3. Let's talk about the future. As we've seen in the ISFL and DSFL, things can go from rock bottom to the absolute top in just one quick season and vice versa. With that said, tell us about your predictions for next season. Were there any big moves made late in the season or the offseason that you believe could really shake things up? Are there any players hitting the season with a noticeably improved TPE pool or hitting regression hard that you believe could seriously factor into a team's potential success? And lastly, which team do you expect to be hoisting the trophy for either the ISFL or DSFL, and which teams do you expect will be struggling to stay away from the bottom on the pack?
I'll be talking about the DSFL as that is the only league I play in currently and therefore the only one I really know. Instead of a straight standings prediction (although maybe I will include that) it will be sorted into risers and fallers, with the predictions for best and worst teams at the end.
Negativity drives engagement so we'll start with teams I think will do worse.
FALLERS:
London Royals
You're probably asking, how can a team that finished last place get even worse? The main reason is their offense -- two of their top WRs have gone inactive, another is getting called up, and their superstar QB will also get called up. That's so much offense that they'll be missing out on, and that was their strength coming into the season. The defense was easily worst in the league, and I don't think they're gonna improve enough to offset the massive losses from the offensive side of the ball. They'll need whatever replacements on offense to instantly be stars, and for the Absolue + Shadow Jr combo to carry the defense. They pick very very early in the draft which may be a path to having a successful season if they can nail the pick.
Dallas Birddogs
Dallas faces a similar problem in that they're an older team and running out of time to stay down. Key players on both sides of the ball are probably getting called up. Their defense was particularly strong last season, and I think they'll be losing half of those top performers. They'll retain players at some important positions like RB and probably LB, but the losses coupled with a late pick in the draft will make it tough. I don't think they'll regress to last place or anything, but not a performance on the same level as this season.
RISERS:
Minnesota Gray Ducks
A theme for both of the rising teams is that they have a lot of rookies who are high earners and call-ups at less important positions, especially QB. Minnesota has players like MacDougall, Turk, Geometry and Panda all drafted last season. They're already capped and set a strong foundation for the team. If their capped WRs and RBs are called up - that's fine, because they have capped WRs and RBs waiting in the wings. The long term plan seems to have been set up perfectly and they'll be able to grow again this season, likely into a playoff team. They won't have an early pick but I think they'll be able to overcome it.
Kansas City Coyotes
Same logic as above - KCC has a stellar core from the most recent draft. Facing some losses on defense, yes, but there's plenty of talent to fill the shoes. Their QB is staying, and while there may be a need for an RB this can be addressed in the draft, which they also pick early in. There's plenty of chances to fill the holes on the roster and really jump start some team success. I think Kansas City can compete for a playoff spot, but will need some luck and/or sim hoeing to get into the playoffs.
Best record prediction: Minnesota Gray Ducks (10-4)
Worst record prediction: London Royals (1-13)
Full standings predictions:
(first place team on top):
Minnesota Gray Ducks
Kansas City Coyotes
Portland Pythons
London Royals
Bondi Beach Buccaneers
Norfolk Seawolves
Dallas Birddogs
Tijuana Luchadores
Portland narrowly misses out on the playoffs by tiebreakers or some sim hoeing in the last week, allowing KCC in. Minnesota wins that matchup handily, and Bondi Beach dispatches Norfolk much the same. In a back and forth Ultimini, Minnesota wins by a field goal and we have our third different champion in three seasons.
I'll be talking about the DSFL as that is the only league I play in currently and therefore the only one I really know. Instead of a straight standings prediction (although maybe I will include that) it will be sorted into risers and fallers, with the predictions for best and worst teams at the end.
Negativity drives engagement so we'll start with teams I think will do worse.
FALLERS:
London Royals You're probably asking, how can a team that finished last place get even worse? The main reason is their offense -- two of their top WRs have gone inactive, another is getting called up, and their superstar QB will also get called up. That's so much offense that they'll be missing out on, and that was their strength coming into the season. The defense was easily worst in the league, and I don't think they're gonna improve enough to offset the massive losses from the offensive side of the ball. They'll need whatever replacements on offense to instantly be stars, and for the Absolue + Shadow Jr combo to carry the defense. They pick very very early in the draft which may be a path to having a successful season if they can nail the pick.
Dallas Birddogs Dallas faces a similar problem in that they're an older team and running out of time to stay down. Key players on both sides of the ball are probably getting called up. Their defense was particularly strong last season, and I think they'll be losing half of those top performers. They'll retain players at some important positions like RB and probably LB, but the losses coupled with a late pick in the draft will make it tough. I don't think they'll regress to last place or anything, but not a performance on the same level as this season.
RISERS:
Minnesota Gray Ducks A theme for both of the rising teams is that they have a lot of rookies who are high earners and call-ups at less important positions, especially QB. Minnesota has players like MacDougall, Turk, Geometry and Panda all drafted last season. They're already capped and set a strong foundation for the team. If their capped WRs and RBs are called up - that's fine, because they have capped WRs and RBs waiting in the wings. The long term plan seems to have been set up perfectly and they'll be able to grow again this season, likely into a playoff team. They won't have an early pick but I think they'll be able to overcome it.
Kansas City Coyotes Same logic as above - KCC has a stellar core from the most recent draft. Facing some losses on defense, yes, but there's plenty of talent to fill the shoes. Their QB is staying, and while there may be a need for an RB this can be addressed in the draft, which they also pick early in. There's plenty of chances to fill the holes on the roster and really jump start some team success. I think Kansas City can compete for a playoff spot, but will need some luck and/or sim hoeing to get into the playoffs.
Best record prediction: Minnesota Gray Ducks (10-4)
Worst record prediction: London Royals (1-13)
Full standings predictions:
(first place team on top):
Minnesota Gray Ducks
Kansas City Coyotes
Portland Pythons
London Royals
Bondi Beach Buccaneers
Norfolk Seawolves
Dallas Birddogs
Tijuana Luchadores
Portland narrowly misses out on the playoffs by tiebreakers or some sim hoeing in the last week, allowing KCC in. Minnesota wins that matchup handily, and Bondi Beach dispatches Norfolk much the same. In a back and forth Ultimini, Minnesota wins by a field goal and we have our third different champion in three seasons.
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