~ TV SPORTS FOOTBALL ~I was actually psyched for this game when it first came out. The PC version had a good reputation, and VG&CE gave the Turbo port high scores. (I think this was before I realized that VG&CE regularly gave console ports of popular computer games generous scores, probably the one bad thing about their reviews.) As I quickly discovered, and as everyone now knows, the game is a dud.
Everything on offense is busted. The passing system is the most unintuitive that I've ever experienced in a football game. You need to "aim" the quarterback's arm in the direction that you want him to throw the ball. Cinemaware had nice intentions with this system (they wanted you to "lead" your receivers like a real quarterback), but it just feels horrible. I end up exploiting a particular play where a receiver crosses over the middle of the field, since I can just leave the QB's arm pointing straight ahead, and the computer can't defend the play well anyway. Rushing isn't a valid alternative, as your running back can't create his own holes in the line. You have to wait for your OL to open up a hole, and even if you sneak through one, you won't get far before a linebacker decks you.
Defense controls well enough, and I like how the players grunt and growl with every tackle. But the computer-controlled offenses are inept, so there's not much you actually need to do on "D." And the gameplay is far too slow to be much fun anyway.
There's the typical Cinemaware cutting-corners stuff here. You don't get to kick the ball off, just like you don't get to participate in tip-offs in TV Sports Basketball. These are such stupid omissions. EGM claimed the game has a good halftime show, but I don't recall ever seeing a halftime show. And while I'm certainly not the kind of gamer who demands real players and teams and whatnot in his sports games, I do like some individuality among the fantasy league's players. World Class Baseball is one of the best for this, and even TV Sports Basketball has its speedy guards, deadly shooters, and slow benchwarmers. The players in this game just seem like generic bums waddling around a field.
The one thing that's handled well is field-goal kicking. In fact, the best way to have "fun" with TVSF is to shun the regular game modes entirely and head to practice, where you can stick to attempting field goals. The close-up field goal screen actually looks pretty good, and the attempts the game has you make can be tricky, depending on angle and distance. Yeah, doing nothing but kicking will get boring relatively quickly, but it really is about all the chip has to offer.
Needless to say, Cinemaware didn't quite get an official NFL license. 
Feels like watching a real game on TV, eh?
There isn't much to the playbook, but on offense you should stick with just one play anyway, the Pro-set crossing pattern...
Just leave your QB's arm pointing straight ahead, and let your receiver cross over the middle...
...for an easy completion almost every time.
Kicking is definitely the coolest looking and most enjoyable part.
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