12-03-2021, 01:33 PM
(This post was last modified: 12-07-2021, 05:44 AM by .simo. Edited 3 times in total.)
With week 10 in the books, several playoff spots have been locked up, and with the league winding down, we can reflect on the season so far and how all the teams performed. In addition, we can begin to speculate about the playoffs and Ultimini!
DSFL NORTH:
Portland Pythons: 8-2
Minnesota Grey Ducks: 5-5
Kansas City Coyotes: 3-7
London Royals: 2-8
The DSFL North race is the only one that still has an open slot left, and quite a few stories to tell as well.
Portland:
After a disappointing 6-7-1 finish last season barely missing the playoffs in the final week of the season, Portland came into this season with quite a few question marks. The Pythons lost some pieces that were absolutely instrumental to the success they did have last season. Losing massive pieces such as Pasta The Turtle, who was immediately called up to the DSFL after a DROY-level campaign, and a key part of their defense. Tay Swizzle, who was essentially the only receiving target on the team besides All-Star tight end Mark Goodhead. As well as Jay Spears, and incredibly important safety that helped Portland's secondary alongside perennial top CB The Laz. Portland addressed these losses by re-creating their entire offense. Grabbing running back "The Stig" at 3 oa in the draft, and drafting 2 wide receivers in the following rounds, as well as grabbing TE Molki Koivu in free agency. These pickups have made Portland's offense an absolute force on the field, Their defense had a complete renaissance as well, and is now one of the best units in the league. All of this culminated into a dominant force, and a perfect storm for Portland as they grab the first playoff spot in the DSFL North
Minnesota:
Last season's #1 seed in the North also came into this season with some questions. They lost more players than any other team in the league to call-ups. Losing key pieces on both the offense and the defense. Many expected the Grey Ducks to take a step back this season, and they were (mostly) correct. Minnesota started out the season 2-5, with a few of their losses being complete blowouts. Despite this, they managed to not only hang around and stay alive, but completely surge back into the last playoff spot being theirs to lose. Riding a 3 game winning streak that includes all 3 of their division opponents, Minnesota sits at 5-5 with a 2 game lead on the 2nd playoff spot. They aren't out of the woods yet however, as they still have to play Norfolk and Tijuana in their last 4 games. But the Grey Ducks have to be happy with this 2nd half of the season so far.
Kansas City:
Last season's DSFL North champions have fallen HARD. Almost inexplicably so, Kansas City seemed as though they were gonna be in a great position to take the 2nd playoff spot early in the season. However, after a 5-game losing streak, they sit 2 games behind Minnesota and are in pure desperation mode. They absolutely cannot afford another loss this season if they want to stay alive in the playoff race, as Minnesota has swept them this season and therefore holds the tiebreaker over them. They do have some bright spots however, their offense remains a solid force. It's the Coyote defense that needs to step up, as the boast one of the most hit-or-miss units in the league. Kansas City is certainly not out of it yet, but they need to hunker down and make a huge push these last 4 games.
London:
The Royals find themselves in another rebuilding year, essentially trying to find what they have in this team and build a coherent identity. Having a rookie QB is always tricky in the DSFL, but Kaguya Shinomya has shown flashes of solid QB play. He'll be a fun player to watch going forward, and could very well be the future of this team. While not eliminated from the DSFL North race, the Royals would need all the stars and planets to align in order to secure a playoff spot. This season for them is more about building team chemistry and creating the foundation for a more dominant future.
DSFL SOUTH:
Norfolk: 8-2
Tijuana: 8-2
Dallas: 3-7
Bondi Beach: 3-7
The DSFL South already has both playoff spots locked up. But things are far from over.
Norfolk:
Norfolk might just be the team to beat this season. Starting the season 6-0 before finally losing their first game in a juggernaut slugfest with Portland. Norfolk is already playoff bound and are essentially playing for home field in the playoffs. However, they are absolutely not out of the woods yet. Tijuana sits at 8-2 as well this season after their own 6 game winning streak. The Seawolves may have locked up their playoff spot. But now is certainly not the time to let up off the gas.
Tijuana:
There is no QB in the league that should feel safe against this team. 39 SACKS?!?!?! The next best team is Norfolk with 27! The Luchadores are riding a 6 game winning streak, and this defense can keep them hanging around with any team. The dominance of Norfolk to start the season had many people forgetting just how brutal this team can be, and now they're showing that muscle. Tied at 8-2 with Norfolk, Tijuana is completely capable of stealing the home field playoff advantage from Norfolk, and will be fun to watch down the final stretch of the season.
Dallas
Last year's champs have unfortunately found themselves eliminated from playoff contention this season. The collapse of the defense came at the same time as the loss of their Ultimini-winning QB. As a result, the team just couldn't keep up with the other dominant forces in the south. Dallas will absolutely be back though. Rookie QB Christian Marciano has looked REALLY solid for a rookie, boasting a 13:9 TD/INT ratio and an 83.2 passer rating. Marciano and the Dallas offense will be a dominant force again soon, and a draft class bolstering the defense could launch Dallas right back into contenders soon enough.
Bondi Beach:
Everyone figured that similar to London, this was gonna be another rebuilding year for Bondi Beach. After the loss of Ken Oath, the Buccaneers needed to fill some holes in their offense. However, it looks like some real payoffs have come out of the draft. With 2 Offensive Rookie of The Year candidates in WR Marvin Toledo and FB Gus Bus, the Bucanneers look like they might have a solid offense to build around going forward. It's not hard to imagine them being competitive again in the near future.
PLAYOFFS AND BEYOND
With only one playoff spot yet to be locked up, most teams' regular seasons have essentially come to an end. I'll give my personal playoff predictions for this season here:
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS:,
Portland: 35 Minnesota: 21
Norfolk: 21 Tijuana: 17
ULTIMINI:
Norfolk: 24 Portland: 17
Thank you guys for reading! Good luck with the rest of your seasons!
DSFL NORTH:
Portland Pythons: 8-2
Minnesota Grey Ducks: 5-5
Kansas City Coyotes: 3-7
London Royals: 2-8
The DSFL North race is the only one that still has an open slot left, and quite a few stories to tell as well.
Portland:
After a disappointing 6-7-1 finish last season barely missing the playoffs in the final week of the season, Portland came into this season with quite a few question marks. The Pythons lost some pieces that were absolutely instrumental to the success they did have last season. Losing massive pieces such as Pasta The Turtle, who was immediately called up to the DSFL after a DROY-level campaign, and a key part of their defense. Tay Swizzle, who was essentially the only receiving target on the team besides All-Star tight end Mark Goodhead. As well as Jay Spears, and incredibly important safety that helped Portland's secondary alongside perennial top CB The Laz. Portland addressed these losses by re-creating their entire offense. Grabbing running back "The Stig" at 3 oa in the draft, and drafting 2 wide receivers in the following rounds, as well as grabbing TE Molki Koivu in free agency. These pickups have made Portland's offense an absolute force on the field, Their defense had a complete renaissance as well, and is now one of the best units in the league. All of this culminated into a dominant force, and a perfect storm for Portland as they grab the first playoff spot in the DSFL North
Minnesota:
Last season's #1 seed in the North also came into this season with some questions. They lost more players than any other team in the league to call-ups. Losing key pieces on both the offense and the defense. Many expected the Grey Ducks to take a step back this season, and they were (mostly) correct. Minnesota started out the season 2-5, with a few of their losses being complete blowouts. Despite this, they managed to not only hang around and stay alive, but completely surge back into the last playoff spot being theirs to lose. Riding a 3 game winning streak that includes all 3 of their division opponents, Minnesota sits at 5-5 with a 2 game lead on the 2nd playoff spot. They aren't out of the woods yet however, as they still have to play Norfolk and Tijuana in their last 4 games. But the Grey Ducks have to be happy with this 2nd half of the season so far.
Kansas City:
Last season's DSFL North champions have fallen HARD. Almost inexplicably so, Kansas City seemed as though they were gonna be in a great position to take the 2nd playoff spot early in the season. However, after a 5-game losing streak, they sit 2 games behind Minnesota and are in pure desperation mode. They absolutely cannot afford another loss this season if they want to stay alive in the playoff race, as Minnesota has swept them this season and therefore holds the tiebreaker over them. They do have some bright spots however, their offense remains a solid force. It's the Coyote defense that needs to step up, as the boast one of the most hit-or-miss units in the league. Kansas City is certainly not out of it yet, but they need to hunker down and make a huge push these last 4 games.
London:
The Royals find themselves in another rebuilding year, essentially trying to find what they have in this team and build a coherent identity. Having a rookie QB is always tricky in the DSFL, but Kaguya Shinomya has shown flashes of solid QB play. He'll be a fun player to watch going forward, and could very well be the future of this team. While not eliminated from the DSFL North race, the Royals would need all the stars and planets to align in order to secure a playoff spot. This season for them is more about building team chemistry and creating the foundation for a more dominant future.
DSFL SOUTH:
Norfolk: 8-2
Tijuana: 8-2
Dallas: 3-7
Bondi Beach: 3-7
The DSFL South already has both playoff spots locked up. But things are far from over.
Norfolk:
Norfolk might just be the team to beat this season. Starting the season 6-0 before finally losing their first game in a juggernaut slugfest with Portland. Norfolk is already playoff bound and are essentially playing for home field in the playoffs. However, they are absolutely not out of the woods yet. Tijuana sits at 8-2 as well this season after their own 6 game winning streak. The Seawolves may have locked up their playoff spot. But now is certainly not the time to let up off the gas.
Tijuana:
There is no QB in the league that should feel safe against this team. 39 SACKS?!?!?! The next best team is Norfolk with 27! The Luchadores are riding a 6 game winning streak, and this defense can keep them hanging around with any team. The dominance of Norfolk to start the season had many people forgetting just how brutal this team can be, and now they're showing that muscle. Tied at 8-2 with Norfolk, Tijuana is completely capable of stealing the home field playoff advantage from Norfolk, and will be fun to watch down the final stretch of the season.
Dallas
Last year's champs have unfortunately found themselves eliminated from playoff contention this season. The collapse of the defense came at the same time as the loss of their Ultimini-winning QB. As a result, the team just couldn't keep up with the other dominant forces in the south. Dallas will absolutely be back though. Rookie QB Christian Marciano has looked REALLY solid for a rookie, boasting a 13:9 TD/INT ratio and an 83.2 passer rating. Marciano and the Dallas offense will be a dominant force again soon, and a draft class bolstering the defense could launch Dallas right back into contenders soon enough.
Bondi Beach:
Everyone figured that similar to London, this was gonna be another rebuilding year for Bondi Beach. After the loss of Ken Oath, the Buccaneers needed to fill some holes in their offense. However, it looks like some real payoffs have come out of the draft. With 2 Offensive Rookie of The Year candidates in WR Marvin Toledo and FB Gus Bus, the Bucanneers look like they might have a solid offense to build around going forward. It's not hard to imagine them being competitive again in the near future.
PLAYOFFS AND BEYOND
With only one playoff spot yet to be locked up, most teams' regular seasons have essentially come to an end. I'll give my personal playoff predictions for this season here:
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS:,
Portland: 35 Minnesota: 21
Norfolk: 21 Tijuana: 17
ULTIMINI:
Norfolk: 24 Portland: 17
Thank you guys for reading! Good luck with the rest of your seasons!
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