SCORES
JAX 23 PHI 20 In a game they had to win, Philly stumbles, unable to contain Gary Clark.
MEM 30 WSH 35 James & Walters shine as Washington edges into playoff position.
TBY 17 BIR 31 Birmingham makes a statement as they prepare for the playoffs.
ARZ 34 CHI 16 Down to their 3rd QB, Chicago is unable to keep pace vs. the Wranglers.
OAK 10 PIT 34 The Maulers still have a thin hope for the playoffs after this win.
BYES: Boston, New Jersey, Los Angeles, Denver
GAME OF THE WEEK Houston Gamblers 29 Michigan Panthers 35
The Gamblers came into the game desperate, their playoff hopes in the balance. For Michigan it was a tune up game as they had already locked up the #1 seed. But, as so often happens, pride and talent outperform desperation. In a close game with quite a few twists, the Panthers again found a way to win, thus knocking Houston out of contention. In a battle of gunslinging quarterbacks, Jim Kelly outgained but did not outscore Bobby Hebert. Kelly went 30 of 45 for 39 yards and found 3 different receivers for scores. Hebert countered this, throwing for 276 yards and 4 scores to 4 different receivers. The combination of John Williams and Ken Lacy added another 89 yards of offense on the ground to power Michigan to the win.
In a game with few miscues, Houston had two big ones that turned the final tide. The first was a missed Toni Fritsch 47 yard FG as time ran out in the 2nd quarter, the second was a brutally-timed holding call on what would have been a Kelly to Verdin 38 yard TD pass in the 4th quarter. The 10 yard penalty not only wiped out the score, but also pushed the Gamblers out of field goal range. With the win, Michigan moves to 14-1 and will almost certainly rest some key starters in week 17. Houston drops to 6-9, and with tie breaker issues vs. both Pittsburgh and Arizona, they are eliminated from playoff contention and will play for pride in Week 17.
NEWS & NOTES
As expected, the USFL this week announced that both the LA Express and Oakland Invaders had found additional investors to join their ownership groups. Both California teams have had difficulty with poor attendance, though at least LA has had a solid product on the field. In Los Angeles, current lead owner, Alan Hanson, introduced Frederick Woodruff “Ted” Field as a new majority owner. Hanson will stay on as team president, but Mr. Field will be the principal financial power behind the franchise. Mr. Field, who came into a sizeable inheritance, is most noted as the founder of Interscope Communications (the film production company which had a huge hit this year with “Revenge of the Nerds”). With Steve Young as the face of the franchise, Mr. Field spoke primarily about building a brand in the LA market. With 2 more years on their lease with Angel Stadium, it will be his task to try to develop what has been a somewhat unenthusiastic LA fanbase for the Express, who find themselves competing with the Dodgers, Angels, Lakers, Clippers, and Kings for Spring sports fans.
In Oakland, the problem may be deeper. There is some talent on the Invaders squad, but the frugal ways of current ownership, including lead owner Ted Taube, means that there are few “big name” players on the squad. Oakland-Alameda Stadium is also not an ideal venue. The new investor, Mr. William Millard, comes from a technology background, as owner of a computer development company as well as the lead computer retail chain, ComputerLand. Mr. Millard will take on day-to-day operations, so we may expect to see the Invaders make changes to the front office, which is not surprising after 2 initial sub-par seasons. Mr. Millard, a Bay Area resident, has committed to keeping the Invaders in Oakland, and hinted that he is already looking at making a splash with some offseason signings to bolster the Invaders’ roster.
INJURIES
There were several injuries this week which may impact playoff-bound teams. Birmingham will have to shuffle their offensive line after losing center Michal Morgan to a back injury which will end his season. Washington, who are looking for one more win to make the post-season, will need to go with Mike Hohensee at QB after their breakout star Reggie Collier dislocated his shoulder. If the Federals do make the show, it is hoped that Collier will return for the first round of playoffs in 2 weeks. Denver will make some adjustments to their game plan as well this week to cover for the loss of TE Bob Niziolek, expected to miss 2 weeks or more with a hamstring injury.
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
One week left and so much to play for. Only 5 of 16 teams have been eliminated, though there are several who need help to get into the show. Here is what it looks like going into week 17.
IN THE PLAYOFFS
Tampa Bay: Has locked up the Division and #1 seed in the East
Birmingham: Has locked up #3 seed in East
Michigan: Has locked up the Division and the #1 seed in the West.
Denver: Guaranteed a playoff spot. Win or LA loss and they win the Pacific Crown for a second year.
LA: Guaranteed a playoff spot. Win + DEN loss and they win the Pacific Division.
STILL ON THE BUBBLE
Philadelphia: Win and they are the #2 seed and Atlantic Champ.
Washington: Win + either PHI or BOS loss and they are in. Both lose = Division title.
New Jersey: Win + loses by WSH and BOS and they snag a playoff spot.
Arizona: Win and they wrap up a wildcard slot, regardless of other scores.
Pittsburgh: Beat Chicago + ARZ Loss and they can snag the final wildcard spot.
ELIMINATED
Jacksonville, Memphis, Houston, Chicago, Oakland.
LOOKING AHEAD
With playoff spots on the line, there are several inter-divisional games to watch along with a key game in the Pacific. Birmingham will likely rest some starters, which is good news for Boston, who needs the win to possibly take the Atlantic title. Their key rival, Philadelphia also will face a weakened roster in Tampa Bay, so it is possible both will win, giving Philly the title and Boston the Wild Card. Washington is hoping that won’t happen as they face off against the Bulls. Denver will travel to Houston looking to win the division by beating the Gamblers. Out West, both Arizona and Los Angeles will be doing their best to win, as both need to do so, LA for a possible division title, and Arizona to lock up the last playoff spot in the conference. By this time next week we will know who is in and who fell short.
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