ISFL NEWLETTER |
The
Internet Simulation Football League Newsletter
Volume #18 Issue #19 – January 13, 2015
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Current League Officers
Commissioner: Mark McNeil (blades99@rochester.rr.com)
League Statistician: Mark McNeil (blades99@rochester.rr.com)
ISFL
WWW site: http://www.blades99.com/ISFL/ISFL.htm
ISFL
Review Board: Jeff
Barricelli, Dave Stewart, Don Antonelli
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LEAGUE NOTES
I.
Message from the Commissioner
II.
News from Around the League
III.
Standings
IV.
Wildcard Results
V.
Divisional Round Schedule
VI.
Transactions
VII.
Other News including Players of the Week
I.
MESSAGE FROM THE COMMISSIONER
The
Wildcard Round had some close games as Kansas City just gets by
Jacksonville and Dallas wins a close one over Tennessee.
Also a couple of blowouts as Philadelphia scores big on Seattle
and Denver gets some revenge on Cleveland to move on to round 2. Be sure
if you have trouble hooking up that you get a plan in place and contact
me for a sub if needed.
There are updated files for the playoffs on the website main page,
please make sure you get those and get started as soon as you are able
to. Round 2 games are due on
Monday, January 19th at 10 pm eastern.
I
can’t stress enough that you need to IMMEDIATELY send me your game
export when the game is complete.
Send your write up later on, that’s fine, but I MUST have the
game export as soon as the game ends or I’ll have to sim the game to
keep things moving along if it is missing at the deadline.
Don’t
forget, if you lose a player for 2 or more games, you can ask for an
injury replacement, but it must be done the same week as the injury, so
don’t wait, get those requests in right away and take advantage,
especially the teams who are already challenged for the amount of games
they have to work with.
Also, be sure you give me enough names as the more injuries the more
likely someone else already grabbed the guy you want.
Reminder that you MUST send a boxscore and writeup to the league after
each game. The home team is
responsible for this, but either team can do it, as long as it does get
done. Also, you MUST send me
the game export immediately after the game is complete.
It takes about 30 seconds, so I shouldn’t have to chase you down
for that file after a game, just get it in right away so I don’t have to
guess whether a game has happened or not.
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II.
News from Around the League
AFC
Playoff
BRONCOS DOMINATE BROWNS, 41-14
Denver, December 26th, 2014: The Browns scored first and the Browns
scored last. But in between, the Broncos put up 41 points on the
scorebard to waltz away with the Wild Card game victory. The Broncos
exorcised some demons in downing the Browns for the first time in their
last six matchups, and now advance to the Divisional Round against the
number two seed, the Indianapolis Colts, who they beat earlier this
season in Denver, 33-10.
Nick Foles
was the star of this contest, completing 17 of 22 for 241 and two
touchdowns (for a 136.3 passer rating), and scored another on a fourth
down quarterback sneak. The Denver defense held the Browns offense in
check throughout the game, allowing the Browns to rush for only 50 yards
and holding long-time nemesis Joe Flacco to just 25 of 44 for 231 yards,
one late touchdown pass, and one interception (69.4).
The Browns
scored first, taking advantage of two pass interference calls against
Denver, including a big 42-yarder against Tracy Porter that moved the
ball to the Denver 12. The Browns scored two plays later on a six-yard
run by rookie first rounder Leveon Bell, whom the Broncos passed up in
the 2014 rookie draft to select quarterback Mike Glennon. The Browns
looked crisp on the drive, but the possession was extended when the
Broncos could have gotten off the field, when Michael Johnson was
flagged for an offside after a third and ten completion was short of the
mark by three yards. All told, the Broncos gave up 53 of the Browns 84
yards on the touchdown-scoring possession via penalty.
The Broncos
offense started slowly, and had to punt on their first possession after
a quick three-and-out with Nick Foles getting sacked on third down. But
Joe Flacco missed T.J.Hilton on a third-and-one, and the Broncos took
over at their own 16 following the Cleveland punt.
Dwayne Bowe
had the first big play on offense for either side, taking an out pass
from Foles, breaking a tackle and racing down the sideline for 39 yards
to the Browns 30. Green-Ellis had the next big plays, banging for five
yards on a third and two to move the ball to the Browns 17, and then
racing 17 yards straight up the middle on the next play for the
touchdown to knot the game up at 7-all.
After another
three and out by Cleveland, the Broncos took the lead on a seven-play,
72-yard march to the Browns end zone, with Foles connecting with Golden
Tate for the first of two scores on the day between the two. This score
made it 14-7, and the Broncos would not relinquish the lead this day.
It became
21-7 just a few minutes later, when Chris Ogbaonnaya, who had tortured
the Broncos during the regular season (6-58 in the first game between
the two teams this year, 4-44 in the second game) was stripped by Jason
Pierre-Paul and the ball recovered by Dwan Edwards at the Browns 12. A
completion to Delanie Walker on third and ten gained just enough for the
first down (and Cleveland lost a time out and challenge contesting
that), and BenJarvus Green-Ellis banged over from two yards out on the
next play to up the Broncos lead to 21-7.
After
Cleveland pickup up one first down, the Broncos moved the ball
effectively on the ground, with Mike James converting a third and two
with a nine yard run, then taking a pitchout around left end for 32
yards to the Browns 21. A nine yard gain by Green-Ellis put the ball at
the 12 with a second and one, but the Broncos were unable to convert and
settled for the first of two Zuerlein field goals to make it 24-7 at the
half.
The Broncos
made it 31-7 on their opening possession of the second half, with the
big play a 33-yard completion to Dwayne Bowe to the Browns 26. Bowe was
initially ruled to have fumbled the ball to the Browns on the play, but
it was overturned on review. A Foles completion to Mike James moved it
to the 12, and Foles hit Tate on a short out that Tate turned into a
touchdown with a nice tightrope down the sideline.
The Browns
were desperate to get something going, and went for it on fourth and one
from their own 29. But a quarterback sneak by Flacco was inches short,
and the Broncos added a 39-yard field goal to make it 34-7 with 6:08
remaining in the third quarter.
And when Joe
Flacco forced a pass into coverage on the Browns next possession, it was
all over over but the shouting. Dawan Landry picked off the pass at the
Cleveland 25 and returned it eight yards to the Browns 17. For an
instant it looked like Green-Ellis had his third rushing touchdown of
the game on a third-and-goal from the Browns five yard line, but he was
ruled down inches short of the goal line on the Browns final challenge.
Nick Foles, on fourth and inches, took it over the goal line for the
final Bronco points of the contest.
The Browns
put together two good marches after that, but one died at the Denver 16
on a fourth down sack by Malcolm Jenkins on a safety blitz that moved
the ball back to the Denver 28. But after a Denver three-and-out with
the Denver scrubs in the game, the Browns finally broke the Denver goal
line for the second - and last - time in the game, when Leveon Bell
caught a short pass from Flacco for the final score with 4:42 remaining.
The touchdown was set up by the Browns longest play of the game, a
52-yard catch and run by rookie running back Leveon Bell that converted
a fourth and six and took the ball to the Denver one yard line.
After the
Browns onside kick was recovered by Malcolm Jenkins of Denver, the
Broncos went three-and out once more, but the Browns last threat ended
with another safety blitz sack of Flacco, this time by Marcus Gilchrist
to thwart the final Browns possession.
Game Notes: Ben Jarvus Green-Ellis led the Broncos in rushing with 81
yards on 17 rushes (4.8) and scored twice. Mike James contributed 45
yards on six carries (7.5) and had a big 32-yard run. The Broncos held
the Browns to just 50 yards on the ground, with Leveon Bell rushing for
44 on twelve runs (3.7) and scoring the first touchdown of the game.
Chris Ogbonnaya, who had burned the Broncos in a relief role in the two
regular season games, was held to minus two yards on five carries. Bell
was the clear star for the Browns, as he caught four passes for 60 yards
to finish with over one hundred yards from scrimmage on the day and
scored both Browns touchdowns.
Doug Baldwin
caught seven passes for 64 yards to lead both teams in receptions, but
it was Dwayne Bowe and Golden Tate who had the best day amongst all the
wideouts. Bowe finished with three receptions for 87 yards, and Tate had
five for 63 and two touchdowns. Tate added four punt returns for 49
yards to finish with 112 all-purpose yards on the game.
After
committing three big penalties on the Browns opening possession, the
Broncos settled down and had only one more (a 15-yard roughing the
quarterback call against JPP) in the rest of the game.
The Broncos
Dwan Edwards had a sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and one
tackle. JPP had nine tackles to pace Denver in that category, while
linebacker Chad Greenway has seven tackles to lead the Browns. Ray
McDonald had both Cleveland sacks.
The
Broncos seven times got into the red zone against Cleveland,
converting all seven of those possessions into five touchdowns and two
field goals. The official scorer credited the Broncos with a eighth
trip into the red zone, but the Broncos believe that's in error. The
Browns got into the red zone three times, converting two into touchdowns
and failing on a fourth down try on the other.
Big Play: The Broncos needed a spark early and got it when Dwayne Bowe
caught a pass at the sideline in the first quarter, broke a tackle and
turned upfield for a big 39-yard gain. Four plays later, the Broncos had
tied it up at 7-7 and never trailed again.
Injuries: The Broncos entered the contest missing tackles Ryan Clady
and Luke Joeckel. Clady may be back in time for next week's game, but it
will probably be a game-time decision whether he can play against the
Colts or not.
A Look Ahead: The Browns finished the season 7-9, and
were eliminated in the first round a year after they went 14-2 and
advanced to the AFC Championship game. By some accounts, their season
might be judged a disappointment, but Browns head coach Bob Clark
pronounced it a success, and said he expected next year's team to be
even better. They will have the 17th overall draft choice in the
upcoming 2015 draft. The Broncos move on in the playoffs to face the
14-2 Indianapolis Colts in the Divisional Round. One of the Colts two
losses this year came in Denver against the Broncos. Regardless of how
they do the rest of the way, they should have at least the 16th overall
draft pick, courtesy of a trade last year during the draft for the
Falcons #1 in 2015. They also own their own draft pick, which should be
no better than 21st and might be as late as 28th - depending on how far
they advance in the playoffs.
Tennessee at Dallas
Wildcard Round finds Tennessee traveling to Dallas for the rubber match.
Game was somewhat of a back and forth affair with some big breaks mixed
in.
Titans strike first with a Jay Feely FG after forcing a 3 and out on the
Cowboys first possession. However, it was short-lived as Dallas quickly
responds with a 10 play drive capped off by a 6-yd burst by LeSean
McCoy. First Quarter closes with Dallas up 3-0.
Second quarter saw the most scoring for the game. Titans pull to within
1 on another Feely FG, this time from only 21 yards out. Dallas once
again responds with a long drive that covered 81 yards on 12 plays and
was capped on a Drew Brees 8-yd strike to Andre Johnson. During Dallas'
QB drive, a Titans Interception return for TD was called back for a
Roughing the Passer penalty on DE Mario Williams. Later in the quarter
Titans CB Sean Smith intercepted Brees pass and takes it to the house to
finish out the 2nd Quarter scoring. Halftime has Dallas up 14-13.
Titans take opening possession of the 3rd quarter and go on a 16-play
drive that ends with another Feely FG. The 34-yard boot gives the
visiting Titans a 16-14 lead, which is how the 3Q ended.
Dallas scores with 12:02 left on the clock in the game to take a 21-16
lead, and what would ultimately be the final score.
The game was mostly a defensive game. With the Titans and Cowboys only
netting 244 and 267 yards, respectively, of total offense. That was in
spite of the fact the Titans lead in Time of Possession by a wide
margin, 35:12 to 24:48.
Game MVP was WR Andre Johnson who had 9 grabs for 100 yards and the 2
TD's.
NFC
Playoff Summaries
Seattle at Philadelphia
The Eagles prevail in a
wild shootout over the Seahawks, 49 to 35. The game was much
closer than a typical 14 point game though and wasn't decided until the
last 3 minutes. The difference in this game may have been that
Carson Palmer made a couple mistakes and Peyton Manning didn't.
In the first half neither
defense could stop the other offense. The first six possessions were
converted into touchdowns leaving the score tied at 21 with 4:48 left in
the half. Finally Seattle forced a punt on Philadelphia's 4th
possession of the game. But when Seattle took over they made the
first big mistake. Carson Palmer was picked off by Will Hill who
ran the ball back to the Seahawk 33 yard line. Philadelphia
finished a short drive with a TD to take a 28 to 21 lead that would hold
until halftime.
The third quarter was much
different from the first two. The two teams went scoreless.
The biggest threat came from the Seahawks but ended when Carson Palmer
was intercepted by Alterraun Verner on 1st and goal from the 5 yard
line. The Eagles drove the ball across midfield but a Bobby Rainey
fumble stopped that drive. Seattle replaced Carson Palmer with
Michael Vick for the remainder of the ballgame.
The fourth quarter resumed
the alternating touchdown pace. The Seahawks' Vick scored on a 1
yard dive on the first play of the quarter to tie the game at 28.
Philadelphia's next drive went 86 yards and ended in a Vincent Jackson
14 yard TD catch. The Eagles led 35 to 28 with 9:51 remaining.
Seattle didn't take long to tie the game needing only 2 plays to go 80
yards and score. A 67 yard pass and a 13 yard pass, both to Desean
Jackson tied the game at 35 with 8:48 remaining.
The Eagles then ran a clock
killing drive moving the ball 79 yards on 15 plays ending in a 3 yard
Bobby Rainey TD catch to give them a 42 to 35 with 3:17 remaining.
Seattle needed to move 80 yards in 3 minutes to tie the game. But,
a Justin Tuck sack was devastating and resulted in a turnover on downs
at their own 30 yard line. While trying to gain a first down to
kill the clock, Calvin Johnson took a Peyton Manning pass 38 yards for a
game sealing touchdown with 1:31 remaining.
There were many statistical
stars of the game on the offensive side, but none bigger than Manning
who was named Game MVP completing 22 of 30 passes for 306 yards and 5TD.
Importantly, Manning had zero turnovers and was not sacked. Alfred
Morris controlled the ground game rushing 34 times for 183 yards and
2TD. Calvin Johnson had 6 catches for 113 yards and a TD.
Vincent Jackson had 6 catches for 101 yards and 3TD. Defensively,
the Eagles front 7 applied pressure with 4 sacks including two by Justin
Tuck.
On the other side of the
ball, Carson Palmer (19 for 35, 258yds, 2TD, 2INT) and Michael Vick (6
for 13, 140yds, 1TD) moved the ball but were intercepted twice and
sacked four times. James Starks ran 8 times for 82 yards.
Desean Jackson had 7 catches for 146 yards and 2TD. Justin
Blackmon had 6 grabs for 147 yards and a TD.
The Eagles will travel to
either New Orleans or Detroit for the Divisional Round depending on what
happens in the other NFC Wildcard game. Philadelphia split with
New Orleans this year and lost at Detroit in Week 17.
Jacksonville at Kansas City
See-saw battle featuring top notch special team
work on both sides.
Round
2 of the playoffs has Dallas heading to San Diego for a third matchup
between these two division rivals and then Denver heads to Indianapolis
as the Broncos try and slow down Aaron Rodgers to move on.
In the NFC Philadelphia and New Orleans meet again to see who is
the best and moves on while Kansas City is off to Detroit as the Chiefs
look to knock off a tough looking Lions squad.
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III. STANDINGS
http://www.blades99.com/ISFL/Standings14.htm
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IV.
RESULTS – Wildcard Results
Tennessee 16 Dallas 21
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V.
SCHEDULE
Divisional Round
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VI.
TRANSACTIONS
AFC
BUF –
CLE –
DEN –
HOU –
IND –
MIN –
NE
-
NYJ –
PIT –
SF
-
TEN –
NFC
ARZ –
ATL -
CAR –
DET –
GB
-
KC
-
MIA –
PHI –
Returned Colin Brown to FA pool.
SEA –
STL –
DRAFT
PICKS FORFEITED:
JAX
#4 ’14 – No Long Snapper
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VII.
OTHER NEWS:
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:
WEEK
ONE
OFFENSE: Peyton Manning, PHI – 21 of 33 for 267 yards, 4 TDs
WEEK
TWO
OFFENSE: Matt Forte, NYG – 22 carries, 197 yards, 2 TDs
DEFENSE: Shaun Phillips, CAR – 3 sacks, 6 tackles
WEEK
THREE:
OFFENSE: Dez Bryant, CAR – 8 catches, 177 yards, 2 TDs
DEFENSE: Jared Allen, IND – 3 sacks, 6 tackles
WEEK
FOUR:
OFFENSE: LeSean McCoy, DAL – 28 carries, 186 yards, 2 TDs
DEFENSE: Corey Peters, TEN – 4 sacks, 5 tackles
WEEK
FIVE:
OFFENSE: Tony Romo, ATL – 17 of 24 for 254 yards, 4 TDs
DEFENSE: Richard Sherman, SD – 2 INTs, 3 Tackles
WEEK
SIX:
OFFENSE: Chris Johnson, MIA – 36 carries, 192 yards, 3 TDs
DEFENSE: Luke Kuechly, DET – 24 tackles
WEEK
SEVEN:
OFFENSE: Thad Lewis, CAR – 22 of 33 for 335 yards, 5 TDs
DEFENSE: Robert Quinn, HOU – 4 sacks, 8 tackles
WEEK
EIGHT:
OFFENSE: AJ Green, SEA – 6 catches, 186 yards, 31 ypc, 2 TDs
WEEK
NINE:
OFFENSE: Christian Ponder, CHI – 23 of 34 for 432 yards, 6 TDs
DEFENSE: Will Blackmon, CLE – 2 INTs, 7 tackles
WEEK
TEN:
OFFENSE: LeSean McCoy, DAL – 28 carries, 191 yards, 3 TDs
DEFENSE: Charles Johnson, DET – 4 sacks, 5 tackles
WEEK
ELEVEN:
OFFENSE: Matthew Stafford, STL – 28 of 41 for 426 yards, 2 TDs
DEFENSE: Brian Orakpo, DAL – 3 sacks, 7 tackles
WEEK
TWELVE:
OFFENSE: LeSean McCoy, DAL – 35 carries, 204 yards, 2 TDs
DEFENSE: Karlos Dansby, CLE – 1 INT, 3 sacks, 10 tackles
WEEK
THIRTEEN:
OFFENSE: Eddie Lacy, PIT – 27 carries, 151 yards
DEFENSE: Brandon Boykin, MIN – 2 INTs, 4 tackles
WEEK
FIFTEEN
OFFENSE: Carson Palmer, SEA – 26 of 39 for 374 yards, 5 TDs
DEFENSE: Alex Ogletree, CHI – 15 tackles
WEEK
SIXTEEN
OFFENSE: Ryan Tannehill, NYJ – 26 of 36 for 352 yards, 3 TDs
DEFENSE: Carlos Rogers, BUF – 2 INTs, 3 Tackles
WEEK
SEVENTEEN
OFFENSE: Justin Blackmon, SEA – 8 catches, 178 yards, 2 TDs
DEFENSE: Jason Babin, CLE – 3 sacks, 8 tackles
WILDCARD ROUND
OFFENSE: Peyton Manning, PHI – 22 of 30 for 306 yards, 5 TDs
DEFENSE: Navarro Bowman, DAL – 11 tackles, 1 Forced Fumble
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