Tecmo Bowl Seasons:
Which teams will meet in the
Tecmo Bowl championship game? |
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Tecmo Bowl Season 6
-Division & Conference alignment-
Why do we use the random alignment?
The random alignment creates a new & unique landscape for every season.
Each season is different from the previous. A new batch of key match-ups are ushered in,
which will play a huge role in the 80 game journey to reach Tecmo Bowl 6.
Each season is different from the previous. A new batch of key match-ups are ushered in,
which will play a huge role in the 80 game journey to reach Tecmo Bowl 6.
AFC AnalysisThe most intrigue of the AFC might come from the Tecmo Division. The Browns, Raiders & Seahawks will compete to get a high playoff seed. None are elite teams, but all are capable of a deep playoff run if they get the right match-ups. Chicago should have the inside track to claim the #1 seed this year. Eric Dickerson & the Colts are the defending champs, & they will factor into how things play out in the conference.
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NFC AnalysisThe Giants, 49ers, & Vikings share a division. Only 1 of them will get the #1 seed & host a divisional round playoff game. Denver & Miami will compete for the #2 seed with a division title. Whoever doesn't win the NFC Tecmo division will create a very tough playoff match-up for Denver or Miami. The Broncos & Dolphins are at very long odds to reach Tecmo Bowl 6. They will likely be underdogs in their playoff games.
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Season 6 Schedule
Each team plays 9 of the 11 possible opponents during the season. With that said, the random draws in both alignment & scheduling allow each team to play a unique schedule. Varied levels of schedule difficulty exist for the 12 teams.
-Schedule analysis-
The Seahawks, Bears, & Colts clock in with the weakest schedules in the league. That could propel Seattle to a division title, despite LA & Cleveland having more talented teams. It could also set up the Bears or Colts to have the best record in the league. The 49ers, Giants, & Vikings based on sharing a division together & playing each other twice, have some of the most toughest schedules in the league this year.
Montana was picked off 3 times by New York. The Giants won a key divisional road game to start the season.
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Jerry Burns reacts after Minnesota was stopped on 4th & short for the 2nd time inside the Denver 20. Bucky Scribner also shanked a punt, & the mistake prone Vikings were shut out 9-0 by the Broncos.
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Kevin Mack couldn't get on track against Seattle. Cleveland fell to 0-2 to start the season.
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Chicago was overpowered by the Raiders
after taking a 6-3 halftime lead 
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Marcus Allen & the Raiders turned it on in the 2nd half against Ronnie Lott & the 49ers.
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Payton's 4th qtr performance saved the day.
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Week 4:
Dave Duerson & the Bears defense shut down the Redskins
offense, while McMahon & Payton got them 3 scores. |
Dave Krieg was picked off twice inside the Raiders 5. Those miscues & a late field goal helped the Raiders leave the Kingdome with a win to stay undefeated.
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Standings through 4 weeks:
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-The surprise of the AFC so far is the Raiders red hot start. If they can hold off the Bears & Colts for the #1 seed, they will be the odds-on favorite in the AFC to reach Tecmo Bowl 6.
-The shocking aspect of the NFC is the slow start for the Vikings & 49ers. These teams expected to compete for the division, but the Giants appear they can run away with it.
-The shocking aspect of the NFC is the slow start for the Vikings & 49ers. These teams expected to compete for the division, but the Giants appear they can run away with it.
Week 5
The Giants/Bears match-up in Chicago was anticipated to be an action packed ordeal. However defense ruled the day as they fought to a scoreless tie.
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Chip Lohmiller missed a long field goal at the gun in the Coliseum. The Raiders escaped with a win in
this back and forth game. 
-Dan Marino was picked off in overtime as Dallas notched their first win of the season.
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-Check back soon for more weekly recaps of Season 6-
In the meantime, you can read about Season 5 below.
Tecmo Bowl: Season 5
Season 5 division & conference alignment
AFC pre-season analysisThe AFC is a roll of the dice this season, especially with the most powerful teams residing in the NFC. The Browns should be the favorite, but have stumbled in seasons past. The Dolphins have some tough match-ups with Denver & Seattle to overcome.
The Raiders & Cowboys will need to overcome teams looking to stop their run games at all costs. The Broncos & Seahawks are good bets to do well, but with every team facing a difficult inter-conference slate, it's hard to predict who will come out on top. |
NFC pre-season analysisThe NFC has the 3 Tecmo Bowl super powers this season which consist of the Giants, Bears, & 49ers. Any of those 3 could come out as the #1 seed. The 49ers & Giants are the overall favorites to be the best in the conference.
The Colts look to be the 4th playoff team, & they have a fairly favorable schedule as they avoid the 49ers & get 4 games vs Washington & Minnesota. The Redskins and Vikings will have a hard time finding many wins in conference that features so many great teams. |
Season 5 Schedule
*Red=division game *Black=conference game
*Black box+ white lettering=Inter-conference game
Season 5 story lines & recap
NFC: The 49ers were coming off a 24 game win streak & back to back championships. They stumbled out the gate & struggled all season. Joe Montana threw an unusual amount of interceptions leading to their demise, & a horrific 5-7 record. With San Francisco reeling, the Giants took control of the division by mid-season.
Indianapolis surprised everyone as they became the front runner in the NFC with a breakout season, & faced a tough schedule along the way. The Colts had the best defense in the league by seasons end. Chicago was their usual contending self, & even had a shot at the #1 seed going into the final week, but would need some help to clinch.
Indianapolis surprised everyone as they became the front runner in the NFC with a breakout season, & faced a tough schedule along the way. The Colts had the best defense in the league by seasons end. Chicago was their usual contending self, & even had a shot at the #1 seed going into the final week, but would need some help to clinch.
Instead of competing with the Giants for a division title, Montana & the 49ers were fodder under their wheels.
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AFC: A resurgent Raiders team smashed through the conference going undefeated against the AFC. Dan Marino led Miami on a slew of late comeback wins to put them in position to reach Tecmo Bowl 5. The Browns came on strong late in the year and even swept divisional opponents Miami & Seattle.
The Cowboys pulled off 2 big upsets early against the Giants & 49ers while starting 3-0. The wheels fell off after that, & they managed to only win 1 more game the rest of the way.
Seattle was wildly inconsistent with a big win one week, & a head scratching loss the next. Seattle pummeled the Giants 31-0 in the most shocking game of the year, & they also got destroyed by the Raiders by scores of 20-3, and 27-3.
The Cowboys pulled off 2 big upsets early against the Giants & 49ers while starting 3-0. The wheels fell off after that, & they managed to only win 1 more game the rest of the way.
Seattle was wildly inconsistent with a big win one week, & a head scratching loss the next. Seattle pummeled the Giants 31-0 in the most shocking game of the year, & they also got destroyed by the Raiders by scores of 20-3, and 27-3.
Marino led late comebacks to knock off the Bears & Giants early in the season proving he still had what it takes to win another Tecmo Bowl championship.
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Season 5 Final Standings
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Season 5 playoffs
Broncos @ Browns:
Gerald McNeil of the Browns had a banner day returning kicks. He took the opening kick off to the house, & his big return into Broncos territory in the 4th sealed it as the Browns added a late field goal. The Browns won 17-7 & were headed to play the Raiders at the Coliseum. 
McNeil took a kick return to the house, as he put a season ending dagger in the Broncos.
Cowboys @ Seahawks:
Fredd Young & the Seahawks defense stifled the Cowboys offense all game, as Dallas had trouble reaching the 50. The Seahawks won 7-0 in a game that wasn't as close as the score. Seattle was moving on to play at Miami. |
49ers @ Redskins:
The 49ers opened the season at RFK stadium & lost 6-0. Bill Walsh was hoping for an different outcome. The Redskins masterful defensive day, & Charles Mann's huge performance ensured there would be no San Francisco 49er 3-peat. The Redskins were moving on to play Indy. 
The 49ers season started & ended at RFK stadium...both times getting shut out by the Redskins.
Vikings @ Bears:
With Chicago leading 3-0, Minnesota lined up for a tying field goal, but Otis Wilson came through with the block. From there, the Bears dominated the 4th quarter and won 13-0. The Bears were set for a big playoff game against the Giants. |
Browns @ Raiders:
Bo Jackson & the #1 seed Raiders offense had a big 1st half, but only resulted with the halftime score being tied at 6. Gerald McNeil took the 2nd half kickoff to the house as Cleveland took a 13-6 lead. Jay Schroeder threw an incomplete pass on 4th down to Marcus Allen late in the game which would have tied it up. Seahawks @ Dolphins: Dan Marino threw a costly interception to Fredd Young on the 1st possession, & the Seahawks took an early 3-0 lead. Miami rebounds to overcome the costly turnover. Trailing 9-6 early in the 4th, Miami was stopped on 4th & short near mid-field in a gamble that ultimately cost them the game. 
Don Shula's 4th qtr gamble back fired & Miami had a quick playoff exit. Marino was looking to reach his 4th straight conference championship game.
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Redskins @ Colts:
The Colts took a 3-0 lead early in the 4th, but Darrell Green takes the kick return past the 50 yard line. Washington looks poised to pull off the upset with a late touch down drive, but Doug Williams throws an interception while in field goal range. From there the Colts ran out the clock for the tough win. Bears @ Giants: In the 1st quarter the Giants get a 1st & goal inside the Bears 5, but have to settle for a field goal. The Giants add another field goal for a 6-0 lead. LT picks off Jim McMahon on the Bears deepest drive into Giants territory in the 2nd half, thwarting the Bears chance for the win. Giants win 9-0 & moved on to face the Colts. 
The Meadowlands was the site of the NFC heavyweight fight. The winner was expected to advance onto Tecmo Bowl V.
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Browns @ Seahawks:
With the Raiders & Dolphins going down in defeat, the #3 seed Seahawks hosted the conference championship game. Cleveland had swept Seattle in the regular season, but would need to win on the road in the King dome. With Seattle leading 7-3, their offense got inside the Cleveland 5 just before halftime, but failed to score as time expired. Dave Krieg hesitated to pass into the endzone & was tackled short of the goal line when he tried to run it costing them at least 3 points. Seattle's defense played great all game long shutting down Bernie Kosar & the Browns offense. The redzone failure did not play a factor in the outcome. Seattle added a Norm Johnson field goal in the 4th & won 10-3. Seattle was heading to their 2nd Tecmo Bowl championship game. Seattle won the season 1 championship. Coincidentally the Seahawks had beaten Cleveland in the conference championship game in season 1 as well. |
Giants @ Colts:
The Giants had swept a pair of games from Indy during the regular season & were favored to win again. The Colts defense was poised to play well, & would have to if Indy had any chance of winning on this day in the Hoosier dome. In a game of field position, Rohn Stark played a key role repeatedly pinning the Giants deep. Trudeau & Dickerson operated a ball control offense & controlled the clock, but couldn't put points on the board. The game went into overtime, & Indy won the toss, but were again unable to score. On their next possession, after crossing the 50, Jack Trudeau made the play of the game. Facing 3rd & long, Trudeau looked to throw to Dickerson across the middle & lured the Giants defenders in, then went deep to a wide open Matt Bouza who hauled in the pass for the game winning touchdown. The Colts were headed to their 1st Tecmo Bowl. The Giants had suffered yet another demoralizing playoff loss. |
Dave Krieg beat Bernie Kosar in a conference championship game for the 2nd time in 5 seasons.
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Jack Trudeau got the Giants D to bite on a fake to Dickerson then tossed a bomb to Bouza....
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...handing LT & the Giants yet another crushing playoff defeat.
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Tecmo Bowl 5
Seahawks @ Colts:
The Colts took the opening drive just past the 50, & Dean Biasucci lined up for a field goal, but Greg Gaines blocked the kick. Dave Kreig & Curt Warner came out on the attack, & got inside the Colts 30. Norm Johnson came on to attempt a field goal on 4th & short. Duane Bickett came through in the clutch & blocked the kick to keep things scoreless.
The Seahawks drove into Colts territory again on their 2nd drive, but were stopped on 4th & short inside the 30. 2 drives inside the Colts 30, & no points to show for it. Seattle Seahawks coach Chuck Knox was very concerned at this point. Unlike the Seahawks 1st Tecmo Bowl against the Cowboys in season 1, the Colts weren't going to melt down early in this game & make things easy.
Just before the half, Eric Dickerson managed a couple long runs & the Colts took a 6-0 lead on a touchdown run. Fredd Young blocked the extra point to keep the Seahawks close. In the 3rd quarter, Seattle was stopped on downs again near mid-field which the Colts turner into 3 points & a 9-0 lead. With Seattle in desperation mode in the 4th, the Colts managed to turn them over a couple more times, and added a touch down to Bill Brooks to finish off the scoring with a 15-0 victory for the Colts.
The Colts had the best defense in the league, only allowing 44 points in 12 games. In the playoffs they rattled off 3 consecutive shutouts en route to winning their 1st Tecmo Bowl.
The Colts took the opening drive just past the 50, & Dean Biasucci lined up for a field goal, but Greg Gaines blocked the kick. Dave Kreig & Curt Warner came out on the attack, & got inside the Colts 30. Norm Johnson came on to attempt a field goal on 4th & short. Duane Bickett came through in the clutch & blocked the kick to keep things scoreless.
The Seahawks drove into Colts territory again on their 2nd drive, but were stopped on 4th & short inside the 30. 2 drives inside the Colts 30, & no points to show for it. Seattle Seahawks coach Chuck Knox was very concerned at this point. Unlike the Seahawks 1st Tecmo Bowl against the Cowboys in season 1, the Colts weren't going to melt down early in this game & make things easy.
Just before the half, Eric Dickerson managed a couple long runs & the Colts took a 6-0 lead on a touchdown run. Fredd Young blocked the extra point to keep the Seahawks close. In the 3rd quarter, Seattle was stopped on downs again near mid-field which the Colts turner into 3 points & a 9-0 lead. With Seattle in desperation mode in the 4th, the Colts managed to turn them over a couple more times, and added a touch down to Bill Brooks to finish off the scoring with a 15-0 victory for the Colts.
The Colts had the best defense in the league, only allowing 44 points in 12 games. In the playoffs they rattled off 3 consecutive shutouts en route to winning their 1st Tecmo Bowl.
Monday morning paper celebrates the Colts championship!
Based off the random alignment of teams in each conference which we do each season, the Colts landed in a stacked conference in season 5. They were predicted to finish 4th overall. Everyone expected the 49ers, Giants, & Bears to compete for a conference title & Tecmo Bowl championship this year. The colts were merely thought of as solid contender, & a team capable of pulling off a big upset of 2. They were not considered a candidate for getting the #1 seed and going 9-3.
The Colts saving grace despite a tough schedule was 4 games total against the Vikings & Redskins...both of which they match up very well against. The Colts took advantage of the situation winning all 4 games. The 49ers were the only other team in the conference to have both on the schedule for 4 games, & the 49ers managed to only split with them in the regular season. The Colts split with the Bears, and lost both games to the Giants. Indianapolis & San Francisco did not face each other during the season.
The Colts saving grace despite a tough schedule was 4 games total against the Vikings & Redskins...both of which they match up very well against. The Colts took advantage of the situation winning all 4 games. The 49ers were the only other team in the conference to have both on the schedule for 4 games, & the 49ers managed to only split with them in the regular season. The Colts split with the Bears, and lost both games to the Giants. Indianapolis & San Francisco did not face each other during the season.
Season 1, 2, & 3 recaps can be
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Season 4 recap can be found
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Playoff Facts & Figures:
- In 6 seasons, 5 different teams have won the title
- 7 different teams have reached the Tecmo Bowl championship game
- 10 teams have reached a conference championship game
- Only Minnesota & Washington have failed to reach a conference title game
- Miami has played in the most conference title games (4), & has the most Tecmo Bowl championship game appearances (3)
- San Francisco is the only team to repeat as champion, & win multiple titles
- San Fran, Miami, & New York are the only teams to reach a conference title game in 3 consecutive seasons
- New York & LA are the only teams to lose in consecutive conference championship games
Season Facts & Figures:
- Miami & New York have both won 4 division titles
- Denver has the 2nd most division titles with 3
- Cleveland & Minnesota are the only teams to not win a division title