This week’s picks are sponsored by PETA Brand Ham and Eggs. Our meat may be murder but it’s yummy!
Well, this was a fair week for the picks last week. A team that I thought would not win won. Philly proved to be as invincible as a piece of bread against Cleveland. Last week’s record of 4-4 puts me at 54-24 for the season. Could have done better if I had a huge cup of coffee with my Shipley’s Doughnut after coming back from Dallas Monday morning. It’s finals time here at U of H, what can I tell you? So without any more delays, here’s this week’s picks.
Orlando Predators (7-3) at Cleveland Gladiators (5-4) - Orlando comes off a beat down they gave to San Jose last week in Orlando. Cleveland took matters into their hands, beating a previously unbeaten Philly team. Orlando flexed a little bit of muscle in their win over San Jose but need to do a better job on third down conversions (3 of 8). They also won the time of possession battle with San Jose, keeping the SaberCats offense off the field. The winner of this one may see their playoff chances improve. Orlando wins on the road by the lake.
New Orleans VooDoo (7-3) at Tampa Bay Storm (3-6) . The VooDoo turned the ball over three times against Georgia at Gwinnett Centre and that along with a 1 for 6 on third down conversions spelled doom for them. Tampa Bay is coming off of a tough loss at home to Chicago last Monday night and will be looking for someone to take their anger out on. 71 penalty yards will not win you football games in the Arena League. Tampa will play with a chip on their shoulders but New Orleans will hex the Storm on the road.
San Jose Saber Cats (5-5) at Arizona Rattlers (4-5). The SaberCats did not look good against Orlando last week and it showed big time. San Jose was 2 of 6 on third downs and did not register a successful try on fourth downs, going 0 for 2. Five turnovers was the knife in the back for them last week in Florida. Arizona is also coming off a loss to Los Angeles on the left coast last weekend. Chris Robinson and Trandon Harvey need to run the ball better to win this week. The Rattlers take this one in the desert.
Columbus Destroyers (2-7) at Kansas City Brigade (1-8). The only thing these two teams may win is the coin toss for the 2009 draft. Columbus blew a 33-2o intermission lead against Dallas, who took them to the woodshed after their loss to Philly. Kansas City was the light brigade last week in Salt Lake City. Not hard to see that these two teams will be staying home when the playoffs roll around. Columbus wins this game but it will be close.
Grand Rapids Rampage (3-6) at Dallas Desperados (8-1). Grand Rapids was anything but impressive against Utah last week in Salt Lake City. When you score just seven points in the final half, you’re not going to win. Even a chimp could figure that out. Dallas recovered from their spanking last Monday night in the city of brotherly love, holding off a Columbus team that looked better than their record indicates. Dallas wins this one at home.
Colorado Crush (4-5) at Utah Blaze (1-9) . Both teams are coming off wins last week. No, not a misprint. Both teams won last week. The Crush held Grand Rapids to a touchdown in the final half and may have saved their season in the process. Utah’s win was as if the Great Salt Lake split in two, a miracle in of itself. Well, I don’t see Utah in the playoffs this year. Colorado looks like they are armed to the teeth this week and will bring Utah back to Earth. Crush beats Blaze. Rock beats scissors.
New York Dragons (5-4) at Los Angeles Avengers (4-6) . The Dragons were idle last week. That may be an advantage for them. Los Angeles comes off of a win over their chief divisional rival Arizona last week. That was last week. This is this week. The Dragons take Los Angeles.
Philadelphia Soul (9-1) at Georgia Force (4-5). Tony Graziani looked decent in his return to the huddle last week against Cleveland but it wasn’t enough to keep their unbeaten string in tact. One interception and one sack showed that he had a bit of rust. Having over 350 yards in total offense made the game with Cleveland closer than the score would indicate but 71 yards in penalties hurt them big along with three turnovers. Georgia got back on track last week against a pretty good New Orleans team last week in the Atlanta area at Gwinnett Centre. The Force owned the offensive battle with 352 yards total offense and did not turn over the football. Georgia will have to play their best game Monday night on ESPN when the two meet. Philly may be top dog but I’m taking Georgia to win at home on national television.
Idle: Chicago (8-2)