2040 Playoff preview (Week 9)

The way too early, first look at the playoff Picture for the 23rd season of the XFL.

AXC

BYE
Dakota (8-1/6-1) currently holds the #1 seed over Buffalo (8-1/6-1) based on their head to head win over them. It appears to be a 2 team race with several teams 2 games back.

WEST
Oakland (6-3/4-0) has a 2 game lead over Indiana (4-4/1-2) and 3 game lead over Vancouver (3-5/0-1) and Kansas City (3-5/0-1). Overall and divisional records are in parenthesis. Oakland is undefeated in the division and swept Indiana which makes the lead more like 3 games.

EAST
Buffalo (8-1/4-0) as usual, has a 2 game lead over Miami (6-3/1-1) and New York (2-6/1-3) and New England (1-7/0-2) are 6 games behind and essentially eliminated from division contention. Buffalo is 4-0 in division but does have 2 games left with 2nd place Miami. Overall and divisional records are in parenthesis

NORTH
Toronto (6-3/1-1) currently sits in first but 1 game ahead of Cincinnati (5-4/0-2) and Houston (5-3/2-1) while Pittsburgh (4-5/2-1) sits in 4th, 2 games behind. Without question, this the the toughest division in the AXC with all 4 teams capable of winning it. Overall and divisional records are in parenthesis.

SOUTH
Dakota (8-1/3-0) has a 2 game lead over Michigan (6-3/1-1) with Texas (3-6/1-2) 5 games out and Daytona (2-7/1-3) 6 games out. Overall and divisional records are in parenthesis. Dakota is 3-0 in division but still has 2 games with Michigan remaining.

WILDCARD
Michigan (5-3/5-2) and Miami (5-3/5-2) have a 1 game lead for the 5th and 6th seeds while Houston (5-4/4-3) is currently clinging to the 7th seed. Cincinnati (5-4/3-3) is right on their tail with Indiana (4-5/3-4) and Pittsburgh (4-5/3-3) 1 game behind. Vancouver (3-6/1-5), Kansas City (3-6/1-6) and Texas (3-6/3-3) are 2 games behind and in striking distance. Overall and Conference records are in parenthesis.


NXC

BYE
Philadelphia (9-0/6-0) is 2 games ahead of 3 teams (Vegas/Washington/Atlanta) for the #1 seed and has wins versus 2 of those teams in head to head matchups (Washington/Vegas). Overall and Conference records are in parenthesis.

WEST
Vegas (7-2/3-1) has a 1 game lead over Arizona (6-3/3-0) but Arizona won the first matchup and they meet again in week 10 where the winner takes control of the division. Los Angeles (4-5/1-1) is 3 games out and still has an outside shot with 2 games versus Arizona and 1 versus Vegas remaining. Overall and divisional records are in parenthesis.

EAST
Philadelphia (9-0/2-0) has a 2 game lead over Washington (7-2/4-1) and Philadelphia won the first matchup between them so the week 12 rematch in Washington will determine if this will be a race to the finish or Philadelphia will run away with the division. Overall and divisional records are in parenthesis.

NORTH
Gem City (6-3/2-0) currently leads the division over Montana (6-3/3-1) thanks to a week 9 win at Montana. The teams meet in Gem City in week 14 which should go a long way in deciding the division winner. Saint Paul & Zehlendorf are 3 games behind both teams. Overall and divisional records are in parenthesis.

SOUTH
Atlanta (7-2/3-1) holds a 2 game lead over Carolina (5-3/3-2) and 3 game lead over Tampa Bay (4-5/2-1). Overall and divisional records are in parenthesis. Atlanta has split with Carolina and has a win over Tampa Bay with 1 game remaining in week 16. Atlanta is trying to break a 11 season playoff draught and win their 1st division crown since 2027.

WILDCARD
Washington (7-2/7-2) sits 1 game ahead of 2 teams for the 5th seed. Arizona (6-3/5-1) and Montana (6-5/5-2) hold the 6th and 7th seeds, 1 game ahead of Carolina (5-4/5-4) and 2 games ahead of Tampa Bay (4-5/3-3) and Los Angeles (4-5/2-4). Overall and Conference records are in parenthesis.

2040 PLAYOFF PICTURE

There are 5 games remaining and 19 teams are realistically battling for the 14 playoff spots with only Philadelphia having secured a playoff spot and just Providence and Memphis eliminated. That leaves 11 teams alive but on life support.

AXC

1. Dakota 10-1

2. Buffalo 10-1
3. Oakland 7-4
4. Toronto 7-4

5. Michigan 7-4
6. Houston 6-5
7. Miami 6-5

8. Indiana 6-5
9. Pittsburgh 5-6
10. Texas 5-6
11. Cincinnati 5-6

12. New England 4-7
13. Vancouver 3-8
14. Kansas City 3-8
15. New York 2-9
16. Daytona 2-9

*16 teams still alive within
*14 teams within 3 games
*12 teams within 2 games
*11 teams realistic contenders

NXC

1. Philadelphia 11-0

2. Vegas 8-3
3. Gem City 8-3
4. Carolina 7-4

5. Washington 9-2
6. Arizona 7-4
7. Montana 7-4

8. Atlanta 7-4

9. Zehlendorf 4-7
10. Tampa Bay 4-7
11. Los Angeles 4-7
12. Saint Paul 4-7

13. Brooklyn 3-8
14. Seattle 3-8

*14 teams still alive within 4 games
*12 teams within 3 games
* 8 teams realistic contenders

2040 Playoff preview (Week 12)

We have reached the 3/4 pole and with 4 games remaining....sh/+ is about to get real!!!!

AXC

BYE
Dakota (11-1/8-1) currently holds the #1 seed over Buffalo (11-1/7-1) based on their head to head win over them. It's a race to the finish and Dakota can't afford any stumble or Buffalo will grab the top spot. Dakota has 4 games left versus playoff contenders while Buffalo plays 3 of 4 versus playoff contenders.

Dakota
Michigan 8-4
Texas 6-6
Carolina 7-5
Michigan 8-4

Buffalo
Cincinnati 6-6
Miami 7-5
Vancouver 4-8
Oakland 8-4

WEST
Oakland (8-4/6-0) has a 1 game lead over Indiana (7-5/2-2) and swept the season series while going undefeated in the division. Indiana needs to finish with a better record then Oakland to win the division so the lead is really 2 games. Overall and divisional records are in parenthesis. Oakland definitely has tge tougher schedule as they play 3 playoff contenders while Indiana plays just 1 but surprised Washington may play a significant role in who wins this division.

Oakland
Miami 7-5
Washington 9-3
New York 2-10
Buffalo 11-1

Indiana
Daytona 3-9
Vancouver 4-8
Kansas City 3-9
Washington 9-3

EAST
Buffalo has clinched this division

NORTH
Toronto (7-5/1-2) currently sits 1 game ahead of Houston (6-6/3-1), Cincinnati (6-6/1-3) and Pittsburgh (6-6/2-1). Without question, this the the toughest division in the AXC with all 4 teams capable of winning it. Overall and divisional records are in parenthesis. Surprisingly, Toronto and Pittsburgh control their own destiny, meaning if either wins out they win the division. The 4 teams play each other in week 16 which may ultimately decide which team wears the crown.

Toronto
Houston 6-6
Pittsburgh 6-6
New England 4-8
Pittsburgh 6-6

Houston
Toronto 7-5
Saint Paul 4-8
Montana 7-5
Cincinnati 6-6

Pittsburgh
Texas 6-6
Toronto 7-5
Cincinnati 6-6
Toronto 7-5

Cincinnati
Buffalo 11-1
Michigan 8-4
Pittsburgh 6-6
Houston 6-6

SOUTH
Dakota (11-1/3-0) has a 3 game lead over Michigan (7-3/3-1). Overall and divisional records are in parenthesis. Dakota is 3-0 in division but still has 2 games with Michigan. If Dakota beats Michigan in week 13, they clinch the division and have already clinch a playoff spot.

Dakota
Michigan 8-4
Texas 6-6
Carolina 7-5
Michigan 8-4

Michigan
Dakota 11-1
Cincinnati 6-6
Memphis 2-10
Dakota 11-1

WILDCARD
Michigan (8-4/7-2) currently holds the 5th seed.

Michigan
Dakota 11-1
Cincinnati 6-6
Memphis 2-10
Dakota 11-1

Miami (7-4/5-4) currently holds the 6th seed.

Miami
Oakland 8-4
Buffalo 11-1
Vegas 9-3
New England 4-8

Indiana (7-5/5-4) currently holds the 7th seed.

Indiana
Daytona 3-9
Vancouver 4-8
Kansas City 3-9
Washington 9-3

Houston (6-6/5-5) is 1 game out

Houston
Toronto 7-5
Saint Paul 4-8
Montana 7-5
Cincinnati 6-6

Cincinnati (6-6/4-4) is 1 game out

Cincinnati
Buffalo 11-1
Michigan 8-4
Pittsburgh 6-6
Houston 6-6

Pittsburgh (6-6/4-4) is 1 game out

Pittsburgh
Texas 6-6
Toronto 7-5
Cincinnati 6-6
Toronto 7-5

Texas (6-6/4-4) is 1 game out

Texas
Pittsburgh 6-6
Dakota 11-1
Daytona 3-9
New York 2-10


NXC

BYE
Philadelphia (12-0/9-0) is 3 games ahead of Vegas (9-3/7-2) and Washington (9-4/7-4) for the #1 seed and has wins versus both teams in head to head matchups making it essentially a 4 game lead. Overall and Conference records are in parenthesis. Philadelphia needs 1 win or 1 lose by Vegas & Washington to clinch the bye. In other words, they have to lose out and have either Vegas or Washington win out to lose the bye.

Philadelphia
Providence 0-12
Kansas City 3-9
Arizona 8-4
Brooklyn 3-9

Washington
Montana 7-5
Oakland 8-4
Los Angeles 4-8
Indiana 7-5

Vegas
Tampa Bay 4-8
Los Angeles 4-8
Miami 7-5
Providence 0-12

WEST
Vegas (9-3/4-1) has a 1 game lead over Arizona (8-4/4-1) but also swept Arizona which gives them control of the division. Overall and divisional records are in parenthesis. Arizona needs to win out and have Vegas go 2-2 to win the division but 3 of 4 games remaining for Vegas are against sub .500 teams while Arizona plays 2 playoff contenders including undefeated Philadelphia.

Vegas
Tampa Bay 4-8
Los Angeles 4-8
Miami 7-5
Providence 0-12

Arizona
Atlanta 8-4
New York 2-10
Philadelphia 12-0
Los Angeles 4-8

EAST
Philadelphia (12-0/2-0) has a 2 game lead over Washington (9-3/4-1) and Philadelphia swept the season series. Overall and divisional records are in parenthesis. Philadelphia needs to lose out while Washington wins out in order for Washington to win the division.

Philadelphia
Providence 0-12
Kansas City 3-9
Arizona 8-4
Brooklyn 3-9

Washington
Montana 7-5
Oakland 8-4
Los Angeles 4-8
Indiana 7-5

NORTH
Gem City (8-4/3-0) currently leads the division by 1 game over Montana (7-5/3-1) and has a win over Montana. The teams meet in Gem City in week 14 which should go a long way in deciding the division winner. Overall and divisional records are in parenthesis. Gem City plays 3 of 4 versus sub .500 teams while Montana has 4 games versus playoff contenders remaining.

Gem City
Saint Paul 4-8
Montana 7-5
Tampa Bay 4-8
Zehlendorf 5-7

Montana
Washington 9-3
Gem City 8-4
Houston 6-6
Carolina 7-5

SOUTH
Atlanta (8-4/3-2) holds a 1 game lead over Carolina (7-5/4-2) and the teams split the season series. Overall and divisional records are in parenthesis. Atlanta plays 3 of 4 games versus sub .500 teams while Carolina has 2 of 4 games left versus playoff contenders.

Atlanta
Arizona 8-4
Zehlendorf 5-7
Saint Paul 4-8
Tampa Bay 4-8

Carolina
Zehlendorf 5-7
Daytona 3-9
Dakota 11-1
Montana 7-5

WILDCARD
Washington (9-3/7-3) currently holds the 5th seed.

Washington
Montana 7-5
Oakland 8-4
Los Angeles 4-8
Indiana 7-5

Arizona (8-4/7-2) currently holds the 6th seed.

Arizona
Atlanta 8-4
New York 2-10
Philadelphia 12-0
Los Angeles 4-8

Montana (7-5/6-3) currently holds the 7th seed.

Montana
Washington 9-3
Gem City 8-4
Houston 6-6
Carolina 7-5

Carolina (7-5/6-4) is on the outside looking in.

Carolina
Zehlendorf 5-7
Daytona 3-9
Dakota 11-1
Montana 7-5

Zehlendorf (5-7/4-4) is technically still alive but doctors are asking if they signed a DNR because they are on life support. They need to win out and have either Carolina go 2-2 or Atlanta go 1-3 but Zehlendorf does play both so in winning out they need Carolina to go 2-1 or Atlanta 1-2. Their heart is still beating...for now!

Zehlendorf
Carolina 7-5
Atlanta 8-4
Providence 0-12
Gem City 8-4

2040 Playoff preview (Week 13)

With 3 games remaining, things really heat up and every game becomes more important!

AXC

BYE
Dakota (12-1/9-1) currently holds the #1 seed over Buffalo (11-2/7-2) by 1 game plus Dakota won head to head versus Buffalo. Dakota's magic number is 2 so any combination of Dakota wins or Buffalo loses totalling 2 clinches them the bye.

Dakota
Texas 7-6
Carolina 7-6
Michigan 8-5

Buffalo
Miami 7-6
Vancouver 4-9
Oakland 9-4

WEST
Oakland (9-4/6-0) has a 1 game lead over Indiana (8-5/2-2) and swept the season series while going undefeated in the division. Indiana needs to finish with a better record then Oakland to win the division so the lead is really 2 games. Overall and divisional records are in parenthesis. Oakland magic number is 2 so any combination of Oakland wins or Indiana Loses equalling 2 clinches them the division.

Oakland
Washington 10-3
New York 3-10
Buffalo 11-2

Indiana
Vancouver 4-9
Kansas City 4-9
Washington 10-3

EAST
Buffalo has clinched this division

NORTH
Toronto (8-5/2-2) currently sits 1 game ahead of Cincinnati (7-6/1-3) with Houston (6-7/3-2), and Pittsburgh (6-7/2-1) 2 games back. Overall and divisional records are in parenthesis. Toronto's magic number is 3 so any combination of Toronto wins and Cincinnati loses equalling 3 clinches them the division. Pittsburgh controls their own destiny and if they win out, they win the division.

Toronto
Pittsburgh 6-7
New England 4-9
Pittsburgh 6-7

Houston
Saint Paul 4-9
Montana 7-6
Cincinnati 7-6

Pittsburgh
Toronto 8-5
Cincinnati 7-6
Toronto 8-5

Cincinnati
Michigan 8-5
Pittsburgh 6-7
Houston 6-6

SOUTH
Dakota has clinched this division.

WILDCARD
Michigan (8-5/7-3) currently holds the 5th seed.
KEY WINS: TOR, TEX (2), PIT, HOU
KEY LOSES: NONE
REMAINING SCHEDULE
Cincinnati 7-6
Memphis 3-10
Dakota 12-1

Indiana (8-5/6-4) currently holds the 6th seed.
KEY WINS: PIT
KEY LOSES: NONE
REMAINING SCHEDULE
Vancouver 4-9
Kansas City 4-9
Washington 10-3

Cincinnati (7-6/5-4) currently holds the 7th seed
KEY WINS: TEX, TOR
KEY LOSES: TOR, PIT, HOU
REMAINING SCHEDULE
Michigan 8-5
Pittsburgh 6-7
Houston 6-7

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

Texas (7-6/5-4)
KEY WINS: HOU, TOR, PIT
KEY LOSES: WOL (2), CIN
REMAINING SCHEDULE
Dakota 12-1
Daytona 3-10
New York 3-10

Miami (7-6/5-5)
KEY WINS: IND
KEY LOSES: PIT
REMAINING SCHEDULE
Buffalo 11-2
Vegas 10-3
New England 4-9

Houston (6-7/5-6)
KEY WINS: PIT, TOR, CIN
KEY LOSES: TEX, PIT, WOL, TOR
REMAINING SCHEDULE
Saint Paul 4-9
Montana 7-6
Cincinnati 7-6

Pittsburgh (6-7/4-5)
KEY WINS: MIA, CIN, HOU
KEY LOSES: HOU, WOL, IND
REMAINING SCHEDULE
Toronto 8-5
Cincinnati 7-6
Toronto 8-5




NXC

BYE
Philadelphia has clinched the bye

WEST
Vegas (10-3/4-1) has a 1 game lead over Arizona (9-4/4-1) but also swept Arizona which gives them control of the division. Overall and divisional records are in parenthesis. Vegas has a magic number of 2 so any combination of Vegas wins and Arizona loses equalling 2 clinches them the division. Vegas has clinched a playoff spot.

Vegas
Los Angeles 5-8
Miami 7-6
Providence 0-13

Arizona
New York 3-10
Philadelphia 13-0
Los Angeles 5-8

EAST
Philadelphia has clinched the division.

NORTH
Gem City (9-4/4-0) currently leads the division by 2 game over Montana (7-6/3-1) and has a win over Montana. The teams meet in Gem City in week 14 and a Gem City win clinches them the division. If Montana wins then the chase continues. Gem City has clinched a playoff spot.

Gem City
Montana 7-6
Tampa Bay 4-9
Zehlendorf 6-7

Montana
Gem City 9-4
Houston 6-7
Carolina 7-6

SOUTH
Atlanta (8-5/3-2) holds a 1 game lead over Carolina (7-6/4-2) and the teams split the season series. Overall and divisional records are in parenthesis. Atlanta has a magic number of 3 so any combination of Atlanta wins and Carolina loses equalling 3 clinches them the division.

Atlanta
Zehlendorf 6-7
Saint Paul 4-9
Tampa Bay 4-9

Carolina
Daytona 3-10
Dakota 12-1
Montana 7-6

WILDCARD
Washington (10-3/8-3) currently holds the 5th seed and has clinched a playoff spot.
KEY WINS: ARZ, CAR, MTG
KEY LOSES:
REMAINING SCHEDULE
Oakland 9-4
Los Angeles 5-8
Indiana 8-5

Arizona (9-4/8-2) currently holds the 6th seed.
KEY WINS: ZEZ, LAC, ATL
KEY LOSES: WAS
REMAINING SCHEDULE
New York 3-10
Philadelphia 13-0
Los Angeles 4-9

Montana (7-6/6-4) currently holds the 7th seed.
KEY WINS: ZEZ, LAC, ATL
KEY LOSES: WAS
REMAINING SCHEDULE
Gem City 9-4
Houston 6-7
Carolina 7-6

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

Carolina (7-6/6-5)
KEY WINS: LAC, ATL
KEY LOSES: ATL, WAS, ZEZ
REMAINING SCHEDULE
Daytona 3-9
Dakota 11-1
Montana 7-5

Zehlendorf (6-7/5-4)
KEY WINS: MTG, CAR
KEY LOSES: MTG
REMAINING SCHEDULE
Atlanta 8-5
Providence 0-13
Gem City 9-4

Los Angeles (5-8/3-6)
KEY WINS: NONE
KEY LOSES: CAR, MTG, ARI
REMAINING SCHEDULE
Vegas 10-3
Washington 10-3
Arizona 9-4

2040 Playoff preview (Week 14)

2 games remaining and 6 playoff spots still in question while seeding still needs to be fixed for the most part.

AXC

BYE
Dakota (13-1/10-1) currently holds the #1 seed over Buffalo (12-2/8-2) by 1 game plus Dakota won head to head versus Buffalo. Dakota's magic number is 1 so any combination of Dakota wins or Buffalo loses totalling 1 clinches them the bye.

Dakota
Carolina 8-6
Michigan 8-6

Buffalo
Vancouver 4-10
Oakland 9-5

WEST
Oakland (9-5/6-0) and Indiana (9-5/3-2) are tied atop the division but Oakland swept the season series while going undefeated in the division. Indiana needs to finish with a better record then Oakland to win the division so the lead is really 1 game. Overall and divisional records are in parenthesis. Oakland magic number is 2 so any combination of Oakland wins or Indiana Loses equalling 2 clinches them the division.

Oakland
New York 3-11
Buffalo 12-2

Indiana
Kansas City 4-10
Washington 11-3

EAST
Buffalo has clinched this division

NORTH
Toronto (9-5/3-2) currently sits 1 game ahead of Cincinnati (8-6/1-3) with Houston (7-7/3-2) 2 games back. Overall and divisional records are in parenthesis. Toronto's magic number is 2 so any combination of Toronto wins and Cincinnati loses equalling 2 clinches them the division. Houston is on life support for the division title and 1 Toronto win or Houston lose knocks them out.

Toronto
New England 5-9
Pittsburgh 6-8

Houston
Montana 7-7
Cincinnati 9-6

Cincinnati
Pittsburgh 6-8
Houston 7-7

SOUTH
Dakota has clinched this division.

WILDCARD
Indiana (9-5/7-4) currently holds the 5th seed. They need 1 more win to clinch a playoff spot.
KEY WINS: PIT
KEY LOSES: NONE
REMAINING SCHEDULE
Kansas City 4-10
Washington 11-3

Cincinnati (8-6/6-4) currently holds the 6th seed. Cincinnati controls their own destiny and if they win out will make the playoffs.
KEY WINS: TEX, TOR, WOL
KEY LOSES: TOR, PIT, HOU
REMAINING SCHEDULE
Pittsburgh 6-8
Houston 7-7

Michigan (8-6/7-4) currently holds the 7th seed. Michigan controls their own destiny and if they win out will make the playoffs.
KEY WINS: TOR, TEX (2), PIT, HOU
KEY LOSES: CIN
REMAINING SCHEDULE
Memphis 3-11
Dakota 13-1

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

Houston (7-7/5-6)
Houston needs to win out and have Texas lose a game to make the playoffs
KEY WINS: PIT, TOR, CIN
KEY LOSES: TEX, PIT, WOL, TOR
REMAINING SCHEDULE
Montana 7-7
Cincinnati 8-6

Texas (7-7/5-5)
Texas needs to win out and have Indiana, Michigan or Cincinnati lose out to make the playoffs
KEY WINS: HOU, TOR, PIT
KEY LOSES: WOL (2), CIN
REMAINING SCHEDULE
Daytona 3-11
New York 3-11

Miami (7-7/5-6)
Miami needs to win out and have Indiana, Michigan or Cincinnati lose out plus Texas Loses 1 game.
KEY WINS: IND
KEY LOSES: PIT
REMAINING SCHEDULE
Vegas 11-3
New England 5-9



NXC

BYE
Philadelphia has clinched the bye

WEST
Vegas (11-3/4-1) has a 1 game lead over Arizona (10-4/4-1) but also swept Arizona which gives them control of the division. Overall and divisional records are in parenthesis. Vegas has a magic number of 1 so any combination of Vegas wins and Arizona loses equalling 1 clinches them the division. Vegas has clinched a playoff spot.

Vegas
Miami 7-7
Providence 1-13

Arizona
Philadelphia 14-0
Los Angeles 5-8

EAST
Philadelphia has clinched the division.

NORTH
Gem City has clinched the division.


SOUTH
Atlanta (9-5/3-2) holds a 1 game lead over Carolina (8-6/4-2) and the teams split the season series. Overall and divisional records are in parenthesis. Atlanta has a magic number of 2 so any combination of Atlanta wins and Carolina loses equalling 2 clinches them the division.

Atlanta
Saint Paul 4-10
Tampa Bay 5-9

Carolina
Dakota 13-1
Montana 7-7

WILDCARD
Washington (11-3/8-3) currently holds the 5th seed and has clinched a playoff spot.
KEY WINS: ARZ, CAR, MTG
KEY LOSES:
REMAINING SCHEDULE
Los Angeles 5-9
Indiana 9-5

Arizona (10-4/8-2) currently holds the 6th seed and has clinched a playoff spot.
KEY WINS: ZEZ, LAC, ATL
KEY LOSES: WAS
REMAINING SCHEDULE
New York 3-10
Philadelphia 13-0
Los Angeles 4-9

Carolina (8-6/6-5) currently holds the 7th seed.
KEY WINS: LAC, ATL
KEY LOSES: ATL, WAS, ZEZ
REMAINING SCHEDULE
Dakota 12-1
Montana 7-7

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

Montana (7-7/6-5)
Montana needs to win in week 15 or have Carolina lose to Dakota in week 15 to make the week 16 matchup with Carolina a play in game.
KEY WINS: ZEZ, LAC, ATL
KEY LOSES: WAS
REMAINING SCHEDULE
Houston 7-7
Carolina 8-6

2040 Playoff preview (Week 15)

With 1 game remaining, we still have 1 division up for grabs, 3 playoff spots in the AXC and 1 in the NXC undecided.

****disclaimer****

These are my personal insights into playoff tiebreakers and obviously I may be mistaken especially for more complex tiebreakers because JDB has never given me accurate info on tiebreaker protocol. The below is based on what I've observed and deducted from past seasons. Also, sometimes I'm just an idiot and get it wrong.

****disclaimer****

KEY WEEK 16 GAMES

AXC
Houston @ Cincinnati (-9)
Pittsburgh @ Toronto (-6)
Texas (-4) @ New York
Michigan @ Dakota (-10)

NXC
Zecken @ Gem City (-13)
Montana @ Carolina (-9)

AXC

BYE
Dakota has clinched the bye

WEST
Oakland has clinched this division

EAST
Buffalo has clinched this division

NORTH
Toronto (9-6/3-2) and Cincinnati (9-6/2-3) sit tied atop the division with Houston (8-7/3-2) 1 games behind. Overall and divisional records are in parenthesis. Toronto plays Pittsburgh while Houston Plays Cincinnati in week 16.

If Toronto beats Pittsburgh, they win the division based on division record.

If Toronto loses to Pittburgh then the winner of the Houston/Cincinnati game wins the division.

If Toronto ties Pittsburgh then Cincinnati can win the division with a win over Houston but Houston would be elimated for division title contention.

If both games end in a tie, I know what are the odds then Toronto wins the division.

SOUTH
Dakota has clinched this division.

WILDCARD
Indiana (9-6/7-5) currently holds the 5th seed and has clinched a playoff spot.

Cincinnati (9-6/7-4) currently holds the 6th seed. Cincinnati controls their own destiny and if they beat Houston in week 16, they clinch a playoff spot. If they lose to Houston and Toronto beats Pittsburgh then they are elimated if Michican and Texas both win.
KEY WINS: TEX, TOR, WOL
KEY LOSES: TOR, PIT, HOU
REMAINING SCHEDULE
Houston 8-7

Michigan (8-7/7-4) currently holds the 7th seed. If they beat Dakota in week 16, they clinch a playoff spot. If they lose to Dakota, they need Cincinnati to beat Houston to clinch a playoff spot.
KEY WINS: TOR, TEX (2), PIT, HOU
KEY LOSES: CIN
REMAINING SCHEDULE
Dakota 14-1

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

Houston (8-7/5-6)
They need to beat Cincinnati in week 16 and if Toronto beats Pittsburgh then they need Texas to lose to New York or they are eliminated.
KEY WINS: PIT, TOR, CIN
KEY LOSES: TEX, PIT, WOL, TOR
REMAINING SCHEDULE
Cincinnati 9-6

Texas (8-7/7-4)
They need to beat New York and have Houston lose to Cincinnati plus Michigan lose to Dakota to clinch a playoff spot or Toronto lose to Pittsburgh.
KEY WINS: HOU, TOR, PIT
KEY LOSES: WOL (2), CIN
REMAINING SCHEDULE
New York 3-12





NXC

BYE
Philadelphia has clinched the bye

WEST
Vegas has clinched this division

EAST
Philadelphia has clinched the division.

NORTH
Gem City has clinched the division.

SOUTH
Atlanta has clinched this division

WILDCARD
Washington has locked up the 5th seed.

Arizona has locked up the 6th seed.

Carolina (8-7/6-5) currently holds the 7th seed. If they beat Montana in week 16 they clinch the final playoff spot. If they lose to Montana, they are elimated.

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

Montana (7-8/6-5)
They need to beat Carolina in week 16 and have Zehlendorf lose to Gem City to clinch the 7th seed.

Zehlendorf (7-8/6-5)
They need to beat Gem City in week 16 and have Montana beat Carolina to clinch the 7th seed.

2040 Playoff final

5 new teams made the playoffs this season that didn't last season. We have teams breaking 8 season (Indiana), 11 season (Atlanta) and 14 season (Arizona) playoff droughts.

We have 21 of the last 22 AXC Conference Champions and 10 of the last 22 NXC Conference Champions in the playoffs.

We have 18 of the last 22 XFL Champions in the playoffs.


AXC

1. Dakota Blizzard
23rd straight playoff appearance
20th division title
41-17 playoff record
10× AXC Conference Champion
5× XFL Champion

2. Buffalo Skull Crushers
21st straight playoff appearance
19th division title
29-16 playoff record
7× AXC Conference Champion
4× XFL Champion

3. Toronto Titans
4th straight playoff appearance
2nd division title
0-3 playoff record

4. Oakland Outlaws
3rd straight playoff appearance (18th overall)
16th division title
21-15 playoff record
3× AXC Conference Champion
2× XFL Champion

5. Cincinnati Defenders
5th straight playoff appearance (11th overall)
4-10 playoff record

6. Indiana Fog
1st playoff appearance in 9 seasons (4th overall)
1-3 playoff record

7. Michigan Wolverines
2nd playoff appearance in last 3 seasons (5th overall)
4-4 playoff record
1× AXC Conference Champion


NXC

1. Philadelphia Slayers
3rd straight playoff appearance (11th overall)
6th division title
8-9 playoff record
1× NXC Conference Champion
1× XFL Champion

2. Vegas Black Aces
8th straight playoff appearance (14th overall)
12th division title
14-12 playoff record
2× NXC Conference Champion
1× XFL Champion

3. Gem City Gangsters
4th straight playoff appearance (14th overall)
9th division title
11-11 playoff record
3× NXC Conference Champion
2× XFL Champion

4. Atlanta Dominators
1st playoff appearance in 12 seasons (11th overall)
9th division title
10-8 playoff record
3× NXC Conference Champion
2× XFL Champion

5. Washington Warriors
2nd straight playoff appearance (6th overall)
4-5 playoff record

6. Arizona Wranglers
1st playoff appearance in 15 seasons (7th overall)
8-6 playoff record
1× NXC Conference Champion
1× XFL Champion

7. Montana Grizzlies
2nd playoff appearance in last 3 seasons (4th overall)
0-3 playoff record

2040 playoffs

WILDCARD WEEKEND

AXC

Cincinnati Defenders (-1)
@
Toronto Titans

This is the 1st playoff game between these 2 teams.

These division rivals get to play a rubber match as both teams won at home this season. Week 4, Toronto won 17-6 at home while in week 12 Cincinnati won 33-19 at home.

Toronto
Started the season 0-2 before winning 5 straight and finished the season winning 3 of thier last 4 games.

OFFENSE 10th
DEFENSE 12th
STARS
QB Steven Stiner 2,998 yards 19/16
RB VAN Gillespe 1,211 yards
WR Joseph Davis 692 yards 4 TD
LDE Frank McBride 12 sacks
MLB Richard Swan 119 tackles

Cincinnati
Started the season 2-0 before dropping 4 straight but finished the season winning 5 straight.

OFFENSE 8th
DEFENSE 13th
STARS
QB Gary Fielding 2,766 yards 11/16
RB John Pine 1,286 yards 1 TD
WR Gary Hunt 907 yards 6 TD
MLB Daniel Gregory 100 tackles
RDE Fransico Martin 15 sacks

Indiana Fog
@
Oakland Outlaws (-3)

This is the 2nd postseason matchup between these 2 teams where Oakland won 16-15 at home in 2031 in the first meeting.

Oakland swept the season series from Indiana. Week 4, they won 17-7 at Indiana then in week 6 they won 28-20 at home.

Indiana
Started the season 2-0 before losing 4 straight before winning 7 of thier next 8 games and finished losing 2 straight.

OFFENSE 20th
DEFENSE 19th
STARS
QB Sergio Fitzgerald 2,490 13/18
RB Antonio Collins 909 yards 3 TD
TE John Lee 600 yards 3 TD
RDE Richard Johnson 17 sacks
MLB Clifford Owens 134 tackles

Oakland
Started the season 0-2 before winning 6 of 7 and finished the season winning 4 of the last 6 games.

OFFENSE 6th
DEFENSE 23rd
STARS
QB Robert Collins 2,318 yards 13/12
RB Christopher Stevens 1,188 yards 7 TD
WR William Milligan 676 yards receiving 5 TD
RDE Jamar Peoples 10 sacks
SS Cleo Anderson 100 tackles

Michigan Wolverines
@
Buffalo Skull Crushers (-7)

This is the 1st playoff game between these 2 teams.

These 2 teams haven't met since 2038 where Buffalo won 39-10 at home. In fact, Buffalo is 8-0 Alltime versus Michigan including 4-0 at home.

Michigan
Started the season 4-0 before losing 2 of the next 3 games and finished the season losing 4 of thier last 5 games to limp into the postseason.

OFFENSE 17th
DEFENSE 21st
STARS
QB Leonard Thompson 2,354 yards 10/12
RB Ken Ewen 1,449 yards 3 TD
WR James Vasquez 642 yards 3 TD
RDE Mohamed Abron 20 sacks
SS Gerry Covington 109 tackles

Buffalo
Started the season 6-0 before dropping a game and finished the season winning 3 straight and 8 of thier last 9 games.

OFFENSE 1st
DEFENSE 1st
STARS
QB Ricardo Dodds 5,136 yards 40/26
RB Wendell Nehring 869 yards 2 TD
WR Jeff Weir 958 yards 8 TD
CB Darrell Brown 8 sacks
CB Darrell Brown 128 tackles

NXC

Washington Warriors (-1)
@
Atlanta Dominators

This is the 2nd game between these 2 teams in the postseason where Atlanta won 27-3 at home way back in 2019

The teams haven't met since last season where Washington won 19-7 at home. Atlanta is 7-4 alltime versus Washington including 1-1 at home.

Washington
Started the season 2-0 before dropping 2 of the next 3 games. They won 6 straight in the middle of the season but lost their last 2 games after clinching their playoff seed.

OFFENSE 7th
DEFENSE 6th
STARS
QB Daniel Stroud 2,542 yards 12/10
RB Brandon Stone 1,724 yards 10 TD
WR Robert Yancy 1,047 yards 7 TD
RDE Charles Licata 13 sacks
MLB James Kistner 99 tackles

Atlanta
Started the season 3-0 then 7-1 before losing 3 straight and 4 of the next 5. They finished strong winning 3 straight.

OFFENSE 9th
DEFENSE 2nd
STARS
QB Michael Ceron 3,230 yards 15/14
RB Peter Chappell 638 yards 2 TD
WR Terrance McConkey 549 yards 4 TD
LDE Joseph Fetter 10 sacks
MLB Timothy Banks 112 tackles

Arizona Wranglers
@
Gem City Gangsters (-8)

This is the 2nd game between these 2 francise in the postseason where Arizona won 10-0 versus Gem City in the inaugural season of the XFL, 2018.

The last time these teams met was last season where Gem City won 24-20 at home. Gem City is 10-2 alltime versus Arizona including 3-1 at home

Arizona
Started the season 1-0 before losing 2 straight then won 5 straight before winning 5 of thier last 6 games.

OFFENSE 5th
DEFENSE 7th
STARS
QB Brandon Williams 1,258 yards 4/16
RB Howard Stack 1,181 yards 1 TD
WR Matthew Mullen 711 yards 5 TD
RDE Ronald Kaufman 9 sacks
FS Victor Morrison 100 tackles

Gem City
Started the season 0-1 before winning 5 straight and finished the season winning 4 straight and 7 of the last 8 games.

OFFENSE 13th
DEFENSE 8th
STARS
QB Jessie Crosby 2,312 yards 15/8
RB Bradley Pickett 1,364 yards 4 TD
WR Eric Truvillion 489 yards 4 TD
LDE Lamar Hoyt 14 sacks
MLB Tim "Ripper" Owens 83 tackles

Montana Grizzlies
@
Vegas Black Aces (-12)

This is the 2nd game between these 2 teams in the postseason where Vegas won 27-10 at home in 2038.

The last time these 2 teams met was last season where Vegas won 17-6 at home. Vegas is 8-3 alltime versus Montana including 6-1 at home.

Montana
Started the season 0-1 before winning 4 straight and 6 of the next 7 but lost 5 straight games before a win in week 16 to clinch the postseason.

OFFENSE 16th
DEFENSE 16th
STARS
QB Gilbert Spriggs 2,867 yards 13/10
RB James Schutt 951 yards 4 TD
WR David Burkhart 659 yards 3 TD
DT Christopher Howland 7 sacks
MLB Edwin Smith 108 tackles

Vegas
Started the season 1-0 before losing in week 2 then won 3 straight and 7 of the next 8 before thier 3rd lose and finished winning 5 straight.

OFFENSE 4th
DEFENSE 9th
STARS
QB James Henry 1,963 10/5
RB Scott Clark 1,674 yards 5 TD
WR Clifford Mays 728 yards 3 TD
RDE Royal Valentino 20 sacks
CB Alan York 78 tackles

2040 playoffs

WILDCARD WEEKEND

3 home team and 3 road teams advance!

AXC

Cincinnati Defenders 37
@
Toronto Titans 16

Indiana Fog 17
@
Oakland Outlaws 9

Michigan Wolverines 10
@
Buffalo Skull Crushers 11



NXC

Washington Warriors 31
@
Atlanta Dominators 13

Arizona Wranglers 28
@
Gem City Gangsters 35

Montana Grizzlies 3
@
Vegas Black Aces 35

DIVISIONAL ROUND

AXC

Indiana Fog
@
Dakota Blizzard (-13)

These two teams have met 1 time in the postseason where Dakota won 13-10 in overtime on the road in 2030.

Indiana is 0-3 alltime on the road in the postseason.

Dakota is 23-3 alltime at home in the postseason.


Cincinnati Defenders
@
Buffalo Skull Crushers (-5)

These two teams have met twice in the postseason where Buffalo won both, 25-16 at home in 2024 and 21-3 at home in 2037.

Cincinnati is 2-6 alltime in the postseason on the road.

Buffalo is 23-7 alltime in the postseason at home.

NXC

Washington Warriors
@
Philadelphia Slayers (-9)

These two teams have met twice in the postseason where Washington won both at home, 27-13 in 2019 and 30-15 in 2020.

Washington is 2-4 alltime on the road in the postseason.

Philadelphia is 6-2 alltime at home in the postseason.

Gem City Gangsters
@
Vegas Black Aces (-7)

These two teams have met once in the postseason where Gem City won 25-19 at home in the 2027 Conference Championship game.

Gem City is 4-6 alltime on the road in the postseason.

Vegas is 12-4 alltime at home in the postseason.

2040 playoffs



DIVISIONAL ROUND

3 of the 4 games went about as expected while Philadelphia became the latest victim of the undefeated curse! Philadelphia went 16-0 and beat Washington twice this season but like the previous teams that finished the regular season undefeated, they lost in the postseason.

AXC

Indiana Fog 12
@
Dakota Blizzard 34


Cincinnati Defenders 14
@
Buffalo Skull Crushers 30



NXC

Washington Warriors 7
@
Philadelphia Slayers 6

Gem City Gangsters 0
@
Vegas Black Aces 19


CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES

AXC

Buffalo Skull Crushers
@
Dakota Blizzard (-3)

It's deja vu all over again as these two teams meet for the 11th time in the 23 year history of the XFL in the AXC Conference Championship game. They had met 5 straight seasons (2034-2038) before Buffalo missed the game last season. It's been a series of streaks as Buffalo won the very 1st matchup before Dakota won 4 straight followed by Buffalo winning 3 straight and currently, Dakota has won 2 straight.

In fact, one of these two teams has played in the AXC Conference Championship game in 21 of the 23 games played.

Dakota is 6-4 Alltime versus Buffalo in the Conference Championship game including 3-0 at home.

Buffalo is 7-8 Alltime in the Conference Championship game but 0-4 on the road.

Dakota is 10-5 Alltime in the Conference Championship game including 5-0 at home.

BUF vs DAK AXC CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS
2020 Dakota 20 @ Buffalo 24
2024 Buffalo 24 @ Dakota 55
2026 Buffalo 15 @ Dakota 38
2028 Dakota 20 @ Buffalo 14
2031 Buffalo 37 @ Dakota 41
2034 Dakota 10 @ Buffalo 46
2035 Dakota 20 @ Buffalo 28
2036 Dakota 36 @ Buffalo 43
2037 Dakota 22 @ Buffalo 14
2038 Dakota 20 @ Buffalo 11

BUFFALO AXC CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS (7-8)
2020 Dakota 20 @ Buffalo 24
2021 Buffalo 21 @ Oakland 36
2024 Buffalo 24 @ Dakota 55
2026 Buffalo 15 @ Dakota 38
2027 Oakland 33 @ Buffalo 21
2028 Dakota 20 @ Buffalo 14
2029 Oakland 10 @ Buffalo 19
2030 Indiana 9 @ Buffalo 11
2031 Buffalo 37 @ Dakota 41
2032 Texas 10 @ Buffalo 21
2034 Dakota 10 @ Buffalo 46
2035 Dakota 20 @ Buffalo 28
2036 Dakota 36 @ Buffalo 43
2037 Dakota 22 @ Buffalo 14
2038 Dakota 20 @ Buffalo 11

DAKOTA AXC CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS (10-5)
2018 Dakota 26 @ Houston 3
2019 Dakota 18 @ Oakland 30
2020 Dakota 20 @ Buffalo 24
2022 Dakota 13 @ Oakland 6
2023 Pittsburgh 17 @ Dakota 29
2024 Buffalo 24 @ Dakota 55
2026 Buffalo 15 @ Dakota 38
2028 Dakota 20 @ Buffalo 14
2031 Buffalo 37 @ Dakota 41
2034 Dakota 10 @ Buffalo 46
2035 Dakota 20 @ Buffalo 28
2036 Dakota 36 @ Buffalo 43
2037 Dakota 22 @ Buffalo 14
2038 Dakota 20 @ Buffalo 11
2039 Houston 6 @ Dakota 23

MATCHUP

BUFFALO
RUSH OFFENSE 15th
PASS OFFENSE 1st
TOTAL OFFENSE 1st
RUSH DEFENSE 3rd
PASS DEFENSE 9th
TOTAL DEFENSE 1st
TURN OVER MARGIN -9
POINTS FOR 514
POINTS ALLOWED 171
POINTS DIFF +343

DAKOTA
RUSH OFFENSE 9th
PASS OFFENSE 2nd
TOTAL OFFENSE 3rd
RUSH DEFENSE 5th
PASS DEFENSE 15th
TOTAL DEFENSE 4th
TURN OVER MARGIN +6
POINTS FOR 458
POINTS ALLOWED 140
POINTS DIFF +318

NXC

Washington Warriors
@
Vegas Black Aces (-5)

One of these things is not like the other! While Vegas is playing in thier 4th NXC Conference Championship game and the defending XFL Champion, Washington is making thier 1st appearance in the Conference Championship game.

Vegas is 2-2 in the NXC Conference Championship game including 1-1 at home. They have reached the Conference Championship game in 4 of the last 6 seasons and finally broke through last season to win thier 1st Title.

Washington is just in thier 6th postseason ever where they are 6-5 Alltime including 3-4 on the road with 2 of the 3 road wins coming in this postseason.

Washington played Vegas in the postseason last season in thier only playoff matchup where Vegas won easily at home, 40-8.

MATCHUP

WASHINGTON
RUSH OFFENSE 4th
PASS OFFENSE 16th
TOTAL OFFENSE 7th
RUSH DEFENSE 2nd
PASS DEFENSE 26th
TOTAL DEFENSE 6th
TURN OVER MARGIN +2
POINTS FOR 354
POINTS ALLOWED 190
POINTS DIFF +164

VEGAS
RUSH OFFENSE 2nd
PASS OFFENSE 12th
TOTAL OFFENSE 4th
RUSH DEFENSE 8th
PASS DEFENSE 14th
TOTAL DEFENSE 9th
TURN OVER MARGIN +6
POINTS FOR 376
POINTS ALLOWED 204
POINTS DIFF +172