It's our first season of expanded playoffs as we had 6 wildcard games instead of the usual 4. That leaves just 2 bye teams as Michigan and New Jersey rest up and wait on an opponent next week. We all know version 4.6 suppresses offense and if we were playing blackjack, nobody busted. New Orleans topped the scoring list as the only team to reach 20 points and the average score was slightly above 12.
Los Angeles Express 12 San Jose SaberCats 9
San Jose and Los Angeles are quite familiar with each other, playing twice a year every year and neither offense could crack the end zone. The teams combined for just 436 offensive yards, 7 turnovers and 5/28 on 3rd down. In fact, turnovers actually boosted the scoring as both teams turned turnovers into a pair of FGs. San Jose had an early 6-3 lead before Mario Price nailed 3 consecutive FGs for a 12-6 lead early in the 4th. His first kick came in the final minute of the half, then he added FGs in the 3rd and 4th before San Jose cut the lead to 12-9 in the middle of the 4th. The SaberCats had 2 more chances to tie or win the game but the offense couldn't get into scoring position.
This is the portion where I would normally talk about stats, but they're mostly ugly. David Tavarez was sacked once, lost a fumble, and threw 2 INTs while Jake Plummer was sacked 3 times to match his 3 INTs. Robert Rodriguez was 3/3 on FGs while Mario Price made 4/5 to send the Express to Michigan to play the #1 seed Panthers.
Memphis Showboats 19 Denver Gold 3
This game was similar to the above game minus a few turnovers. Denver QB Andrew Brewer did throw 2 INTs and the Gold lost a fumble while Memphis QB Erik McNamee fumbled for the Showboats only turnover. The teams combined to go 5/26 on 3rd down and nobody cracked the end zone until the 4th qtr. The only scoring through 3 quarters came courtesy of Gary Ridgeway's 4 FGs to gove Memphis a 12-0 lead. McNamee got Memphis in the end zone on a 10 yard pass to Jeremy Wheatley that sealed the win.
Portland Storm 17 Houston Gamblers 16
The Houston Gamblers were chasing their 4th straight World Bowl Championship, 8th overall, and would have to win on the road a few times to do it. The Gamblers were the #7 seed despite a 10-6 record and had to travel to #2 seed Portland. Houston got the ball first and Tony Dean was intercepted on the first play from scrimmage. Emanuel Fugate then found Peter Jessee for a 3 yard TD pass and a 7-0 lead. Dean would bounce back, leading a FG drive, then connecting with Francisco Snow for a 32 yard TD pass to take a 10-7 lead after a quarter. Portland would tie the game at 10 with a 2nd qtr FG.
On Houston's first play of the second half Tony Dean was intercepted but this one didn't cost them any points. Those were Dean's only INTs of the game while Fugate threw 3, and the Storm also turned it over on downs, leading to an Earl Castro FG for a 13-10 Houston lead. Fugate's first 2 INTs didn't cost them any points but his 3rd led to yet another Castro FG for a 16-10 Gamblers lead early in the 4th. The score remained 16-10 until inside the 2 minute warning when Jose Moses ran in a 5 yard TD to tie the game at 16. The XP was good and Portland now led 17-16 and just had to keep the great Tony Dean from yet another comeback win. Dean had 1:45 on the clock and 1 timeout to work with and he got them in position for a game winning 54 yard FG try. Earl Castro was 3/3 but he pulled this kick wide left and the Storm hang on for the win and advance.
Was this Tony Dean's last game? Dean was asked about this after the game but gave a non answer, "I'll sit down with my family this offseason and we'll talk about what's best for us, then I'll let my team and you guys know at the appropriate time. This has been a long season adjusting to the new rules and I just want to take some time before making up my mind."
If this is it, Tony Dean will go down as the Tom Brady of the USFL. Given our timeline of being in 1997, perhaps Brady should be known as the Tony Dean of the NFL?
Shreveport Steamer 13 Charlotte Hornets 3
The best season in Charlotte history came to an abrupt end as Shreveport held the Hornets to 135 total yards and 3 points in just 23 minutes of possession. The Steamer set the tone early, forcing a three and out on Charlotte's first possession, then driving for a TD their first time with the ball. Scott Randall finished that drive with a 1 yard scoring plunge and he finished the day with 111 yards on the ground. Herbert Young added another 79 yards as Shreveport played ball control and defense to advance with a 13-3 win.
New Orleans VooDoo 20 Florida Blazers 13
Florida out gained New Orleans by nearly a full football field but the Blazers passing game wasn't efficient (19/42, 175 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT) and they converted just 2/15 on 3rd down. New Orleans got the ball first and drove for a TD, with Robert Graham running it in from 10 yards out to give the VooDoo a 7-0 lead. New Orleans added a FG for a 10-0 lead before Florida finally got on the board with a FG in the final 30 seconds of the half. Trailing at the half 10-3 wouldn't have been too bad but Jose Little took the kickoff 105 yards for a TD and the Blazers went to the locker room stunned, trailing 17-3.
Willie Graham brought Florida back in the 3rd qtr with a 64 yard TD pass to Robert Romero and a FG at the end of the 3rd had Florida trailing 17-13 with 15 minutes to play. The New Orleans defense stepped up in the 4th, intercepting Graham twice to preserve victory and earn a trip to New Jersey next week.
Pittsburgh Maulers 19 Baltimore Stars 3
These division rivals met for the 3rd time this season and the Baltimore offense has yet to figure out the Maulers defense. Baltimore didn't turn the ball over, but 99 total offensive yards isn't going to beat anyone and neither is having the ball less than 19 minutes in a 60 minute game. Pittsburgh scored the first 3 times they had the ball to take a 13-0 lead, then rode their defense to victory. Maulers QB Paul Marcum had a strange stat line, completing 12/15 for 34 yards. He didn't need to do much since Robert Mason (18-125-1) and Ronald Smith (26-120) both had huge rushing games to control the clock. This 2 yard run by Mason was the only TD of the game.
