Three teams locked for 2021 NAL playoffs

The Battle for the Final Playoff Seed Begins

ATLANTA – The National Arena League officially announces three of its teams have clinched playoff spots for the 2021 postseason. The Columbus Lions (5-1) and the Albany Empire (5-1) are currently tied for first and will host the playoffs this year as each team clinched the top two playoff seeds securing home field advantage in the playoffs. Even with the remaining games left in the season the rest of teams do not have enough victories or opportunities for wins to dethrone the Lions & Empire from the top two spots. This weekend will determine who gets the number one seed as the Albany Empire travels to Columbus, GA to play the Lions. Kickoff is set for 7pm and you can watch this “Game of the Week” on the National Arena League YouTube Channel or watch directly on the National Arena League website. This is the fourth straight time the Columbus Lions have made the NAL postseason. The Empire who entered their first year in the NAL will play their first playoff game in NAL history, the Empire last played in the Arena Football League in 2019 where they were the Arena Bowl Champions.

The Orlando Predators (4-3) are locked in as the #3 seed and will not host a first round playoff game, however they could host the NAL Championship if they and the 4th seed team win their respective playoff games. The last three teams in the league will not have enough wins this season to remove Orlando from the third place spot and will be forced to compete for fourth place spot to play in the playoffs this season. This is the first time the Orlando Predators have made the NAL playoffs in team history. 

The battle for fourth place begins as the current holder of that seed, the Jacksonville Sharks (2-4), host the Carolina Cobras (1-5) in week 9 action. The Sharks can eliminate the Cobras from playoff contention with a win. The Cobras must win their final 2 regular season games in order to get a shot at the playoffs, but that could get muddy if more than one team finishes with the same record. The Jersey Flight (2-5) have a bye this week, and with a Sharks loss and a Jersey win in week 10, the Flight have the opportunity to be the 4th seed in the NAL playoffs. To watch Carolina face Jacksonville this week visit the National Arena League YouTube channel or visit nationalarenaleague.com games are featured both on the home page and the video tab.

ABOUT NATIONAL ARENA LEAGUE

The National Arena League was founded in 2016 and hosted its inaugural season in 2017 as the premier league in arena football. For more information regarding expansion opportunities or partnerships, contact Commissioner Chris Siegfried at chris@nationalarenaleague.com . For more information about the NAL visit www.nationalarenaleague.com, facebook.com/nationalarenaleauge, twitter.com/NALfootball, Instagram.com/nationalarenaleague.