The first set of results are in and it’s time for people to over analyse, over react and under play their successes or misfortunes. The BFL’s Week 2 schedule includes two rematches from last season’s playoffs, including an early season rematch from the Bridgend Shiva Bowl.
In the week in which it was revealed that rap superstar Nelly was having financial issues, there is only one song to help people get through this week’s Dope Sheet…
The Dope Sheet is brought to you by Verizon, the official wireless carrier of the BFL. Verizon. Better Matters.
Dallas Sucks (1-0) @ The Super Touchdowners (0-1)
Undoubtedly the most impressive team of Week 1, Dallas Sucks exploded out of the gate, with outstanding performances from QB Andrew Luck, RB Spencer Ware and WR Brandin Cooks. All three scored over 30 points each and gave the Sucks GM a Hyundai Player of the Week award in their first weekend in the league. On the defensive side of the ball, LB Ryan Shazier was outstanding, but left with an injury and is currently listed as questionable. A strong performance from the likes of Khalil Mack would do wonders to help alleviate the potential loss of such a defensive points scorer this week.
Is it too early to say that the Touchdowners might be a one man team? Given Week 1 is all about over reactions – potentially. WR Antonio Brown carried the Touchdowners with 2 TDs and twerked his way into the hearts of many sceptics. His performance was the highlight of the TST weekend, with a very disappointing performance, particularly on offense, with WR Dez Bryant struggling – perhaps he wants to return to the team that is named for him? DT Ndamukong Suh’s 1 sack was the highlight of a bad defensive performance, with several big names under performing.
TST will have to hope that last week’s performance was just a one-off – given their offensive fire power, it would be criminal for them to lose by a big margin this week. But, the Dallas Sucks front eight were in splendid form in Week 1 and it’s difficult to imagine that they will not be on top form again this week. The Dope reckons it will be a lot closer than the Vegas gambling lines predict however.
The Dope’s Prediction: Dallas Sucks rolls on to 2-0. Super Touchdowners hope the first two weeks were just “practice”.
Team Jones (1-0) @ Dezzy Does Dallas (1-0)
The biggest news in the BFL this week was the vetoed trade between Team Jones and the Waterton Winos that would have seen RBs go the other way. Jones’s offense last week was nothing remarkable outside of RB David Johnson out pacing his rivals to be the highest ranked RB in the league after 1 week. Losing top WR Keenan Allen to an ACL injury is heartbreaking. But the character of a team is how it picks itself up from such a huge loss. The Dope would very much like to point out the world-class performance by LB Kwon Alexander, with 17 tackles and a sack to his name. Alexander, in only his second season, could very well be a name to look out for this season and could anchor a very dominant defense.
The Dope feels that picking the Dezzys last week was vindicated after an impressive victory over the Cookies. RB DeAngelo Williams showed exactly why he should not be counted out with 143 yards rushing and 2 TDs for the cause. The rest of their front eight did not have the greatest of weekends, but their performances will delight the Dezzys faithful – given how well they did in a “bad” week, how well they could do in a “good” week will raise eyebrows across the league.
Given some of the matchups for key players this week, this one might not be such a blow out that Vegas is predicting. The Dope feels that Miami and Cincinnati are capable of pulling off very narrow upsets against their hated division rivals, which puts the momentum in this game in one direction.
The Dope’s Prediction: Team Jones gets another W. Dezzy Does Dallas immediately turns their attention to the week 3 grudge match.
Waterton Winos (0-1) @ Maesteg SheepSkins (0-1)
The Dope wanted to skip the Winos once more this week, but the trade that was vetoed certainly gained the attention of many observers. RB Todd Gurley was to head to Team Jones for RB Carlos Hyde and WR Brandon Marshall. Gurley had a pathetic showing last weekend, but every elite RB has games where defensive schemes shut them down and to attempt to cut him loose after one bad showing was (again, showing the theme of the week) an overreaction from the Winos.
The SheepSkins had some highlights in week 1, despite their blowout loss to Dallas Sucks. Second Round pick WR A.J. Green out shined his WR partner Julio Jones with 12 receptions for 180 yards and a TD. Fresh off getting his Super Bowl 50 ring, LB Danny Trevathan’s 11 tackles and 1 sack were the defensive standouts. The Dope is hoping that the tough matchups for the front eight last week were a one off and that this week, the SheepSkins show signs of what kind of team they can be in the BFL.
Which way do you think The Dope is predicting this one?
The Dope’s Prediction: SheepSkins click on offense and give the Winos a good beating.
Orlando Rage (1-0) @ Shotgun Shenanigans (1-0)
(Shenanigans lead overall series, 2-1)
This game is a rematch of the Winner’s Consolation Game from last season that saw the Shannys pick up third place. The two teams who collectively have drafted the best over the past two seasons meet once again.
The Rage GM told The Dope that he was surprised at his victory in week 1, with expectations for the team set very low. Despite his advancing years, QB Drew Brees’s performance – throwing for 400+ yards and 4 TDs – vindicated that age is a but a number. WR Will Fuller might have been the steal of the draft if his week 1 performances continue. It wasn’t a great day at the office for the rest of the front eight, but the Rage’s defense was splendid. Each of the LBs were tremendous and CB Bashaud Breeland outplayed his most illustrious defensive partner.
In the closest game of week 1, the Shannys outlasted the Winos, with the key performances coming from WR Doug Baldwin (92 yards and 1 TD) and of course, QB Aaron Rodgers (199 yards throwing and 2 TDs). TE Gary Barnidge’s performance was a big squadoosh, but a significant change in his circumstances this week means that from here on in, that performance is unlikely to repeat. Mainly because The Usual Suspect is likely to play some role this week.
The Rage have lost the last two consecutive games against the Shannys on the road by a good margin and there is no reason to go against that wisdom this week.
The Dope’s Prediction: Shannys go to 2-0, Rage’s lack of offensive firepower hurts them.
The Game of the Week is presented by Advance Auto Parts, the official automotive replacement parts supplier of the BFL. Service is our best part…
Maryland Cookies (0-1) @ Cleveland Clowns (0-1)
(Clowns lead overall series, 4-0)
A week 2 rematch of the 2015 Bridgend Shiva Bowl? You could be forgiven for thinking that at least one team would have a win on their record, but not at the moment…
In the end, it wasn’t close for the Cookies in week 1, and there were several disappointing performances (looking at you in particular Tavon Austin). Outside of S Morgan Burnett, the defense just didn’t get rolling and were probably still on the beach. It wasn’t all bad – late round pick RB Ameer Abdullah quietly accumulated a very good performance and is another name to keep an eye on in weeks to come, especially if he begins to see more of the ball.
It was a frustrating weekend at the office for the defending champions. For every performance from the likes of WR Jordy Nelson, there was an equal or opposite performance from the likes of WR Tyler Lockett. The one remarkable performer was RB Matt Forte, who went against The Dope’s wisdom of the elite running backs in the league being young guns, as the 30 year old’s 96 yards rushing got him a lot of attention.
As The Dope stated earlier, New England and Pittsburgh might be in for tough games this weekend and with the Clowns’s key players, particularly on defense, playing for either team, it looks to be feast or famine in terms of output this weekend. The Cookies have already rung the changes from last week and hope that maybe, just maybe, they aren’t staring at 0-2 again.
The Dope’s Prediction: As the games between these two teams always are, it will be very close, but the Clowns will snatch it towards the end.
The Dope’s Week 1 Predictions: 4-1
From the Commish’s Desk…
* Obvious reminder to make sure that your Eliminator Challenge and Pigskin Pick’em picks are in before the early Sunday kick-offs!
* If you were not already aware, the entire ESPN Fantasy section suffered a big outage right as the Sunday 1PM EST games kicked off and didn’t come back until much later on (I think they didn’t come back until I was doing the pub quiz picture round, so it must have been for the 4PM EST games). For their part, ESPN have apologised – but the EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED LAST YEAR. Between their failure to understand how busy it will be on opening weekend, and losing the league manager tools from last season, as a league manager, I’m very disappointed in our hosts this season.
Good luck to all the GMs in week 2, hope we have a weekend that matches the exciting weekend that the NFL Week 1 was. Except Mike of course. May all his cider turn warm.