NEWS & NOTES (2053 WEEK 10)
XFLWith 10 weeks worth of games in the book, we take a look at all 8 divisions in both Conferences to identify those teams that are a sure thing to make the postseason, those teams holding onto hope and those teams that are ready to view for draft position.
AXCThe AXC is very top heavy as 6 teams are in a 6 way tie atop the Conference with an 8-2 mark through 10 games. Barring a complete collapse during the final 6 weeks, all 6 teams should make the postseason but their are 6 games upcoming between those 6 teams that are currently 8-2.
WESTKansas City & Indiana sit tied atop the division at 6-4 with KC holding the tiebreaker thanks to a week 3 head to head win over the Fog. With 6 teams in the AXC sitting at 8-2, it appears only the division winner will make the postseason.
KANSAS CITYKC has 3 very winnable games the next 3 weeks including 2 division opponents before wrapping up the season versus 3 playoff contenders highlighted by their week 15 rematch with Indiana which will go along way to determining the West winner.
REMAINING SCHEDULE
NEC (3-7)
OAK (3-7)
@VAN (0-10)
CIN (8-2)
@IND (6-4)
ATL (10-0)
BEST CASE SCENARIO: 4-2
They finish 10-6, win the West and enter the postseason as the #4 seed.
WORST CASE SCENARIO: 2-4
They finish 8-8 and lose the division to Indiana, missing the postseason altogether.
INDIANAIndiana also has 3 winnable games the next 3 weeks before playing 3 playoff contenders the final 3 weeks including their rematch with Kansas City in week 15.
REMAINING SCHEDULE
PIT (3-7)
@CAR (3-7)
@HOU (1-9)
TBY (6-4)
@KCY (6-4)
@TOR (8-2)
BEST CASE SCENARIO: 4-2
They win 4 of their last 6 games including the rematch with Kansas City to finish 10-6 and win the division and become the 4th seed.
WORST CASE SCENARIO: 2-4
They drop 4 of their last 6 games to finish 8-8 to lose the division and miss the postseason.
OAKLANDThey sit 3 games behind Kansas City & Indiana plus Indiana swept the season series over them but they do have a victory over Kansas City under their belt.
REMAINING SCHEDULE
TOR (8-2)
@KCY (6-4)
@PIT (3-7)
HOU (1-9)
MEM (6-4)
CAR (3-7)
BEST CASE SCENARIO: 4-2
They start winning some of these close games and finish strong at 7-9 to enter next season with some momentum.
WORST CASE SCENARIO: 1-5
They pack it in this season to finish 4-12 and land a possible top 10 pick in next year's draft.
VANCOUVERThey are the only winless team left in the XFL and have already been eliminated from the postseason.
REMAINING SCHEDULE
@CIN (8-2)
@TBY (6-4)
KCY (6-4)
TOR (8-2)
@ATL (10-0)
@PIT (3-7)
BEST CASE SCENARIO: 1-5
They manage to win a game and avoid their first winless season in francise history.
WORST CASE SCENARIO: 0-6
They lose out to finish 0-16 and division rival Indiana benefits since they have Vancouver's 1st round pick after trading for two 1st rounders in this year's draft. It becomes the first winless season in team history breaking the previous record bad season of 2022 & 2032 when they finished 1-15 in both seasons.
EASTI called this division way back in week 4 and Buffalo has a 5 game lead with 6 games remaining. They can officially clinch the East this week with a win.
BUFFALOThey will win the East division and make the postseason for 34th straight season so.its all a matter of can they get the Bye.
REMAINING SCHEDULE
NYE (2-8)
MIA (2-8)
@NEC (3-7)
PRI (10-0)
@TOR (8-2)
NEC (3-7)
BEST CASE SCENARIO: 6-0
They win out and clinch the Bye in the AXC over the other 5 teams currently at 8-2.
WORST CASE SCENARIO: 4-2
They drop a couple games and miss out on clinching the Bye but they are at worst the #3 seed.
NEW ENGLANDThey haven't finished better than 3rd place in the East since 2042 when they placed 2nd going 7-9. They are already mathematically eliminated from the postseason.
REMAINING SCHEDULE
@KCY (6-4)
PHI (7-3)
DAK (8-2)
BRO (5-5)
@MIA (2-8)
@BUF (8-2)
BEST CASE SCENARIO: 3-3
They finish fairly strong and place in 2nd in the East for the first time since 2042 with a 6-10 record.
WORST CASE SCENARIO: 1-5
They collapse down the stretch to match last year's 4-12 record to fail to show any improvement this season.
NEW YORKNew York had won double digit games in 6 of the last 7 seasons which they can't match this season. It's a down year where they have already been officially eliminated from postseason play but the silver lining is New York has multiple picks in the first 4 rounds in next year's draft.
REMAINING SCHEDULE
@BUF (10-2)
CIN (8-2)
BUF (8-2)
@TEX (8-2)
ORG (1-9)
MIA (2-8)
BEST CASE SCENARIO: 3-3
They win some games down the stretch to finish 5-11 but it's still their worse record since 2045 where they finished 3-13.
WORST CASE SCENARIO: 1-5
The losing season continues and they finish 3-13 to secure a top 10 pick in next year's draft.
MIAMIThey have now missed the postseason for 19 straight seasons and most likely will finish under .500 for 16 straight seasons.
REMAINING SCHEDULE
@HOU (1-9)
@BUF (8-2)
PRI (10-0)
@DAK (8-2)
NEC (3-7)
@NYE (2-8)
BEST CASE SCENARIO: 3-3
They finish 3-3 and wind up 5-11 to match their best record since 2047.
WORST CASE SCENARIO: 1-5
They manage just 1 more win and finish 3-13 to take a step backwards from last year's 4-12 record.
NORTHThe division is a 2 horse race between Cincinnati & Toronto both sitting at 8-2. The 2 teams split their season series and both finished with 5-1 division records so it's as close as it can get.
CINCINNATIThey play 4 of their last 6 games on the road but they should be favorite in all 6 games down the stretch.
REMAINING SCHEDULE
VAN (0-10)
@NYE (2-8)
@LAC (5-5)
@KCY (6-4)
VBA (6-4)
@SEA (1-9)
BEST CASE SCENARIO: 6-0
They win their last 6 games and win the North division will securing the Bye over the other 5 teams currently 8-2.
WORST CASE SCENARIO: 4-2
They drop a couple games down the stretch which cost them the division Title and they wind up a Wildcard and possibly the #7 seed. It snaps a 6 straight streak of winning the North division.
TORONTOThey were 7-4 through 11 games last season before losing 4 of their last 5 games to back into the postseason at 8-8. They have improved this season but they must avoid another late season collapse if they want to win the North division for the first time since 2040.
REMAINING SCHEDULE
@OAK (3-7)
@DAY (8-2)
@VBA (6-4)
@VAN (0-10)
BUF (8-2)
IND (6-4)
BEST CASE SCENARIO: 5-1
They finish strong and finsih 13-3 to edge out Cincinnati for the North division Title with a shot at securing the Bye in the AXC.
WORST CASE SCENARIO: 2-4
They stumble down the stretch and finish 10-6 and miss the postseason based on tiebreakers with Kansas City & Indiana.
PITTSBURGHPittsburgh started the season 3-3 before losing 4 straight games. They aren't officially eliminated yet and they have a very favorable remaining schedule so they to essentially win out and pray for a ton of help to Squeak into the postseason.
REMAINING SCHEDULE
@IND (6-4)
@LAC (5-5)
OAK (3-7)
@SEA (1-9)
@HOU (1-9)
VAN (0-10)
BEST CASE SCENARIO: 6-0
They win out and finish 9-7 and either Indiana or KC go 3-3 or worse plus Daytona, Texas or Dakota go 1-5 or worse down the stretch and they win an insane tiebreaker scenario to sneak into the postseason as the 7th seed.
WORST CASE SCENARIO: 1-5
They collapse down the stretch losing some winnable games to finish 4-12 for the 3rd time in the last 4 seasons.
HOUSTONHouston has had a revolving door at owner since 2048. They are officially eliminated and currently in line for a top 5 draft pick.
REMAINING SCHEDULE
MIA (2-8)
@VBA (6-4)
IND (6-4)
@OAK (3-7)
PIT (3-7)
LAC (5-5)
BEST CASE SCENARIO: 3-3
They finish 3-3 and take a little momentum into next season while still landing a top 10 pick.
WORST CASE SCENARIO: 0-6
They lose out and finish 1-15 for their worse season since going 1-15 way back in 2029.
SOUTHThe toughest division race in the XFL has 3 teams currently tied at 8-2. Texas leads with a 3-0 division record followed by Dakota at 2-0 while Daytona is 2-2 and lost to both Dakota & Texas. The race will be decided when Dakota plays Texas twice plus Daytona plays both Dakota & Texas 1 more time.
DAKOTADakota host Texas then Daytona the next 2 weeks and these games will go along long way in determining which team wins the South. 4 of their last 6 games are division games.
REMAINING SCHEDULE
DAY (8-2)
TEX (8-2)
@NEC (3-7)
MIA (2-8)
@TEX (8-2)
@ORG (1-9)
BEST CASE SCENARIO: 6-0
They win out to finish 14-2 to win the South while Buffalo loses to Providence in week 14 which secures the Bye for the Blizzard.
WORST CASE SCENARIO: 3-3
They lose to Texas twice and Daytona once and they finish 11-5 and wind up in 3rd place in the South and the #7 seed in the AXC.
TEXASAfter starting the season 0-2, Texas has won 8 straight games to move into 1st place in the South based on division record. 7 of those 8 wins were versus losing teams with the exception being the week 4 win at home versus Daytona 9-6. Their remaining schedule has 4 of the last 6 games versus playoff contenders including Dakota twice and Daytona once.
REMAINING SCHEDULE
@SPP (1-9)
@DAK (8-2)
GCG (6-4)
NYE (2-8)
DAK (8-2)
@DAY (8-2)
BEST CASE SCENARIO: 6-0
They win out to clinch the South for the first time since 2032 when they went 13-3 and snap a 10 season playoff drought. Not only do they make the postseason but they secure the Bye in the AXC.
WORST CASE SCENARIO: 2-4
Texas comes back to reality and loses 4 of their last 6 games to finish 10-6 but they still snap their 10 season playoff drought as the #7 seed in the AXC.
DAYTONAThey are 8-2 but it's only good enough for 3rd place in the South since they have loses to Dakota and Texas as their only 2 loses. They have a rematch will both teams left and they are "must win" games if Daytona wants to win the South.
REMAINING SCHEDULE
@DAK (8-2)
TOR (8-2)
@SPP (1-9)
GCG (6-4)
RAN (2-8)
TEX (8-2)
BEST CASE SCENARIO: 6-0
They win out and win the South division at 14-2 and they secure the Bye in the AXC.
WORST CASE SCENARIO: 2-4
They stumble down the stretch to finish 10-6 but still make the postseason as the 7th seed.
ORLANDOOrlando is in the midst of a rebuild under their new owner and they are in line for a top 5 draft pick in next year's draft.
REMAINING SCHEDULE
MTG (6-4)
@GCG (6-4)
@RAN (2-8)
SPP (1-9)
@NYE (2-8)
DAK (8-2)
BEST CASE SCENARIO: 3-3
They finish strong with a 4-12 record which is only 1 game off last years 5-11 mark.
WORST CASE SCENARIO: 0-6
They lose out to finish 1-15 where they end up with a top 3 pick in next year's draft.
NXCThe NXC has the three best teams by record in the XFL including Providence & Atlanta who remain undefeated at 10-0. There are 8 teams vying for the final 4 playoff spots with a record of 7-3, 6-4 & 5-5.
EASTProvidence has a 3 game lead over Philadelphia with 6 games to play plus they are 5-0 within the division with the rematch with Philly looming in week 15.
PROVIDENCEThey were the pre-season favorites to win it all and they have done nothing to dissuade that prediction. Critics say Providence has had a easy schedule with only 1 game versus a winning team (Philadelphia) so far this season. The schedule becomes much harder down the stretch with 5 of 6 games versus playoff contenders including their final 4 games on the road.
REMAINING SCHEDULE
GCG (6-4)
MEM (6-4)
@MIA (2-8)
@BUF (8-2)
@PHI (6-4)
@MTG (6-4)
BEST CASE SCENARIO: 6-0
They complete their undefeated season and win the East plus secure the Bye over Atlanta who either loses a game or they win a net point tiebreaker if Atlanta also wins out.
WORST CASE SCENARIO: 1-5
They crumble under the weight of their schedule and blow the East division Title to Philadelphia who finishes strong. They still Squeak into the postseason as a Wildcard.
PHILADELPHIAThey are playing well at 7-3 but still trailed Providence by 3 games. They currently hold the #5 seed in the Conference.
REMAINING SCHEDULE
@TBY (6-4)
@NEC (3-7)
@WAS (2-8)
MTG (6-4)
PRI (10-0)
@BRO (5-5)
BEST CASE SCENARIO: 6-0
They win out including beating Providence in the rematch and finish 13-3 to come from behind to clinch the East and secure the #2 seed in the Conference.
WORST CASE SCENARIO: 2-4
They fizzle down the stretch, losing key games versus playoff contenders to finish 9-7 and miss the postseason altogether.
BROOKLYNThey sit at 5-5 and in 3rd place in the East after winning the division last season. They are on the outside looking into the postseason and rank 11th in the Conference which means they have to jump 4 teams to reach the postseason.
REMAINING SCHEDULE
@RAN (2-8)
WAS (2-8)
PHX (9-1)
@NEC (3-7)
MTG (6-4)
PHI (7-3)
BEST CASE SCENARIO: 5-1
They finish strong at 10-6 and secure a Wildcard spot in the NXC.
WORST CASE SCENARIO: 3-3
They finish 8-8 and miss the postseason for the first time since 2050.
WASHINGTONIn 2050, Washington win the NXC Conference Championship and lost by 5 measley points in the XFL Title game to Cincinnati. They haven't been able to recover after losing that Title game as they have gone 9-33 since.
REMAINING SCHEDULE
@SEA (1-9)
@BRO (5-5)
PHI (7-3)
RAN (2-8)
CAR (3-7)
@SPP (1-9)
BEST CASE SCENARIO: 4-2
They win 4 of their last 6 games to finish 6-10 as they enter the off-season with some momentum leading up to the draft where Washington has 16 draft picks including 2 picks in the first 5 rounds and 3 each in the 6th & 7th rounds.
WORST CASE SCENARIO: 0-6
They pack in the season and finish 2-14 to secure a top 5 pick in the upcoming draft. Washington has compiled a ton of draft capital over the next 2 seasons. They have 27 total picks the next 2 drafts including five 1st rounders & four 2nd rounders.
WESTPhoenix has a commanding 3 game lead and with a 5-0 division record, that lead is essentially 4 games with 6 to go.
PHOENIXREMAINING SCHEDULE
@MEM (6-4)
ATL (10-0)
@BRO (5-5)
@CAR (3-7)
TBY (6-4)
@VBA (6-4)
BEST CASE SCENARIO: 6-0
They win out and finish 15-1 to win the West and they secure the Bye when Providence loses a game based on Conference record.
WORST CASE SCENARIO: 3-3
They stumble down the stretch and finish 12-4 which still clinches them the West Title and they settle for the #3 seed.
VEGASThey probably can't catch Phoenix for the West division Title so clinching one of the Wildcard spots is their best avenue for making the postseason. They currently ranks 8th in the Conference which is just on the outside of the postseason but they share the same record as Montana & Memphis who are the 6th & 7th seeds. They do have a win over Memphis under their belt.
REMAINING SCHEDULE
@LAC (5-5)
HOU (1-9)
TOR (8-2)
ATL (10-0)
@CIN (8-2)
PNX (9-1)
BEST CASE SCENARIO: 4-2
They finish 10-6 which is good enough to clinch one of the final 2 Wildcard spots.
WORST CASE SCENARIO: 2-4
The schedule is too much for Vegas and they finish 8-8 which isn't enough to make the postseason.
LOS ANGELESLA is the 10th seed in the NXC and 1 game off the pace for making the postseason. They have important wins versus Tampa and Gem City for tiebreaking purposes.
REMAINING SCHEDULE
VBA (6-4)
PIT (3-7)
CIN (8-2)
MEM (6-4)
@SEA (1-9)
@HOU (1-9)
BEST CASE SCENARIO: 5-1
They finish strong and end the season 10-6 which is good enough to secure one of the final 2 Wildcard spots thanks to head to head tiebreakers.
WORST CASE SCENARIO: 3-3
They split their last 6 games and finish 8-8 for the 4th time in the last 7 seasons.
SEATTLEIt is now 22 straight seasons missing the postseason after the team finished 8-8 last season and many thought they were poised to break that streak this season. They also lost another owner out of frustration so their is no telling when this francise with make the postseason again.
REMAINING SCHEDULE
WAS (2-8)
@RAN (1-9)
@TBY (6-4)
PIT (3-7)
LAC (5-5)
CIN (8-2)
BEST CASE SCENARIO: 3-3
They manage to split their final 6 games and wind up with a 4-12 record
WORST CASE SCENARIO: 0-6
The players have already packed their bags and made off-season plans so they lose out and finsih 1-15 which should land them a top 3 pick in next year's draft.
NORTHMontana & Gem City both are sitting at 6-4 but Montana has swept Gem City in the season series which gives them a 1 game lead in the North.
MONTANAWith the Grizzlies sweeping the Gangsters, they have the inside track to win the North. They just need to finish with at least the same record as Gem City to win the North Title. Unfortunately, Montana plays both undefeated teams down the stretch.
REMAINING SCHEDULE
@ORG (1-9)
@SPP (1-9)
ATL (10-0)
@PHI (7-3)
@BRO (5-5)
PRI (10-0)
BEST CASE SCENARIO: 5-1
They probably lose to the 2 undefeated teams but the Grizzlies are more then capable of pulling the upset which would have then finish 11-5, win the North and secure the #4 seed.
WORST CASE SCENARIO: 2-4
They win their next 2 games before losing 4 straight to end the season to finish 8-8. They lose the North to Gem City despite sweeping them and miss the postseason altogether.
GEM CITYThey have the same record as Montana but they have been swept by them so they need to finish with a better record
REMAINING SCHEDULE
@PRI (10-0)
ORG (1-9)
@TEX (8-2)
@DAY (8-2)
SPP (1-9)
RAN (2-8)
BEST CASE SCENARIO: 4-2
They finish the season 10-6 and Montana goes 3-3 to finish 9-7 so Gem City wins the North and the #4 seed.
WORST CASE SCENARIO: 3-3
They split their final 6 games to end up 9-7 which means they just miss the postseason because of tiebreakers.
RANDOLPHWith 18 players on the roster including their 1st or 2nd season, the rebuild continues for the team that simply needs to learn how to win and finish games. This will be the 17th straight season they have missed the postseason
REMAINING SCHEDULE
BRO (5-5)
SEA (1-9)
ORG (1-9)
@WAS (2-8)
@DAY (8-2)
@GCG (6-4)
BEST CASE SCENARIO: 4-2
They finish strong and end up 6-10 to improve on back to back 4-12 seasons.
WORST CASE SCENARIO: 2-4
They manage just 2 more wins to finish 4-12 for the 3rd straight season.
SAINT PAULThis is the 15th straight season the Punishers has missed the postseason after making 3 straight Title games from 2035 to 2037.
REMAINING SCHEDULE
TEX (8-2)
MTG (6-4)
DAY (8-2)
@ORG (1-9)
@GCG (6-4)
WAS (2-8)
BEST CASE SCENARIO: 3-3
They split their final 6 games to end up 4-12 after back to back 5-11 seasons.
WORST CASE SCENARIO: 1-5
They crumble down the stretch to finsih 2-14 for thebl 4th time in the last 8 seasons.
SOUTHAtlanta has all but clinched the South with essentially a 5 game lead with 6 games remaining as they remain undefeated.
ATLANTAThey are 10-0 and seems poised to challenge for another XFL Title after failing to do so the last 4 seasons following their 8 straight Titles.
REMAINING SCHEDULE
CAR (3-7)
@PNX (9-1)
@MTG (6-4)
@VBA (6-4)
VAN (1-9)
@KCY (6-4)
BEST CASE SCENARIO: 6-0
They win out to finish their undefeated season and clinch the South along with the Bye after a Providence lose.
WORST CASE SCENARIO: 4-2
They finally lose a couple games and wind up 14-2 which is only good enough for the #3 seed.
MEMPHISThey can't win the South so securing A Wildcard is their only hope and they currently hold the #6 seed.
REMAINING SCHEDULE
PHX (9-1)
@PRI (10-0)
CAR (3-7)
@LAC (5-5)
@OAK (3-7)
TBY (6-4)
BEST CASE SCENARIO: 4-2
After losing the next 2 weeks, they win their final 4 games to finish 10-6 which is good enough to secure the 6th or 7th seed.
WORST CASE SCENARIO: 2-4
They struggle down the stretch and finish 8-8 which isn't enough to make the postseason.
TAMPA BAYThey currently sit as the #9 seed which means they are out of the postseason but they have the same record as the 6th & 7th seeds. They can make the postseason with a string finish.
REMAINING SCHEDULE
PHI (7-3)
VAN (1-9)
SEA (1-9)
@IND (6-4)
@PNX (9-1)
@MEM (6-4)
BEST CASE SCENARIO: 4-2
They finish the season 10-6 and clinch the final Wildcard spot based on tiebreakers
WORST CASE SCENARIO: 2-4
They finish the season 8-8 which forces them to miss the postseason for the 3rd straight season.
CAROLINAThis makes 14 straight seasons missing the postseason and possibly their 13th straight season with a losing record unless they win 5 of their 6 games.
REMAINING SCHEDULE
@ATL (10-0)
IND (6-4)
@MEM (6-4)
PNX (9-1)
@WAS (2-8)
@OAK (3-7)
BEST CASE SCENARIO: 3-3
They manage to split their final 6 games to finish 6-10 which would be their best record since 2042.
WORST CASE SCENARIO: 1-5
They struggle to win just 1 more game and finish the season 4-12 which would still be their best record since 2048 when they went 5-11.
