(S25) - PT 5 - Playoffs? You Kidding Me?

[SchwarzNarr]

This year the Colorado Yeti are in a good position to make playoffs and win the Ultimus. They are currently neck and neck with the Orange County Otters for the least amount of points allowed, and they are middle of the road for points for. The biggest weakness of the Yeti in this moment is that they are not scoring enough points. The biggest strength that the Yeti has is their defense, mostly. They have done a great job of setting up a massive defensive line, with movements in the backfield, it has made them a strong contender for the Ultimus. While you might think that Wolfie is a big weakness after regression for the Yeti, he is currently 2nd for pass percentage, but he needs to continue to add more to his yards. He’s ranked about 4th and the Yeti passing game is not super great. While our rushing yards look pretty okay, there is something that just isn’t clicking for our team. Yeti are down 80 tackles compared to the leaders (which can be attributed to more time spent on offense than other teams), but there are not many forced fumbles, they’re weak in sacks, and they don’t have that many interceptions. Again, all of these can be summed up as Yeti don’t spend the time on the field that other teams do. So Yeti defense is weak, but that’s because Yeti defense isn’t on the field as much as other teams.

[Cincyfan96]

In Berlin, while the players and fans undoubtedly wanted to make a splash in their inaugural season, the expectation was not that they would be a playoff team this year. It is year one of an expansion team with a first year quarterback and many "green" players just getting their feet wet in the ISFL. There is, however, much to be excited for about this team. The defense, for one, has played above their years, keeping the team in many games they were no supposed to be competitive in. Holding the Sailfish to 10 points week two was a huge win for the defense, highlighting just how dominant this group looks to become. However, in that game and so many others the offense was unable to uphold its end of the bargain, scoring only 6 points. This brings us to the needed improvements on the team. While the defense surely has some shortcomings, the offense needs to be a priority this offseason. While Nick Kaepercolin promises to be better with a full ISFL season and offseason under his belt, he needs better protection on the offensive line and more production from his running backs in order to take some pressure off of him, both mentally and literally! When you look at this roster, there are very few holes; it is just a young team that needs more experience to be able to get over the hump. If management can keep this young core together through a couple of difficult, learning seasons, this could truly be a team worth watching as a perennial playoff contender for the next decade. I have high hopes for this crew; we'll see if we can make it happen!

[slothfacekilla]

While we are still in the hunt for the playoffs due to the grouping of teams in the standings, the New Orleans Second Line will face a tough uphill climb if they want to make any noise in this season's postseason.  After some devastating losses during the regular season we are just trying to get back on track and win some games so we can make it to the playoffs.  We have had some big games at least, including giving the Orange County Otters their first loss of the season.  So I know we have it in us to be a great team, we just need to find that consistent success.  I am hoping with our players still earning tpe that we will continue to grow as a squad.  Also, I'm hoping that my QB start playing up to his TPE level.  So far it feels like I am having a worse season than last season and I have completely capped my passing stats this season. Come on!  I have been really holding our offense back and keeping us from putting points on the board.  This in turn makes it tougher on our defense to hold out all game.  The defense has been great but we are certainly asking them to do too much this season.  So really I think if I get my act together we can really turn this season around as a squad.

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[KC15]

PBE Affiliate PT/CW

[Cheech65]

The Berlin Fire Salamanders are 3-10 going into the end of our debut season. Over the last 3 games, we are just hoping to get some more wins on the stat sheet. As amazing as it would have been to be a playoff contender off the bat, we are in a more realistic position of vying for 1st overall pick in the next draft, with only the other new team, the New York Silverbacks, as our competition on that front. In terms of what we can do to improve, there's only so much. Sure, some holes on defense can be filled. But the main issue we seem to have is a dynamic offense. Sure, we have solid wideouts, stud tight ends, and some top tier backs. But the main issue lies in our inexperienced quarterback. Going into Week 14, Berlin is the worst team in terms of passing, in every metric besides completion percentage. As a tight end who prides himself on his skills as a receiver, this has been a frustrating process for Clark Boyd, albeit one that is full of pleasant surprises. But more are to come. This team is currently defined by its incredible potential. We are young, and all we need to do to improve our standing is wait. Next season, we'll be better and the season after that, even better. We very well may be contenders at that time. But, only time can tell what we can develop into. For now, its just a matter of finishing the season with our heads high.

[dogwoodmaple]

It's been a difficult season in Norfolk, but nothing we weren't expecting. Any time you have as many call-ups as we've had, you're going to have growing pains and that's what we've experienced this season. The coaches and our front office have done a phenomenal job of even getting us where we are right now and I actually think we've overachieved based on our roster. The good news is that the group of rookies we have are looking like really strong contributors for the future and we've used this season to really grow as a young core together. We know that the future of Norfolk will be decided by how well we play and we've absolutely embraced that challenge. I never like to lose, but this season we've definitely been able to focus more on the process and trying to improve day in and day out. We knew this would not be a "results" season but I truly think we are built to last for the future. We'll be back in the playoffs in short order and it wouldn't surprise me at all to see us hoist another Ultimini in a season or two. Between Forty-Two, Delacour, Teboat, Salamanca, and Rune on offense, and me, Shack, and Rogers on defense, we are built to compete from the opening snap next season. We'll miss Seawolf legends like Jaxon-Waxon, but the veteran leadership that players like him have instilled in the young 'Wolves has been invaluable. I have no doubt that this is just a minor hiccup on the road back to greatness in Norfolk.

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It's been a difficult season in Norfolk, but nothing we weren't expecting. Any time you have as many call-ups as we've had, you're going to have growing pains and that's what we've experienced this season. The coaches and our front office have done a phenomenal job of even getting us where we are right now and I actually think we've overachieved based on our roster. The good news is that the group of rookies we have are looking like really strong contributors for the future and we've used this season to really grow as a young core together. We know that the future of Norfolk will be decided by how well we play and we've absolutely embraced that challenge. I never like to lose, but this season we've definitely been able to focus more on the process and trying to improve day in and day out. We knew this would not be a "results" season but I truly think we are built to last for the future. We'll be back in the playoffs in short order and it wouldn't surprise me at all to see us hoist another Ultimini in a season or two. Between Forty-Two, Delacour, Teboat, Salamanca, and Rune on offense, and me, Shack, and Rogers on defense, we are built to compete from the opening snap next season. We'll miss Seawolf legends like Jaxon-Waxon, but the veteran leadership that players like him have instilled in the young 'Wolves has been invaluable. I have no doubt that this is just a minor hiccup on the road back to greatness in Norfolk.

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[xTri]

With 3 games to go, the Arizona Outlaws are almost guaranteed a playoff spot. When comparing them to other playoff bound teams, the Outlaws are not really in a good position to make a good run for the title. The Yetis are yet dominant in another season going 10-3 in the first 13 weeks and are the easy favourites to win it all. In the ASFC conference, the Otters also 10-3 and will also challenge the title. I would predict that the Outlaws have a good chance to win the first game as long we don't place fourth in the conference. Our main strength this season has always been our quarterback, Jay Cue who is looking to be a good contender for best quarterback of the year. Our rushing game has also been strong being first in the entire league in rushing yards with rookie Thorbjornsson leading the charge. Our defense has also been solid being the second best in almost all defensive stats. We look to be very solid on paper, but many of our losses were extremely tight game which might have went either way. Our Point differential should indicate we should be second seed in the conference. All in all, I'm excited to be in a playoff run in my first season as a sub wide receiver and hopefully we make a good splash in the playoffs.

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[Billybolo53]

PBE CW

[Starboy]

The Baltimore Hawks find themselves in a position they have not found themselves in in a long time and that’s in the playoff hunt. There is still a high chance that they can sneak above the fourth spot with a chance to actually play in the playoffs but it is going to take some hard work down the stretch. The Hawks are facing off against Berlin, then going to Colorado, and returning back home for a final game against Sarasota with the hard task of having to go 3-0 against this final stretch to get in the playoffs on their own. While anything can happen, it seems that the Hawks have every chance to complete this task from all of the hard work that has been put forth by the players and the amazing passing game that has emerged in Baltimore that has taken some teams by storm. Colorado poses a major threat to Baltimore considering last time they met up it was a 20-19 loss for the Hawks, but that only proves that Baltimore can hang with the top NSFC team and after a victory over the Otters, the Hawks have shown they can play spoiler to top teams. The huge task of going 3-0 starts with beating Berlin, bringing the heat they had against OCO to Colorado, and defending the home front against the Sailfish.

[The_Mediocre_Pigeon]

With the season set to wrap up in the coming weeks, the Myrtle Beach Buccaneers are in a prime spot to lock up the number one seed and make a deep run at the DSFL championship. This season, our money has been made on the defensive side of the ball and clutch touchdowns. Our two running back system has worked very well setting up the passing game for even more big plays. Although you never want to look too far ahead, the Bucs seem to be at least one of if not the sole favorite to win the ship. In order for that to happen, our defense is going to have to continue playing well and our offense needs to continue to move the ball. Our game plan shouldn't change much since our current one has put us in a great position. However, playoff football gets crazy and regular season scores don't seem to mean much anymore. Hopefully we can find it in ourselves to successfully play fundamentally sound football and come up with a few more wins to give us the prime spot to make a very deep run in the post season. I see the Royals being our biggest competition so far and am confident we can hold our own against them. Could set up for a nice final.

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