Week eight is finally in the books for the Indoor Football League, and the playoff picture has begun to shape up. Having added two more teams for the 2024 season, the playoff push will be more competitive than ever for the IFL.
Each year 8 teams advance to a 3-round bracket style playoff schedule, culminating in the Championship game at the Dollar Loan Center in Las Vegas, broadcast on CBS Sports for the last two seasons. This means that 8 teams will head home and watch from their couches as the cream of the crop competes for the title.
https://goifl.com/sports/2023/6/5/playoffs.aspx
In a league where we have seen teams in back-to-back years go from worst to first, anything is possible. Eight weeks through the season it appears as if no team has been eliminated yet with 11 more weeks remaining. We are going to break this down into four categories:
• Playoff Locks
• In the Hunt
• On the Bubble
• Playoffs Start Now
These four categories will represent different groups in the league and their chances of making the playoffs. We have a few teams that have separated themselves and look like near playoff locks that will be our first category. Our second category will be the teams that have separated themselves but haven’t dominated every team they’ve come up against yet. Our third category will consist of teams that have won some games but slipped at times. The fourth category, will likely be the smallest, and these are the teams that have fallen to the bottom of the league already, but they are still in the hunt if they’re able to win out going forward.
At the end of this article, I will give you my predictions for who will make the playoffs, and even provide you with my prediction for the championship game. If you’re into sports betting, this could be a very valuable article for you going forward. Check out Simplebet to bet on the IFL.
Table of Contents
Playoff Locks
Looking at the broad picture of the IFL, four teams have put themselves on a playoff trajectory through six games. One of these teams has opened up an 11-game gap from first place in their division to last place, and we will start with them.
Vegas Knighthawks, 6-0
About two months ago just before the IFL season, I put out some future bets to consider for the 2024 season. I had put the Knighthawks on that list even though their odds were astronomically high. One of the teams in the league even questioned me publicly on this.
I said it then, and I’ll say it now: Ja’Rome Johnson is simply magic. Things he does as a quarterback will leave you trying to pick your jaw up off the floor at least once a game. His elite mobility makes him a constant threat for designed runs, or to escape the pocket at any moment, and his ability to fit the ball in tight spaces when called for is nearly unrivaled. Playing in a condensed area Johnson has completed 63% of his passes and protected the ball with only 2 interceptions to 15 touchdowns. He’s added 271 yards and 10 touchdowns. I am 100% confident Johnson would be playing outdoors if he was 2 inches taller and 20 pounds heavier. There is no other knock on his play.
The weapons out wide certainly don’t hurt for the young gunslinger. Quentin Randolph, Cj Windham, and Caleb Holley are all solid wideouts. Antonio Wimbush is the top running back and is electric in his role as well. This unit has produced over 50 points per game on average this year. The defense has allowed 36.4 points per game along the way for a total of 178 points tied for the least in the league. Vegas is like that crimson and gold Ferrari you’ve always wanted, that’s firing on all cylinders, and begging to be driven to the limit.
Bay Area Panthers, 5-1
The Bay Area Panthers went into week 6 undefeated, tasked with facing Vegas. They would walk out of week six 5-1, notching their first loss of the season. Currently, Vegas and Bay Area are the class of the western division.
Bay Area was also the one team to question me on putting Vegas on the list:
Bay Area is the other team tied with Vegas for the least points allowed in the league. With only 178 points scored on them through six games, it has kept them from needing an offensive onslaught every game to win. They’re 12th in points scored offensively.
Quarterback Daquan Neal has looked like the player that once drew NFL interest as of late. Completing over 68% of his passes on his way to 451 yards, and 8 touchdowns adding 211 yards and 4 touchdowns. Felix Harper has also played a lot, racking up 242 total yards, and 8 touchdowns to 2 interceptions.
Coaching is key. Bay Area has a great staff essentially run by two head coaches. Rob Keefe is officially the Head Coach but he is also the defensive coordinator. Dixie Wooten a long-time IFL Head Coach is the Offensive Coordinator, and the two men get to focus on what they do best.
I expect Bay Area to be a playoff contender as long as this is in place. However, that may not be long as he could receive head coaching offers this offseason after two great seasons with the Panthers. Macklemore once said “One man’s trash is another man’s come up” That’s exactly what Wooten has been for Bay Area in their one-year flip from worst to first.
Eastern Conference
Frisco Fighters, 5-1
What can I say about Tj Edwards that hasn’t already been said? He is one of if not the best quarterback in the league. Every year he is among the best passers and best rushers. This season is no different and once again, we find Frisco on top of the Eastern Conference due to his play. The Fighters are lucky Edwards, even came back for 2024 after being selected in the XFL draft. When the USFL and XFL merged, they left Edwards out of a job and back in the IFL. This is home for Edwards, this is Texas where they hold onto ‘em.
Frisco has scored 308 points, or 51.3 per game so far this season. Edwards has accounted for 174 of those points with touchdowns alone. Frisco has weapons across the board with Martez Carter, and Jimmy Smith in the backfield, Devin McCoy, and Cole Blackman out wide.
The defense has allowed 246 points this season but 116 of those points were scored by San Antonio in the last two games, nearly half of their total points given up. If there is one area for the team to improve in, it is the pass rush. Charles Williams leads the team with 2 sacks.
However their secondary found a gem. Former wide receiver Lionel McConnell now playing defensive back has 4 interceptions in just 6 games. He’s added 3.5 tackles for a loss and 2 kickoff returns for a touchdown. The defense has forced 9 turnovers, and special teams have blocked 3 kicks. Frisco is a force to be reckoned with going forward even if on paper it looks like they haven’t played the best opponents yet.
McConnell will join us in the final segment to talk about his career
Massachusetts Pirates, 5-1
These Pirates may not be led by Captain Jack Sparrow, but they are always one of the most talented teams on paper. Year in and year out they find the best players on the market who have fallen out of the UFL, or CFL. This year was no different when they brought in Conor Degenhardt, Jimmie Robinson, Teo Redding, Devin Hafford, Matt Elam, Kevin Thurmon, and De’Jahn Warren. This roster is loaded with players just coming out of the UFL due to the merger.
This offense right now runs through the passing game. With wide receivers, Teo Redding, Isaac Zico, and Thomas Owens leading the way most defenses face a pick-your-poison scenario when preparing for the Pirates. These three players have combined for 17 touchdowns and 670 yards. Jimmie Robinson has led the way in the backfield with 406 yards of offense, 345 in kick returns, and 6 touchdowns.
On defense, Eugene Ford has intercepted four passes, and broken up 7. In total, this defense has disrupted 25 passes in six games. They’ve logged 6 turnovers, 1 safety, and 7 sacks. Zico added a kick return for a touchdown as well.
In the Hunt
San Diego Strike Force, 4-2
The Strike Force have impressed this season led by veteran Nate Davis, this offense has willed this team to victory more than once this season. Their wide receiver group has proven to be more talented than expected, and it appears the Davis has grown chemistry with them by the week. Davis is back and he’s ready to fight, and ready to kill his opponents.
Davis has thrown 24 touchdowns adding one rushing touchdown, while his backup Rudy Johnson has added 2 passing, 3 rushing touchdowns, and 1 receiving. This means these two quarterbacks have combined to average 5 touchdowns per game through 6 weeks.
Arthur Jackson has bounced back and forth from the USFL to the IFL and back, he has been the number one target, scoring 10 touchdowns on 21 receptions. Jordan Kress who was featured on Sportscenter Top 10 for his acrobatic catch, has 21 receptions for 5 touchdowns. All Isiah Cox does is score touchdowns, he has 5 on 8 receptions. Elijah Lilly has been the WR3 outside the Redzone.
The defense has allowed 263 points putting them in 9th place. Their secondary has produced 8 interceptions, broken up 17 more, and forced a fumble they recovered. Special teams have done their part with 3 blocked kicks, 1 kick return touchdown, a 42-yard punt return, and an average of 15.5 yards per kick return as a unit. They are also 4 of 7 on field goal attempts so far this season.
NAZ Wranglers, 4-2
The NAZ Wranglers find themselves 6th in scoring offense, and 8th in scoring defense at the halfway point in this season. The team has been carried by rookies Joshua Jones and Isaiah McCorker. Jones has completed 67% of his passes on his way to 966 yards 19 touchdowns and only 3 interceptions. He has been dangerous on the ground too with 202 yards and 7 rushing touchdowns. The Wranglers seem to have a great foundation of young players that are coming up so we better get the party started..
McCorker has scored it by land (running), by air (receiving), and by sea? (Special teams) through 6 games this young man has 10 carries for 62 yards, 3 touchdowns, 20 receptions for 278 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 20 returns for 371 yards and 2 touchdowns. For anyone keeping score, that’s a total of 50 touches, 711 yards, and 12 touchdowns. Tell me he doesn’t belong in the CFL or UFL.
On defense they’ve gotten big plays from Tramond Lofton and Shanon Reid as pass rushers producing 7.5 sacks, and 10 tackles for a loss while Travion Banks has 3 of the team’s 7 interceptions. This team looks like a contender.
Eastern Conference
Green Bay Blizzard, 4-2
There’s a Blizzard in Green Bay…
Some might say Green Bay has played a cupcake schedule to get where they are at right now, and I can’t argue that it wasn’t: their wins came against teams with a combined 4-14 record. It becomes even more concerning when you consider they just handed Sioux Falls their first win of the season. However, this is not the same Blizzard team that we have watched in years past fumble away playoff chances year after year.
Max Meylor and Skyler Perry have combined for 12 touchdown passes to 3 interceptions. They have added 242 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground. Jaylyn Cagle has been an all-purpose weapon as a runner, receiver, and return man. He has 46 touches for 590 yards and 4 touchdowns. Their top three receivers eat up the majority of the targets although their top running back gets his fair share too.
This is another team whose defense has been incredibly valuable in 2024. They have ten sacks as a group, including 3 players with more than 1 in just 6 games. They’ve intercepted five passes, recovered four fumbles, and blocked 3 kicks on defense and special teams. They have made 7 field goals but it took 21 tries.
Tulsa Oilers, 3-3
The Tulsa Oilers are kind of like that Katy Perry song, hot and cold, so far this season they can’t seem to get on a roll. Their three wins have come against the same opponents as Green Bay; Quad City, and Sioux Falls. Their losses however have come to two of the more talented teams in the league Frisco and Jacksonville (even if their record doesn’t show it). Two of their three losses were by just one score, a total of 9 points.
Tulsa brought in former Barnstormers quarterback Daniel Smith who has led the way beating out the bigger name in Jawon Pass. Smith has played well completing 65% of his passes for 16 touchdowns and only three interceptions. He has collected 862 passing yards. He has added 152 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns this season.
Alexis Rosario has turned into the top receiver with Montero Dubose and Joshua Crockett banged up. Playing second fiddle has been Jonathan Nance. Jarrod Ware has been a decent dual-purpose back for them with 55 total touches for 231 yards and 7 touchdowns in 4 games, however with their rushing attack only averaging 3.0 yards per carry, and only leading the opposition in time of possession by 8 minutes and change, it might be time to address running back. Perhaps a call to 6’0 225 lb Daryl Virgies is in order?
Special teams have done a good job of giving the offense a short field averaging 17.7 yards per kick return, with Crockett and Bennett each putting one in the end zone. They’ve converted over 50% of their field goals and blocked one kick.
On defense Noah Lyles has been a monster with 18.5 tackles, 8.5 for a loss of 37 yards, including 4 sacks for a loss of 22 yards, he also forced a fumble. The former Notre Dame College alum should see outdoor interest after this season and what he was able to do in college where he crossed the double-digit sack mark in his final season in 2021. NDC has produced some impressive pass rushers as of late. Romon Morris leads the team with 2 interceptions. However, on a team with a defensive-minded coach, they have allowed 268 points tied for eleventh most in the league.
On the Bubble
Quad City Steamwheelers, 2-4
The Quad City Steamwheelers were faced with the proposition of replacing quarterback Ej Hilliard after years with the team. Was this a case of fixing something that wasn’t broken, or was this a mutual breakup as Hilliard moved into retirement? Maybe…it was just one of those days…
They turned to younger options trying to sneak another veteran on the roster elsewhere and they did just that.
Judd Erickson and Mike Irwin have both played but Irwin has proven to protect the ball better than Erickson so far. Irwin has completed 61% of his 23 passes throwing four touchdowns and collecting 147 yards. Erickson completed 57% of his 135 passes for 842 yards, 16 touchdowns to 6 interceptions. Irwin has averaged slightly more yards per attempt, but that is directly related to his higher completion rate.
Their tailback Edward Vander has produced 65 touches, 408 yards, and 13 touchdowns. In the passing game, it’s been primarily Keyvan Rudd, Jarrod Harrington, and Vander. They have accounted for 702 yards and 14 touchdowns of the 989 yards and 20 touchdowns the team has produced.
This defense has held the offense back producing just four sacks and four interceptions this season. They have also managed 4 forced fumbles that all resulted in turnovers. They have also boasted a solid kicking team converting seven of eleven field goal attempts. Special teams have also blocked four kicks and produced one of the highest kick return averages in the league (18.8 yards per return) although they have scored only once.
Sioux Falls Storm, 3-3
Sioux Falls has been staying remarkably calm in the face of adversity. Not rushing to make knee-jerk reaction moves based on their record, it’s as if they have been listening to and singing along with Bob Marley’s “Every Little Thing Will be Alright” on repeat.
https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxCZqukjkuPT5onCgD-HP7JkWFe6jGLHQ-?si=TnZw6FuXzGVngsRV
Billy Hall was a player I was very skeptical about in my preseason quarterback rankings and due to that Sioux Falls ranked as my 16th overall quarterback room. Well, I can say I have been pleasantly surprised by Hall’s play this season. Completing 61% of his passes for 13 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions, he has totaled only 595 yards passing but leads the team by a wide margin with 352 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns.
This offense has been so dedicated to the run game they have attempted just 97 total passes while they’ve run 154 times in 6 games. This breaks down to 16 pass attempts, and 26 rushing attempts per game, obviously not all of those are designed to tune but still the Storm have become one too dimensional on offense to surprise the defense. While I don’t believe Hall is entirely the issue, the fact wouldn’t shock me to see him replaced soon. With the chaos in the AFL, I could see teams targeting players on AFL rosters moving forward pitching players on guaranteed paychecks, and stability.
The Storm defense has struggled to produce sacks and created just 6 turnovers so far this season. Amin Black, Claude Davis, and Elijah Reed have been their most reliable defenders. Davis is coming off of Defensive Player of the Week honors after he had 2.5 tackles, 2 sacks, and 1 interception.
Western Conference
Arizona Rattlers 3-3
The Arizona Rattlers oversaw a changing of the guard as they let Drew Powell go via trade, acquiring Dalton Sneed in free agency as their new starter, and signing former NAZ Wranglers starter Garrett Kettle as their backup. They were forced to test that depth early in the season when Sneed got hurt. They signed Lorenzo Brown who had retired after the 2023 Championship game.
The Rattlers are probably one of the better teams in this category. They started the season with a win over the now 4-2 NAZ Wranglers. Then lost by 2 points to the 6-0 Vegas Knighthawks, followed it up with a 6-point loss against the defending champion Bay Area Panthers, and a 10-point loss to San Diego. These three teams have a collective 15-3 record. They went on to win games against Iowa, and Jacksonville. Arizona has faced one of the toughest early season schedules in the league so far and it doesn’t look like the Western Conference will get any easier.
The Rattlers boast the 5th highest-scoring offense in the league with 47.3 points per game and the tenth-scoring defense in the league. Even though Arizona has seen four different players throw passes they have collectively completed 66% of their passes for 1,047 yards, 19 touchdowns to 4 interceptions.
Jamal Miles has been an absolute weapon for the Rattlers with 51 offensive touches for 352 yards and 8 touchdowns. He had returned 16 kicks for 201 yards giving him an average of 11 touches for 92 yards and 1.25 touchdowns a game. Glen Gibbons Jr has also proven to be a valuable contributor with 36 touches for 400 yards, and 10 touchdowns on offense, adding 124 kick return yards on only 6 attempts and 2 tackles. He leads the team in receptions, reception yards, and reception touchdowns.
Injuries have prevented Arizona from being full strength for most of this season, and this could have changed a lot in that 3 game slide. Starters Dalton Sneed, Isaiah Huston, and Dillon Winfrey have all missed at least two games just to name a few.
On defense, they have produced just 3 sacks and 3 interceptions. It wasn’t that long ago the Rattlers featured a pair of defensive backs that combined for nearly 20 interceptions. They need to make some defensive adjustments if they intend to win and turn this season around. They have won two straight, this is no time to let off the gas, because if they do the Rattlers will be flirting with disaster.
San Antonio Gunslingers, 2-4
If there’s one thing I know about the San Antonio Gunslingers; they are not afraid, they’re going to walk through this storm. They’ve faced adversity before and this is nothing different for them.
Currently, they stand 2-4, and head to the Rio Rancho Events Center to play the 0-5 Duke City Gladiators in front of thousands of Gladiator faithful. Sam Castranova has taken to the IFL like a fish in water and leads the league in several categories. Through six games he has accounted for 43 touchdowns and nearly 1,400 total yards while completing 71% of his passes and throwing just 2 interceptions. Can you hear that? That’s the sound of Gunslingers’ fans chanting M V P…M V P…M V P…
Castranova has done a great job of spreading the ball around to his many playmakers and currently has four receivers with 21 receptions, 214 yards, and 4 touchdowns or more. The mad scientist known as James Fuller has changed the IFL game forever straying from a run-heavy attack and bringing a heavy dose of that NAL flavor to his offense. I expect Castranova to near 4,000 total yards on the season if healthy.
Normally one would assume if you’re a pass-happy offense your time of possession will suffer but in this case, San Antonio has held the ball nearly 30 minutes more than opponents, converted 33% more 3rd downs, and about 40% more 4th downs. They know how to keep drives moving with THE Gunslinger at the helm, even if his rushing attack is only betting 2.7 yards per carry.
If there is one glaring issue to be fixed it is the fact that they average 68.5 penalty yards per game with a total of 52 penalties. Their opponents have averaged nearly a full 14 yards per game less. They have also allowed 6 sacks for a loss of 20 yards while producing just 2 for 5 yards lost. The defense has produced just four turnovers, and the special teams unit hasn’t produced a touchdown yet although they have been getting over 16 yards per return.
Playoffs Start Now
Jacksonville Sharks, 1-5
The Jacksonville Sharks are working to prove they are stronger than yesterday as they have made significant changes to their offense to try and acclimate to rules they weren’t yet used to in the IFL. This included making two moves at quarterback bringing in N’Kosi Perry and Fred Payton.
The 1-5 Sharks got their first win over Tulsa in week six. In the process, Fred Payton Jr. and their offense scored a season-high 47 points. They are currently last in the league in points per game with 32.5. They are also 13th in scoring defense allowing 45.5 points per game. The Sharks weren’t just getting beat, they were getting blown out with three 20-point deficits in a row. Payton seems to have turned things around and the league has taken notice awarding him Offensive Player of the Week for his 6-touchdown, 237 yard performance in week 8.
Payton Jr. has only been with the team for 3 weeks and he already leads the team in passing touchdowns, rushing touchdowns, passing yards, rushing yards, and completion percentage. Health has been an issue as none of their top three wideouts have played all six games. Somehow all three have over 200 yards and they have combined for 17 touchdowns.
The special teams unit has contributed a touchdown and two blocked kicks. The defense has produced 3 interceptions and 3 forced fumbles while adding only 4 sacks. They also need to work on cutting out penalties, they have lost 68.7 yards per game to penalties, which alone could have created two more victories early in the season when they lost to 5-1 Massachusetts by 5 points, and the 6-0 Knighthawks by 6.
Iowa Barnstormers, 1-5
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, the Barnstormers of Iowa were a feared group of mercenaries cobbled together by a master team builder. Led by quarterbacks like Kurt Warner and Aaron Garcia they were the type of team that grew the arena football game and drew in new fans.
Fast forward to the present day and these Barnstormers aren’t atheists perennial playoff team they once were when they made the playoffs five of their first six seasons or even the team Dave Mogensen inherited in 2022. Now they sit ranked 14th out of 16 teams in scoring offense, they benched their once ascending starter DJP and turned to Kyle King.
The Barnstormers might be 1-5, but their win came last week against the Quad City Steamwheelers. Along the way they lost to Tulsa by 8, to Arizona by 2, and to Green Bay by 7 points in 3 of the 4 weeks before their win. King may not be the runner DJP us but he has been able to produce more as a passer, including a 3:1 touchdown to interception ratio versus the 3:4 ratio DJP has.
The biggest loss for the 2024 Barnstormers may be Antonio Wimbush arguably one of the best dual-threat backs in the league. Wimbush managed over 800 yards of offense, and 28 touchdowns in 11 games last year for Iowa. This season Rob Washington has produced 254 yards and 6 touchdowns in 6 games. Highly unlikely he reaches the heights Wimbush did just last season while returning from injury after missing a month.
Only one receiver has set himself apart and that is Quian Williams who was in camp with the Buffalo Bills last season. He has caught 30 passes for 355 yards and 7 touchdowns, adding 2 carries for 7 yards and 1 touchdown, he didn’t stop there adding 24 kick returns for 397 yards and 1 touchdown. In other words, he has been their primary receiver, and return man. He has produced nearly 200 yards of offense more than the nearest person. He has nearly single-handedly matched the entire passing attack yardage-wise, he is second on the team in total touchdowns as well.
The defense hasn’t helped the offense much, and ultimately the entire team needs some work to get where Coach Mogensen and company would like to be. One thing Iowa has going for them is one of the best kickers in the league. Gabriel Rui managed 19 of the Barnstormers’ 55 points. He was perfect on the day 3 of 3 on field goals, 6 of 6 on extra points, and added two deuces. One missed deuce, or field goal and Iowa may not have won the game.
Western Conference
Tucson Sugar Skulls 1-4
Tucson is just trying to weather the storm. In the words of Lil Baby; it’s nothing personal when they’re handling business. Switched things up now it’s working.
Last week Tucson made some adjustments and they look to be headed in the right direction after going from a 13-point loss to Bay Area, and a 26-point loss to San Antonio to a 3-point loss to Northern Arizona. The impressive part about this loss was the Sugar Skulls showed the ability to fight back when the chips are stacked against them. With 8:23 left in the 4th quarter NAZ scored a touchdown that put them up 34 to 19.
Tucson scored a touchdown just 30 seconds later making it 25 to 34. Tucson went for two but Mike Jones was stuffed in the backfield. Tucson gave the ball back to NAZ and were able to stop their offense and get the ball back. With just 43 seconds remaining Tucson found the end zone again! This game could have been a victory if not for extra-point attempts. Tucson attempted to go for 2 on all four attempts and failed to convert four times. Tucson left 8 points on the board right there alone.
Given that they are 1-4, and having lost two games by a combined 9 points to the 4-2 NAZ Wranglers, maybe Tucson’s record isn’t sad accurate to the level of talent on the team as you may think. Rookie Quarterback Mylik Mitchell was electric before his injury producing 16 touchdowns to 2 interceptions but even then the team ranks 14th in overall points and has barely averaged over 40 games.
Torrance Gibson has played a lot more quarterback and a lot less receiver than I think anyone had hoped before the season. Only two receivers have played in all five games and not one has topped 17 receptions 262 yards and 2 touchdowns.
On special teams they have been okay producing just under 16 yards per kick return, Brayden Utley has blocked two kicks, but they’ve only converted 1 of 6 field goal attempts. On defense, they have produced just 1 sack and 1 interception in 5 games, which is quite frankly not good enough with the offense struggling to find its footing as well. This defense has been on the field for over 145 minutes this season already and only produced 2 big plays.
Duke City Gladiators, 0-5
The Duke City Gladiators are all in on turning around their fortunes. So much so that they have played eight different quarterbacks since trading away Nate Davis last season for Demry Croft and Aaron Aiken. Neither of them are on the team at this point. Word is Joe Manusco is next in line after a very brief stint with the now-folding Philadelphia Soul of the AFL. Can the gamble to turn to the former Vegas Knighthawk, Manusco pay off for Duke City?
So far this season Gladiator quarterbacks have compiled 13 passing touchdowns to 12 interceptions. Their workhorse running back from 2023 Tim Whitfield is tearing it up in the LFA headed for a potential championship run, while Jeff Carr has struggled to get any momentum compiling 99 rushing yards in 5 games. No quarterback on the roster has completed over 53% of their passes and part of that is a lack of urgency at the wide receiver position.
Gourney Sloan is the top wideout with just 17 receptions for 194 yards and 5 touchdowns, second on the team is Jeff Carr with 11. Greg Thomas and Carr have been electric in the return game averaging over 23.1 yards per return on 18 attempts. Malik McDowell and Tamar Heart have combined for 6.5 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks, 1 interception, and an extra point fumble recovery for a score leading the defense.
The always clutch Ernesto Lacayo has converted 5 of 13 field goal attempts, and 11 of 15 extra point attempts this season adding 3 deuces.
Playoff Predictions
Looking at the grand scheme of the playoff picture I expect that Vegas, Bay Area, Frisco and Mass will all make the playoffs this season. They have too much momentum, and look too strong for me to think otherwise at this point. From there only four spots remain and that’s where things get a bit more complicated.
I believe that NAZ will hit some bumps in the road and somehow miss the playoffs. Too much Youth and inexperience always concerns me for the playoff push at the end of the season and in this case I just have a gut feeling we will see Arizona sneak into one of the Western Conference playoff spots.
San Diego may look on paper like they’re a near lock to make the playoffs but I actually believe they will also stumble late, with NAZ and San Antonio nipping at their heals the entire way. For the same reasons I see NAZ falling out of the playoffs is why I see San Diego making it. Veteran leadership will step up when times get tough and pull this team into the playoffs.
Green Bay is a team I’ve voiced my concerns about in the past but now, it appears they’ve turned a corner. As mentioned before their schedule looks easy in hindsight but if Green Bay doesn’t win those four games that they were “supposed to win” they wouldn’t have any playoff hopes at all. You can only play the teams you are scheduled, and I personally hate the easy schedule argument for that fact. Green Bay makes it and I think they will do so with at least a one game deficit over the team just outside of the playoffs.
Here is where my shocking pick comes in; the Sioux Falls Storm will make the playoffs. Somehow someway the Storm will claw their way into the playoffs. Maybe it’s coaching, maybe it’s the Bob Marley in the locker room, whatever it is the Storm will make waves when they come back from 0-5 to make the playoffs.
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