THE ROAD TO

THREE TOP SEEDS FALL, OAKLAND HANGS TO ROUND TWO

Call it wacky wild card weekend if you will, because the results were just that. Pittsburgh who struggled to a 6-10 record and made the playoffs as the only team with a sub .500 record, unleashed an offensive barrage on Joe Hilton and the Lions like no one had witnessed from the Steelers all season long. Chants of "he's back", referring to Teddy Brown's explosive offensive style were whispered throughout The Arena as the Steelers roared to the 31-0 first quarter lead. "I was shocked" said Israel Charles of Dallas. "All week we were planning to play Detroit. We devised our entire game plan to play Hilton and when I saw the score I was flabbergasted." Charles was not the only one in shock. The majority of THE LEAGUE was. The Steelers immediately struck fear in their would be opponents, especially those that remember Brown's explosiveness from past seasons. The Steelers finished off the humbled Lions 69-15, and it wasn't even that close.

Hilton Stumbles Again

After an outstanding preseason and being picked to win the NFC East, the Lions were a disappointing 9-7. Hilton made his second consecutive first round playoff exodus, this time at the hands of Teddy Brown. Last years lost ended in a 41-17 fiasco at the hands of the Cowboys. Maybe Hilton was looking past Pittsburgh to a possible rematch with Charles and Dallas, a team he had beaten convincingly in the last week of the season 27-17. But the venerable Brown, played the role of spoiler in the embarrassing 69-15 laugher. Although Hilton has improved his coaching record each season, his record in the playoffs is a humbling 0-2, and he has been outscored 110-32.

San Fran falls short again

Wayne Allen will miss the SuperBowl for the third consecutive year, after falling to the Raiders for the third time this season. It was Allen who defeated Barrow three times last season to advance to the second round of the playoffs before losing to Denver. But this year, Barrow extracted his revenge with three wins over Allen and the Niners, earning the right to move on to the second round of the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. Allen kept this game closer than the first two played during the regular season. Both teams went to OT tied at 40. Fate was just on the Raiders side when on 4th and 10, Barrow went for it and James Jett caught a deflected pass, tipped by Merton Hanks, and scampered 40 yards for the winning score in the overtime period. It was a devastating way to loose for the Niners, who were trying to advance to the SuperBowl for the first time since 1996. For Barrow, it was sheer jubilation as the Raiders finished 13-5, after falling to Kansas City in the second round. "I have no regrets" said Alvin Barrow of the PFL Raiders. "It's been a great season for me, we did something we had never done before, and it feels good." These two teams seem to be headed in opposite directions. The Raiders see a bright future, while Allen has been on the decline the past few years. The Niners has steadily retrogressed from 12-4, to 10-6, now to 8-8, the first time a Wayne Allen team has never finished above .500. Rumors have it that Allen may not return as Commissioner next year. Sources say that he has indicated that he has no interest in returning as Commissioner, even if he is nominated.

Bucs Explode Against Patriots

The Patriots have been on a roller coaster ride season, very much similar to last year. Finishing 8-8, one game off last years 9-7 record, the Pats were looking for a chance to sneak up on their opponents and ease into the big game as they did last year. But Kwan Drake wasn't buying it as the Bucs, thrashed the Pats 65-14. The Bucs double screened New England to death, as the Pats were helpless to stopping Dunn or McElroy. The Bucs simply presented the superior game plan. Kwan Drakes preparation was evident as he did just about anything he wanted to offensively against the Pats. After lambasting the Pats, the Bucs ran into a brick wall vs. Dallas. The Cowboys contained the Buccaneer screen, which was the difference in the game, Tampa also had a crucial turnover and a missed field goal late in the game that made a huge difference as well.

Packers Show Why They Are One Of The PFL's Elite

It is very difficult to beat the same team three times in a season. No one is more aware of this fact than James Brooks, of the PFL Ravens. After manhandling the Packers in their first match up and slightly getting by in the second, Kevin Fox showed why he is considered one of the elite coaches in THE LEAGUE. Fox's defense against Brooks power run attack was the key to the Pack's 31-10 win over Baltimore. The Ravens lived by the run in their first two victories over the Pack, but unfortunately, they died by it when it most counted, in the playoffs. Fox also showed why he is the savvy veteran that he is by putting together a complete game plan against the young masterful Brooks. With off the field distractions occurring, and conflicts with THE LEAGUE office intermingling with game preparation, Fox showed why he has the respect of his peers as one of top competitors of the PFL. The Pack was back with a vengeance and threatening to return to the SuperBowl. The place he felt he deserved to be last year before being upset by Denver. This time Denver was the favorite and the Packers were poised to upset the mighty Broncos. The turn of events in that game was unlike anything ever witnessed in a PFL game. A game that will be forever remembered.

Brooks Uneasiness Catches Up With Him

Why? Why is the question Brooks will ask himself probably the remainder of the off season. Why does a team such as Baltimore, who has proven that they can play with the best in THE LEAGUE, seem to drop the games that should have won? Why did Brooks not go with his first instinct, to implement a different game plan vs. Green Bay instead of going with the same one used in the first two wins? Why is it that the Ravens seem to play better on the road than in their own back yard? Is it real or just mythical hype? Don't tell it to Brooks, who has seemed to convince himself and apparently his team that playing at home is like a bad omen. It's no question that Brooks along with Tom Poon, are two of the bright new minds to come into THE LEAGUE. Brooks analysis of his opponents is widely respected in The PFL, after just one season. But it is Brooks decision making, and questionable bone headed coaching decisions, ala going for it on fourth downs in in opportune times, that have cost him games in the past. Brooks will not only ponder what went wrong this season, but where he maybe residing as a PFL coach next season.