It’s the week when playoff dreams are made, or crushed. In a game of playoff musical chairs, Michigan, Boston, and Philadelphia fight for 2 slots. Who’s in? Who’s out? Who can turn away from this type of drama?
CHI 30 OAK 42—In a game with no drama behind it these two teams showed that they still play for pride. QB Fred Besana of Oakland had one of his best games of the year, throwing for 348 yards and a stunning 6 touchdowns to 6 different receivers. Greg Landry responded with 3 scoring throws of his own, but Chicago’s inability to establish Tim Spencer’s run game, a problem all year long, doomed the Blitz to another loss as both teams finish the week 5-11.
WSH 34 NJ 24—Once a playoff favorite, the New Jersey Generals are clearly not taking their current status well. They largely failed to show up today against a 2-win Washington Federals team. Despite 139 yards and 2 TD’s from possible league MVP Hershel Walker, the Generals just did not show a lot of energy, allowing Washington’s Joe Gilliam to complete 65% of his passes and to hit both Joey Walters and Matt Holmes for scores. Paired with a 107 yard kickoff return and a Kevil Teel pick 6, the Federals’ offense was just strong enough to keep New Jersey down and give the beleaguered Feds their 3rd win of the year.
TBY 23 DEN 15—In a game where both teams had already clinched their divisions and neither wanted to give too much away in case they met in the playoffs, Tampa let the Gold take a 13-0 lead before John Reaves hit Willie Gillespie for two scores as the Bandits came back to win by 8. If there is one concern for Tampa coming out of the game it is that Denver, without significant blitzing, was able to get John Reaves for 6 sacks. That may be an issue as the playoffs approach. The win is Tampa’s 13th on the year, while Denver at 8-7 is still hoping to win one more to end the year above .500.
ARZ 34 BIR 55—The Birmingham Stallions, eliminated last week from playoff contention, took out their frustration on a staggering Arizona Wrangler squad. Quarterback Bob Lane carved up the Wrangler D like an Easter ham, throwing for 6 scores and a 78% completion rate. Arizona tried to keep pace, but despite good games from Alan Risher, wideout Jackie Flowers and HB Steve Howell, the Wranglers just could not replicate the scoring of Birmingham. The game saw the two teams combine for over 900 yards of offense, but Arizona’s 4 turnovers doomed them in a week where the Stallions just needed to vent a season’s worth of disappointment.
LA 17 MGN 19—Best of times, worst of times. That is the feeling after this game for the Michigan Panthers. Yes, they won a tough fight against the LA Express and clinched the USFL’s lone Wild Card berth, but in the process they may have lost their leader, QB Bobby Hebert. Hebert went out of the game in the first quarter after a blow to the head. Originally thought to be a concussion, X-rays revealed a fracture to the young QB’s jaw. It is not known how long the injury will keep Hebert out, but we can expect he will not make an appearance in a meaningless Week 16 game. The question is if he will be back and effective when the Panthers face Denver in the playoffs. In this game, once Hebert was out, it was a struggle for the Panthers to move the ball, and they relied on the foot of Novo Bojovic for all the remaining scoring, 4 field goals, to hold off the 3-win Express.
BOS 31 PHI 34—For casual football fans who tuned in on Sunday, this may be the game that entices them to follow the USFL. In a back and forth battle that saw the lead change repeatedly, which had both offensive and defensive big plays, and which meant everything to these two teams, the Stars took an early lead, relinquished it to Boston, and then dominated the 4th quarter to come back and win. And if you love TE play, this was a game for the ages as both Boston’s Mariano Alarcon and Philly’s Steve Folsom both scored twice and were regular contributors. Folsom ended the day with 9 receptions for 120 yards to lead the Stars. Both quarterbacks played well, with both throwing for more than 70% completion rates as both defenses loaded the box to slow down the potent run games of Richard Crump and Kelvin Bryant. In the end it was Philadelphia, gaining support from a record Stars crowd of 51,100 to drive them to victory with two scores in the 4th quarter. The win gives Philly the Atlantic Division crown, and the loss, paired with a Panthers win earlier in the day, shuts Boston out of the playoffs.
Playoff Scenarios: With the tiebreakers all going to the current leaders, the 4 playoff spots are all locked in with 1 week left in the regular season. Tampa Bay will host Philadelphia and Denver will host Michigan in two weeks. So, expect some starters to rest next week as these 4 teams prepare for the playoffs and keep their stars healthy.