Tecmo Bowl: Road to the 2011 championship

[TecmoBowlTerror]

My friends and I consider the 80's the best NFL era of all time. Because Tecmo Bowl showcases the great players from that decade, its not hard for us to keep playing this all time great game after 21 years. This January we kicked off yet another season.

We draft the 12 teams, and randomly create 4 divisions inside 2 conference. Play a 12 game schedule, and the top 4 from each conference make the playoffs. The 49ers are the current two time defending champs.


Season 3 championship newspaper.
49ers destroy the defending champion Miami Dolphins to claim their 1st title.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v624/bradtheimpaler/champs-fd-3-1.gif


Season 4 championship newspaper.
Undefeated 49ers repeat!
The 49ers won an epic overtime battle against a 1-loss Giants team.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v624/bradtheimpaler/champs-fd-4.gif


The new season had begun.
Check out all the action and tons more on Tecmo Bowl & R.B.I. Baseball at http://www.tecmobowl-vs-rbi.com/index.html


Season 5 division set up. The Super powers which are the 49ers, Giants, and Bears all made their way into the same conference.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v624/bradtheimpaler/Season5divisions.jpg
Going to be tough to win that conference, but overall gives all the teams from the opposite side a decent chance at getting to the championship game.


Season 5 schedule
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v624/bradtheimpaler/schedule5.gif

4 division games and 4 more conference games...and 4 inter-conference games to give all teams a slightly different set of opponents.


Scores and highlites
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v624/bradtheimpaler/week1results.jpg
--49ers 24 game win streak in season play comes to an end. Montana throws 3 picks, and Redskins hold on late.

--Elway's 3rd qtr INT in Broncos territory dooms Denver. Miami takes control.

--Bears destroy the Raiders. Luckily, Chicago was forced into kicking a lot of field goals, or this score gets real ugly.



--Colts win ugly, which they do best

--Cowboys defense stymies Giants offense all game, and the offense finally moves the ball in O.T. against LT and his boys.

--Gerald McNeil takes a kickoff to the house in the 3rd to tie things up, then does it again in O.T. to beat the Seahawks.

[TecmoBowlTerror]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v624/bradtheimpaler/week2results.jpg
--Giants/Redskins game went a freaking hour and 20 minutes. Typically we play a game of Tecmo in about 20-25 minutes tops. Skins defense was playing out of their minds, but LT and Carl banks would not let Washington win this game.

--Raiders controlled the game, and Bo Jackson had a long TD run.

--Dolphins get bailed out by Lorenzo Hampton with some big run plays late which led to the game winning field goal.

--Fredd Young picks off 5 Elway passes. Denver made run at Seattle in the 3rd, but too many turnovers did them in.

--Apparently the 49ers have decided 24 game win streaks are a thing of the past, and drop a 2nd straight game. Dallas defense plays ou of its mind for the 2nd game in a row. Montana tosses 2 more INT's

--Bears/Colts have a great game early, but the Bears overpower Indy. Colts are stuffed on 4th and short just inside the 50 late in the 3rd putting the game out of reach.

[TecmoBowlTerror]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v624/bradtheimpaler/week3results.jpg

--Redskins make a game of it, but the Colts wear out an inferior team.

--Trailing 7-0 in the 4th, Dan Marino engineers a frantic scoring drive, and Lorenzo Hampton racks up some vital yards. Late in the 4th qtr John Offerdahl picks off a Jim McMahon pass, and the Fins get a game winning field goal at the gun.

--Dallas defense comes to play again, and Bernie Kosar toss a couple early picks. In the 2nd half Herschel Walker runs effectively. Trailing 17-0, Gerald McNeil takes a late kickoff to the house. His 3rd of the season.

--Giants get unexpectedly pummeled. A crushing defeat NO ONE saw coming. Curt Warner put the jukes to LT all game long, and Dave Kreig mercilessly makes the Giants defense PAY for every mistake they make. An historic Tecmo Bowl loss for the Giants.

P.S. If anyone can explain to me why its proclaimed "an historic"...I'd love to freaking know! Why not "a historic"????

[TecmoBowlTerror]

Standings as we near the quarter point of the season.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v624/bradtheimpaler/week3partial-1.jpg

49ers reeling at 0-2 is the story this season, but Dallas posting completely inexplicable wins over the heavy weights has gotten equal attention.

Bears looking very strong despite the week 3 loss, and the Dolphins have been taking care of business early.

[tubeway]

lol football

[Yago]

This is pretty entertaining. Go Bears! lol. Yeah yeah don't remind me about the Packers but there is always next year. Or maybe not. Depends if there will be a strike by the owners.

Anyway... This reminds me back in the days on the Commodore 64 a friend and I would spend hours playing 4th and Inches. We played this game for years. Oddly, even today I have more fun playing the old football games rather than the latest Madden game. 4th and Inches and Cyberball. Good times...

[TecmoBowlTerror]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v624/bradtheimpaler/week4scores-1.jpg

--Bo Jackson rolls early, and the Raiders hold on for the close win. Chris Doleman's 4th qtr INT prevented another Raider score.
--Joe Montana of old shows up for a change, and slays the Broncos defense while getting the 49ers into the win column.

[TecmoBowlTerror]

Schedules moving forward....

The Bears get the Giants and 49ers at home the next 2 weeks. Considering those 2 are struggling in the standings, back to back Bear wins there really puts them in the driver seat for the #1 seed. The Bears have already beaten Indy, and face them again in week 7. A win there seemingly wraps up the division as well.

Indy has a rough set of match-ups coming up soon. @ NY, @ Cleveland, and @ Chicago. The Colts division title hopes may sink or swim by week 7.

Miami's schedule is full of tough match-up on the road down the stretch....it was imperative they start off hot.

[TecmoBowlTerror]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v624/bradtheimpaler/week4scores-2.jpg

--A controversial INT by Bernie Kosar deflates the Browns, and the Redskins riding high on momentum run over the Browns.
--Dallas forgets to bring a defensive gameplan to Miami, and gets destroyed in this battle of undefeated teams.
--Colts winning ugly. Wash, rinse, and repeat. Eric Dickerson + Methodical & short passing attack + great special teams + solid defense = FREAKING COLTS FOOTBALL!!!!

--Anthony Carter takes the opening kickoff into field goal range, and the Vikings get 3. Shades of the 1987 playoff performance by Carter loom on the horizon...but Joe Montana leads a 3rd qtr rally to put the 49ers on top. Montana gets picked off in the endzone late in the 4th to prevent more points
--Jackson has a huge 2nd half blowing the game wide open. Raiders roll and are looking strong so far.
--Bears rolls the dice on 4th and short from the Giants 40 in the 2nd qtr, but the Giants D turns them back. Trailing 3-0, the Bears put together a long drive, and Payton's reception puts them up 7-6. The defense holds on late and Chicago takes control of the conference.

[TecmoBowlTerror]

Remaining schedule
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v624/bradtheimpaler/remainingschedule.gif

--49ers have 2 games with both the Giants and Bears remaining. Going to find out if they have what it takes to three-peat this season.
--Colts have a favorable set of games to finish with. They may be looking for a couple win late if the division title is Chicago stumbles, and the division title is on the line.

--Cleveland is not living up to expectations, but still has a lot of winnable games ahead.
--Raiders have what looks to be a cake schedule late in the year.
--Seahawks may be able to cruise from week 8 on.
Lots of playoff positioning to be decided for Miami, Dallas, and LA before the end of the season.

[TecmoBowlTerror]

Complete standings through week 4

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v624/bradtheimpaler/standingsweek4.gif

Season is 1/3 finished at this point. Despite the struggles of the Giants offense early, the fact that they share a conference with the Redskins/Vikings prettty much means they will get the 4 seed at minimum.

The 49ers seem to have gotten over their issues early, and Joe Montana is playing like he is expected to.

The NFC is going to be wide open. At this point I can see 4 teams have a legit shot at the 1 seed....Miami/LA/DAL/ and even Seattle.

[TecmoBowlTerror]

Week 5 games are in the books

LA @ NY
The ultimate get well game for the Giants. Schroeder tosses an early pick in LA territory to Carl Banks, and Simms tosses a TD pass moments later. Giants add a Fg and win 10-0.
Raiders kept moving the ball near midfield all game, but the giants defense would force a punt on 4th and short. Much needed win for the Giants and it appears Simms is coming out of his early season struggles.

Seattle @ Miami
Marino leads a big drive early for a 3-0 lead. Marino implodes in the 2nd qtr though and a couple interceptions create a 3-3 game at halftime. A Kreig INT in the 4th leads to Miami getting the winning field goal late. Dolphins get by and stay undefeated witha 9-6 score.

Indy @ Cleveland
Defensive struggle all game. Colts finally unleash Dickerson in the 3rd qtr in route to a 3-0 win.

SF @ Chicago
Gentry takes the opening kick off deep in 49er territory, which leads to a Payton TD reception. 49ers retaliate with a field goal. The wheels then fall off for San Fran. Bears defense playpicks the 49ers at their 45 on 4th and 2 in the 2nd qtr. The turnover on downs leads to a Bears field goal. 10-3.
49ers frantically drive into field goal range before the half, but the kick is blocked.
Bears add another TD and a massive 17-3 lead. Montana gets hot and the 49ers pull within 7 late in the 3rd.
Walter Payton breaks the back of the defense with a big run early in the 4th, and chicago eventually gets a game clinching field goal. 20-10. Montana tosses a pick, and the Bears add 3 in garbage time. Chicago rolls 23-10.

Game was closer than the score indicates, but 3 huge plays went in Chicago's favor with the opening kick return, the 4th down stop, and the blocked field goal.

Dallas @ Denver.
Broncos offense is clicking and the defense holds walker in check for most of the game. Denver holds a 9-3 lead early in the 4th, but dallas converts a 4th and 2 instead of attempting the field goal. This leads to a Herschel Walker Td run and Dallas pulls ahead 10-9. moments later, Ken Bell gets a huge kick return into field goal range and Denver wins 12-10.

Washinton @ Minnesota
The WR run teams catch a national audience with the monday nioght game. Scoreless defensive struggle until the Vikings finally march into field goal range in the 3rd. What looks like it wil be the game winner is instead blocked, and Washington has new life.

Scoreless through 4 qtr, the vikings get the OT kickoff, but carter is tackled around his 20. The Redskins finally get some yardage running at Chris Doleman with Gary Sanders, and Doug Williams has to convert a 4th and short with a quick pass to Didier to crawl into field goal range. Redskins pull it out 3-0.

[TecmoBowlTerror]

Standings
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v624/bradtheimpaler/S5week5standings.gif

Clock is ticking loudly for the 49ers and Giants. For a couple teams that combined to go 23-1 last year and smash all in their path, the conference #1 seed is on the verge of not even being an option anymore.

Colts @ Bears coming up in week 7 will all but decide the division and conference #1 seed.
Bears win gives them a sweep over Indy and complete control there. Colts win coupled with an easier schedule than the Bears over the final 5 games puts them in the drivers seats.

Marino continues to lead big drives when needed. If Miami can knock off Seattle again in week 9, they probably lock up the division even if they struggle with all the road games coming up.

The Raiders are actually in a good spot to take the 1 seed in the conference despite trailing by 2 games. Their most difficult games have already been played, and they are at home in 4 of the final 6.

[MachineGex]

The Vikings are still without a win? Sigh.....

[shinobimusashi]

So I don't get it, do you 2 guys actually sit down and play all of those games, or just simulate them and hope that the teams you drafted win, like a fantasy football thing? I would have more fun just playing through the regular season with someone, perhaps in the same division so you end up playing each other twice in the regular season, but thats just me.

I've never really played the NES version of Tecmo Bowl though, only the Gameboy version, and a shitload of Tecmo Super Bowl so I'm not sure if you can even play through a season with the team selection option of TSB in Tecmo Bowl(you can't in the GB port).

How awesome would it be to play an online league of Tecmo Super Bowl with 27 other live opponents with the standard 16 game regular season and playoffs/Super Bowl? That would be hard to do as I can't imagine someone would play through 16 painfull games as the New England Patriots.

I agree that The NFL was in its prime in the 80's. The League wasn't very competitive from around 80 to 82(Washingtons 82 playoff run was incredible though), but from 83 to 89(really on into 91/92 before free agency kicked in, which is why I prefer TSB over TB) there were some of the greatest teams, players and performances in the entire 91 year history of the league.

[TecmoBowlTerror]

The Vikings are still without a win? Sigh.....

Minnesota has a really great defense, but like Washington that dang WR run play kills their offense.
Washington's D is better and they tend to be more advantageous with getting turnovers and a short field. Washington historically also gets more shutouts, and therefore they eventually can put together a drive for the winning/only score.

A few years back Washinton only gave up 26 points in 12 games with 7 shut outs. Pretty much off the charts performance there.

[TecmoBowlTerror]

So I don't get it, do you 2 guys actually sit down and play all of those games, or just simulate them and hope that the teams you drafted win, like a fantasy football thing? I would have more fun just playing through the regular season with someone, perhaps in the same division so you end up playing each other twice in the regular season, but thats just me.

Yes, we do everything manually. We each draft 4 teams, then draw up a schedule and play all the games. 1 team per division is a "rover", meaning that we both control them over the course of the season. Depending on who the rover plays determines who controls them.

All games are played between the two of us. No computer or simulated games.
Lots of work goes into the season set ups.

All schedules are split into equal amount of games as player 1(home) and player 2(road).
Home team has always won more in the data we have from probably about 450 games.
Home team I think is 19-11(.633) this year, which is close to the home teams historical winning percentage. This plays a role in the random inter-conference games and how it makes some schedules tougher or easier based on home or road. Certainly in the playoffs it make a difference as the higher seed teams are always player 1 giving them an advantage.

[TecmoBowlTerror]

Week 6 results

Indianapolis @ NY
Giants and Colts face off in a defensive struggle. Giants get an Alegre field goal in the 4th for the only score. Trudeau throws a critical INT. Colts did piece together a drive in the 2nd qtr into Giants territory to the 20, but are stopped on 4th and short ending their only real scoring threat of the game. NY holds on 3-0.

Miami @ Cleveland
low scoring affair, that sees the Browns hold the Dolphins out of the endzone in the 1st qtr, but Miami does get a field goal. 3-3 game at the half. Browns get a FG in the 4th to take a 6-3 lead. Reveiz just misses the tying field goal by an eyelash as time expires. Dolphins taste defeat for the 1st time this season.

Minnesota @ Dallas
Herschel Walker is too much for the Vikings. Dallas only had a 7-3 going into the 4th but added a touchdown to put the game away. Cowboys win 14-6.

LA @ Seattle.
Schroeder has a huge game torching the seahawk defense. Raiders roll 20-3.

Washington @ SF
49ers get up 6-0 at the half and hold on 6-3. a Montana INT in Sf territory lead to the redskins only score. Montana threw a late endzone INT that kept the 49ers from adding 7.

Chicago @ Denver
Denver suffers 2 turnover on downs as they find themselves in a 14-3 deficit, yet a Mecklenberg INT eventually pulls them to within 14-10. Richard Dent gets a late INT to put the game away and butler nails a field goal as time expires. Bears win 17-10 in a pretty eventful game.

I'll get the spreadsheet put together and post the standings later.

[FrankSerpico]

Great thread, though I can't understand how you guys resisted the urge to play as my mighty Bills and the unstoppable human missile that is Tecmo Bowl Thurman Thomas

[TecmoBowlTerror]

Great thread, though I can't understand how you guys resisted the urge to play as my mighty Bills and the unstoppable human missile that is Tecmo Bowl Thurman Thomas

We always preferred the original Tecmo Bowl. More strategy to that game. I really like TSB, but the random stuff takes away from strategy.

[TecmoBowlTerror]

Standings through 6 weeks
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v624/bradtheimpaler/week6stand-1.gif

Based on the struggles of the 49ers/Giants...the week 7 game between Indy/Chicago is HUGE. Should the Bears win and get the season sweep of the Colts, that win likely puts them too far ahead of the Colts in the division race.
Also might signal the last hurdle for them to get the #1 seed considering the Giants/49ers poor records. Bears do have to play @SF and @ NY later this season which is a really tall order....but the major caveat is that the 49ers and Giants still have to play each other twice. Even if they can both beat the Bears, that has only temporarily dug them out of their collective hole in the conference race.

If the Colts win next week, they tie up with the Bears in the standings. From there Indy has a significantly more favorable schedule down the stretch than Chicago. Colts also have 4 home games left to the Bears 2 after week 7. Indy then would be the favorite to get the #1 seed. Not something we saw coming.

If the Colts want to reach Tecmo Bowl 5, they will need some games at home(Player 1) in the playoffs. Home team as usual typically wins around 65% of the time. Evident by the home teams record in the standings above.


As for the NFC this year, Miami finally suffered their 1st loss. Miami has a slew of road games coming up, so we expect their fortunes to change a bit. The Raiders have already faced their 2 toughest games, and have 4 home games in 5 weeks. We really think LA will gain some momentum late, and overtake Miami for the conference #1 seed.

I gotta say this has been one of the most unpredictable seasons for us. Usually theres a surprise team to the good or bad, but this year seems to have a lot more parity than usual, and more unexpected results occurring week in and week out.

[MachineGex]

I am just hoping the Vikings don't go winless. That would be sad. I remember playing this game with co-workers during breaks and after work around 89-90. We had a blast.

[TecmoBowlTerror]

I am just hoping the Vikings don't go winless. That would be sad. I remember playing this game with co-workers during breaks and after work around 89-90. We had a blast.

Its a possibility they will go winless. That WR run play really cripples the offense. I don't recall how well i articulated what is wrong with it in previous posts, but it has a programming error in the blocking scheme. It leaves the bottom outside LB unblocked on the WR run play. From there the defense just calls pass plays, and the offense can only run for about 2-3yards at a pop. A bottom bookend defender(DE/OLB/DB) is also unblocked on the Nelson run play to the top, but thats standard for every playbook. Minnesota's playbook on the passing side also plays intot he hands of defenders from that area on the field.

Minnesota hung tough in a few home games against Indy/Miami but didn't pull them out. Lost a nail biter against WSH as well. They have a fairly difficult road ahead, and Chicago is on the schedule twice as well.

From a points allowed standpoint Minnesota has been doing pretty well, but thats a double edged sword. Anthony Carter at times is a pretty dangerous return man, but his opportunities have been limited, and hes been a non factor for whatever reason. bad luck I guess.

Carter is one of the more dangerous "negative 4" guys. What I mean by negative 4....the opponent gets a field goal(and a 3-0 or 6-0 lead against the Vikings), and then Carter takes the ensuing kick off to the house creating a negative situation for them despite their 3 points. Typically Minnesota wins a game or two each season just on that scenario alone.
Carter has maybe 2 big returns all season(into FG range), and no TDs. They NEED some production from him. perhaps hes saving it up to play the role of a massive spoiler later this season.

[TecmoBowlTerror]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v624/bradtheimpaler/week7results.gif

-Marino engineers a 4th qtr TD drive(again!!!) and the Fins knock off the Giants. NY was in complete control until then. Miami defense holds on late.
-Another low scoring battle between WSH/MIN, and yet again another 3-0 result
-Gentry takes the opening KO to the house for 7-0 Bears lead. Colts hang around then explode on the scoreboard in the 2nd half.
-Denver exploits the slow Dallas defense, and Danny White tosses a couple INTs
-Seattle's offense controls the tempo of the game throughout, and the defense holds off late Montana rally to come out on top
-More Raider domination. Schroeder has a big day, and LA cruises to victory.

[M.Buster2184]

Intense.

[TecmoBowlTerror]

7 weeks in the books. Only 5 left.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v624/bradtheimpaler/week7standings.gif

Ugh...Giants/49ers both sitting at 3-4. Those two combined to go 23-1 last season, and meet in the championship game. They also have to play each other in weeks 8 and 12. There's more loses on the way for at least one of them. If Washington keeps playing crazy good defense, they may win the dang division. Vegas would take a beating on that.

Colts surprising win over the Bears temporarily puts them in the driver seat. The Bears may only have 1 or 2 loses left at most on the schedule though (@SF/@NY). Colts are really going to have to play well down the stretch. I see Indy's game coming up with Denver as kind of a trap.

Dolphins huge win over the Giants keeps them 3 games in front of the division. They are inching closer to a top 2 seed and a bye in the playoffs. Marino has been insanely clutch this season. A great candidate for league MVP, as he engineered four 4th quarter game winning drives so far.

Raiders are coming on strong right now. Schroeder had another big game. Might be a pretty crazy race down the stretch between Miami and LA for that coveted #1 seed and home field in the playoffs. Dallas is still lurking, but i think they'll come up short.

I can't stress it enough...this has been the most interesting season we've ever had.

[TecmoBowlTerror]

Here's an audio segment we recorded after week 6, as part of a mid-season recap.
I added in some graphics with standings, and some key notes for each team.
Nate and I offer some analysis of whats gone down and little about whats to come.

Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8ISeiUZUqA&feature=related

Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoT3cWKdF2Q&feature=related