RhinoVision - Week #16



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1 Elephants VS. THRAK
The Rhino's Vision:

The SFFL Cross-Dressed Championship

Well, here we are nearing the end of another long season. And this year we have the classic wedding...something old -the Elephants, something new -THRAK, and something blue -the Rough Riders who are sitting at home contemplating their one point loss to the Elephants. Moving on with the wedding analogy, will the Elephants find that "the third time's the charm"? Or will they once again be a bridesmaid? Shall we dance?

Representing the North Division, for the third consecutive year, the 10-4-1 Elephants. With a playoff record of 7-4 (2-0 in 2000) and as a wildcard team...again for the third consecutive year! Will this team not die? Or is it that there is no real competition in the North Division? Will this be the year they reach the top?

Representing the South Division, 11-3 THRAK. With a (weak) playoff record of 2-3 (1-0) and making their first appearance in the Cross-Dressed Championship. This team is currently on a tear with 7 straight wins. Will the bubble burst this week? We shall see. But it is interesting to note that the last time this team lost -and in a big way was in week #7. And to whom was it they suffered this humiliating 98-58 drubbing? Why, to the Elephants of course!

Before we look at the positional matchup breakdown, let us ponder several facts:

  • Coming into week #7 when these team met, the Elephants were averaging 63ppg to THRAK's 72ppg.
  • After that game the Elephants were averaging 68ppg to THRAK's 70ppg.
  • The Elephants lead this series 4-2.
  • Coming into this game, the Elephants are averaging 73ppg to THRAK's 79ppg.
Hmmm...Obviously with a 7 game streak and an increase in points per game, THRAK has gotten better. But relatively speaking the Elephants have also, but to a lesser degree. The Elephants have nothing to lose as they are coming into this game as the underdog and have been in this position many times. They just seem to get it done. Incidentally, the Rhino picked them to win last week, and they did. But they also thumbed their nose at the Rhino by not covering the point spread! Thanks a lot. Does this team have enough to hang one on the surging THRAK?

Here we go...QB: Baaad week for THRAK -McNabb has a bye, Manning@Miami, so we go with the Elephants. RB: Good news/bad news for the Elephants...they get Jamal Anderson back, but he's playing at New Orleans. Not the easiest week for THRAK, but they at least have options in their running game so we give them the nod. WR: Both have solid receiving corps, and the match ups have good things for both. Maybe a slight edge for THRAK as Jimmy Smith is coming off a hot week and headed to Cincinnati. K: The kickers are even, but an edge to the Elephants Jacksonville@Cincinnati matchup.

So that makes it Elephants 2, THRAK 2. The Elephants have the QB and kicker edge, and they need to get it done. If Manning puts up decent numbers THRAK is golden. If he struggles and under performs, it could be the difference maker. I've got to go with the "consistency factor" of THRAK, but an upset by the Elephants is certainly a possibility and would not be too shocking...

The Rhino says...THRAK win by +3.