The National Arena League (NAL) is entering its final week in the regular season for the 2018 year.
As crazy as it may sound, there is not a single team that has clinched the number one seed or even a home-field playoff game. Here is a rundown on what is happening this week and where each team can be after this week in this road to National Arena Bowl II.
The Road to National Arena Bowl II
The Jacksonville Sharks had an incredible 45-36 victory over the Massachusetts Pirates in Week 17 to take the number one spot for the first time in the 2018 season.
With the Sharks on top, that increases their odds of hosting a playoff game.
Their odds aren’t quite at 100% yet, as they could lose to the Maine Mammoths, a team who is already out of the playoffs, and be taken from the top two.
Week 18 Matchups
#1 Jacksonville Sharks (10-5) @ #5 Maine Mammoths (6-8)
#6 Lehigh Valley Steelhawks (0-14) @ #2 Massachusetts Pirates (10-5)
#4 Columbus Lions (8-6) @ #3 Carolina Cobras (9-5)
The Breakdown
The Pirates should have no issues defeating the Steelhawks to advance to 11-5, but that still might not allow them to regain the first place spot.
If the Sharks defeat the Mammoths:
Jacksonville controls first place, host both the first round of the playoffs, and the National Arena Bowl if they advance to the National Arena Bowl with a victory over the Mammoths this week.
If the Sharks fall to the Mammoths:
The Lions and Cobras game determines where the Sharks will be if the Sharks lose.
If the Sharks lose and the Cobras win, then the Cobras will take second place and the Sharks will fall from first place to third place.
If the Sharks lose and Lions win, then the Sharks will be safe at second place, assuming the Pirates beat the Steelhawks, while the Cobras will be in third and Lions will be in fourth.
Playoff Seeding
The Pirates are likely beating the Steelhawks to give Lehigh Valley the “perfect season” at a 0-15 record.
The Sharks and Pirates both win, they will be ranked one and two, respectively.
If the Cobras win, then it will be Lions at Sharks and Cobras at Pirates in the first round of the playoffs. If the Lions win in week 18, then it will be Cobras at Sharks and Lions at Pirates.
Prediction
Looking past the Maine Mammoths at the end of this season is definitely something anyone should do.
The Mammoths have kept it a close game in the first half both times against the Sharks this season.
This week will most likely be the same way, but each of the last two weeks, the Sharks have came back from an 20-point deficit against the Lions and 15-point deficit against the Pirates.
The Sharks don’t play the best football in the first quarter, as they have struggled all season, but the second half Sharks team, especially late in the fourth quarter, is extremely scary.
In Week 16 and Week 17, the Sharks defensive line has stepped it up late in the fourth quarter to secure both games.
The Sharks will do the same things against the Mammoths this week. With that said, they will clinch first place again for the second season in a row.
The Massachusetts Pirates are taking on a winless Lehigh Valley Steelhawks in Worcester, Massachusetts. The Pirates will easily win that game and secure the second place spot.
The Dramatic Cobras and Lions Showdown
The Carolina Cobras host the Columbus Lions in the final week.
This game doesn’t mean much for Columbus, as their loss last week versus the Mammoths ruined their chances of hosting a playoff game in the first round.
The Cobras are looking like their normal selves again and will be at home this weekend. They will be able to take advantage of this struggling Lions team.
Key Injuries to Watch
Quarterback Mason Espinosa from the Lions left the game last week and did not return. His MRI is this week.
Quarterback Sean Brackett for the Pirates has a high ankle sprain and will likely be out for up to five weeks.
Depending on how serious both of these injuries are, this could determine who hosts the playoffs. It could also determine who could win the National Arena Bowl.
Playoff Seeding Prediction:
#4 Columbus Lions @ #1 Jacksonville Sharks
#3 Carolina Cobras @ #2 Massachusetts Pirates
Both games have big-time quarterbacks missing.
If Espinosa is out for the Lions, then the Sharks defense should have a field day on Columbus. If Espinosa is playing, then things will be very interesting for the Sharks.
With Sharks Quarterback Patrick McCain and his hit and miss games, there is no telling who is winning this one. The Lions should win this game if Espinosa is in, but will lose with Espinosa out.
The same exact thing will happen to the Pirates. Brackett could be out all the way until the championship week. Their backup quarterback against Jacksonville last week looked like he had no clue what he was doing. The fact that he couldn’t see over the defensive line doesn’t help. The Cobras should still win, even if Brackett is playing.
