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| Bryan Johnson, DT, Orlando Renegades (79) |
The USFL/WFL enters its fifth season of postseason action, and perhaps no playoff field has been as wide-open as this one.
The Detroit Wheels have won the last two World Bowls, but have shown some vulnerabilities this season. The Tampa Bay Bandits have crushed regular-season foes for the third consecutive season, but have yet to walk away with a ring. The New Jersey Generals are 23-2 in their last 25 regular-season games. LAX (14-2) has fallen to Detroit in each of their last two postseason meetings. The Orlando Renegades (12-4) won eight in a row under new coach DemonMaster, including a win over Tampa Bay, before falling to New Jersey in Week 16. Oakland (14-2) had an undefeated season in its crosshairs before dropping its last two.
And, you can certainly make a case for Cleveland, Memphis, Oklahoma, Birmingham, Shreveport, and Pittsburgh.
First things first, however. The wild card round commences Thursday.
Oklahoma at Cleveland: Oklahoma has won 2 of 3 regular-season games vs. the Thunderbolts and beat Cleveland, 20-5, in last year's playoffs. Can new coach Big Poppa get the Outlaws over the top in their second postseason appearance? Thunderbolts superstar LDE Jim Zarate is nursing a bum ankle, one of 11 injured 'Bolts, but is probable for Thursday.
Detroit at Memphis: The Showboats make their postseason debut against the Wheels, who have won all three regular-season meetings. Memphis star RB Gregory Shea has a leg injury, but is probable. Detroit QB Mario Valencia is very questionable (39 percent) with a hand injury. His backup, Henry Prieto, attempted a pass in only two games this season, but was pretty good in a start vs. Arizona (115.99 QBR).
Shreveport at Pittsburgh: The Maulers have won both regular-season games against the Steamer, including a 52-7 romp in Week 15. That was the only win for Pittsburgh in its last four games. Shreveport was 3-6 after a hot start and RB Joseph Ring is very questionable.
Orlando at Birmingham: Orlando, also making its postseason debut, is 3-1 all-time against the Stallions, including a 42-3 stomping in Week 11. The Renegades outgained the Stallions, 527-150, in that game. Birmingham QB Roger Boyer (foot) is probable.
Record Book
Notable individual records set or tied during the 1978 season included:
- Most rushing TDs, one game: Robert Ensley, Pittsburgh vs. Charlotte (4, tied for first)
- Most receptions, one game: Robert Zapata, Orlando vs. Baltimore (16, tied)
- Longest kickoff return: Kenneth Boyd, New Orleans vs. Florida (110 yards, tied)
- Longest punt: George Hill, Washington vs. Philadelphia (71 yards, tied)
- Most tackles, one season: Travis Curcio, MLB, Washington, 140
- Most sacks, one season: William Lewis, LDE, Tampa Bay, 31 (tied)
- Most hurries, one season: Jim Zarate, LDE, Cleveland, 145
- Most interceptions, one season: Bradley Martinez, CB, Pittsburgh 13
- Most interception returns for TDs, one game/one season: Monte Cherry, CB, Cleveland, vs. Florida, 2
- Most pass attempts, one season: William Hill, Portland 820
- Most pass receptions, one season: Robert Zapata, Orlando, 135
- Longest field goal: Gary Spence, Cleveland, 59 yards (tied)
Inside the Standings
- The Oklahoma Outlaws had the best regular-season record in franchise history (11-5), but finished second in their division because the Memphis Showboats had the best record in franchise history (12-4).
- Other teams to post the best record in franchise history were the Houston Gamblers (7-9), Michigan Panthers (8-8), Orlando Renegades (12-4), and New Jersey Generals (15-1). The Philadelphia Bell (6-10) and Cleveland Thunderbolts (13-3) tied their best-ever marks.
- The Honolulu Hawaiians finished the season with six consecutive wins. The previous franchise best win streak was four.
- The addition of Orlando and Memphis to the playoff field means 28 of the USFL/WFL's 32 franchises have made at least one playoff appearance in the league's first five years.
Who's Beating Who (Whom?)
The chart listing each team's all-time record against all opponents has been updated. Here are some interesting tidbits:
- The Memphis Showboats were 0-8 against San Antonio before beating the Gunslingers twice this season.
- The Washington Federals were 0-8 against Baltimore before beating the Stars twice this season.
- There are six division matchups in which one team has never beaten the other: Memphis is 10-0 vs. Houston, Detroit 10-0 vs. Michigan, Los Angeles 10-0 vs. Southern California, Pittsburgh 10-0 vs. Charlotte, Pittsburgh 10-0 vs. Washington, and New Jersey 10-0 vs. Philadelphia.
- There are three instances in which non-division foes have met every year. They are Michigan 4-1 vs. Houston; New Jersey 4-1 vs. Georgia; and Washington 3-2 vs. Philadelphia.
