2022 GSL Playoffs

The 2022 Playoffs are set, and in just a few short weeks, we will decide the Gridiron Bowl II Champions!

Here is the current playoff bracket

Would anyone like to create a vertical bracket that can be displayed on the playoff weekly pages (as they were last season)?

I don't interact with the league much, but I did follow throughout the year. I'm excited for my Royals in my first year of ownership making the playoffs. We've got a good squad, and I think we can win some games. Good luck to all the teams, and Go Royals!

Austin, I emailed you playoff field ideas in the preseason. It wasn't pictures, I just described them. I'd like to use those ideas if you still have them. Thanks.

Austin Snelick wrote:Would anyone like to create a vertical bracket that can be displayed on the playoff weekly pages (as they were last season)?

Here's something I whipped up.

I made this one for continuity sake

Saturday July 2, 2022 - 1:00PM
(7) Cincinnati Knights at (2) Louisiana Royals
Line: EVEN
O/U: 46
Win Pct: LOU 50.1%
In one of three division matchups on Wild Card Weekend, the Cincinnati Knights, who stumbled their way into the postseason, will face off against the Louisiana Royals, who are one of the hottest teams entering the playoffs, having won 6 straight en route to the Central Division title and the 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Knights had themselves in good position in the division after a 6-3 start, but they finished the season 3-6 and have really been playing poorly for the most part. In both games against the Royals, the Knights have been outmatched. I don’t see that changing for this game, especially with a great playoff atmosphere expected in the Superdome.

Saturday July 2, 2022 - 4:30PM
(5) San Diego Breakers at (4) Oakland Icons
Line: SD -0.5
O/U: 44
Win Pct: SD 51.0%
San Diego may be playing their best football of the season at the right time, and they have a chance to make some moves here in the postseason. But first, they must get past the Icons in Oakland, who gave the Breakers a run for their money in week 1. The key of the Icons is that they matchup well against the Breakers. The Breakers are where they are after winning several close games, but many, including their week 1 matchup against the Icons, could have easily gone the other way. Oakland will have to find a way to make the game changing play that tips the scales in their favor, in what is likely to be a close game.

Saturday July 2, 2022 - 8:15PM
(6) Dallas Regulators at (3) Arizona Eagles
Line: ARZ -2.5
O/U: 39.5
Win Pct: ARZ 57.1%
Is the third time the charm for the Regulators? The Eagles have had their number, as they have won easily in each matchup against Dallas this season. Arizona is going to be a tough out this postseason, as they defend their title as Gridiron Bowl champions. They know how to win in a big spot, and that may be their biggest advantage in this one.

Sunday July 3, 2022 - 4:00PM
(7) Los Angeles Express at (2) Las Vegas Outlaws
Line: LA -4.5
O/U: 43
Win Pct: LA 62.0%
Of all the matchups Las Vegas could have gotten this weekend, I’m sure this is the one they dreaded most. The Outlaws have been able to handle the Breakers, and they would have matched up well against the Regulators, but the Express have the ability to take down the Outlaws' strength, their defense. Las Vegas is one of just three teams to give up less than 300 points throughout the season, and in an 8 game win streak in the middle of the season, this defense was immovable. However, some injuries on the defensive side of the ball in the secondary have put some cracks in their defense. The Express have the QB to exploit that, hence the bettors favoring LA. Either way, this should be another great divisional showdown this weekend.

Sunday July 3, 2022 - 7:30PM
(5) Louisville Lightning at (4) Toronto Terror
Line: EVEN
O/U: 52.5
Win Pct: LSV 50.3%
Through 7 weeks, the Lightning were undefeated, and the Terror were 2-5. Louisville took some injuries on both the offensive and defensive fronts that have really weakened the team at their core, but they still have a lot of talent on offense at the skill positions, and that may be enough for a good playoff run. The Terror are a team that is getting healthly at the right time. They took some bad losses early on in the year, but their core of young players are starting to work well together. They finished the year 6-3 after their bye week, which includes wins against three playoff teams, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, and the Lightning themselves. Toronto has the offensive firepower to go toe to toe with the Lightning, and this matchup is one of the better ones they could have asked for this weekend. The line is showing an even matchup, and a high scoring game, and I’d expect just that.

Monday July 4, 2022 - 2:30PM
(6) New York CityHawks at (3) Carolina Reapers
Line: EVEN
O/U: 50
Win Pct: CAR 50.5%
Carolina has had a decent year, winning just one less game than New York, and they had the second hardest schedule of any team in the Eastern Conference playoff field. This team can put up points, but their defense is just as good as giving up points to the opposing team. New York has had the second easiest strength of schedule coming into the Eastern Conference playoffs, and when faced with a real test, they have often lost. They have also lost to the Reapers in a high scoring matchup earlier this season. I expect this game to give July 4th some mid-day fireworks, as both offenses will be racing to put up more points than the other in this close contested matchup.

Of all the teams my Outlaws could have had to play, I think we certainly drew the short straw. LA matches up well against us. Even though we did beat them last week, it'll be hard to beat them twice in a row.

There are also a lot of good matchups for other games as well. Many games with the line at even, or close to even.
I think most games could go either way, but if I was going to say any game was a lock, it would be Louisiana beating Cincinnati.
The Royals have blown out the Knights twice, and they matchup quite well, not to mention the Royals have sneakily had the leagues second best scoring defense, AND the leagues second best scoring offense.

Summertime in Canada, but it'll still be snowing. #NextLevel

Uniforms for St Louis’ divisional round playoff and revenge game vs Los Angeles this weekend


It’s been a long two months since the Brewers wore coloured jerseys

After a good weekend of games, with a couple of surprises (and the unfortunate elimination of my Outlaws), the divisional round is set.

The Boston Bobcats will wear blue jerseys with blue pants for their divisional round game

Zenzo wrote:

Field design for the Eagles?
I based last week's field on the Eagles divisional field from last season. I could do the same for this week, unless you have something else in mind.

Austin Snelick wrote:

Zenzo wrote:

Field design for the Eagles?
I based last week's field on the Eagles divisional field from last season. I could do the same for this week, unless you have something else in mind.

Go ahead and use the same design as last season.

At Boston - its more than a feeling...

Divisional Playoffs Preview - 2022


Saturday July 9, 2022 - 4:30PM
(4) Toronto Terror at (1) Boston Bobcats
Line: BOS -2
O/U: 47
Win Pct: BOS 54.6%
The Terror showed up in a big way at home last week, with an excellent performance in either side of the ball. This is what we thought this team could be all year, and with players getting healthy, they may just be coming together. It will be a tough test this weekend though, as they face off against the league's best team by record. Boston has by far the best scoring offense in the league, and they have one of the better defenses in the playoff field. This is a good team that has been hard to stop. Toronto will have to keep up on offense to have a chance, as will any team playing Boston.


Saturday July 9, 2022 - 8:15PM
(7) Los Angeles Express at (1) St. Louis Brewers
Line: STL -2.5
O/U: 45.5
Win Pct: STL 56.7%
The Express had been taking some steps back in the final weeks of the season, finishing their year 3-6 after their bye week, but maybe they have started turning things around after getting a road playoff win against the division rivals, the Outlaws. That solid win sends them to St. Louis to face perhaps the best team in the league. At the least, the Brewers have the best defense in the league, allowing just 260 points to opposing teams this season (or 14.4 points per game). The Express are going to have to find a way to score touchdowns in order to win this game, and, LA is one of just two teams to actually beat the Brewers this season, so they have the formula. St. Louis is going to have one of the better home field advantages in the league, with a packed dome of fans, it’s going to be a great playoff atmosphere Saturday night.


Sunday July 10, 2022 - 3:00PM
(3) Carolina Reapers at (2) Louisiana Royals
Line: LOU -4
O/U: 46.5
Win Pct: LOU 60.8%
Carolina is coming into this one having won 7 of their last 9, and with their offense running at full steam. It’s been no secret that the Reapers don’t have a defense (well, they do put 11 guys out there, but I’m not exactly sure what they’re doing). It’s the Reapers offense that claims victims each week. This week is going to be a challenge though, as they go up against one of the league’s underrated power houses, the Louisiana Royals. The Royals did well to close out their game last week against the division rival Knights, and this week's matchup will be much more favorable to the Royals. They not only have an offense that could keep up with Carolina, but they have probably the most underrated defense in the league. This game bodes well for the Royals and I expect them to get the win this weekend at home. Carolina will have to prove me and others wrong, by cutting through the Royals defense, and scoring a bunch of points the way they have been to opponents all season.


Sunday July 10, 2022 - 6:30PM
(4) Oakland Icons at (3) Arizona Eagles
Line: OAK -3
O/U: 39
Win Pct: OAK 59.9%
The Icons picked up their first playoff win in franchise history last week with a dominating third quarter, and a clutch game winning 53 yard touchdown run late in the 4th quarter. It was a great win against a solid Breakers team, and a win that has sure built confidence in this team. Oakland will take their show on the road to a team that has plenty of big game experience, the Arizona Eagles. The Eagles find themselves in the divisional round of the playoffs for a second year in a row, again as the host, thanks to the Express beating the Outlaws. The Oakland defense will give them the advantage on the road in this one, and that is always a key to winning road playoff games; shutting the home team's offense, and keeping the crowd out of it. Arizona is not worried about being home underdogs, however. They know better than anyone what it takes to win a playoff game, and that experience is going to be their greatest ally coming into this game.

Looks like the Bobcats have punched their ticket to host the Eastern Conference Championship game. It was close there in the 3rd before the Bobcats offense started taking over. The winner of Carolina / Louisiana will be on the road next week.

We currently have a tight one in St. Louis with the Express and Brewers tied at 14. Is an upset brewing?

Austin Snelick wrote:Looks like the Bobcats have punched their ticket to host the Eastern Conference Championship game. It was close there in the 3rd before the Bobcats offense started taking over. The winner of Carolina / Louisiana will be on the road next week.

We currently have a tight one in St. Louis with the Express and Brewers tied at 14. Is an upset brewing?

PHEW what a game, I don’t think I’ve ever gotten this nervous over a text based game

I was definitely worried about the Bobcats in the 3rd quarter! It was a tight game at that point!

The Bobcats will wear their blue jerseys with blue pants for the Eastern Conference championship.
Should be a great game versus the Royals!

The Brewers uniforms for the Conference championship

I've got the uniforms and fields in for this weekend (Kevin, please let me know if I picked the right combo based on you uniform rules).

The Eagles are in their second Conference Championship in a row, the Brewers have advanced the furthest they have since the 2020 GSL Championship game (although, that was in a 6 team league). The Royals are having their best season by far, and the first year Bobcats have dominated in most games they've played.

Should make for a good finish to the end, as I believe the way teams matchup with each other could create some drama in any remaining game.

2022 Conference Championships


Sunday July 17, 3:00PM
(3) Arizona Eagles at (1) St. Louis Brewers
Line: STL -5.5
O/U: 40.5
Win Pct: STL 64.2%
Each of these franchises have been to a championship game, and one of them will make a return. The Brewers lost the 2020 GSL championship, in the era before the Gridiron Bowl, while the Eagles took home the title last season, winning the Inaugural Gridiron Bowl, and are looking to win back to back titles, which is an incredible feat in a 32 team league with such high roster turnover. The Brewers come in as sizable favorites at home. Their defense being their strength, will have to show up again this week. For the Eagles, they know what it takes to win at this level. Their offense will need to end scoring drives with touchdowns, and get on the board early to keep the St. Louis crowd in check.


Sunday July 17, 6:30PM
(2) Louisiana Royals at (1) Boston Bobcats
Line: LOU -6
O/U: 46
Win Pct: LOU 65.6%
This may be the first real test the Bobcats have faced all year. The Royals have one of the best offenses, and one of the best defenses in the league, and that is a recipe for beating this Bobcats team. If the Royals can keep up on the offensive side of the ball, and be able to slow down the Boston offense by keeping them out of the endzone on drives, that’s how they can win. For Boston, they just have to continue doing what they have done all season. Blow teams out of the water with an explosive offense, that makes it hard for other teams to keep up. With both teams at their top strength, we see how the schedule may have affected each team’s record. The Royals have played in one of the league’s toughest divisions this season. They find themselves as pretty big favorites in this game against a team that has only lost one game. For Boston, this is by far the best defense they have faced all year, and the bettors think this will expose all the weaknesses in the Boston offense we haven’t seen before. With an offense like the Bobcats have though, they just may not be able to be stopped regardless of what defense they’re facing.

Wow, Vegas is not giving us much of a chance at all! Haha

ICRMON wrote:Wow, Vegas is not giving us much of a chance at all!  Haha

Yeah, I'm kind of surprised the line is so big. But to let you all in on a little secret, the lines aren't exactly accurate, especially for some teams. I use one simulation engine for simulating the games, and another to get the lines. One simulator has good play by play, and game time information, and is better suited for simulating the games, while the other simulator does better with showing odds and statistics, so that's where that data comes from. The difference in the simulators however causes some teams to be underrated, and others to be overrated. If you look at the lines for Boston all season, you might see that their lines have been a lot closer than the games themselves.

So, we'll see how these games go this weekend. I still kind of expect the best teams to move on. St. Louis has a really good team, and they'll be hard to beat. Louisiana - Boston will be more of a tossup, but the Bobcats have only lost once, so they have a good team. On the other hand, the Keystones were far and away the most dominant team last season, and they lost in the Conference Championship. Anything can happen really. Even though I have all the inside information, I'm glad I can still enjoy following these games, not knowing who will actually come out on top.

Even through we're out if it, the playoffs are fun to follow. May the best team win!

The Stags will be in the mix next year, new and improved ...

Gameday! Let's go Bobcats!!!

The Dome is ready for its first championship game since the 2001-2002 NFC Championship game, today is one of the happiest days that this building have seen in years

Good game Arizona

Alumni Stadium is rocking tonight!

Ouch! Rough first half! Totally getting our butts kicked, haha

Good game, Royals! Good luck in the Gridiron Bowl! It's been a super fun season! See you all next season!

ICRMON wrote:Good game, Royals!  Good luck in the Gridiron Bowl!  It's been a super fun season!  See you all next season!

See you in the redemption game next week

Let’s go Royals! The true kings of the East!

I feel really lucky as a first year owner to go to the Gridiron Bowl. We may only get one shot at this, so let’s bring home the title!!!

Super pumped about how this team has played down the stretch, and I think we’ve got what it takes to win it all.

Good game Boston. You had a great year and the best regular season this year. Good luck in the Redemption Game next weekend.

I swear those games were rigged. St Louis should have won

Eagles going back to the bowl! So proud of these guys. Though we're the defending champs, we've felt like underdogs this whole year. One more to go. Beak to beak!

Halfway through my move, so just catching up on everything, and wow, both top seeds go down. I figured at least one of the top seeds would be moving forward, so this is the one scenario I didn't prepare for ahead of time with some of the graphics of course.
I'm more shocked at the result of the Arizona vs St. Louis game. I thought the Brewers really had a good chance to win it all this year. And with the way this league operates, in terms of randomizing teams strengths, and the team Arizona has this year, I'm pretty surprised to see they're going back to the Gridiron Bowl. I think matchups worked well for them early on in the playoffs, but then they had to pull off the upset in St. Louis to get here.

I'll try getting the website up to date at some point today, but still busy with the move. I do need to make sure all is ready to go before I go on vacation Friday. Unfortunately, I'll be out of town with out my desktop through the end of the Gridiron Bowl, so I won't be able to get normal updates in and game previews like I would typically like to.

Would Boston and St. Louis like to give me their uniform choices for this week?
I'd like to get them together early, because again, my life is crazy at the moment, and I want to get these things in while I have the time.

Thanks.

I assume Boston is going to go all Blue again so I’m gonna go with white for the Brewers

I've put in uniforms for Boston and St. Louis, although, I can change them up to a certain point, since Boston has not given me an official uniform choice just yet.
I still have limited availability, so I'd need that choice sooner rather than later.

Conference Championship banners

Sorry, just noticed the message regarding the redemption game - the blue on blue is good!