Tecmo Bowl league : Season recaps 1-3
Each Tecmo Bowl season is played on a NES console. Teams are drafted by the players and the conferences/divisions get set up randomly. Teams get 6 games at home(player 1) and 6 more on the road(player 2). Division, conference, & inter-conference games are all factored into the complex & compelling scheduling process.
Season 1 standings
The inaugural season featured 4 players, and 2 of which were rookies. This resulted in the standings
being out of wack as teams like the Giants and Dolphins barely won any games.
With Chicago merely a .500 team, Seattle was able to take complete control of the AFC. Seattle’s lone loss occurred in a week 11 match-up at The Colts. Despite their record, Indy proved to be quite formidable at home going 4-2. Cleveland made good use of Chicago’s woes and took the 2nd seed in the AFC. In the NFC, Dallas surprisingly swept SF in a couple closely contested games. SF in turn swept LA . However, Dallas and LA did not face each other. Dallas also benefited from New York and Miami suffering through terrible seasons as they were controlled by inexperienced players. Those 2 teams typically win a lot of games, but offered up sub-standard performances all year.
Play in tournament: The fight for the 4th playoff seeds
Indy and Minnesota capitalized on home game in the qualifying round against weak opponents to receive playoff berths.
Minnesota faced a 10-0 2nd qtr deficit against Miami before forcing a couple Marino interceptions in the comeback win. Duane Bickett of Indianapolis turned in a big game vs Washington. Bickett had 2 interceptions, a blocked FG, and forced another FG miss.
In the Play in championship game, Minnesota's defense led the charge in the shut-out win. Minnesota faces Chicago next, and Indy travels to SF.
Minnesota faced a 10-0 2nd qtr deficit against Miami before forcing a couple Marino interceptions in the comeback win. Duane Bickett of Indianapolis turned in a big game vs Washington. Bickett had 2 interceptions, a blocked FG, and forced another FG miss.
In the Play in championship game, Minnesota's defense led the charge in the shut-out win. Minnesota faces Chicago next, and Indy travels to SF.
Season 1 Playoffs
Minnesota shook up the bracket by disposing of Chicago and headed to Cleveland on a 4 game win streak. The run ended there as Cleveland's defense shut them down.
San Francisco pummeled Indy, and then faced off with LA. SF had won the 4 previous meetings with LA. SF took a 7-6 lead early in the 3rd, and the defense held until late. LA mounted a last second drive and Bahr nailed a long game winning FG as time expired to end Joe Montana's quest for a championship.
The conference championship games lacked much in the drama department. Seattle built a 16-0 halftime lead in large part to 3 Bernie Kosar INT's. Gerald McNeil took the 2nd half kick off to the house to provide some hope for the Browns. Dave Krieg was picked off a few plays later and Kevin mack's TD run made it 16-12. Fredd Young blocked both extra point attempts. Seattle countered with another FG for a 19-12 lead early in the 4th. A turnover on downs in Seattle territory midway in the 4th proved to be the dagger and Seattle won 19-12.
Dallas effectively boxed up Bo Jackson all day and forced 3 Jay Schroeder INT's in the 1st half. Herschel Walker had a huge game and Dallas easily rolled to the tune of a 35-7.
San Francisco pummeled Indy, and then faced off with LA. SF had won the 4 previous meetings with LA. SF took a 7-6 lead early in the 3rd, and the defense held until late. LA mounted a last second drive and Bahr nailed a long game winning FG as time expired to end Joe Montana's quest for a championship.
The conference championship games lacked much in the drama department. Seattle built a 16-0 halftime lead in large part to 3 Bernie Kosar INT's. Gerald McNeil took the 2nd half kick off to the house to provide some hope for the Browns. Dave Krieg was picked off a few plays later and Kevin mack's TD run made it 16-12. Fredd Young blocked both extra point attempts. Seattle countered with another FG for a 19-12 lead early in the 4th. A turnover on downs in Seattle territory midway in the 4th proved to be the dagger and Seattle won 19-12.
Dallas effectively boxed up Bo Jackson all day and forced 3 Jay Schroeder INT's in the 1st half. Herschel Walker had a huge game and Dallas easily rolled to the tune of a 35-7.
Tecmo Bowl I
Tecmo Bowl I turned into a one-sided affair early as Seattle used 2 long scoring drives to take a 14-0 lead late in the 2nd qtr. Danny White an INT and Norm Johnson added a FG for a 17-0 halftime lead. The 2nd half saw White throw another INT that was returned for a TD and a 24-0 Seahawk lead. Dallas eventually added a FG which proved to be the last score of the game as Seattle rolled 24-3. Dallas effectively held the Seattle offense in check after the early scores, but the game was virtually decided by then.
Seattle and Dallas took full advantage of Chicago and New York having down years and capitalized on it with a trip to the Tecmo Bowl championship game. Cleveland proved to be the Seahawks main competitor in the AFC, but history was on the Seahawks side as they had won repeatedly in that rivalry against the Browns.
San Francisco and LA however lived up to expectations in the NFC, going a combined 19-5 during the regular season. The 49ers appeared poised to beat Dallas in the conference championship game putting them on a crash course with Seattle in the Tecmo Bowl championship game. Unfortunately LA upset them in the playoffs, denying the league of the most anticipated match-up for the championship.
Seattle and Dallas took full advantage of Chicago and New York having down years and capitalized on it with a trip to the Tecmo Bowl championship game. Cleveland proved to be the Seahawks main competitor in the AFC, but history was on the Seahawks side as they had won repeatedly in that rivalry against the Browns.
San Francisco and LA however lived up to expectations in the NFC, going a combined 19-5 during the regular season. The 49ers appeared poised to beat Dallas in the conference championship game putting them on a crash course with Seattle in the Tecmo Bowl championship game. Unfortunately LA upset them in the playoffs, denying the league of the most anticipated match-up for the championship.
Season 2 standings
With the traditional powers back atop the standings, it became evident that any surprise contenders were not likely to emerge like last season.
Chicago won 8 straight to end the season by finding every way imaginable to win games down the stretch.
The 49ers and Giants were both victorious in the season finale to claim division titles. Despite Denver having a strong season and Miami leading the league in points scored, The Giants were easily the odds on favorite to represent the AFC in the Tecmo Bowl. With the #1 seed and division title on the line in week 12, the Giants beat the Dolphins 9-6 on the heels of a unbelievable goal line stand. Miami squandered a 1st and goal from the 2 yardline in the 4th quarter.
Chicago won 8 straight to end the season by finding every way imaginable to win games down the stretch.
The 49ers and Giants were both victorious in the season finale to claim division titles. Despite Denver having a strong season and Miami leading the league in points scored, The Giants were easily the odds on favorite to represent the AFC in the Tecmo Bowl. With the #1 seed and division title on the line in week 12, the Giants beat the Dolphins 9-6 on the heels of a unbelievable goal line stand. Miami squandered a 1st and goal from the 2 yardline in the 4th quarter.
Season 2 Play in tournament
Coming into the season LA and Cleveland were expected to challenge for playoff berths. Instead they combined to go 5-19, and faced an uphill battle to reach the playoffs. Cleveland won handily in round 1, while LA struggled but pulled the game out late.
Advancing to the qualifying round, both teams pulled off upsets to get a 2nd chance at living up to pre-season expectations. Cleveland's defense got control early over Washington with a 2nd qtr INT providing the spark. Bo Jackson ran rampant en-route to a 17-0 victory ending Seattle's bid at another championship.
The play in championship game saw LA take a commanding 20-7 lead in the 3rd qtr, and the win sent them into the playoffs with a good deal of momentum.
Advancing to the qualifying round, both teams pulled off upsets to get a 2nd chance at living up to pre-season expectations. Cleveland's defense got control early over Washington with a 2nd qtr INT providing the spark. Bo Jackson ran rampant en-route to a 17-0 victory ending Seattle's bid at another championship.
The play in championship game saw LA take a commanding 20-7 lead in the 3rd qtr, and the win sent them into the playoffs with a good deal of momentum.
Season 2 Playoffs
The Giants faced an old rival as they played the Raiders in round 1. The Giants were undefeated at home during the season. What no one planned on was the LA run game taking over, some bad calls by the refs, and the Raider defense playing solid all game. LA got up 14-6 and held on.
#2 seed Denver also came out flat in a home game against Miami. The Dolphin defense held up as the offense struggled, but came out in top in OT. The 2 upsets in round 1 suddenly Miami in the driver seat with a home game in the conference final against LA.
In the NFC, the 49ers won 12-10 with a late FG against Minnesota after the Vikings big rally. Minnesota’s miscues led to the 49ers taking a 9-0 lead early. In the opening round the Bears pummeled Cleveland 42-3 virtually scoring at will at game.
The Raiders were playing in their 2nd consecutive conference title game, but this time looking for a different outcome. Miami got up early on LA and poured it on in the 2nd half running away in a 23-6 win. Chicago jumped out to a 14-0 lead on SF behind a strong game by Neal Anderson. With the big lead the defense staked its claim to the NFC title, and Montana fell victim to a landslide of INT’s in the 2nd half en route to a 31-0 Chicago victory. The Bears hammered through the NFC side by a score 73-3, and a coronation appeared to be in their future.
#2 seed Denver also came out flat in a home game against Miami. The Dolphin defense held up as the offense struggled, but came out in top in OT. The 2 upsets in round 1 suddenly Miami in the driver seat with a home game in the conference final against LA.
In the NFC, the 49ers won 12-10 with a late FG against Minnesota after the Vikings big rally. Minnesota’s miscues led to the 49ers taking a 9-0 lead early. In the opening round the Bears pummeled Cleveland 42-3 virtually scoring at will at game.
The Raiders were playing in their 2nd consecutive conference title game, but this time looking for a different outcome. Miami got up early on LA and poured it on in the 2nd half running away in a 23-6 win. Chicago jumped out to a 14-0 lead on SF behind a strong game by Neal Anderson. With the big lead the defense staked its claim to the NFC title, and Montana fell victim to a landslide of INT’s in the 2nd half en route to a 31-0 Chicago victory. The Bears hammered through the NFC side by a score 73-3, and a coronation appeared to be in their future.
Tecmo Bowl II
Ball control was the biggest factor in Tecmo Bowl II, and Miami converted two 4th downs on its opening drive culminating in a Marino touchdown pass to Duper. Singletary blocked the extra point. The Bears countered with a long drive resulting in a field goal. The Dolphins led 6-3 at halftime in a defensive battle no one expected. The Miami defense sat on the run game and forced Chicago to work with short passes all game. The strategy worked effectively in slowing down the Bears attack.
Miami got 3 late in the 3rd giving them a 9-3 lead. Chicago finally answered with a long TD drive to take a 10-9 lead midway in the 4th. In the most important game of his career, Dan Marino lead the dolphins down for the game winning field goal as time expired. The culprit for the game winning drive was a breakdown in coverage by Mike Singletary on 3rd and 12. His blown coverage lead to a 1st down and kept Miami alive near midfield.
While some will point out the Singletary miscue, it was the Miami defense that took center stage playing the largest role in the championship run. In the playoffs the no-name Dolphins defense shut down two of the leagues best teams.
The season 1 champion Seahawks were in playoff contention in week 12. A win over the 49ers would have given them the division title over San Francisco. The loss to the 49ers dropped them into the play in tournament for the 4 seed, and they were disposed of by LA 17-0.
Miami got 3 late in the 3rd giving them a 9-3 lead. Chicago finally answered with a long TD drive to take a 10-9 lead midway in the 4th. In the most important game of his career, Dan Marino lead the dolphins down for the game winning field goal as time expired. The culprit for the game winning drive was a breakdown in coverage by Mike Singletary on 3rd and 12. His blown coverage lead to a 1st down and kept Miami alive near midfield.
While some will point out the Singletary miscue, it was the Miami defense that took center stage playing the largest role in the championship run. In the playoffs the no-name Dolphins defense shut down two of the leagues best teams.
The season 1 champion Seahawks were in playoff contention in week 12. A win over the 49ers would have given them the division title over San Francisco. The loss to the 49ers dropped them into the play in tournament for the 4 seed, and they were disposed of by LA 17-0.
Season 3 Standings
Season 3 was jam-packed with a myriad of interesting stories. Washington’s stranglehold defense was tops but only by a small margin. San Fran pummeled opponents left and right down the stretch. The Bears overcame a slow start going 0-3 and eventually 2-4 to rebound and finish 6-6 on the season.
New York and LA started off hot, only to pull up lame with both going 1-5 down the stretch and shocking everyone. Defending champs Miami, continued to roll with an impressive 9-3 record. Denver rattled off a 2nd consecutive 9-3 season and was the only undefeated team at home. Seattle and Dallas, only two seasons removed from playing for a title met in the season finale with no playoff implications on the line.
New York and LA started off hot, only to pull up lame with both going 1-5 down the stretch and shocking everyone. Defending champs Miami, continued to roll with an impressive 9-3 record. Denver rattled off a 2nd consecutive 9-3 season and was the only undefeated team at home. Seattle and Dallas, only two seasons removed from playing for a title met in the season finale with no playoff implications on the line.
Season 3 Play in tournament
Trailing 10-0 at the half, Bernie Kosar led Cleveland on a TD drive to make a game of it. Early in the 4th, Kosar throws an INT to Marshall at the goal-line. Kosar had a receiver open but a moment’s hesitation cost him the score, and possibly the win. Backed up near the endzone Landeta comes out and punts on 1st down. From there Cleveland rallies again to drive downfield, but is finally stopped on 4th and 2 at the NY 25.
In the NFC opening round, Seattle took a 7-0 lead on Minnesota behind the running of Warner to set the tempo. Leading 14-7 in the 4th Kramer was picked off by Fredd Young and the Seahawks added a late score to win 21-7.
Moving to the qualifying round, NY gots crushed by Chicago. Behind a series of vicious cutback runs by Payton, Chicago shreds the Giants defense for a 14-0 halftime lead. Alegre also missed a long attempt for NY to end the half. The 3rd qtr sees the Bears defense pick off a couple Simms passes in NY territory and a 28-0 lead going into the 4th. NY’s disappointing season finally come to an end.
Dallas makes good on Herschel Walkers runs, and lead 6-0 with a couple FG’s. Edmunds kick return TD gives the Seahawks a spark, but Dallas counters with another Ruzek FG before half. In the 2nd half, Kreig’s 2nd INT leads to a Dallas TD and 19-7 deficit. Seattle manages a FG late and the Cowboys make the playoffs for the 1st time.
In the championship game, Gentry takes the opening kick off to the house. Lavette takes a couple into Bears territory throughout the game, and Dallas finds itself with a 15-10 lead early in the 4th. Gentry then returns his 2nd kickoff to for a TD on the day and the Bears lead 17-15. Danny White comes out throwing for Dallas, and the Cowboys eat enough clock for Ruzek to kick the game winner as time expires to ensure Gentry is done for the day. The game got real crazy in the 3rd when 3 consecutive possessions in Dallas territory lead to INT’s and culminated in a FG by Kevin Butler.
In the NFC opening round, Seattle took a 7-0 lead on Minnesota behind the running of Warner to set the tempo. Leading 14-7 in the 4th Kramer was picked off by Fredd Young and the Seahawks added a late score to win 21-7.
Moving to the qualifying round, NY gots crushed by Chicago. Behind a series of vicious cutback runs by Payton, Chicago shreds the Giants defense for a 14-0 halftime lead. Alegre also missed a long attempt for NY to end the half. The 3rd qtr sees the Bears defense pick off a couple Simms passes in NY territory and a 28-0 lead going into the 4th. NY’s disappointing season finally come to an end.
Dallas makes good on Herschel Walkers runs, and lead 6-0 with a couple FG’s. Edmunds kick return TD gives the Seahawks a spark, but Dallas counters with another Ruzek FG before half. In the 2nd half, Kreig’s 2nd INT leads to a Dallas TD and 19-7 deficit. Seattle manages a FG late and the Cowboys make the playoffs for the 1st time.
In the championship game, Gentry takes the opening kick off to the house. Lavette takes a couple into Bears territory throughout the game, and Dallas finds itself with a 15-10 lead early in the 4th. Gentry then returns his 2nd kickoff to for a TD on the day and the Bears lead 17-15. Danny White comes out throwing for Dallas, and the Cowboys eat enough clock for Ruzek to kick the game winner as time expires to ensure Gentry is done for the day. The game got real crazy in the 3rd when 3 consecutive possessions in Dallas territory lead to INT’s and culminated in a FG by Kevin Butler.
Season 3 Playoffs
The AFC opening round saw the Bears go into Denver and pull off the upset. Chicago’s offense was incredibly efficient and the defense was completely stingy. Chicago had the game well in hand by early in the 4th. Denver which had the #1 seed lost a home game in the opening round for the 2nd consecutive season.
The 2-3 match-up saw a battle of the highest scoring offense pitted against the best defense. The game was tied 3-3 at the half and it wasn’t until the 4th before the 49ers finally took control in the nail biter winning 6-3. Washington entered with a 7 game win streak and had shut out 6 opponents in a row. SF had averaged 19 points per game on offense.
In the NFC, Indy played masterful defense shutting down Bo Jackson. Trudeau and Dickerson played a huge role in 3 methodical time consuming drives and the Colts won easily 17-0.A similar outcome occurred in Miami. The Dolphins got the early lead, and made it a point to take Herschel Walker out of the game. Marino and co rolled 17-0 in defense of their title.
The drama of the playoffs seemingly died in the 1st round as each conference championship game turned into a blowout. San Fran took control early with a quick TD. Getting the ball back Montana led the charge but a Singletary INT in the end zone saved the Bears for the time being. The 49ers defense smothered the Bears all game and San fran sliced through for 17 more points, winning easily 24-0. The victory avenged last seasons 31-0 drubbing at the hands of the Bears in the conference championship game.
Marino punched his ticket to Tecmo Bowl 3 with ease as well. Miami took a 14-0 halftime lead as Marino exposed the slow footed Colts defense. Indy responded with a drive to start the 3rd qtr, but a crucial Trudeau INT inside the Dolphins 5 ended the rally. Miami tacked on 2 more scores and won 28-0. The stage was set for 2 high scoring offenses to face off in Tecmo Bowl 3.
The 2-3 match-up saw a battle of the highest scoring offense pitted against the best defense. The game was tied 3-3 at the half and it wasn’t until the 4th before the 49ers finally took control in the nail biter winning 6-3. Washington entered with a 7 game win streak and had shut out 6 opponents in a row. SF had averaged 19 points per game on offense.
In the NFC, Indy played masterful defense shutting down Bo Jackson. Trudeau and Dickerson played a huge role in 3 methodical time consuming drives and the Colts won easily 17-0.A similar outcome occurred in Miami. The Dolphins got the early lead, and made it a point to take Herschel Walker out of the game. Marino and co rolled 17-0 in defense of their title.
The drama of the playoffs seemingly died in the 1st round as each conference championship game turned into a blowout. San Fran took control early with a quick TD. Getting the ball back Montana led the charge but a Singletary INT in the end zone saved the Bears for the time being. The 49ers defense smothered the Bears all game and San fran sliced through for 17 more points, winning easily 24-0. The victory avenged last seasons 31-0 drubbing at the hands of the Bears in the conference championship game.
Marino punched his ticket to Tecmo Bowl 3 with ease as well. Miami took a 14-0 halftime lead as Marino exposed the slow footed Colts defense. Indy responded with a drive to start the 3rd qtr, but a crucial Trudeau INT inside the Dolphins 5 ended the rally. Miami tacked on 2 more scores and won 28-0. The stage was set for 2 high scoring offenses to face off in Tecmo Bowl 3.
Tecmo Bowl III
Marino led an early scoring drive for a 3-0 lead. Miami controlled the tempo and led late in the 2nd when the SF offense came alive. Montana engineered a quick TD drive to lead 7-3 at the half. The largest ambush in the history of Tecmo Bowl awaited in the 2nd half. Marino threw 5 INTs in the 2nd half and SF racked up 21 3rd qtr points. SF heaped on another 14 in the 4th and Montana was intercepted in the endzone late in the game to prevent more carnage. SF pummeled MIA 42-3. A quarter and half in, MIA was in complete control then the wheels feel off. The win capped off a spectacular season for the 49ers, and Miami fell short of defending the crown which they won unexpectedly the previous year.
The 49ers championship drive appeared have started back in week 6. They suffered a crushing defeat at LA by a score of 20-7. The loss dropped them to 3-3 and just gaining a playoff seed looked like an uphill climb. Road games at New York and Chicago loomed in weeks 7 and 9. Then the light came on the fortunes of 3 teams all went in different directions.
San Fran destroyed the Giants 32-6, annihilated the Raiders 42-0, then scraped by the Bears in OT en route to winning 6 consecutive games to end the season. In the process, they also set a regular season scoring record.
The 32-6 loss to the 49ers sent the Giants into a nose dive and they finished the season going 1-5 down the stretch. The Raiders managed to inexplicably get blown out in 3 straight games, and by then the 5-1 start was a faint memory.
SF’s efforts during the season were surprisingly trumped by Washington. The Redskin defense led the way shutting out the last 6 opponents, and had 7 total in 12 games. Washington easily set the points allowed record, and won 7 in a row heading into the playoffs. Still to this day, it's revered as the best defensive effort of all time.
Miami looked poised to defend the title as the season wore on, and eventually claimed the NFC’s #1 seed. Marino and the Dolphins rattled off 2 separate 4 game win streaks during the season and appeared to be the most consistent team in the league. Interestingly enough, Indianapolis went to the final week with a chance to wrestle the #1 seed away from the Dolphins. The Colts dropped a 10-0 decision to Chicago in week 12, and the NFC road to the Tecmo Bowl went through Miami.
The 49ers championship drive appeared have started back in week 6. They suffered a crushing defeat at LA by a score of 20-7. The loss dropped them to 3-3 and just gaining a playoff seed looked like an uphill climb. Road games at New York and Chicago loomed in weeks 7 and 9. Then the light came on the fortunes of 3 teams all went in different directions.
San Fran destroyed the Giants 32-6, annihilated the Raiders 42-0, then scraped by the Bears in OT en route to winning 6 consecutive games to end the season. In the process, they also set a regular season scoring record.
The 32-6 loss to the 49ers sent the Giants into a nose dive and they finished the season going 1-5 down the stretch. The Raiders managed to inexplicably get blown out in 3 straight games, and by then the 5-1 start was a faint memory.
SF’s efforts during the season were surprisingly trumped by Washington. The Redskin defense led the way shutting out the last 6 opponents, and had 7 total in 12 games. Washington easily set the points allowed record, and won 7 in a row heading into the playoffs. Still to this day, it's revered as the best defensive effort of all time.
Miami looked poised to defend the title as the season wore on, and eventually claimed the NFC’s #1 seed. Marino and the Dolphins rattled off 2 separate 4 game win streaks during the season and appeared to be the most consistent team in the league. Interestingly enough, Indianapolis went to the final week with a chance to wrestle the #1 seed away from the Dolphins. The Colts dropped a 10-0 decision to Chicago in week 12, and the NFC road to the Tecmo Bowl went through Miami.
Read more season recaps. Click on the linked images below to check out season 4, and follow along with the current season 5 which kicks off January 2011.
 | Do the 49ers repeat as champs in season 4? Keep up on all the latest action of 2011 with the season 5 page.
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