Week 13 saw Memphis, Houston, and Denver punch their playoff tickets, while Los Angeles, Chicago, and New Jersey must wait at least a week.
Showboats 37 Express 3
Memphis intercepted Mario Valencia's second pass of the game and immediately turned it into 6 points. It was all downhill from there as Los Angeles could only muster 119 yards of offense. The Southwest division is still up for grabs but Memphis will have a playoff game in their future.
Gamblers 37 Wranglers 9
Arizona gained 344 yards on Houston's defense and had 19 first downs to just 12 for Houston. Gamblers played bend but don't break defense, forcing 2 turnovers and 0-2 in the red zone. The Gamblers didn't need first downs as they used the big play for 512 yards of offense, 406 through the air. Gamblers QB Tony Dean was 18-24, 415 yards and 5 TD's, taking just 1 sack.
This win clinches a playoff berth for Houston, while Arizona is still in line for the #6 seed.
Gold 28 Invaders 10
In an important West division game, Denver went into Oakland and beat the Invaders, clinching a playoff spot in the process. Oakland is a half game behind Arizona for the #6 seed and those two square off in Week 14. Gold WR Richard Huff had 181 yards on 6 catches.
Thunderbolts 23 Blitz 10
All Chicago had to do was beat Cleveland and they would be Midwest Division champs but they literally fumbled away that chance. WR/PR Joey Walker fumbled 3 punt returns, losing 2 of them to set Cleveland up with easy scoring opportunities. Cleveland is now just 1.5 games back of Chicago with 3 to play.
(NY) Stars 17 Generals 16
All New Jersey had to do was beat New York and they would be East Division champs but the Generals offense failed to deliver despite winning the turnover battle 3-0. Stars QB Eric Roberge found WR Robert Freese for 2 TD's, yet the Stars fell behind in the 4th qtr 16-14. New York got the ball with 2:49 to go and drove the field for the game winning 51 yd FG as time expired.
New Jersey needs either 1 more win or 1 loss each for (NY) Stars and Philadelphia to win the East.
Storm 27 Bandits 7
Tampa Bay currently leads the Southeast Division but for how long? The Bandits came in with a 3 game losing streak and facing a 4-8 Portland squad. The Storm have been playing good football of late as this was their 3rd win in their last 4 games.
Early in the 1st qtr, the Bandits got on the scoreboard first. Melvin Driggers found Thomas Whitley for his league leading 16th TD reception. It was all Storm after that, as Oscar Willis threw 3 TD passes of his own, 2 to RB Kristopher Brown.
Bulls 33 Blazers 14
Florida has been one of the hottest teams in the league but Jacksonville came to town and halted the Blazer's 6 game win streak, preventing Florida from a share of the division lead. This win also puts the Bulls right in the thick of the division race as both teams now trail Tampa Bay by 1 game.
Through 3 qtrs it was 20-0 Jacksonville but Florida scored 2 quick 4th qtr TD's to pull within 6. The Bulls answered right away with this 74 yard Charles Evans to Albert Anderson TD. That was their second hookup of the day and they would add a 3rd to seal the game and leave Florida to wonder what happened.
Stallions 17 Stars 9
In a possible playoff preview Birmingham hands Baltimore their first loss of the season. The road to World Bowl XII still looks to go through Baltimore, but 1 more stumble and home field advantage could shift south. In fact, this loss puts more importance on the Week 16 Stars @ Federals game as Baltimore could find themselves a wildcard if they lose. That would be a disappointing way to enter the postseason, spending all year as the #1 seed only to have to play on the road wildcard weekend.
Bell 20 Renegades 17
SaberCats 41 Hawaiians 24
Hornets 15 Breakers 3
Gunslingers 11 Sun 3
Steamer 18 Outlaws 7
VooDoo 30 Force 7
Federals 16 Maulers 13
Panthers 24 Wheels 3
