Titans Win 48-14! Claim Super Bowl 3 Crown

The monkey is off the Titans' back. With a resounding 48-14 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, the Titans erased two seasons of bad Super Bowl memories in claiming the Super Bowl III title. In the process, they became the NFL's first ever 19-0 Super Bowl championship team.

In what can only be labeled a devastating start to the game, the Arizona Cardinals turned the ball over on their first 3 plays from scrimmage, leading to a 17-0 Titans lead. Then, when things seemingly couldn't get worse, Reggie Bush was jarred by backup DB Danieal Manning on the ensuing kickoff, knocking the ball loose for DB Keenan Lewis to scoop and score. Tack on a 30 yard Chris Johnson TD jaunt on the Titans next possession, and the score was 31-0 Tennessee, just seconds into the 2nd quarter.

"It was just one of those unfortunate things," said Cardinals Coach StuBucksman. "When it rains, it pours...and in this scenario, it was a monsoon!"

The Titans used a potent running game to attack the Cardinals defense, and Chris Johnson finished the game with a season-high 26 carries for 224 yards and 4 total TDs. Johnson, to no ones surprise, was named the Offensive MVP of the game.

"Chris came to play today," said Titans Coach UTVOL54. "When he's at his best, he's nearly impossible to contain. I think he may go down as the best video game player since Bo Jackson on Super Tecmo Bowl."

The Titans defense set the tone from the beginning, attacking NFL MVP Kelly James from all angles, leading the second-year player throwing 3 pivotal interceptions. Using a new defensive zone scheme to attempt to thwart the Cardinals exceptional WRs worked even better than Coach UTVOL54 could have imagined. They forced 5 total turnovers in the game.

James finished the game with 231 yards passing, while star running back Beanie Wells was held to 39 yards on 11 carries, primarily due to the Cardinals having to turn to the passing game so early.

"I think when you look at guys like David Thornton (2 INTs) or Kevin Tulloch (1 INT), you see good players," he said. "But I think they came out to make a statement in this game, that although they may not be the fastest or most dominant athletes, their solid play can and will win football games."

Thornton, whose interception on the game's first play set the tone for the evening, was named the game's defensive MVP.

"This was a frustrating night," said Coach Stu. "But I have a 20 piece order of Chick Fil-A nuggets and a 1/2 gallon of Chick Fil-A sauce to help me drown my sorrows tonight."

An efficient Vince Young used his coach's quick strike attack to his advantage, throwing for a respectable 156 yards on 9/11 passing. Most importantly, he was not sacked.

"There is not a more dangerous defender right now in football than Josh Sneed," said Young. "Our O-line's ability to contain him for just a few seconds each play was huge, and was a big reason for us starting so strong on offense."

So, the Titans, on their third try in as many years, finally laid claim to a Super Bowl championship.

SCORING SUMMARY




TEAM STATS

Super Bowl III Preview

The time is here...the final game of season 3 of RUTS2. It's Super Bowl week, and this year's game is being hyped as the biggest, baddest game in the history of the NFL. Two undefeated, 18-0 teams go head-to-head for the chance to be called "the greatest team in the history of the universe."

The Titans and the Cardinals will battle it out on the field tonight (kick-off at 7:30 p.m. EDT), and both teams have spent the past week practicing in Indianapolis, the host-city for Super Bowl III.

We'll be taking a glimpse at position by position matchups to determine who has the advantage on the field and predict who will be racing away from Indy (pun intended) with the Super Bowl Championship trophy.

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Quarterback
Kelly James vs. Vince Young
We have two of this year's best QBs, one who won the league's MVP (James) and one who was the MVP of his team (Young). While both are capable of throwing for a lot of yards and both take care of the football, James gives the Cardinals a chance to score from anywhere on the field.
Advantage - Arizona

Running Back
Chris Johnson vs. Beanie Wells
Beanie Wells has enjoyed his coming-out party all season long. With speed and size, if he gets going tonight, it's going to be a long night for the Titans defense. Chris Johnson is the best RB in the league, and with his speed and tackle breaking ability, he can score every time he touches the ball. Johnson, who received more than 100 fewer carries this season than Wells, has never been healthier or fresher this late in the season.
Advantage - Tennessee

WRs
Larry Fitzgerald, Reggie Bush, Steve Breaston
vs.
Kenny Britt, Nate Washington, Jared Cook, Jr.
The Cardinals wideouts are arguable the best in football, and with Kelly James whizzing balls in their direction, they don't drop many. The Titans have gotten a lot out of their receivers, with Cook and Britt leading the charge. But we wonder how much of an impact they will have tonight with Arizona's relentless pass rush in VY's face all day. In an interview with the NFL Network's Dieon Sanders, Cardinals star WR Larry Fitzgerald insisted that he could not and would not be covered by the Titans scrappy CB Cortland Finnegan.
Advantage - Arizona

TEs
Cameron Jackson vs. Bo Scaife/Jared Cook, Jr.
The Titans' TEs have an incredibly important job tonight...not only in the passing game, but also in the running game. Scaife will be matched up against Cardinals bull-rushing DE Josh Sneed for much of the game. Will Scaife be able to hold his own?
Advantage - Tennessee

O-Line
Arizona avg. rating 78.8 vs. Tennessee avg. rating 86.8
The Titans have uncharacteristically given up a lot of sacks this season. If they give up a lot tonight, they will be in for a long, long night in Indy.
Advantage - Tennessee

Defensive Line
Make no mistake, the Titans defensive line is one of the best in the NFL. They are as solid a group from top to bottom that can be found. The Cardinals line however, may go down as one of the best in history, and Coach Stu deserves credit for some key position changes this past off-season to allow speed and size to be used to his advantage. DE Josh Sneed was moved from OLB in the off-season and has been a relentless force. Not since Lawrence Taylor has the NFL seen a more deadly pass rushing force. Sneed set an NFL record with 33 sacks this season, to go along with 64 tackles, 42 tackles-for-loss, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 INT, and 2 TDs. A graduate of Ole Miss, Sneed's alma mater has even replaced the old "Speed Limit 18" signs on campus (to honor former Rebels QB Archie Manning) and raised the speed limit to 92 MPH, in honor of Sneed. Not surprisingly, students are never late for class anymore in Oxford, MS.
Advantage - Arizona

Linebackers
The Cardinals crop of LBs is stellar. With Jonathan Vilma, Stewart Bradley and converted SS Adrian Wilson roaming the middle of the field the Cardinals are a tough group to handle. The Titans have a solid core of LBs as well, led by veteran Keith Bullock, but the edge here goes to the Cardinals.
Advantage - Arizona

Defensive Backs
Both teams have extraordinary talent in the defensive backfield. Overall, we give the edge to the Titans. With all four starters rated in the 90s, the Titans corners and safeties have given teams fits all season. FS Michael Griffin has been a hard hitter this season as well, forcing 4 fumbles to go along with his 4 INTs this season. CBs Cortland Finnegan and Juwan Riley have been able to match up well with some of the NFL's best WRs all season, so it will be interesting to see if Coach UTVOL54 opts to play a lot of man defense tonight. Cardinals Cb Dominique Rogers-Cromartie led the NFL this season with 9 INTs and 4 TDs off those picks. He is a ball-hawking defender who will get a hand on any pass thrown in his vicinity.
Advantage - Tennessee

Special Teams
Rob Bironas continues to set the bar for kickers in the NFL. He has no hair, but that only allows him to create less wind resistance as he runs to the ball to send it into orbit. Simply put, he doesn't miss much and sends balls sailing into the end zone each kickoff.
Advantage - Tennessee

Coaching
Coach UTVOL54 has done more with less this season, as his team (ratings wise) is graded lower than AFC rivals Pittsburgh, New England, and San Diego. Somehow, the Titans emerged once again to claim the AFC title. Arizona Coach StuBucksman, noted as the best coach in Arizona since Buddy Ryan, has done an amazing job building the Cardinals' roster and depth through trades and free agency. He's managed to handle the many egos on this star-studded team to get them back to the Super Bowl for the second time in three seasons.
Advantage - Push

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The city of Indianapolis has been in a frenzy since the teams arrived earlier this week, as fans of both teams have flooded the area. The influx of fans has led to horrible traffic around the city for days.

These two teams haven't met since the Cardinals defeated the Titans in RUTS2 Super Bowl 1, 21-17. After that game, Titans Coach UTVOL54 was angered by the temper tantrum display that many of the Cardinals took part in on the field, at the time saying, "there is no excuse for that kind of behavior on a football field." The Cardinals extra celebrating gave Coach UTVOL54 and his team a chance to sneak into the Cardinals locker room and steal their change of clothes, a feat that got under the skin of Coach StuBucksman. "I know my players did not appreciate riding the bus back to the hotel in our game uniforms...but I will say that our championship ring was all the clothing we needed after that win."

Tonight's game will also signify the end of RUTS2, capping of an exhilarating 3 season run. Plans are already in the works for RUTS3, so stay tuned. Both coaches know that going out on top in RUTS2's final game will be meaningful.

"I loved my 5 years coaching the LSU Tigers in RUTS1," said Coach UTVol54. "But being able to cap of the final season with a national championship and ending Clemson's 4-year reign was awesome. I went out on top then, and hope to do it again this season."

"This game will cap off one of the most prolific eras in all of history," said Coach StuBucksman. "Winning a second Super Bowl title in 3 seasons would earn me a place along the all-time great NFL Coaches. You also better believe I will be sportin' my bright red blazer and tie combo tonight...to play good, you gotta look good."

The entertainment value will be huge tonight. Before the game, Andy Bernard, Cornell University Class of 1995, will be performing a stirring rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner." And Vanilla Ice will make his return to the stage at halftime, performing his retro-hit "Ninja Rap" from the late 80s movie "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles."

Our game prediction....
It would seem that destiny led the Cards and the Titans to this grand stage. Never before have two unbeaten teams met to decide the Super Bowl Championship. This game pits the top 2 teams in the NFL and will match-up the #1 scoring offense (Cardinals) against the #1 defense (Titans) and the #2 scoring offense (Titans) against the #2 defense.

The odds-makers in Vegas have listed Arizona as a 2.5 point favorite in this game, and with good reason. The Cardinals are simply the more talented team, with gamebreakers at nearly every position. The Titans are a great team, who have perhaps overachieved all season in reaching this game. To win this game Coach UTVOL54 will have to reach deep into his bag of tricks and call plays that will nullify the Cardinals talent advantage.

Forcing turnovers will be important for both teams as well. But, the Cardinals have the playmakers on offense to handle more adversity, whether it be through turnovers, sacks, or penalties. The Titans simply cannot afford these things and hope to overcome them to win the game. For that reason, we predict the Super Bowl 3 Championship trophy will go to.....

THE ARIZONA CARDINALS

Arizona Cardinals - 42
Tennessee Titans - 34

Super Cardinals Stun Cowboys On Game's Final Play

In arguable the most dramatic finish ever in a RUTS game, the Arizona Cardinals defeated the Dallas Cowboys 42-39 today to earn a sport in Super Bowl 3. More details are below...The Cowboys took a 4 point lead with 11 seconds remianing in the game, seemingly deflating the hopes and dreams of the Cardinals. But with 2 seconds remaining, Cardinals WR Steve Breaston took a WR Screen pass 73 yards, alluding defenders, and reaching the end zone. The play, already being labeled as "way better than the Music City Miracle," sent Cardinals Coach StuBucksman sprinting onto the field with his players, and sent Cowboys Coach utvol27 into a controller-breaking tailspin.

"We did it for the kids," said Coach Stu. "We did it for the kids!"

And with that, the RUTS2 Super Bowl 3 will undoubtedly be the most hyped up game in NFL and RUTS history....two 18-0 teams to battle it out for the final RUTS2 Championship.

It's Titans and Cardinals on Monday night, March 22!

Titans Claim 3rd Straight AFC Championship, Await Super Bowl Opponent

The Tennessee Titans used Chris Johnson's speedy legs and some timely turnovers to knock off the New England Patriots 38-14. The win secured the Titans' third straight Super Bowl birth and moved them to 18-0 on the season.

Now, the Titans await the winner of the Cowboys/Cardinals showdown to determine the season 3 Super Bowl champion in Indianapolis' Lucas Oil stadium.

After holding the Titans 3 and out on the game's opening drive, the Patriots drove deep into Titans territory. Things turned sour for the Pats though when Titans CB Juwaun Riley laid a heavy hit on RB Edgerrin James, jarring the ball loose. Backup CB Ryan Mouton scooped up the ball and raced 83 yards for a TD, flipping the game's all-important momentum back in Tennessee's favor.

From there, the Titans defense continued to set the tone, forcing 6 total turnovers on the game. The Patriots played well, but the 2 fumble recovery TDs, along with 2 long TD runs by Chris Johnson (who finished with 192 yards on 14 carries) were too much to overcome.

Now, the Titans hope history does not repeat itself. After losing the past 2 Super Bowls, another loss would put them in bad company with the early '90s Buffalo Bills in losing 3 straight Super Bowls.

Another thing to watch for, if the Cardinals are able to knock off Dallas, the NFL would be insured of its first ever 19-0 Super Bowl Champion, sending the 1972 Dolphins into the "has beens" category.

Here is a look at the scoring summary and game stats from the AFC title game...

AFC Championship Scoring Summary

Team Stats

AFC/NFC Championship Game Previews

The AFC and NFC title games are set, and the final RUTS2 season winds down, tempers, emotions, ticket prices, and controller breaking will be at an all-time high.

Both games this week are both huge rivalry games. There is no love lost between the teams, and NFL fans should be in for a treat.

Let's take a look at the matchups...

NFC Championship Game

Dallas Cowboys (16-1) @ Arizona Cardinals (17-0)

In a rematch for the ages, the Cowboys head west to Phoenix to face off against the high-flying Cardinals. The two teams met in week 8, where the Cardinals scored 14 unanswered 4th quarter points to upset the defending Super Bowl Champion Cowboys 31-21. After the game, Coach utvol27 and Coach StuBucksman briefly shook hands and exchanged words at midfield. When asked after the game what words were said, neither coach would answer, leading to speculation that both coaches had bad memories.

Whether or not that is true remains to be seen, but both coaches say their teams are primed and ready for this week's epic battle.

"Our team is by far the most dominant team in NFL history," said Coach Stu. "The #1 offense, the #2 overall defense, and the best looking coach in the NFL. The Cowboys have to travel here to our house, where they will see nothing but blood red."

Cardinals OLB/SS Adrian Wilson tells the Cowboys to "Bring It"
The Cardinals are led by NFL MVP, and the best bearded QB in NFL history, Kelly James, who has an array of play makers at his disposal. Beanie Wells has stepped up to be a dominant force on the ground and slashed through the Dallas defense in week 8 for 161 rushing yards. Because the Cardinals passing game is so difficult to contain, with star targets Larry Fitzgerald, Reggie Bush, Steve Breaston, and TE C. Jackson, containing the ground game will be tough for Dallas.

However, the Cowboys defense says they are up for the challenge. OLB Keith Brooking said that Kelly James would not make it to the 4th quarter alive. "He's a good player," said Brooking, "but we have something up our sleeves that will leave him wishing he was still the backup QB in New Orleans. And, since it's a known fact he wears pink panties, it shouldn't be difficult to rattle him."

Coach utvol27 has kept a low profile this week, spending a few days in seclusion in his office eating Lucky Charms at Cowboys headquarters.

This game should be one of the best RUTS games in history. The most talented team (Cardinals) pitted against arguably the best coached team (Dallas). Fresh off his victory in this season's "Dancing With The Stars," former Chargers Coach Rob-A-Dob joins us to offer his prediction:

"The Cardinals have so much going for them...they have been dominant all season, have the league's best offensive and defensive players, a backup QB who beats dogs for fun, and have the best team sponsorship (BIKE shorts), but that doesn't mean the Cowboys are afraid. This game will come down to the wire, and whoever has the ball last...will not win. That's right, it's the defense of the Arizona Cardinals who will get a crucial 4th quarter stop and hold on for a 34-27 victory, sending them to their 3rd Super Bowl in the past 4 seasons."

AFC Championship Game
New England Patriots (14-3) @ Tennessee Titans (17-0)

A few weeks ago, some wondered if this rematch would occur. The Patriots were reeling after convincing back-to-back losses to the Titans and the Steelers, and some wondered if Coach Cjohnchavis could rebound and regroup his team. That question has been answered with a resounding "'Sho Nuff!" Last week, the Patriots silenced their critics with a stomping 66-7 victory at Pittsburgh.

Now, they travel back to Nashville to face their dreaded nemesis, Coach UTVOL54 and the undefeated Tennessee Titans. The Titans boast the league's best defense, but some analysts wonder if they may have peaked too soon. They have struggled the past few weeks, and some question if the Patriots are the hotter team coming into this game.

"We're just trying to get the Coach UTVOL54 monkey off our back," said Coach cjohnchavis. "My teams have yet to defeat him, but I think this team knows what it takes to go into LP Field and lay the hammer down. Then, we will go honky-tonkin' on lower Broadway to celebrate what would be a major accomplishment."

The Patriots have turned to Rookie of the Year RB Scooter "My Lips Are" Chap(ped)man to provide the much needed spark to propel them to this winning streak. Chapman's speed and versatility catching passes out of the backfield has given QB Tom Brady another deadly target.

"We have our hands full," said Titans RB Chris Johnson. "I am sold that this Patriots team, no matter their record, is coming in here more prepared than ever before. We have something special for them though...something they have never seen from us."

Titans RB Chris Johnson is drinking the Patriots' Kool-Aid

With that quote, Chris Johnson set off a whirlwind of speculation in the NFL. Will the Titans do the unthinkable and wear red jerseys? Will Johnson line up at WR or QB? Will the Titans change playbooks and run some of the much talked about, but never seen, "Wild Finnegan" package on offense? Don't ask their coach, cause he ain't talkin'.

"I ain't talkin'," said Coach UTVOL54.

This game should be a wild one, DWTS Champion and former Chargers Coach Rob-A-Dob is back for more of his insightful prognosticating...

"I played against these teams a lot, and I know their strengths and their weaknesses. The Titans play within themselves...nothing too fancy, just meat and potatoes, carry your lunch pail, hard hat, and flask of whiskey, and go to work kind of team. The Patriots, however, are a team on a roll. They have such great talent on both sides of the ball, that it should worry the Titans. Look for New England to jump out to a quick lead, and put pressure on Vince Young all game. If these teams both play mistake-free football, then I think New England wins. But the football powers-that-be always seem to shine on the Titans. This game will come down to a forced fumble or interception from this stingy Titans defense, and that will propel them to a hard fought 31-24 victory."

So there you have it...it should be an unbelievable week of RUTS2 football. Check back soon for a recap of the games, and a preview of RUTS2 Super Bowl III.

Respecting Our Elders

I think I speak for a lot of us when I say that Tecmo Super Bowl (on the original Nintendo) set the golden standard for sports gaming. Hands down, one of the funnest games to play in the history of video games...

Check this article out about a recent Super Tecmo Bowl Tournament...

Article - Part 1

Article - Part 2

The Road To Indy Continues...Round 2 of Playoffs

As we enter round 2 of the playoffs, it was announced that Arizona Cardinals QB Kelly James is the season 3 MVP. James led the Cardinals to a 16-0 regular season record, the first undefeated season in Cardinals franchise history, and has them poised for another Super Bowl run. James has overcome a lot in Arizona to achieve this award...from the constant teasing from backup QB Michael Vick to the the gay affair rumors spread across the internet by TMZ Sports...James has done a great job of handling his business on the field and becoming the best player in the NFl this season

The season 3 Rookie of the Year is Scooter Chapman, the speedy skat back for the New England Patriots. Chapman's ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and his mature attitude in handling his "rookie duties" of massaging Coach cjohnchavis's feet after each practice, has earned him the respect from his teammates.

Look for both Chapman and James to have big impacts on their team's round 2 games.

Here is the game lineup for Round 2...

Titans- 45, Chargers - 24
(game played already)

Vikings @ Cowboys
Falcons @ Cardinals
Patriots @ Steelers

RUTS2, Season 3 MVP and Rookie of the Year Nominees

As the regular season of RUTS2 - Season 3 comes to an end, it's time to take a look at this year's MVP and Rookie of the Year candidates.

Be sure to vote for your choice on the blog poll on the right side of the page...

MVP Award
...and the nominees are...

• Josh Sneed (DE, Cardinals) - 64 tackles, 33 sacks, 3 INTs
• Adrian Peterson (RB, Vikings) - 2,413 rushing yards, 33 TDs
• Vince Young (QB, Titans) - 3,652 passing yards, 41 TDs, 10 INTs, 400 rushing yards
• Kelly James (QB, Cardinals) - 4,500 passing yards, 53 TDs, 12 INTs

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Rookie of the Year Award
...and the nominees are...

• Scooter Chapman (RB, Patriots) - 1,069 rushing yards, 16 TDs, 11.37 yards per carry
• Ben Barrentine (DE, Patriots) - 29 tackles, 10 sacks

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Playoff Races Heating Up

With only 3 regular season weeks remaining, there are some nice playoff races shaping up...take a gander...

AFC
1. Titans (13-0)
2. Steelers (11-2)
3. Patriots (10-3)
4. Raiders (8-5)
5. Chargers (7-6)
6. Colts (7-6)

on the bubble....Texans (7-6), Ravens (6-7), Jets (6-7)

NFC
1. Cardinals (13-0)
2. Cowboys (13-1) * already played Week 14 game
3. Vikings (12-2)
4. Falcons (8-5)
5. Seahawks (9-4)
6. Eagles (8-5)

on the bubble...Saints (7-6), Packers (7-6), Rams (6-7), and Panthers (6-7)