Top Defences and A Not So EZW

Week 8 

Welcome to week 8 as the season slowly dwindles down to its final weeks. This are heating up in Tier 2 and the following weeks are crucial to establish final seeding. With some teams already at 7 games played the room for error and decreased significantly making every play in every game matter that much more. Ill go over some headlines and more importantly analyze some of the best defensive units in the league and some of their star players. I decided to leave out players of the week for this article as practically no games were played in week 7. So gear up for another action packed week of FPF. 

Weekly headlines 

Beer Belly Brigade wins 2 in a row

Beer Belly Brigade have won their last 2 weeks to get their record to 3-3 and in the #9 seed at the moment. Their 2 week 6 wins came from being Voodoo first 49-25 where their offence was the best it has been all year scoring 49 points as their highest points total of the season. Their second game of week 6 was versus a tough ambush team where they came out with a one score win 31-25. The story in this one was Alexandre Fafard being unbothered by opposing rushers and was able to complete passes and keep moving the ball using ALL of his receivers. Fafard Threw 5 TDs to 5 different receivers. A big team win like this is exactly what Beer Belly Brigade needed to give them the jolt that they need to move into the top bracket of tier 2. Just on the outside looking in as the 9 seed  Beer Belly Brigade have Still C.R.A and EZW left on their schedule and will need to win at least one if they want to secure a top 8 seeded finish. 

Stoics lose 33-26 Vs EZW 

Not sure why the stats aren’t up for this game but it was played. At first glance I thought maybe the game was postponed but almost impossible an indoor game gets rescheduled. Thanks to my goos friend and cameraman extraordinaire Chris Rivest I was able to get some info on how the game played out. Final score was 33-26 for EZW but The Stoics had climbed out of a 26-12 whole. Almost another spectacular comeback for The Stoics as their offence tool care of business and tied the game with less then 5 plays left. Unfortunately EZW was able to score with only two plays remaining to put the game away and hand The Stoics another loss. Other thing to not from this game was that Aj Gomes must not have been present as he will not be able to become playoff eligible for the Stoics. But some good roster news for them is that Jeanslee Alexis will be able to join the Stoics on their playoff run. 

Spotlight matchups of the week 

Fins Up (4-2) Vs Game Changers (3-3)

As the Tier 2 FPF season charges into its seventh week, a highly-anticipated matchup is set to unfold between two top bracket contenders: Game Changers and Fins Up. With both teams boasting commendable records, this clash promises an exhilarating display of athleticism and offensive firepower. Game Changers, standing at an even 3-3, have proven themselves to be a dynamic force in FPF playing multiple seasons and find themselves middle of the pack here int her 2 as their offence has amassed an impressive 188 points across their six games. This offensive proficiency demonstrates their ability to execute plays with precision and capitalize on redbone opportunities. However, they face a tough opponent in Fins Up this week that will test Game changers and test their legitimacy in the top bracket. Fins Up is a team that boasts a stellar 4-2 record and a reputation for one of the tier 2’s best defences. This matchup promises a true test of offensive firepower and tenacity. At the helm of the Fins Up’ offense stands the talented Will Power, who has orchestrated an impressive 17 touchdowns while demonstrating poise with only 5 interceptions. Power’s ability to read defences and make smart decisions under pressure has been instrumental in their success. Will has missed a few games for Fins Up and I wonder how and if the results of those games would change and what his overall season stat line would look like. Nevertheless, what truly sets Fins Up apart, though, is their remarkable efficiency on extra points. Having amassed over 24 points through successful 2-point conversion attempts. They possess a unique ability to extend their lead and apply added pressure on their opponents. This proficiency in converting extra points not only puts the Fins Up ahead on the scoreboard but also forces opposing offenses to play catch-up. I can’t see this game going any other way other then Fins Up doing their thing with Will Power at QB and winning he turnover battle as well as scoring as many points on contest as possible making Game Changers efforts useless. Give me Fins Up 42-28. 

Top 3 Defences of Tier 2 

1. Dirty Birds 

In my opinion The Dirty Birds are the #1 defence in tier 2 as they have been some of the best at keeping opposing teams from scoring and have stuffed the stat sheet on defence. This squad has secured a total of 9 interceptions in 6 games so far. This tells me this team possesses a high level of defensive proficiency in reading the opposing quarterback’s intentions, tendency’s and capitalizing on mistakes. These interceptions have been crucial in disrupting the opposing team’s offensive rhythm and has allowed Dirty Birds to lead in most of their games as their offence is given more opportunities with the ball.  This defence has not allowed any of their opponent to surpass 35 points allowing them to be competitive in every game they play. Their 4-2 record could be a little better but both those losses came by 7 points or less and these games were not lost due to a lack of defence. Another reason why Dirty birds are my #1 ranked defence is because they lead in sacks. With an impressive 13 sacks, the Dirty Birds have demonstrated a tough pass rush. Naz Dhillon, the teams main rusher, has done a great job at disrupting opposing quarterback’s timing, forcing hurried decisions and mistakes. Leading the defence and securing  negative yardage plays, putting opposing offenses in unfavorable down-and-distance situations consistently. Lastly, allowing only 138 points against them, the Dirty Birds have proven to be highly effective at minimizing the opponent’s offensive production. Showing a strong overall defensive performance in terms of both pass coverage and pass rush.

2. Kiss My Inlaws 

Kiss My Inlaws have firmly established themselves as one of the premier defensive units in Tier 2  and their impressive stats provide compelling evidence for their top-tier status. To start, The sheer number of interceptions is a standout feature of Kiss My Inlaws’ defensive ability. Leading the league by intercepting the ball 17 times as a unit in the course of their 7 games demonstrates an exceptional ability to read and react to the opposition’s passing game and create crucial turnovers. Led by Vincent Benjamin and Alexi Dubois, their unrelentless effort to create turnovers and jump routes have been top tier. Creating issues for every single QB they have faced.  While their sack count may be relatively lower compared to some other teams, it’s important to note that Kiss My Inlaws have still managed to apply significant pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Only 5 recorded sacks by rusher Lucas Quenneville, but his presence is probably why QB’s are making bad decisions or poor throws causing them to have the most INTs in the division. Additionally, a defense that can put points on the board is a game-changer. The fact that Kiss My Inlaws have managed to score touchdowns through their defense speaks volumes about their playmaking and athletic ability. These defensive touchdowns not only provide an immediate boost on the scoreboard but can also serve as a  huge momentum swing. Lastly this defence has allowed 188 points in their 7 wins. While this number might seem relatively high, it’s important to consider the broader context of the league and the teams +/-. In a highly competitive environment, KMI have outscored their opponents by 102. So other teams have had more opportunities to score points as their own defences have not been able to stop KMI’s strong offence. Their stats and record speak for themselves, this is a scary team that is hot and clicking on all cylinders.

3. Dime and Bougie 

Dime and Bougie have rightfully earned their place as the #3 ranked defense in Tier 2 and their impressive stats serve as a testament to their consistent defensive dominance. Starting off tooth their Points allowed (167 in 7 games): Holding opponents to an average of 24 points per game in a high-scoring league is an achievement in itself. It reflects the consistency and resilience of Dime and Bougie’s defense, particularly when facing tough competition. Facing The Infantry and Les Potes à Bessette earlier this season, not one team hase put up over 30 points on this phenomenal defence. When looking at turnovers the 11 interceptions highlight Dime and Bougie’s exceptional ability to read and react to opposing quarterbacks. This means they’re effectively shutting down passing lanes and guarding wide receivers extremely close. These turnovers not only halt the opposing offense’s progress but also provide invaluable possession changes for their own team. Rusher Felix Boutet has also made an impact accumulating 8 sacks showcasing his ability to apply consistent pressure on the quarterback. His speed  alone is enough to disrupt the offensive rhythm and force hurried decisions and potential mistakes. As greta as Dime and Bougie’s offence has been they have also recorded three pick-sixes. These defensive touchdowns have not only added points to the scoreboard but also deliver a psychological blow to the opposing offenses.Their knack for creating game-changing plays and their ability to consistently disrupt opposing offenses are hallmarks of their defensive excellence. With these stellar stats, Dime and Bougie have rightfully earned their spot as the #3 ranked defense in Tier 2. 

Weekly Predictions 

Prediction Record: 35-11-2

Junkyard Dogs          vs     EZW 

Les Potes a Bessette  vs      Arouch 

Fins Up                      vs     Game Changers 

The Boys are Back?   vs   The Stoics 

Voodoo                      vs     Dirty Birds