Week 9 of the eSFL has some interesting divisional games, and an outstanding match-up in the non division game. The playoff picture is suppose to become clearer at this point in the season, but I think it may be clouding up really fast. A blackjack rule could come into play in both divisions, but only time will tell.
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Rhodes Runners vs McKinney Rednecks
As a trend in this article, of course one team in almost every match up has not set a lineup at the time of this article. Rhodes Runners are glad to return back from Boot Hill and the name change has the Runners looking like a serious contender since their almost forgotten title run back in 2008. Coach T Rhodes has a rather strange lineup with an "all in" approach with the Bucs players Freeman, Blount, Parker, and Brisco. They are without leading scorer and team captain Calvin Johnson who has a bye this week. This will hurt the offense numbers of the Runners. McKinney will probably start Colt McCoy, Matthews, Tomlinson, Gates, Maclin, and fresh off a bye week Roddy White. The bye weeks are pretty much behind McKinney and his team should look to rebound and return to form. The Runners have won a few games solely with defense as well as the Redecks. I think this game will be the closest of the week with McKinney pulling the upset.
Runners 124 - Rednecks 129
D Crownholders vs Frost Furrious Flurries
Dcrown rolls in with all of the usual starters this week as potential league MVP Aaron Rodgers leading the way. McFadden is struggling with injury and could play a factor in the outcome of this match up. Plaxico and DeSean will be solid and TE Witten will be the go to guy in the passing offense. Frosty has yet to set a lineup, but I would guess that his lineup will be littered with garbage. Turner is coming off a bye and should be solid along side Tony Gonzalez, but Flacco and Lance Moore can't cover the offense numbers from D Crown. Frost will compete, but DCrown pulls away late.
Crownholders 143 - Flurries128
Pardue Bruisermakers vs Zima Ruskies
Pardue seems to have a playoff spot locked up with another win or two in the next five weeks, but Zima may be in a must win situation to avoid having to see the blackjack possibly determine his playoff fate. At 3-6, and only five games remaining, his schedule is fairly easy after this tough one. With matchups versus McKinney, Rhodes, DCrown and Frost, the Ruskies should easily win three of four and have a legitimate chance to make the playoffs with a win this week vs Pardue. Coach Pardue always finds a way to win without stellar offensive or defensive players that everyone else seems to overlook. He is a matchup genius, but if he can pull off the victory this week against Zima, he will cruise to the playoffs for a third consecutive year. Zima has not set a lineup but we should see Drew Brees lead the way with Chris Johnson, Vincent Jackson, Marques Colston, Jermichael Finley, and company against Pardue's less than stellar Tebow, Kevin Faulk, Emmanual Sanders, and company. Zima looks to have too much fire power here and I see him moving up the standings and potentially stealing the fourth spot in the Global Division.
Ruskies 149 - Bruisermakers 123
Temp's Texas Boy's vs Texan Bruisers
Again, this week's game of the week, comes to us as the non-divisional game and it just so happens to be a family affair. The eSFL has seen a few of these types of match ups in the past, most notably the Kazima boys, the Fields, and the McKinneys. Some folks have even ended up sleeping on the couch on Monday nights after the game. Not to worry about these two Templins as they are miles apart, but the shit talking has already began. These boys have circled this game on the calendar since the schedules were announced. Coach Matt is without a couple of studs who are on bye weeks, and Coach Chaz is starting his usual lineup. Schaub, Rice, Fitz, Dez, and company will be too much for Hasselback, Greene, Jennings, and Wallace to handle. The Bruisers offense will surpass Temps Boys by 15 points and that will be the difference.
Bruisers 154 - Texas Boy's 149
Whitmore Workorse vs Vial Vigilante
This is the match up that Vial has been looking forward to all season. The Vigilantes get their shot at knocking off the defending eSFL champs. With the bye weeks and injuries, Vial has a legitimate chance to get his first eSFL victory in nearly a decade.....well, ok this season...Vial made a few questionable roster changes a few weeks ago and some owners feel like he is no longer a threat. I disagree with Big Ben, Steven Jackson, and Pierre Thomas playing well as of late, these boys are hungry for a victory. Whitmore has Rivers at the helm, with Sproles, Decker, Rice and Bess leading his squad in scoring. Whit has the advantage on defense, but Vial has him dominated on offense. Vial pulls the upset!
Vigilante 138 - Workhorse 132
Kav's Kavanators vs Igama Sweaty Palms
Igama comes into the match up winning three of their last four games and have found a few hidden gems. Someone woke up Arian Foster and he has been lights out. Bowe always seems to find a way to get the job done in the second half of the season, Washington and Ryan have under performed so far. This team was a favorite to win the Appalachian Division preseason, and have truly disappointed most of their fans. The stadium should be a packed house when the Kavanators come to town. Coach Kav has made some trades that have boosted his team to hold arguably the best receivers in the league. Welker, Andre Johnson, and Nicks are as good as they get. The team abandoned the QB spot and it could hurt them in the playoffs. The deciding factor in this game is Mendenhall. If he continues to get a workload, the Kavanators should cruise to victory, but with an unfavorable matchup this week, Igama steals the show with Arian Foster and company.
Kavanators 144 - Sweaty Palms 157
Perdew Pulverizers vs Fields Fanatix
Hall of Fame nominee, paper bag on the head wearing coach Fields has seen the bottom before, but its been many years ago. You have to feel bad for the guy after drafting a boat load of Colts players hoping some guy named Manning would be leading them to supremacy. After a tough beat in week one with 156 points, this team has broken the 150 point mark only once since then. A week six victory over Igama keep the Fanatix alive until the latest two game skid. The Fanatix squad will be led by team captain and MVP Tom Brady along with Reggie Wayne, Manningham, and Fred Davis. Fields continues to routinely drop 120-135 points each week, but the season average is over 145 per week. This is not a winning formula, and to make matters worse, they have to travel to West Virginia to play the Appalachian Division leading Perdew Pulverizers. Led by Michael Vick and arguably the best running back trio in the league with McCoy, Forte, and Fred Jackson, the Pulverizers look to have this one easily. This game could be over by halftime, but Fields squad posts a late comeback to make it respectable.
Pulverizers 154 - Fanatix 139
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eSFL Insider written by correspondent Josh Perdew
Comments or questions should be sent via email: joshperdew@estandoutleague.com
