Week 3 - Preview

[Paul-London]

Barcelona 1-1 at Birmingham 0-2

Must win game for Birmingham who could be in a huge hole if they slip to 0-3.  However Birmingham have played two away games and will finally be at home where they were 5-2 last year.  The Fire can pass the ball but are ranked low rushing the ball but last weeks starter HB Clarence Williams put on a good show despite the loss and could do better at home.  The Fire defense is poor however and have to improve.  Barcelona are the opposite, great defense but no great showings from their offense.  Could be a tight game.

Birmingham by 3

Orlando 2-0 at Sacramento 1-1

Tough game for the Surge but they are at home for the first time this season.  Orlando after two straight home wins now travel to the Surge where they have had difficulty in the past.  Sacramento must juggle their offensive line as its not opening up holes at all for new HB BJ Askew who in two games has been a huge disaster.  Veteran DE Mark Word had 3 sacks last week and is playing very well this season, for Orlando they are last against the pass defensively but that is because they stop the run so well and have led big in most of their games.  Offensively under QB Tony Romo the team ranks first and should put points on the board. 

Orlando by 7

Raleigh-Durham 0-2 at San Antonio 1-1

Tough away game for the Skyhawks where the Riders have normally been very strong.  The Skyhawks have a great passing attack, best in the league but they will come across one of the best secondaries in San Antonio.  Raleigh need to run the ball more if they are to win.  For San Antonio after a bad opening week loss to Montreal the team seem to be back on track.

San Antonio by 7

New York 2-0 at Mexico 2-0

Surprisingly this is one of the games of the week.  Both teams are looking very good especially New York who look to be the team of the year so far.  Mexico are running the ball well and despite some quiet games from young QB JT O'Sullivan hes not making huge mistakes and should keep the job.  New York are playing well all round but Mexico will get the homefield advantage.  If Mexico wins this they might prove they are for real.

New York by 3

Ohio 0-2 at Montreal 2-0

Poor Ohio, theyve had probably the hardest ever start to any league campaign.  Montreal however will be without Corey Walker for half the season so veteran Lawrence Phillips better be back to his former self.  If Montreal fail to run the ball there 'might' be a surprise result but for Ohio to win they must pass the ball well, HB Jamal Robertson as usual is struggling running the ball and against Montreal they should just try passing every down !  Montreal are looking a great team but must come together to defeat Ohio without their star HB Corey Walker.  Glory QB Mike Pawlawski faces his former team and will hope for a big game.

Montreal by 10

Austria 2-0 at Rhein 2-0

Another surprising game of the week.  Both teams are looking very good this year and Rhein with the home field advantage are looking brilliant this year.  All areas of offense and defense rank in the top 10 and they are looking strong all round.  Austrias offense hasnt clicked in all areas but their defense is back to their heyday, they are ranked #1 after two games.  Should be a great game, Rhein get the nod as they are at home for the first time this season, for Austria its their first real test on the road.  Rhein with a 2-0 away record is looking very good already for this season, if they can put a good home record together they should make the playoffs.

Rhein by 3

Amsterdam 1-1 at Berlin 0-2

Big game for both teams, Amsterdam after a bad loss to London announced this week that QB Joe Hamilton will become the new starter in an effort to jumpstart the Admirals offense.  The passing game ranked just 17th so the move is a good one which should help the team.  Berlin cant stop the run and offensively they cant move the ball and have the worst offense in the league (plus the oldest).  If Berlin lose this game there 'might' be changes from management despite GM Andreas Born loyalty to Pat Barnes/Blundin/Black.  Big games for both teams.

Amsterdam by 4

Frankfurt 0-2 at Paris 0-2

Paris have a far better side on paper than last year but are struggling in games as their rushing attack has disappeared which is ranked last in the league.  Changes have to be made to the offensive line.  For Frankfurt being 0-2 is shocking, they do have some great talent but QB Rohan Davey seems to be missing Thabiti Davis and the defense with so many new starters hasnt gelled yet.  Frankfurt should get the win but Paris could also surprise many being the home team  Saying that both teams Frankfurt have played are undefeated so perhaps Frankfurt arent that bad just theyve had a tough start to the season.

Frankfurt by 3

London 2-0 at Scottish 0-2

Scotland need this game to get some pride back and bounce back into contention after their huge loss against New York.  London are a surprise at 2-0 and face a tough game against their old rivals.  If London keep the momentum they should come away with the win but Scotland at home could always upset their hated rivals.  London have played very well offensively and defensively, somehow they are passing the ball well despite a slow set of WR's.  Scotland are struggling and cant run the ball, unless the Claymores trade for a speedier HB starter it could be a long year as their defense is playing very bad.

London by 10

[Stuart-Barcelona]

Barcelona 1-1 at Birmingham 0-2
Barcelona by 7

Orlando 2-0 at Sacramento 1-1
Orlando by 3

Raleigh-Durham 0-2 at San Antonio 1-1
San Antonio by 7

New York 2-0 at Mexico 2-0
New York by 3

Ohio 0-2 at Montreal 2-0
Montreal by 10

Austria 2-0 at Rhein 2-0
Austria by 7

Amsterdam 1-1 at Berlin 0-2
Amsterdam by 3

Frankfurt 0-2 at Paris 0-2
Frankfurt by 7

London 2-0 at Scottish 0-2
Scotland by 3

[jcompton-Orlando]

London have played very well offensively and defensively, somehow they are passing the ball well despite a slow set of WR's.

It's all about Nicolson creating opportunities.

[Paul-London]

Well Nicholson looks excellent.  Frim is totally surprising me, Rone with 4 catches for 66 yards in two games at WR2 isnt doing great and nor is the rookie at WR3 with just one catch.  I think Brim at WR1 is perfect, if you can make your WR2/WR3 slightly better i think the offense could be even better.

With youngsters QB BJ Symons and HB Jarrett Payton looking like the starters in the future the future looks bright in London !

The offensive line is a bit weird though, only 1 T at A now two ?!? Mistake ? ? Normally always 2 G's at A and 2 T's at A with 1 C and one spare A slot for either C, G or T.

Just checked the game and even though T2 is at O it puts him as one of the starters so i'll make that change for you if you want.  If thats okay email me to tell me to do it (remind me !).  T2 O is one of your starters on the line, the computer must look for the first two G's, first two T's and one C regardless if theyre A or not. 

[jcompton-Orlando]

The offensive line is a bit weird though, only 1 T at A now two ?!? Mistake ? ? Normally always 2 G's at A and 2 T's at A with 1 C and one spare A slot for either C, G or T.

In 8 years of playing this game, I never had any idea that A vs. O made any difference. I've always just told you who to activate/deactivate and figured that was all that was required.

Just checked the game and even though T2 is at O it puts him as one of the starters so i'll make that change for you if you want.  If thats okay email me to tell me to do it (remind me !).  T2 O is one of your starters on the line, the computer must look for the first two G's, first two T's and one C regardless if theyre A or not. 

Whatever makes sense. I really don't know.

[Mario ADK]

You read it here first  :

Barcelona 1-1 at Birmingham 0-2
Don´t overestimate Barcelonas win against a totally disappointing Paris-squad. Birmingham still has potential and they play at home. a close game ahead.
Brmingham by 3

Orlando 2-0 at Sacramento 1-1
Orlandos 2-0 is not a surprise and SAC is still not recovered from last season. SACs HB Askew is said to be willing to go to Austria and will perform badly in order to get there.....
Orlando by 6

Raleigh-Durham 0-2 at San Antonio 1-1
RAL needs more than a good draft to be successful. The Riders still are playoff-bound. Sure win for San Antonio....
San Antonio by 14

New York 2-0 at Mexico 2-0
Mexico is playing very very well...... AND they are at home at Atztecs-Stadium. But New York seems unstoppable and will go 3-0.....
New York by 6

Ohio 0-2 at Montreal 2-0
Ohio might start 0-2 but might finish 9-5 and enter the post-season. With all those injuries i am going for a surprise here......
Ohio by 3 in OT

Austria 2-0 at Rhein 2-0
Big EFC-clash! Memories of many crucial games of the former Kreiner-era come up...... Both teams look surprisingly strong but Rhein has home-advantage. Close game. Turnovers will decide this.....
Rhein by 3 (edited after a closer look at both teams....)

Amsterdam 1-1 at Berlin 0-2
Berlin will be the disappointment of this season. From top to flop. Amsterdam looking shaky but with more potential.
Amsterdam by 7

Frankfurt 0-2 at Paris 0-2
With all the frustration, the Galaxy will destroy poor Paris. Kreinhagen will pass for a lot of yards but it will not be enough..... Not even close....
Frankfurt by 17

London 2-0 at Scottish 0-2
All my heart goes out to Munro sen., but unfortunately this untalented London-GM found gold..... DAMN! 
London by 10

[jcompton-Orlando]

Austria 2-0 at Rhein 2-0
Big EFC-clash! Memories of many crucial games of the former Kreiner-era come up...... Both teams look surprisingly strong but Rhein has home-advantage. Close game. Turnover will decide this.....
Austria by 3

You really think Rhein's going to spot you 92 penalty yards like the Glory did, eh?

[Mario ADK]

Cmon, Jason stop it!

Dissing other teams is MY job here in the FWL, ok!?!
I mean this was the first time every ADK was not brought down by referees paid by the "London mafia"..... We all know this....

And by the way: NO, i do NOT think that i will give up 3 lost Fumbles once again this week..... i think that equals those 92yds..
My HB Jackson was given only bred and water this week, he knows that this must not happen again in close games.....

But honestly: Ohio was close to win the game, that is for sure. I still rate them highly. But hey: A win is a win is a win.....

btw:
FWL-CLASSIC XV soon to come!!! 
 
 

[Marco_Frankfurt]

Hey, why is everybody making me the favourit against Paris ?

My defense line could not stop Bambi running around and my LBs get injured faster then
the replacements are on the field. The DBs continue their bad performance of last season.
Maybe they look allways to the sidelines and watch the cheerleaders dancing instead of the
recievers.

On offense I waste so many scoring opportunities that it would be enough for 2 teams to win.
Aska and Davey play well, but that alone is not enough. Loosing a starting T will not help either.

So if I get behind I predict Paris to win by 14
If I can keep on the same level or hold on the lead for most of the time, then I think
Paris will win only by 3.

Most likely Paris will win the turnover ratio and the sack-comparison, maybe also the rushing yards.

The performance of my team this season is a good example for the truth behind the old saying:
Never change a winning team !

Unfortunatley I did make changes, a lot !

[jcompton-Orlando]

Hey, why is everybody making me the favourit against Paris ?

Probably because of http://www.fwl.org.uk/genman.htm .

[Mario ADK]

Here is the preview for AUS-RHE:

QBs:
Two excellent QBs face each other. Rheins Pegaunte might have his last season as a starter and is willing to lead Rhein into the playoffs, Curt Anes best years are yet to come. Both played well in the first two game, but are still away from playing outstanding as both had just 1 TD.
Equal matchup. No score.

RBs:
4 veteran starters. Rhein McCullough might be the surpise of the season so far with 2 great games, averaging 4,7yds each run.  One might think that Rheins FB McKenzie is the weak link, but he seems to make up holes play by play and seems to be an excellent pass-blocker as well. Austria still has problems moving the ball on the ground. Nevertheless, the game will proove wether Rheins RB are as good as they seem as they face a tough defense....
Rhein by 6

WRs/TEs:
The matchup between Scott McCready and Austrias star-WR Hatchett sees no winner (or TWO winners so to speak), both performed very well so far. But given the fact that Rheins WR2 and 3 and especially TE Vaughn seem to be slightly better than Austrias rest of the pack might be a crucial factor in this game.
Rhein by 7

OL:
T2 Hicks is probably Rheins weak spot, the rest of the starter of both teams are pretty much even. In fact: Rhein has just conceeded 3 sacks in two game whereas Austria gave up 7. And Rheins run-blocking seems to be superior to Austrias. That equals Hicks poor agility and gives Rhein the edge...
Rhein by 6

DL:
Finally a couple of points for Austria: Their starting unit seems to be much stronger than Rheins, plus Rheins DT1 is injured and might be replaced. Clear advantage for Austria on paper but: Rhein has twice as many sacks as Austria and DT2 Gramlin might replace DT1 Ballard very well. Nevertheless points for Austria as it seems that Rheins DL played over their abilities so far....
Austria by 7

LBs:
Rheins LBs are very fast and strong but with a slow start. LB2 Grigson is the core of the Defense with 15 tackles and 2 sacks, but all in all Barr - Ishida - McNeil might be the more balanced combo throughout the game, especially against the pass.
Austria by 6

DBs:
2 Rookie-superstarts meet here: Starting safeties Adams and Mayer will be top-performans for years to come. Adams had a jumpstart, while the even more talented Mayer had less to do due to his strong CB-teammates. CB-wise Rheins CB1 Davis is among the top of the league, probably making the difference for Rhein, but Austrias Moorland and Howards played exceptional so far.
Rhein by 3

Special Teams:
Will the special teams decide it? Rheins Kicker Holmes seems shaky and missed 2 of 7, while Austrias Anderson kicked 5 of 5 in week one. The big plus so far for Austria was PR Moore, who had returns for 88(TD) in week 1 and 87 (no TD) in week 2. Watch him go for more.
Austria by 7

Final Score:
AUSTRIA: 20
RHEIN: 23

Will be a tough tough game......