Will the VIKINGS compliment their undefeated season with championship?

Is the GIANTS’ roster talented enough to contend with the VIKINGS in the postseason?

Will LaRae Butler finally live up to the potential of her arm by quarterbacking the COWBOYS to a title?

These are just a few of the many questions that will get answered this postseason. Here are my predictions for the Middle Division playoff tournament.

(1) VIKINGS vs. (8) COLTS: At 5-0 the VIKINGS are the cream of the Middle Division crop. Coach Frank Kunkell has established an offensive rhythm with the players on his roster. Specifically, he has put his primary playmakers Julian Psilos and Cole Starrett in positions to score many touchdowns this season. In addition to the boys rookie sensation Kylie Kunkel has quickly established herself as one of the top running backs in the league. Unfortunately for the COLTS their season has been mired in inconsistency at the quarterback position, lackluster defensive efforts, and declining team spirit. In their lone matchup with the VIKES this season, the COLTS were embarrassed in  25-0 defeat.

Prediction: VIKINGS 22 COLTS 7

(4) CHARGERS vs. (5) STEELERS: After losing to the CHARGERS 25-12 in Week 1, the STEELERS “will be out here looking for reveeennnnngggge” to quote Drake. First year coach and ex-PFFL star Ty Gilliard has to figure out a way to slow down the potent offensive attack led by the phenomenal Adante Berrien. If the STEELERS can contain Berrien then they have a great shot at advancing to the semifinals.

Prediction: STEELERS 18 CHARGERS 13

(3) RAVENS vs. (6) SAINTS: All season the RAVENS have been flying high above their competition. As a rookie head coach Jason Curenton has installed a playbook that has yielded four wins and one loss. One of those wins came against SAINTS back in Week 1. Although it was a competitive affair, the RAVENS emerged victorious, 19-15. Veteran passer Noam Pishoto is growing up right before our very eyes. He is no longer the wide-eyed rookie who used to revel in the atmosphere of flag football. Now that he’s a seasoned vet this young man is excelling as Curenton’s field general. Pishoto has been blessed with multiple weapons on offense including Demetris “Meech” Egleston, Quadray Greenleaf, and Amier Murray.

The SAINTS on the other hand have been the inverse of the RAVENS. Winning just one game this season has been troubling for WHO DAT NATION. Although they have not had much success this roster is not without talent. Starting Running Back Jalil Morris is a natural-born playmaker. Moreover, the quiet yet surehanded Javier Lopez is one of the best possession receivers in the game. If the SAINTS can get the ball to their best players than they may have a shot at beating the RAVENS.

Prediction: RAVENS 19 SAINTS 12

(2) GIANTS vs. (7) COWBOYS: With all due respect to the top-seeded VIKINGS I believe that the GIANTS have the most talented roster in the division. Madden Barone is a confident passer whose decision-making has been stellar for throughout the regular season. Nico Mowod has shown an ability to catch 50/50 balls with uncanny regularity. As for Toi Brown, a young man whose talents are boundless, he is the most devastating home run threat that we have across all three Youth League divisions.

On the other side of the ball there is a COWBOYS that struggled to the finish line of the regular season with a 1-4 record. Despite the talented arm of Quarterback LaRae Butler the ‘BOYS have not been able to rally around her. And in fairness to the rest of the team there have been times when she has not played her best in the face of pressure. Nevertheless she has multiple weapons on offense that can go up against any team in the Middle Division.

Since these teams didn’t face each other in the regular season, there is no precedent for how this game will go. On paper the GIANTS are the better team; however, games are not played on paper they are played on the field.

UPSET ALERT! The COWBOYS will shock the GIANTS by beating them 19-13 in overtime!

(1) VIKINGS vs. (5) STEELERS: The VIKES are going to want to establish the run early to open up their passing game. The running back tandem of Julian Psilos and Kylie Kunkel will split the majority of the VIKINGS’ carries in hopes of hitting a big play.

For the STEELERS Caleb Williams will have to come up huge in passing game because he is the team’s best possession receiver. Coach Gilliard will need to devise a defensive game plan that will mitigate some of the VIKINGS’ big plays.

Prediction: VIKINGS 21 STEELERS 12

(3) RAVENS vs. (7) COWBOYS: When the RAVENS and COWBOYS played during the regular season the BIRDS picked up a dominating 15-4 win. The BIRDS found a way to shut down the BOYS’ passing game by sending two rushers at LaRae. This time I expect the underdogs to put forth a much more competitive effort against the RAVENS. LaRae needs to spread the ball around to Cole Markel, Marcus Williams, and JeSean Wright. LaRae might even line up at wideout for a few snaps.

Prediction: RAVENS 13 COWBOYS 8

(1) VIKINGS vs. (3) RAVENS: This game will feature one of the most intriguing head-to-head duels that the Middle Division has to offer. Julian Psilos is a proven receiver who is an excellent cutback runner. On the opposite side of the field, Amier Murray is the straw that stirs the RAVENS’ offensive drink.

Ultimately this game will come down to which team’s defense can impose their will on the other team’s offense. The VIKINGS have been great defensively all year but the RAVENS are a beast that they have never faced. Upsets usually don’t happen in the championship round; however, there’s room for an exception.

UPSET ALERT! The RAVENS will defeat the VIKINGS 22-21 to win the championship!