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NLL Previews And Predictions: Week 14

As it is in the NLL, one week can change the whole dynamic of the season – this was very evident for several teams this past weekend.

The Philadelphia Wings lost both of their games this weekend and now fall 5-7 on the season.  Two weeks ago, the Wings were on the better side of .500 and now they have some work to do in order to get back there.

The Toronto Rock split games this weekend – The Rock handily beat the Bandits 18-11 and then dropped a much closer game to the Rochester Knighthawks 12-8.  The loss drops the Bandits down to last place in the East Division.

Rochester managed to jump into second place in the East Division and now have an overall record of 5-6.  The Knighthawks are slowly getting themselves in position to make a great playoff run again.

The Minnesota Swarm put up 20 goals as they defeated the Wings.  Minnesota is now 5-7 on the season, 2.5 games back but more importantly the Swarm have moved out of last place in the West.  A small step, but a step in the right direction nonetheless.

The Colorado Mammoth built up a huge first-half lead against the Wings and managed to ride out the storm and win with a score of 10-9.  I give Philly a ton of credit because they managed to battle back and held Colorado scoreless in the 2nd half.  Colorado is now 3 games back and is in last place in the West Division – a place that you do not want to be at the end of the season.

Calgary and Washington had another great match-up last weekend – Calgary manged to come out on top 13-11.  The Riggers mounted a 7-point 4th quarter to steal the win out of the hands of the Stealth.  Calgary now sits 8-5 and tied for first place in the West with the Rush, who are also 8-5.  Washington is 1 game back and is knocking on the door of Calgary and Edmonton.

There are 6 games this weekend so I’d imagine the NLL division standing are going to be doing the old Kansas City Shuffle, meaning a lot of movement.

  • Philadelphia Wings @ Rochester Knighthawks

Connor Wilson – Philadelphia Wings – “Ryan is breathing down my neck in the overall picking race, and I’m getting desperate. I’ll take Philly on the road even though I like Roch to win. It’s always opposite day with Rochester“.

Chris Rosenthall – Rochester Knighthawks “Big win last weekend for the Knighthawks; I think they’ll carry that momentum into Friday’s game“.

Ryan Connors – Rochester Knighthawks “It is never easy when choosing game like these, but Knighthawks have the best goalie in the league – that is enough to win“.

  • Buffalo Bandits @ Minnesota Swarm

Connor Wilson – Minnesota Swarm “This is when Minnesota starts winning game after game, and where Mitch Belisle and the Swarm make me look like a genius“.

Chris Rosenthall – Minnesota Swarm “Minnesota’s looked much better lately than they did early in the season; It’s about time I stop picking against them every week“.

Ryan Connors – Minnesota Swarm “The Swarm are beginning to fire on all cylinders.  They can be very dangerous in the playoffs“.

  • Colorado Mammoth @ Edmonton Rush

Connor Wilson – Colorado Mammoth “I like Edmonton, but they are quickly becoming my new Rochester, doing the opposite of what I pick them to do. Since I like them to win, I’m picking Colorado“.

Chris Rosenthall – Edmonton Rush “Zero second-half goals last week makes me nervous about picking the Mammoth this week, especially the way Edmonton’s been playing“.

Ryan Connors – Edmonton Rush “Edmonton is a very good team.  Colorado has been playing better, but they aren’t on the level of the Rush just yet“.

  • Washington Stealth @ Calgary Roughnecks

Connor Wilson – Calgary Roughnecks “I went 5 for 5 last week with my picks, and got this one right. I’m sticking with my guns here. Calgary wins“.

Chris Rosenthall – Calgary Roughnecks “I like the Roughnecks if they can keep their guys out of the box this time“.

Ryan Connors – Calgary Roughnecks “I picked the Stealth is this last much and it burned me bad, so I’ll switch it up this time“.

  • Rochester Knighthawks @ Toronto Rock

Connor Wilson – Rochester Knighthawks “I REALLY like Toronto to win here, so much so that I almost broke with my Rochester methodology… but I won’t. Rochester wins a shocker“.

Chris Rosenthall – Toronto Rock “Knighthawks on no rest vs. Rock in Toronto with a week’s rest? I’m going with the Rock“.

Ryan Connors – Toronto Rock “Rochester is another one of those teams that is finally starting to play a little bit better.  Once again not on the level of the Rock yet“.

  • Minnesota Swarm @ Philadelphia Wings

Connor Wilson – Philadelphia Wings “I do like Minnesota, but I’m picking Philly for my final game. It’s home for the Wings, and they need the win. So does Minnesota, but I’m taking my chances with the Americans here“.

Chris Rosenthall – Philadelphia Wings “I don’t love this pick, especially since the Wings completely collapsed last week against the Swarm. Maybe I’m giving the Wings too much (or the Swarm too little) credit, we’ll see“.

Ryan Connors – Minnesota Swarm “Minny on the road against a good Wings squad is a tough tough pick.  I’m really rolling the dice on this one, but hey! I’m a gambling man“.

Correct Picks Running Tally:

Connor Wilson (28-29)
Chris Rosenthall (25-32)
Ryan Connors (25-32)

Connor Wilson is so close to getting to .500 – have to give him a lot of credit.  With the way the NLL has been this year, anything above .500 this season is amazing.  Hopefully we will all break the .500 level at one point in this season.

Follow me on twitter at @connors36 for more lacrosse talk.