First, I will give an in depth overview of where the contentions are going into the final week, and who appears to have the inside track (based on matchup difficulty). Note that the Spreadsheet predictor is completely useless for cross-conference games, and I won't bother posting it.
The East -
The #1 and #2 seeds are locked up at this point, with the Wolfpack whipping everyone for #1, and the Slashers owning the tiebreaker over Memphis. The action begins at #3 and #4. Memphis plays an unpredictable and rebouding Spokane Dreem, while the Fury have an apparently easier matchup (No offense, for all I know the West is way better than the East
). Since the Fury own the tiebreaker here, the #3 and #4 spots could easily flip.
#5, 6, and 7 are completely up in the air. However, Philadelphia has a MUCH nastier game against the defensive powerhouse San Diego, while Sconnie and New Orleans have more manageable looking games. If Phillie loses, then they have the risk of falling behind PTT (if PTT beats Death Valley) and settling in the 8th spot. Finally, if PTT loses and Buffalo wins, PTT is out of the playoffs, and Buffalo is #8. Given the relative difficulty of their final matchup, I think this is quite possible.
Here's my final predicted matchup, with a W or L to indicate a win or loss in Week 16.
1. Wolfpack 16-0 W
2. Slashers 13-3 L (have no idea, just being humble, plus the Horde need this more)
3. Memphis 13-3 W (tough game but I think they win)
4. Fury 12-4 W
5. New Orleans 11-5 W
6. Sconnie 11-5 W
7. Philadelphia 10-6 L
8. Buffalo 9-7 W
Obviously, I'm saying PTT loses to Death Valley. From a really rough glance, I believe Death Valley has the type of game to give PTT problems. Really big game, though.
The West -
Richey obviously is #1, but 2-7 are all within a couple games. However, IMO there are much less interesting cross-conference matchups overall. The tough ones are San Diego vs Philly, Death Valley vs. PTT, and Barbarian vs. Slashers. Maybe I'm being humble, but I smell a West sweep here.
Finally, for the #8 spot, I sense a 7-9 3-way tie, as I expect Cleveland and Oklahoma to lose, but Denver to beat New England. This ends up a triangle, as Denver beat Cleveland who beat Oklahoma City who beat Denver. Next tiebreaker is total points scored, which should easily put Oklahoma in the playoffs. Currently, it's 392 (Ok), 285 (Cl), 261 (De).
Final predicted standings -
1. Richey 16-0 W
2. San Diego 13-3 W
3. Huskers 13-3 W
4. Mentone 12-4 W
5. Chicago 12-4 W
6. Death Valley 11-5 W
7. Barbarian 11-5 W
8. Oklahoma City 7-9 L
That's my guess! Should be a very interesting sim in a couple days!
The East -
The #1 and #2 seeds are locked up at this point, with the Wolfpack whipping everyone for #1, and the Slashers owning the tiebreaker over Memphis. The action begins at #3 and #4. Memphis plays an unpredictable and rebouding Spokane Dreem, while the Fury have an apparently easier matchup (No offense, for all I know the West is way better than the East
). Since the Fury own the tiebreaker here, the #3 and #4 spots could easily flip.#5, 6, and 7 are completely up in the air. However, Philadelphia has a MUCH nastier game against the defensive powerhouse San Diego, while Sconnie and New Orleans have more manageable looking games. If Phillie loses, then they have the risk of falling behind PTT (if PTT beats Death Valley) and settling in the 8th spot. Finally, if PTT loses and Buffalo wins, PTT is out of the playoffs, and Buffalo is #8. Given the relative difficulty of their final matchup, I think this is quite possible.
Here's my final predicted matchup, with a W or L to indicate a win or loss in Week 16.
1. Wolfpack 16-0 W
2. Slashers 13-3 L (have no idea, just being humble, plus the Horde need this more)
3. Memphis 13-3 W (tough game but I think they win)
4. Fury 12-4 W
5. New Orleans 11-5 W
6. Sconnie 11-5 W
7. Philadelphia 10-6 L
8. Buffalo 9-7 W
Obviously, I'm saying PTT loses to Death Valley. From a really rough glance, I believe Death Valley has the type of game to give PTT problems. Really big game, though.
The West -
Richey obviously is #1, but 2-7 are all within a couple games. However, IMO there are much less interesting cross-conference matchups overall. The tough ones are San Diego vs Philly, Death Valley vs. PTT, and Barbarian vs. Slashers. Maybe I'm being humble, but I smell a West sweep here.
Finally, for the #8 spot, I sense a 7-9 3-way tie, as I expect Cleveland and Oklahoma to lose, but Denver to beat New England. This ends up a triangle, as Denver beat Cleveland who beat Oklahoma City who beat Denver. Next tiebreaker is total points scored, which should easily put Oklahoma in the playoffs. Currently, it's 392 (Ok), 285 (Cl), 261 (De).
Final predicted standings -
1. Richey 16-0 W
2. San Diego 13-3 W
3. Huskers 13-3 W
4. Mentone 12-4 W
5. Chicago 12-4 W
6. Death Valley 11-5 W
7. Barbarian 11-5 W
8. Oklahoma City 7-9 L
That's my guess! Should be a very interesting sim in a couple days!
)!
