Heading into the 2024 IFL season, if you have not previously watched any Indoor Football League games, with 16 different teams it can be a lot to take in at once.
Which teams are good? Which teams are bad? Which teams are most likely to cover the Spread or hit the Over and make you rich beyond your wildest dreams?
Do you wish there was a guide that provided an NFL comparison to current IFL teams based on their 2023 performance and where they stand heading into 2024?
You do?! Well you are in luck today!
The Official ‘Off The Wall’ NFL Team Comparison to Current IFL Teams Based on their 2023 Performance & Where They Stand Heading into 2024: Eastern Conference edition*
*Also known as The OOTWNFLTCCIFLTB2023P&WTSH2024:EC for short — it rolls right off the tongue
Frisco Fighters
In 2023, the Frisco Fighters had an extremely dynamic offense led by the League MVP with a stout defense. Frisco was arguably the best team in the IFL during the regular season, but just could not finish in the playoffs.
NFL comparison: Baltimore Ravens
Frisco was by far one of the most fun teams to watch in 2024 and lit up the scoreboard on a weekly basis. TJ Edwards was dynamic all year and was the runaway MVP of the league -- but they left a lot to be desired when it comes to the playoffs. Can they take the next step and bring a title back to Frisco?
Green Bay Blizzard
The Green Bay Blizzard are located in a great football town, but always seems to find itself under .500 at the end of the season. If that’s not Commander football, I don’t know what is.
NFL comparison: Washington Commanders
The Blizzard are one of the most well run organizations in the IFL off the field (total opposite of the Commanders lol), which makes the on field production so frustrating. If they can get some consistency out of the QB position in 2024, their fortunes can start to turn around.
They are losing their top WR option to the AFL and will need to have new faces step up if they want to make the postseason.
Iowa Barnstormers
The Iowa Barnstormers are arguably the most historically significant franchise in any current Indoor or Arena league, but much likely the historically rich New York Football Giants, they have really struggled to find offensive identity over the past few years.
NFL comparison: New York Giants
The Barnstormers are such a historic franchise that has been one of the premiere brands in indoor football for decades, but the last couple of seasons have been mediocre at best. There's a lot of work to be done to go back to their winning ways of 2018, and it starts with stabilizing and getting consistency out of the QB position.
Jacksonville Sharks
The Jacksonville Sharks are making their IFL debut in 2024, but in other leagues they have been the model of consistency since their founding in 2010 and always seem to find a way to be in the playoff hunt every year — no matter what. NFL comparison: Pittsburgh Steelers
Some teams have IT, and some teams don't -- but Jacksonville just gets it. Every year since they were established, they have been competitive and in the mix for the postseason and beyond. They are bringing such a strong fanbase and organizational structure to the IFL and I am really looking forward to seeing how they adapt to the Indoor game.
Massachusetts Pirates
In 2023, the Pirates had an absolutely electric offense with playmakers at every skill position, including a very gifted young running back, and a bend but don’t break defense that made plays when they needed them to.
NFL comparison: Los Angeles Rams
Massachusetts seems to always have weapons at WR and this upcoming season will be no different. They have a veteran QB stepping in with plenty of weapons on offense and an opportunistic defense. The Pirates are going to be dangerous all year.
Quad City Steamwheelers
In 2023, Quad City had a high powered offense that lived and died with the performance of the QB position and they have a defense that can create game changing turnovers to get their offense back on the field.
NFL comparison: Dallas Cowboys
Any offense is going to be super dependent on their QB (especially in the IFL), but Quad City had the majority of their on offense flow through QB EJ Hilliard last season -- both in the air and on the ground. They are going to need more help from other pieces of the offense (especially on the ground) in order to make a run in 2024.
Sioux Falls Storm
The winningest team in league history (winning 11 league championships between 2005 and 2019), who just had their legendary coach step down after 20 years with the team. Looking to rebuild in 2024.
NFL Comparison: New England Patriots
Sioux Falls is going to be one of the more interesting teams to watch this upcoming season. Not a knock on their current coaching staff, but replacing Coach Kurtis Riggs is going to be a tall task. Will they be able to pick up where they left off last season, as well as finding their new QB of the future?
Tulsa Oilers
It’s always tough for expansion teams at any level of sports, but the newest expansion franchise in the IFL will need some time to find its footing and identity within the indoor game after a tough start in 2023.
NFL Comparison: Houston Texans
Tulsa started to click towards the end of last season and they have a bright future ahead if they can continue to build on that. They established good fanbase support from the jump and they should make a massive leap in 2024.
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