2019 Divisional Playoff Discussion

[JesterBlaze]

GG Matt. I have no idea where to go from here. I thought I had something by going all offense but was completely shut down by some teams this season, including obviously this game, and defense is a joke in Lawrence.

This one was over in the 1st when I had 7 points from 3 possessions in your territory.

Good luck the rest of the way!

[sidewinder66]

no excuse not to win this game. heartbreaking loss for IWC.

But still, congratulations to Portland. When it counted most they were ready and overcame their earlier difficulties.

congratulations and good luck to the four teams left in the race.

[Suicane]

If I was Jave I'd rest my starters so they're fresh for the Imperial Bowl.

[Jave]

I said I needed a few lucky breaks and to play solid football. I got both! The fumble recovery late in the second quarter was absolutely crucial, followed by:

Matt Sanford drops back in the pocket.
Leonard Wingfield bowled over Shannon Bradford and is on top of the quarterback.
Sanford flips a short pass to Wide Receiver Tim Rhinehart.
He's throwing away from the double coverage.
The ball flutters a bit and is intercepted by Safety Nathan Lowe at the Oakland 26.
There's no one in front of him.
Lowe brought the interception back 25 yards.

Leading 10-6 with only 35 seconds left in the first half Sanford throws an easy one to Lowe setting us up at midfield. EXCELLENT play calling to get us into field goal range:

Cornell Burgess is back to attempt a 46 yard field goal.
Burgess steps forward and kicks the ball.
The ball heads down, and it's just over the crossbar!

Early in the 3rd, we get another gift from Tulsa:

Oakland is looking for a run. Hastings is blitzing.
Matt Sanford drops back in the pocket.
Sanford was sacked by Defensive End Rickey Doyle and Inside Linebacker Herman Hastings for a loss of 5 yards.
Marlon Gillette should have been able to prevent the sack.
He loses the ball.
The officials are unpiling the players.
Oakland's Rickey Doyle grabbed it at the bottom of the pile at the Tulsa 36.

Leading directly to:
Cornell Burgess is lined up to try a 36 yard field goal.
Burgess steps forward and kicks the ball.
The ball splits the uprights for three points!

Almost back to back GIFTS by Tulsa brings me to a 16-6 lead. Tulsa catches up quick leading 20-16 late in the 4th and the race was on...

Donovan leads then on a slow, methodical ball control drive ending with Thompson catching a 2yd touchdown pass to bring Oakland back in front 23-20 with 2:45 remaining. Another interesting call from Tulsa was:

Matt Sanford takes the snap from center.
He pitches the ball to Ken Albriktsen.
It's a reverse, and he heads around left end.
The run lost 1 yard.
Inside Linebacker Herman Hastings is credited with the tackle.

A reverse on 3rd an 5 on the 14yd line with 40 seconds left. WOW, gutsy. Thats one of those, if it works your a genius, if it doesn't it just looks like a moronic move. It didn't work. However they did kick the FG to send us to OT.

Donovan puts yet ANOTHER long, ball control, drive together ending with:

Horace Donovan steps back from the center.
He hands the ball to Hurricane Wilson.
It's a run around the left end.
The run is good for 7 yards and a touchdown!

Game set match. What a battle between the flashy long passing of Tulsa, and Oaklands, "line it up and grind it out" styles. GG Tarc...my guys put the last score on the wall to remind them of week 9's massacre. Thanks for whooping our ass, it made us a better team! haha

[Jave]

If I was Jave I'd rest my starters so they're fresh for the Imperial Bowl.

Bahh I do practice what I preach. Wingfield was probable for 2 of the 3 weeks he was injured. But I choose to rest him, losing 2 of the 3 games so he would be 100% for the playoffs. It payed off.

[tarcone]

GG jave.

I forgot about the new playoff rule. I thought I had won but the game went on. Those 2 turnovers in the 1st half led to 2 of your scores. That was the difference.

I think we have another run in us. TC will be all about cohesion this offseason. And I need a CB.

[tarcone]

And we need to fix our red zone offense. FGs is not what we need down there, especially with my defense. If you can call what I have a defense.

[dthompso8]

congrats mules. you kicked our ass today. We were outplayed in every area. Just couldn't keep up. crap

GG I wouldn't say it was outplayed, we got a break with the kick-off returned for a TD early than took a nice lead but going into the 4th quarter you were two points behind with all the momentum..

Amazed to beat your Beasts after the season you have had.

[Matt]

GG jave.

I forgot about the new playoff rule. I thought I had won but the game went on. Those 2 turnovers in the 1st half led to 2 of your scores. That was the difference.

I think we have another run in us. TC will be all about cohesion this offseason. And I need a CB.

forgot about that too


4-10-OAK17 (OT: 12:11) Carlos McClurken attempted a 34 yard field goal and succeeded. Tulsa 26, Oakland 23


after this play you're likely thinking you won the game!!!

[Jave]

GG jave.

I forgot about the new playoff rule. I thought I had won but the game went on. Those 2 turnovers in the 1st half led to 2 of your scores. That was the difference.

I think we have another run in us. TC will be all about cohesion this offseason. And I need a CB.

I did to. Once I saw the 48yd return I told my wife, "well....it's over. It was a good run"...and then after the field goal it said:

Carlos McClurken kicked off 59 yards from the TUL30. Kent Mulligan returned the ball 16 yards to the OAK27. Tackled by Ken Albriktsen.

I was like, WTF? And then I remember the NFL changed to KC overtime and there was hope!

My first post got a bit long winded but I think we both know the influenza did have an effect on the outcome. It may have left your key starters alone but all your backups were sick, including your O-line, and trying to stop Wingfield and Doyle when ya have the flu....yea, not easy. I wouldn't wanna play that one again.

Well I beat 9-2 Lawrence, 13-3 Tulsa.....now it's time to take down another giant, 15-2 Newark. If we can get past the Bulldogs this team will forever be known as "The Giant Killers"!!!

[jeffrey]

no excuse not to win this game. heartbreaking loss for IWC.

But still, congratulations to Portland. When it counted most they were ready and overcame their earlier difficulties.

congratulations and good luck to the four teams left in the race.

Good game to you. This was hard to watch. Three fumbles that resulted in 14 points. Bauer only threw 3 picks in 7 games, this season, and suddenly decides to throw 2 in one game when he hits the playoffs...

Well, he paid the price. No Bauer for the rest of the way, it would seem. This is probably Caro's last chance, so we'll find out how badly he wants it.

[tarcone]

That would be a great story if Caro finally wins it all.