We follow the 2-1 week with a 3-0 sweep! The lines have tightened up, as they do by every week 3, but there's a ton of betting value this week. First, a recap of the week that was:
The wind played a big part in the first game as the Stingers went into Tucson and took care of business. We saw some terribly inefficient passing from both teams but one team had a ground game and the other team didn't.
Kansas City won and covered wild one in Seattle where there were 4 missed PATs and 6 forced fumbles. The Spartans put up some numbers but weren't really ever in the game. I'm looking forward to betting against this team.
Fargo bounced back nicely as the defensive front brought pressure and kept QB Ortiz from making plays. The Atlantic division is wide open but the Bulldogs have work to do to get back in the race.

On to this week's games:
Detroit (-1) at Hartford - The Vampires were a favorite to make a repeat appearance in the postseason and although it was touch and go, they're 2-0. QB DiCosomo appears to be much more comfortable behind an offensive line that has enjoyed rare stability. Rookie sensation TE Coleman has been the primary beneficiary but the backfield has been putting in work too. The jury is out on the adjustments to the defense-- they're allowing a bit too much on the ground-- but points allowed isn't getting out of hand. They should match well against any team on their schedule but execution needs to be tight.

Hartford was another team expected to make a deep run. Early struggles against ACI and SCU don't bode well for the future though. Changes to the offensive line could be the culprit-- LT Dunn coming in has moved some pieces around-- but the top 10 defense of 2062 doesn't look so hot in 2063. Most of the pieces are still there but this rookie DT Cecava is missing gap assignments and whiffing tackles and looks a bit out of place at the professional level. The leadership and talent should right the ship in the coming weeks.

Detroit coming in as a slight favorite makes sense but Hartford has an excellent shot at winning this week. They run bigger corners that match up nicely with Detroit's WRs Von Wyss and Rushing and LB Bartrum in the middle presents an obstacle TE Coleman hasn't had to deal with yet. If they can't stop the run, however, the Vampires will choke them right out of the game. Detroit hasn't covered yet and if the line is -1 it probably means they just lose. Hartford wins a tight one: 27-24.

Santa Cruz at Alaska (-2) - Alaska escaped Ohio with a win last week but miscues and missed opportunities almost cost them against a weaker opponent. The Sentries did a great job of bottling last season's OROY RB Harden and forced QB Marischen to make plays... to limited effect. OHI's pass rush bothered the veteran and LB Fallang was everywhere breaking up the few good throws he made. If not for the two turnovers, OHI could well have pulled it out. RB Harden is off to a slow start but the secondary stepped up to keep early leads safe. They look to be a complete team with limited turnover in the offseason but the top talent continues to age and the window for contending is getting tight.

Santa Cruz also jumped out to an early lead last week and managed to hold on. The second half was pretty ugly-- WR Sanderson left the game in the first quarter with a groin injury after posting 2 catches for 75 yards. Rookie WR Compton will certainly see a lot more looks than he anticipated but perhaps the way forward is a heavier lean on RBs May and Morton. They are averaging 5.65 yards through two weeks and were instrumental in SCU's 2062 campaign.

The Kodiaks are my lean this week. The last time SCU beat them was back in 2055 and they won't have their star receiver. Two points should be an easy cover though SCU aren't pushovers by any means. Performance on the ground will determine the outcome of this game: ALA's RB Harden propels the team to a win 24-17.

Philadelphia at Death Valley (-1) - The Generals pulled out a nice win at home last week against the Bombers but QB Sullivan's struggles continued against two very good defensive units. He's thrown two picks to just one TD and is decidedly less efficient when looking downfield. This week's get-right game against a mediocre DVY front could be the cure, but TE McKenzie's lack of production is concerning. He's been an absolute menace each year since he was drafted in 2058 but has just 26 yards and 5 catches on 14 targets! GM landshark44 and OC Batteson need to figure something out quick because this is looking like one of the toughest divisions in the CFL.

I've never been high on Death Valley's QB Buckley and this rather poor start isn't helping his case. RB Donaldson commands so much attention from opposing defenses that QB Buckley should be able to capitalize but he just can't make good decisions. Last week he got sacked 5 times staring at his primary read. Check it down, man! Teams are stacking the box so RB Donaldson's finding limited success which means it's up to Jaylen to move the ball. Unfortunately he's shown year after year that he just can't do it.

DVY's lack of talent at the safety and linebacker positions will be exposed by PHI if this front four can't get home. TE McKenzie typically feasts on units like this-- he picked up 87 yards on 6 catches with 2 TDs when they played on week 13 in 2062. The Generals are going to be shifting their OL around with injuries and they've had weaknesses of their own on the defensive front but I can't imagine this DVY team taking advantage. PHI wins this one off the back of some silly QB Buckley mistakes: 30-21.

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GL Division Champions: 2057, 2059, 2065
EFC Champions: 2057

i like it, Z.... death valley always tough game for us....

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Philadelphia Generals [2057-
NC East 2061 2069