GSL 2021 Week 17

Week 17 starts tonight, as the Miami Sol take on the Toronto Terror

Lines for week 17


MIA@TOR
Toronto will a win here to keep pace in the playoff race. Miami still has an outside chance at the playoffs, but they'll likely have to win out.

ATL@JAX
This is a game Jacksonville will need to win, given other games on their schedule. They need a shot at making week 19 the game that decides the division.

BAL@WIS
A very even matchup, that Baltimore will need to win in order to keep their newly acquired wild card position. Wisconsin has always been a team to put up a fight this season, so this game should be a good one.

WAS@PEN
The Keystones are just a win away from wrapping up the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference. They are heavy favorites, which doesn't bode well for Washington, who's a game behind in the wild card race as things stand now.

NOR@CIN
The Commanders just wrapped up the division last week, but this matchup will be a good test of playoff readiness, as Norfolk comes in as road underdogs to Cincinnati. The Knights are looking to clinch a playoff spot, and a win would be doing their part to reach that goal. A win, and losses by Baltimore, Washington, and Toronto will give them a wild card spot.

SEA@LA
The Sockeyes still have some playoff hope left, but lets see how badly this team wants it. They should win on the road this week.

OAK@SD
The Icons have locked up the Pacific division, but they find themselves in reach of the top seed in the West. This will be a good road challenge for them, as this game will be a tossup.

SA@ABQ
A lot is riding on this game, for multiple teams. Any team that wants a wild card spot, is likely going to have to steal it from San Antonio. Albuquerque has the best chance, if they can win this head to head matchup, and get just a game behind the Texans. This will be a game with a lot of eyes on it Sunday.

DAL@LV
Two teams playing for pride, although, we've seen Las Vegas play much better as of late.

STL@ARZ
A playoff berth is within grasp for the Eagles, as a win punches a ticket, with a possible division lead at steak as well, if things fall right in the Sunday night game.

MEM@COL
This game will have huge implications. A win for Memphis makes their path to the West's #1 seed clear while a loss would set them back to possibly the #3 seed. Colorado is hanging on to their slim division lead, and this would be a huge playoff caliber win, as they find themselves 7 point underdogs this week, nit that that has ever prevented them form winning games.

LOU@LSV
Week 17 wraps up with the Lightning as huge home favorites. They need to win this one, otherwise, why even show up if they do make the playoffs.

Last night's game really hurt the Terrors chances at a playoff spot; they needed that one. Miami has a window for a playoff spot, now as they have a tiebreak over Toronto. Losses by Baltimore and Washington this weekend would be a big help, then Miami will need to help themselves by beating Baltimore in week 18. Then they have a week 19 matchup at home against a potentially resting Norfolk team. Miami's playoff hopes rest heavily in what Baltimore does, other than themselves. Baltimore beating Washington in week 19 would help Miami get or stay ahead of Washington.

The outcome of last night's game helped Baltimore the most, as it keeps Toronto a game behind, and with Washington only having a 6.05% win probability in Pennsylvania this week, a Baltimore loss still could have them a game up on the rest of the pack, with their final two games at home against division rivals Miami and Washington being what decides the playoff spot. It could come down to Week 19s matchup of Washington @ Baltimore, as to who gets the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.

We will have to see how the rest of the weekend shapes up, but the biggest winner of last night's game? Cincinnati, as Toronto will remain at least two games back from them, helping them get ever closer to a playoff berth.

Now this is how to end the season. With a massive amount of meaningful games. Sadly it means the end of an incredible 1st full season of the GSL. But with the anticipation of an awesome playoffs and Gridiron Bowl.

After Sunday's results, several more teams have clinched playoff berths.

In the Eastern Conference, the #1 and #2 seed have been decided.
The Pennsylvania Keystones will be the #1 seed, while the Norfolk Commanders will be the #2 seed.

In the Wild Card race, the Cincinnati Knights have clinched the #4 seed, and will host the Eastern Conference Wild Card game.

In the Western Conference, the remaining playoff spots have been filled, as the Arizona Eagles and San Antonio Texans have locked up spots.
The Western Conference is wide open when it comes to seeding however.
Every team in the Western Conference is in play for the #1 seed still, including the San Antonio Texans. In fact, every team in the Western Conference can finish at any seed at this point. Lots of drama left in the West, despite all playoff teams being known.

Current Playoff Bracket (Full sized image: https://i.imgur.com/b2ztrwD.png)