Round 1: Wild Card Mania

Welcome to the first round of the playoffs, Wild card weekend. We’ve got some great playoff football kicking off tonight so I won’t waste any time. Well go over the 5 teams that saw their season come to an end last week and the 8 teams that need to fight for survival tonight at Marie Victorin to continue on their road to the Finals. Without further ado the Road to the Finals has begun. 

5 Eliminated Teams 

Slippery Slopes 

Slippery Slopes just could not get anything going for them all season. Dany Saad had a Jamies Winston 30 for 30 with 28 touchdowns 28 interceptions. The team was able to score some points but with the constant turnovers and below average defence Slippery Slopers were always playing catch up which probably made Dany Saad take more chances then he would have. Their lone win came in week 3 versus Knights 2.0 where they squeezed out a win 18-12. I expected this team to perform better as their pre season roster included names like Raffi Bastadjian and Paul Tavitian that both played 0 games this season. Back to the drawing board for the formerly known Rude Boyz crew. 

LargeLifeStyle 

Tough season for LargeLifeStyle as they ended the season 2-8. I will have to say LargeLifeStyle had one of the toughest schedules as they played all top 3 seeds in the Deli Degens (10-0), Melons (8-2) and Jaegerbomb (8-2). They unfortunately ended the season as the lowest scoring offence and defence that allowed the most points against due to their week 10 forfeit to Snowdon Deli Degens. Tyler Grondin just finished his 5th season at quarterback and he might be able to have a successful 6th season but hell need to either throw in a lower division or stack his roster because for most weeks Slipper Slopes had at least 25-30 of cap space. 

Ball Hawks 

One of the three teams to be 3-7 and not qualify for playoffs due to tie breakers Ball Hawks did not have the season anyone expected. I didn’t expect them to be a top team but with experienced players across their roster I thought this team should be at least .500. Richie Mondesir wasn’t a terrible quarterback but the lack of a deep ball keeps his offence very limited. Only 1000 yards passing makes this one of the lower end offences of the division. The team went 0-4 in their division and were unable to beat any good teams. I do hope that Richie Mondesir doesn’t give up his QB dream as he still has lots of potential. 

Dirty Slugs 

A team with 2 forfeits and still was so close to making the playoffs. This team struggles to find bodies often as they have 9 players who played 2 games or less on their roster. Still Josh Currie was serviceable as he threw for 30 touchdowns, also ran for two and completed 57% of his passes. His biggest issue was turnovers. He used his play makers well as Anthony Siggia and Jeremy Laplante were both targeted the most scoring a combined 15 touchdowns and accumulated 600 yards. If this team doesn’t forfeit both their games I believe they would be a playoff team. 

Bend Don’t Break 

The 21st seed, AKA the last team eliminated from playoff contention. Another 3-7 team that forfeited their week 1 game. One more win would have had them in the playoffs this week so I’m sure they would love to get that one back. A tough schedule as well and Bend Don’t Break gave the undefeated Snowdon Deli Degens their toughest game of the season as Bend Don’t Break only lost by 4 points. Joseph Shporer was a QB that I didn’t talk much about this season but he should be proud of his statistical output in 9 games with a weaker roster then some of the top QBs in the division. With the lack of a true #1 receiver Bend Don’t Break lacked offensively and were often held to 20 points or fewer then facing an above .500 team. It sucks to see your season end before the post season but teams have to be eliminated one way or another. 

WildCard Week 

Hail Marty’s (13) Vs.  VTown (20) 

The first round of the playoffs kicks off with an intriguing matchup between Hail Marty’s (5-5, 13th seed) and VTown (3-7, 20th seed). Hail Marty’s will look to avoid upset against VTown in this first round playoff matchup. While Hail Marty’s enter as clear favourites, VTown’s potential for an upset shouldn’t be entirely discounted.

Hail Marty’s Offense a Force to Be Reckoned With

Led by the prolific Marty Freedman, who torched defenses for 41 touchdowns and 1,700 yards this season, Hail Marty’s boast a potent offense. Their ability to score points consistently will be a major advantage in this matchup. Although they have lost as many games as they have won, their experience and ability to hang in games with anyone in the division allows them to have confidence moving forward. 

VTown Relies on Crivello’s Two-Way Heroics

Despite their struggles, VTown possesses a dangerous weapon in Lucas Crivello. The versatile athlete has been a force on both sides of the ball, racking up double-digit touchdowns on offense and snagging 8 interceptions on defense. His ability to impact the game in so many ways makes him vital for VTown’s success.

Can VTown Pull Off the Improbable?

While VTown’s path to victory seems narrow, it’s not entirely out of the question. They’ll need a flawless performance from Crivello and Jonathan Velasco on both sides of the field, along with capitalizing on any mistakes made by Hail Marty’s. Velasco cannot turn the ball over and I’m not sure if VTown’s defence will be able to stop Hail Mart’s so 4th downs should never mean punt in my opinion. VTown also hasn’t won a game since Week 3, which means they’ll need to find a way to break out of their slump against a tough opponent or else there season will come to an end. 

Despite VTown’s potential for an upset, Hail Marty’s superior firepower and overall consistency make them the favourites. However, this game could be closer than the seeding suggests if Crivello can have a dominant performance, but I think Marty Freedman plays a great game and Hail Marty’s advance to play a top seed. 

Final Score Prediction: Hail Marty’s 31 – VTown 21

Les Studz (14) Vs. Pack a Punch (19)

Another first round playoff matchup throws together two underdogs vying for a spot in the next round: Les Studz (5-5) and Pack-a-Punch (3-7). While Les Studz holds the slight edge in record, Pack-a-Punch’s late-season surge fuelled by a quarterback change makes this a matchup that shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Les Studz: A Cinderella Story in the Making?

Don’t let their 5-5 record fool you. Les Studz started the season 1-4 before going on a remarkable turnaround. Quarterback Philippe Gélinas has been a key factor in their success, throwing for a respectable 35 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. If Gélinas can maintain his composure and avoid costly turnovers, Les Studz will be a tough team to beat.

Pack-a-Punch Seeks Redemption with New Signal Caller

Despite their underwhelming record, Pack-a-Punch has shown signs of life since subbing quarterback Michael De Seta in favour of Marc Antoine Martin. Martin’s mobility has added a new dimension to their offense, evident in his 100 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns in a limited number of games. While his accuracy remains a work in progress (around 50% completion rate), his dual-threat ability keeps defenses honest. Stefano De Seta remains a top target for Pack a Punch with also to 500 yards receiving in the regular season, defences have not had many answers for him. 

A Low-Scoring Battle Anticipated

Both teams lean towards a more conservative offensive approach, and only average about 25 points per game so a defensive slugfest is likely. Les Studz will rely on Gélinas’ efficient passing and a balanced attack to control the game. Pack-a-Punch will look to exploit Les Studz’s defense with Martin’s running ability and rollout or broken passing plays.

While Les Studz’s experience and overall consistency give them the upper hand, Pack-a-Punch’s momentum with Martin under center shouldn’t be ignored. Expect a close, low-scoring game that could go either way.

Final Score Prediction: Les Studz 26 – Pack-a-Punch 20

Brewers (15) Vs. No Punt Intended (18)

The first round of the playoffs in Division D promises an exciting matchup between the evenly matched Brewers (4-6) and No Punt Intended (4-6). This is a battle of two teams who haven’t met in the regular season, making it all the more intriguing.

Brewers Face Quarterback Conundrum

The Brewers head into the playoffs with a major question mark at quarterback. Alexis Labonté, who started the last two games, failed to lead the team to any points in Week 9. The alternative, Jeffrey Lefebvre, has shown more success throughout the season, but the team seems hesitant to commit to him. This uncertainty under center could prove costly against a hungry No Punt Intended squad.

No Punt Intended Relies on Szalipszki’s Leadership

Led by the steady hand of quarterback Alexandre Szalipszki, No Punt Intended boasts a more stable offensive situation. If Szalipszki can minimize turnovers, they have a good chance of putting points on the board. Their defense has also been a bright spot, and a strong performance will be crucial against a Brewers team desperate for a spark.

A Matchup of Offense?

Both teams struggled defensively throughout the regular season, with the Brewers and No Punt Intended averaging over 25 points against per game. The one superstar has been Deven Glover who tallied up 18 sacks over 10 game. Rushing Qbs with his speed and agility he rarely misses tackles in the backfield. He will be the only one that can slow down No Punt Intended’s offence and contain Alexandre Szalipszki. 

This game is a toss-up. The Brewers’ quarterback situation creates an uncertainty that could be their undoing. However, if Lefebvre starts and can find a rhythm with the receivers, they have a chance. No Punt Intended, with their consistent quarterback play and potentially stingier defense, might have a slight edge. Really a tough one to predict but I think No Punt Intended is getting hot at the right time. 

Final Score Prediction: No Punt Intended 32 – Brewers 27

Cookie Monsters (16) Vs. Knights 2.0 (17) 

The opening round of the playoffs concludes with the matchup between the Cookie Monsters (4-6) and the Knights 2.0 (4-6). Both teams limped into the playoffs with identical records, but their recent trajectories paint a different picture. Here’s a look at the key factors and a prediction for this intriguing first-round battle.

Cookie Monsters in Flux After Boutet Injury

The Cookie Monsters are in a state of uncertainty following the injury to starting quarterback Felix Boutet. Jerome Hovington, who hinted at potentially taking over under center on podcast Calling The Audible. However, Hovington’s lack of availability raises concerns for the Cookie Monsters’ offensive output.

Knights 2.0 Soaring with Reeves at the Helm

The Knights 2.0, on the other hand, are riding a wave of momentum. Since the arrival of quarterback Marc Andre Reeves, their offense has exploded. Reeves boasts a near-perfect record of 4-1, averaging 5 touchdowns per game with minimal turnovers. This offensive firepower will be a major challenge for the Cookie Monsters’ defense.

A Tale of Two Seasons

While both teams share the same record, their paths to get there were vastly different. The Cookie Monsters started okay, winning 2 games in four weeks. The Knights 2.0 also had a rough start starting 0-4, but their late-season surge fuelled by Reeves’ dominance makes them the clear favourites.

The Cookie Monsters’ quarterback situation creates a significant disadvantage. If Hovington starts, this could be a different game then expected. Even if a healthy Boutet were available, it would be an uphill battle against the red-hot Reeves and company

Final Score Prediction: Knights 2.0 38 – Cookie Monsters 22