Week 16 is often a strange week as teams are in various stages of motivation. Some teams know this is their last game of the season, so will they play like their car is running in the parking lot with their bags packed or will they want to go out with a blaze of glory? Some teams know they are playing next week in the wildcard round and benched some key players to prevent injuries. Then we have teams who don't know whether or not their season will continue and had to win and get some help from other teams to give them a playoff spot.
Sometimes a team has nothing to play for except a player's statistics, which was the case in New Jersey where New York Stars WR Albert Olson needed 245 receiving yards to break Mark Hsu's single season record of 2,745 yards set in 1993. The Stars and Generals played to a tie, but Olson didn't need the extra time to break the record. Olson caught 13 passes for 334 yards and 4 TDs, making the new record 2,835 yards. Olson also finished with 25 TD receptions, tied for 4th all time. Congratulations Albert Olson.
The playoff field is all set and last year's World Bowl teams are looking to get back as Houston and Washington both secured the #1 seed. San Jose and Orlando get the other 2 BYES, while Portland, Chicago, New Jersey and Shreveport are your other division winners. The wildcard teams are Denver, Memphis, Florida and Baltimore. Congratulations to the 12 playoff teams and best of luck in the offseason and draft for the 20 teams who will be home for the playoffs.
Gamblers 19 Breakers 16
Houston needed to win to secure home field advantage but they still sat their top 2 RBs for this game. Boston was seeking a win to give them an 8-8 record which would be their first non losing record since 1974. The Breakers scored first on an Adam Scales 5 yard TD pass to Christopher Griffey. Tony Dean then led the Gamblers to a pair of FG drives before finding Hugh Chance for a 59 yard TD inside the 2 minute warning for a 13-7 halftime lead.
In the 3rd quarter, Boston's Larry Ruiz sacked Dean in the end zone for a safety, then Scales connected with Bob carder for a 48 yard TD to give the Breakers a 16-13 lead after 3. The 4th quarter saw just 2 FGs, with Earl Castro tying the game early in the quarter, then kicking the game winning FG inside the 2 minute warning.
Houston finishes 1995 15-1, the #1 seed in the American Conference while Boston finishes 7-9 for the second straight year.
SaberCats 7 Storm 3
The Houston win means the winner of this game would have the #2 seed and get the BYE with the loser hosting a wildcard game next week. Portland had the 2nd best offense in the league, San Jose 7th, so of course both offenses combined had just 432 yards and 10 points. Portland took an early 3-0 lead with a FG and San Jose took the lead just before halftime when Jake Plummer found Mark Hsu for a short TD pass. The SaberCats led 7-3 at the half and the defenses of both teams allowed nothing the final 30 minutes.
San Jose finishes 14-2, winner of the Pacific and getting a first round BYE. Portland finishes 13-3, winners of the West, and (spoiler alert) will host Memphis next week in the Wildcard round.
Blitz 17 Gunslingers 3
Halfway through this season, Chicago was 3-5, seemingly headed for another year without a playoff game (last playoff game, 1990). The Blitz then went on a second half run, winning 6 in a row to get to 9-5 before losing to Michigan last week. No matter though, as a win today would give Chicago the Midwest title and a home playoff game. The Blitz got the ball first and Ronald Brown drove the offense 75 yards in 11 plays, finding Barry Dawson for a 6 yard TD and a 7-0 lead. San Antonio would get a FG to cut the lead to 7-3 but Brown found Ian Gordon for a 40 yard TD pass to increase the lead. The Blitz would add a FG at the 2 minute warning for a 17-3 halftime lead.
The second half was scoreless and the victory makes Chicago 10-6, and they host Denver wildcard weekend. San Antonio finishes 5-11, 3rd place in the Southwest.
Gold 27 Wheels 17
Detroit needed to beat Denver and have other game results go their way, but they couldn't take care of business against the Gold. Denver was locked into the #5 seed so they sat QB Andrew Brewer in favor of Hassan Hullinger. They also used 3rd string RB Eric Younker as the lead back today and he responded with 104 rushing yards and 2 TDs. Detroit hung tough, as the game was tied at 17 through 3 quarters, but the Gold broke through for 10 points in the 4th to save the Wheels from scoreboard watching.
Denver finishes 12-4, 2nd place in the West and they travel to Chicago wildcard weekend. Detroit finished 8-8, 3rd place in the Midwest, and the Wheels need to find a way to avoid their backup QB's cameo appearances, as they help nothing but their opponents.
Showboats 17 Hawaiians 0
According to MFN, Memphis just needed a win to claim the #6 seed. The Showboats have had QB issues this season which have been mitigated some thanks to RB Steve Ransome leading the league in rushing. Neither offense was particularly sharp today as the first half saw just one Gary Ridgeway FG and the Showboats took a 3-0 lead into halftime. Dennis Torres intercepted Edwin Clarkson in the 3rd quarter, returning it 46 yards for a TD and a 10-0 Memphis lead. Early in the 4th, RB turned QB, turned back to RB Erik McNamee had a 2 yard TD run to salt the game away.
Memphis finishes 10-6 and will travel to Portland for wildcard weekend. Honolulu finished 5-11, 3rd place in the Pacific.
(NY) Stars 38 Generals 38 (OT)
New Jersey might be hosting a playoff game next week but all eyes were on New York WR Albert Olson today as he was one big game away from breaking the single season receiving yard record. Damien Oleary was clearly trying to get Olson the record and they connected on a 65 yard TD on their opening drive. New Jersey benched the league's leading passer Don Ferguson so he'd be healthy for the playoffs, along with RBs David Koresh and Kurt Cobain as well as leading WR Duncan Meyer. The Generals still had plenty of offensive firepower as New Jersey scored the next 2 TDs. Both were Paul Marcum TD passes to Franklin Cherry for a 14-7 Generals lead. After an exchange of FGs, Oleary found Olson for 2 more long TD passes. The first one was 53 yards, the second 91 as the Stars led at the half 24-17.
The second half was as explosive as the first, with Paul Marcum firing 3 TD passes to 2 for Oleary and we were tied after 60 minutes 38-38. Surprisingly OT came and went without any scoring and the Stars and Generals kiss their sisters in a tie, the league's first this season.
The teams combined for 1,216 yards with all of New York's 547 coming through the air. The QBs combined to complete 95/147, 1,070 yards, 10 TDs and 3 INTs. New Jersey might have won with better ball security as they lost 2 fumbles and Marcum threw 2 INTs. Marcum finished 47/71, 534 yards, 5 TD and 2 INT while Oleary was 48/76, 557 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT and each QB was sacked once. Franklin Cherry did his best Albert Olson impression, catching 10 for 305 yards and 4 TDs, but the real Albert Olson caught 13 for 334 yards and 4 scores as he ends the season with 2,835 yards, besting mark Hsu's previous record by 90 yards.
New Jersey ends the regular season 11-4-1 and host Florida wildcard weekend. New York finishes 5-10-1, 3rd place in the East.
Federals 24 Hornets 3
Scott Bieber threw for 347 yards and 3 TD passes to lead Washington to victory as they gear up for what they hope is another trip to the World Bowl. WR Ronald Matthews caught 3 passes for 117 yards and 2 scores to lead the Federals offense as Washington tripled the Hornets total yards 458-148. The Federals defense intercepted 2 passes and held Charlotte to 1/14 on 3rd down.
Washington finishes 15-1 with home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Charlotte finishes 2-14 and will have a top 2 pick in the 1996 draft.
Renegades 22 Panthers 12
Orlando had the #2 seed and a BYE all wrapped up while Michigan needed to win and get help from other teams. It was a chilly 48 degrees at kickoff and both QBs failed to get hot during the game, with neither completing 50%. Michigan got on the board first with a FG and they led 9-3 midway through the 2nd when Trey Lyons threw a 10 yard TD pass to Arthur Devore and a 10-9 Renegades lead. The 3rd quarter saw an exchange of FGs, with Orlando going first to lead 13-9, then Michigan closing the gap to 13-12. With 3:20 to play, Orlando's Roger Radke's 7 yard TD run extended the Renegade's lead to 19-12. Michigan turned it over on downs and Orlando added a FG to ice the game.
Orlando finishes 14-2, good for the #2 seed and a BYE. Michigan finishes 9-7, 2nd place in the Midwest.
Stars 31 Steamer 6
Baltimore QB Jon Snow completed 19/24, 282 yards, 2 TDs and 2 INTs, with John Warkentin catching both scores among his 7 for 185 yards. RB William Halford rushed for 116 yards and the Stars dominated red zone play. Offensively, Baltimore scored TDs on all 3 red zone trips while they held Shreveport to a FG in 2 trips. Shreveport opted to start QB #2 James Wright since they were locked in as the #4 seed.
The result of our next game means that this was a playoff preview and a home and home series. This game was in Baltimore, and the Stars win makes them 10-6, good for 2nd place in the Atlantic and the #5 seed. Shreveport finishes 9-7, champions of the South, and they will host Baltimore wildcard weekend.
Thunderbolts 13 Blazers 6
Florida was locked into a wildcard spot coming into this game and they are literally and figuratively limping into the playoffs. Four time All Pro TE William Merkel heads the long Blazers injury list as he is Out for awhile with a severe knee injury (MFN says 14 weeks). Florida was hit particularly hard at RB and DE, and they fumbled 3 times today, although they recovered them all. Florida scored first and last with FGs, but in between, Sidney Maggard threw 2 INTs and Cleveland scored 13 points for the win.
Florida finishes 9-7, 2nd place in the Southeast and will travel to New Jersey wildcard weekend. Cleveland finishes 7-9, 4th place in the Midwest.
Express 16 Invaders 13
Los Angeles needed a win over Oakland and some outside help that never came. It's never easy playing an AI team as you don't quite know what to expect. Oakland took the opening drive 75 yards, taking a 7-0 lead on James Moon's 2 yard TD run. The Invaders would add a FG on their next drive for a 10-0 lead. Los Angeles finally got on the board with a FG, then in the 3rd, Gary Sappington's 5 yard run tied the game at 10. Oakland retook the lead 13-10 with a 3rs qtr FG but the Express got a pair of Mario Price FGs in the 4th, one to tie and one to win the game inside the 2 minute warning.
Los Angeles finished 10-6, 2nd place in the Pacific. Oakland finished 5-11, 4th place in the West.
VooDoo 13 Maulers 6
This game featured a pair of teams heading home for the season and it showed in the uninspired performance of the players. There was not much offense to speak of today and the score was 6-6 in the middle of the 4th quarter as each team made 2 FGs. The only TD of the game came with 5:32 left when Will Allison was intercepted by Michael Nieves who took it 22 yards to the end zone. Allison would throw another INT on the Maulers last drive to preserve the New Orleans victory.
New Orleans finishes 5-11, tied for 3rd in the South. Pittsburgh finishes 4-12, 3rd place in the Atlantic.
Outlaws 23 Wranglers 22
These teams are improved over last year, when they combined for 2 wins, with one of Oklahoma's wins coming against 0-16 Arizona. The Wranglers struggled after a 4-1 start, but their young players gained valuable experience and despite today's loss, there is some optimism for the future. Oklahoma has struggled in the 90's, with this season's 4 wins matching the decade's high water mark. Arizona QB Brian Carmichael led the Wranglers to a TD on their opening drive with a 17 yard TD pass to Michael Jones. Carmichael finished 21/26, 228 yards and a TD, but Arizona struggled in the red zone, settling for 4 FGs in 5 red zone trips. John Crisp completed 17/21 for 255 yards and 2 TDs, both in the 4th quarter. Both teams had their RBBC working with the Wranglers getting 204 yards on the ground with no one getting more than 57. If Arizona was able to convert better in the red zone, then John Crisp wouldn't have been able to throw the game winning TD in the final minute as the Outlaws come back down 10 points in the 4th to win the game.
Oklahoma finishes 4-12, 4th place in the Southwest. Arizona finishes 6-10, 3rd place in the West.
Stallions 23 Sun 9
Birmingham QB Willie Benge threw for 292 yards and 2 TDs to lead the Stallions to victory at Southern California. The Sun hung with the Stallions in yardage, out gaining Birmingham by 3 yards, but turnovers and the red zone cost them. Gary Wiggins threw for 338 yards, but had 3 INTs to 0 TDs and the Sun had just 3 points from 3 red zone trips.
Birmingham finishes 5-11, tied for 3rd in the South. Southern California finishes 2-14, 4th in the Pacific and will pick 1st or 2nd in the 1996 draft.
Bulls 28 Bell 23
The best 4 drives of the game were the first 2 and the last 2, with some turnovers in between. Jacksonville got the ball first and drove 75 yards in 9 plays, with a 9 yard Derek Joyce TD pass to William Morrison giving the Bulls a 7-0 lead. Joseph Serio answered with a 75 yard drive of his own, but facing a 4th and goal inside the 1, Philadelphia opted for a FG to cut the lead to 7-3. It looked like a genius move when Philadelphia legally blocked a punt on the next possession to set up a short, 10 yard TD drive. Joyce then threw an interception to set up another Bell TD drive for a 17-7 Philadelphia lead. The tide turned here though, as Joseph Serio threw a pair of INTs leading to a pair of Derek Joyce TD passes. That gave Jacksonville a 21-17 halftime lead.
Derek Joyce finished 37/47, 347 yards, 4 TD and 1 INT, and his last scoring pass came late in the 3rd to extend the Bulls lead to 28-17. Joseph Serio completed 24/32, 227 yards, 3 TD and 3 INT. His last TD pass came in the middle of the 4th capping a 13 play, 80 yard drive. The 2 point try failed and the Bell were down 5 with 6:46 to play. Plenty of time to get the ball back right? Right? Normally yes, but Joyce led a 17 play, 74 yard drive that could have resulted in points but Joyce knelt down 3 times following 1st and goal from the 2, taking all remaining time off the clock for a Jacksonville win.
Jacksonville finishes 6-10, 3rd place in the Southeast. Philadelphia finishes 5-11, 4th place in the East.
Force 20 Bandits 17
We'll skip right to the 3rd quarter as the first half was a scoreless tie. Georgia recovered a fumble, one of 5 they forced on the day (recovering 3) and that led to a Thomas Jacobi 30 yard TD pass to Glen Hampton for a 7-0 lead. Tampa Bay would get a FG to cut it to 7-3 before the Force got that back. The first 48 minutes saw 13 total points as Georgia led 10-3, but the final 12 minutes were as exciting as the rest of the game was not. Tampa Bay was driving late when Darren Cotton fumbled trying for yards after the catch, with Georgia recovering. One 67 yard pass from Jacobi to Hampton later and the Force led 17-3. Antonio Martinez quickly got the Bandits into the end zone with a 53 yard pass to Earl Noble. Time was running out, so the onside kick came and failed initially, but Matthew Taylor fumbled it away before being down and the Bandits recover the loose ball. Tampa faced a 4th and goal from the 8 with just over 1:00 to play and Martinez found Wm Jones for the 8 yard TD that tied the game at 17. Martinez finished the game 31/55, 354 yards, 2 TD and 2 INT with Darren Cotton catching 13 for 116 yards. Thomas Jacobi was 22/37, 297 yards and 2 TDs, both to Glen Hampton, who caught 8 for 159 overall. Jacobi led the Force into FG range and James May was good on a 36 yard FG as time expired to give Georgia the thrilling victory to avoid OT.
Georgia finished 8-8, 2nd place in the South. Tampa bay finished 5-11, 4th place in the Southeast.
