The War Room (D3) – Week 8

 

Where do I begin? To tell the tale of a division so rampant with parity that it’s almost impossible and worthless to project the exact seeding structure of the playoffs. This year’s FPF seems to be the most competitive in recent history, as teams in divisions 1,2 and 3 are thick in the hunt for their respective titles. I would have included Div 4 in the mix, but I think I’d be lying based on the presence of two very strong frauds. But I’ll leave Div 4 to that beat writer Rehan and whoever else chooses to immerse themselves in the division 4 evil “game of desire”.

Taking a quick look across the division three landscape…

Conference A:

East: This division is a very close race with three teams in the mix for a shot at division winner. AMB Eagles control their destiny right now and are playing very well (but have a tough schedule left). If Cobras can beat the Eagles and VPC (which they probably won’t, sorry Lever), then they have a great chance of winning the division.

West: Quack Quack (that’s Duck for … Sorry Primetime.)

North: Lazy Boys may have an easy schedule left, but don’t tell them that. They are still probably sore from their loss to Collusion 67 (who spoiled their almost perfect season) and will be taking out their frustrations for weeks to come. Souljahs can beg all they want for a change of playoff format, because they will probably be the best team left outside the bubble.

South: DK vs GPK week 10 will be a HUUUUGE game (Sorta like Jamal Pierre aka Cheeseburger Eddie). Either team has the talent to take the division, but the experience of the DK will probably tip the scale in their favour. DK, final answer.

Conference B:

North: Avery tough division to call at this point, too many games to predict and too many teams still in the hunt. D-Boys have an obvious advantage in the depth of their roster. They will probably win out and make a mockery of the Bandits and Outlawz. As for the Bandits, they can still fight for that wildcard spot (even with a loss to D-Boys).

East: This division is really the “sunbelt conference” of the whole league. With complete and utter failures surrounding them, the U have managed to rise to the top. Don’t expect much from them come playoff time, but hey at least they get to play another game.

West: This division is a mess with all four teams potential candidates for the postseason. Not so sure any of them really deserve a shot, but how they handle their business in the next three weeks might generate some momentum going into the playoffs.

South: The Dirty Birds were flying away with this division until Big TDs shot them down last week. Although Hurley and Co still control their own destiny, Rude Bwoys and Big TDs are making a serious charge. If the Big TDs win out and the Dirty Birds falter once more, the division will have slipped from their wings.

The Playoff Picture (as of Week 8)

Conference A:

1. Ducks (7-0)

2. Lazy Boys (6-1)

3. DK (6-1)

4. AMB Eagles (5-2)

5. GPK (5-2)

6. Primetime (5-2)

7. VPC (5-2)

8. Cobras (4-3)

Conference B:

1. Dirty Birds (5-2)

2. D- Boys (5-2)

3. The U (4-3)

4. Park Street Elite (4-3)

5. Big Tds (4-3)

6. Bandits (4-3)

7. Top Sauce (4-3)

8. Rude Bwoys (4-3)

 

Power Rankings (1-10):

#1 Ducks (7-0): Another day at the office for our feathered friends. They disposed of the Squad by the end of the first half. I’m not sure anyone will pose a legitimate threat to them as they are simply too strong in terms of depth to be stopped right now. Chevalier had his third 3 td game of the year, which is quite impressive for this usually unnoticed WR.

#2 D-Boys (5-2): Some defensive problems for their secondary as Cerallo shredded them for 249 yards and 4 TDs, but Gino Di Fazio and Marc Champagnie managed to power the offense in the second half to pull out the win. The addition of “Champ” continues to play a huge factor on their success.

#3 Lazy Boys (6-1): They dismantled the Trojans with ease, playing great defence and forcing the opposing QB into three turnovers and only 73 yards. They did have some problems stopping the run (allowing 81 yards). But they are shoring up my early criticism of a complacent defence. They look poised to give the Ducks a fight in the conference.

#4 DK (6-1): What a great offensive performance by Jamal Pierre (4 tds)! Destroying Collusion 67 with 52 points is simply absurd but allowing them to score 32 is a little unsettling. The defense better regroup because two harsher opponents lay ahead (Big TDs and GPK).

#5 AMB Eagles (5-2): They outplayed GPK on both sides of the ball. Beladjat completed only 8 passes all game, only problem was…. 6 were for TDS. They are serious this year, ladies and gentlemen. I wouldn’t want to be in the Conference A bracket when they come steaming along.

#6 VPC (5-2): They are in a fight for their respective division’s top spot. They didn’t convince many people of their worthiness by allowing Brocassion to score 31 points on the defence, but I’ll put that one down to laziness. Their date with the Cobras will reveal a lot about their character.

#7 GPK (5-2): Yes, you got bitten by the AMB Eagles. Nobody will eat your lunch for that. But how you respond from this loss will go a long way into turning your critics into believers. Perhaps, success is getting to your heads?

#8 Primetime (5-2): A good quality win against VR6, and a decent defensive performance to match. The army of Daoust’s are pushing their opponents to the brink in tight games and are not looking back. I think they will be a tough wildcard to play if they can keep focused and organized.

#9 Big TDs (4-3): They were great vs. the Dirty Birds, with Springer demonstrating that he can play QB as well as he talks the talk. They are oozing confidence right now and will need to continue to play at a high level if they want to secure playoff position.

#10 Dirty Birds (5-2): Although, the WEPL may indicate that they are mess in the locker room. I would probably defend us by saying, we merely took a night off from playing proper defence. They hold themselves to a very high standard, and this can lead to frustration when losing. Good thing is, they aren’t used to losing…

Castleton’s Random Thoughts of the Week:

1. Gianni Settino: this song’s for you…. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGyFG4QFWOs

2 Donald Shepherd: last week in my All Star article, I mentioned that Paul Lapierre was the snapper of the Lazy Boys. I was mistaken. Donald has been doing a great job at center and deserves the credit at his position. Thus I am moving Andrew McDonald to first team all star and promoting Bombsquad to second team.

3. Kings: Congrats to the Kings for dethroning the Texas All-Stars from the ranks of unbeatens. This gives the Shockers a shot at the first week bye. Rehan is simply a man of the people, I tell you…

4. Hurricanes: What’s going on guys? I was expecting another run at perfection and a date with MTL Finest in the finals. Now it looks like that date with Montreal’s Finest could be in the first round of the playoffs? A little anti-climatic!

5. Serge to Robinson: Hmmm they looked like a deadly tandem. I wonder if Serge could ever replace Rick on another well established team… (Over/Under on a FB message from Rick on this one: 35 minutes from post)

6. Stats: Enough with records, stats and self glorifying fb posts. Don’t let EGO consume your enjoyment of this league. Stats ruin team chemistry and ultimately build resentment. I guarantee you that the best players in this league don’t even remember their accolades with any degree of accuracy.

7: Time Bombs: I guess the timer went off? What a beat down by FOTC! A solid win and game by Jonathan Lemieux.!

 

Quote of the Week:

“I’m all about stats, guy”

– J. Springer, during the second half of their surprising win over the Dirty Birds.

 

My Game of the Week:

 

Rude Bwoys vs AMB Eagles: the charging Bwoys have gotten themselves in a prime position to challenge for the division. However, the AMB Eagles will outmatch them with brutal and aggressive defense. The Rude Bwoys have heart but the Eagles are just too dominant. Prediction: AMB Eagles 26- Rude Bwoys 12

 

MVP Leader: Gino Di Fazio (leader in yards and passing TD), had a great game 240 yards and 6 Tds. Just another day on the Death Star for the Sith leader…