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We're hitting the home stretch of the 2012 season so it's time to look at the playoff races.
American Conference
Clinched Playoff Spot: San Jose
In the Hunt: San Antonio, Michigan, Denver, Honolulu, Oklahoma, Houston, Chicago
Still in the hunt but need wins quickly: Southern California, Portland, Memphis, Oakland
With just 4 games to play, it looks like San Antonio, Michigan, Denver, Honolulu, and Oklahoma should get in as they all have a 2 game cushion on Houston and Chicago. The Gamblers and Blitz are currently fighting for the 7th seed, but if one of the teams with 9 or more wins falters down the stretch, they could both get in.
The next tier of teams are 5-7 or 4-8 and basically on life support. They will need to win out and hope for help.
In the Hunt: Jacksonville, Boston, Orlando, Washington, New Jersey, Birmingham, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay
In the Hunt But Need Help: Shreveport, Georgia
The wildcard race is tighter here. New Jersey (7-5) is the current #7 but Birmingham and Philadelphia are right behind them. Tampa Bay is 2 games out but if they beat New Jersey tonight, it would really help the Bandits cause.
Shreveport and Georgia pretty much need to win out and get help.
I'll take a deeper look at the playoff races after tonight's action. The games will provide more clarity and one less set of games for typing remaining schedules.
Three games to go and the races are getting tight.
American Conference
Clinched Division: Michigan, Denver
Clinched Playoff Spot: San Antonio, San Jose, Honolulu
In the Hunt: Oklahoma, Houston, Chicago, Memphis
San Jose and Honolulu play each other twice in the final 3 weeks, with a game against a Southeast division leader in between. San Jose will clinch the division with a win in Week 14 as they would be guaranteed no worse than a tie with a better division record than Honolulu. Both teams will be playing in January regardless of the next 3 weeks.
Denver will win the West and has an outside shot at home field.
San Antonio has yet to clinch the Southwest but they will be a playoff team. They lead Oklahoma by 2 games but the Outlaws have an easier schedule and should win at least 2 of their final 3. Houston currently has the #7 seed but their remaining schedule is tougher than others. Memphis is still alive and they need to win their remaining 3 games and get some help with losses by Houston and Chicago.
Michigan will win the Midwest and could challenge for home field, given that their remaining opponents are a combined 4-35. Chicago is 7-6, 1 game behind Houston but their schedule is almost as easy as Michigan's, at 7-32.
Remaining Schedules
San Jose (11-2) vs Honolulu (11-2), @ Jacksonville (9-4), @ Honolulu (11-2) Honolulu (10-3) @ San Jose (11-2), @ Orlando (9-4), vs San Jose (11-2)
Denver (9-4) @ Oakland (5-8), vs Georgia (4-9), vs Portland (5-8)
San Antonio (11-2) @ Houston (8-5), @ Portland (5-8), @ Washington (8-5) Oklahoma (9-4) vs Baltimore (1-12), vs Houston (8-5), vs Arizona (2-11) Houston (8-5) vs San Antonio (11-2), @ Oklahoma (9-4), @ Oakland (5-8) Memphis (6-7) vs Detroit (1-12), @ Washington (8-5), vs Charlotte (3-10)
Michigan (10-3) @ Los Angeles (2-11), vs Detroit (1-12), vs Cleveland (1-12) Chicago (7-6) @ Cleveland (1-12), @ Southern California (5-8), vs Detroit (1-12)
In the Hunt: Jacksonville, Orlando, Boston, New Jersey, Washington, Birmingham, Philadelphia
Orlando and Jacksonville are tied atop the Southeast and play each other tonight. The division won't be decided tonight but a win will likely clinch a playoff berth. Orlando has the tougher final 2 games.
New Orleans and Pittsburgh have each won their division and they are pretty much playing for home field tonight. Both teams will be heavy favorites to win the final 2 weeks.
Birmingham is 7-5-1 and should win their next 2 then probably lose to 13-0 New Orleans. That would make them 9-5-1, which is why I suspect it will take 10 wins to get in.
Washington is 8-5 and likely needs to win 2 of the final 3 to keep playing in January.
Boston is going to finish over .500 this season for just the 3rd time ever to go with one 8-8 season. The Breakers are 9-4 and likely need just 1 more win to get in the playoffs. They currently lead the East but they still have to play the 2 teams chasing them plus Orlando who is also chasing the playoffs. New Jersey is currently in the playoffs but their offense keeps all teams in the game as the Generals like teens (scores you sicko, scores in the teens). Philadelphia has won 5 in a row to inject themselves firmly in the playoff race. The schedule Gods were kind as they gave the Bell 3 division games to end the year. If they sweep they'll likely be in, and even 2-1 might get it done.
Remaining Schedules
Jacksonville (9-4) @ Orlando (9-4), vs San Jose (11-2), vs Tampa Bay (5-8) Orlando (9-4) vs Jacksonville (9-4), vs Honolulu (10-3), @ Boston (9-4)
New Orleans (13-0) vs Pittsburgh (12-1), @ Shreveport (5-7-1), @ Birmingham (7-5-1) Birmingham (7-5-1) @ Georgia (4-9), vs Charlotte (3-10), vs New Orleans (13-0)
Pittsburgh (12-1) @ New Orleans (13-0), vs Baltimore (1-12), vs Georgia (4-9) Washington (8-5) vs New York (NY) Stars (4-9), vs Memphis (6-7), vs San Antonio (11-2)
Boston (9-4) @ Philadelphia (7-6), @ New Jersey (8-5), vs Orlando (9-4) New Jersey (8-5) @ Florida (1-12), vs Boston (9-4), vs Philadelphia (7-6) Philadelphia (7-6) vs Boston (9-4), @ New York (NY) Stars (4-9), @ New Jersey (8-5)
