Current League Leaders
Passing  Boomer Esiason - 127.1  Troy Aikman - 126.8  Steve Young - 120.3  Phil Simms - 120.0  Rick Mirer - 113.0	Rushing Yards  RB - Jerome Bettis - 1409  RB - Ronald Moore - 1358  RB - Rodney Hampton - 1103  RB - Thurman Thomas - 1103  RB - Emmitt Smith - 1084	Receptions  RB - Reggie Brooks - 41  WR - Herman Moore - 40  RB - Gary Ler. Brown - 34  RB - Edgar Bennett - 33  WR - Michael Haynes - 31	KR Yards  TE - Kerry Cash - 1042  RB - Merril Hoge - 731  RB - David Meggett - 655  WR - Mark Carrier - 654  WR - Chris Burkett - 619	PR Yards  RB - David Meggett - 231  WR - Jimmy Smith - 104  RB - Lorenzo White - 78  TE - Kerry Cash - 77  WR - Chris Burkett - 68
All Purpose Yards  RB - Jerome Bettis - 1526  WR - Herman Moore - 1453  RB - Ronald Moore - 1412  RB - Thurman Thomas - 1375  RB - Rodney Hampton - 1295	FG Made  Jason Elam - 8  Doug Pelfrey - 7  Matt Stover - 7  Norm Johnson - 6  Fuad Reveiz - 6	Sacks  LB - Karl Mecklenburg - 29  LB - Dante Jones - 18  LB - Bryce Paup - 11  LB - Keith Traylor - 11  LB - Roman Phifer - 10	Interceptions  S - Eugene Robinson - 16  CB - Eric Allen - 9  S - Vencie Glenn - 8  S - Leroy Butler - 7  S - Eric Turner - 7

1993 SUPER BOWL

VS

We are finally here.  What we all played a grueling season for.  Who will take the title?  We have the defending Super Bowl champs, the New England Patriots, and we have the undefeated team, the New York Giants.  Roles were totally reversed about 2 months ago when the Patriots were the undefeated team, and the G-men were the spoilers.  Eifer is a stiff competition in the way of TSBGOD's dreams of back to back titles.  The Giants have to be the favorite, even though the Pats are the defending champions.  Lets look in depth on how the Patriots have to play to win the game.

First off, turnover free game.  Or at least win the turnover battle.  Eifer can not have more chances than you.  He will punch it in eventually and put you behind the 8 ball.  Phil Simms has to come up huge.  I figure he will have a good game against the butter finger hands secondary that the Giants have assembled.  Fast yes, sure handed no.  To keep the G-men honest, a heavy dose of RB Leonard Russell is necessary.  Even he's not breaking away, just a few carries here and there will keep All CTL LB Karl Mecklenburg one second of hesitation.  That second of hesitation, could result in enough time for Simms to burn the Giants.

On Defense, Eugene Robinson will play centerfield and spy Boomer Esiason all game.  Eventually I think Boomer make a mistake and Robinson makes him pay for it.  The solid LB crew will try to hold RB Reggie Brooks down.  All LBs have 50 ms and will roam behind the line of scrimmage, that could be greatly impacted by DL Bruce Smith and his 75 HP.

Now lets look at the Giants can complete the "dream season."  New York has yet to lose this year.  We all know the odds are against him.  He is due for a loss sooner or later you must feel.  Can they get one more W in the win column?  QB Boomer Esiason has played lights out ball this season.  He did have a rough outing in his past game versus the Oilers.  That's a true champion though.  He got his team the W, no matter what.  Again this week he squares off versus a very stingy secondary.  Will his performance last week help him in taking his risks this week?  RB Reggie Brooks, I expect to get a bulk of the load.  He goes for over 100 yards this week.  He racks in 2 TDs and plays with the Patriots like putty in his hand.

Defensively, Mecklenburg must disrupt the Patriots offense.  He has got the speed, but does Simms get rattled under pressure?  If he can smack Simms in the mouth, The Giants have a great shot at going undefeated.  The secondary will not cause any picks, but their speed could be a problem in coverage versus the Patriots Wide outs/Tight Ends.

In the end, The Giants are the favorite.  The Patriots are the champions.

"Never underestimate the heart of a champion."-Rudy Tomjanovich

Patriots 24

Giants 17

ROUND 2 PLAYOFFS

VS

Setting was week 4 in Riverfront Stadium.  The reigning super bowl champs came into the game with high hopes of taking down the frontrunner to take the crown away FROM them.  A 28-0 thumping later, the Pats had to go back to the drawing table.  Phil Simms wants to forget that game.  The Patriot QB atoned for a dismal 10.8 QB Rating.  QB Rick Mirer, on the other hand, produced a 149.2 rating with 3 TD tosses and zero picks.  I'm 100 percent positive this game will be a lot closer.  I'm going to predict a very back and forth type game with defense being very stingy.  Late in the game RB Emmitt Smith for the Bengals will be nursing a 3 point lead and trying to drive and put the nail in the coffin.  He will fumble at the Patriot 5 and the momentum will swing.  RB Leonard Russell will put the Patriots on his back(even though he's pretty pissed about being cut next season) and lead the Patriots and the veteran TSBGOD to back to back title game appearances.

Patriots sneak by 21-17. 

VS

Boomer wanted this match up.  He needed this match up.  He wants to redeem himself FROM his super bowl loss FROM 2 seasons ago at the hands of DL Clyde Simmons and the Oilers.  Blast back to the past.  Boomer and his Giants had the ball late in the fourth quarter with a tied game.  Boomer goes out to scramble and, BOOM!  Simmons clotheslines him and makes him cough up the rock.  Oilers go in a few plays later to take the Super Bowl in 1992.  2 years removed and the Giants are on top of the mountain again. Undefeated and really for the most part unchallenged.  What will happen with these 2 clash again.  The meadowlands will definitely be rocking this weekend as the Oilers come into very unfriendly grounds.  Boomer vs. Troy.  Aikman, the Oiler Qb, feels he was snubbed of all league honors tries to prove the point of who the dominant quarterback was this season.  LB Karl Mecklenburg will take Aikman down twice and hurt him in the 3rd quarter.  Without Aikman, the Oilers will be drawing dead.

Giants move onto the Bowl 28-17.

ROUND 1 PLAYOFFS

VS

The top seeded Bengals welcome the Chiefs to town.  This team has made the fans of Cincinnati forget about the Ickey shuffle, and know what the Rick Mirer express is.  The rookie gun slinger has led his team to home field advantage for the playoffs with a staggering 113.0 QB Passer Rating.  Add to that Emmitt Smith and this deadly duo puts fear into opposing defenses.  How do the Chiefs stop these 2?  Here's how.  You play ball control offense and keep feeding Gary Brown.  Hes the guy who got you this far.  Maybe even Reggie White can bust free a few times and harass Mirer into a turnover or 2.  In the end, K.C. just doesn't have as many weapons as the Bengals and will fall short.

Bengals win 28-14.

VS

The Broncos travel into Foxboro this week to rekindle this special rivalry of the CTL. Denver has All World QB in Steve Young.  He will have to be all world for Denver to even come close to winning.  On paper that's the only position that Denver trumps the Pats.  Young's numbers could frustrate TSBGOD if Mike plays it safe and takes his 7 yard scrambles with him.  Young is very accurate with his 69 pc, but should he risk throwing into coverage with the likes of Defensive MVP Eugene Robinson and Darren Perry playing the Cover 2?  The smart bet is no.  I do feel that the lack of ground game FROM the running back position will hamper the Broncos quest to beat New England.  The Pats just can't overlook this team as Mike is one of the best players in online tecmo today.  Close one, until Mike has to get desperate as time runs out.

New England 31-24.

VS

The Giants are still undefeated.  They have beat the Colts once before and possibly twice by the time this game is played.  Wouldn't it be bittersweet for the Colts to take down the big dogs FROM the big apple?  Thurman Thomas must play a huge role in the upset if it were to happen.  LB for the G-men Karl Mecklenburg no doubt will get pressure on Steve Beurlein the Colts QB.  So to counter that Thurmal must run wild.  Oh yeah we haven't even got into the fact that possible offensive MVP Boomer Esiason has been a hoss this season.  41 TDs to only 7 picks.  Simply amazing.  The Colts do however pose a stiff play.  By no means an easy out.  Eifer just better not bring his B game.  They go into this game undefeated, will they leave?  I have to at least pick one upset. 

Colts 21 Giants 17.

VS

Washington travels to the Astrodome to play Houston for the 2nd straight week.  Last week; was it a mirage or were the Redskins really playing?  Maybe they weren't playing their whole hand.  Did the fold, just to go with a bigger pot later?  If you look at the game earlier in the season between these 2 clubs, you might draw that conclusion.  Troy Aikman has had trouble producing in the playoffs for the past 3 seasons for the Oilers.  With him probably receiving All league honors will that allow him to carry momentum into the post-season?  Will Jerry Rice be able to show why he is the greatest of all time?  This one will be a shootout and the last team to score will win.  Bubby Brister will do enough to hold off the suffocating Oiler Defense and march his team to a victory.

Washington 27-21 over Houston.

WEEK 13 GAME OF THE WEEK

VS

A rematch of week 5, WHERE the Oilers were stunned and put back in their place by the Redskins.  This one is definitely for all the marbles.  This game determines who wins the division.  This one determines who gets the higher seed.  Most importantly though, this one determines who gets the #2 seed behind Eifers G-MEN.  Actually, no matter the outcome of this game, these 2 teams will be playing again next week in the first round of the playoffs.  Go figure.  So will Canes play all of his cards?  Either way I'm going to pick Washington as the victor as I have been really rusty, and rarely play anymore since adding another dependant in the family.  By no means am I saying I should win this game, I am making no excuses at this point in our careers MRTSB is light years ahead of me.  I'm just saying don't count out the old vet.  I hope he wins this week, but me next:).

Washington 21-14.

WEEK 12 GAME OF THE WEEK

VS

A possible Super Bowl match up in week 12.  We have the Washington Redskins versus the New England Patriots.  Both division leaders heading into the week.  The Patriots have a bit of a bigger cushion thanks to their week 11 victory over the Miami Dolphins.  Washington holds 1/2 game lead over the streaking Oilers in the Memorable division.  TSBGOD is faced with a dilemma.  Win or Lose versus his real life favorite team. I'm guessing he's going balls to the wall and will be able to go into DC and edge out the victory.  New England RB Leonard Russell will have a big day going for 2 touches and over 100 yards.  Washington Redskin QB Bubby Brister will throw a few picks in crunch time and leaving the Skins begging for help. 

Patriots win 24-14.

WEEK 11 GAME OF THE WEEK

VS

Week 11 will settle the division winner in the Vintage Division.  The Patriots are 8-2.  The Dolphins are 6-2.  Miami, having already taken one FROM the Pats can be sitting pretty if they somehow go on the road and sweep the season series in Foxboro this week.  The loser will go FROM the likely #2 seed to the likely #4 seed.  What does that mean in terms of playoff seeding?  A future 3rd game between the two teams isn't out of the questions if the stars align themselves correctly.  Not a due or die game, however an easier road to the Georgia Dome in Atlanta Georgia for the Super bowl in 1993.  For the analysis on this game, lets look at their week 3 game.  As you can see Miami shutdown the Patriots running game and was able to pick Dan Marino, the starting QB for New England, off twice.  Miami's signal caller had a perfect game.    7 for 11 for 161 yards with 1 TD, but most importantly 0 picks.  This must be duplicated for Miami to get the win again.  New England is rolling with its running game in weeks past, so I feel like they will try to come out and establish the run early, setting up the play action and the deep ball late in the game.  The 12th man will be too much as the southern natured Dolphins will be playing in the snow in Foxboro this week as the forecasters predict.  Just too much to overcome this week for Miami, I'm going with the safe pick. 

Pats take it 31-14.

WEEK 10 GAME OF THE WEEK

VS

Can anyone stop Eifer?  Still undefeated and we are in the 10th week of the season.  The G Men keep rolling through the competition in hopes of sealing the #1 seed and hosting the playoffs in the Meadowlands.  In their way this week, are the boys FROM the dog pound, the Cleveland Browns.  The Browns flew under the radar in the off season, but no one is overlooking the Browns now.  Cleveland comes into the game in the thick of things in their conference playoff race.  Currently they hold the last spot in the conference with an outside chance at still winning their own division.  Cleveland must find a way to stop QB Boomer Esiason of the Giants  to be able to come away with the W.  Esiason's passer rating is above 117.  27 TDS to only 5 picks, that is the formula for a winning football team.  Will the undefeated streak end this week?  I believe the Cleveland speedy line backing core, can keep Esiason at bay with his mobility.  RB Reggie Brooks will pound the rock in this game and steal a victory late. 

Giants win 28-21.

WEEK 9 GAME OF THE WEEK

VS

This week 9 dogfight is between two clubs who are jockeying for playoff position.  Both currently on the outside looking in, this game will definitely put the nail in the coffin for the loser.  The winner, just one step closer to playing in the post-season.  RB Jerome Bettis vs. RB Thurman Thomas will get the headlines of course.  The Chargers offense goes as far as Bettis takes them.  Bettis to his account has 701 yards rushing.  Thomas has 605.  The 3-4 Colts will need "thurmal" to step up versus against the 4-4 Chargers.  Bettis might have a tough time running against the front 7 of the Colts.  Currently the Colts only give up 54 yards per game on the ground.  Which is 3rd best among the league.  The porous run D of the Chargers leaves too many gaping holes for the all pro back Thomas.  Monster game for Thomas, to the tune of 124 yards on 15 carries and 2 scores.  This will free up WR Andre Reed down the seam for some deep balls.  Reed already has a 41 yards per catch clip.  This is only offset by Bettis even bigger game.  20 carries for 167 yards and 2 scores himself.  My pick??? Game goes into OT and the Chargers use home field advantage to advance one step closer to their dream of a playoff birth.

San Diego squeaks by  27-21.

WEEK 8 GAME OF THE WEEK

For anyone who wants to view this Titanic clash click here

VS

The Giants get to play in back to back game of the weeks.  This is truly the biggest game all season.  Its a game of the proven vet(Eifer) who has many league titles and playoff games under his belt, against the rookie owner in CTL(MRTSB).  To Eifer he probably looks at it as just another ball game.  MRTSB might be getting caught up in the hype of this clash of the Titans.  The Giants come in undefeated(6-0).  The Redskins come in undefeated(7-0).  Needless to say, that this game between conference rivals will more than likely produce some bloodshed.  To the victor goes the #1 seed and home field advantage for the playoffs.  The loser?  Nothing too horrible, just the #2 seed and a first class plane ticket to the others house in the playoffs.  MRTSB has already told me his game plan, so I will not reveal it since I'm not a biased commish.  Can the Skins shut down the fun n gun style of Giant QB Boomer Esiason.  Lefty is wreaking havoc on the league and can not be stopped.  Can he pick up the blitzing of LB Karl Mecklenburg?  Can New York shut down the ever so effective passing attack of the Skins?  The new "posse" of Rice, Rison, and Shannon Sharpe might have a field day if the blitzing Mecklenburg gets picked up.  As with any closely matched game, I see the winner being the one who makes less mistakes and wins the turnover battle.  My prediction is that Mecklenburg gets contained all day, except for a crucial play in the 3rd Quarter.  Washington will pitch it to RB Ricky Watters and get punched in the mouth and lose the football.  Resulting in the LONE turnover of the game.  Eifer capitalizes on the mistake and puts it in the end zone to seal the victory. I WANT BOTH TEAMS TO RECORD THIS GAME AND I WILL POST IT ON THE WEBSITE.

Giants win 28-21.

To see MRTSB's breakdown on this game click here

MID-SEASON REPORT CARD

WEEK 7 GAME OF THE WEEK

VS

The battle at the Meadowlands is the week 7 showcase for the CTL. This game will prove once and for all who really is the team in the NYC.  Jet Fans hate the Giant fans.  Giant fans don't even acknowledge Jet fans.  The G Men are red hot and still undefeated(5-0), the Jets are sputtering(2-2).  The Key to defeating the G Men is containing Boomer Esiason.  The lefty gun slinger is efficient and a frontrunner for league MVP.  That is, if teammate LB Karl Mecklenburg doesn't win it.  Mecklenburg has amassed 12 sacks in 5 games.  More than likely will break the league record for sacks in a season.  On the flip side the J-E-T-S will rely heavily on workhorse RB Marcus Allen.  Allen must control the clock and keep Esiason off the field for the Jets to have a shot.  I feel this will be close as Allen racks up 80 yards on 12 carries, but Mecklenburg will rush the Jet QB into one bad decision late in the game and a costly turnover that will secure the W for the Giants.

Giants win the battle of the Big Apple 24-21.

WEEK 6 GAME OF THE WEEK

VS

Everyone knew going into the season that the Patriots would be a good team.  Few gave the Browns a chance.  Coming into the week 6 game of the week, one team is undefeated.  One team is atop their division. One team is the Cleveland Browns.  The Browns(4-0) play host to the boys FROM Foxboro this week and it will be a dog fight I feel.  The Patriots are 3-2 but most feel that's a let down as to WHERE this team should be.  Last week the Patriots lost star RB Leonard Russell to injury, he will be back for this week as he is listed as Probable on the injury report.  The Browns however are very stingy on the ground with probably the best GROUP of linebackers in the game today. 

Pats take it 31-14.

WEEK 5 GAME OF THE WEEK

  VS

Battle for first place in the Memorable Division in the Godzilla conference is on the line in this week 5 battle of unbeaten.  The Redskins, who are 4-0,  travel to the Astrodome to play the 3-0 Oilers.  Both teams have easily breezed through the first month of the season and really haven't been battle tested.  This game should prove to be different.  The odds makers are putting the Oilers as 3.5 point favorites, but everyone should think this is an even game. Ricky Watters was heard this week in the locker room after practice saying he wanted the Oilers.  "Man they haven't played anyone yet.  Wait till the boys FROM DC get down there.  They will realize we are for real. "

When told of the running backs words QB Troy Aikman of Houston responded, "Ricky is an outgoing player.  He will say whatever comes to his mind.  Too bad this is our house and we don't lose.  For more questions see my boy Eric."  Aikman referring to the defensive leader for the Oilers, Eric Allen.  I see Watters being held under 50 yards and the Skins having to throw it to beat the Oilers.  Allen will be waiting with open arms.  Oilers win, just don't cover the spread.

Oilers 20-17.

WEEK 4 GAME OF THE WEEK

  VS

My preseason King Kong Conference Championship game match up will square off in week 4. Unfortunately the Bengals have yet to play a game this season.  The Patriots on the other hand have rolled through the competition as expected and post a 2-0 record going into this battle of the top tier teams.  Id like to see how the Pats LB Core can neutralize the scrambling ability of Cinncy QB Rick Mirer.  Mirer's 19 MS might pose a problem if TSBGOD chooses to man a defensive back.  Don't forget that guy named Emmitt either.  On the Patriots side of offense, I think QB Phil Simms will have a great game against the Bengal secondary. Tim Brown will have a huge day going for about 5 catches and 100 yards and 2 TDs.  S Eugene Robinson gets a pick late in the game to seal the victory for the Pats.  So yes, I'm going against my King Kong Conference prediction.

Patriots win 31-21

WEEK 3 GAME OF THE WEEK

VS

Battle of Ohio here in Week 3.  These closely located teams are in a dogfight of a division and we know the hatred rivalry between the two squads.  The showdown I'm looking forward to here is the speedy LB core of the Browns versus my preseason MVP pick in RB Emmitt Smith of the Bengals.  Since Cinncy has yet to play a game yet, I wonder how good of shape Emmitt will be in when he goes against this solid GROUP.  Smith says he's ready to get the season going even though its already week 3.  I still say Smith goes for 122 yards on 15 carries and leads the Bengals to a victory. 

Bengals win 28-14

WEEK 2 GAME OF THE WEEK

VS

In week 2 the Colts host the Detroit Lions in the RCA Dome.  Detroit pulled a squeaker out of a win in week 1 vs. the Bucs.  The Lions will have to bring his A game on the road to beat Thurman Thomas and company.  Thomas had both 65 yards on the ground and 65 yards through the air making him an all purpose back like his real self was back in the day.  The key match up in this game I feel must be how Steve Beuerlein reacts to the snug like defensive backs Detroit has.  I think that is a stalemate.  Since Detroit will be defending against the pass I think that opens up the running game for Thurman Thomas.  Thomas amasses 98 yards on 12 carries to lead the Colts to a W and the early 2-0 division lead. 

Colts win 24-14

WEEK 1 GAME OF THE WEEK

VS

An interesting Week 1 match up  between the Houston Oilers and the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Last season everyone's pick to just steamroll through the playoffs and into the super bowl was the Oilers.  I mean of course the Oilers had beaten the Steelers by a combined score of 55-14 in the two regular season match up.  The Oilers pancaked pretty much everyone in their path last season, and the Steelers snuck into the playoffs and got the #4 seed.  That's why they play the game.  24-21 score later the Oilers were watching the rest of the playoffs FROM their couches while the Steelers advanced thanks in big part to a stellar game FROM the "comeback kid" Jim Harbaugh.  So lets fast forward to present day.  Houston again has one of the more talented teams and the Steelers are a little above average.  So this is tecmo we all know anything can happen.  The Astrodome sold out for this game in record time as the Houston fans wanted retribution.  2 minutes and 2 seconds and not a seat could be had when opening night tickets went on sale this summer.  Basically it will come down to which signal caller plays the better game.  Aikman vs. Harbaugh.  I'm going with the same theme as my season predictions, and picking myself. 

Houston win 31-14

1993 Is upon us.  This season looks to probably be the most competitive season of all.  With a bit of re-alignment and a whole bunch of fresh players, and bringing back the core guys, who knows what this season will have.  One things for sure CTL is definitely not going anyWHERE, and I hope everyone does their part to make this one of the best online leagues out there today. 

Check out the Season previews by TSBGOD, MRTECMOSUPERBOWL, and myself CanesRFoReal.

Any interest in joining the league?  We are always welcoming new guys to the league and would like to see you sign the waiting list link thread above.  Any questions feel free to email me.  Click the E.

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