Welcome to the new Beta version of the MyFootballNow website! Please note that while using the Beta website, some features may not work correctly and other features are not complete. Some elements, such as notifications and chat, may act strangely during the time that both versions of the site are available. If you need to return to the old version, click on the button below.
Sorry everyone, Ive been swamped at work this week and havent had the time to dissect the divisional round. Here is a quick synopsis;
Pittsburgh @ Buffalo (-11) ArmchairQB vs Smirt211
A battle between a first time playoff owner vs a playoff veteran. Pittsburgh has an uphill climb against a Buffalo team that has accomplished everything but wiining a league title. Will ArmchairQB upset the powerhouse or will Smirt finally ascend to win it all?
Prediction
Pittsburgh has had a nice season and won a playoff game but Buffalo is just too much to overcome. Bufflao wins going away.
Oakland @ Dakota (-6) Privatesnowflake vs Cjfred68
A battle between two francises that have been AXC Conference Champions 4 out of the 5 year history of the XFL, winning 3 XFL Titles combined. A rematch of last years AXC Championship game, this is the 3rd time they have met in the playoffs splitting the first two games.
Prediction
A game way too close to call but rumors of Privatesnowflake missing time at practice has me leaning towards Dakota in a close match.
Memphis @ Atlanta (-9) Greyghost1225 vs Chrisbronext
Memphis is in their 2nd playoffs and a team on the rise vs an Atlanta team in their 5th straight playoffs with 2 NXC Conference championship and a XFL championship under their belt.
Prediction
Should be a close battle but Atlanta is at home and has the experience edge so Atlanta wins a close game
Arizona @ Brooklyn (-2) Wieczoreks vs 4343
Wieczoreks is in his 2nd straight playoffs while 4343 makes his 1st appearance in his 1st full year of ownership.
Prediction
A game between uo and coming owners looking to make a name for themselves. It could go either way but I will play a hunch and say Arizona hits a late FG to win by 3.
Took some hits in the last sim cycle, had my own strats thrown in my face and used on me elsewhere. Back in the lab to come reborn with a fury never before seen.
BTW, ArmChair I'm rooting for you to go all the way and make some magic!
Though rooting for CJ too in your matchup. Good luck, fellas. :)
Total offense 22nd Run offense 16th Pass offense 23rd Total defense 13 Run defense 11th Pass defense 18th Turnover margin 30th (-22)
Dakota
Total offense 1st Run offense 8th Pass offense 1st Total defense 1st Run defense 1st Pass defense 9th Turnover margin 6th (+9)
No matter what angle you look at this game, its a story of David vs Goliath. If you look at the statistics on offense or defense, compare experience for players, coaches or the team im general, it all leans towards Dakota. In fact, Pittsburgh finished 9-7 this season to make the playoffs while Dakota has a 12-4 career record in the playoffs.
With all that being said, Pittsburgh doesnt care one bit. They have won 6 out of there last 7 games including 2 wins in the playoffs with a stifling defense that has held opponents to an average of 8 points. In fact, in the two playoff wins, they have given up a total of 13 points and only 1 TD. Those two playoff games were against the 6th and 7th ranked offenses in the league.
So this game will be a matchup of Dakota with a long history of success vs Pittsburgh, a team playing their best football right now. In football, its not always the best team that wins but the team playing the best right now that wins.
Prediction
Pittsburgh shocks the world with a 13-10 win to reach XFL VI.
Just as in the AXC, this matchup is between a new up and coming team vs a perennial playoff contender. Brooklyn only lost 2 games all season and both were to division rival Philadelhia while Atlanta also only lost 2 games as well.
To get a better look at the matchup, lets compare a mutual opponent, last years Champion Gem City. Atlanta lost 13-9 at Gem City while Brooklyn went to Gem City and tied them in overtime 16-16.
Prediction
Atlanta has the experience edge but Brooklyn has been on a roll only losing to one team all season. Im gonna use the Gem City results as a gauge and say Brooklyn wins 16-13 in overtime setting up XFL VI to be a battle between first time owners to reach the game.
Congrats on the win, Brooklyn. Lots of injuries headed into our match-up put me at a disadvantage. The team has gotten better in recent season, but still lacks any true depth.
0 for 2 on my underdog predictions as 2 former champs are heading to XFL VI seeking a 2nd title in francise history.
Atlanta vs Dakota (-4) Chrisbronext vs Cjfred68
A full breakdown of the game to follow:
I want to congratulate ArmchairQB and 4343 on amazing seasons. Reaching the Conference Championship game is a great accomplishment. As disappointing as it may be to lose, it is something to build off of heading into next season.
This is Chrisbronext's 3rd trip to the XFL Championship game, having lost XFL II before coming back and winning XFL III. This is Atlanta's 5th straight playoff appearance and they have an 8-3 career record in the playoffs.
OFFENSE
OVERALL 3RD RUSHING 2ND PASSING 8TH
DEFENSE
OVERALL 5TH RUSHING 7TH PASSING 11TH
TURNOVER MARGIN 5th (+12)
TOP PLAYERS
QB Craig Davis 3480 yards 33 TD 12 INT 97.80 QBR
WR/RB Charles Robinson 999 yards rushing 4 TD 36 catches 299 yards 6 KRs 197 yards 33.0 average
WLB David Cook 76 tackles 3 interceptions 16 knockdowns
LDE Russell Schmid 13 tackles 6 sacks 9 hurries
CB Matthew Harrison 49 tackles 8 knockdowns 7 interceptions
DAKOTA
This is Cjfred68's 3rd trip to the XFL Championship game having won XFL I and later losing XFL V. This is Dakotas 6th straight trip to the playoffs with a 13-4 record alltime.
MLB James Shaw 81 tackles 2 interceptions 16 knockdowns
LDE John Snow 20 tackles 6 sacks 7 hurries
CB Gordon Speed 52 tackles 7 interceptions 22 knockdowns
Atlanta and Dakota have only faced each other one team in league history. It was in the 2020 season where Dakota hosted Atlanta in week 4 and handed Atlanta its only defeat 12-10 during Atlanta's 15-1 season which was capped by them winning XFL III.
PREDICTION
My only prediction is this will be a great game and whichever team and owner wins will deserve it.
