PREDICTIONS- Playoffs Round 1

Game 1
#2 Browns vs. #7 Bandits

The Browns beat the Bandits in week 3, 56-32.  The score was not indicative of how close the game was as the Browns had finally put the game out of reach at around the 2 minute warning.  The rookie Browns started the season 0-2 looking lost on offense and defense.  The Browns caught the Bandits at a good time as the Bandits were still adjusting their roster on a weekly basis looking for that rhythm they would find a week later.  The Browns took the victory over the Bandits as a launching pad to ascend the SAFL rankings and settled at year end among the elite.  The Bandits started the season 0-4, but showed resolve winning the next four to even their record, putting the league on notice that the veteran group was just biding its time looking for the optimal mix of players to show up on a regular basis.  Something happened in the last four weeks that left league observers scratching their heads.  The Bandits lost their next four to drop to 7th place.  Upon a closer look, we can see two 2 point losses that could've gone either way and a one score defeat.  This tells us that the Bandits can expect some assistance from regression to the mean and start to see some things go their way.  This should be an entertaining matchup pitting the athleticism of the Bandits vs. the guile of the Browns.  A closer game than the first meeting, Browns eke out a 37-31 win.

Browns 37 Bandits 31


Game 2
#1 Warriors vs #8 Panthers

The Warriors trounced the Panthers in week 5, 38-6.  The Warriors led the league in scoring at 32.9 ppg.  The Panthers were 8th in defense allowing 32.8 ppg.  The Warriors allowed 17.7 ppg while the Panthers scored 19.7 ppg.  This is a mismatch on paper.  The Warriors cruised through their season, but a sound defeat to the Browns will want them to right their ship as they eye a deep run in the playoffs all the way to the SAFL trophy.  The Panthers are the perfect tonic.  The Panthers will have to rely on slowing down the game and working the ball underneath to sustain drives to keep the hands out of QB Aldo Ortiz.  That's easier said than done.  The Warriors have the ability to score in myriad ways.  They have an opportunistic defense that will capitalize on any Panthers' mistake.  In the end the Warriors have played too well for too long to experience a hiccup this early in the playoffs.  Warriors win convincingly 38-18. 

Warriors 38 Panthers 18

Game 3
#3 Savages vs. #6 PSR

The Savages allowed 12.8 ppg while scoring 27.8 ppg.  P.S.R. scored 19.3 ppg and allowed 27.9 ppg.  In some respects this could be the biggest snoozer of the day as the Savages should win comfortably.  The Savages walked over P.S.R. 39-7 in week 5.  P.S.R. had 3 quality wins, Savages 8.  But games aren't played on paper.  They're played between the lines by athletes that determine the outcome through their efforts.  And this is why P.S.R. has a chance in this game.  They have very good athleticism to keep the Savages passing attack under control.  They have the speed to stretch the Savages' defense.  There is no series to win here, just one game.  And P.S.R. has the potential to turn back the clock and get their act together just in time to pull off an upset.  Unfortunately for P.S.R., the Savages are just as athletic and can rely on their sustained high level of play to pull this one out.  The Savages’ eyes are on the prize this year and they will remain focused to bring the crown home.  Final score 28-13 Savages.

Savages 28 PSR 13

Game 4

#4 Decepticons vs. #5 Stop n Go

The Decepticons are a hard team to gauge.  They are probably the most athletic team in the league.  They scored 395 points and outscored their opponents by a solid 130 points.  It’s a wonder they would ever lose a game let alone 5.  They demolished Stop n Go in week 4, 34-14.  But a closer look at the Decepticons' record reveals some warts.  They had "only" 5 quality wins.  Their run differential is inflated with a 56-0 win over the Panthers and 39-0 win over the Bengals.  Against the upper echelon teams, their record is under .500.  Stop n Go is the two time defending champs.  Although three-peats are hard in sports, they do occur and usually in the third year the champs don't look as strong (think of the 3rd year teams of the 2 Chicago Bulls three-peat teams).  Qualitatively the same team as the Decepticons, but Stop n Go ruined the Warriors' run to a perfect season.  Stop n Go looks beatable but they're anything but, winning the past two championships when they were an afterthought.  Experience in big games as well as their knack for playing big when it matters tips the scales in Stop n Go's favor.  Final score 32-25.

Stop n Go 32 Decepts 25