IX: Week One Results

The first week of Larkspur Bowl IX has concluded, and we saw a wide range of scores in team's debuts, ranging from Pawnee's 249 point explosion (best in franchises history, seventh best all time) down to Savannah's lackluster 107 point effort. Overall scoring seemed to be depressed- besides the Pride, no team eclipsed 200 points, while only six managed 170 or more- traditionally the benchmark for a competitive week. Is this a new trend of parity, or merely a one week blip, attributable to muted mini camps and a lack of coherency? Time will tell!

We saw some major injuries occur, notably South Philly RB David Johnson (dislocated wrist, out 8-12 weeks) and SS Jonathan Cyprien (out a few weeks, hamstring), South Park WR Allen Robinson and SS Eric Berry (both lost for the year) and Manitoba lottery pick Kevin White (out for the year yet again) being some of the most noteworthy early casualties. New York's top pick WR Odell Beckham ended up missing week one with a high ankle sprain, as did Mar-A-Lago QB Andrew Luck who does not yet have a distinct time table set.

SCOREBOARD

Week 1 Matchups

• Phoenix Uprising153.95OAKWOOD DRIVER161.88
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• HoChiMinhLeadFarmers195.70Mar-a-Lago Grabbers170.44
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• Pawnee Pride249.14Binghamton Snipers183.14
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• Hill Valley McFlys179.86South Park Cows165.77
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• Deputy Van Halens167.63South Philly Rum Ham140.80
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• Savannah Petes107.93New York's Finest156.77
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• Manitoba Moosecrew180.43Les Tres Petites157.72
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POWER OUTPUT

1.  PAW 249: The monster outing started with the arrival of Kareem Hunt, who notch 51 point in his debut, and ended with Stefon Diggs scoring 26 and Melvin Gordon 19+.
2.  HCM 195: This was HCM's first time winning their first tilt since 2013, when they beat Pawnee to start the year. Tyreek Hill returns to lead a dynamic offense.
3.  BIN 183: The LB's newest franchise availed themselves well in their first showing, but came out as hard luck losers. Now they face the defending champs in week two.
4.  MMC 180: It was the younger Watt that carried the defense, while the elder Watt carries the philanthropic burden. Deep bench affords the team some RB options.
5.  HVM 179: The champs start with a win despite two marquee names going on surprise hurricane bye week. Now they should have Jameis and Ajayi for the duration.
6.  MAL 170: A good offensive effort was spoiled by some lackluster linebacker play and a goose egg from tight end Hunter Henry. The depth at talent positions suggest better days ahead.
7.  DVH 167: The Van Halens need to address a bunch of holes on defense but their offense showed that it is legitimate from top to bottom, a good start and statement.
8.  SPC 165: The Cow receiving corps loses Robinson early, but Cooper Kupp should slot in nicely. They will still need more reinforcements ASAP if they want to contend. 
9.  OAK 161: A win! This is the first time the franchise has ever started 1-0, and it was by the skin of their teeth, on the back of a three TD performance from Mike Gillislee.
10.  LTP 157: Played with two men on bye in week one... and had a replacement for one on their bench. If that lack of attention to detail continues, it will be a long, bad season up north.
11.  NYF 156: Low score winners of the week, New York banks a W with only two offensive players breaking double digits: Todd Gurley and Big Ben. They will need more going forward.
12.  PHX 153: If the Uprising put no one behind center for week one, they'd have ended up being 1-0 to start the season. Instead they put Andy Dalton at the wheel and he scored negative ten.
13.  RUM 140: The David Johnson injury cripples a team that was built around him. Expectations are lowered for a team that has already missed the playoffs four years in a row.
14.  SAV 107: The Petes are banking on rookies McCaffrey and Mixon breaking out sooner rather than later. They'll need Eli to right the ship fast to have some leeway for patience.

TEAM OF THE WEEK: