For the first time in over two months, the Simulation Football League will begin play this weekend. The SFL’s 16th season kicks off today with 12 matchups, all of which start at 7:00 p.m. EST. The season will include 12 weeks of games followed by the playoffs, which will be set up in bracket-style.
Not only has the SFL grown in support over the past several years, but the league is becoming more competitive. If fans thought the past few seasons were interesting, the league only continues to get better. Here are the key games to watch out for this week:
Denver Nightwings at Sioux Falls Sparrows
In what could be argued as the “Match of the Week,” Denver finished Season 15 with the league’s best record at 11-1 but were knocked out of the playoffs in the semifinals by the eventual champion Baltimore Vultures. Nightwings’ QB Josh Miller will lead the charge against the Sparrows after an impressive Season 15, ranking top five in passing yards, passing touchdowns and QBR.
The Sioux Falls Sparrows are coming off a season in which they lost in the Championship game to Baltimore. They will look to pick up from where they left off last season in hopes that they can make it back to the Championship game.
San Diego Mavericks at Los Angeles Lycans
This game will be a matchup of top picks from the Season 16 Draft. Mavericks fans will be joyed to see SS Mike Ryan, the first overall pick from the draft, make his debut with San Diego after spending time with the Memphis River Runners. Optimus Cline and Connor Weston ranked sixth and seventh, respectively, on the receptions list last season and will be expected to make big contributions this season.
The Los Angeles Lycans will see WR Chris Lee from the Tacoma Grizzlies make his debut with the team after being selected sixth overall in the draft. QB Sully Richardson will be leading the charge for the Lycans, who was Season 15’s leader in passing yards.
Both players are expected to make big impacts on their respected teams and there is a possibility that these two will matchup from time to time during this week’s game.
Arizona Scorpions at Baltimore Vultures
The defending champion Baltimore Vultures will look to kick off Season 16 how they finished Season 15… with a win. Baltimore averaged 31.08 points per game last season and are looking to continue with a strong offense. A standout player on Baltimore’s defense is Giovanni Bolt, who recorded nine interceptions last season along with two forced fumbles, both tied for second best in the league.
As for Arizona, they are looking to rebound from a 5-7 record last season. Their defense allowed the fifth most yards per game (381.2 yards), but they will be getting some help from FS Vernard Smith IV, the 12th overall pick in the Season 16 Draft and a teammate of Mavericks’ SS Ryan.
