Tier 1
#1
When you talk about Chicago's run to the Ultimus, it all starts and stops with their defense. From front to back, there is not a more balanced, elite, and overall incredible unit of defense in the entire league than what the Butchers put on the field. They finished the season ranked first in points allowed, first in yards allowed, first in rushing yards allowed, and second in passing yards allowed in the entire league. As the saying goes "Defense Wins Championships" and that's a saying the Butchers truly took to heart. They rode their defense to a 12-3-1 regular season record and clinched the top spot in the conference and were impressive week in and week out. When the postseason hit, things naturally got a little closer, but they relied on crucial stops time and time again to win and take home this year's Ultimus. After knocking off Berlin 23-20, they outlasted the Hahalua in overtime to take the crow, by a score of 33-27. And while their defense was certainly their forte, they were also buoyed by one of the league's best passing attacks. Their signal-caller, Kazimir Oles Jr., finished the year with the third-highest passer rating thanks to 35 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Oles Jr. was a big play machine, especially in the playoffs, and was nearly impossible for opposing defensive coordinators to scheme against. Oles Jr's two main targets were perhaps the best duo at wideout all season: Rejoignez LordreSombre and Vincent Sharpei Jr.. They finished the year with 1,415 yards, 7 TD and 1,333 yards, 10 TD, respectively, and had defensive backs on skates all through the regular season and the playoffs. But lets not forget Madison Hayes, who was one of the major reasons why Chicago won the Ultimus. In the title, Hayes finished with 138 yards from scrimmage and two crucial touchdowns, including the game-winner in overtime. Simply put, the Butchers had very few weaknesses and had one of the most star-studded offenses in recent memory. After the regular season they had, it's no surprise that they were able to come away with the league's top honor this year.
In the DSFL, it was a completely different story. While Chicago ran through the regular season like a hot knife through butter, Dallas barely eeked into the postseason after a 6-8 regular season record. They were fortunate enough to finish second in the conference, but they absolutely turned on the jets when the postseason rolled around. In the opening round, they took TIjuana to overtime and took home the win thanks to a 42 yard bomb from Christian Marciano to Derrick Armstrong. As if that wasn't a surprise enough, they absolutely took Minnesota to the woodshed in the Ultimini, winning 33-7. Christian Marciano threw an incredible four touchdown passes on only 15 completions as this game was over in the third quarter. It's fitting that Dallas relied on their high-powered offense to get the job done in the playoffs. They finished the regular season with the most points scored and most yards gained in the entire league and leaned on their offense week in and week out. Marciano finished with tied-for-first in touchdowns and threw for an impressive 3,978 yards, which he clearly kept rolling into the postseason. Like Oles Jr, Marciano had a pair of standout wide receivers who he relied on time and time again. Derrick Armstrong and Leek Mai-Heinous finished with a combined 2,086 yards and 14 TD thanks to exceptional route-running and breakaway speed. And despite this high-octane offense, Dallas defense let them down at times during the regular season, but after some major adjustments from the coaching staff, got their issues sorted out before the playoffs. That's why they were able to only allow a touchdown in the Ultimini, which capped off one of the most improbable playoff runs in recent memory. If there's one thing this year's Dallas squad taught us is that it's not how you start, it's how you finish. With a core group of elite skill players, the sky is the limit when the playoffs start.
(680 words)
#1
When you talk about Chicago's run to the Ultimus, it all starts and stops with their defense. From front to back, there is not a more balanced, elite, and overall incredible unit of defense in the entire league than what the Butchers put on the field. They finished the season ranked first in points allowed, first in yards allowed, first in rushing yards allowed, and second in passing yards allowed in the entire league. As the saying goes "Defense Wins Championships" and that's a saying the Butchers truly took to heart. They rode their defense to a 12-3-1 regular season record and clinched the top spot in the conference and were impressive week in and week out. When the postseason hit, things naturally got a little closer, but they relied on crucial stops time and time again to win and take home this year's Ultimus. After knocking off Berlin 23-20, they outlasted the Hahalua in overtime to take the crow, by a score of 33-27. And while their defense was certainly their forte, they were also buoyed by one of the league's best passing attacks. Their signal-caller, Kazimir Oles Jr., finished the year with the third-highest passer rating thanks to 35 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Oles Jr. was a big play machine, especially in the playoffs, and was nearly impossible for opposing defensive coordinators to scheme against. Oles Jr's two main targets were perhaps the best duo at wideout all season: Rejoignez LordreSombre and Vincent Sharpei Jr.. They finished the year with 1,415 yards, 7 TD and 1,333 yards, 10 TD, respectively, and had defensive backs on skates all through the regular season and the playoffs. But lets not forget Madison Hayes, who was one of the major reasons why Chicago won the Ultimus. In the title, Hayes finished with 138 yards from scrimmage and two crucial touchdowns, including the game-winner in overtime. Simply put, the Butchers had very few weaknesses and had one of the most star-studded offenses in recent memory. After the regular season they had, it's no surprise that they were able to come away with the league's top honor this year.
In the DSFL, it was a completely different story. While Chicago ran through the regular season like a hot knife through butter, Dallas barely eeked into the postseason after a 6-8 regular season record. They were fortunate enough to finish second in the conference, but they absolutely turned on the jets when the postseason rolled around. In the opening round, they took TIjuana to overtime and took home the win thanks to a 42 yard bomb from Christian Marciano to Derrick Armstrong. As if that wasn't a surprise enough, they absolutely took Minnesota to the woodshed in the Ultimini, winning 33-7. Christian Marciano threw an incredible four touchdown passes on only 15 completions as this game was over in the third quarter. It's fitting that Dallas relied on their high-powered offense to get the job done in the playoffs. They finished the regular season with the most points scored and most yards gained in the entire league and leaned on their offense week in and week out. Marciano finished with tied-for-first in touchdowns and threw for an impressive 3,978 yards, which he clearly kept rolling into the postseason. Like Oles Jr, Marciano had a pair of standout wide receivers who he relied on time and time again. Derrick Armstrong and Leek Mai-Heinous finished with a combined 2,086 yards and 14 TD thanks to exceptional route-running and breakaway speed. And despite this high-octane offense, Dallas defense let them down at times during the regular season, but after some major adjustments from the coaching staff, got their issues sorted out before the playoffs. That's why they were able to only allow a touchdown in the Ultimini, which capped off one of the most improbable playoff runs in recent memory. If there's one thing this year's Dallas squad taught us is that it's not how you start, it's how you finish. With a core group of elite skill players, the sky is the limit when the playoffs start.
(680 words)