im up 20 - 3. moving the ball free as anything... do not score a single point in the second half and the other team wins in the playoffs..................................... its simply too random... how can i set a gameplan that works... evident by the pounding i was putting on in the first half, and then by the second half it all goes out the window...

let me make this clear i do not want people to say ur hating on the dev, i love this game but its infuriating things like this that i just wanna packup n quit. YOU HAVE TO REWARD TIME SPENT MAKING A GAMEPLAN, and not have out of control elements (still have some but u need to lower them) making the difference.

Just so you know, there is nothing that changes in the engine if one team is strong in the first half that would give the other team any advantage to catch up and win. To be honest I intended to in the original design document, but found that it happened naturally frequently enough so threw that idea out.

If you give up a big lead in the second half, there are a few possible reasons:

1) You go into "slow down" mode (per your misc gameplan settings) and your opponent catches up (but even here, once you are back within the threshold you'll come out of "slow down" mode
2) The dice rolls suddenly start going against you instead of for you
3) Your opponent goes into "hurry up" mode and is actually more effective passing the ball than running (and I know that passing is currently too strong, a point of emphasis for the next version)

I think #2 is the most likely, especially in the playoffs - a team isn't going to be in the playoffs if they aren't reasonably good, you should be fairly well-matched and by the very nature it should be tough to blow a team out in the playoffs.

I know it is frustrating to lose a game like this. But to me this is one of the key strengths of this sim. It makes for great games sometimes and is realistic, just ask the Packers. At least we don't have the crazy pass catch rules that sent the Cowboys home in last seasons play offs.