New York
Game Plans

Indianapolis - A surprisingly tough match-up. The Indy offense can give anyone, even the Giants, trouble, and the Colt defense is decent enough to give the mediocre Giants offense a hard time as well. Luckily you're the New York Giants and you can overcome anything. On offense it's just a case of catching some breaks, hitting a few passes and getting your three or six points depending on how your defense is going. On defense you have to watch Dickerson pretty carefully, and Indy's passes are so spread out it's tough for even LT to grab an interception. The overall game plan would be the standard call a lot of run and try to mix in your pass calls while playing a little cat and mouse with LT and Banks. One good tip would be if you're going to call a pass play make it Pass 2, it provides deep man coverage on Pass 1 and makes it tough for Trudeau to land a pass to anyone other the Dickerson out of the backfield.

Miami - If Marino brings his A+++ game Miami has a real shot to topple the Giants. Luckily for the Giants Miami�'s Run 1 is rendered totally useless as neither LT or Banks are ever blocked on a Run 1 play. So now it's 1/3 shot of landing a playcall. I like being Banks and calling a lot of shotgun as it gives you solid pass protection of the other two plays. Eventually Banks will grab a Marino mistake if you make him throw enough tough passes where only the top and middle, or middle and bottom receivers are open. Mixing in LT can be effective just by giving Marino different coverage schemes to worry about, but Banks and shotgun is a sound plan. Offense-wise it's the same old New York story of catching some breaks, grinding it out and scratching together some points.

Cleveland - Another tough battle. Cleveland's offense can give the Giants problems because LT covers the bottom man on Pass 1, who goes deep. This wreaks a little havoc on your defense. You need to go to Carl Banks and when you do call pass you only call Pass 2. That takes away the deep pass and makes Cleveland have to grind across the entire field to come away with points. Mack can give you a little trouble but Banks is fast enough and in strong enough position to neutralize him, even if you have gotten busted on a run. On offense you know the story.

Denver - On offense Mecklenburg is taken out of the equation, as he�ll be picked up on both runs even if Denver has called a run defence, so if the defence keeps going to Mecklenburg use the running game until they are forced to go to Jones. Once you have that it's the same old grind it out Giant offense. On defence there are a couple of ways to go. One is call a lot of Run 2 and be LT. This takes away the running game and gives you top man coverage on Pass 1, making life a little bit harder on John Elway. On Pass 2 attempts LT has a chance to bring down an interception if the quarterback isn�t careful. This plan will leave you totally wide open on the Shotgun play however. Calling a lot of Pass 1 and playing cat and mouse with LT and Banks to stop the running game is another solid plan. With Pass 1 called 2 men will be covered on the Shotgun play and the 2 open receivers go off screen making any throws to them risky for the quarterback. One is deep and the other is just off the screen, and a lot of the time it is tough to tell which is which.

Seattle - Like against Denver you can use the running game to take the top middle linebacker, Fredd Young, out of the game. Even with run called Young will have a blocker on him and Joe Morris is just quick enough to take advantage. With Young out of the picture Seattle is short on defensive options and the Giants can go to work with their typical grind it out style. On defense you can call a lot of Pass 1 and mix it up with Taylor and Banks to stop the run, or you can go to a Run 2 and LT plan, forcing Dave Krieg to make some throws.

Los Angeles - Well here�s a win. On offense it's the standard plan; mix enough Joe Morris in with Pass 2. On defense it's Carl Banks and call Pass 1 all-day. Banks is unblocked on both LA runs and Banks is fast enough to contain Bo to a maximum of 3-4, and Allen can only pick up 2, maybe 3. The passing game is finished as Pass 1 is called and the deep man is covered on Pass 2 leaving only the two close together short receivers for you to easily defend. With no passing game LA will have to rely on Bo shaking and baking for enough yards, and you�ll easily be able to mix in an occasional Run 1 call to get a play pick every once in a while.

Washington - Well here's a win. It might be tough to score on the stingy Doom Combo-led Washington, but you'll give up zero points as long as you don�t toss a pick. Call Pass 2 and be Carl Banks. You're unblocked on both runs, and the only open receivers will be the top and middle men on Pass 1. Banks is more then quick enough to cover the ground between them, making Doug Williams job hell. Easiest win in the game.

San Francisco - One of the premier match-up in Tecmo Bowl. You're in for a battle when you face the 49ers, they're well equipped and loaded enough to make life miserable for the Giants. On defense your best bet is to contain the high-octane 49er offense by calling Pass 1 and being Banks. This keeps the dangerous Jerry Rice, who loves going deep, covered at ALL TIMES. With Pass 1 called Pass 2 is limited to only short gains as none of the open receivers go deep and Banks can cover the ground you need covered. Most of the time Montana has to settle for a dump off to Craig in the backfield. If Craig runs out like he occasionally likes to do then this play is rendered useless, as the receivers are too close together for Montana to risk a pass. When San Fran goes to Pass 3 (Shotgun) it's in your best interest to go to Right End Marshal, as Banks will cover the Tight End on this play leaving two open receivers. Ass Wilson, the top wide receiver, goes deep and Craig runs a slant across the field eventually stopping at the top of the screen about 10 yards up the field. Now it's just time to roll the dice for both the defense and the offense, as Marshal is fast enough to cut in on the short pass if you're cheating up. Calling something other then Pass 1 will leave a lot of guys open, including Jerry Rice, but if you really need a playpick it's 50/50 as Run 1 is useless and the offense should be off Pass 1.
On offense you're in trouble. Ronnie Lott was born to wreak havoc on the Giants offense. If the defense calls a running play and controls Lott you�re not gaining any yards on the run, none. The more popular strategy is to let the computer control Lott and be one of Board, Carter, or Kugler, depending on what run play they think is coming or if you think a pass is coming (Carter). If they pick Board and you have Run 1 called things shape up nicely for about 2 seconds until Ronnie Lott comes flying in and either sandbags you or makes you cut into traffic and get wrapped up. Ronnie Lott is the single greatest computer controlled force in Tecmo Bowl, and he essentially takes the running game away from the New York Giants. You'll need to battle, and hope for a big break to get your three points, and even that might not be enough as the 49er offense can score on the Giants.

Dallas - Dallas' world famous weak defense makes things easier on you offense-wise, but it's still the same New York Giants deal. On defense you need to keep an eye Walker, but that�s not difficult with LT and Banks. If you decide to call a pass it should be Pass 2 (Shotgun) as it will give you solid coverage on Pass 1, making it difficult for weak-armed Danny White to land a pass. That�s about it really.

Chicago - Dangerous Chicago. Offense might be a problem here to say the least. Chicago has a swarming defense and a lot of superstars ready to stuff the run and makes Simms life tough. Chicago can give the Giants a lot of looks with different playcalls and player selections. Basically you have to really grind this out, and make sure to take advantage when you get an opening. It's not easy. On defense you're going to have to go with a lot of run calling to keep Walter Payton under wraps. Lots of Run 2 and LT or Run 1 and Banks is solid. When you need to go to pass to get a stop I'd recommend calling Pass 1 as Pass 2 is much more difficult for McMahon to land a pass on. With Pass 1 he will always have Payton ready for that dump off and some easy gains. This is usually a battle of field position and defense, so you need to be sharp. Watch out for Gentry too.

Minnesota - Well here's a win. You have a bevy, yes a bevy, of options on defense to stop the terrible Minnesota offense. You could go to the old tried and true bottom safety and Pass 1 defense. You could go to the LT and Pass 1 defense, where the only problem will be on Run 2 (WR Reverse) you will eventually be blocked if you don�t make the tackle quick enough, or you could go to right end Leonard Marshal and call Pass 1. Only problem here is on WR reverse will you be grabbed, but you can grab your man and shake him quickly enough to limit the gain to 3-4 yards. Feel free to mix and match. Offense is the same advice I have for every other team, lots of Pass 2, and a healthy does of Joe Morris.