Last Sunday was a washout, negating my picks and keeping my record at 7-3 for the season. This weekend provides a doubleheader for our four teams, giving me opportunity to show my prognosticating prowess and earn some money to pay off my new Centurion card... or to lower my record to 7-7 and be standing on a corner trying to sell apples to pay my light bill.
Four games on tap, at least two of which have possible AmeriBowl implications. My kind of week!
RALEIGH AFC - 6 1/2 vs BROOKLYN FC
Brooklyn had its best chance to earn a win so far this season washed away last weekend, as the New Hope Knights reportedly were down to 5 players, missing key stars including quarterback Joe Fernandez. This week the hurdle is much higher, as the Skyliners can see a berth in the inaugural AmeriBowl in their sights and don't intend to let Brooklyn be a speed bump on their path. I see the Skyliners winning, and covering the spread, as the blue and gold have yet to demonstrate a way of playing competitively against the Skyliners.
RALEIGH AFC - 5 1/2 vs FC NEW HOPE
These two teams played to a tie last time around, but both learned lessons they'll employ Sunday in this rematch. While the score may have been tied however, the Knights held one advantage which I think will allow them to at least beat the spread this week: extra point conversions. The Skyliners have been woeful in converting after touchdowns this season, and I think that trend continues at least enough to allow the Knights to keep within 5.
OAKWOOD FC - 2 vs FC NEW HOPE
This could very well be the most important game of the regular season. With a 2 point lead in the standings and just 3 games left in the regular season after this week, Black Ops could shut the door on the Knights hopes for an AmeriBowl berth with a win. New Hope meanwhile must win this game to keep strong hopes of a championship alive. This is a must-win game for the Knights, and somehow, some way, I suspect they're going to do it. So I'm taking the Knights and the points.
OAKWOOD FC - 8 1/2 vs BROOKLYN FC
It isn't gambling without a risk of looking foolish, and perhaps with this pick The Vin Man is doing so, but I like Brooklyn's chances here - not necessarily to win outright, but definitely to beat the 8 1/2 point spread. The blue and gold seems to stay within striking distance of Black Ops, losing by 11 and 10 points in their prior two meetings and usually as the result of turnovers that lead to Black Ops points. If Brooklyn can avoid turning the ball over more than once, or better still can win the battle of turnovers, they could pull off a solid upset. As it is though, I'll take them and the points, hoping that my gamble pays off.
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