If they were remaking Seinfeld, Chicago, New Jersey and Tampa Bay would be auditioning for the role of the doorman. For the second consecutive week the Blitz and the Generals had a win and in scenario and failed to get the job done. Tampa Bay got off to a fast start and looked to be running away with the Southeast Division, but now they're stuck in a 7-7 quagmire with seemingly half the National Conference.
Federals 51 Blitz 8
Washington has had their playoff ticket punched awhile ago and this week they prevented Chicago from doing the same. The Federals have their eye on a Week 16 date with Baltimore but they obviously were not looking ahead as they dropped 51 points and 638 yards of offense on the Blitz. Federals QB Joe Richardson fired 6 TD passes, 4 of them to WR Luther Ellis, who now has 17 on the year, tied for most in the league.
Bulls 34 Generals 21
Another week of winning the turnover battle but losing the game for New Jersey. The Generals defense has shown cracks this year that we haven't seen much of in years past and that was on display this game. Jacksonville QB Charles Evans found WR Albert Anderson for not one, not two, but three long TD passes. Anderson finished with 8 catches for 279 yards. The victory puts Jacksonville in the middle of the 7-7 Southeast scrum while the Generals still need 1 more win or 1 (NY) Stars loss.
Blazers 44 Bandits 17
Tampa Bay really needed a win in this game to keep sole possession of first place but it was the red hot Blazers who dominated. Florida is now 7-7 after an 0-6 start and tied for first place with Tampa Bay and Jacksonville. Blazers QB Michael London was almost perfect, finishing 27-31, 338 yds and 4 TD's. Florida erupted for 20 2nd qtr points to take control of the game.
Express 21 Breakers 7
Los Angeles had also been in the running for the part of the doorman but not anymore after their division clinching win over the improved Breakers. Neither team cracked 280 yards but the Express had a much better running game.
Wranglers 28 Invaders 0
The MFN standings glitch is still there as Oakland is not really eliminated yet. If Arizona loses their last 2 and Oakland wins their last 2, the Invaders will be the #6 seed. Oakland will need a much better offensive game the last 2 weeks as the Wranglers shut down the Invaders offense to the tune of 109 total yards. Oakland had just 9 rushing yards on 16 carries. I'm a little concerned only 58,881 (84%) showed up at Sun Devil Stadium for such an important division game.
VooDoo 23 Hornets 17
In a battle of smoking hot under .500 teams, New Orleans kept their playoff hopes alive with this win. VooDoo RB Socrates Rogers set the tone early on his way to a 115 yard rushing day. This win snaps Charlotte's 4 game winning streak.
Stallions 41 Gunslingers 7
Birmingham keeps rolling as they scored 4 TD's in the first quarter and a half before coasting to the easy victory. The Stallions have earned a first round BYE.
Gamblers 30 Outlaws 13
Houston also keeps rolling as they pulled away after a tight 1st quarter for a comfortable win. The Gamblers are in the playoffs but will they be the #5 seed? #1 or #2 seed? Does it matter? I figure there are 6 or 7 teams with a very good shot to win it all even as a wildcard, and the defending champs are one for sure.
Showboats 40 Force 21
We know Memphis will be playing beyond Week 16 but will Georgia? The Force will have new ownership in 1986 but the question for now is, when will Greyghost's retirement from USFL/WFL start? Georgia is finally finished with the leagues upper echelon teams and their 7-7 record is right in the thick of the wildcard race. Their schedule is more than favorable down the stretch and a 9-7 record should at least put them in a tiebreaker for #6 seed.
(NY) Stars 30 Renegades 7
New York kept the heat on New Jersey with their win over Orlando. Even if the Generals quit choking and win a game, the Stars are in the thick of the wildcard race.
Stars 37 Wheels 0
Baltimore bounced back from their first loss of 1985 by dominating Detroit. The Stars held Detroit to just 120 total yards.
SaberCats 20 Thunderbolts 9
Cleveland turned the ball over 3 times in this crushing loss. The only path to the playoffs for the Thunderbolts is to win the Midwest Division, they can't be a wildcard now. Cleveland needs similar to Oakland, 2 Blitz losses and 2 Cleveland wins.
Maulers 27 Steamer 10
Panthers 34 Hawaiians 10
Sun 20 Bell 12
Gold 19 Storm 13
