2025 SGL Playoffs: Final 4

After an incredible WOBO, the dust has settled, the hangovers faded, and we have four teams- all of which were in attendance! This weekend, we saw all four top-seeds upset by their opponent- a first in the 17-year history of the SGL.

​

The Hound Dogs toppled the #1 Skulls, 125.7-104.52, after getting touchdowns from nearly (Judkins) every player on their team to advance to the second round of the SGL Playoffs– the first time since 2020 and only the 4th time ever in franchise history. The Hound Dogs tied one on in celebration. The Hound Dogs have now won 3 in a row to keep their season alive, and started to earnestly get “Hound Dog Year” and “HDY” chants! This is an exciting time for the Hound Dogs. 2 more wins, and the most tortured team and the longest drought in the SGL is lifted. Can you imagine the joy?

The Skulls’ year ends in tragedy, becoming the first #1 seed to be upset since the 2020 Dragons- also falling to the Hound Dogs that year. The Skulls ended up getting a monster game from their legendary Bills stack, but the rest of their team combined for less than half of Josh Allen/James Cook.

​

Staying on that side of the bracket, the Beavers bested the Swans for the 3rd time in as many months, 142.4-116.64. The Beavers' two sets of triplets ended up being too much for the Swans as they combined for an incredible 48.6 (49ers) and 42.7 (Jags). This strategy worked well against those defenses, but will we see the Beavers ride the hot hands against more formidable foes in the semis? We also saw Puka put up his 4th-best score and has now put up back-to-back weeks of 32.2 and 23.4 points- he’s been so hot! The last X-factor of this team is the emergence of a flex, Tony Pollard. Pollard has been on a tear, and if the Titans can continue to fight and block in another losing season, the Beavers could very well be on their way to their 4th title. Last, but surely not least, on Saturday, 11/29/25, the Beavers brought Mike Evans back into the locker room. This man was supposed to be dead, but he looked far from it on Thursday. If the Beavers get the all-time winningest Beaver/Beast playing the type of football we saw on Thursday, wrap it up, it’s coming home, and the Beavers will be the first franchise to win 4 SGL Cups, their 4th in 9 years.

As mentioned in the preview, the Swans had an opportunity to play a little defense and block the Beavers from getting Purdy (26.2 points) or another QB last week. Still, they didn’t make a move, as it ultimately wouldn’t have mattered, but it would have given the Beavers an MNF sweat. The Swans have now experienced back-to-back years of first-round exits at the hands of KVO, KVOcide. Or they’ve been serial KVOrdered.

​

The Dragons are off to the semis after beating the Juleps in a mud fight, 86.76-72. This is the highest Dragon score since week 12. The Dragons have got to find some points quickly as they face a well-rounded Fire Ants team that is peaking at the right time. This is the first trip back to the semis for the Dragons since 2021, where they went on to lose to the Skulls in the SGL Cup. The Silver Dragon is tied for the most silvers, but he’s got bigger ambitions. The Dragons are likely due for a big week more than anyone else in the league. Could this Drag-eyser erupt on Sunday?

The Juleps laid an absolute egg on Sunday. Thursday provided a hot start from Bijan, but you could feel something was happening once Sean Tucker got the goal line work, and Rachaad White was intermittently featured. From there, it only got worse as Burrow, Ladd, Rice, Pittman, and Bowers each scored less than 9 points.

​

The Fire Ants made quick work of the CDMX Bulldogs in a blowout, 124.72-84.6. The Fire Ants appear to be peaking at the right time as they’re getting solid performances from all players. This is the 5th time the Fire Ants have been in the second round in 6 years. A truly remarkable feat. However, they’ve only won two bronzes in 2020 and 2021.

​Previews:

​

The Oldest Rivalry in the SGL plays out on one side of the semi-final with the Beavers taking on the Hound Dogs. The Beavers and Hound Dogs have met in the semi-finals twice before, in 2011 and 2012, and they split both games- neither bringing home The Cup. This time around, the Beavers have 3 in the cabinet, and the Hound Dogs are still seeking their first ever. Could the “underdog” Beavers be on their way to 4 in 9 years? Are the Hound Dogs good enough to beat the winningest club in SGL history?

​

The Dragons and Fire Ants do not have a rich playoff history, but these two franchises have combined for four silvers and two bronzes. Both teams have been waiting 10 years+ since their last championship, and one of them will have a chance to end that drought. The underperforming due-Dragons or the peaking Fire Ants?