We had 6 games wildcard weekend with just 1 team scoring 20 points and the scoring drought continued this round. We had 81 points scored in 4 games, which won't leave me a whole lot to write about.
Michigan Panthers 15 Los Angeles Express 6
Los Angeles broke their long playoff drought last week and celebrated by beating San Jose. Their reward was a trip to Michigan to play the #1 seed Panthers, who are seeking their first ever World Bowl appearance and were last in the postseason 1994. This was a defensive battle as neither offense could score a TD and they combined to go 6/30 on 3rd down. Los Angeles intercepted Will Allison twice but they didn't sack him, and they allowed nearly 200 rushing yards. Lawrence Schroeder led the way for Michigan, rushing for 127 yards and the Panthers defense held the Express to 171 total yards. Michigan sacked David Tavarez 5 times and intercepted him 3 times in addition to recovering a fumble.
All of the scoring came courtesy of the kickers and Michigan got 3 points on each of their first 4 drives, then rode the defense to victory.
Portland Storm 10 Memphis Showboats 0
Speaking of defensive struggles, these teams combined for just 362 offensive yards, 6 INTs and 4 sacks, with just 3 offensive points all game. There were also 12 total punts, with a first quarter punt return providing the game's only TD. Marcelino McCarthy returned a punt 63 yards for a TD to give Portland an early 7-0 lead they wouldn't relinquish. Special teams woes also infected the Showboats kicking game as Gary Ridgeway was 0/2 on FG attempts.
New Jersey Generals 27 New Orleans VooDoo 3
At first glance you might think, finally some offense, but it was anything but pretty for the Generals. Don Ferguson threw 2 TD passes, 1 to O.J. Simpson who also had 99 rushing yards in a surprise start, more on that in a minute. Ferguson also threw 3 INTs while Simpson lost a fumble, but Ferguson wasn't sacked and converted 7/13 3rd downs. The Generals defense held the VooDoo to 135 yards, intercepting Zachary Kinkead once and sacking him 5 times.
The Generals had some curious lineup decisions as usual 3rd string RB O.J. Simpson started over both David Koresh and Kurt Cobain, while WR Eric Davis was WR 5. It was an oversight, as New Jersey used the same lineup as Week 16 when they were resting players and forgot to put it back to normal.
Proof that offensive touchdowns can happen here, here, and here.
Shreveport Steamer 17 Pittsburgh Maulers 3
Pittsburgh won the turnover battle 2-0 and scored first for a 3-0 lead, but that's all of the good news for the Maulers today. The Steamer defense didn't need to force turnovers as they simply denied yards all day, holding Pittsburgh to 80 total yards, which would have been 90 but for 2 sacks taking 10 yards off. The Maulers were held under 1 yard per carry and Paul Marcum had just 65 yards on 12/15 passing. Shreveport RB Scott Randall ran for 157 yards and this 30 yard TD to lead the offense while George Marcil's TD pass just before halftime seemed to take the air out of the Maulers.
___________________________________________________________________________
The conference finals are all set as the Portland Storm travel to play the Michigan Panthers for the American Conference while the Shreveport Steamer head north to face the New Jersey Generals. Good luck gentlemen as we seek to win World Bowl XXIV.
