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stkelly52 · 06-03-2005, 01:01 AM

NFC Championship...continuted
We started out the second half with two penalties that forced us to face a first and 25. In three plays we were able to move the ball 23 yards, but it was not enough and we were forced to punt. Tampa's next drive also puttered out quickly. On the first play of our second drive we tried to run Leland inside the right guard, however, he fumbled the ball, giving Tampa possession at our 28 yard line. Tampa would be sure to capitalize on that mistake and extended their lead, 27-14.

After trading a couple of punts, we were able to mound a rather successful drive. We moved the ball from our 32 to the Tampa 24. We were greatly helped by Tampa penalties, as twice they gave us first downs on third down plays. While we moved the ball well during this drive, that was in spite of and not because Leland, who had 5 carries for 3 yards in the drive. This helped eventually kill the drive, though we did pick up 3 points to make the score 27-17 Tampa Bay. We were in the closing minutes of the third quarter and we knew that we would have to step it up if we were going to come back and win this game.

We both again had short drives that ended in punts to close out the quarter. Tampa's first drive of the final frame was going well for us. Following two sacks, we had them in a 3rd and 22 situation. The 80 yard TD pass that came next was just devastating. At that moment, the wind went completely out of our sails. Trailing 34-17, our offence could get nothing going on our next three drives. We only two of our passes were caught, and one of those was caught by Tampa's CB. This set up an easy field goal to extend their lead to 37-17.

Trailing by 20 and with 3:40 left in the game it looked like all hope was gone. Then our QB was hurt on a 17 yard pass completion Our back up QB came in and completed 4 of 5 passes to get the ball in the end zone. But we had under 2 minutes left in the game. Our only hope was a onside kick. We could not recover the kick. Tampa was able to run the ball and eat up almost all of the rest of the clock. We got the ball back for two more plays, but there was no hope of accomplishing anything in 30 seconds. An interception officially ended the game, and sent us home for the year. We had suffered the humiliation of losing to Tampa three times in one season.

Leland finished the game with just 80 yards in 18 carries, and 1 TD. Not a bad average, but his fumble was extremely costly, and we did not have much of an opportunity to use him as we were behind for so much of the game. Well I guess there is always next year.

In other news, Jacksonville had yet again won the NFC championship over 15-2 Baltimore by the score of 37-34. For those keeping track, that is now six consecutive Super Bowl appearances by Jacksonville. I really don’t this. I have rarely seen an AI team remain competitive for 6 consecutive years, much less be the best team in the league for 6.

06-03-2005, 01:01 AM	#134
stkelly52 College Benchwarmer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Seattle WA	NFC Championship...continuted We started out the second half with two penalties that forced us to face a first and 25. In three plays we were able to move the ball 23 yards, but it was not enough and we were forced to punt. Tampa's next drive also puttered out quickly. On the first play of our second drive we tried to run Leland inside the right guard, however, he fumbled the ball, giving Tampa possession at our 28 yard line. Tampa would be sure to capitalize on that mistake and extended their lead, 27-14. After trading a couple of punts, we were able to mound a rather successful drive. We moved the ball from our 32 to the Tampa 24. We were greatly helped by Tampa penalties, as twice they gave us first downs on third down plays. While we moved the ball well during this drive, that was in spite of and not because Leland, who had 5 carries for 3 yards in the drive. This helped eventually kill the drive, though we did pick up 3 points to make the score 27-17 Tampa Bay. We were in the closing minutes of the third quarter and we knew that we would have to step it up if we were going to come back and win this game. We both again had short drives that ended in punts to close out the quarter. Tampa's first drive of the final frame was going well for us. Following two sacks, we had them in a 3rd and 22 situation. The 80 yard TD pass that came next was just devastating. At that moment, the wind went completely out of our sails. Trailing 34-17, our offence could get nothing going on our next three drives. We only two of our passes were caught, and one of those was caught by Tampa's CB. This set up an easy field goal to extend their lead to 37-17. Trailing by 20 and with 3:40 left in the game it looked like all hope was gone. Then our QB was hurt on a 17 yard pass completion Our back up QB came in and completed 4 of 5 passes to get the ball in the end zone. But we had under 2 minutes left in the game. Our only hope was a onside kick. We could not recover the kick. Tampa was able to run the ball and eat up almost all of the rest of the clock. We got the ball back for two more plays, but there was no hope of accomplishing anything in 30 seconds. An interception officially ended the game, and sent us home for the year. We had suffered the humiliation of losing to Tampa three times in one season. Leland finished the game with just 80 yards in 18 carries, and 1 TD. Not a bad average, but his fumble was extremely costly, and we did not have much of an opportunity to use him as we were behind for so much of the game. Well I guess there is always next year. In other news, Jacksonville had yet again won the NFC championship over 15-2 Baltimore by the score of 37-34. For those keeping track, that is now six consecutive Super Bowl appearances by Jacksonville. I really don’t this. I have rarely seen an AI team remain competitive for 6 consecutive years, much less be the best team in the league for 6. __________________ Check out an undrafted free agent's attempt to make the Hall of Fame: Running to the Hall Now nominated for a Golden Scribe! Last edited by stkelly52 : 06-03-2005 at 01:02 AM.