ALFF 2018 Play-Off's

ALFF Bowl 26 Report & Scoresheet

QB Patrick Mahomes playing in his first ALFF  Bowl game  was the first passer to throw 2 bonus TD's in a season finale.

WR Mike Evans was playing in his 3rd Bowl game having played on the winning side in AB22 & AB 25 with the Killers. His losing 2 TD effort added to his AB22 score make him the 4th (equal) highest scoring WR in Bowl history.

RB Spencer Ware has ended up on the losing side in both his ALFF Bowl starts adding this one to an AB 24 loss with the Wrecking Rebels. The ball carrier has not scored in either game.

Steelers Sleepers 

K - Matt Prater - 10pts

Bowl Sleeper

Both coaches did a very good job of maximising their output in a patchy NFL week for offensive output, with only one Sleeper of an flavour on either side of the ball. Unfortunately for Adam it was a significant one. His kicking unit has been a season long problem…and in the big one… it proved critical. Coach Meek elected to go with the recently more reliable Dan Bailey at the expense of back-up Matt Prater…. with the former limited to just 4pts, while the latter crowned a 10pt outing with an 8 yard TD PASS  on a fake FG. The net Bowl changing -6pts is right up there as one of THEE Bowl Sleepers.

2019 Draft Order

1. Garthdee Gryphons

2. Arnhall Dolphins

3. Argyll Apaches

4. Westburn Blades

5. 2 Minute Drillers

6. Laurel Lions

7. Wrecking Rebels

8. Caledonia Express

9. Kincorth Killers

10. Predator Jets

11. Scunthorpe Steelers

12. JL8

Alshon Jeffery joined Tim Brown & Herman Moore with a WR record 3 winners gongs having played on the winning side in both AB22 & AB25 with the Kincorth Killers.  Alshon's TD was his first score in those three successes.

RB Derrick Henry was not needed as NBC insurance on his 1st Bowl outing but the big back's 2nd & 3rd scores were a huge part of the JL8's first season Bowl win.

Stefon Diggs 2 yard score was a pivotal moment in the game with potentially a 5pt swing if the Vikings had elected to kick a FG one play before on 4th down. Diggs also scored in all 3 JL8 post season outings this term.

JL8 Sleepers

None

Bowl MVP

Six weeks ago WR Brandin Cooks was struggling to get a regular starting berth on a high scoring 2 Minute Drillers unit and was sent to the JL8 as part of a trade that took Carson Wentz to the Drillerdome. Coach Cruickshank’ patience with his trade acquisition saw Cooks listed for his first Bowl appearance… despite not scoring since crossing to the south of the city. In ALFF Bowl 26 Brandin duly opened his account with  a 3 yard reception to kick-off the fateful late Sunday period before adding a crucial 2nd counter , from 18 yards that not only put the JL8 20-12 ahead but suddenly had the pundits believing an upset was in progress. Cooks’ double TD effort was the first time ever that any wide-out had “answered” a double WR contribution on the other side of the scoring ledger…. And wins him the ALFF Bowl 26 MVP award.

 Hogmanay  D(Rams) Helps Spirited JL8 Diggs Out Title !

The Granite Division’s reputation for providing teams that find a way to win was enhanced a little more as the JL8 astounded everyone from the assorted experts to their very own coach to upset the Scunthorpe Steelers 23-22 in a truly memorable ALFF Bowl 26. With neither coach having won the the ALFF title previously, a new name on the Steven Wood Trophy was already assured but it went right down to a controversial non-reviewed non call on a late Sunday “ TD “ in Baltimore before a scintillating  tie that featured no fewer than 6 lead changes was decided in favour of a WR inspired  No 3 seeds,  and we knew it was the moniker of an elated coach Cruickshank that would get engraved on the silverware for the first time. It was the first time since 2015 that a non Division winner triumphed in the Bowl game. Rumours of Bourbon & Merlot fountains at Walmington HQ have yet to be substantiated ! Spider’s crowning success came at the end of a  Robert the Bruce challenging 20th ALFF season marking the first time since the 2013 Drillers (and 4th time overall) that a No 3 seed won the whole enchilada. The Granite Division now leads the Bon Accord grouping with 10 ALFF champions to their rival Division’s 9 successes. There had been much pre game gnashing of teeth about the perceived “diminished” quality of the show piece season finale thanks to resting NFL players and injuries but the two sides served up something of a classic despite their respective constraints although coach Meek has got to be wondering “what if” in terms of “Kareem Huntgate”. Going into this highly anticipated match-up,  the 2nd straight  Bon Accord v Granite Div Bowl game,  there were some thoughts this could be a little lopsided in the Scunthorpe Steelers favor, with only injury doubts in the BA Champions camp preventing Vegas from extending an already healthy 3pt favorite tag. Adamski had little option but to rest Rd 3 hero and season long running bell cow Alvin Kamara in line with the Saints doing likewise, and bring in Spencer Ware as his lone RB while Chris Hogan, the only non scorer in a 4WR set that performed well in the victory over the Kincorth Killers,  dropping out to make way for Bowl debutant Kyle Rudolph. Those two changes meant the Meekster had to keep his fingers crossed that injury doubts Spencer Ware and Davante Adams would contribute. On the other side of the ball the JLB selection committee also had to account for a missing Saint , in their case QB Drew Brees but Sam Darnold apart the highest placed wildcard outfit were unchanged from the eight that scraped a grim 13-11 win over the Predator Jets to get to the Bowl game. As previously mentioned the  pre match hype from the ALFF money men pointed almost unanimously to a Scunthorpe win with the suggestion QB Patrick Mahomes and a useful looking 4WR set would compensate for the loss of Alvin Kamara but they did offer a stark warning that Scunny could not afford a  kicking flop, especially if either Ware or Adams did not start. There was also a  strong proviso that the BA outfit needed to take at least an 8pt margin from the only hot spot of the entire contest at US Bank Stadium, where the Steelmen’s Kyle Rudolph, Dan Bailey and Chicago D strutted their stuff in direct opposition to Stefon Diggs in the late Sunday action.  The JL8’s slim chances of success were predicted to lie on everything going  just right, with a Sam Darnold bomb (or rushing score) aiding their cause... as would double digits from their Dolphins duo of Drake & Sanders although possible snow in up state New York  could hurt there. The pundits did like a potent looking Doomster’s WR crew along with a Rams defence with an upside at the Coliseum but the overall feeling was the Steelers would be out of sight by the time every round scorer RB Derrick Henry would take the field at Nashville in the closing  NBC period. If RS form was to be taken as any kind of indicator the Granite Div challengers were only one of two sides to beat their highly touted opponents in a hard fought 34-32 Week 8 encounter. Coach Adamski was seeking to become only 5th head honcho  to win both the overall ALFF title and the ALFF Points title in the same season, both HC’s having lost their combined 3 prior Bowl outings.

Wideout Mike Evans opens the scoring with a 19 yard reception for the Steelers.

The opening Sunday phase was largely seen as a period where the JL8 were more likely to lose their opportunity rather than either side win it,  with Miami pairing Kenyan Drake and Jason Sanders in action at Orchard Park and QB Sam Darnold featuring at Foxboro, with Vegas suggesting the Granite Div combo needed to post double digits to make things interesting. Those numbers might have been reduced by a point or two if Davante Adams no-show at Lambeau Field for the Steelers had been known in advance, leaving WR Mike Evans as the sole Scunny foil to their opponents North East based opening gambit. Ronnie’s concerns about the ability of his AFC East trio to “set the mood” proved well founded. Darnold seemed pressured by the Pats defence from the off and perhaps even more damaging the Dolphins showed an early predilection for turning the ball over cheaply that would  not only reduce the number of possessions available to their weapons but also allow the Bills to romp out to a big early lead that did not bode well for running the ball or FG opportunities. At least the threatened snow did not materialize.  When Mike Evans opened the scoring with a 19 yard TD grab at Raymond James mid way through the first quarter to put the Steelers 03-00 in front it seemed things were going along just dandy for Adamski ….. even without the services of top wide-out Davante Adams. A 28 yard Sam Darnold run that got the Jets into  the Foxboro red zone for the first time on the evening gave a glimpse of the rookie’s dual threat but the drive petered out without any upside for the JL8 and with Tannehill throwing another pick in West NY, there was no obvious signs of an imminent opening spark for the Doomsters. If coach Meek was suffering any doubts at this stage it was once again around his kicking selection as the news filtered through that not activated Matt Prater was not only finding his range with his trusty right foot.. but also showboating at Lambeau with, would you believe,  a TD pass … but sporting a 3pt lead against an opponent that seemed in no hurry to open his account, the  Ghost of Kicker to Come was nothing more than a passing negative thought at this juncture. As half time approached the Dolphins finally worked a FG opportunity at Orchard Park with a 3rd and 8 on the Buffalo 34 yard line  but 9 yard sack took Sanders out of the equation. If there was good news for Ronnie it was the Pats were extending their lead at Foxboro, thus forcing the Jets to use lots of Sam Darnold to get back in contention… but even a 4th and 3 just before half time could not produce a much needed breakthrough as the signal-caller’s short pass went just incomplete in the endzone. Finally back in Buffalo the ALFF gods relented inside the 2 minute warning . A big 19 yard  Kenyan Drake catch and run got the Fins in position for a trick Stills to Tannehill passing TD   and Jason Sanders subsequent XP got the JL8 off and running. Remarkably the Kicker was back on the field within seconds.  A Miami defensive 29 yard pick six, two offensive plays later, gifted Ronnie’s charges a swift 2nd PAT and suddenly the score was 03-02. No-one knew it at the time but that “bonus” ill advised Josh Allen throw would loom very large by the end of proceedings. Any thoughts that  this pre-half time “surge”  would mark a change in the overall trend of the contest proved wide of the mark as things picked up where they left off. Sam Darnold always looked harried and under pressure leading to a midfield fumble that went back to the house to effectively end the Jets realistic prospect of winning , with the ever increasing likelihood of a Bowl  goose egg for the passer underlined by another 4th and failure inside the Pats red zone. On the Steelers side of the ball lone starter Mike Evans was still an ever present threat at Raymond James , a 33 yard catch and run getting him down to the 33 yard line before he opted to run OOB rather than attempt to fake out the last defender but back up in Buffalo it was the Doom Squad who scored next. A 29 yard FG from Jason Sanders late in Q3 put the Granite Div combo ahead  for the first time at 05-03  but with the clock now limiting Crackshot’s ability to ramp up his overall points total the “Don’t Panic” mantra was more appropriate to the Steelers sideline than their Dads Army related opponents. With few or no opportunities for the stuttering JL8  the favorites landed what appeared to be a hammer blow when Mike Evans celebrated his 3rd Bowl appearance with his 2nd score of the contest , a 10 yarder, and suddenly Adamski was back in command 06-05 to the good. Evans double TD effort was the 11th time a WR had scored 2 or more TD’s in a Bowl game….. and although nor every wide-out doing so had gone on to secure a winners medal… there had been exactly zero instances of another WR matching a two score output in any previous 25 Bowl games. With the JL8 now heavily dependent of their WR corps to make this a contest, that fact pointed strongly to the Steelers coasting home from this point.

Brandin Cooks gets a timely 1st score for the JLB with this 3 yard grab in the Coliseum.

The late Sunday period featured the only Bowl hot spot in the shape of the Steelers trio Kyle Rudolph, K Dan Bailey & their Chicago D ganging up on direct opponent Stefon Diggs at US Bank Stadium , but even the late breaking news that lone back Spencer Ware would not suit up ( the Steelers second no-show) did little to stem the flow of clever money piling on the already favoured Points Champions at this stage. Outside of Chicago the Lincoln Lad could call on QB Patrick Mahomes at Arrowhead and David Njoku in Baltimore while his opponent had an intriguing Brandin Cooks & Rams D double at the LA Coliseum and the ever dangerous Alshon Jeffery (making his 3rd Bowl appearance) in action at Fedex Field. Evidence that the JL8 were not quite done and dusted was offered right off the bat as their Rams D scooped up a San Francisco fumble and returned it to the SF 7 yard line on the 3rd play from scrimmage , setting up a swift Brandin Cooks 3 yard TD  (his first since joining the JL8 from the Drillers in a post Week 10 trade) just 3 plays later to hand the Doom Crew a surprise 08-06 advantage but before everyone had time to fully absorb the potential of more of the same at the Coliseum , “sanity” was restored when Patrick Mahomes almost instantaneously delivered a 67 yard scoring bomb at Arrowhead, to re-establish the BA champs team of destiny label at 12-08. With not much to report from the other venues other than  the Bears early domination of the Vikings offence at US Bank the late Sunday interest remained largely at KC and the Coliseum with turnovers prominent. An Oakland fumble handed the Chiefs a swift second scoring chance that went uncharacteristically unpunished while another Rams takeaway (an INT) was ruled out at the 13 yard line, when a score look highly possible but it was a Kansas defence pick six that seemed to feed the growing realization that this may not be a Steelers pre coronation parade after all. With KC 14-00 up and heading swiftly towards sealing the AFC No 1 seed any scoring situation NOT afforded to Mahomes now had added weight especially in light of the Vikings continuing lack of imagination in their efforts to get into Chicago territory. Up at Fedex Field Alshon Jeffery reminded everyone he had the potential to be a factor in this title showdown when he pulled in a spectacular 16 yard reception that set the Eagles up in scoring territory but although the wide-out didn’t cash in on this occasion, notice had been served that he may be an influence. With the Vikings (and therefore Dan Bailey & Kyle Rudolph) still struggling Adamksi must have had split loyalties at this stage as he watched his beloved NFL Raiders turn the ball over for a 3rd time as a Derek Carr fumble on his own 40 yard line again gave Partick Mahomes a short field to operate on, but despite a momentary threat from the signal-caller when he was forced out at the 5 yard line on a scramble , for the Chiefs converted with a ground score from a running back (what price Kareem Hunt or a fit Spencer Ware ?). Almost unbelievably the spotlight refused to shift from Arrowhead… a 2nd Carr pick (and 4th Raiders turnover) was returned to the Raiders 4 yard line… yet incredibly the Chiefs could not convert on 4 attempts… as another Mahomes opening came and went. Back in LA the JL8 suddenly changed the whole tempo of events as LB Cory Littleton picked off an errant Nick Mullens pass and scampered unimpeded 19 yards to the end-zone to put coach Cruickshank’s side ahead for the 3rd time at 14-12. Only 3 sides in Bowl history have scored a defensive TD and gone on  to lose. As  both coaches began the process of re-assessing the current status with half time in the late Sunday stanza fast approaching,  the whole pace of the clash took on a more blow for blow feel. Up in  the nation’s capital Alshon Jeffrey sparked an intense burst of scoring as he hauled in a short (circus like) toe tapping 2 yard counter which was quickly followed by Brandin Cooks 2nd score of the evening, thus becoming the 1st WR to respond to an oppenents TD double in a Bowl game.  The Rams pass catcher’s 18 yard scoring effort put the Granite Div combo a giddy 20-12 ahead and almost sensing the danger the Steelers looked to hit back. A last gasp 2nd quarter Patrick Mahomes deep throw back at Arrowhead  was picked off short off the end-zone but with the Bears playing prevent up at US Bank the Vikings finally crossed midfield and Dan Bailey took full advantage of his 45yard FG opportunity to record his first points of the night. 20-15 behind was certainly short of where the Steelmen needed to be but they had a whole half to put things right.

LB Corey Littleton beats Nick Mullens to the corner of the EZ on this 19 yard pick six.

Poised 20-15 in the JL8’s favour (and with Derrick Henry in reserve), the warning lights were flashing brightly in Sowf London. Mahomes, Bailey et al not only had to get their collective noses back in front but perhaps build a lead that was somehow Henry proof . The irony here was the Steelers Chicago D were doing too good a job… with the unimaginative Vikings coaching staff ( I’ve got your number Zimmer !) unwilling to take a  gamble and risk a turnover. Almost any score for the JLB at this stage was going to make it very difficult for their rivals but coach Cruickshank was not accommodating any thoughts of possible titles at the stage….. and it seemed he might be right to do so. After seeing Alshon Jeffery  threatening  to deceive in the Fedex red-zone in the opening minutes of the late Sunday 3rd quarter of action,  Partick Mahomes answered the call for his side. A sloppy opening possession at Arrowhead saw two dropped passes as the Chiefs faced a 3rd and 10 at their own 11 yard line…. only for the passer to launch a 89 yard score in the breadbasket of his receiver (DeMarcus Robinson) to hand the Steelers a perfect lift to possibly start a potential title surge, now 21-20 in front. Back at Fedex the Eagles got a score but went the Nelson Agholor route rather than the Alshon Jeffery one… but the Granite Division combo perhaps sensing it was now or never refused to roll over. Up at US Bank Stadium two huge Chicago defensive penalties (oh the irony) got the Vikings into a 4th and 1 situation on the Bears 4 yard line. If Zimmer and co had settled for the short Bailey FG at that point  it’s highly likely we would have a very different outcome but they went for it instead,  gaining 2 yards to keep the drive alive on a Dalvin Cook run. On the very next play Stefon Diggs gleefully extended his record of scoring in every round by hauling in a 2 yard counter to put his side back in the driving seat at 23-21 , before momentarily Dan Bailey tagged on his XP for Scunny to make 23-22. Over at Walmington HQ coach C was now daring to believe. The tension was almost unbearable with the game and the Title on a knife edge and the clock beginning to be a very significant factor. The Rams offence scored again but did not dirty Brandin Cook’s uniform in doing so and although a Mahomes score looked imminent moments later at Arrowhead… Andy Reid went to a WR reverse (from Tyreek Hill) to finish the scoring drive. A game ending  injury to Nick Foles over in Washington looked to end Alshon Jeffery’s chances of adding to his 3pt total but it was Scunny wide-out David Njoku who suddenly emerged as Adamski’s biggest threat with a couple of RZ opportunities in Baltimore….but neither produced the points that the ALFF Points Champions now so badly needed. A Chicago offensive score complete with 2pt attempt ended Dan Bailey’s threat as a FG kicker with the postscript at US Bank Stadium a 3rd Vikes turnover on downs at the Bears 28 (against their  2nd string Defence) with only seconds remaining. Adamksi’s net 1pt advantage from the Twin City’s venue was well short of the 8pt net the pundits had suggested he required for success but now the search was on for points... ANY points from his last hopes. When Patrick Mahomes was replaced by Chad Henne at Arrowhead for the closing minutes it seemed as if the Steeler challenge was rapidly running out of road and their options were now reduced to one… second year receiver David Njoku. With just over 3 minutes left on the clock at  Too Many Frigging Banks Stadium in Baltimore the Browns lined up for a first and goal at the Ravens 1 yard line.  At first glance Njoku looked to have caught a 1 yard pass OOB … but the replays clearly showed he trapped the ball on his hip and stayed in bounds…but unbelievably Cleveland coach Greg Williams then called a time-out.. threw the challenge flag .. then picked it up again, after consulting with the officials. One play later the Brown went in  a different direction to score….and amazingly the JL8 had held on to win 23-22 as the Bourbon glasses were topped up in Kincorth. Last man out Derrick Henry failed to trouble the scorers in the NBC phase… so had the challenge been followed through… its highly likely coach Meek would have been our winner. The irony of the whole title turning on a “cop-out” officiating call … Ronnie’s pet peeve for the 2018 season…. was not lost on the now ecstatic JL8 supremo. For the record the 6 receiving TD's and 18pts overall at the WR position was a new Bowl record , eclipsing the 5 scored for 15pts in ALFF Bowl 3.

WR Stefon Diggs hauls in the winning 2 yard TD catch for the JL8.

Congratulations go to coach Cruickshank with his side’s success only surprising in that the long suffering HC was limited in his options and the Steelers has looked so good all season long. After all , this was a side that battled to an 8-5 record and only missed out on the No 2 seed on the back of two miserable no-shows in Division games versus the Predator Gurley’s. To be fair they did walk something of a low scoring tightrope in the post season,  winning all three contests by a total of just 6pts, with their "just enough" total in the Bowl, their highest of the knock-out competition but you can only win the games the fixture list throws your way….. a feature that  in my opinion makes our whole League sustainable and enjoyable, if a tad frustrating ! While QB Drew Brees was not available for the Bowl game (but did no worse than Darnold!) this is the 4th time the QB had led an ALFF franchise to the big one itself, even if the passer has had to sit out come the Bowl game for a second time ( he has also featured with 3 runners-up). Overall the Doom Meister had to scratch and bite to get the most out of every unit bar his QB and a very serviceable Rams Defence with his 23 players used (including 11 WR’s) a League season high. Initially the Granite Div outfit were strong at WR but long term injuries to A J Green & Cooper Kupp eroded what was at the time one of the League's leading receiving units and coach C had to turn over some players to rebuild  that part of his side. Players going on IR reached almost epidemic proportions for the Doomster's. Ultimately it was the late season emergence of retainee RB Derrick Henry and the consistent play of WR trio Alshon Jeffery , Stefon Diggs and Brandin Cooks that finally  got coach C that elusive Winner handle !! For coach Meek this one will be tough to take, given his season long dominance and  it might come down to a stiff letter to Greg Williams but truly it has been a great campaign for the Sowf London based combo. A first ever ALFF Points Title , a first ever Bon Accord Div pennant , a  franchise best 11 – 2 RS record and a new League ( post 1997)  single season points record of  458 points are all remarkable achievements for the sixth season head honcho ….although he could have gone just one stage further if that season long Achilles heel of their 9th ranked kicking game, identified in the Week 1 report ,  had been addressed more thoroughly. Although not slated as starter from Week 1 QB Patrick Mahomes was  a total stand out, with the all retained pairing of Hunt & Kamara arguably the best double headed ground attack in League history. Davante Adams & Mike Evans provided a solid one/two punch at wide-out  with only a lack of bite at WR3 preventing this unit from featuring in the top 3. Given the unfortunate departure of Kareem Hunt on the eve of the RS finale and the absence of Alvin Kamara for the post season climax, the total loss of the League's No 1 ranked RB attack and the sides top wideout proved to be too high a hurdle to clear in the final analysis. With Mahomes & Kamara both sure to be on the Steelers retained list, Adam's side will enter 2019 as one of the short odds favorites for next year's title... with the possibility he can emulate his rival with a  3rd time lucky in the big game.  Ronnie's 2 post season wins in 3 meetings extends his lead in the ATS between the two coaches to 5-3.