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NLL Predictions And Previews – Week 5

Last week, we saw the busiest week of the NLL season with a total of 7 games being played – meaning several teams doubled up their weekend and played two games. There was some movement within the standings as we saw some teams get their first wins while other teams continue to struggle to get a tally in the win column.

COLORADO MAMMOTH Brian Langtry jersey NLL
NLL meets Marvel Comics… love this photo.

Calgary finally got in the win column, as they took down the Mammoth and the Wings.  Two wins for the Roughnecks got them back to .500% and right back in the thick of things in the West Division. We also saw the red-hot Philly squad cool off as they lost back-to-back games this weekend. The Wings now drop to 2-2 on the season, and they are now at the back end of a very competitive Eastern Division.

Toronto Rock like to win… apparently just not by very much, but then again, a win is a win no matter by how much. The Rock come away with two big wins and sit atop the Eastern Division.  Rochester is still looking to solve the puzzle for their first win of the season. The win is coming, it’s just a matter of when it will come, right?

#22 – welcome back!

Minnesota and Washington both ended the weekend 1-1. Coming away .500% on a two-game weekend is always a good thing in this league. The Swarm went down swinging against the Rock, and then got their first win against Washington. Washington struck down Edmonton with great vengeance as payback for week 3. It is still a very open league and with plenty of games left to play, anything can happen.

Let’s get to this week’s picks!

  • Toronto Rock @ Buffalo Bandits

Connor Wilson – Toronto Rock “I like the Rock here, but could see it going the other way. However, if Toronto stays out of the box and the Bandits rack up some penalties, Toronto wins by 4 or more“.

Chris Rosenthall – Toronto Rock “Toronto might be the best team in the league right now, and John Tavares is out with a calf injury. Gotta go Rock

Ryan Connors – Toronto Rock “Very close game to call, but Old Man Time (aka John Tavares) is out with an injury so I’ll lean slightly towards Toronto“.

  • Washington Stealth @ Rochester Knighthawks

Connor Wilson – Rochester Knighthawks… to win? (I think) “I want to pick Washington over Rochester, and I’ve wanted to pick Rochester every time so far. Since Rochester has lost when I thought they would win, I will once again pick them to win, even though I think they will lose. I feel like I’m taking crazy pills”.  

Chris Rosenthall – Rochester Knighthawks “The Knighthawks only lost by a goal last time these two played, so I like their odds. There’s some quality talent on this roster and I’m just waiting for it to click. But seriously – listen up, Knighthawks: Lose this game and I’m not picking you again until you win, you hear me? You’re embarrassing me in front of company”.

Ryan Connors – Rochester Knighthawks “There is a great Kenny Powers line I would like to quote here for my feelings towards the Knighthawks, but it’s too inappropriate for the World Wide Web.  Rochester lost by one last time, but this time they have #22 playing – different story“.

  • Minnesota Swarm @ Colorado Mammoth

Connor Wilson – Minnesota Swarm “Minnesota is improving, Colorado still plays like a team of individuals sometimes“.

Chris Rosenthall – Colorado Mammoth “The Ravens were stinking up the joint, so they fired their offensive coordinator, and just like that, they’re headed to the Super Bowl. The Niners put in a rookie QB, never gave the old one his job back, and boom, Super Bowl bound. The Mammoth just released their goalie, so… the defense gets turned around and the Mammoth become the team to beat? Sometimes you need a big change. Besides, it can’t hurt; that game last weekend was a disaster“.

Ryan Connors – Colorado Mammoth “Lots of veterans on the Mammoth team that hate losing.  I think the team rallies around the vets and a new net-minder to get the win“.

  • Calgary Roughnecks @ Edmonton Rush

Connor Wilson – Edmonton Rush “I like the Rush’s new look offense. They have good balance, and right now that’s enough for me”.

Chris Rosenthall – Edmonton Rush “As long as they can win a decent amount of faceoffs (Geoff Snider won 43 of 55 last weekend), and their offense doesn’t leave Mark Matthews hanging, I like Edmonton’s chances in this one“.

Ryan Connors – Calgary Roughnecks “When Calgary gets rolling they are a tough team to beat.  Don’t expect them to take a step back after getting two big wins last weekend“.

Running Tally:

As the weeks go by I have slowly started to make the font for our running tally smaller and smaller because I am so embarrassed…

Connor Wilson (6-11)
Chris Rosenthall (4-13)
Ryan Connors (5-12)

I feel like Dean Wormer reading the Delta’s from Animal House their grades when I post Running Tally. “Daniel Simpson Day… has no grade point average, all courses incomplete“.

Don’t worry guys I promise we’ll turn it around.  Let me know your picks of the week @connors36!