It’s here!! It might as well be Christmas in June!Its playoff football time.This year’s playoff should be a good one, but I think this year, the travel will take a toll on some of the teams.Season play was awesome with little travel in all 3 divisions, but I feel it might be an issue since now we are so spoiled on not having to do an overnight trip it may take its it toll on the lower seeded teams.
#8 Mustangs @ #2 Blaze: The Blaze enter the first round in the #2 seed, and I know they are not happy about it.The Blaze is a good team.They have been one for a long time and with Jurasek back at the helm, they are only better.The Mustangs are coming off of a long season.They finished 4-4 and got the nod into playoffs based on the fact they were matched up against the Anarchy 2 times instead of the Diggers.The Mustangs are a tough team as well, but I just don’t see them taking it to this game.The Mustangs must travel almost 5 hours to play a good football team and they just can’t seem to win the big games this season.They are lacking the drive to get the W when pushed, and they seem to break down very easily.I see this game being close at the half, but the Blaze pulling away late in the 3rd. Mustangs 14 Blaze 35
#7 Generals @ #3 Oilers: I’m going to say it (even though Dowers said it first).I don’t think the Generals are going to travel well to this game.They are looking at a 9 hour drive this week, and a possible 8 hour drive the next week if they win.This is a team that travelled very light to a game 2.5 hours away from them.Although they are a good team, I think this game loses the luster it should have with it because of a light Generals squad.I think the Oilers have a pretty solid team and are tied with the Phoenix with the second longest winning streak.The biggest part of this game is can the stellar Oilers D slow down a stellar Generals offensive attack?It has been said by someone that they were able to slow down Thurber and the Stampede, but I will tell the league the Generals O is different than anything this league has seen.They get the ball out quick (do to no Oline, sorry Nate) and have play-makers at 3 of the 5 receiver spots.They don’t have a great D (but did get better) and have no run game to even mention.If the Oilers can make a dent in the Generals points per game and get Rhode out of his style of game, they win. Generals 21 Oilers 24
#5 Phoenix @ #4 Anarchy: The Phoenix have a chip on their shoulder and are tied for the second longest winning streak in the AA. They lost week one to the Blaze and have won out since.They are playing well and if they travel well, it is going to be a fight.The Anarchy are one of the most physical teams in the league.They have been since their first game 3 years ago and even the teams in the AAA commented on it last year.The Phoenix can be physical when they want and I think will travel pretty well even though it will be almost a 6 hour drive.I think traveling will get the best of them in the fourth and the Anarchy pull ahead.Phoenix 14 Anarchy 28
#6 Stampede @ #1 Matadors: This game makes me giddy.Here are two teams who I feel are peaking in the season, just in time for playoffs.The Stampede are on a 3 game winning streak after a tough loss to the Oilers.The Stampede found their O and D the next week and finished up the season on a strong note.They are also a week rested as they had a bye last week.The Matadors finished somewhat strong last week and ended the regular season undefeated.The D made some great adjustments last week and was able to get pressure on the QB to make some bad decisions.The last time these two teams met, it was a great game.The Stampede came out on top, but had the added addition of home field.Will that come into play this game as well?I know this Stampede team is different from 2 years ago and with Thurber taking over the O, it adds a whole new aspect to the game.This game will come down to the Matadors D being able to contain a good Thurber offense.
