Pacific Division Standings
*Real life record in parenthesis
Express 8-9-1. (8-10)
Invaders 8-10. (9-9)
Gold 7-11. (7-11)
Wranglers 2-16. (4-14)
This division was looking like it was all L.A. early as the Express jumped out to a 4-0 start. The Express were 2-0-1 over the last 3 weeks to steal the division. During those same weeks, the Invaders went 0-3 when a win in any of the games would have given them the division. The Express will represent the Pacific Division in the playoffs.
1983 USFL Playoff Matchups
Due to Chicago's stunning 17-0 win over the Stars in week 11, the Blitz will have the number 1 seed and will host the LA Express. The 16-2 Stars will host the 15-3 Panthers in the other playoff matchup.
Previous meetings between the teams that are matched up in these semifinals:
L. A. Express 22 Chicago Blitz 18 in Chicago! (week 4)
Chicago Blitz 18 L. A. Express 12 in L. A. (week 9)
Philadelphia Stars 26 Michigan Panthers 9 in Philadelphia (week 14)
*Will Michigan find a way to get the offense on track vs. A stingy Star defense?
*Who will win the rubber match between the Blitz and Express? Can the Express slow down what has been a somewhat surprisingly potent Blitz offense?
Playoff Tale of the Tape Panthers @ Stars
Offensive PPG: Stars 20.8. Panthers 25.8
Defensive PPG: Stars 6.8. Panthers 18.4
*Stars D has held teams to 6 or less 12 times and had 3 shutouts
*Stars are riding a 7 game win streak
*Panthers O has scored 30+ in 7 games Express @ Blitz
Offensive PPG: Express 16.7. Blitz. 27.4
Defensive PPG: Express 15.6. Blitz. 13.9
*Express started 4-0 and finished 2-0-1
*Express were held to 19 or fewer points 12 times
*Blitz are on an 11 game win streak!
*Blitz have almost doubled up their opponents in scoring
1983 USFL Playoffs....semifinals
Stars 29 Panthers 14
*Stars trailed 7-6 after 1st quarter and led 13-7 at the half before outscoring the Panthers 16-7 in the 2nd half for the comfortable win.
Blitz 33 Express 6
*The Blitz jumped to a 20-3 halftime lead and coasted to the title game behind dominating performances on both sides of the ball.
Championship Game Matchup/Preview
Philadelphia Stars vs. Chicago Blitz
Offensive PPG: Stars 20.8. Blitz 27.4
Defensive PPG: Stars 6.8. Blitz 13.9
*The Blitz beat the Stars 17-0 in week 11 and the Stars haven't lost since as they've won 8 in a row.
*Blitz are on a 12 game win streak themselves
*Both teams are 17-2
1983 USFL Championship
Blitz 42 Stars 20
*Chicago Blitz and George Allen are kings of the USFL behind a dominating performance!
Blitz finish at 18-2 and Stars are 17-3
**I can't express enough how fun it is to watch a season take shape and have its ebbs & flows. Sometime soon, I'll be starting a 1984 Replay. Until then, get rolling and get posting!
