This is why I love Division Collision at the end of the season. It might as be called Championship Week, as it seems there’s always Divisional Championships up for grabs going into the final week. Two division titles will be decided this week, two playoff spots left to clench among five teams, and three teams headed to the Consolation Cup who could very easily play spoilers this week. A ton of different scenarios could play out but simply put, wins by the Strokes and the Pens lock up the tournament sending the Hawks, Ducks, and Ebola to the Consolation Cup Tournament and a chance for the first-round draft pick.
One team that has clinched a first-round bye and the Premier Division is Nash Kato; however, they have the chance to make history as the first 12-win team in USAFL history. They have to accomplish this feat by defeating Hawk’s Bench, who clings on for a wild card spot. The Hawk’s need various scenarios to play out in order to get into the playoffs. Including an outright win with losses by the Penguins and outscoring with the winner of the Ebola! versus Ducks game, or a win and an Ebola-Ducks tie. They currently stand at a 2% chance of those scenarios occurring this weekend.
The Holy Penguins hold the keys to the last wild card spot with a "win and you’re in" scenario against Deer Antler Addicts. GM Sam P. couldn’t ask for a better matchup in this scenario as the Addicts are heavy underdogs going into this game. If the Pens win, the Premier Division will send three teams into the playoff this season.
The Premier Division will not have a 10+ win team this season, but their championship comes down to D.C. Whitefish (8-4-1) and World’s Finest (8-5) in the marquee matchup this week. The Whitefish took the first game in Week Three’s Division Collision, but have been underscoring the reigning champion the last few weeks. Both of these teams have clinched a playoff spot, but they are playing for a first-round bye and the Premier Division Cup.
The other intriguing matchups have Ebola! and the Ducks vying for both a wild card spot and a potential division title if the Strokes lose to the Koalas who are out, but have been scrappy going into these final weeks. A loss by the Pens and the Hawks, or outscoring a winning Hawks team opens the door to the wild card if they miss out on a division crown. Vinegar Strokes who currently sits atop the Common Wealth Division leads both Ebola and the Ducks by one game.