Now it's on to the XFL Championship Game against the Dakota Blizzard. The last time my franchise played the Blizzard, we lost BIG, 71-14. I had absolutely nothing to do with that result, as that was the last AI game for Minnesota before I took over. I'll go out on a limb and guarantee the Blizzard won't score 71 Monday night.

It's been weird on gamedays, as they fall on my work days, so I actually drive by Cousin Vinny's Coliseum several times a night lol. The stadium IRL is just a cornfield at the corner of Patterson and Woodman (the lot is actually for sale). So as I drive by, I'm thinking I'm glad I'm not actually driving through football traffic, had enough of that when I used to have Bengals tickets.

In a way I'm relieved not to play Oakland since I beat them in the first regular season game ever at CVC. Back in week 2, everyone is thinking where in TF is Gem City so I probably didn't get game planned for as thoroughly then, as I would have now.

I wouldn't have minded another shot at Oakland/Private Snowflake as I'd like to get him back for beating me in the World Bowl in USFL/WFL. Instead Cjfred and I get our belated playoff game, as we both expected to face off in the CUST 79 CC game, before we both lost on our home fields.

I'm glad both teams are healthy, just a few probables here and there, because there will be a lot of hard hitting going on. Looking at the regular season and playoff scores, this game will be under 40 total points as Dakota has allowed 20+ points just twice in 18 games, Gangsters once.

Prediction: Gem City 16 Dakota 13

XFL V CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW

Dakota vs Gem City

Dakota

This is the 2nd appearance for the francise in the title game. They have reached the playoffs every season and have a 11-3 record in the playoff. They have reached the AXC conference championship game in 4 of those 5 seasons with a 2-2 record.

They have the 5th ranked offense and the 2nd ranked defense. They are 4th in sacks, 7th in turnover margin and 8th in interceptions.

QB, Randall Cunningham is 6th in passing yards, 3rd in TD passes, completion percentage, and QB rating. He is also 2nd alltime in playoff passing yards and TDs.

RB, Earl Campbell led the league in rushing yards was 8th in carrys and tied for 3rd in rushing TDs.

KR, Charles Torres has 2 kickoff returns for TDs this season despite only receiving 8 kickoffs. His KR avg of 45.0 yards/return led the league.

K, Michael Keiper went 35/40 in fieldgoals including 3/4 from 50+ yards. He also went 32/33 on extra points.

MLB, Ian Eagle led the team with 100 tackles which ranked 20th in the league.

RDE, Burt Dozer led the team with 15 sacks which ranked him tied for 11th in the league.

CB, Gordon Speed led the league in interceptions with 7.

Gem City

This is Gem City's first appearance in the title game. The francise becomes the 7th to reach the title game in league history with the others being Oakland(2), Atlanta(2), Dakota(2), Buffalo, Seattle and Carolina. Despite the francise lacking experience in the playoffs and title game, QB, Mervin Couture was the starting QB for Dakota in XFL I. His experience in the big game plus the fact that he now gets to face the team that released him just 2 years after winning it all.

The Gansters have the 2nd ranked offense and the 6th ranked defense. They are 16th in turnover margin, 6th in interceptions and 3rd in sacks.

QB. Mervin Couture led the league in passing yards, was 2nd in TD passes, 18th in completion percentage and 6th in QB rating. He is also 5th alltime in the playoffs for passing yards and 4th in TD passes.

RB, Raul Green is 11th in rushing yards, 21st in carrys and tied for 8th in rushing TDs along with RB, Edward Papa. Green is also 4th in recieving TDs.

TE, Jose Holaman is 6th in recieving yards.

KR, Joshu Julian is 3rd in kick return average and has 1 kick return for a TD.

PR, Edward Papa had 1 punt return for a TD in 26 returns

K, James McClung went 36/44 kicking fieldgoals including 3/4 for kicks +50 yards. He was also a perfect 41/41 on extra points.

CB, Pretty Boy Floyd led the team with 68 tackles and 3 interceptions.

RDE, Bruce Hernandez led the team with 20 sacks coupled with Al Capone who had 19 sacks. They were 4th and 6th in the league respectively.

In a matchup that pits the 5th ranked offense (DAK) vs the 6th ranked defense (GCG) and the 2nd ranked offense (GCG) vs the 2nd ranked defense (DAK), the game will be strength against strength. Expect a low scoring game with the kicking game playing a hugh role as both sides battle for field position. Obviously turnovers will be hugh and mistakes will be costly in what should be a close game decided in the 4th quarter.

Good luck tonight CJ. I'll probably check the score of the game at work when it runs at 1 am then watch it when I get home. Last thing I want after a 10 hour shift is angst over a football game.

Congratulations greg.....beat me soundly so no controversy here. My only question is why on 4 and 4 and Im puntng, you are called for offsides and I decline. Ive had this happen before and its a flaw in the sim logic. Either way you would have won. Its the one lose that is hardest in this game, to get to the finals only to fall short. I cant complain though, you deserve it and its been a great year for my team. I knew that QB would cost me. Now he has 2 titles so I guess I kept the wrong guy.

Heres the play

https://xfl.myfootballnow.com/watch/1633#282186

Thanks Cjfred, I noticed that too, and had saved this from the game log. I may not have won anyway but we'll never know. If you keep the ball and score even a FG, it changes the complexion of the game from that point onward. It was just a 10-0 game late in the 3rd despite that sim illogic.

I thought both defenses played well for the most part. Couture was sacked too many times for my liking and under pressure a lot all game. We had too many negative rushes but we got lucky and broke several tackles which kept drives alive and/or put us in scoring position.

I did like how the Gangster defense gang tackled, seemed like most every play there were multiple players meeting at the ball carrier. Field position was in my favor most of the game as well.

Congrats on a great season even though you fell 1 W short of your goal. I know from experience how much it sucks losing the LC, a lot of work/time go into building a team capable of winning it all. Falling short stings but there are 30 other teams that wish they had the chance to be where we got.

I know you'll come back strong next season trying to seal the deal.

Oh, you should have heard all the smack Mervin Couture was talking the last 2 weeks. To say he was "up" for this game would be an understatement. In fact the coaching staff was worried sick he'd be too jacked up for the game. He has been so mad about being released by the Blizzard, he won't even step foot inside a Dairy Queen.

He was ecstatic after the game, and he said he will match any fine he gets from his postgame interview (he dropped a couple of "F" bombs) and donate it to Dayton Children's Medical Center. No word on what he's doing with his XFL Championship MVP prize, a 2023 Chevy Corvette.

I watched deep into the 4th and was going to bring up the decline play, as well. Hopefully JDB fixes it as that would be brutal in like a 4th Quarter, 5 minutes left type scenario.

Good game, fellas. Congratulations, Greg!

Congrats Gem City.

First, great season by everyone. This league has really transformed into something special. Hats off to the commish.

Second, congratulations to Greg! This league has some terrific owners and for you to dominate all season is a big statement. We've had many battles ourselves and I believe this is one of your better teams. Looking forward to taking my shot at the king next season :)

Third, great job by CJ, both as commish and owner. You've got the 'Blizz right back in the big game, showing once again how consistent Dakota has been over the years.

I can't wait for the new season...

JDB has fixed that 4th down penalty bug in 0.4.5, FYI.