The first round of the playoffs are over and only 4 teams remain!
Returning champs The Holy Trollers have to climb the mountain that is the indomitable Gros Coqs and the Outlaws battle the Krakens for their chance to face the victor of the Trollers vs Coqs matchup.
Should be an amazing set of semi-finals games and the finals should be one for the ages!
Well as you all know I wasn’t here last weekend, so I don’t know what I should write about for last week. The regular season is over and now we can move on to the real season. I hope everyone remembers that you needed to play 5 games to be eligible not 1, not 2, not 3, but 5 games. Let’s all give a hand to Les Gros Coqs for being the first team in MFL history to go undefeated. The pressure is on to win now guys, don’t be like the patriots and choke. You won’t have to face Mathieu rushing until possibly the finals so remember that. Win it all or go home with your tail between your legs. This week I will be writing about each game and I’ll pick the winner at the end of each match up. Just so everyone is aware this season I was able to predict 26 out of 34 or 76.5% of the games so I think I know what I’m talking about. Now lets get right to this weeks games. I have decided that I’m going to break the team down by position and say who has the advantage in each then pick the winner.
Game Previews
Deep Threats vs Outlaws
Theses 2 teams met a few weeks ago and boy was I shocked to see a 1 point game in favour of the Outlaws. The truth of the matter is the Outlaws took them for granted, but I’m sure it won’t happen this time around. Deep Threats are better when Jon is out playing as long as JC doesn’t try to go deep all day long it should be interesting. JC remember Francis can’t catch the ball (ed’s note: Fact). I wont talk about the Outlaws up top here cause they have been around for a while and know what they are doing. I mean Steve just came back from taking his team to the Semifinals in a world tournament. He is no longer just tearing up the MFL, he now has the world on notice.
QB - This one isn’t even hard for me to call, but the Outlaws have a giant advantage here. Steve has played for years and knows what to do and when to do it. JC on the other hand is still learning the position and forces the ball way too much. Advantage Outlaws.
WR - Outlaws have 6 of 7 guys over 200 yards and the only guy who doesn’t have 200 has 199. While for the Deep Threats you got one guy who is far and away the teams number 1 guy and then there is a huge drop to the next guy. Deep Threats should have been distributing the ball, not just using one guy. Advantage Outlaws.
Defense - Deep Threats had 9 picks and 8 sacks which isn’t great if you ask me. Outlaws end up with 18 sacks and 20 picks. They were able to double what the Deep Threats did. Advantage Outlaws.
In order to have any chance to win Deep Threats need to keep the ball and not take shots when they aren’t there. I’m picking Outlaws as my winner in this game.
La Revolucion vs Krakens
So in this game it will come down to who has less (ed’s note: fewer) mistakes. Both team are solid but one has been able to pull off the wins and the other teams hasn’t found their stride yet. Raph, it’s now or never to finally pull one off.
QB - This is closer then you’d think. Yes, Rob doesn’t turn the ball over, and yes he has a great team around him. Rob has great numbers but there are always one or two throws that get away from him. Raph on the other hand has turned the ball over a bunch and he is still trying to get use to the new guys on his team. Raph will need to eliminate the turnovers to keep it close. I have to give the advantage to Krakens.
WR - If I had to pick the team with the best receiver I’d go with Revolucion but I’m picking based on the team. JC is a top target and they also have Gabe and Ted, but neither one really stepped up all season as a dominate number 2. For the Krakens you got Smuda, Silvio, Francisco, and even Carmelo. They have way to much fire power so even when you stop their 1 they got three number 2’s. Advantage Krakens.
Defense - Krakens are solid but have lacked a consistent rush. They played 10 games and had 3 sacks but they were still able to walk away with 16 picks. They are solid tacklers so you need to be smart against them. For Revolucion they had 10 sacks and 12 picks and have decent tacklers. I’d have to give advantage to the Krakens.
Gros Coqs vs Locomotion
The big question with this game is can Locomotion pull off the upset of the year by beating Gros Coqs? I’d love to see that happen but I also would like to see them win it all also. Last time there was a scuffle so if might get a little heated on the field.
QB - Dom has had a great season this year and he can take off and run to score whenever he chooses to though over the last few seasons he has gotten away from that to be a better passer which he definitely achieved. Alex is solid at the position, but what makes him very good is the running. He runs with so much power that people just move out of his way and try to grab the flag from the side, but he is too quick for that. If Alex was a more consistent thrower I would put this as a tie, but since he is more of a streaky passer I have to give the advantage to Gros Coqs.
WR - Locomotion have good receivers, but no one is that guy you need to fear or game plan against they need to march down the field and score rather than take a short ball and make a few guys miss. Gros Coqs on the other hand are a team where anyone can take it to the house on any play. They have 4 guys with more than 300 yards plus 2 guys with over 200 yards. Have fun trying to stop that. Advantage Gros Coqs.
Defense - Gros Coqs have the best rusher in the league in Thomas with 18 sacks, that’s almost 2 a game. Plus a solid buch of guys on the back end with these guys amassing 21 picks on the season, sh*t a little more than 2 a game and everyone can tackle. For Locomotion they only got 6 sacks in 10 games. You need better than that if you expect to win but with 13 picks it helps a little bit. You will need more pressure if you want to win. Advantage Gros Coqs.
I would have to give the win to Gros Coqs as they have way too many weapons.
KOLB vs Trollers
This will be the third meeting between these two teams and you know what they say, third times a charm. Both teams are solid, just one was able to get more wins, plus I think a few teams have figured KOLB out. After last years loss to KOLB the Trollers have vowed to never let that happen again. The Trollers are defending champs and they want to keep it that way.
QB - Jon is a solid QB for KOLB. He has good numbers and is able to look the defense off his reads, this is what makes Jon such a threat. Jon also is able to spread to spread the ball around to keep defenses guessing. As for Max he has all the tools to be a top tier QB. He can run, has great arm strength, but he can get rattled at times and that is when mistakes come out. If we were to be playing tackle football I think I would go with Jon on this one, but since we are playing flag I have to go with Max.
WR - KOLB have a lot of solid guys that can catch the ball and make some plays. They don’t have a true number 1 but they do have about three number 2’s. They had 6 guys with over 200 yards. The Trollers have two guys and a center. Trollers have two guys that can be number 1’s, but after that there is such a huge drop off that it’s like they don’t even exist. I have to give the advantage to KOLB.
Defense - Trollers have always been about playing defense and not allowing teams to score, but this season was a little different since they only played two games as a full team. The Trollers were able to get 12 sacks this season which is big considering they had 6 all last season. They also managed to get 24 picks which I think leads the league. For KOLB they seem to do everything by committee with 10 sacks by 5 different players and the top guy only had 4. As for picks they managed to get 21 of them. That number really surprised me. I thought it was going to be less than that. Both teams have a good defense but I have to give the advantage to the Trollers because of the rusher. I should pick the winner for this one, but I won’t since the Trollers are my team.
I don’t really see too many upsets in the first round but there can always be one or two. I want to wish all team good luck in the playoffs stay safe and have fun.
The regular season has wrapped up and the playoffs are set to get underway this Saturday with the first round games being played this week and the semi-finals and finals being played next week, August 11th.
Les Gros Coqs finished an undefeated season, the first in MFL history, and are looking to finish it with a championship run. Can anyone be the New York Giants to their New England Patriots?
The fall season starts immediately on the following Saturday, August 18th, so make sure you or your team are registered if you intend to play!
Here we are coming into the last week of the season. 8 out of 9 teams will be making the playoffs, which in my opinion kind of defeats the purpose of playing the season (Ed’s note: Rankings!). I think we should only have 6 teams in like in the NFL where top 2 teams are rewarded for finishing first, but I don’t make the rules. This past weekend we still have teams or players who feel that rules don’t apply to them. The bags of flags and pinnies that are at each field stay at those fields. I’m getting fed up of people not abiding by the rules and they should be punished, especially if it’s Francis. I’m not sure of what to write up for my recap of games from the past weekend since my team had to play 2 games and I didn’t do any division 1 games, but I’m smarter than Raph (Ed’s note: wut?) so I’ll figure it out.
Game Recap
Deep Threats vs Outlaws
I’m very shocked that this game was as close as it was. How can the Outlaws who are my number 2 team allow the Deep threats who almost everyone walks all over keep it that close? My reliable source at work let me know that it was a bad game for them and it was also their second game back to back. In all honestly that really isn’t an excuse but they were able to pull it off. I told my source that if they had lost I might have to drop them in the rankings. I’m not writing this to talk about the Outlaws, they will be fine and Steve knows what he is doing. I wrote about this game to talk about Deep threats. JC is finally realizing that you don’t need to throw it up on every play, work the field and you’ll be more successful. It also helps that Jon showed up for the first time in a few weeks but he won’t be there this week (Indianapolis). The truth is that Jon opens up the field for all the underneath stuff since we all know he is fast and is great at attacking the ball at the high point. I was surprised to hear Francis didn’t drop any balls this week, but I don’t believe it since I didn’t see if for myself. It’s like if a tree falls in the woods and no one is around does it make a noise? Same goes for Francis, no confirmation means it didn’t happen. Sorry Francis, maybe in another 5 years you’ll make your dream come true of no drops. I still think Stu should be center, better snapper and better hands also way better looking and plays through pain. Good job Deep Threats keep it up and you might surprise someone in the playoffs.
Game of the Week: Outlaws vs Gros Coqs
This is a great way to end the season. The 2 top teams meeting up and one has a chance to get the first perfect season in MFL history. Outlaws always play well against Gros Coqs, but I’m not sure that this will be a real test since I know guys will be missing and both teams have the 1 and 2 spots already locked up. Outlaws win they end up #1, they lose they stay where they are at #2, so not much of a difference. I think that this game will come down to not turning the ball over and I don’t think that Outlaws will win that stat. Dom has done a great job of not having too many errant throws this season and he only has 11 INTs, but also has a 70% completion rate. With the guys that are missing from Outlaws unless they get a few good subs this game, the Coqs have too many weapons that they won’t be able to stop. On Defense Kris will need to watch out for Tommy who is leading the league in sacks and also in passes defended. Have fun dealing with that all afternoon. I would love to see both teams play at full strength but I might have to wait until the finals if they both make it there. Good luck stay safe and have fun.
Predictions
So the last week of the regular season is here and I have to make my final predictions. Last week I was 3 of 4 cause the Deep Threats decided to show up and play while crushing what little hope OG Panthers had at making the playoffs. So this week I need to be perfect if I want any shot at 75%. Right now I’m at 23 out of 31 or at 74.2% getting closer. So you are with my picks:
Krakens vs Revolucion Krakens
OG Panthers vs Krakens Krakens
Outlaws vs Gros Coqs Gros Coqs
KOLB vs Deep Threats KOLB
Trollers vs Locomotion NA
Power Rankings
#1 Gros Coqs (9-0)
#2 Outlaws (8-1)
#3 Trollers (6-3)
Finally we have a new team up in the top 3. It was just a matter of time before the Trollers figured out what to do and how to win again. There is no better time to start playing well then right before the playoffs start. I’m just wondering if in the last week of the season it will stay like this. With 1 and 2 playing each other things can change pretty quickly. Stay and watch this one to find out.
I’m not going to be there this weekend so if anyone wants to fill in for me talking trash it would be greatly appreciated. Remember the more sh*t you talk the better. Just remember at the end of the year I’m still getting my award for it, this is just a one week rental. Stay safe have fun and play you’re a**es off to get ready for the playoffs. Oh, and Raph, you owe me a new pair of shorts for that holding penalty where you also prevented yourself from throwing 1 more TD pass even if it was to the wrong team.
Hi and welcome to another one of my articles. From the way this week went I can tell some of you can read and some of you can’t. Most of the flags were put back into the right bag along with the pinnies but I still ended up with 2 bags with more balls than they started with. This wasn’t the biggest problem of the day, we had sprinklers go off in the middle of the games and yes it might be refreshing but you can’t play with things sticking out of the ground. We could, but here in the MFL it’s all about player safety and Jon stacking his teams, but that’s a whole other story. This past week there weren’t any real close games unless 26 points is close in your books, but I still have a job to do so I will talk about them, but just not in much detail.
I actually didn’t have any division 1 games this week so I am forced to talk about my team, not by choice, but because I didn’t get to see any other gamers first hand.
Game Recap
Trollers vs OG Panthers
Let me start by saying that this was OG Panthers second game of the day, so they could have been a little tired. OG Panthers had a new QB today in Louis who is normally one of the teams better receivers. Once we saw him at QB we knew that it was going to be a long day for them. New QBs tend to keep the ball short and when they do throw it deep it’s normally up for grabs, that was evident by his stat line 10 for 21 for 70 yards 1 TD and 5 INTs. One bright spot for OG was it seems as if Terry has come out of his funk and recorded 4 sacks. OG you still have 2 games left and it seems like you need both of them to make it into the playoffs. For the Trollers it was Ben, Josh, and Lesniak getting 19 out of 23 receptions and all 5 TDs for the Trollers and leading the way on offense. On Defense, the Trollers are a really solid squad that know what to do and when to do it. What worries me about them is their offense. If you look at the stats or watch a game or two you notice that they only use one side of the field, which is very easy to defend against. I hope for their sake if they expect to repeat as champions they start using the entire field or we might be in for a big surprise and a long afternoon just like last summers playoffs against KOLB. Do you guys want a repeat of that?
Saturday’s Game of the Week: Trollers vs Krakens
When I first wrote this section the schedule wasn’t out and I had put every game as GOTW but I needed to go back and actually pick a game and that game is one that has a lot of playoff seeding involved.
This game can solidify the Krakens in the top 3 for the rest of the season or it can bump them out. Krakens will need to be smart with the ball on offense and on defense they will need to stop Ben going deep as well as stopping Josh on his YAC. Rob, who doesn’t turn the ball over too often, seems to get away with 1 or 2 passes every game that the other team doesn’t take advantage of, he shouldn’t try it this week though. The one thing that worries me about the Krakens is who will show up and who won’t. Both teams have played each other enough to know what to expect, but then if half the team doesn’t show it can really screw your game plan. I hope that both teams show up in full so we can get a good feeling of where both teams really stand and how far they can each possible go in playoffs. Good luck see you guys on Saturday.
Predictions
Last week I went 3 out of 4. Raph you blew it for me or is it you can’t handle the pressure of being the favourite and you choked? If that is the case I should pick you more often this way my team can jump you in the standings. Overall for the season I’m sitting at 20 for 27 or 74% now if a few more of you guys would win when I predict you to I can get my number up to 75% which was my goal for the season.
Krakens vs Trollers NA
Locomotion vs Outlaws Outlaws
Outlaws vs Deep Threats Outlaws
Trollers vs Revolucion NA
OG Panthers vs Deep Threats OG Panthers
KOLB vs Gros Coqs Gros Coqs
Power Rankings
#1 Gros Coqs (8-0)
#2 Outlaws (6-1)
#3 Krakens (5-2)
I know it has been the same for a while now but these are the 3 top teams. I know that there are a few matchups that still need to happen this season that can change the top 3. I want to see if these 3 can stay in the top 3 all season. I hope someone can knock them out of it but it will be tough. Right now I can only see one team possible doing it but they need to run the table.
Thank you all for helping out last week and understanding the freaking sprinklers, I hope it doesn’t happen again this week. On another note it looks like we might be going back to one park only and I think it will be Le Ber Park which is a way nicer park then Saint Bernadette. Remember to check the schedule and ask your captain, he gets the heads up from Jon the commissioner who says it will be out Tuesday night (Ed’s note: Wednesday morning).
