2019 Wild Card Discussion

[Vic Carucci]

GAME OF THE WEEKAnchorage (11-5-0, PR 82) at Iowa City (11-5-0, PR 84)Iowa City is favored by 4 points.20 degrees, 11mph, Fair.

MARQUEE MATCHUPNorfolk (13-3-0, PR 95) at Murfreesboro (9-7-0, PR 81)Norfolk is favored by 4 points.45 degrees, 0mph, Fair.

MARQUEE MATCHUPLawrence (12-4-0, PR 91) at Pennsylvania (10-6-0, PR 80)Lawrence is favored by 2.5 points.68 degrees, 0mph, Fair.

MARQUEE MATCHUPVancouver (10-6-0, PR 80) at Oakland (11-5-0, PR 85)Oakland is favored by 5.5 points.67 degrees, 0mph, Fair.

[tarcone]

Iowa City
Norfolk
Lawrence
Oakland

[Matt]

Well, here it is.....
Playoff action 2019 style
Just a few quick thoughts on these playoff games.
ANC @ IWC

IWC has had a terrific year with a relatively unnamed QB. The real star of this team is their RB, who had he not gotten injured, was on pace for an MVP type season. ANC has their QB in Edward Jacobs. I think of all the games this week, this one is the most intriguing. Often times these types of games come down to which QB will have the better game. In this case, if Wooley can hang on to the ball and not turn the ball over. Wooley turned the ball over 21 times this season compared to Jacobs 10 TO’s. Wooley is playing in his first playoff game as well.
I’m leaning towards IWC to take the win in this one, but wouldn’t be surprised if excessive TO’s help out ANC to the point where IWC “gives” the game away.
PICK – IWC

NFK @ MUR
NFK has lost 2 straight games while MUR has lost 4 of their last 5 games....though MUR has had the luxury of locking in their playoff ticket and home playoff game weeks ago. That said, I believe that NFK is the team to beat here in this one, despite them having to play on the road. NFK has the weapons on offense and a suffocating defense. I think Opie gives this one a great shot here in what could be his last game in the IFL. I’m predicting a late FG by Chuck Morris for the win.
PICK – NFK

LAW @ PEN
So much for rebuilding in PEN!!! It does not go without notice that PEN has won their division for the 5^th straight year, and with 3 different QB’s along the way. This years version is Devin Freeman. He was acquired by PEN in a trade with POR last FA period. Freeman has played remarkably well and led the Lions to another title. They host the dangerous Lawrence Phantoms. The only team to beat PEN with regularity over the Lions recent run is the Phantoms. This matchup looks to be no different as the Phantoms are the most dangerous offensive team in the league. I think the Phantoms win soundly in this one.
PICK – LAW

VAN@OAK
I have to believe Oakland has the edge over Vancouver, who is likely “happy to be here”. Vancouver finally ends their playoff drought and they draw OAK for the 3^rd time this year. Oakland is clearly the better team and has the edge winning both games vs VAN. When they played in OAK in week 1, the score was 24-10. I believe the score will be close to this again. Defensively VAN is strong, but I’m just not sure that the offense can keep pace with the OAK offense.
PICK – OAK

Looking forward to the games!!!!

[CyYoung]

Nice write up Matt.

I do think I have little chances in this one too. I'm at home so it could help a little. I'll put some extra time into this one. Jester has success against me and I need to find the reason why. I don't think this team is championship caliber anyway. I was good enough to beat some teams and give good games to the great ones but in the playoffs, I doubt I'll do much.

No matter what happen, I'll be happy with this season. Winning the division again after the crazy bashing session I got from DakotaGeorge in the chat room. Saying I was just lucky to have Cavazos in the first place and then lucky to get Hamilton in a trade. That I wasn't able to do it without a QB and that I'll finish dead last this year.

I've put a lot of effort to make him eat some crow and I'm happy it pays off. Thanks for the motivation DG.

My only regret is that I'll not get a great spot in the draft.

[Matt]

you have done a terrific job there. 5 Straight division titles is not an easy thing to do.

Good luck on thursday!!(i'm secretly cheering for you)

[JesterBlaze]

LAW @ PEN
So much for rebuilding in PEN!!! It does not go without notice that PEN has won their division for the 5^th straight year, and with 3 different QB’s along the way. This years version is Devin Freeman. He was acquired by PEN in a trade with POR last FA period. Freeman has played remarkably well and led the Lions to another title. They host the dangerous Lawrence Phantoms. The only team to beat PEN with regularity over the Lions recent run is the Phantoms. This matchup looks to be no different as the Phantoms are the most dangerous offensive team in the league. I think the Phantoms win soundly in this one.
PICK – LAW

Penn played me VERY close already this season. I just don't see us winning easily... if at all.

I do think I have little chances in this one too. Jester has success against me and I need to find the reason why.

Strictly strength of roster, my friend. You're on the short list of GMs I feel out game-plan me. Something I'm expecting this week once again.

[Matt]

Penn played me VERY close already this season. I just don't see us winning easily... if at all.

I was basing most of this off of

Lawrence leads the series 4-1-0.

YEAR	WEEK	WINNER	SCORE	ATT	BOX	LOG
2010	8		27-20	64,100	BOX	LOG
2013	8		41-15	54,400	BOX	LOG
2016	8		28-21	61,900	BOX	LOG
2018	20		42-39	62,600	BOX	LOG
2019	8		37-31	62,500	BOX	LOG

so during the Lions Hayday, you were the team that didn't really lose to them.

[r00k]

Feel the same way as Jester ... this game is a tossup and I have had up and down luck against the Mules ... mostly down. Our game in Week 3 is meaninglesss at this point in the season in terms of a prediction.

[CyYoung]

Penn played me VERY close already this season. I just don't see us winning easily... if at all.



Strictly strength of roster, my friend. You're on the short list of GMs I feel out game-plan me. Something I'm expecting this week once again.

If I had Terry Wolfe, I'd be a little more confident about this one, but there's a limit of what you can do with an average QB without any WR.

Anyway, good luck Jester.

[Matt]

Like a nerd, looking forward to some IFL playoff action!

[Jave]

Gameplan is in. I'm really nervous about this one. Mark has the Whales on a roll, running like a well oiled machine. I've had a good year but just barely stumbled into the playoffs, were definitely not playing our best ball right now. My decision, while a close call....to sit Wingfield the entire 3 weeks to heal is paying off though. I lost 2 games without him, but still managed to get him healthy AND win the division title.

Lets get this shit rolling!!

[markc]

Gameplan is in. I'm really nervous about this one. Mark has the Whales on a roll, running like a well oiled machine. I've had a good year but just barely stumbled into the playoffs, were definitely not playing our best ball right now. My decision, while a close call....to sit Wingfield the entire 3 weeks to heal is paying off though. I lost 2 games without him, but still managed to get him healthy AND win the division title.

Lets get this shit rolling!!

GL Jave. Hoping it is a good game ('cause that means we are still in it!).

VAN keys:
1) We Can't let Mulligan score a return TD. This is a tall order since we've already given up 2 to him and we gave up one to Csonka last week, but it CAN'T happen or we are toast.

2) Gotta contain Wilson when we are in pass defense. We can't key on him all the time or Donovan will have a field day. So, when it is 2nd/3rd and long and Jave does a sneaky draw, 7-8 yds are okay, but no breakaways.

3) Winston Scott and Brinsfield have to protect the football. Both have been a little too generous in that regard.

4) It would be nice to get a few turnovers. Maybe Donovan can return to his Favre-like period earlier this season.

Well, all I know if that with all the comebacks OAK has made this year - I won't feel secure with any lead (if we can get one).

[Jave]

That's a shame about Wormeck being injured and all......:twisted:

[markc]

That's a shame about Wormeck being injured and all......:twisted:

You just HAD to mention that. The Wormeck/Stuart thing will haunt me until they retire.

[Jave]

You just HAD to mention that. The Wormeck/Stuart thing will haunt me until they retire.

You have no idea how relieved I was when I saw him injured...seriously LOL

Hey, I was jaw dropping SHOCKED when u passed on him. He was the obvious choice as the 1st overall receiver. I dunno what you were thinking haha