League News Update 4-1

Year 4 in the NFA is underway and today we're finally done with all the week 1 games. It's been a while since my last regular season League News Update so there will definitely be some style changes. I'm going to post the scores from the week and then underneath the scores for the game I'll add in some commentary, likely including some predictions and analysis. So here it is, week 1 of 2007 (year 4) in the National Football Association.

Lincoln Tribe at Montana Grizzlies
21 to 22
The Tribe and Grizzlies make for an evenly matched divisional game and the Grizzlies barely pulled away with this one. I glanced through some of the general statistics for week 1 and I'm quite surprised how many teams have gone for two point conversions this week. This game might've turned out much differently if the teams played good old conservative football.

Atlantic Tide at Concord Hawks
10 to 20
Two divisional teams with the same record in the preseason. This game goes as a perfect example of why the Tide are no longer a dominant team as Concord has no problem dismantling them in their home opener.

Mexico Bulls at Topeka Oilers
26 to 24
Another really close divisional game with teams who're pretty much equal in balance and in preseason record. This game basically came down to the wire when the Bulls hit a 46 yard field goal with 1:39 to play. The Oilers are clearly not the super bowl team they were two years ago.

Tiburon Sharks at Jackson Dragons
30 to 10
Definitely was not expecting this outcome based on player rankings and especially preseason record. The Dragons dominated the preseason NFC South with an undefeated record while the Sharks couldn't win a game. This just goes to show that the NFC South is fair game for anyone and preseason definitely isn't everything.

Kentucky Stallions at Madison Timberwolves
15 to 7
As I expected, Madison put up a good fight, but the Stallions are a good team and definitely are still showing signs that they were in the super bowl last year.

Boise Bison at Bar Harbor Captains
33 to 28
This was pretty close, Captains led at the half after a big Ryan Diamond interception at the close of the quarter (get this: Boise figured they could hail mary with a second left in the first half, ends up being picked by Diamond and returned nearly 70 plus yards for a touchdown). The third quarter was largely devoid of scoring activity, but Boise steadily built their momentum over the span of a few field goals and once they hit the endzone, time was running short for Bar Harbor to make a comeback. Bar Harbor was down two possessions with roughly a minute to play, they were able to pull together a good drive, but the following onside kick was unsuccessful and the Bison took a knee to win the game.

Dover Deer at Hartford Lightning
32 to 19
At the end of the half Hartford was leading this game 10 to 7, but the Deer proved they were the better team, ousting the Lightning with 18 points in the 4th quarter.

Spokane Ospreys at Dakota Vipers
12 to 20
This was a pretty decent game between two playoff regular teams on the decline. Dakota still has it together though, their record probably won't show it over the course of the season due to their tough division.

Portland Flyers at Edmonton Beavers
24 to 3
A battle between two teams that in 2004 could probably be considered the two worst teams in the NFA. The preseason and other games have shown Portland to be putting something together and this proves. Edmonton, meanwhile, is still going nowhere.

Boston Liberty at Iowa Rangers
17 to 3
Definitely not an unexpected result, but still a little surprising given how extremely dominant the Liberty used to be. Going by this I think the Liberty are liable to finish this season 13-3.

Santa Fe Bandits at Tucson Kings
38 to 35 (OT)
A close battle between divisional teams that've definitely had their share of struggles. This game was all about momentum shifts. The Kings dominated the first quarter, scoring while holding the opposing team to no points. Then the momentum shifted to the Bandits as they dominated the 2nd and 3rd quarters, racking up points while holding the Kings scoreless. The Kings launched a comeback in the 4th quarter, scoring 21 points and not allowing any from the Bandits. The game simply came down to the coin toss in overtime as the Bandits won, marched into field goal range, and won the game.

West Virginia Wizards at Carson City Comets
9 to 26
Expected this to be a little closer, but Carson City still has a good team apparently, even without Charlie Joyce (who by the way is still the most valuable free agent on the market).

Yukon Yeti at Wyoming Wildcats
38 to 0
The score makes the game seem more one sided than it was. Wyoming won the opening coin toss and proceeded to march down the field under the direction of QB Patrick Weaver. They made it as close to the redzone as they would ever come in the game. Weaver ended up throwing his only interception on the first drive to Yukon star CB Ted Watts. Taking over on offense, QB Torry Mathis stumbled on his first two plays, but found his groove on the third as he began a drive to the endzone. However, Mathis was injured on the same play, forcing backup QB Ben Harris into the game. Harris finished off the successful drive with a touchdown pass to WR Richard Cummings in the corner of the endzone. The rest of Wyoming's drives resulted in very stout resistance from the Yukon defense, resulting in the shutout. Yukon's second drive wasn't as successful as the first. Although Torry Mathis was now back on the field, he was sacked 3 times during the drive, resulting in a 47 yard field goal by Ronnie Johnson, giving Yukon a 10-0 lead. After another defensive stop, Yukon marched down the field in an intense two minute style offense. Mathis connected with Yukon TE Derek Pruitt in the corner of the endzone with about 10 seconds to play. At the end of the first half it was Yukon 17, Wyoming 0. The third quarter was a defensive struggle as neither team put together anything that amounted to points. The fourth quarter allowed Yukon more points as Mathis went 5 wide and hit Roscoe Terrell in the corner of the endzone. Mathis also rushed for a touchdown on the ensuring Yukon drive after another dead end drive for Wyoming. With the score 31 to 0, the game was pretty much over, but Yukon's defense was not done. Yukon DE Brandon Roberts crushed Weaver resulting in a forced fumble and one last Yukon score as LB Terrell Edwards picked up the ball and ran it into the endzone with only 16 seconds left in the game. Overall, Yukon dominated by spreading the ball around on the offensive side, passing the ball around the field to a variety of receivers and occasionally running. This is what makes Yukon's offense so potent, the variety of talented receivers and the play calling gives unparalleled freedom to the QB, whether it be Torry Mathis or Ben Harris, to pick whatever receiver is open and successfully get them the ball. Combine this with Yukon's stout defense and you've got what is still most likely the best team in the NFA. Stats are as follows.
Passing:
Yukon QB Torry Mathis: 80.1 passer rating, 277 yards passing, 2 TD, 2 INT, 20/34, 58% completion rate, average of 8.1 yards per pass, 4 sacks (3 came on second drive of the game)
Yukon QB Ben Harris: 3/3 with 36 yards and a TD, 12 yard average per pass
Wyoming QB Patrick Weaver: 16/35, 45.7% completion rate, 143 yards, INT, Fumble
Rushing:
Yukon HB Tim Peterson: 52 yards, 15 attempts, 3.4 average yards
Yukon QB Torry Mathis: 39 yards, 4 attempts, 9.7 average yards, TD
Yukon FB Charles Burnett: 16 yards, 2 attempts
Wyoming HB Chauncey Butler: 23 yards, 9 attempts, 2.5 average yards per rush
Yukon Receiving:
WR Richard Cummings: 5 receptions, 54 yards, TD
WR T.J. Oliver: 4 receptions, 76 yards
WR Mack Pleasant: 3 receptions, 55 yards
FB Charles Burnett: 3 receptions, 35 yards
WR Roscoe Terrell: 2 receptions, 14 yards, TD
TE Derek Pruitt: 2 receptions, 7 yards, TD
WR Lamaar Craig: 2 receptions, 37 yards
TE Neil Parker: 1 reception, 21 yards
HB Tim Peterson: 1 reception, 14 yards
Defensive
Yukon CB Andre Harry: 8 tackles
Yukon CB Ted Watts: 5 tackles, INT
Yukon DE Brandon Roberts: 3 tackles, sack, FF
Game Stats
YY: 383 total yards WW: 152
YY: 107 rushing yards WW: 19
YY: 276 passing yards WW: 173
YY: 21 first downs WW: 11
2 turnovers by both teams
Player of the game Torry Mathis
Torry Mathis was also chosen as the AFC Offensive player of the week.

Little Rock Crocs at Springfield Knights
6 to 45
This game really shows Springfield's dominance as they racked up score after score against a mediocre, rebuilding team. I'm curious to see Springfield in a divisional matchup as the NFC North has the potential to be the most tightly contested division in the league (minus the Edmonton Beavers).

Hawaii Warriors at Salt Lake Scorpions
24 to 21
A fairly close divisional matchup that reflects on each team's preseason record. Nothing too surprising here.

Puerto Rico Piranhas at Oklahoma Twisters
9 to 34
These two teams were at the top of the AFC South in preseason, but the score reveals that Puerto Rico got steamrolled. This is just a case of the Twisters building momentum; they led 10 to 6 at the half and never let up in their onslaught of scoring. Clearly the Piranhas need to work on their pass defense if they want to be continually ranked as one of the better defensive teams of the NFA.

So now that we're through the opening week of the NFA, let's take a look at next week.
The computer predicted game of the week is the Dakota Vipers at Boston Liberty (I fully expect the Liberty to win, guessing the score to be something like 13 to 24). Yukon takes on Concord fresh off their victory over the tide and what is sure to be a good matchup. Bar Harbor faces Santa Fe in a break from their tough schedule.

See you next week!