American Conference West Division
This should be the most exciting division race as there are 3 teams within a game and a half. Denver has led the division all season and currently sit at 10-2. Arizona has won 6 in a row after a 3-3 start and is positioned well for a wildcard spot if they can navigate this tough 3 game stretch against playoff caliber teams. Oakland has a rough 3 game stretch of their own and at 8-3-1, in 3rd place, they can't afford too many slip ups.
The winner of this division will likely be the #2 seed and at least 1 wildcard should come from the West as well, maybe 2 if Houston slips up.
Denver: @ Oakland, vs Portland, @ Jacksonville, @ Memphis
Arizona: @ Houston, vs Oakland, @ Tampa Bay, @ Orlando
Oakland: vs Denver, @ Arizona, @ Houston, @ Portland
National Conference Southeast Division
This is also a 3 team race but without the gaudy records of the West. Tampa Bay started out 5-1 but have lost 4 of 6, including the last 3 in a row to hold a precarious lead with their 7-5 record. Hot on their heels are the blazing Blazers of Florida, who have evened their record at 6-6 following an 0-6 start. They are a prime example of what can happen if you don't give up after a rough start. Jacksonville is just 5-7 but only 2 games out of the top spot in the Southeast and they have won 4 of their last 6.
Tampa Bay: @ Portland, vs Florida, vs Arizona, @ Philadelphia
Florida: vs Jacksonville, @ Tampa Bay, vs New Jersey, @ Jacksonville
Jacksonville: @ Florida, vs New Jersey, vs Denver, vs Florida
American Conference Southwest Division
Memphis had been chasing defending World Bowl Champions Houston for most of the season, thanks to their OT loss to the Gamblers in Week 3, but a recent 2 game slide by Houston put the Showboats in the top spot. Neither team has officially clinched a playoff berth yet, but it's likely a matter of time. The winner of this division will be the likely #1 seed while the other team will likely be a wildcard team, though the possibility remains both wildcard spots come from the West.
Memphis: @ Los Angeles, @ Georgia, vs Portland, vs Denver
Houston: vs Arizona, @ Oklahoma, vs Oakland, @ Birmingham
National Conference Atlantic Division
The only team yet to lose in 1985 are the Baltimore Stars, whose only blemish was their Week 10 tie with New Jersey. Despite their 11-0-1 record, they aren't division champs yet because of Washington who sit at 10-2 with a Week 17 home date with Baltimore. At 4-8, Pittsburgh is a long shot but are not officially eliminated from a wildcard.
The winner of this division will most certainly get a BYE and will likely be #1 seed, while second place will be the #5 seed.
Baltimore: @ Birmingham, vs Detroit, vs Pittsburgh, @ Washington
Washington: @ Pittsburgh, vs Chicago, @ Cleveland, vs Baltimore
Pittsburgh: vs Washington, @ Shreveport, @ Baltimore, vs Charlotte
American Conference Midwest Division
With a 2.5 game lead Chicago is in the drivers seat to win the Midwest over Cleveland. If the Blitz win in Cleveland this weekend the division title is theirs, though they need some breaks for a BYE. Cleveland will likely need to win out to make the playoffs.
Chicago: @ Cleveland, @ Washington, vs Honolulu, @ Detroit
Cleveland: vs Chicago, vs San Jose, vs Washington, vs Michigan
National Conference South Division
With their Week 12 win over New Jersey, Birmingham put themselves in line for a BYE, provided they don't collapse down the stretch. Should the Stallions stumble, Georgia is ready to take advantage. They lead a pack of 8 teams vying for the #6 seed, including 4-8 New Orleans. It's probably too late in 1985 for the VooDoo but they will be a team to keep an eye on in 1986.
Birmingham: vs Baltimore, vs San Antonio, @ New Orleans, vs Houston
Georgia: vs New Orleans, vs Memphis, @ San Antonio, @ Shreveport
New Orleans: @ Georgia, vs Charlotte, vs Birmingham, @ (NY) Stars
National Conference East Division
This is the only division that doesn't have a team with the "e" next to their name, though most likely the division still belongs to New Jersey. At 8-3-1 they have a 3.5 game lead over everyone else in the East. Boston, (NY) Stars, and Philadelphia, all sit 5-7 and are still within reach of Georgia, the current #6.
New Jersey: vs (NY) Stars, @ Jacksonville, @ Florida, @ Boston
Boston: @ Charlotte, vs Los Angeles, @ Orlando, vs New Jersey
(NY) Stars: @ New Jersey, @ Orlando, @ Southern California, vs New Orleans
Philadelphia: vs Orlando, vs Southern California, @ Los Angeles, vs Tampa Bay
American Conference Pacific Division
Most likely, Los Angeles will win the division as they have a 3 game lead with 4 to play. Southern California, and Honolulu need an Express collapse to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
Los Angeles: vs Memphis, @ Boston, vs Philadelphia, @ Southern California
Southern California: @ San Antonio, @ Philadelphia, vs (NY) Stars, vs Los Angeles
Honolulu: @ San Jose, @ Michigan, @ Chicago, vs San Jose
