It's playoff time again, and in addition to the usual suspects like the defending champion Houston Gamblers, we have some new teams entering the mix. The teams returning from last season's playoffs are Houston, San Jose, Oklahoma, Portland, Jacksonville, Orlando, and New Jersey. Returning after a 1 year absence are Memphis, Los Angeles, and Charlotte. New Orleans last made it in 1997, Chicago 1996, Birmingham 1987, and Boston 1974.

Congratulations on qualifying for the post season and best of luck vying for the World Bowl trophy. Game previews will come soon, probably after work in the morning.

American Conference Wildcard

Oklahoma Outlaws (14-2) @ Portland Storm (11-5)

Point Spread: Oklahoma -7

Oklahoma: Offense 7th Defense 2nd
Portland: Offense 10th Defense 6th

Last Playoff Appearance: Oklahoma 1999 Portland 1999
Playoff Records: Oklahoma 6-8 Portland 21-15 (3-2 World Bowl)

Head to Head: Portland is 1-0 vs Oklahoma in the post season. Oklahoma beat Portland 27-13 Week 15 of this season.

Injuries: Oklahoma 2 probable, 2 questionable Portland 4 probable, 5 questionable, 1 doubtful

Prediction: Oklahoma 19 Portland 17

Portland has had a streaky season, losing 3 of their first 4 games before winning 9 straight games to seize control of the West. Then they closed the season losing 2 of 3, including a 14 point loss to Oklahoma. The stats say Oklahoma has played slightly better, they are the healthier team and with the recent win in their pocket, I like the Outlaws to advance.
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Memphis Showboats (11-5) @ Chicago Blitz (11-5)

Point Spread: Chicago -7

Memphis: Offense 6th Defense 7th
Chicago: Offense 8th Defense 10th

Last Playoff Appearance: Memphis 1998 Chicago 1996
Playoff Records: Memphis 25-11 (5-0 World Bowl) Chicago 5-8 (0-1 World Bowl)

Head to Head: Memphis is 1-0 vs Chicago in the post season. Memphis beat Chicago 17-10 Week 12 of 1998.

Injuries: Memphis 6 probable, 2 questionable, 1 doubtful Chicago 8 probable, 2 questionable, 1 doubtful, 1 I.R.

Prediction: Memphis 24 Chicago 20

Memphis finished the season 9-2 following a 2-3 start, with those 2 losses coming to Houston and Portland. Chicago went 6-3 down the stretch, with their losses also coming to playoff teams, Boston, Oklahoma, and New Jersey. Both teams also come in banged up and with similar stats. Memphis looks slightly better on paper despite the point spread and they are a tiny bit healthier. Memphis also beat Oklahoma late in the season while Chicago lost, so I'm picking the Showboats.
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Los Angeles Express (11-5) @ Houston Gamblers (14-2)

Point Spread: Houston -7

Los Angeles: Offense 12th Defense 15th
Houston: Offense 4th Defense 8th

Last Playoff Appearance: Los Angeles 1998 Houston 1999
Playoff Records: Los Angeles 8-8 (1-0 World Bowl) Houston 35-10 (8-0 World Bowl)

Head to Head: Houston is 1-0 vs Los Angeles in the post season. Houston beat Los Angeles 45-3 Week 3 1999.

Injuries: Los Angeles 6 probable, 3 questionable, 1 I.R. Houston 8 probable, 2 questionable, 1 doubtful

Prediction: Houston 27 Los Angeles 13

It's the post season and Houston's playoff record speaks for itself. Nothing against Los Angeles as I'd be picking Houston no matter who they played this round.

National Conference Wildcard Round

Jacksonville Bulls (10-6) @ Charlotte Hornets (8-8)

Point Spread: Even

Jacksonville: Offense 22nd Defense 12th
Charlotte: Offense 18th Defense 9th

Last Playoff Appearance: Jacksonville 1999 Charlotte 1998
Playoff Records: Jacksonville 5-10 Charlotte 1-2

Head to Head: Charlotte is 1-0 vs Jacksonville in the post season. Jacksonville beat Charlotte 9-3 Week 6 1999

Injuries: Jacksonville 7 probable, 1 questionable, 1 doubtful Charlotte 7 probable, 1 doubtful

Prediction: Charlotte 11 Jacksonville 9

Odd score prediction but I think defense rules this game. Neither team's offense is ranked very high and they both struggled down the stretch. Jacksonville is also coming off back to back OT games so fatigue could be a factor.
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Birmingham Stallions (9-7) @ Orlando Renegades (12-4)

Point Spread: Orlando -7

Birmingham: Offense 19th Defense 17th
Orlando: Offense 5th Defense 5th

Last Playoff Appearance: Birmingham 1987 Orlando 1999
Playoff Records: Birmingham 4-9 (0-1 World Bowl) Orlando 6-6 (0-1 World Bowl)

Head to Head: Orlando is 1-0 vs Birmingham in the post season. Orlando beat Birmingham 16-10 Week 11 1999.

Injuries: Birmingham 6 probable, 5 questionable Orlando 6 probable, 3 questionable

Prediction: Orlando 25 Birmingham 16

Orlando got a taste of the World Bowl last season and I'm sure their sights are set on getting back and winning it all. Orlando is also the stronger team on paper and the Stallions don't have a lot of playoff experience on their roster, which is why I'm picking the Renegades.
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Boston Breakers (9-7) @ New Jersey Generals (14-2)

Point Spread: New Jersey -14

Boston: Offense 16th Defense 20th
New Jersey: Offense 3rd Defense 3rd

Last Playoff Appearance: Boston 1974 New Jersey 1999
Playoff Records: Boston 1-1 New Jersey 35-18 (4-5 World Bowl)

Head to Head: This is the first post season game between these teams. New Jersey beat Boston 13-9 Week 10 of this season.

Injuries: Boston 3 probable, 2 questionable, 1 doubtful New Jersey 6 probable, 4 questionable, 1 doubtful, 1 I.R.

Prediction: New Jersey 16 Boston 6

The combined score of our 2 games this year was 32-12 so I cut it in half for my prediction. Over the years, New Jersey has had a lot of success against Boston, but will it continue with a banged up roster.

I'm ready to write the previews for the Divisional Round and write the blog, but the weather is not cooperating. I need to cut the grass and would prefer to wait until Sunday but we are expecting rain this weekend, so I'm gonna cut it now. Have to work tonight, but I can get this stuff done after work and before work tomorrow night.

American Conference Divisional Round

Los Angeles Express (12-5) @ San Jose SaberCats (15-1)

Point Spread: San Jose -10

Los Angeles: Offense 12th Defense 15th
San Jose: Offense 1st Defense 4th

Last Playoff Appearance: Los Angeles 1998 San Jose 1999
Playoff Records: Los Angeles 9-8 (1-0 World Bowl) San Jose 2-11

Head to Head: Los Angeles is 1-0 vs San Jose in the post season. San Jose beat Los Angeles 22-13 Week 13 of this season

Injuries: Los Angeles 6 probable, 3 questionable, 2 doubtful, 1 I.R. San Jose: 5 probable

Prediction: San Jose 31 Los Angeles 17

San Jose has the #1 offense, had a week off to get healthy and has won at least 4 straight against Los Angeles (I only went back 2 seasons). The Express might have another upset in them but I can't pick that.
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Memphis Showboats (12-5) @ Portland Storm (12-5)

Point Spread: Portland -4

Memphis: Offense 6th Defense 7th
Portland: Offense 10th Defense 6th

Last Playoff Appearance: Memphis 1998 Portland 1999
Playoff Records: Memphis 26-11 (5-0 World Bowl) Portland 22-15 (3-2 World Bowl)

Head to Head: Portland is 5-2 vs Memphis in the post season. Portland beat Memphis 14-6 Week 16 of this season.

Injuries: Memphis 4 probable, 3 questionable Portland 12 probable, 2 questionable

Prediction: Portland 17 Memphis 16

This is just a guess as I could see this game going either way. Both teams are pretty even stat wise and I giver the slight edge to Portland based on the week 16 win.

National Conference Divisional Round

Charlotte Hornets (9-8) @ New Orleans VooDoo (14-2)

Point Spread: New Orleans -10

Charlotte: Offense 18th Defense 9th
New Orleans: Offense 2nd Defense 1st

Last Playoff Appearance: Charlotte 1998 New Orleans 1997
Playoff Records: Charlotte 2-2 New Orleans 13-16 (0-3 World Bowl)

Head to Head: This is the first post season game between these teams. New Orleans beat Charlotte 13-3 Week 11 of this season.

Injuries: Charlotte 4 probable, 1 questionable, 1 doubtful New Orleans 1 probable, 3 questionable

Prediction: New Orleans 24 Charlotte 10

I'm picking New Orleans because they are the #1 seed with a top 2 offense and defense. Charlotte has had a good season and could pull the upset but I can't predict that right now.
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Orlando Renegades (13-4) @ New Jersey Generals (15-2)

Point Spread: New Jersey -7

Orlando: Offense 5th Defense 5th
New Jersey: Offense 2nd Defense 3rd

Last Playoff Appearance: Orlando 1999 New Jersey 1999
Playoff Records: Orlando 7-6 (0-1 World Bowl) New Jersey 36-18 (4-5 World Bowl)

Head to Head: These teams have split 2 post season games. Orlando beat New Jersey 23-20 Week 6 of this season.

Injuries: Orlando 4 probable, 2 questionable, 1 doubtful, 1 Out New Jersey 11 probable, 3 questionable, 2 I.R.

Prediction: Orlando 27 New Jersey 23

I have a feeling I won't be making a 10th World Bowl appearance and Orlando already beat us once this season. Orlando has been to a World Bowl more recently and they've never won, which means their players are probably slightly hungrier than my players.

It's Conference Championship time, our own personal Final Four. We have our #1 seeds both looking for their first World Bowl titles while the road teams have been there and done that.

American Conference Championship

Portland Storm (13-5) @ San Jose SaberCats (16-1)

Point Spread: San Jose -10

Portland: Offense 10th Defense 6th
San Jose: Offense 1st Defense 4th

Playoff Records: Portland 23-15 (3-2 World Bowl) San Jose 3-11

Head to Head: Portland is 3-0 vs San Jose in the post season. San Jose beat Portland 28-6 Week 4 of this season.

Injuries: Portland 9 probable, 2 Out San Jose 4 probable, 1 questionable

Prediction: San Jose 25 Portland 16

San Jose messed around and went away from what got them here and they had to come from behind last week to advance. This week I expect the SaberCats to go back to their normal offense and get back to playing from ahead. I do think this game will be closer than their Week 4 match but San Jose should still make their first World Bowl.
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National Conference Championship

New Jersey Generals (16-2) @ New Orleans VooDoo (15-2)

Point Spread: New Jersey -1

New Jersey: Offense 3rd Defense 3rd
New Orleans: Offense 2nd Defense 1st

Playoff Records: New Jersey 37-18 (4-5 World Bowl) New Orleans 14-16 (0-3 World Bowl)

Head to Head: New Jersey is 6-1 vs New Orleans in the post season. New Jersey beat New Orleans 23-3 Week 11 of 1999.

Injuries: New Jersey 7 probable, 4 questionable, 2 I.R. New Orleans 4 probable, 1 questionable

Prediction: New Orleans 20 New Jersey 19

I'll start by saying I hope I'm wrong about this prediction. New Orleans has the #1 defense and #2 offense while New Jersey is #3 in both, so I expect a tight game that comes down to the wire. New Orleans is at home, healthier, and a slight statistical advantage, plus if I'm right about Smirt winning, it would be ironic for him to play his former team new Orleans.