A big week for playoff positioning, including two division titles claimed, and a lot of shuffling around the middle of the pack. Doug Flutie gets a W in his first start in 2 years and New Jersey delivers a blow to a very weakened Ohio Glory squad. But, with Chicago and Pittsburgh both upset this week, no team steps forward in the Central. And we have our first firing of the season as a truly bad showing by the Thunder ends the Joe Vitt experiment in Las Vegas. It all starts with the big games of the week, not one but 3 of them.
DENVER GOLD 7 ARIZONA WRANGLERS 17
The Battle for the Southwestern Division came down to this showdown in the desert, a game that would be decided by the defenses as both clubs did their best to shut down the top weapons of their opponents. Arizona came out on top by pushing 8 and sometimes 9 men into the box to shut down the Denver run game, holding the Gold to a paltry 40 yards rushing on the day. And yet, Coach Jauron kept pushing the run, with Smart, Holcomb, and Heath Evans combining for 36 carries in what seemed an act of futility that even had the announces questioning whether Mark Brunell had an undisclosed injury.
Arizona had a more balanced attack, with Plummer throwing for 238 yards and 2 scores while Stephen Davis averaged 5.3 YPC on his way to 95 yards on the day. Plummer connected with rookie Larry Fitzgerald in the third for a score that gave Arizona a 17-0 lead, and despite a late Denver TD to get on the scoreboard, the game was clearly in the hands of the Wranglers, who claim the Division Title and jump up to the #1 seed in the Western Conference with the win. In Coach Jim Fassel’s first year at the helm, the combination of a balanced offense and an aggressive defense has proven to be effective for the Wranglers, who lock up their first division title since the 1995 season, 10 years ago.
NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS 17 NASHVILLE KNIGHTS 13
Down 2 games to the Knights, New Orleans knew this game was an absolute must-win. They also knew that their offense would be in the hands of rookie Eli Manning as Trent Dilfer was out with a shoulder injury. Manning was a top prospect out of Ole Miss, but still had only seen limited action this season. So the defense would need to come up big, the O-line would have to handle the aggressive Nashville front 7, and the run game would have to help out.
Two of those three came to fruition as Manning was sacked only once and the defense held the Knights to 13 points despite a solid 107-yard day from Ahman Green. The run game did not come through for the Breakers, however, as Gary and Zeroue (with Troy Davis injured) were limited to only 58 yards combined. And so, down 3 in the fourth quarter, it would be up to Manning to rally the troops and get a comeback score. He did just that, leading a final drive that took only 1:27 and went 81 yards for a score in the game’s final minute. Manning crushed the Nashville fans by escaping a sack on a 3rd and 11 and hitting Josh Reed for a 16-yard game to keep the drive alive. Three plays later he found HB Olandis Gary on a swing route that went for the final 10 yards to paydirt, giving the Breakers a 17-13 victory and keeping their playoff hopes alive. Now, as we will discuss later, the question becomes what New Orleans should do in Week 14 with a starting QB who won’t be at 100% and a rookie who has shown the capacity to lead.
NEW JERSEY GENERALS 27 OHIO GLORY 7
Our third big game of the week was an interdivisional clash between the Generals and the two-time defending league champion Ohio Glory. The storyline we expected to be at the center of this game was whether or not Tom Brady and the Generals’ offense could keep pace with Kerry Collins and the Glory, but the story we got was very different and very concerning for the Glory. The game changed tenor completely on Ohio’s first possession, when Kerry Collins was forced out of the pocket by Phil Hansen, scrambled out of bounds, and then fell awkwardly against one of the Glory benches. He came up holding his throwing hand at an awkward angle, and went straight to the trainers. The good news was that it appeared to be only a sprained wrist, but Collins was done for the day (and perhaps the next 1-2 weeks as well).
With Collins out for the game, the storyline quickly shifted to Chris Redman and the aggression of the New Jersey defense. The Generals showed no mercy, recording 7 sacks on the day, including 3 from Hansen, and the Ohio offense simply was unable to sustain drives. Eddie George did what he could, rushing for 79 yards against stacked defenses, but it simply did not put points on the board. Meanwhile, Tom Brady led two early TD drives, both ending with TD passes to Donald Hayes, and when Curtis Enis ran in a third score the outcome was well in hand for the visiting Generals. The loss was not a complete collapse for Ohio, as they knew before gametime that both Pittsburgh and Chicago had lost their afternoon games, but it meant that the Central Division remains a 3-way tie with 1 week left to play.
CHI 19 JAX 20
Before Ohio’s loss, Chicago was the first of the Central teams to falter, coming up just short in Jacksonville against a Bulls team that played hard despite being out of playoff contention. Chicago held a 19-10 lead at one point, but the defense faltered in the 4th quarter and Jake Delhomme hit Javon Walker with a 21-yard TD to pull back to within 2, and then led the Bulls on a frantic final drive that finished with a Kris Brown game winning kick with 13 seconds left on the clock.
BAL 42 PIT 14
The Maulers, unaware of what was happening in Jacksonville, had their own issues at home. Playing another team with nothing to lose, the Maulers came out flat, and got flattened. Ron Dayne manhandled the Mauler defense, rushing for 184 yards on 27 carries and picking up 2 TDs along the way. Ben Roethlisberger was shaken up early so it was Shaun Hill who led the Blitz, and clearly Pittsburgh was not ready for the change in styles as Hill threw for 3 TDs against a Mauler defense that simply looked unprepared.
PHI 27 TBY 31
The Stars gave Tampa Bay a run for their money, taking the lead with 2:00 left to play, but Daunte Culpepper led a final drive to victory and connected with Chris Doering for the winning score in the final minute of play. Randy Moss had a huge game for the Bandits as well, catching 5 balls for 131 yards and 2 scores, while Larry Johnson found room to run for Philly, rushing for 84 yards on 18 carries.
MGN 10 BOS 41
Boston kept pace with Tampa Bay, setting up a Week 14 showdown, as the Cannons had no trouble with backup Panther QB Rick Mirer, picking off the former Golden Domer 3 times on their way to a blowout victory. Chad Ochocinco had 184 yards receiving and 2 TDs as he made his case for MVP. The game was so lopsided that Drew Bledsoe was able to hit the showers after only 3 quarters.
TEX 22 HOU 27
Doug Flutie did not need to produce any magic in this game as Houston built up a 27-13 lead through 3 quarters, including 2 pick-six TDs from the defense, one each from CB Shaun Springs and FS Leomont Evans. The defense was tested late, with two 4th quarter scores from the Outlaws, but they held on the final possession and forced a turnover on downs to preserve the win, and the playoff hopes for the Gamblers.
SEA 55 LV 7
It seems safe to say that the season for the Thunder is over early, as they barely showed up in this one. Las Vegas was outgained 451-125 in just a pathetic showing on both sides of the ball. It was 32-0 at the half, and Jeff Garcia played a good part of the second half as Seattle tried not to pile it on, but the Thunder had nothing in the tank. No surprise that after a game like this ownership decided the time was now to end the Joe Vitt era with the Thunder, firing the former interim head coach the day after the game.
OAK 10 LA 27
With both clubs facing elimination from a possible Wild Card, the Express and Invaders battled it out in a very entertaining game. Trent Green threw two costly picks in a game that was much closer than the score indicates. The star of the day was DeShaun Foster, who rushed for 135 and the key 3rd quarter score that put the game out of reach for Oakland. Aeneas Williams added a late TD on a desperation pass from Trent Green that became a pick six as LA kept themselves alive for a playoff spot and sent Oakland to a 4-9 record.
MEM 29 BIR 34
Amazing how a rivalry game can turn two also-rans with nothing to play for into two fierce competitors. This game was a wild one to watch as both teams treated this as their Summer Bowl for the year. Brett Favre threw 3 TDs and Heath Shuler matched him with 3 of his own. The game looked like a Memphis win when Shuler hit Adrian Cooper with a go-ahead TD with only 1:52 left in the game, giving Memphis a 29-28 lead, but Ramos McDonald electrified the Birmingham crowd as he took the ensuing kickoff 96 yards for the game winner as the Stallions stunned the Showboats.
WSH 10 ORL 33
Jon Kitna struggled in relief of Kordell Stewart, throwing 3 picks, including a Fernando Bryant Pick-6 as Washington just looked spent against an Orlando squad that was still very much engaged in trying to win. Orlando forced 4 Washington turnovers in a game that was an exercise in futility for the Federals. When QB Jeff Blake busted out a 66-yard touchdown on a bootleg run, you knew that the Feds were not at their best.
Collins Goes Down
The story of the week was and is the injury to 3-time league MVP Kerry Collins early in the game against New Jersey. Forced from the pocket by Phil Hansen, Collins scrambled for a 1-yard gain, but fell awkwardly out of bounds and hit his throwing hand on the bench as he fell to the ground. This fluke accident immediately produced concern and Collins sought attention from the training staff. The replay showed his hand bending backwards unnaturally, and many feared a broken wrist was the result. The x-rays came back negative, but the strain on his wrist is likely to cost Collins at least 1-2 weeks of recovery.
Why does that matter so much? Two reasons. The first is that it was clear that with Chris Redman at the helm, at least in a week where he had few snaps in practice, the Ohio offense is not what it is with Collins at the helm. The second is that with Ohio in a 3-way tie for first place, a loss in Week 14 could mean that the Glory are demoted to a Wild Card team, and that means playing in 2 weeks in a playoff game where Collins may not yet be able to return. This is a potentially fatal blow to Ohio’s drive to threepeat. The Glory are at home against Michigan next week and a win is essential to their hopes of getting a bye and giving Collins time to heal and return for their first playoff game. The Panthers at 4-9 are out of playoff contention, but could see this as a chance to play spoiler and make life a lot more difficult for a division rival. It turns what was expected to be a throwaway game in the season finale into a much tougher matchup and one with very serious potential consequences for the two-time defending league champion.
Favre to Retire?
The rumblings that Brett Favre was unhappy in Birmingham, and was seeking a potential way out of his contract, which still has two years on it, may have taken a turn this week, as in a post-game interview Favre was asked about his future with the team, and his answer seemed to point to the idea that he would consider retirement after next week’s game. Retirement would be an avenue to void the remaining years of his contract. The terms of USFL contracts allow for retirement at any time, but with the requirement that if the player were to return to a USFL team within 1 year of the announced retirement, the team that held the original contract was to be compensated for the break of contract. What does that mean? It means that if Favre were to retire from the Stallions, he could not join another USFL team in 2005 without being forced to pay back the Stallions his 2004 salary. That is a big hit for any player.
So, what does this mean for Favre? If he goes this route it means that Favre would have three possible paths forward. First, he could retire and simply not play any longer. He is 36 years old, and has taken his fair share of hits and sacks over his career, so this is certainly within the realm of the possible. But, Favre has seemed less interested in stepping away from the game than in finding a new home. So, if he wants to play more football he has two options before him. He can either sit out the entire 2005 season so that he is able to return to action with a new team, or he could, as a retired USFL player, be signed by an NFL team during the NFL-USFL transfer window. The clause about contract violation by using retirement as an out only applies to USFL clubs, so a transfer to the NFL could allow him to play in 2005 and put himself in an entirely different situation without any financial penalty. Certainly there are NFL clubs that would gladly sign one of the greatest QBs in the history of the USFL to a deal, even at 36 years of age. This is a very possible scenario moving forward, and it seems the Stallions have little recourse to do anything about it.
Vitt Dismissed With 1 Game Left
Losing 55-7 is never a good look for a coach, but it is fatal for a coach clinging to his position in a very bad season for his team. The Thunder looked utterly unprepared and unmotivated to play this week against a division rival, and their lack of energy and engagement was more than Phil Ruffin and the Las Vegas ownership could stand. With only 1 week left in the regular season, Vitt was relieved of duties on Monday and OC Cam Cameron was appointed the 1-game interim coach.
The Thunder have had a rough first season in the desert. After a contentious departure from Portland following the ownership collapse and scandal related to principal owner Bernard Ebbers, the Thunder quickly tried to relocate their offices and operations to Las Vegas. Their attempt to install 11,000 temporary seats/bleachers in Sam Boyd Stadium came across several roadblocks, which meant that their first 5 home games were played in a stadium with only a 30,000 seat capacity. They eventually were cleared to install the temporary bleachers, but by that point in the season the fanbase had become jaded already and the team was unable to attract more than 30,000 to games, though, admittedly the cheaper bleacher seats added to the stadium became the popular seats of choice for the Thunder fans who did show up.
Add to this the poor play on the field, and the Thunder did not get off to the kind of grand opening that could make them a big ticket item in a city with a lot of options for entertainment. Struggling to score, the team benched starting QB Akili Smith midseason, but backup and former NFL starter Aaron Brooks has not turned things around either. The offense is ranked 23rd in the league, averaging just over 14 points per game, and the defense is no better, also ranked 23rd, and giving up nearly 26 points per game, a 12 point margin not in the Thunder’s favor.
So, a coaching search will begin in earnest. Expect the GM position to also be one that undergoes a shift as Las Vegas is looking at a roster in need of a major talent infusion. The question before the Thunder at this point is just how deep the cuts will go. The roster has few big names that merit retention, so moving players to get picks, or to get new players at key positions, could be a major part of the offseason. With questions all across the defense as well was at both HB and QB, the 2005 Thunder could be a very different squad from what we have seen this season. But, that all starts with a new head coach, so that is where the focus must be at this point.
Breakers QB Situation in Flux?
That is the question in New Orleans. With Trent Dilfer hurt, Eli Manning got the chance to start, and will likely start in Week 14 as well. If he leads the Breakers to two season-ending wins, and that propels them to the playoffs, will Manning retain the position in the playoffs, even if Dilfer can return? And what would that mean for 2005? Dilfer is currently the 7th ranked QB in the league and has 14 TDs to 8 picks on the year, but the Breakers spent big money on Eli Manning, and he is a local hero as both the son of former Saints QB Archie Manning and an Ole Miss grad.
Dilfer is in the final year of his contract, so it may be a parting of ways this season. There is no shortage of teams looking for an upgrade at the QB position, so this might actually be a good move for the veteran, but is New Orleans ready to turn over the reins to Manning? The next week could go a long way to answering that question. The problem is, if New Orleans loses, their season is over, and that means Dilfer, as an unsigned player, becomes a free agent immediately. The Breakers essentially have to agree to a new deal with Dilfer this week, before Sunday’s game, or he is walking, and almost certainly would not return with Manning looming over his shoulder. From all angles it looks like the Breakers don’t have much of a choice but to part ways with Dilfer and hope that they have struck gold with Eli Manning, a situation they certainly did not anticipate before Dilfer’s injury last week.
Rather than run down the current situation, the thing to do at this point is look at next week’s games and determine what each team can do to put themselves in the best position possible. So here is our Week 14 rundown:
New Jersey: The division is theirs, but a win this week and a Tampa Bay loss to Boston and the Generals could get the top seed. A win is all they need to lock up a bye week and ensure a home game in the divisionals. They face Baltimore, a team that has shown a lot of heart, knocking off Pittsburgh this week despite having no skin in the game.
Tampa Bay: Win at home against Boston on Saturday night and they win the division and the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference, an amazing feat for a team that was just 4-10 last season.
Boston: Beat the Bandits and the Cannons clinch their first division title as a franchise (including the years in Atlanta). A win plus an upset of New Jersey and the Cannons are sitting pretty with home field throughout the playoffs.
OHIO: The Glory have the tiebreakers against Pittsburgh and Chicago, thanks t their4-1 division record (both the others are 3-2). So, a win against Michigan means they take home the division title. But, they are playing without Kerry Collins, so a win is by no means a lock.
PITTSBURGH: This week’s game against the Machine could be the difference between being the #2 seed in the East (which comes with a bye and a home game) or the #6 seed (which forces them to play on the road for the entire playoff run.) Getting blown out by Baltimore cannot help their confidence going into this game.
CHICAGO: A win plus an Ohio loss and it is Chicago playing at home as the division winner. A loss and they are guaranteed the #6 seed and a long road ahead. That should motivate the Machine to be sure.
ARIZONA: The division belongs to the Wranglers, but a win this week can give them something even better, the top seed and homefield advantage for the playoffs. That is a rare treat for a team used to sneaking into the playoffs as a 5 or 6 seed.
DENVER: The Gold are a Wild Card and even with a loss they are ensured a home Wild Card game, so don’t be surprised if Denver rests some starters to prepare for the playoffs.
HOUSTON: The Gamblers do not hold the tiebreakers against either New Orleans or Los Angeles, the other 6-7 clubs, so they need to win and they need one of those two teams to lose this week. That is certainly possible, but the Gamblers have to do their part, but they might be helped in that charge if Denver rests starters in a game that is meaningless for them.
NASHVILLE: The loss to Eli Manning and the Breakers hurt, but it can all be forgotten if they can get a win this week at home against in-state rival Memphis. Winning means the division title is theirs, as is the #2 seed in the West, which comes with a bye, something the Knights believe is worth fighting for.
NEW ORLEANS: The Breakers currently sit at the #6 seed. A win against Birmingham and they are in the playoffs. If LA loses this week, the Breakers can move up to #5, but the difference between #5 and #6 is nonexistent since both play Wild Card games on the road. The danger is that Houston is tied with New Orleans at 6-7, so a loss by the Breakers and a Houston win means the Breakers are out.
SEATTLE: The division title is theirs, but they have not yet locked up a bye week, so a win this week is essential. Beating LA in LA would also eliminate the Express, something that certainly would make the Dragon fanbase very happy. If the Dragons lose, they can still get the #2 seed, but would be rooting for Nashville to lose to Memphis, so better that they win the game and put the question out of range for the Knights.
LOS ANGELES: It is about as simple as it gets. Win at home against Seattle and the Express are in the playoffs as a Wild Card at 7-7. Lose and they need help from others. They would still get in, even at 6-8, if either New Orleans or Houston loses in the last week of the year. You don’t want to count on that, so the key for the Express is to knock off the Dragons and earn their spot in the postseason.
The headline story was, of course, the injury to Kerry Collins and the impact it could have on the Ohio Glory and their playoff prospects, but it was a pretty bad week for quartebacks elsewhere as well. Both Baltimore and Las Vegas saw their starters leave the game due to injury. Ben Rothlisberger injured a finger on his throwing hand and will have to miss the season finale for the Blitz while Aaron Brooks suffered a more significant injury, one that could take 4-6 weeks to heel. With both teams eliminated from playoff contention, they will both play their backups, which is an interesting situation since both Akili Smith and Jeff Garcia are due to be free agents unless they sign a new deal in the next week. So, do both now have a 1-week audition period to convince other teams to take a look at them in free agency? That would seem to be the case.
Others suffering injuries this week include New Orleans back Troy Davis, who could be out for the full length of the playoffs after suffering a dislocated shoulder. Houston TE Ryan Krause could also miss any playoff run if Houston can qualify next week. In Boston, DE Jason Babin could be out at least 2 weeks, which means that if the Cannons cannot defeat the Bandits next week, he would be unavailable for the first playoff game in team history. In Arizona, LB Lance Briggs is questionable for this week’s game due to a hamstring injury, and for the Breakers another player likely to miss the vital Week 14 clash is CB Ahmed Plummer, who suffered a contusion to his lower back this week.
Finally, we finish off with a bit of positive news out of Ohio, where Joey Galloway was cleared to practice this week. He will not play in the season finale, but could be available for the playoffs, particularly if Ohio can defeat Michigan and earn themselves a bye.
A Very Early Look at the 2005 Draft
It is admittedly very early to be thinking about the draft, but for half the teams in the league the draft quickly becomes a topic of interest. We are not ready to look at a full slate of 12 teams who are not headed for the postseason, but there are 8 clubs who we fully expect to be in the Top 10 if not the Top 8 when it comes to the Open Draft, so we thought it would make sense to do some very premature predictions and see what each team might go with in the draft. We will go in what we believe (as of today) the draft order might look like.
TEXAS, Currently 2-11.
The Outlaws have a lot of holes to fill, as most #1 draftees do. Their O-line needs help, their defense needs playmakers, and their offense could use an upgrade across the board. It seems very likely that Coach Gailey will be relieved of duties by this point next week, so it is impossible to gauge what a new coach needs, but we would make the case that the issue has not been QB Jeff Lewis, who has tried to do what he can. While a QB like Alex Smith, who is not protected by any team’s protected schools (Las Vegas swapped out Utah for BYU, making the UU grad a free player), might be tempting, we think the Thunder have bigger needs elsewhere. Were we the Thunder we would be looking at the potential retirement of Carl Pickens and we would do what we could to land a top flight receiver, perhaps Braylon Edwards of Michigan or Troy Williamson of South Carolina. That might require trading the #1 Open Draft pick for a T-Draft pick, but that has become almost par for the course in recent years.
LAS VEGAS, Currently 3-10
The Thunder have to be regretting the preseason shuffle of the T-Draft, one they requested, which allowed them to claim BYU away from the Denver Gold, but cost them the U. of Utah. Alex Smith is a top candidate to be the #1 overall pick, but if he falls to #2, the Thunder could certainly be in the mix. Akili Smith is on the last year of his rookie contract and has been benched this season for former NFL starter Aaron Brooks. While Brooks has not been horrible, he is hardly inspiring a lot of fan buy-in for the Thunder. A relatively local kid like Alex Smith could be just the thing to help solidify interest in the Thunder by folks in Las Vegas. Of course, the Thunder also need major help in the run game, so we would not be shocked to see them go for one of the two Auburn standouts, Ronnie Brown or Cadillac Williams.
ORLANDO, Currently 4-9
The Renegades would choose third if the draft started today. They too could be in the QB market, but we don’t see Smith falling to #3 and Oakland is very likely to pursue the other top QB prospect, Aaron Rodgers of Cal, so that leaves Orlando waiting for another option. In the meantime they need more difference makers on defense, and there is likely to be a choice candidate available with the #3 pick. Looking at who is likely to be available, the best pick is likely going to be Troy State’s all-purpose linebacker, DeMarcus Ware. We could easily see Orlando pursue a player like Ware to help add dynamism to their defense.
MEMPHIS, Currently 4-9
The Showboats have big questions across the roster but none is so glaring as their lack of wideout talent. So, Edwards, Williamson, or perhaps USC’s Mike Williams make a lot of sense for the Showboats. If they don’t go for a receiver (a mistake if you ask us) then defense could be the path, in which case a linebacker like Ware or Georgia’s Thomas Davis would be ideal for the Showboat D.
MICHIGAN, Currently 4-9
The Panthers are trying to build around Drew Brees, and they have decent talent at wideout. They picked a rookie HB at #1 last year, and we think they will give the Michigan product another year before looking to move on. The big problem with the Panthers offense seems to be the line, and we have a solution for that if the Panthers can get New Jersey to trade out of a T-Draft spot by swapping this pick. New Jersey has the rights to Oklahoma products, and Michigan would love to get their hands on LT Jammal Brown. Brown is a big, road grader of a tackle, perfect for a team that wants to push people around.
OAKLAND, Currently 4-9
You know what the fans want in Oakland. After failing to sign either Carson Palmer or Phillip Rivers, the fans are hoping the third time is the charm and the Invaders can sign Cal product Aaron Rodgers. We are not so sure they go that way. Trent Green has a few years left in him and has played pretty well this year. Oakland could use a T-Draft pick on Rodgers, which is less risky than an Open Pick, and that would still let them draft for talent in the open draft. W ecould see any of the top receivers being attractive, or what about a hard hitting linebacker in the mold of Gary Plummer. Shawne Merriman could be there for them if Baltimore does not land him in the T-Draft.
BIRMINGHAM, Currently 4-9
The last of the 4-9 clubs, the Stallions will almost certainly be looking for a QB if Brett Favre makes good on the option to retire. The good news for the Stallions is that they have a top prospect in their protected pool, Auburn’s Jason Campbell. If they pick Campbell in the T-Draft, that allows them to focus on other areas in the main draft. They are set at HB with Shaun Alexander. They have aging receivers but it just does not seem like a first round priority. We think the move here has to be on defense, and particularly at CB. So, look at players like U. of Miami CB Antrel Rolle or Auburn’s Carlos Rogers as top targets for the Stallions.
PHILADELPHIA, Currently at 5-8.
The Stars wrap up our list of teams we see picking early in the draft. Brian Griese could be a free agent at the end of the season unless a deal is cut, but we also know that 2nd year QB David Garrard is of interest to the Stars front office. Problem is, if Jim Mora Jr. is let go, will that mean changes in personnel as well? If there is not a total overhaul, we could see Garrard get a shot. If that happens, then the next big and obvious priority is the run game. Larry Johnson simply has not provided nearly enough bang for the buck as the lead back for the Stars. With Ronnie Brown, Cadillac Williams, Cedric Benson of Texas, and J. J. Arrington of Cal as top backs in the draft, there is a reasonable chance that one or more of them may be around when the Stars pick.
Here we go, week 14, and plenty on the line. Having already talked about playoff scenarios, here is a quicker version of the games to watch this weekend.
Boston @ Tampa Bay
A must watch game to determine the Division Crown and very likely the #1 seed.
Chicago @ Pittsburgh
A chance for the division title if Ohio loses, or a real shot at a home Wild Card game.
Denver @ Houston
The Gamblers need this one to have any chance at a playoff trip this year.
LA @ Seattle
LA must win to make the postseason, but a Seattle win could mean a bye week.
Arizona @ Texas
A Wrangler win against the 2-11 Outlaws and they earn homefield for the playoffs.
Birmingham @ New Orleans
A win and the Breakers are in. Can Eli do it for them?
Michigan @ Ohio
The Glory, without Kerry Collins, can wrap up the Central and a bye with a win at home.
New Jersey @ Philadelphia
The Generals could have a shot at the top seed if Tampa loses to Boston.
Memphis @ Nashville
A win by the Knights and they are the Southern Division Champs.
And we have 3 games with no playoff importance, but which could impact the draft to be sure.
Oakland @ Las Vegas
Both teams are likely to have Top 5 picks, so we are not sure if either wants to win.
Baltimore @ Washington
A win by either gets them to .500, which is better than being 6-8, but not much.
Jacksonville @ Orlando
Not a great Florida Derby, as both teams are looking deflated at this point.
Comments