Welcome to the new Beta version of the MyFootballNow website! Please note that while using the Beta website, some features may not work correctly and other features are not complete. Some elements, such as notifications and chat, may act strangely during the time that both versions of the site are available. If you need to return to the old version, click on the button below.
Michigan has the better defense and much better health. This should help the Panthers in the 4th quarter of a possible tight game. ________________________________________________________________________________
Houston Gamblers (10-6) @ San Jose SaberCats (12-4)
Last Playoff Appearance:Houston 1997 San Jose 1997 Playoff Records:Houston 31-9 (7-0 World Bowl) San Jose 1-9
Head to Head: Houston is 2-0 vs San Jose in the post season. San Jose beat Houston 21-19 in Week 2 of this season.
Injuries:Houston 9 probable 3 questionable San Jose 3 probable 1 questionable
Prediction:San Jose 24 Houston 16
Houston has the legacy of 7 World Bowls but they have triple the injuries of San Jose. The SaberCats have recently been a great regular season team who fails in the playoffs, but none of those failures came under Smirt. Both teams come in hot, San Jose has won 5 in a row, Houston 3. Someone has to lose and it seems the Gamblers window is closing. __________________________________________________________________________________
Division foes facing off for the 3rd time. They know each other so it should be a tight game, but these teams come in on different paths. Oklahoma has won 5 in a row while Memphis has lost 4 of 6. That tilts the scales for my decision to pick Oklahoma.
I'm picking based on playoff experience this time. I expect a tight game where the lack of playoff experience for the Force will have them make a mistake, or not stop Washington when they need to. _________________________________________________________________________________
Charlotte Hornets (8-7-1) @ Jacksonville Bulls (11-5)
Jacksonville has some impressive wins on their regular season resume, going 5-2 against current playoff teams. Charlotte was 1-4 against current playoff teams and they're on the road for this game. That should give the Bulls confidence to win their first playoff game in more than a decade. ________________________________________________________________________________
Shreveport has quietly put together a pretty strong team with a top 10 offense and defense. They beat Florida earlier this season and I don't see why they can't do it again.
Sadly I think this is the end of the road for Hellbringer as Portland looks very strong and will be tough to beat. _______________________________________________________________________________
San Jose SaberCats (13-4) @ Oklahoma Outlaws (14-3)
I expect a tight game and perhaps a new rivalry. ArmoredGiraffe has Oklahoma on the upswing and his success in other leagues tells me the Outlaws will be a playoff contender for the forseeable future, tough division and all. We all know about Smirt and his success and I expect his team will find a way to pull it out in the end.
Last Playoff Appearance:Charlotte 1997 New Jersey 1997 Playoff Records:Charlotte 1-1 New Jersey 32-17 (3-5 World Bowl)
Head to Head: This is the first post season game between these teams. New Jersey beat Charlotte 15-8 Week 11 of this season.
Injuries:Charlotte 5 probable 5 questionable 1 doubtful 1 Out New Jersey 1 probable 1 questionable 1 I.R.
Prediction:New Jersey 19 Charlotte 6
In the regular season, the Hornets held us to 15 points. I figure my Generals will be able to move the ball but bog down in the red zone while Charlotte struggles to move the ball on my defense. _______________________________________________________________________________
Washington Federals (12-5) @ Shreveport Steamer (13-4)
Last Playoff Appearance:Washington 1996 Shreveport 1997 Playoff Records:Washington 17-16 (0-5 World Bowl) Shreveport 7-11
Head to Head: Washington is 1-0 vs Shreveport in the post season. Washington beat Shreveport 16-7 Week 5 of 1997.
Injuries:Washington 5 probable 4 questionable 1 Out Shreveport 4 probable
Prediction:Shreveport 20 Washington 16
I expect a tight game because Washington is battle tested in the playoffs, but Shreveport is also no stranger to post season play. The Steamer's stats show they are the better team and I expect them to prevail.
Both teams are off impressive wins and were the top 2 teams in the conference this season. I can easily see Oklahoma winning this game, in fact I have a feeling at least one favorite, if not both will lose. I'm still picking Portland however, mainly based on their 2nd ranked offense and defense. _________________________________________________________________________________
National Conference Championship Game
Shreveport Steamer (14-4) @ New Jersey Generals (16-1)
Playoff Records:Shreveport 8-11 New Jersey 33-17 (3-5 World Bowl)
Head to Head: New Jersey is 5-1 vs Shreveport in the post season. New Jersey beat Shreveport 16-0 Week 14 of this season.
Injuries:Shreveport 2 probable, 1 questionable New Jersey 4 probable 1 questionable 1 doubtful 1 I.R.
Prediction:Shreveport 17 New Jersey 16
Like I said, I feel one or both favorites don't make it. Obviously I hope I'm wrong on this prediction but I think my Generals are ripe for the upset. We were pretty healthy but got nicked up against Charlotte, and Shreveport would love revenge for last season's loss in the Conference Championship Game. At the very least, I expect both games to be tight games that come down to the end.
