AFC-WILDCARD GAMES: SAN@NY

[Mario ADK]

GAME3:
SanAntonio@NewYork
Record this season: 0-1 (12-24 @ San Antonio; week 9)

It was an up and down season for the Riders, who stumbled from top to flop.... well.... they almost did that. With a disappointing 8-6 they entered the PO-boat after a convincing 12-2 last season. Time for concern? YES! Defenitely, as they have to face a team that could be bound for the AFC-title: The New York Knights. Nevertheless: the Riders know how to play the game and they are well coached by GM Jason Hink. But Hink will need to exploid New Yorks weak spot, an injured HB1, to be able to bring the favourite down. Nevertheless: If the Riders D (51 sacks!) dominate the rushing-game it could bring opportunities for QB Bischop to connet with WR-Star Stefret Williams for the TDs needed to enter the next stage....

New York has a lot of talent but no real superstar: QBs Stambaugh and Crandell battle for the top-job, making the WRs wondering which one might be the pass caller week in week out. Nevertheless: NY has teh best pass stats of the leage! HB Brown is reliable but not outstanding on the ground BUT he is New Yorks best receiver as well - will he start despite his injury? A tough decision for GM Adam McLane as he is very thin at the RB-positins and HB2 seems to lack the agility and strength that can decide close games. So Adam has to be blamed for a risky team-managment here as he did not trade another RB - which could be crucial. On the other side of the Ball S Malbrough leads teh team with 3 Ints but especially the DE-duo of Adams and Wright are feared throughout the league. Without HB Brown there should be much pressure on the D to win this game.

Stats (Rank):
Team Passing: NY 1st; SAN 7th
Team Rushing: NY 11th; SAN 9th
Team Sacks: NY 10th; SAN 2nd
Team Yards allowed: NY 13th; SAN 6th

Kreiners prediction: San Antonio by 6

[Paul-London]

I think this game could be very close and all depends (like many other games) on which 'team' turns up.

San Antonio can be lethal but HB Curtis Alexander is erractic like anything, one moment with a 100 yard game, next minute with 7 carries for 15 yards and is practically taken out of the game.

If NY can get DeMario Brown the carries and balance out their offense i think they get the advantage but what Knights team will turn up ?  The team who were cruising towards the #1 seed or the team over the last few weeks who have lost a lot of close games.

New York were 8-1 and then went 1-4 the last 5 games.

San Antonio were 6-1 (only loss coming by 2 points) then fell to 2-5 the last 7 games !  San Antonio lost their last 2 games of the season whereas New York have won just once in their last 5 games.

If both teams perform at 100% they have great offenses and very good defenses but what one will show up ?

[JH-SanAntonio]

NY should win easily. My offense went flat the latter half of the season, and despite several good years and great ability Alexander's played like crap lately. Alexander also has a habit of pulling 10-carries-for-10-yards games when he needs to shine.

I think over the last 7 games my best offensive highlight was... P Mike Barr's 15-yard completion to CB Brian Mance. Go go Raiders goofball offense!

[Paul-London]

I think you have a great team and i know its all computer simmed but to pretend its real for a second, the Riders were 6-1 and flying but then i think Curtis Alexander just really slowed down the second half of the season, i also think changing offensive gameplans when you were 6-1 didnt help but maybe it didnt make a huge difference.

Bishop is one of the top QB's in the FWL, great to see veteran Stepfret Williams do well year after year and the defense is fine, just weird why Alexander totally went quiet the second half of the year.  Sure Bishop is gonna win some titles with San Antonio though, up there in the top 5 QB's in the FWL

[JH-SanAntonio]

Actually I had 2 plans running most of the season up to that point.

The 0-3 run had more to do with injuries than changing game plans, including my missing of a game date change- which allowed a WR with a broken leg to start, heheh

Basically my team's about the same as it was last year, a should-be-10-and-4 team.... last year I got a couple games lucky, this year it's the other way around.

Alexander just needs a good whack with a stick, that's all.

[Paul-London]

Yeah i think Alexander is very good, bit like Robert Edwards from Paris, was a 'so so' HB for a while but this season has looked good.  DeMario Brown and Marlion Jackson are two good young runners who came out of the league ths year.

Nice to see Jamal Robertson do okay on the ground but just a bit unrealistic his pass receptions, oh well cant win em all !