Gotham Rising

Gotham City Rogues pulled off a huge upset win over the Big Ballers in Week 11, winning 94.64 to 73.10 -- All thanks to smooth moves like acquiring Redskins' WR Jamison Crowder & placing him as a starter, along with big points provided by the Minnesota Vikings defense & Washington tight end Jordan Reed (above).

Reed would also provide for the Rogues in their Week 12 victory over T.Johnson's close game of 93.84 to 90.66; The Rogues' big three in this outing was Reed's 21.50, Jonathan Stewart of the Panthers (21.60) & Tyrod Taylor (Buffalo Bills)'s 20.44, who got the nod over Phillip Rivers to start.

It was the second straight victory for the Rogues who got revenge on both teams, after suffering big losses to those teams early in the season. The Rogues' latest win, puts them in 5th place, just knocking on 4th place's door.

Two weeks remain in the season, and the Rogues would like to win out the rest of the schedule, in a late attempt to be one of the 4 playoff teams. The Rogues' latest moves, picking up Washington's #1 running back Rob Kelley & ditching Adam Vinatieri for Matt Bryant's leg at kicker will help.

Gotham City Blues

This year, my coworkers and I formed a Fantasy Football League. The idea was created by my coworker Buddy Derrick, who ran with it, got coworkers involved, and it's been really fun to follow, on who's playing who, sprinkle in some fun trash talk & falling back into football.

Early on, my team, the Gotham City Rogues seemed to be a top 4 team, we were doing really well, and things were looking up. I had one of the top quarterbacks (Phillip Rivers), defenses (Minnesota), wideouts (Julio Jones), kickers (Adam Vinatieri), and at the time, one of the better running back pickups off the free agent wire in Isaiah Crowell of the Browns.

The record may have indicated 2-3, but the Big Ballers (still in the top 2) was just a solid team, with two epic performances by Cam Newton (30.82) & Matt Forte's surprise Thursday Night performance in Week 2 for 28.9 points; You take those two players out of the equation, we are looking at 48.9 points from that team, put in more average points by those two & you got yourself a close game. Lost a close game in Week 3, than followed by a league-record routing of 144-54 to 50.72 over Sara's Super Team, and things were looking really good for me.

I was disappointed in my close loss to Downtown Brown, because I felt I was finally going to get over the .500 hump, but I still had a lot of things to look forward in the future weeks to come. My offense for 4 of the first 5 weeks, had scored at least 95.32 points...

.... but the points just dropped off.

Those problems have been due to two major areas for me, my Wide Receivers & Running Backs groups have been so-so at best, with my only standout being Julio Jones.

One of my early blunders came in releasing Jay Ajayi. I took pride in drafting Ajayi as a sleeper draft pick earlier than most had on their radars... but early on, Ajayi fell to 3rd on the Dolphins' depth chart, while the Miami Dolphins' combined running game was practically non-existent. Ajayi's combined totals for his first 4 games was 31 carries for 117 yards (3.8 yards per carry).

Jay Ajayi's wild 7 weeks of action.

I happened to release Ajayi (Sept 14th) prior to his so-so first 4 games, he didn't get any NFL action until September 18th, so I released him in exchange for Washington's Matt Jones. My friend Buddy of the Big Ballers, who seem to have the most ridiculous luck, picked up Jay Ajayi on October 14th, prior to his huge October 16th explosion for 204 yards, he would become the 4th running back in NFL history to rush for back-to-back 200-yard rushing performances on October 23rd.

Jay Ajayi emerged as a Fantasy Football beast & into the wrong hands.

I would say my best free agent pickups would have had to be the Saints' Michael Thomas & my backup QB option in Tyrod Taylor of Buffalo.

Standings entering today (November 13th).

My team decided to take some good chances, in upgrading Eric Ebron (Detroit) at TE over the Pats' Martellus Bennett, swapping out similar kickers.. Adam Vinatieri had a bye week, and luckily Matt Bryant happened to be open. I'm getting to the point in the season. I picked up two up-and-coming wide receivers in Rishard Matthews (Tennessee) and Arizona's J.J. Nelson (who was just named Arizona's #2 WR this week). Plus a pickup of Davante Adams from Green Bay.

I'm going to have to get more clever from week to week, to get back into the top 4, I believe that it is possible to get back into the playoff hunt, but I don't expect to more than that.. so the goal is to get there. It will be a tough climb though.

Week 1 Scoreboard

Baltimore's Johnny Unitas

Week 1's scoreboard at a glance... 

(You can also click on more in-depth articles, listed below box scores).

Cowboys Lasso Broncos, 16-10

• The Chicago Bears' rushing game 29-151 yards, led by Walter Payton (21-85).
• Detroit Lions' Barry Sanders had 141 total yards (62 rushing, 79 yards receiving on a league-leading 10 receptions.
• Quarterbacks: Jim McMahon (CHI) - 17/28, 173 yards, 2 TD, INT (87.4 rtg) & Scott Mitchell (DET) - 27/45, 327 yards, TD (89.8 rtg).
• Herman Moore (DET): 84-yard TD pass (5 rec, 119 yards).

Herman Moore had the season's biggest catch in Week 1 (84-yd TD).

• Buccaneers surrender 16-7 4th Quarter lead, to lose 17-16.
• Quarterbacks: Otto Graham (CLE) - 7/12, 144 yards, TD (128.5 rating) & Brad Johnson (TB) - 21/33, 229 yards & INT (71.4 rating).
• Browns had 149 yards rushing on 39 carries, led by Marion Motley (16-76).
• Injury Report: G-Alex Agase (CLE/Out for 2 weeks). 

Starr, Packers Edge Panthers, 20-10

Reich, Bills Stage Late Comeback OT Win

Brady, Pats Solid Over Niners, 20-10

Steelers Offense Flat Against 57' Lions

• Raiders' offense gets it done with Run/Passing combo.
• Quarterbacks: Phil Simms (NYG) - 14/28, 156 yards, INT (52.1 rating), Jay Schroeder (LA) - 14/26, 263 yards, TD, INT (85.9 rating).
• Willie Gault (LA): 6 receptions for 137 yards (37 long) & TD.
• Joe Morris (NYG): 23-95-1 (2nd in rushing).

L.A. Raiders' speedy Willie Gault.

Cardinals Dominate Eagles, 33-10

• Panthers barely hold on to victory, after 17-0 early jump on Niners.
• CB-Josh Norman - 76-yard Interception return for a touchdown, giving Panthers 10-0 lead.
• Quarterbacks: Cam Newton (CAR) - 11/18, 148 yards, TD pass & INT (82.8 QB rating), plus 6 carries for 29 yards (including 15-yd TD run); Steve Brodie (SF) - 17/29, 254 yards, 3 INT (47.8 QB rating). 
• TE-Greg Olsen (CAR) - 7 rec for 108 yards, including 43-yard TD. 

• Plenty of Net Offense by both teams: 830 yards (Colts 445, Bengals 385).
• Colts dominated clock possession (37:38)
• Quarterbacks: Boomer Esiason (CIN) - 12/24, 253 yards, 2 TD & 3 INT (75.9 QB rating), Johnny Unitas (IND) - 18/24, 324 yards, 3 TD & 2 INT (121.5 QB rating). 
• Bengals' rushing attack: 24-138 yards; Ickey Woods 10-73 & James Brooks 12-52.

Starr, Packers Edge Panthers, 20-10

The 1965 Green Bay Packers' offense wakes up late, as they score a pair of touchdowns in the 4th Quarter against the 2003 Carolina Panthers -- winning the game, 20-10.

The Packers had a difficult time also stopping the run, as the Panthers' Stephen Davis finished the week on top in the rushing category, with 119 yards rushing on 24 carries. The Panthers combined for 149 yards on the ground.

Bart Starr (76.8 rating) may not have been at his best, completing 17/34 passes for 190 yards, but he made it work on the ground, as he rushed for a key 29-yard touchdown run in the late Quarter to give Green Bay, a commanding 20-10 lead. The Pack combined for 109 rushing yards on 17 carries (Starr was 4-41). Starr's mid-4th Quarter 31-yard TD pass to Carroll Dale changed the tide of the game.

Jake Delhomme (Carolina) cooled off badly in second half, finishing 15/31, 145 yards (2 INT) & a lousy 45.8 rating for the day.

In many ways, including Carolina's 32:26 clock control & rushing game rolling, the Panthers let this victory slip through their fingers.

Injury Report: WR-Muhsin Muhammad (CAR/Out for 1 week), ILB-Ray Nitschke (GB/Out for 2 weeks).

What's next for the two teams?

• 2003 Carolina Panthers (0-1) @ 1957 Detroit Lions (1-0)
• 1993 Dallas Cowboys (1-0) @ 1965 Green Bay Packers (1-0)

Cowboys Lasso Broncos, 16-10

My very first exhibition was between these same two teams, the 1993 Dallas Cowboys and the 2015 Denver Broncos, in which the Cowboys won 19-3, led by Emmitt Smith's 123 yards on 24 carries. Both teams have solid pass defenses, especially the Broncos.

This time it all counts, as both were scheduled to face each other in Week 1. It was another low scoring game, this time around though (unlike his exhibition) Troy Aikman had a good, effective game (18/28, 180 yards & 82.4 QB rating), while Peyton Manning struggled (21/45, 218 yards, TD, INT & a weak 59.3 QB rating).

Emmitt was not as good as his exhibition, as he rushed for 40 less yards (83) on the same many carries (24) for a tender 3.5 rushing average -- Smith did score one TD though; The Broncos on the other side, could not get a rushing game going to help their passing game, as they settled for only 52 yards rushing.

Both teams settled on field goals & punts for the most part, as both teams' defenses, kept the offenses both in check.

Jay Novacek led the Cowboys in receiving with 9 catches (2nd in NFL) for 75 yards.

Injury Report: S-Josh Bush (DEN/Out for 7 weeks).

What's next for the two teams?

• 1993 Dallas Cowboys (1-0) @ 1965 Green Bay Packers (1-0)
• 2003 New England Patriots (1-0) @ 2015 Denver Broncos (0-1) 

Cardinals Dominate Eagles, 33-10

Skyward Flight: Palmer has the Cardinals looking up.

In a battle of the birds, the 2015 Arizona Cardinals put the 2003 Philadelphia Eagles away early, as they were up as much 26-3, with David Johnson's 90-yard kick return touchdown to kick off the second half.

Carson Palmer was amazing in the season opener, completing 19/30 passes for 334 yards & 3 touchdown passes; After Week 1, he leads the entire league with a stellar 134.6 QB rating, while leading league in passing yards & tied with TD passes with Johnny Unitas (1965 Baltimore Colts).

Palmer's go-to-guy was John Brown, who had 6 receptions for 136 yards & a go-ahead 1st Quarter touchdown, in which the Cards never looked back.

Not surprisingly for the Eagles, their go-to-guy was Brian Westbrook, who recorded 155 yards of total offense (61-rushing, 72-receiving, 22-returns)... Donovan McNabb (21/37, 250 yards), on the other hand, made mistakes, throwing two interceptions, while being sacked 4 times, in a day that resulted in a 55.0 QB rating.

Busy Bird: Westbrook was doing everything for the Eagles.

The Eagles actually controlled the clock & had more first downs (19) than the Cardinals (18) -- the difference was that the Cardinals capitalized on their opportunities in a big way & big victory.

What's next for the two teams?

• 1990 Buffalo Bills (1-0) @ 2015 Arizona Cardinals (1-0)
• 2003 Philadelphia Eagles (0-1) @ 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-1)

Reich, Bills Stage Late Comeback OT Win!

Comeback Cat: Reich does his thing for the Bills.

Frank Reich made a name for himself, not only for his big comeback win in for Maryland (college), but also during the 1992 AFC Wild Card Game (against the Houston Oilers)... So it's only fitting that he leads a late comeback during this replay.

Starter Jim Kelly got hurt early in the 1st Quarter & the Buffalo Bills found themselves down 17-3 in the late 3rd Quarter, with 4:45 remaining. Reich was responsible for this early hole though, as he threw two picks, one to Chris McAllister (44 yards) & Duane Starks (39 yards) that were both returned for touchdown scores.

The Bills' defense made a big play of their own with a Leonard Smith fumble recovery, that he would return 39 yards for the score, cutting the Baltimore lead down to 7 points (17-10) late in the 3rd Quarter (1:16).

Frank Reich (21/39, 253 yards, 69.7 rating) played much better late, and connected with James Lofton for a game-tying 17 yard TD pass with 3:29 left in the 4th. Reich would complete the comeback with a 25-yard TD pass to Tight End Keith McKeller, for the 23-17 victory over the 2000 Baltimore Ravens.

The computer decided to start Tony Banks over Trent Dilfer for Baltimore, which Banks came out firing on all cylinders, completing 8 of his first 9 passes. In fact, Baltimore controlled 14:30 of the first 17:30 minutes of the game, but by the end Buffalo dominated the clock (38:39 to 31:20). Banks cooled off (finishing 13/21, 108 yards) & would get injured, as Dilfer (6/11, 44 yds) came in to relieve Banks.

The two 1990 Buffalo Bills that played a huge role on offense was Thurman Thomas (15 rushes, 54 yards & 6 rec for 43 yards) and Kenneth Davis (7-45 & 5 rec /48 yards) -- both just finished under 100 total yards for the day, while Davis rushed for an average of 6.1 yards a carry.

Baltimore's offense could only muster up 202 total yards of net offense, while their defense allowed 331 yards of net offense to the Bills.

Injury Report: QB-Tony Banks (BAL/Out for 6 weeks), QB-Jim Kelly (BUF/Out for 2 weeks).

What's next for the two teams?

• 1990 Buffalo Bills (1-0) @ 2015 Arizona Cardinals (1-0)
• 2000 Baltimore Ravens (0-1) @ 1988 San Francisco 49'ers (0-1)

Steelers' Offense Flat Against 57' Lions

1957: The last time the Detroit Lions won a NFL Championship.

A frustrated Terry Bradshaw.

The 1975 Pittsburgh Steelers just could not put up any offense (145 yards/Net Offense) against the 1957 Detroit Lions; The Steelers' D was dissected by the Lions' two running backs in John Henry Johnson (23-88, rush TD) & Hopalong Cassady (3 rec for 61 yards receiving).

It was not like the Lions' offense was rolling either, Bobby Layne (9/22, 134 yds passing) did enough to keep the drives rolling, while the Lions rushed the ball 40 times for only 124 yards rushing, but while controlling the clock (33:55). Terry Bradshaw (19.6 QB Rating) had the league's worst week, throwing 3 interceptions, while only passing for 111 yards.

The Steelers also had a tough time rushing the ball (21 carries, 61 yards) between Franco Harris & Rocky Bleier -- while the Lions' Johnson rushed the ball for 83 yards (tied for 5th in the league) on 23 carries, just enough to keep the sticks moving.

Injury Report: WR-Dave Middleton (DET/Out for 8 weeks), TE/WR- Steve Junker (DET/Out for 4 weeks.

What's Next for both teams?

• 1965 Baltimore Colts (1-0) @ 1975 Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1)
• 2003 Carolina Panthers (0-1) @ 1957 Detroit Lions (1-0)

Brady & Pats Solid over Niners, 20-10.

Week 1 of my 'Teams of the Past' Football Season was under way, and we had some really good match-ups in Week 1, while 1971 Miami Dolphins & 1999 St. Louis Cardinals had bye weeks.

One of the epic match-ups most fans dreamed of.. Joe Montana vs Tom Brady -- ended up being all Tom Brady, as Montana struggled mightily against the New England defense. Montana's numbers at the end of the day (12/40, 159 yds, 1 TD / 1 INT & sacked 4 times) was horrible, as he ended the day with a very low 41.6 QB Rating.

Brady, meanwhile, played smart, execution football (21/31, 191 yards, 2 TD passes) with a QB rating of 105.7... good enough to finish 3rd in Week 1 (behind Carson Palmer & Johnny Unitas). Although, Brady didn't complete a pass over 25 yards at any point in the game, he effectively led his team down the field on two strong drives before the end of each half.

The Niners' strong point came in their rushing game with Roger Craig (14-86 /6.1 avg) while the rushed for 131 yards on 20 carries. The Patriots did match the Niners' running game, nearly in yards (130), but on 32 carries, mostly split between Antowain Smith & Kevin Faulk. Craig, by the way, also had 3 catches for 43 yards (129 total yards) for the day.

Besides the stark contrast between the two teams' quarterbacks, the offenses were pretty equal all across the board, but the Patriots made it count when they needed to.

Injury Report: DL-Rick Lyle (NE/Out for 7 weeks), S-Antwan Harris (NE/Out for 5 weeks), DE-Richard Seymour (NE/Out for 2 weeks), RB-Kevin Faulk (NE/Out for 1 week), Willie McGinest (NE/Out for 1 week), P-Ken Walter (NE/Out for 1 week) & RB-Del Rodgers (SF/Out for 15 weeks).

What's Next for both teams?

• 2000 Baltimore Ravens (0-1) @ 1988 San Francisco 49'ers (0-1)
• 2003 New England Patriots (1-0) @ 2015 Denver Broncos (0-1)

Intro

So for awhile now, I have kicked around the idea of ordering from DK Sports (Dave Koch Sports). As you all know from reading my material on my Boys of Summer blog, that I am a fan of APBA Baseball, which have excellent products in their basic card game, Master Game & computer games... Unfortunately, they do not have anything productive in computer Football or computer Basketball, and their Football Card Game is a time-consuming product which does not fit my life, where I am already trying to squeeze in endless replays & projects. 

I got the extra push to actually buy the Basketball & Football products from DK Sports, while shooting the bull at work, while cooking. Working with my buddy, Charles, we are always discussing great teams of the past, and have had our debates of who would be who & from what era, etc etc... We would have debates from everything, would the 1992 Dallas Cowboys show up the New England Patriots teams of the 2000's? Joe Montana vs. Tom Brady & to even.. Did Tom Brady make Bill Belichick or did Belichick make Brady?...

Yes, there is a lot of Brady in those debates, love them or hate them, these Patriots will always be open for discussion. 

The fortunate thing about DK Sports, you can settle these debates (somewhat) with these computer replays or exhibitions. 

First, I'll mention the products that I have bought & how convenient it is to purchase all that. I got to buy these products with $100 of Birthday money from my amazing wife... who by the way is cool with all my replays & projects.

I bought the 2016 Baseball Basic Game ($29), which comes with the Championship set, which features...

• 1932 - Philadelphia Athletics, New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs & Pittsburgh Pirates.
• 1959 - Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Milwaukee Braves & Los Angeles Dodgers.
• 1975 - Boston Red Sox, Oakland Athletics, Cincinnati Reds & Pittsburgh Pirates.
• 1992 - Oakland Athletics, Toronto Blue Jays, Atlanta Braves & Pittsburgh Pirates.
• 2007 - Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Colorado Rockies & Arizona Diamondbacks.
• 2015 - Kansas City Royals, Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs & New York Mets.

I bought the 2016 Football Basic Set (with Great Teams) ($29), which features...

• 1965 - Green Bay Packers, Baltimore Colts, Cleveland Browns & Chicago Bears.
• 1971 - Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49'ers, Miami Dolphins & Baltimore Colts.
• 1988 - Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears & San Francisco 49'ers.
• 1990 - New York Giants, San Francisco 49'ers, Buffalo Bills & Los Angeles Raiders.
• 2003 - New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, Carolina Panthers & Philadelphia Eagles.
• 2015 - Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers & Arizona Cardinals.

I bought the 2016 Basketball - Deluxe Game (on sale for $39) + 20 Winning Teams (NBA history) which features...

• 2015-16 - Every single 2015-2016 NBA team from that season.
• 1984-85- Every single team from the 84-85' season.
• 1970-71 ABA Season 
• 2014-15 Golden State Warriors
• 2012-13 Miami Heat
• 2008-09 Cleveland Cavaliers
• 2008-09 Los Angeles Lakers
• 2007-08 Boston Celtics
• 2006-07 Dallas Mavericks
• 1999-00 Los Angeles Lakers
• 1996-97 Chicago Bulls
• 1995-96 Chicago Bulls
• 1991-92 Chicago Bulls
• 1986-87 Los Angeles Lakers
• 1985-86 Boston Celtics
• 1982-83 Philadelphia 76'ers
• 1972-73 Boston Celtics
• 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers
• 1970-71 Milwaukee Bucks
• 1966-67 Philadelphia 76'ers

Because these great packages didn't have all the teams that I would also like to see added, the site gives you the option to add any team from any season from any sport -- for ONLY $1.50! Which at anytime, any week or any moment, you can say hey -- I want to download this team, BOOM! You own it, just like that!

Oh, by the way, everything from above is also downloadable straight to your computer, no waiting for disks in the mail, which could take weeks depending on the service, etc etc

Here is the list of additional NFL Teams that I added...

• 1950 Cleveland Browns
• 1957 Detroit Lions
• 1975 Pittsburgh Steelers
• 1985 Chicago Bears
• 1986 New York Giants
• 1993 Dallas Cowboys
• 1995 Detroit Lions
• 1999 St. Louis Rams
• 2000 Baltimore Ravens
• 2002 Tampa Bay Bucs

Here is the list of additional NBA Teams that I added...

• 1986-87 Atlanta Hawks
• 1988-89 Detroit Pistons
• 1990-91 Portland Trail Blazers
• 1992-93 New York Knicks
• 1993-94 Houston Rockets
• 1994-95 Indiana Pacers
• 1996-97 Utah Jazz
• 2001-02 Sacramento Kings
• 2002-03 San Antonio Spurs
• 2003-04 Detroit Pistons

I am really happy with the products and now I can settle some of these debates (somewhat) and relive historic & fun teams... It will certainly be a blast, I can't wait to share everything with you.