Welcome to Blitzburgh: An Alternate NFL History CFM (1995-???? - M23)

[CoachCot]

General Information:


This franchise will use ITeach's 1995 edits of Soundwaves' 1995 Roster set. This thread will pick up at the onset of the 1995 season. I will provide a recap for the team and league weekly. As for the method I use for the games, I play all of the Steelers games and super sim the rest of the games on normal or slow speed. I will occasionally play the moment for big or interesting games league wide. I will also use this posts to track year to year results for the Steelers.

Team History

1995: TBD

[CoachCot]

Went to boot up my save....got a message saying something about cloud and console storage not synced. Save file is gone. Makes no sense as I always use my console storage. I have my back up save that's post week 1. Pretty frustrating 😡

[CoachCot]

Will either try this again from week 1 recaps or start a new franchise with Teach's 1993 roster.



Update: my one back up save file that I have had about half of week 1 finished. I did some edits to contracts and dev traits to better reflect the league and the trajectory it was on. So there may be guys at the bottom of rosters who became starters rather quickly in following seasons with high dev traits and all pro like guys who are normal because they quickly declined. I play with abilities off so the dev traits are strictly for progression/regression. Once week 1 is complete I will post the weekly recap and such.

[CoachCot]

Steelers' 4th Quarter Barrage Put Bengals Away

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals
Jan 1,	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0)	0	9	8	23	40
Cincinnati Bengals (0-1)	0	3	7	0	10

Team Stats Comparison
	PIT	CIN
Total Offense	387	259
Rushing Yards	139	47
Passing Yards	248	212
First Downs	23	10
Punt Return Yards	16	8
Kick Return Yards	46	131
Total Yards	449	398
Turnovers	2	5
3rd Down Conversion	5-14	3-11
4th Down Conversion	0-0	0-1
2-Point Conversion	1-1	0-0
Red Zone Touchdowns/Field Goals	3/2	0-0
Penalties	2-15	1-5
Posession Time	39:59	21:01

Scoring Summary
SECOND QUARTER SCORING		PIT	CIN
3:14	(PIT) N. Johnson, 49 yd FG	3	0
1:14	(PIT) M. Bruener 20 yd Pass from N. O'Donnell (Missed Kick)	9	0
0:00	(CIN) D. Pelfrey, 48 yd FG	9	3
THIRD QUARTER SCORING		PIT	CIN
5:13	(PIT) E. Pegram, 5 yd Run (2 pt.)	17	3
1:06	(CIN) D. Scott 76 yd Pass from J. Blake (D. Pelfrey kick)	17	10
FOURTH QUARTER SCORING		PIT	CIN
7:08	(PIT) B. Morris 4 yd Run (N. Johnson kick)	24	10
6:29	(PIT) D. Perry Returned Interception 21 yds (N. Johnson kick)	31	10
4:33	(PIT) N. Johnson, 44 yd FG	34	10
3:04	(PIT) N. Johnson, 38 yd FG	37	10
0:24	(PIT) N. Johnson, 29 yd FG	40	10

Pittsburgh Steelers PASSING C/A YDS TD INT Neil O'Donnell 21/33 254 1 1 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD Erric Pegram 17 71 4.1 1 Bam Morris 16 54 3.3 1 Fred McAfee 2 7 3.5 0 John L. Williams 1 7 7.0 0 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD Yancey Thigpen 7 114 16.2 0 Charles Johnson 4 47 11.7 0 John L. Williams 3 22 7.3 0 Mark Bruener 2 22 11.0 1 Bam Morris 2 16 8.0 0 Andre Hastings 2 12 6.0 0 Ernie Mills 1 13 13.0 0 Erric Pegram 1 8 8.0 0 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD Chad Brown 7 0.0 0 0 Greg Lloyd 6 0.0 0 0 Myron Bell 5 0.0 0 0 Kevin Greene 5 2.0 0 0 Rod Woodson 4 0.0 0 0 Levon Kirkland 4 0.0 0 0 Joel Steed 4 0.0 0 0 Ray Seals 3 0.0 0 0 Carnell Lake 3 0.0 2 0 Darren Perry 3 0.0 2 1 Willie Williams 2 0.0 0 0 Brenston Buckner 2 0.0 0 0 Deon Figures 1 0.0 0 0 Johnnie Banres 2 (ST) 0.0 0 0 Jason Gildon 1 (ST) 0.0 0 0 KICKING FG XP PTS LONG Norm Johnson 4/4 2/3 18 49 PUNTING NO YDS AVG IN20 Rohn Stark 4 158 39.5 1 KICK RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Ernie Mills 2 46 23.0 0 PUNT RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Andre Hastings 4 16 4.0 0

Cincinnati Bengals PASSING C/A YDS TD INT Jeff Blake 17/36 212 1 4 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD Harold Green 11 46 4.1 0 Ki-Jana Carter 3 -3 -1.0 0 Lee Johnson 1 4 4.0 0 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD Tony McGee 4 43 10.7 0 Eric Bieniemy 4 18 4.5 0 Darnay Scott 3 88 29.9 1 Carl Pickens 3 25 8.3 0 David Dunn 1 24 24.0 0 Harold Green 1 15 15.0 0 Troy Sadowski 1 -1 -1.0 0 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD Dan Wilikinson 11 0.0 0 0 Steve Tovar 11 0.0 1 0 Andre Collins 7 1.0 0 0 Bracy Walker 7 0.0 0 0 Darryl Williams 7 0.0 0 0 James Francis 7 0.0 0 0 Roger Jones 7 0.0 0 0 Rod Jones 6 0.0 0 0 Brett Wallerstedt 5 0.0 0 0 Corey Sawyer 4 0.0 0 0 John Copeland 4 0.0 0 0 Ricardo McDonald 3 0.0 0 0 Multiple Guys with 2 or less KICKING FG XP PTS LONG Doug Pelfrey 1/2 1/1 4 48 PUNTING NO YDS AVG IN20 Lee Johnson 5 248 49.6 1 KICK RETURN RET YDS AVG TD David Dunn 6 106 17.6 0 Jeff Hill 1 25 25.0 0 PUNT RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Corey Sawyer 1 8 8.0 0

The Steelers entered the 1995 season with a bitter taste in their mouth after having their 1994 season end with a huge let down in the AFC title game. The first quarter was one you would expect from week 1 football. Both teams trying to feel each other out without any major plays being made. With just over 3 minutes to go in the half the Steelers' Norm Johnson hit a field goal to give the Steelers a 3-0 lead. On the ensuing drive OLB Greg Lloyd forced a Darnay Scott fumble at midfield. The Steelers quickly drove into the red zone. QB Neil O'Donnell dropped back looking for FB John L. Williams over the middle, but pressure from Bengals DT Dan Wilkinson forced an early throw that found MLB Steve Tovar's hands for an interception. The Steeler defense responded quickly. Just 2 plays later Greg Lloyd once again forced a fumble. This time from RB Eric Bieniemy. On the very next play, O'Donnell hit rookie TE Mark Bruener down the seam from 20 yards out for his first ever NFL catch and TD as he took hit from a Bengal DB to hold on. Johnson would miss his first XP attempt from the new XP landmark. Then Bengals would respond with a long field goal to end the half to make the score 9-3.

To start the second half the Steelers would have a three and out. The Bengals would drive into FG range only to have Pelfrey miss a 43 yard attempt. The Steelers would then drive the field and cap the drive off with a 5 yard TD run from Erric Pegram. O'Donnell would hit Williams in the flats for the 2 point conversion pushing the score 17-3. After forcing a punt the Steelers were once again driving when WR Charles Johnson caught a ball over the middle only to be sandwiched by two Bengal LBs and for OLB Ricard McDonald to force a fumble. The Bengals were doing just enough to hang around. This was embodied on their final drive of the 3rd quarter. With just over a minute in the 3rd quarter remaining, QB Jeff Blake hit WR Darnay Scott on a sluggo route for a 76 yard score. A killer pump fake from Blake got the aggressive Rod Woodson to bite on the slant hard freeing Scott over the top of the defense. The score stood at 17-10 Pittsburgh After 3.

The Steelers defense took over in the 4th quarter. The offense quickly moved the ball into Bengal territory and punctuated the drive with a 4 yard TD slam from Bam Morris. 24-10 Steelers. From here the Steelers defense with end 4 straight Bengal drives with an interception. Less than a minute after Morris' TD run FS Darren Perry would pick off a high pass from Blake and race 21 yards to the endzone. DL Brenston Buckner's pressure influenced the throw. 31-10 Steelers. SS Carnell Lake would intercept passes on the next two drives. The first one being a beautiful diving, toe dragging pick on the Steelers road sideline. Darren Perry would pick off his second of the day on the next drive when Greg Lloyd hit Jeff Blake mid throw causing it to sail on him. K Norm Johnson would make sure the latter three picks resulted in field goals as the Steelers reeled off 23 unanswered to put the Bengals away.

On the injury front the Steelers will lose all pro center Dermontti Dawson for around a month with a rib injury.


Players of the Game

Off: QB Neil O'Donnell - O'Donnell was in control throughout the day. His one bad throw led to a pick, but he consistently threw accurate balls as he completed 63% of his passes. He also kept the ball out of harms way beyond the one pick. He made good decisions and that was instrumental in the Steelers dominating the time of possession.


Def: The Steelers Safeties - Both Darren Perry and Carnell Lake's 4th quarter interceptions propelled the Steelers on to their first week injury. Perry scored a TD and Lake's highlight pick may be one of the best of the season when it is all said and done.

ST: K Norm Johnson - Though Johnson missed an extra point, he was perfect on his field goal attempts and that was instrumental in the Steelers capitalizing on 4th quarter opportunities.



Edit: Apparently Summer brain is in effect....Norm Johnson should have 14 points in the box score. Not 18.

[CoachCot]

Week 1 Scoreboard and Headlines

*Home Team on Right


Buffalo 17 - 10 St. Louis

Thurman Thomas carried the ball 24 times for 111 yards and a score to drive the Buffalo offense. Rams WR Isaac Bruce snagged 8 balls for 163 yards and a score but that wasn't enough to offset the three interceptions and 5 sacks the Bills defense recorded.

New Orleans 7 - 22 Atlanta

Despite out gaining the Flacons in yards and first downs, three give aways were their undoing. Craig Heyward had over 100 on the ground and a TD while Eric Metcalf caught Jeff George's lone scoring toss to drive the scoring for Atlanta. 2 of Everett's 3 inteceptions as the Saints QB came in the RZ.


Cleveland 22 - 9 Carolina

The Browns posted a turnover free day on offense and jumped out to a quick 10-0 lead in the first. Browns QB Vinny Testaverde posted a passer rating of 97.7 by going 14 of 21 for 202 yards and even scored a rushing TD. Former Oiler RB Lorenzo White had 2 rushing TDs from inside the 1 yard line. Panthers QB Frank Reich was knocked from the game on only the second play. Rookie QB Kerry Collins replaced him and struggled by throwing 2 ints and completing just 47% of his passes.


San Francisco 21 - 14 Chicago

A rematch of one of last season's divisional round games. Bears QB Erik Kramer threw for 256 yards and completed 66% of his passes, but the 2 ints he threw put a damper on his performance. 8 different Bears caught a Kramer pass. RB Derek Loville and TE Brent Jones caught Young's TD pass for San Fran and with Rice getting most of the attention from the Bear's secondary WR John Taylor exploded for 10 catches for 128 yards.

Philadelphia 14 - 24 Detroit

Despite losing WR Herman Moore for the game early on, QB Scott Mitchell still threw for 270 yards and a score while completing 71% of his passes. The Eagles did intercept two passes and kept a lid on Barry Sanders. Sanders scored twice and did have a 113 yards, but if you can keep Sanders to under 4 yards a carry (3.8) it is a win. Ricky Watters was the offensive player of the game for the Eagles. He carried the ball 13 times for 46 yards and caught 7 passes for 72 yards and both of Cunningham's TDs. An Int from Lions CB Ryan McNeil late put the game away

Indianapolis 23 - 10 Houston Texans


The expansion Texans had no answers for the Colts' Marshall Faulk. Faulk carried the ball 23 times for 110 yards and 2 scores while also catching another 3 3rd down passes to move the sticks. Texans QB Doug Flutie struggled to push the ball vertically and was sacked 4 times.

New England 17 - 24 Miami

Another QB Duel between one of the best ever in Marino and the young gun slinger in Bledsoe. The two combined for over 500 passing yards on 76 combined attempts with no interceptions thrown. TEs led both teams in receiving yards as Ben Coates caught 8 balls for 135 yards for New England and Eric Green paced the Phins with 4 for 57 yards. 6 different pass catchers had over 30 receiving yards as Marino shared the wealth. His backs were instrumental in the attack as Byars and Kirby caught 6 and 5 balls respectfully with Kirby finding the endzone twice.

Baltimore 14 - 21 New York Jets

HC Dick Vermeil helps usher a Baltimore based team back into the NFL. His Ravens found themselves down 14-0 after one but they fought back and tied the game going into halftime. Ravens K Carlos Huerta missed 2 FGs in the 3rd quarter and Jet CB Aaron Glenn picked off a pass and raced 29 yards into the end zone with less than 2 minutes remaining to seal the victory.

Jacksonville 11 - 10 Washington

The Jacksonville Jaguars have their first win in franchise history.....and it was in their first game! In a low scoring contest that featured atrocious QB play a late FG gave the Jags the win. Neither QB posted a QB rating over 62.4 and Frerotte only completed 43% of his passes while Brunell only hit on 33% of his. Frerotte's late INT was the difference in the game while Brunell protected the ball.

New York Giants 6 - 13 Houston Oilers

Jeff Fisher has his Oiler team off to the right start. With the days of the Run N' Shoot being a thing of the past rookie RB Rodney Thomas carried the ball 21 times for 90 yards and the lone TD. On the other side of the field RB Rodney Hampton carried the ball 25 times for 130 yards. While Oilers QB Chris Chandler was able to convert a few key third downs with the passing attack, Dave Brown could not for the Giants. He was 11 of 26 for 130 yards and a pick.

Kansas City 28 - 14 Arizona

With the retirement of Joe Montana and departures of other players many have predicted Kansas City to take a pretty big step back. They didn't get the memo. New starting QB Steve Bono threw for 187 yards, completed 60% of his passes, and threw 2 scores on his way to a passer rating of 104.3. Marcus Allen and Greg Hill ran for a combined 121 yards and 2 scores while the defense hounded QB Dave Krieg. While only recording 2 sacks as a team they provided constant pressure and intercepted 2 passes.

Oakland 27 - 17 San Diego

Raiders QB Jeff Hostetler throws for 241 yards and a TD and despite a struggling run game RB Harvey Williams found the end zone twice.

Green Bay 23 - 14 Minnesota

A match up of two of the premier QBs in the league. Favre tossed for 2 scores and 242 yards while Moon threw for 293 yards and 2 scores as well. The difference was Moon's 2 second half interceptions in Packers' territory. Edgar Bennett ran hard for the pack hitting 94 yards on 23 carries while WR Robert Brooks looks to be a solid replacement for Sterling Sharpe. Brooks recorded 11 receptions for 124 yards and 2 scores.

Tampa Bay 16 - 34 Dallas

The Cowboys look to continue being one of the top dogs of the NFL. From the jump they were all over Tampa. In front of a national audience the Cowboys racked up 416 yards of offense with 240 of it coming on the ground. Emmitt Smith carried the ball 33 times for 230 yards and 2 scores. Smith also caught 6 balls. Aikman made the most of his throws going 18 of 22 for 184 yards and a score to Mike Irvin. 2 garbage time TDs make the box score look prettier than it was for Tampa.

Denver 31 - 23 Seattle

BUM BUM BUM BUMMMMMMMMMM......The first Monday Night Football contest of the season featured 2 teams who are no longer division rivals with the new alignment. Despite racking up 432 yards of offense the Seahawks could not climb from a 24-6 half time hole. The Broncos struggled to generate offense in the second half of the game but John Elway, as he always does, drilled a TD throw into TE Shannon Sharpe's chest halfway through the 4th to keep the scoring gap comfortable for Denver. RB Chris Warren's herculean effort wasn't enough (25 carries for 98 yards and 2 scores with 9 receptions for 88 yards to go with it).