Week 6 Rundown: Back to the grind
So, this means two things. First, nine teams were on a bye last week so many are chomping at the bit to get back out on the field. Second, your Commissioner jacked up his back this week so it hasn't been comfortable prepping for Week 6. With a full 11-game slate back on the table for this week, it's easy to get lost in the minutia of mid-season storylines. Here's the six most interesting things to keep an eye on this weekend:
Unsuspecting win streaks
The Carolina Skyhawks started 0-3 and Minnesota dropped their first game of the season. Since then, neither one of them have lost and both win streaks will be on display Saturday at 6:30 pm ET. Carolina's secret sauce has been on third down. Not only are the Skyhawks converting 63% of third downs, but they've had to convert the most third downs per game - 9 - on the second most attempts - 14. They're also forcing opponents into the most third downs per game on average - 9.2. Minnesota has used a balanced passing attack that ranks 2nd in the SFL (274.3 YPG) getting three different receivers into the top 30 in yards, all within 30 yards of each other. This one is not one to miss even if it didn't make any headlines when the schedule initially came out.
Rivalry Renewed
The Baltimore Vultures sit at 1-3 and with the Canton Classics 4-0 in their division, the Vultures can't afford to fall too much further behind. They'll be traveling to Mexico City, riding a 45-point high - their best offensive performance of the season. These two teams have met four times in the playoffs, 12 times all-time. This will be their first meeting in the 4K23 era. If Baltimore were to lose, it would be the most losses the team has suffered since Season 16, the season before their 4-peat began. If the Aztecs win, they'll equal last season's dismal 3-9 win total. This one means a lot to both teams and kicks off at 9:15 pm ET on Saturday.
Stopping the skid, getting revenge?
The Alamo City Artillery are trying to put the pieces back together again. Three straight losses by five points or less and here come the champion Florida Storm into their house. It's the first of four straight on the road for Florida that includes ACA, Arizona, Vancouver and Atlanta - the latter three at or above .500 right now. This is also a rematch of the Season 21 Semifinal game that saw Bullet Biletsky put the team on his back and carried Florida to a title. Alamo City wasn't pleased with that game and this season won't be the same show. The Storm grind you down - they average the most red zone trips (5) and touchdowns (4) per game, but has been helped by the second best average field position (37.8). If the Artillery don't make it easy on Florida's offense, they'll have a shot to seek revenge 6:30 pm ET, Sunday.
Get Boo his milestones
Kicking off the week 8:00 pm ET Friday, Tulsa is trying to avoid losing its third straight and Atlanta can beat their win total from last season - four of the Swarm's first five games have been decided by 10 points or less and four of their first five have been on the road. Their one home game? Won by 29. Atlanta's the favorite, but the beef here is with the Hive's attention to Boo Chisholm. This man is still five receptions away from 1,000 and a touchdown away from 100 for his career. The Hall-of-Famer this season has five catches in six games. MVP candidate Gabriel Manning is in this game but if Atlanta wants to overshadow him, Chisholm's gotta get his. I don't want to be here two weeks from now after Atlanta's bye still talking about him being just that close.
Polar Opposites
Seattle is 4th in the league averaging 36 pass plays per game. Louisiana is 3rd in the league averaging 36 rushing plays per game. Reigning Offensive Rookie of the Season Ty Ptak is flash and fury. The Revolution are steady on the grind. The Revs won the only meeting between the two back in Season 20 in Seattle and they'll be trying to go into the Nemisphere again to try and improve the franchise's all-time record to .500 (70-71) Saturday at 9:00 pm ET. One similarity? Both team's tight ends lead the offenses in receptions and touchdowns - John-Michael Suddeth for Louisiana has 15 and Pauly Truth for Seattle has 23 - 12th in the league amongst all pass-catchers.
Can Canton be stopped?
Each week, the pressure is on coaches to figure out this season's juggernaut - the Canton Classics who have built a dominant team on and off the field. Canton has won its first four games by an average of 25 points and are on pace for a +300 point differential by the end of the season, which would obliterate the league record. D.C. is coming off a humbling loss on the road in Fort Worth, heading to Fatherhood Festival Field where the Classics have gone 9-0 over the last two seasons. Where's the weakness? Maybe its keeping Canton's offense off the field. Right now, the Classics only allow opponent offenses 45 plays per game - fewest in the league - because teams aren't able to move the ball. Figure out how to control the clock against Canton and maybe the game takes a turn. For now, resistance seems futile.