Week 14: Memphis Clinches Home Field Advantage

Week 14 was an interesting week in USFL to say the least. The Memphis Showboats clinched home field throughout the playoffs, we have seven American Conference teams still alive for just 3 playoff spots, Birmingham lost their second in a row, opening the division door for the New Orleans VooDoo and Georgia Force, and speaking of Georgia, their now former owner, Lucky took his ball and went home.

Georgia will be temporarily run by USFLCommish in a similar manner as former USFL Commissioner tribewriter ran open teams. I'll do the bare minimum, no game planning other than scouting, managing the depth chart only in regards to injuries, etc. It's a tough break for the Force fan base as they are in the middle of the chase for the last wildcard spot and possibly the South Division.

Showboats 31 Renegades 6

Will Memphis chase 19-0 or will they rest players the last 2 weeks now home field is wrapped up? Memphis scored 28 first half points the hard way, going 2-4 on two point conversion attempts. It will be interesting to see how teams defend this growing 2 point trend. Showboats QB David Allen tossed 3 TD's and donut mogul Tim Horton rushed for 148 yards as Memphis sailed to victory.


Sun 19 Express 0

It was Interceptionpalooza in Los Angeles. Express QB Eric Roberge threw 3 while Sun QB Christopher Kimbrough threw 5 but Kimbrough also tossed the game's lone TD as Southern California gets one step closer to a Pacific Division title and the franchise's first postseason appearance.

Panthers 31 Stallions 24

Division leaders met in Birmingham and it was the previously 6-7 Michigan Panthers coming out on top. Birmingham won the yardage but lost the turnover battle 3-1, including turnovers on their last 2 drives of the game, helping Michigan win the 4th qtr 10-0 for the come from behind victory. The Panthers have a 2 game lead on Cleveland for the Midwest while Birmingham's two game slide has cut their lead to 1 over New Orleans and 2 over Georgia.

VooDoo 28 Blazers 16

 Rumor has it this will be the new VooDoo logo as their whole offense seems to be on the injury report. New Orleans still managed a balanced attack against the Florida defense and a ball hawking defense limited Florida's high powered offense. New Orleans won the turnover battle 4-2 and dominated in the red zone both ways. Offensively the VooDoo scored TD's on all 3 red zone possessions while holding the Blazers to a single FG in 2 trips.

Gold 20 Invaders 17

Denver had a 14-7 lead after 3 quarters, scoring a safety and 4 FG's. Oakland stormed back with 10 points in 3 minutes to take a 17-14 midway through the 4th. That was the score with 0:22 on the clock, Denver facing a 3rd and 10 from their own 27. Gold QB Dustin Nichols threw a short pass to WR Jose Buford before the missed tackle heard around the USFL. Oakland CB Ralph Hooks had tight coverage on the play but upon the completion, Buford escaped Hooks' grasp before outrunning the Invaders defense to the end zone.

That made the score 20-17 but the Gold inexplicably went for 2 and failed. Lucky for them they aren't the real life Chargers who lost a game like this last week, thanks to a PI flag and a last second FG. This victory gives Denver sole possession of the #6 seed in the American Conference.

Storm 24 Hawaiians 7

Portland won the battle between 2 of the 7 teams fighting for 3 playoff spots, keeping them 1 game behind Denver. Portland racked up nearly 500 yards of offense, 237 on the ground and the score could have been worse considering Storm K Donald Dosch missed 3 FG's.

Steamer 19 Bandits 14
Wheels 10 Thunderbolts 6
Force 17 Blitz 10
Generals 24 (NY) Stars 13
Federals 40 Maulers 0
Stars 30 Breakers 3
SaberCats 23 Hornets 10
Wranglers 31 Bell 10
Gamblers 36 Outlaws 22
Bulls 22 Gunslingers 10