Article:AFL Week 14 Picks

This week’s picks are sponsored by the all new Tonya Harding Kneecap Guards.

Hope everyone had a safe and sane Memorial Day weekend. I went to Corpus Christi and caught some fish this weekend, since my classes don‘t start until next Monday. Then we ate them (sea bass is really tasty!) It was a fair week for my AFL picks. Not great but a hell of a lot better than two weeks ago. 4-3 for the week leaves me at 68-33 for the season and there are three weeks left in the season. Some teams know they are playoff bound, others are praying that they get in and the ones that are floundering around like a sea bass are praying their seasons come to an end on a positive note.

Here are this week’s picks.

Columbus Destroyers (3-9) at New Orleans VooDoo (7-5) - The Destroyers managed only 13 points in the final half of play but managed to hold off New York last week in Columbus. New York was still reeling from their loss to Georgia a couple of weeks ago and still managed to almost win. Almost doesn’t get you wins in any level of football. New Orleans saw their unbeaten streak at home washed away by Georgia last Monday night. The VooDoo scored the last 13 points of the first half, then let the Force off the hook. For the second time this season, New Orleans lost to Georgia, which could hurt them in a tie breaker situation. New Orleans can’t let another team off the hook. The VooDoo get their mojo back and take down Columbus. Anyone for beignets?

Tampa Bay Storm (6-6) at Georgia Force (7-6) - Both teams are coming off huge wins last weekend. Tampa Bay needed a 24-point fourth quarter to beat Cleveland, who at 7-5, may reach the playoffs in fourth place in the National East. Georgia got off the deck and took care of business in the Big Easy last Monday night, coughing up the ball on a drive late in the first half that would have sealed the deal and then having to rally in the second half, outscoring New Orleans 19-6 in the last 30 minutes of play. Georgia looks pretty near the top of the National South division and will keep that spot to themselves. The Force takes down the Storm in Georgia.

Dallas Desperados (10-2) at Cleveland Gladiators (7-5) - Dallas took Orlando to the woodshed last week to reach the 10-win mark and pull a half-game ahead of their division rivals Philadelphia. 295 yards in total offense helped the Desperados win their contest in Florida, holding the Predators to 13 points in the second half. Cleveland almost beat Tampa Bay. Almost is sort of like close and horseshoes. The Gladiators could make some noise in the postseason. Then again, that’s why they play the games, as ESPN’s Chris Berman would say. Dallas wins a close game over Cleveland on the lake.

Arizona Rattlers (6-6) at Orlando Predators (8-5) - Arizona broke a 35-35 tie to start the fourth quarter against Grand Rapids, who at 3-9, may be a spoiler for any future opponents. The Rattlers picked up 306 yards in total offense and needed every inch to seal the win. Orlando is still smarting from the 26 point loss to Dallas last week and they still may be hurting this week. The Snakes bite the Predators in Orlando.

Kansas City Brigade (3-9) at Chicago Rush (9-3) - Kansas City surprised Philly last weekend in the City of Brotherly Love. The Brigade helped themselves by not turning the ball over and giving themselves a chance to win. That was last week. Philly is a good team. Chicago is a totally different animal and will be looking for someone to beat up on in the Windy City this weekend, especially after they lost to 3-10 Utah. Chicago’s my kind of town and the Rush are my kind of team. Rush wins over a Brigade team that’s tougher than their record shows.

San Jose Saber Cats (8-5) at Los Angeles Avengers (4-8) - San Jose was on task last week against Colorado, holding the Crush to 14 second half points. The Saber Cats need to hold on to the ball a bit longer for their success to continue, giving the ball up twice (1 fumble and 1 interception). Los Angeles was idle last week and could have a say in who wins the American West. Right now, San Jose will have a say as to who wins this game. Saber Cats win a close contest against their Golden State brothers.

Utah Blaze (3-10) at Grand Rapids Rampage (3-9) - Despite being 0-4 in the American West, Utah shocked the AFL world last weekend, tallying 270 yards in total offense against the Rush in Salt Lake City. Alas, they have to come back to reality. The Rampage played Arizona tough last week and could have won their game against the Rattlers if they had a few breaks. Grand Rapids rolls over Utah this week.

New York Dragons (6-6) at Colorado Crush (4-8) - The Dragons did not seal the deal against Columbus last week and it cost them. Big. They could very well miss the playoffs if they continue to play as badly as they have played in the last two games. They stopped the run but could do nothing against Matt Nagy’s 269 yards passing. Colorado outpaced San Jose in total offense but didn’t take home the important number. They didn’t take home the win. One of these teams is going to bounce back from a bad week. That somebody is New York on the road, although Colorado will try to make things uneasy.

Idle - Philadelphia