Predictions Week 2

Decepticons vs Bandits

Both teams had a lot of hype coming into this season and both fell flat on their faces. Decepticons added Bobby “Bonez” Bonett and Jobin George to a team that some could argue was the deepest roster. Unfortunately, Rome wasn't built in 1 day as the chemistry isn't quite there yet.
Bandits lost Abir from their squad last year as well as Jawad, but with a healthy Burhan back this season they were expected not to miss a beat. Unfortunately for them they looked rusty, especially without rookie of the year Nadir, and once Burhan got hurt it got ugly.

In such a deep league this season, neither team can afford to start 0-2, but one will. Decepticons need to work on chemistry but they are clearly the more talented team as a few of their guys including Samir were not there last week. Bandits lead by  Burhan will have a good gameplan and a few gadget plays regardless if he can go or not and with their defense lead by Sakib and Harvey they can keep the game close, but at the end of the day the Decepticons will take this.

Decepticons 27 Bandits 13

Bengals vs Stop N Go

The young bucks vs the season veterans (aka the champs)

Bengals sent shockwaves thru the league as they dropped a whooping 51 point before the slaughtering had to be stopped. Abir was on fire as he passed for 7 TD’s and was a force on defense. This team was able to use their athleticism to turn simple little dump off passes into long TD’s as this could be a season long theme.

Stop N Go looked like it was going thru the motions early on as they allowed PSR to score 25 straight points heading into halftime. After halftime they looked like their usual selves as they put the clamps on and were able to muster up enough offense to get the win.

In flag football, the most important thing is tackling! Stop N Go is the best tackling team and its no coincidence they have won the title in the first 2 seasons. They are also very disciplined when they play zone. The Bengals can’t expect to take a little screen pass to the house regularly or at all. If Abir wants to cement himself as a top tier QB he is going to have to dissect a very veteran Stop N Go defense, can he do?

Stop N Go 34 Bengals 20

Browns vs Warriors

The Browns were a big unknown this season as no one really know if they would be really bad or take the league by storm. Seems like they are somewhere in between. They did rack up 35 points which is usually enough to get a win, but their tackling did them in as they missed numerous tackles until they got mercied by the up start Bengals.

Warriors after making the finals last year were looking to build upon what was done last year and keep on improving. Despite only playing with 6 players they played neck and neck with the decepticons until they just took over as new comer Richie Geraldo had 5 TD’s in his debut. With him and Mohamed Bahi they can make a killer 1-2 combo, and don’t forgot about Niraj and Khurram as well. Looks like they are poised to make another title run

A QB like Aldo with his receivers are licking their chops right now. Its time to see if the Browns tackling issues is a fluke or going to be a theme this season. The game will be close in the first half as Warriors will pull away in the 2nd half

Warriors 39 Browns 20

Empire vs Savages

Empire coming into this season rehauled their roster after a disappointing year as they just squeezed into the playoffs. With half a rosters worth of new players Empire looked rusty, especially on offense with Atif, Kunal and Dipan as Chris was throwing to a whole new cast of receivers but as the game went on they seemed to get on the same page, but a few mistakes on both sides of the ball cost them in a close game.  

Savages went to the past to get Jose Martinez who took the league by storm in season 1 as one of the top receiving threats.  They also added Sajeel “the real deal” haque as well as Shawn Abraham of the SASL. Seems like adding these guys to their nucleus is paying off as they were just pouring it on as the game went on, this without Hashim being there

These teams have played some close tough physical games in the past and this week wouldn’t be an exception. Empire has definitely gotten more athletes this year, but seems like attendance will be an issue, will Atif or Dipan be there, as both can impact the game on either side of the ball. The chemistry Savages have built will help them in a close game

Savages 27 Empire 14

Panthers vs PSR

Panthers formerly the Chargers had a good week 1, as they showed they are in it to win it as they beat Empire. Despite losing Nadeem to Stop N Go, Sajeel to Savages and Bobby to Decepticons, the new additions of Ahmad Halimi and speeder Lutolo keeps a physical as well as speedy element into their offense. Razi was able to slice thru Empire’s defense with the precision of a surgeon as they won a close one.

PSR formerly the Slumdogs is now run by the PSR crew of Rishi and Pawan. They started off slow last week, but going into the half Mike was on fire as Pawan, Rishi and Joshil were causing fits for Stop N Go’s defense. Unfortunately they couldn’t make adjustments in the 2nd half as they were shut out. They played good defense for the most part, but a few miscommunications ultimately cost them in a close game with the defending champs

Both teams have big physical receivers as well as quick fast receivers as well. It seems like the difference here will be Mike’s ability to stretch the Panther’s defense vertically, which will open up the short game. Should come down to the last possession as both teams won’t make a ton of mental mistakes and shoot themselves in the foot.

PSR 27 Chargers 26