10-16-2017, 03:36 AM
(This post was last modified: 10-20-2017, 01:45 AM by MacTonight.)
Playoff Predictions – ASFC Title Game: I think the Outlaws are just way too strong again this season, while the rest of the NSFL plays catch up the Outlaws have proven time and again to be the yardstick all other teams are measured against. The Otters haven’t looked strong enough against the Outlaws in Arizona this year to make much of an impact here. Outlaws 35 – Otters 10
NSFC Title Game: In the juicier of the matchups of the Conference finals the Liberty travel to Baltimore, and I believe the Liberty will upset the current NSFC Champions in The Aviary. The were unlucky not to do better against the Hawks in Baltimore in Week 4, and held them scoreless for 3 quarters last time out, a close game, but I have the Liberty taking it. Liberty 17 – Hawks 16
Ultimus Title Game: The Liberty and the Outlaws will be a tighter matchup than the last time the Outlaws and Liberty met in Arizona. In a game featuring two great defences, it will be a much lower scoring game than their week 6 matchup, I’m predicting a score line closer to their week 2 matchup. I expect the Outlaws will outlast their tenacious opponent, and will be crowned Ultimus Champions once more. Outlaws 20 – Liberty 13
Root for the Underdog – The Philadelphia Liberty cannot be discounted in their Week 1 matchup against the Baltimore Hawks. The Week 4 Liberty felt like a completely different team offensively, Clifford Rove is coming into the playoffs with 10 weeks of development under his belt. Not only were the Liberty last out winners against Baltimore in Philadelphia, their first matchup in The Aviary saw the Hawks survive with a 3 point victory. Whilst both teams have seen some changes in the weeks since that first match up, it is my belief the Liberty have done more to put themselves into a position to win this game. Defensively the Liberty are one of the most intimidating groups in the league, there are a few star players, but the team performs as a unit. Fox North and the new GOAT TE Paul DiMirio will make plays on the offensive side of the ball, but this game will come down to how this Liberty D holds up against the Hawks offense, which they did a good job of in week 15, holding Baltimore out for the final 3 quarters of play. If they bring this same attitude down Interstate 95 they’ll be in a great position to cause an upset.
Matchup Nightmares – Paul DiMirio VS the Hawks Safeties and Linebackers
The biggest match up for me is Paul DiMirio going toe to toe with the Hawks coverage solutions for him. DiMirio presents several problems for defences throughout the league, and is clearly the stand out at his position, whether it is lined up traditionally or split out wide teams often struggle to contain DiMirio on big plays and third down. Rove has definitely found a comfort blanket in the big man. DiMirio comes into this game with the 4th highest reception total, 807 yards and 4 touchdowns. Stephen Harrison is clearly the most well equipped member of the Hawks defence to deal with DiMirio, however if you task Harrison with focusing on one area of the field, you will severely restrict his ability to make plays in the running game. Whilst Harrison, may be tasked with covering DiMirio; he appears to be the most capable member of the Hawks team to be able to match it with the Liberty stand out. Safeties Masvidal and Valentine could find themselves consistently outmatched if left on an island with DiMirio. I’m predicting a big game for DiMirio; with a maiden Ultimus berth on the horizon for the Liberty, expect DiMirio to take the opportunity by the scruff of its neck and have a 100+ yard day, and the Liberty to run out winners.
Championship Game Recap – The play which turned the Ultimus was the second quarter pick six by Outlaws Safety Allen Davis. The play occurred late into the second quarter, with only 1:24 left on the clock. Although the score was in favour of the Outlaws, the Baltimore Hawks had battled back to make the game come within 8 points at 14 – 6. If Baltimore continue to drive down the field, the momentum of the game could have swung completely towards the Hawks. By extending the score out to 21 – 6 the Outlaws put their stamp on proceedings and saw themselves run out 49 – 12 winners and three time Ultimus champions. One of the biggest elements of this defensive touchdown occurring just before halftime stole the wind from the Hawks sails and sent them into the locker room with their heads down. The Outlaws do a great job of stealing a teams fight, and that’s exactly what happened as Davis crossed into the endzone. Although the Outlaws were almost certain to take the game by the scruff of the neck in the second half, but these is no doubt that Davis’ defensive touchdown moved that timeframe and the Outlaws are now once again Ultimus champions.
Playoff Series MVP – I don’t think I’m jumping the gun here, but Trey Willie had the kind of performance which defines a career. I think everyone who had the pleasure (or displeasure for my teammates and I) of watching Willie play today, will remember this game as one of, if not the best performance in NSFL playoff history. Willie hauled in 5 passes, the first 3 of which were touchdown passes, and contributed a kick return for a touchdown as well. Finishing the day with a total of 220 combined yards, and 4 touchdowns. Willie had seen a bit of a downturn since the arrival of Stormblessed in week 5, and although he continued to put up Offensive Rookie of the Year numbers, early projections from the season would have seen Willie a clear favourite until his plateau mid year. Until his explosion in week 1 of the playoffs, Willie appeared to be sending a signal to the league, “look out, I’m still here, and I’m coming.” Willie cemented his spot as Offensive Rookie for the Year and made a strong push for Rookie of the Year overall. His impact can be watered down to one sentence, “without Trey Willie, the Hawks win, but they win 10 – 3.”
NSFC Title Game: In the juicier of the matchups of the Conference finals the Liberty travel to Baltimore, and I believe the Liberty will upset the current NSFC Champions in The Aviary. The were unlucky not to do better against the Hawks in Baltimore in Week 4, and held them scoreless for 3 quarters last time out, a close game, but I have the Liberty taking it. Liberty 17 – Hawks 16
Ultimus Title Game: The Liberty and the Outlaws will be a tighter matchup than the last time the Outlaws and Liberty met in Arizona. In a game featuring two great defences, it will be a much lower scoring game than their week 6 matchup, I’m predicting a score line closer to their week 2 matchup. I expect the Outlaws will outlast their tenacious opponent, and will be crowned Ultimus Champions once more. Outlaws 20 – Liberty 13
Root for the Underdog – The Philadelphia Liberty cannot be discounted in their Week 1 matchup against the Baltimore Hawks. The Week 4 Liberty felt like a completely different team offensively, Clifford Rove is coming into the playoffs with 10 weeks of development under his belt. Not only were the Liberty last out winners against Baltimore in Philadelphia, their first matchup in The Aviary saw the Hawks survive with a 3 point victory. Whilst both teams have seen some changes in the weeks since that first match up, it is my belief the Liberty have done more to put themselves into a position to win this game. Defensively the Liberty are one of the most intimidating groups in the league, there are a few star players, but the team performs as a unit. Fox North and the new GOAT TE Paul DiMirio will make plays on the offensive side of the ball, but this game will come down to how this Liberty D holds up against the Hawks offense, which they did a good job of in week 15, holding Baltimore out for the final 3 quarters of play. If they bring this same attitude down Interstate 95 they’ll be in a great position to cause an upset.
Matchup Nightmares – Paul DiMirio VS the Hawks Safeties and Linebackers
The biggest match up for me is Paul DiMirio going toe to toe with the Hawks coverage solutions for him. DiMirio presents several problems for defences throughout the league, and is clearly the stand out at his position, whether it is lined up traditionally or split out wide teams often struggle to contain DiMirio on big plays and third down. Rove has definitely found a comfort blanket in the big man. DiMirio comes into this game with the 4th highest reception total, 807 yards and 4 touchdowns. Stephen Harrison is clearly the most well equipped member of the Hawks defence to deal with DiMirio, however if you task Harrison with focusing on one area of the field, you will severely restrict his ability to make plays in the running game. Whilst Harrison, may be tasked with covering DiMirio; he appears to be the most capable member of the Hawks team to be able to match it with the Liberty stand out. Safeties Masvidal and Valentine could find themselves consistently outmatched if left on an island with DiMirio. I’m predicting a big game for DiMirio; with a maiden Ultimus berth on the horizon for the Liberty, expect DiMirio to take the opportunity by the scruff of its neck and have a 100+ yard day, and the Liberty to run out winners.
Championship Game Recap – The play which turned the Ultimus was the second quarter pick six by Outlaws Safety Allen Davis. The play occurred late into the second quarter, with only 1:24 left on the clock. Although the score was in favour of the Outlaws, the Baltimore Hawks had battled back to make the game come within 8 points at 14 – 6. If Baltimore continue to drive down the field, the momentum of the game could have swung completely towards the Hawks. By extending the score out to 21 – 6 the Outlaws put their stamp on proceedings and saw themselves run out 49 – 12 winners and three time Ultimus champions. One of the biggest elements of this defensive touchdown occurring just before halftime stole the wind from the Hawks sails and sent them into the locker room with their heads down. The Outlaws do a great job of stealing a teams fight, and that’s exactly what happened as Davis crossed into the endzone. Although the Outlaws were almost certain to take the game by the scruff of the neck in the second half, but these is no doubt that Davis’ defensive touchdown moved that timeframe and the Outlaws are now once again Ultimus champions.
Playoff Series MVP – I don’t think I’m jumping the gun here, but Trey Willie had the kind of performance which defines a career. I think everyone who had the pleasure (or displeasure for my teammates and I) of watching Willie play today, will remember this game as one of, if not the best performance in NSFL playoff history. Willie hauled in 5 passes, the first 3 of which were touchdown passes, and contributed a kick return for a touchdown as well. Finishing the day with a total of 220 combined yards, and 4 touchdowns. Willie had seen a bit of a downturn since the arrival of Stormblessed in week 5, and although he continued to put up Offensive Rookie of the Year numbers, early projections from the season would have seen Willie a clear favourite until his plateau mid year. Until his explosion in week 1 of the playoffs, Willie appeared to be sending a signal to the league, “look out, I’m still here, and I’m coming.” Willie cemented his spot as Offensive Rookie for the Year and made a strong push for Rookie of the Year overall. His impact can be watered down to one sentence, “without Trey Willie, the Hawks win, but they win 10 – 3.”
![[Image: HITSVoP.png]](https://i.imgur.com/HITSVoP.png)
