This article is part of our DraftKings Call of Duty series.
Games (EDT)
- 4:00 p.m. Atlanta FaZe vs. Chicago Huntsmen
- 5:30 p.m. Toronto Ultra vs. New York Subliners
ATL (23-5) vs. CHI (19-6)
We finally have it. It's been nearly seven months since the start of the Call of Duty World League, but we'll finally see the first match between Atlanta and Chicago, two of the premier franchises in the Call of Duty World League, and arguably two of the most well known post-franchise brands in all of first-person shooter games at the moment.
It took a surprising FaZe upset loss to the Ultra on Saturday to set the stage for this matchup between the goliaths, as the Canadian unit finally did what others couldn't do before them and secured a Game 5 victory. Early rotations in the Round 4 Hardpoint on Gun Runner helped set the stage for Toronto stealing the pivotal respawn, but it was FaZe's lackadaisical effort in Search and Destroy that was particularly troubling in that matchup. Yes, they blew aside Paris Legion in the lower-bracket bout later Saturday, but they've won just one of their four S&Ds this tournament after previously being among the best in the game mode. I'm sure it's just a matter of FaZe picking unconventional maps in order to get some quality practice time heading into Champs, but to be unable to count on their Search game is exactly how you'd map out an underdog win for someone else.
I'm not sure we can really call FaZe the favorites Sunday, though, given
Games (EDT)
- 4:00 p.m. Atlanta FaZe vs. Chicago Huntsmen
- 5:30 p.m. Toronto Ultra vs. New York Subliners
ATL (23-5) vs. CHI (19-6)
We finally have it. It's been nearly seven months since the start of the Call of Duty World League, but we'll finally see the first match between Atlanta and Chicago, two of the premier franchises in the Call of Duty World League, and arguably two of the most well known post-franchise brands in all of first-person shooter games at the moment.
It took a surprising FaZe upset loss to the Ultra on Saturday to set the stage for this matchup between the goliaths, as the Canadian unit finally did what others couldn't do before them and secured a Game 5 victory. Early rotations in the Round 4 Hardpoint on Gun Runner helped set the stage for Toronto stealing the pivotal respawn, but it was FaZe's lackadaisical effort in Search and Destroy that was particularly troubling in that matchup. Yes, they blew aside Paris Legion in the lower-bracket bout later Saturday, but they've won just one of their four S&Ds this tournament after previously being among the best in the game mode. I'm sure it's just a matter of FaZe picking unconventional maps in order to get some quality practice time heading into Champs, but to be unable to count on their Search game is exactly how you'd map out an underdog win for someone else.
I'm not sure we can really call FaZe the favorites Sunday, though, given how dominate the Huntsmen have looked this weekend. In stark contrast to Atlanta, Chicago has been utterly brilliant on S&D, with the New York Home Series seemingly acting as a statement to the detractors who have questioned their abilities in the game mode. FaZe looked lost on Picadilly against the Ultra, whereas the Huntsmen put together one of the more dominant S&D wins on that map against a usually stout London Royal Ravens on Day 1.
When push comes to shove, FaZe prides themselves on their S&D prowess, so I don't anticipate this turning into a long-term problem, but it still feels like Huntsmen should be considered the marginal favorites Sunday. That means little when it comes to this DraftKings slate, as you can essentially get anyone you want in your starting lineup without much troubles, but of the two series, this projects as the longer one.
Prediction: CHI 3-2
ATL Players to Target: Simp ($8,200), Cellium ($8,000), Abezy ($7,800)
CHI Players to Target: Arcitys ($7,800), Prestinni ($7,000)
TOR (7-12) vs. NYS (10-15)
The Ultra have made me look awfully foolish this weekend, first knocking off the Legion in fairly routine fashion before surviving a five-game bout with FaZe on Day 2. I'm done doubting the Ultra at this point, so if my recent prediction history comes into play, expect to see them get annihilated Sunday.
I joke, but seriously, this new meta has tremendously aided the Ultra. Cammy has been given free reign to be as aggressive as possible, even as an AR, with Methodz content to hang back and provide plenty of lane control and information to the rest of his teammates. Bance has been positively destructive with an AR in his hands as well, and even Saints has picked up the gun why providing a bit more aggression in lane. CleanX and Classic have melded together to form a solid SMG unit up front, capable of laning through their opposition on their own if given enough information. In short, this team is good.
The Subliners haven't been as clean with the new meta changes, particularly Temp who just doesn't quite look comfortable yet. The Round 1 Hardpoint on Rammaza against the Huntsmen stands out as a big "uh oh", as I would have thought Temp could have gotten himself into much better positioning throughout that match to avoid a 10/23 KD, but he seemed to mostly figure out those problems in the matchup against the Royal Ravens. It could have just been a case of playing a much better Chicago team, but I can't help but be worried about that worst case scenario.
If Temp is on point, I think the Subliners win this series, but depending on the map selection, I have to imagine this series will be incredibly competitive. Of course you'll need to include your obvious MackMelts play, if only because DraftKings pricing affords it, but finding a combination of three FaZe players with three TOR/NYS is likely just enough of a contrarian play to pay off in a tournament setting Sunday.
Prediction: TOR 3-2
TOR Players to Target: Cammy ($7,400), CleanX ($7,400)
NYS Players to Target: MackMelts ($9,200), Temp ($7,600)
