The #1-seed Green Bay Blizzard (13-3) host the #4-seed Quad City Steamwheelers (8-8) in the first round of the 2024 IFL Playoffs this Friday, July 26th. Kickoff at the Resch Center is scheduled for 7:05 PM CST. 

Green Bay finished the regular season with a dominating win over the Sioux Falls Storm last Saturday, compiling a franchise-best 13-3 record. The Blizzard started the year with a close loss to the Massachusetts Pirates and then went on a four-game winning streak. The streak ended in Sioux Falls on May 3rd, but Green Bay bounced back and went on another winning streak; this time, it was six straight. After a loss at Quad City, the Blizzard were looking to secure a playoff spot with a win, and they capitalized, winning at Tulsa the following week. Green Bay would win out and clinch the number one seed in the Eastern Conference in Week 19 with the win over the Sioux Falls Storm. 

Quad City ended the season with a loss at the hands of the Jacksonville Sharks, which brought their season record to 8-8. The Steamwheelers had a very back-and-forth season, teetering around .500 the entire way, along with Massachusetts, who also finished 8-8. The Pirates compiled a better conference record (8-5) than Quad City (8-8), giving Massachusetts the tie-breaker and the #3 seed, while Quad City received the #4 seed.

This is the fourth time that these two teams will face off in 2024. The first duel was hosted by Quad City in Week 4. The Blizzard were led by Skyler Perry in this close, low-scoring game. Perry had two rushing touchdowns and led Green Bay to their second win of the young season, 32-24. The second matchup in Week 12 was a different narrative as the Blizzard were in the midst of a winning streak and emerging as one of the top teams in the IFL. Max Meylor's two first-quarter rushing touchdowns put Green Bay ahead early, and the defense allowed the Blizzard to take a 21-point lead into halftime. The second half was the EJ Burgess Jr. show, as he had four rushing touchdowns in the second half and directed Green Bay to a convincing 64-36 win. 

The last time these two met was in Week 15 in Moline, IL, in a defensive battle. The Steamwheelers started the game fast and held the Blizzard scoreless through the first quarter. Green Bay was able to put up points in the second but still trailed by 11 at the break. The Blizzard defense kept the game close, keeping Quad City off the board in the third quarter, while Green Bay added a touchdown to bring the game within a score. The Steamwheelers put up 13 points in the fourth quarter, only allowing the Blizzard to score once, giving Quad City the 37-27 victory. 

Green Bay and Quad City met in the playoffs before, back in the af2 playoffs in 2007. The Blizzard traveled to Quad City and left victorious, winning 39-34. Green Bay would then host the Louisiana Fire and win again 37-27 before losing in the American Conference Championship to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers. 

If Green Bay wants to move on to the Eastern Conference Championship, they first need to corral WR/KR Jarrod Harrington. Harrington has eight receiving touchdowns in 2024 and also leads the IFL in both kick return yards (1,089) and kick return touchdowns (4). Keeping him in check and making the offense do the majority of the work is key in this playoff matchup. Also, the Blizzard will have to keep RB Edward Vander out of the end zone. Vander is fifth in the league in touchdowns (30) and points scored (184) this season. Green Bay's offensive line will have to block like a brick wall against the Steamwheelers' defensive front. In the Quad City win over the Blizzard, their defensive line lived in the backfield, totaling 4.5 tackles-for-loss, a sack, and a forced fumble. For the Green Bay offensive line, winning in the trenches is a good way to help win the game. The Blizzard also have to keep Kicker Kyle Kaplan at bay. Kaplan is 26 of 44 on field goals this season, which leads the IFL in field goals made. Of the 18 kicks Kaplan has missed, 10 of them have been from distances of 30 yards or more. Forcing Kyle to attempt long field goals could be a difference-maker this Friday. 

If Quad City wants to upset Green Bay and move on, they will need to replicate their performance on June 22nd. That starts with keeping Max Meylor out of the end zone on the ground and through the air. Quad City held Meylor to just one rushing touchdown and no passing touchdowns in Week 15. Meylor is coming off a seven-touchdown performance against Sioux Falls a week ago, which earned him Blizzard Player of the Game. The Steamwheelers also need to limit Green Bay's rushing attack of Meylor, EJ Burgess Jr., and Jalyn Cagle. In the three matchups this season, the Blizzard backs have 13 rushing touchdowns against the Quad City defense, so limiting the rushing touchdowns is a must for the Steamwheelers. Quad City will have to figure out how to pick apart the Green Bay defense. The Blizzard defense leads the league in fewest touchdowns allowed (71), fewest points allowed (531), lowest average points allowed per game (33.7), sacks (27), forced fumbles (nine), and is tied for the league lead in fumble recoveries (nine). On top of leading those categories, they are also top five in the fewest first downs allowed (250), opponent third down conversion rate (35.5%), and opponent fourth down conversion rate (47.7%). The Steamwheelers will have to be precise and efficient to topple Green Bay's defense. 

Friday night is sure to be packed with excitement! First, when the doors open at 6 PM CST, the first 1,000 fans will receive beef jerky, courtesy of Build Your Base. Then, as you are walking through the concourse, be on the lookout for $2 hotdogs and Budweiser and Bud Light products, $3 smoothies, and two-for-$4 Hot Pockets! Be sure to make your way to the merch stand and purchase your official Blizzard playoff gear. At halftime, there will be performances by the Dollhouse Dance Team and the Pulaski Drumline, followed by the Snowstorm. Be sure to show up and be loud, Blizzard Nation!

Written By: Seth Kluck