[MIJB#19]

General Manager Notes: Playoffs? Are you kidding me?
No, I'm not kidding you, we're into the playoffs!

It didn't come easy, as the last three games were a complete rollercoaster. In week 15 we did ourselves a disservice big time, getting humiliated by the Gothenburg Giants. 41-17 in our own Oranje Haven, completing the division sweep of us in our own home. Disgusting. Turnovers paved the way for the Giants to run away in the second half after things being level at half time.

We bounced back with a smooth 27-13 victory in our last home game, against the Colorado Cutthroats. We allowed only 2 red zone visits, posting one of very few non-horrible showings by the defense. Granted, that unit is talented, with the best cornerback and an all-world defensive tackle and middle linebacker combo. But somehow, we're still struggling.

Week 17 it was all or nothing, we had to visit the Bordeaux Vineyards in what due to the various tie-breaker situations was a winner take all game. A victory of tie would put us in the playoffs, a loss would bring Bordeaux to the post-season. Despite losing the turnover battle (what's new this season?), we bounced back in the second half. Ellis McAlister was phenomenal, throwing for 306 yards and touchdown passes to all four of our top four receivers (Bondy, Elliott, Nadell and Blazewicz). A late field goal made it 31-24 for us, enough to put us into the playoffs and bringing us back into a positive points margin (415 to 414).

European Division:
1. Paris 13-3
2. Maassluis 10-6
3. Bordeaux 8-7-1
4. Gothenburg 7-7-2

Paris goes into the playoffs seeded #2, Maassluis #5. We're once again the best division in the league, making that four seasons in a row now.

Elsewhere in the league, the Midwest division had a 7-9 champion, marking the best record of any team in that division in the 2080s. Imagine that.

So, where do we go from here?

We're going to Atlanta, visiting the only non-division rival that beat us in Oranje Have this season. An absurd night of football. People that watched the game still claim to have seen guys in orange-white-and-blue that weren't any of the defensive players we have under contract. Additionally, we won only 2 playoffs games in the last 14 seasons, despite getting there 8 times.

But all we can do is score more than the opponent. We're 3-3 in games where we allowed 30 or more points, but also 7-1 in games where we scored 30 or more points. It can be done by this offense, so it's my job to have faith in them. Heck, at some point, our defense will actually play up to its potential, right? Right!? Now would be a good time to start showing up. You can do it, Merchantmen!