All the team rankings are based in the Eastern conference only. Tell me what you guys think...if people enjoy this I may do it for all the playoff rounds.
(8)Dark Lotus Juggernauts @ (1)Kalamazoo Coyotes
Despite the fact that this is a #1 seed vs a #8 seed, this matchup is extremely interesting. The Coyotes have been on a tear all year, beating powerhouse squads such as the Chicago Mustangs and Philadelphia Pushovers. Despite all their success, the Coyotes lone loss came against Dark Lotus. We may see a battle through the air as Kalamazoo is the #2 ranked passing team in the East while Dark Lotus is the #3 ranked passing squad. Ron Dash will have all day in the pocket to pick apart the defense as the best pass blocking O-line in the East has yet to allow a sack all year (Washington allowed 7, Philly allowed 8, everyone else allowed 10+). Will Kalamazoo’s 2nd ranked rushing attack push the scales in the Coyotes favor since DLJ is the 10th ranked rushing squad in the East? In Dark Lotus’s victory over Kalamazoo early in the year, QB Justin Gan had 400+ yards and 3 touchdowns while WR Ash Ketchum had 23 receptions, 272 yards, and 3 touchdowns. If these 2 studs manage to pull a repeat performance, the #1 seed could be in trouble, especially since DLJ is coming off a win over the Western Conference’s (former) #1 team. DLJ takes a huge risk in the passing game as Kalamazoo’s secondary has snatched more interceptions than any other team in the league with star corners D’Brickashaw Smeltzer (10 INT’s) and Lionel Messi (9 INT’s) having help over the top from Gerald Alexander (8 INT’s).
Most Important Matchup: Kalamazoo’s Secondary vs. Dark Lotus’s Passing Attack
Offense Rank (Points scored): Kalamazoo-1st vs. DLJ-9th
Passing Rank (passing TD’s): Kalamazoo-2nd vs. DLJ-5th
Rushing Rank (rushing TD’s): Kalamazoo-3rd vs. DLJ-11th
Defense Rank (Points allowed): Kalamazoo-3rd vs. DLJ-10th
Passing Defense Rank (Passing TD’s allowed): Kalamazoo-3rd vs. DLJ-10th
Rushing Defense Rank (Rushing TD’s allowed): Kalamazoo-3rd vs. DLJ-9th
Blocking (by pancakes): Kalamazoo-4th vs. DLJ-10th
Blocking (by sacks allowed): Kalamazoo-1st vs. DLJ-11th
Kicking (FG%): Kalamazoo-8th vs. DLJ-11th
Prediction: Kalamazoo wins 31-21
(7)Pensacola Blazers @ (2) Philadelphia Pushovers
The Pushovers look to dominate this one from the outset as the Blazers have an extremely tough time with the top-tier teams in the East (and who wouldn’t?). Despite winning 7 of their last 8, the only playoff teams that Pensacola has defeated are the #6 seeded Wildcats and #8 seeded Juggernauts. Although the Blazers have had trouble with top teams (lost by 38 to Chicago and 49 to Kalamazoo), they almost managed to pull the upset with a comeback that came up short in their 23-17 regular season loss to Philly. The fact that Pensacola put up 14 points in the 4th quarter and only lost by 6 gives them a glimmer of hope but the Pushovers are still the heavy favorites. Philly managed to win the battle in the trenches (0 hurries/sacks allowed) and it caused Pensacola(8 hurries and 3 sacks allowed) to fall short in the regular season.
Most Important Matchup: Philly’s D-line vs. Pensacola’s O-line
Offense Rank: Philly-2nd vs. Pensacola-7th
Passing Rank: Philly-3rd vs. Pensacola-4th
Rushing Rank: Philly-2nd vs. Pensacola-9th
Defense Rank: Philly-2nd vs. Pensacola-7th
Passing Defense Rank: Philly-2nd vs. Pensacola-4th
Rushing Defense Rank: Philly-2nd vs. Pensacola-10th
Blocking(P): Philly-2nd vs. Pensacola-7th
Blocking(S): Philly-3rd vs. Pensacola-7th
Kicking: Philly-2nd vs. Pensacola-4th
Prediction: Philly wins 34-12
(6)Kentucky Wildcats @ (3) Chicago Mustangs
These two squads haven’t met since week 1 but expect the end result to be the same. Although the Mustangs only won by 9, this matchup could be the East’s most lop-sided game. Ever since star HB Greg Alstott put up a horrific 37.5 yards (2.9 average) in the Mustangs first game against Kentucky, he has been taking his frustrations out on every other team in the league and has finished with 2000+ yards and 47 touchdowns. QB Andrew Vick, a MIP contender, also looks to get his revenge on Kentucky and prove that his week 1 game (0 TD’s, 1 INT) was a fluke. Like the Philly-Pensacola matchup, the regular season game was won in the trenches as Chicago’s line was led by Minister of Defense had 8 tackles, 5 hurries and 2 sacks.
Most Important Matchup: Chicago’s D-line vs. Kentucky’s O-line
Offense Rank: Chicagoo-3rd vs. Kentucky-6th
Passing Rank: Chicago-1st vs. Kentucky-6th
Rushing Rank: Chicago-4th vs. Kentucky-8th
Defense Rank: Chicago-1st vs. Kentucky-8th
Passing Defense Rank: Chicago-1st vs. Kentucky-8th
Rushing Defense Rank: Chicago-1st vs. Kentucky-8th
Blocking(P): Chicago-9th vs. Kentucky-5th
Blocking(S): Chicago-8th vs. Kentucky-9th
Kicking: Chicago-10th vs. Kentucky-6th
Prediction: Chicago wins 21-3
(5)Washington Bullets @ (4) Detroit Nasty
Definitely the closest game of the Eastern Conference playoffs. When these two teams met earlier in the season, Detroit managed to sneak out a 27-24 victory with last second FG by kicker Jacob Lang. Julius Brown racked up 102 yards and found himself in the endzone twice in that game but the Washington Bullets are a different team now. The Bullets HB duo of Blake Riggins and Touchdown Johnson are widely regarded as the best 1-2 rushing attack in all of USA Pro. Both are considered to be Top 10 rushers and despite Johnson getting shut down for negative yardage in these two teams first meeting, Detroit will have their hands full taking care of these backs. With all that said Julius Brown is running behind the best run blocking offensive line in the league, bar-none. That man is on a mission to prove that he can win a title outside of Alpha and Washington is standing in his way.. This game truly relies on if Julius Brown can outplay Blake Riggins and Touchdown Johnson as both these teams love the rushing attack. Although the spotlight is on the run game, Scott Boonell is the X-factor in this game as he had 3 TD’s and 0 INT’s in the first Bullets-Nasty game but has a less-than-satisfactory 16 TD’s and 18 INT’s on the year. Which Boonell will show up for this game?
Most Important Matchup: Blake Riggins & Touchdown Johnson vs. Detroit’s D-Line
Offense Rank: Detroit-4th vs. Washington-5th
Passing Rank: Detroit-7th vs. Washington-9th
Rushing Rank: Detroit-5th vs. Washington-1st
Defense Rank: Detroit-4th vs. Washington-5th
Passing Defense Rank: Detroit-6th vs. Washington-7th
Rushing Defense Rank: Detroit-5th vs. Washington-4th
Blocking(P): Detroit-1st vs. Washington-3rd
Blocking(S): Detroit-10th vs. Washington-2nd
Kicking: Detroit-7th vs. Washington-3rd
Prediction: Detroit wins 17-14
(8)Dark Lotus Juggernauts @ (1)Kalamazoo Coyotes
Despite the fact that this is a #1 seed vs a #8 seed, this matchup is extremely interesting. The Coyotes have been on a tear all year, beating powerhouse squads such as the Chicago Mustangs and Philadelphia Pushovers. Despite all their success, the Coyotes lone loss came against Dark Lotus. We may see a battle through the air as Kalamazoo is the #2 ranked passing team in the East while Dark Lotus is the #3 ranked passing squad. Ron Dash will have all day in the pocket to pick apart the defense as the best pass blocking O-line in the East has yet to allow a sack all year (Washington allowed 7, Philly allowed 8, everyone else allowed 10+). Will Kalamazoo’s 2nd ranked rushing attack push the scales in the Coyotes favor since DLJ is the 10th ranked rushing squad in the East? In Dark Lotus’s victory over Kalamazoo early in the year, QB Justin Gan had 400+ yards and 3 touchdowns while WR Ash Ketchum had 23 receptions, 272 yards, and 3 touchdowns. If these 2 studs manage to pull a repeat performance, the #1 seed could be in trouble, especially since DLJ is coming off a win over the Western Conference’s (former) #1 team. DLJ takes a huge risk in the passing game as Kalamazoo’s secondary has snatched more interceptions than any other team in the league with star corners D’Brickashaw Smeltzer (10 INT’s) and Lionel Messi (9 INT’s) having help over the top from Gerald Alexander (8 INT’s).
Most Important Matchup: Kalamazoo’s Secondary vs. Dark Lotus’s Passing Attack
Offense Rank (Points scored): Kalamazoo-1st vs. DLJ-9th
Passing Rank (passing TD’s): Kalamazoo-2nd vs. DLJ-5th
Rushing Rank (rushing TD’s): Kalamazoo-3rd vs. DLJ-11th
Defense Rank (Points allowed): Kalamazoo-3rd vs. DLJ-10th
Passing Defense Rank (Passing TD’s allowed): Kalamazoo-3rd vs. DLJ-10th
Rushing Defense Rank (Rushing TD’s allowed): Kalamazoo-3rd vs. DLJ-9th
Blocking (by pancakes): Kalamazoo-4th vs. DLJ-10th
Blocking (by sacks allowed): Kalamazoo-1st vs. DLJ-11th
Kicking (FG%): Kalamazoo-8th vs. DLJ-11th
Prediction: Kalamazoo wins 31-21
(7)Pensacola Blazers @ (2) Philadelphia Pushovers
The Pushovers look to dominate this one from the outset as the Blazers have an extremely tough time with the top-tier teams in the East (and who wouldn’t?). Despite winning 7 of their last 8, the only playoff teams that Pensacola has defeated are the #6 seeded Wildcats and #8 seeded Juggernauts. Although the Blazers have had trouble with top teams (lost by 38 to Chicago and 49 to Kalamazoo), they almost managed to pull the upset with a comeback that came up short in their 23-17 regular season loss to Philly. The fact that Pensacola put up 14 points in the 4th quarter and only lost by 6 gives them a glimmer of hope but the Pushovers are still the heavy favorites. Philly managed to win the battle in the trenches (0 hurries/sacks allowed) and it caused Pensacola(8 hurries and 3 sacks allowed) to fall short in the regular season.
Most Important Matchup: Philly’s D-line vs. Pensacola’s O-line
Offense Rank: Philly-2nd vs. Pensacola-7th
Passing Rank: Philly-3rd vs. Pensacola-4th
Rushing Rank: Philly-2nd vs. Pensacola-9th
Defense Rank: Philly-2nd vs. Pensacola-7th
Passing Defense Rank: Philly-2nd vs. Pensacola-4th
Rushing Defense Rank: Philly-2nd vs. Pensacola-10th
Blocking(P): Philly-2nd vs. Pensacola-7th
Blocking(S): Philly-3rd vs. Pensacola-7th
Kicking: Philly-2nd vs. Pensacola-4th
Prediction: Philly wins 34-12
(6)Kentucky Wildcats @ (3) Chicago Mustangs
These two squads haven’t met since week 1 but expect the end result to be the same. Although the Mustangs only won by 9, this matchup could be the East’s most lop-sided game. Ever since star HB Greg Alstott put up a horrific 37.5 yards (2.9 average) in the Mustangs first game against Kentucky, he has been taking his frustrations out on every other team in the league and has finished with 2000+ yards and 47 touchdowns. QB Andrew Vick, a MIP contender, also looks to get his revenge on Kentucky and prove that his week 1 game (0 TD’s, 1 INT) was a fluke. Like the Philly-Pensacola matchup, the regular season game was won in the trenches as Chicago’s line was led by Minister of Defense had 8 tackles, 5 hurries and 2 sacks.
Most Important Matchup: Chicago’s D-line vs. Kentucky’s O-line
Offense Rank: Chicagoo-3rd vs. Kentucky-6th
Passing Rank: Chicago-1st vs. Kentucky-6th
Rushing Rank: Chicago-4th vs. Kentucky-8th
Defense Rank: Chicago-1st vs. Kentucky-8th
Passing Defense Rank: Chicago-1st vs. Kentucky-8th
Rushing Defense Rank: Chicago-1st vs. Kentucky-8th
Blocking(P): Chicago-9th vs. Kentucky-5th
Blocking(S): Chicago-8th vs. Kentucky-9th
Kicking: Chicago-10th vs. Kentucky-6th
Prediction: Chicago wins 21-3
(5)Washington Bullets @ (4) Detroit Nasty
Definitely the closest game of the Eastern Conference playoffs. When these two teams met earlier in the season, Detroit managed to sneak out a 27-24 victory with last second FG by kicker Jacob Lang. Julius Brown racked up 102 yards and found himself in the endzone twice in that game but the Washington Bullets are a different team now. The Bullets HB duo of Blake Riggins and Touchdown Johnson are widely regarded as the best 1-2 rushing attack in all of USA Pro. Both are considered to be Top 10 rushers and despite Johnson getting shut down for negative yardage in these two teams first meeting, Detroit will have their hands full taking care of these backs. With all that said Julius Brown is running behind the best run blocking offensive line in the league, bar-none. That man is on a mission to prove that he can win a title outside of Alpha and Washington is standing in his way.. This game truly relies on if Julius Brown can outplay Blake Riggins and Touchdown Johnson as both these teams love the rushing attack. Although the spotlight is on the run game, Scott Boonell is the X-factor in this game as he had 3 TD’s and 0 INT’s in the first Bullets-Nasty game but has a less-than-satisfactory 16 TD’s and 18 INT’s on the year. Which Boonell will show up for this game?
Most Important Matchup: Blake Riggins & Touchdown Johnson vs. Detroit’s D-Line
Offense Rank: Detroit-4th vs. Washington-5th
Passing Rank: Detroit-7th vs. Washington-9th
Rushing Rank: Detroit-5th vs. Washington-1st
Defense Rank: Detroit-4th vs. Washington-5th
Passing Defense Rank: Detroit-6th vs. Washington-7th
Rushing Defense Rank: Detroit-5th vs. Washington-4th
Blocking(P): Detroit-1st vs. Washington-3rd
Blocking(S): Detroit-10th vs. Washington-2nd
Kicking: Detroit-7th vs. Washington-3rd
Prediction: Detroit wins 17-14
