Article:AFL Week 9 Picks

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This week’s picks are sponsored by Jimmy Hoffa Concrete. We bury curses.

Weird week last week, kids. It was one of those weeks where I had to watch Ishtar for a class. UGH! A 4-4 week brings me to 44-18 on the season.

Kansas City Brigade (1-6) at Grand Rapids Rampage (2-5). Grand Rapids comes off a huge win against Chicago last week in the Windy City. The Rush led Grand Rapids in nearly every offensive category but the Rampage took home the win. Kansas City is also coming off a win against Colorado last week and they are looking to make it two in a row. Lighting may strike twice in the same place but not three times. The home-standing Rampage win this one.

Utah Blaze (0-8)at New Orleans VooDoo (6-2). Okay, is New Orleans that good or are Utah that bad? The Blaze were held to seven points in the final quarter against San Jose, who played with them like they were a huge ball of yarn. New Orleans shut out Arizona in the first quarter and only allowed eight points in the final period. Going with the VooDoo to put out the Blaze.

Chicago Rush (6-2) at Colorado Crush (3-4). The Crush was held to 203 yards in total offense in the loss to Kansas City. They had their chances to win last week and didn’t finish the deal. Colorado was 5 of 7 in the red zone, so that is somewhat of a victory. Chicago is somewhat angry, losing to Grand Rapids at Allstate Arena last week and will have a huge chip on their shoulders. The taste of defeat will not be in the mouths of the Rush for long. Chicago takes down the Crush.

Cleveland Gladiators (4-3) at New York Dragons (4-4). Despite losing the total yards battle in their win over Tampa Bay, the Dragons proved they were top dog in their win last week. Cleveland body slammed Los Angeles last week on the West Coast and could make some noise come playoff time. 409 yards of total offense will get your attention. I don’t think it will be enough for the Gladiators. Dragons breathe fire and burn the Gladiators at home.

Tampa Bay Storm (2-5) at Orlando Predators (6-2). The battle for bragging rights in the Sunshine State. Enough said. Both teams are coming to this one from different directions. Orlando held off Georgia at Gwinnett Center last week and barely edge the Force in not only the score but the battle for total offense. Tampa Bay, meanwhile, was held to 20 points in the final thirty minutes of their contest with New York. History repeats itself in Orlando. The Predators win this one although the Storm will try to put up a fight.

Georgia Force (3-4) at Arizona Rattlers (3-4). Both teams are coming off losses. Georgia will be looking to coming back to the .500 mark this week and will have a chip on their shoulders after their loss at home. Arizona turned over the ball six times against New Orleans, something that even good teams can’t do if they want to win. Looking for Georgia to take this one and even their record.

Los Angeles Avengers (3-5) at San Jose Saber Cats (4-4). San Jose knew the way to beat a hapless Utah team last week in Salt Lake City. They held Utah to 13 points in the final half to reach the .500 mark. Los Angeles got their heads handed to them by Cleveland last week. The Avengers were held to 350 yards in total offense against the Gladiators and may not recover fully from that loss. San Jose breaks the .500 barrier at home.

Dallas Desperados (7-0) at Philadelphia Soul (8-0). Okay, so it’s not the Eagles against the Cowboys. It’s not TO bugging the hell out of Donovan to throw him the ball. It’s a pair of titans looking to knock the ever-living hell out of each other. Both teams are looking to be top dog in the National East. Dallas took the week off while Philly said goodbye to Columbus last Monday night. If this isn't one of the most entertaining games in the AFL this week, then you don't have a pulse. The winner of this one has a open track to winning the whole enchilada. Soul takes a close contest on ESPN Monday night against Dallas.

Idle: Columbus.

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