The USFFL is off to another great start, all 32 coaches were able to play their games without needing any substitute coverage. Once Again Parity is the name of the game as most games were won by 7 points or less, many of which came down to the last minute. Through the first two weeks New England, Miami, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Denver, Las Vegas, Detroit, Green Bay, Los Angeles, and San Francisco all have unblemished records. Once Again Parity is the name of the game
Game of the Week
Panthers 21 Giants 20
The Panthers pull out a victory with a TD on the last play of the game.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Giants took a 3-0 lead early in the second quarter. The Panthers then went on a 14 play drive capped with a third down 5 yard TD run by Hubbard. The Giants responded with a drive that ended when Gano missed a 50 yard FG. Bad break for Coach Kaplan as the FG was from the 30 yard line which would have been successful with roll of 2-10. The Variable FG yards pushed Gano back to the 33 which is 2-7, 11 and 12. The roll was an 8. This missed FG would be the difference in the game. The score was 7-3 at halftime.
The Panthers received the second half kickoff were not able to move the ball and punted to the Giants 28. The Giants went on a 9 play drive that ended with a Breida TD run and a 10-7 lead. The Giants went 3 and out on the next possession. The Giants had good field position at their own 39 yard line. After a 30 yard long pass to James, the Giants were at the Panthers 31 yard line. 4 plays later, Jones found Hodgins in the end zone for a 17-7 lead with 3 minutes left in the third quarter.
Things got worse before they got better for the Panthers. On the first play after the kickoff, Darnold was injured. Enter Walker who marched the Panthers down the field. The big play was a 35 run yard Hubbard. The Panthers ended the drive and the 3rd quarter with a 9 yard Hubbard TD run. Giants 17 Panthers 14 at the start of the 4th quarter.
The Panthers stopped the Giants at their 45 yard and forced a punt at 12 minute mark. The Panthers moved the ball to midfield where their drive stalled punting to the Giants 14 yard line. With 8 minutes to go protecting a 3 point lead, Jones methodically marched the Giants down to the Panthers 4 yard line with several clutch passes. Facing a 4th and 2, Coach Kaplan decides to kick the FG to build a 6 point lead with 2:06 left in the game.
Starting at their 20 yard line, Walker moved the Panthers to midfield. Walker was clutch on this drive converting a 3rd and 11 and throwing a 15 yard pass to Moore bringing the ball to the Giants 33. With 30 seconds remaining, the Panthers had the ball at the Giants 16 yard line. A bad timed holding penalty pushed the Panthers back to the 26 yard line with 22 seconds left. After 15 yard run by Foreman, the Panthers were at the 11 yard line with 8 seconds left and facing 4th and 1. A 5 yard run by Foreman put the Panthers at the 6 yard line with 1 second left. An incomplete pass is negated by Giants pass interference. With the ball at the 1 yard line, Hubbard runs up the middle and gives the Panthers a victory, 21-20.
Hubbard had 15 carries for 91 yards and 3 TDs. Foreman had 16 carries for 82 yards. In 1 quarter of play. Walker ended up 10 of 14 for 100 yards.
Jones was 23 of 32 for 256 yards. Barkley carried the ball 25 times for 108 yards and added 7 catches for over 75 yards.
Team stats were dead even. Both teams had 24 first downs, about 360 yards and averaged 5.5 yards per play. Even time of possession was even at about 30 minutes each. A clean game with no turnovers.
The Giants stay home to play Dallas next week while the Panthers return home to play the Saints.
Good game Scott.
Week 3 Preview
We have two undefeated matchups in week 2: Las Vegas at Tennessee and San Francisco at Denver. The Buffalo at Miami and Atlanta at Seattle games will be interesting to watch as both Buffalo and Seattle are looking to get their teams back into the playoff hunt.
Week 2 Top Performers
QB – Matt Stafford 32 completions for 397 yards and 3 TDs
Receiver – Amon-Ra St. Brown 10 receptions for 189 yards
Running Backs – Leonard Fournette 4 rushing TDs