by Gerald Udowiczenko

Well due to not much space because of a full postbag and not much to say I'll be keeping this short.

No real surprises in the first round of the draft, other than the number of 3* players still left and that the Dolphins really wanted a punter, but unfortunately so did the Saints and Lions.

As always many thanks to Apple, Jon, Graham, Brucey & Tim for their contributions. Cheers guys without you the newsletter just won't happen.

Wild Cards Games

NJ (11-6, W4) @ CL (12-4, W1) Last time : wk 13, 2004 (10 - 42)
Gerald : The jets are on a good roll at present, but will that extra game give the Browns the edge they need? Don't think so. Jets by 3.
Graham : After the display their offence put up last week it is dangerous to bet against the Jets, but one wonders how much time that offence will get to spend on the field given the Browns ball-control ability. CL 7.
Jon : The jets have put on a late surge to come into the playoffs as a form team. This, however, should be a game too far for them, even though the Browns' form hasn't been quite what their coach wanted. CL x 3
SPLATT : Cleveland by 1.

DB (12-4, W1) @ BB (14-2, W4) Last time : wk 15, 2004 (20 - 35)
Gerald : Can't really see the Bills losing yet. But it will be a lot closer than their last meeting. Bills by 6.
Graham : Richard's AB playoff record is pretty breathtaking so you have to back him, even against another past champion in the form of Dave's Broncos. Denver haven't actually garnered much attention this year, having strolled to the title of a very, very weak division. BB 6.
Jon : Another traditional post season game. Expect some serious offence here. The Bills have the edge though as, with all due respect, the AFC West hasn't been as much of a challenge as the East. BB x 4.
SPLATT : Buffalo by 5.

WR (13-4, W1) @ MV (16-0, W18) Last time : wk 3, 2004 (7 - 23)
Gerald : The Skins have finally broken that Jinx, but to advance they have one difficult opponent to beat. Which I feel will be one too many obstacle. Vikes by 3.
Graham : The pressure is off Paul - he's got that first playoff win and he'll be the underdog here against the all-conquering Vikings. If both his offensive and defensive units are in top form he may have a shot, but there aren't too many chinks in Minnesota's armour and unless they get complacent they ought to have that bit too much. MV 10.
Jon : Well, Paul's finally broken his duck. So now it's time to carry on the good work and show what his D is made of. The Vikes have been near unstoppable this season, but history is there to repeat itself and last season the 16-0 Rams lost at this stage. So an upset is on the cards. WR x 1.
SPLATT : Washington by 5.

SR (11-5, W2) @ PE (12-4, W1) Last time : wk 13, 2004 (12 - 28)
Gerald : The old boys meet yet again and what a game it should be. The Rams have started on the slippery slope of losing as many games as Superbowl appearances and will not only want to avenge the regular season loss, but last seasons Divisional Game. But I think the Eagles will be too strong. Eagles by 10.
Graham : Seemingly an AB annual event. This year's instalment takes place in Philly, where I've enjoyed two of my most spectacular AB playoff victories but have generally had a rotten time during the regular season. We desperately need to summon up one of our better performances, because the other kind has become an increasingly common sight this season and will spell certain doom if it rears its ugly head again.
Jon : 2 veteran QBs in their traditional post-season meeting. Graham has a far superior record in playoffs, but I hope this is farewell to Miller all the same.
SPLATT : Philadelphia by 3.

Silver Bowl

SF (10-7, L2) @ MD (10-7, L1)
Gerald : The Fish look the stronger team and are at home. So Fish by 6.

NS (7-10, W5) @ PS (11-6, W1)
Gerald : Saints keep up their winning streak, but only just (as the Steelers look at the Con Bowl in the same vain as Man U do with the Worthington Cup). Saints by 3.

NE (6-11, W1) @ CB (7-10, W1)
Gerald : No comment.

SS (4-13, W1) @ DL (5-11-1, W2)
Gerald : Lions D dominates, as normal. But for a change their offensive also turn up. Lions by 10.

Bronze Bowl

AC (0-16, L28) @ TT (3-13, L5)
Gerald : The Cards will want to end this losing streak as soon as possible. But I fear that it will probably get well into the 30's before they are able to do so. But saying that, I still think the Titans will struggle. But still should come out on top. Titans by 1.

OR (3-14, L11) @ DC (4-13, L1)
Gerald : The Raiders are another team that want to break their current streak. But they will find it touch against a Cowboys team who want to achieve great things and will be bitterly disappointed with last weeks display. Boyz wake up and win by 2.

KC (5-11-1, L1) @ TB (6-11, L2)
Gerald : Tough one to call, as the Chiefs do have a great offence, at times. But I don't think this week will be one of those times . Buccs by 3.

CI (8-9, L1) @ AF (9-7, L3)
Gerald : Paul (Gregory) will have been bitterly disappointed to have lost last week, especially as the Benglas came into the game with a great winning streak. But lost they did and I think they will do so again, as the Falcon are one of the teams very unlucky not to have got to the play-offs. Falcons by 10.

by Graham Canwell (Week 17)

	PLAYOFFS
	Offence	New York	Most of the points might have come in the final quarter was this was an almost flawless performance throughout, especially from QB Chad Pennington (who I note is a mere 2 year vet - maybe there's hope for me next year after all . . .)
	Defence	Washington	Paul finally broke his playoff duck, and did it with his trademark Redskins football - a solid running game and that renowned stingy defence.
	Coach	Purrington (NJ)	For the second week running came up with a stunning display in the face of potential elimination. An easy award to give, although for slaying a personal demon Paul definitely deserves an honourable mention.
	CON BOWL
	Offence	Pittsburgh	Took out some of their frustration at missing the playoffs on the unfortunate Falcons. The engagingly erratic Pats were the best of the rest.
	Defence	Detroit	A unit famous for its perpetual heroic struggle to overcome that oh-so-dodgy Lions offence. There was no way the offence was going to sabotage this week's defensive effort, which limited the Cowboys to just 147 offensive yards.
	Coach	Dilworth (NS)	Has the Saints playing fantastically well right now. Maybe they'll wear themselves out before next season gets under way (he sighed longingly).
	The Diddley	Chicago	I've never seen Paul need to turn to Diddleying to get wins in AC but he clearly demonstrated this week that he can turn his hand to it if the need does arise, as the Buccs demonstrated the fine art of getting minimo points for maximo yardage.

Gerald to Brucey : Sorry due I wasn't able to put your stuff in this week. But I will be there next week.

Gerald to Paul S. : At last. Now can you go all the way?

Gerald to Tim : You sure were :o)

Gerald to All Pauls : There are too many of you, please chose different names. Well at least 3 of you.

Gerald to Terry : First time I've ever seen 3 team go for a punter in the first round. You must be gutted about only getting a 2* player?

Gerald to Paul Mac : So will I use any Play Action Passes? By the time you read this (assuming you read the Gameplan first?) you'll know?

Gerald to Apple : Come in No.6.

Graham to Jon : What can I say. Let's roll.

Graham to Paul S : Congratulations on breaking that playoff duck. Well deserved and long overdue.

Jon to Graham : I hope this is Miller's final game!

Jon to Paul S : Congratulations. About time. Now all you have to do is beat the 16-0 Vikes as a W/C team. You've got a chance - I did it to Graham last season in the same circumstances.

Jon to All : Nice though it is to have the No.1 D, it won't count for anything if it doesn't perform in the playoffs.

Jon to the New coaches : Welcome one and all. Next season's going to be a killer!

Jon to Stuart : I see your poor general playoff form continued. Don't take it too hard. You're a coach that people worry about. And look at Paul Spence. Now 1-9 in playoff games (I think). (My records show 1-7? Ed.)

Jon to All : Regarding the (real-life) Superbowl, I was struck by the stats. I'm pretty convinced that if we'd seen them on the round-up, Graham would have awarded the Pats a Diddley. If I'd been reading it play by play I would have felt robbed. Yet it didn't actually seem that way whilst watching the game.....

Tim to Gerald : Yeah I was really lucky when I beat you.

Tim to Graham : Thanks for the congrats - I hope I don't get to play you in the playoffs, I cannot se me beating you twice in a season.

Tim to Troy : I think you may be worth a small bet for the Silver Bowl title.

Coaching Profile
Name	Richard Appleby (though prefers to be called Apple).
Occupation	Postie
Age	37
Location	Daventry
Gameplan Experience	8 years, 15 SB appearances, 10 wins.
Favourite Team	Arizona Cardinals (20 years of pain).
Interests	Cricket (Bears), Most sports. Played and reached county Level (Warwicks) at Darts
Favourite TV	The Prisoner- Patrick McGoohan.
Favourite Music	The Kinks.

Turnovers (by net Giveaways/Takeaways) NFLAB Season 2004 - upto Week 16
	Giveaways				Takeaways				Net
Team	Fumbles	Ints	Total	Rank	Fumbles	Ints	Total	Rank	Total	Rank
Denver	9	18	27	4=	17	25	42	4	15	3
Buffalo	14	14	28	8=	13	28	41	5=	13	4=
Cleveland	19	16	35	16	19	27	46	1=	11	7
Pittsburgh	19	18	37	17	21	24	45	3	8	8=
Miami	13	19	32	11=	17	23	40	7=	8	8=
New England	12	15	27	4=	18	9	27	15=	0	10=
Kansas City	12	18	30	10	10	20	30	14	0	10=
Cincinnati	13	19	32	11=	14	17	31	12=	-1	12=
Seattle	14	20	34	14=	15	18	33	10	-1	12=
New York	18	21	39	19=	4	21	25	19=	-14	20=
Oakland	19	29	48	23	15	16	31	12=	-17	22
Tennessee	19	31	50	24	12	11	23	23	-27	24
	Giveaways				Takeaways				Net
Team	Fumbles	Ints	Total	Rank	Fumbles	Ints	Total	Rank	Total	Rank
St Louis	7	6	13	1	21	25	46	1=	33	1
Minnesota	10	6	16	2	10	31	41	5=	25	2
Washington	16	9	25	3	20	18	38	9	13	4=
Philadelphia	14	14	28	8=	24	16	40	7=	12	6
San Francisco	9	18	27	4=	12	14	26	18	-1	12=
Dallas	12	15	27	4=	13	12	25	19=	-2	15
Tampa Bay	17	21	38	18	20	12	32	11	-6	16
Arizona	10	24	34	14=	12	15	27	15=	-7	17
Atlanta	19	14	33	13	9	12	21	24	-12	18
Chicago	17	23	40	21	11	16	27	15=	-13	19
Detroit	16	23	39	19=	13	12	25	19=	-14	20=
New Orleans	23	24	47	22	11	13	24	22	-23	23

Well that about it for this week, with a little luck I could get a good run in the Con Bowl? While it doesn't really mean that much (but reading a gameplan were you win is always nice), it does give me that extra training opportunity and if I go all the way, the chance of showing what I could have done If Only...