Tecmo Bowl: Road to the 2011 championship

[TecmoBowlTerror]

Standings through 6 weeks


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]

-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.


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=Z8ISe...eature=related

Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoT3c...eature=related