by: Jack Elliot, USFL Insider since 1983

Introduction

With the 1987 regular season in the books, our focus now turns to the playoffs. After a chaotic season that saw both offenses and defenses excel, it remains to be seen if the old adage holds. Will defense indeed win a championship this year. Or, does any one team have enough firepower to win it all with their offense?

1987 USFL Playoff Power Poll

• #1 – New Jersey Generals – The Generals last stand with Herschel Walker? Fitting that they took the number one seed in the playoffs and the East goes through them.
• #2 – Las Vegas Ace – Randall Cunningham took over the league and won’t rest until he brings a championship to the Ace.
• #3 – Boston Breakers – Last year’s champs didn’t end up undefeated, but they’re back in the playoffs and dangerous as ever.
• #4 – Birmingham Stallions – The stead Stallions just keep winning. Can they finally convert that into a championship?
• #5 – Houston Gamblers – The 1984 champs hope to send Jim Kelly to the NFL with back to back championships this year and next.
• #6 – Tampa Bay Bandits – Spurrier has the Bandits having fun again. A dangerous opponent for any one of the teams.
• #7 – Denver Gold – The Run and Shoot sputtered some this year, but they are again a tough out. Looking to make up for last year’s championship game loss.
• #8 – Jacksonville Bulls – The Bulls are just consistent enough to sneak into the playoffs.
• #9 – Philadelphia Stars – The Stars are rising again in the Atlantic.
• #10 – Los Angeles Express – Steve Young came back from last year’s disappointment to lead the Express into the playoffs.
• #11 – Michigan Panthers – Lucky break with the tiebreakers. They are dangerous because they are playing with house money.
• #12 – Oklahoma Outlaws – Switzer raised their win total by 4 and made them a more solid playoff contender this year.