The road to Miami begins this weekend.  The 2009 NAFL Playoff brackets have been posted, so all teams know what obstacles they must overcome in order to make it to South Florida in November.  Let's start our playoff preview by looking at each conference.

Eastern Conference
Favorites:  Central Penn Piranha, Glens Falls Green Jackets, and South Jersey Lynx
Contender:  Hampton Roads Hurricanes
Dark Horse:  Chambersburg Cardinals

Central Penn Piranha (10-0)
Until recently, the Piranha have won the Eastern Conference every year.  The Lynx changed that be defeating the Piranha in the Conference Championship in 2006.  Last year was yet another disappointing season, as the Piranha lost to the now-defunct Connecticut Giants, also in the Conference Championship.  Inconsistency is the Achilles heel of Central Penn.  In 2009, one game they play like the best team in the league, and the next week they play like an average team.

Questions:  Are they over-rated?  Which team will show up during the playoffs?

Glens Falls Green Jackets (10-0)
The Green Jackets are making a strong case to be the new "Beast of the East."  They are solid in all phases of the game, and boast talented players at the skilled positions, including Eastern Conference Player of the Year candidate, running back Zorry Williams (#2 rusher in the league).  Now is the time for the Green Jackets to perform well.

Questions:  Can they win games outside of the Empire Division?  Will the attention on a national stage be too much?

South Jersey Lynx (9-1)
This isn't their first rodeo.  The Lynx won the Eastern Conference back in 2006, and were on the verge of heading to Orlando to play in the Championship Game, until a last-minute touchdown by the Nashville Storm ended their season.  South Jersey is always a threat to win the East, and 2009 is no different.

Questions:  Can they knock-off potential playoff opponents such as the Hurricanes, Piranha, and Green Jackets?  How well will they travel?

Hampton Roads Hurricanes (7-2)
Every year the Hurricanes win a game or two in the playoffs, and along the way they usually take one of the top teams down to the wire.  The Canes bring a lot of team speed and a solid defense to the table.

Questions:  Can their offense take it up a notch?  Do they have enough in the tank to notch rod wins against potential opponents such as the Lynx, Piranha, and Green Jackets?

Chambersburg Cardinals (6-4)
They've tasted the playoffs, but they haven't enjoyed their brief visits.  The Cardinals under-achieved in 2009, but all of that can change if they get hot during the playoffs.

Questions:  Was their near-upset of the Piranha a few weeks ago a fluke?  Will they get past the DC Explosion in the first round?

Southern Conference
Favorite:  Nashville Storm
Contenders:  Bay Area Pearland Gamblers, St. Louis Bulldogs, and Asheville Grizzlies

Nashville Storm (10-0)
The Nashville Storm haven't recovered from their 2006 Championship Game loss to the Dallas Diesel (blew 19-7 halftime lead; lost 24-19).  The 2009 edition of the Storm is out to take care of some unfinished business.  Nashville has been dominant all season long against tough opposition.  This could be their year.

Questions:  Will the long layoff hurt them?  Will they be over-confident?

Bay Area Pearland Gamblers (8-2)
The Gamblers are one of the X-Factor teams in the playoffs.  They have a good record, but few league opponents provide little to gauge their success.  However, you don't ever discount a team from Texas, because you know they'll have numerous quality athletes on their roster.

Questions:  How well will they travel?  Are they as good as their record?

St. Louis Bulldogs (8-2)
The Bulldogs are a perennial playoff participant.  Every year they advance deep into the postseason.  "Chief" Moore has his troops ready to make a legitimate run at claiming the South in 2009.  If they get past their opening game, then a tough trip to Houston, and possibly a trip to Nashville await.

Questions:  Can they finally get over the hump?  Will travel be an issue?

Asheville Grizzlies (7-1)
Perhaps the best kept secret in the NAFL South are the Asheville Grizzlies.  They are peaking at the right time (5-game winning streak), and could pose some problems for the top-seeded Storm.

Questions:  How will they respond if they beat Nashville?  Will travel be their downfall?

Northern Conference
Favorites:  Dakota Lawdawgs, St. Paul Pioneers, and Racine Raiders
Contenders:  Indianapolis Tornados and Iowa Lightning
Dark Horse:  Columbia Trojans

Dakota Lawdawgs (10-0)
This could be the year that the Lawdawgs win the North.  How many times has that been said?  Despite having zero conference titles, the Lawdawgs have a legitimate shot at taking care of business in 2009.  They already have a huge win at Racine, and would not have travel at all during the conference postseason.  The only way they lose, is if their opponent can find a way to stop the top rushing attack in the league (268 yards per game).

Questions:  Do they become complacent by having home-field?  Can they finally get over the hump?

St. Paul Pioneers (9-1)
If it's October, then it must be playoff time in St. Paul.  The Pioneers have a storied history of success in the playoffs, but the conference title isn't on their resume.  Similar to last year, the North is wide-open, and the Pioneers may have what it takes to go to the next level in 2009.

Questions:  Will travel be their downfall?  Will looking ahead to next round keep them from winning the game at hand?

Racine Raiders (8-2)
This team was the favorite to win it all, until they lost not once, but twice.  Now that they have no pressure to make it to Miami, maybe the Raiders can play loose and let their talent and instincts lead them to victory.  Also trying to lead Racine to victory will be Northern Conference Player of the Year candidate, running back Bryan Jennings Jr. (#3 rusher in the league), and Mr. Everything, wide receiver / return specialist Charles Owens (987 combined yards, 5 TD).

Questions:  Will they finally experience the third round of the playoffs?  How well will they travel?

Indianapolis Tornados (8-2)
They're the defending NAFL Champs, and yet they're flying under the radar.  That's mostly due to being swept by the Nashville Storm (23-13, 42-0).  However, the Tornados might like not being tabbed as the favorite.  In 2008, Indy had a couple of losses heading into the playoffs, and got hot at the right time.  That'll be their plan again in 2009.

Questions:  Can they flip the switch during the playoffs?  Have they recovered from being shutout by the Storm?

Iowa Lightning (9-1)
The Lightning are top scoring team (47.0 per game) in the league, and have posted 30+ points in seven games, including three games of 70+ points.  However, they were held to 7 points (14-7 vs. Cedar Valley Vikings) in their lone loss, which indicates a soft schedule.  During the playoffs, there are no cream puffs, so Iowa will be put to the test.

Questions:  How good are the Lightning?  Will their soft schedule hurt them?

Columbia Trojans (8-2)
This first-year team has been a nice surprise for the NAFL.  They aren't the USC Trojans, but the Columbia Trojans have proven that they have a potent offense.  They're averaging 30.3 points per game, and lead the NAFL in total yards per game (569.2) and passing yards per game (316.2).  Their playoff success is tied to the performance of their offense.

Questions:  How well will they travel?  Can they hang with the elite teams of the NAFL?

Western Conference
Favorites:  Bellingham Bulldogs and Southern Oregon Renegades
Contender:  Grays Harbor Bearcats

Bellingham Bulldogs (10-0)
The Bulldogs are a first-year NAFL team, and have made a great splash in their first season.  They're scoring 34.2 points per game, and have secured the #1 seed in the West.  A potential showdown with the Renegades seems inevitable.

Questions:  How good are the Bulldogs?  Will the national spotlight hinder their performance?

Southern Oregon Renegades (10-0)
The Renegades are no stranger to the NAFL playoffs, and have put together a tremendous season to this point.  Defense wins championships, and Southern Oregon has the #2 defense in the league (yielding 3.5 points per game).  That might be the deciding factor during the postseason.

Questions:  Can they get by Grays Harbor for the third time this season?  Will travel be a factor?

Grays Harbor Bearcats (8-2)
The Bearcats' only two losses this season were against their first round opponent, the Southern Oregon Renegades (47-0, 6-3).  If they can avenge those losses with a win, their reward might be a trip to Bellingham.  That's a tough task for any team.

Questions:  How will the return trip to the Renegades affect their mental approach to the game?  Do they have enough in the tank to win two games against the best in the West?