Week 3 Review - Heartbroken

Game Of The Week, Team Of The Week and Rookie Watch!

Why?  Why? Why?

The Super Swedes refused to hold a press conference this week preferring to busy themselves with trades and free agency grabs.  Sitting bottom of the league's weakest division and taking on the undefeated Rook the Swedes Bengals D set the early pace, at one stage breaking the 30pts mark before ending the day on a healthy 20pts.  Romo spent the afternoon firing TD bombs to the Rook's very own WR Williams who caught everyone one of them whilst warming the Riggins bench.  RB Charles contributed 15.40pts, WR White chipped in with 12.90pts.  This one had the look of an upset special.  'I love this game!' cried the Swedes Head Coach.
Over in New Orleans TE Gonzalez, tipped by Carl and Bob in the week 3 preview for a big game, (“look for Gonzo to come to the party in the Big Easy this week as the Falcons have to chase the game late on,”) caught his first reception.  And then he caught another one.  And another.  And then one for a TD before ending the game with 20pts.  Spooky.  The Rook's Chargers D put up 15pts and RB Jones just missed out on the 100yrd bonus but still managed 15.60pts.  By the end of the Sunday night games the Bench Warmers trailed by 15.56pts with only QB Culter remaining.  That'll be the same Culter who posted 28.08pts in week 1 and followed that up with 29.38pts in week 2.  'I'm not sure I love this game anymore.' whispered the Swedes anxious Head Coach.
Ye of little faith Coach.  The Packers D rips into Cutler like Royal with TD's ripping into their  favourite cheeseburgers.  Down goes the Bears QB, once, twice, three times a lady.  Dazed and confused Cutler tosses up an interception!  It's the Cutler 09 version.  At this rate he's gonna be lucky to hit double digits.  On the other side of the ball Rogers is eating up the clock with 7 and 8 minutes drives, a master of his art, the  Davinci of quarterbacks.  Who cares if the field is being showered by cheese coloured flags, this one is going the way of the Swedes.  At the end of the half, Super at last, the Swedes hold a comfortable 20pts lead.
The Bears would have to work on some major adjustments to save this one.
Oh no.  They did.
Cutler is moving the ball.  It's dinky dunky football.  A few yards here and few yards there.  Then Cutler hits Johnny Knox for a 35-yard completion.  The Swedes lead is down to 4.20pts with a quarter of football still remaining.  If you listened carefully enough, beneath the roar of an expectant Soldier Field you could hear the sound of Swedish hearts breaking.  On the Bears last drive of the game Cutler, with just 2.20 on the clock passes deep middle to  TE Olsen for a 21yrd gain.  For the first time over the course of the whole weekend the Rook takes the lead.  There is nothing the Swedes can do but pray.  Pray for a Cutler interception.  Pray hard for a Cutler interception.
1.21 left on the clock.  Cutler passes deep right...INTERCEPTION!  The Swedes lead!  The Super Duper Swedes Lead!  No.  Wait.  What's this?  A cheese coloured flag lies at the spot of the interception and the call is...the call is...pass interference!  The Bears retain possession.  Why would the game you love do this to you?  Why?  Why? Why?  The Bears run the ball for next three plays and kick the winning field goal.  The Swedes lose the match up by 0.98.  Another Carlton NFL Euro II heart is broken.  When asked to comment the Swede would only reply, 'I hate this game.'
The Super Swedes 0-3.  The Rook 3-0.  Go figure.

"Offense sells tickets, defense wins championships" - Coach Paul 'Bear' Bryant 

Bear Bryant - Turns out he was wrong.

Those of you with a working knowledge of NFL history will know that the Dolphins perfect season beat up on many a team with there 'no-name defence.'  Ttttaylor went one better than this with his 'no defence.'  Now I come from the old school of 'don't give it if you can take it,' I'm all for running up the score on a bedraggled opponent but to take the field without a D takes a big old pair of brass cercopithecoids.  But that's exactly what Ttttaylor did against the winless Lottery in this week 3 match up.  After the Sunday night games Ttttaylor had contributions from QB Flacco 28.08pts, RB Benson 21pts, RB Johnson 27.50 and WR Jackson 25.10.  Despite this the Lottery only trailed by 30.08 with one roll of their fantasy dice left and in the very definition of irony that dice roll was the Packers D.  It would take an almighty performance in a match up against the Bears that many predicted would be a shoot out.  But the Steelers D had scored 35pts in week 2, the precedent had been set.  It was now up to the Packers to take Ttttaylor's arrogance and dismantle it fumble by fumble, interception by interception, defensive touchdown by defensive touchdown. 
The Packers D rips into Cutler like Royal with TD's ripping into their  favourite cheeseburgers.  Down goes the Bears QB, once, twice, three times a lady.  Wait a minute.  You know this already.  Interception.  Pass interference.  The Packers lose.  The Lottery lose.  No.  They don't just lose.  They go down to the most humiliating defeat in Carlton NFL Euro history.  The Lottery, so named because their odds of winning a game are 40,000,000 to 1.

 

Unlucky.

Manning fakes the hand off before hurling another TD pass.

So it turns out that the Disco are who we thought they where as they reached for their Lucky Strike cigarettes and found the pack empty.  It didn't start well for the Disco Head Coach as he had to walk under a ladder to avoid a black cat crossing his path on the way to the ground.  Before kick off WR Ochocinco walked into the teams meeting room with his umbrella still aloft.  WR Nicks shattered the changing room mirror in a fit of anger at the half and WR Thomas was just bad.  
79FC don't need reminding that except for those pesky 0.64pts they would now be 3-0 and chasing the dream of a perfect season.  As it is they're 2-1 and tied atop division 3.  Despite being labeled a one trick pony by the entire league (Manning, a zillion yards, 33.90pts)   79FC have a assembled a squad that puts up solid points behind their star QB.  Both Coaches left plenty of points on the bench but the 79FC even won this match-up 44.52pts to 44.30pts.  Head Coach M's team broke the 100pts mark for the third time this season and will repeat the feat Manning more times before the season is done.  

This Week Yoda From Wales Beats...

The Bone Rocks.  Crushed.

In our new regular feature “This Week Yoda From Wales beats...”  it was the turn of The Rocks to be spanked, ridiculed and generally crushed.  RB Peterson 34.00pts, WR Collie 32.10pts, WR Marshall 25.90pts and TE Gates 19.90pts.  Yoda's total of 153.34 is a league high.  It's a total that only one team has a realistic chance of beating and that team is Yoda from Wales.  However, before you all pack up your pads and admit defeat for the season bear in mind that next week the byes begin, next week Peterson will not be running all day.  Yes Yoda looks unbeatable, unstoppable and any other word you want to put 'un' in front of but this reporter calls on the rest of the league not to give up hope, for hope is the dream of a soul awake.
The Bone Rocks need not be ashamed of losing to Yoda but the footballing Gods will be pointing a big old finger straight at Head Coach Lars who appeared to out think himself with some down right bizarre team selections.  Still, when one of those footballing Gods is our very own Yoda From Wales what can ya do?

Viva La Revolution

French Leader storms the Factory.

French Leader moved to 2-1 with a comfortable win over league whipping boys the Fear Factory.  The Factory shuffled their pack in attempt to break a 0-2 start but they end the game with 0-3 record and the worst ranking in the league.  Yes it was an improved performance but that's a bit like saying being 50 thousand pounds in debt in better than being 55 pounds in debt.  Whatever way you look at it your still in a whole heap of trouble.  Could the Factory  be the first team to post winless season in Carlton NFL Euro history?
French Leader continue their solid early season form.  After failing to feast upon the Hairy Frogs in Week 2 the Factory proved far more appetizing dish.  RB McFadden looks a real find and will post points all season long despite being part of a yet another poor Raiders outfit.  WR Maclin benefited from Vick's promotion to starting QB.  In fact pretty much everyone has benefited from Vick's presence in Philadelphia.  Everyone except Philadelphia's dog owners.

The Big Yawn.

A lack of atmosphere at Baptist v Royale

The Royale with TD's extend their winning streak to 2 with this drab win against the Baptists.  Both teams failed to break the 100pts mark.  The Eagles D was the highlight for the Baptists with 25pts and QB Rivers the highlight for the Royales with 33.40pts.  Nothing else of note to report.  Royale will be pleased with the win, question marks are starting to gather around the Baptists.

Highest Scoring Bench Of The Week

 

   
So you're playing the best team in the league and yet you leave 63.92pts on the bench!  The Bone Rocks...coulda, woulda, shoulda.

Good Call Of The Week

WR McCluster.  Who?  This little known Scotsman was drafted in by 79FC and by the time the Disco coaching staff had stopped laughing Maccy C had posted 12.80pts in a game won by 11.02pts.  No McCluster, no W.

Bad Call Of The Week

Disco Head Coach C was heard complaining of problems with his tight end.  Celek started and posted 4.20pts.  Keller sat on the bench and kept a match winning 21.80pts all to himself.  It's gotta hurt.

Latest odds from Vasco De Gama CNFLE II official bookmaker.

Yoda from Wales                     2/10

Tim Riggins Bench Warmers     3/1

Ttttaylor                                   4/1                                                         

The Hairy Frog Disco               7/1

French Leader                          7/1

Seventy Nine FC                      7/1

Royal with TD’s                        8/1

The Bone Rocks                       8/1                                                      

Bryants Baptists                        7/1

Super Swedes                         12/1

Fear Factory                           20/1

Its A Lottery                           40,000,000/1                                                      

And with that Week 3 is in the bag. Be sure to call by on Saturday when Carl and Bob will post their unique and insightful Week 4 bye week special.

Carl and Bob.  Clearly psychic.

Say a prayer for the winless.

David Marrs.

Journey to the Centre of the Earth – A study in CNFL II evolution. Week 3 Preview

Will you just look here at how things have changed in such a short space of time.
When award winning reporters and troubadours Bob & Carl left for their hush hush top secret fact finding mission to see whether the North Pole was really a suitable place to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games, only to discover a long lost tribe of sabre toothed albino cannibals dwelling under the earth’s crust, who then captured and continually prodded them carved stalactites only feeding them herring soup and krill vol au vents, great things were predicted for Ttttaylor, and the Super Swedes were still very much Super.

Carl & Bob head North

But after two weeks in this icy wilderness at the mercy of these snow loving maniacs, Bob & Carl  managed to escape using only a tea spoon and their bare hands to burrow to the earth’s core and utilise the volcanic gasses to propel them back to the office, only to find that the CNFLE II formbook has been summarily tossed into the fire and a new script has been penned with the Yoda the Welsh Wizard taking Max Boyce’s top billing to be the CNFLE II headline act after a brace of mightily impressive performances.

For some though, week 3 represents the final opportunity to lay claim to Divisional bragging rights before heading off, knapsack on the back, into the unchartered territory of inter conference chicanery over the following eight weeks. By the time these Coaches resume the bread and butter of divisional rivalries in week 12 much wheat will have been sorted from equally large quantities of chaff.

The Coaches will know by now the potential strengths and weaknesses of their own squad and be acutely aware of the need to constantly improve their squad in an NFL landscape that seems forever fluid as ‘real life’ NFL Coaches modify and adapt their own game plans to catch the opposition unawares, often at the expense of consistent fantasy production. Never has a season been more about rotation at such an early stage of the season, and as a consequence has forced the needy fantasy coaches to look deep into the free agent markets over the past two weeks.

One thing is certain, to lose ground at this early stage to your divisional rivals by placing blind faith in high draft picks who are simply not performing will almost certainly mean a premature end to the season, and ultimately lead to fantasy coaches everywhere crying uncontrollably onto a plate full of ‘whatmighta’ beans. Interesting fact, no team has started the season zero and three and made it to the playoffs in CNFLE history. Beware Swedes, Lottery, Ttttaylor & Factory, the tide of history is against you should you come a cropper again this weekend.
With so much at stake this week, the matchups couldn’t be more appetising, and where better to start this weeks’ preview but with the unquestioned Game of the week. Yoda from Wales up against The Bone Rocks.

Game of the Week.

The Bone Rocks vs Yoda from Wales

There can be only one.

A battle between the unbeaten teams in Division two. Both teams will be eager to maintain their good form and move into the inter conference games as the front runner in what is clearly the Group Of Death.
Bone continue their policy of weekly QB rotation and brings back Carson Palmer for this one as last weeks incumbent, Ryan has a tricky away tie at the ball hawking Saints. Palmer should be good for a few points against a hapless Panthers outfit. Yodas decision to invest an early round draft pick in Matt Shaub seems to be paying off thus far and Houston will have plenty of success against a Dallas D that is in disarray.
Edge : Yoda

Gore and Brown is a useful tandem threat in the running back department for the Bone Rocks given the uncertainty that surrounds many of the tailbacks for other teams, but when compared with Peterson and surprise (for some) package Arian Foster who both have favourable matchups at home against the Lions and Cowboys respectively is doesn’t look quite so appealing. Brown will struggle against the Jets. Peterson will run wild.
Edge : Yoda

Here things start to get interesting. Bone start traditional heavyweights Megatron and Jennings in slots 1 & 2 and bring in the useful Josh Morgan off the waiver wire to fill the third spot, this trio should be good for a minimum 35 points as the Lions will be forced to throw early and the Pack, well they just throw and throw and throw. For Yoda, can Austin Collie continue his early season form? Can Marshall get the better of the Jets defensive backfield schemes with Revis whining about his hammie? Too many questions in the Yoda camp at wideout for me.
Edge : Bone

Two of the tight end big hitters step up to the plate in this matchup as Big Vern takes on ‘Bill’ Gates. Gates wins every time, but not by much this week.
Edge : Yoda

Bone stick with the Raiders boot man Janikowski and hope that the 49ers D can make a mess of the overachieving chiefs in Arrowhead. Yoda has the free scoring Packers kicker in the Windy city and the Pats D, which although not an elite outfit should be good enough to maul the hapless Bills offense. Edge :  Yoda
It’s hard not to back the little green fellow after the first two weeks, and this game will be won and lost in the backfield. The disparity between the running back tandems should prove a gap too great for the Bone to be able to bridge without a large crane and some silver sky hooks.
Verdict : Yoda by 13

Division 1

Tim Riggins Bench Warmers v Super Swedes

You're 2-0? Seriously? 2-0?

Well the form book really has been torn asunder in Division one with the Rookie head coach leading the way after two gutsy victories. The perhaps fortunate win in week one was followed up however by an impressive victory against the much vaunted Baptists. For the irrepressible Coach P and his Swedes, it’s back to the drawing board for week 3, as the familiar sluggish start  has meant that this game is a must win matchup for the Scandinavian maestro.

The equation for the Swedes is simple. Sunday = Win. Mojo and Romo must start performing, although both will be up against it against Philly and Houston. White has a tough matchup against the Saints, but may get to see a lot of action late on. Crabtree and Floyd have to take advantage of their weaker opponents to make up for the fact that Forsett will be limited against Riggins Chargers D!

Key players for the Riggins boys will be the usual suspects wideouts Johnson and Wayne, as the receiving corps has effectively carried a non existent Bench warmer ground attack thus far. The love invested in CJ Spiller seems to have been woefully misplaced as Lynch has taken back the Buffalo starting role. Cutler will also need to keep spraying the ball around in the Martz-ball offence for Riggo to keep that winning feeling but could struggle against a good Green Bay D. Look for Gonzo to come to the party in the Big Easy this week as the Falcons have to chase the game late on.

The lack of big play receivers will ultimately hurt the Swedes more than the Riggins running game shambles.
Verdict : Riggins to extend the Swedes pain by 6.

Bryants Baptists v Royale with TD’s

A 3 point game?

Both teams sit at one win and one loss. A loss for Bryants boys this week and it’s a two game skid, a win for Royale and its two wins on the spin. Neither team can afford to fall behind in a division that’s too close to call and with a rookie who pays no respect to experience.

The Baptists bravely bench Mendenhall and Charles this week to make way for the in form Forte and ‘jumping action’ Brandon Jackson who is now the lone wolf in the backfield up at Lambeau. Interestingly they both face off against each other, but nonetheless both should score heavily. McNabb should consolidate his impressive start at the Redskins with another good total. Questions arise with the receivers though. Will Smith gel with Clausen? Will Colston see enough of the ball? We think yes, both should do fine. Finley is touted to score heavily against a Bears D that is hit or bust.

Rivers and Rice will lead the scoring for Royale, with the potential for Rice to score a bundle against the still woeful Browns. Jackson faces the Redskins who contained both Dallas & Houston backs reasonably well. Jackson is a different animal of course and is at home, but the Skins will key in on him as Bradford finds his feet and this will limit the St Louis bruisers fantasy production until the passing game becomes credible. The receivers need to play well to contribute, but keep an eye out for Shiancoe against the Lions. As Favre’s only viable target at this time, he is slated to score well over the season.

The matchups favour Royale, previous form suggests Baptists have the edge. Rice to run the Browns ragged.
Verdict : Royale by 3

Division 2

Its A Lottery v Ttttaylor

Walter.  The Lottery expect big things.

Well, where do you start with this match up, the winners still gets a shot, but the vanquished will need a CNFLE II miracle to make it through to the post season. It was always going to be a tough ask in this division, but the disappointing start made by pre season favourites Tttaylor caught everyone off guard. Lottery have made changes. The heat is on.

A mixture of bad luck and necessity has meant the week 3 Lottery line up bears little resemblance to the team that started the season with so much hope. Brees and Austin have been as good as advertised and should do well again, and the new look ‘run first’ Colts has helped Addai showcase his talents and he will see more action against the Broncos who historically defend the pass well (although Miles Austin may disagree). Olsen and Washington get their first start, but the real value this week is in Walter (the softie) who should make hay while the sun shines in that corridor of mass production that appears between the backs and linebackers weekly in the Cowboys D. Hillis needs to step up after Grant went down for the season. But can he? The decision to run only 4 players on the bench perhaps highlights the state of things in Buffalo .... sorry, Team Lottery. Will the Lottery look to trade Vick for a quality running back?

What happened to Tttttaylors boys? Nothing short of a catastrophic start means that another loss cannot be tolerated. To be fair however, it may not be quite a bleak a landscape as it first appears. Beaten by an outstanding Yoda in week one, and undone by CJ’s non performance last week. Johnson should see a much more positive return to form against the Giants who made Addai look like a world beater last week. Benson will be the ball hog once the Bengals get ahead of the Panthers. Dez Bryant looks like an integral part of the Dallas O moving forward, and could be the rookie of the season if the Pokes get their act together. Flacco should improve his numbers against the Browns. It all looks good for Ttttaylor this week. But then that’s exactly what the bookies thought at the seasons start.
Ttttaylor tttto be tttttoooo stttrong for Lottttttttery.
Verdict : Ttttaylor by 14

Division 3

The Hairy Frog Disco v Seventy Nine FC

The Disco's team shop.

If it wasn’t for the great French resistance in week 1, then Seventy Nine FC would also be unbeaten at this stage. If it wasn’t for the stellar performance by the Disco’s lucky steel curtain D last week, then they might not, if my aunt was a man she’d be my uncle. Exactly. They are, it did, it happens. Defence wins championships, or so they say. And this matchup will define the pecking order in division 3 for the rest of the season. Is it to be a Disco cakewalk, or a three way fight to the bitter end?

The Disco wait with baited breath on the fitness of Beanie Wells and Michael Turner this week. If Wells is fit it could affect the production of surprise package Tim Hightower, and Turner could be eased into action in an attempt by the Falcons to avoid last years injury problems. Brady will carry the torch this week against a hapless Buffalo and ‘85’will be a consistent threat against the Panthers early, but could fade as the Bengals run to close the game. Nicks  production will be erratic as there are many mouths to feed in New York, but look out for Broncos Demaryius Thomas this week. Touted as the ‘new Brandon Marshall’, last week’s performance suggests that he will play a big part in the redemption of Kyle Orton. Although the Steelers should help the final total, the Disco shouldn’t rely on another lucky 35 point haul this week.

Can Manning pick his way around the Broncos pass D? Of course he can, and will be the staple points scorer for 79FC. Best has been a revelation thus far but will struggle to post 20+ points this week against a Vikes D that will be eager to improve. The Reggie Bush injury means that Thomas will now be numero uno big cheese in backfield in the Big Easy and see plenty of the rock. With Wayne shadowed by Champ Bailey in the Colts matchup, it’s up to Garcon to prove he is the undisputed no.2 especially after Austin Collie outperformed him last week. Larry F will jump all over the Raiders and the Vikes will batter the Lions every which way to Sunday. Points will come from all directions this week for the 79ers.

Consistent scoring from all areas will ultimately bring an end to the Disco luck, in what will be a high scoring encounter. Although a conflict of interests in Best v Vikes will help the Frogs keep it close.
Verdict : Niners by 7

French Leader v The Fear Factory

French Leader rides again.

After the elation of week one, the tricolour was left drooping forlornly as French Leader were foist upon their own defensive petard last week. How fickle ye football gods are! Fear factory have made multiple changes this week in an attempt to spark some life into a forlorn factory outfit.

After last week’s selection blunder, Coach Laurent brings back in LeSean McCoy. Whether he will score as heavily as last week remains to be seen, but his relationship with Vick will define the French charge this week. Rodgers will score his usual 30+ points, and Welker and Boldin should contribute nicely. McFadden could be about to show everybody what all the fuss was about and will be licking his lips at the prospect of facing a Cards D that allowed 300 ish yards against the Falcons last week. The Ravens will step it up again against a Browns team still unsure of its identity. A good score is on the cards.

Wholesale changes this week for the Factory as they try to forget the performances of the past two weeks. ‘The season starts here’ demanded Coach Botond. Favre becomes waiver fodder as Josh Freeman takes over the play calling for FF this week. Be warned however he is up against the #1 D in the lucky Steelers so patience will be required. Maroney and Lynch have both seen their value rise, Lynch due to the inability of the Buffalo line to open holes, and Maroney in the new orange colours of Denver, and have been snapped up of the waiver wire last week to replace the ineffectual Ryan Matthews and Knowshon Moreno. Surprisingly Nanee replaces NY Smith to partner the disappointing Moss bros in a receiving corps desperately in need of some scores.

The French to parade through the Champs Elyses once more as there is too much to do for a completely untested top 3. More agony at the Fear Factory. This division to be a three way tie by the end of week 3
Verdict : Leader by 10

And there we have it once again for this week. The crystal ball brought back from the centre of the earth predicts Wins for Yoda, Tim Riggins Bench Warmers, Royale, Ttttaylor, Seventy Nine FC and French Leader. Riggins and Yoda are to remain unbeaten, there will be a three way tie in Division 3, and I am afraid it’s back to the drawing boards for the Swedes, Lottery and the Factory.

As a result Bob & Carl are off down the bookies to place a small wager with official bookmaker Vasco De Gama who is currently offering the following odds on the eventual winner.

Carl & Bob place their bets.

Yoda from Wales                     2/5
The Bone Rocks                      7/4
Tim Riggins Bench Warmers     3/1
Seventy Nine FC                      4/1
The Hairy Frog Disco               4/1
French Leader                          4/1
Royal with TD’s                       5/1
Bryants Baptists                       7/1
   Ttttaylor                                   8/1   
Super Swedes                        12/1
Its A Lottery                          16/1
Fear Factory                          20/1

Anyone wish to bet a couple of Carltons* on who might be the winner? (Please bet responsibly).
Good luck for the week 3 gentlemen.

CW & BB

* A Carlton is the imaginary currency of the CNFLE II. Each Coach starts with an credit account of 10 Carltons that they can use over the course of the season on hypothetical wagers without damaging the ‘real life’ finances unduly.

The Winners, The Losers and Fear Factory.

Game Of The Week.

The Bone Rocks shocked the league this week as they took to the field in spectacular new uniforms and pledged their allegiance to the flag of the 49ers. Taking the only page from the Mike Singletary play-book  Head Coach Lars promised to serve up some  'smash-mouth football' against pre-season favourites Ttttaylor.
Earlier in the week Head Coach J had taunted The Rocks by claiming his side could take the win without even selecting a defence.  But cometh the hour, cometh the Chiefs D.  Ttttaylor took the lead early with DeSean Jackson grabbing his first TD in what would prove to be a 23pts haul and with the Chiefs D living up to this reporters very own sage like predictions it was all looking good early on.  Ttttaylor just needed a solid outing from QB Flacco and RB duo Benson and Johnson.  But Flopo couldn't  find his receivers finishing with a lamentable 5.06pts,worse still the league's number 1 draft pick stumbled for a career low 3.30pts.  By the end of the late game Sunday Ttttaylor's score had flat-lined at 97.06pts.
For the flamboyant Rocks, Matt Ryan racked up 25.60pts in Atlanta's dismantling of Arizona.  But elsewhere points were hard to come by, Ronnie Brown 6.30pts, Greg Jennings 3.60pts, Jabar Gaffney 1.50pts.  The Rocks were hanging on by their bony fingernails but it would need something special to take the win.  Step forward Frank 'The Tank' Gore.  In a series of methodical drives Gore's legs kept churning out the yards for San Fran and the points for The Rocks.  Then, within sight of the goalline Gore pulls himself out of the game and rookie Dixon scores the TD on his very first play ever for the Niners!  The Rocks still trail.
Midway through the 3rd quarter and TE  Veron Davis speeds past the Saints corners and makes the over the shoulder grab for a 41yrd gain.  Rocks 97.06pts, Tttaylor 97.06pts!  On the 49ers next drive Gores fumbles!  Minus points for the Rocks, Ttttaylor regains the lead.  Late in the 4th quarter the Niners drive down-field and Gore picks up yards in the flat.  With just 1.19 left on the clock Veron Davis makes the grab on a 2pt conversion but the play is ruled no good.  Singletary and The Rocks throw their challenge flags in unison, both are reminded we are inside the final two minutes so the play goes straight to the booth.  Several nerve shattering minutes later and the decision on the field is overturned.  Davis scores!  The Rocks win and go 2-0!  And that, is the game of the week!   

Team Of The Week.

Riggins just won't let it go.

There will be no Rookie Watch this week as The Bench Warmers defeat The Baptists to join The Rocks on 2-0 and claim their first Team Of  The Week title.  The Baptists had been predicted to win this one big but in a fluctuating game the Bench Warmers reclaimed the lead late Sunday night and made it stick all the way though the final Monday night game.  Jay Cutler posted 29.38pts to break 20pts for the second consecutive week.  The San Diego D, one of many high scoring defences this week came up big with 23.00pts and WR Andre Johnson, the player many felt the rookie coach had reached for in the draft, delivered with 24.80pts. 
The Baptists will be disappointed with their under-performing WR trio and may question the wisdom of starting Colston who seems to be the Saints 3rd down go to guy and little else.  It's still to early to take the rookie seriously, I give you C.J Spiller, one carry  for 2.60pts, but the rook is 2-0 and precious few teams can stake that claim at the end of week 2.

Luckiest Team Of The Week.

Somethings not right I tell ya!

Did Hakeem Nicks deliver 3 TD's?  No, one garbage time TD for 9.80pts.  Did Ochocinco break 25pts? No. He didn't break 10pts, or even 5.  Did the 17million dollar QB light it up against the Jets? No.  Then how in fantasy hell did the Disco post 114.52pts and go 2-0?  How can a second string RB rushing for a team that scores 7 points amass 21.40pts?  And please, for the love of all that is good in this world can someone explain how a defence can concede 11pts on the field and return 35pts to the Disco's fantasy locker?  I've investigated my fair share of conspiracies and I tell ya something's not right with that Disco set-up, something's not right at all.
For the French Leader it was a case of il n'est pas possible, cela ne peut se passer.  But it was and it was.  DeAngelo Williams continues to disappoint and Reggie Bush will be out for at least 6 weeks with a suspected fracture.  The Ravens D failed to reach double digits and Boldin looks like a poor 3rd WR at best.  The Leader needs to regroup before the Week 3 match up against the Fear Factory.

Swedes Still Not Super.

A Swede.  Harsh but fair?

Royale with TD's claimed the battle of the winless as both teams failed to break the 100pt mark.  For the best part of the early games Royale fans hid behind the sofa as this one promised to be a repeat of last weeks heart break but they say time heals all wounds and as the clock ticked into Monday night the Royale's 20 point lead remained intact the only point of interest being Crabtree's spectacular grab and run for a 32-yard gain.  The Royale's will be pleased to get this one in the bag and don't need reminding that but for 0.64pts they'd be 2-0.  For the Swedes words spoke  louder than actions and the promised revenge failed to materialise.  Week 3 sees the Swedes travel the 2-0 Rookie.  Will the Swedes keep their counsel or will Head Coach P issue another call to arms?

Name Change Request II.

A factory.  Nothing to fear.

The Swedes are not Super and there is nothing to fear from The Factory.  Steve Smith, (not that one, the other Steve Smith) looks a worry in a poor Giants offence returning just 3.50pts.  TE Miller contributed 0.30 and old man Favre whose every hut hut hut was uttered with regret offered up a starting QB league low of 1.00pt.  58.00pts Fear Factory, hang your collective heads in shame. So all the 79ers had to do was turn up to win this one and they duly obliged leading from start to finish.  Jahvid Best had a insane day with 44.20pts, pretty much the Factories entire score from one player.  Manning had another zillon yard day for 27pts and the Vikings D put a solid 17pts. An encouraging week for the 79ers who take on the league's luckiest in Week 3.

A Sure Thing.

The Lottery fails to intimadate Yoda

Yoda From Wales duly whipped The Lottery hoisting aloft this weeks league high 136.48pts in the process.  Schaub 41.08pts, Peterson 27.60pts, Gates 17.70.  Pretty much everyone contributed.  Even the mightly T.O seems unable to ruffle the team spirit of the finest collection of players since Aikman, Smith and Irvin.  For the Lottery, signs of life as they broke 100pts for the first time this season.  Their big players delivered but they only have three big players.

Good Call Of The Week.  

The Bone Rocks  left out QB Plamer despite his 27.70pts haul from week 1.  Palmer sat on the bench and collected 6.58pts, Ryan started and posted 25.60.  Kudos to The Bones Rocks.

Bad Call Of The Week.

The leagues master of bad calls sees the Baptists leave WR Hester 13.70 and WR Jones 11.30pts on the bench and start with WR Berrian 2.40pts and WR Colston 6.70.  A rookie mistake by the Baptists.
 

Latest odds from Vasco De Gama CNFLE II official bookmaker.

Yoda from Wales - 4/6

The Bone Rocks 3/1

The Hairy Frog Disco 5/1

Ttttaylor 7/1

Tim Riggins Bench Warmers 8/1 

The French Leader 9/1

Bryants Baptists 10/1

Royale with TD's 11/1

It's A Lottery 15/1

Super Swedes 15/1

Fear Factory 50/1

So that's week 2 in the bag.  Can anyone stop Yoda?  Will The Swedes, The Factory and The Lottery manage a win between them in week 3?  Will anyone vote in the league poll?  And will Bob and Carl ever return?

The Week 3 preview will be up Friday.

As always your comments are gratefully received.

Week 2 Preview – Lottery to defeat Yoda, Swedes to score over 100pts!

The Lottery to beat Yoda and the Swedes to post 100pts?  Yes that just two of the things that won't be happening in week 2 of CNFLE II.  With Carl and Bob still miles from the nearest internet connection as they continue to work deep deep deep undercover, conspiracy expert David Marrs sets aside his research into secret underground bases and crashed UFO's to bring your the stories that matter in this explosive week 2 preview!

It's A Lottery v Yoda From Wales

In the 1940 NFL Championship game, the Chicago Bears defeated the Washington Redskins 73-0.
If the Lottery lose by a margin of 73 by the end of play Monday night many will consider it a close game.  The Lottery have already lost Ryan Grant for the season and replaced him with Cleveland back Peyton Hills.  Great call coach.  
Meanwhile Yoda looks more powerful than a fully operational Death Star.  Schaub, Foster and Peterson alone with post enough points to leave the Lottery 0-2 and put Yoda firmly on top of the 
division.

Prediction: Yoda to humiliate the Lottery.

The Hairy Frog Disco v The French Leader

What to make of The Hairy Frog Disco?  You've got Brady, Turner and the Pittsburgh D all of whom are going to deliver a decent haul on a regular basis.  But will Nicks find the endzone 3 times again this week?  No.  Will Ochocinco score 25pts against the Ravens D?  No.  Will they beat French Leader?  Maybe.  

But you can't right off French Leader.  Rogers is a match for Brady, DeAngelo Williams will be rushing against a weak Tampa D and the whole French Leader team could be forgiven for believing the fantasy Gods are on their side with last weeks last gasp victory against Seventy Nine FC.  Both these teams are unbeaten but neither look unbeatable.

Prediction: Le Disco brisera français coeurs.

The Bone Rocks v Ttttaylor

 

Fresh from their victory over the Lottery, The Bone Rocks take on pre-season favourites Ttttaylor.  

The Rocks refused to comment after last weeks win but lets be honest how much value can you place on beating the leagues second weakest team?  

Ttttaylor clearly buckled under the pressure of the favorites tag and will need a convincing victory in week 2 to regain the sense of optimism that surrounded the franchise on draft day.  As predicted in the Week 1 review Ttttaylor is going with Flacco at the helm this week although rather worryingly at the time of writing Ttttalyor are electing to take to the field without a D.  

The Rocks have surprisingly benched last weeks 27.70pts scoring QB Palmer in favour of  Matt Ryan as they  play the match-ups.  Gore should remember how to rush this week and Brown will also post decent numbers.  This one's looking way closer than it did before the season started.

Prediction:  The Bone Rocks to expose Ttttaylor's defensive folly.   

Fear Factory v Seventy Nine FC

The Fear Factory Offensive Line

Both teams tasted defeat in week 1 but whilst the Fear Factory never really got going against the Disco, Seventy Nine FC were leading and then leading some more and then still leading and then...they lost.  79's star Peyton Manning will throw for his usual zillion yards but Cleveland WR Josh Cribbs against a decent looking Kanas D (coached by former Browns head honcho Romeo Crenell) and Pierre Thomas rushing against a San Fran D that will have been given a right royal roasting from Mike Singletary?  I don't see a whole lotta of points there.  
For the Factory you can expect to see Mathews perform considerably better than in his first outing on a difficult field against a decent D.  The Moss twins should put up some numbers and the Saints D will hold their own against San Fran.  It's a divisional match up for these two and the loser is guaranteed to be two games adrift the top spot after our opening two weeks.

Prediction:  Seventy Nine FC to shrug off last weeks heart-break in another close one.

Bryants Baptists v Tim Riggins Bench Warmers.

Riggins, nothing good will come of this.

Master strategist and winner of last weeks Bad Call takes on the league's rookie in another game that will see the dream of a perfect season end in week 2 for one of these two coaches.  The Baptists need to keep an eye on McNabb who is currently listed as questionable.  However, in this reporters humble opinion McNabb has always been questionable!  If the ex-eagle does start he can expect to find some holes in a weak Texans D.  Brandon Jackson was a fine grab from the waiver wire and could do well against a Bills team that make our very own Lottery look like a solid unit.  There's good match-ups all over the Baptists roster this week and it will take mighty fine team to turn them over.  
Instead of a mighty fine team we have the Bench Warmers, a unit that appear to be keeping faith in the much hyped C.J Spiller.  It's like some kind of a rookie love in.  Spiller may well prove to a future top five running back but its not gonna happen rushing behind a Buffalo offensive line that is as weak as the weakest thing in the world.  Clinton Portis will get carries but precious few points, Hines Ward has already had his one good game of the season and top pick Johnson is already looking like a bust.  You can all sense which way I'm going on this one.

Prediction:  Baptists show the rookie how its done and win big.

Super Swedes v Royale with TD's

The Carlton NFLE II blog received its first comments this week when the Super Swedes claimed revenge would be sweet in Week 2.  Now that's big talk from a team that posted a league low 64.78pts.  The Swedes are veterans from the first ever CNFLE where they started slowly.  This could be something to do with the cold Swedish climate and the fact that it takes them a while to warm up.  But the Swedes can't afford to take a leisurely stroll through CNFLE II.  This years coaches are already proving to be a far more competitive and knowledgeable than their predecessors.  Romo should put up better numbers this weeks as injuries ease on the Cowboys offensive line.  But outside of the star QB it difficult to see where the points are coming from.  Crabtree looks nothing like the player from his college days, Winslow has become an average TE and Shonn Greene may end up sharing far more carries with L.T than the Swedes would like. 
Last week it was a case of Royale without TD's as big players failed to deliver with only QB River posting decent fantasy numbers.  Week 2 should see a far better return from talented RB duo of Rice and Jackson, hell, even Sim-Walker might make a grab!

Prediction:  Royale with TD's to leave the Swedes out in the cold.



So that's your week 2 preview.  God willing Carl and Bob will be back next week with a Week 2 review.  Thanks to the Super Swedes, French Leader and Bryants Baptists for their comments on the blog, feel free to add you own and take a moment to vote for the team you think will win the Carlton Bowl.  May you all woop and holla all Sunday night long as touchdowns rain down upon your fantasy starters!

The Good, The Bad and Mike Sims-Walker...

 

 I don't think there's a punch-line scheduled, is there? - Vince Lombardi

Game Of The Week

If we've learnt anything from week 1 of Carlton NFL Euro II its that every yards counts and no-one knows this better than Seventy Nine FC in a 0.64pt loss to the French Leader.  Rogers, Boldin, Welker and the Ravens D all posted healthy numbers as French Leader called for a collective effort from his troops.  Seventy Nine FC simpley gave the ball to Manning and told him to go out and win the game.  It didn't work out for the Colts, it didn't work out for 79FC.  If losing by 0.64 pts wasn't pain enough then how about leading from Thursday night, extending that lead throughout all of Sundays games only to see the Ravens D post 18pts in the penultimate game of the week to take the win for The Leader.  Its a brutal defeat to have to stomach in week 1 and it could leave 79FC feeling sick for the rest of the season.  As for the French Leader can he ride big mo all the way to the playoffs?

Team Of The Week

The force is strong with this one.  143.38 points!?!  Are you kidding me?  And this against the bookies pre-game favorites, so be upstanding for Yoda from Wales.  Even if Arian Foster had not run for a single yard (instead of 231yrds and 3 touchdowns) Yoda would have still come out on top and that's a performance that puts a shiver down every coaches darkside.  Ttttaylor posted 92.12 points but was let down badly by rookie QB Stafford who mustered a feeble 1.32pts.  Don't be surprised to see Tttlayor go with Flacco in week 2.  Don't be surprised to see Yoda go on to win the division.

Also in Division 2

Joining Yoda on 1-0 in Division 2, The Bone Rocks.  The Rocks who continue to refuse to engage in branding of any kind took to the field and ground out a victory against the Commissioners very own Lottery.  Those who mocked the draft of Harvin can mock again a little louder this time as the Lotteries number two receiver posted 1.4pts from 12 yards receiving and 2 yards rushing.  For the Rocks QB Palmer threw for 345yards, 2TD and a pick for 27.70pts, albeit most of those yards came in garbage time against the Pats.  Ronnie Brown pitched in with a handy 14.50pts despite sharing running duties with Ricky Williams and Greg Jennings posted a fantasy respectable 14.20 from Arron Rogers unusually errant arm.  The Rocks will not be the last team to beat The Lottery on this showing.

Boogie Nights

The Disco back room staff.

If you want a good night out head down to the Disco.  Three TD's from Nicks (against a D that went the whole of last season without the same player scoring twice in a game) and three TD's from 76 million dollar QB Brady had the Hairy Frogs dancing on a high that only fantasy can provide.  Even class clown Ochocinco posted 25.50pts.  In response Fear Factory fell well short, much hyped RB Ryan Mathews looked every inch the rookie as he slid around the sodden Kanas City turf.  By the time Rice and Roethlisberger are ready to leave the Factory bench it could already be too late.  As for the Frogs are they the real deal or have they used a season's worth of good fortune in game 1?

Rookie Watch

The Bench Warmers became one of only two teams to claim a W despite failing to break 100pts.  The Warmers never trailed in this one with QB Cutler the star performer posting 28.08 points.  It looked as if it was only a matter of time before Royale hauled in the Bench Warmers lead but when much hyped fantasy sleeper Dwanye Bowe repays your faith with 1.30pts and Sims-Walker give you a big fat 0 then defeat is all that awaits you when that final whistle blows.  With little depth on the bench it could be a long season for the Royales.  The Warmers own sleeper CJ Spiller was yet another rookie to disappoint, 10 carries for 1.40pts.  The Warmers need to address their weakness at RB to deliver anything more than an average season.

Not So Super

The Super Swedes may wish to consider a name change after putting up a league low of 64.78pts.  Shonn Greene, Lee Evens, Malcom Floyd, Kellen Winslow and the Benglas D were all woeful.  The Swedes need to hit the free agents hard to mould a competitive team for the rest of the season.
The Baptists posted the league's lowest winning score and can thank a piece of divine intervention as Rashard Mendenhall, who had labored throughout regulation busted one for 50yards and a TD in OT, a rush that gave both the Steelers and the Baptists the win.  The Baptists will win more than they lose but win the whole thing?  They don't have a prayer.

Good Call Of Week

Okay, it was a call that was made in the draft but the whilst many spent the pre-season writing off the Ravens D, French Leader kept the faith and with Ray Lewis hitting as hard as ever, this is a call that could keep giving all season long.

Bad Call Of The Week

Staring QB Kevin Kolb 1.06pts,  on the bench, Matte Forte 33.10pts.  The leagues master strategist Bishops Baptists drops the ball in spectacular fashion. 

Latest odds from Vasco De Gama CNFLE II official bookmaker.

Yoda from Wales - 4/5
Ttttaylor - evens
French Leader - 5/1
Bryants Baptists - 6/1
The Hairy Frog Disco - 7/1
The Bone Rocks - 8/1
Tim Riggins Bench Warmers - 10/1
Fear Factory - 10/1
Royale with TD’s - 12/1
It’s a Lottery - 12/1
Super Swedes - 15/1

And with that Week 1 is in the bag.  Check back this Friday when Carl Woodward and Bob Bernstein return with their Week 2 preview. 

"Oh say can you see, by the nights early dawn……" Week 1 Preview

With the star spangled, firework laden kick off of the CNFLE II season mere hours away, it’s time to turn our attention to the picks, predictions and weekly matchups for the opening round of fixtures.

With so much at stake for all twelve coaches, the pressure gauge has been turned up a notch or three to maximum and the increased temperature is starting to take its toll on some, as the fine tuning of the squad and starting line-ups seemingly change by the hour.

Do not doubt that the belief remains in the hearts of all twelve Coaches honest and true, and the target is now in clear view, but come the bleeping repetition of the Tuesday morning alarm, half of the deadly dozen will still be dreaming of running the table, but the other half, well, it’s back to the drawing board to assess  the wreckage and understand where the best laid plans went awry.

Hall of Fame reporters Bob Bernstein and Carl Woodward take a close up look at each of the 6 week one matches and give their verdict on where each match could be won, or lost.

With the first three fixtures for each team being inter divisional battles it’s imperative to get off to a flyer. Any team that comes out of the first bout of division rivalry with a great big egg in the win column can pretty much say goodbye to their hopes of a playoff spot. Whatever it takes to put up a ‘W’ is the order of the day.

 

Division 1

Bryants Baptists v Super Swedes.

Week one pits together two of the pre season favourites head to head.

The Swedes certainly have the edge in the QB department as Romo is a proven fantasy performer whereas Kolb’s NFL debut could go either way. Although the Dallas O line may struggle Romo should be good for a few points more.
Edge: Swedes

MJD is also the star turn out of the four backfield options, but the tandem of Mendenhall and Charles have decent matchups this week in comparison with Shonn Greene who unfortunately for him takes on the Ravens touted run D. We feel this give the Baptist’s a clear advantage.
Edge : Baptists

Carolina’s Steve Smith and Marques Colston have the edge over Roddy White, who will find it tough sledding against the Steelers pro bowl DB’s, and Crabtree but Floyd could be a breakout candidate this week for the Swedes as the Chiefs may not be able to cope with the aerial bombardment of the Chargers. ‘Halle’ Berrian may get a couple of sightings but won’t play a significant part in proceedings.
Edge : Baptists.

Finley has a battle on his hands against the Eagles D, whereas Winslow could put up big numbers against the Browns. Against all reason, we like the Winslow boy in this matchup.
Edge : Swedes

The Baptist’s Eagles kicker and Defence square up against the much vaunted Packer D so will have it tough. The Swedes took Bironas who is often good for heavy scores, but the matchup against the Raiders suggests he will collect points this week in single digits. The improving Bengals D take on New England who will be keen to make amends for last year’s dismal campaign.
Edge : Baptists.

The Baptists hopes rest squarely in the City of Brotherly love. If the Eagles ‘fly Eagles fly on the road to vic-tor-ree’ then the Baptists take it, if not then the Swedes will be in the money, money, money.
Verdict: Swedes by 3

 

Tim Riggins Bench Warmers v Royal with TD’s

Both teams will be eager to get off to a flying start, especially with the two other divisional opponents looking strong in the pre season.

Both QB’s will post big numbers over the course of the season, however question marks still remain regarding the calibre of the receiving corps for both the Chargers and the Bears. This is such an even matchup and the opponents for both QB’s are both expected to capitulate following the initial passing onslaught.  We take ‘Cry me a’ Rivers by a teardrop.
Edge : Royale.

Two perennial heavyweights in of the backfield division, in Jackson and Rice represent Royale, Riggins go with a goal line specialist and a part time rookie. This one’s a no-brainer.
Edge : Royale

Flip that switch! A wideout set that includes Reggie Wayne and Andre Johnson could have Pollyanna hobbling in the slot and it would still pretty much beat anyone else, let alone contain Pittsburgh vet Hines Ward as the third receiver. Although Bowe, Sims- Walker and Meachem are decent options and will win their fair share of matchups, this is also a no contest.
Edge : Riggins


A veteran tight end supplied by a young buck, or a young buck fed by the veteran quarterback? We take the veteran tight end in Gonzo, although Shiancoe may be the only receiving target fit enough to take the field in Minnesota before much longer.
Edge : Riggins

Longwell will always score points, especially in a Dome, and the Chargers are up against one of their not so mighty divisional opponents in the Chiefs so should rack up a decent points haul. Buffalo is a difficult place to kick at the best of time and Donovan will want to put on good show in his Redskins debut especially against da Pokes.
Edge : Riggins

In another week this fixture would be turned on it’s head, but given the matchups that the Riggins boys have it is difficult to bet against them.
Verdict: Riggins by 7

 

Division 2
 

Yoda from Wales v Ttttaylor

This week’s Fox televised matchup pits two of the strong favourite against each other. It may however have come too early in the season for Yoda as the week one fixtures have been kind to the Ttttaylor ttteam .
Even though Yoda play caller Shaub is up against playoff perennials in the Colts he will still garner an impressive haul. Ttttaylor have surprisingly opted to go with Lions Matt Stafford, a bold choice given his trials of last year but he should still score well in a team that will be passing a lot playing catch up every week.
Edge : Yoda.

Pre season surprise Foster will see most of the Houston action but his production will suffer if the Texans fall behind  against the Colts as Shaub will likely air it out. This matchup sees picks 1 & 2 in Peterson and Johnson go head to head and both will score heavily week in week out. The difference maker will be Cedric Benson who will be the focal point of the Bengals run first offence.
Edge : Ttttaylor.

Brandon Marshall headlines a receiving trio for Yoda that looks a little thin without Jackson in the mix. Desean Jackson has been Kolb’s favourite target in previous outings, Knox has a dream matchup against the Lions in the first game of Martz refined Bears offence, and big things are expected of Mike Wallace, perhaps though not this week.
Edge : Ttttaylor

Again, the best two performers in their category are facing up against each other in this fixture. Clark opposes the Texans, Gates takes on the Chiefs. We take Gates in this one as he is the primary receiver in the Chargers armoury until they sort out their wideout situation.
Edge : Yoda.

In normal circumstances the Jets would be a shoo in for the edge in a defensive matchup, but they face a confident Ravens offence this week, whereas the Cards face an inexperienced and error ridden St Louis team who will spill the ball every which way to sundown. The Jets are however at home and it is still difficult to back against them producing the goods. Both kickers are of elite quality, but Kaeding will spend more time in Chiefs territory.
Edge : Ttttaylor (by  a whisker).

This matchup will be decided if Cutler or Rivers has one of their good days and whether Benson will outperform Greene as is expected. Otherwise this match will be close. Yoda must be worried about the receiving situation however.
Verdict : Ttttaylor by 10

It’s A Lottery v The Bone Rocks

Echoes of Division one abound in this fixture, as neither team will wish to lose ground with the remaining games in this division against Yoda & Ttttaylor. In fact if a week one game could ever be called a must win fixture, this could be it!

Believe it or not the matchup between Carson Palmer and Drew Brees went the way of Palmer in last year’s CNFLE. Can history repeat itself? Given the matchup, Palmer has a good chance as Brees will be trying to pick holes in a talented Vikings defence. Notwithstanding that only a fool would back against the Saints signal caller. You guessed it there is a lot of Carson love in this office. Call me that fool!
Edge : Bone

Much is expected of Frank Gore this season, and his partnership with Ronnie Brown will prove fruitful over the course of the season. The Lottery pairing of Grant and Addai should be no match for the Bone duo with Grants matchup against the Eagles looking particularly tough.
Edge : Bone

Will Austin be able to repeat last year’s Cowboy heroics or will he get frozen out as a result of Romo being chased around the backfield. Will Megatron get back to his productive highs now that Stafford has bedded in? Can Greg Jennings lay claim to being Rodgers favourite target again? Too many questions make this judgement on this category easy. The other wideouts will contribute little this week so its two against one. Edge : Bone

Witten against Davis is a great tight end matchup. Both are in the second tier in that position. Both are looking for a season that propels them into that top fantasy bracket. Romo will be needing the outlet more, and Davis plays for a run first team.
Edge : Lottery

Hartley with stack up the points, and the Pack will prove their worth over the season, but both have tough matchups this week. Janikowski  could do nothing or could get a bagfull against the Titans, but the clincher is the 49ers matchup against the Seahawks which is one that they have traditionally dominated. Edge : Bone
There are enough vagaries in this fixture to keep this one tight all the way through, although on paper the Bone should walk it. This one is a coupon buster!
Verdict : Bone by 10

Division 3

French Leader v Seventy Nine FC

A fast start is crucial for success in Division 3, as the pre-season punditry suggests that only one of these desperados will make it out of Dodge alive. Who that is, only time will tell, but rest assured it will be a dogfight to the bitter end.

There is not much to choose between either of the play callers in this match up as both teams first round picks face off in this match. Rodgers has the tougher time of it this week against an aggressive Eagles D, whereas Manning has usually performed well against a Houston team that gets two bites at the cherry every year without much success.
Edge : Niners

It’s the battle of the New Orleans backs in the running back division with both Pierre Thomas and Reggie (the bust) Bush on opposite sides of the hash marks. Thomas has the edge here as he is higher up the depth chart and a more consistent fantasy scorer. De Angelo Williams and Jahvid Best complete the picture. Whilst we know that Williams is capable but inconsistent, Best is a candidate for a sleeper of the year. Both are on the road, both are likely to be behind early on. We like Williams, but only just and not enough to compensate for Bush.
Edge : Niners

Boldin, Welker and Maclin make up the new French tricolour of purple, white and green and whilst they might not pose a deep play threat they will be targeted often enough to see off Cribbs, Garcon and Fitz.  I fear Cribbs and Garcon will only see occasional usage and Fitz to score but with low yards this week.
Edge : French

Will either of these Tight ends get any points? There is nothing to choose from between Cooley & Miller. Cooley shades it slightly because of the better matchup and being at home.
Edge : French

The Vikings will get burnt this week against the Saints so would start at a disadvantage in any case, but they match up against the Ravens this week who are a strong adversary. Gotkowski isn’t allowed to take field goals unless it’s less than 40 yards and a  4th and long situation and Feely will not benefit from the spectacular Kurt Warner show, so this one could go either way.
Edge : French

Although the quarterback and running back matchups seem to favour the Niners, this matchup will be won in the receiving game. Just how much will Josh Cribbs be used? If he becomes the focal point of the Browns new wild offense then he could be the steal of the season!
Verdict : French by 7

The Hairy Frog Disco v The Fear Factory

Disco confronts rock, rock beats scissors, scissor sisters go down well at the Disco. Whichever way you look at it, this is a grade ‘A’ grudge match to rival the Mods and Rockers, the Skins and Cowboys, Arsenal versus Tottenham, or Cheryl Cole and Danni Minogue. You pays your money and takes your choice. Will the Disco be first to get to the beat or can the Fear Factory put the willies up the Frogs.

After Frogs Coach Calum spent his second round pick on Brady, big things are expected from All American Tom, and not just escaping unharmed from a multi car collision. Favre is still listed as probable to start but has not been practising. Will he be able to pick up where he left off, or will the Factory’s own Saints D crush him like a bug on the windscreen?
Edge : Disco

Turner will struggle against a the Disco’s own stellar Steelers D. Beanie Wells may still be a bit part player in the Cards offense so there are question marks this week for the Disco in this department. Ryan Matthews is expected to scalp the Chiefs, and Moreno should post decent numbers against an average Jaguar run defence.
Edge : Factory.

A trio of solid WR options in 85, Driver and ‘Stevie’ Nicks represent the Disco for the first game, all should bag double figures with their respective matchups, although its rumoured that they would ‘rather jack than Fleetwood Mac’. The Moss Bros. headline as the factory’s primary outlet, and although Randy is not practicing in full at this time, rock legend Santana always puts up big numbers against the Cowboys, whilst Steve Smith (no, the other one!) will post good numbers for the Giants.
Edge : Factory

‘Tom’ Celek has put away the moustache gel and is ready for action. Look for a big game from him as Kolb is forced to look underneath against the marauding ‘Pack’. Can Daniels rebound from last year’s injury?
Edge : Frogs

Both D’s face off against key offensive performers for their own teams this week as the Saints try to give Brett the bum rush, and the Steelers will make Turner take an ‘Ike’. Vinatieris leg is not once what it was, and Lawrence ‘Fog on the’ Tynes is from the UK so will always miss when the pressure is on. Edge : Factory
Neither team can afford an ‘L’ on their record after this match, as it will put the pressure firmly on for the next round of divisional matches.
Verdict : Factory by 6

And there we have it for this week. Wins for the Super Swedes, Tim Riggins Bench Warmers, Ttttaylor, The Bone Rocks, French Leader and the Fear Factory. Back to the drawing board for the rest.
Disagree? Why not send over your predictions for this week to see who is the ‘King of the picks’? Scoring will be based on an overall percentage of correct picks, no worries if you miss a week here and there. Just for fun.

In addition, CNFLE II official bookmaker Vasco De Gama is currently offering the following odds on the eventual winner.

Ttttaylor - 4/5                                   
Super Swedes - 3/1                          

Yoda from Wales - 4/1                      

Bryants Baptists - 4/1                         

French Leader - 6/1                              

The Bone Rocks - 8/1                             

It’s a Lottery - 8/1                                 

Fear Factory - 8/1                                

Tim Riggins Bench Warmers - 10/1      

The Hairy Frog Disco - 10/1               

Royale with TD’s - 12/1                       

Seventy Niners FC - 12/1                   

Anyone wish to bet a couple of Carltons* on who might be the winner? (Please bet responsibly).
Good luck for the season gentlemen.

CW & BB

* A Carlton is the imaginary currency of the CNFLE II. Each Coach starts with an credit account of 10 Carltons that they can use over the course of the season on hypothetical wagers without damaging the ‘real life’ finances unduly.