It is lucky Week 13 in the National Lacrosse League with four games on the menu. The Bandits control the weekend playing a back-to-back. A pair of victories would put Buffalo in a much more comfortable spot atop of the East. Georgia, Toronto, Calgary and San Diego also have a lot on the line when it comes to division positioning as well.
NLL staff members Andy McNamara, Renee Washington, Devan Kaney, and Brian Shanahan deliver their game predictions every week.
Send us your picks @NLL on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook using the specific game hashtags for each match-up below.
2018 Game Picks Standings:
| NAME |
WINS |
LOSSES |
| Devan |
34 |
14 |
| Andy |
27 |
21 |
| Shanny |
27 |
21 |
| Renee |
24 |
24 |
Devan’s in my head with a seven-game lead! Shanny, Renee and I are fighting for second and to keep within striking distance. All the NLL action begins Friday night!
Buffalo Bandits (9-2) at Philadelphia Wings (2-8) – Friday, 8pm ET
Andy
The Bandits have not lost since Jan. 26 as they look like the class of the league right now. Philadelphia is always a tough out as they move to a spoiler role. The Wings only victories have come at home so there’s a chance for an upset, but until Buffalo loses I can’t bet against them.
Pick: BANDITS
Shanny
Pick: BANDITS
Renee
It’s always tough playing a hungry underdog with nothing to lose, but to be a spoiler. It’s also tough to beat a team three times in one season. I’m sure it will be a fight Friday night, as both teams come into this game off a bye and double bye. It’s hard to pick a winner, but I think the Wings drop this game.
Pick: BANDITS
Devan
Both of these teams are going to be playing for something – if the Bandits go 2-0 this weekend, they clinch a playoff berth while Philly needs to start a run to keep their playoff hopes alive. It’s the number one team in the East vs. the last place team. Should be an easy one to pick, right? But the Wings record does not reflect their play, and I think they will pull off a surprise victory at home on Friday night. It’s lucky number Week 13…anything can happen.
Pick: WINGS
Tweet @NLL using #BUFvsPHI
Georgia Swarm (8-4) at Buffalo Bandits (? – ?) – Saturday, 7:30pm ET
Andy
Buffalo returns home for their second match-up in as many nights. The Bandits embarrassed the Swarm in their own building at the beginning of February, dumping them by 10-goals. Georgia will look to return the favor in Banditland and I think the visitors get it done.
Despite some recent inconsistency, the Swarm’s 8-4 record is nothing to sneeze at and I feel they dish out some revenge to break Buffalo’s winning streak.
Pick: SWARM
Shanny
Pick: BANDITS
Renee
This is a tough one to pick – a divisional battle between two of the top teams in the league. We saw the dominant performance the Bandits put up on Georgia last time these two played keeping the Swarm to just nine goals. Off a bye week and a tough game vs. Philly Friday, I think Georgia gets redemption and beats Buffalo.
Pick: SWARM
Devan
I know what I said for Bandits vs. Wings, but I’ve gotta give Buffalo at least one of their games! Given that the Bandits have been so dominant this season, and especially lately, I’m going to take them in this matchup over the Swarm.
Pick: BANDITS
Tweet @NLL using #GAvsBUF
San Diego Seals (5-4) at Colorado Mammoth (3-7) – Saturday, 9pm ET
Andy
San Diego’s expansion season is going very well as a win at Pepsi Center would tie them for top spot in the West with idle Saskatchewan. The Seals first ever game was versus the Mammoth, and resulted in a 17-12 “W” in Colorado – can they strike again or can the home club snap their two game skid?
All signs point to San Diego coming out on top, but I feel the Mammoth are due for some redemption and create a bit of space between themselves and last place Vancouver. However, that was before Colorado traded Ryan Benesch…now I’ll sign up for the Seals.
Pick: SEALS
Shanny
Pick:SEALS
Renee
This divisional matchup is going to be a tough one. We’ve seen how strong the Mammoth can be, especially when their defense is on. I just think the Seals have a little more firepower at this point in the season to get this win.
Pick: SEALS
Devan
Just when I was starting to see something start to click within the Mammoth team, they traded Ryan Benesch. Right now, I’m just not seeing the same level of play from them as I have with the Seals. Without Benesch, I’m not sure Colorado has enough offensive firepower to outscore players like Austin Staats, Casey Jackson, and Kyle Buchanan.
Pick: SEALS
Tweet @NLL using #SDvsCOL
Toronto Rock (7-2) at Calgary Roughnecks (5-6) – Saturday, 9pm ET
Andy
Different divisions, but both these clubs need a win to keep in the race for first.
Fresh off a bye, the Rock look to start a new winning streak in Calgary. Taking care of business at home would pull the Roughnecks within a single game of leading the West. These two teams traditionally play eachother tough and I expect a close battle. Toronto’s offense, and overall play, are clicking on a more consistent basis than the Riggers, which will allow them to take control in the fourth quarter.
Pick: ROCK
Shanny
Pick:ROCK
Renee
Both teams are looking to get back to the top of their division. This game can easily go either way, but I think after losing to the Black Wolves before their bye week, the Rock will get this win.
Pick: ROCK
Devan
The Bandits have been getting a lot of credit for their play lately, but the Rock held onto the number one spot in the East for a while and I think they are a force to be reckoned with this season. Toronto plays a consistently strong game and will be coming off of a bye week. I’m taking the Rock over Roughnecks for this East vs. West matchup.
Pick: ROCK
Tweet @NLL using #TORvsCGY
Andy McNamara has been a play-by-play commentator for the NLL on TSN, NLLTV.com, and world lacrosse tournaments since 2011. He’s also a sport talk host and anchor on TSN 1050 sports radio. Follow Andy on twitter @AndyMc81.
