With win over Dallas, Storm can advance to playoffs
May 24, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Dallas Desperados News Release
TAMPA, FL -- Riding a five-game winning streak, the Tampa Bay Storm stand just one victory away from advancing to the playoffs for the 14th consecutive season.
Tampa Bay enters the final week of the regular season in a tie for the eighth and final playoff spot. The Storm travel to Dallas to take on the Desperados next Sunday afternoon, and if the Storm win in Dallas, they will advance to the postseason.
The only caveat to that would be a tie in the Los Angeles vs Orlando contest. However, there has been only one tie in AFL history and no ties since the current overtime rules have been in place.
If Tampa Bay wins in Dallas, the Storm would likely be seeded seventh in the playoffs. The only scenario in which Tampa Bay would be seeded eighth is if Tampa Bay, New York, and Austin all win and Los Angeles defeats Orlando.
Tampa Bay could even sneak into the playoffs with a loss. Should Tampa Bay lose at Dallas, the only way it could advance to the playoffs is if New York and Austin both lose, and Las Vegas defeats Columbus. In that scenario, the Storm would be the eighth seed in the playoffs.
Below are scenarios in which the Storm would advance to the playoffs, along with the seed the Storm would get:
WIN: TB, ORL
LOSE: LA, NY, AUS
Tampa Bay 7th seed
WIN: TB, ORL, NY
LOSE: LA, AUS
Tampa Bay 7th seed
WIN: TB, ORL, NY, AUS
LOSE: LA
Tampa Bay 7th seed
WIN: TB, ORL, AUS
LOSE: LA, NY
Tampa Bay 7th seed
WIN: TB, LA
LOSE: ORL, NY, AUS
Tampa Bay 7th seed
WIN: TB, LA, NY
LOSE: ORL, AUS
Tampa Bay 7th seed
WIN: TB, LA, AUS
LOSE: ORL, NY
Tampa Bay 7th seed
WIN: TB, LA, NY, AUS
LOSE: ORL
Tampa Bay 8th seed
WIN: LV
LOSE: TB, AUS, NY
Tampa Bay 8th seed
In the Desperados, the Storm will be facing a team that has lost six games in a row and eight of its last nine contests since starting the season with a 5-1 overall record. Tampa Bay is 1-1 all-time against Dallas. Last season Tampa Bay won at Dallas, 67-64.
Though originally scheduled to be aired by NBC Sports, the game has been removed from the television schedule. The Storm game, which kicks off at 4:00 pm Eastern, can be heard live on 620-AM WDAE.
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