Overwatch League 2019 Playoffs Preview
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Overwatch League 2019 Playoffs Preview
The remaining two spots in the playoffs have been decided, so now the show can officially begin. The remaining two spots in the playoffs have been decided, so now the show can officially begin. The top eight teams for the 2019 season of League look to compete in a double elimination style bracket with all roads leading to the Grand Finals in Philadelphia. Who will make it to the end? Which players will have the biggest impact? Let's find out. The Teams
(8) Seoul Dynasty - One of the most frustrating teams throughout the first two seasons of OWL. Their potential is extremely high but can't seem to reach it. Everyone had written off Dynasty when they had to face off against the surging Charge, but they showed up in dominant fashion. If they can continue that level of play, they're a scary team this post-season. THEGAMER VIDEO OF THE DAY (7) London Spitfire - The 2018 champs overcame the Dragons in an epic 8-map match to claim a spot in the playoffs. If they can keep that momentum, the Spitfire can beat anyone in the league. The question is: which London team will actually show up? Don't count them out, though. They're the defending champs for a reason. (6) Atlanta Reign - Probably the heading into the playoffs. They have an extremely tough match against the Shock, but even if they get sent to the loser bracket, they have a good chance of fighting their way through it for a chance at the Grand Finals. (5) Los Angeles Gladiators - The Gladiators tend to have really solid seasons in the OWL and fail to perform during the playoffs. They can change the narrative this post-season with a match against the Spark. If the Gladiators can put the winning pieces together, they can be a scary team. (4) Hangzhou Spark - The Hangzhou Spark have been slow to adapt to the meta all season long, but once they do they look dominant. If they can quickly adapt this post-season, they have a legitimate chance of making a run for the Grand Finals. (3) San Francisco Shock - The most dominant team in all of OWL at the moment. All roads go through the Shock to get the Grand Finals. The Shock don't look to be slowing down anytime soon, either. If they can continue to play the way they have been, they have a lock on a spot in the championship. (2) New York Excelsior - If the NYXL can figure out the problems that have been holding them back, they can become an unstoppable force. They've consistently been a top team in the league since the inaugural season last year, but can't dial it in when it really counts. If they can this year, the Excelsior finish that everyone always thought would happen could become a reality. (1) Vancouver Titans - People claimed that the Titans were a one-trick GOATS team, but they proved everyone wrong with their top-tier play in stage 4. They don't look as dominant as they did during the first half of the season, but the Titans still are the number one seed in the playoffs and for good reason. They can dominate just about anyone they want. A San Francisco Shock vs. Vancouver Titans championship is a strong possibility. Players To Watch
Fits - Seoul Dynasty: Fits dominated on Doomfist during the play-ins match against the Charge. The Dynasty look unstoppable in their victory and Fits can help carry Seoul in these playoffs. Gesture - London Spitfire: Gesture was the only main tank that played Sigma during the play-ins. He performed well, and with the hero being so important to the meta right now, he will need to keep it up for the Spitfire to get a chance at their title defense. Erster - Atlanta Reign: Erster is a versatile and explosive DPS player who will need to continue to show is wide-array of heroes throughout the playoffs. If he can excel on Doomfist, the Reign can continue their hot streak. Decay - Los Angeles Gladiators: Decay and Surefour are a dynamic DPS duo for the LA Gladiators. If he can continue his strong play opposite of the Canadian legend, they have a chance to go far. Guxue - Hangzhou Spark: The MVP candidate, Role Star, and the heart of the Hangzhou Spark. Guxue will look to assert his dominance over all the other tanks in the league. It isn't certain if he will play sigma or not, but his impact will be felt throughout the playoffs. Moth - San Francisco Shock: Moth flies under the radar for the Shock, but he has consistently been one of the best (if not the best) supports in the league and a key component to San Francisco's dominance. Jjonak - New York Excelsior: The New York Excelsior need a leader on the stage. With Saebyeolbe getting less and less playtime, Jjonak needs to step up and take command of a New York team that doesn't have a strong voice leading the charge. Jjanu - Vancouver Titans: If the MVP candidate plays Sigma, he will make a massive impact for the Titans going forward as they look to make a run deep into the playoffs. Predictions
With the new Sigma meta in place, it's hard to tell which teams will excel and which will flop. The Dynasty were a tour de force in their match against the Charge and could be an dark horse candidate throughout the playoffs. If they find themselves in the loser bracket they have a chance to run it all the way back to the finals. The San Francisco Shock will have a tough opponent in the Atlanta Reign, but after that they have a solid chance of making it to the very end. The Titans and the Shock are the most likely teams to reach the Grand Finals with how they have been playing lately, but teams like Atlanta, Seoul, London, and New York have a chance to make their mark. The Playoffs start Thursday, September 5th at 4:00pm PST.