Tecmo Bowl Rivalries

Here, we chronicle the best rivalries of Tecmo Bowl.  Some continue to be as heated as ever to this very day, while others fell by the wayside once a particular era was ushered out.  Regardless of the current state of affairs, we look into the match-ups & story lines that played a role in thrusting these games into the spotlight.

San Francisco 49ers vs Chicago Bears:  

This series has had it all with games decided on the last play, overtime battles, and a few monumental blowouts.  Historically it's a huge rivalry centered on two playoff games in particular.  Those were the conference championship games in season 2 and 3.  The Bears won 31-0 in season 2, & the 49ers exacted revenge a year later with a 24-0 victory.        

The 49ers also beat the Bears in the 1st round of the season 4 playoffs, enroute to claiming their 2nd consecutive Tecmo Bowl championship.   The 49ers lead the all time series 14-8 and have won 10 of the last 12.  They also have 2 championships to the Bears none.  The Bears & 49ers split their 2 games in season 5.   

The 49ers & Bears know about having games with a lot at stake...

And more often than not, Bill Walsh & the 49ers celebrated a big playoff win

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Chicago Bears vs New York Giants:   

This rivalry is predicated on low-scoring field position wars.  They have 2 playoff meeting which resulted in a Chicago 28-0 romping over the Giants in season 3.  The Giants won in season 5.  
The Giants also shut out the Bears in the 1st Tecmo Cup championship game, winning 3-0.    

When these 2 teams play, its bad ass defenders everywhere!

It's usually a heavily contested battle when these two meet, but its also very predictable on how the game will play out.  Bears & Giants split 2 games in season 5, but the G-men got the last laugh in the playoffs.  

Denver Broncos vs Seattle Seahawks: 

When I think of rivalries that have emerged in a huge way during 2010, its this particular match-up that comes to mind 1st.  These teams are so evenly matched, its hard to really pinpoint any advantage other than which team is at home.  Every aspect is deadlocked.  Honestly I really HATE playing this game regardless of which team I have.  It's always a close, low scoring grudge match. 

San Francisco 49ers vs L.A. Raiders:

At one point many years ago, this was the marquee match-up in Tecmo Bowl.  SF had dominated early on winning 4 in row, but LA pulled off a huge playoff game upset in season 1.  Nowadays, it's not much of a game as SF has continued to dominate in this match-up with recent blowouts by scores of 42-0 and 56-0.  The notion that its even a rivalry anymore is a distant memory.  Over the years, defensive strategies have changed greatly and LA has fallen victim to the new schemes.      

Dallas Cowboys vs Chicago Bears:

The talent gap between the two teams is huge but that doesn't seem to matter in this match-up.  This rivalry is littered with close memorable battles.  The Al Michaels game & the rematch were great games.  In the season 3 Gentry took 2 kickoffs to the house against Dallas, but still lost on account of Mike Lavette returnining a couple long kickoffs himself.  This game is rarely easy for the Bears despite the huge talent advantage.  

Tom often finds a way to get Dallas to compete...

...and raise Ditka's blood pressure. Just ask Al Michaels.

Miami Dolphins vs New York Giants:

A short lived series that's had it's share of memorable moments though.  The Giants had a great goal 4th qtr line stand vs Miami in the season 2 finale which won them a division title.  Miami recently prevailed in season 5 with a stunning Marino come from behind win late in the game.  The Giants & Dolphins also battled it out in the season 4 conference championship game.  Miami led 12-10 at the half, & New York crushed them in the 2nd half, winning 32-12.   The Tecmo Cup saw the Giants throttle the Dolphins 24-7.  More often than not the Giants find a way to take out the Dolphins.  

San Francisco 49ers  vs 
New York Giants: 

This series has is all including some huge blowouts in the series (42-6 & 32-6).  Most of the time the games come down to the wire.  When most teams are wilting under the pressure of Lawrence Taylor & the Giants defense, the 49ers meet the challenge.  The 49ers had dominated the series early on & won the ultimate game by beating the Giants in Tecmo Bowl 4.  Recently the tide has turned & in season 5, as the Giants swept the 49ers.  With a lot of exhibition being played recently the Giants have seized control.  Over the last 15 games against the 49ers, the Giants have won 9. 

Seattle Seahawks vs 
Cleveland Browns:

Seattle has dominated this rivalry winning virtually every way possible.  Conference championship games between these teams occurred in seasons 1 & 5.  This series was exceedingly heated back in season 1 & featured a couple down to the wire games in season 2.  Cleveland swept Seattle in season 5, but the Seahawks ultimately won the war by knocking off the Browns in the AFC conference championship game.  

Dave Kieig has twice defeated the Browns in the conference championship game to reach the Tecmo Bowl

Even in Tecmo Bowl, Marty just can't seem to win the big one. Chuck Knox and the Seahawks have his number.

Miami Dolphins vs L.A. Raiders:

Completely opposite attacks have created a nice series here.  Over time defenses have caught up to both of the offenses which has taken the high scoring shine off this rivalry.  Miami defeated LA in the season 2 conference championship game.   They appeared to be on a crash course for the season 5 conference title game, but both lost at home in the divisional round.  

Indianapolis Colts 
vs New York Giants:

I actually would have been shocked quite a few years ago to think this would turn into a pretty big heavyweight rivalry.  The Colts special teams play, Eric Dickerson, & a gritty defense have turned this into a rugged battle.  Indy hangs well with the Giants.  The Giants bested Indy in the Tecmo Cup conference championship game.  the Giants swept the Colts in season 5 with a couple low scoring victories.  Indy got revenge knocking the Giants out of the playoffs later in the conf championship game.

In this David vs Goliath match-up, the Giants are Goliath, & Dickerson is the slingshot used to kill