AFC: Zerger's Week 11 Preview
By Redlegs manager Lance Zerger
Two of week 10's matchups were separated by just one point. The Brewmasters squeaked by War Pony, and Steel Reign avoided the upset beating the Negligent Discharge by less than a point. The next three weeks will be vital as the playoff picture is starting to take shape. There are a few mus- win games this week, and the number two team takes on the number three. This should be an exciting week.
Here are your week 10 standings and playoff odds going into week 11. Analysis after the jump.
Playoff Odds
#12 Mutinous Apes vs. #8 Sawtooths
The Sawtooths look to continue their trend of winning two straight games. They will make it three in a row at home, while the Mutinous Apes are a 30-point underdog in this contest. I predict that the Sawtooths get back into playoff position, they will tie with other teams that have the same record, but their scoring point total will put them ahead of everyone that they are tied with.
#10 Hooligans vs. #13 Negligent Discharges
This is going to be a tough contest, this is a push according to Vegas. I think the difference in this game will be whether or not Aaron Rodgers can get back on track. The three losses in a row have been hard on the Packers (and a two-game losing streak has been rough on the Hooligans, too). I like the Discharges in a close game.
#2 Doughboys vs. #3 Steel Reign
Number two takes on number three in this week's game of the week. Vegas has given the Doughboys a field goal advantage on the road. I believe the Steel Reign win this one though, it will be close but it seems that Fitzgerald is pulling out all the stops and will win.
#14 Cocks vs. #11 Hillier
Uniform Matchup of the Week. The Cocks take on Hillier this week, and I think that they will be out-classed. Peyton Manning will not play this week, which is a huge blow for the Cocks who drafted him in the third round. I think that Hillier will win this week and win big.
#4 Brewmasters vs. #5 Redlegs
The Brewmasters open up this week as a 16-point favorite on the road against the Redlegs. The Redlegs have a lot of their starters on byes this week. I think the Brewmasters win this week and secure a playoff spot. This will leave the Redlegs fighting for a playoff spot, however if they can pull of an upset, that will leave the Brewmasters fighting for a playoff spot.
#6 Rebel Alliance vs. #1 Vultures
The Vultures are sitting pretty at the top of the league. However, they are an eight-point underdog at home this week against the Rebel Alliance who just lost their first game in six weeks. However, I think the Vultures beat the Rebel Alliance this week and will almost secure a first-round bye in the playoffs. The Vultures seem to always find a way to win and this week will be no different.
#7 War Pony vs. #9 Warm Bodies
The Warm Bodies have lost a lot of close games this year, and this game will be close. However, I think they take care of the War Pony at home. War Pony has surprised a lot of people when coming in as the underdog so this could be an interesting matchup. But I think the Warm Bodies win this game.
An another note, whoever wins out of the Steel Reign and Doughboys will have the longest active winning streak in the AFC. [Editor's note: Finch's Hard Targets have the longest active winning streak in the OIL at eight games; the all-time record is held by Cliburn's Arrogant Americans at 10 games in 2010]. The Rebel Alliance currently hold the 2015 AFC record with a five-game winning streak earlier this season. It will be interesting if someone breaks that.