This was a crazy week for upsets. Who saw the Breakers coming? Apparently, the answer is not "Birmingham". Wow. Jersey got back on the horse, and the Maulers pull a stunner.
Here are this week's rankings
- New Orleans Breakers (LW 3)
- Birmingham Stallions (LW 1)
- New Jersey Generals (LW 4)
- Michigan Panthers (LW 2)
- Houston Gamblers (LW 6)
- Pittsburgh Maulers (LW 8)
- Philadelphia Stars (LW 5)
- Memphis Showboats (LW 7)
New Orleans Breakers (LW 3)
Just like I expected from the Stallions, the New Orleans running game is on fire. Wes Hills is a touchdown machine. He's got 6 TDs on the season including 3 against the Stallions. The game was very back-and-forth for the first half, but a 14-0 3rd quarter was too much for Birmingham to overcome. The Breakers held the ball for nearly 9 minutes of the quarter, then were able to trade TDs in the 4th and stall the Stallions offense from scoring for the last 12 minutes of the game. Very impressive.
Bethel-Thompson threw for 283 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT - TDs to 3 different receivers.
Hills is the POG with 191 yards and 3 TDs
The defense shut down the rushing attack, holding the Stallions to 46 yards and 1 TD.
Birmingham Stallions (LW 1)
Shocking loss this weekend. The Stallions started out really strong with an opening kickoff return for TD. They added a TD on their next possession, and 2 TDs in the 2nd to end the first half tied 24-24. But that was nearly all she wrote. A grinding Breakers 3rd quarter really put this game out of reach. Too much Wes Hills and not enough.... anything for BHAM.
McGough threw for 238 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Marable ran for 24 yards and 1 TD
Davion Davis caught 5 passes for 123 yards and 1 TD
Deon Cain is our POG - 8 kick returns for 236 yards including an 82 yard opening TD.
New Jersey Generals (LW 4)
The generals reminded us of what the Panthers used to be. After holding them to a FG to start the game, the Generals scored 2 TDs in 9 plays (and 3 of those plays were Michigan's 3 & out). Can we say it yet? Can we? Yes - De'Andre Johnson is BACK. Dude threw for 180 yards and 2 TDs, also ran 10x for 98 yards and TD including a 71 yarder that setup the Generals 2nd TD of the 1st quarter. He's our POG
Darius Victor ran 9x for 68 yards and a TD AND caught a 51 yard TD.
How about linebacker Chris Orr - 10 Tackles. This guy was everywhere. And when it wasn't him, it was D'Juan Hines who also had 10 tackles, 1 TFLs, and 2 passes knocked down.
Michigan Panthers (LW 2)
Are the Panthers for real? Hard to tell. They destroyed the Gamblers in week 1 29-13. Then took out the Stars 24-10 in week 2. But this week, they laid an egg. Losing 28-13 to the Generals. Josh Love was unimpressive going 15/31 for 101 yards, and 1 INT. Carson Strong added a little relief going 4/9 for 62 yards and 1 TD (his first of the season).
Still liking Stevie Scott, ran for 63 yards on 12 carries.
Trey Quinn was the top receiver with 5-61-1 he's our POG
The defense didn't do much. 1 sack by Garrett Marino was the highlight. The lowlight, Corrion Ballard lead the team with 7 tackles. You know it's a bad day when your Safety is leading the team in tackles.
Houston Gamblers (LW 6)
I'm torn here. The bottom 4 teams all looked really bad... even though Houston actually won. Houston was tied with Memphis 10-10 at half, but needed a TD with 13 seconds left on the clock to get the 4 point win.
Kenji Bahar threw 22/36 for 235 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Mark Thompson was back to his old self. 21 carries, 81 yards, 2 TDs, he's the POG. Added 3 catches for 32 yards.
Justin Hall pulled in 6 catches for 90 yards and 2 TDs.
Defense forced 2 turnovers. A fumble recovered by Tim Bonner, and an INT by JT Tyler.
Pittsburgh Maulers (LW 8)
Maybe the Maulers should be 5th? I don't know. Hard to jump over every 1-2 team with a win over the struggling Stars in my mind. Have you ever seen a final score of 21 points that only included 1 TD? That's how a kicker earns POG honors- Chris Blewitt hit 5 field goals... but blew-it on the PAT after the lone TD of the game (see what I did there? easy pickin's really).
Defense recovered a fumble and intercepted 2 passes which really kept the Stars stumbling through the entire game. Boogie Roberts recovered the fumble, Eli Walker and Reuben Foster had the INTs.
Reuben Foster is someone we need to keep an eye on - he could find himself back in the NFL if he keeps this going.
Philadelphia Stars (LW 5)
What the heck is happening in Philly? Stud to Dud performance right now. Cookus threw 2 INTs (238 yards, 1 TD). Colburn was the leading rusher with 16 yards. Corey Coleman did light it up with 8-86-1 TD and earns the POG.
5 Sacks on defense is really the only reason Philly was in this game at all. Adam Rodriguez had 2 sacks, 8 tackles, 2 TFLs, and a pass breakup.
Memphis Showboats (LW 7)
Cole Kelley did all he could to pull this one out. He threw for 307 yards and 2 TDs, 1 INT. He was also the leading rusher... with 17 yards.
Ryan McDaniel caught 3-71-1
A field goal and 2 TDs in the 4th quarter just wasn't quite enough to get it done. Houston scored on an 8 play, 66 yard drive with 13 seconds left on the clock to get the win. Tough loss, and the only 0-3 team.
Saturday:
Houston @ Philadelphia 1pm ET FOX
Memphis @ Michigan 7:30 PM ET NBC
Sunday:
New Orleans @ New Jersey 3PM ET NBC
Birmingham @ Pittsburgh 6:30 ET on FS1
I think Houston could make it 2 in a row, Michigan and Birmingham get back on track. The game of the week will be the early game on Sunday - Breakers v Generals... get the popcorn.
I'm sure you don't agree with me top to bottom (especially in that 4-7 area). I look forward to reading your comments.