DSFL Weeks 5 - 8 Predictions
by Robbie Fuel
Oh wow! We had some fun surprises those first four weeks!
Norfolk came out guns blasting everything and everyone to prove me wrong, almost. Tijuana was able to stop that train, at least momentarily.
Marshals proved me correct in all four games.
Franklin Armstrong is a surprise hot contender for all the awards - Rookie of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, QB of the Year and even League MVP!
Tijuana only wins on Even Weeks.
Palm Beach what happened? I know I predicted them to lose all four games last week, but after promising competitive near misses at home Weeks 1 & 2, they looked like a completely different team on the road.
While the media magnifying glass has been focused on Kansas City’s QB controversy, the team’s biggest problem is the overlooked inept running game. No, I'm not making an April Fool's Joke.
Here are the results of my Week 1 - 4 Predictions
Week 1 Prediction Results
Marshals defeat Solar Bears - Correct
Luchadores defeat Pythons - Severely Incorrect
Coyotes defeat Seawolves - Incorrect
Week 2 Prediction Results
Luchadores defeat Solar Bears - Correct
Marshals defeat Coyotes - Correct
Pythons defeat Seawolves - Incorrect
Week 3 Prediction Results
Norfolk defeat Palm Beach - Correct
Marshals defeat Luchadores - Correct
Portland defeat Coyotes - Correct
Week 4 Prediction Results
Marshals defeat PB - Correct
Luchadores defeat Norfolk - Correct
Portland defeat KC - Correct
Total Prediction Accuracy = 75%!!!!!!!!!
I think that is really good for my first set of predictions, and considering I am predicting 4 DSFL Weeks at a time. Let's see if I can do better… or more likely worse.
Week 5 Predictions
Palm Beach 17 @ Tijuana 29
I really do hope that Palm Beach will be able to turn things around and win a few games. Unfortunately, they open their next four games on the road for a rematch against Tijuana. Look for Palm Beach to return to whatever worked for them in Week 2 against Tijuana, Apollo Lange threw zero interceptions in that game. I looked at all of his ints in the other three games and I really don’t have an answer, He was picked off when throwing to his WRs, TEs and RBs.
I am predicting Tijuana will win this game at home, but if Palm Beach can stay competitive, then maybe we will see the Bears win in Week 6.
Portland 14 @ San Antonio 21
Many feel that San Antonio has benefited from a very easy opening schedule. The next four weeks the Marshals will face Portland twice, Norfolk and travel to Tijuana. The results of these games will prove either Marshals are a Ultimini caliber team or just a part of the pack.
The question of this specific game is: Can Portland’s Franklin Armstrong continue to his magic, or will Green and his ballhawking teammates of San Antonio stall the surprising MVP campaign?
Norfolk 17 @ Kansas City 20
After playing 3 of their first 4 games at home, Norfolk continues its 4 game road trip with road game number two in Kansas City. This stretch of games is truly testing how competitive this team is. Depending on if Kansas City has fixed their problems, Norfolk might have a brief moment of smooth sailing between their loss to Tijuana and visiting Portland.
Or Kansas City could finally wake up and continue the ongoing road nightmare for the Seawolves.
In my young 75% correct humble opinion, Kansas City doesn’t need to fix their QB situation. In reality, the only part of their offense that needs to be fixed is their inept run game. Yes, it is inept when you are averaging 3.6 yards and every other team is hitting 4.5 yards or more. Stop giving Jay Quick the ball. On 28 attempts, the guy has 7 total yards. Go ahead and look that up, let me help you.
While the QB situation has been everyone’s focus, the shamble of a running game is what has truly held the team back. It is clear that Terry Taffy, who is averaging 5 yards per attempt, should get a lot more touches than he has. There are only five players with 40+ attempts averaging more yards than Terry. Of those five players four of them are a part of the 1-2 punches for Portland or Norfolk. How Kansas City can have a player with 40 touches on their team averaging 5 yards per carry, and still have a team average of 3.6 is truly impressive in the worst way.
Just improving the run game like that can take a lot of pressure off both Jenkins and Leaf, which will allow them to be more efficient passers. Did you know together Jenkins and Leaf have 759 passing yards? That is good enough for 3rd most in the league despite using a 2-QB system and having a team completion rate of 53.9%.
Did you also know Tijuana has the most passing yards in the league with QB Havran completing only 6% more of his passes than Kansas? What I am trying to say is that just a little boost to the Coyotes completion rate, and Kansas could have the most potent passing attack in the league while still employing a 2-QB system. Where could such a little boost come from? Perhaps a decrease in QB pressure thanks to a more efficient running game. Thus we are full circle on why fixing their run game is more important than the QB controversy that the media has been fixated on.
Just as much as the media magnifying glass on KC’s QB struggles has overshadowed the inept running game, it has also ignored the scary potential that Kansas City’s passing game has. I expect a much more competitive team than what we have seen and I think they can win their first game of the season in Week 5.
Week 6
Kansas City 10 @ Palm Beach 14
After being on the road three straight games, Palm Beach is back home. Here we have the first game between the two teams that have had the most trouble figuring out their offenses.
Both teams really want to win this game after their struggles the first four weeks. Palm Beach’s goal is to make sure Kansas City’s offense remains out of synch. Based on how well Palm Beach played San Antonio and Tijuana in their first two home games, it is possible the Solar Bears finally get that first win. Getting to sleep in your own bed can do wonders to reset and rejuvenate tired souls.
San Antonio 28 @ Tijuana 21
This Tijuana team has been alternating between Hot and Cold. In their first four games they won Weeks 2 & 4 while losing Weeks 1 & 3. I don’t think it is has anything to do with superstitions, just the random nature of their schedule. Or is it?
Despite Gump leading the team in TDs, looking closer, Tijuana’s offense relies on Corvo Havran performing well. If this team wants to capitalize on this third game of a four game stretch at home, Havran needs to step up to the expectations that his coaches, teammates, and fans have.
I still gotta go with my Boyz to get this road win.
Norfolk 17 @ Portland 24
Fear the Fleet. What a solid battle cry. Is it wrong if I admit I like it more than Hiss Hiss or dare I say Marshal Up?
Oh, Boy wasn’t that an exciting finish between these two teams in Week 2! Norfolk coming back in the 4th to snatch a hard fought home win. However, the Fleet shouldn’t expect Portland to fall apart at the end of this rematch. The Pythons will be excited to give Norfolk a strong welcome the Rose City. Get excited for what should be a great NFC rivalry all season.
Week 7
Portland 28 @ Palm Beach 16
For Week 7 I’m not picking Portland because of Franklin Armstrong, I think the Solar Bears’ defense is talented enough keep the game competitive in the first half. I’m actually picking Portland because of the Pythons scary nightmarish defense.
Norfolk 14 @ San Antonio 24
Norfolk’s road nightmare is almost over. This is the last road game before they finally head home for the first time since Week 3. Unlucky for them it is the undefeated Marshals that welcome them to town in Week 7. While Norfolk has two lethal submarines named Jimbo and Reed, San Antonio has a tank and a humvee named Marshall and Vaz.
Kansas City 21 @ Tijuana 30
Kansas City does not have a strong enough defense to win this game. I expect Tijuana to have their best offensive performance of these first eight weeks. Look for huge plays from kwan man Rod Tidwell and running back Forrest Gump. This is Tijuana’s last of a four game home stretch, they want to hit the road with spirits high.
Week 8
Palm Beach 20 @ Kansas City 27
And the rematch. Unlike Kansas City’s back to back games against Portland, there will be enough time for the Coyotes to adjust between their games against Palm Beach.
San Antonio 23 @ Portland 24
Oh man, it is the first San Antonio loss that I’m predicting. I really don’t want to, but I think Portland’s offense and defense are good enough to get a win at home. This game could come down to a last minute field goal for either team.
Kickers San Antonio Lawes and Portland Dasistwirklichseinnachname have been with their teams all four weeks. Both teams should feel comfortable having the fate of the game come down to a kick as each player has a FG% over 90.
Tijuana 20 @ Norfolk 21
Norfolk has been hot at home, in fact they have yet to loose when defending their fort. The Seawolves are returning home after a scary four game stretch on the road. Usually Home is where you should feel secure, comfortable, and at your strongest. Too bad Tijuana has come knocking. Despite a slow start in Weeks 1 & 2, the offense started jelling in Week 3 & 4. With their Wall of Beaver, Ulysses and Rowan, I think Tijuana has the most talented offense in the league. That nightmare Norfolk had on the road, may have followed them home.
by Robbie Fuel
Oh wow! We had some fun surprises those first four weeks!
Norfolk came out guns blasting everything and everyone to prove me wrong, almost. Tijuana was able to stop that train, at least momentarily. Marshals proved me correct in all four games. Franklin Armstrong is a surprise hot contender for all the awards - Rookie of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, QB of the Year and even League MVP! Tijuana only wins on Even Weeks. Palm Beach what happened? I know I predicted them to lose all four games last week, but after promising competitive near misses at home Weeks 1 & 2, they looked like a completely different team on the road. While the media magnifying glass has been focused on Kansas City’s QB controversy, the team’s biggest problem is the overlooked inept running game. No, I'm not making an April Fool's Joke. Here are the results of my Week 1 - 4 Predictions
Week 1 Prediction Results
Marshals defeat Solar Bears - Correct
Luchadores defeat Pythons - Severely Incorrect
Coyotes defeat Seawolves - Incorrect
Week 2 Prediction Results
Luchadores defeat Solar Bears - Correct
Marshals defeat Coyotes - Correct
Pythons defeat Seawolves - Incorrect
Week 3 Prediction Results
Norfolk defeat Palm Beach - Correct
Marshals defeat Luchadores - Correct
Portland defeat Coyotes - Correct
Week 4 Prediction Results
Marshals defeat PB - Correct
Luchadores defeat Norfolk - Correct
Portland defeat KC - Correct
Total Prediction Accuracy = 75%!!!!!!!!!
I think that is really good for my first set of predictions, and considering I am predicting 4 DSFL Weeks at a time. Let's see if I can do better… or more likely worse.
Week 5 Predictions
Palm Beach 17 @ Tijuana 29I really do hope that Palm Beach will be able to turn things around and win a few games. Unfortunately, they open their next four games on the road for a rematch against Tijuana. Look for Palm Beach to return to whatever worked for them in Week 2 against Tijuana, Apollo Lange threw zero interceptions in that game. I looked at all of his ints in the other three games and I really don’t have an answer, He was picked off when throwing to his WRs, TEs and RBs.
I am predicting Tijuana will win this game at home, but if Palm Beach can stay competitive, then maybe we will see the Bears win in Week 6.
Portland 14 @ San Antonio 21Many feel that San Antonio has benefited from a very easy opening schedule. The next four weeks the Marshals will face Portland twice, Norfolk and travel to Tijuana. The results of these games will prove either Marshals are a Ultimini caliber team or just a part of the pack.
The question of this specific game is: Can Portland’s Franklin Armstrong continue to his magic, or will Green and his ballhawking teammates of San Antonio stall the surprising MVP campaign?
Norfolk 17 @ Kansas City 20After playing 3 of their first 4 games at home, Norfolk continues its 4 game road trip with road game number two in Kansas City. This stretch of games is truly testing how competitive this team is. Depending on if Kansas City has fixed their problems, Norfolk might have a brief moment of smooth sailing between their loss to Tijuana and visiting Portland.
Or Kansas City could finally wake up and continue the ongoing road nightmare for the Seawolves.
In my young 75% correct humble opinion, Kansas City doesn’t need to fix their QB situation. In reality, the only part of their offense that needs to be fixed is their inept run game. Yes, it is inept when you are averaging 3.6 yards and every other team is hitting 4.5 yards or more. Stop giving Jay Quick the ball. On 28 attempts, the guy has 7 total yards. Go ahead and look that up, let me help you.
While the QB situation has been everyone’s focus, the shamble of a running game is what has truly held the team back. It is clear that Terry Taffy, who is averaging 5 yards per attempt, should get a lot more touches than he has. There are only five players with 40+ attempts averaging more yards than Terry. Of those five players four of them are a part of the 1-2 punches for Portland or Norfolk. How Kansas City can have a player with 40 touches on their team averaging 5 yards per carry, and still have a team average of 3.6 is truly impressive in the worst way.
Just improving the run game like that can take a lot of pressure off both Jenkins and Leaf, which will allow them to be more efficient passers. Did you know together Jenkins and Leaf have 759 passing yards? That is good enough for 3rd most in the league despite using a 2-QB system and having a team completion rate of 53.9%.
Did you also know Tijuana has the most passing yards in the league with QB Havran completing only 6% more of his passes than Kansas? What I am trying to say is that just a little boost to the Coyotes completion rate, and Kansas could have the most potent passing attack in the league while still employing a 2-QB system. Where could such a little boost come from? Perhaps a decrease in QB pressure thanks to a more efficient running game. Thus we are full circle on why fixing their run game is more important than the QB controversy that the media has been fixated on.
Just as much as the media magnifying glass on KC’s QB struggles has overshadowed the inept running game, it has also ignored the scary potential that Kansas City’s passing game has. I expect a much more competitive team than what we have seen and I think they can win their first game of the season in Week 5.
Week 6
Kansas City 10 @ Palm Beach 14After being on the road three straight games, Palm Beach is back home. Here we have the first game between the two teams that have had the most trouble figuring out their offenses.
Both teams really want to win this game after their struggles the first four weeks. Palm Beach’s goal is to make sure Kansas City’s offense remains out of synch. Based on how well Palm Beach played San Antonio and Tijuana in their first two home games, it is possible the Solar Bears finally get that first win. Getting to sleep in your own bed can do wonders to reset and rejuvenate tired souls.
San Antonio 28 @ Tijuana 21This Tijuana team has been alternating between Hot and Cold. In their first four games they won Weeks 2 & 4 while losing Weeks 1 & 3. I don’t think it is has anything to do with superstitions, just the random nature of their schedule. Or is it?
Despite Gump leading the team in TDs, looking closer, Tijuana’s offense relies on Corvo Havran performing well. If this team wants to capitalize on this third game of a four game stretch at home, Havran needs to step up to the expectations that his coaches, teammates, and fans have.
I still gotta go with my Boyz to get this road win.
Norfolk 17 @ Portland 24Fear the Fleet. What a solid battle cry. Is it wrong if I admit I like it more than Hiss Hiss or dare I say Marshal Up?
Oh, Boy wasn’t that an exciting finish between these two teams in Week 2! Norfolk coming back in the 4th to snatch a hard fought home win. However, the Fleet shouldn’t expect Portland to fall apart at the end of this rematch. The Pythons will be excited to give Norfolk a strong welcome the Rose City. Get excited for what should be a great NFC rivalry all season.
Week 7
Portland 28 @ Palm Beach 16For Week 7 I’m not picking Portland because of Franklin Armstrong, I think the Solar Bears’ defense is talented enough keep the game competitive in the first half. I’m actually picking Portland because of the Pythons scary nightmarish defense.
Norfolk 14 @ San Antonio 24Norfolk’s road nightmare is almost over. This is the last road game before they finally head home for the first time since Week 3. Unlucky for them it is the undefeated Marshals that welcome them to town in Week 7. While Norfolk has two lethal submarines named Jimbo and Reed, San Antonio has a tank and a humvee named Marshall and Vaz.
Kansas City 21 @ Tijuana 30Kansas City does not have a strong enough defense to win this game. I expect Tijuana to have their best offensive performance of these first eight weeks. Look for huge plays from kwan man Rod Tidwell and running back Forrest Gump. This is Tijuana’s last of a four game home stretch, they want to hit the road with spirits high.
Week 8
Palm Beach 20 @ Kansas City 27And the rematch. Unlike Kansas City’s back to back games against Portland, there will be enough time for the Coyotes to adjust between their games against Palm Beach.
San Antonio 23 @ Portland 24Oh man, it is the first San Antonio loss that I’m predicting. I really don’t want to, but I think Portland’s offense and defense are good enough to get a win at home. This game could come down to a last minute field goal for either team.
Kickers San Antonio Lawes and Portland Dasistwirklichseinnachname have been with their teams all four weeks. Both teams should feel comfortable having the fate of the game come down to a kick as each player has a FG% over 90.
Tijuana 20 @ Norfolk 21Norfolk has been hot at home, in fact they have yet to loose when defending their fort. The Seawolves are returning home after a scary four game stretch on the road. Usually Home is where you should feel secure, comfortable, and at your strongest. Too bad Tijuana has come knocking. Despite a slow start in Weeks 1 & 2, the offense started jelling in Week 3 & 4. With their Wall of Beaver, Ulysses and Rowan, I think Tijuana has the most talented offense in the league. That nightmare Norfolk had on the road, may have followed them home.
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