LPFA Regular Season Finale: Playoff Picture Set as Devils Stay Perfect
- Guilherme De Jesus
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
The 2026 LPFA regular season has officially come to a close, and with it, the playoff picture is now fully defined. While some teams entered the final week fighting for survival, others used it as a statement opportunity — or a chance to fine-tune ahead of the postseason.
At the end of it all, the Lisboa Devils remain unbeaten, the Braga Warriors claim the final playoff spot, and the Lisboa Navigators quietly prepare for their title push.
Braga Warriors 28 – 18 Lisboa Bulldogs
Win-and-in scenario sends Braga to the playoffs.
This was the headline matchup of the week — a direct clash for the final playoff berth.
The Lisboa Bulldogs made the trip to Braga knowing exactly what was at stake: win, and they’re in. Lose, and their season ends.
Despite showing clear improvement throughout the season — arguably their best campaign in recent years — the Bulldogs fell short when it mattered most. Braga capitalized on key moments and controlled the game well enough to secure a decisive 28–18 victory.
For the Warriors, this is a massive step forward. After a balanced but inconsistent regular season, they now find themselves in the semifinals, where they will face the league’s most dominant team: the Lisboa Devils.
For the Bulldogs, elimination stings — especially given the progress they’ve shown — but the trajectory is undeniably positive.
Lisboa Devils 27 – 7 Cascais Crusaders
Perfect season completed with defensive dominance
The Lisboa Devils leave no doubt: they are the team to beat.
Closing out the regular season at 6–0, the Devils delivered another commanding performance against the Cascais Crusaders in a game that was never truly in question.
But at this point, calling it just “a strong defense” almost feels like underselling it.
This unit has been the identity of the Devils all season — and arguably one of the most dominant defenses the LPFA has seen in recent years. Allowing just 26 total points across an entire regular season is not just impressive, it’s borderline absurd. That’s consistency, discipline, and execution at a level rarely seen in the league.
What makes it even more dangerous is the depth and structure behind it. Even missing some key pieces, the system doesn’t break. The front consistently disrupts timing, the linebackers read plays quickly and close gaps with authority, and the secondary plays with a level of confidence that forces offenses into mistakes.
There’s a sense, watching this defense, that opposing offenses are not just trying to move the ball — they’re trying to survive.
And that’s the real difference. The Devils don’t just stop drives — they dictate the entire tempo of the game.
Offensively, Lisboa showed once again that they have the tools to capitalize on that defensive dominance. The unit looks fluid and well-coordinated, although small discipline issues — penalties and occasional self-inflicted mistakes — remain one of the few cracks in an otherwise complete team.
On the other side, the Crusaders approached this game differently. With playoff positioning already secured, they rotated players, experimented tactically, and notably played without their starting quarterback. The result was a disjointed performance, particularly on defense, where they struggled to contain Lisboa’s rhythm.
Still, Cascais remains a dangerous team — but if they meet the Devils again, they’ll need far more than adjustments. They’ll need answers to a defense that, so far, no one has been able to solve.
Salgueiros Renegades 13 – 6 Maia Mutts
Renegades avoid winless season in tightly contested battle
While not carrying playoff implications, this matchup had its own significance: avoiding a winless season.
In a competitive and hard-fought game, the Salgueiros Renegades edged out the Maia Mutts, securing their first victory of the year and ending their season on a positive note.
For the Renegades, this result serves as a small but meaningful reward in what has been a rebuilding year marked by roster losses and adjustments.
For the Mutts, the story remains frustratingly familiar. Despite showing resilience and effort week after week, their limited roster depth once again proved decisive. They finish the season without a win — not for lack of fight, but due to the structural challenges they continue to face.
Navigators Idle, But Looming
The Lisboa Navigators did not take the field this week, benefiting from a bye. However, their position as the second seed is firmly established.
With a 5–1 record and a well-balanced team on both sides of the ball, the Navigators now shift their full focus to the playoffs, where they are expected to be serious contenders.
Playoffs Are Set
With the regular season complete, the semifinals are now locked in:
Lisboa Devils vs Braga Warriors
Lisboa Navigators vs Cascais Crusaders
The Devils enter as overwhelming favorites, but playoff football often tells a different story. Braga will need a near-perfect performance to challenge them.
On the other side, the Navigators–Crusaders matchup promises to be far more balanced — a clash between structure and explosiveness, where small details could decide everything.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 LPFA regular season delivered clear narratives:
A dominant, unbeaten powerhouse in the Devils
A quietly efficient contender in the Navigators
A dangerous but inconsistent Crusaders side
And a resilient Warriors team peaking at the right time
Now, everything resets.
Records no longer matter — only performances do.
And if this regular season has shown anything, it’s that while one team may look untouchable… the playoffs have a way of changing everything.
Comments