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Neutral Site Week 2000
Week 7 Previews
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Anderson Brewmeisters
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vs
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Abstract Machines
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(2 - 4)
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(3 - 3)
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series history: Anderson leads
2-1
last meeting: Super Bowl III, 1999
ANDERSON 40, Post. Spiritualists 6
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It's a new season, but not much seems that different for last year's
two Super Bowl competitors. The defending champion Brewmeisters
are 2-4 and could be on the road to match last season's dismal mark
of 3-8-1; the Abstract Machines are currently 3-3 and are on direct
par to equal 1999's 6-6 mark. It seems unlikely, however, that these
two could meet again in late December.
Anderson won the Super Bowl III meeting impressively enough, crushing
the then-Spiritualists by 34. Both rosters have undergone changes
since then, most noticeably at quarterback. Kurt Warner and Tim
Couch are long gone and have been replaced by Peyton Manning and
Shaun King. Yet the bye week will prevent the two young QBs from
squaring off, as King is one of four(!) Machine starters that will
be taking the week off.
Both clubs enter the season's halfway mark riding two-game losing
streaks. The Machines are still in the thick of a divisional race,
and might be looking ahead to a Week 8 matchup with the West-leading
Hellions. The defending champs are too proud to just roll over,
but it may be too late for this injury-laden and transaction-strapped
team to make a run in the East.
victims of the bye week:
Anderson - none
Machines - QB King, RB Stewart, REC Crowell, K Hanson
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Piana Raze
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vs
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Jody's C.W.O.T.
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(2 - 4)
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(4 - 2)
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series history: Jody leads 5-1
last meeting: Week 11, 1999
Piana 5, at JODY 31
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In Week 14 of 1998, the Western Division Champion
Raze suffered their worst ever loss at the hands of a wildcard C.W.O.T.
squad, a 62-26 beating that sent the Piana franchise into freefall.
Since that game, the Raze have posted a dismal 6-12-1 record and
become a non-factor in the divisional race. Don't think they've
forgotten about the C.W.O.T.
Jody has won five of six career meetings with Piana, and is the
favorite once again. Their play has improved steadily the past few
weeks, building a two-game winning streak. With Stephen Davis and
Eddie George in the backfield, Jody's capable of wearing down the
Raze's defense. Piana's hopes will ride on the arm of Brian Griese
and the absense of Jody's Miami defense, which will be sitting out
on a bye.
victims of the bye week:
Piana - none
Jody - K Gramatica, DEF Miami, RB Alstott
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The Players
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vs
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Sims Stereco
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(2 - 4)
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(3 - 3)
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series history: Players lead 2-1-1
last meeting: Week 6, 1999
Sims 27, at Players 27
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The Players are coming off a tough home loss to the Hellions;
the Stereco found their cure-all in a visit from the Yellow-bellied
Overweight Banshees. Both clubs enter midseason grasping to the
tails of their respective division races. This could be one of
the higher scoring games of the week as each offense has muscle
to flex. The Stereco have Kurt Warner and Terrell Owens, while
The Players can counter with Jeff Garcia and Randy Moss. Yet the
defensive advantage goes to Sims, whose KC and Giants' "D"
have been surprisingly strong. A victory would give the Stereco
a winning record for the first time in 2000.
victims of the bye week:
Players - none
Sims - none
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B.Y.O.B.
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vs
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Irwin Hellions
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(1 - 5)
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(4 - 2)
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series history: first meeting
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On paper, this is severe mismatch. The Hellions have regrouped
with consecutive wins and taken back the lead in the West. The Banshees,
however, have dropped four straight, capped of by last week's 26-0
debacle at the Stereco. Brandon's offense was horrid in the loss,
only scoring 12 points. By contrast, it seems any given player on
the Hellions lineup could put up a twelve spot. The only saving
grace for B.Y.O.B. is that Irwin will lose kicker Olindo Mare and
the brutal Buccaneer defense for the week on a bye. So there is
a chance, albeit very slim, for the expansion Banshees.
victims of the bye week:
B.Y.O.B. - RB L. Smith
Irwin - K Mare, DEF Tampa Bay
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Game of the Week
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Thomas' Bock Boys
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vs
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The Pimps
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(3 - 3)
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(6 - 0)
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series history: first meeting
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When the schedule was released in the Spring,
who would have pegged a Bock Boy/Pimp matchup to be the highlight
of Week 7? But here they are, a combined 9-3, thanks largely to
The Pimps' unprecedented 6-0 start. The Pimps survived a close
one against the Machines' last week, despite losing three starters
to the bye. Thomas is coming off the business end of whippin',
and is eager to take a shot at the league's current powerhouse.
The Pimps and the Bock Boys have arguably been the league's two
biggest surprises this season. While lacking the big-name superstars
of other clubs, The Pimps have gotten consistent, above-average
play from everyone on their roster, and have won most of their
games rather decisively. Thomas is an expansion club that is sitting
pretty at the halfway point. With a 3-3 record, the playoffs are
within their grasp. The Bock Boys will readily rely on the legs
and arm of phenom Daunte Culpepper to get them there.
While The Pimps have to be the favorite, Culpepper
and the rest of the Bocks could be a legitimate threat to their
undefeated record. This has all the makings of a great ballgame.
victims of the bye week:
Thomas - REC Johnson, RB Dunn
Pimps - none
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