Strip away the pixels and Retro Bowl is an optimization engine. Inputs: cap dollars, draft picks, play calls, time. Outputs: points, wins, trophies. The Retro Bowl Playbook is your operating system—algorithms for decisions under uncertainty.

System levers that matter:

1. Cap ROI

• QB premium: A good QB raises the value of every route. Pay him.
• Diminishing returns: WR2 at star money < OL upgrade + mid WR2. Protecting time increases EPA per dropback.
• Contract staggering: Alternate expiries across position groups to avoid cap cliffs.

2. Drive EV

• Early down efficiency: 1st-and-10 success drives compound. Aim for +4+4 to +7+7 yards and in-bounds clock per snap when protecting a lead.
• Penalty and sack risk: Short concepts reduce variance; mix one shot per series to prevent defensive cheating.

3. Information theory on offense

• Probing calls: Quick flat, hitch, inside zone = defender speed and pursuit profile revealed.
• Adaptive sequencing: If linebackers overrun flats, tag a slant behind. If safeties squat, call seams and posts.

4. Red zone conversion model

• Space tax: Field compresses; routes that break horizontally (outs, whip, pivot) outperform slow-developing crossers.
• Decision threshold: If read time > pass rush time, throw away. Take FG; maximize win probability over style.

5. Talent pipeline

• Draft curve: OL/CB offer the largest consistency spike per pick. WR and RB flourish once the base is built.
• Development focus: Coaching upgrades accelerate rookies to star-level cap efficiency.

Actionable Playbook snippets:

• Wind-adjusted depth: With strong wind, cap air yards ~15 unless free-release vertical wins pre-snap.
• Two-high beaters: Flood one side: flat + corner + go. Read high-to-low.
• One-high shot: Post or seam behind the vacated middle; pump the dig to move the safety.

This isn’t about memorizing plays. It’s about engineering state advantages—time, field position, and readable safeties. Install the Playbook, and you’ll turn coin-flip games into 60–40 edges, season after season.