Tampa Bay – Atlanta Recap

In a game reminiscent of the 1972 aerial battle between Johnny Unitas and Joe Namath, Matt Ryan of the Falcons and Jameis Winston of the Buccaneers, hooked up in a great QB battle that the Falcons won on Matt Bryant’s game winning field goal as time expired!  Ryan threw for 438 yards and three TD’s, while Winston tossed for 387 yards and a pair of touchdowns.  This was, hands-down, the best game of the tournament so far as the two offenses combined for over 1,000 yards, with no turnovers!

Dallas – Baltimore Recap

The Cowboys’ win streak hits four games as they double up Baltimore 34-17.  Dallas piled up 479 yards of offense, while their defense held the Ravens to only 245 yards and forced five turnovers!  Both Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott had a productive day for the ‘Boys. Dallas is now 6-4 for the season.

San Diego – Buffalo

The surprising San Diego Chargers, #14 seed in the AFC, continue to surprise as they win their second game of the tournament against a higher seeded opponent, topping the Bills in Buffalo 21-13.  Chargers’ QB Philip Rivers hit two huge passes, setting up the first two San Diego touchdowns.  And, on the other side, Bills’ QB Tyrod Taylor always seemed to come up a little short when they needed a big pass.

New Orleans – NY Giants

In the first game of Round Two of my single-elimination tournament, the Giants dominated the Saints and trounced them 30-6.  New York dominated time of possession, running 80 offensive plays to New Orleans’ 40 – keeping the ball away from the dangerous Drew Brees and his talented cadre of receivers.  Eli Manning threw for 400 yards and 3 TD’s for the Giants.

Dallas – Pittsburgh

Finally!!!  The Cowboys now have a three game winning streak and their record, at 5-4, is above .500!  Dak Prescott (4 touchdown passes) and Ezekiel Elliott (113 yards rushing) were both terrific as Dallas pounds the Steelers at Heinz Field 36-20.

NFC 2017 Playoff Brackets

AFC 2017 Playoff Brackets

Well, this tournament that started at the end of August has reached its midpoint, and the matchups for the second round look fun!  Take a look at the brackets . . . and stay tuned!!

Baltimore – Tennessee

Ravens quarterback, Joe Flacco, was Mr. Consistent, completing 29 passes against the Titans to 11 different receivers to lead Baltimore past Tennessee 16-14.  His counterpart at QB, Marcus Mariota, was picked off three times in the game and Titan running-back Demarco Murray was held to only 24 yards on 11 carries.

Minnesota – Washington

The Redskins just created a new way to lose, turning the ball over five times to the Vikings, three times in the “Red-Zone,” en route to a 17-14 loss, eliminating them from the playoffs.  Minnesota quarterback, Sam Bradford, was steady, if not spectacular, completing 28 passes for 271 yards and a TD, and not turning the ball over.

Dallas – Cleveland

I have been playing APBA football since 1966, and here’s a first for me . . . Cleveland’s quarterback, Robert Griffin III, was sacked a remarkable 12 times by the Cowboys defense!  Honestly, I can’t remember a team getting sacked more than 8 times in all those years, but the Cleveland offensive line just couldn’t keep Dallas defenders out of their backfield, and the Cowboys won handily, 31-3 to run their mark at the halfway point of their replay to 4-4.

Cowboys Stats

By Ray Dunlap

When I started this project, I was super charged up!  I have been a Dallas Cowboys fan since Eddie Lebaron was the quarterback in 1963!  So, a chance to replay one of their best single seasons was something I was really looking forward to.

Well, here I am at the halfway point . . . and the Cowboys, who actually finished the first half of the 2016 season 8-0, are languishing at 4-4 and have the Steelers staring them in the face for game #9!

It’s kind of hard for me to put my finger on what has gone wrong – but it is curious.  It kind of reminds me of the 1960 World Series, where the Yankees crushed the Pirates in the 3 games they won, and Pittsburgh barely beat the Bombers in the four games they took.  But, the Pirates, despite being out-hit and significantly out-scored, still won the Series.

In Dallas’ four victories, they have won by an average score of 36-9.  In their four losses, the average score has been 28-25.  So, except for a few bad breaks, and maybe some not-so-good coaching on my part, the Cowboys could be a whole lot better than 4-4!

Statistically (see the attached stats sheet), Prescott and Elliott have been terrific.  Prescott only has one interception in eight games and Elliott has a remarkable 15 rushing touchdowns already.  I know that seems like a ridiculous number, but it is awfully hard not to go to him down at the goal line – his card is just sensational!  Ironically, despite all of his touchdowns, his yards-per-carry is below his actual 2016 number.

And, I don’t know why Prescott scrambles so much – just luck of the dice I guess, but he has been remarkable rushing the football  . . . with way too many carries.

So, as I get ready for the second half, we’ll just see if the APBA Gods smile on “America’s Team” . . . . . . . but, either way, I know it will be fun no matter what happens!