American Conference Wildcard Weekend

Houston Gamblers (13-3) @ Michigan Panthers (10-6)

Point Spread: Houston -7

Houston: Offense 6th Defense 4th
Michigan: Offense 3rd Defense 9th

Last Playoff Appearance: Houston 2010 Michigan 2010
Playoff Records: Houston 48-19 (9-1 World Bowl) Michigan 9-17

Head to Head: Houston is 5-1 against Michigan in the post season. Houston beat Michigan 27-13 Week 1.

Injuries: Houston 5 probable Michigan 4 probable, 2 questionable

Prediction: Houston 27 Michigan 24

History means nothing honestly, not when it comes to affecting the outcome of this particular game. I feel Houston will win but they should be on upset alert as when Michigan is on (like when Reddish doesn't turn it over) they are tough to beat. Both teams have top 10 offenses and defenses so this should come down to either who makes the least mistakes or who capitalizes on the mistakes best.
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Portland Storm (11-5) @ San Jose SaberCats (11-5)

Point Spread: San Jose -7

Portland: Offense 14th Defense 7th
San Jose: Offense 1st Defense 15th

Last Playoff Appearance: Portland 2009 San Jose 2010
Playoff Records: Portland 33-25 (4-3 World Bowl) San Jose 14-19 (2-0 World Bowl)

Head to Head: Portland is 5-3 against San Jose in the post season. San Jose beat Portland 46-33 Week 1 of 2010.

Injuries: Portland 3 probable, 1 questionable, 2 doubtful San Jose 1 probable, 4 questionable

Prediction: San Jose 32 Portland 16

I don't think this is a good match up for Portland as if this becomes a higher scoring game, I don't think their offense can keep up. Unless of course San Jose helps them out with multiple turnovers. Even so, I think the defending champs will win one way or another.
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Honolulu Hawaiians (10-6) @ Denver Gold (12-4)

Point Spread: Honolulu -2

Honolulu: Offense 16th Defense 20th
Denver: Offense 9th Defense 6th

Last Playoff Appearance: Honolulu 2010 Denver 1999
Playoff Records: Honolulu 2-15 Denver 14-14 (1-1 World Bowl)

Head to Head: Denver is 1-0 against Honolulu in the post season. Honolulu beat Denver 26-13 Week 13 of 2010.

Injuries: Honolulu 2 probable, 1 questionable Denver 3 probable, 3 questionable, 1 doubtful

Prediction: Denver 24 Honolulu 20

Denver is making their first playoff appearance this century and I'm surprised they are a home underdog, given their superior offensive and defensive rankings. I expect a close game and wouldn't be shocked at all if Honolulu won, but I have to pick someone.

National Conference Wildcard Weekend

Orlando Renegades (11-5) @ New York (NY) Stars (10-6)

Point Spread: New York -1

Orlando: Offense 12th Defense 5th
New York: Offense 20th Defense 16th

Last Playoff Appearance: Orlando 2009 New York 2008
Playoff Records: Orlando 12-17 (0-1 World Bowl) New York 5-12

Head to Head: This is the first post season game between these teams. New York beat Orlando 24-7 Week 5 of 2009.

Injuries: Orlando 4 probable, 1 questionable, 1 doubtful New York 1 probable, 1 questionable, 1 I.R.

Prediction: Orlando 20 New York 16

Another case of the better ranked team being the underdog. I don't think New York's offense is playoff ready and they benefitted from a lack of divisional competition. The Stars will put up a fight, and might even win if they can force some turnovers on defense and capitalize on them offensively, but imo Orlando will find a way to win.
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Pittsburgh Maulers (10-5-1) @ Jacksonville Bulls (11-5)

Point Spread: Jacksonville -2

Pittsburgh: Offense 7th Defense 8th
Jacksonville: Offense 8th Defense 11th

Last Playoff Appearance: Pittsburgh 2010 Jacksonville 2010
Playoff Records: Pittsburgh 27-18 (2-3 World Bowl) Jacksonville 11-16

Head to Head: Jacksonville is 2-1 against Pittsburgh in the post season. Pittsburgh beat Jacksonville 31-10 Week 3.

Injuries: Pittsburgh 2 probable, 2 questionable Jacksonville 1 probable, 1 questionable, 1 doubtful

Prediction: Pittsburgh 24 Jacksonville 23

This game could go either way. Jacksonville looks like they can beat anyone some weeks, then other weeks they lose to a team they shouldn't. Pittsburgh is similar in that respect and tonight will depend on which version of each team shows up. I like the Pittsburgh running game a little better and I think that gives them a slight edge in this matchup.
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Shreveport Steamer (9-7) @ Washington Federals (11-4-1)

Point Spread: Washington -8

Shreveport: Offense 25th Defense 12th
Washington: Offense 5th Defense 19th

Last Playoff Appearance: Shreveport 2003 Washington 2010
Playoff Records: Shreveport 9-15 Washington 21-20 (0-5 World Bowl)

Head to Head: These teams have split their previous 2 post season games. Washington beat Shreveport 23-12 Week 15 of 2010.

Injuries: Shreveport 3 probable, 1 questionable, 2 Out Washington 5 probable

Prediction: Washington 31 Shreveport 3

If everyone was healthy for Shreveport I still wouldn't like this matchup for them, but considering leading rusher Frederick Martin and RT Fred Diaz are both out with injuries, it seems near impossible to me. Washington can and has put up high point totals while Shreveport has topped 21 just once. The Steamer will need to create multiple turnovers and play their best offensive game.

Houston 31-17. CJ is a beast in the playoffs

American Conference Divisional Round

Honolulu Hawaiians (11-6) @ San Antonio Gunslingers (15-1)

Point Spread: San Antonio -8

Honolulu: Offense 16th Defense 20th
San Antonio: Offense 4th Defense 2nd

Last Playoff Appearance: Honolulu 2010 San Antonio 2010
Playoff Records: Honolulu 3-15 San Antonio 5-7 (0-1 World Bowl)

Head to Head: This is the first post season game between these teams. San Antonio beat Honolulu 27-3 Week 6 of this season.

Injuries: Honolulu 3 probable San Antonio 3 probable

Prediction: San Antonio 31 Honolulu 13

Slick and his Hawaiians are the sentimental favorite but they have to play a juggernaut San Antonio team that has lost very few games under brxnivy's tenure. The Gunslingers have a top 5 offense and defense and the Hawaiians will need everything to break right to win. It could happen but Kevin Via isn't on the other sideline this time.
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Michigan Panthers (11-6) @ San Jose SaberCats (12-5)

Point Spread: San Jose -6

Michigan: Offense 3rd Defense 9th
San Jose: Offense 1st Defense 15th

Last Playoff Appearance: Michigan 2010 San Jose 2010
Playoff Records: Michigan 10-17 San Jose 15-19 (2-0 World Bowl)

Head to Head: This is the first post season game between these teams. San Jose beat Michigan 47-32 Week 9 of this season.

Injuries: Michigan 4 probable, 2 questionable San Jose 3 probable, 5 questionable

Prediction: San Jose 34 Michigan 28

I think Michigan, with their top 10 offense and defense, could pull the upset and will keep it close. If the Panthers can limit turnovers and force Dustin into multiple INTs/sacks it will bode well for their chances. Michigan's offense is 3rd overall so they can score with the SaberCats if it comes down to it. It might sound like I'm picking Michigan, but I'm picking the defending champs who had their backs against the wall after 4 weeks and responded like a championship team should.

National Conference Divisional Round

Pittsburgh Maulers (11-5-1) @ New Orleans VooDoo (15-1)

Point Spread: New Orleans -8

Pittsburgh: Offense 7th Defense 8th
New Orleans: Offense 2nd Defense 1st

Last Playoff Appearance: Pittsburgh 2010 New Orleans 2010
Playoff Records: Pittsburgh 28-18 (2-3 World Bowl) New Orleans 33-24 (3-5 World Bowl)

Head to Head: New Orleans and Pittsburgh are no stranger to playoff games against each other, as this will be their 8th meeting, with New Orleans winning 4 of the previous 7. New Orleans beat Pittsburgh 16-13 in OT Week 10 of 2010.

Injuries: Pittsburgh 3 probable, 2 questionable New Orleans 3 probable, 1 doubtful

Prediction: New Orleans 24 Pittsburgh 13

I could be completely wrong about this if the VooDoo have "one of those" games. You know what I mean, a game where they look bad with multiple turnovers and/or sacks yet still find a way to win. That flies better in the regular season but I think the VooDoo will limit mistakes and pull away late for a solid win, especially after getting knocked out by Pittsburgh last season following the BYE.
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New York (NY) Stars (11-6) @ Washington Federals (12-4-1)

Point Spread: Washington -7

New York: Offense 20th Defense 16th
Washington: Offense 5th Defense 19th

Last Playoff Appearance: New York 2008 Washington 2010
Playoff Records: New York 6-12 Washington 22-20 (0-5 World Bowl)

Head to Head: This is the first post season game between these teams. Washington beat New York 26-23 in OT Week 8 of 2010.

Injuries: New York 2 probable, 3 questionable, 1 I.R. Washington 5 probable

Prediction: Washington 31 New York 16

Neither teams defense is ranked very high but Washington has a much higher ranked offense. When it comes to finishing drives with TDs, I give the edge to the Federals as well and think they should have no problem winning, but of course I thought New York would lose last game too and here they are. Will they prove me wrong again?

American Conference Championship

San Jose SaberCats (13-5) @ San Antonio Gunslingers (16-1)

Point Spread: San Antonio -7

San Jose: Offense 1st Defense 15th
San Antonio: Offense 4th Defense 2nd

Playoff Records: San Jose 16-19 (2-0 World Bowl) San Antonio 6-7 (0-1 World Bowl)

Head to Head: San Antonio is 2-0 against San Jose in the post season. San Antonio beat San Jose 13-6 Week 3 of this season.

Injuries: San Jose 6 probable, 2 questionable San Antonio 5 probable, 1 Out

Prediction: San Antonio 16 San Jose 13

I expect a close game whether it's high scoring, low scoring or somewhere in the middle. It's hard to pick against the defending champs, and maybe this will go up on his bulletin board, but I think the SaberCats 0-2 playoff record against the Gunslingers is front and center on that board. Couple that with the 13-6 win previously this season and that's why I'm picking San Antonio. That being said, San Jose was a different team back in Week 3 than now, and you know Smirt will have a wrinkle or 2 up his sleeve. Gotta pick just one though.
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New York (NY) Stars (12-6) @ New Orleans VooDoo (16-1)

Point Spread: New Orleans -11

New York: Offense 20th Defense 16th
New Orleans: Offense 2nd Defense 1st

Playoff Records: New York 7-12 New Orleans 34-24 (3-5 World Bowl)

Head to Head: These teams have split their 2 post season games. New Orleans beat New York 20-0 Week 12 of this season.

Injuries: New York 3 probable, 2 questionable, 1 I.R. New Orleans 3 probable, 2 questionable, 1 doubtful

Prediction: New Orleans 27 New York 16

I keep picking against the New York Stars and they keep winning. I do see a path for a Stars win, and that's if they can force New Orleans into some turnovers. QB Jamie Orman has stepped up his game in January and elevated the whole team, but will it be enough against New Orleans? The VooDoo have been at or near the top of the power rankings for several seasons, at least the power rankings in my head, idrk about MFN's rankings because I pay them no mind. Anyway, I think if they play their game they will win, they clearly have a better ranked squad statistically on both sides of the ball.