Lurker > KCF0107

KCF's Playoff Power Rankings

1. Columbus Pioneers
2. Oakland Raiders
3. San Juan Orcas
4. Las Vegas Pumpkins
5. Jacksonville Jaguars
6. Atlanta Falcons
7. Denver Broncos
8. Baltimore Ravens
9. Dallas Cowboys
10. Minnesota Vikings
11. Philadelphia Eagles
12. New England Patriots

The Pioneers have fallen short in the past two postseasons, but they are once again the best team in the weaker of the two conferences. They have a Top 5 O and D, Top 10 in points for and against, and bounceback seasons from QB Russell Wilson and HB DeMarco Murray. Their one issue is generating turnovers (25th), but their biggest threat in the AFC (Raiders) are even worse at that. Anything can happen in a single elimination format, but the Pioneers are as good of a bet as any to make the SB in what would be their first trip since S14.

The Raiders weren't quite as good as they were last year when they were arguably the best team in the league statistically after they overcame an 0-3 start to finish with an 11-5 record. They did however finish with the league's #1 offense and were able turn things around defensively to finish in the Top 10, though their points allowed was tied for 17th. As mentioned before, they were not good at generating turnovers, finishing 30th in the league. That won't fly against teams like the Pioneers, Jags, and Ravens who all finished in the top 10 fewest giveaways, but as long as they play as they have offensively and defensively, it might not matter. They should also get all of their non-Austin Reiter injured starters (a whopping four of them!) back for their first playoff game in the divisional round.

The Orcas surprisingly finished with the lowest ranked defense in the playoffs (22nd), but that didn't stop the Browns from making the past two Super Bowls. At least the Orcas have made up for it with generate turnovers (T-3rd) and finishing just outside the top 10 in sacks. On offense, QB Tua Tagovailoa has made huge strides in his sophomore season to becoming one of the most efficient QBs this season. The issue on offense will be if HB Nyheim Hines returns and if he can be as effective as he was in the previous two seasons. The offense was its best when rookie HB Devin Singletary started while Hines was injured. Hines should return for their first game, so that's something worth considering.

While not quite what the Seahawks experienced last season (so many injuries after their undefeated start resulted in them finishing 3-5, including the playoffs), the Pumpkins being down to their third option at QB and getting a new HB off the scrap heap is disappointing for a team that was looking to make not only its first deep playoff run but also being one of the SB favorites. We got our first look at a Taysom Hill/non-Raheem Mostert combo offense in Week 17. They may have won big, but that was off the backs of their defense and special teams. Their offense resembled nothing like a Super Bowl-caliber one. For that, I think that the other NFC bye team are the conference favorites. They may not have had the individual standouts from a team that was elite in all facets of the game, but there are no weakness outside of the two injured positions. They did a phenomenal job making adjustments during the regular season, and only time will tell if their new adjustments for the postseason can help make up for a sub-standard QB/HB combo.

The Jaguars had a roughly league average offense and defense (18th and 13th respectively), and they did take advantage of owning the second easiest schedule among playoff teams, but they've overcome a bunch of injuries all throughout the season and just keep winning thanks to an absurd turnover differential (+20) and defensive sack total (68 is 10 more than 2nd and 3/4 of their starting DL are on the sack leaderboard). Now a team whose success being predicated on opportunity rather than offense or defensive prowess is something that's difficult to imagine winning three or four straight games against quality opponents. Not only that, but the Jags were 4-4 on the road and will have a minimum of two road games to begin the postseason, but it's hard for me to deny what the Jags did this season, and their playoff path is easier being an AFC team.

The Falcons were dealt some big blows on offense during the preseason, but they weathered the storm, and more importantly, their defense showed up and became one of the best in the league after trending upwards for a few seasons. Many of the NFC playoff teams either suffered some critical offensive injuries later in the season or were never strong there to begin with, so they could match up very well against them. Like the Broncos though, they will be playing games with a third option at QB and a second at HB. The initial results were uneven, so even with an elite defense, the fact that they will be playing at least two road games with a patchwork offense might be too much for them to handle.

Regular Season Stat Leaders

Passer Rating - Jimmy Garoppolo (Vikings) - 95.5
Passing Yards - Cam Newton (Lions) - 3385
Passing TDs - Newton - 24
Passing INTs - Garoppolo and Newton - 5 and 25 respectively
Completion % - Garoppolo - 64%

Rushing Attempts - Sony Michel (Ravens) - 432
Rushing Yards - Raheem Mostert (Pumpkins) - 1738
Rushing TDs - Ronald Jones II (Cowboys) - 17
Rushing YPC - David Johnson (Falcons) - 4.8

Receptions - D.J. Moore (Broncos) - 109
Receiving Yards - Julian Edelman (Lions) - 1368
Receiving TDs - DeAndre Hopkins (Browns) - 13
Receiving YPC - Cordarrelle Patterson (Packers) - 14.2

Pancake Blocks - Donovan Smith (Eagles) - 91
Sacks Allowed - Orlando Franklin (Buccaneers) and La'el Collins (Bills) - 17

Tackles - Stan Carswell (Buccaneers) - 198 (B8NFLL record)
Sacks - J.J. Watt (Commanders) - 18
Interceptions - Bene Benwikere (Seahawks) - 8
Forced Fumbles - Jamie Collins (Chiefs), Shaq Lawson (Eagles), and Orlando Brown (Jaguars) - 5
Fumble Recoveries - Vontaze Burfict (Jaguars) - 10 (B8NFLL record)
Defensive TDs - Deandre Baker (Seahawks), Jameel Austin (Jets), Antoine Bethea (Dolphins), Trumaine Johnson (Eagles), and Darius Leonard (Orcas) - 2

Field Goals - Matthew Wright (Giants) and Greg Zuelein (Buccaneers) - 35
Field Goal % - Ka'imi Fairbairn (Orcas) - 89%

Punts - Pat O'Donnell (Dolphins) - 103
Punting Avg. - Michael Dickson (Bengals) - 46.0

Kick Return Avg. - Brian Poole (Orcas) - 26.8
Kick Return TDs - 15 players - 1
Punt Return Avg. - Breshad Perriman (Jets) - 15.6
Punt Return TDs - Perriman - 3

Improvement

Just one week left!

Emeraldegg posted...

Portland have sharpe and simons already, those guys are basically younger herro-lite.

This may come as a shock to you, but Simons is older than Herro.

down

KCF has beaten Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus

I think that this is on par with The New Order. There's better layouts for approach flexability (stealth vs guns blazing), and I got a kick out of the contraptions. The partial openness of it (hub world with various side stuff) did nothing for me and the locations weren't as immersive to me.

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus (XB1)

It's on par with The New Order (aka great). Roughly halfway through the game, I had noticed that it was considerably easier than New Order, then they pumped out a ton of challenging scripted fights/flexible scenarios in the second half to where I think this was the more difficult game as a whole. I tend to take a stealth approach first, and for the most part, this game I think did a much better job on that front when it comes to level design and the ability to snuff out the heavier enemies (that can't be taken out with a stealth finisher) with dual suppressed weapons. Enemy detection however seemed much sharper.

School

To Do:
- Regular Season Stat Leaders
- SB contender list
- Playoff Power Rankings
- Update Spreadsheet
- Send out stat PMs
- Award ballots

I'm leaning toward a January 4th/5th award ceremony/playoff sim, whether those will be on the same or separate days

Wild Card Round

Broncos at Ravens
Cowboys at Eagles
Jaguars at Patriots
Falcons at Vikings

Byes
Pioneers
Raiders
Pumpkins
Orcas

Broncos defeated the Ravens 23-14 in Week 5
Cowboys defeated the Eagles 31-13 in Week 7, Eagles defeated the Cowboys 19-3 in Week 11
Jaguars defeated the Patriots 21-16 in Week 9
Falcons and Vikings did not play against each other during the regular season

Your B8NFLL Season 20 NFC Playoff Teams

1. Las Vegas Pumpkins
2. San Juan Orcas
3. Philadelphia Eagles
4. Minnesota Vikings
5. Atlanta Falcons
6. Dallas Cowboys

This is the Pumpkins' second straight NFC West title and first playoff bye

This is the Orcas' second straight and fourth of the past five seasons playoff appearance

This is the Eagles' third NFC East title in the past four seasons

This is the Vikings' third playoff appearance in the past four seasons

This is the Falcons' third straight playoff appearance

This is the Cowboys' first playoff appearance since S15 and first wild card berth since S2

Your B8NFLL Season 20 AFC Playoff Teams

1. Columbus Pioneers
2. Oakland Raiders
3. Baltimore Ravens
4. New England Patriots
5. Jacksonville Jaguars
6. Denver Broncos

This is the third straight #1 seed for the Pioneers and with the Rams' elimination, they own the league's longest active playoff streak at five seasons

This is the second straight and third from the past four seasons AFC West title for the Raiders

This is the third playoff appearance in the past five seasons for the Ravens, and their first AFC North title since S16

This is the Patriots first playoff appearance since S16 and first AFC East title during B8NFLL

This is the second straight wild card berth for the Jaguars

This is the second straight wild card berth for the Broncos

Players of the Week
Offense - Jets HB Joe Mixon (112 total yards, 3 TDs)
Defense - Packers ROLB Brian Wheaton (6 tackles, 3 FFs, 1 FR)

something that I shouldn't have

I pulled two (new) EX cards in the same pack for the second time, with the first being one of those "god packs"

They are a Moltres with the special background and Starmie in case people want to look out for me in the Wonder Pick.

I think that I'm now down to single digit missing cards from each booster pack.

NFC Playoff Picture

Playoff Teams
1. Las Vegas Pumpkins 12-3 (win NFC West)
2. San Juan Orcas 11-4 (win NFC South)
3. Philadelphia Eagles 8-6-1 (NFC East leaders)
4. Minnesota Vikings 8-7 (NFC North leaders)
5. Atlanta Falcons 10-5 (Wild Card 1, clinched playoff spot)
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-6 (Wild Card 2)

Playoff Contenders
7. Dallas Cowboys 8-7
8. Seattle Seahawks 8-7
9. New York Giants 8-7
10. Green Bay Packers 7-8

Eliminated from Playoff Contention
11. St. Louis Rams 6-9
12. Washington Commanders 6-9
13. Detroit Lions 6-9
14. Chicago Bears 6-9
15. San Francisco 49ers 6-9
16. Carolina Panthers 5-10

Pumpkins and Orcas are locked into the top two seeds. Pumpkins get #1 with a win, and it's possible that they even get one with a loss and Orcas win. It would go to common games then, but I'm not dealing with that.

Falcons clinch the #5 seed with a win, tie, or Buccaneers loss.

Buccaneers clinch a playoff spot with a win or tie. If they win and Falcons lose, they should hold the tiebreaker over the Falcons and win the #5 seed.

Eagles play the Giants in Week 17, so if they win, they win the division. If they lose, they are eliminated from the playoffs. If they tie, they will need a Cowboys loss.

If the Cowboys and Giants both win, it would go to common games as to who would win the division between the two.

If the Vikings win/tie or Packers lose/tie, the Vikings win the division. If the Packers win and Vikings lose, the Packers will win the division via superior divisional record.

If the Buccaneers lose, the fight for the #6 seed can get pretty nutty. The Eagles can only get in via winning the division, so the only teams to consider here are the Bucs, Cowboys, Giants, and Seahawks. Cowboys and Giants have H2H victory over the Bucs, so if the Bucs lose, and both of those teams or just the Cowboys (with Eagles beating the Giants), and Seahawks lose, the Bucs would be eliminated and the second wild card would go to which of Cowboys/Giants did not win the division if both win or the Cowboys if both they and the Eagles win.

The Seahawks did not play the Bucs, Cowboys, or Giants, so it would all have to go common games should Bucs lose, Seahawks win, Cowboys win, and Eagles/Giants does not end in a tie, which I am not researching (which means Seahawks could already be eliminated for all I know)

AFC Playoff Picture

Playoff Teams
1. Columbus Pioneers 12-3 (win AFC South, clinched #1 seed)
2. Oakland Raiders 10-5 (win AFC West)
3. Baltimore Ravens 10-5 (win AFC North)
4. New England Patriots 7-8 (win AFC East)
5. Jacksonville Jaguars 10-5 (clinched Wild Card 1)
6. Denver Broncos 8-7 (Wild Card 2)

Playoff Contenders
7. Indianapolis Colts 8-7
8. Portland Express 7-8

Eliminated from Playoff Contention
9. Kansas City Chiefs 7-8
10. Cincinnati Bengals 6-9
11. New York Jets 6-9
12. Pittsburgh Steelers 5-10
13. Tennessee Titans 5-10
14. Miami Dolphins 5-10
15. Buffalo Bills 5-10
16. Davenport Browns 4-10-1

Raiders have H2H tiebreaker over the Ravens, so if they have a better or same record as the Ravens, they will be the #2 seed with the Ravens receiving the #3 seed. Those two teams are locked into having the #2 or #3 seed.

Patriots are locked into the #4 seed.

Jaguars are locked into the #5 seed.

The Express swept the Broncos during the season, the Broncos are locked into a 7-5 conference record, and the Colts are locked into a 6-6 conference record. As such, these should be the non-Week 17 tie scenarios:
- If Broncos win, they get the 6th seed
- If Broncos lose and Colts win, Colts get the 6th seed
- If the Broncos and Colts lose and Express win, Express get the 6th seed
- If all teams lose, Broncos retain 6th seed

Players of the Week
Offense - Raiders QB DeShaun Gaines (255 yards, 3 TDs)
Defense - Broncos FS Kevin Byard (2 tackles, 2 INTs, 1 FR, 1 def TD)

Game of the Week
Broncos at Buccaneers

Week 17 will be simmed on Sunday, December 8th

Break

I first started with Tchia, and I found the early parts underwhelming. I plan on returning to it later to see if it improves once things open up, and I have access to more, but I have decided to focus on Wolfenstein II for now.

I'm probably around the halfway point. I just got outfitted with a new body. MachineGames was created by former Starbreeze Studios employees after they had an excellent trio of the Riddick games and The Darkness, and the new Wolfenstein games have followed suit (okay maybe the Old Blood is merely good). I think what stands out to me the most is how well they have blended their usual challenge with player fairness. With the exception of the firefight in the courtroom, they have done a better job at designing Nazi-infested areas to have plenty of places to run and cover and sprinkle health and ammo all over. I also think that they have stepped up in the stealth department (I have nothing specific to note here, just that it seems more fun and easier to pull off), which is my typical go-to strategy before things possibly go to hell.

I also went ahead and bought the Ace Attorney Investigations Collection since I had expiring credit somewhere, and it came to no out-of-pocket cost. I doubt that I will have the time to get around to it this month, but it is a possibility if I decide to drop Tchia. However, if I need to play the first one again after having played it almost 15 years ago, then I probably won't do it this month regardless of Tchia.

Both are considered good

Outer Worlds is the Obsidian RPG
Outer Wilds is the Mobius time-looping puzzle adventure

Titans
Dolphins
Vikings
Saints
Eagles
Steelers
Buccaneers
Cardinals
Bills
49ers
Chiefs
Cowboys

Already less than two weeks away

Lions

NFC Playoff Picture

Playoff Teams
1. Las Vegas Pumpkins 11-3 (win NFC West)
2. San Juan Orcas 10-4 (NFC South leaders)
3. Minnesota Vikings 8-6 (NFC North leaders)
4. Philadelphia Eagles 8-5-1 (NFC East leaders)
5. Atlanta Falcons 10-4 (Wild Card 1)
6. New York Giants 8-6 (Wild Card 2)

Playoff Contenders
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 8-6
8. Green Bay Packers 7-7
9. Dallas Cowboys 7-7
10. Seattle Seahawks 7-7
11. Detroit Lions 6-8
12. San Francisco 49ers 6-8
13. Chicago Bears 6-8

Eliminated from Playoff Contention
14. Carolina Panthers 5-9
15. St. Louis Rams 5-9
16. Washington Commanders 5-9

Lions, 49ers, Bears, and Cowboys are 100% eliminated with a loss

Seahawks should also be eliminated with a loss as the Bucs would hold the tiebreaker for their only playoff route (second wild card)

Packers' ability to survive a loss is not known for certain, but it would be complicated as they would then need the Vikings to lose to the Bucs (eliminating Packers from wild card but give them a chance to win on common games tiebreaker with Vikings via Week 17)

The game says that the Orcas and Falcons have clinched a playoff spot, but I don't believe that is the case since the Bucs have the tiebreaker right now over both of them. It should be noted that the Falcons and Orcas are about to play each other, so if they tie, they both clinch, and if there's a winner and a loser, the winner will clinch the division.

AFC Playoff Picture

Playoff Teams
1. Columbus Pioneers 11-3 (AFC South leaders, clinched playoff spot)
2. Oakland Raiders 9-5 (AFC West leaders)
3. Baltimore Ravens 9-5 (win AFC North)
4. New England Patriots 6-8 (AFC East leaders)
5. Jacksonville Jaguars 10-4 (Wild Card 1, clinched playoff spot)
6. Denver Broncos 7-7 (Wild Card 2)

Playoff Contenders
7. Kansas City Chiefs 7-7
8. Indianapolis Colts 7-7
9. Portland Express 6-8
10. Cincinnati Bengals 6-8
11. New York Jets 6-8
12. Buffalo Bills 5-9
13. Pittsburgh Steelers 5-9
14. Tennessee Titans 5-9

Eliminated from Playoff Contention
15. Miami Dolphins 4-10
16. Davenport Browns 3-10-1

I'm fairly certain that the Steelers and Titans are mathematically eliminated due to remaining schedules needing to ensure nobody exceeds 7-9 for the second wild card while also having the tiebreaker, but I will play it safe it put them as a contender.

Bills are eliminated with a loss

Raiders clinch AFC West if they win or tie the Chiefs

Bengals and Express would be 100% eliminated with a loss plus wins by the Broncos/Colts/Chiefs

I believe that the Jets are eliminated with a loss (cannot win the division with Pats holding tiebreaker and Colts hold tiebreaker in wild card scenario)

Message

Players of the Week
Offense - Packers HB Austin Ekeler (198 total yards, 3 TDs)
Defense - Buccaneers CB Adoree' Jackson (2 tackles, 1 INT for TD)

Game of the Week
Jaguars at Ravens

Week 16 will be simmed on Friday, December 6th

The elusive Dugtrio is still not in my possession

Kenri posted...

King's Knight (NES)

One of those games I only learned about from Jeff Gerstmann playing every NES game. At first glance this one feels very high concept in a way NES games usually weren't. It's a shmup with four characters who each get their own level. Within a character's level they can get pick-ups to increase their stats. Everyone who survives their level comes together for a fifth, final level. It feels a lot more like a modern indie game going for a retro aesthetic than a legit NES game!

...Except that's not really how it works. You actually NEED all four characters to complete the final level, so it's not "anyone who survives will help at the end" but rather "if you die once you must restart the entire game". And while building your characters' stats is important, you also have to collect the four spell components in each character stage that will let them cast their spell at arbitrary moments in the final stage, at least one of which is mandatory or you die. The game never tells you any part of this. At least the final stage lets you continue -- but it's also insanely hard, because four characters means a hitbox 4x as big. You also have to grab pick-ups to switch which character is leading, but those pick-ups freeze you in place while the team rotates, leaving you at the mercy of enemy projectiles and of instant death by screen scroll. Ah, NOW it looks like an NES game.

This game sucks and I had to use save states to beat the final level. Admittedly, it was pretty fun when I didn't know what all was required to beat it.

Even though the NES was before our time, one of my best friends growing up got one second hand, and one of my favorite games to play of hers was King's Knight. It was the first VC game I bought for the Wii too.

Breather

I'm with Meow, Leon, and swirl here. Losing earlier in the season is viewed less unfavorably as losing later.

12/5
Packers at Lions

12/8
Jaguars at Titans
Jets at Dolphins
Falcons at Vikings
Saints at Giants
Panthers at Eagles
Browns at Steelers
Raiders at Buccaneers
Seahawks at Cardinals
Bills at Rams
Bears at 49ers
Chargers at Chiefs

12/9
Bengals at Cowboys

Official Rules
1. Choose one team to win each week
2. If your team wins, you move on. If your team loses or ties, you are eliminated
3. You cannot select a team more than once in a season
4. lolrams
5. You are free to change your pick as many times as you want, but you are locked in once the team you are currently on kicks off
6. Never forget rule #4

Spreadsheet for the current and past seasons:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1J0NVtelpQtD0NiC4LzTbWPPw9nh5WCIgyh3x_tGu0Pc

Alive (1)
wallmasterz - 49ers, Chargers, Seahawks, Texans, Commanders, Eagles, Bills, Broncos, Chiefs, Vikings, Lions, Dolphins, Cowboys

Beautiful

I got Jigglypuff, Venusaur, Jigglypuff, Onyx

Sign-ups so far:
1. KCF - https://steamcommunity.com/id/KCF0107
2. swirl - https://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561197994967343
3. FoolFantastic - https://steamcommunity.com/id/foolfantastic
4. TheArkOfTurus - https://steamcommunity.com/id/arkofturus
5. Bitto - https://steamcommunity.com/id/LukeAtmey
6. ChaosTony - https://steamcommunity.com/id/chaostony
7. psaltery - https://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198359070522
8. RikkuAlmighty - https://steamcommunity.com/id/cwistofu
9. greengravy - https://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561197970541221/
10. AriaOfBolo - https://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198058040823
11. Johnbobb - https://steamcommunity.com/id/ChiddarBBQ
12. TheRock - https://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198266941791
13. voltch - https://steamcommunity.com/id/voltch
14. ESY - https://steamcommunity.com/id/ESY16
15. PrivateBiscuit - https://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198001581274
16. azuarc - https://steamcommunity.com/id/azuarc
17. Isquen - https://steamcommunity.com/id/Honatuto
18. Wicklebee - https://steamcommunity.com/id/Wicklebee
19. mccheyne - https://steamcommunity.com/id/kingoflandandsea
20. ViolentAbacus/Xirsca - https://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198055550256
21. HBJDubs - https://steamcommunity.com/id/HBJDubs
22. JONA - https://steamcommunity.com/id/ProfessorPuzzle
23. MZero - https://steamcommunity.com/id/kabazame

LEGO 2K Drive (XSX)

Open-world racing game that's fun and funny. I wanted to try out more of the game, but they locked quite a bit behind having to register for a 2K account "to protect the kids" and I didn't bother to do so. My main gripe about the racing is that no matter the handling rating on your vehicle, making sharp turns never feels right, and there were a couple of courses that plenty of those.

Front

I finally got my first EX card from a standard Wonder Pick (Machamp)

bump

Wolfenstein II is on Game Pass and PS+ Extra

Wolfenstein II is on sale for $6 USD on Steam, Xbox and Switch
https://store.steampowered.com/app/612880/Wolfenstein_II_The_New_Colossus/
https://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/store/wolfenstein-ii-the-new-colossus/C4LLMHFQ1BXQ
https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/wolfenstein-ii-the-new-colossus-switch/

Wolfenstein II Digital Deluxe Edition (all DLC) is on sale for $9 USD on PSN
https://store.playstation.com/en-us/product/UP1003-CUSA07384_00-W2NCDELUXEBUNDLE

Donkey Kong (NES version) is on Nintendo Switch Online

Tchia is on Game Pass

Tchia is on sale for $15 USD on Steam and Switch
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1496590/Tchia/
https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/tchia-switch/