USFFL XX: Week 9

USFFL Week 9 wrapped up a day early with all games in before Saturday morning. Great job everyone! As noted in the Slack channel, we may have had another USFFL first this week as San Francisco’s coach Rich Peers (England) faced Arizona’s coach Tim Hay (Saudi Arabia) in the intercontinental Euro/Middle-East Bowl. This game reminded me that not everyone in the USFFL is in the 3 US Time Zones, and as a result, I am planning to reach out to each of you this week for your preferred Time Zone which I will add to the League Directory in an effort to assist everyone in game matchmaking. Please feel free to state “no preference” if you would prefer not to have your time zone on the roster.

Speaking of the 49ers / Cardinals game, this one came down to the wire with the Niners kicking not one, but two field goals with 0:01 on the clock, scoring 3 at the end of the half and 3 at the end of the game to win 27-24 in Arizona’s home game. Indy and Pittsburgh played a tough matchup that went to overtime. With the game tied 24-24 at the end of regulation, Skeeter Henderson’s Colts kicked off to Peter Shibley’s Steelers to start the OT. The Colt’s Defense held firm and forced a Steeler punt, but Colts return man Chester Rogers rolled an 11 and fumbled the ball on the Indy side of the field. Steelers kicker Chris Boswell split the uprights on a 23 yard FG to seal the win 27-24. The Carolina vs. Tennessee game was decided on a gutsy call by Titan coach Pete Quaglierini who decided to go for it on 4th and Goal from the 3. Pete could have gone for the easy field goal to tie the game with 3 minutes left, but instead he chose to hand the ball to Derrick Henry who punched it in for a TD and the go ahead score. Nice call Pete! Seattle pulled out a narrow victory edging Tampa Bay 19-14. As the Tampa Bay coach, Mike Niemczura has to live or die by QB Jameis Winston, and this week two Winston picks cost them the game. Don’t worry Mike, I hear that you might get a slight QB upgrade next season.

Standings Roundup

This week featured an exciting matchup between Division Leaders Baltimore and New England, with the Ravens outscoring the Pat’s 35-13.

AFC

East – Patriots 3 1/2 ahead of the Bills and Jets
North – Ravens 1 ahead of the Bengals
South – Titans 2 ahead of the Texans
West – Chiefs 1 ahead of the Broncos

NFC

East – Eagles 1/2 ahead of the Cowboys
North – Bears and Lions Tied
South – Falcons 1 ahead of the Saints
West – 49ers 1 1/2 ahead of the Seahawks

Mid-Year Review, Part Deux

Last week, I focused on the Team level performance at the mid-year mark. This week, I am going to focus on individual player performance through the midway point.

Quarterbacks

Touchdowns

Patrick MahomesKansas City36
Aaron RodgersGreen Bay18
Derek CarrOakland17
Lamar JacksonBaltimore17

Passing Yards

Patrick MahomesKansas City3205
Tom BradyNew England2547
Russell WilsonSeattle2484

Receivers

Touchdowns

Travis KelceKansas City14
Davante AdamsGreen Bay10
Diontae JohnsonPittsburgh8
Odell BeckhamCleveland8

Receiving Yards

League Leaders Report

Robby AndersonNew York AFC802
Tyreek HillKansas City779
Travis KelceKansas City764

Running Backs


Touchdowns

Phillip LindsayDenver11
Tevin ColemanSan Francisco10
Chris CarsonSeattle10
Saquon BarkleyNew York NFC10

Rushing Yards

Derrick HenryTennessee1270
Saquon BarkleyNew York NFC1187
Chris CarsonSeattle1138

Defenders

Sacks

Cameron JordanNew Orleans12
Vic BeasleyAtlanta11
Chris JonesKansas City9
Shaquil BarrettTampa Bay8
Grady JarrettAtlanta8

Kickers

Points

Randy BullockCincinnati85
Harrison ButkerKansas City78
Brandon McManusDenver74

Game of the Week

Week 9 Action featuring one of the NFLs Greatest Rivalries Jets at Dolphins
Trailing 13-20 with 14 minutes left, the Jets score 14 unanswered points for the win. With 9 minutes left, Darnold found R. Anderson for a 9 yard TD, then moments later, Fitzpatrick throws a pick 6 to Jenkins who scores on a 37 yard INT TD Return. The Jets get the ball back on downs but can not run out the clock or move the ball and punt with 2 minutes left. The Dolphins go from their own 20 to the Jets four yard line with one second left only to have Fitzpatrick’s pass knocked down in the end zone to preserve the 27-20 Victory, and to snap a 5 game losing streak.

Fitzpatrick threw for 332 yards with a 33-58 attempts . 1 TD and 2 INTs. Dolphins also had 46 yards rushing. The Jets were led by Leveon Bell’s 126 yards plus 25 receiving. Anderson had 2 TD receptions.