With only 2 weeks before the postseason every win, every loss, every game could mean the difference between a postseason run and a disappointment. This week we saw one club fall from playoff position, another clinch a spot in the dance, and more continue to maneuver as we head to the do or die of Week 16.
We open the week with our prestige game, and this week once again that game featured the Houston Gamblers. With the Division and the #1 seed assured, Houston had nothing but pride to play for, but for New Orleans a win would propel them right into the thick of the Wild Card race. Was that enough for the Breakers to outshine the 12-2 Gamblers at home. For a good part of the game the answer was yes, but when a championship squad finds itself behind the 8-ball, it finds a way to do what must be done, and that is exactly what the Gamblers did to snag the win and dash New Orleans’ hopes to jump above .500 and into Wild Card position.
The game started about as well as it could for the Gamblers, as Houston scored 14 points in a span of only 2 minutes, thanks to a Breakers fumble that allowed them to double up scores. They started off, just as last week, with a Kelly to Proehl connection, then after the Pegram fumble, they quickly put the ball back in the endzone, this time with a 1-yard Thomas run.
New Orleans was game, however, and they got back 7 with the only score of the 2nd quarter, with Timm Rosenbach finding former General Clarence Collins for a late TD. In the 3rd quarter it was the legs of rookie Terrell Davis that led the way as New Orleans evened the score, then, catching a break on a deflected Kelly pass, they snagged the pick and once again ran in the score, this time with Pegram making up for his early error.
New Orleans would hold the 21-14 lead into the 4th, but a Kelly to Perriman connection tied the game up with 10:20 left. The Breakers would take the lead back just at the 2-minute warning, thanks to the foot of Lin Elliot, who nailed a 28-yarder to go up 24-21. But, Houston, who simply did not want the loss on their record, had 2 minutes left, and Jim Kelly did what Jim Kelly does, he led the Gamblers on an efficient 2-minute drill, scoring the game winner with just under 1 minute to play by once again hitting Proehl in the slot. Houston’s win did not change their positioning for the postseason but sent the Breakers to 7-8 and all but dashed their playoff chances as several tiebreakers are against them. They still have a mathematical chance, but they need a lot of help next week to get there.
ARZ 11 ATL 26
Arizona would have clinched the Pacific Division with a win, but the Atlanta Fire had other ideas. They started the game emphatically with a sack of Robbie Bosco in the endzone for 2 points and never looked back. By the half they had built up a 12-3 lead, and with TD passes from Stoudt to both Ernie Jones and TE Frank Wycheck they kept Arizona at bay all game. The Wranglers are still playoff bound, but this is a win the Fire faithful can hang their hats on as they prepare for year 2.
DEN 42 OAK 24
Denver took advantage of the Wranglers loss, dispatching the slumping Oakland Invaders handily. Mark Brunell had a stellar performance, completing 71.4% of his throws (25 of 35) and tossing 3 TD’s, including two to former Bandit Willie Gillespie. Timmy Smith took on the mantle of the run game with Salaam out and gained 93 yards on 17 carries to help pace the Gold to the win. Now even with Arizona at 9-6 it will all come down to next week’s games. The Wranglers have the tiebreaker so Denver needs a Wrangler loss to Oakland and their own victory at home over Portland, but the division could still be theirs.
LA 24 POR 35
Portland also stayed alive in the playoff hunt by outlasting the feisty LA Express in Civic Stadium. Though the Express limited Robert Drummond to only 74 yards on the ground, it came at a cost, and that cost was open passing lanes for Jack Trudeau, who threw for 331 and 4 scores against an overmanned Express secondary.
MGN 23 STL 31
Not everyone was so lucky against sub-500 opposition. Michigan is essentially eliminated in every way except mathematically, with their loss this week in St. Louis. The Knights got Todd Collins back from injury, and the rookie had a solid game, completing 18 of 26 and tossing 2 TD’s. He only threw for 143 on the day, but his play action passing helped the combo of Thompson and Jenkins run for 121 yards and 2 scores as the Knights upended the Panthers and their playoff hopes.
BAL 3 WSH 20
Baltimore knew their game against the Federals would be a tough one. After a rough patch under backup Mike Hohensee, the Federals had Majkowski back, and the veteran starter was raring to get his club back in the win column. The Washington defense also responded as they shut down the Blitz all game long. With solid games from Majkowski as well as HB’s Terry Kirby and Barry Word, the Federals had more than enough to earn their 10th win and dispatch the Blitz, who now fall out of the Wild Card slot, now trailing Orlando for the final spot.
JAX 3 ORL 27
Orlando played inspired football in their big game against the division-leading Jacksonville Bulls. The defense shut down the Bulls run game and frustrated QB Chris Chandler all day. Backup QB Craig Erickson played a conservative but effective game subbing for the injured Scott Mitchell, and the HB duo of Hilliard and Fowler did what they needed to help put points on the board. With the win Orlando is now only 1 game back of the Bulls, and leapfrogs the Blitz for the 5th and final playoff spot.
CHI 17 TEX 14
Chicago also kept all their starters in this week, despite having really nowhere to move in the standings. That was enough for them to earn a tough win in Texas against an Outlaws squad that had hoped to move away from the cluster at that 4th and 5th playoff spot. It was Texas up 14-10 until the 4th, when Dan McGwire found HB Ricky Waters on a beautifully-designed screen pass that went for 14 yards and the winning score.
BIR 23 MEM 27
The Memphis Showboats played spoiler, knocking Birmingham from even slim hopes of a Wild Card berth with a late score by Jo-Jo Townsell. Heath Shuler completed 25 of 39 against the suspect Stallion defense, and the Showboats D sacked Brett Favre 6 times on the day, limiting his effectiveness. The loss moves Birmingham to 7-8, and mathematically eliminates them from the playoffs as they drop below Orlando, Baltimore, and even Tampa Bay in the standings of the Eastern Conference.
SEA 9 TBY 26
Tampa won their third in a row, and now have a chance to finish the year at 8-8, with a comfortable win over the 1-win Dragons. Troy Aikman looked solid, throwing 2 TD passes, and Errict Rhett found room to earn only his 2nd 100-yard game of the year, rushing 20 times for 101 yards.
NJ 10 PHI 16
New Jersey played inspired defense, but it was not enough as once again Rob Johnson struggled to find open receivers and the Philadelphia defense stifled the run game of New Jersey. Even after knocking Chuck Long out of the game with a concussion (He is expected to play next week), the Generals could not take advantage as Eric Kramer did enough to preserve the Stars’ win.
OHI 14 PIT 29
The Maulers continue to roll, with the Stars hot on their tales, as they down their cross-border rivals from Columbus. Mike Rozier had another huge game, rushing 20 times for 141, a 7-yard average. Add in an interception return for a score by LB Godfrey Miles, who was a gametime decision to play at all, and you have a solid Maulers win. One more and they claim both the Atlantic title and the top seed in the East.
We’ve hit some of the stories, but here is where we stand in the big picture with one week left in the season:
ATLANTIC: A win at New Jersey and both the Division and the #1 seed belong to the Maulers. If they lose, Philly has a chance to leapfrog them with a win in Baltimore. Whoever does not get the title will be the #3 seed and also have a bye during the Wild Card round.
SOUTH: Jacksonville has the 1-game lead on Orlando, but they have lost to the Renegades twice, so a loss to Tampa Bay this week could plummet them from the division title and #2 seed down to a 4 or 5 seed. Orlando locks up a playoff spot with a win at Birmingham, and could take the division if Jacksonville stumbles at home vs. the Bandits.
EAST WILD CARD: We know either Philly or Pittsburgh will be the first Wild Card. Washington has locked up the 2nd slot (4th seed) and will host the Wild Card game. The 5th seed could be Orlando, Baltimore or the Bulls, depending on next week’s games. Orlando and Jacksonville control their own destiny. Baltimore is hoping the Stallions upend the Renegades after they have lost 4 of 5 to slip out of playoff position.
CENTRAL DiVISION: All wrapped up except a possible Wild Card for Texas. Houston is the Division Winner and #1 seed in the West. Chicago will be the #3 seed and get the bye as well.
PACIFIC DIVISION: Arizona wins the division with a home win over Oakland. If they lose, a Denver Win would make the Gold the Pacific Champions. Portland can tie both Denver and Arizona at 9-7, but can only snag a Wild Card due to tiebreakers.
WEST WILD CARD: We know Chicago has one locked up. Arizona can lose and still earn a Wild Card spot. Denver needs the win to assure its spot. Who is still alive for that 5th spot? Texas and Portland are both 8-7 and a win would go a long way to getting them in. The Outlaws control their destiny as they own the tiebreaker over Portland due to a victory over the Thunder in Week 5. But it all gets complicated if more than 2 teams tie at either 9-7 or 8-8. Believe it or not there are slim but still potential scenarios where tiebreakers allow either Michigan or New Orleans to jump into the battle at 8-8, but let’s not even try to go there because it is just not likely and because I do not want to do all that math.
BALTIMORE BALK: With a 7-3 record only 5 weeks ago, the Blitz looked poised to challenge the Federals atop the Atlantic, but after losing 4 of their last 5, including division losses to Washington twice, the Blitz are on the brink of elimination, and many in the Charm City are calling for the head of Coach Infante. Lindy Infante took over a horrid Blitz club in 1992, and moved them from 4 wins up to 8-8 last season. Fans of the Blitz expected another leap up in 1995, but a loss moves them to 8-8 again, and after that 6-3 start, that is a major issue. Ownership in Baltimore say they are happy with the direction Infante has the Blitz headed, but ending the year at 9-7 may be the best way for Lindy to ensure he has a job to come to next season.
GENERAL FAILURE: Sam Wyche may not be in such a position of control with 1 week left in the season. He came to New Jersey with a lot of bravado about offensive football, but after some success, including playoff seasons at 8-8 and 9-7 the past two years, the Generals have regressed to 4-11 with one week left. To make matters worse, Doug Flutie had a horrible year, and was benched to allow USC rookie Rob Johnson play. But Johnson has not exactly lit up the league in his first season. The Generals are 22nd in Points per game this year and 21st in yards per game, putting them below several expansion clubs in both categories. With a season like this, no one would be surprised to see Wyche let go.
LAST DANCE?: With most other coaches of losing clubs in their first or second years, we don’t expect a lot of turnover beyond possibly Infante and Wyche, but there have been rumblings about potential retirements among USFL coaches, so do not be shocked if 3-4 positions become available at the end of the year. Questions have been swirling about two longstanding coaches, both of whom have had their bumps and bruises this year, quite literally in the case of Washington’s Sam Rutigliano, who suffered a broken leg after being clipped on the sideline earlier this year. Rutigliano has been with the Federals since the 1986 season, and he is no spring chicken. Could the rough second half, and his health issues (injury but also some other health concerns) make this his last year with the Feds?
Similarly Dick Vermeil out in Oakland has been with the Invaders since 1985, making him the longest tenured coach in the league. He has had an incredible run, making the playoffs every year from 1989 until this season, but this year has been rough, and Vermeil is known for stepping away, as he did in the NFL, if stress and workload get too heavy. We are not sure if either will decide to hang up the clipboards this year, but it would not shock us if either did.
INJURY REPORT: Next week’s games could see some issues with injury absences affecting playoff pushes. Washington will be without Joey Walters, who toughed it out this week, but whose knee is not getting better. He is listed as OUT already for this week. Likewise, Texas will miss TE John Henry Mills this week and into the playoffs. Houston LB Quentin Coryatt is definitely out after a second exam showed more extensive damage to his posterior cruciate ligament, ending his season. Houston will also miss TE Ron Heller, but with everything clinched, they are likely to rest several starters anyway. Finally, it looks like Orlando will need to rely on Craig Erickson to get them into the playoffs as Scott Mitchell’s ankle has him out this week but hoping to return if the Renegades make the Wild Card round.
We reported earlier this year that the Chicago Machine, having lost a trademark lawsuit to a small manufacturer in Michigan, would have to abandon their familiar “Gear M” logo after the conclusion of the current season. Well, this week, as the club looks for a deep playoff run, the Machine revealed their new logo. Not straying far from the identity which has started to catch on with on-field success in the Windy City, the Machine revealed a new “Gear-C” Logo which features gearwheels in Maroon and Metallic Grey surrounding a sky blue circle or hub. The logo will be recolored with grey and white gears as it appears on the well-known maroon helmet and jersey.
The team also revealed a new wordmark, one which uses the Gear C logo at its center, forming the 2nd C in “Chicago” just as locals have always associated with the oversized C in the middle of the Chicago Theatre marquee sign. No changes will be made this season or in the playoffs, and the Machine have not yet revealed the anticipated uniform changes which will accompany the new logo, but the logo is out and both T-shirts and sweatshirts are available in the Chicagoland area starting next week.
One week left and it is do or die for so many clubs around the league. But let’s start with the easy ones. Houston, Chicago, and Washington have nothing to play for, so you can expect them to rest some starters as they prepare for the playoffs. That is good news for their opponents. New Orleans is really the only club that could benefit as they will face a half-hearted Chicago club. Houston plays St. Louis and Washington plays Ohio, so no playoff ramifications there. We can also rule out the Atlanta @ LA game as one with no playoff potential. So, what does that leave.
Well, in the Central we have a key head-to-head game as Texas will be in Michigan to face the Panthers. The Outlaws are in with a win, but a loss throws a whole lot of scenarios into the mix, especially if New Orleans gets the win we expect from them.
Out West the big game is Portland at Denver, with both teams pressing for a win. Denver has a shot at the division title with the win and an Arizona loss against Oakland, but Portland needs that win to lock up a Wild Card.
In the South we can disregard the Memphis-Seattle game, but Orlando @ Birmingham and Jacksonville hosting Tampa Bay could shake up the whole division. Orlando can still win the division if they get help from their arch-rivals, the Bandits.
And in the Atlantic it all comes down to Pittsburgh @ New Jersey. A win and the Maulers have the #1 seed, a loss and Philly can steal it out from under them if they can get the W in Baltimore. But don’t count out the Blitz just yet. They need a win (and some help) to get into the postseason, so expect a big effort from them. Lot’s of games with lots of permutations. Who will be there by week’s end and who will be eating sour grapes?