3&Out Season Review/Playoff Preview

It was an interesting 1st season in 3&Out. Lot of exciting games, tight division/wild card races, and many surprises and disappointments. Let’s take this time to reflect and look back at some of the highlights and lowlights of Year One. Starting with the AFC.

AFC

The AFC was hailed as the tougher conference after team selection, as many of the “top users” picked AFC teams. Two of those top users were out of the league by Week 2, creating some uncertainty about the Conference.

Many felt Isiah (Titans) and Tone (Raiders) who both won Super Bowls on the previous Madden were the favorites to win it all again despite not having top teams. And they both justified that by winning their divisions and Isiah earning the #2 seed in the AFC and a 1st Round Bye. With both of their experience and skill, will be a tough out for anyone in the playoffs. As a surprise to most, Brannin (Browns) claimed the #1 seed in the AFC with a 14-2 record led by the League MVP Johnny Manziel (3,423 yds, 47 TDs, 17 INTs). The Browns had a great season but most expect them to fall flat in the Playoffs.

Monday (Ravens) went into their Week 9 Bye at 3-5 and was looking to be completely out of it with the rest of the conference playing good football and boasting much better records. Well, since that 3-5 start, the Ravens only lost one more game the rest of the season and finished 10-6 to make the playoffs. Wayne (Bills) cruised all season to win the AFC East as the rest of the division struggled to get anything going.

The biggest story in the AFC has to be the fall of Dot (Texans) and the rise of BH (Broncos). Dot was 10-3 entering Week 15 and 1 game behind the 11-2 Browns for the #1 seed in the AFC. Dot went on to lose his last 3 games and finish 10-6 needing help to make the playoffs. BH and his Broncos weren’t willing to provide that help. Once sitting at 1-6 and was the laughing stock of the league, BH went on a tear and won 9 straight games to finish 10-6 and make the Playoffs. By far the hottest team in the league, BH is looking to take his win streak into double digits and finish with Super Bowl.

And it wouldn’t be a good recap without mentioning the guy who made some history of his own. Not the good kind. Barry (Steelers) becomes only the 4th user in WGL to finish a season without a win. But vows to use this offseason and the #1 pick to improve and be competitive in Year 2. Time will tell.

The AFC Playoffs will be fun.

NFC

After team selection was over, many looked at the NFC and called it the weak conference. Had new users, guys who have been out the leagues for a while and a lot of uncertainty. The season started and the NFC showed it was anything but weak. Staying competitive all the way to Week 17.

Unlike the AFC where all 6 playoffs spots were grabbed by WGL Vets, 3 WGL Rooks made the playoffs in the NFC. Bruce (Cardinals), Sid (Falcons), and Trap (Lions) all made the Playoffs in their first season in WGL and putting the rest of the league on notice. The other 3 NFC Playoffs spots were taken by WGL vets. Matt (Redskins) led by NFC OPOY and OROY Ameer Abdullah, VIP (Niners) led by Knile Davis, and Joker (Packers) led by Aaron Rodgers round out the NFC Playoffs.

There were a couple surprises in the NFC. Schwick (Giants), ATM (Saints), X Factor (Panthers) and Chef (Vikings) were all looked at as favorites to win their divisions but fell short year one and missed the playoffs altogether. Duce (Bears) made some good history with rookie WR Kevin White who tore up the league breaking the receiving yards in a season record with 2,125 yards (Also 97 receptions and 20 TDs).

Gonna be interesting to see how the NFC goes in Season 2, but for now, someone has the opportunity to make a name for themselves in the playoffs. It’s gonna be interesting to watch.

Awards

MVP- Johnny Manziel (Browns/Brannin)

Coach of the Year- Mike Pettine (Browns/Brannin)

AFC Awards

OPOY- Tre Mason (Brannin/Browns)

DPOY- Da’Norris Searcy (Isiah/Titans)

OROY- Melvin Gordon (Justin/Jets)

DROY- Kevin Johnson (Dot/Texans)

NFC Awards

OPOY- Ameer Abdullah (Matt/Redskins)

DPOY- Zavier Gooden (Sid/Falcons)

OROY- Ameer Abdullah (Matt/Redskins)

DROY- Denzel Perryman (Schwick/Giants)

Playoff Preview

AFC

1 seed: Brannin (Browns)

2 seed: Isiah (Titans)

3 seed: Wayne (Bills)

4 seed: Tone (Raiders)

5 seed: Monday (Ravens)

6 seed: BH (Broncos)

AFC Wildcard Weekend 

Tone vs Monday (Played)

Tone won this Match-Up over Monday 21-14 to advance to the Divisional Round. Latavius Murray carried Tone with 129 yards on the ground. Monday had a big day from Rookie WR Breshad Perriman who had 117 yards and a TD, but a holding penalty by him on a TD run late ended up being the difference in the game.

BH vs Wayne

Preview: In a match up of the AFC team that’s been on cruise control in the worst division in the league statistically and the hottest team in the entire league, most folks will lean towards the latter. Rightfully so, the Bills have been cruising but their 12-4 record is no fluke. They have playmakers all around on both sides of the ball and won’t back down from the red hot Broncos. Can BH lead his Broncos to their 10th straight win in cold (and possibly snowy) Buffalo in January? Will be a great game.

NFC

1 seed: Bruce (Cardinals)

2 seed: Matt (Redskins)

3 seed: Joker (Packers)

4 seed: Sid (Falcons)

5 seed: VIP (49ers)

6 seed: Trap (Lions)

NFC Wildcard Weekend

VIP vs Sid (Played)

Both teams struggled offensively in this game, but VIP and his 49ers did enough to get the win. The Falcons had some opportunities but couldn’t cash them in. Big Ben chose the wrong time to have his worst game of the season going 7-15 with only 64 yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT. The 49ers were trailing early and the lost their QB Colin Kaepernick to injury but got an unexpected spark from back up Blaine Gabbert who complete 14 of his 18 passes for 158 and helped lead 3 scoring drives. Big win for the 49ers and Kaep’s injury won’t hold him out. They’ll be heading to Arizona or Washington with momentum.

Trap vs Joker

Preview: This will be the 2nd match up this season between these division rivals. Joker and the Packers swept the season series (1 via sim). When they played against each other, Joker won 21-7 in Lambeau. Trap felt like he would’ve won the 2nd matchup in Detroit but they were forced to take a sim. Trap and his Lions sneaked in the Playoffs but has the opportunity to show the league he belongs there with a win in Green Bay. Trap led the league in TD passes with 48 from Drew Brees, but Drew also led the league in INTs with 48. In order to get a win in Green Bay, Trap with have to play smart and limit turnovers. Joker will be ready with A-Rod throwing and Lacy running. Couple that with the best home-field advantage in January, it will be a tall task for the Lions to get the win.