First round of Playoffs - Preview

[Paul-London]

San Antonio at Montreal

These two teams always seem to meet in the playoffs, the two GM's have battled for many years with Montreal mostly coming out on top.  However this could be a tough one, Montreal are 7-0 at home this year, they defeated the Riders 24-19 in a close game but lost away in San Antonio 31-7. 

San Antonio have finally got rid of their injury to Thunder Collins who appears back to be 100% but last week they had 4 players injured including two CB's.  Montreal will miss DE Paul Spicer and young G Bob Gallery but look to be the favourite.

Michael Bishop a former Machine backup often plays well against Montreal, the Machine played one of their best games of the year last week shutting down the explosive Skyhawks and after a poor 3-4 start to the season have won 7 straight games whereas the Riders have lost their last two.

Montreal are favourites but Bishop knows this team well, could be a close one.

Montreal by 7

Austria at Amsterdam

As normal the Austrian defense is playing very well but this year the offense has splutted.  HB Ken Simonton is averaging just over 3 yards a carry and had a terrible year despite gaining just over 900 yards, his longest run of the season is just 20 yards.  The Austrian offensive line just isnt getting the job done.  Who will start at QB ?  A year after having the best season of his career Curt Anes has been injured and out of form all year long and has finished the year with just 5 td's.  Young backup BJ Symons will hope for the start but it may be a final gametime decision.

Amsterdam have looked much better with Joe Hamilton at QB and the Admirals the last 3 weeks have beaten 3 playoff teams.  HB Jeronimo Huerta who is often injured is back to his best and had his best game of the season last week.  The Admirals defense is very underrated and has a ton of talent but they are badly beaten up, the Admirals lost EFC Defensive Player of the Year Clint Mitchell last week who will miss this game, DT Davern Williams and S Eric Crouch are also injured.  With 5 injuries on defense, 3 to their secondary the DarkKnights could take advantage. 

Could be a very close game but Amsterdam have the homefield advantage and will be out for revenge, last year in the EFC Game the Admirals saw Austria somehow climb back and win a huge game one of the most famous playoff games of all time.  The fans will want revenge on the reigning champions.

Amsterdam by 3

Raleigh-Durham at New York

Just as it seemed all the momentum would push Raleigh to their first ever divisional crown they fell at the last hurdle losing to a tough Montreal side away.  Aaron Rodgers last years rookie of the year is this years AFC Offensive Player of the Year and HB Curtis Alexander has had another All-FWL year and has led the league in rushing and total yards.  New York have looked flat all year but are 6-1 at home but have scored a low 236 points 5th worst in the league !  They win a lot of close games thanks to their defense.

However disaster struck in last weeks game, starting QB Phil Stambaugh, last years League MVP was badly injured and backup Jason Campbell threw the first passes of his young career.  Who will start this week ? Campbell in his first ever start or veteran Marcus Crandell who hasnt thrown a pass all year ?

Raleigh have a great offense and their defense is much improved this year, Raleigh have played well away from home and are 4-3 on the road but NY is still a tough place to play.  However without their starting centre and their starting QB NY may struggle.  How will Jason Campbell do if he starts ?  Its actually a problem for Raleigh as they dont know how the new QB will do, its a chance for Crandell or Campbell to make their mark in the FWL but Raleigh seem too strong and could win their first ever playoff game.

Raleigh by 3

Frankfurt at Scotland

Scotland are clearly the best team in the league, theyre led by League MVP Craig Nall and HB Mike Malan back from injury looked great last week.  Their defense is dominant but they face a tough Galaxy side who are always in the playoffs, the Claymores will want revenge for several playoff defeats in the past however.

Frankfurt are led by QB Rohan Davey who is one of the most consistent QB's in the league and could retire as the top QB of all time.  They have a great rushing attack and a dominant defense but were surprised last week by Berlin but Frankfurt did seem to take the game easy.

No major injuries for both teams, Scotland will try to do what they do best, move the ball consistently on offense and use their dominating defense to snuff out the opponents.  Frankfurt are a veteran playoff team and should be a tough opponent but Scotland with their 13-1 record look excellent this year.

Scotland by 7

[Mario ADK]

my guesses:

Montreal by 4
Amsterdam by 6
NY by 10
SCO by 14

Regarding Austria:
The O-line has 3 new starters this season so i am not very surprised that Simonton is playing poor. Beeing without Rasmussen could be the difference in the game. Anes will start for sure....

[Mark-skyhawks]

I really can't see myself winning against NewYork  but I am still Really Happy about making the playoffs and that Rodgers was AFC Offensive MVP in only his 2nd season

[Paul-London]

Well being away from home is very tough in the playoffs, last week was a huge game between Montreal and Raleigh.

Like you say being in the playoffs is great, whatever happens you have a great nucleus for the future, Rodgers was rookie of the year last year, now league MVP in just his second year !  Seems to be the next great QB in the league. Have a great rushing attack with Alexander , you seem to be missing a big name WR though, eg a 85-95 catch, 1200 yard type of player.  But great season so far !

NY are a mystery because of their new QB, will he sink or swim ?!

[jcompton-Orlando]

Like you say being in the playoffs is great

* jcompton sobs uncontrollably

Sometimes it's just not enough.

[Mario ADK]

Congratulations to Niki for finally surviving my team in the POs....

i am not surprised considering the entire season as ADK was not top-performing all season long. BUT i was surprised considering the game itself as i was in control of it almost all day....

without D-line i wouldn´t have beaten Scotland anyway so no harm done....

i will cheer for Scotland to win the BOWL!!!!

[Paul-London]

Nice reaction from you after the game Mario.  I couldnt believe what a close game it was, those Austria/Amsterdam games in the playoffs are nailbiters !!

[Niki]

admirals against austria in PO:

season 14:
Amsterdam at Austria 19-20, at half time 19-0, winning TD: 4th q 14:47
season 15:
Austria at Amsterdam 23-20 (OT), half time 0-10, 6 min in 2rd q 0-17
season 16:
Austria at Amsterdam 13-14, half time 6-3, after 3 q 13-3

[Mark-skyhawks]

Well I have to say well done to NY they were the better team and deserved to win but if only I had bribed the line judges more this time

[Paul-London]

Its amazing, its like the computer makes the games even more exciting when its playoff time as theres been some incredible finishes last year and this year.

Great comeback from Raleigh and very unlucky not to win it, NY played a great game and made some key plays

You have to be very happy with the year you've had though, incredible season for Raleigh, have a ton of talent and i'm sure will challenge next year as well

[Jon-NewYork]

Thanks Mark. It was a very close game, I had to re-read the last line about 5 times to make sure I read it right, 1 yard was all the difference.

I think R-D will be very strong next season.