The fifth-seeded Abstract Machines sent the first shockwave through the 2005 FLF Playoffs, upsetting the fourth-seeded Anderson Brewmeisters at Saint Arnold Stadium, 39-34. Having already upended the Brewmeisters last week just to clinch a playoff berth, the Machines posted the rare home-and-home, consecutive week sweep to advance to Championship Week.

The Machines' Tom Brady and Marvin Harrison – who scored 6 apiece in last week's home win – turned it up a notch on the road, scorching the Brewmeister defense for 13 points each. Anquan Boldin produced another 6, and – perhaps most importantly – placekicker Neil Rackers returned with a 7-point outing after sitting out last week's contest with an injury. The Ravens defense was held in check this time around, stripping Anderson of only 7 points instead of last week's 17, but it was enough to keep Anderson in the early hole.

The Brewmeisters, who had defeated these Machines a year ago on this very field, fought back behind Peyton Manning's 12 points. Thomas Jones was the surprise stud on the ground, grinding out 8 points while LaDainian Tomlinson was held to 4 (and just 9 total over the past two weeks). The three Brewmeisters receivers combined for just 11 points, while placekicker Lawerence Tynes suffered his worst outing in a month with just 3 points. Down significantly heading into Sunday Night, Anderson's Lions defense finally found their courage, scoring 12 big points. That total was their highest since Week 7, but it just wasn't enough to avoid the upset.

This game marked just the second time in league history that two teams who met in the regular season finale met the very next week for a Wild Card game. The previous time, Pirk swept the two-game set from The Pimps in 1998, with both games being in Oil Town. This year's Machines, however, completed their sweep on the road, and they must now continue on to face the Western Division Irwin Hellions at Purgatory Field. For the Anderson Brewmeisters, their season ends much the same way it began: with consecutive losses. They'll have a long summer to think about the last two at the hands of the Machines; the first which cost them Eastern Division title, and the second which booted them from the playoffs.

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The Piana Raze mercifully ended Thomas' Bock Boys' season with a 51-30 victory at En Fuego Field. The sixth-seeded Boys had lost five straight coming into this one, and the Raze halfback duo of Tiki Barber and Larry Johnson made sure that streak wouldn't end on their watch.

Indeed, Piana ambushed Thomas with 30 points from its two star halfbacks; Johnson punished the Boys for three scores and 17 points, while the sleeker Barber added 13 of his own. Additionally, Terry Glenn used the Wild Card stage to post his best effort of the season, slicing through the visitor's defense for 13. Piana's Bengals defense also did its part, stripping away 11 points from the Boys. One teammate who didn't contribute, however, was quarterback Mark Brunell. Brunell, given the last-second start in front of Trent Green, likely played himself out of a job, tossing three interceptions and costing his team 4 points.

The quarterback from the other huddle had a much easier time. Bock Boy Drew Bledsoe threw for a team-high 16 points, which was easily his best outing in two months. Aside from kicker Shayne Graham's 11, the rest of offense fell apart. Only Tony Gonzalez managed to score more than 4 points (with 5), but three other starters scored 2 or less. In a performance indicative of Thomas' entire season, the Bock Boys' Cowboy defense posted its worst effort of the year, managing to pull only a single point away from the Raze.

The loss caps off a six-game slide that saw Thomas' 6-2 record quickly transformed into 6-8. In the two seasons since defeating Piana in Super Bowl VII, Thomas has now made consecutive Wild Card exits as the No. 6 seed. The 9-4-1 Raze, meanwhile, advance to take on Jody's C.W.O.T. in a Championship Week battle of teams that failed to make the playoffs last season.

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Pirk's Wicked Oil Profiteer$ may not be playing for a Super Bowl title, but the last two weeks certainly makes it seem as if they were. On the heels of a 48-0 demolishing of Thomas' Bock Boys, the Profiteer$ doused the hosting Sims Stereco, 38-12, to win Draft Bowl IX and earn the rights to the first overall pick in the 2006 League Draft.

Pirk, who had won only one of four career Draft Bowl appearances (in 1997), launched into the Stereco early. Rudi Johnson and Chris Chambers had 12 points apiece, matching their combined effort from the week before. Placekicker Jay Feely regained his confidence following a bit of a slide, posting his best effort since Week 8 with 14 points. Brett Favre – a mere shadow of his former self – actually cost the Profiteer$ a point, but the Seahawks defense provided a necessary cushion, pounding Sims for 22 points-against.

The Stereco had few highlights in the closing game of a forgettable campaign. The Cardinals defense posted 12 points, but no offensive starters could hit double-digits on Sunday; only one – Tatum Bell – managed to score more than three (4). Then, on Monday Night, Mike Vick (14 points) and Algae Crumpler (5) ensured that at least the home team wouldn't be shut out in the romp.

Pirk can hold its head high, despite a closing record of 5-8-1. The Profiteer$ posted the league's best overall performance in each of the past two weeks, and they vanquished their opponents over that span by a combined score of 86-12. Loaded now with the first overall selection, P.W.O.P. can shoot to avoid making the Draft Bowl for a third straight season in 2006.

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