ISFL NEWLETTER
|
The
Internet Simulation Football League Newsletter
Volume #29 Issue #20 – January 16, 2026
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Current League Officers
Commissioner: Mark McNeil (blades99@rochester.rr.com)
League Statistician: Mark McNeil (blades99@rochester.rr.com)
ISFL
Review Board: Hank Sienzant,
Don Antonelli, Ed Minshull
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LEAGUE NOTES
I.
Message from the Commissioner
II.
News from Around the League
III.
Standings
IV.
Divisional Round Results
V.
Championship Round Schedule
VI.
Transactions
VII.
Other News including Players of the Week
I.
MESSAGE FROM THE COMMISSIONER
Huge
upset as Carolina downs New England setting up a big divisional rivalry
in the NFC Championship game while Tennessee and Pittsburgh hold to form
and will match up in the AFC Championship as the top two teams in the
conference. Should be a good round of games setting up a great Super
Bowl. FYI, I am away for the weekend, so will get in touch with Ashton
about setting up our game early next week if that works for him. Good
luck to all and let’s hope for two huge games this round!
Divisional Round Matchups
AFC
Championship
Pittsburgh at Tennessee
NFC
Championship
Carolina at New Orleans
The
2025 ISFL Awards Ballot is live -
https://www.surveyhero.com/c/3r4u3waf
Please get your votes in over the next couple of weeks, instructions are
on the survey website.
The
Lottery order is set and Miami will have the best chance of picking #1
this season. Here is the list of teams who didn’t make the playoffs.
Lottery will occur before the Super Bowl.
1
Miami
2
Tampa Bay
3
Minnesota
4
Philadelphia
5
Detroit
6
Indianapolis
7
Houston
8
Seattle
9
New York Jets
10
Cleveland
11
San Francisco
12
Chicago
13
Atlanta
14
Buffalo
Please make sure to get started on game contacts asap and don’t forget
to CC me on all of them so I can make sure games are getting set up
smoothly. Let’s see if we
can hit the first week deadline with all games played head to head and
as always if you need help let us know.
If you need a sub, feel free to find your own sub or contact me
asap so we can try and get you hooked up with someone to get your game
in. Make sure you have the
latest action update which is available on the website.
Game files are up for the start of the regular season, so make
sure you go download them and start making contact for round 1 games. If
you have any questions, now is the time, so please ask before we get too
far into things.
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.
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 Results
LA Rams (7) at Tennessee (37)
This game did not start off as we expected. At all.
Titans win the toss and defer. Rams 2nd play from scrimmage, Jayden
Daniels throws it to the wrong jersey and Titans have the ball. 7 plays
and 42 yards later, Titans up 7-0 on a Zach Charbonnet TD Run, the first
of 4 for him today.
Next drive, Rams get a little going but turn it over on downs after
picking up 35 yards. Titans respond to that with an 11 play, 65 yards
drive that ended with a Charbonnet 5-yard score. Titans up 14-0. That
was the score in the first quarter. Rams were flagged with 7 penalties
in the First Quarter alone. Even though they were only flagged once the
entire rest of the game, it helped put them in a hole early.
Rams get the ball and after 6 plays, turn it over on downs again. Titans
cover the 52 yards in only 4 plays with Charbonnet again running it in
but this time from 12 yards out. Titans 21-0.
Titans tack on two more FG's before the half to go into intermission
with a 27-0 lead.
Rams get on the board in the 3rd quarter as Daniels connects with RB
Achane for a score. Titans lead 27-7.
For the next four possessions, both teams trade interceptions, then a
Titans punt and another turnover on downs for the Rams deep in their own
territory.
Titans take advantage of the short field and score in 2 plays with
Charbonnet getting his 4th TD, from 6 yards out.
Rams have two more drives, both turnover on downs. Titans tack on a FG
trying to run clock.
Final score 37-7.
It was a BRUTALLY tough 1Q for the visiting Rams. Something that
would've squashed the hopes of each team. But the Rams kept fighting and
were still giving effort to the end. Daniels attempted 47 passes in this
one.
A storyline for the Titans was the pass rush. Titans tallied 6 sacks and
several more hurries.
Denver (17) at Pittsburgh (27)
Pittsburgh Ends Denver’s Three-Peat Dream, 27-17
Pittsburgh, PA, January 12th, 2026: The Denver Broncos entered the game
dreaming of their third consecutive Super Bowl victory. The Steelers
shook the Broncos awake and administered a beat-down that the final
score does not truly reflect. The Steelers advance to the AFC
Championship Game, while the Broncos will rue the missed opportunities
and their failure to field a competitive product today.
But on McKee’s next two possessions, he threw interceptions, one to
Julius Peppers, which resulted in no points and a punt by Pittsburgh as
the Denver defense forced a three-and-out, followed by another pick by
cornerback ChristianBenford in the final minute of the third quarter
that gave the ball to Pittsburgh at the Denver 29. That resulted in
Grupe’s 43-yarder with 14 seconds elapsed in the final quarter as the
Bronco defense came up big once more, not surrendering a first down.
When the Steelers took nearly five minutes off the clock, the Broncos
were doomed. After picking up one first down, penalties and incomplete
passes took their toll, and it was all over when Tanner McKee’s
desperation heave on fourth down and 25 fell harmlessly incomplete,
turning the ball back to the Steelers at the Denver 19 with under two
minutes to go.
Josh Jacobs was the MVP of the contest with 96 yards rushing on 27
carries, a 3.6 yards per carry average, and added another 52 yards on
six receptions. He scored twice, both on the ground,from one and four
yards out.
Jordan Love completed 21 of 33 for 237 yards and one touchdown, passing
at a 95.1 clip. Tight end Trey McBride was the leading receiver for
Pittsburgh with 75 yards on six receptions, while Josh Doubs added five
for 71 and one score.
A LOOK AHEAD: The Steelers will face the number one seed Tennessee
Titans in the AFC Championship Game in Tennessee. The Steelers won the
ISFL’s inaugural Super Bowl back in 1997, but despite getting back in
1999 and 2008, they haven’t won it all since.
NFC Results
Jacksonville (6) at New Orleans (33)
The Saints get a blowout but not without game issues. The game
crashes right before half and we can only get it to restart with 2:04.
Marty and I both agree that we kneel and sneak to get to where NO kicks
the FG again and the half ends with the Saints up 6-16. New Orleans
takes the second have kickoff and drives right down the field for the
game's MVP Bigsby's second TD of the game. His first one was a
44-yard run as the only TD in the first half. Now up 6-23,
Jacksonville has their drive cut short with 2 false start penalties. The
Saints get the ball again and Wilson hits Adams for a 52-yard bomb and
the Jaguars are blown out. The 4th quarter has both teams running
than on the last play the game crashes again. The same problem is
we can't get the game to reload for the last play and files were sent to
DK Sports for review. The best we could get by today was the start
of the 4ths quarter with the Saint up 6-30 with the ball on the 33-yard
line. With Mark's blessing I replayed the 4th quarter with the same 6-33
final.
Tough game for Marty with 9 penalties and not much luck in this one.
The Saints host Carolina with the teams splitting their division games
this year.
Carolina (24) at New England (15)
With Carolina leading 17-6 at halftime, this one turned into a defensive
battle in the second half, with both teams stopping each other on 4th
down late. New England QB Jared Goff and brought the Patriots back to
17-15 in the third, but the breaks (a key INT on drive No. 1, and an
incompletion on 4th and 3 from the CAR 14) went the Panthers' way in the
fourth.
Good game Daniele, well called. Hoping to see you at the draft,
Coming up in the AFC, is a rematch of a week 5 game that the Steelers
won on a couple of late Jacobs TD runs. A lot of points last time around
and this time likely will be no different as both teams defenses are
solid, but not spectacular while the offenses can put up the points. Can
Tennessee stops Jacobs this time around, is the big question, though
maybe the biggest question is will Nico Collins be available for the
Titans as he is questionable to return from his long term injury.
Without Collins the Titans become one dimensional and the Steelers
defense should be able to keep them under control. With him, this will
be a shootout with the last team with the ball likely getting the win.
Coming up in the NFC, a game between to familiar rivals as the Panthers
and Saints split the season series with each team winning at home. Both
teams are at full strength and the biggest questions will be can Carr
keep up with Wilson and keep this game close and give the Panthers a
chance at a win. The Saints defense was the best in the regular season
and unless Carolina finds an answer for them, this could be a one sided
game over by half time. Breece Hall will need to have a big game and
keep the Saints offense off the field, while the Saints tandem of Bigsby
and Mason should be able to control the clock and give their team a
large time of possession advantage which could be the difference in the
game.
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III. STANDINGS
http://www.blades99.com/ISFL/Standings25.htm
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IV. RESULTS – Divisional Round
Jacksonville 6 New Orleans 33
V.
SCHEDULE
Championship Round
AFC
Championship
Pittsburgh at Tennessee
NFC
Championship
Carolina at New Orleans
VI.
TRANSACTIONS
AFC
BUF –
CLE –
DEN –
GB
-
MIN –
NYJ –
PIT –
LAR – TEN –
NFC
ARZ –
ATL -
CAR –
DET –
JAX –
HOU –
KC
- MIA –
NO
-
PHI –
SEA –
TB
-
DRAFT
PICKS FORFEITED:
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VII.
OTHER NEWS:
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:
WEEK
ONE
OFFENSE: Derek Henry, DAL – 30 carries, 162 yards, 3 TDs
WEEK
TWO
OFFENSE: Jonnu Smith, TEN – 6 catches, 167 yards, 3 TDs
DEFENSE: Alex Highsmith, ARZ – 2 sacks, 5 tackles
WEEK
THREE:
OFFENSE: Brian Thomas Jr, HOU – 12 catches, 248 yards, 1 TD
DEFENSE: K’Lavon Chaisson, LAR – 3 sacks, 4 tackles, 1 stuff, 1 hurry, 1
forced fumble
WEEK
FOUR:
OFFENSE: Jamar Chase, NYJ – 9 catches, 282 yards, 6 TDs
DEFENSE: Beanie Bishop Jr, TB – 2 INTs, 3 Tackles
WEEK
FIVE:
OFFENSE: Jared Goff, NE – 25 of 40 for 316, 4 TDs
DEFENSE: Kyzir White, JAX – 18 tackles
WEEK
SIX:
OFFENSE: Jonathan Taylor, SF – 21 carries, 178 yards, 3 TDs
DEFENSE: Derek Stingley, Jr, NO – 3 INTs, 3 tackles
WEEK
SEVEN:
OFFENSE: Marvin Harrison Jr, LAR – 7 catches, 166 yards, 3 TDs
DEFENSE: Calen Bullock, KC – 2 INTs, 8 tackles
WEEK
EIGHT:
OFFENSE: Tua Tagovailoa, DEN – 20 of 26 for 292 yards, 4 TDs
WEEK
NINE:
OFFENSE: Joe Burrows, NYJ -24 of 41 for 366 yards, 4 TDs
WEEK
TEN:
OFFENSE: Bijan Robinson, PHI – 29 carries, 188 yards, 2 TDs
DEFENSE: Nik Bonitto, CAR – 3 sacks, 3 hurries, 5 tackles
WEEK
ELEVEN:
OFFENSE: Josh Jacobs, PIT – 16 carries, 154 yards, 2 TDs
DEFENSE: Fred Warner, BUF – 2 INTs, 4 tackles, 1 forced fumble
WEEK
TWELVE:
OFFENSE: Sam Darnold, SEA – 16 of 18 for 237 yards, 4 TDs
DEFENSE: Blake Cashman, TEN – 3 sacks, 8 tackles, 2 hurries, forced
fumble
WEEK
THIRTEEN:
OFFENSE: Jameis Winston, ARZ – 16 of 24 for 386 yards, 3 TDs
DEFENSE: Kyle Van Noy, NYG – 3 sacks, 6 tackles, 4 hurries
WEEK
FOURTEEN
OFFENSE: Jared Goff, NE – 25 of 36 for 383 yards, 6 TDs
DEFENSE: Darryl Stingley, Jr, NO – 2 INTs, 3 Tackles, TD
WEEK
SIXTEEN
OFFENSE: Sam Darnold, SEA – 18 of 24 for 343 yards, 4 TDs
DEFENSE: Josh Hines-Allen, ARZ – 3 sacks, 6 tackles, 1 forced fumble
WEEK
SEVENTEEN
OFFENSE: Saquon Barkley, JAX – 26 carries for 166 yards, 3 TDs
DEFENSE: Anfernee Jennings, JAX – 2 INTs, 3 tackles
WEEK
EIGHTEEN
OFFENSE: Kyler Murray, KC – 40 of 50 for 420 yards, 3 TDs
DEFENSE: Eric Kendricks, SEA – 1 sack, 1 INT, 16 tackles, 2 stuffs, 1
hurry
WILDCARD ROUND
OFFENSE: Saquon Barkley, JAX – 30 carries, 175 yards, TD
DEFENSE: Nik Bonitto, CAR – 2 sacks, 3 tackles, 5 hurries
DIVSIONAL ROUND
OFFENSE: Josh Jacobs, PIT – 27 carries, 96 yards, 2 TDs
DEFENSE: Riq Woolen, TEN – 10 tackles, INT, 3 passes defensed |