This game is a resurrection of the now defunct ‘First Down’ American Football newspaper fantasy football game. So will be familiar to those of you that used to play that publications fantasy NFL football game back in the day!
However unlike that game this version runs for the entire NFL season (from September 9th, 2021 thru to the Super Bowl final on February 13th, 2022).
The cost of entry will be £15 per team which will go to make up the prize fund. (Multiple entries are allowed but each one will cost £15.)
£10 from each team entry fee will go to make up the 1st prize and £5 to the 2nd prize.
So, it’s simple - the more entrants the bigger the 2 prizes.
HOW TO PLAY
All you have to do is pick a team of players from the list provided following this link:
NFL Players List (Gridiron Game) 2021/22
Any player not listed you can request and I will add them. I have tried my best to update all players to their current teams if you spot any mistakes, please inform me so I can correct them.
You must stay within the budget of $57 Million .
Just create your team by copying into a PM (Private Message) the form at the end of this post and filling it in with your selections and send it to me before the deadline which is the start of the first game of the NFL regular season - (Thursday 9th September). The system is simple. You must select one Quarter-Back, two Running Backs, one Tight End, two Wide Receivers, a Kicker, a Head Coach and a Team Defense.
Anyone who scores a touchdown gets six points, just like the real thing. If a *Quarterback throws a touchdown pass he also scores three points. If anyone returns a fumble or an interception for a TD then the Defense scores six, they also score two for a safety. Kickers get three points for a field goal and one for extra points (PAT’s - Point After Touchdown‘s), while anyone scoring a two-point conversion scores two points. If a *QB throws a two-point pass he scores an additional one.
*Also, any other player who acts as a QB and throws a TD pass or two-point conversion will also score the relevant QB throwing points. For example, a Kicker or Running Back on trick plays.
To mirror the change in the real NFL of a few seasons ago if PAT’S are blocked and returned, they earn 2 points so this will also apply to the relevant fantasy teams Defense.
Additionally in this game (different from how First Down’s was) Defenses will incorporate special teams plays - so all punt and kick-off returns that go for a TD will earn 6 points for the relevant Defense. Furthermore, the individual player on a special teams play that scores will also earn the same number of points as awarded to the Defense. So, for instance, if you have a WR, RB or TE also on return duties and he takes one to the house not only will the Defense score 6 points he will individually himself to.
Head Coach scoring
Your Head Coach will score three points for every game his team wins and one point for any game that finishes as tied in the regular season. However, Head Coaches will score 6 points for post season wins.
Also Head Coaches will earn a bonus of 6 points if their team makes the playoffs. This bonus is doubled (to 12) if your coach is your original HC and you have not changed him at all since the commencement of the game. Only the HC on your teams’ roster at the end of the regular season (WK 18) qualifies for the bonus points (if applicable) and these points are added to the Head Coach’s score for Week 18. Also, a further bonus of 6 points is awarded to each Head Coach that wins their division - this bonus is awarded and applied to all applicable Head Coach’s in Week 18. (However please note - there is no doubling up of this bonus for original HC’s).
Finally, points will be doubled for the final itself (the Super Bowl).
Scores will be worked out using the official stats on the NFL’s GSIS (Game Statistics & Information System) website.
Every entrant will be sent a link to a Google Sheets spread sheet listing everyone’s teams between the start of NFL Week 1’s first game and the main tranche of games that start on the Sunday (September 12th). This is so you can see everything is open and above board, as well as allowing you to follow the season more closely on TV and via the internet, if you so choose. (You’ll even be able to work out the team points for yourself should you like to). My team entries will be sent by e-mail to every entrant at kick-off of that first Thursday night opening season game to show there is no funny business.
An updated weekly league table will be kept on a separate Google Sheet here (I suggest saving the link to your bookmarks):
Gridiron Game (Season Long) 2021/22 - Standings Table
It will be updated weekly before the followings weeks first games starts.
On the Google Sheets ‘Gridiron Game (Season Long) 2021/22 - Entered Teams’ spread sheet each teams individual player scores will be updated weekly so you can see how you are doing compared to your rivals. This is also where teams will be updated after each trade window.
TRADES - You can trade up to three player/positions at each trade window. Your team’s value still cannot exceed $57 million after you have traded. You do not have to trade; your team can remain the same from start to finish. However, you must submit your trade(s) to me before the start of the following weeks games by e-mail or PM from the TFP forum. Please make sure you put NFL Trades in the subject header line. Updated team line ups will be entered on the Google Sheets team entries page and be viewable to everyone after each trade deadline.
There are 3 trade windows during the season, they are:-
between Weeks 6 and 7 (trades will take effect from Thur. Oct. 21st 2021)
between Weeks 11 and 12 (trades will take effect from Thur. Nov. 25th 2021)
&
Between the end of the Regular Season and the start of the Playoffs
(trades will take effect from Sat. January 15th 2022)
So that’s it - BEST OF LUCK - Noel (aka bluelionman)
Previous winners history of this game:
YOUR NAME:-
TEAM NAME:-
E-MAIL ADDRESS:-Player Team Value $
HEAD COACH -
QUARTER BACK -
RUNNING BACK -
RUNNING BACK -
WIDE RECEIVER -
WIDE RECEIVER -
TIGHT END -
KICKER -
TEAM DEFENSE -Total Value (maximum $57)
If you don’t see me in person and don’t know the score regarding payment then please contact me for payment information. You can do this by Private Messaging (PM’ing) me from here (TFP forum).