2018 is shaping up to be a great season for the LFL especially with the introduction of a new franchise in Nashville. It is always exciting when a new team enters the league especially when they name a future hall of famer as their head coach. The legendary and inspiring Danika Brace will make her return to the league in this new capacity. The appointment of Danika as head coach is a great step forward for the league and the intrigue rests in seeing if her coaching lives up to the name she’s already built for herself as a player.
The appointment of Danika has kicked the rumour mill into full speed with whisperings of key veterans from across the league jumping ship to play under the former league MVP in Nashville. Adding the retirement of hall-of-fame coach Chris Michaelson to the mix leaves serious questions regarding Seattle's potential for success. When you take all that into account along with the usual free agency moves, you have a great mix for an exciting season to come.
The appointment of Danika has kicked the rumour mill into full speed with whisperings of key veterans from across the league jumping ship to play under the former league MVP in Nashville. Adding the retirement of hall-of-fame coach Chris Michaelson to the mix leaves serious questions regarding Seattle's potential for success. When you take all that into account along with the usual free agency moves, you have a great mix for an exciting season to come.
With that in mind here are the LFL Talk predictions for the entire 2018 regular season broken down by team:
Eastern Conference
Atlanta
Following-up from a Legends Cup appearance in 2017, expectations will be high for the Atlanta Steam. However the road to the postseason will be more difficult than seasons past for an Atlanta franchise with four consecutive playoff appearances. The addition of the Nashville Knights to the Eastern Conference, a team rumoured to be full of league veterans with Championship resumes, will result in a much more competitive East. The Steam will return most of last year’s roster, however Atlanta will be without veteran tight-end and safety Adrian Purnell who has been a major contributor on both sides of the ball for the Steam the last three seasons. Purnell announced her retirement from the league this off-season and with the former All-Star not on the squad, expect to see last season’s rookie standout Jessica Salazar be an impact at tight-end and linebacker for the Steam this season. Salazar put the league on notice last year and there is no question the young superstar is capable of a big 2018 season. Atlanta certainly has one of the easier schedules in the league taking on a depleted Seattle Mist team twice. Austin and Chicago on the other hand will provide tough tests for them but they should finish with a record of 3-1. |
Chicago
Coach Hac has built a perennial winner in Chicago and you can expect them to come bouncing back with the bit between their teeth after last season’s disappointing loss in the Eastern Conference Championship. The Bliss lost to the Atlanta Steam in a low score outing, which was the Bliss’ first loss to their rival Steam after beating them seven consecutive times. Chicago’s philosophy is to have designated offensive and defensive players which allows the athletes to focus on one side of the ball and become more specialised in a certain position. This year Chicago has many returning veterans like Alli Alberts, Chantell Taylor, Kristin Morrison, Javell Thompson, Mae Gamble, Tamar Fennell and many more. Look for Chicago to be extremely physical and dominate opponents at the line of scrimmage offensively and defensively. You also get the feeling that this is a make or break year for quarterback Jayne Caldwell, if she performs to her full potential she will be the franchise quarterback for years to come. On the flip side, if she does not perform then look for her to be replaced potentially before the playoffs. Another question for the Bliss is whether All-Fantasy veterans Dominique Collins and Nneka Nwani will return for another season. This year we get to see the renewing of the old rivalry between LA and Chicago as they play each other twice. Chicago’s other fixtures are against Omaha and Atlanta and we see them finishing with a record of 4-0. |
Nashville
The city of Nashville will host the league's newest franchise slotted in the Eastern Conference, taking the place of the Pittsburgh Rebellion. As we mentioned earlier, the Knights will be coached by future hall of famer Danika Brace who has used her influence to bring in many LFL Veterans including KK Matheny, Jade Randle, Michelle Angel, Kimm Chase and Stevi Schnoor. As Nashville goes into this season with one of the most tenured rosters, the question is can Coach Brace bring the best out this group. Considering the fact that Nashville has talent and veterans, one would argue the Knights have one of the easiest schedules facing Austin, Seattle, Omaha and Denver. Other than Austin we do not see Nashville being challenged this season leaving them with a record of 3-1. |
Omaha
Omaha has a great fan base and it will be nice to see a Heart team that can do those fans justice, unfortunately it doesn’t appear 2018 will be the year. It is rumoured- young quarterback Alex Drake, who played for Omaha in 2017 and New England in 2016, will not return to the Heart in 2018. For a team with quarterback struggles that have plagued the Heart throughout its five year history, this no doubt leaves Omaha’s options at the quarterback position limited once again. It is surprising Omaha fans haven’t rallied for a Lindsey Noble return at QB. Noble should be put under centre for the Heart offense, as she has by far been their best option at quarterback over the last five seasons. At this point, there isn’t a lot confirmed about the Omaha roster, but let’s hope they put on a better performance than years past! Omaha will play Denver twice this year along with Chicago and Nashville which will see them finish with a record of 0-4. |
Final Standings
Western Conference
Austin
Since joining the league two seasons ago, Austin has continually put in time and hard work to improve as a team. A focus of the Acoustic has been on developing their own local talent, rather than signing travelled free agents from across the league. Last season, Austin showed fast improvement under head coach Mike Olvera although their 0-4 record did not reflect their efforts. This season Austin will see the welcome return of captain and centre Steph McCormick, who missed all of last season due to injury. Her hard work and determination sets the tone for the team. Third year quarterback Teshay Winfrey will look to build on last season’s quality quarterback performance which will ensure some major upsets in games this season! On paper it looks like Austin has a tough schedule going against LA, Seattle, Atlanta and Nashville; however the Acoustic are a group which has improved the last few years and this is their year to shine. Austin will finish the season with a 3-1 record. |
Denver
Last season was definitely one to forget for the Denver franchise as they got destroyed in every outing however this season is shaping up to be a lot better. During the offseason Denver has found a new head coach who has brought in NFL players like Atlanta guard Ben Garland to help train his players on football techniques and fundamentals. The Dream also have a couple rookies to look out for on their line including Bree Quintana & Raphaelle Duche. One of Denver’s returning veterans Lindsey ‘Q’ Fields has made the move from line to running back and she is looking in great shape to carry the load for this offense. Denver also has a more comfortable schedule this year playing Omaha twice along with LA and Nashville, look for them to finish with a record of 2-2. |
Los Angeles
Despite having a roster overloaded with talent including quarterback Ashley Salerno and running back Carmen Bourseau, LA has not won a playoff game since their last Legends Cup win back in the 2011 - 2012 season. A five year drought for the only three-peat Championship team in LFL History? That fact is not good enough for a franchise that is used to success, will this be the year they turn it around? Bourseau will be joined in the backfield again this year by speedster Nas Johnson which should bring a good balance of power and speed to their rushing attack. Veteran receiver Cynthia Schmidt will also be back and looking to have a breakout year. One big blow for LA is the loss of tight end Kiana Takairaingi who will miss this season following an injury picked up whilst playing in the rugby league world cup back in December. LA has a tough schedule this year facing Chicago twice, Austin and Denver. LA should finish the season with a disappointing record of 1-3. |
Seattle
In normal circumstances last year’s Legends Cup champions would be a force to be reckoned with, however the retirement of long term head coach Chris Michaelson will hit this team hard. Add to that veterans players like KK Matheny, Jade Randle, Michelle Angel, Dominique Malloy have all left to play for Danika Brace and the Nashville knights. It really will be a transitional year for one of the most successful franchises in LFL history. With all of the personnel lost this offseason, Seattle has the toughest schedule having to face Atlanta twice, Austin and Nashville. Look away Seattle fans because their record at the end of the season will be 0-4. |
Final Standings
As you can see from the final standings, 2018 should bring some big surprises in the Western Conference with Austin and Denver making the playoffs for the first time. The Eastern Conference however ends up with the familiar foes Atlanta and Chicago squaring off, all be it Atlanta scraping through over Nashville thanks to a better points differential.
Whether these predictions come true or not, one thing is for sure and that is the 2018 LFL season is going to be off the scale and we can’t wait to see it all unfold, bring on April 14th!
Whether these predictions come true or not, one thing is for sure and that is the 2018 LFL season is going to be off the scale and we can’t wait to see it all unfold, bring on April 14th!