American Conference

Clinched Division: Portland

In the Hunt: Los Angeles, San Jose, Honolulu, Oakland, Oklahoma, Memphis, San Antonio, Houston, Michigan, Cleveland, Detroit

Eliminated: Southern California, Arizona, Denver, Chicago

The Portland Storm (12-1) have clinched their division and have a 2 game lead on everyone else for the bye and home field advantage. The other 3 divisions all have 3 teams within 2 games of the lead. The Oakland Invaders are in 2nd place in the West but will have a tough time making it with no owner. I haven't heard from Seth, but he left right when the Russia/Ukraine stuff started and I'm pretty sure that world government stuff means he got real busy at his job.

The Pacific is currently led by Los Angeles (10-3) but the San Jose SaberCats (9-4) are 1 game behind with a Week 16 game on the horizon between these two. Honolulu is right behind those two at 8-5.

The Southwest has all 4 teams still alive for the playoffs led by Oklahoma (10-3). The Outlaws are looking for their 2nd playoff trip in 3 years after a 14 year drought. Memphis (8-5) and San Antonio (8-5) are 2 games behind the Outlaws and are likely looking at one of 3 wildcard spots. The Houston Gamblers (7-6) are still alive, but they need some help if they are going to continue their incredible playoff run. Cjfred has made the playoffs in all 14 of his USFL seasons and the Houston franchise has made it 16 years in a row.

Michigan (8-5) leads the Midwest by 2 games over Cleveland (6-7) and Detroit (6-7). It will be tough for Cleveland and Detroit, both 2 games out of the playoffs with 3 to go, but it's not impossible, especially if one runs the table.

I'm not even going to try to sort out scenarios at this point, considering the large jumble of 8-5 teams. We have 11 teams fighting for 6 spots and Michigan is the safest bet of all 8-5 teams since they lead their division by 2 games while the rest all trail their divisions.

National Conference

Clinched Division: Jacksonville, Washington, New Jersey

Clinched Playoff Spot: Shreveport, Georgia

In the Hunt: Florida, Orlando, Birmingham, Charlotte, Pittsburgh, New York

Eliminated: Tampa Bay, New Orleans, Baltimore, Boston, Philadelphia

New Jersey (12-1) has a 2 game lead on Washington and the South winner for the bye and home field advantage. Washington (10-3) has won the Atlantic division while the South will be won by either Shreveport (10-3) or Georgia (10-3) with the loser being a wildcard team. Jacksonville (9-4) has won the Southeast.

That leaves 6 teams fighting for 2 spots, though half are barely hanging on. The New York Stars (7-6) are the only team in this cluster above .500 and they play a direct competitor next game in Birmingham (6-7). The Stallions have a tough home stretch, with games against Shreveport and Georgia following the game against New York. That could open the door for Charlotte (6-7) to make the playoffs for the 2nd straight year after 23 years of futility. The schedule favors the Hornets as their remaining opponents combined record is 5-33-1.

The other 3 teams have a tough road ahead but are still mathematically alive. Florida (5-7-1) may regret their tie with Pittsburgh as that might be what keeps them out. Orlando (5-8) looked dead in the water a few weeks ago but the Renegades have won 3 in a row and 4 of 5 to keep hope alive. Pittsburgh (4-8-1) is not eliminated but they face playoff hopefuls each of the last 3 weeks and likely need to win all 3.

Week 14 Playoff Races

American Conference

Clinched #1 Seed: Portland

Clinched Division: Oklahoma

In the Hunt: Los Angeles, San Jose, Honolulu, Oakland, San Antonio, Memphis, Houston, Michigan, Cleveland, Detroit

Congratulations to Portland for securing home field advantage and the bye.

Los Angeles and San Jose remain on track for a Week 16 battle for the division crown. Honolulu is looking for a wildcard.

Remaining Games:Los Angeles @Pitt, vs SJ San Jose @ Hon, @ LA Honolulu vs SJ, @ Ari

The Midwest Division is a 3 team race, with Michigan (8-6) currently on top with (7-7) Cleveland and Detroit 1 game behind.

Remaining Games:Michigan vs Mem, @ Det Cleveland @ SHR, @ Chi Detroit vs Chi, vs Mich

The wildcard race will come down to several teams, including Honolulu and the 2 Midwest teams who don't win the division. They have been mentioned already and they will be fighting with San Antonio (9-5), Oakland (8-6), Memphis (8-6), and Houston (8-6).

Remaining Schedule:San Antonio vs Fla, @ Okl Oakland @ Den, @ Port Memphis @ Mich, @ Hou Houston @ TB, vs Mem

Week 14 Playoff Races

National Conference

Clinched Division: New Jersey, Washington, Jacksonville

Clinched Playoff Spot: Shreveport, Georgia

In the Hunt: Birmingham, New York, Florida, Charlotte

New Jersey is 1 win or 1 Washington loss away from the #1 seed and a bye. Jacksonville joins them as division winners, while Shreveport and Georgia are tied atop the South. New Jersey is 13-1, Washington 11-3, while the other 3 teams are 10-4 so seeding is yet to be determined.

Remaining Schedule:New Jersey @ Phil, @ Wash Washington @ Orl, vs NJ Jacksonville @ Balt, vs TB Shreveport vs Cle, @ Birm Georgia vs Birm, vs NO

That leaves 4 teams fighting for the last 2 wildcard spots, with the 3rd going to either Shreveport or Georgia. Birmingham and New York are both 7-7, half a game ahead of 6-7-1 Florida and Charlotte.

Remaining Schedule:Birmingham @ GA, vs SHR New York @ Bos, @ Pit Florida @ SA, @ Orl Charlotte vs NO, vs Balt

Full disclosure: Portland will be resting starters the last two weeks of the season.

Nothing wrong with that. Part of the perks of securing #1 early. I'll probably do the same against Washington Week 16 if I beat Philadelphia to secure #1.

I'm joining that party. Not because of 1 seed, just garunteed. Plus injuries started to mount late in season.

I get that now, with the extra wildcard and just 1 BYE. In the previous 6 team format, you would still have a shot at a BYE and might push injured players chasing it. Now, while a division title is nice, either way you're playing wildcard weekend and travel doesn't affect our animated minions so what's the incentive to push it?

I agree. Resting players is important.
It's most important for SHR this week.
In this final game, they need to rest all players who have a chance to see the field during the playoffs.
They also need to rest their punter and finally give that backup LB a chance.

Here's BHM rooting for you to get through this final game healthy.

Oh, and whoever the NY Stars are playing definitely should NOT be resting players. Those guys need to get a rhythm going!

If I happen to lose to the Gunslingers, will I lose the 2 seed to the winner of the Express/Sabercats due to a worse conference/division record? I'm assuming conference record for sure, but I'm unsure of the division record mattering. I would prefer to stay as far away from Warthog as possible, but the more I think about it I would rather rest my platoon of wounded starters since the American playoffs will be such a bloodbath regardless.