12 games in, 4 to go so it's time to think about which teams will get playoff invitations and which teams will be watching from their computers/phones/tablets.
American Conference
Clinched Division: Michigan
Clinched Playoff Spot: Memphis
In the Hunt: San Jose, Portland, Oklahoma, Houston, Honolulu, Cleveland, Arizona, Southern California, Los Angeles, Chicago ________________________________________________________________________________
National Conference
Clinched Division: Pittsburgh
Clinched Playoff Spot: Birmingham, New Orleans
In the Hunt: Philadelphia, Orlando, New Jersey, New York, Jacksonville, Baltimore, Washington, Shreveport, Georgia ________________________________________________________________________________
Michigan, Memphis, and Oklahoma are all 10-2, fighting for the #1 seed. Michigan likely will be no worse than #2 seed, definitely no worse than #4 as a division champion. One of Memphis/Oklahoma will be a wildcard as is usual in the Southwest division. Seems like every year 2 of Memphis/Oklahoma/Houston, and sometimes all 3 end up fighting for the #1 and #5 seeds.
I thought about typing out remaining schedules but there are too many teams still in contention with 4 games each to play so instead, I'll put on my Swami hat.
In the Hunt: San Jose, Portland, Houston, Honolulu, Cleveland, Southern California, Los Angeles, Arizona ____________________________________________________________________________
National Conference
Clinched Division: Pittsburgh, Orlando
Clinched Playoff Spot: Birmingham, New Orleans, Philadelphia
In the Hunt: New Jersey, New York, Jacksonville, Baltimore ___________________________________________________________________________
I'll just comment for now, perhaps I'll do remaining schedules tonight after I wake up, kinda tired right now.
In the National Conference we have 4 teams fighting for 2 spots and 2 divisions technically up for grabs. Philadelphia just needs 1 win or 1 New Jersey loss to clinch the East title.
Things are setting up for a Week 16 first round bye showdown. Birmingham could end up anywhere from #1, #2, or #5 seed. If they win out, they'll be #1 seed. If they lose a game, they could end up tied with New Orleans and idk rn which way the tiebreaker would go.
New Orleans could technically be the #1 seed but that would require Pittsburgh to lose their last 3 games and I don't see that happening.
Orlando can rest some players as they seem likely to be the #4 seed, hosting either Birmingham or New Orleans.
New Jersey needs a win and a Jacksonville loss to clinch a spot. The Generals and Bulls meet Week 16 in what could be a pre playoff playoff game.
New York is the current #7 seed and need to just keep winning.
Jacksonville and Baltimore need wins and help. _____________________________________________________________________________
Memphis and Oklahoma continue to battle it out for the division crown, with the winner likely the #1 seed.
Whichever team does not win the Southwest will be the #5 seed and travel to the winner of either the Pacific or the West.
Michigan could sneak in as the #1 but they can't be tied with Oklahoma as a head to head loss has them lose a tiebreaker with them.
San Jose and Portland play tonight, with the winner getting the inside track on the #3 seed and avoiding Memphis or Oklahoma in the first round.
Avoiding them to likely face the defending champs. Houston looks locked into the #6 seed and will travel to the #3 seed if the standings hold for the Gamblers.
Honolulu is the current #7 seed thanks to a win over Cleveland.
Portland needs a win or an Arizona loss to claim the West.
Cleveland, Southern California, Los Angeles, and Arizona need wins and help
Week 14 is in the books and the playoff picture is clearing up.
American Conference
Division Winners: Michigan, Portland
Clinched playoff spot: Memphis, Oklahoma, Houston
In the Hunt: San Jose, Honolulu, Cleveland, Arizona
I'll start with the standings glitch, as MFN says Arizona is eliminated when they aren't. The Wranglers need to win their last 2 and have BOTH Honolulu and Cleveland lose their last 2. If all those things happen, Arizona would be 8-7-1 while Honolulu and Cleveland would be 8-8.
The Southwest gets 3 teams in and Memphis currently has a 1 game lead on Oklahoma for the division.
Michigan and Portland are division winners and the Panthers still have a shot at the BYE.
San Jose and Honolulu are tied atop the Pacific, with the non division winner fighting with Cleveland for the final wildcard.
Remaining Schedules
San Jose: vs Pitt (14-0), vs Det (2-12) Honolulu: vs Balt (6-8), vs LA (6-8)
Portland: vs OKL (11-3), @ ARI (6-7-1) Arizona: vs NJ (10-4), vs Port (9-5)
Memphis: @ SA (3-11), @ ORL (11-3) Oklahoma: @ Port (9-5), vs SA (3-11) Houston: @ Oak (4-9-1), @ Den (2-12)
Michigan: @ GA (4-10), vs NO (12-2) Cleveland: @ Birm (13-1), vs CHI (4-10) ______________________________________________________________________________
Clinched Playoff Spot: Birmingham, New Orleans, New Jersey
In the hunt: New York, Jacksonville
Baltimore is 6-8 and can finish 8-8 but their conference record isn't good enough to win any tiebreakers with New York or Jacksonville so they are in fact eliminated.
Pittsburgh is 14-0 but could still lose home field if Birmingham wins their last 2 games, which would include a Pittsburgh loss to the Stallions.
Birmingham could end up as the #1 seed, #2 seed, or #5 seed as New Orleans is hot on their heels should they slip up.
New York has the upper hand in the fight for the #7 seed as they have a 1 game lead plus a win over the Bulls, meaning Jacksonville needs to win their last 2 while New York loses their last 2. The Stars win any tiebreaker.
Orlando, Philadelphia, and New Jersey don't have much incentive these last 2 weeks other than to manage health for the tournament.
Remaining Schedules
Jacksonville: vs TB (3-11), @ NJ (10-4) New York: @ SHR (4-10), vs Bos (1-13)
Pittsburgh: @ SJ (8-6), @ Birm (13-1) Birmingham: vs CLE (8-6), vs Pitt (14-0) New Orleans: @ Phil (12-2), @ Mich (11-3)
Orlando: @ Fla (3-11), vs Mem (12-2) Philadelphia: vs NO (12-2), @ Oak (4-9-1) New Jersey: @ Ari (6-7-1), vs Jax (7-7)
