One of my favorite things to do at the beginning of the season is to predict how teams will finish in their respective divisions. I thought I had a good grasp on the league going into this season and would at least get five of the six teams right in the playoff hunt and be dead on a few of the teams final spot 1 through 7 in each division.
They do not ask for final record in the predictions, but I like to keep my own list of where I think they would finish.
NSFC
1 – Sarasota Sailfish
Estimate: 12-4 Current Record: 8-7 Playoffs: Locked Up, 3rd in NSFC (could move up to 2nd)
I had Sarasota finishing the season with the #1 Seed and a 12-4 record. I picked them to win it all as the team finished Season 25 strong and I thought they would continue that run into Season 26. The team is currently sitting as the 3 Seed in the NSFC at 8-7. The best they can finish is 9-7 which would put me 3 off my initial guess in the preseason.
2- Colorado Yeti
Estimate: 10-6 Current Record: 7-8 Playoffs: Eliminated, 4th in NSFC
I did not think Colorado would dominate as much as they did in S25, but I figured they would still easily lock up a playoff spot with double digit wins. The Yei were looking good to make the playoffs at 7-4 through Week 11 but then a 4 game slide sent them spiraling to 7-8 and the team was eliminated from the playoffs. I will either be 2 or 3 games off my initial guess.
3 – Baltimore Hawks
Estimate: 9-7 Current Record: 6-9 Playoffs: Eliminated, 6th in NSFC
Baltimore just missed out on the playoffs in S25 at 8-8. I thought they would get over the hump this season. Baltimore has been balling out as of late with 3 straight wins from Week 13 to Week 15, but they are already eliminated from the playoffs. The Hawks have lost 6 games this season by 7 points or less had the games gone the other way you are looking at a 12 win team through Week 15, but you know “sim luck.” I will either be 2 or 3 games off my initial guess.
4 – Chicago Butchers
Estimate: 8-8 Current Record: 9-6 Playoffs: Locked Up , 2nd in NSFC (could fall to 3rd)
I liked Chicago but did not see them taking a big leap this year and would finish up with the same record as S25 at 8-8 and just miss out on the playoffs. I was not too far off as the Butchers will finish at 10-6 or 9-7 which is a win or two off my initial guess. The offense is rolling this season and could possibly finish with over 500 points. Chicago is looking like they will be in the playoffs for years to come.
5 – Yellowknife Wraiths
Estimate: 6-10 Current Record: 12-3 Playoffs: Locked Up , 1st in NSFC
I thought Yellowknife would fall slightly from their finish in S25 (7-9). I could not have been more off. The Wraiths have been dominating this season giving up only 271 points this season which is 36 less than the second closet team. The Wraiths are currently the favorite to win the Ultimus. I missed the boat on this one and am currently 6 games off my initial prediction and could be 7 off dependent on Week 16 finish.
6 – Berlin Fire Salamanders
Estimate: 6-10 Current Record: 6-9 Playoffs: Eliminated , 5th in NSFC
I figured it would be another season of growing pains for Berlin, but they would be competitive. They improved quite a bit as they have already doubled their wins from last season and could finish with 7 wins overall in Season 25. I have the potential to be dead on with this guess but even still only missing by 1 game is very accurate.
7 – Philadelphia Liberty
Estimate: 4-12 Current Record: 4-11 Playoffs: Eliminated , 7th in NSFC
There was some upheaval with Philadelphia in the offseason. The management changed and the roster was a bit depleted. I do not believe anyone was picking Philadelphia to finish higher than 6th in the NSFC. The team had some close losses and were competitive but by no means were threatening a playoff spot. I will be dead on with this estimate if Philadelphia loses in Week 16 but again just missing by 1 game is a great guess.
ASFC
*I am not 100% on the tiebreakers so do not get miffed if I get this wrong.
1 – Arizona Outlaws
Estimate: 11-5 Current Record: 8-7 Playoffs: Eliminated, 5th in ASFC
I really liked Arizona going into the year but was off a bit on the prediction. I will be off by 2-3 games dependent on finish. The Outlaws missed out on the playoffs this year even behind the brilliant play of Jay Cue.
2 – Orange County Otters
Estimate: 10-6 Current Record: 9-6 Playoffs: Currently In, 3rd in ASFC (could miss in a win and you are in game against New York)
Otters were a popular pick to make the playoffs again after a great Season 25. The predictions will be right on or 1 game off dependent on Week 16 against New York.
3 – Austin Copperheads
Estimate: 10-6 Current Record: 9-6 Playoffs: Currently In, 2nd in ASFC (could fall to 3 seed with a loss and a win by OCO)
Austin is currently sitting in 2nd in the ASFC so doing a bit better than I had predicted but still right about in line. The team had a hot first half of the season compiling a 6-2 record but have been on a rollercoaster the second half of the season alternating wins and losses. I will either be dead on or off by one with my preseason prediction depending on the final game of the season.
4 – San Jose SaberCats
Estimate: 8-8 Current Record: 7-8 Playoffs: Eliminated, 6th in ASFC
I figured the two time defending champs would not be able to pull out a third straight season of sneaking into the playoffs and making a run. They will either finish at 8-8 or 7-9 so I will be dead on or miss by 1 game.
5 – Honolulu Hahalua
Estimate: 7-9 Current Record: 3-12 Playoffs: Eliminated, 7th in ASFC
This was a swing and a miss. I have to imagine most people were in the same boat as me on this prediction. I figured they would just miss out on the playoffs, but Honolulu has had a rough year and locked up the first overall pick in the S27 draft. I will either be 3 or 4 games off dependent on Week 16.
6 – New Orleans Second Line
Estimate: 6-10 Current Record: 9-6 Playoffs: Currently In, 1st in ASFC (could be 2nd or 3rd seed dependent on a loss and Austin/OCO winning.
Another team I was off on. I just had a feeling it would be a down year for New Orleans and then they would bounce back in S27. The team is currently in 1st in the ASFC at 9-6. I will be off on my estimate by 3-4 games dependent on Week 16 outcome.
7 – New York Silverbacks
Estimate: 4-12 Current Record: 8-7 Playoffs: Currently Out, 4th in ASFC (could get in playoffs with a win over OCO in Week 16)
I am happy to be off on this one. I am a sucker for expansion teams and even if the Silverbacks lose and miss out on the playoffs what a step up from their inaugural season. This team is coming out of the gate sooner than expected and should be a force in S27. I will be off 4-5 games dependent on Week 16.
As of right now I am sitting with 3 out of the 6 teams in the playoffs. This is not bad, but I was hoping at worst I would have 4 out of 6. If dominoes fall a certain way, I could be 2 for 6, so I guess I should be happy if I do finish with 3 out of 6.
This has been a wild season and I am excited to see how Week 16 plays out.
They do not ask for final record in the predictions, but I like to keep my own list of where I think they would finish.
NSFC
1 – Sarasota Sailfish
Estimate: 12-4 Current Record: 8-7 Playoffs: Locked Up, 3rd in NSFC (could move up to 2nd)
I had Sarasota finishing the season with the #1 Seed and a 12-4 record. I picked them to win it all as the team finished Season 25 strong and I thought they would continue that run into Season 26. The team is currently sitting as the 3 Seed in the NSFC at 8-7. The best they can finish is 9-7 which would put me 3 off my initial guess in the preseason.
2- Colorado Yeti
Estimate: 10-6 Current Record: 7-8 Playoffs: Eliminated, 4th in NSFC
I did not think Colorado would dominate as much as they did in S25, but I figured they would still easily lock up a playoff spot with double digit wins. The Yei were looking good to make the playoffs at 7-4 through Week 11 but then a 4 game slide sent them spiraling to 7-8 and the team was eliminated from the playoffs. I will either be 2 or 3 games off my initial guess.
3 – Baltimore Hawks
Estimate: 9-7 Current Record: 6-9 Playoffs: Eliminated, 6th in NSFC
Baltimore just missed out on the playoffs in S25 at 8-8. I thought they would get over the hump this season. Baltimore has been balling out as of late with 3 straight wins from Week 13 to Week 15, but they are already eliminated from the playoffs. The Hawks have lost 6 games this season by 7 points or less had the games gone the other way you are looking at a 12 win team through Week 15, but you know “sim luck.” I will either be 2 or 3 games off my initial guess.
4 – Chicago Butchers
Estimate: 8-8 Current Record: 9-6 Playoffs: Locked Up , 2nd in NSFC (could fall to 3rd)
I liked Chicago but did not see them taking a big leap this year and would finish up with the same record as S25 at 8-8 and just miss out on the playoffs. I was not too far off as the Butchers will finish at 10-6 or 9-7 which is a win or two off my initial guess. The offense is rolling this season and could possibly finish with over 500 points. Chicago is looking like they will be in the playoffs for years to come.
5 – Yellowknife Wraiths
Estimate: 6-10 Current Record: 12-3 Playoffs: Locked Up , 1st in NSFC
I thought Yellowknife would fall slightly from their finish in S25 (7-9). I could not have been more off. The Wraiths have been dominating this season giving up only 271 points this season which is 36 less than the second closet team. The Wraiths are currently the favorite to win the Ultimus. I missed the boat on this one and am currently 6 games off my initial prediction and could be 7 off dependent on Week 16 finish.
6 – Berlin Fire Salamanders
Estimate: 6-10 Current Record: 6-9 Playoffs: Eliminated , 5th in NSFC
I figured it would be another season of growing pains for Berlin, but they would be competitive. They improved quite a bit as they have already doubled their wins from last season and could finish with 7 wins overall in Season 25. I have the potential to be dead on with this guess but even still only missing by 1 game is very accurate.
7 – Philadelphia Liberty
Estimate: 4-12 Current Record: 4-11 Playoffs: Eliminated , 7th in NSFC
There was some upheaval with Philadelphia in the offseason. The management changed and the roster was a bit depleted. I do not believe anyone was picking Philadelphia to finish higher than 6th in the NSFC. The team had some close losses and were competitive but by no means were threatening a playoff spot. I will be dead on with this estimate if Philadelphia loses in Week 16 but again just missing by 1 game is a great guess.
ASFC
*I am not 100% on the tiebreakers so do not get miffed if I get this wrong.
1 – Arizona Outlaws
Estimate: 11-5 Current Record: 8-7 Playoffs: Eliminated, 5th in ASFC
I really liked Arizona going into the year but was off a bit on the prediction. I will be off by 2-3 games dependent on finish. The Outlaws missed out on the playoffs this year even behind the brilliant play of Jay Cue.
2 – Orange County Otters
Estimate: 10-6 Current Record: 9-6 Playoffs: Currently In, 3rd in ASFC (could miss in a win and you are in game against New York)
Otters were a popular pick to make the playoffs again after a great Season 25. The predictions will be right on or 1 game off dependent on Week 16 against New York.
3 – Austin Copperheads
Estimate: 10-6 Current Record: 9-6 Playoffs: Currently In, 2nd in ASFC (could fall to 3 seed with a loss and a win by OCO)
Austin is currently sitting in 2nd in the ASFC so doing a bit better than I had predicted but still right about in line. The team had a hot first half of the season compiling a 6-2 record but have been on a rollercoaster the second half of the season alternating wins and losses. I will either be dead on or off by one with my preseason prediction depending on the final game of the season.
4 – San Jose SaberCats
Estimate: 8-8 Current Record: 7-8 Playoffs: Eliminated, 6th in ASFC
I figured the two time defending champs would not be able to pull out a third straight season of sneaking into the playoffs and making a run. They will either finish at 8-8 or 7-9 so I will be dead on or miss by 1 game.
5 – Honolulu Hahalua
Estimate: 7-9 Current Record: 3-12 Playoffs: Eliminated, 7th in ASFC
This was a swing and a miss. I have to imagine most people were in the same boat as me on this prediction. I figured they would just miss out on the playoffs, but Honolulu has had a rough year and locked up the first overall pick in the S27 draft. I will either be 3 or 4 games off dependent on Week 16.
6 – New Orleans Second Line
Estimate: 6-10 Current Record: 9-6 Playoffs: Currently In, 1st in ASFC (could be 2nd or 3rd seed dependent on a loss and Austin/OCO winning.
Another team I was off on. I just had a feeling it would be a down year for New Orleans and then they would bounce back in S27. The team is currently in 1st in the ASFC at 9-6. I will be off on my estimate by 3-4 games dependent on Week 16 outcome.
7 – New York Silverbacks
Estimate: 4-12 Current Record: 8-7 Playoffs: Currently Out, 4th in ASFC (could get in playoffs with a win over OCO in Week 16)
I am happy to be off on this one. I am a sucker for expansion teams and even if the Silverbacks lose and miss out on the playoffs what a step up from their inaugural season. This team is coming out of the gate sooner than expected and should be a force in S27. I will be off 4-5 games dependent on Week 16.
As of right now I am sitting with 3 out of the 6 teams in the playoffs. This is not bad, but I was hoping at worst I would have 4 out of 6. If dominoes fall a certain way, I could be 2 for 6, so I guess I should be happy if I do finish with 3 out of 6.
This has been a wild season and I am excited to see how Week 16 plays out.
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