#1
Playoffs are a crazy time for a lot of leagues and the International Football Simulation League is no different. Out of 14 teams only 8 make it to the playoff race. This season has big implications since it could bring in the wind of change and the great season 22 class is beginning to hit regression.
Each team had their own crazy journey to reach this point. I will start off with the ASFC right now.
First team on the list is Honolulu Hahalua, number four in the standings, who ended up being 9-7 on the season. Since Honolulu was a season 22 expansion team, the majority of their players are season 22. This would make them the favorites. They started out pretty strong by winning 3 in a row but had a rough losing streak mid season. The Hahalua eventually won out the season and made it to the race. Looking at the team, there is no part of their game that stands out. Defense and offense is average across the board.
Second team from the ASFC, number three in the standings, is the Austin Copperheads, who had the same record as Honolulu. Austin also started off strong, with a 3-0 start and had a great mid season. But fell flat at the end of the season by going 0-3. They have a pretty strong defense and a great rushing game. This is the usual “Golden Combo” in winning championships. Defense is strong, they could be carried to the championship.
The third team is the New York Silverbacks. They got the number two seed in the ASFC. The Silverbacks have a record of 10-6. They started out the season 3-1 and midseason they ran into a 5 game hot streak. This team has a huge surprise since it is a recent expansion team. The Silverback defense was in the top half in terms of stats while having the highest sack total with 70 and they have the second best running back in terms of rushing yards. With their run attack they could make a huge splash with the playoffs as the expansion team.
Lastly in the ASFC is the number one seed Arizona Outlaws. This team had an impressive 12 wins this season. They were literally carried on their back by superstar Nakamura. The Outlaws are definitely the favorite going into the playoffs. Also, they have a decent passing attack with Cortez at the helm. They are truly a fearsome team that most teams should dread playing against.
Next up are the NSFC right now. In my opinion this is a very top heavy team where I thought before I started this Ultimus Week task the winner would come out.
The first seed in the conference is the Berlin Fire Salamanders and are tied with the Outlaws with their record. This is one of the most surprising teams to come out this season since they also are a recent expansion team. They came out hot with a 6-0 record and kept their lead throughout the season. They had a great passing game with Nick Kaepercolin who threw over 4k in yards. In my opinion, this was one of the stronger teams in the playoffs.
Next, with the second seed are the Yellowknife Wraiths. This team came in a swooped in to steal the number two seed from the third seed. This team is getting hot at the correct time. With Colby Jack in the helm of the offense is tied for second best in touchdowns for quarterbacks. Also, the Wraiths receivers can separate easily where they are above average in yards gain per catch. The defense is in the middle of the pack but could take their streak and roll through the playoffs.
With the third seed in the conference, the reigning champions, is my team the Sarasota Sailfish. Sailfish went only 10-6 this season and had a rough stretch of games at the end of the season going 0-4. Sarasota’s defense is nasty and the best in the league, in my opinion. Both their linebackers surpassed the record in forced fumbles and they should be considered for linebacker of the year. Not only does the defense lead in forced fumbles but also interceptions. It is a turnover machine! In addition, the offense is no joke. With the reigning MVP Raphtalia Chan leading the rushing attack, this team can go places.
Lastly, with the last seed in the conference, Colorado Yeti. Just a measly 8-8, they are the definition of a glass cannon. This is the top offense in my opinion. Mattathias Caliban is the only quarterback to break 5k yards in passing and the receiving unit got 36 total touchdowns with their top receiver being Lim. But the Yeti’s defense is bottom tier and I wouldn’t expect them to hold on to leads in the playoffs considering the top defenses available.
Since I wrote this post playoffs, the results are sort of surprising. I was expecting the Sailfish to play the Fire Salamanders for the NSFC championship, but the Sailfish were eliminated. The Wraiths shot out of the cannon and took over the NSFC. Another surprise in the playoffs is the Copperheads. They held out against Nakamura, who was a machine and their own running back Zoe Watt really turned it up. But in the end, Yellowknife took the title over the Copperheads. It could be sim luck but Yellowknife held its own in the rushing game which sealed the game for them.
Playoffs are a crazy time for a lot of leagues and the International Football Simulation League is no different. Out of 14 teams only 8 make it to the playoff race. This season has big implications since it could bring in the wind of change and the great season 22 class is beginning to hit regression.
Each team had their own crazy journey to reach this point. I will start off with the ASFC right now.
First team on the list is Honolulu Hahalua, number four in the standings, who ended up being 9-7 on the season. Since Honolulu was a season 22 expansion team, the majority of their players are season 22. This would make them the favorites. They started out pretty strong by winning 3 in a row but had a rough losing streak mid season. The Hahalua eventually won out the season and made it to the race. Looking at the team, there is no part of their game that stands out. Defense and offense is average across the board.
Second team from the ASFC, number three in the standings, is the Austin Copperheads, who had the same record as Honolulu. Austin also started off strong, with a 3-0 start and had a great mid season. But fell flat at the end of the season by going 0-3. They have a pretty strong defense and a great rushing game. This is the usual “Golden Combo” in winning championships. Defense is strong, they could be carried to the championship.
The third team is the New York Silverbacks. They got the number two seed in the ASFC. The Silverbacks have a record of 10-6. They started out the season 3-1 and midseason they ran into a 5 game hot streak. This team has a huge surprise since it is a recent expansion team. The Silverback defense was in the top half in terms of stats while having the highest sack total with 70 and they have the second best running back in terms of rushing yards. With their run attack they could make a huge splash with the playoffs as the expansion team.
Lastly in the ASFC is the number one seed Arizona Outlaws. This team had an impressive 12 wins this season. They were literally carried on their back by superstar Nakamura. The Outlaws are definitely the favorite going into the playoffs. Also, they have a decent passing attack with Cortez at the helm. They are truly a fearsome team that most teams should dread playing against.
Next up are the NSFC right now. In my opinion this is a very top heavy team where I thought before I started this Ultimus Week task the winner would come out.
The first seed in the conference is the Berlin Fire Salamanders and are tied with the Outlaws with their record. This is one of the most surprising teams to come out this season since they also are a recent expansion team. They came out hot with a 6-0 record and kept their lead throughout the season. They had a great passing game with Nick Kaepercolin who threw over 4k in yards. In my opinion, this was one of the stronger teams in the playoffs.
Next, with the second seed are the Yellowknife Wraiths. This team came in a swooped in to steal the number two seed from the third seed. This team is getting hot at the correct time. With Colby Jack in the helm of the offense is tied for second best in touchdowns for quarterbacks. Also, the Wraiths receivers can separate easily where they are above average in yards gain per catch. The defense is in the middle of the pack but could take their streak and roll through the playoffs.
With the third seed in the conference, the reigning champions, is my team the Sarasota Sailfish. Sailfish went only 10-6 this season and had a rough stretch of games at the end of the season going 0-4. Sarasota’s defense is nasty and the best in the league, in my opinion. Both their linebackers surpassed the record in forced fumbles and they should be considered for linebacker of the year. Not only does the defense lead in forced fumbles but also interceptions. It is a turnover machine! In addition, the offense is no joke. With the reigning MVP Raphtalia Chan leading the rushing attack, this team can go places.
Lastly, with the last seed in the conference, Colorado Yeti. Just a measly 8-8, they are the definition of a glass cannon. This is the top offense in my opinion. Mattathias Caliban is the only quarterback to break 5k yards in passing and the receiving unit got 36 total touchdowns with their top receiver being Lim. But the Yeti’s defense is bottom tier and I wouldn’t expect them to hold on to leads in the playoffs considering the top defenses available.
Since I wrote this post playoffs, the results are sort of surprising. I was expecting the Sailfish to play the Fire Salamanders for the NSFC championship, but the Sailfish were eliminated. The Wraiths shot out of the cannon and took over the NSFC. Another surprise in the playoffs is the Copperheads. They held out against Nakamura, who was a machine and their own running back Zoe Watt really turned it up. But in the end, Yellowknife took the title over the Copperheads. It could be sim luck but Yellowknife held its own in the rushing game which sealed the game for them.
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