This week we watched the final jockeying for playoff positions and we got to witness the debate about resting vs. playing star players come to a painful conclusion. Several teams with their playoff lives secured opted to rest their starters, one did not, and it may have cost them dearly.
SCORES
MEM 7 NJ 38 The Generals make their charge for a playoff spot with win over Memphis.
TBY 6 PHI 17 Philly does just enough to win the Atlantic with win over Tampa backups.
JAX 31 WSH 17 Jacksonville finishes strong and crushes Federal postseason hopes.
PIT 12 CHI 17 Both teams lack fire as they play out the string in final week.
DEN 14 HOU 24 Houston win costs Denver a shot at Pacific Division title.
ARZ 14 LA 45 LA cruises to division title, while Arizona backs into final playoff spot.
MGN 7 OAK 33 Michigan rests most starters as Oakland tries to impress new ownership.
GAME OF THE WEEK Birmingham Stallions 24 Boston Breakers 30
Birmingham opted not to rest its starters in a game that meant little for them, while Boston needed the win to wrap up a playoff spot. The result was a surprisingly close and hard-fought game. It seems that Birmingham coach Rollie Dotsch does not subscribe to the “rest your starters” philosophy, favoring a “keep the edge” attitude as his Stallions head into the playoffs secure in their wild card spot. The Stallions played like they had a lot to lose, and it showed. But that strategy may have cost them dearly, as QB Cliff Stoudt went out with a concussion which may impact his ability to play in next week’s playoff game.
Stoudt played well in the first half, hitting Greg Anderson for the game’s first score and then leading Birmingham on a second scoring drive to take a 10-7 lead. Then, after Boston took back the lead on a Richard Crump run, the worst case scenario for Birmingham hit. Stoudt tried to avoid a sack by scrambling to his right, but did not spot LB Marcus Marek until it was too late. Marek’s tackle caused Stoudt’s head to hit the turf hard, and he was out of the game. Last year’s starter, Bob Lane, came in and played well, but the bigger issue is what this means for Birmingham next week. If Stoudt is not cleared to play, Bob Lane may have to up his game in order for the Stallions to advance.
Boston spent most of the day focused on slowing down league rushing champion Joe Cribbs. They succeeded, holding Cribbs to only 38 yards on the day. Meanwhile their own running game fared much better, with Crump rushing for 84 yards and Buford Jordan adding another 26 for an even 100, including the game winner in overtime. Johnnie Walton also contributed 259 yards passing and two TD passes, one each to Nolan Franz and Mariano Alarcón. The win, paired with a Philly win, means that Boston will be the #4 seed and will head to Tampa next week to take on the Bandits. Birmingham will return to the North East to face the Philadelphia Stars in their matchup next week.
NEWS & NOTES
As expected, the first day after the end of the regular season was Black Monday in the USFL. This year, however, there were fewer casualties than usual. With 4 of the 8 non-playoff teams being expansion teams in their first year, the coaches have not yet begun to feel pressure to win, while Chicago, New Jersey and Chicago all also have first year coaches, who tend to get at least 2 years to turn a team around. That leaves only Oakland with a coaching question. The Invaders, as expected, parted ways with John Ralston, paving the way for the new majority owner, William Millard, to seek a higher profile head man. Chicago opted to retain coach Marv Levy, though they did release OC Ron Waller from his duties. There were rumors that Wranglers head man George Allen might be considering retirement, but any news on that front was delayed as Arizona will play in next week’s first round of playoffs despite a 7-9 record. So, a relatively quiet Black Monday as the USFL’s non-playoff teams largely still see themselves in building mode rather than rebuilding mode.
INJURIES
Many playoff-bound teams rested their starters, so, with the notable exception of the Cliff Stoudt concussion, there were few star players impacted by injury this week. Depth may be in issue, as it always is this time of year, but when we look at the teams that still have games to be played, the most notable injuries are to reserve players. Arizona has some depth issues on their O-line as no fewer than 5 members of that position group are on the injury report. Birmingham lost the services of backup RB Earl Gant, but with Cribbs still firing on all cylinders, we don’t see this as a major setback. Denver may be able to get Bob Gagliano back, which certainly would improve their chances against LA next week. Philly is hoping that ALL-USFL safety Scott Woerner and starting LT Irv Eatman will be back in action next week.
PLAYOFF PREVIEW
As one might expect, the #2 v. #3 seed games are viewed as the most interesting in the first week of playoffs as most pundits do not give Arizona much chance at Michigan, and while Boston could give Tampa some troubles, the Bandits remain heavy favorites.
EAST
Home field advantage is Philadelphia’s main benefit this week, that and the possibility that QB Cliff Stoudt will be out for the Stallions. Expect a lot of running from both teams, as Joe Cribbs and Kelvin Bryant are both Top 5 backs. Earlier this season the two had a bizarre, back to back, series in weeks 13-14, and Philadelphia was able to take both matches by a combined 4 points (17-14 in Alabama and 25-24 at Veterans Stadium). It is tough to beat the same team 3 times in a season, so the Stars have to beware, but if Stoudt is unable to go, we give the nod to the healthy play of Chuck Fusina and the Stars.
Boston had an up and down year, never winning more than 2 consecutive games, and they dropped both matchups against the Bandits by 10+ points. While Walton, Jordan and Crump have been playing better in the second half of the season, we just do not see them keeping pace with the quick strike Bandit Ball offense of John Reaves, Gary Anderson and Eric Truvillion. Tampa is primed for a return to the USFL Championship, and it would be a major upset for them to fall at home to the Breakers, who seem relieved and happy just to be here after a tough season-long slog in the well-balanced Atlantic Division.
WEST
Congratulations, Wranglers, on making the playoffs despite losing in week 17 and having a sub-.500 record. And condolences as well, as you now travel to the Silver Dome to take on the 14-2 juggernaut Michigan Panthers. With Hebert back to full health, a brutal RB tandem of Williams and Lacy, and two of the top 5 wideouts in the league, Michigan can kill you in numerous ways. We like Arizona’s moxy, but moxy won’t be enough against the Panthers. We see Michigan walking away with this one as they have a healthy team, unlike 1983, when Hebert missed their playoff game against Denver.
These two were neck and neck for the entire second half of the season. After an 0-4 start, the Denver Gold found their stride under new QB Bob Gagliano and won 8 of their final 12 to challenge the Express for the Division Title. Unfortunately for Denver, Gagliano may not be able to go, which leaves the erratic Craig Penrose at the helm for the Gold. LA comes into the game much healthier, and rookie QB Steve Young’s combination of scrambling skills and accurate arm have helped the Express win 4 of their final 5 to take the division crown. We think this game may be a close one, but we expect that the Express will find a way to pull it out. The only question now is whether or not LA fans will show up.
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