Week 1 Preview

Orlando at Ohio

Both teams need a good start to this season, Ohio normally start slow but here they have a winnable game in Week 1. Ohio missed out on the playoffs last season a year after reaching the FWL Bowl. Orlando on the other hand are going through a transition period. They need to settle on a QB and get their defense playing better. Despite a new assistant GM they have been quiet in trying to fix their team.

Ohio by 7

Birmingham at New York

Big AFC East clash early on in the season. New NY GM Jon Houston has a great team on his hands but has to work out how to get that one step further. Birmingham were a surprise to reach the AFC Game last year but feature a dominating rushing attack and an effective passing attack. NY should win because of homefield advantage but Birmingham are the new power in the AFC East.

NY by 6

Montreal at Raleigh-Durham

The Skyhawks looked very good late last year after acquiring Curtis Alexander and their offense looks very strong. They had a great draft and have several players back from injury. Montreal face a tough away game in Week 1, they have a great side but Raleigh are a new force in the AFC. If Curtis Alexander can get the rushing game moving then 2nd year QB Aaron Rodgers should have a great game. If the Skyhawks win this the shift of power might be shown in the AFC West.

Raleigh by 3

Mexico at San Antonio

Mexico are a talented young team but keep losing some close games. The Riders were AFC Champions last year and should start off quick this season, they still have question marks at HB after Alexander left to go to Raleigh but Michael Bishop is one of the best in the business. Had a solid draft and they have some great players on both sides of the ball. Mexico are slowly clawing back into contention but this will be a tough first game away.

San Antonio by 7

Sacramento at Barcelona

Barcelona have two old QB's and are undecided who to start. Sacramento have QB problems of their own, will it be Delhomme or Adamson ? Sacramento have talent on offense but were erractic last year, after a fast start they lost 5 in a row. Barcelona were in the basement of the EFC last season and need to bounce back. HB Marlion Jackson has to play better in order for their offense to get moving.

Sacramento by 3

Rhein at Scotland

Two good tough EFC teams battle it out in Week 1 and this game is very important as it might help each team in a tiebreaker at the end of the year. Scotland played great old-skool football last year with a great defense, dominating rushing attack and some big passing plays. They still have a question mark at HB, is Mike Malan really suited for his slow style of running ? QB Craig Nall has come into his own recently and the passing attack of Scotland is very good. Rhein have a solid defense and great passing attack featuring underated QB Dani Pegenaute and need a fast start.

Scotland by 7

Amsterdam at London

Amsterdam were very unlucky last year with injuries late in the season and also a heartbreaking playoff loss to Austria. They need a fast start here in London where the Monarchs will start several young players. Amsterdam should get an easy win but London hope to show teams they have talent. They have a good defense but with a lot of young players starting this year they may regress. Amsterdam when healthy are one of the best in the league and know that this year they have a great chance to go all the way.

Amsterdam by 7

Frankfurt at Paris

The Galaxy had a quiet draft with only one player taken in the 4th round ! Last year Frankfurt bounced back to make the playoffs after a bad start, they still lack a big name WR which will hurt them but as always feature a great rushing attack and defense. Paris are a team which need a lot of work but their GM is very committed. They have some new players on the team which should help and a new starting WR in Drew Haddad which was a great move.

Frankfurt by 10

Berlin at Austria

Could be a rude start for new Thunder QB Nate Hybl. Berlin will feature a new HB, WR, QB and TE so they are an unknown commodity. Austria are last years FWL Bowl champions and have a very strong side all over. They should easily reach the playoffs and will look to repeat as champs, something which hasnt happened to Austria before. Hybl on paper looks a very good QB but the team lack a good running back and because of that Hybl will be under a lot of pressure as he tries to throw the ball more.

Austria by 14