The Minnesota Grey Ducks currently sit at 3-3 with almost half of their games played. They remain one game behind first the first place Kansas City Coyotes. Normally, that would be seen as them being in a great position to make a strong run into the playoffs. However, I can’t help but feel like the SIM gods had treated the Ducks unfairly so far this season, so I took a closer look. As it turns out, this is a much bigger issue than I had previously thought. All teams in the DSFL are a staggering 4-20 (nice) in road games. All three of our losses have been on the road. However, writing them off as just tough road games, does not accurately explain what’s been happening. Let’s take a look at last the games from Week 3 and 4 as examples.
Week 3, the Ducks faced a fantastic Myrtle Beach squad in Minnesota. The Duck Defense, henceforth known as the #QuackAttack?, forced 2 turnovers, recorded 4 sacks and held the mighty pirates to 231 yards of total offense. Also, Cashrinski Bloodenheimer, Minnesota’s kicker, had an incredible game, making four out of four field goals and both extra points. That’s 14 points! He even bombed one in from 51 yards! The offense eclipsed 300 yards behind solid rushing performances from all three Running Backs, who gained 175 yards combined on the ground. Also, something to keep in mind, the Ducks only had 4 penalties. Overall, the performance was fantastic by all three phases, and led to a convincing 26-10 victory over the Buccaneers.
Fast forward to week 4. Even though they racked up 262 yards rushing, Minnesota traveled to Norfolk and got absolutely blasted. The Ducks lost 42-10. The opening drive stalled after a sack and a penalty, then the Seawolves returned the punt for a touchdown. Things didn’t get any better for the rest of the game. The offensive line for the Ducks got called for an uncharacteristic amount of penalties, keeping them from gaining any sort of rhythm. Credit to the Seawolves, where it is due. They played well and took their opportunities, but defensive penalties also aided them on multiple drives. All told, Minnesota was called for 13 penalties in this game which resulted in gifting Norfolk 117 yards. Five different Duck players were called for 15-yard penalties, 2 of which were Offensive Line bots. Are these penalties the sole reason Minnesota got blown out? Certainly not. But, did they have a major impact on the game. Absolutely.
On paper, the Ducks have one of the better defenses in the league, led by one of the best players in this rookie class, Safety Buck Thornton. However, by the stats, they have one of the worst defenses in the league in most categories. Minnesota is last in Tackles, Pass Defenses, and Interceptions. They are 2nd in forced fumbles with 6, but they’ve only recovered 1. That wouldn’t stand out too much, if the newly formed Bird Dogs weren’t above them with a perfect 7 recoveries on 7 forced fumbles. Their offense is led by a great veteran quarterback in Zack Vega, and two speed demons at Running Back in Baby Yoda and Rick Skuff. By all accounts, accept the most important one (the numbers), they’ve got the juice. So, what gives on the road?
In home games, the Ducks have 3, 4, and 8 penalties, respectively. On the road, they have 8, 13, and 8. But, as I mentioned in the opening of this article, I see this as a league wide issue. Look no further than a team in the same boat as the Ducks, the Portland Pythons. They are 3-3 with 3 road losses. In those road losses, they recorded 14, 11, and 8 penalties. Those are insane numbers. In home games, they had 2, 7 and 3. That’s almost 3 times more penalties on the road than at home! There is an increase to turnovers as well, but I’m willing to accept that variance in a simulation. The penalties however, need to be addressed.
The fact that there have only been 4 road wins for the entire season is baffling. While it should be a little more difficult to win away from home, it shouldn’t be an impossibility. 5 of the 8 teams in the DSFL are 0-3 on the road. In the NFL last year, 16 teams, half the league, were at or above a .500 record on the road. While I grant that this league is not meant to perfectly emulate the NFL, I still see it as a relevant comparison. It is also worth mentioning that in the NSFL, road teams are a much more reasonable 15-25. That is a .375 Win% versus .167 in the DSFL. So, it seems that the problem is a bit more pronounced in the lower league. Overall, the issue of road game difficulty and variance is troubling to me. I believe this is something that should be addressed in order for there to be a bit more realism within the league. After all, we’re all here to have fun.
Words: 852
Week 3, the Ducks faced a fantastic Myrtle Beach squad in Minnesota. The Duck Defense, henceforth known as the #QuackAttack?, forced 2 turnovers, recorded 4 sacks and held the mighty pirates to 231 yards of total offense. Also, Cashrinski Bloodenheimer, Minnesota’s kicker, had an incredible game, making four out of four field goals and both extra points. That’s 14 points! He even bombed one in from 51 yards! The offense eclipsed 300 yards behind solid rushing performances from all three Running Backs, who gained 175 yards combined on the ground. Also, something to keep in mind, the Ducks only had 4 penalties. Overall, the performance was fantastic by all three phases, and led to a convincing 26-10 victory over the Buccaneers.
Fast forward to week 4. Even though they racked up 262 yards rushing, Minnesota traveled to Norfolk and got absolutely blasted. The Ducks lost 42-10. The opening drive stalled after a sack and a penalty, then the Seawolves returned the punt for a touchdown. Things didn’t get any better for the rest of the game. The offensive line for the Ducks got called for an uncharacteristic amount of penalties, keeping them from gaining any sort of rhythm. Credit to the Seawolves, where it is due. They played well and took their opportunities, but defensive penalties also aided them on multiple drives. All told, Minnesota was called for 13 penalties in this game which resulted in gifting Norfolk 117 yards. Five different Duck players were called for 15-yard penalties, 2 of which were Offensive Line bots. Are these penalties the sole reason Minnesota got blown out? Certainly not. But, did they have a major impact on the game. Absolutely.
On paper, the Ducks have one of the better defenses in the league, led by one of the best players in this rookie class, Safety Buck Thornton. However, by the stats, they have one of the worst defenses in the league in most categories. Minnesota is last in Tackles, Pass Defenses, and Interceptions. They are 2nd in forced fumbles with 6, but they’ve only recovered 1. That wouldn’t stand out too much, if the newly formed Bird Dogs weren’t above them with a perfect 7 recoveries on 7 forced fumbles. Their offense is led by a great veteran quarterback in Zack Vega, and two speed demons at Running Back in Baby Yoda and Rick Skuff. By all accounts, accept the most important one (the numbers), they’ve got the juice. So, what gives on the road?
In home games, the Ducks have 3, 4, and 8 penalties, respectively. On the road, they have 8, 13, and 8. But, as I mentioned in the opening of this article, I see this as a league wide issue. Look no further than a team in the same boat as the Ducks, the Portland Pythons. They are 3-3 with 3 road losses. In those road losses, they recorded 14, 11, and 8 penalties. Those are insane numbers. In home games, they had 2, 7 and 3. That’s almost 3 times more penalties on the road than at home! There is an increase to turnovers as well, but I’m willing to accept that variance in a simulation. The penalties however, need to be addressed.
The fact that there have only been 4 road wins for the entire season is baffling. While it should be a little more difficult to win away from home, it shouldn’t be an impossibility. 5 of the 8 teams in the DSFL are 0-3 on the road. In the NFL last year, 16 teams, half the league, were at or above a .500 record on the road. While I grant that this league is not meant to perfectly emulate the NFL, I still see it as a relevant comparison. It is also worth mentioning that in the NSFL, road teams are a much more reasonable 15-25. That is a .375 Win% versus .167 in the DSFL. So, it seems that the problem is a bit more pronounced in the lower league. Overall, the issue of road game difficulty and variance is troubling to me. I believe this is something that should be addressed in order for there to be a bit more realism within the league. After all, we’re all here to have fun.
Words: 852