Week 4 Official Lines and Predictions

The first week of division play. This is always a fun week for FAA football. The first week that teams have to deal with BYE weeks and normally this is around the time that injuries start to nip away at starters. This is also the week that division foes can finally stop the strange "I love my division" talk, and cease with the uncomfortable man hugs (see picture). This is where your ability to draft quality back-ups in the late round of the draft pays dividends. Some teams (Honolulu and New York to name two) are looking like the walking wounded going into division play. It’s always great to see the traditional matchups. As much as we whine about one division being easy or hard, this is the reason that no one will ever vote for realignmen


Norfolk @ Imperial -2

This is one of the oldest rivalries in the FAA. The early years of the FAA saw the battle for EAST supremacy waged exclusively by these two teams. In the first non-keeper trade ever Imperial sent Marshall Faulk to Norfolk, which pushed the Shipmen to their first title. A little known fact is that Imperial took off after the trade as well, just never got to Championship Level play. Recent history in this series is not any difference than past history. Last year Norfolk won both games by an average score of 75 – 63 (Not exactly most see TV). Norfolk has the power ranking edge 15-5 as well. The owners like Imperial in this game with the early betting, but this strikes me as spitting in the face of a hurricane. Looking at the matchups I give the QB and RB matchup to Norfolk and the WR, TE matchup to Imperial. I like the Maulers chances, but why bet against history. I’ll take the points and the Shipmen


Pittsburgh -4 @ Jersey

Yeah, I picking against the “it” team this week. Jersey has been basking in the sun of the early season schedule, but Jersey has ALWAYS struggled in the East. Even with lots of winning in recent years (2 runs to the championship game) Jersey has never really been a consistent contender for the East crown. Now having said that…Pittsburgh hasn’t exactly been a super power either. The Ballers are looking to take the “it” title right off of Carc’s back. Jersey holds a 13-7 lead in the power rankings, but here is the STAT OF THE WEEK…The Ballers went 2-0 against Jersey last year by an average score of 101 -59!!! Jersey wants respect, but I think he better respect the Ballers. I love the Ballers in this match-up. With AP banged up it may not even be close. “Fire up the Lawnmower”. I’ll take PIT and give the points.

Sewickley -9 @ Albany

This is like a matchup of old school vs. new school. 4 years ago I lobbied in this space to rename the central division the “Albany Division”. Albany backed up my endorsement by immediately going in the tank and missing the playoffs for the next 3 years. The F-Bombs has taken this division by force. Albany didn’t beat many teams last season, so it’s not a shock that Sewickley has a significant Power Rating advantage, however these two teams split last year and Sewickley averaged 86ppg compared to Albany’s 82ppg. I haven’t had confidence in Albany for a long time now, but I have to admit when I saw him patting himself on the back because Mendenhall will get the start against BALTIMORE!! I officially closed the book on Raud. Being excited to start a RB against BLT is the kiss O death. Give up all of those points and take Sewickley.


Aliquippa -1 @ Mt. Lebo

Neither of these teams has ever won this division. One of these teams has never finished with a winning record. Not exactly the game networks are fighting to televise. There are some interesting story lines here. For one Zuc has guaranteed 8 wins and if he goes 3-1 it will be hard to contain his ramblings. Drummond on the other hand has expectations hanging on his back. If he goes 1-3 in a season where he had 3 first round picks the league will attack him in a manner reminiscent of feeding citizens to Lions in Rome. First we find out that Clay Aiken is gay, now we get the shocking news that Mt. Lebo is bad. SHOCKING!!!!! Go with Quip Town.

Tokyo @ Honolulu -3

Another CLASSIC FAA battle. Whenever the Tokyo Kamikazes come flying into Hawaii it is sure to stir emotion for everyone involved. Of course with both teams being 0-3 symbolism may be the only show in town this Sunday. Honolulu swept both games last year by a wide margin (95ppg – 69ppg). This Destroyer team is a serious empirical anomaly. Isimio will be putting a starting line-up on the field that averages 105PPG and this is with Chance Stuckey starting while Colston is out with an injury and Eddie Royal is on the bench. Of course we have to mention that Honolulu went 0-5 to begin last season and still extended his playoff streak, but don’t see how he can afford to go 0-4 for the 2nd season in a row. Tokyo got a huge boost last week when Ronnie Brown returned to the fantasy scene. Of course, Brown was on the bench for the Kamikazes when he accounted for 5 TDS in one game, but its great news for Tokyo if he is back. As Tokyo’s recent luck would have it…Brown is on a bye this week. In addition to Brandon Jacobs, Julius Jones, Wes Welker and SEA DEF on a BYE. Just when it looks like you’ve turned it around… I’m going to go with Tokyo anyway. Desperation wins.


GAME OF THE WEEK

New York -8 @ Henderson

In a weird scheduling quirk this is the only game that features two teams with winning records (combined 5-1). New York is averaging over 100ppg through sheer will at this point. R. Moss hasn’t had a big day all year and we all know what happened to T. Brady in week 1. Now Westbrook is listed as day to day. Phillip Rivers single handedly lifted the Clients to a victory last week and you have to love him against Oakland this week. The Clients swept this matchup last year by a wide scoring margin (107ppg – 40ppg) and Henderson has had little success vs. New York historically. The Hitmen traditionally have the burden of relying on McNabb to carry the team to victories and it has never helped when playing the Clients that McNabb and Westbrook are generally tied at the hip in terms of success. I like Jones-Drew and Dunn, but they could both score 20 or they could both score 5. I just don’t think Hendo has the horses to ride with the big dogs. Although this is a big point spread for a road team, I’m going to have to clamp down and give the points and go with NYC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vj2WN5qXrzI