With 9 seasons and nearly 15 months of real-time history behind it, the NSFL has a wealth of stories to tell. For this series, however, I decided to try and tackle the biggest questions of them all. Who truly were the best (and worst) teams of all-time?
For part two of my multi-part series I’m going to be focusing on the 10 worst defenses in the history of the NSFL. My methodology will be similar to this article here, except ranking will be based on points allowed above the league average. My intent here is not to offend or belittle any one team or franchise, just to shed some light on an interesting part of the NSFL’s history. There won’t be much analysis here, unfortunately, as it’s rather difficult to pinpoint specific problems on a defense in our sim other than yards allowed.
Without further ado, let’s get started with the top 10 worst defenses of all-time.
#10) Las Vegas Legion: S5
Record: 1-13
Points per game allowed: 32.4 (6.3 more than the league average)
Total offense allowed: 445.9 (4th in conference/8th in league)
Rushing yards allowed: 103.9 (4/8)
Passing yards allowed: 342.0 (4/8)
Games allowing 35 or more points: 5
Games allowing 21 or more points: 12
Man, we’re only on #10 and we already have a team that ranked last in every defensive category. It looks like they had a couple solid LB in Stone and Washington, who ranked 2nd and 4th in tackles, respectively, Brister lead the league in passes defended, and Cox led the league with 16 TFLs, but that’s where the positives stop. This team struggled mightily getting to opposing QBs, recording only 21 sacks as a team, almost half as much as the next team (38). In fact, the leading DL recorded only 4 sacks, with no others on the team recording more than 1.
#9) San Jose SaberCats: S2
Record: 4-10
Points per game allowed: 26.7 (7.4 more than the league average)
Total offense allowed: 342.7 (4/8)
Rushing yards allowed: 94.3 (4/7)
Passing yards allowed: 248.4 (3/6)
Games allowing 35 or more points: 3
Games allowing 21 or more points: 9
Statistically, this team actually looks far better than the S5 Legion, but team were scoring 6 point more per game in S5 than they were in S2, so the points allowed numbers look incredibly skewed. Outside of Canton, who led the league in passes defended with 23, there isn’t a whole lot to be positive about with this team. Selich was solid with 112 tackles, and Okonkwo and Charlton were 1 of only 2 pairs of DEs to each have 10 TFLs. The main problem seems to be that this team just couldn’t create turnovers. They finished the season tied for 7th with 13 INTs and tied for 8th with both 5 forced and recovered fumbles.
#8) Las Vegas Legion: S4
Record: 3-11
Points per game allowed: 31.4 (8.4 more than the league average)
Total offense allowed: 409.5 (4/8)
Rushing yards allowed: 99.4 (4/7)
Passing yards allowed: 310.1 (4/8)
Games allowing 35 or more points: 5
Games allowing 21 or more points: 10
The first of 2 teams from S4, they also have the distinction of being 1 of only 2 teams to finish S4 with a losing record. Much like the Legion of S5, this team, unsurprisingly, also struggled getting to opposing quarterbacks. They finished 7th in sacks on the season, a whole 14 behind the Liberty, who finished 6th. Apparently, getting any kind of a push from the front 7 was a struggle as the also finished 8th in TFLs. Stropko and Carter we 2 bright spots for the Legion defense, however, as Stropko finished 4th in tackles, while Carter finished tied for 8th in passes defended.
#7) San Jose SaberCats: S9
Record: 2-12
Points per game allowed: 33.9 (9.1 more than the league average)
Total offense allowed: 410.7 (4/7)
Rushing yards allowed: 111.8 (4/6)
Passing yards allowed: 298.9 (4/8)
Games allowing 35 or more points: 4
Games allowing 21 or more points: 12
A season after an absolutely disastrous defensive showing (we’ll get to that later) the SaberCats show signs of improvement. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to avoid our list. Checking in at #7, the SaberCats allowed 21 or more points to be scored against them in 12 of 14 games and were absolutely man-handled in 4 of those, losing by more than 35 points in those 4 games by allowing an average of just over 50 points. The biggest issue sees to be the lack of a true playmaker in S9, with no real standouts at any spot across the board.
#6) Las Vegas Legion: S3
Record: 2-12
Points per game allowed: 31.7 (9.6 more than the league average)
Total offense allowed: 412.4 (4/8)
Rushing yards allowed: 97.6 (3/7)
Passing yards allowed: 314.9 (4/8)
Games allowing 35 or more points: 5
Games allowing 21 or more points: 11
Making their 3rd and final appearance on our list, the 2nd season for the Legion was actually their worst defensively ever. Allowing an average of 31.7 points per game (almost 10 above the league average that year), while also ranking last in points allowed, total yards allowed, passing yards allowed, and 7th in rushing yards allowed, it a little surprising they aren’t ranked higher. As crazy as it sounds, their individual measurables seems to have saved them from creeping any farther up the list. They finished tied for 7th in TFLs, forced fumbles, and passes defended, while finishing tied for 6th in INTs, and dead last in sacks. 26 of their 44 recoded sacks came from just 2 players, Blade and Cox… with only 1 other player on the team recording more than 3, Lockkeu with 5.
#5) Philadelphia Liberty: S9
Record: 4-10
Points per game allowed: 34.4 (9.6 more than the league average)
Total offense allowed: 424.8 (4/8)
Rushing yards allowed: 132.7 (4/8)
Passing yards allowed: 291.9 (4/7)
Games allowing 35 or more points: 7
Games allowing 21 or more points: 10
Making their first, and only, appearance on our list, the S9 Liberty despite allowing more than 34 points a game somehow managed to win 4 games. This ties them with the S2 SaberCats for most wins on our list. In a season with 3 teams in full-on tank mode, they (rather impressively) still managed to finish 8th in 3 of the 4 defensive categories (points allowed, total yards allowed, rushing yards allowed) while finishing 7th in the last, passing yards allowed. They did manage to finish the season with 3 players ranked in the top 10 for tackles, but I think that may say more about the amount of plays the had run against them.
#4) Colorado Yeti: S7
Record: 0-14
Points per game allowed: 35.8 (10.3 more than the league average)
Total offense allowed: 472.6 (4/8)
Rushing yards allowed: 126.2 (4/8)
Passing yards allowed: 346.4 (4/8)
Games allowing 35 or more points: 6
Games allowing 21 or more points: 14
The S7 Yeti have the honor of being a large part of the longest losing streak in NSFL history. With games 17-30 of their 32 game losing streak, it would be safe to say that they probably had a pretty bad defense… and they did. After allowing almost 36 points a game, and finishing 8th in every major defensive category, the defense didn’t have a lot to be cheery about. In fact, the S7 Yeti squad is one of only 2 teams in the history of the NSFL to allow at least 21 points scored against them in each game. Ishigawa and Saint both had fantastic seasons, but they were sadly lost in the background of their objectively terrible team defense.
#3) Colorado Yeti: S4
Record: 1-13
Points per game allowed: 34.4 (11.4 more than the league average)
Total offense allowed: 401.6 (4/7)
Rushing yards allowed: 109.4 (4/8)
Passing yards allowed: 292.2 (4/7)
Games allowing 35 or more points: 6
Games allowing 21 or more points: 13
Another rough season for the Yeti. After allowing 21+ points in 13 out of 14 games, there isn’t a whole lot this team can hang their collective hat on. They finished last in the league in sacks and forced fumbles, while also finishing 7th in INTs and passes defended. Surprisingly, the Yeti were able to lead the league in tackles for loss behind a solid season from defensive ends Sandoval (16) and Wozy (13) and perennial Pro Bowl linebacker, Saint (11).
#2) Colorado Yeti: S6
Record: 0-14
Points per game allowed: 38.6 (13.2 more than the league average)
Total offense allowed: 465.9 (4/8)
Rushing yards allowed: 117.2 (4/8)
Passing yards allowed: 348.7 (4/8)
Games allowing 35 or more points: 9
Games allowing 21 or more points: 14
The final Yeti team on our list (hooray!) they have the distinction of being the first team in NSFL history to go winless over the course of a season. After allowing 35 or more points in 9 games (the second most of this list) and 21 or more points in all 14 games (only 1 of 2 teams to do so) it’s no surprise we find them ranked so highly on our list. Not only did they allow the 2nd most points in NSFL history, they also allowed the 2nd most yards in NSFL history. As is tradition, Saint was a very bright spot in a very dark hole known as the Yeti defense. Someone needs to give that man a medal.
#1) San Jose SaberCats: S8
Record: 1-13
Points per game allowed: 39.5 (14.1 more than the league average)
Total offense allowed: 413.6 (4/8)
Rushing yards allowed: 111.4 (4/8)
Passing yards allowed: 302.2 (4/6)
Games allowing 35 or more points: 11
Games allowing 21 or more points: 11
After allowing nearly 40 points a game, it should come as no shock that the S8 San Jose finished at #1 on our list. With 11 losses by 35 points or more, and 6 by 45 or more, the SaberCats didn’t just lose games, they got blown out. Frequently. Statistically, this team doesn’t look as bad as some of the teams below it though. While they did finish last in yards allowed, teams ranked slightly better have certainly allowed more. A couple bright spots though as Harrison led the league in tackles with 106, while Joshua led the league in TFLs with 14.
Final Tally:
Colorado Yeti: 3
San Jose SaberCats: 3
Las Vegas Legion: 3
Philapelphia Liberty: 1
For part two of my multi-part series I’m going to be focusing on the 10 worst defenses in the history of the NSFL. My methodology will be similar to this article here, except ranking will be based on points allowed above the league average. My intent here is not to offend or belittle any one team or franchise, just to shed some light on an interesting part of the NSFL’s history. There won’t be much analysis here, unfortunately, as it’s rather difficult to pinpoint specific problems on a defense in our sim other than yards allowed.
Without further ado, let’s get started with the top 10 worst defenses of all-time.
#10) Las Vegas Legion: S5
Record: 1-13
Points per game allowed: 32.4 (6.3 more than the league average)
Total offense allowed: 445.9 (4th in conference/8th in league)
Rushing yards allowed: 103.9 (4/8)
Passing yards allowed: 342.0 (4/8)
Games allowing 35 or more points: 5
Games allowing 21 or more points: 12
Man, we’re only on #10 and we already have a team that ranked last in every defensive category. It looks like they had a couple solid LB in Stone and Washington, who ranked 2nd and 4th in tackles, respectively, Brister lead the league in passes defended, and Cox led the league with 16 TFLs, but that’s where the positives stop. This team struggled mightily getting to opposing QBs, recording only 21 sacks as a team, almost half as much as the next team (38). In fact, the leading DL recorded only 4 sacks, with no others on the team recording more than 1.
#9) San Jose SaberCats: S2
Record: 4-10
Points per game allowed: 26.7 (7.4 more than the league average)
Total offense allowed: 342.7 (4/8)
Rushing yards allowed: 94.3 (4/7)
Passing yards allowed: 248.4 (3/6)
Games allowing 35 or more points: 3
Games allowing 21 or more points: 9
Statistically, this team actually looks far better than the S5 Legion, but team were scoring 6 point more per game in S5 than they were in S2, so the points allowed numbers look incredibly skewed. Outside of Canton, who led the league in passes defended with 23, there isn’t a whole lot to be positive about with this team. Selich was solid with 112 tackles, and Okonkwo and Charlton were 1 of only 2 pairs of DEs to each have 10 TFLs. The main problem seems to be that this team just couldn’t create turnovers. They finished the season tied for 7th with 13 INTs and tied for 8th with both 5 forced and recovered fumbles.
#8) Las Vegas Legion: S4
Record: 3-11
Points per game allowed: 31.4 (8.4 more than the league average)
Total offense allowed: 409.5 (4/8)
Rushing yards allowed: 99.4 (4/7)
Passing yards allowed: 310.1 (4/8)
Games allowing 35 or more points: 5
Games allowing 21 or more points: 10
The first of 2 teams from S4, they also have the distinction of being 1 of only 2 teams to finish S4 with a losing record. Much like the Legion of S5, this team, unsurprisingly, also struggled getting to opposing quarterbacks. They finished 7th in sacks on the season, a whole 14 behind the Liberty, who finished 6th. Apparently, getting any kind of a push from the front 7 was a struggle as the also finished 8th in TFLs. Stropko and Carter we 2 bright spots for the Legion defense, however, as Stropko finished 4th in tackles, while Carter finished tied for 8th in passes defended.
#7) San Jose SaberCats: S9
Record: 2-12
Points per game allowed: 33.9 (9.1 more than the league average)
Total offense allowed: 410.7 (4/7)
Rushing yards allowed: 111.8 (4/6)
Passing yards allowed: 298.9 (4/8)
Games allowing 35 or more points: 4
Games allowing 21 or more points: 12
A season after an absolutely disastrous defensive showing (we’ll get to that later) the SaberCats show signs of improvement. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to avoid our list. Checking in at #7, the SaberCats allowed 21 or more points to be scored against them in 12 of 14 games and were absolutely man-handled in 4 of those, losing by more than 35 points in those 4 games by allowing an average of just over 50 points. The biggest issue sees to be the lack of a true playmaker in S9, with no real standouts at any spot across the board.
#6) Las Vegas Legion: S3
Record: 2-12
Points per game allowed: 31.7 (9.6 more than the league average)
Total offense allowed: 412.4 (4/8)
Rushing yards allowed: 97.6 (3/7)
Passing yards allowed: 314.9 (4/8)
Games allowing 35 or more points: 5
Games allowing 21 or more points: 11
Making their 3rd and final appearance on our list, the 2nd season for the Legion was actually their worst defensively ever. Allowing an average of 31.7 points per game (almost 10 above the league average that year), while also ranking last in points allowed, total yards allowed, passing yards allowed, and 7th in rushing yards allowed, it a little surprising they aren’t ranked higher. As crazy as it sounds, their individual measurables seems to have saved them from creeping any farther up the list. They finished tied for 7th in TFLs, forced fumbles, and passes defended, while finishing tied for 6th in INTs, and dead last in sacks. 26 of their 44 recoded sacks came from just 2 players, Blade and Cox… with only 1 other player on the team recording more than 3, Lockkeu with 5.
#5) Philadelphia Liberty: S9
Record: 4-10
Points per game allowed: 34.4 (9.6 more than the league average)
Total offense allowed: 424.8 (4/8)
Rushing yards allowed: 132.7 (4/8)
Passing yards allowed: 291.9 (4/7)
Games allowing 35 or more points: 7
Games allowing 21 or more points: 10
Making their first, and only, appearance on our list, the S9 Liberty despite allowing more than 34 points a game somehow managed to win 4 games. This ties them with the S2 SaberCats for most wins on our list. In a season with 3 teams in full-on tank mode, they (rather impressively) still managed to finish 8th in 3 of the 4 defensive categories (points allowed, total yards allowed, rushing yards allowed) while finishing 7th in the last, passing yards allowed. They did manage to finish the season with 3 players ranked in the top 10 for tackles, but I think that may say more about the amount of plays the had run against them.
#4) Colorado Yeti: S7
Record: 0-14
Points per game allowed: 35.8 (10.3 more than the league average)
Total offense allowed: 472.6 (4/8)
Rushing yards allowed: 126.2 (4/8)
Passing yards allowed: 346.4 (4/8)
Games allowing 35 or more points: 6
Games allowing 21 or more points: 14
The S7 Yeti have the honor of being a large part of the longest losing streak in NSFL history. With games 17-30 of their 32 game losing streak, it would be safe to say that they probably had a pretty bad defense… and they did. After allowing almost 36 points a game, and finishing 8th in every major defensive category, the defense didn’t have a lot to be cheery about. In fact, the S7 Yeti squad is one of only 2 teams in the history of the NSFL to allow at least 21 points scored against them in each game. Ishigawa and Saint both had fantastic seasons, but they were sadly lost in the background of their objectively terrible team defense.
#3) Colorado Yeti: S4
Record: 1-13
Points per game allowed: 34.4 (11.4 more than the league average)
Total offense allowed: 401.6 (4/7)
Rushing yards allowed: 109.4 (4/8)
Passing yards allowed: 292.2 (4/7)
Games allowing 35 or more points: 6
Games allowing 21 or more points: 13
Another rough season for the Yeti. After allowing 21+ points in 13 out of 14 games, there isn’t a whole lot this team can hang their collective hat on. They finished last in the league in sacks and forced fumbles, while also finishing 7th in INTs and passes defended. Surprisingly, the Yeti were able to lead the league in tackles for loss behind a solid season from defensive ends Sandoval (16) and Wozy (13) and perennial Pro Bowl linebacker, Saint (11).
#2) Colorado Yeti: S6
Record: 0-14
Points per game allowed: 38.6 (13.2 more than the league average)
Total offense allowed: 465.9 (4/8)
Rushing yards allowed: 117.2 (4/8)
Passing yards allowed: 348.7 (4/8)
Games allowing 35 or more points: 9
Games allowing 21 or more points: 14
The final Yeti team on our list (hooray!) they have the distinction of being the first team in NSFL history to go winless over the course of a season. After allowing 35 or more points in 9 games (the second most of this list) and 21 or more points in all 14 games (only 1 of 2 teams to do so) it’s no surprise we find them ranked so highly on our list. Not only did they allow the 2nd most points in NSFL history, they also allowed the 2nd most yards in NSFL history. As is tradition, Saint was a very bright spot in a very dark hole known as the Yeti defense. Someone needs to give that man a medal.
#1) San Jose SaberCats: S8
Record: 1-13
Points per game allowed: 39.5 (14.1 more than the league average)
Total offense allowed: 413.6 (4/8)
Rushing yards allowed: 111.4 (4/8)
Passing yards allowed: 302.2 (4/6)
Games allowing 35 or more points: 11
Games allowing 21 or more points: 11
After allowing nearly 40 points a game, it should come as no shock that the S8 San Jose finished at #1 on our list. With 11 losses by 35 points or more, and 6 by 45 or more, the SaberCats didn’t just lose games, they got blown out. Frequently. Statistically, this team doesn’t look as bad as some of the teams below it though. While they did finish last in yards allowed, teams ranked slightly better have certainly allowed more. A couple bright spots though as Harrison led the league in tackles with 106, while Joshua led the league in TFLs with 14.
Final Tally:
Colorado Yeti: 3
San Jose SaberCats: 3
Las Vegas Legion: 3
Philapelphia Liberty: 1
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[OPTION]Johnny Snuggles || CB || Yellowknife Wraiths || Hall of Fame [OPTION]Height/Weight: 6'1", 205 [OPTION]Number: 21 [OPTION] Draft History: S13 #1 Overall [OPTION]=========================================== [OPTION]Trophy Case/Achievements:[OPTION] Ultimini Champs: S12 [OPTION] Defensive Rookie of the Year: S13 [OPTION] Pro Bowl: S14, S15, S16
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Arizona Outlaws ![[Image: unknown.png]](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/735279101711220767/761677188524277830/unknown.png)
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