The X-League playoffs were down to four teams as the Panasonic IMPULSE faced off against IBM BIG BLUE for a spot in the Japan X-Bowl Championship.
Panasonic, whose has been a perfect 7-0 on the season so far, was a heavy favorite to win the game, but IBM didn't back down. This was sure to be a battle until the very end on this Sunday November 26, 2017.

Both teams would see the end zone in the first quarter, with IBM striking first with a 10 yard touchdown pass.
Panasonic would respond with a 10 yard touchdown pass of its own from QB to WR #89 Taiji Koyama.
The second quarter would favor Panasonic by way of a 24 yard touchdown pass from QB to WR #2 Shohei Kishimoto and a 43 yard field goal by K #11 Eita Saeki.
IBM would also score a 46 yard field goal this quarter, leaving Panasonic up 17-7 at half.

The third quarter is where Panasonic stalled out as they wouldn't score at all.
IBM, on the other hand, would score two touchdowns back to back after a successful onside kick attempt.
This big third quarter for IBM would change the momentum as they would go up 24-17 at the end of the third.
The fourth quarter was as tense as it gets as Panasonic evened up the score 24 all with a 3 yard touchdown pass from QB to WR #15 Tatsuya Tonka.
IBM would respond with a 7 yard touchdown pass increasing it to a 31-24 lead.
With two chances to even the score, Panasonic was not able as they would be handed their first loss all season in a heartbreaking fashion.
IBM will face Fujitsu FRONTIERS in the Japan X-Bowl December 18.

The entire Panasonic IMPULSE organization would like to thank all of our fans throughout this season.
Your support was essential to our success this year and hopefully for many more years.

We will continue to fight to reach the top of the X-League. Exceeding those limits until we can one day be crowned CHAMPIONS again.

[Written by Carlton Jones]