Divisional Round Results
Buffalo @ Oakland (-3)
My prediction
Looking at everything, the ratings, injuries and homefield advantage, I would be hard pressed to pick against 2 time champion Oakland in this game. Just the fact that Buffalo has the 29th ranked pass defense and Oakland has the # 2 passing attack should seal the deal for me but Im gonna play a hunch based on nothing more then Buffalo's turnover margin and there ability to run the ball and eat up clock. Buffalo wins 21-20 in a nail biter.
Final Score 29-3 Oakland wins
Oakland ran a balanced offense, and jumped to a halftime lead 17-0. Falling behind, Buffalo had to pass the ball to play catchup. 36 drop backs to 23 runs is out of character for the leagues #1 rushing attack. Oakland never turned the ball over and managed to win the time of possession by almost 3 minutes. Oakland QB, Hershel Owen was super efficent completing 24/28 passes for 227 yards and 2 TDs.
Bottom line, never play a hunch and pay attention to the stats. Oakland is the best francise in the XFL for a reason led by Privatesnowflake, they are a win away from playing for there 3rd title. Smirt211 and his Buffalo team had a down year for him, there is little doubt he will be back in the hunt next season.
Birmingham @ Dakota (-3)
My 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.
Final score 28-12, Dakota wins
Dakota came out strong, jumped to a 21-3 first quarter lead and used a strong defense to hold the lead. The Dakota defense held Birmingham to 133 yards of offense, 5 1st downs and sacked their QB 5 times.
Bottom line, Dakota QB, Randall Cunningham put the offense on his shoulders early and went 20/25 passing for 270 yards and 3 TDs. Frosty96 and his Birmingham team have no reason to feel bad. He made a giant leap with his team this season and has put himself in the conversation for one of the elite teams in the AXC.
Providence @ Gem City (-12)
My 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.
Final score 23-17 Gem City wins
The better team won, but I cant say enough about the job Rednu did with the Providence team. This game was close statistically up and down the boxscore. The difference in the game was the 2 turnovers by Providence especially the INT on there 2nd play from scrimmage which led to a 21 yard TD score bt Gem City.
Bottom line, Gem City advances but knows they were in a battle. Providence will be a team to keep an eye on next year, Rednu has proved he can win in this league and with a full offseason to make improvements, the NXC may have to be on notice.
Seattle @ Atlanta ( )
My 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
Final Score 10-7 Seattle wins!
In the game of the divisional round, this game hinges on just 2 plays!
Play 1. With 8:01 remaining in the 2nd quater, Atlanta QB, Craig Davis dropped back to pass and was sacked by Robert Ballard, tearing the ACL and knocking him out of the game. Davis was 7/8 passing for 123 yards and a TD. He was replaced by backup QB, Robert Schiffman.
Play 2. With 1:05 remaining in the game, Atlanta had the ball at Seattle's 22 yard line, in fieldgoal range and down 10-7. QB Schiffman who was leading Atlanta on a game winning or at the very least game tying drive was inexplicably pulled for 3rd string QB, Brendan Niehaus who promptly threw an INT to CB Thomas Webb ending the game. Schiffman was 5/5 on the drive for 55 yards and had postioned his team to at least tie when with the clock moving and the team having no timeouts, made "the switch" as its quickly being called. 3rd string QB Niehaus who was inserted at QB HAD NEVER attempted a pass in the XFL. When I say never, I mean never in a regular or preseason game during his 3 year career at Atlanta. Fans and the media are all clamoring for an explanation from Chrisbronext but one thing is for sure, this will be talked about for years to come.
Bottom line, Seattle survived even with Atlanta losing its starting QB and putting themselves in position to at least send the game into OT. This one will haunt Atlanta and its fans for years to come.
