August 3, 2013, 9 p.m. ET, Balboa Stadium, San Diego, Calif.
Video stream: ESPN 3
Current line: Chicago Force by 20.5
Massey prediction: Chicago 58 – Dallas 26
Although I’d never be one to say that a lot has been written about a women’s tackle football game, it seems like there has been quite a lot written lately about the Chicago Force’s grand quest to finally notch a win in the big one.
Here are a few that have have the backstory, front story, facts and figures and stuff you would normally see in a game preview.
I haven’t seen one article that focuses on the Dallas Diamonds, their player’s personal stories, or their equally impressive mission to win their fifth championship, which would be a record for most in all of women’s football history (and tied with the now defunct Detroit Demolition).
It’s pretty clear the Chicago Force are getting all the media attention.
Not to mention Sami Grisafe blowin’ up my Twitter feed the past week when the video of her vocal and ukelele performance of our national anthem at the 2013 IFAF Women’s World Championship went viral.
So, let’s talk about Sami Grisafe, ha. She’s already announced that she will be retiring at the end of the season to pursue a promising career in music and entertainment. It’s do or die, now or never. It all comes down to this. You can throw in every cliché you can think of, but her story, and the story of the 2013 Chicago Force, really does all come down to a moment.
It seems that the Force are on a roll, and Grisafe has been playing like every game is her last, and tonight, it actually will be. Because she has already announced her retirement, tonight’s headlines will be all about Grisafe, no matter what happens. She will either be hailed as the John Elway of women’s football, or failed as the Jim Kelly.
But what about the Dallas Diamonds? Yes, they are huge underdogs. They are out of the spotlight; darkhorses with an undefeated record. If they can avoid the mistakes the Boston Militia made when they fell to the Force two weeks ago (slow start on offense, inability to make in-game adjustments before halftime, giving up big plays on defense), I think their defense will make big plays and shock the women’s football world.
The second round of the Womens Football Alliance (WFA) playoffs are the conference quarterfinals. There are 16 teams remaining; eight have at least one league championship title.
Click any of the matchups to expand the preview for that game:
[toggle title=”Columbus Comets (5-4) vs DC Divas (5-3)”]
June 22, 2013, 6 p.m. ET, Prince George’s Sports Complex, Landover, Md.
In-game updates: @divasfootball@columbuscomets
Current line: Divas (home) are favored by 26
Massey prediction: Comets 21 – Divas 49
As Division 2 champions, the DC Divas earned a bye in the first round of the playoffs; DC edged rival Pittsburgh for the division title with a narrow point-differential advantage. The wildcard Columbus Comets advanced to Round 2 by defeating the New York Sharks 22-20.
There will be very little unfamiliarity in this matchup of Division 2 foes; this will be the fifth meeting between the two squads over the past two years with the Divas winning all four previous contests. Over the course of those four regular season games, however, the Divas’ margin of victory has grown smaller and smaller. Look for that trend to continue if Columbus can avoid costly turnovers, but expect DC’s rushing attack to eventually outpace the Comets.
Backseat Coach picks: DC Divas
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[toggle title=”Cleveland Fusion (9-0) vs Chicago Force (8-0)”]
As Division 4 champions, the Chicago Force earned a bye in the first round of the playoffs. The Division 3 champion Cleveland Fusion advanced to this American Conference quarterfinal by smashing division rival West Michigan Mayhem 35-6 in the first round of the playoffs.
Clevelands much heralded defense will be put to the test when they face the defending National Conference champion Chicago Force. Chicago averages a league-best 61.9 points per game on offense, while the Fusion averages a league-best 2.2 points per game on defense. Though both teams were founded over 10 years ago, they met for the first time only last year in the regular season — Chicago prevailed 48-0.
Backseat Coach picks: Chicago Force
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[toggle title=”Pittsburgh Passion (7-2) vs Boston Militia (8-0)”]
As Division 1 champions, the Boston Militia earned a bye in the first round of the playoffs. The Pittsburgh Passion advanced to this National Conference quarterfinal by decimating wildcard entry Cincinnati Sizzle in the first round of the playoffs by a score of 63-0.
This contest between the No. 1 ranked Boston Militia and No. 8 ranked Pittsburgh Passion makes for the highest combined ranking of any two teams facing each other in the conference quarterfinals. Boston defeated the Passion at Highmark Stadium earlier this year 42-28, and lead the very short series of head-to-head meetings 2-1. Playing on the road, Pittsburgh faces an uphill battle to even the series and move past Boston in the playoffs; the Passion have not won a postseason game away from home since winning the 2007 NWFA championship in Nashville.
Backseat Coach picks: Boston Militia
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[toggle title=”Utah Jynx (7-2) vs Central Cal War Angels (9-0)”]
June 22, 2013, 10 p.m. ET, Groppetti Community Stadium, Visalia, Calif.
Video stream: http://ow.ly/me4z9
Current line: War Angels (home) are favored by 23.5
Massey prediction: Jynx 25 – War Angels 49
In the first round of the playoffs, the Division 11 champion Utah Jynx notched a big 36-26 upset over the previously undefeated Division 10 champion Seattle Majestics, who had stunned the Jynx for their first loss of the season way back in Week 1. The Central Cal War Angels’ stifling defense shut out the visiting Portland Shockwave, 34-0.
Last year, Central Cal defeated Utah in the opening round of the playoffs, but the stakes are even higher this year with a trip to the American Conference semifinals on the line. Expect the powerful Jynx offense to pull out all the stops to disrupt an Angels defense that held all its American Conference opponents to one score or fewer.
Backseat Coach picks: Central Cal War Angels
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[toggle title=”Austin Outlaws (7-2) vs Dallas Diamonds (8-0)”]
As Division 9 champions, the Dallas Diamonds earned a bye in the first round of the playoffs. Their division foes, the Austin Outlaws, advanced to this American Conference quarterfinal by thrashing the Little Rock Wildcats 35-0.
Austin is enjoying its first winning season since the Diamonds joined them in the WFA in 2011. Prior to that, the Outlaws had compiled seven consecutive winning seasons. The Diamonds boast four championship rings from other leagues, and a total of nine division titles in its 11-year history.
This will be the third meeting of these division rivals this year. Dallas thoroughly dominated the Outlaws in two previous meetings this year, going 2-0 by a combined score of 104-0. The Diamonds have never lost to the Outlaws in its history, going 6-0 by a combined score of 330-28. Look for the Diamonds to continue its winning tradition.
Backseat Coach picks: Dallas Diamonds
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[toggle title=”Sacramento Sirens (6-3) vs San Diego Surge (8-1)”]
June 22, 2013, 8:30 p.m. ET, Santana High School, Santee, Calif.
In-game updates: San Diego Surge Facebook Page, @msmsl2u
Current line: Surge (home) are favored by 17
Massey prediction: Sirens 22 – Surge 41
Qualifying for an historic eleventh playoffs, the Sacramento Sirens advanced to the second round of the playoffs by defeating the Pacific Warriors 25-6. The San Diego Surge, Division 13 champions and 2012 WFA champions, reached this American Conference quarterfinal by obliterating the Las Vegas Showgirlz 78-14.
This matchup is one of teams in transition. After ten seasons in the IWFL establishing itself as one of women’s tackle football’s most successful franchises, the Sacramento Sirens are the new kids in the WFA this year. They are only 2-3 against WFA opponents, but one of those wins was against San Diego.
The “new look” Surge has shed roster size significantly from last year, and are without veteran QB Melissa Gallegos. Despite having several multi-talented players such as Knengi Martin, Melissa Strother, and 2012 WFA Championship MVP Cassey Brick, San Diego is averaging 10 fewer points per game on offense and allowing 7 points more per game on defense compared to their championship season.
Backseat Coach picks: San Diego Surge
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[toggle title=”Miami Fury (9-0) vs Atlanta Phoenix (9-0)”]
June 22, 2013, 7 p.m. ET, North Springs Stadium, Sandy Springs, Ga.
Current line: Phoenix (home) are favored by 1
Massey prediction: Fury 16 – Phoenix 21
In the first round of the playoffs, the Miami Fury was the beneficiary of a forfeit by a depleted Savannah Sabers team, though it may have cost them home-field advantage as they now travel to face the Atlanta Phoenix. The Phoenix defeated the Tampa Bay Inferno in a close contest 24-19 to advance to this National Conference quarterfinal.
After an uneven performance last week, the Atlanta Phoenix hope to consistently quiet the upstart Miami Fury who remain undefeated in a worst-to-first regular season. A stingy Miami defense has been flying under the radar all season, but they’ll need to operate out of stealth mode to defeat Atlanta who are averaging 49.6 points per game on offense.
Backseat Coach picks: Miami Fury
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[toggle title=”St. Louis Slam (6-3) vs Kansas City Titans (6-1)”]
June 22, 2013, 8 p.m. ET, Shawnee Mission District Stadium, Overland Park, Kan.
In-game updates: @mamarcus17
Current line: Titans (home) are favored by 17.5
Massey prediction: Slam 20 – Titans 36
As Division 8 champions, the Kansas City Titans earned a bye in the first round of the playoffs. The St. Louis Slam, who were originally slated to play the Lone Star Mustangs, instead faced the Acadiana Zydeco when the Mustangs could not fulfill their wildcard bid. The substitution resulted in the most lopsided contest of the first playoff round, with the Slam prevailing by a score of 72-0.
When you include past iterations of the Titans organization, these division foes and state rivals have played so many times — this will be the ninth meeting in 3 years — we pretty much know what to expect: a hard-fought game from St. Louis and a victory for Kansas City.
Backseat Coach picks: Kansas City Titans
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Last Week’s Results
Pittsburgh Passion 63, Cincinnati Sizzle 0
Columbus Comets 22, New York Sharks 20
Cleveland Fusion 35, West Michigan Mayhem 6
Atlanta Phoenix 24, Tampa Bay Inferno 19
St. Louis Slam 72, Acadiana Zydeco 0
Austin Outlaws 35, Little Rock Wildcats 0
Utah Jynx 36, Seattle Majestics 26
Central Cal War Angels 34, Portland Shockwave 0
San Diego Surge 78, Las Vegas Showgirlz 14
Sacramento Sirens 25, Pacific Warriors 6
The Miami Fury advanced by forfeit.
Backseat Coach’s win-loss record in playoffs: 9-1
Massey Predictions and Zermelo Ratings by John Spatz, EZ Football Rankings. Point spreads by Steve Mark, courtesy of New York Sharks.
Of the twenty-seven teams to reach the WFA playoffs, 5 enter with overall records of 4-4, and two of those teams will square off against each other this Saturday in Brooklyn. Despite having identical overall records, this game features two teams moving in opposite directions.
The Comets’ wins have come against perennially tough competition, including a victory over the West Michigan Mayhem, one of the other 4-4 playoff teams. Their losses have come against strong favorites and championship contenders DC and Pittsburgh.
While the Sharks won the games they were expected to win, their victories came against significantly weaker competition. Two narrow wins came against a team in its inaugural season. Two more wins came in interleague matchups; WFA teams were 8-0 in interleague games played this season. Still, with All-Americans QB Karen Mulligan and WR Lauren Pringle making a formidable tandem, the Sharks possess the pedigree to make this a lively game.
Backseat Coach picks: Columbus Comets
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Cincinnati Sizzle (4-4) vs Pittsburgh Passion (6-2)
Despite attaining a vastly important milestone — earning its first playoff berth in team history — the Sizzle are overshadowed in their home state of Ohio with the aforementioned Columbus Comets positioned for a playoff victory and the Cleveland Fusion going undefeated on the season. The Sizzle could have gone 5-3 were it not for a devastating 4th-quarter collapse against the Derby City Dynamite in Week 7. But even if they had won, it wouldn’t increase their profile (0 wins against playoff contenders) or their chances versus the Pittsburgh Passion.
The Pittsburgh Passion have been perennial playoff contenders, and this year is no different. Lead by 6 first-team All-Americans including star quarterback Lisa Horton and Women’s Team USA defensive back Sharon Vasquez, the Passion are heavy favorites in this game.
Backseat Coach picks: Pittsburgh Passion
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West Michigan Mayhem (4-4) vs Cleveland Fusion (8-0)
7 p.m. ET, Case Western Reserve Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio
The success of the Cleveland Fusion has been one of the biggest stories of the season in women’s tackle football. Not only are the Fusion undefeated in regular season play; they also had a very impressive streak of defensive shutouts that ultimately ended in their 7th game. By the end of the regular season, their defensive unit gave up only 18 points total. If there is one knock against the Fusion, it is that their competitors have been fairly soft; only two games against a playoff team, and both were against a middling wildcard team.
The West Michigan Mayhem have also had a successful season, albeit under the radar. Though their overall record does not indicate much movement from recent years, the Mayhem were vastly more competitive within their division this season, improving to 3-3 from 0-4 in 2011. They finished as division runner-up and undoubtedly gained valuable experience in losses against their division foe, the 2012 National Conference Champion Chicago Force. But with an unexpected Week 7 loss against the Detroit Dark Angels (1-4 at the time), the Mayhem’s consistency is in question. If the Mayhem bring their A-game, the final score will reflect a very hard-fought match.
Backseat Coach picks: Cleveland Fusion
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Tampa Bay Inferno (6-2) vs Atlanta Phoenix (8-0)
7 p.m. ET, North Springs High School Stadium, Sandy Springs, Fla.
After posting a single-loss season in 2012, an unbalanced playoff scheme that year excluded the Tampa Bay Inferno from postseason play. An expanded bracket and a solid 6-2 record this year translates into the first-ever playoff berth for the franchise. The Inferno posted impressive victories over the Tallahassee Jewels, a 2012 division champ, the Savannah Sabers, a playoff team this year, and the Jacksonville Dixie Blues who, until a Week 2 loss to the Miami Fury, were undefeated in the regular season since joining the WFA in 2009.
Likewise, the Atlanta Phoenix posted only a single loss in 2012 (but also went 1-1 in the playoffs). And this season, they have soundly defeated the Jewels, Sabers, and Dixie Blues. Unlike the Inferno however, Atlanta is undefeated. Inferno supporters will be quick to point out that Atlanta did not have to face a division foe like the Miami Fury (8-0) twice. And that in their only head-to-head meeting, Tampa Bay posted a one-point victory over the Atlanta Phoenix in the 2012 regular season.
The Inferno are thinking upset, but the odds are longer than they may realize. Under the leadership of by QB Lanesha Hargraves who has a 100+ rating, and RB Launa Sims who rushed for over 1,000 yards and a whopping 21 TDs, Atlanta’s offense will simply smother the Inferno.
This is the Majestics’ first season in the WFA, but they were a perennial contender in the Independent Women’s Football League (IWFL) for several years. No matter the league, they have established themselves as the Pacific Northwest’s dominant women’s football team. In Week 1 they stunned the Jynx, dispatching them in Utah by a score of 47-18. They further demonstrated their dominance by defeating another former IWFL powerhouse, the Sacramento Sirens, 42-21 in Week 6.
Despite the Week 1 setback, the Jynx won their division by sporting a potent offense that ranks amongst the WFA’s elite teams. Both QB Crystal Grady and RB Mixsa Kafi will surpass 1,000 yards in passing and rushing respectively. But the Jynx still have only one win against a .500-or-better team, whereas the Majestics have collected 5 such wins, 4 against playoff teams. And the Jynx’s defense runs in the middle of the pack, which won’t be enough to keep Seattle QB Rachel Gore’s air attack grounded.
Backseat Coach picks: Seattle Majestics
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Portland Shockwave (5-3) vs Central Cal War Angels (8-0)
10 p.m. ET, Groppetti Community Stadium, Visalia, Calif.
The Central Cal War Angels have caught everyone’s attention this season, not so much for their undefeated record, but more for their sheer dominance on the field regardless of opponent. No WFA team has scored more than 8 points against the Angels’ defense, while their offense is averaging 41 points per game with a flashy passing game and a bruising running back Destanie Yarbrough. They have faced the Sirens twice, the Pacific Warriors twice, and the Las Vegas Showgirlz one time; all have reached the playoffs this year, yet the Angels defeated each convincing fashion during the regular season.
The Portland Shockwave are not dominant or flashy, but they possess noticeable strengths and grit. They do not have a quarterback with a high rating, or a 1,000-yard rusher or receiver. They don’t even have a single player with double-digit touchdowns. In fact, the Shockwave were all but eliminated from the playoffs until the waning minutes of the last week of the regular season, when their crosstown rival, the Portland Fighting Fillies, lost their grip on the final wildcard berth by falling in overtime to the Everett Reign, a promising new team that finished 3-5 in this their inaugural season. Drawing the War Angels in Round 1 may not be so lucky, but if there is a team who has chance on its side, it may be the Shockwave.
Backseat Coach picks: Central Cal War Angels
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Backseat Coach’s other predictions:
Miami Fury over Savannah Sabers
St. Louis Slam over Acadiana Zydeco
Austin Outlaws over Little Rock Wildcats
Sacramento Sirens over Pacific Warriors
San Diego Surge over the Las Vegas Showgirlz
The Boston Militia, DC Divas, Chicago Force, Kansas City Titans, and Dallas Diamonds have been awarded first-round byes.
