We'll have a new champion now that Houston lost. If I had to guess, I'd say it will be San Jose vs New Orleans in the World Bowl. The stats say they are the 2 best teams Of course we still have to play the games and we all know anything can happen in this sim.
Charlotte is the obvious long shot, with an 8-8 record and having to play New Orleans, but it's better to be a long shot than to be 1 of the 24 teams not playing anymore.
New Orleans has the #2 offense and #1 defense and they're relatively healthy. Playing at home, they have the best odds to make the World Bowl from the National Conference.
Orlando was in last year's World Bowl and they play World Bowl veterans New Jersey. More on the Generals in a minute, the Renegades sport the #5 offense and defense. They already beat New Jersey once this season and the Renegades are hungry to get back and win this time.
New Jersey is always dangerous in the playoffs and the Generals have been in more World Bowls than anyone, although they've only won 4 of 9. This year's Generals have the stats to get there a 10th time but their health is very precarious. They also have to win 2 road games against tough opponents to get there, not a very easy task.
San Jose is probably the betting favorite to hoist the trophy with the #1 offense in the league to go with the #4 defense. The SaberCats have home field advantage with an owner/GM with a title or bust mindset.
Los Angeles is probably the 2nd longest shot to hoist the trophy as they would have to knock off San Jose, then go on the road and win again. They did just beat the defending champs in Houston though, so the Express do not lack confidence.
Portland struggled to start the season before righting the ship. The Storm defense came up huge last week with 5 INTs to advance and now face Memphis. Portland has decent odds to hoist the trophy.
Memphis has won 5 championships with 3 different owners. A lot of you may associate Memphis with IOT, who used to run the team and won 2 titles, but it was their current owner, PrivateSnowflake who won the first 2 titles for Memphis. He obviously left and came back, and it would be unwise to count them out despite having to be road warriors in the playoffs.
Good luck to everyone still playing. One of us will be happy at the end of the season while 7 of us will be disappointed.
