(S5) - Ultimus Week

[ItsJustBarry]

Root for the Underdog: I am taking a look at the matchup between the Baltimore Hawks and the Yellowknife Wraiths. Lets first start with the fact that the Hawks weren’t even supposed to make the playoffs. After a horrendous 1-4 start, they went to work to finish out the season 7-2 doing just enough to slide past Philadelphia for that number 2 spot. Looking ahead to the matchup, the Hawks will have to travel to Yellowknife for a week 1 rematch. During the season, these 2 teams played each other close. In the first game, the Hawks started off hot before losing all momentum. They let over 25 minutes pass between field goals during the 2nd and 3rd quarters. The wraiths scored 14 points during that same time frame. Although the Hawks surged back in the 4th quarter, the damage was done and Yellowknife had won. In their 2nd matchup, the Hawks started slow before putting up 3 touchdowns in just over 17 minutes. This pace of play showed to be too much for Yellowknife and they fell 27-16. With each team taking a win at home, the scale should lean towards the Wraiths but I would never count out Baltimore’s potent offense in any matchup. (202)

New Talent: The easiest argument for an S5 trade that made a huge impact would be the trade that sent Ricardo Sandoval headed to Colorado via Las Vegas and brought Alexandre LeClair to Baltimore. It was going to be interesting to see how LeClair fit into the Hawks’ offensive scheme and he wasted no time making a name for himself. Catching 83 balls for an amazing 1567 yards is incredible. He also managed to reign in 11 touchdowns and maintain an 18.9 yards per reception average, all of these being career highs. Heading into the conference championship with a weapon like this has to give Baltimore a ton of confidence. Yellowknife’s defensive backs, Dermot Lavelle and Pierre Carter, will have their work cut out for them as they try to contain LeClair. It doesn’t stop there as Trey Willie, John Wachter, and Owen Taylor will be running wild as well. The addition of Alexandre LeClair is without a doubt one of the biggest factors in the Hawks returning to the post season after missing out in S4. While this may not have been the biggest trade to occur during the S5 season, I would argue it could have the greatest significance to a team’s success. (203)

Playoff Predictions: For my playoff predictions, I will start with the ASFC. I am going from memory but I believe the Arizona Outlaws will be facing the Orange County Otters in the post season for the 5th consecutive time. While this isn’t the Arizona team from S3, they did surprise many people with their success this season. With that being said, they did lose both matchups against Orange County this season including a 30 point blowout in OC. I expect the Otters to win this and I don’t even expect it to be a fun game to watch unless you’re an Otters fan.
Next, I’ll take a look at the matchup between the Baltimore Hawks and Yellowknife Wraiths. This should be an interesting matchup with the 2 teams splitting their games during the regular season. Although the Yellowknife Wraiths have home field advantage, I will give the slight, probably bias edge, to Baltimore. Despite the regular season records, these 2 teams are pretty evenly matched so I wouldn’t even call this an upset. Despite the outcome, I expect this game to be fun for any fan of football in general as I expect it to come down to the final possession to be decided.
This means Otters and Hawks meet in the Ultimus. Otters win. Yay! (214)

Matchup Nightmares: I touched on this briefly above but I will say it again, the Baltimore Offense is a matchup nightmare for any team’s defense. Boasting an impressive receiving group, paired with a bruising running back and competent quarterback, the Hawks’ have a top tier offense in every statistical category. First, you have Avon Blocksdale as the general on the field. Behind him, rushing juggernaut Owen Taylor. On either side, we find Alexandre LeClair, Trey Willie, and John Wachter lined up. This team has been hard to contain as they average almost 29 point per game and they usually make it look easy when they’re doing it. Averaging 26.5 points against Yellowknife alone this season, the Wraith’s defense have the trying task of slowing this group down. With a pass first mentality, the defensive backs of Dermot Lavelle, Pierre Carter, and Dirk Cutter (who?) will likely be the determining factor on this games outcome. Another matchup nightmare will be Turk Turkleton vs. the entire Wriath’s special teams. Battling for field position, Turk can easily be the key playmaker who changes the pace of the game. If you recall the Hawks’ week 8 win, they won easily with only 241 yards through the air so its safe to say the Hawks can beat you in many ways. (214)

Bonus:

Bonus 2:

Robbed: Make a graphical stat comparison of a team who failed to qualify for playoffs but why they should have over another team.
@kckolbe @37thchamber