Week Eleven in the AFL

Okay, I didn't watch the games again this weekend.  You know, there is a lot going on right now and watching the lack luster Arena Football League is not high on my list of things to do.  But I'm keeping track of my team, and two others that are local favorites.

Week Ten, Chicago took on the Arizona Rattlers, and as much as I would have loved to see Chicago win, I was realistic and called the game for  Arizona.  Next week Chicago has a bye, so maybe they can figure out how NOT to shoot themselves in the foot the rest of the season and focus on making it to the playoffs and beyond.

Iowa handled Kansas City putting KC at 0-8 and taking Iowa to 4-5.  In week Eleven, KC is going to be taking on the Pittsburgh Power who are now 2-7.  This is KC's best chance of winning a game this season.  Once they get past this game, then they are looking at round two of the same teams that have beaten them so far, and home field advantage isn't going to help.  But I have faith in KC, and they are going to drop the game and enter week twelve at 0-9.

Iowa is going up against Jacksonville.  This is the only time that they are meeting this season, and looking at the records, away and home, I am going to take a chance and give this game to Iowa.

We shall see...

Arena Football Week Seven

Well, I didn't get to watch the Arena Football games this weekend, I had to settle for checking the final scores on the three teams that I'm following.  Interesting enough, all three games went as I called them for this week, with Chicago beat Milwaukee, but the Barnstormers and the Command both lost their games this week.  So Chicago is now 5-1 (as is the Philadelphia Soul).  Kansas City is now 0-5, and Iowa is now 3-3.

So, what of the changes that Kansas City has made?  They apparently aren't making a difference yet, and there is none of this "building for the future" since the Arena Football League has a very high turn over rate from year to year, thanks to the League breaking the Union in 2011 and driving the money player get into the basement.  So, to be honest, don't expect things to get better until the turnover hits the true weaknesses in the team, the ownership and coaching staff, and that's not going happen until the team goes financially under.  To be frank, I don't expect to see an AFL team in Kansas City much longer.

So, let's talk Week 8.  

Kansas City (0-5) at Tampa Bay Storm (3-3):  I'll make this short and sweet.  Kansas City is going to come out of week eight 0-6.  I don't see them beating anyone on their schedule this year, not unless there are some serious changes in the team's performance.  It makes no difference if the team is home or away, the team isn't going to play any better, and attendance at the Sprint Center is going to continue to go downhill.

Chicago Rush (5-1) at San Antonio Talons (3-2):  Chicago is 1-1 on the road, while San Antonio is 2-1 at home.  I will give the Talons a slim chance of taking the game, but the Rush have the overall better record when it comes to points scored and in the teams that they have faced to get their record.  Its going to be close, especially with the Rush being on the road, but I think that Chicago will manage to pull this one out and go 6-1.

San Jose Sabercats (4-2) at Iowa Barnstormers (3-3):  You really can't count the Barnstormers out, especially with the fan support that they get.  Unfortunately, they have a better record on the road than they do at home.  The Sabercats are 1-2 on the road, the same stat that Chicago has at home, but they are 4-2 overall.  I really find myself wanting to go with Iowa, especially when they can pull off victories over opponents such as Arizona, but with their record at home, the Sabercats will likely take it.

So, my predictions for Week 8.  Tampa Bay over KC, Chicago over San Antonio, and San Jose over Iowa.

Rush Go 4-0, KC Goes 0-4

Let me start off by pointing out the obvious.  The plan of replacing both Quarterbacks on Monday and bringing in not one, but two Rookie Quarterbacks to take on Chicago may not have been the smartest idea.  But it may actually rank above keeping the kicker.  The first half for Kansas City was absolutely dismal.  A touchdown early, missed PAT, not once, but twice.  That's right, twice.  KC got a second chance for a PAT and the kicker missed it a second time.  Then the team could not get down the field, so two attempts for field goals in the first quarter were ... wide right ... wide left.  Add two interceptions and coming out of the first half, the story was being told.  Kansas City is not to win this game.

And it didn't get any better.  KC managed to get a little pressure on the Rush QB in the second half, but they were unable to get their game together and Kansas City dropped their fourth game in a row, this time to Chicago.

Now, let's talk about next week.  Chicago is going to Georgia, who just suffered a massive loss to Philadelphia.  The Soul came within 7 points of the AFL single game record (99 points) and laid down a 92-42 win over the Force.  But I wouldn't discount the Force.  When you look at their stats, the Force is scoring 49.75 points per game and they are 1-1 at home.  Chicago is 1-0 away, and average over 60 points per game, and scored 62 points against the Barnstormers on the road.  If go on the stats, Chicago should win this game, but how long can Chicago keep it going, and how pissed off is Georgia?  I am going to stick my neck out and give Chicago the benefit of the doubt and stick with them this week.  Chicago, barely over Georgia.

Kansas City?  Right now, I doubt they could beat the bye.  And going up against the San Jose Sabercats, who have beaten the Arizona Rattlers, does not leave much hope of not going 0-5.  But KC has a bye week to try and get their team together for week seven.

Now, let's look at the Command's season so far.  They have played the Gladiators, first in their division, the Rattlers, first in their division, and the Rush who are first in our division.  The only chance they've really had so far is the Jacksonville Sharks, and its not going to get any better.  Kansas City is the lowest scoring team in the AFL, and the game against Chicago didn't improve their per game points scored average.

Rush Win a Close Match in Des Moines

My main concern last week was that Chicago could shoot themselves in the foot and lose the game to Iowa.  Unfortunately, I missed most of the game, coming in during the final minutes of regulation, and then watching the game through over-time.  From what I could figure out from listening to the announcer for Chicago, the team struggled during the first half.  However, Chicago managed to fight their way back and tie the game in the final seconds.

In overtime, Iowa marched down the field and scored, drawing first blood, but their kicker failed to score the extra point, leaving the door open for Chicago to come back and win.  Chicago took the ball and worked their way into the end zone, tying the game until the Rush kicked the point after to take sudden death and win the game.

So, what's next?  Chicago should be able to handle the Kansas City Command, as I stated in my review of the Kansas City Command Game.  The Barnstormers will be taking on the Pittsburgh Power.  Here are two teams that are sitting with only one win.  So, the question is, can Iowa beat the Power on the road?  I am going to base my prediction on the fact that the Barnstormers seem to be able to rise to the occasion, and give them the benefit of the doubt.   That's right, I'm simply going with the local team.

So, Chicago over KC ... Iowa over Pittsburgh.

Rush Go 2 & 0

It wasn't pretty, and the Rush almost gave it away in the final seconds of the game, but them managed to become the only team to go 2 and 0 so far this season.  Up by as much as two scores, and coming back from a 14 point deficit, the Chicago Rush pulled out a win against the Orlando Predators with a score of 51-49.

Let's be honest.  If you watched the game on Ustream, you couldn't help but notice the number of people who were yawning during the final half of the game.  This is not the Arena Football that we all loved back before the collapse of the original AFL.  This is not the AFL that we were wanting to see Resurrected, and with the Player's Union put in its place last year, we're not likely to see if get any better at any time in the near future.

Next on the board for the Rush?  Iowa.  Enough said.  Rush will walk away with that one as well, unless this desire to shoot themselves in the foot overwhelms them.

Rush Run Over Tampa Bay

First game of the season, and the Chicago Rush are off to a great start.  With a team record eight towndown passes, and two returned interceptions, Russ Michna opened the season with a 70-48 WIN!

I really wanted to sit down and watch the game.  I found a free video feed from the stadium on Ustream TV, but life took me away from my computer and I didn't get back to the computer until after the game was over.  But I'm excited about the win!  Michna with eight touchdown passes, Kevin Morris with two great interceptions for touchdowns.  There is every reason to believe that the Rush have an excellent chance of making a serious bid for the 2012 Arenabowl.

So, what's next?  The Chicago Rush will take a bye in Week Two, then host the Orlando Predators in a Thursday night game for Week Three.  The Orlando Predators suffered a double digit loss in Week One against the Pittsburgh Power, (40-26), on the road, but in 2011 they finished the season with a record of 11-7, with a record of 5-4 (.555) on the road.  Chicago had a strong home record in 2011, and they are off to a great start in 2012.  My prediction for Week Three?  I think I'll take Chicago again.  Both Chicago and Pittsburgh will be coming back from a Bye Week.

Chicago Rush 43 - Iowa Barnstormers 22

Rush vs Barnstormers at iWireless Arena in Moline Illinois

While it doesn't really count, it should be taken as a sign of things to come.  The exhibition game between the Chicago Rush and the Iowa Barnstormers is in the books and Chicago walks away with it.

Like a lot of people who didn't make the game, I had to watch Twitter and the Chicago Rush Facebook page for updates for the game, and from what was being shared, it was a good game.  To get things started, the Defense sacked the Barnstormer's quarterback, then scored on a Barnstormer's fumble.  The Barnstormers came back with a TD, but missed the extra point.  They would not score again in the first half of the game and at half-time the Rush had a commanding 26 to 6 lead.

The second half of the game show a little life from the Barnstormers.  The Barnstormers managed to block a field goal attempt and return it for a TD.  The Barnstormers would score another nine points in the second half, but it would not come close to being enough to take the game.  The final score was Chicago 43, Iowa 22.

But as I said, this was only an exhibition game.

AFL: Week One Preview - Chicago over Tampa, Iowa loses to Spokane?

Its almost Arena Football Season once again, and once again I am going to be tracking three teams.  Once again I am going to be tracking the local underdogs, the Kansas City Command and the Iowa Barnstormers.  But my team for 2012 will once again be the Chicago Rush, if you haven't figured that out from the new header on my Blog.

Tomorrow (February 25th) is actually the first game of the AFL Season for me ... an exhibition game between the Chicago Rush and the Iowa Barnstormers, which does not show up on any schedule, and is reported to be taking place at the I Wireless arena in Moline Illinois.  Unfortunately, I have yet to find any hint that the game will be televised for those who would like to see it, but can't really make the trip to Moline.  I stand by my prediction that as long as Chicago takes the game seriously, they will win.

I know its early, but let's take an early look at Week One:

Let's start off with the Chicago Rush.  Week One they will be taking on the Tampa Bay Storm in Chicago.  These two teams did not meet in Inter-Conference play in 2011, but they will meet on March 10th.  

Tampa Bay finished the 2011 Season with a record of 7 wins 11 loses.  They were 4-7 in Conference play, but they were in a strong conference, which included the AFL Champs Jacksonville Sharks.  But they only averaged 44 points per game during 2011 while allowing their opponents to average 56 points per game..

Chicago finished 2011 with a record of 13-5, and finished in Second Place in their conference, losing to the Arizona Rattlers in their final playoff bid to return to the Arenabowl.  They came out of the 2011 season with an average of 53 points per game and only allowed their opponents to average 46 points per game.  So, I'm going to go with history, and Chicago has a strong AFL history, I am going to call this one for the Chicago Rush.

The Iowa Barnstormers will be taking on the Spokane Shock in Spokane.  These two teams only met once in 2011 with Iowa hosting.  The result of the game was a one point win by Iowa as the home team.

In 2011 the Spokane Shock made it to the first round of the playoffs where their season was ended by the Arizona Rattlers.  Spokane finished 2011 with a regular season record of 9 wins and 9 loses, averaging almost 58 points per game while allowing their opponents to average 57 points.  They were 6-5 in their own Conference, but the interesting little piece of information here is that they were only 2-7 when playing away.

Iowa finished 2011 with a record of 5-13 with a home record of 4-5.  They averaged 51 points per game, but allowed their opponents to average 62 points.  Looking at the two teams stats, I find it hard to believe that Iowa is going to beat Spokane in Spokane.  If it was the other way around, if Iowa was at home, then I could see giving them the benefit of the doubt, but I have to call this one for Spokane.

So, Week One:  Chicago over Tampa Bay - Spokane over Iowa.

Oh, Kansas City has a bye Week One.

Pre-Season: Chicago Rush vs Iowa Barnstormers

The Arena Football League will hold an exhibition game between the Chicago Rush and the Iowa Barnstormers at the I-Wireless Center in Moline Illinois, on February 25, 2012.  With the end of the NFL season, Arena fans are biting at the bit for Arena season to kick off, and its just around the corner.

I've said it time and time again, I was a Chicago Rush fan before there was an Arena team in Kansas City.  When the Kansas City Brigade were the team here in Kansas City, I supported them as a Season Ticket holder, but always found my loyalties divided when the Brigade and the Rush faced off.  Now its the Kansas City Command, and I find it incredibly hard to be a Command fan after the final Brigade Season, and the fact that everything that people loved about the Brigade died when the team left its original home in Kemper Arena.  So, my team for 2012 will be as it was in 2011 ... the Chicago Rush.

How do I think the Barnstormers are going to fare against Chicago?  While there is always the off chance of an upset, the Chicago Rush completed the 2011 Season with a superior team.  There is no reason to believe that that's going to change.  Chicago has the fan support to bring in the money it takes to tap into the better players.  Then again, we need to remember that Pre-Season does not count, so there is a good chance that Chicago is not going to field their top players.

But neither team is at home here.  This is neutral ground, even with it taking place in Illinois, its right on the Mississippi with Iowa on the other bank.  Looking at the records these two teams met twice in 2011, with Chicago winning both.  With Iowa at home, the game was decided by only one point, while in Chicago the game was decided by 10 points.  So, in my opinion, if Chicago takes the game seriously, and barring one of Iowa's uncanny lucky games, Chicago should win this one.