Birmingham @ Dakota (-3)

In there only matchup in week 11, Birmingham won 18-12 at home. In a tale of two halfs, Dakota led 12-0 at halftime and Birmingham scored 18 unanswered points in the second half for the win.

Tale of the tape

Birmingham

Offense 20th (30th P) (6th R)
Defense 3rd (10th P) (2nd R)

Dakota

Offense 5th (9th P) (3rd R)
Defense 2nd (6th P) (3rd R)

Injuries

Birmingham

LDE Gregory Blanchard D6 with a foot injury
MLB Joe Davidson O2 with a concussion

Dakota

RT Gregory Cook Q5 with an ankle injury
SLB Bo Storm Q5 with a neck injury

Keys to the game

-The turnover margin leans towards Birmingham at +11 but Dakota wasnt far behind at +6.
-homefield advantage goes to Dakota where they were perfect at home this season 8-0.
-playoff experience goes to Dakota. This is their 5th straight appearance in the playoffs with a 9-3 record including 3-0 at home. This is Birminghams first playoff appearance under owner Frosty96.
-this is a battle between the #2 and #3 defenses in the league. Dakota has given up just 58 points at home this season while Birmingham has scored 131 points on the road.

Prediction

Im thinking 50-0 Dakota.....but seriously, I cant be impartial when it comes to predicting this game so all I will say is I hope to win and I want to say good luck to Frosty96, you have done a great job turning that team around so may the best team win.

Providence @ Gem City (-12)

These teams met in week 4 and at the time Providence wasnt the team they are now. In that game Gem City destroyed Providence 34-0. They were out gained 475 yards to 107 yards. Providence punted there first 9 possessions never gaining more then 17 yards before having a 6 play 36 yard drive end with an interception with there 10th and final possession.

Tale of the tape

Providence

Offense 7th (6th P) (9th R)
Defense 28th (26th P ) (24th R)

Gem City

Offense 2nd (1st P) (10th R)
Defense 6th (11th P) (4th R)

Key Injuries

Neither team has any key injuries

Keys to the game

-homefield advantage goes to Gem City where they were 8-0 this season.
-experience is even as this is the first playoff appearance for both owners with their teams.
-Both teams had negative turnover margins but Gem City has the advantage at -1 while Providence was 31st in the league at -10
-Gem City QB, Mervin Couture was the winning quarterback for Dakota in XFL I.
-Providence finished strong winning 9 out of there last 10 games with the only lose in overtime. 4 of those wins came on the road.

Prediction

On paper, this seems like a complete mismatch. The #2 offense at home where they are undefeated against the 28th ranked defense. To be fair, I thought something similar last round and here we are again. Providence truly has had a remarkable season, a Cinderella story if I ever saw one but I believe this story ends. Gem City wins 35-30 in a shootout.

Seattle @ Atlanta

The two teams met in week 5 and Seattle put a whopping on Atlanta 45-19. Seattle out gained Atlanta 384 yards to 195 yards with QB, Clyde Price throwing 4 TDs to 4 different recievers.

Tale of the tape

Seattle

Offense 8th (8th P) (11th R)
Defense 8th (8th P) (9th R)

Atlanta

Offense 9th (20th P) (2nd R)
Defense 7th (5th P) (13th R)

Key injuries

Seattle

DT John Spencer Q5 with a neck injury
SLB Maurice Williams Q5 with a neck injury
C Chris Richardson Q6 with an ankle injury

LB Williams would be a key loss as he was 3rd on the team in tackles with 84.

Atlanta

No injuries above probable

Keys to the game

-turnover margin is about even with Seattle at +3 and Atlanta at +2.
-homefield goes to Atlanta where they went 6-2 but one of the losses was to Seattle.
-this is a matchup of the last 3 NXC champions with chrisbronext and Atlanta having the experience edge.

Prediction

This has all the makings of a fantastic game. #8 offense vs #7 defense and #9 offense vs #8 defense. Turnover margins are about even but Atlanta is home and healthier. Although Seattle won Big early this season, Atlanta responded after that game by winning 10 of 11 and giving up no more then 13 points in any of those games. I think that game was a wake up call for Atlanta and they win this game 17-13

GG Providence, turnovers and a lack of a running game did you in. That stretch of game right before halftime through my first drive of the 2nd half was huge as well. You had just tied the game at 10 with 0:27 left before halftime. We were getting the ball to start the 2nd half and most coaches would just run the clock out and head to the locker room tied.

Long story short, it was 20-10 before you got the ball again, which gave me just enough cushion for the end game when your offense found it's rhythm. Luckily for me you ran out of time. Congrats on an excellent season. We're going to be on your schedule next year so you won't have to wait too long for another shot at my team.

For my next game, I'm conflicted. On one hand, I'm glad not to be facing Atlanta, since they gave me my 1 L on the year, shutting me out in the process. On the other hand I have to play Seattle, who just beat the team that shut me out.

Tough loss, Smirt. Don't look into it too much, though. I've been all over the place with my game plans lately trying to find that sweet spot. Tough to plan against someone that doesn't know what to expect from his own team.

Alright, CJ. Let's see who'll survive and advance!

OT: Kinda surprised Chris lost a defensive battle. Seattle has everyone's attention now.

Bad energy start got us by the throat coupled with stalled drives and FG misses, sealed it.

We're not at a 29-3 separation and code changes can crop up any game for me and get its gnarly bite in my offensive game plan.

I don't mind losing but there's no way I'd ever be held to 3 points....

Good luck moving forward. :)

is it too early or too late to blame russians for this??

I'll blame Guide Boy. LOL


But, any ways, I said good game and wished him well. :)

wasnt trying to take away his win over you.....more or less i was just being silly in previous post

Good game Seattle. At least my D showed up this game. Held you to 10 instead of the 45 you dropped on me in the regular season.

I have yet to watch...

good luck the rest of the way.