1980 Divisional Round Preview

Maybe THIS is the year for the Tampa Bay Bandits.

Tampa Bay accumulated a 57-7 record from 1976-79, only to fall short in the playoffs each time, including losses in World Bowls IV and V. This year's edition lost five regular-season games, but may finally be getting a few breaks, as evidenced by its 34-33 win over the Georgia Force in the wild-card round. Next up for Tampa Bay is the surprising Washington Federals.

A look at the four divisional round matchups:

Tampa Bay Bandits (11-5) at Washington Federals (11-5): The Bandits edged Georgia on Thomas Hummell's 52-yard field goal with 34 seconds to play. Veteran QB Michael White, cast aside by Pittsburgh and Houston, has nearly doubled his QBR with the Maulers last season (112.50 to 58.30). Washington won six of its last seven to claim its first-ever Atlantic Division title. Three-time All-Pro center James Smith is doubtful for the Bandits. DT Richard Fleming is doubtful for the Federals. Tampa Bay leads the regular-season series, 3-0, including a 51-10 romp in 1978.

Joseph Ring (35), Edgar Jones (10)

Shreveport Steamer (10-6) at New Orleans VooDoo (11-5): New Orleans won the South Division title on the final day of the regular season and earned a first-round bye. They got to watch a great wild-card game on TV as Shreveport outscored New Jersey, 18-0, in the fourth quarter to pull out a 35-34 victory. Second-year QB Edgar Jones found Joseph Ring for the game-winning TD pass with 1:08 to play. The teams split during the regular season, Shreveport winning, 31-14, in Week 6 and New Orleans winning, 33-28, in Week 11. The Steamer leads the regular-season series, 8-6. Shreveport has 14 players listed on the injury report this week, including center Noel Albert, while the entire VooDoo roster should be available.

Portland Storm (12-4) at Detroit Wheels (12-4): Portland outscored Cleveland, 16-0, down the stretch to pull away for a 33-12 win over the Thunderbolts in the wild card round. The Storm defense made life miserable for Cleveland QB Chester Dougherty (15-for-44, 3 INT, 27.65 QBR). They hope to do the same to Detroit's Mario Valencia, who passed for nearly 6,000 yards and 45 TDs during the regular season. The Wheels lead the regular-season series, 3-2 and the teams have split playoff games in 1974 and '79. Billy McKissick, Detroit's 1979 All-Pro center, is questionable, as is three-time All-Pro CB David Peralta. All-Pro nominee RB Michael Leonard is doubtful for Portland.

Oklahoma Outlaws (11-5) at Memphis Showboats (13-3): The Outlaws continue to surprise people under rookie head coach RoyceR, beating Honolulu, 30-20, in the wild card round by outscoring the Hawaiians, 17-3, in the fourth quarter. Oklahoma RBs Patrick Hiebert and Aaron Levenson combined for 242 yards rushing. Memphis earned the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye. The Showboats won both regular-season games, 24-19 and 45-31, but Oklahoma leads the series, 9-5. Memphis knocked the Outlaws out of the playoffs last season, 41-20. Oklahoma RDE Joe Braatz, an All-Pro nominee, is questionable. The entire Showboats roster is available.