Editors Note: This is part 3 in a 3 part series on the NFC playoff teams. It’s a helluva read and they are posted in order of their playoff seeding. You can see Part 1 here and Part 2 here.
by Bazakastine
#5 – Tampa Bowl 5-7-2
The Tamp Bowl Smokeaneers managed to repeat last season’s run to the playoffs. In season 18 they went 7-3-4 winning the NFC South before falling in the divisional round of the playoffs. This year they set their aims a bit higher. A franchise that had steadily gotten better each year had finally broken through the first barrier now it was time to try to make a real run. Of course they didn’t realize just how fearsome of a challenger the new Carolina franchise would be. Aiding them in their quest would be new catcher Tears in the Rain who was a shockingly useful player to be left that deep in the draft.
The goal from the beginning was playoffs which meant well they had no problem playing for the tie. An early win against the Titanz would be followed by 2 draws. Back to back 3-0 wins over teams in the playoffs just last year showed just what kind of ceiling this team has but they were well aware of the goal. You get in you have a shot and so they continued to stack up results some wins, some draws attempting to not falter down the stretch like last seasons. Then they faltered down the stretch, losses to Lincoln and Atlatl (and the sad loss of Spike Glennon 3rd in completions and 2nd in passing yards) left a bad taste in the team’s mouth yet they still have quite the team to attempt the playoff run.
Tampa’s team starts in one place. Rhys Llyod himself. 1st in TDs with 17, 9th in rushing yards, and 2nd in SPP accumulated despite never winning MVP. He is a rockstar and has been credited with the back to back playoff teams the team has gone through since he was drafted before season 18. But he is not the entire team, even with the death of Glennon coach mrt has more than enough toys to play with. Crab Legs Winston finished 9th in the NBFL in blocks thrown despite being an elf….thrower. He is truly one of a kind. Tears in the Rain of course has been great, Smokewon Alexander is new but has all the potential in the world, J Rob Morgan still brings the pain if not always going far to do it. Then there is Kevin Puffphile 8th in the league in dropping the boot. These elves are not above such things. This is a team to watch combining elves natural ability with some unique characters. Maybe this year they make that run.
#6 – New York 5-7-2
The New York Deviants. Going into season 18 some dark elves showed up at the Big Apple ready to take the league by storm. It was an absolute disaster. These were not the Deviants but the New York Tyrants. After a 3-2-9 season coach DrPoods fled the scene for the beautiful beaches of Miami and into the vacuum stepped coach Doofr. Everyone expected an overhaul, a grand change to get this recent taste of failure out of the fans mouth but not Doofr walked in and said Dark Elves are the way to go and I am going to prove it to you.
As with any new team the 2 drafts were key in shaping the new coach’s vision and this was no different. Doofr was a fan of Agility and boy did he load up. Ndamukong Suh and Jeremy Maclin came from the expansion draft and both proved to be even more agile than previously assumed. S. Joplin was the star of the normal draft and despite taking an injury against Tampa Bowl is still an opponent that has everyone worried. Rounding things out is Etienne Navarre giving the deviants someone who can lay down a hit now and then. All 4 are still around going into the playoffs, which is always a good sign for a team in its inaugural season.
Their first season started fast with an incredible 4-2-0 record out the gate. They took down their former coach in the opener and just did not look back. During this stretch they had their first of 2 1-1 draws with the frailskins and a statement win over a Ball Fellow team that we now know to be playoff bound. Things did not stay this great though. A 4-2-0 start turned into a 1-5-2 finish beginning with their first loss to the Wrecks in the battle for New York. Their long stretch without a win continued all the way up until the final match of the season where they broke out again taking down another playoff team in the Carolina Panzers. This did not come without some trouple though as they are now entering the playoffs with 2 different players MNG. Neither are integral to the Deviants success but being down bodies is never a good thing.
The team itself is still strong though lead by their draftpicks. Maclin is 1st in completions and 6th in passing yards in the entire NBFL showing that the short quick passing game is favored in New York. Suh is tied for 9th in TDs leading what has been a fairly balanced attack and in a stunning development Telcogouc Robinson finished 3rd in the entire league in fouls showing just how low-down and dirty these dark elves can be. Around Robinson and the earlier mentioned stars the team is quite solid, lots of guys who go out there and do their job although no other true standouts. The lack of bodies in the wildcard round could prove problematic but if they can survive this team has the depth and the top end talent to give Green Ball a true test in the divisional.
And there we have it. Your guide to the playoff teams for Season 19 of the NBFL. As always, stay tuned for the best NBFL and NCBB content around.
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