Week 7 Predictions

For those of you who are privy to the inner workings of the world of Quad, you know why there hasn’t been any activity on the blog in a couple of weeks. But I am back, and ready to piss people off with my predictions. But first……..


What the hell is up with Division one of our league? Out of five teams in the division, four are tied with 3-3 records. Division two, as I predicted before the season is where the power is. Commissioner Hughes, it seems, tried to set himself up with a possible division title by Not placing his team in the same division with perennial power houses BadAss Bills, Toano BailBonds, and the ever present Red Hot Jimmy Peppers. It seems his plan has backfired. That division has had more teams in first this season than I have had Gin and Tonics! Anyway………………


GAME OF THE WEEK: Peppers vs. Elvi: I guess the league couldn’t help but allow the Peppers a second chance at game of the week because of league sentiments. But what a unique matchup as the PowerHouse meets the NewComer.


Depending on how one looks at this matchup, one could predict this one to go either way. But for the second week in a row, the Peppers have 25% of their starters not playing due to a bye week. Major changes by the peppers include the pick up of Dante Stallworth, who finally had a game along the same lines as the many he had in New Orleans’ during their Cinderella season last year.


The Elvi, on the other hand, added the Lions D/ST and is starting them against the resurgent Bucaneers. At first I thought this was a move waivering on the edge of desperation. But the more I look at it the more I have to agree that it’s the Bucs DEFENSE keeping them in the games, not the offense. They have suffered many injuries to key players, ala Carnell Williams, and their offense is sputtering because they have a running game where the back (name?) has 7 TDs (tied for 2nd in the league), yet they are relying on Jeff Garcia waaaaay too much.


Now, some of you may still be high on Garcia after last year’s performance in Philly after McNabb went down. For some reason, I just can’t bring myself to buy into that and I don’t know why. While I agree Garcia was the answer to last year’s almost run away train in Philly, I look at him like I do Kyle Boller in Baltimore: yes, he is good but I am not sure he is READY to have the team and it’s outcome riding on his shoulders full time.


So where does all of this leave us? I think Coach Ralphy did a good thing by being able to get the Lions D/ST. the Elvi also have favorable matchups at QB and WR. The RB matchup isn’t a good one as Westbrook has to go against the Bears defense. By the way, you can’t blame the Bears defense of their lack of scoring points. You can blame their offense for not scoring more than their opponents like they did last year during their Super Bowl run. Her Indy OP and TE have very unfavorable matchups facing a very stiff, Julius Peppers led Jaguars defense. In fact, I predict Indy loses their first game to Jacksonville next week. What MAY keep the Elvi competitive could very well be her DPs from Miami. Even though the Dolphins are OH-fer the season, their defensive players should have plenty of opportunities to make plays against the high-powered, more-potent-than-Viagra New England offense. If this game between the Elvi and Peppers is close, the Elvi’s DP’s WILL be the difference. However……………


The peppers have three NE players playing against the hapless Dolphins: Moss, Stalworth, and the kicker. Moss is on track to score 21 TD’s this year, and I think Tom Brady’s 5-TD performance from last week was just a warm up for this Sunday’s Massacre in Miami.
Favorable matchups exist at the Pepper’s TE, Totupu at LB, and the HC. But with so many starters on a BYE week, I’m not sure the matchups of the TQB and the WR/RB from Dallas will be enough. Depending on how Dallas responds after their New England beat down last week will, of course, determine the outcome of the performance of Barber and Owens.


PREDICTION: the system has the game as a PUSH. Sheer point average total has the Peppers as a 15 point favorite. But I’m not so sure. I think the Elvi have more favorable matchups, especially with the Peppers relying so heavily on Dallas players. My instincts are telling me to PUSH this game, but I think the Elvi get their 3rd win of the season by a mere 5.7 points.


BadAss Bills vs. Team Smith: the BadAss Bills are absolutely loaded. But their load is spent due to unfavorable matchups at some key positions. While I predict Team Smith to win by 10.3, it could very easily go the other way if the Patriots have a great game. Just between the Patriots TQB and Wes Welker, they could very easily win the game almost by themselves. But…….Team Smith will persevere like they have since they have been in the league.


Niners vs. Hogs: yaaaaaaaaaawn! Oops sorry. I didn’t mean to fall asleep. Are these teams playing? The Niners played three players last week that were on a BYE. It looks like he is on track to play at least one player this week that is on a BYE. But it doesn’t matter. The Niners are loaded with talent that are recognizable by one name: steve, chad, Adrian, and Gonzalez. Between the four of them, they could very easily score close to 100 points. Because of this, I think the WartHogs will be apologizing. But hey, don’t apologize…………….. your team is sorry enough. Oh and to the Coach of the Hogs: don’t forget to bring a pen and paper to the game because the Niners are going to take you school! Niners by 23.4.


Revolution vs. Gnus: there is absolutely no way I am picking the Gnus for two reasons, even though their coach is my main man at work. Reason #1: they kicked a man while he was down by beating the Peppers during a time of the coach’s personal mourning. That loud POP you heard that week was the Gnus pulling the game out of their ass. Reason #2: see reason #1. Seriously, the Revolution are loaded with favorable matchups. Plus………..see reason #1. Revolution by 13.7.


BailBonds vs. Syrens: unless the Syrens change things, they will play 4 people on BYEs. Even if they fix things, it won’t matter. The Bailbonds are too strong and this is the week they go UP the roller coaster hill that is their season. BailBonds by 23.4.