Week 5 Preview

[Paul-London]

The FWL action is hotting up and games are getting more and more important as the season is approaching the midway point....

Paris (1-3) at Orlando (2-2)

After winning two straight Orlando have now lost their last two and badly need to bounce back.  Ken Simonton might miss the game with an injury and that could be a huge blow to Orlando. Paris might have found their right QB in veteran Petrus Penkki as they exploded last week.  However seeing HB Robert Edwards return to form was a huge bonus.  Orlando have the homefield advantage but it will be tough to hold off a motivated Paris side.

Orlando by 3

Sacramento (3-1) at Ohio (1-3)

Sacramento are probably not as good as their record suggests, the defense has played well but the rushing attack is still not firing on all cylinders.  Ohio had the toughest 3 game start to any season probably ever as each team was undefeated, they finally beat London last week and at home again will fancy their chances against Sacramento.  Could be a close game but Ohio are a good side despite their record.

Ohio by 3

Birmingham (0-4) at New York (4-0)

It gets worse for Birmingham, despite some good games the Fire are winless and things look tougher this week.  They cant seem to find a rushing attack and despite QB Seth Burfords brave play the Fire could fall to 0-5.  New York are looking like the best team in the league and should do very well here.

New York by 14

Amsterdam (2-2) at Raleigh-Durham (0-4)

The Skyhawks are another good team despite their record, again they cant find a rushing attack and the young defense has let down the team this year.  QB Travis Brown is one of the best young passers in the game but they will face a fierce Amsterdam team. The Admirals lost a heartbreaker to Frankfurt last week and need to bounce back, they are a quality team but Raleigh are historically good at home and can cause upsets, could be close.

Amsterdam by 3

Montreal (4-0) at San Antonio (3-1)

Despite an opening season loss to Montreal, San Antonio have looked very good since and QB Michael Bishop is playing very well as is HB Curtis Alexander.  Montreal are now down to their 3rd HB because of injuries and San Antonio could take advantage of that with their great d-line.  Montreal QB Danny Wuerffel is having a great year and will have to lead them to glory, huge game in the AFC West

San Antonio by 3

Rhein (2-2) at Mexico (2-2)

Which one of these fading teams will get the win ?  Rhein was looking very good at 2-0 but two close losses have now put them at 2-2.  Mexico also looked promising at 2-0 but disappointed last week in a loss to Sacramento.  The young Aztecs at home could get the win but it should be close.

Mexico by 3

Berlin (1-3) at Frankfurt (2-2)

It looks like the Frankfurts motor is running at full speed now, rookie LB Pisa Tisonmia has 4 sacks in the last two games and HB Joe Aska has two straight 100 yard games.  Berlin won last week with a late touchdown pass but Frankfurt are too strong for them.

Frankfurt by 7

Austria (4-0) at London (3-1)

Huge game here and the trash talking from the Austrian GM has already reached a huge level !  Both teams are very good, London have played 3 games on the road in 4 games and look very good with a 4-0 record.  They lost last week due to their kicker but London have signed a new kicker ready for this game.  Austria are playing well in all areas but their rushing attack has to improve.  London do have the edge with the homefield advantage but it could be a very close game.

Austria by 1

Scottish (0-4) at Barcelona (2-2)

The Dragons have looked good this year, veteran QB Dameyune Craig has played very well but their rushing attack has faltered.  For Scotland its been a nightmare season, last week they showed signs of life, HB Ken Shelby had a great game, QB Craig Nall looked All-FWL and veteran sack leader DT Skylar Cushman had a sack.  However that was against winless Paris and they still lost.  Playing away this week wont help but the Claymores hope to keep the momentum going offensively.

Barcelona by 7

[Mario ADK]

My picks:

Paris (1-3) at Orlando (2-2)

Paris might have won their first, but Orlando seems to have underperformed so far. Beeing at home, it should be a convincing win.

Orlando by 7

Sacramento (3-1) at Ohio (1-3)

Regarding W/L-records, Ohio is the most underrated team so far, the Surge probalby the most overrated. Even if Sacramento is playing surprisingly strong, the still won´t be able to be close to a win here. Watch Ohio to come back into the PO-race!

Ohio by 10

Birmingham (0-4) at New York (4-0)

My prediction is that NY might end at 14-0. Birmingham is far better than their records shows but this week their defeat is for sure.

New York by 14

Amsterdam (2-2) at Raleigh-Durham (0-4)

Amsterdam needs to win this in order not to fall behind in the PO-race, RD is very disappointing so far. I would go for Amsterdam, even if the Skyhawks breakthrough could come. Close game!

Amsterdam by 3

Montreal (4-0) at San Antonio (3-1)

Big, big game...... Montreal seems the only team in the AFC to be able to stop NY, but San Antonio has been consistently a high flyer in the last couple of years due to excellent coaching. Home advantage might decide the outcome of this game, but i think Monteal is strong enough to win. Could be an excellent one!

Montreal by 4

Rhein (2-2) at Mexico (2-2)

Hard to say as both teams have their ups and downs. i am wainting for an Aztecs - breakthrough for weeks now. Important game for both. Very close.

Mexico by 3

Berlin (1-3) at Frankfurt (2-2)

Berlin has lost all its strenghts this season and is fading, whereas the Galaxy is back on track.

Frankfurt by 14

FWL CLASSIC XXV: Austria (4-0) at London (3-1)
Much has been spoken about this FWL-Classic XXV. It is a real big one as for the first time for many, many seasons both teams are performing on top-levels, even if both teams might be a bit overrated. ADK will start inexperienced HB Allen as starter due to the injuriy of Jackson and will start WR Moore as WR1. If Londons DBs can stand the heat of facing the Anes-Moore-combination they stand a chance, otherwise not.

Austria by 6

Scottish (0-4) at Barcelona (2-2)

Whatever GM Munro tries, nothing works. Could be a tough tough year for the Claymores. The Dragons played very well against Austria and are a team that might be to watch next season...

Barcelona by 10

[Paul-London]

Still stunned Mario that you are putting Moore at WR1 and Hatchette i presume at WR2 ?

I think its the first time in the history of the league a WR who had over 150 yards the week before ( 8 for 155) is benched and moved down a slot and the WR replacing him as had a very quiet first month and averages just over 10 yards a catch   Very strange Mario !!!!

Hatchette so far is the top WR of the league and is leading the league in yards yet he is moved down from WR1 for the biggest game of the year   I think the Monarchs DB's are scared of Hatchette not Moore, very very bold move.  We shall see after the games if it works or not, on paper it looks a terrible move

[Mario ADK]

You obviously know nothing about the mind-game, Paul....

To put Moore at WR1 and Hatchette at WR2 AND to have Moore caught some nice deep passes will demoralise my old friend Jason Compton and will make him bleed and beg for mercy for weeks that he did not want to trade for him.....

Could be the greatest win for me personally since beating Rhein in the EFC-championship-game back in season#3.......
.....or (due to my trash-talking here) the most embarrassing loss since..... whenever.....

[Paul-London]

Well you admitted that in your offense it doesnt throw to the WR2 much so thats why Moore doesnt catch many.  If thats the case putting Hatchette at WR2 isnt a great move in my opinion.  If your WR1 is playing so well then leave him at WR1 but give it a go

Like you say its gonna go either way, Moore could do very well at WR1 (as some players do) or have a quiet game.

I changed around and messed up my WR's earlier this year and it had bad effects, Anglin isnt ready for a WR1 role and Ricky Hall who had 1000 yards last season didnt like his new position either.

Basically before your biggest game this year i wouldnt make changes if things are good