NTX Unlimited WK2 Preview: Statements, Showdowns & Separation

Week 1 has come and gone. We now have the standings and statistics to back up some of the talk that was happening league-wide and question some teams that had higher expectations than they showed.

NTX Unlimited is finally back, again, after a bye week for a tournament that didn't even happen, cancelled for rain that never showed up. We feel for those directors, mother nature has played this trick many times on us as well, it is an age-old trick that mother nature, for some reason, will not stop playing. Alas, we're back, and we're EAGER to talk about WK2 and what the expectations are, coming off of a STELLAR WK1 by some teams! Let's dive in.

GAME OF THE WEEK

UNLEASHED vs Dipz & Drip

What is the best way for NTX Unlimited to come off of a bye, you ask?

I'll tell you.

Have both teams that guaranteed they wouldn't lose another game this season, play each other.

That is correct! Both Kevin Dickens JR (UNLEASHED), and Brendan Campbell (Dipz & Drip) have been quoted saying that they do not plan on losing another game this season. Jokes on them, we love drama, so we gave it to them.

UNLEASHED VS Dipz & Drip, first game of the day, Field 1.

Dipz & Drip is barely favored by -2.5 points, and I don't think UNLEASHED takes too kindly to that. It should be one for the ages, an NTX Classic if both rosters fully show up.

We're looking for a big day out of 8 Man MVP, Jerell Norton, who is making his season's debut this Saturday. Can he lead Dipz & Drip past UNLEASHED and their smothering defense who only allowed 14 TOTAL points on the day in WK1?

Truly, time will tell, and we'll be here to tell you all about it in our next article!

Whip Up vs The Practice Squad

Searching for Identity

Across the green, while this NTX Classic is playing out, you have Whip Up VS The Practice Squad, two teams who rank near the bottom.

No shame on them, we're still analyzing closely, we want to see TPS take strides. This team managed to only get 2 first downs in WK1, we want to see progress and how they can adjust on the fly.

Whip Up will be missing their starting QB for the second week in a row, we're not really sure their identity otherwise. This is a team who has previously struggled in NTX leagues, again, no shame, just historical data to back up the facts.

This is a good roster though.

I could see Shemar Gyce having a good day, I could see JB having a good day, it all really depends on who's named starter and how they use their weapons.

Their defense has never been that good. They're a team that is going to need to put up points to get the job done and unfortunately weren't able to do that in WK1, even after Shemar Gyce was quoted saying:

"It's time to prove people wrong, we're hitting the season win total over in WK1."

Not a great start, hoping to see a nice recovery in WK2 which shouldn't be an issue as a 7.5 point favorite going into the day!

Player Spotlight

Can Davion Ferguson Keep This Up?

What we're most excited for is seeing how Davion Ferguson follows up an INSANE WK1 performance with:

• 17 REC
• 222 REC YDS
• 5 REC TDs

What a power move by this man, showing up and showing out for his team!

Can we do it again?

He currently leads the league in every major statistical receiving category and now he has to face two of the most potent defenses in the league (UNLEASHED, Dipz & Drip).

We're thinking its a back to earth week here but truly hoping the historic rise continues!

The Rejects

Expectations Rising

The Rejects, our free agent team of the season, what can we say?

We have high hopes here in WK2 for them as Fred McDonald is set to make his season debut at QB and kind of help elevate the roster to a new height.

Week 1 wasn't a disaster, but it wasn't necessarily a tale to tell.

Joey Silva ended up quitting on the team and going over to CLOVR, but that shouldn't matter with a roster full of guys with the capabilities to make plays. You have a slew of individuals that didn't even make it out to WK1 that are ready to make plays with fresh legs.

The odds are telling us they're expected to have a 2-0 week, but let's see how this plays out and if they mesh the way they should.

Expectations are high for Oscar Coronado, as he publicly stated he is:

"coming for the big man title of the league"

One week removed from Davion Ferguson going to league leading statistics in all categories.

He thinks he's the one that can dethrone him, we'll just have to wait and see how he follows that statement up as Fred McDonald is quoted saying:

"You're about to get alot of steps, buddy, be ready!"

SBM Faces the Fire

TMTR & Bless Bros Await

SBM is set to take action against TMTR and Bless Bros this week.

SBM had a tough outing in WK1 and are looking to bounce back. Captain Jett Badger is quoted saying:

"We're looking to play the top teams in the league to show us where we really stand."

They played middle of the pack teams in the first week and got trampled, no shame again, just data to back up the facts.

We're looking to see what they do with their roster additions and if Chango can bounce back at QB after a rough WK1 outing.

They have the guys to do it but play stiff competition in both TMTR and Bless Bros who are out to win and compete at the highest levels.

Cam Whiteside, current leader in Passing YDs, is looking to continue that wave of play but faces the best defense in the league from Bless Bros.

Dennis Van is quoted saying:

"We pull flags, communicate and don't make dumb mistakes, all of the makings of a great defense."

We will have to wait and see how they fair against Bless Bros.

Cam Whiteside has the weapons to have an MVP season!

Sed Copeland with a STAGGERING 36.3 YDs per reception, really popping the top off of opposing defenses! When you have players like that, it's nearly impossible to guard everyone and boy do they have athletes!

I'm very excited to see Bless Bros and SBM and how they plan on adjusting on the fly in both games!

Tha Gang vs Fighting Squirrels

Undefeated Clash

Another game we're excited for on the books is Tha Gang VS Fighting Squirrels, TWO 2-0 teams that came out HOT in WK1!

Alex Aguilera led the way in WK1, and was damn near perfect in the stat book. With a QBR of 158.3, and only 5 incompletions on the day, we're wondering if he can keep up this type of play going into WK2.

Fighting Squirrels are no easy match.

They have the athletes, the experience and the players in the correct positions to make the plays they need to get the dub.

Down 19-0 in their WK1 matchup against Immortals, they made the second half adjustments and skated by with a 21-19 victory!

Rashaun Spivey said:

"As long as we have the guys we need there, we feel we can beat ANYBODY!"

So far, that fairs true and here comes their real test of the season in WK2 against Tha Gang, just to THEN turn around and have to play the second best defense in the league, the CLOVRs.

CLOVR

Contender or Something More?

CLOVR is a really good team, with a really good quarterback and a really good defense.

Even with the down day from some receivers, they still went 2-0. They only allowed 13 points on the day and their receivers STILL somehow managed to average 23+ YDs per reception.

You have to ask yourself:

"What is the limit for this team if they're having a GREAT day?"

We're hoping we find that out!

They matchup against Fighting Squirrels and Tha Gang themselves, it is truly no walk in the park for any of these teams.

We really feel whoever comes out on top this week, it is going to show the true tiers of talent.

The standings after all of these WK2 games will really tell the story of who is a contender and who is a pretender.