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Fonzie · 03-16-2006, 01:32 PM

There are a number of games this week with major playoff implications. In fact, there are only a handful of games that won't have an impact on the playoffs. Let's run through them quickly, shall we?

The Eastern Football Conference

Atlantic City (7-8) at Boston (9-6) - Boston has already registered their first-ever winning season, a huge accomplishment for a team coming off a 4-12 season. But to make the playoffs they need to win here and hope that somebody else loses. Their best bet will be in this game:

Hartford Atack (10-5) at New York Knights (9-6) - Hartford is white hot, having gone 10-1 over their last 11 games, and almost fully healthy. The Knights aren't in such good shape health-wise, but as long as they have Kim "Burly" Pace (he's 230 lbs) at QB they'll have a chance. Hartford has already clinched their division and has an outside chance at a 1st round bye, although they'd need three other division leaders to lose for that to happen. Will Hartford chance starting their key guys in a game that might mean nothing? New York hopes not.

Baltimore (6-9) at Charleston (10-5) - Charleston needs a win here to secure their WC spot, and a win would also give them a chance at a division title should Durham lose to Tampa Bay.

Durham (11-4) at Tampa Bay (7-8) - The Torpedoes have been a plucky group this year, and are all that stands between Durham and a 1st-round bye. They're a bit beaten up at the moment, but expect Durham to start all their big guns.

Detroit (11-4) at Albany (3-12) - Detroit is another of the logjammed teams at the top of the EFC looking to secure a 1st round bye and perhaps homefield advantage. They have some troubles on the O-line, but are fortunate to draw a favorable matchup in week 17.

San Antonio (10-5) at Shreveport (11-4) - This match will determine the division winner, as San Antonio would hold the tiebreaker advantage. Shreveport might also stand to gain a 1st round bye with a win. The Stingers have been in a bit of a free fall of late, as they've now lost both their 1st and 2nd string QBs to long-term injuries. Look for 3rd stringer Brent Kassell to get his first start in nearly four years.

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The Western Football Conference

Arizona (9-6) at Tucson (12-3) - Arizona lost control of their destiny with a loss last week at Detroit, and so to have any hope of making the playoffs they need a win on the road at division winner Tucson. But the Toros are expected to put up a fight, as they have homefield advantage at stake with this game.

Las Vegas (9-6) at Honolulu (8-7) - Las Vegas can clinch a WC spot with a win, but they'll have to do so without the services of longtime QB Lenny Olsen, who suffered a broken ankle last week. Fortunately for Vegas, they've drawn a matchup with another team stuck without their nominal starting QB in Honolulu. An interesting trivia note: if Honolulu wins, this will be the first time in CFL history that every team in a division will have finished with a winning record. The Cavalary division came close in 2008, with every team 8-8 or better.

Boise (11-4) at Anchorage (5-10) - Boise has their division crown wrapped up, but is looking to secure a 1st round bye with a win and, possibly, homefield advantage if Tucson loses. Boise is mostly healthy, but will be without the services of star WR Abe Muncy.

El Paso (5-10) at Fargo (8-7) - Fargo is mathematically still alive, but need a lot of things to fall just so to make the playoffs. They started their season a very promising 6-2, only to see the wheels fall off thanks to some front office unrest. Fargo's spirits have to be lifted by the possible return of QB Brett Hedges, whose ankle is sufficiently healed to start.

Tulsa (10-5) at Denver (9-6) - The winner of this game wins the division (Denver would own the tiebreaker). Tulsa is fairly healthy, but Denver has to be worried about Marcus Garibaldi's pulled groin. Tulsa would still make it as a WC if they lose, but Denver's playoff hopes will be much murkier with a loss.

Huntington Beach (7-8) at Long Beach (3-12) - HB controls their own destiny - a win here and they clinch the division. A loss would mean their destiny would be decided by Sacramento's game. Either way, only HB or Sacramento will make the playoffs - the other team goes home.

Santa Cruz (3-12) at Sacramento (7-8) - See above. Sacramento needs to win/tie and hope for a HB loss in order to clinch the division. Anything else happens and they go home.

03-16-2006, 01:32 PM	#150
Fonzie Pro Rookie Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Illinois	Week 17 Preview There are a number of games this week with major playoff implications. In fact, there are only a handful of games that won't have an impact on the playoffs. Let's run through them quickly, shall we? The Eastern Football Conference Atlantic City (7-8) at Boston (9-6) - Boston has already registered their first-ever winning season, a huge accomplishment for a team coming off a 4-12 season. But to make the playoffs they need to win here and hope that somebody else loses. Their best bet will be in this game: Hartford Atack (10-5) at New York Knights (9-6) - Hartford is white hot, having gone 10-1 over their last 11 games, and almost fully healthy. The Knights aren't in such good shape health-wise, but as long as they have Kim "Burly" Pace (he's 230 lbs) at QB they'll have a chance. Hartford has already clinched their division and has an outside chance at a 1st round bye, although they'd need three other division leaders to lose for that to happen. Will Hartford chance starting their key guys in a game that might mean nothing? New York hopes not. Baltimore (6-9) at Charleston (10-5) - Charleston needs a win here to secure their WC spot, and a win would also give them a chance at a division title should Durham lose to Tampa Bay. Durham (11-4) at Tampa Bay (7-8) - The Torpedoes have been a plucky group this year, and are all that stands between Durham and a 1st-round bye. They're a bit beaten up at the moment, but expect Durham to start all their big guns. Detroit (11-4) at Albany (3-12) - Detroit is another of the logjammed teams at the top of the EFC looking to secure a 1st round bye and perhaps homefield advantage. They have some troubles on the O-line, but are fortunate to draw a favorable matchup in week 17. San Antonio (10-5) at Shreveport (11-4) - This match will determine the division winner, as San Antonio would hold the tiebreaker advantage. Shreveport might also stand to gain a 1st round bye with a win. The Stingers have been in a bit of a free fall of late, as they've now lost both their 1st and 2nd string QBs to long-term injuries. Look for 3rd stringer Brent Kassell to get his first start in nearly four years. --------------------- *The Western Football Conference* Arizona (9-6) at Tucson (12-3) - Arizona lost control of their destiny with a loss last week at Detroit, and so to have any hope of making the playoffs they need a win on the road at division winner Tucson. But the Toros are expected to put up a fight, as they have homefield advantage at stake with this game. Las Vegas (9-6) at Honolulu (8-7) - Las Vegas can clinch a WC spot with a win, but they'll have to do so without the services of longtime QB Lenny Olsen, who suffered a broken ankle last week. Fortunately for Vegas, they've drawn a matchup with another team stuck without their nominal starting QB in Honolulu. An interesting trivia note: if Honolulu wins, this will be the first time in CFL history that every team in a division will have finished with a winning record. The Cavalary division came close in 2008, with every team 8-8 or better. Boise (11-4) at Anchorage (5-10) - Boise has their division crown wrapped up, but is looking to secure a 1st round bye with a win and, possibly, homefield advantage if Tucson loses. Boise is mostly healthy, but will be without the services of star WR Abe Muncy. El Paso (5-10) at Fargo (8-7) - Fargo is mathematically still alive, but need a lot of things to fall just so to make the playoffs. They started their season a very promising 6-2, only to see the wheels fall off thanks to some front office unrest. Fargo's spirits have to be lifted by the possible return of QB Brett Hedges, whose ankle is sufficiently healed to start. Tulsa (10-5) at Denver (9-6) - The winner of this game wins the division (Denver would own the tiebreaker). Tulsa is fairly healthy, but Denver has to be worried about Marcus Garibaldi's pulled groin. Tulsa would still make it as a WC if they lose, but Denver's playoff hopes will be much murkier with a loss. Huntington Beach (7-8) at Long Beach (3-12) - HB controls their own destiny - a win here and they clinch the division. A loss would mean their destiny would be decided by Sacramento's game. Either way, only HB or Sacramento will make the playoffs - the other team goes home. Santa Cruz (3-12) at Sacramento (7-8) - See above. Sacramento needs to win/tie and hope for a HB loss in order to clinch the division. Anything else happens and they go home.