ISFL NEWLETTER
|
The
Internet Simulation Football League Newsletter
Volume #28 Issue #22 – February 6, 2025
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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.
Championship Round Results
V.
Super Bowl Schedule
VI.
Transactions
VII.
Other News including Players of the Week
I.
MESSAGE FROM THE COMMISSIONER
Super
Bowl XXVIII is here and we have a whale of a matchup this year. We have
the 15-2 NY Giants who were tied at the top of the NFC and won over New
England when it really counted to get to the big game. In the AFC the
14-3 Denver Broncos who were at the top of the conference all year keep
on rolling and will be hard to beat as they try and repeat their Super
Bowl win from last season. This is going to be one hell of a game as
both teams have great offenses and defenses and it’s going to come down
to the team who’s QB plays the best in this one and doesn’t make the big
mistake. Should be a tight game throughout that will go down to the end
of the contest and whoever can make a stop when it matters will get the
win in this one.
Thanks to all for a great season and this looks like it will be an
impressive climax to the end of the year. Things will be finishing up
over the next week or so as we finish up the awards ballot and I will
get the preliminary ballot out this week as well. I will be filling our
two open spots this week as well hopefully and then we can take a couple
of months off until the draft is here.
I
have sent out the yearly ballot prop email, see that for information on
any rule changes you think we need to entertain.
Awards voting is underway and can be found here -
https://shout.com/s/gMYT6J0x
The
draft lottery order is set at this point, and we will do the lottery
this weekend on Sunday morning. Here is the order pre-lottery:
1
Miami
2
Indianapolis
3
Tampa Bay
4
Jacksonville
5
Detroit
9
Seattle
11
Dallas
12
Chicago
13
Cleveland
14 LA
Chargers
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. 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 Wild Card Weekend, so make sure you go
download them and start making contact for the wild card 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.
***********************************************************************
II.
News from Around the League
AFC Championship Game
Denver, CO., January 31st, 2025:
In the swirling mists of Mile High, where legends are forged in the
crucible of playoff football, Tua Tagovailoa orchestrated a masterpiece
that will echo through the annals of Denver football history. The
decisive moment came with just 31 seconds remaining in the first half,
when Tagovailoa, like a general commanding his troops, unleashed a
thunderbolt that split the San Francisco defense - a 58-yard scoring
strike to backup wideout Brandon Johnson that pushed the Broncos' lead
to 24-3 and effectively sealed the 49ers' fate in what would become a
40-20 victory.
The second half opened with Denver methodically marching down the field,
consuming over five minutes of clock before settling for a 22-yard Evan
McPherson field goal. The drive, spanning 71 yards in 11 plays, pushed
their advantage to 27-3 and seemed to place the final nail in San
Francisco's coffin. But the Football Gods, ever capricious, had other
plans for the moment.
Just when Denver appeared invincible, Geno Stone intercepted Tagovailoa
and raced 27 yards to the end zone, breathing life into San Francisco's
hopes. The failed two-point conversion left the score at 27-9, but for a
brief moment, the tide seemed to be turning in the 49ers' favor.
That moment proved fleeting. Like a champion boxer responding to a
challenger's best punch, Tagovailoa and the Broncos answered
immediately. On just the second play of their ensuing drive, Tagovailoa
found Brandon Johnson again, this time for a 75-yard touchdown that
silenced any whispers of a comeback. The quick-strike response pushed
Denver's lead to 34-9 and showcased the explosive potential of their
offense.
The teams traded field goals as the third quarter wound down, with
Dustin Hopkins connecting from 54 yards for San Francisco and McPherson
answering from 38 yards out, bringing the score to 37-12.
Another McPherson field goal, this one from 39 yards with 8:41 remaining
in the fourth quarter, extended Denver's lead to 40-12.
The 49ers mounted one final drive of pride, marching 76 yards in 13
plays, culminating in Mahomes finding Waller for a 5-yard touchdown with
1:41 left. Mahomes' successful two-point pass to Tyler Lockett made it
40-20, but the outcome had long since been decided.
Rewinding to the game's opening moments, the first quarter was a
tactical chess match, with both teams trading field goals. McPherson
struck first for Denver with a 50-yard boot, capping an 11-play, 33-yard
drive after the 49ers opened with a three-and-out. San Francisco
responded with Hopkins' 35-yard field goal, concluding an 11-play,
58-yard march that knotted the score at 3-3.
The second quarter began with Denver seizing control of the contest.
Mitchell burst through for a 15-yard touchdown run, capitalizing on
Stephens' interception of Mahomes and 71-yard return to the San
Francisco 15-yard line. The quick-strike score put Denver ahead 10-3 and
shifted the momentum decisively in their favor.
The Broncos weren't finished. Following another interception of Mahomes,
this time by Kyle Hamilton, Tagovailoa connected with Curtis Samuel for
a 31-yard touchdown strike, extending Denver's lead to 17-3. The
two-play, 39-yard drive showcased Denver's offense's efficiency and
ability to capitalize on favorable field position provided by stellar
defensive effort.
Each team's defense forced turnovers in a series of exchanges, with 49er
corner Mike Hilton intercepting Tagovailoa at the San Francisco
four-yard line to prevent one Denver score. The 49ers then mounted a
determined drive, marching 46 yards in ten plays, but came away empty
when Hopkins' 52-yard field goal attempt sailed wide with 39 seconds
remaining in the half.
Seizing on this momentum shift, Tagovailoa needed just one play to find
Johnson for the backbreaking 58-yard touchdown that closed out the first
half.
The elements themselves seemed to bend to the will of this contest, with
light rain falling throughout the 36-degree evening at Mile High. Yet
even the weather couldn't dampen the electricity of Tagovailoa's
performance, as he threw for three touchdowns and led his team to a
convincing victory.
Through the mists of time, games like these become the stuff of legend,
where heroes rise and champions are forged. On this night, it was
Tagovailoa and the Broncos who wrote their names in the eternal ledger
of playoff glory, advancing to the Super Bowl with a convincing victory
over a worthy opponent.
The victory's architect, Tagovailoa, masterfully conducted the Denver
offense through four quarters of play, finding creative ways to involve
his playmakers despite San Francisco's determined defense. Mitchell and
Elliott provided crucial balance on the ground, keeping the 49ers honest
and opening up passing lanes for their quarterback's aerial assault.
Mahomes showed flashes of brilliance for San Francisco but found himself
constantly under pressure from Denver's relentless defense. His late
touchdown pass to Waller served as a reminder of his capabilities, but
the night belonged to the Broncos, who controlled the tempo and
scoreboard from the second quarter onward.
GAME NOTES: Denver Wide receiver Brandon Johnson made the most of his
limited opportunities, turning just two receptions into 133 yards and
two touchdowns, including a 75-yard score, earning MVP honors in
Denver's 40-20 playoff victory over San Francisco. Tua Tagovailoa
demonstrated remarkable efficiency, throwing for 334 yards and three
touchdowns while completing 19 of 29 passes for a 99.6 passer rating,
despite three interceptions.
Curtis Samuel proved effective in Denver's passing game with four
receptions for 67 yards and a touchdown. Keaton Mitchell spearheaded
Denver's ground attack, rushing for 78 yards and a touchdown on just
seven carries, including a 30-yard burst. Ezekiel Elliott contributed on
the ground (38 yards rushing) and through the air (five catches for 34
yards).
Patrick Mahomes struggled to find any rhythm against the Denver defense,
completing just 23 of 45 passes for 204 yards, one touchdown, and two
interceptions, posting a meager 52.5 passer rating. However, Mahomes did
show his versatility by leading all San Francisco rushers with 78 yards
on ten carries. Darren Waller secured four catches for 60 yards and the
team's only offensive touchdown.
Defensively, San Francisco's Lavonte David led all tacklers with 15,
while Geno Stone returned an interception 27 yards for a touchdown.
Julian Love made nine tackles for Denver, including a forced fumble,
while Brandon Stephens and Kyle Hamilton each recorded crucial
interceptions. Stephens' pick was especially impressive, as it came
early in the second quarter with the score tied at three and not only
stopped San Francisco from taking the lead, but his 71-yard return from
Denver's 14 to the 49ers' 15 set up the Broncos first touchdown and gave
them a 10-3 lead they would not relinquish.
Denver's defense was particularly effective, allowing only two field
goals through the first 58 minutes before surrendering an offensive
touchdown with 1:41 remaining in the contest with Denver comfortably
ahead.
NEXT MAN UP: The Broncos' offensive line depth will be tested in the
Super Bowl, as they'll need to overcome the absence of starting guard
Alijah Vera-Tucker, who was injured in this game and will be out four
weeks, as well as tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. The running back rotation
will also be impacted without Israel Abanikanda, though Mitchell's
emergence has helped mitigate that loss.
A LOOK AHEAD: The Broncos will advance to their second consecutive Super
Bowl, looking to defend their title against the New York Giants. The
Giants, who fell to the Patriots in last year's NFC Championship game,
earned their redemption by defeating New England in this year's NFC
Championship Game, setting up what promises to be an intriguing Super
Bowl matchup.
Denver's path to the Super Bowl was paved by their excellent regular
season performance, finishing as the AFC's top seed with a 14-3 record.
After enjoying a first-round bye, they secured their Super Bowl berth
with two playoff victories. The Giants took a more challenging route,
compiling an impressive 15-2 regular season record. After losing the
tie-breaker to New England and garnering the second seed, they had to
win three consecutive playoff games, including a wild-card matchup and
the NFC Championship game on the road, to reach the Super Bowl.
NFC Championship Game
Giants travel to New England, where they lost 30-0 in this game last
year, facing a team that whupped them to the tune of 30-7 in New York in
week 9 this year. Not a lot of positive vibes around the Giants locker
room, but if we can just catch a break, maybe get a good start, who
knows?!?
Giants win the toss and defer, and when the home team is called for
holding on their first offensive play of the game, I had just a tiny bit
of hope that this might be a good day. After a couple of incomplete
passes and a Bud Dupree sack, the Patriots are forced to punt and the
Giants get the stop they needed early.
The Giants start at their 35 and get a couple of first downs, including
a key 15-yard scramble from Brock Purdy on 3rd down. Shortly
thereafter, Purdy decided to use his arm instead, finding Drake London
who gets behind a short zone defense and scores from 31 yards out. After
the extra point, we’ve equalled our offensive output from the last two
games combined. Could this be the day?!?
Not so fast, as the Patriots march right down the field, with ex-Giant
Jared Goff finding Mike Evans in the end zone from 17 yards out and
we’re tied at 7. Seems like the next drive might be key.
Giants hope not, as they go 3-and-out, punting it right back to Goff and
co. The Giants pass rush would make quick work of the next drive, with
sacks from Chris Jones and Zaire Franklin on back to back plays, and the
Giants are back in business on their own 31.
But not for long, as Jerome Ford would fumble it right back to the
Patriots, and Aaron Donald pounced on the loose ball and the Pats have
the momentum all of a sudden. Goff would find Evans in the end zone
again, and they’d take their first lead of the game, 14-7. If the last
Giants drive was key, this one was an absolute MUST HAVE, or this game
could get away from us really quickly.
The drive, aided by 2 pass interference penalties against Denzel Ward,
ends just as the Giants needed it to, with Purdy finding DaVonte Smith
on a play-action fake as the Patriots sold out on a goal line defense
from the 10 yard line, and it’s tied again, 14-14.
Patriots would not hold the ball for long, as Jared Goff looked for
David Njoku over the middle and didn’t see Willie Gay, Jr, who picked it
off and returned it to the Patriots 23 yard line. The Giants couldn’t
move the ball past the 7 yard line, however, settling for a go-ahead
field goal and retaking the lead by 3.
The Giants defense continued to play great football, as the next
Patriots drive consisted of three straight Goff incompletions. Some bad
news for the visitors, however, as Nick Chubb would injure his hand and
be ruled out for the rest of the night, leaving Jerome Ford and Dameon
Pierce to carry the mail. Pierce would catch a key screen pass to
help the Giants move back down into field goal range, and with 2:32 left
in the half, another field goal makes it 20-14 for the Giants.
Lots of time and two timeouts left for the Patriots, who would get into
long field goal range but with a strong wind in their face, they elected
to go for it on 4th-and-3 and the pass to Njoku would hit the
turf, and the Giants would have the ball back near midfield with 33
seconds left. A couple short completions and a 32-yard catch and run
from Purdy to London and the Giants would put up 3 more at the buzzer,
and we’d go to halftime with a 9 point lead, and an opportunity to
increase the lead after the break.
And increase it they did, and it took exactly 15 seconds for Dameon
Pierce to take it 98 yards to the house and things seem to be going the
visitors’ way, leading by 16 points, and feeling pretty good about
themselves.
After the kickoff, Goff would miss a wide open receiver on a long pass
but Grover Stewart gets called for rushing the passer to get the
Patriots going, and they would get exactly what they needed, a touchdown
when Samaje Perine took a draw play right up the gut from 6 yards out
and they’d elect to kick the extra point, making it a 9-point game,
30-21 Giants.
Giants still feeling pretty good up two scores but have to be careful
not to make the big mistake. Jerome Ford makes up for the earlier fumble
in spades, first catching a 15-yard pass from Purdy and then rumbling
right up the middle for 44 yards and a score and the Giants are back up
by 16 points at 37-21. Can the defense come up big to hold the lead?
Pats get the ball back with 8:30 left in the third quarter.
Giants defense certainly comes up big; after Goff missed Njoku on first
down, back to back sacks from Aiden Hutchinson and Dayo Odeyingbo and
the Patriots have to punt. The Giants take over with a chance to chew up
some clock but do the complete opposite, burning only one minute before
punting it right back. The Pats take it back into Giants territory until
a 4th down gamble backfires and the Giants take the ball back
with under a minute left in the 3rd quarter.
Starting near midfield, the Giants take to the running game and can
manage only one first down, but it’s enough to put Butker into field
goal range with a strong wind at his back, and he’s true from 49 yards
and it’s a three score game and the Giants are finally feeling like they
are going to slay this dragon.
Two more punts as the next drives go nowhere and then a lousy punt from
Cooke leaves the Patriots some hope. Njoku gets open behind the defense
and Goff makes no mistake, and after another extra point it’s 40-28 with
under 6 minutes left.
Giants recover the onside kick attempt (despite not expecting it – not
sure what the hell I was thinking) and Ford and Pierce take over to kill
the clock. They get Butker back into long field goal range and he hits
his 5th of the night, from 58 yards out (again, big wind at
his back) and the Giants are 2:12 away from a huge upset, leading by 15.
Dayo Odeyingbo takes over from here, with 2 more sacks on the Pats last
drive, and a Purdy kneel down would do it and the Giants return to the
SuperBowl for the first time since SuperBowl XX in 2018 when they beat
these Patriots (before realignment) to win Coach Engemoen’s only
Superbowl with the Giants.
Congrats to Daniele on a wonderful season, but the game wasn’t with him
today. Eight sacks from the Giants pass rush was too much to overcome.
Now, we await to see if it’s the Broncos or 49ers standing in our way.
**********************************************************************
III. STANDINGS
http://www.blades99.com/ISFL/Standings24.htm
**********************************************************************
IV. RESULTS – Championship Round Results
San Francisco 20 Denver 40
V.
SCHEDULE
Super
Bowl XXVIII
Denver vs NY Giants
***********************************************************************
VI.
TRANSACTIONS
AFC
BUF –
CLE –
DEN –
IND –
MIN –
NYJ –
PIT –
LAR –
TEN –
NFC
ARZ –
ATL -
CAR –
DET –
HOU –
JAX –
KC
- MIA –
NO
-
PHI –
SEA –
TB
-
DRAFT
PICKS FORFEITED:
***********************************************************************
VII.
OTHER NEWS:
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:
WEEK
ONE
OFFENSE: CeeDee Lamb, LAR – 12 catches, 171 yards, 4 TDs
WEEK
TWO
OFFENSE: Brock Purdy, NYG – 27 of 36 for 444 yards, 5 TDs
DEFENSE: Aaron Donald, NE – 3 sacks, 4 tackles, 1 hurry
WEEK
THREE:
OFFENSE: Lamar Jackson, GB – 20 of 23 for 328 yards, 42 rush yds, 4 TDs
DEFENSE: TJ Watt, SF – 3 sacks, 7 tackles, 1 stuff
WEEK
FOUR:
OFFENSE: Derek Carr, CAR – 31 of 39 for 509 yards, 7 TDs
DEFENSE: Kenny Moore II, PIT – 2 INTs, 4 tackles, 2 passes defended
WEEK
FIVE:
OFFENSE: Baker Mayfield, BUF – 17 of 25 for 273 yards, 6 TDs
DEFENSE: Terrell Bernard, NO – 3 sacks, 10 tackles, 4 hurries
WEEK
SIX:
OFFENSE: Kirk Cousins, LAC – 23 of 32 for 353 yards, 5 TDs
DEFENSE: Jeffrey Simmons, NE – 3 sacks, 3 tackles, 2 hurries, 1
deflection
WEEK
SEVEN:
OFFENSE: De’Von Achane, NYJ – 22 carries, 143 yards, 3 TDs
DEFENSE: DaRon Bland, MIA – 2 INTs, 3 tackles, 3 pass defense, 2 TDs
WEEK
EIGHT:
OFFENSE: Stefon Diggs, CAR – 12 for 194 yards, 4 TDs
WEEK
NINE:
OFFENSE: Kirk Cousins, LAC – 40 of 67 for 489 yards, 5 TDs
WEEK
TEN:
OFFENSE: Mike Evans, NE – 7 catches, 172 yards, 3 TDs
DEFENSE: Dru Tranquill, CAR – 3 sacks, 9 tackles, 2 hurries, 1 forced
fumble
WEEK
ELEVEN:
OFFENSE: Travis Kelce, ARZ – 7 catches, 182 yards, 2 TDs
DEFENSE: Fred Warner, BUF – 2 INTs, 7 tackles
WEEK
TWELVE:
OFFENSE: Tyreek Hill, PHI – 16 catches, 302 yards, 1 TD
DEFENSE: Khalil Mack, MIN – 3 sacks, 9 tackles, 1 pass deflection
WEEK
THIRTEEN:
OFFENSE: Tua Tagovailoa, DEN – 20 of 29 for 387 yards, 4 TDs
DEFENSE: Tyrique Stevenson, DET – 3 INTs, 6 tackles, 4 pass defenses
WEEK
FOURTEEN
OFFENSE: DK Moore, KC – 11 catches, 154 yards, 4 TDs
DEFENSE: Dru Tranquill, CAR – 3 sacks, 8 tackles, 3 hurries, 2 forced
fumbles
WEEK
SIXTEEN
OFFENSE: Patrick Mahomes, SF – 35 of 51 for 405 yards, 4 TDs
DEFENSE: Leonard Floyd, IND – 3 sacks, 4 tackles, 1 hurry, 1 stuff
WEEK
SEVENTEEN
OFFENSE: Zeke Elliott, DEN – 18 carries, 115 yards, 4 TDs
DEFENSE: Hassan Reddick, LAC – 3 sacks, 8 tackle, 1 hurry
WEEK
EIGHTEEN
OFFENSE: Diontae Johnson, TB – 11 catches, 197 yards, 3 TDs
DEFENSE: Dayo Odeyingbo, NYG – 3 sacks, 4 tackles, 1 hurry
WILDCARD ROUND
OFFENSE: DJ Moore, KC – 7 catches, 150 yards, 2 TDs
DEFENSE: Darrell Stingley Jr, NO – 2 INTs, 9 tackles, 1 pass defense
DIVSIONAL ROUND
OFFENSE: Tua Tagovailo, DEN – 27 of 38 for 316 yards, 2 TDs
DEFENSE: Darius Slay, NYG – 1 INT, 5 tackles, 84 yd TD return
CONFERENCE FINALS
OFFENSE: Brandon Johnson, DEN – 2 catches, 133 yards, 2 TDs
DEFENSE: Dayo Odeyingbo, NYG – 3 tackles, 3 sacks |