stags. Both desperately need a win to keep pace in their divisional races. Both teams will probably have to air it out to get the big win.
Player Spotlights
This weeks offensive spotlight is on Washington Bombers Running Back Randy Richardson. The fifth year pro is currently second in the OSFL in receptions, and he plays RB! While the Bombers have another poor season (3-8), Richardson is having one of his best. He is fifth in the league in rushing (942 yards, 4.53 ypc) and he has 389 yards receiving on top of that.
This weeks defensive spotlight is on Punx Phils Defensive End Otis Reese. The 4th overall pick in this years draft is finally starting to get the hang of things. In the past two weeks combined, he has registered seven solo tackles, an assisted tackle, a sack, four hurries and a QB knockdown.
Extra Points
1. One of the leagues best kick returners, Charlotte Knights Heath Dixon has been given one opportunity to return punts this season. He returned it for 40 yards.
2. Project FB/HB/RB hybrid has brought on mixed results. For those that don't know, I drafted a FB in round two, trying to make him a key part of my teams offense. Well, he had turf toe for the first half of the season. But in the past three games Wally Fulton has had 48 rushes for 151 yards and 10 catches for 56 yards, one total TD. That averages out to about 20 touches a game. I am definitely getting the ball to him like I want, but the results are so-so.
Top Five
1. Phoenix Riders (10-1) - W 48-31 over St. Paul Bandits - LW #1It looks like QB Carl Reese is finally getting used to the players around him and system he is in. He had his best game as a Rider, throwing for 325 yards and three touchdowns, against one of the leagues best teams. That was the first game of a four straight home stand. Next week the Riders host the (2-9) Portland Phantoms. They are favored by 16.
2. Baltimore Bulls (10-1) - W 41-7 over Punx Phils - LW #2Dominated. The Bulls scored on their first five drives. This team however, will now play four straight road games. I think the Bulls are good enough to handle this road trip, but don't be shocked if they lose a game or two. Next week is the (6-5) North Liberty Enforcers.
3. St. Paul Bandits (9-2) - L 31-48 to Phoenix Riders – LW #3This loss just proves that they are not quite on the Phoenix/Baltimore level. The St. Paul Bandits are a great team that could make noise in the playoffs, but the Riders and Bulls are on a different level. The Bandits finish the season with four out of five games being at home. First up, the (2-9) Boston Fighting Irish.
4. New Orleans Stingrays (8-3) - W 31-24 over Columbus Catfish - LW #4HUGE come from behind win for the Stingrays. After week 9, this team was 7-2, coming off a bye. Then they lost to Waco, and entering the 4th quarter against Columbus, they were down 14-24, heading towards 7-4. The Stingrays responded with 17 points, 10 of which came in the final five minutes, to pull out the comeback win. Next week they host the (6-5) Denver Grizzlies.
5. Tie - Kalispel Stags, Camden Cutters and Memphis Admirals
None of these teams are super impressive to me. They are the "best of the rest" bunch.
Bottom One
1. Charlotte Knights - W 27-14 over Port City SteamCALLED IT. I figured the Knights best chance to win was against the Steam, coming off a bye and defending the home turf. Charlotte has four of its next five games on the road to finish out the season. 1-16 might be in reach!
Game of the Week
I was on bye, in the game, and from doing the write-up last week, so I didn't make a GOTW call.
Next weeks "Game of the Week" is between the (6-5) Lake County Xtreme and the (8-3) Kalispel Stags. Both desperately need a win to keep pace in their divisional races. Both teams will probably have to air it out to get the big win.
Player Spotlights
This weeks offensive spotlight is on Washington Bombers Running Back Randy Richardson. The fifth year pro is currently second in the OSFL in receptions, and he plays RB! While the Bombers have another poor season (3-8), Richardson is having one of his best. He is fifth in the league in rushing (942 yards, 4.53 ypc) and he has 389 yards receiving on top of that.
This weeks defensive spotlight is on Punx Phils Defensive End Otis Reese. The 4th overall pick in this years draft is finally starting to get the hang of things. In the past two weeks combined, he has registered seven solo tackles, an assisted tackle, a sack, four hurries and a QB knockdown.
Extra Points
1. One of the leagues best kick returners, Charlotte Knights Heath Dixon has been given one opportunity to return punts this season. He returned it for 40 yards.
2. Project FB/HB/RB hybrid has brought on mixed results. For those that don't know, I drafted a FB in round two, trying to make him a key part of my teams offense. Well, he had turf toe for the first half of the season. But in the past three games Wally Fulton has had 48 rushes for 151 yards and 10 catches for 56 yards, one total TD. That averages out to about 20 touches a game. I am definitely getting the ball to him like I want, but the results are so-so.
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