Snatchers Upset Grip N Rip; F.O.E. Stifle Laval’s Finest

Football is a game of inches. One play here or there can really shift momentum in your team’s favour or in the other team’s favour. Turnovers are obviously huge plays in a game but how the stuff that doesn’t show up on the stat sheet. A missed throw to a wide-open receiver, a missed snap, a dropped ball, a blown coverage, a missed tackle…these are all things that can drastically alter a game’s landscape just as much as a turnover can. That is why every play is so vital to a team’s fate. Especially in division 3 and up, where every team has the talent to compete and win on any given week, one mistake could very well be the difference in the game.

Every week, we get to see that it’s usually the team that makes the least mistakes that wins. We also know that some teams are known for their defense, some teams are known for their offense, and some teams are known for being well-balanced. What is more important come playoff time? Personally, I believe that you NEED to have a balanced team to win a championship in this league because no matter how successful you might be in the regular season, the playoffs are a whole different beast.

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RECAPS

Undefeated No More: Victory Snatched From Grip N Rip

Snatchers 33 (1-1-1)

Grip N Rip 24 (2-1) BOX SCORE

Simon Dagenais and his Snatchers have put together two good games in a row, this time upsetting the heavily favoured Grip N Rip to move to 1-1-1 on the season. Up 14-6, the Snatchers got the ball back with 5 plays before the half. Dagenais hit Georges Élie-Voyer on a slant out and he did the rest taking it 40 yards to the house thanks to a few missed tackles from the GnR defense. Desperate to score before the half, Sean Avraam took his team to the Snatchers’ 15-yard line with one play left before the half but was picked off on the last play by Alexis Gaumont who ran it all the way back for six and a 26-6 Snatchers halftime lead. Instead of being down one score, GnR headed to the sidelines down three scores. Once again looking for a spark, the team turned to Vinny Gualano to play hero once again. Unfortunately, the hole was simply too deep to crawl out of as the Snatchers hung on for the victory.

GnR look to rebound next week against the Dirty Dawgs as the Snatchers look to build on their momentum against the winless Westpark Boys.

F.O.E.’s Defense Too Much For Laval’s Finest

F.O.E. 20 (3-0)

Laval’s Finest 12 (2-1) BOX SCORE

While I was watching this game, two things really stood out. Firstly, F.O.E. plays a disciplined, aggressive defense that kept Rod Mashtoub’s offense in check all night and picked him off twice. Secondly, Laval’s Finest’s rusher Simon Laporte, a division 6 call-up, was absolutely dominant. He finished with four sacks and pressured Kevin Lubin all night. Down 13-6 with a few plays remaining in the half, Mashtoub launched a deep pass in the middle off the field that Jordan McLaren out-jumped Travis Moses for and somehow came down with at the 1-yard line. However, F.O.E.’s defense bent but didn’t break as they held Laval’s Finest out of the end zone on the last play to head into halftime leading by a score. Both offenses struggled to move the ball in the second half with both teams exchanging a touchdown apiece. Down by 8, Laval’s Finest couldn’t get it done and turned it over to F.O.E., who were able to get a couple of first downs to milk away the game’s final moments. And just like that, F.O.E. improved to 3-0 with a hard-fought victory while knocking Laval’s Finest out of the ranks of the unbeaten.

F.O.E. put their undefeated record on the line as they face a streaking B.D. Bandits team while Laval’s Finest take on the Triple Sixers.

Jumping Back Down to Earth

Les Eudistes 30 (1-2)

Jumpmans 21 (2-1) BOX SCORE

After the first two weeks, Jumpmans was the early surprise of the season jumping out to a 2-0 start behind a strong showing from pivot Shawn McGrath and a defense that allowed less than 20 points in both games. However, Les Eudistes came into this game hungry for their first win and got it, picking off McGrath three times in the process. Raphael Casey had a huge game for Les Eudistes hauling in 9 passes for 94 yards and 3 touchdowns and also finishing with an interception on defense. After starting the season 0-2 losing to two great teams, Les Eudistes will look to build on their first win against the undefeated Ball Busters while Jumpmans will look to show that this was just a blip on the radar rather than a sign of things to come. They face off against Two and a Half Dans in week 4.

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FanDuel Weekly Fantasy:

Points will be awarded as follows…

QB’s:

1 point per 10 yards passing
3 points per passing TD
1 point per 5 yards rushing
5 points per rushing TD
-2 points per interception
-1 point per sack

WR’s:

1 point per 5 yards
5 points per TD

Defense:

1 point per 3 tackles
1 point per 2 PD’s
2 points per sack
3 points per INT
5 points per pick-six
10 points for allowing 10 points or less
8 points for allowing 11-20 points
6 points for allowing 21-30 points
4 points for allowing 31-40 points
2 points for allowing 41-50 points
1 point for allowing 51 + points

My Week 3 Lineup Results:

QB – Pascal Murray, Wolfpack (vs. Dirty Dawgs) 309 yards, 8 TD, 0 INT

= 54.9 points

Snapper – Anthony Da Silva, Grip N Rip (vs. Snatchers) 10 rec, 82 yards, 1 TD

= 21.4 points

WR1 – Jean-Daniel Chevalier, Wolfpack (vs. Past Our Prime) 7 rec, 125 yards, 1 TD

= 30 points

WR2 – Francis Lapointe, Wolpack (vs. Dirty Dawgs) 7 rec, 101 yards, 5 TD

= 45.2 points

WR3 – Alex Pilon, 2HD (vs. Mercenaries) *DID NOT PLAY*

WR4 – Joey Vizzi, Jumpmans (vs. Les Eudistes) 5 rec, 54 yards

= 10.8 points

Defense – Killer Instinct (vs. Les Buddays) 11 TKL, 8 PD, 2 INT, 1 TD

= 24.66 points

TOTAL: 186.96 points

My Week 4 Lineup:

QB – Frederic Morisette, Dark Moose Returns (vs. Past Our Prime)

Snapper – Anthony Da Silva, Grip N Rip (vs. Dirty Dawgs)

WR1 – Jean-Daniel Chevalier, Wolfpack (vs. Fun Boys)

WR2 – Francis Lapointe, Wolpack (vs. Fun Boys)

WR3 – Justin Blanchard (vs. Past Our Prime)

WR4 – Quaysie Gordon-Maule, The Brotherhood (vs. Metamayhem)

Defense – Snatchers (vs. Westpark Boys)

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Survivor Pool Week 4 Picks:

Everyone moves on as Killer Instinct, Wolfpack and Predators all won close ones. The FPF experts are trusting three teams this week as Killer Instinct (2 votes), Dark Moose Returns (2 votes) and Grip N Rip (2 votes) get the call.

*Not permitted to pick team we play on

*Once you pick a team, you cannot pick them again

James Floreani: Dark Moose Returns

Paolo Della Rocca: Killer Instinct

G.M. Kolethras: Grip N Rip

Vince Nardone: Grip N Rip

Simon Dagenais: Dark Moose Returns

Justin Blanchard: Killer Instinct

David Della Rocca: Eliminated

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Week 4 Game Predictions

James’ lock of the week: Dark Moose Returns

Past Our Prime got blown out again last week against Ball Busters. Dark Moose Returns got blown out by Fun Boys. Dark Moose is more talented than Past Our Prime and owns a top defense. Dark Moose takes out their anger on POP and pick off O’Brien a few times en route to a 3-1 record.

Prediction: Dark Moose Returns 34, Past Our Prime 20

Lock of the Week Record: 3-0

Game of the Week: Wolfpack vs. Fun Boys

This is my game of the week in division 3. Wolfpack have scored at will so far this season. However, they have not faced a team even remotely close to the Fun Boys’ caliber yet. The Fun Boys on the other hand have faced Grip N Rip and Dark Moose Returns so they are battle-tested. It should be fun to see how Wolfpack’s offense matches up to the Fun Boys defense.

Key Matchups:

Pascal Murray vs. Gabe D’Amico-Mazza– Can D’Amico-Mazza put some pressure on Murray? If he can’t disrupt the timing a bit, it could put too much pressure on the back end of the Fun Boys’ defense.

J.D. Chevalier and Francis Lapointe vs. Fun Boys’ Defensive Backs – These two receivers have put up incredible numbers and have been absolutely explosive in the process. Can Nardone, Mahoney and Cutler slow them down?

Liam Mahoney vs. Wolfpack Defense– The Wolfpack defense showed huge holes and vulnerability on defense last week to the Dirty Dawgs. Can Mahoney exploit the same holes?

Prediction: I think the Fun Boys will be able to slow down the Wolfpack offense just enough and edge out a close win.

Fun Boys 33, Wolfpack 32

Matchups	James’ Picks ATS	Peeze’s Picks ATS	James’ Picks Straight Up	Peeze’s Picks Straight Up
Ball Busters (-5.5) vs. Les Eudistes	Les Eudistes	Les Eudistes	Les Eudistes	Ball Busters
Grip N Rip (-3.5) vs. Dirty Dawgs	Grip N Rip	Dirty Dawgs	Grip N Rip	Dirty Dawgs
Game Changers(-0.5) vs. Mercenaries	Mercenaries	Game Changers	Mercenaries	Game Changers
Wolfpack (-1.5) vs. Fun Boys	Fun Boys	Fun Boys	Fun Boys	Fun Boys
OTF (-11.5) vs. La Sauce	La Sauce	La Sauce	OTF	OTF
Triple Sixers (-1.5) vs. Laval’s Finest	Triple Sixers	Triple Sixers	Triple Sixers	Triple Sixers
The Brotherhood (-6.5) vs. Metamayhem	The Brotherhood	Metamayhem	The Brotherhood	The Brotherhood
Mongoose (-3.5) vs. Les Buddays	Mongoose	Les Buddays	Mongoose	Les Buddays
Jumpmans (-1.5) vs. Two and a Half Dans	Jumpmans	Jumpmans	Jumpmans	Jumpmans
Dark Moose Returns (-14.5) vs. Past Our Prime	Past Our Prime	N/A	Dark Moose Returns	N/A
Killer Instinct (-6.5) vs. Nuggets	Killer Instinct	Nuggets	Killer Instinct	Killer Instinct
Predators (-2.5) vs. Sea Assassins	N/A	Sea Assassins	N/A	Sea Assassins
F.O.E. (-5.5) vs. B.D. Bandits	F.O.E.	B.D. Bandits	F.O.E.	F.O.E.
Snatchers (-6.5) vs. Westpark Boys	Snatchers	Snatchers	Snatchers	Snatchers
Previous Week	8-5	8-5	9-4	8-5
SEASON TOTALS	23-16	23-16	25-13-1	23-15-1

Power Rankings:

The Brotherhood (3-0) – They crushed the Chaoul-less Triple Sixers 32-12. Do I think his presence would have made a difference? No. (Last Week: 1)

Fun Boys (2-1) – They absolutely dominated Dark Moose Returns giving Fred Morissette headaches. Vince Nardone returned a pick for a touchdown and Liam Mahoney had a strong outing. (Last Week: 5)

Dark Moose Returns (2-1) – It was not their night vs. the Fun Boys. They got outclassed on the field and looked like anything but a top-ranked team. However, this is a top team and they will rebound from their deciding loss. (Last Week: 2)

Wolfpack (3-0) – They barely escaped with a W vs. the Dirty Dawgs. They don’t move up because even though the offense was explosive, let’s not forget that they gave up 54 points to a division 4 quarterback. That’s concerning. (Last Week: 4)

F.O.E. (3-0) – I’m a man of my word and this team has earned their way on here. Their defense is for real and they have an opportunistic offense that can hurt you deep. Call me a believer. If Travis Moses misses some time, that will hurt this team. (Last Week: N/A)

Predators (2-1) – The offense was a lot better against the Nuggets but the defense struggled big time in the second half giving up 270 yards passing in total. That needs to be fixed. (Last Week: 6)

Killer Instinct (2-1) – A closer than anticipated victory vs. Les Buddays but they get another big W. With the help of a pick six, they scored more than 30 points for the second week in a row and that is a great sign for this team. (Last Week: 9)

Triple Sixers (2-1) – Plain and simple, they got dominated by The Brotherhood. However, Karim Chaoul was not there. What to take from this? I’m not too sure at this point. (Last Week: 5)

Sea Assassins (2-1) – The offense was lethal vs. Metamayhem. Lazzara was pretty much flawless and his receivers were explosive with three of them gaining over 80 yards. Now comes the much-anticipated rematch with the Predators. (Last Week: N/A)

Ball Busters (3-0) – They’ve had an easy schedule thus far but have taken care of business convincingly in each one of those games so I have to give them credit here. Tough game vs. Les Eudistes this week. (Last Week: N/A)

Just missed the cut….

Grip ‘N’ Rip (2-1) – Extremely disappointing loss for this team and a big drop to go along with it. The offense once again woke up when Gualano was behind center but it was too late.

Laval’s Finest (2-1) – Simon Laporte. I’m sure we’ll be hearing that name more often. What a showing from him in a losing effort. A Rod Mashtoub-led offense being held to 12 points is an anomaly. I like this team but Mashtoub needs to be better than he was on Sunday night.

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Things We Learned

C’mon Man! of the week: Mercenaries… It’s not a secret anymore. There is a cap in FPF. You must stay under the cap for your division. It is your responsibility as a team to make sure that if you bring in a sub for a game, you are still under said cap. The Mercenaries didn’t do that and it cost them a victory vs. Two and Half Dans, one they may not have had without that sub..but still.. C’MON MAN!!!

This week, we saw two insane shootouts that ended 55-54 (Wolfpack vs. Dirty Dawgs) and 51-42 (Sea Assassins vs. Metamayhem) respectively. Their defenses just simply have to be better than that or the regular season success won’t mean much come playoff time.

How about Sammy Feder subbing for Ryan Lelinowski and tossing 8 touchdowns for a perfect 158.3 passer rating! He almost led the Dirty Dawgs to a huge upset over Wolfpack.

11: Combined touchdowns between Dave Chitayat and Francis Lapointe in Wolfpack’s 55-54 victory over the Dirty Dawgs.

654: Combined yards thrown by Daniel Lazzara and Alex Holowach in the Sea Assassins 51-42 victory over Metamayhem.

You knew it was only a matter of time but Sea Assassins top weapon Zack Jauniaux finally woke up and hauled in 6 passes for 93 yards and a touchdown, almost doubling his yardage total from the first two weeks. Alex Blanchet was also huge with 4 touchdown grabs.

Pascal Murray is an early favourite for quarterback of the year with 22 touchdowns and only 1 interception. Granted he has not faced any good defenses as of yet, but if he can keep up this torrid pace the next few games against Fun Boys and The Brotherhood, he’ll have that award wrapped up by week 6.

Are Past Our Prime ACTUALLY past their prime?

La Sauce got blown out once again this past week without their quarterback. But don’t blame that on Louis-Philip Thibodeau and Hendrick Ambroise, who have combined for 7 interceptions this season.

Francois Raymond is supposed to be back this week! That is music the ears of his La Sauce teammates.

I love you Anthony Da Silva. Consistency man, consistency!

Best of luck to all teams for week 4! If you want to reach me for any inquiries or to disagree with me, feel free to hit me up at [email protected] or DM me @JFloMusicMTL on Twitter.