Divisional Playoffs: LAX Does It With Defense

Seth Wynn, RB, LAX

The Los Angeles Express has been an offensive machine this season, but its defense provided the big plays during Saturday's 16-13 divisional playoffs victory over the Arizona Wranglers.

MLB James Johnson and CB Paul Moore both intercepted passes during the final 2 minutes as LAX advanced to the American Conference championship game against the Detroit Wheels. The pickoffs came with 1:43 and 20 seconds to play.

Arizona QB Jerry Montalvo, playing on an injured knee, was limited to 214 yards passing and a QBR of 46.08. Seth Wynn rushed for 113 yards for the Express and kicker Roger Ruzich provided the margin of victory with his 54-yard field goal with 9:06 remaining. Ruzich had an unusual game, as he also allowed Arizona to stay close by missing field goal attempts of 48 yards with 1:46 to play and 53 yards with 48 seconds to go.

Detroit Wheels 35, Oklahoma Outlaws 6

Detroit CB Bradley Mondragon intercepted three passes and QB Mario Valencia threw four TD passes as the undefeated Wheels moved into a spot opposite LAX in the conference championship game. The Wheels picked off Oklahoma QB Dale Brown five times in all. Wheels WR Timothy Hanna accumulated 246 receiving yards on just five catches (49.2 per catch).

New York Stars 26, Shreveport Steamer 10

New York CB Ben Fabiano had two of New York's four interceptions as the Stars rode their defense into the National Conference championship game. Shreveport QB Fred Murphy finished with a game QBR of 10.24 as he was also sacked four times and was 15-of-47 passing. The only Shreveport TD came on a 6-yard fumble return by LDE Anthony Kent. Kent also had 12 hurries.

Tampa Bay Bandits 47, New Jersey Generals 0

Tampa Bay limited New Jersey to 108 net yards total offense and Bandits QB Luis Gero was 22-for-28 passing for 352 yards and four TDs. WR Edward Conner caught 11 passes for 399 yards and three scores. Tampa Bay rookie LDE William Lewis had 3 sacks and 8 hurries.

Conference Championship Preview

The undefeated Detroit Wheels are 8-point favorites over the Los Angeles Express in Tuesday's American Conference championship game. The Wheels have won all four meetings between the teams, including 37-14 in Week 6 this season. In that game, Detroit scored a touchdown or field goal on six of its first seven possessions.

The Tampa Bay Bandits are 12-point favorites over the New York Stars in the National Conference championship game. Tampa Bay leads the series, 3-0, and spanked the Stars, 46-3, in last season's playoffs. When the teams met in Week 14 this season, Tampa fell behind, 34-6, at halftime, only to come all the way back in the second half for a 47-37 win.