Dear God, I need to make some moves for my defense, but I have no idea how to get what I need without much in trade-able assets other than Stewart. Oh well.
The Canadian Falcons (surprisingly fierce name for something that starts with Canadian) and the Snohomie Panthers faced off for the second time last night. The Falcons jumped to an early 21-7 lead, as Michael Turner ran roughshod over the B#(@& A$*F$@)s that make up the Panthers defense. Matt Ryan started hot and stayed hot, and even when I focused my defense on stopping Turner we... well, didn't. I know at one point he was averaging nearly 10 yards a carry, though I think that fell. By the 2nd quarter, I was looking for a "forfeit" button. "Jackass" was replaced by "Worthless (rooster) (slang for lollipop)" this game. I didn't force a punt until the 3rd quarter. The Falcons OL ate up a DL who's lightest player was 280lbs.
Then, something weird happened. The Panthers offense, which had struggled in the previous matchup and was going pass heavy (latency issues really eff up my inside running game), started making big plays DeAngelo Williams streaked untouched for a TD. Steve Smith caught a curl, broke a tackle, and beat everyone to the endzone. DeAngelo Williams had another TD, going the opposite direction. Cam Newton, who has really lost his deep touch, started hitting key 3rd downs. Newton did run for several first downs as well, and his only pick was a late-in-the-game downfield gamble that was as good as a punt.
As the fourth quarter started, the Panthers were down 31-21 (or maybe that was late third). I managed to bring us within 3, and then take a four point lead (34-30?) with 5 minutes remaining. Or just enough time for CAN to march down the field. Only something weird happened. My defense recognized that they could play better football if their heads were not firmly planted in their behinds. A key 3rd-and-short stop of Turner led to a crucial 4th down with about 2 minutes remaining. Turner was made for these moments. But, somehow, my little secondary gang-tackled Turner right at the first down line. Turner had made it, surely. But wait, the refs ruled that Turner was stopped what must've been a fraction of an inch from the line, it was Panther's ball! A few good runs and the game was over, the Panthers somehow remained undefeated... just barely.
Great game CAN. It's a good thing I don't own headphones, I'm not sure that what I was saying (until the last 2 minutes or so) would've flown in the SHACK.