Week 18 Preview - 2022



Week 18 Preview - 2022


Thursday June 16, 2022 - 8:15PM
(8-8) Memphis Demons at (9-7) Dallas Regulators
Line: MEM -4.5
O/U: 45
Win Pct: MEM 62.2%
The loss to Salt Lake last week really hurts the Demons playoff chances, but it’s not over yet. This game against Dallas is yet another big one, and crucial for either team to win. If Memphis loses, they are knocked out of playoff contention. Dallas needs this win to keep pace with Salt Lake, who has a tough game this week in Vegas. A win could put them a game up, and in control of their destiny for a wild card spot.

Saturday June 18, 2022 - 8:15PM
(9-7) Salt Lake Trappers at (11-5) Las Vegas Outlaws
Line: SL -0.5
O/U: 42
Win Pct: SL 51.7%
One of two massive West division matchups in week 18. The Trappers are in a fight for the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference, while the Outlaws are at the top of a three way tie for first place in the West division. Needless to say, both teams badly want to win this game.

Sunday June 19, 2022 - 1:00PM
(7-9) Atlanta Flying Fleet at (12-4) Louisiana Royals
Line: LOU -14.5
O/U: 50
Win Pct: LOU 81.9%
The Royals find themselves sitting on top of the Central division after last week’s results. They have a chance to win the division this week, but they will have to do their part and win on Sunday. They can’t take Atlanta lightly. The Flying Fleet aren’t a good team by any means, but they have won seven games this season, and have been a respectable team throughout the year, much better than last year. Atlanta also is not quite yet out of the playoff conversation, as they sit just a game back of that last Wild Card slot in the Eastern Conference, so they will be ready to play to win.

Sunday June 19, 2022 - 1:00PM
(6-10) Jacksonville Captains at (7-9) Birmingham Owls
Line: JAX -4
O/U: 47.5
Win Pct: JAX 62.1%
Birmingham responded to their bad stretch of games with a win in prime time last week. They need to keep momentum going and get a win this week to have any chance at the playoffs. They matchup well against Jacksonville, but the Captains have not been a team to just lay down to anyone this season. Even though they may not be heading to the playoffs, expect the Captains to still play hard.

Sunday June 19, 2022 - 1:00PM
(11-5) Louisville Lightning at (3-13) Miami Sol
Line: LSV -7.5
O/U: 53.5
Win Pct: LSV 59.8%
Another tough loss for the Lightning last week. The 7-0 team from earlier this season seems like ancient history. The Lightning have no more room for error if they want to win the Central division, and they should easily handle Miami this week.

Sunday June 19, 2022 - 1:00PM
(10-6) Oakland Icons at (15-1) Boston Bobcats
Line: BOS -0.5
O/U: 41.5
Win Pct: BOS 52.0%
With the win last Monday night, the Bobcats will be getting the coveted top seed for the playoffs. Although Boston has wrapped up the 1 seed, they will be playing starters on Sunday. The Icons were hoping for backups to provide an opening for Oakland to get another win, in hopes to improve their playoff seed. But let’s face it, any first round game in the Western Conference is not going to be an easy one.

Sunday June 19, 2022 - 1:00PM
(5-11) San Antonio Texans at (4-12) Kansas City Buffaloes
Line: SA -6.5
O/U: 42.5
Win Pct: SA 66.6%
The Texans pulled off an upset last week that’s sure to bring up the spirits of this team that has faced more challenges than anyone this season. They head to Kansas City for a winnable game. The Buffaloes have pulled off some good upsets this season, but who doesn’t want another win, right?

Sunday June 19, 2022 - 1:00PM
(5-11) Seattle Sockeyes at (12-4) New York CityHawks
Line: NY -6
O/U: 49
Win Pct: NY 63.7%
The CityHawks may officially be out of the division race, but they still have one thing left to play for; the top wild card spot. In the Eastern Conference, the top wild card spot means playing the North division winner, which is a division that hasn’t had a team above .500 since week 3. With Seattle on the schedule this week, (a team that has lost 8 straight), New York can wrap this thing up, and even give themselves a week of rest next week, which would be huge going into the playoffs.

Sunday June 19, 2022 - 1:00PM
(6-10) Wisconsin Stags at (6-10) Pennsylvania Keystones
Line: WIS -2
O/U: 45.5
Win Pct: WIS 54.9%
There is still some slight hope for these teams to win the division, but only if things fall perfectly for them. Really it would require a three way tie at 8-10, with the winner of this game at the mercy of a tie breaker. The Stags would come out on top in that scenario. Either way, this division rivalry will have a playoff atmosphere, as seasons are on the line here.

Sunday June 19, 2022 - 4:30PM
(11-5) Arizona Eagles at (14-2) St. Louis Brewers
Line: STL -5.5
O/U: 40.5
Win Pct: STL 64.2%
Despite the top seed being locked up, the Brewers are still playing their starters for this game. Last week St. Louis made it through the game healthy, which is a win of its own, even though the Brewers did lose to the Express. The Brewers will be resting players next week, so this is their last chance to keep the starters in playoff form, as they play a playoff participant; the South division champion Eagles. The Eagles know a thing or two about playing, and winning in the playoffs, and they know this game will affect playoff seeding, so another win would be nice.

Sunday June 19, 2022 - 4:30PM
(3-13) Baltimore Bluebirds at (3-13) Vancouver Bears
Line: VAN -2.5
O/U: 45.5
Win Pct: VAN 56.1%
Welcome to the toilet bowl. The teams with the league’s worst records square off to see who can embarrass themselves the least. My money is on Vancouver, who does have more talent, and has played decently tough in many games this season, despite the record.

Sunday June 19, 2022 - 4:30PM
(8-8) Cincinnati Knights at (10-6) Carolina Reapers
Line: CIN -5.5
O/U: 49
Win Pct: CIN 64.6%
The Reapers have the Atlantic division title, but not their current playoff seed. Locking up a playoff seed would be a good way to give the team a sort of bye week, by being able to rest starters for the final week of the season. The Knights on the other hand will be coming into this game as if their playoff lives depend on it. They are in a tight Wild Card race, in which they currently hold the final spot, and badly need a win.

Sunday June 19, 2022 - 4:30PM
(5-11) Colorado Cabras at (7-9) Albuquerque Atoms
Line: COL -5
O/U: 54
Win Pct: COL 62.4%
Another season for the Atoms ends in disappointment. Somewhat close to being good, but not quite. They should still want to try and get a win this week to have a chance at a .500 season, but it’s about time to pack it in.

Sunday June 19, 2022 - 4:30PM
(6-10) Washington Stars at (6-10) Portland Samurais
Line: POR -11.5
O/U: 37.5
Win Pct: POR 76.3%
One of just a few games this week with no playoff implications. Portland had a great game last week, and they can give their fans one final home win this weekend as they wrap up their first season in Oregon.

Sunday June 19, 2022 - 8:15PM
(11-5) Los Angeles Express at (11-5) San Diego Breakers
Line: EVEN
O/U: 54
Win Pct: LA 52.2%
This game and this matchup speaks for itself. The Breakers aren’t going to win any tie breakers within the division if they want to win the division title, so they will have to win the division outright. They have a chance to do that with their remaining schedule, and the remaining schedules of LA and Vegas. They need to win this week, and get some help next week. For the Express, who are coming off a huge win against the Brewers last week, they just need to win their last two games to win the division. This should be a great Sunday night matchup that will set the stage for the final showdowns in the West division in week 19.

Monday June 20, 2022 - 8:15PM
(7-9) Chicago Maroons at (8-8) Toronto Terror
Line: TOR -6
O/U: 47.5
Win Pct: TOR 64.9%
We wrap up week 18 with a North division game that could decide the division champion, or give us one more crazy week for this crazy division. Chicago can win the division with a win this week and next week, as they will hold the tie breakers against the Terror for the season. Toronto, who has been playing really well their last 5 games, including a big win against Louisville last week, will win the division with a win Monday night.


Austin Snelick
June 16, 2022