Week 1 Vintage Insider – 2016 eSFL Season Kickoff

Week 1 Vintage Insider – 2016 eSFL Season Kickoff

By eSFL Commissioner on Thu Sep 8 6:04:40 a.m. ET 2016

Write New Article | Reply To Article |  Edit This Article  |  Delete This Article   The eSFL is now entering its 17th year of existence, and the league is geared up and ready to get started! Draft was held on Sept. 3rd, for both conferences.  Teams have completed the “4 a day” signings (which is referred to as "2-a-days") and are now picking up and dropping players at will.  This season will start off with a remarkable number of games, as the eSFL schedule was released and most teams will be facing a division rival in the opening weekend of football.  Let’s take a look at the matchups and forecast what the results for the Vintage Conference as well as the non-conference game.       Non-Conference Matchup this week features:   Vial Vigilante vs Manning Face      The first thing I noticed when looking at this matchup, was the fact that neither team has any of the same players.  That seems odd to me, but I will continue to monitor this throughout the season and see how many team’s matchup during the regular season non-conference matchups and play the same players, or perhaps make a smart move and drop a player to the bench to avoid matching points.   As of writing this article, Manning Face has yet to insert his starters into the lineup, so I will assume who he will be starting.  With that being said, both of these teams have solid quarterbacks, with Manning Face rolling with Aaron Rodgers and Vial letting Russell Wilson lead his unit.  Vial has a dominate backfield with Freeman and Gurley, two potential first round draft picks this season, while Manning Face has a less than stellar group with Rawls leading the bunch.  The wide receiver position is dominate for both of these units and where the bulk of points should come from for both teams.  Vial gets the edge here with Allen Robinson, Edelman, and Cobb.  Manning Face should probably start four just to keep up at the position and bench a running back in the flex position.  I see Dez, Demaryius, and Larry Fitz in the lineup while Moncrief should get the nod over his remaining running backs.  Tight end and kickers are equal with Kelce and Bailey for Vial, while Manning Face will roll with Fleener and Tucker.  Defense is so hard to predict, so I won’t even try, and say that it will be a push.  The overall nod should go to Vial in a fairly close, exciting matchup for opening week of the eSFL.       178    172   Rhodes Runners vs D Crownholders     The defending eSFL champs, the Runners, return in 2016 with a similar unit from the season before.  D Crown have been to the dance, and won it before, so this matchup could be much closer than you think. Let’s take a look at the starting lineups and see who has the advantage.  The Runners are anchored with Big Ben, Antonio, Marshall, and Woodhead.  These boys have won a title for Coach Rhodes before, and look to be only the second unit to repeat in eSFL History.  The Crownholder will look to knock off the defending champs with Wilson at quarterback, Freeman at running back, and a mediocre receiving corp that is led by Baldwin.  Both teams look to be seeking the “double up” with their quarterback to wideout combo.  These units would be much closer if it wasn’t for the less than stellar wideout lineup by the 'holder unit.  Look for Rhodes to exploit that area, along with the tight end position, and take one step towards their repeat championship hopes.       199       169 Houston Rams vs Wallies Texas Stars     At first look, I thought this game wouldn’t be much of a contest, but after further evaluation, this one has barn-burner written all over it!  You can probably spot the difference between these two balanced units with one glance.   It’s the quarterback position.  Both units are very young and talented, but Osweiler vs Brees matchup will be the difference here.  The Rams have youth with Gurley, Hilton and Watkins while the Texas Stars have the same youth with Zeke Elliott, Evans and Cooks.  Both bring solid tight end players with Gronk and Reed, and the defense is about the same as well.  Watt vs David is a great matchup to watch.  I have to give the nod to Wallies with more a experienced Brees that should top Osweiler and the rest will be a wash.      187     177   Frost Furrious Flurries vs Texan Bruisers     Both of these coaches are veterans of the league and will battle all season for the Appalachian division crown.  Again, the Bruisers have yet to set an official lineup, so we will assume his starters as well.  Frost is rolling with Cam, AP, and Amari Cooper, while the Bruisers will potentialy start Eli, Beckham, Allen Robinson, and Forte.  Depth could be a problem for the Bruisers team later on, especially at WR.  Alshon Jeffery will be hurt early and often, leaving the Bruisers searching for the fill in at his third wide receiver position.  Golden Tate could be the shining star, but only time will tell.  Frost looks very weak in the backfield with Peterson and not much else.  He has five other backs, but none are worth talking about.  The Bruisers have a more complete team, and straight up better players. This one won’t even be close.       202     163 Perdew Pulverizers vs Zima Ruskies     Not for overall score, but for the balance of these two units, this game will be the closest of matchups this week.  This game looks to be an offense vs defense kind of matchup, with Perdew holding the advantage on offense, and Zima putting together one of the best defensive units the eSFL has ever seen.  Sack masters Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn along with the honey badger should produce at least 85 points between the three.  Perdew has wide receivers for days.  Julio, AJ, and Cobb could be the best three starting WR’s in the entire league this season .  Luck will dominate Jameis on Sunday, and the running back position should wash out.  The only question is, can Perdew make up for Zima’s defenders putting the smack down on the opposing quarterbacks?  Can Perdew find any points on defense to offset?  We shall see…        188     186