USFFL XX: Week 4

USFFL Game of the Week

We are twenty-five percent of the way through the twentieth season of the USFFL. to date, the league has run like clockwork. All games have been finished before the Sunday deadline, and only a minimal number of coaches have had to ask for substitutions. This week’s column will be dedicated to reviewing the league at the one-quarter mark.

Teams in the AFC have largely met expectations at this point in the season. In the AFC East, Coach Denis Ljung has the Patriots out to a 1.5 game lead in the Division over Donnie Hasting’s NY Jets. Jon Shoemaker’s Ravens are undefeated, and hold a commanding two-game lead in the AFC North. The AFC West is knotted up with three teams at 3 wins with one loss. And in the AFC South, the Texans, Colts and Titans are tied with two wins a piece.

The standings in the NFC at this point carry a few surprises. As an early candidate for Coach of the Year, Mike Niemczura has the Buccaneers out to a 3-1 record with a 1 game lead in the NFC South. In the NFC East Harlan McLain and the Dallas Cowboys (4-0) edge out Bruce Mogg and the Eagles (3-1). In the North, Mike Martin has the Bears out in front by a game. And in the NFC West San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Seattle are knotted at 3-1 with the Cardinals one game behind the pack.

Individual Performances

And they said Lamar Jackson was only a running QB – well he’s proving the naysayers wrong. Jackson carries a league leading QBR of 129.8 into the second quarter of the season. “Don’t Call Me Pat” Mahomes has an unbelievable 20 touchdown throws through the first 4 games.

As would be expected, the KC receivers are leading the league in TD receptions – Travis Kelce has 8 TD’s. Tyreek Hill leads all receivers with 449 receiving yards.

Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry are running away from the pack through the first quarter. Henry has an amazing 717 yards through 4 games, while Barkley is nipping at his heels with 702. The next closest rusher is over 200 yards behind these two leaders. Barkley is also touting 7 TD carries, and an 8.4 yards per carry average.

New Orleans Cameron Jordan is leading the league with 5 sacks, and New England’s Duron Harmon has 3 picks.

Game of the Week

USFFL Week 4 - Washington vs. New York

Washington Redskins 24 vs. New York Giants 21

The Redskins were in New York facing the Giants on Sunday. In a game where the lead changed three times and was tied twice, the Skins came out on top. Even the losers get lucky some time! Dwayne Haskins went a respectable 22 for 35 for 198 yards and a touchdown. For the second week in a row the Redskins faced a quarterback who struggled. Daniel Jones had a rough afternoon going 16 for 32 with two interceptions and no touchdowns. Meanwhile the Giants had a great day on the ground and Saquon Barkley ran for 210 yards on 24 carries and had three TDs.
Game Recap

First Quarter

The Redskins won the toss and let the Giants receive. Jones looked good on the opening drive that ended with a six-yard carry by Barkley for a TD. The ensuing kickoff went for a touchback and Haskins took the Redskins on a 5-minute drive until he found Vernon Davis in the flat who scampered for the TD. Dustin Hopkins missed the extra point and the quarter ended with the score Giants 7 – Redskins 6.

Second Quarter

The second quarter started with the Giants’ ball on their own 30-yard line. After a couple of nice runs and an incomplete pass, Barkley broke loose for a 31-yard scamper to put the Giants up 14 to 6. The Redskins were stopped cold after a sack by Dalvin Tomlinson and Tress Way had his first nice punt of the day with a 52 yarder. The Giants were back on their own 13-yard line and the Redskins held them to a three and out. The quarter ended with a late touchdown by the Redskins with 37 seconds left. They converted for 2 points when Haskins found Davis again in the end zone. The half ended in a 14-14 tie.

Third Quarter

The Redskins received the kickoff and proceeded to go on a drive that ate 6:38 of the clock and was capped by a run over the right tackle for a twelve-yard score. This time Dustin Hopkins made the extra point and the Redskins took a 21 – 14 point lead. The quarter ended with the 1st and goal for the Giants on the Washington 4-yard line.

Fourth Quarter

Barkley punched the ball in from the 4 for his third TD of the day to start the quarter. It’s the Giants 21 – Redskins 21. Neither team could get a drive going during the quarter and it was a battle of field possession that was punctuated with two long punts by the Washington punter, Tress Way, of 63 and 79 yards! With 52 seconds remaining in the game it looked like the game was headed for overtime when Jones tried to find Barkley in the flat. The ball was batted and intercepted by the Redskins right end, Jonathan Allen! It was Redskin ball with 45 seconds left on the Giants 23-yard line. The Redskins ran a couple of plays and with 15 seconds left in the game, Dustin Hopkins kicked the game winning field goal. Redskins 24 – Giants 21.
Scott was a great sport and just had rotten luck. I’m not sure how he didn’t throw his computer out the window. I wouldn’t have wanted to be in Vegas with him that day. Oh well, the Redskins won’t be writing many of these reports and may not write two in a row for a long time to come.