Week 1 Preview

New York at Birmingham

New York have had a facelift in the offseason, veterans QB Phil Stambaugh, WR Jim Turner and HB DeMario Brown are all benched and in come younger players. Stambaugh was major surprise as he had a great season last year and wants to leave to join a new team. Birmingham looked good last year but had a tough start but want to come out of this game with a great win at home.

Birmingham by 3

Orlando at Ohio

New start this time for Orlando. Kliff Kingsbury is the starter after the Thunder traded Tony Romo. The former 1st round pick has interesting skills but he really has to win some games for the Thunder. Ohio traded DE Michael Josiah last year and may miss his 20 sacks as he had an amazing year last season. On paper they are roughly the same squad but added a great LB in Rich Scanlon from Barcelona.

Ohio by 10

Montreal at Sacramento

The reigning champs have a tough visit to Sacramento. The Surge at times last year looked superb, they havent made many offseason moves but hope their o-line will do a better job protecting Rob Adamson. The veteran Machine want to get off to a fast start but it could be tough away from home.

Montreal by 3

Raleigh-Durham at San Antonio

The Skyhawks for the last few seasons have promised so much but have failed to deliver. They need to get to the playoffs this year, they have a talented offense led by Aaron Rodgers, one of the best QB's in the league but their defense lets them down. MAJOR changes in San Antonio as Michael Bishops 8 year reign as starting QB is over and Clint Stoerner a former FA pickup by Scotland, will face the team who drafted him and then cut him after one season in Raleigh-Durham. Rookie HB Dameon Hunter gets the nod and has to have a big game to make fans forget Thunder Collins.

San Antonio by 7

Mexico at London

The Aztecs are many experts pick for the FWL Bowl, on paper they have an excellent squad but need to get one step further in the playoffs. London had an amazing year last season but another draft with only 1 pick has hurt their depth as they had a lot of retirements and filled the holes with street FA's. London still have talent but just not much depth at all. HB Joe Hall impressed in training camp and he is the key to their season. Should be a great game but London have the advantage at home.

London by 3

Rhein at Barcelona

Barcelona has a new GM and a new starting QB in Tony Romo. When hot Romo can really pile up the yards but will need help on the ground. Barcelona need to look around and trade for one of the talented backups in the league, Jamal Robertson just doesnt have the strength to break tackles. Rhein hope to rebound from a few poor seasons but the key is their offensive line who need to make holes for talented young HB Tony Hollings.

Rhein by 3

Frankfurt at Austria

Great clash for these two EFC rivals in Week 1. Both teams are roughly the same as last year, Austria get the advantage because they are at home but it should be a classic game. Frankfurt need to bounce back after a poor season last year, they still need a game breaking WR1 and dont seem to have one and its affected QB Rohan Davey who has regressed the last few years.

Austria by 3

Amsterdam at Paris

Another new GM arrives in Paris, this time its veteran Paris GM Andrew Battye. Battye has a tough job on his hands with Paris, they do have talent on paper but its finding the right mix. Robert Edwards returns as HB1 but again Paris really need a gamebreaker on the ground, theres several top backs around the league languising as a backup so Paris may trade for one at some point. Amsterdam were the EFC champs last year but lost a heartbreaker in the FWL Bowl which they should have won. Joe Hamilton was knocked silly in that game and had a nightmare FWL Bowl with several game turning interceptions. Hamilton despite a great regular season has been benched and young BJ Symons with his 3rd team in 4 seasons gets the start.

Amsterdam by 10

Berlin at Scotland

Tough game for Scotland as Berlin are full of surprises, the Thunder had a great second half last year and nearly made the playoffs. The Nate Hybl experiment is over in Berlin and top pick Jeff Rowe, a rookie gets the nod. Scotland have a talented team and could make life tough for the young Thunder.

Scotland by 7