I'll track the playoff races here for this season. We still have 5 games to go so I'm not going to get too in depth yet but it'll give us an idea of where we stand.

American Conference

The seven playoff teams aren't official but it's pretty likely that the current 7 playoff teams don't change.

As it stands now...

Clinched Playoff Spot: None yet

Division Leaders: Honolulu, Oakland, Houston, Michigan

Wildcard: San Jose, San Antonio, Oklahoma

In the Hunt: Southern California, Portland, Denver, Chicago

Eliminated: Los Angeles, Arizona, Memphis, Detroit, Cleveland

Oakland is the only one of the current playoff teams in this conference that does not have a 3 game cushion. The Invaders currently have 2 game leads on Portland and Denver and they currently have the tiebreaker over Portland. Two of the final 5 games are against Denver, and if the Gold can sweep, they will have a chance to win the West.


National Conference

Clinched Playoff Spot: New Orleans, Washington

Current Division Leaders: Jacksonville, Philadelphia (and N.O./Wash)

Current Wildcards: Birmingham, New Jersey, Tie for #7 seed between Pittsburgh and New York (not trying to break current tie, especially since they play each other Week 16)

In the Hunt: Orlando, Georgia, Shreveport, Florida, Tampa Bay, Charlotte, Boston

Eliminated: Baltimore

Those teams in the hunt should dwindle after tonight's games and realistically Florida, Tampa Bay, Charlotte, and Boston are on life support.


Week 12
Express @ Maulers (-14)
Gold @ Invaders (-11)
Storm @ (NY) Stars (-6)
Generals @ Stallions (-2)
Steamer @ Bandits (-3)
Force @ Blazers (-4)
Bulls @ Gamblers (-8)
Panthers @ Gunslingers (-9)
Wheels @ Thunderbolts (-3)
Showboats @ Blitz (Even)
Game of the Week
VooDoo (-1) @ Bell
Wranglers (-3) @ Breakers
Hornets @ Sun (-6)
SaberCats @ Outlaws (-2)
Stars @ Renegades (-14)
Hawaiians @ Federals (-4)

Pittsburgh hopes to stop their 2 game losing streak tonight against Los Angeles. The Maulers are 6-5 and can ill afford a loss. We have the first of two games between Denver and Oakland tonight, a game the Gold really need to win for a realistic playoff chance. Portland travels to New York for an important game for both team's playoff chances. New Jersey plays Birmingham where a Stallions win will go a long way toward punching their ticket while a Generals loss would open the door for some of those near the top of the in the hunt list. Shreveport plays Tampa Bay, and while both teams are long shots even with a win, the loser's road will be near impossible. Georgia plays Florida with the same circumstance.

Jacksonville's end of season gauntlet continues with a game against Houston. Both teams are trying to win their divisions and neither team can really afford a loss, although the Gamblers would still be in great playoff position with a loss. Michigan plays San Antonio in a possible playoff preview. The importance of this game sort of depends on what happens in other games both this week and the near future. Detroit and Cleveland play each other, and with both teams eliminated, it might be time for these teams to experiment with depth charts and play calls. Chicago hosts Memphis and the Blitz need a win to keep their faint playoff hopes alive. The Showboats have been eliminated but that might mean they take their frustrations out on Chicago.

New Orleans goes to Philadelphia with their 41 game win streak on the line. Both teams are division leaders and have the cushion to absorb a loss, although the VooDoo want to keep winning to get the BYE and home field. Arizona goes cross country to play Boston. The Wranglers are eliminated while the Breakers are on the brink and need to win out for any kind of playoff chance. Southern California hosts Charlotte in a game the Sun need to win if they have any hope of a playoff spot. The Hornets need to win as well although their playoff hopes are quite slim.

We have another possible playoff preview as San Jose travels to Oklahoma. Both teams seem likely to be playing in January, with the SaberCats in a better position to take the lead in their division. An Outlaws loss wouldn't be crippling but it could open the door for another team if the losing carried on. Orlando hosts Baltimore in a game they're expected to win. If they do, they'll likely hang around the locker room and cheer on Houston in the late window.

Our Monday Night Game was switched as the networks wanted to showcase Honolulu at Washington as they have the 2nd and 3rd best records in the league. Both teams currently lead their divisions but Honolulu's lead is just half a game, compared to the 4 game lead of the Federals. Washington may have a cushion but at 10-1, they want to keep winning just in case New Orleans ever loses, to have a chance at the #1 seed.

Week 12 is finished so let's check the current playoff picture.

American Conference

Clinched Division: None according to MFN. Michigan according to me.

Clinched Playoff Spot: Honolulu, San Antonio

Probably Playoff Bound: San Jose, Oakland, Houston, Michigan (I say they're already in)

Also Probably Playoff Bound But Might Get Caught: Oklahoma

Hoping Things Break Right: Southern California, Portland, Denver, Chicago

Eliminated: Los Angeles, Arizona, Memphis, Cleveland, Detroit

Honolulu and San Jose are neck and neck atop the Pacific. The Hawaiians have clinched a playoff berth and the SaberCats should clinch theirs with their next win. Southern California is 6-6, needing to win at least 3 of 4 if not all 4 and hope Oklahoma loses at least 2 more times.

Oakland is in control of the West as they're 5-0 in division play and have a 3 game lead on Portland and Denver. The Storm and Gold are both 5-7 but also lose the tiebreaker to Oakland so they need to win out while Oakland loses out. Portland also loses a tiebreaker with Oklahoma so the same scenario applies. Denver doesn't have Oklahoma on their schedule so they may possibly win a tiebreaker.

San Antonio took over the lead in the Southwest this week when they won and Houston lost but the Gamblers still hold the tiebreaker. The Gunslingers have already made the playoffs while the Gamblers likely clinch with their next win. Oklahoma is the current #7 seed and if they win 3 of their last 4 they will make the playoffs for sure. If they only win 2, they open the door for Southern California.

Michigan should have a small y next to their name in the standings as they have clinched the Midwest imo. The Panthers have a 4 game lead on Chicago with 4 to play and even if the Blitz beat the Panthers tonight, they still can't win a tiebreaker against them. Why not? Michigan is 5-0 in division, Chicago 2-2. If Chicago wins tonight, they will have split with Michigan so we go to tiebreaker #2 which is division record. In this scenario Michigan would finish 5-1 in division while Chicago would be 3-2 and no way to catch them on division record. The Blitz did beat Oklahoma Week 1, so if they win out while Oklahoma loses out, Chicago would win a tiebreaker against them. Chicago will be eliminated with any loss in the last 4 weeks.

Remaining Schedules

Honolulu (31-17)

Nov 28 DENVER GOLD (5-7)
Dec 5 SAN ANTONIO GUNSLINGERS (10-2)
Dec 12 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SUN (6-6)
Dec 19 SAN JOSE SABERCATS (10-2)

San Jose (34-13-1)

Nov 28 @ Southern California Sun (6-6)
Dec 5 WASHINGTON FEDERALS (10-2)
Dec 12 OAKLAND INVADERS (8-4)
Dec 19 @ Honolulu Hawaiians (10-1-1)

Southern California (34-13-1)

Nov 28 SAN JOSE SABERCATS (10-2)
Dec 5 HOUSTON GAMBLERS (9-3)
Dec 12 @ Honolulu Hawaiians (10-1-1)
Dec 19 DENVER GOLD (5-7)

Oakland (18-29-1)

Nov 28 @ Boston Breakers (2-10)
Dec 5 @ Denver Gold (5-7)
Dec 12 @ San Jose SaberCats (10-2)
Dec 19 @ Los Angeles Express (1-10-1)

Portland (17-28-3)

Nov 28 @ Philadelphia Bell (10-2)
Dec 5 ARIZONA WRANGLERS (3-8-1)
Dec 12 LOS ANGELES EXPRESS (1-10-1)
Dec 19 @ Arizona Wranglers (3-8-1)

Denver (27-19-2)

Nov 28 @ Honolulu Hawaiians (10-1-1)
Dec 5 OAKLAND INVADERS (8-4)
Dec 12 @ Arizona Wranglers (3-8-1)
Dec 19 @ Southern California Sun (6-6)

San Antonio (23-24-1)

Nov 28 OKLAHOMA OUTLAWS (8-4)
Dec 5 @ Honolulu Hawaiians (10-1-1)
Dec 12 @ Cleveland Thunderbolts (2-10)
Dec 19 TAMPA BAY BANDITS (3-9)

Houston (14-34)

Nov 28 @ Cleveland Thunderbolts (2-10)
Dec 5 @ Southern California Sun (6-6)
Dec 12 CHICAGO BLITZ (4-8)
Dec 19 @ Detroit Wheels (2-10)

Oklahoma (29-19)

Nov 28 @ San Antonio Gunslingers (10-2)
Dec 5 @ Michigan Panthers (8-4)
Dec 12 MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS (4-8)
Dec 19 @ Jacksonville Bulls (7-5)

Michigan (22-26)

Nov 28 CHICAGO BLITZ (4-8)
Dec 5 OKLAHOMA OUTLAWS (8-4)
Dec 12 @ Georgia Force (6-6)
Dec 19 MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS (4-8)

Chicago (20-27-1)

Nov 28 @ Michigan Panthers (8-4)
Dec 5 @ Los Angeles Express (1-10-1)
Dec 12 @ Houston Gamblers (9-3)
Dec 19 CLEVELAND THUNDERBOLTS (2-10)

National Conference

Clinched Division: None

Clinched Playoff Spot: New Orleans, Washington, Philadelphia

Southeast Champ: Jacksonville or Orlando

Very Likely Top Wildcard: Birmingham

Currently Tied for Last 2 Spots: Pittsburgh, New Jersey, New York

Wildcard Contenders: Southeast Division 2nd place team, AI Georgia

Mathematically Alive: Shreveport

Eliminated: Tampa Bay, Florida, Charlotte, Baltimore, Boston

Jacksonville currently leads Orlando by 1 game even though the Renegades won their first meeting. The rematch is tonight and another Orlando win would give the Renegades the tiebreaker over the Bulls. A wildcard spot for 2nd place is not a given so both teams need the win tonight.

New Orleans finally lost a game but they still have a 2 game lead on Birmingham in the South. While the Stallions have an outside shot at the division, they should just about have a wildcard berth sewn up with their next win. Georgia is 1 game out of the logjam of 7-5 teams that clog the last 2 wildcard spots while Shreveport likely needs to win out and get help.

Washington has a 3 game lead on Pittsburgh and will be in the playoffs no matter what. The Maulers are currently tied with New Jersey and New York for one of the last 2 wildcards. Pittsburgh has already beat New Jersey head to head and they play New York Week 16.

Philadelphia slayed the beast that is New Orleans and the Bell have a 3 game lead on New Jersey and New York. The East title likely comes soon but even if they lose out, their playoff ticket is punched. The Generals and (NY) Stars are both 7-5, smack dab in the middle of a 6 team bunch fighting for a division crown or wildcard spot with either a 6-6 or 7-5 record.

Remaining Schedules

Jacksonville (31-17)

Nov 28 ORLANDO RENEGADES (6-6)
Dec 5 PHILADELPHIA BELL (10-2)
Dec 12 @ Pittsburgh Maulers (7-5)
Dec 19 OKLAHOMA OUTLAWS (8-4)

Orlando (25-23)

Nov 28 @ Jacksonville Bulls (7-5)
Dec 5 NEW ORLEANS VOODOO (11-1)
Dec 12 @ Tampa Bay Bandits (3-9)
Dec 19 @ Shreveport Steamer (4-8)

New Orleans (20-28)

Nov 28 BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS (9-3)
Dec 5 @ Orlando Renegades (6-6)
Dec 12 @ Detroit Wheels (2-10)
Dec 19 @ Florida Blazers (3-9)

Birmingham (24-24)

Nov 28 @ New Orleans VooDoo (11-1)
Dec 5 @ Shreveport Steamer (4-8)
Dec 12 FLORIDA BLAZERS (3-9)
Dec 19 @ Georgia Force (6-6)

Georgia (23-25)

Nov 28 SHREVEPORT STEAMER (4-8)
Dec 5 @ Cleveland Thunderbolts (2-10)
Dec 12 MICHIGAN PANTHERS (8-4)
Dec 19 BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS (9-3)

Shreveport (31-17)

Nov 28 @ Georgia Force (6-6)
Dec 5 BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS (9-3)
Dec 12 @ Washington Federals (10-2)
Dec 19 ORLANDO RENEGADES (6-6)

Washington (23-25)

Nov 28 @ New Jersey Generals (7-5)
Dec 5 @ San Jose SaberCats (10-2)
Dec 12 SHREVEPORT STEAMER (4-8)
Dec 19 @ Boston Breakers (2-10)

Pittsburgh (17-30-1)

Nov 28 BALTIMORE STARS (1-10-1)
Dec 5 @ Charlotte Hornets (2-10)
Dec 12 JACKSONVILLE BULLS (7-5)
Dec 19 @ New York (NY) Stars (7-5)

Philadelphia (16-32)

Nov 28 PORTLAND STORM (5-7)
Dec 5 @ Jacksonville Bulls (7-5)
Dec 12 @ Boston Breakers (2-10)
Dec 19 CHARLOTTE HORNETS (2-10)

New Jersey (20-27-1)

Nov 28 WASHINGTON FEDERALS (10-2)
Dec 5 BOSTON BREAKERS (2-10)
Dec 12 @ New York (NY) Stars (7-5)
Dec 19 BALTIMORE STARS (1-10-1)

(NY) Stars (18-29-1)

Nov 28 @ Tampa Bay Bandits (3-9)
Dec 5 @ Baltimore Stars (1-10-1)
Dec 12 NEW JERSEY GENERALS (7-5)
Dec 19 PITTSBURGH MAULERS (7-5)

The American Conference field is set with seeding still tbd while nobody wants the last wildcard spot in the National Conference as New Jersey, New York, Orlando, and Georgia all lost.

American Conference

Clinched Division: Oakland, Michigan

Clinched Playoff Spot: Honolulu, San Jose, Houston, San Antonio, Oklahoma

Southern California is mathematically alive to tie Oklahoma if both teams finish 9-7 but I don't think that's very likely and even if it were to happen, Oklahoma probably wins the tiebreaker.

Honolulu and San Jose continue to battle for the division lead while the Southwest is a 3 team race for the top.
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National Conference

Clinched Division: New Orleans, Washington, Philadelphia

In the Hunt: Jacksonville, Birmingham, Pittsburgh, New Jersey, New York, Georgia, Orlando, Shreveport

Jacksonville just beat Orlando to take a 2 game lead with 3 to play. Orlando is now 6-7, one game out of a tie for the #7 seed.

New Orleans has clinched the South while Birmingham is currently the top wildcard. I suspect the Stallions need just 1 more win to get an x for a playoff spot. Georgia (6-7) and Shreveport (5-8) are still alive as New Jersey and New York fall back to the pack.

Washington clinches the Atlantic with a win over New Jersey. Pittsburgh is currently the #6 seed at 8-5. One more win might be enough but 2 should clinch it.

Philadelphia clinches the East while New Jersey lost their 3rd straight. The Generals are currently tied with New York for the #7 seed and they play each other again Week 15.

Important Week 14 Games

Both teams In Playoff Hunt

San Antonio @ Honolulu
Oklahoma @ Michigan
New Orleans @ Orlando
Birmingham @ Shreveport
Philadelphia @ Jacksonville
Washington @ San Jose

Games With One Playoff Contender

Houston @ Southern California
Georgia @ Cleveland
Boston @ New Jersey
Pittsburgh @ Charlotte
Oakland @ Denver
Stars @ Stars (New York @ Baltimore)

Playing Out The String

Detroit @ Memphis
Tampa Bay @ Florida
Arizona @ Portland
Chicago @ Los Angeles

Week 14 is finished and I see just 1 standings glitch. MFN says New Orleans has clinched home field while I don't think so yet. New Orleans could lose their last 2 games to finish 13-3 while both Washington and/or Philadelphia could finish 13-3 if either or both win their last 2. New Orleans lost to Philadelphia to break their win streak to lose that possible tiebreaker while a tie with Washington would mean the Federals have a better conference record. I'm not going to look up a 3 way tie just yet but I will if the VooDoo lose Sunday night/Monday morning.

Orlando is only 2 games out of the #7 seed with 2 to play so why are they eliminated? New Jersey and New York are the two teams tied for the #7 seed and they play each other Week 15. Since Orlando would need both teams to lose, which is impossible, they're eliminated since they can't catch the winner. Even if the Generals and Stars tie, Orlando still wouldn't be able to make up 1.5 games with 1 to play.

American Conference

Clinched Division: Michigan (10-4), Oakland (8-6)

Clinched Playoff Spot: San Jose* (12-2), Honolulu (11-2-1), Houston* (11-3), San Antonio (11-3), Oklahoma (9-5)

* Denotes current division leader

San Jose takes over first in the Pacific with their 75-33 win over Washington while Honolulu lost to the Gunslingers. The lead is just half a game and if the SaberCats and Hawaiians both win or lose in Week 15, the division will be decided head to head Week 16. If either team wins out, they will earn home field and the BYE.

Oakland has won the West and is the likely #4 seed.

San Antonio was the team that knocked Honolulu out of first but the Gunslingers are still looking at a wildcard spot unless Houston loses again. Oklahoma is the likely #7 seed and will likely face Houston in the first round.

Michigan has won the Midwest and will likely be the #3 seed. They are currently likely to be hosting San Antonio.
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National Conference

Division Winners: New Orleans (13-1), Washington (11-3), Philadelphia (11-3), Jacksonville (9-5)

Clinched Wildcard: Birmingham (10-4)

In the Hunt: Pittsburgh (9-5), New Jersey (8-6), New York (8-6), Georgia (7-7)

All four divisions have been clinched and I've already explained why I don't think New Orleans has home field yet. Washington beat Philadelphia head to head, making the Federals the likely #2 seed and the Bell #3. Jacksonville will most likely be the #4 seed and probably host Birmingham, the current top wildcard who already have their playoff ticket punched.

Pittsburgh needs 1 more win to be sure to get a playoff spot. They might still get one if they lose their last two, but they don't wanna go down that road.

New Jersey plays New York with the winner gaining the upper hand on the #7 seed while the loser should be eliminated unless Pittsburgh loses out. A Generals win gives them a sweep of New York while a Stars win gives them a split, but a 4-2 division record compared to the 3-3 New Jersey would have if they lose. The winner still has to hope Georgia doesn't win out.

Week 15 Schedule Breakdown

Games With 2 Playoff Teams/Contenders

New Jersey @ New York
Jacksonville @ Pittsburgh
Oakland @ San Jose
Michigan @ Georgia

Games With 1 Playoff Team/Contender

Philadelphia @ Boston
Shreveport @ Washington
New Orleans @ Detroit
Florida @ Birmingham
San Antonio @ Cleveland
Chicago @ Houston
Memphis @ Oklahoma
Southern California @ Honolulu

Draft Position Games

Denver @ Arizona
Baltimore @ Charlotte
Orlando @ Tampa Bay
Los Angeles @ Portland