This week's AFL picks are sponsored by David Ortis Cement Company. We bury opponents and curses.
A much better week last week for me in the AFL. Going 6-2 last week, 40-14 overall makes your week a lot better. There were some really great games last week, including the nailbiter in Kansas City against Chicago last week on ESPN2 and two titans (Philadelphia and Dallas remained on top of the leaderboard this week after close wins. No Green Jacket will be given this week, so let's look at Week 8.
New York Dragons (3-4) at Tampa Bay Storm (2-4). New York beat Columbus pretty good last week, while Tampa Bay came ever so close to Arizona before the Rattlers bit them. Tampa was 4-6 on third down tries and outpaced Arizona 391-264 in total offense. Then again, the final result is the final score. The Dragons ruled the time of possession battle with Columbus, which kept the Destroyers offense off the field. It could be a close contest, given the fact that this is the only time this season these two will face each other. New York, New York, a hell of a town… Dragons take it close.
San Jose Saber Cats (3-4) at Utah Blaze (0-7). Utah continued its downward slide into the basement of the American Conference West standings. They have given up 463 points this season, the most in the 2008 campaign. I don’t see this trend changing anytime soon. San Jose is coming off a loss to Philadelphia and will be looking for someone to be a punching bag. Utah will make San Jose a great sparing partner as they reach the .500 mark this season.
New Orleans VooDoo (5-2) at Arizona Rattlers (3-3). Arizona escaped with their lives against Tampa Bay last week and if they are going to be successful this time around, they have to play better. The VooDoo didn’t have their magic working against Dallas last Sunday, held to a touchdown in the fourth quarter. New Orleans will kick it up a notch and take this one away from the Rattlers.
Colorado Crush (3-3) at Kansas City Brigade (0-6). Kansas City lost a heartbreaker at home to Chicago on ESPN2 last Monday. They didn’t look like a team that was 0-6. But that’s why they play the games, as Chris Berman says. For Colorado, 69 was the second-highest point total they‘ve scored this season, so scoring points is not a problem. The Brigade will give the Crush a battle but Colorado wins the war and the game.
Orlando Predators (5-2) at Georgia Force (3-3). Orlando beat up Grand Rapids last week, while Georgia was idle. This is the second meeting between the two clubs, with Orlando winning 50-45. Revenge? You better believe it. The week off will do the Force wonders. Georgia will be on Orlando’s mind and in the win column this week.
Cleveland Gladiators (3-3) at Los Angeles Avengers (3-4). Cleveland took Colorado to the wire last week before the Crush took things over. If the Gladiators are going to win this week, they have to do a better job on third down conversions (1-6). They also can’t blow leads at the half and had Colorado up seven at the intermission. Los Angeles took Utah behind the woodshed last weekend and looks to do the same to the Gladiators at home. Avengers win it big.
Grand Rapids Rampage (2-4) at Chicago Rush (5-2). The last time Chicago and Grand Rapids met in Grand Rapids, their guests were anything but nice, taking a 29-7 lead into halftime and never looking back. Grand Rapids is still smarting from their loss to Orlando, surrendering their highest point total this season. Chicago is looking to keep the momentum they had against Kansas City last Monday night. Granted, Grand Rapids is a lot better than Kansas City but not by much. Rush take it at home.
Philadelphia Soul (7-0) at Columbus Destroyers (2-5). Columbus cannot afford to take penalties like they did last week against New York. Penalties can be drive killers, so they have to play smart football. The Soul played like the leaders they are last week in San Jose and held off a late Saber Cat charge. The Soul streak continues this week. Philly wins it.
Idle: Dallas