TBL Week 13 Preview – “The Final Countdown”

 

By TBL News Network (TBLN)

This is it. The regular season finale. There is no “next week” to figure it out—the playoffs begin in Week 14, and the door is closing fast. With only three teams per conference punching a ticket to the postseason, the margin for error has completely evaporated. The top seed in the AFC and OFC will grab the coveted "Golden Ticket"—a bye straight to Week 15—while the 2nd and 3rd seeds must battle it out immediately.

The AFC playoff field is set with Arsenal, the Dealers, and the RockStars, though the seeding order is pure chaos depending on today's results. In the OFC, it’s a pressure cooker. A logjam at the top means the Kamikazes and Monarchs are fighting tooth and nail for the final spot. Due to tiebreakers, a three-way tie at 7-6 would result in the Kamikazes claiming the final spot. The scenario for the Monarchs is simple but daunting: they must win and have the Kamikazes lose to qualify.

The pressure is suffocating, the stakes are legendary, and by Tuesday morning, the field of six will be set. Let’s get to the matchups!

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Believers (8-4) vs Dealers (9-3)

 

The Storyline: It doesn't get bigger than this. A potential Super Bowl preview in the final week of the regular season with massive seeding implications. The Dealers sit at 9-3, controlling their destiny for the AFC #1 seed and the bye week. A win locks it up. The Believers, at 8-4, are in a dogfight for the OFC crown with the Yinzers. They need this win to secure their own bye. This is a heavyweight bout featuring two of the league's most explosive rosters.

 

Position-by-Position Breakdown:

• QB: Brock Purdy (Believers) vs Matthew Stafford (Dealers) → Edge: Dealers

• RB: Kareem Hunt vs Breece Hall → Edge: Dealers

• WR: Justin Jefferson vs Jaylen Waddle → Edge: Believers

• TE: Jake Ferguson vs Colston Loveland → Edge: Believers

• OF1: Bijan Robinson vs Devon Achane → Edge: Dealers

• OF2: Kenneth Walker III vs Puka Nacua → Edge: Dealers

• OF3: George Pickens vs Amon-Ra St. Brown → Edge: Dealers

• DL: Jared Verse vs Aidan Hutchinson → Edge: Dealers

• LB: Zaire Franklin vs Cody Barton → Edge: Believers

• DB: Budda Baker vs Geno Stone → Edge: Dealers

• DF1: Robert Spillane vs Nick Bolton → Edge: Believers

• DF2: Devin Bush vs Nahshon Wright → Edge: Dealers

• DF3: DaRon Bland vs Calen Bullock → Edge: Believers

The Bottom Line: The Dealers have assembled a fantasy "Death Star" with their flex options. Rolling out Hall, Achane, Nacua, and St. Brown in the same lineup is terrifying. The Believers have the star power in Jefferson and Bijan to counter, but Stafford’s connection with his Rams teammates gives the Dealers a slight chemistry edge. This will be a shootout, but the Dealers have just enough firepower to clinch the AFC bye.

Prediction: Dealers 365 – Believers 340

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Arsenal (9-3) vs Atoms (2-10)

 

The Storyline: Arsenal stumbled last week against the Conquerors, but they are still tied for the best record in the league at 9-3. They need a win and a Dealers loss to grab the AFC #1 seed, but more importantly, they need to solidify their standing against a surging RockStars team. The Atoms are playing for pride, but Arsenal cannot afford to blink. A loss here would be catastrophic for their seeding hopes.

 

Position-by-Position Breakdown:

• QB: Josh Allen (Arsenal) vs Justin Herbert (Atoms) → Edge: Arsenal

• RB: Jaylen Warren vs Sean Tucker → Edge: Arsenal

• WR: DeVonta Smith vs Demario Douglas → Edge: Arsenal

• TE: George Kittle vs Elijah Arroyo → Edge: Arsenal

• OF1: Jaxon Smith-Njigba vs Bucky Irving → Edge: Arsenal

• OF2: Courtland Sutton vs Christian Kirk → Edge: Arsenal

• OF3: Ladd McConkey vs Devaughn Vele → Edge: Arsenal

• DL: Brian Burns vs Leonard Williams → Edge: Atoms

• LB: T.J. Watt vs Eric Wilson → Edge: Arsenal

• DB: Jordan Battle vs Jessie Bates III → Edge: Arsenal

• DF1: Will Anderson Jr. vs Derrick Barnes → Edge: Arsenal

• DF2: D'Marco Jackson vs Dorian Williams → Edge: Arsenal

• DF3: Demetrius Knight Jr. vs Joey Porter Jr. → Edge: Arsenal

The Bottom Line: On paper, this is a mismatch. Josh Allen and George Kittle give Arsenal a massive ceiling advantage. The Atoms have some young talent, but Arsenal is built for a title run. Expect the Arsenal defense, led by T.J. Watt, to smother the Atoms and allow the offense to coast to a 10th victory.

Prediction: Arsenal 320 – Atoms 260

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Kamikazes (7-5) vs MadDawgz (6-6)

 

The Storyline: The Kamikazes are in the driver's seat for the final OFC playoff spot. They hold the tiebreaker advantage—a 7-6 three-way tie would see them claiming the final spot—so they control their own fate. The MadDawgz are 6-6 and in "must-win" mode; a loss eliminates them, while a win keeps their faint playoff hopes alive.

 

Position-by-Position Breakdown:

• QB: Jalen Hurts (Kamikazes) vs Baker Mayfield (MadDawgz) → Edge: Kamikazes

• RB: Josh Jacobs vs Javonte Williams → Edge: Kamikazes

• WR: Tetairoa McMillan vs Darnell Mooney → Edge: Kamikazes

• TE: Brenton Strange vs Mason Taylor → Edge: MadDawgz

• OF1: Christian McCaffrey vs Kimani Vidal → Edge: Kamikazes

• OF2: Kyren Williams vs TreVeyon Henderson → Edge: Kamikazes

• OF3: Chris Olave vs Michael Wilson → Edge: Kamikazes

• DL: Micah Parsons vs Myles Garrett → Edge: MadDawgz

• LB: Bobby Okereke vs Kaden Elliss → Edge: Kamikazes

• DB: Tykee Smith vs Brandon Jones → Edge: Kamikazes

• DF1: Blake Cashman vs Derrick Brown → Edge: Kamikazes

• DF2: Tyrel Dodson vs Dee Winters → Edge: Kamikazes

• DF3: Barrett Carter vs Xavier Watts → Edge: MadDawgz

The Bottom Line: The Kamikazes' running back room is absurd. Hurts, Jacobs, CMC, and Kyren Williams is a lineup that breaks scoring models. The MadDawgz are scrappy, but they simply don't have the personnel to match that kind of offensive output. Unless Baker Mayfield goes nuclear, the Kamikazes should punch their ticket to the postseason.

Prediction: Kamikazes 350 – MadDawgz 290

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Monarchs (7-5) vs Conquerors (5-7)

 

The Storyline: For the Monarchs, the scenario is crystal clear: Win and pray. They need to beat the Conquerors and hope the Kamikazes stumble against the MadDawgz to steal that final playoff spot. If both teams win, the Monarchs are out. The Conquerors (5-7) just played spoiler to Arsenal and would love to ruin another season.

 

Position-by-Position Breakdown:

• QB: Bo Nix (Monarchs) vs Cam Ward (Conquerors) → Edge: Monarchs

• RB: Derrick Henry vs Chase Brown → Edge: Monarchs

• WR: Christian Watson vs Rashod Bateman → Edge: Monarchs

• TE: Travis Kelce vs Theo Johnson → Edge: Monarchs

• OF1: Saquon Barkley vs Rico Dowdle → Edge: Monarchs

• OF2: Davante Adams vs Romeo Doubs → Edge: Monarchs

• OF3: Terry McLaurin vs Xavier Worthy → Edge: Monarchs

• DL: Cameron Heyward vs Jeffery Simmons → Edge: Monarchs

• LB: Demario Davis vs Payton Wilson → Edge: Monarchs

• DB: Antoine Winfield Jr. vs Amani Hooker → Edge: Conquerors

• DF1: Jordyn Brooks vs Andrew Wingard → Edge: Monarchs

• DF2: Patrick Queen vs Brian Branch → Edge: Monarchs

• DF3: Terrel Bernard vs Cole Bishop → Edge: Conquerors

The Bottom Line: "King Henry" and Saquon Barkley vs. the world. The Monarchs have two running backs capable of putting up 50 points apiece. The Conquerors have fight, but the Monarchs have legends. Expect Mike Murray’s squad to take care of business and then scoreboard watch the Kamikazes game intently.

Prediction: Monarchs 330 – Conquerors 295

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RockStars (8-4) vs Mercenaries (1-11)

 

The Storyline: The RockStars have punched their ticket to the dance, but their seeding is fluid. A win puts pressure on Arsenal and the Dealers for a higher seed; a loss likely locks them into the #3 spot. They face a 1-11 Mercenaries squad that has struggled to find consistency at quarterback. This should be a tune-up game for the playoffs.

 

Position-by-Position Breakdown:

• QB: Dak Prescott (RockStars) vs Mason Rudolph (Mercenaries) → Edge: RockStars

• RB: Quinshon Judkins vs Chuba Hubbard → Edge: RockStars

• WR: D.K. Metcalf vs Nico Collins → Edge: Mercenaries

• TE: Trey McBride vs Oronde Gadsden II → Edge: RockStars

• OF1: Jahmyr Gibbs vs Tyrone Tracy Jr. → Edge: RockStars

• OF2: D'Andre Swift vs Emeka Egbuka → Edge: RockStars

• OF3: A.J. Brown vs Troy Franklin → Edge: RockStars

• DL: Josh Allen vs Will McDonald IV → Edge: Mercenaries

• LB: Devin White vs Germaine Pratt → Edge: RockStars

• DB: Talanoa Hufanga vs Cooper DeJean → Edge: Mercenaries

• DF1: Jamien Sherwood vs Montez Sweat → Edge: RockStars

• DF2: SirVocea Dennis vs Jonathon Cooper → Edge: RockStars

• DF3: Cedric Gray vs Mike Sainristil → Edge: RockStars

The Bottom Line: The RockStars are simply too loaded. Dak Prescott throwing to A.J. Brown, combined with the Lions' backfield duo of Gibbs and Swift, is a recipe for a blowout. The Mercenaries have Nico Collins, but without a quarterback to get him the ball, it won’t matter. RockStars roll into the playoffs.

Prediction: RockStars 345 – Mercenaries 270

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Yinzers (8-4) vs Goats (6-6)

 

The Storyline: The Yinzers are tied for the OFC lead but need a win and help to grab the bye. The Goats, sitting at .500, are desperate. They need to win to get to 7-6 and hope for chaos to sneak in, though the tiebreakers are not in their favor. It's desperation mode for both sides, with the Yinzers looking to secure home field.

 

Position-by-Position Breakdown:

• QB: Drake Maye (Yinzers) vs Cam Ward (Goats) → Edge: Yinzers

• RB: Jonathan Taylor vs Chase Brown → Edge: Yinzers

• WR: Stefon Diggs vs Rashod Bateman → Edge: Yinzers

• TE: Hunter Henry vs Tyler Warren → Edge: Yinzers

• OF1: Travis Etienne vs Rico Dowdle → Edge: Yinzers

• OF2: Wan'Dale Robinson vs Woody Marks → Edge: Yinzers

• OF3: Michael Pittman Jr. vs Romeo Doubs → Edge: Yinzers

• DL: Maxx Crosby vs Josh Sweat → Edge: Yinzers

• LB: Bobby Wagner vs Lavonte David → Edge: Goats

• DB: Trent McDuffie vs Coby Bryant → Edge: Yinzers

• DF1: Byron Young vs Roquan Smith → Edge: Goats

• DF2: Foyesade Oluokun vs Zack Baun → Edge: Yinzers

• DF3: Teddye Buchanan vs Azeez Al-Shaair → Edge: Goats

The Bottom Line: The Yinzers have the veteran stability that wins big games. Jonathan Taylor and Travis Etienne provide a high floor, while the defense led by Maxx Crosby is elite. The Goats are scrambling to fill lineups and just don't have the firepower to keep up. The Yinzers win and keep the pressure on the Believers.

Prediction: Yinzers 315 – Goats 290

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Rebels (6-6) vs Warlords (2-10)

 

The Storyline: The Rebels are 6-6 and sitting on the bubble. They need a win to get to 7-6, but even that might not be enough given the tiebreaker situation involving the Kamikazes. Their only hope is to win big and pray for a miracle collapse above them. The Warlords are 2-10 but possess a dangerous passing attack.

 

Position-by-Position Breakdown:

• QB: Jared Goff (Rebels) vs C.J. Stroud (Warlords) → Edge: Warlords

• RB: James Cook vs Kenneth Gainwell → Edge: Rebels

• WR: Zay Flowers vs Greg Dortch → Edge: Rebels

• TE: Brock Bowers vs Harold Fannin Jr. → Edge: Rebels

• OF1: Ashton Jeanty vs RJ Harvey → Edge: Rebels

• OF2: Jameson Williams vs Rashee Rice → Edge: Rebels

• OF3: Rome Odunze vs Zach Charbonnet → Edge: Rebels

• DL: Jalen Carter vs Byron Murphy II → Edge: Rebels

• LB: Quincy Williams vs Matt Milano → Edge: Rebels

• DB: Kamari Lassiter vs Derwin James → Edge: Warlords

• DF1: Andrew Van Ginkel vs Abdul Carter → Edge: Rebels

• DF2: Akeem Davis-Gaither vs Walter Nolen II → Edge: Rebels

• DF3: Jack Campbell vs Tyson Campbell → Edge: Rebels

The Bottom Line: Jared Goff and the Rebels' offense are clicking at the right time. With James Cook and Jameson Williams providing explosive plays, they should be able to outscore a Warlords team that struggles with consistency. The Rebels get the win to finish above .500, but they likely need a lot of help to extend their season.

Prediction: Rebels 325 – Warlords 280

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What’s at Stake

 

• The Golden Ticket: The Dealers (9-3) and Arsenal (9-3) are fighting for the AFC bye, while the Believers (8-4) and Yinzers (8-4) duel for the OFC bye. The top seed in each conference skips Week 14.

• The Cut Line: The AFC field is set (Dealers, Arsenal, RockStars), but the OFC is a warzone.

• The Logjam: The Kamikazes (7-5) control their destiny for the 3rd OFC spot. A win gets them in. A 3-way tie at 7-6 gets them in.

• Monarchs' Path: The Monarchs (7-5) have only one path: Win + Kamikazes Loss.

• Elimination Sunday: The Rebels, MadDawgz, and Goats (all 6-6) are clinging to mathematical hope, but the odds are stacked against them.

• No Tomorrow: There is no "next week" for half the league. This is the Regular Season Finale. Win or go home.