256 Team NFL Tournament Round 1/Region 13: 1972 Miami Dolphins v. 1991 Houston Oilers

'91 Oilers v. '73 Steelers 

16. 1991 HOUSTON OILERS at 1. 1972 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION MIAMI DOLPHINS

1. 1972 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION MIAMI DOLPHINS

Record: 14-0

Pythag: 12-2

Off: 1st

Def: 1st

1st AFC East

d. Browns Div Rnd 20-14

d. Steelers AFC Title 21-17

d. Redskins Super Bowl 14-7

HC Don Shula OC Howard Schnellenberger DC Bill Arnsbarger

Orange Bowl: 75 degrees

Rick Weaver/Lou Creekmur

Offense

QB Earl Morrall 38 All Pro

RB Mercury Morris 25

RB Larry Csonka 26

WR Howard Twilley 29

WR Paul Warfield 30

TE Marv Fleming 30

LT Doug Crusan 26

LG Bob Kuechenberg 25

C Jim Langer 24

RG Larry Little 27 All Pro

RT Norm Evans 30

Defense

LDE Vern Den Herder 24

LDT Manny Fernandez 26

RDT Bob Heinz 25

RDE Bill Stanfill 25 All Pro

LLB Doug Swift 24

MLB Nick Buoniconti 32 

RLB Mike Kolen 24

LCB Tim Foley 24

RCB Curtis Johnson 24

SS Dick Anderson 26 All Pro

FS Jake Scott 27

K Garo Yepremian 28

P Larry Seiple 27

KR/PR Charlie Leigh 27

Here's the 13th overall seed in the tournament, the only undefeated team in the field, the '72 Dolphins, first in both offense and defense and looking to be the 5th Miami team in rnd 2. Quarterback is a point of contention - Earl Morrall's 38, All Pro, 12 scores and 7 picks, and he was the starter most of the season -- in replacement of Bob Griese, 27, who came back and won the Super Bowl. Morrall will start this game. A thousand yards plus rushing each for 25 year old Mercury Morris and 26 year old Larry Csonka. 27 year old Larry Little is an All Pro.  2 All pros on the other side of the ball, 25 year old Bill Stanfill, 26 year old Dick Anderson. 

16. 1991 HOUSTON OILERS

Record: 11-5

Pythag: 12-4

Off: 4th

Def: 6th

1st AFC Central

d. Jets WC 17-10

lost Div Rnd Broncos 26-24

d. '73 Steelers 17-4

HC Jack Pardee OC Kevin Gilbride DC Jim Eddy

Offense

QB Warren Moon 35 Washington

RB Allen Pinkett 27 N Dame

WR Curtis Duncan 26 Nwestern

WR Ernest Givens 27 Louisville

WR Drew Hill 35 Geo Tech

WR Haywood Jeffires 27 All Pro NC St

LT Don Maggs 30 Tulane

LG Mike Munchak 31 All Pro Penn St

C Bruce Matthews 30 USC

LG Doug Dawson 30 Texas

RT David Williams 25 Florida

Defense

LDE William Fuller 29  UNC

LDT Ray Childress 29 A&M

RDT Doug Smith 31 Auburn

RDE Sean Jones 29 Neastern

LLB Lamar Lathon 24 Houston

MLB Al Smith 27 Utah St

RLB Johnny Meads 30 Nicholls St

LCB Cris Dishman 26 All Pro Purdue

RCB Richard Johnson 28 Wisc

SS Bubba McDowell 25 Miami

FS Bo Orlando 25 W Virginia

K Al Del Greco 29 Auburn

P Greg Montgomery 27 Mich St

KR/PR Pat Coleman 24 Ole Miss

The '93 Oilers won the region 11 play in game against the '71 Dolphins and then gave the top seeds a helluva game; the Run & Shoot just is a tough matchup and we might see that here.  It's pretty close to a rematch given that this is a 16/1 matchup.  4th in offense, Warren Moon is 35, 25 scores and 21 picks. 10 TDs for  27 year old Allen Pinkett. How about 3000+ yds for the WR trio of 27 year old Ernest Givens, 35 year old Drew Hill, and the All Pro, 27 year old Haywood Jeffires, who caught a hundred balls. 25 combined sacks for 29 year old William Fuller and 29 year old Sean Jones. Cris Dishman is a 26 year old All Pro with 6 picks.  Houston knocked off the '73 Steelers to make this game. 

Time to do it - The 1/16 game in Region 13 - let's go to the Orange Bowl.

1st Qtr

Oilers start at the 22.  

1/10 - Warren Moon to pass - checkdown to Lorenzo White, 4 yards.  

2/6 - Allen Pinkett gets 2.

3/4 - Pinkett gets 6.  

1/10 - Moon --- finds Drew Hill, 16 yards to midfield.  

1/10 - 17 yard big pickup for White, Oilers at the 33.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Pinkett gets 4.

3/6 - Moon - finds Lorenzo White, he fights his way to the sticks -- Oilers at the 25.

1/10 - Nick Buoniconti sacks Moon

2/14 - Give to White, he's stacked up.

3/14 - Moon -- to Drew Hill - Hill is there for another first down, Oilers at the 10 yard line.

1/goal - Incomplete

2/goal - Pinkett for 3.

3/goal - Moon -- End Zone -- Ernest Givens --- TOUCHDOWN OILERS - 7 yard score from Moon to Givens -- that's a 78 yard opening drive for a score -- the 16th seeded Oilers go up on the Perfect Dolphins.  

Miami at the 34.

They get a first down, Csonka 16 yard run - but a Sean Jones sack ends the drive - Miami punts.

Oilers at the 20.  3 and out.

Dolphins in good shape at their own 42.  

1/10 - Mercury Morris for 9.

2/1 - Incomplete

3/1 - Csonka gets 7 to the Oiler 42.

1/10 - Morris is stopped.

2/10 - Give to Jim Kiick, he's met in the backfield and loses a yard.

3/11 - Earl Morrall - Otto Stowe -- Stowe gets to the 35, short of the first down as the quarter ends.

2nd Qtr: Oilers 7 Dolphins 0

Houston took half the quarter to drive and score - Miami is at the Houston 35 on a 4th and 3.  

Shula's going for it.  

4/3 - Give to Mercury Morris -- and he is met by the Oiler line and stopped cold!  Big stop by the Oilers, Houston takes possession.

Two plays lose two yards and on third down Moon is Picked Off by Jake Scott -- Scott intercepts Moon and the Dolphins take over at the Oiler 48, the Steelers intercepted Moon 4 times in the play in game, Miami gets him here.  

But they go 3 and out -- William Fuller sacks Morrall and Miami punts.  Oilers start at their own 21, 12 minutes left in the half, still leading 7-0.

1/10 - 3 yards for Pinkett.

2/7 - Big gain for White - 24 yards for Lorenzo White. 

1/10 - Moon to Haywood Jeffires, 11 yards and the Oilers are at the Miami 41.

1/10 - Moon is flushed, pulls it down, Moon gets 6 yards.

2/4 - Moon to Jeffires - 13 yards and another first down- Houston is at the 22.

1/10 - White is stopped

2/10 - Moon under a  lot of pressure, able to get out of bounds and gains a yard

3/9 - Moon -- End Zone ---- Picked Off by Dick Anderson!  Anderson intercepts Moon in the endzone -- Anderson runs it out to the 8 yard line, Miami has their second INT.

7 minutes left in the half, still 7-0, Houston has had its way on both sides of the ball, but only leads 7-0.

1/10 - Csonka gets Miami some breathing room with a 10 yard run.

1/10 - Morris busts one -- a 42 yard run to daylight -- Miami is all the way out to the Oiler 40.

1/10 - Csonka gets 1

2/9 - Kiick get 1

3/8 - Morrall -- looking downfield -- he's got Howard Twilley -- Twilley takes the ball all the way to the 11 yard line!  Big play for Morrall and Miami is at the 11 with 3 minutes left in the half.  

1/10 - Csonka 5 yard gain

2/5 - Morris gets a yard

3/4 - Morrall --- End Zone - Marv Fleming --- TOUCHDOWN DOLPHINS - that's a 92 yard TD drive for Miami and we are tied up at the 2 minute warning.  

Oilers at the 15.

1/10 - Moon - Hill, 10 yards.

1/10 - Moon, Hill, 12 yards.  

1/10 - Give to Pinkett, he goes to the 44, 8 yard pickup and Houston uses its first timeout with 1:04 left in the half.  

2/2 - Give to Pinkett and he picks it up.  Clock moving.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Moon - Ernest Givens, that's a first down to the Miami 39, Oilers stop the clock at 38 seconds left.  

1/10 - Moon -- in trouble -- dump to Givens on the sideline, 3 yard gain, 28 seconds left.

2/7 - Moon is sacked by Bill Stanfill -- Oilers back at the Miami 40, 14 seconds left, Houston calls timeout, 3rd and 11.

3/11 - Moon --- End Zone --- Moon ---- Incomplete

End of the half -- looooong FG attempt for Del Greco.....

And he misses it.  halftime.

3rd Qtr: Dolphins 7 Oilers 7

All 12 top seeds have won, Miami's in a fight here - Oilers have had the better end of the game, but we are tied at 7.

Dolphins start at the 17

3 and out.  Oilers in great field position after a Coleman return, at the Miami 42.  

One first down - Moon 10 yards to Hill.  But the drive ends here - Oilers decide not to go for the long FG, instead they punt - Miami has to start deep in their own end at the 8.

1/10 - Csonka loses a yard.

2/11 - Csonka gets it back.

3/10 - Morrall finds Twilley -- 31 yard gain to the 39.

1/10 - Kiick stopped at the line

2/10 - Morris gets a dozen yards across midfield.  

1/10 - Csonka gets 6

2/4 - Morall -- he goes downfield to Fleming, 18 yard pickup, Miami just rolling down the field now.

1/10 - Kiick gets 2 yards

2/8 - Csonka picks it up, Miami is at the 14.  

1/10 - Kiick gets 1

2/9 - Incomplete

3/9 - Morrall - to Morris -- Mercury Morris great pickup - Morris gets to the sticks at the 4 yard line.  

1/goal -- Morall -- Endzone --- Incomplete

2.goal - Give to Morris....Mercury Morris fights his way Into the End Zone -- TOUCHDOWN DOLPHINS - 92 yard TD drive for Morrall and Miami, Miami takes its first lead of the day with less than 2 minutes to go in the third quarter.

Oilers at the 23.

3 and out - prior to the punt, the quarter ends.

4th Qtr: Dolphins 14 Oilers 7

Long Miami TD drive, Miami has the lead and is about to get the ball - top seeded Dolphins maybe about to put some distance here ahead of Houston.

Miami at the 35 after the punt.

3 and out - William Fuller sacks Morrall, his second sack after 2 sacks in the play in game.  Houston will start at the 35.

1/10 - Moon -- downfield to Duncan, 20 yards and Houston crosses midfield.

1/10 - Moon - Pinkett, 9 yard pickup.

2/1 - White gets the first down and Houston's at the 31.

The drive ends here -- Del Greco FG cuts the deficit to 14-10 with less than 10 minutes to play.

Miami at the 36.

They get a first down, 10 yard pass to Stowe - but the drive ends - Miami punts and so Houston takes possession at their own 21.  

3 and out - Manny Fernandez sack of Moon on the drive - Miami gets the ball back at their own 44 yard line with less than 5 minutes to go and a 4 point lead.  

Miami looking to oick up some first downs here, move to clock.

But they don't - big 3 and out - the Oiler defense forces a punt, Houston takes over with 3 minutes to go at their own 18.

1/10 - Moon ---- Givens, 14 yards.

1/10 - Moon -- Jeffires -- 10 yards and Houston's at the 42.

1/10 - Incomplete and a holding call on the next play moves Houston back to their own 32 at the 2 minute warning.

2/20 - Incomplete

3/20 - Moon --- Downfield to Hill - 23 yards, big, big pickup and Houston stops the clock as they cross midfield.  1:38 to go.  

1/10 - It's a give to Pinkett, he runs for 8 yards, clock moving

2/2 - Give to Pinkett, he picks it up, Oilers use their second timeout at the Miami 36 yard line with 64 seconds left.  

Here we are.  The Perfect Dolphins are up 4 on the 16th seed in the region, the '91 Oilers, Houston's got a first down at the 36, 1:04 left, 1 timeout.  

1/10 - Huge safety blitz for Miami, Jake Scott sacks Moon - Houston forced to use their final timeout, Houston back at the 43 with 54 seconds to go.  

2/17 - Moon....Moon forced to dump it to Pinkett, he's out of bounds at the 41, 46 seconds left.  3rd and loooong.

3/15 - Moon ---- Moon to Givens -- Givens in space -- Givens in space -- Givens is going to pick up the first down to the 21 yard line and he is out of bounds!  Huge play - Oilers at the 21 with 33 seconds to go in the game.  First down.

1/10 - Moon -- Moon under heat -- Moon is sacked by Nick Buoniconti - that might be it - that's a big play - Moon scrambling to his feet --

2/15 - Incomplete, Moon spikes the ball to stop the clock.  But now Houston's got just 18 seconds left, they're at the Miami 26, it's 3rd and 15 and Houston is out of timeouts.  

3/15 - Moon - Moon -- Moon finds Tony Jones -- Jones has a big first down and he gets out of bounds, there's 6 seconds left to go in the game -- Houston is at the Miami 9 yard line!

Wow -- the drama.  

The 13th overall seed in the tournament -- the Perfect Miami Dolphins are clinging, clinging to a 4 point lead.  

The '91 Oilers, the 16th seeds in the region, winners of a play in round, have the ball at the Miami 9 yard line.  

6 seconds left.  One play to go.  

1/goal - Moon....Moon - End Zone....Jeffires  TOUCHDOWN!  TOUCHDOWN!  TOUCHDOWN!  TOUCHDOWWWNNNNNNN!!!  WARREN MOON TO HAYWOOD JEFFIRES TOUCHDOWN!!!

In a stunner, an absolute stunner - the 1991 Oilers come to Miami in rnd 1 and knock off the Perfect Dolphins.

There won't be an extra point, the Oilers pour onto the field -- any Houston fans in the crowd rush the field - it is a stunning, perhaps the most stunning result of any football game in the history of the sport - Warren Moon 9 yard score at the gun to Haywood Jeffires and the top seeds in Region 13, the only perfect team in the tournament - they are gone!

Final: Oilers 16 Dolphins 14

Wow.  

Moon: 26 for 40, 281 yds, 2 TD/2 INT

Morrall: 7 for 13, 115 yds, 1 TD

White: 10 carries, 49 yds

Morris: 13 carries, 79 yds, TD

Jeffires, 7 catches, 58 yds, TD

Twilley: 2 catches, 60 yds

Fuller: 2 sacks

Scott: sack, INT

Player of the Game: Warren Moon

256 Team NFL Tournament Round 1/Region 13: Play in Game

'50 Browns v. '85 Dolphins 

16. 1991 HOUSTON OILERS at 16. 1973 PITTSBURGH STEELERS

16. 1973 PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Record: 10-4

Pythag: 11-3

Off: 4th

Def: 8th

2nd AFC Central

lost Div Rnd Raiders 33-14

HC Chuck Noll DC Bud Carson

Jack Fleming/Myron Cope

Three Rivers Stadium: 60 degrees

Offense

QB Terry Bradshaw 25

RB Preston Pearson 28

RB Franco Harris 23

WR Frank Lewis 26

WR Ron Shanklin 25

TE John McMakin 23

LT Jon Kolb 26

LG Sam Davis 29

C Ray Mansfield 32

RG Bruce Van Dyke 29

RT Glen Ray Hines 30

Defense

LDE LC Greenwood (27)

LDT Joe Greene (27) All Pro

RDT Ernie Holmes (25)

RDE Dwight White (24)

LLB Jack Ham (25)

MLB Henry Davis (31)

RLB Andy Russell (32)

LCB John Bowser (29)

RCB Mel Blount (25)

SS Mike Wagner (24)

FS Glen Edwards (26)

K Roy Gerela (25)

P Bobby Walden (35)

KR Steve Davis (25)

PR Glen Edwards (26)

4 Steelers groups have moved forward; it'll be a challenge for this 16th seed in the region to win the play in game and then knock off the top seeded Perfect Dolphins to be the 5th.  The '73 Steelers were 4th in offense. 25 year old Terry Bradshaw had 13 scores and 15 picks in 9 starts. 10 TDs for 15 year old Ron Shanklin.  On defense, Mean Joe Greene is a 27 year old first team All Pro. The starting secondary had 24 picks, 24 year old Mike Wagner leading the way with 8.

16. 1991 HOUSTON OILERS

Record: 11-5

Pythag: 12-4

Off: 4th

Def: 6th

1st AFC Central

d. Jets WC 17-10

lost Div Rnd Broncos 26-24

HC Jack Pardee OC Kevin Gilbride DC Jim Eddy

Offense

QB Warren Moon 35

RB Allen Pinkett 27

WR Curtis Duncan 26

WR Ernest Givens 27

WR Drew Hill 35

WR Haywood Jeffires 27 All Pro

LT Don Maggs 30

LG Mike Munchak 31 All Pro

C Bruce Matthews 30

LG Doug Dawson 30

RT David Williams 25

Defense

LDE William Fuller 29

LDT Ray Childress 29

RDT Doug Smith 31

RDE Sean Jones 29

LLB Lamar Lathon 24

MLB Al Smith 27

RLB Johnny Meads 30

LCB Cris Dishman 26 All Pro

RCB Richard Johnson 28

SS Bubba McDowell 25

FS Bo Orlando 25

K Al Del Greco 29

P Greg Montgomery 27

KR/PR Pat Coleman 24

The '93 Oilers won the region 11 play in game and then gave the top seeds a helluva game; the Run & Shoot just is a tough matchup and we might see that here.  4th in offense, Warren Moon is 35, 25 scores and 21 picks. 10 TDs for  27 year old Allen Pinkett. How about 3000+ yds for the WR trio of 27 year old Ernest Givens, 35 year old Drew Hill, and the All Pro, 27 year old Haywood Jeffires, who caught a hundred balls. 25 combined sacks for 29 year old William Fuller and 29 year old Sean Jones. Cris Dishman is a 26 year old All Pro with 6 picks.

The '72 Dolphins sit on South Beach with their perfect record, waiting the winners.  Let's head to Three Rivers for the kick.

1st Qtr

Good Pat Coleman return to open this, Oilers will start at the 41.

One first down - Lorenzo White runs for 15 yards.  The drive dies there - great Montgomery punt, Oilers down it at the Steeler 2.  

1/10 Franco Harris stopped at the line.

2/10 - The snap is fumbled -- Bradshaw is able to cover it in the end zone -- but William Fuller is atop him -- That's a Safety - and 3 minutes into the game it is 2-0 Oilers.

Another good Coleman return - Oilers are at the Steeler 33.

1/10 - 5 more for White.

2/5 - Jack Ham Picks off Warren Moon - the Steelers turn Houston over and take over at their own 36.

3 and out.  Steelers punt, Oilers start at the 22.

One first down and it's a big play - Lorenzo White busts a 47 yard run, big start for White - but that's all for Houston, Al Del Greco hits a long FG and it is 5-0 Oilers.

Steelers start at the 18.

1/10 - 3 for Franco

2/7 - Bradshaw's first completion, 3 yard checkdown to Franco.

3/4 - Bradshaw - over the middle to Preston Pearson, he's got 10 yards.

1/10 - 4 yards for Pearson.

2/6 - Preston Pearson for 12 yards - Pearson gets to midfield.  

1/10 - Frenchy Fuqua stopped.

2/10 - Incomplete

3/10 - Bradshaw looks for Shanklin -- Picked Off by Cris Dishman -- Dishman snatches the ball away from Shanklin, Oilers start at the 28.

1/10 - Moon finds Haywood Jeffires, 11 yards to the 39.

1/10 - Lorenzo White just exploding today -- 52 yards -- 52 huge yards all the way to the Steeler 9 yard line as the qtr ends.

2nd Qtr: Oilers 5 Steelers 0

The Oiler defense standing up so far, forcing a turnover and creating a safety, on offense its all Lorenzo White, the Oilers have a first and goal at the 9.

1/goal - Allen Pinkett stopped at the line

2/goal - Pinkett again, he gets 3

3/goal - Moon - Moon fires to the end zone -- Drew Hill -- TOUCHDOWN OILERS - 6 yard Moon TD strike and Houston's now up 12-0.

Steelers at the 32.  

1/10 - Franco gets a yard.

2/9 - A dozen yards for Franco.

1/10 - 2 for Fuqua

2/8 - Franco gets 8 and the Steelers cross midfield.  A holding call backs Pittsburgh 10 yards and the drive ends.  

Steelers kick - Oilers are at the 23 with less than 10 to go - Moon is just destroyed by Joe Grene on first down, it's a 15 yard personal foul, Moon is aided to the sideline, Cody Carlson comes on - and the Oilers don't get another yard.  

Wonder if that's a big play here - down 12-0, Steelers have nothing at all going in their direction, Joe Greene picks up a personal foul but the trade is Moon is out of the game.

Steelers start at the 30 -- another 3 and out.  Just nothing for Pittsburgh.

Halfway through the qtr, Oilers at the 36 --- Carlson still on the field - 

1/10 - Gary Brown gets 10 yards --

But that's all - and when Greene sacks Carlson the drive ends...Carlson needs some assistance from the field-- Steelers start at the 8.

2 first downs - Franco 37 yard run the big play and Bradshaw to Shanklin for 9 gets the second.

But the drive ends - and after the punt, it's a touchback, Oilers starting under 2 minutes left in the half at the 20 with a 12-0 lead.  Warren Moon comes back out onto field - he missed a series after getting knocked out by Joe Greene -- Greene then knocked out the backup Carlson and Moon comes back on.  

1/10 - Moon - Moon Looking up Top -- Moon Looking up Top --- Picked off By Mel Blount!  Blount -- Blount -- Blount with the great return -- Blount  is forced out of bounds at the 10 yard line!  Huge play - Oilers up 12, less than 2 to go in the half and Mel Blount intercepts Warre Moon - the Steeler crowd has something to cheer for -- you could see the thought from Jack Pardee and Kevin Gilbride - the Steelers will be expecting the run, lets take a shot -- but Mel Blount intercepts the pass and now with about 90 seconds left the Steelers are in business, first and goal at the 10.

1/goal - Bradshaw.....End Zone....Shanklin...TOUCHDOWN STEELERS -- Terry Bradshaw 10 yard TD pass to Ron Shanklin -- and the Steelers slice the deficit to 12-7.

1:21 left in the half.

Oilers at the 22.  Moon coming back on.

1/10 - Pinkett gets 4.

2/6 - Moon to Ernest Givens, 9 yards, he's out of bounds.

1/10 - Moon to Hill, short 4 yard gain, Oilers use their first timeout at 40 seconds left.  

2/6 - Give to Pinkett...Pinkett's through the line, Pinkett's got a first down, it's a 14 yard pickup across midfield and the Oilers use their second timeout at 29 seconds.  

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Moon - downfield to Haywood Jeffires, it's a 20 yard pickup, the Oilers use their final timeout at 10 seconds left at the Steeler 27.  Gutty drive for Moon who clearly is less than 100%.

1/10 - Moon -- end zone --- Drew Hi ---- Knocked Away by Mike Wagner, just 1 second left - Al Del Greco comes on - 44 yard FG attempt....

Snap.  Kick.    And it's no good.  Del Greco misses the FG and we go to the locker room.

3rd Qtr: Oilers 12 Steelers 7

2 picks for both teams, Houston adds a safety - we'll see if either offense can establish itself in the second half or if big plays on defense will tell the story.

Davis muffs the kick, Steelers pinned deep at their own 5.

1/10 - Franco loses 3, Al Smith in the backfield.

2/13 - Full blitz - Bradshaw just able to throw an incompletion

3/7 - Bradshaw -- Bradshaw in trouble -- Bradshaw in trouble -- Bradshaw is Sacked by Sean Jones - That is Another Safety!  Houston's second safety on the day comes on the third play of the half, Jones brings down Bradshaw and it's 14-7 the hard way.  

Oilers start at the Steeler 45.  

1/10 -  Moon -- Moon Is Picked Off By Mike Wagner!  Wagner with the third Steeler interception of the day - Pittsburgh will take over at their own 35, trailing by 7.

3 and out.  Oilers immediately get the ball back at the 25.

3 and out.  Steelers get it back at the 36.

3 and out.  Oilers now at the 33.

1/10 - Moon to Duncan, 13 yards to the 46. 

1/10 - Moon to Hill, 9 yards and Houston crosses midfield.  

2/1 - Pinkett is...not able to pick it up

3/1 - Moon tries a sneak....and he is stopped dead at the line.  4th down now and a yard from the Steeler 46.

4/1 - Moon - Moon under pressure -- Moon -- it's tipped at the line by Greene -- and Greene Has the Interception!  Mean Joe Greene with the Interception - That's 4 Pittsburgh interceptions on the day - the Steelers take possession at their own 46.

2 incompletions and the quarter ends

4th Qtr: Oilers 14 Steelers 7

Poker but with big defensive plays, 2 safeties for the Oilers, 4 picks for the Steelers.  Steelers with a 3rd and 10 at the 46.  

3/10 - Bradshaw -- Steelers pick up the blitz and Bradshaw hits Frank Lewis -- that's a big pickup to the Oiler 31, big first down for Pittsburgh.

1/10 - Franco for 5

2/5 - Bradshaw - to Preston Pearson in space -- Pearson has a step -- And Preston Pearson's Got a Step -- Preston Pearson's got open field and he goes.....Into the End Zone...TOUCHDOWN STEELERS - Bradshaw has picked up 2 safeties, but he comes back and throws a 26 yard catch and run to Pearson and with 13:30 left we are tied at 14.

Oilers at the 22. 

One first down, Pinkett 13 yard run.  But the drive ends, with 11:43 left it's Pittsburgh who gains possession at the 25.

One first down - Bradshaw 19 yards to Fuqua, but the drive ends, Houston regains at the 19, little more than 8 minutes to go -- game tied at 14. 

1/10 - Pinkett goes for 19 yards, Oilers at the 38.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - 10 yards for White..White to the 48. 

But that's the end of the drive - and with 5:11 to play the Steelers regain possession at their own 13.

All tied - Steeler ball - 5 minutes to go.

1/10 - Fuqua is stacked up.

2/10 - 3 yards for Pearson

3/7 - Bradshaw -- pressure, Bradshaw sidelin -- Picked off by Dishman!  Cris Dishman with his 2nd INT of the day -- Huge, Huge, Huge, the Oilers will take the ball with less than 4 minutes to play at the Steeler 18 yard line!

Oilers can't move the ball.  

Al Del Greco comes on for the 32 yard FG to give Houston the lead.....

Snap.   Kick......

GOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Al Del Greco 32 yard FG, we are just ahead of the 2 minute warning and Houston is up 17-14.

Steelers at the 15.  They need the FG to force OT,

1/10 - Bradshaw...forced to run...Bradshaw with the 6 yard gain and it's the 2 min warning.  

2/4 - Bradshaw --- Downfield --- Shanklin -- big gain, 28 yards, Steelers at the 49, Steelers use their first timeout.  Big, big play.  

1/10 - Pearson gets 1, clock running.  

2/9 - Bradshaw is sacked - hurled to the turf by William Fuller, Steelers call time, third and 16.

3/16 - Incomplete

This is it.  Steelers at their own 43.  Little more than a minute left. 

4/16 - Bradshaw -- Pearson, Pearson's got some room - Pearson is Going to be....Stoppped Just Short of the First Down! Bubba McDowell Stops Pearson just shy of the first down -- and that will be the end - The Oilers will be able to run out the clock and this game has ended.

Final: Oilers 17 Steelers 14

70s style football here, full on smash mouth football, safeties, picks - Cris Dishman's 2nd pick the big play leading to the game winning FG.

Moon: 12 for 25 122 yds 1 TD 4 INT

Bradshaw: 10 for 26 149 yds 2 TD/2 INT

White: 11 carries, 142 yds

Harris: 16 carries, 72 yds

Hill: 6 catches, 52 yds, TD

Shanklin: 3 catches, 51 yds TD

Dishman, 2 INT

Fuller: 2 sacks, safety

Greene: 2 sacks, INT

Player of the Game: Cris Dishman

2022 Week 3 NFL/NCAA Picks

 NFL: 6-4

 NCAA: 4-6

Kent +46 UGA  win

Duke +7.5 Kansas loss

Vandy +40.5 Alabama loss

CCarolina -2.5 Geo St win

UNC -1.5 ND loss

2-3

6-9

TB -1 GB loss

Sea -1 Atl loss

NO -3 Carol loss

Chi -2.5 Hou win

Wash +7 Phil loss

1-4

7-8

256 Team NFL Tournament Round 1/Region 12: 1950 Cleveland Browns v. 1985 Miami Dolphins

  '73 Vikings v. '76 Rams

15. 1985 MIAMI DOLPHINS at 2. 1950 NFL CHAMPION CLEVELAND BROWNS

2. 1950 NFL CHAMPION CLEVELAND BROWNS

Record: 10-2

Pythag: 10-2

Off: 4th

Def: 2nd

1st NFL American

d. Giants Div Rnd 8-3

d. Rams NFL Title 30-28

HC Paul Brown

Bob Neal

Municipal Stadium: 50 degrees

Offense

QB Otto Graham 29 Northwestern

FB Marion Motley All Pro 30 Nevada

RB Dub Jones 26 LSU

RB Rex Bumgardner 27 W Virginia

WR Mac Speedie 30 Utah

WR Dante Lavelli 27 Ohio St

LT Lou Groza 26 Ohio St

LG Weldon Humble 29 Louisiana

C Frank Gatski 31 Auburn

RG Lin Houston 29 Ohio St

RT Lou Rymkus 31 N Dame

Defense

LDE George Young 26 UGA

LDT Derrell Palmer 28 TCU

MG Bill Willis 29 Ohio St

RDT Chubby Grigg 24 Tulsa

RDE Jim Martin 26 R N Dame

LLB Tony Adamle 26 Ohio St

RLB Alex Agase 28 Illinois

LDH Hal Herring 26 Auburn

RDH Warren Lahr 27 C Western

LS Ken Gorgal 21 R Purdue

RS Tommy James 27 Ohio St

K Lou Groza 26 Ohio St

P Horace Gillom 29 Nevada

KR/PR Don Phelps 26 Kentucky

4 Browns teams have advanced, the 2nd seed in the region, the 21st overall seed in the tournament is the 1950 NFL Champs. 2nd best defense in the NFL. 23 combined picks for 27 year old Warren Lahr, 21 year old Ken Gorgal, 27 year old Tommy James. On offense, 29 year old Otto Graham had 20 scores and 20 picks. 30 year old Marion Motley is an All Pro.

15. 1985 MIAMI DOLPHINS

Record: 12-4

Pythag: 11-5

Off: 4th

Def: 12th

1st AFC East

d. Browns Div Rnd 24-21

lost AFC Title Patriots 31-14

HC Don Shula DC Chuck Studley

Offense

QB Dan Marino 24 All Pro Pitt

RB Tony Nathan 29 Alabama

RB Woody Bennett 30 Miami

WR Mark Clayton 24 Louisville

WR Mark Duper 26 NW St

TE Bruce Hardy 29 Ariz St

LT Jon Giesler 29 Michigan

LG Roy Foster 25 USC

C Dwight Stephenson 28 All Pro Alabama

RG Ronnie Lee 29 Baylor

RT Cleveland Green 28 Southern

Defense

LDE Doug Betters 29 Nevada

NT MIke Charles 23 Syracuse

RDE Kim Bokamper 31 S Jose St

LOLB Bob Brudzinski 30 Ohio St

LILB Jackie Shipp 23 Oklahoma

RILB Mark Brown 24 Purdue

ROLB Hugh Green 26 Pitt

LCB Paul Lankford 27 Penn St

RCB William Judson 26 S Carolina St

SS Glenn Blackwood 28 Texas

FS Bud Brown 24 S Miss

K Fuad Reveiz 22 Tenn

P Reggie Roby 24 Iowa

KR Lorenzo Hampton 23 Florida 

PR Tommy Vigorito 26 UVA

It'll take a 15 to knock off a 2 for Miami to move their 5th team forward. The '85 Dolphins had the 4th best offense in football. Marino is 24, 30 scores and 21 picks. 28 year old Dwight Stephenson is an All Pro.  On defense, 23 year old Mike Charles and and 29 year old Mike Betters combined for 12.5 sacks.  

Last Region 12 game - 60 minutes from now 3/4 of round 1 will be in the books, let's go to Cleveland.

1st Qtr

Miami starts at the 26.

3 and out.  

Browns at the 45, good field position.  3 and out.

Dolphins at the 16.  3 and out.

Browns starting all the way at the Miami 47.

3 and out including a Doug Betters sack.  

Miami at the 19.

1/10 - Woody Bennett gets a yard.

2/9 - Dan Marino finds Mark Clayton for 5.

3/4 - Marino to Clayton again, 13 yard pickup to the 38.

1/10 - Bennett's stopped at the line and then a penalty makes it 2nd and 15.

2/15 - Incomplete

3/15 - Marino rifles a ball to Mark Duper, 24 yard gain and Miami crosses midfield.

That's where it ends, after the punt, Cleveland at the 18.

They pick up their first first down - Otto Graham airing it out, 35 yards to Dante Lavelli.  But two plays later William Judson Picks Off Graham - and as the quarter ends, Miami is at their own 35 yard line.

2nd Qtr: Browns 0 Dolphins 0

Just defense early on. Miami starting a drive at the 35.

Miami gets a first down on a 7 yard Ron Davenport run - but they are still on their own side of the field when they punt.  Browns at the 18.

1/10 Marion Motley 5 yards

2/5 - Graham - flushed - gets a yard

3/4 - Graham -- finds Lavelli - a dozen yards to the 36.

1/10 - Motley - Motley Bursts Through the Line -- Motley's Running Wild -- Marion Motley is Gonna Go --- 64 Yards -- Into the Miami End Zone -- TOUCHDOWN BROWNS - Marion Motley goes 64 yards all the way to paydirt and the Browns take the lead.

Miami at the 37 - one first down on a 7 yard Tony Nathan run - but again, they don't cross midfield, Cleveland gets the ball back with 6 left in the half at their own 22.

1/10 - Motley gets 1.

2/9 - Dub Jones for 3

3/6 - Graham - Jones - 17 big yards out to the 43.

1/10 - Motley gets 2

2/8 - Motley 2 more

3/6 - Jones picks it up and the Browns cross midfield at the 2 minute mark

1/10 - Graham hits Mac Speedie, 10 yards to the 36.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Otto Graham's got it going, 15 yards to Dub Jones to the 21.

1/10 - Graham to Speedie, 8 yards and the Browns use their first timeout at 90 seconds.

2/2 - Graham to Speedie - he's out of bounds at the 4 and it's a first and goal for Cleveland.  

1/goal - Graham -- Lavelli -- End Zone -- TOUCHDOWN BROWNS - Paul Brown dials up pass plays - Graham throws the Browns into the end zone and now it is 14-0.

The Dolphins are unable to move the ball and it's halftime.

Third Qtr: Browns 14 Dolphins 0

Nothing going for Miami on offense, meanwhile, Cleveland with two 2nd quarter scores and it's 14-0. Browns starting at the 27.

3 and out.  Miami at the 33, they get a first down on a 14 yard Tony Nathan run, but they punt, Browns at the 20.

They get a first down on a long 32 yard Graham to Jones pass - but the drive ends.

Miami starts at the 35.  3 and out.  Cleveland at the 22.  3 and out.

Miami in good field position at the Brown 46, 2 minutes left in the third.

1/10 - 2 yards for Nathan

2/2 - 2 for Bennett

3/6 - Weather conditions worsening in Cleveland, Miami has been almost entirely on the ground in the second half, Rodney Hampton picks up the first down, 9 yards to the Cleveland 32 as the quarter ends.

4th Qtr: Browns 14 Dolphins 0

Miami's down 2 scores but they have their best chance of the day, first down at the Cleveland 32.

The drive dies here - long Reveiz FG makes it 14-3.

Cleveland starts at the 18 - they stay on the ground, pick up one first down, 8 yard Jones run, but with 11 minutes left, Miami gets the ball back at their own 31, trailing by 11.  

Marino has a chance now, a TD drive and Miami is in the game.

They get only one first down, Marino 12 yards to Clayton - but they turn the ball over on downs and the Browns are at the Miami 46 with 8 minutes to go, up 14-3.

1/10 - Motley gets a yard

2/9 - Screen to Motley, he's breaking tackles - Marion Motley is gonna go 39 yards, all the way to the 6 yard line.

1/10 - Dub Jones flies into the end zone -- TOUCHDOWN BROWNS - and that's the capper, a little more than 6 minutes left and it is 21-3 Browns.

Miami at the 28, they get a couple first downs, 12 yard passes to Nathan and Bruce Hardy, but the drive ends on a Tony Adamle sack, the Browns again taking over on downs.  Cleveland takes over with 4 minutes left and run almost all of it off the clock before Miami has one last possession with just a couple of pass attempts.  

Final: Browns 21 Dolphins 3

The final spot in Region 12 goes to the 2nd seed in the region, easy win for the Browns, they hold Marino's Dolphins to just 8 first downs.

Graham: 12 for 24, 190 yds, 1 TD/1 INT

Marino: 10 for 21, 89 yds

Motley: 15 carries, 109 yds, 1 TD

Nathan: 14 carries, 36 yds

Lavelli: 3 catches, 51 yds TD

Clayton: 4 catches, 31 yds

Player of the Game: Marion Motley

Region 12, Round 1 MVP: Bart Starr

Moving on...

2013 Seahawks v. 2020 Bills

1988 49ers v. 2013 Patriots

1995 Cowboys v. 1965 Packers

1950 Browns v. 1976 Rams

256 Team NFL Tournament Round 1/Region 12: 1973 Minnesota Vikings v. 1976 LA Rams

'65 Packers v. '00 Colts

10. 1976 LOS ANGELES RAMS at 7. 1973 NFC CHAMPION MINNESOTA VIKINGS 

7. 1973 NFC CHAMPION MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Record: 12-2

Pythag: 11-3

Off: 9th

Def: 2nd

d. Redskins Div Rnd 27-20

d. Cowboys NFC Title 27-10

Lost Super Bowl Dolphins 24-7

1st NFC Central

HC Bud Grant OC Jerry Burns DC Neill Armstrong

Metropolitan Stadium: 40 degrees

Joe McConnell

Offense

QB Fran Tarkenton 33 UGA

RB Oscar Reed 29 Col St

FB Chuck Foreman 23 R Miami

WR Carroll Dale Va Tech

WR John Gilliam 28 S Carolina St

TE Stu Voigt 25 Wisc

LT Grady Alderman 35 Det Mercy

LG Ed White 26 Cal

C Mick Tingelhoff 33 Nebraska

RG Milt Sunde 31 Minn

RT Ron Yary 27 All Pro USC

Defense

LDE Carl Eller 31 All Pro Minnesota

LDT Gary Larsen 33 Concordia Moorhead

RDT Alan Page 28 All Pro N Dame

RDE Jim Marshall  36 Ohio St

LLB Roy Winston 33 LSU

MLB Jeff Siemon 23 Stanford

RLB Wally Hilgenberg 31 Iowa

LCB Nate Wright 26 S Diego St

RCB Bobby Bryant 29 S Carolina

SS Jeff Wright 24 S Diego St

FS Paul Krause 31 Iowa

K Fred Cox 35 Pitt

P Mike Eischeid 33 U Iowa

KR Brent McClanahan 22 Ariz St

PR Bobby Bryant 29 S Carolina

4 Vikings teams are safely moving forward; the 7th seed in Region 12 is the '73 Vikes that won the NFC Title; second best defense in football.  2 of the Purple People Eaters are All Pros, 31 year old Carl Eller, 28 year old Alan Page.  29 year old Bobby Bryant had 7 picks. On the other side of the ball, 33 year old Fran Tarkenton had 16 scores and 7 picks. 27 year old Ron Yary is also an All Pro - both these teams are gonna try to grind out some offense today.  

10. 1976 LOS ANGELES RAMS

Record: 10-3-1

Pythag: 11-3

Off: 3rd

Def: 3rd

1st NFC West

d. Cowboys Div Rnd 14-12

lost Vikings NFC Title 24-13

HC Chuck Knox OC Ken Meyer DC Ray Malavasi 

Offense

QB James Harris 29 Grambling

RB Lawrence McCutcheon 26 Colorado St

FB John Cappelletti 24 Penn St

WR Harold Jackson 30 Jackson St

WR Ron Jessie 28 Kansas

TE Bob Klein 29 USC

LT Doug France 23 Ohio St

LG Tom Mack 33 Michigan

C Rich Saul 28 Michigan St

RG Dennis Harrah 23 Miami

RT John Williams 31 Minnesota

Defense

LDE Jack Youngblood 26 All Pro Florida

RDT Larry Brooks 26 Virginia St

LDT Merlin Olson 36 Utah St

RDE Fred Dryer 30 S Diego St

LLB Jim Youngblood 26 Tenn Tech

MLB Hacksaw Reynolds 29 Tennessee

RLB Isiah Robertson 27 All Pro Southern

LCB Rod Perry 23 Colorado

RCB Monte Jackson 23 All Pro S Diego St

SS Dave Elmendorf 27 A&M

FS Bill Simpson 25 Mich St

K Tom Dempsey 29 Palomar

P Rusty Jackson 26 LSU

KR/PR Cullen Bryant 25 Colorado

The Rams have sent 5 teams to round 2 - this '76 team looks for redemption as they lost the NFC Title to the Vikings. 3rd in both offense and defense.  29 year old James Harris gets the start, 10 scores and 6 picks.  Lawrence McCutcheon's 26 and had nearly 1500 yards from scrimmage in 14 games. 3 defensive All Pros, 26 year old Jack Youngblood, 27 year old Isiah Robertson, and 23 year old Monte Jackson, who had 10 picks. 

1st Qtr

Rams at the 44, Cullen Bryant with the nice return.

1/10 - Lawrence McCutcheon for a yard.

2/9 - John Cappelletti for 8.

3/1 - McCutcheon picks it up - 13 big yards, all the way to the Viking 34. 

1/10 - 2 for Cappelletti.

2/8 - McCutcheon gets a yard.

1/10 - James Harris's first attempt - Cappelletti - 19 yard pickup and the Rams are all the way down to the 12.

1/10 - McCutcheon gets right to the goal line -- LA has a first and goal to go.

1/goal - Cappelletti plunges...Into The End Zone....TOUCHDOWN RAMS - LA takes the opening drive right down the field and sticks it into the end zone with the 1 yard run - 7 running plays, 1 pass attempt - two teams looking to run the football here in cold Minneapolis in round 1.

McClanahan with the good return for Minnesota, to the 40.

1/10 - Inside handoff to Oscar Reed, he goes for 18 yards.

1/10 - Chuck Foreman pounding through the line for 14, Rams already at the 28.

The drive stalls, Jack Youngblood sacks knocks Minnesota backward - and when Cox....misses....the FG, LA takes the ball at the 29.

1/10 - Rod Phillips carries for 9.

2/1 - Harris to throw - Harold Jackson, 12 yard pickup and LA is at midfield.  

1/10 - Cappelletti stopped at the line.

2/10 - Harris to McCutcheon, nice move by McCutcheon, he's to the 41.

3/1 - McCutcheon breaks through for an 11 yard gain and LA is at the 30.

1/10 - 2 for Phillips.

2/8 - Harris finds Cappelletti, 14 yard pickup and LA is at the 14 yard line - Minnesota had the second best defense in '73 but Chuck Knox and Ken Meyer are just pounding away at them early on.  

1/goal - Phillips is stacked up

2/goal - McCutcheon -- he is easily Into the End Zone ---- TOUCHDOWN RAMS - LA two possessions, 2 TD drives - tremendous quarter for LA.

Vikes at the 33, they get 7 yards and the qtr ends.

2nd Qtr: Rams 14 Vikings 0

LA dominating so far, Vikes have 2nd and 3 at the 40.

After an incomplete pass, Merlin Olsen forces a Chuck Foreman fumble, the Rams take over at the Viking 42, already up 2 scores.

1/10 - McCutcheon gets 2.

2/8 - Cappelletti busts all the way to the 21.

1/10 - McCutcheon 10 yard pickup - LA just running all over the Vikings today.

The drive ends there - chip shot FG and it's 17-0.

Vikes at the 37 - 3 and out.  LA at their 37.

They get 1 first down, 11 yards from Harris to McCutcheon, the drive ends, the Vikes take over at their own 29, still down 17, halfway through the second.

1/10 - a dozen for Foreman

1/10 - 7 for Reed

2/3 - Just nothing going for Fran Tarkenton today, but he picks up the first here, hitting Foreman to the LA 46.

1/10 - Reed for 5

2/5 - Ed Marinaro gets his first carry, 2 yards.  

3/3 - Tarkenton to Reed -- and Reed's got blocking -- Oscar Reed's gonna go 26 yards to the 13.

But -- the drive ends here, Merlin Olsen sacks Tarkenton -- and when Cox....Misses....the short FG it's still 17-0 at the 2 minute warning.

LA at the 20.

1/10 - Harris - Jackson, 13 yards.  

1/10 - Harris - Jackson, 15 yards -- the Rams are romping.  A holding call on the next play takes LA back 10.  

1/20 - Harris to Bob Klein, 4 yards

2/16 - Incomplete

3/16 - Harris, under pressure - thro -- Picked Off by Paul Krause -- Krause's got some green -- Krause's got some green -  Paul Krause Is Gonna Go All the way to the End Zone --- TOUCHDOWN VIKINGS -- Paul Krause with the Pick 6 -- that's the big play the Vikes have been looking for - Paul Krause takes a pick back to the house and it is 17-7 LA.

That'll be it - LA is unable to move the ball in the final moments and it is halftime.

3rd Qtr: Rams 17 Vikings 7

LA has had its way today, but Krause's pick 6 just before the half gives Minnesota a bit of hope.

Brent McClanahan big runback, out to the 49.

1/10 - Tarkenton hits Stu Voigt for 21 and right away the Vikes are at the 30.

1/10 - Foreman gets 6.

2/4 - Reed gets 7, Vikes at the 17, just 3 plays in.  

1/10 - Reed stopped at the line

2/10 - Tarkenton gets sacked by Isiah Robertson, that's the 3rd LA sack.

3/14 - Tarkenton scrambling, keeps the play alive, John Gilliam 14 yard gain, Vikes first and goal at the 4. 

1/goal - Reed...Reed is going to roll - Into The End Zone --- TOUCHDOWN VIKINGS - back to back scores for Minnesota and we have a football game, 17-14.  

Rams at the 26.

1/10 - McCutcheon is stacked up.

2/10 - 2 for McCutcheon.

3/8 - Harris -- Ron Jessie -- it's his first reception of the day - 31 yard catch and run, the Vikes are at the 41.  

But....that is all, Alan Page gets the first Minnesota sack - Vikes now get the ball back midway through the qtr at their own 18, the deficit now just 3 points.

The drive gets just one first down - Tarkenton 12 yards to Carroll Dale, the former Packer who we saw in the prior game - but the drive never reaches midfield - LA gets the ball back in good shape at their own 40.

3 and out - the Viking defense has stood tall since that first quarter LA hammer, Vikes now at the 22, 2 minutes left in the qtr.  

3 and out - prior to the punt, the qtr ends.

4th Qtr: Rams 17 Vikings 14

Minnesota is in the game, they trail by 3 and are about to give the ball back to LA.

Another outstanding return, Cullen Bryant takes the ball to the Viking 47 yard line.

1/10 - Harris.  Harris is gonna go deep -- Harris deep - there's the rookie -- Dwight Scales -- Harris hits him in Stride --- TOUCHDOWN RAMS -- a beautiful, beautfiful ball from Harris to Scales and the Rams go up 24-14 on the first play of the 4th qtr.

Vikes at the 33.

They get one first down, Tarkenton 11 yards to Foreman - but with a little more than 10 minutes left, LA will get the ball back at the 22.  

One first down - 8 yard McCutcheon run - but that's all - Vikes, down 10, get the ball back at the 26.

Just can't move the ball at all.  3 and out.  LA at the 28.  6 minutes left.  

One first down - Harris 17 to Jackson.  

Another punt - Vikes have the ball at the 19, trailing by 10 with 3 minutes to go.  They need to go quick.

They get 2 first downs - 12 yard passes to Marinaro and Gilliam - but at the LA 40 they turn the ball over on downs allowing the Rams to run the rest of the clock.

Final: Rams 24 Vikings 14

The 10th seeds join the 12th and 13th in advancing in Region 12; LA gaining revenge for the '76 NFC Title loss.

Harris: 15 for 25, 214 yds, 1 TD/1 INT

Tarkenton: 14 for 21, 182 yds

McCutcheon: 18 carries, 79 yds

Reed: 9 carries, 41 yds 1 TD

Jackson: 4 catches, 57 yds

Gilliam: 4 catches, 63 yds

Player of the Game: Merlin Olsen