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Detroit finally makes the playoffs after a 7 year drought, only to have to play 4 time Champion Houston. Neither defense is particularly strong, so I expect Detroit to hang around a bit, but their lack of running game coupled with playoff veteran Tony Dean leading the Gamblers offense is too much to overcome. ________________________________________________________________________________
Last Playoff Appearance:Portland 1991 San Jose 1991 Playoff Records:Portland 11-8 (2-0 World Bowl) San Jose 1-3
Head to Head: This is their first post season game against each other while Portland beat San Jose 20-14 in Week 5
Injuries:Portland 2 probable, 3 questionable, 1 doubtful, 1 Out San Jose 8 probable, 1 questionable
Prediction:Portland 24 San Jose 21
Seth and Holly are both top flight owners across MFN and both are quite capable of making a title run in the USFL but only one team can advance. San Jose has one of the most explosive players in the league in Mark Hsu, but I think Portland has a more balanced attack, and their defense can shut down the rest of the offense even if Hsu goes off. Defending Champion Portland lost 4 games this year, or as many as they lost the previous 3 years combined including post season, but it's playoff time. This might be the most exciting game of Wildcard Weekend.
Last Playoff Appearance:Pittsburgh 1991 New Orleans 1991 Playoff Records:Pittsburgh 9-8 (0-1 World Bowl) New Orleans 11-13 (0-3 World Bowl)
Head to Head: New Orleans is 2-0 vs Pittsburgh in the post season but the Maulers defeated the VooDoo 19-14 in Week 9 of 1991
Injuries:Pittsburgh 5 probable, 3 questionable New Orleans 5 probable, 2 questionable, 1 Out
Prediction:Pittsburgh 26 New Orleans 17
New Orleans is the home team, thanks to winning the South, but over the last 4 weeks, the Maulers are playing much better than the VooDoo. I expect the offensive momentum to carry over for Pittsburgh, even if it means FGs instead of TDs. New Orleans won't go down quietly, but I think the hotter team prevails in this game. _______________________________________________________________________________
Washington Federals (12-4) @ New Jersey Generals (9-7)
Last Playoff Appearance:Washington 1991 New Jersey 1990 Playoff Records:Washington 8-11 (0-1 World Bowl) New Jersey 21-12 (2-4 World Bowl)
Head to Head: Washington is 1-0 against New Jersey in the playoffs and the Federals beat the Generals 27-9 in Week 12
Injuries:Washington 5 probable, 5 questionable New Jersey 5 probable, 1 questionable, 1 Out (I.R.)
Prediction:Washington 45 New Jersey 13
New Jersey is by far the worst of the playoff teams and they should make a quick exit. With the 28th ranked defense, it doesn't look good trying to stop Bieber and company. The Generals have had some high scoring games but the Federals defense is ranked higher than their offense. Our only hope is to hit some big plays, force some turnovers, and hope we come out on top in the end.
It's hard to pick against Seth, as we all know how good he is at this game, but it seems that vcr5150 has his number this year. Denver swept Portland by 2 decisive scores this season, and while I expect Seth to make some adjustments, Denver's #1 offense should prevail imo. _________________________________________________________________________________
Michigan has the 2nd ranked defense in the league but trying to stop Tony Dean and company in the playoffs is no easy task. Houston can run the ball as well as they throw it and I think they'll make an extra play or 2 to make the difference in a close, hard fought game.
I'll stick with my 45-13 prediction as we gave up over 500 yards to Washington and the odds of winning the turnover battle 5-1 again are very slim. __________________________________________________________________________________
New Orleans VooDoo (11-6) @ Florida Blazers (13-3)
Last Playoff Appearance:New Orleans 1991 Florida 1986 Playoff Records:New Orleans 12-13 (0-3 World Bowl) Florida 3-1 (1-0 World Bowl)
Head to Head: Florida is 1-0 against New Orleans in the playoffs, though that win was in 1974. In week 10 of this season, the Blazers beat the VooDoo 47-17.
Florida was one of the best teams in the league all year long, and they were the last team to suffer a loss, as it seems just missing out on the post season in 1991 inspired them to play great football. While I don't expect another 30 point victory, I think Florida's #1 ranked defense will make enough stops to advance.
Playoff Records:Houston 20-6 (4-0 World Bowl: IX, XI, XII, XV) Denver 9-9 (0-1 World Bowl: X) Head to Head: Denver is 2-1 against Houston in the post season and the Gold defeated the Gamblers 34-28 in Week 3.
It's rare to pick against Houston in the playoffs, as Tony Dean is sort of our version of Tom Brady, but Denver has a lot going for them right now. Not only did they beat Houston earlier this season, the Gold knocked Houston out of last year's playoffs and have won 3 in a row over the Gamblers. Throw in the fact Denver also has a 3 game sweep of our now former champs Portland, and I don't see how I don't pick Denver. Houston certainly has more than a punchers chance at an upset, and no matter which team wins, World Bowl XIX should be a good battle of great teams.
Playoff Records:Florida 4-1 (1-0 World Bowl: I) Baltimore 13-9 (0-2 World Bowl: XV, XVI) Head to Head: Baltimore is 1-0 against Florida in the post season and the Stars beat the Blazers 20-12 in Week 12 of this season.
Much like the American Conference, Florida has more than a punchers chance at an upset and I actually think the teams are about even, but I have to pick somebody. Baltimore has the playoff experience and they passed the New Jersey test twice. I know, I know, the Generals weren't too much of a test, but we did manage to beat Florida, so I'm picking the team that kicked my ****.
