Things are finally starting to get back to normal for me, and with the playoffs approaching, it's time to start writing the blog again. This one will be short and sweet since kickoff for Week 14 is almost here.
American Conference
Clinched Division: Michigan Panthers
Clinched Playoff Berth: Denver Gold, Houston Gamblers
In The Hunt: Southern California Sun, Honolulu Hawaiians, Los Angeles Express, Arizona Wranglers, Portland Storm, Memphis Showboats, Oklahoma Outlaws, Cleveland Thunderbolts
The Pacific division is still up for grabs, but the Southern California Sun have a 2 game lead on Honolulu. The Hawaiians have a road game @ Cleveland, which looks to be an elimination game. The Los Angeles Express need a win at Southern California to stay alive. San Jose has been eliminated.
The West division is still strong, just not as dominant as all four teams were in 1987. The Denver Gold are in the playoffs and will win the West if they beat Arizona tonight. Speaking of the Wranglers, at 8-5, they would be the current #6 seed but can't afford too many more losses as the Portland Storm are right behind them at 7-6. The Wranglers play the Storm in Week 15 and turn around in Week 16 for a quick rematch with Denver. The Oakland Invaders have been eliminated.
The Houston Gamblers have a 2.5 game lead on the Memphis Showboats and will clinch the Southwest with a victory over Memphis tonight. The Showboats are currently 8-4-1 and the #5 seed. Those 4 losses under Greyghost equals the number of games Infinity on Trial lost in 3 complete seasons, and by the way...he's baaaccckkk and looking for a threepeat. The Oklahoma Outlaws are still alive at 6-7 but have a lot of teams to climb over while the San Antonio Gunslingers have been eliminated.
The Midwest division belongs to the 11-1-1 Michigan Panthers. Cleveland is still alive at 7-5-1 and the Thunderbolts have an elimination game of sorts against Honolulu tonight. The Chicago Blitz and Detroit Wheels have been eliminated.
National Conference
Clinched Division: New Orleans VooDoo
Clinched Playoff Berth: Tampa Bay Bandits
In The Hunt: Orlando Renegades, Jacksonville Bulls, Florida Blazers, Baltimore Stars, Washington Federals, New York Stars, New Jersey Generals
The Southeast division has the best cumulative W-L record in the league and it shows, as all four teams are still alive. Tampa Bay leads at 11-2 and the Bandits face East leading (NY) Stars tonight. Orlando is second at 9-4 while Jacksonville sits third at 8-5. The Renegades and the Bulls play tonight in a huge game for both. The Florida Blazers may be in last place but they are still alive for a playoff spot, though they likely need to win out.
In the South division it's all about that VooDoo, as in the New Orleans VooDoo. They are 11-2 and have long wrapped up the division. The Shreveport Steamer, Birmingham Stallions and Georgia Force have all been eliminated.
The Atlantic division might not come down to Week 16 for a change as the Baltimore Stars (10-3) have a 2 game lead over the Washington Federals (8-5). The Stars do have a tougher last 3 games (26-13 combined, NO, Birm, TB) than the Federals (17-22, Pitt, NJ, Okl). The Pittsburgh Maulers and Charlotte Hornets have been eliminated.
The East division has long been owned by the New Jersey Generals, but in 1988 the New York Stars are looking to change that. The Stars currently lead the East with a 9-4 record and their remaining opponents have a combined 20-19 record (TB, Orl, Bos). The Generals have only missed the playoffs twice in league history (1974, 1976) and following a wild card berth in 1977 have won the East every year since. New Jersey's remaining schedule shows a combined 16-23 record as they face Boston, Washington and Jacksonville.
Best of luck to everyone, whether you are fighting for the playoffs or looking toward 1989. Looking forward to another exciting finish to our season.
