10-04-2018, 08:36 AM
(This post was last modified: 10-04-2018, 08:38 AM by 37thchamber.)
Robbed
It's difficult to really argue that the playoff teams this year were not deserving, or that there was a team on the outside looking in who should not have been. But, you can make a strong case that the absence of the Yellowknife Wraiths from the playoffs was almost solely because of a single freak result.
Some might think the loss in Colorado in week thirteen was the nail in the coffin, as a win would have seen the Wraiths into the playoffs. However, it was the week eleven blowout in San Jose that was the true hammerblow. Brad Pennington, who threw just twelve interceptions all season, threw four in that one game. On the flipside, Akselsen, deep into his end of career decline at this point, threw for four touchdowns and rushed for a fifth; given that Akselsen accounted for twenty touchdowns all season, this was entirely one quarter of his production. In one game.
Had the Wraiths not been stung by this shock result, the defeat in Colorado would not have mattered -- they would have won the head to head tiebreaker on point differential. So can we really say that their seven point loss in Colorado was the decisive factor? More than this shock result in San Jose?
Championship Game Recap
In what will surely go down as a classic between one of the best defenses and one of the best offenses in NSFL history, the result ultimately came down to the efforts of the Baltimore defense against the Second Line's offense on the latter's final drive of the game. After Turk Turkleton's punt went for a touchback, New Orleans started on their own twenty yard line. A solid rush, and a short pass to Paul DiMirio gave them another set of downs. The next four plays effectively decided the game, as the Hawks pass rush meant the Second Line couldn't gain a single yard. A dropped pass from Ardie Savea on 3rd and 11 put New Orleans in a tough spot. 4th and 11, and they had to go for it. Smallwood took the hand off and made his move, only to be brought down by Clifford Rove after just five yards. With the ball back in their possession and just over two minutes left on the clock, it was up to the Hawks to protect the ball and keep the clock ticking. Owen Taylor rushed for three yards on two attempts, and it looked as though the Second Line might just be able to force a punt for one last shot, when Jayce Tuck was called for a penalty, giving Taylor a chance at 3rd and 2. He took it, and with that, Baltimore were able to close out the game, winning their first Ultimus.
PBE PT
SHL PT
It's difficult to really argue that the playoff teams this year were not deserving, or that there was a team on the outside looking in who should not have been. But, you can make a strong case that the absence of the Yellowknife Wraiths from the playoffs was almost solely because of a single freak result.
Some might think the loss in Colorado in week thirteen was the nail in the coffin, as a win would have seen the Wraiths into the playoffs. However, it was the week eleven blowout in San Jose that was the true hammerblow. Brad Pennington, who threw just twelve interceptions all season, threw four in that one game. On the flipside, Akselsen, deep into his end of career decline at this point, threw for four touchdowns and rushed for a fifth; given that Akselsen accounted for twenty touchdowns all season, this was entirely one quarter of his production. In one game.
Had the Wraiths not been stung by this shock result, the defeat in Colorado would not have mattered -- they would have won the head to head tiebreaker on point differential. So can we really say that their seven point loss in Colorado was the decisive factor? More than this shock result in San Jose?
Championship Game Recap
In what will surely go down as a classic between one of the best defenses and one of the best offenses in NSFL history, the result ultimately came down to the efforts of the Baltimore defense against the Second Line's offense on the latter's final drive of the game. After Turk Turkleton's punt went for a touchback, New Orleans started on their own twenty yard line. A solid rush, and a short pass to Paul DiMirio gave them another set of downs. The next four plays effectively decided the game, as the Hawks pass rush meant the Second Line couldn't gain a single yard. A dropped pass from Ardie Savea on 3rd and 11 put New Orleans in a tough spot. 4th and 11, and they had to go for it. Smallwood took the hand off and made his move, only to be brought down by Clifford Rove after just five yards. With the ball back in their possession and just over two minutes left on the clock, it was up to the Hawks to protect the ball and keep the clock ticking. Owen Taylor rushed for three yards on two attempts, and it looked as though the Second Line might just be able to force a punt for one last shot, when Jayce Tuck was called for a penalty, giving Taylor a chance at 3rd and 2. He took it, and with that, Baltimore were able to close out the game, winning their first Ultimus.
PBE PT
SHL PT
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