The Cleveland Thunderbolts and Shreveport Steamer were both eliminated after Week 15, according to MFN's (flawed) AI. But, both will participate in the wild card round. None of the teams participating in the first round have ever won a World Bowl championship.
Cleveland Thunderbolts (10-6) at Portland Storm (12-4): When Denver lost its regular-season finale to Arizona and Cleveland surprised Detroit, the 'Bolts were back in the playoffs. Cleveland rolled to a 32-12 victory over Portland in Week 11 when Gary Spence kicked six field goals and Storm QB William Hill had one of his worst days of the season (O TDs, 3 INT, 43.62 QBR). The Thunderbolts lead the regular-season series 2-1.
Oklahoma Outlaws (11-5) at Honolulu Hawaiians (12-4): Oklahoma made the playoffs in its first season under head coach RoyceR, a true MFN rookie (and, apparently, a quick learner). The Outlaws had won six in a row before dropping their Week 16 game to the Washington Federals.The Hawaiians won seven of their last eight, the exception being a defeat at the hands of the Tampa Bay Bandis. Oklahoma is 4-0 all-time against Honolulu, including a 29-27 decision in 1979.
Shreveport Steamer (10-6) at New Jersey Generals (11-5): Shreveport recovered from an iffy start to win five in a row and qualify for the playoffs for the fifth time in seven seasons. New Jersey won five of its last six to claim the East Division title. The teams last played in the 1978 regular season, New Jersey winning, 27-13, to tie the series 1-1. The Generals beat Shreveport, 24-10, in the 1975 playoffs.
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Georgia Force (11-5) at Tampa Bay Bandits (11-5): The Bandits yawned their way to a fifth consecutive division title, winning four in a row after back-to-back losses to New Orleans and New Jersey. Georgia is back in the playoffs after finishing 4-12 last season, but the Force closed the regular season by losing three of four. The regular-season series is tied, 2-2, including Tampa Bay's 51-45 win in Week 8 this season.
