The expanded playoffs are here with 6 games Wildcard Weekend. Michigan and New Jersey enjoy a bye week while the Charlotte Hornets are making their first ever post season appearance. We have six new playoff teams in all, and besides Charlotte, Memphis and Baltimore return after a 1 year absence, New Orleans and Pittsburgh make their first post season since 1993 while the Los Angeles Express make their first post season since 1987.

American Conference Wildcard Round

San Jose SaberCats (12-4) @ Los Angeles Express (13-3)

Point Spread: Los Angeles -3

San Jose: Offense 4th Defense 7th
Los Angeles: Offense 10th Defense 21st

Last Playoff Appearance: San Jose 1996 Los Angeles 1987
Playoff Records: San Jose 1-8 Los Angeles 7-6 (1-0 World Bowl)

Head to Head: This is the first post season game between the division rivals. San Jose swept Los Angeles in the regular season, yet the Express still host this game thanks to losing only 1 other game all year.

Injuries: San Jose 6 probable, 3 questionable, 1 doubtful Los Angeles 9 probable, 4 questionable

Prediction: Los Angeles 23 San Jose 19

It's difficult to beat a team 3 times in a season and San Jose hasn't had much playoff success. At some point that will change, will it be now? I don't think so but I've been wrong before.
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Denver Gold (11-5) @ Memphis Showboats (13-3)

Point Spread: Memphis -6

Denver: Offense 7th Defense 13th
Memphis: Offense 5th Defense 2nd

Last Playoff Appearance: Denver 1996 Memphis 1995
Playoff Records: Denver 14-12 (1-1 World Bowl) Memphis 24-9 (5-0 World Bowl)

Head to Head: Memphis beat Denver 10-3 in Week 5 of this season. Memphis is 1-0 vs Denver in the post season.

Injuries: Denver 5 probable, 1 questionable Memphis 10 probable, 1 questionable

Prediction: Memphis 16 Denver 13

I still don't know what to expect with 4.6 so these predictions are merely guesses. I'm picking Memphis because of their 2nd ranked defense.
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Houston Gamblers (10-6) @ Portland Storm (13-3)

Point Spread: Portland -4

Houston: Offense 6th Defense 16th
Portland: Offense 2nd Defense 1st

Last Playoff Appearance: Houston 1996 Portland 1996
Playoff Records: Houston 31-8 (7-0 World Bowl) Portland 15-12 (3-0 World Bowl)

Head to Head: Houston beat Portland 16-9 Week 15 of this year. Houston is 3-2 all time against Portland in the post season.

Injuries: Houston 5 probable, 3 questionable, 1 Out Portland 2 probable, 5 questionable

Prediction: Houston 17 Portland 16

New version but I still refuse to pick against Tony Dean until he proves me wrong, and by then it will be too late. Not trying to take anything away from Portland as they have an excellent team capable of taking home the trophy. Tony Dean is our Tom Brady though.

Taking a break before I do the National Conference, I hate typing. Sorry Mom.

National Conference Wildcard Round

Charlotte Hornets (10-6) @ Shreveport Steamer (9-7)

Point Spread: Charlotte -1

Charlotte: Offense 13th Defense 3rd
Shreveport: Offense 11th Defense 4th

Last Playoff Appearance: Charlotte never Shreveport 1996
Playoff Records: Charlotte 0-0 Shreveport 4-10

Head to head: Shreveport beat Charlotte 17-14 Week 8 of this season. This is their first post season game against each other.

Injuries: Charlotte 6 probable, 1 questionable Shreveport 4 probable, 3 questionable

Prediction: Shreveport 19 Charlotte 17

These look like 2 evenly matched teams but Shreveport has a team that was in the post season last year while Charlotte has never been. The Steamer also have a QB in George Marcil that takes care of the ball a bit better than Robert Ament of the Hornets.
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New Orleans VooDoo (8-8) @ Florida Blazers (9-6-1)

Point Spread: Florida -7

New Orleans: Offense 25th Defense 19th
Florida: Offense 18th Defense 9th

Last Playoff Appearance: New Orleans 1993 Florida 1996
Playoff Records: New Orleans 12-15 (0-3 World Bowl) Florida 6-6 (1-0 World Bowl)

Head to head: The last regular season meeting came Week 1 of 1995 when Florida won 19-17. Florida is 2-0 against New Orleans in the post season.

Injuries: New Orleans 4 probable, 4 questionable, 1 doubtful Florida 4 probable, 2 questionable, 1 doubtful

Prediction: Florida 24 New Orleans 16

Florida has won 4 in a row and has the better offense and defense, so I pick them.
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Baltimore Stars (7-9) @ Pittsburgh Maulers (10-6)

Point Spread: Pittsburgh -8

Baltimore: Offense 27th Defense 5th
Pittsburgh: Offense 26th Defense 8th

Last Playoff Appearance: Baltimore 1995 Pittsburgh 1993
Playoff Records: Baltimore 15-12 (0-3 World Bowl) Pittsburgh 10-10 (0-1 World Bowl)

Head to head: Pittsburgh and Baltimore split their 2 regular season games. Pittsburgh beat Baltimore in their only post season meeting.

Injuries: Baltimore 7 probable, 1 questionable, 1 doubtful Pittsburgh 4 probable, 1 doubtful

Prediction: Pittsburgh 9 Baltimore 6

Baltimore has yet to score a TD against Pittsburgh in 2 games this season although the Stars won one game 6-3. The stats show this is likely to be a defensive struggle, picking Pittsburgh because they are the home team.

American Conference Divisional Round

Los Angeles Express (14-3) @ Michigan Panthers (13-2-1)

Point Spread: Los Angeles -2

Los Angeles: Offense 10th Defense 21st
Michigan: Offense 9th Defense 12th

Last Playoff Appearance: Los Angeles 1987 Michigan 1994
Playoff Records: Los Angeles 8-6 (1-0 World Bowl) Michigan 5-10

Head to Head: This is the first post season game between these two teams. Los Angeles beat Michigan 24-3 Week 12 of this season

Injuries: Los Angeles 9 probable, 3 questionable Michigan 2 probable, 1 questionable

Prediction: Michigan 19 Los Angeles 17

Have to stick with the low scoring trend we've seen thus far. Los Angeles has a great chance to win but Michigan is healthier, rested, and at home. I see the Panthers winning on a last second FG.
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Memphis Showboats (14-3) @ Portland Storm (14-3)

Point Spread: Portland -4

Memphis: Offense 5th Defense 2nd
Portland: Offense 2nd Defense 1st

Last Playoff Appearance: Memphis 1995 Portland 1996
Playoff Records: Memphis 25-9 (5-0 World Bowl) Portland 16-12 (3-0 World Bowl)

Head to Head: Portland is 4-2 against Memphis in the post season. Memphis beat Portland 15-9 Week 6 of this season.

Injuries: Memphis 7 probable Portland 5 probable, 2 questionable

Prediction: Portland 17 Memphis 12

Another game that could go either way, I see Portland winning this one despite losing to Memphis earlier this season. Portland doesn't have to travel, playing at home last week and that's the difference imo.
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New Orleans VooDoo (9-8) @ New Jersey Generals (15-1)

Point Spread: New Jersey -14

New Orleans: Offense 25th Defense 19th
New Jersey: Offense 1st Defense 6th

Last Playoff Appearance: New Orleans 1993 New Jersey 1996
Playoff Records: New Orleans 13-15 (0-3 World Bowl) New Jersey 29-17 (2-5 World Bowl)

Head to Head: New Jersey is 5-1 against New Orleans in the post season. New Jersey beat New Orleans 27-6 Week 7 of 1996

Injuries: New Orleans 7 probable, 2 questionable, 2 doubtful New Jersey 2 probable, 2 questionable

Prediction: New Jersey 31 New Orleans 17

Taking my bias out of it, I expect the Generals to be able to score some points. They were clearly the best team in the conference in the regular season and should win this game.
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Shreveport Steamer (9-7) @ Pittsburgh Maulers (11-6)

Point Spread: Even

Shreveport: Offense 11th Defense 4th
Pittsburgh: Offense 26th Defense 8th

Last Playoff Appearance: Shreveport 1996 Pittsburgh 1993
Playoff Records: Shreveport 5-10 Pittsburgh 11-10 (0-1 World Bowl)

Head to Head: Pittsburgh is 2-0 against Shreveport in the post season. Shreveport beat Pittsburgh 30-3 Week 4 of this season.

Injuries: Shreveport 5 probable, 1 questionable Pittsburgh 3 probable, 2 questionable, 1 doubtful

Prediction: Shreveport 17 Pittsburgh 10

If Shreveport can stop the run they will win because I don't think Paul Marcum can win the game with his arm.

American Conference Final

Portland Storm (15-3) @ Michigan Panthers (14-2-1)

Point Spread: Portland -3

Portland: Offense 2nd Defense 1st
Michigan: Offense 9th Defense 11th

Playoff Records: Portland 17-12 (3-0 World Bowl) Michigan 6-10
Head to Head: This is the first post season game between these teams. Portland beat Michigan 24-0 Week 14 of 1996.

Injuries: Portland 6 probable, 1 doubtful Michigan 2 probable, 2 questionable

Prediction: Portland 13 Michigan 10

When the playoffs first started, I thought to myself that Portland would probably end up in the World Bowl with their top 2 offense and defense. Michigan will be a very tough out, and they can certainly win the game but I have to pick somebody. Good luck to both of you.
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National Conference Final

Shreveport Steamer (11-7) @ New Jersey Generals (16-1)

Point Spread: New Jersey -9

Shreveport: Offense 11th Defense 4th
New Jersey: Offense 1st Defense 6th

Playoff Records: Shreveport 6-10 New Jersey 30-17 (2-5 World Bowl)
Head to Head: New Jersey is 4-1 vs Shreveport in the post season. New Jersey beat Shreveport 26-16 Week 9 of this season.

Injuries: Shreveport 7 probable New Jersey 3 probable, 1 questionable, 1 I.R.

Prediction: New Jersey 31 Shreveport 17

Shreveport will need their 4th ranked defense to show up big against the New Jersey running attack and force Ferguson to throw. My depth chart oversight might actually work to my advantage as Koresh and Cobain are well rested and ready for some yards. I'm always worried about Ferguson throwing INTs and costing us the game, but I also think we're destined to lose another World Bowl.