Playoffs? You're talking about Playoffs?

Well actually I am. A lot of people have made comments about how much of a disappointment this season has been. Starting out 0-3. Losing on last second plays on back to back weeks. Countless injuries. Losing veteran players.

However, will all that a side. The Talons are just one game out of the playoffs with 7 more games to play. Even more, the game against Utah this week is much more important than we realize. Utah currently is the four seed in the conference. With a win on Saturday Tulsa would be in a three way tie with Utah and San Jose for the four seed. That's pretty exciting!

Also, the Talons are playing good ball right now. We are the only team on the outside looking that is in the top five in scoring defense (we are third). The Offense has been getting better and if Allgood can click with Copeland and McBroom we could be more dangerous that last season's league leading team.

All this combined with a pretty easy remaining schedule (at least according to arenafootball.com) the Talons are poised to make a strong run into the playoffs and face either Chicago or Arizona. I plan to make either trip if we get there!

So get excited Talons nation because the season really is just starting! Bring all your friends out to the BOK center at 7pm on Saturday and lets help push this team in a victory over the Blaze!

Picks - Playoffs Round 2

Milwaukee Iron at Spokane Shock: SPOKANE

Orlando Predators at Tampa Bay Storm: TAMPA BAY

The one bright spot from the playoff loss...

Jeff Hughley did a ridiculous job at kick returns and kept his consecutive games with a TD streak alive (though most stats groups don't count playoff games anyways). This was enough to earn him the Nifty Playmaker of the Week Award this week:

"Hughley (5-8, 175, Averette) is awarded his second honor this season, previously receiving Ironman for Week 16. Hughley kept any hope alive for Tulsa in the loss against Tampa Bay, leading the team in kickoff returns and helping offensively. Hughley returned six kickoff returns for 111 yards, plus caught six receptions for 58 yards and one touchdown. Defensively, Hughley had one tackle."

Picks - Playoffs First Round

Orlando Predators at Jacksonville Sharks: JACKSONVILLE. Who is gonna pick against Sharks on Shark Week? Really? Add to the mix that Orlando will be without one star player, and Jacksonville will have the return of Aaron Garcia and it makes for a solid chance for Jacksonville to run away with this one.

Arizona Rattlers at Spokane Shock: SPOKANE. Spokane is a hard place to play in. They simply pack that place to the brim. Combine that with the motivation after a tough loss to Jacksonville last week and this should be a game Spokane is ready for.

Chicago Rush at Milwaukee Iron: MILWAUKEE. This is probably the game of the week. Two well matched rivals with survival on the line. Milwaukee has the talent while Chicago has the coaching. I expect to see the early season Iron who were pretty much unstoppable.

Tampa Bay Storm at Tulsa Talons: TULSA. A rematch from a great week 1 game. The biggest difference this time is the Talons have improved their secondary. Neither team made a single sack in the first matchup and don't expect that to happen again. As long as the Talons offense fires on all cylinders they should pull this one out.