The two National Conference Divisional games ended within one score just like the American Conference, but the way they played out was completely different. The American Conference had back and forth games while the National Conference featured double digit come from behind wins. The television ratings just came in and viewership was through the roof as the closely contested games held America's attention.
VooDoo 20 Renegades 17 (OT)
Orlando was enjoying their first playoff season since 1978 when they made it to the National Conference Championship game and a win in New Orleans would see the Renegades back in a conference championship. The VooDoo have been playoff regulars who are seeking their first conference championship game since 1982.
New Orleans got the ball first, and an excellent opening drive seemingly stalled with a 4th and goal at the 5. Most head coaches would opt for the easy 3 but Smirt decided for the aggressive approach. This time, the gamble did not work as James Perry's pass was knocked down by Orlando LB Chung Hill. Following an Orlando punt, New Orleans faced a 4th and 1 on their second drive, opting to punt from their 40 yard line rather than be extra aggressive. Given what happened next, perhaps they should have went for it as Orlando QB Elwood Savage found Ben Dehaven for an 86 yard catch and run TD for a 7-0 Renegades lead. Midway through the second quarter, Renegades rookie RB/WR Jose Rush punched it in from 2 yards out to extend the lead to 14-0.
New Orleans would finally dent the scoreboard late in the first half to cut the lead to 14-3. Orlando got that 3 back in the 3rd qtr and the score heading into the 4th quarter was 17-3 Renegades. New Orleans finally crossed the goal line early in the 4th qtr as James Perry found Socrates Rogers in the end zone, cutting the lead to 17-10. The Renegades next drive stalled at the VooDoo 38 and Orlando opted to punt since their kicker, Jacob Barger's long on the year is just 54 yards and he is 5/8 on 50+ FGs in 1988.
New Orleans was well on their way toward the tying TD, having the ball 1st and 10 from the Orlando 11 with just over 2 and a half minutes to go in regulation. James Perry tried to force the ball to James Sheckler despite double coverage and Renegades CB John Greenway intercepted. The VooDoo defense had Perry's back though, forcing a three and out to give the ball back to the offense. Four plays later, Perry found WR Leonard Robles who broke a tackle before sprinting into the end zone with the game tying TD.
There were still 0:55 left, plenty of time for Orlando to maneuver into FG range but for some reason they decided to run the ball on first and second down, wasting precious seconds. The regulation clock ran out with Orlando in VooDoo territory, 10-15 yards too far for a FG try.
So on to OT we go and we'll fast forward over 2 punts from each offense. New Orleans CB Dennis Camp picked off Elwood Savage in Orlando territory, and the return had the ball at the Renegades 24. One running play later, New Orleans K Jordan Fuller booted the game winner from 37 yards out, sending the VooDoo to the conference championship game.
Baltimore Stars 29 New York Stars 24
These two teams share the same name and the box score for each team from this game look like mirror images of each other. Forgive me for over using their city names in this recap, but I can't very well just say Stars. New York got the ball first and wasted little time scoring, with Willie Bust hitting Joseph Clark in stride for a 59 yard TD four plays in. Following a Baltimore punt, New York took 5 plays to pad the lead to 14-0 as Ernest Lynch imitated his cousin Marshawn with a 56 yard TD run. New York forced Baltimore to go three and out then struck again 6 plays later. Willie Bust threw a 33 yard TD pass to Tomas Abbott and New York had a 21-0 lead with about 2:30 left in the 1st qtr.
At this point of the game, Baltimore needed a nice long drive to give their defense a break but WR Brian Darden had other ideas. Jon Snow found him for a 75 yard TD on the first play of the drive to cut it to 21-7.
New York got the ball right back and embarked on a 13 play 72 yard drive. They got as close as the Baltimore 3 yard line, but could not get a TD, settling for a short FG and a 24-7 lead. This turned out to be a huge stop for Baltimore as they began to slowly take momentum back from New York. A 10 play, 40 yard drive ended with a FG, then following a three and out by New York, Snow and Darden hooked up again to make the halftime score 24-17 New York.
The 3rd qtr was scoreless and Baltimore kicked 2 FGs early in the 4th, but New York was still clinging to a 1 point lead. Baltimore had been doing a great job of slowing down the New York offense after their first quarter onslaught and that continued throughout the final quarter. Just inside the 2 minute warning, New York punted and left Baltimore at their own 34. The New York fans were in full throat as the Baltimore offense took the field but Jon Snow quieted them rather quickly. Jeffrey Gentry took the pass and raced 66 yards for the go ahead score, but the 2 point try failed, making the score 29-24 Baltimore. New York had plenty of time for a drive, but they turned it over on downs at the Baltimore 43 and one Jon Snow kneel down sealed victory.
