I didn't even make predictions for week 9 because it seemed to me everything was pretty much locked up. It looks like the top 4 teams were all ok with their seeds.
I was surprised by the Wildcat win in St. George until I saw that the Lions played without a QB or their top RBs. No Misi, Ford, Tapuosi, Mapu, or Feula. Now I'm surprised it was even close. I wonder if the Trojans had won if the outcome would have changed. With the 2 seed locked up they were only playing to see who would get the 6 seed. Unfortunately for the Sting, the Lions had no motivation to win, and they get a little revenge for the opening day loss to the Sting.
So the Playoff seeding is as follows:
1 Rev (7-1) - only loss to Trojans on road in week 1 2 Lions (5-3) - win over Trojans and important overtime win over Shock ensure first round bye 3 Trojans (5-3) - win over Shock and Rev 4 Shock (5-3) - losses to top 3 teams, but won the teams they should win earns home field in first round 5 Vipers (4-4) - win over Trojans in final week gets them into playoffs and they don't have to travel south. 6 Wildcats (4-4) - win over Lions in final week gets them into playoffs, but now have to travel to Vegas, Ouch, but nice for a first year in the League.
Round 1 Games Vipers (4-4) @ Shock (5-3)
Vipers have to feel pretty good about themselves after beating the Trojans. Sherwood played great throwing 5 TDs against one of the best defenses in the League. The running game was servicable gaining about 70 yards, enough to keep the Trojans guessing a little and the defense forced 3 turnovers.
The Shock had a bye week to get better, the game against the Lions was physical and the Shock needed the time to heal. Thomas has been hobbled with ankle problems since their last game against the Vipers and his ingrown toe surgery on Monday makes me wonder if he will be ready to go, they also lost Hess due to his badgering management about stats.
The game should be a good one. Shock have the size and speed to run over the smaller Viper team, much like they did in their previous game. IK and Mann should rule the day for the Shock and take time off the clock and keep Sherwood off the field. I think Thomas will still play, after all it is the playoffs, but in a reduced role. Hess won't play. If the Shock defense can keep Sherwood contained the Shock should win.
Shock 28 - Vipers 14
Wildcats (4-4) @ Trojans (5-3)
Wildcats are going from the fire into the Furnace, at least figuratively. Talk about a tough road to the championship. They had to win the Lions in St George in 100 degree heat to earn the right to play the Trojans in Vegas in 100 + heat and if they win they have to go back to St George again. Yuck!!! The Wildcats barely beat a very shorthanded Lions team in the last week of the regular season. The Trojans won't be shorthanded.
The Trojans lost their chance for a first round bye in a loss to the Vipers. Travel isn't easy in the RMFL, but this week its the Wildcats that have to travel South, and for the third week in a row. The Trojans are the better team and want to prove they belong in the upper echelons on the RMFL. The travel is too much for the team from the North.
