2022 North American Wrestler Draft Board (1-60)

 

Here's who is eligible.

1.  WWE/AEW/Impact rosters.  So, not Will Ospreay (who would be my top overall pick and I wouldn't need to think about it for more than 3 seconds) or Jay White or Zach Sabre or Dragon Lee or even Takeshita, while they've all had matches in 2022 with these promotions, they're not official roster members.  That does mean Sasha Banks, who is currently listed as suspended, for example.  

2. Wrestlers 35 and under.  I decided a way to make sense of this was an age restriction, 40 was the initial cut - but when you nudge it back to 35 it really draws a huge chunk of top guys away and that was appealing for these purposes.  I'm trying to factor in age, longterm health, thinking about this board as setting up a long term project and not "here's who I want to see on a wrestling card today" If your thought is "where is Obvious Workrate Guy X" he's probably older than 35.  

3. Initially, my thought was 30 slots for AEW, 20 for WWE, 10 for Impact, I wound up cutting Impact in half and giving all of those slots to AEW, I wasn't going to move beyond those ceilings/floors, if there's a misstep here its I don't sufficiently watch NXTUK, a better list shifts the last 5 AEW names over to NXTUK, feel free to do that.  

4. I'm not really doing a settled 1-60 ranking, I'm going to do this in tiers.  Let's do quartiles.  The wrestlers are not really ranked in those tiers, I'll take a swing at doing at ordering, but honestly, if you draft the 11th wrestler in tier 1 5th overall, I'm not really complaining.  Except for Ospreay, who is clearly first, but not eligible.  

5. This isn't just a workrate list; sometimes I just talk about workrate as it's the thing I most value, but I'm considering all the qualities I might value in a wrestler were I booking a territory.  I don't know if Paige VanZant will ever have a good wrestling match, but given her level of name recognition, she's one of the 35 AEW wrestlers to make this list, really as a lottery ticket.  Balancing multiple factors here, all the ones you'd assume, I weigh work more heavily than most, but I'm not a single issue voter.  

6. My last cut was Logan Paul.  

TIER ONE 

1. Adam Cole (33-AEW)

2. Pac (35-AEW)

3. Ricochet (33-WWE)

4. Fenix (31-AEW)

5. Walter (34-WWE)

6. Sasha Banks (30-WWE)

7. MJF (26-AEW)

8. Kyle O'Reilly (35-AEW)

9. Becky Lynch (35-WWE)

10. Adam Page (31-AEW)

11. Shane Strickland (31-AEW)

12. Sammy Guevara (29-AEW)

13. Bron Breakker (24-WWE)

14. Pete Dunne (28-WWE)

15. Cedric Alexander (32-WWE)

TIER TWO

1. Daniel Garcia (23-AEW)

2. Tyler Bate (25-WWE)

3. A-Kid (25-WWE)

4. Hook (23-AEW)

5. Apollo Crews (34-WWE)

6. Andrade (32-AEW)

7. Ilja Dragunov (28-WWE)

8. Josh Alexander (35-Impact)

9. Darby Allin (29-AEW)

10. Dante Martin (21-AEW)

11. Wardlow (34-AEW)

12. Mike Bailey (32-Impact)

13. Powerhouse Hobbs (31-AEW)

14. Ricky Starks (32-AEW)

15. Io Shirai (32-WWE)

TIER THREE

1. Rhea Ripley (25-WWE)

2. Ronda Rousey (35-WWE)

3. Bianca Belair (33-WWE)

4. Britt Baker (31-AEW)

5. Jungle Boy (25-AEW)

6. Montez Ford (32-WWE)

7. Jordan Devlin (32-WWE)

8. Lee Moriarity (27-AEW)

9. Wheeler Yuta (25-AEW)

10. Toni Storm (26-AEW)

11. Jonathan Gresham (34-AEW)

12. Buddy Matthews (33-AEW)

13. Cash Wheeler (35-AEW)

14. Ortiz (31-AEW)

15. Santana (31-AEW)

TIER FOUR:

1. Gable Steveson (22-WWE)

2. Carmelo Hayes (27-WWE)

3. Cameron Grimes (28-WWE)

4. Rush (33-AEW)

5. Chris Bey (26-Impact)

6. Ace Austin (25-Impact)

7. Trey Miguel (27-Impact)

8. Paige VanZant (28-AEW)

9. Brody King (35-AEW)

10. Trent Beretta (35-AEW)

11. John Silver (31-AEW)

12. Ethan Page (32-AEW)

13. Max Castor (32-AEW)

14. Riho (25-AEW)

15. Jade Cargill (30-AEW)

July 2022 Athlete of the Month

 

Aaron Judge.  Runners-up: Shohei Ohtani, Sabrina Ionescu, Novak Djokovic

2022 had reached the back half - here are the current nominees for Athlete of the Year.

January-Cooper Kupp

February-Aaron Donald

March-Aliyah Boston

April-Auston Matthews

May-Connor McDavid 

June - Steph Curry

July - Aaron Judge

Summer Slam is Saturday (plus every Summer Slam match in history ranked)

 

Vince McMahon has been a significant net negative on the WWE product for years.  Years.  His deletion is a benefit to the product.

I'm of the belief, as expressed many times in these quarterly previews, that the top end of Hunter's NXT was the top end of anything in the history of promotion and some of the best stuff ever produced in North American wrestling.  His ascendancy to the head of creative is a benefit to the product.

In terms of organizational health - the template would appear to be Fox News, they cut Roger Ailes out, weathered the storm, and continued their assault on democracy.  The distinction is Ailes didn't leave with voting control; I think we know how these me too stories go, the next step is video, and faces/voices telling stories and building a body count.  It seems unlikely "Vince doesn't work here anymore" will be sufficient when he still owns a controlling voting share.  How much of that also taints all of the McMahons (including Hunter) is an open question and one most likely disposed of by a sale; if it's 2025 and there are no McMahons anywhere near WWE I don't think that would surprise.

Nonetheless, I'm optimistic about the product, more than I've been in years; even if we don't see, I don't know, Gargano show up Monday and he and Ciampa take the tag belts, whatever incremental changes are made are very likely to be to the good.  

With some unexpected intrigue to what has been a static product, here's the card for Summer Slam 2022:

1. WWE UNDISPUTED UNIVERSAL TITLE: ROMAN REIGNS v. BROCK LESNAR

2. RAW WOMEN'S TITLE: BIANCA BELAIR v. BECKY LYNCH

3. SMACKDOWN WOMEN'S TITLE: LIV MORGAN v. RONDA ROUSEY

4. WWE UNDISPUTED TAG TITLES: USOS v. STREET PROFITS

5. US TITLE: BOBBY LASHLEY v. THEORY

6. SETH ROLLINS v. RIDDLE

7. MYSTERIOS (Rey/Dom) v. JUDGMENT DAY (Balor/Priest)

8. HAPPY CORBIN v. PAT McAFEE

9. THE MIZ v. LOGAN PAUL

I believe in a monster push; as a booking philosophy, I think you pick guys who you want to be top guys, you get behind them hard, and everyone else feeds that machine. There is no push, post-Hogan, approaching this Reigns push.  He is positioned above the promotion; and, by and large, I think that's been a good decision.  The matches are good - he's not Ricochet, but the matches are good; Reigns is over with live crowds; is appears he's moving mechandise, there's not really evidence he particularly impacts business, but he has a star aura and that's hard to capture.  If he beats Brock again - it's challenging to see where Brock goes from there and my guess is, especially right now, they'd be willing to sacrifice a % of the Reigns invincibility to get another match out of this program.  

(Really fun spectacle, points to whomever the agent was who laid out the match, 4 stars, 23 minutes, Reigns rolls on)

Were I stepping into creative, I'd immediately see 3 needs in the upper women's division (1) Turn Becky - Becky's gotten to do the heel run that she apparently wanted to do, this is a promotion that struggles to build babyfaces, Becky was way, way over as a babyface, they gave that up apparently at her request.  It's time to move away from that; a heel Charlotte return could help facilitate that (2) Turn Rousey - this Rousey run has not worked, her in ring has to receive part of the blame, but fundamentally, Rousey has never been booked correctly; she's Brock Lesnar, or should have been, a largely no selling shoot punching, ass kicking machine.  Instead of that, they book her like she's Alexa Bliss.  If Rousey were to put Morgan over and then just beat the shit out of her (perhaps with the aid of Baszler...if Baszler were to join Rousey, get color on Liv Morgan, have her stretchered out, it would announce a real shift in the way Rousey is presented) and, most importantly (3) Get Banks back; I don't know that Banks was well served by being grouped with Naomi - Naomi is roster depth, Banks is a star - I am not on the high end of appreciation for any North American women's wrestling, but Banks pops, she would be my top women's babyface, I'd make her one of the faces of the promotion.  

(Looks like they did two of those things, Becky/Ronda appear to have both turned, titles were successfully defended, the RAW match was better but you can skip them both)

Usos/Profits was good last month (earlier this month? whenever that last show was) this is also likely to be good...given my thought that new creative might be incentivized to hang a loss on Reigns, I'd feel the same about the Usos - the Profits wouldn't be my choice (my choice, as I was kidding on the square earlier, would be that Gargano returns Monday, he and a suddenly babyfaced Ciampa take the belts). Hunter will have ideas about the product that aren't "let's keep everything the same" and the tag division may provide an opportunity to express that.

(Usos did keep, solid 3 1/2 star match, not as good as their prior match)

Another opportunity to express that is the Theory briefcase - Theory is green and that's kind; he just doesn't have anything at all right now such that the current "he's the new Cena" direction is warranted, given how many other choices are at their disposal for "young guy to get behind"

(Caveat - I didn't like Cena when he broke, I never particularly liked Cena, and still, today, right now, in the year of our Lord 2022, think his level of push was excessive, despite the business metrics in his favor, so that's my starting place with Theory; not only wouldn't I push him, I don't know that he'd have a spot in my promotion, given his level of work.  Do you want someone to have that slot?  When's Sammy Guevara's deal up?).  RAW was a tough night for Theory - it could be that Hunter might also think that push has been excessive (or it could be standard set up for him to slither his way through to a PPV win....he also does have the briefcase, and there's probably someone in the writers room who will push that he should come out of Summer Slam with the big belt and that person should be fired)

I think Rollins goes over Riddle - I think Hunter likes Rollins, I think his placement at the end of RAW, with the announce daring to suggest it might be an open question if he was on Reigns's level, is suggestive he's staying at the upper card.  This should be the best match of the night.

(Edit - and it's been scratched.  Bring back Vince!)

At some point, Dom turns on his dad and joins Balor's group, let's say it happens this weekend.  I'm all for anything involving Balor.  

(Babyfaces went over in a skippable match)

McAfee and Paul aren't actually wrestlers (and Corbin and Miz are both not particularly good wrestlers) so my interest in the remaining matches is minimal. However...they are both athletes, and to be fair, both have obvious in ring value.  McAfee's been good in each program; Paul, were they to lean in to his obvious - and I mean obvious - need to be a heel, definitely has something.  Apparently he has a desire to be a babyface, he should abandon that preference.  Both those guys are likely to win here.

(The McAfee match was as expected, the Logan Paul match was on the high end of its possible outcomes, second best match of the show, dude might turn out good)

That's the show - on its own merits, it's good (I mean, in context it's good; there won't be match as good as Briscoes/FTR, there isn't a build as good as the Flair last match build, if Danielson/Garcia on free TV Wednesday is the best match this week, that wouldn't shock - so we're grading on a WWE curve) Riddle/Rollins, Lynch/Belair, the tag match are all likely good, the main event is a big match that also might be good.  Given the context, right now, you don't skip WWE, a promotion that has been coasting for awhile might move into a sprint in a different direction and that's an appealing possibility.

(Watch the main event, the rest of it, you can let go)

Every Summer Slam match is ranked here.  Through 2021.  Times are approx.  Ratings are mine.  Could I be missing some? Yup.

1.       1994 WWF Title Cage: Bret Hart d. Owen Hart 32 min 4 ¾
2.       1992 IC Davey Boy Smith d. Bret Hart 25 min 4 ¾
3.       2000 Tags: TLC: Edge/Christian d. Hardys d. Dudleys 15 min 4 ½
4.       1995 IC Ladder: Shawn Michaels d. Razor Ramon 25min 4 ½
5.       2013 No DQ: Brock Lesnar d. CM Punk 25min 4 1/4
6.       2016 AJ Styles d. John Cena 23 min 4 1/4
7.       2017 Universal: Brock Lesnar d. Samoa Joe/Roman Reigns/Braun Strowman 21 min 4 1/4
8.       1991 IC: Bret Hart d. Mr. Perfect 18 min 4 ¼
9.       2009 WWE Title TLC: CM Punk d. Jeff Hardy 21:30 4 ¼
10.       2013 WWE Title Daniel Bryan d. John Cena 27 min 4 1/4
11.     2011 World Title No Holds Barred: Christian d. Randy Orton 23:30 4 ¼

12.       1996 WWF Title: Shawn Michaels d. Vader 22 min 4
13.       2002 Nonsanctioned: Shawn Michaels d. HHH 27:30 4
14.       2019 Universal Title: Seth Rollins d. Brock Lesnar 13:30 4
15.       2016 Universal Title: Finn Balor d. Seth Rollins 19 min 4

16.       2021 Edge d. Seth Rollins 21 min 4
17.       2000 2/3 Falls Chris Benoit d. Chris Jericho 13 min 4
18.       2008 HIAC: Undertaker d. Edge 26 min 4
19.       2018 Miz d. Daniel Bryan 23:30 4
20.       2011 WWF Title: CM Punk d. John Cena 24 min 4
21        2014 WWF Title: Brock Lesnar d. John Cena 16:30 4
22.       1989 Brainbusters d. Hart Foundation 16 min 4
23.       2018 WWE Title: Samoa Joe d. AJ Styles (DQ) 23 min 4
   
24.   2004: World: Randy Orton d. Chris Benoit 20 min 3 ¾
25.   1998 IC Ladder: HHH d. Rock 26 min 3 ¾
26.   2017 RAW Tags: Rollins/Ambrose d. Sheamus/Cesaro 19 min 3 3/4
27.   2001 WWF Title: Kurt Angle d. Steve Austin 22:30 3 ¾
28.   2003 WWF Title Kurt Angle d. Brock Lesnar 21 min 3 ¾
29.  2015 WWF Title: Seth Rollins d. John Cena 19 min 3 3/4
30.  2015 Kevin Owens d. Cesaro 14:30 min 3 3/4
31.   2012 Brock Lesnar d. HHH 18:30 3 ¾
32.   1999 WWF Title: Mankind d. Steve Austin/HHH 16:30 3 ¾
33.   2010 Team WWE d. Team Nexus 35:30 3 ¾
34.   1989 Rick Martel/Rougeaus d. Rockers/Tito Santana 15 min 3 ¾

35.   2004 Kurt Angle d. Eddie Guerrero 3 ½
36.   2001 Hardcore Ladder: RVD d. Jeff Hardy 16:30 3 ½
37.   2002 IC: RVD d. Chris Benoit 16:30 3 ½
38. 2016 Brock Lesnar d. Randy Orton 11min 3 1/2
39. 2017 US: AJ Styles d. Kevin Owens 16 min 3 1/2
40.   2018 IC: Seth Rollins d. Dolph Ziggler 22 min  3 1/2
41.   1997 IC: Steve Austin d. Owen Hart 16 min 3 ½
42.   1998 Lion’s Den: Ken Shamrock d. Owen Hart 9 min 3 ½

43.   2020 RAW Women: Asuka d. Banks 11:30, 3 1/2 
44.   2012 Chris Jericho d. Dolph Ziggler 13 min 3 ½
45.   2009 IC: Rey Mysterio d. Dolph Ziggler 12:30 min 3 ½
46.   1997 WWF Title: Bret Hart d. Undertaker 28 min 3 ½
47.  2015 Undertaker d. Brock Lesnar 17 min 3 1/2
48.   1990 Tags: Hart Foundation d. Demolition 15:30 3 ½
49.   1992 Ultimate Warrior d. Randy Savage 26 min 3 ½
50.   1997 Cage: Mankind d. HHH 16 min 3 ½
51.  2013 World: Alberto del Rio d. Christian 12:30 3 1/2
52.   2003 Eddie Guerrero d. Chris Benoit/Tajiri/Rhyno 10:30 3 ½
53.   2009 DX d. Cody Rhodes/Ted Dibiase, Jr. 20 min 3 ½
54.   1993 Tatanka/Smoking Gunns d. Bam Bam Bigelow/Headshrinkers 11 min 3 ½
55.   1988 British Bulldogs draw Rougeaus 20 min. 3 ½
56.   1996 Boiler Room Brawl Mankind d. Undertaker 27 min 3 ½

57.   2005 Ladder: Rey Mysterio d. Eddie Guerrero 20:30 3 ¼

58.   2021 Universal Title: Roman Reigns d. Johns Cena 23 min 3 1/4
59. 2014 Bray Wyatt d. Chris Jericho 13 min 3 1/4
60.   2002: Edge d. Eddy Guerrero 12 min 3 ¼
61.   2011 Wade Barrett d. Daniel Bryan 11:30 3 ¼
62.   1995 Hakushi d. 123 Kid 9 min 3 ¼
63.   2015 Roman Reigns/Dean Ambrose d. Bray Wyatt/Luke Harper 11 min 3 1/4
64.   2019: Charlotte Flair d. Trish Stratus 16:30 3 1/4
65.   2019 US Title: AJ Styles d. Ricochet 13 min 3 1/4
66.   1999 Test d. Shane McMahon 12 min 3 ¼
67.   1998 Hair: 123 Kid d. Jeff Jarrett 11 min 3 ¼
68.   1998 WWF Title: Steve Austin d. Undertaker 21 min 3 ¼
69.   2000 WWF Title: Rock d. Kurt Angle/HHH 20 min 3 ¼

70.   2020 WWF Title: Drew McIntyre d. Randy Orton 20:30 3 1/4 
71.   2006 WWF Title Edge d. John Cena 15:30 3 ¼
72.   2018 Smackdown Tags: New Day d. Bludgeon Brothers (DQ) 9:30 3 1/4
73.   2010 RAW Title: Randy Orton d. Sheamus 19 min 3 ¼
74.  2015 Sheamus d. Randy Orton 12 min 3 1/4
75.   1993 Tags: Steiners d. Heavenly Bodies 9:30 3 ¼
76.   1989 IC Title: Ultimate Warrior d. Rick Rude 16 min 3 ¼

77.   2002 Kurt Angle d. Rey Mysterio 9 min 3

79.   2021 RAW Women's Title: Charlotte Flair d. Nikki/Rhea Ripley 13 min 3 
80.   2001 IC: Edge d. Lance Storm 11 min 3
81.   2001 Jr: XPac d. Tajiri 7 min 3
82. 2014 Seth Rollins d. Dean Ambrose 11 min 3
83. 2016 WWF Title: Dean Ambrose d. Dolph Ziggler 15 min 3
84.   2006 I Quit: Ric Flair d. Mick Foley 13 min 3
85.   2001 WCW Title: Rock d. Booker T 15 min 3
86.   2005 WWF Title John Cena d. Chris Jericho 15 min 3
87.   1988 Tags: Demolition d. Hart Foundation 10 min 3
88.   1994 IC: Razor Ramon d. Diesel 15 min 3
89.   2002 WWF Title: Brock Lesnar d. Rock 16:30 3
90    2018 US Title: Shinsuke Nakamura d. Jeff Hardy  10:30  3
91.   2004 Dudleys d. Rey Mysterio/Paul London/Billy Kidman 8 min 3
92.   2011 Rey Mysterio/John Morrison/Kofi Kingston d. Miz/R Truth/Alberto del Rio 9:30 3

93.   2020 Smackdown Women: Bayley d, Asuka 11:30 3
94.   2019 RAW Women: Becky Lynch v. Natty Neidhart 12:30 3

95.   2021 US Title: Damian Priest d. Sheamus 14 min 3
96.   1993 Bret Hart d. Doink 10 min 3
97.   2007 Rey Mysterio d. Chavo Guerrero 12 min 3
98.   2008 MVP d. Jeff Hardy 10 min 3
99.   1996 Owen Hart d. Savio Vega 13:30 3
100.   2008 World CM Punk d. JBL 11 min 3
101.   2012 World: Sheamus d. Alberto del Rio 11:30 3
102.   1995 Bret Hart d. Isaac Yankem 16 min 3
103.   2012 IC: Miz d. Rey Mysterio 9 min 3
104.  2016 Owens/Jericho d. Cass/Enzo 12 min 3
105.   1992 Shawn Michaels draw Rick Martel 8 min 3
106.   1991 Virgil d. Ted DiBiase 13 min 3
107.   2007 WWF: John Cena d. Randy Orton 21 min 3
108.   2014 Roman Reigns d. Randy Orton 16:30 3
109.   2008 Batista d. John Cena 13:30 3
110.   2003 Elimination Chamber 19 min 3
111.   1999 Tag Team Gauntlet 16:30 3

112.   1997 Davey Boy Smith d. Ken Shamrock 7:30
113.   1999 Lion’s Den: Ken Shamrock d. Steve Blackman 9 min
114.   2000 Hardcore: Shane McMahon d. Steve Blackman 10 min
115.   2007 ECW: John Morrison d. CM Punk 7 min
116.   2014 IC: Dolph Ziggler d. Miz 8 min
117.   2016 Women: Charlotte d. Sasha 14 min
118.   2005 Randy Orton d. Undertaker 17 min
119.   2004 IC: Edge d. Chris Jericho/Batista 8:30 min
120.   2001 Chris Jericho d. Rhyno 12:30
121.   1994 Women: Alundra Blayze d. Bull Nakano 8 min
122.   1999 IC/Euro: Jeff Jarrett d. DLo Brown 7:30
123.   1993 Razor Ramon d. Ted DiBiase 7:30
124.   1996 Goldust d. Marc Mero 11 min
125.   1998 Euro: DLo Brown d. Val Venis 15:30
126.   2005 Edge d. Matt Hardy 5 min
127.   2018 Universal Title: Roman Reigns d. Brock Lesnar 6:30
128.   2012 WWF Title: CM Punk d. John Cena/Big Show 14:30
129.   2019: WWE Title: Kofi Kingston draw Randy Orton 16:30
130.   2006 Chavo Guerrero d. Rey Mysterio 11 min
131.   2012 Daniel Bryan d. Kane 8 min
132.   2017 Finn Balor d. Bray Wyatt 10:30

133.   2021 Smackdown Tags: Usos d. Mysterios 11 min
134.   2015 Tags: New Day d.. Prime Time Players/Los Matadores/Lucha Dragons 10 min
135.  2014 Rusev d. Jack Swagger 9 min
136.   2002: Ric Flair d. Chris Jericho 10:30
137.   2004  HHH d. Eugene 14 min
138.   2010: Smackdown Title: Kane d. Rey Mysterio 12:30
139.   2003: Kane d. RVD 12:30

140.   2021: RAW Tags: Randy Orton/Matt Riddle d. AJ Styles/Amos 7 min
141.   2005 Kurt Angle d. Eugene 5 min
142.   2007 IC: Umaga d. Carlito/Ken Kennedy 7:30
143.   1989 Hulk Hogan/Brutus Beefcake d. Randy Savage/Zeus 15 min
144.   1988 Hulk Hogan/Randy Savage d. Ted DiBiase/Andre the Giant 14:30 min
145.   1990 Power&Glory d. Rockers 6 min

146    2020 RAW Tag Titles: Street Profits d. Andrade/Garza 8:30 min
147.   2019 Goldberg d. Dolph Ziggler 2 min
148.   2018 RAW Women's Title: Ronda Rousey d. Alexa Bliss 4:30
149.    2011 Mark Henry d. Sheamus 9:30
150.    2007 Kane d. Fit Finlay 9 min
151.    1999 Hardcore: Al Snow d. Boss Man 7:30
152.     1999 Rock d. Billy Gunn 10 min
153     2019 Kevin Owens v. Shane McMahon 9:30
154.    2018 Smackdown Women's Title: Charlotte Flair d. Becky Lynch/Carmella 14:30
155.    1993 WWF Title: Lex Luger d. Yokozuna 18 min
156.    1991 Ricky Steamboat/Davey Boy Smith/Kerry von Erich d. Warlord/Power&Glory 10:30

157:    2020 Seth Rollins d. Dom Mysterio 22:30

158.     2005 Hulk Hogan d. Shawn Michaels 21:30

159.    1993 Shawn Michaels d. Mr. Perfect 11:30
160.    2009 Tags: Chris Jericho/Big Show d. Cryme Tyme 9:30
161.    2012 Tags: R-Truth/Kofi Kingston d. PTP 7 min
162.    2009 WWF Title Randy Orton d. John Cena 21 min
163.    2013 Cody Rhodes d. Damien Sandow 6:30
164                         2017 WWF Title: Jinder Mahal d. Shinsuke Nakamura 11:30
165.                        2008 WWF Title HHH d. Khali 9:30
166.                        2007 Booker T d. HHH 8 min
167.                        2006 DX d. Vince McMahon/Shane McMahon 13 min
168.                        2006 World Batista d. Booker 10:30
169.                        2004 JBL d. Undertaker 17:30 min
170.                        2005 World: Batista d. JBL 9 min
171.                        2002 Un-Americans d. Goldust/Booker T 9:30
172.                        1999 Tags: Undertaker/Big Show d. XPac/Kane 12 min
173.                        2001 Tags: Undertaker/Kane d. DDP/Kanyon 10 min
174.                        2006 ECW Title: Big Show d. Sabu 8:30
175.                        2009 MVP d. Jack Swagger 6 min
176.                        2015 IC: Ryback d. Miz/Show 5:30 min
177.                        1995 Barry Horowitz d. Skip 11:30
178.                        1991 Big Boss Man d. Jacques Rougeau 9:30
179.                        2001 Dudleys/Test d. APA/Spike Dudley 7 min
180.                        2013 Ring of Fire: Bray Wyatt d. Kane 7:30
181.                        1997 LOD d. Godwinns 10 min
182.                        1988 Powers of Pain d. Bolsheviks 5:30
183.                        1994 Bam Bam Bigelow/IRS d. Headshrinkers 7 min
184.                        1993 Jerry Lawler d. Bret Hart 6:30
185.                        2004 Kane d. Matt Hardy 6 min
186.                        1996 Smoking Gunns d. Bodydonnas d. New Rockers d. Godwinns 12 min
187.                        2015 Neville/Stephen Amell d. Stardust/Wade Barrett 7:30 min
188.                        2014 Women: Paige d. AJ Lee 5 min
189                         2017 Smackdown Women: Natty d. Naomi 11 min
190.                        2017 RAW Women: Sasha Banks d. Alexa Bliss 13:30
191.                        2019 Smackdown Women: Bayley d. Moon 10 min
192.                        1989 Ted DiBiase d. Jimmy Snuka 6:30
193.                        1990 IC: Kerry von Erich d. Mr. Perfect 5 min
194.                        1993 IRS d. 123 Kid 6 min
195.                        1990 Hulk Hogan d. Earthquake 13 min
196.                        1990 WWF Title Cage Match: Ultimate Warrior d. Rick Rude 10 min
197.                        2017 John Cena d. Baron Corbin 10 min
198.                        1991 Tags: Street Fight: LOD d. Nasty Boys 6:30
199.                        1991 Hulk Hogan/Ultimate Warrior d. Sgt. Slaughter/Mustafa/Adnan 12:30
200.                        1995 HHH d. Sparky Plugg 7 min
201.                        2010 IC Dolph Ziggler no contest Kofi Kingston  7 min
202.                        2015 Dolph Ziggler no contest Rusev 11 min
203.                        1997 Boriquas d. DOA 9 min
204.                        2003 Tags: LaResistance d. Dudley Boys 8 min
205.                        1998 Tags: New Age Outlaws d. Mankind 5 min
206.                        2000 IC: Eddy Guerrero/Chyna d. Val Venis/Trish Stratus 7 min
207.                        2011 Women: Kelly Kelly d. Beth Phoenix 6:30
208.                        2000 XPac d. Road Dogg 4:30
209.                        2016 IC: Miz d. Apollo Crews 5:30
210.                        2004 John Cena d. Booker T 6 min
211.                        2003 Undertaker d. A-Train 9 min
212.                        2002 Undertaker d. Test 8 min

213.                        2020 Mandy Rose d. Sonya Deville 10 min
214.                        2019 The Fiend d. Finn Balor 3:30

215.                        2021 WWE Title: Bobby Lashley d. Goldberg 7 min
216.                        2014 Stephanie McMahon d. Brie Bella 10 min
217.                        2010 Big Show d. CM Punk/Luke Gallows/Joey Mercury 6:30
218.                       2015 Team PCB d. Team Bella d. Team BAD 15 min
219.                        1989 Mr. Perfect d. Red Rooster 3:30
220.                        2013 Dolph Ziggler/Kaitlyn d. Big E Langston/AJ Lee
221.                        1988 Big Boss Man d. Koko B. Ware 6 min
222.                        1990 Jake Roberts d. Bad News Brown 4:30
223.                        1990 Warlord d. Tito Santana 5:30
224.                        1993 Ludwig Borga d. Marty Janetty 5 min
225.                        1996 Sid d. Davey Boy Smith 6 min
226                        2000 Jerry Lawler d. Tazz 4:30
227.                        2000 RTC d. Rikishi/Too Cool 5 min
228.                        1992 Tags: Natural Disasters d. Beverly Brothers 10:30
229.                        1992 LOD d. Money Inc  15 min
230.                        1991 IRS d. Greg Valentine 4 min
231.                        2018 Braun Strowman d. Kevin Owens 2 min
232.                        2018 Finn Balor d. Baron Corbin 90 sec
233.                        1990 Randy Savage d. Dusty Rhodes 2 min
234                         2016 US: Rusev NC. Roman Reigns 0 sec.
235.                        2005 US: Chris Benoit d. Orlando Jordan 30 sec
236.                        1988 IC Title: Ultimate Warrior d. Honky Tonk Man :30
237.                        2009 ECW Christian d. William Regal :30
238.                        2017 Randy Orton d. Rusev :30

239.                        2021: Smackdown Womens Title: Becky Lynch d. Bianca Belair :30
240.                        2011 WWF Title: Alberto del Rio d. CM Punk :30
241.                        2008 ECW Matt Hardy d. Mark Henry :30
242.                        2013 WWF Title: Randy Orton d. Daniel Bryan :30
243.                        1992 Undertaker d. Kamala 3:30
244.                        1990 Hacksaw Duggan/Nikolai Volkoff d. Orient Express 3:30
245.                        1995 Smoking Gunns d. Blu Brothers 6 min
246.                        1992 Crush d. Repo Man 5:30
247.                        1988 Dino Bravo d. Don Muraco 5:30
248.                        1989 Hacksaw Duggan/Demolition d. Andre the Giant/Boss Man/Akeem 7:30
249.                        1998 Edge/Sable d. Marc Mero/Jacqueline 8:30

250.                         2020: Universal Title: Bray Wyatt d. Braun Strowman 12 min
251.                        2003 Shane McMahon d. Eric Bischoff 10:30
252.                        2006 Hulk Hogan d. Randy Orton 11 min

253.                        2021 Drew McIntyre d. Jinder Mahal 4:30
254.                        1989 Greg Valentine d. Hercules 3 min
255.                        1988 Rick Rude d. JYD 6:30
256.                        1992 Nailz d. Virgil 4 min
257.                        1997 Goldust d. Brian Pillman 7 min
258.                        1994 Tatanka d. Lex Luger 6 min
259.                        2009 Kane d. Khali 6 min
260.                        1988 Bad News Brown d. Ken Patera 6:30
261.                        1991 Natural Disasters d. Bushwackers 6:30
262.                        1998 Oddities d. Kaientai 10 min
263.                        2016: Tags: Anderson/Gallows d. New Day (DQ) 9 min
264.                        2008 IC/Women Santino/Beth Phoenix d. Kofi Kingston/Mickie James 5:30
265.                        2000 Undertaker no contest Kane 6 min
266.                        2016 Natalya/Nikki/Alexa d. Naomi/Carmella/Becky 11 min
267.                        1993 Undertaker d. Giant Gonzalez 8 min
268.                        1994 Jeff Jarrett d. Mabel 6 min
269.                        1989 Dusty Rhodes d. Honky Tonk Man 9:30
270.                        1988 Jake Roberts d. Hercules 10 min
271.                        1994 Undertaker d. Undertaker 9 min
272.                        1995 WWF Title: Diesel d. Mabel 9 min
273.                         2017 Cass d. Show 10:30
274.                         2013 Natalya d. Brie Bella 4 min
275.                        1995 Women: Bertha Faye d. Alundra Blayze 5 min
276.                        1999 Women: Ivory d. Tori 4 min
277.                        2000 Women: Kat d. Terri 3 min
278.                        2010 Women: Melina d. Alicia Fox 5:30
279.                        2007 World: Batista d. Khali 7 min
280.                        1996 Jerry Lawler d. Jake Roberts 4 min

281.                        1995 Undertaker d. Kamala 16:30
282.                        1990 Sherri d. Sapphire (forfeit)

283.                        2021 Alexa Bliss d. Eva Marie 4
284.                        2007 Diva Battle Royal 7 min
285.                        2004 Diva Dodge Ball 3 min

256 Team NFL Tournament: Region 7/Round 1: 2010 New England Patriots v. 1951 New York Giants

 '79 Chargers v. '80 Raiders

15. 1951 NEW YORK GIANTS at 2. 2010 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

2. 2010 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Record: 14-2

Pythag: 12-4

Off: 1st

Def: 8th

1st AFC East

lost Jets Div Rnd 28-21

HC Bill Belichick 

Gillette Stadium: 45 degrees

Gil Santos/Gino Cappelletti

Offense

QB Tom Brady All Pro

RB BenJarvus Green Ellis 

WR Brandon Tate

WR Wes Welker

TE Aaron Hernandez

TE Rob Gronkowski

LT Matt Light

LG Logan Mankins All Pro

C Dan Koppen

RG Steve Neal

RT Sebastian Vollmer

Defense

LDE Vince Wilfork 

NT Gerald Warren 

RDE Ron Brace

LOLB Rob Ninkovich

LILB Jerod Mayo All Pro

RILB Brandon Spikes R

ROLB Jermaine Cunningham R

LCB Devin McCourty R

RCB Kyle Arrington

SS Patrick Chung

FS Brandon Meriweather 

K Stephen Gostkowski

P Zoltan Mesko

KR Brandon Tate

PR Julian Edelman

3 Patriots squads - 2006, 2007, 2014 have already advanced - this 2010 team had the best offense in football.  Brady's 33, All Pro, 37 scores and 4 picks (this game feels like an enormous mismatch) 25 year old BenJarvus Green Ellis ran for 13 scores. Rob Gronkowski is a 21 year old rookie, he had 10 TDs.  And 28 year old Logan Mankins is also an All Pro.  The defense is just okay, 24 year old Jerod Mayo was an All Pro, 23 year old rookie Devin McCourty had 7 picks.

15. 1951 NEW YORK GIANTS

Record: 9-2-1

Pythag: 9-3

Off: 6th

Def: 2nd

2nd NFL American

Did not make playoffs

HC Steve Owen

Offense

QB Charlie Conerly  (30 Ole Miss)

FB Eddie Price All Pro (26 Tulane)

RB Joe Scott  (25 USF)

RB Kyle Rote (23 SMU)

WR Bob McChesney (25 Hardin-Simmons)

WR Bob Wilkinson R (24 UCLA)

LT Tex Coulter (27 Army)

LG Joe Sulaitis (30 None)

C John Rapacz (27 Oklahoma)

RG Bill Murray (25 Purdue)

RT Herb Hannah - R (30 Alabama)

Defense

LDE Jim Duncan (26 Wake)

LDT Arnie Weinmeister All Pro (28 Wash)

MG Jon Baker (28 Cal)

RDT Ray Krouse R (24 Mary)

RDE Al DeRogatis All Pro (24 Duke)

LLB Ray Poole (30 Ole Miss)

RLB John Cannady (28 Indiana)

LDH Emlen Tunnell All Pro (26 Iowa)

RDH Harmon Rowe (28 USF)

LS Tom Landry (27 Texas)

RS Otto Schnellbacher All Pro (28 Kansas)

K Ray Poole (30 Ole Miss)

P Charlie Conerly (30 Ole Miss)

KR/PR Emlen Tunnell All Pro (26 Iowa)

The Giants look over their skis here - they're giving up 60 years to the Patriots and they didn't make the playoffs in 1951.  They did have the second best offense in the league; 30 year old Charlie Conerly had 11 scores and 22 picks, the defense is middling but does have 4 All Pros, 28 year old Arnie Weinmeister, 24 year old Al DeRogatis, 26 year old Emlen Tunnell, who had 4 kick returns for scores, 28 year old Otto Schnellbacher.  It would be a pretty good surprise if the Giants could hang with the Patriots today.  Let's go to Gillette for the kick.

1st Qtr

Patriots at the 27.

1/10 - Tom Brady hits BenJarvus Green Ellis in the flat -- breaks a tackle, 13 yards to the 40.

1/10 - BGE gets a carry, stopped at the line.

2/10 - Brady looking downfield -- Wes Welker --- Intercepted by Emlen Tunnel!  Tunnel picks off Brady - Tunnel will be tackled at the Patriots 39 yard line -- Emlen Tunnel intercepts Tom Brady and the Giants are into Patriot territory.

1/10 - Joe Scott for 4.

2/6 - Eddie Price picks it up and the Giants are at the NE 29.

The next 3 plays net 3 yards.....Poole hits the FG and it's 3-0.

Patriots at the 23.  

3 and out including an Arnie Weinmeister sack -- Pats to kick - Giants will start in good shape at their own 40.

1/10 - Price gets 11.

1/10 - Price stopped.  

2/10 - Price gets 15 -- Eddie Price getting some good yardage early on here and the Giants are again into NE territory.

The next 3 plays net 6 yards....this time Poole misses the FG and the Patriots regain possession at their own 35.

1/10 - Brady flips the ball to Danny Woodhead, he gets 9.

2/1 - Woodhead picks it up.

1/10 - Give to Woodhead - he busts it outside -- And Woodhead's got Open Field -- Danny Woodhead open Field -- Danny Woodhead will go 54 yards -- TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS 

Danny Woodhead runs 54 yards and.....Gostkowski misses the XP....so its 6-3 NE.  

Giants take over at the 28.

1/10 - Price again, 9 yards.

2/1 - Incomplete

3/1 - Price....picks up the first down.

1/10 - Charlie Conerly completes his first pass of the day - 5 yards to Bill Stribling.

2/5 - Joe Scott picks it up and the Giants are across midfield.

1/10 - Price gets 10 more -- Giants ground game effective in the first quarter.  

The next 2 plays net 5 yards, as the qtr ends NY has 3rd and 5 at the Patriot 34.

2nd Qtr: Patriots 6 Giants 3

A Tunnell pick set up the Giants to get some points; Woodhead countered with a huge TD run, Giants have a 3rd and 5 at the Pats 34.

They don't pick it up -- they go get a long Poole FG to tie the score.  

Pats at the 30.

1/10 BGE gets 6

2/4 - Brady goes downfield - Brandon Tate for 25 -- Patriots at the NY 39 yard line.

1/10 - Woodhead gets 1

2/9 - Fred Taylor's first carry....he's hit in the backfield by Al DeRogatis...Fumble - Fumble -- the Giants will take over at their own 44.  

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Incomplete

3/10 - Conerly goes downfield -- Bob McChesney - 23 yards and it's a first down for the Giants at the NE 28 yard line.

1/10 - Price is Smacked by Vince Wilfork at the LOS -- fumble -- the Patriots force the fumble - the Patriots regain possession at their own 29 yard line.

1/10 - Taylor gets the ball again, 1 yard.

2/9 - Taylor again...No - it's a Reverse - to Brandon Tate -- Tate gets the edge -- Tate's got a step -- And Brandon Tate is Gonna Go -- Brandon Tate is Gonna Go -- 70 Yards to the House -- TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS -- Brandon Tate with the 70 yard TD run and New England 

goes up 13-6 with 8:34 remaining in the half.  Two huge TD runs for the Patriots in the first half.

Giants at the 18.  They get a first down on a 13 yard Price run -- but that's it -- and after the punt New England has good field position at their own 48.

3 and out.  Nice defensive stand by the Giants to get the ball right back - NY at their own 23, under 6 minutes left in the half.

1/10 - Price gets 1

2/9 - Price breaks one -- Price goes 45 yards -- Eddie Price to the Patriot 31.

1/10 - Scott gets 3.

2/7 - Conerly in trouble -- broken play - Conerly able to keep it alive -- Conerly Looks to the End Zone -- Joe Scott!  TOUCHDOWN GIANTS -- Joe Scott 28 yard strike from Charlie Conerly -- the Giants tie the score at 13.  

Patriots get the good kick return -- they will start at their own 40, 3:37 left in the half.

1/10 - Brady - over the middle to Gro -- Intercepted!  Otto Schnellbacher steps in front of Gronkowski and Intercepts Brady - its the Giants second interception of the half - the Giants are at the New England 38!

3 and out....Poole hits another long FG, Ray Poole with his third 40+ yard FG of the day and NY regains the lead.  

Patriots at the 35, just before the 2 minute warning.

1/10 BGE loses 2 yards.  2 minute mark.

2/12 - Brady picks it up - finds Welker for 13 on the sideline.  Pats at the 46. 

1/10 - Brady to Welker, 8 yards, Brady quickly to the line.  

2/2 - Give to Woodhead - he picks it up, Pats stop the clock here with a tick more than a minute left in the half, they are at the NY 41 yard line.

That's it  - the next 3 plays net 7 yards...and Gostkowski....Misses...the FG.  New York will run the ball a couple of times and go into the locker room with the 16-13 lead.

3rd Qtr: Giants 16 Patriots 13

Possible 15/2 upset alert - and if we said it's a widely outgunned New York Giants team who might be pulling it against the Patriots, that has a ring of familiarity.  3 Pats turnovers , 3 long NYG FG and New York has a 16-13 lead.

Giants start at the 37.

They get a first down, Conerly 14 yards to Stribling.  But that's all - and after a good Julian Edelman return, the Pats start at their own 35.

They also get a first down, 3 short runs - but have to punt.  Giants start at the 16, we're now halfway through the third.

2 first downs for NY - 14 yard Scott run, 8 yard reception by Stribling the big plays - but NY is still on their side of the field when they punt it back.

Pats at the 26.  3 and out.  

Tunnell the good return now for NY - and they start at their own 40.  

Just time for 2 plays before the half, two runs net 8 yards -- and we head to the 4th.

4th Qtr: Giants 16 Patriots 13

Strictly defense in the third - definitely a surprise that the best offense from 2010 just can't get anything going against a middling defense from 1951, but that's why the play the games.  Giants still with the 3 pt lead and a third down near midfield.

3/2 - Price picks up the first down, Giants at midfield.

But that's it - the Pats get a Jerod Mayo sack and NY is punting.  Patriots start at their own 6 yard line, trailing by a FG early 4th qtr.  

1/10 - BGE loses a couple.

2/13 - Sammy Morris's first carry, he gets back to the original line.  

3/10 - Brady finds Deion Branch - 26 yards Pats dig out of the hole.

1/10 - Woodhead stopped.

2/10 - Brady - Welk -- PICKED OFF -- EMLEN TUNNELL -- Tunnell is brought down at the 31 -- Emlen Tunnell with the third Giants interception of Tom Brady on the day - just an enormous effort by this Giants defense today - New York has the ball at the NE 31.

1/10 - Price - through the hole -- into the se-- PRICE IS GONNA GO!  Eddie Price is gonna go 31 yards -- into the House -- TOUCHDOWN GIANTS -- The pick, followed by the run -- the Giants go up...just 9, as they miss the XP, so it is a 9 point Giants lead, 22-13, a little more than 9 minutes left.

And it's gotta feel like a bad dream for Brady - they were enormous favorites in this 2/15 matchup - but with a little more than 9 minutes left, they are down 9 points.  

NE at the 25.

1/10 - Brady to BGE, 3 yards.  

2/7 - Draw, Taylor, just 2.  

3/5 - Brady to Kevin Faulk, he picks it up, Pats out to the 40 yard line.

But that's all.  And at 4th and 6...the Pats choose to punt -- and NY has the ball, and a 9 point lead, at their own 21.  Wow.  Wow.  Wow.  Wow.

1/10  Conerly play fake - finds Bob Wilkinson - 10 yards -- and the Pats are totally caught flat footed there - first down and the clock keeps ticking.  

1/10 - Price gets 5.  Tick, tick, tick.

2/5 - Price gets 3.  Big third down for NE.

3/2 - Kyle Rote picks it up - Giants are at their own 42.  Less than 4 minutes left - Pats need 2 scores -- this is done.  The Giants pull the 15/2 upset, it's a shocker.  

New England burns all 3 timeouts, they force the punt - the Pats get the ball back just before the two minute warning -- Brady throws a near inconceivable 4th pick, to Schnellbacher, and that's how the game ends.  

Final: Giants 22 Patriots 13

What a way to end Region 7 - the biggest upset to date, and it's a Giants team beating a Patriots team.  4 Brady picks - 4 Brady picks and the Patriots go home.  Just 10 first downs for the top offense from 2010.  Stunning.

Conerly: 8 for 23, 107 yds, 1 TD

Brady: 8 for 19, 104 yds, 4 INT

Price: 31 carries, 211 yds, 1 TD

Woodhead: 7 carries, 65 yds, 1 TD

Scott: 2 catches, 43 yds, 1 TD

Tate: 2 catches, 31 yds, 1 carry, 70 yds, 1 TD

Mayo: 15 tackles

Tunnell/Schnellbacher: 2 INT

Player of the Game: Eddie Price

That wraps up round 1 for region 7.  When we come back...

1975 Steelers v. 1968 Jets

1967 Rams v. 1996 49ers

1961 Packers v. 2005 Seahawks

1979 Chargers v. 1951 Giants

256 Team NFL Tournament: Region 7/Round 1: 1979 San Diego Chargers v. 1980 Oakland Raiders

'00 Ravens v. '05 Seahawks

 

10. 1980 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION OAKLAND RAIDERS at 7. 1979 SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

7. 1979 SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

Record: 12-4

Pythag: 12-4

Off: 2nd

Def: 2nd

1st AFC West

lost Div Round Oilers 17-14

HC Don Coryell OC Joe Gibbs DC Jackie Simpson

San Diego Stadium: 65 degrees

Ralph Lawler

Offense:

QB Dan Fouts All Pro (28 Oregon)

RB Mike Thomas (26 UNLV)

RB Clarence Williams (24 S Carolina)

WR John Jefferson All Pro (23 Ariz St)

WR Charlie Joiner (32 Grambling)

TE Bob Klein (32 USC)

LT Billy Shields (26 Geo Tech)

LG Doug Wilkerson (32 NC Central)

C Bob Rush (24 Memphis)

RG Ed White (32 Cal)

RT Russ Washington (33 Missouri)

Defense

LDE Leroy Jones  (29 Norfolk)

LDT Wilbur Young (30 William Penn)

RDT Big Hands Johnson (27 Grambling)

RDE Fred Dean (27 LA Tech)

LLB Ray Preston (25 Syracuse)

MLB Bob Horn (25 Oregon St)

RLB Woody Lowe (25 Alabama)

LCB Willie Buchanon (29 S Diego St)

RCB Mike Williams (26 LSU)

SS Mike Fuller (26 Auburn)

FS Glen Edwards (32 Florida A&M)

K Mike Wood  (25 SE Missouri St)

P Jeff West (26 Cincinnati)

KR Artie Owens (26 W Virginia)

PR Mike Fuller (26 Auburn)

There won't be many opportunies (this migh be it) for these Fouts/Coryell Chargers; they're at home here, 7th seeds in the region.  Number 2 in both offense and defense in '79 despite that first round knockout in the playoffs.  Fouts is 28, 26 TD, 24 picks (different world) he throws to two thousand yard receivers, his All Pro, 23 year old John Jefferson, who scored 10 times, and 32 year old Charlie Joiner.  On defense, the left side of the line went to the Pro Bowl, 27 year old Fred Dean and Big Hands Johson.   Don Coryell and Joe Gibbs leading these Chargers into the tournament.  

 10. 1980 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION OAKLAND RAIDERS

Record: 11-5

Pythag: 10-6

Off: 7th

Def: 10th

2nd AFC West

d. Oilers WC 27-7

d. Browns Div Rnd 14-12

d. Chargers AFC Title 34-27

d. Eagles Super Bowl 27-10

HC Tom Flores DC Charlie Sumner

Offense

QB Jim Plunkett (33 Stanford)

RB Kenny King (23 Oklahoma)

FB Mark van Eeghan (28 Colgate)

WR Cliff Branch (32 Colorado)

WR Bobby Chandler (31 USC)

TE Ray Chester (32 Morgan St)

LT Art Shell (34 ME Shore)

LG Gene Upshaw (35 A&M Kingsville)

C Dave Dalby (30 UCLA)

RG Mickey Marvin  (25 Tenn)

RT Henry Lawrence (29 Florida A&M)

Defense

LDE John Matuszak (30 Tampa)

NT Reggie Kinlaw (23 Oklahoma)

RDE Dave Browning (24 Wash)

LOLB Ted Hendricks All Pro (33 Miami)

LILB Matt Millen  (22-R Penn St)

RILB Randy McClanahan (26 Louisiana)

ROLB Rod Martin (26 USC)

LCB Lester Hayes All Pro (25 A&M)

RCB Monte Jackson (27 S Diego St)

SS Mike Davis (24 Colorado) 

FS Burgess Owens (29 Miami)

 

K Chris Bahr (27 Penn St)

P Ray Guy (31 S Miss)

KR Arthur Whittington (25 SMU)

PR Ira Matthews (23 Wisconsin)

The 1980 Super Bowl Champs are here; they're the 10th seed in the region, not really bringing anything noteworthy on either side of the ball.  Jim Plunkett's 33, 20 scores, 16 picks. 31 year old Bobby Chandler caught 10 TD passes.  Two All Pros on defense, 25 year old Lester Hayes, who had 13 picks and 33 year old Ted Hendricks.

In '79, the Chargers split their 2 games with the Raiders.  The following season, the Raiders split their two games with the Chargers in the regular season -- and then knocked them out in the rubber match, beating San Diego to win the AFC Championship.  Here's game 6.  Let's go to San Diego for the kick.

1st Qtr

The Chargers will open at the 16.

3 and out.

Raider ball at their own 46.

1/10 Mark van Eeghan gets 2.

2/8 - Jim Plunkett going downfield -- Raiders going vertical -- Plunkett to Bobby Chandler for 31 yards.  

1/10 - van Eeghan picks up 10, Raiders quickly at the Charger 11.

1/10 - Kenny King for 3.

2/7 - Plunkett is dropped-Big Hands Johnson with the big sack.

3/14 - Plunkett to King - flashing over the middle -- King...Kenny King muscles his way into the endzone-- TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS - it takes the Raiders just 6 plays to put 7 points on the board and we are off and running.  Plunkett 15 yards to Kenny King.  

Chargers at the 20.

3 and out.

Again, good field position, Oakland at their own 47.

1/10 - King gets 4

2/6 - van Eeghan gets 9, Raiders at the Charger 40.

1/10 - Van Eeghan for 4.

2/6 - Fred Dean is in the backfield- crushing Arthur Whittington for a huge loss.

3/14 - Plunkett - sideline - to Cliff Branch -- Branch is inbounds -- and he's at the sticks -- Okland picks it up - Raiders to the SD 24 yard line.

1/10 - Van Eeghan for 4.

2/6 - Plunkett, trouble -- play has broken down - Plunkett across the line -- Plunkett - great job there by Jim Plunkett, 9 yards all the way to the San Diego 11 yard line.

The drive ends here - short Bahr FG makes it 10-0, the kickoff is the last play of the qtr, SD will start at their own 25, down 10-0

2nd Qtr: Raiders 10 Chargers 0

Oakland dominates here - San Diego doesn't have a first down, while the Raiders have two long scoring drives.  Chargers start at the 25.

1/10 - Dan Fouts completes his first pass - its to John Jefferson for 10.  San Diego has a first down.

1/10 - Clarence Williams carries.  Nothing.  

2/10 - Mike Thomas screen - Thomas behind White and Washington -- Thomas cuts to the sideline -- AND THOMAS IS GONNA GO!  OPEN FIELD -- 40....30...20...10 -- Mike Thomas goes 65 yards -- into the end zone --- TOUCHDOWN CHARGERS - Mike Thomas goes 65 yards and just like that - 3 plays, 75 yards -- San Diego cuts it to 10-7.

Raiders at the 21.  They get a first down on a 9 yard Van Eeghan run -- but it ends at the 34 and the Chargers get the ball back at their own 33.

1/10 - Thomas on the carry - Ted Hendricks rips the ball clean away -- Fumble -- Fumble- Hendricks has the football and the Raiders regain possession at the Charger 38 yard line.

Oakland gains 7 yards on 3 plays --- Bahar....misses....the 48 yard FG and the Chargers take over, there's a false start so it is 1st and 15 at the 33.

1/15 - Fouts to Clarence Williams out of the backfield -- he picks up blockers and he's got 15, Joe Gibbs has maybe found a route to attack the Raiders defense.  

1/10 - Lydell Mitchell stopped.

2/10 - Mitchell stopped again.

3/10 -- John Jefferson vs Lester Hayes was the marquee matchup today -- JJ gets him here, 21 yards, Chargers at the Raider 30.  

1/10 - Williams loses 1.

2/11 - Incomplete

3/11 - Fouts drops back --pump fake -- Fouts throwing to the endzone -- Larry Burton --- TOUCHDOWN CHARGERS -- Fouts 31 yards to Burton - San Diego scores again, it's 14-10 now.  Raiders will start at the 39 with 4 minutes left in the half.  

1/10 - King gets 2

2/8 - Plunkett dump off to Van Eeghan, 3 yards.

3/5 - Van Eeghan gets 4 -- we're at the 2 minute warning, Raiders at their own 48, 4th and 1.

Flores decides to go for it.  Well, here's an inflection point, Raiders down 4, risking giving the ball back to the Chargers.  2 minute warning.

4/1 - Van Eeghan lowers his shoulder and picks it up.  Nice call by Flores.  

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Plunkett to Cliff Branch - 15 yards and Oakland stops the clock.  

1/10 - Plunkett to Branch again -- 25 yard shot - really nice throw by Plunkett on the sideline, Branch it out of bounds at the 10 - first and goal for Oakland with 90 seconds left.  

1/goal - Plunkett - quick drop - fires over the middle - caught - Dave Casper -- at the goal -- Casper is into the endzone -- TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS - the veteran Casper is the second TE for these Raiders, bur he's into the endzone here - Plunkett finds him and it's 17-14 Oakland.  Chargers at the 20, 1:23 left.  

1/10 - Fouts dump off to Thomas, 3 yards and he's out of bounds.  

2/7 - Incomplete

3/7 - Fouts picks it up -- John Floyd with 11 yards, San Diego stops the clock at the 34, 48 seconds left in the half.  

1/10 - Fouts, in trouble - goes to Charlie Joiner -- 6 yards, he's out of bounds.

2/4 - Fouts - another dump off, Clarence Williams, he picks up the first down and is out of bounds, 34 seconds left in the half, Chargers at their own 45.  

1/10 - Fouts -- again to Williams - 8 more yards and again, out of bounds with 23 seconds left in the half.  

2/2 - Fouts drops back now -- Fouts rifling one over the middle -- John Jefferson is there -- all the way to the Oakland 21 yard line - San Diego stops the lock at 12 seconds left.  

1/10 - Fouts - drops back - Fouts -- End Zone -- Jefferson -- Broken Up by Lester Hayes -- Nice play by Hayes, there's 1 second left - San Diego brings on Benirschke - he makes the kick - and we go into the lockers all tied at 17.

Third qtr: Chargers 17 Raiders 17

Oakland scored the first 10 - San Diego came back with the next 14 - and it's now all tied at 17, we've got a good one here in San Diego, just a couple games left to finish Region 7, round 1.

Oakland starts at the 18.  

1/10 - Nothing for Van Eeghan.

2/10 - Nothing for King.

3/10 - Plunkett to Van Eeghan over the middle and he - Fights - his way to the sticks, just does make the first down.  

1/10 - Kenny King with some daylight, 16 yards - daylight hard to come by today, but now the Raiders reach the 46.  

The drive stops there, a Fred Dean sack takes Oakland back 6 - after the punt the Chargers start at the 26.

1/10 - Thomas gets 1

2/9 - Williams stopped at the line.

3/9 - Fouts going up top - he hits Floyd - 23 yards and the Chargers are at midfield.

1/10 - Thomas gets 1

2/9 - Fouts over the middle to Bob Klein - Klein's first catch of the day, it's 10 and the first.

1/10 - Thomas gets 5 to the Raider 34.

2/5 - Pitch right to Williams, Williams turns the corner -- Williams has a step -- and He is Gonna Go -- He is Gonna Go -- Clarence Williams run 34 yards into the Oakland end zone - TOUCHDOWN CHARGERS and San Diego regains the lead, 24-17.  

Oakland at the 25.

1/10 - Nice gain for King - the vets Shell and Upshaw starting to maybe wear down this Charger line, 21 yards for Kenny King.  

1/10 - Nothing for Van Eeghan.

2/10 - Quick out to Branch, he gets 5 and it's 3rd and 5 at the Charger 39.

3/5 - King goes off tackle left -- he's got it - a dozen more for Kenny King, Shell and Upshaw clearing a big path there -- Oakland now at the 27 yard line.  

That's the end of the drive - Gary Johnson's second sack moves Oakland back -- Bahr hits the 47 yard kick, it's 24-20 Chargers.

Chargers at their own 31.

1/10 - Williams picks up 12.

1/10 - Thomas for 4

2/6 - Mitchell gets a yard -- that's the last play of the third.  We'll come back to a big third and 5.

4th Qtr: Chargers 24 Raiders 20

Tight game here in San Diego; Chargers up 4, 3rd and 5 at their own 48 yard line.

3/5 - Incomplete.  Oakland takes over at the 25.

1/10 - Fred Dean is in the Raider backfield - he wrestles the ball from Kenny King -- it's a fumblle -- the Chargers recover -- big play here by Dean, he forces the King fumble and San Diego has a first down at the Raider 20.  

They get 8 yards on 3 plays -- short FG is good - Chargers go up 27-20. 

Oakland at the 25.  12:28 left.  

1/10 - Nothing for King.

2/10 - Nothing for Whittington.  

3/10 - Plunkett - firing over the middle -- Picked Off by Woody Lowe -- Lowe steps in front of Ray Chester - Lowe is down at the Oakland 25 yard line -- Oakland turns it over on consecutive possessions and now the Chargers are really in the drivers seat - up 7 at the Oakland 25 yard line, 11 minutes left.

The next 3 plays lose 6 yards - a John Matuszak sack really keeps the Raiders in the game -- Benirschke with the kick -- it's 30-20 Chargers, little more than 9 to go.

Raiders at the 21.  They get one first down - Plunkett 13 to Branch.

But that's all. Chargers now at their own 30, under 7 left.

3 and out.  Raider defense trying to keep them alive, but Oakland meeds 2 scores and there's less than 5 to go.  Good return by Ira Matthews - Oakland will start at their own 49.  They have to get going right now.

1/10 - Plunkett finds Ray Chester, his first catch - 7 yards.  

2/3 - Give to Van Eeghan, stopped at the line.  Big 3rd down.

3/3 - Incomplete

4/3 - Plunkett under a heavy rush - Johnson and Dean converge -- Plunkett slips it -- Plunkett running -- Plunkett diving.  

Plunkett will be just short.  Raiders turn it over on downs.  Charger ball with 3:30 left up 10.

They pick up a first down on 3 short runs.  Oakland has to burn all of its timeouts plus the 2 minute warning - the Chargers punt with 80 seconds to go, Oakland's at the own 15 yard line, trailing by 10.

Oakland is able to get to the Charger 17 - but the game ends there.  

Final: Chargers 30 Raiders 20

Just 14 first downs for San Diego, Oakland outgains them, had 9 more minutes of possession - but 4 sacks and and 2 4th quarter turnovers and they move on; back to back SB Champs are bounced from Region 7.

Fouts: 12 for 17, 231, 2 TD

Plunkett: 15 for 25, 181, 2 TD, 1 INT

Williams: 14 carries, 65 yds, 1 TD

King: 14 carries, 114 yds, 1 TD

Jefferson: 3 catches, 54 yds

Branch: 4 catches, 60 yds

Dean/Johnson: 2 sacks

Player of the Game: Fred Dean

256 Team NFL Tournament: Region 7/Round 1: 2000 Baltimore Ravens v. 2005 Seattle Seahawks

'61 Packers v. '21 Cowboys 

11. 2005 NFC CHAMPION SEATTLE SEAHAWKS at 6. 2000 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION BALTIMORE RAVENS

6. 2000 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION BALTIMORE RAVENS

Record: 12-4

Pythag: 14-2

Off: 14th

Def: 1st

2nd AFC Central

d. Broncos WC 21-3

d. Titans Div Rnd 24-10

d. Raiders AFC Title 16-3

d. Giants Super Bowl 34-7

HC Brian Billick OC Matt Cavanaugh DC Marvin Lewis

PSINet Stadium: 50 degrees

Scott Garceau/Tom Matte

Offense

QB Trent Dilfer (28 Fresno St)

RB Jamal Lewis (21 Tenn)

WR Qadry Ismail (30 Syracuse)

WR Patrick Johnson (24 Oregon)

WR Travis Taylor (22 Florida)

TE Shannon Sharpe (32 Savannah St)

LT Jonathan Ogden All Pro (26 UCLA)

LG Edwin Mulitalo (26 Arizona)

C Jeff Mitchell (26 Florida)

RG Mike Flynn (26 Maine)

RT Harry Swayne (35 Rutgers)

Defense

LDE Rob Burnett    (33 Syracuse)

LDT Sam Adams (27 A&M)

RDT Tony Siragusa (33 Pitt)

RDE Michael McCrary (30 Wake)

LLB Peter Boulware (26 Florida St)

MLB Ray Lewis All Pro (25 Miami)

RLB Jamie Sharper (26 UVA)

LCB Duane Starks (26 Miami)

RCB Chris McAlister (23 Arizona)

SS Kim Herring (25 Penn St)

FS Rod Woodson (35 Purdue)

K Matt Stover All Pro (32 LA Tech)

P Kyle Richardson (27 Ark St)

KR Corey Harris (31 Vandy)

PR Jermaine Lewis (26 Mary)

The '61 Pack await the winners of this game - the number one offense from 2005 heads to Baltimore to face the number one defense from 2000, the Super Bowl Champion Ravens.  Ray Lewis is a 25 year old All Pro, leading the way; 33 year old Rob Burnett and 26 year old Peter Boulware combined for 17 sacks, and 35 year old Rod Woodson added 4 picks.  The offense is largely along for the ride.  Trent Dilfer's 28, 12 scores and 11 picks. The rookie Jamal Lewis rushed for 1300 yards and 26 year old Jonathan Ogden was an All Pro

11. 2005 NFC CHAMPION SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Record: 13-3

Pythag: 12-4

Off: 1st

Def: 7th

1st NFC West

d. Redskins Div Rnd 20-10

d. Panthers NFC Title 34-14

lost Super Bowl Steelers 21-10

HC Mike Holmgren OC Gil Haskell DC Ray Rhodes

Offense

QB Matt Hasselbeck

RB Shaun Alexander All Pro

FB Mack Strong All Pro

WR Bobby Engram

WR Joe Jurevicius

TE Jerramy Stevans

LT Walter Jones All Pro

LG Steve Hutchinson All Pro

C Robbie Tobeck

RG Chris Gray

RT Sean Locklear

Defense

LDE Bryce Fisher

LDT Chartric Darby

RDT Marcus Tubbs

RDE Grant Wistrom

LLB Jamie Sharper

MLB Lofa Tatupu 

RLB DD Lewis

LCB Kelly Herndon

RCB Marcus Trufant

SS Michael Boulware

FS Marquand Manuel

K Josh Brown

P Tom Rouen

KR Josh Scobey

PR Jimmy Williams

Couple of branches from the Bill Walsh tree tangled in this one. The '05 Seahawks had the top offense in football.  30 year old Matt Hasselbeck had 25 scores and 9 picks - 4 All Pros, Shawn Alexander is 28, ran for almost 1900 yards and scored 28...28 times.  Yikes.  34 year old Mack Strong, 31 year old Walter Jones, 28 year old Steve Hutchinson round out the All Pro quartet.  The defense is okay, 28 year old Bryce Fisher had 9 sacks.    It's Brian Billick and the best defense from 2000 hosting Mike Holmgren and the best offense from 2005.  Let's go to Baltimore for the kick.

1st Qtr

Big return by Corey Harris to open the game - Ravens will start at midfield.

3 and out.

Seatle starts at the 10.  

They pick up a first down, Shaun Alexander with a couple of 5 yard runs.  

But the drive ends at the 26.  After the punt, Ravens will start at their own 45, good return by Jermaine Lewis.  

1/10 - Jamal Lewis gains 11 - a lot of running on both sides expected today.

1/10 - Priest Holmes gets a yard.

2/6 - Holmes gets 4 more.

3/5 - Trent Dilfer's first completion is to the Missile, Qadry Ismail, 12 yards to the Seattle 29.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Holmes gets 10 yards, Ravens to the 19.

That's it - a Lofa Tatupu sack nets a 3 yard loss -- Stover hits the 39 yard FG and it's 3-0.

Seattle at the 29.

3 and out.  

Ravens at the 42.  Lewis with another good return - Ravens special teams might be the difference here, Matt Stover was also an All Pro in '05. 

1/10 - Lewis gets 3.

2/7 - Holmes gets 1.

3/6 - Dilfer's going deep - Dilfer finds Ismail for the big shot -- 33 yards to the Seahawk 21 as the quarter ends.

2nd Qtr: Ravens 3 Seahawks 0

Seattle's offense not showing much so far against that Baltimore defense, Ravens up 3 with first down at the Seattle 21.

The next 3 plays net just 3 yards -- Stover hits another FG and it's 6-0.

Seattle at the 25.

1/10 - Alexander gets 3.

2/7 - Hasselbeck in trouble -- Hasselbeck scrambling -- Hasselbeck looking deep -- He's got a Man -- Joe Jurevius is Behind the Secondary -- Caught -- Jurevicious is at the 30....the 20...the 10....Joe Jurevicius is brought down by Duane Starks at the 5 yard line -- that is a 67 yard bomb - a bomb - Hasselbeck to Jurevicius -- 67 yards -- the Seahawks have a first and goal.

1/goal - Give to Mack Strong -- He is Met in the Backfield by Ray Lewis....FUMBLE.....Baltimore recovers.  Just like that - Ray Lewis forces the turnover and the Ravens get the ball back.

3 and out.  After the punt, Seattle ball at their own 49.

1/10 - Maurice Morris gets 9 on his first carry.

2/1 - Alexander picks it up.

That's it - the next 3 plays net 8 yards -- Brown with the .....50 yard FG that just clears the crossbar and the Seahawks are on the board.

Ravens at the 26.

Another 3 and out --- good performance from that Seattle defense today.  Seahawks to start at their own 39.

They get a first down - Hasselbeck to Jerramy Stevens, a dozen yards -- but the drive ends, Baltimore gets it back at the 2 minute warning at their own 17.

1/10 - Dilfer finds Obafemi Ayanbadejo, he's got 10 and the first.   

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Incomplete

3/10 - Shannon Sharpe's first catch is for a dozen yards, Ravens using their first timeout with a minute to go at their own 39.

The next 3 plays net 2 yards - on the punt - the Seahawks get hit a roughing tthe kicker penalty - that gives the Ravens the first down at the Seattle 45 yard line with 30 seconds left, they are out of timeouts.

1/10 - Dilfer hits Ismail - it's 15 yards - but the clock is running, Dilfer's able to spike the ball to stop it with just 7 seconds left.  Billick is not taking any chances - he brings on Stover for the 47 yard try....and he misses it.

That's the half.

3rd Qtr: Ravens 6 Seahawks 3

All FGs, largely a defensive struggle - Seattle fumbled on a first and goal, Baltimore missed a FG at the whistle.  Good return by Josh Scobey to start the half - Seattle at their own 44.

1/10 - Morris gets 4.

2/6 - Leonard Weaver gets a carry, he goes for 2.

3/4 - Hasselbeck scrambling -- he's across the line of scrimmage, he's going to be....just short of the first down.  4th and inches at the Baltimore 46.

Well -- here's a pivot point.  Holmgren's gonna go for it --- down 3, 4th and inches, on the Ravens side of the field -- Seattle's sending out the offense.

4/1 - Give to Alexander -- AND HE IS STOPPED DEAD.  The Ravens defense converges on Alexander and swarms him at the line of scrimmage and Baltimore takes over.  That Ravens defense, stifling.  

Baltimore picks up 1 first down  - Dilfer to Ayanbadejo for a dozen -- but that's it - nice job by that Seahawk defense really all day long in keeping their team in the game.  

The punt - touchback.  Seattle at the 20.

3 and out.  The Seahawks just nothing at all on offense.  

Ravens start at their own 44.  3 and out -- really nice job here again by the Seahawks - Bryce Fisher gets the sack.  

Seattle starts at their own 27.  They get a first down -- Hasselbeck hitting Bobby Engram for a 25 yard gain.

But that's it.  Good Seattle punt - Ravens start at their own 8 yard line.

3 and out.  The quarter ends with Baltimore preparing to punt from their own 11.

4th Qtr: Ravens 6 Seahawks 3

A little close for comfort for the Ravens, this vaunted defense has been all it needed to be, but the offense hasn't mustered much today - and as we hit the 4th qtr, it remains 6-3 Ravens, Baltimore punting from their 11.

Great field position for Seattle, they start at the Ravens 43.

1/10 - Alexander for 1.

2/9 - Incomplete

3/9 - Hasselbeck - finds DJ Hackett downfield -- that's an 18 yard pickup, big play, it puts Seattle into FG range -- Seattle at the Ravens 24 yard line.  

1/10 - Alexander for 1.

2/9 - Hasselbeck to Strong, Strong bulls forward, just short of the sticks -- Seattle with a third and 1 at the Ravens 15 yard line.

3/1 -- Alexander picks it up.  Seattle has a first down at the Baltimore 13.  Trailing by 3, little more than 12 minutes left.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Alexander gets 2

3/8 - Hasselbeck - looking to the endzone-- Jerramy Stevens -- TOUCHDOWN SEAHAWKS....TOUCHDOWN SEAHAWKS -- Matt Hasselbeck hits Jerramy Stevens with the 11 yard strike and the Seahawks take the 10-6 lead!

Baltimore starts at the 24.  10:35 left.  The Ravens have got to get something going, you wonder if they consider a move to Tony Banks at some point.

3 and out.  Oh, man.  Just nothing at all and Seattle starts at their own 40.  9 minutes left.

3 and out.  Very conservative here for Holmgren, really not wanting to risk a sack ot a turnover, 3 run plays and a punt.  Baltimore will start at its own 31.

3 and out.  Again - 3 and out -- Lofa Tatupu picks up his second sack of the day -- there are some boos now here in Baltimore, the Super Bowl Champions unable to move the ball at all today.

Seattle at their own 26.  The first play is a pass - Hasselbeck to Bobby Engram for 11 yards and a first down -- and that is it, 3 runs and a punt -- but tick, tick, tick, tick -- there is now a little more than 2 and a half minutes left to go in the football game.  Baltimore at their own 26.

Billick riding with Dilfer.  The Ravens trail by 4, they have all 3 timeouts, they need to drive 74 yards in 2 and a half minutes or they are going to go home.  

1/10 - Dilfer to Jamal Lewis, 4 yards, out of bounds.

2/6 - Big sack -- Marcus Tubbs leveling Dilfer, that's gonna take us to the 2 minute warning - Baltimore has a 3rd and 15.  

3/15 -- Dilfer picks it up -- 21 yards to Shannon Sharpe -- Baltimore stops the clock at their own 42 yard line.  1:50 left.  

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Incomplete

3/10 - Dilfer to Lewis -- Lewis breaks a tackle -- Jamal Lewis down the sideline, run out of bounds after an 18 yard pickup -- the Ravens are at the Seattle 40 yard line, there's 1:15 left to go in the game.  Ravens have 2 timeouts.  Can Dilfer do it?  Can Dilfer do it?

1/10 - Fisher sacks Dilfer -- big Seattle play, Ravens lose 5 - have to burn their 2nd timeout, there's a minute left and it's 2nd and 15.

2/15 - Incomplete

3/15 - Incomplete

Here it is.  40 seconds left in the football game.  Baltimore has a 4th and 15 from the Seattle 45.  Here it is.  Here it is.  

4/15 -- Dilfer drops back.  Dilfer has time.  Dilfer looks downfield.  Dilfer throws...Sharpe....KNOCKED AWAY BY MARCUS TRUFANT!  Trufant bats the ball away -- and that will be that --  the Seahawks are able to burn off the clock and this game is over.

Final: Seahawks 10 Ravens 6

The Seattle defense is the story here - 5 sacks - Seattle comes into Baltimore and knocks off the 6th seed in the region.

Hasselbeck 10 for 18, 169 yds, 1 TD

Dilfer: 11 for 24, 132 yds

Alexander: 22 carries, 62 yds

Lewis: 20 carries, 48 yds

Engram: 4 catches, 44 yds

Ismail: 3 catches, 60 yds

Tatupu/Fisher: 2 sacks

Player of the Game: Lofa Tatupu

256 Team NFL Tournament: Region 7/Round 1: 1961 Green Bay Packers v. 2021 Dallas Cowboys

'67 Rams v. '08 Packers 

14. 2021 DALLAS COWBOYS at 3. 1961 NFL CHAMPION GREEN BAY PACKERS

3. 1961 NFL CHAMPION GREEN BAY PACKERS

Record: 11-3

Pythag: 11-3

Off: 1st

Def: 2nd

1st NFL West

d. Giants NFL Title 37-0

HC Vince Lombardi DC Phil Bengsten

New City Stadium: 45 degrees

Ray Scott

Offense

QB Bart Starr (27 Alabama)

RB Paul Hornung All Pro (26 N Dame)

FB Jim Taylor (26 LSU)

WR Max McGee (29 Tulane)

WR Boyd Dowler (24 Colorado)

TE Ron Kramer (26 Michigan)

LT Bob Skoronski (27 Indiana)

LG Fuzzy Thurston All Pro (28 Valpo)

C Jim Ringo All Pro (30 Syracuse)

RG Jerry Kramer (25 Idaho)

RT Forrest Gregg (28 SMU)

Defense

LDE Willie Davis (27 Grambling)

LDT Dave Hanner (31 Arkansas)

RDT Henry Jordan All Pro (26 UVA)

RDE Bill Quinlan (29 Michigan St)

LLB Dan Currie (26 Michigan St)

MLB Ray Nitschke (25 Illinois)

RLB Bill Forester All Pro (29 SMU)

LCB Hank Gremminger (28 Baylor)

RCB Jesse Whittendon All Pro (27 UTEP)

LS John Symank (26 Florida)

RS Willie Wood (25 USC)

K Paul Hornung (26 N Dame)

P Boyd Dowler (24 Colorado)

KR Herb Adderley (22 Mich St)

PR Willie Wood (25 USC)

The '62 Packers have already advanced as the top seeds from Region 5, here's the team before; NFL Champs, 3rd seed in the region, number one in offense, 2 in defense.  Bart Starr's 27, 17 scores and 16 picks.  Paul Hornung's a 26 year old All Pro, he had 10 scores.  Jim Taylor's 26, he rushed for over 1300 yards and scored 16 times.  28 year old Fuzzy Thurston and 30 year old Jim Ringo are All Pros on the OL.  3 All Pros on the other side of the ball - 26 year old Henry Jordan, 29 year old Bill Forester, 27 year old Jesse Whittenton and you dont have to look hard to find more Hall of Famers.  Green Bay will run and dare you to stop them.  

14. 2021 DALLAS COWBOYS

Record: 12-5

Pythag: 12-5

Off: 1st

Def: 7th

1st NFC East

lost WC 49ers 23-17

HC Mike McCarthy OC Kellen Moore DC Dan Quinn

Offense

QB Dak Prescott (28 Miss St)

RB Ezekial Elliott (26 Ohio St)

WR Ceedee Lamb (22 Oklahoma)

WR Amani Cooper (27 Alabama)

WR Cedrick Wilson (26 Boise)

TE Dalton Schultz (25 Stanford)

T Tyron Smith (31 USC)

G Zach Martin All Pro (31 N Dame)

C Tyler Biadasz (24 Wisconsin)

G Connor Williams (24 Texas)

T Terence Steele (24 TTech)

Defense

DE Tarrell Basham  (27 Ohio)

DT Osa Odighizuwa (23 UCLA)

DE Dorance Armstrong (24 Kansas)

LB Micah Parsons All Pro (22 Penn St)

LB Leighton Vander Esch (25 Boise)

LB Keanu Neal (26 Florida)

CB Anthony Brown (28 Purdue)

CB Trevon Diggs  All Pro (23 Alabama)

CB Jourdan Lewis (26 Michigan)

SS Damontae Kazee (28 S Diego St)

FS Jayron Kearse (27 Clemson)

K Greg Zuerlein (34 Miss West St)

P Bryan Anger (33 Cal)

KR Tony Pollard (24 Memphis)

PR CeeDee Lamb (22 Oklahoma)

The best offense from 2021 is the Cowboys; they'll take that and a 60 year difference into Green Bay to try to oust Lombardi's Pack.  38 scores/10 picks for 28 year old Dak Prescott. 26 year old Zeke Elliott had a dozen scores; 31 year old Zach Martin is the offense's All Pro. The defense is okay, the Pack will look to run and probably be successful; the rookie Michah Parsons is an All Pro on defense with 13 sacks. 23 year old Trevon Diggs is also an All Pro, he had 11 picks and scored twice.  Can Dallas ride that ultramodern passing game into a 14/3 upset?  Let's head to Wisconson for the kick.

1st Qtr

Dallas starts at the 32.

1/10 - Zeke Elliott is stopped at the line.

2/10 - Incomplete

3/10 - Dak Prescott flushed - Prescott escaped - Prescott outruns the Packer defense to a first down, 16 yards.

1/10 - Henry Jordan rushes up the middle and drops Dak.  

2/19 - Elliott stopped at the line.

3/19 - Prescott going deep -- downfield to Cedrick Wilson - 37 yards - another first down - Cowboys are at the Packer 24.  

1/10 - Elliott gets six.  

2/4 - Nothing for Elliott.

3/4 - Willie Davis is into the backfield for a sack -- Zuerlein will hit the FG and Dallas is on the board.

Pack at the 37.

1/10 - Jim Taylor gets a yard.

2/9 - Paul Hornung gets 6. 

3/3 - Bart Starr goes to Taylor out of the backfield and he picks it up. 

1/10 - Starr over the middle, Max McGee in traffic, 15 yards to the Cowboy 36.

1/10 - Jim Taylor, busts through the line -- Taylor blows through the secondary - Jim Taylor is into the endzone -- TOUCHDOWN PACKERS - in less than 3 minutes the Packers go 63 yards and take the lead.

Cowboys at the 35.

1/10 - Tony Pollard carries for 2.

2/8 - Prescott to Amani Cooper, 10 yards and the first.

1/10 - Elliott gets 2, a holding call makes it 2nd and 18.

2/18 - Prescott to CeeDee Lamb, 9 yards.

3/9 - Prescott hits Cooper again, 13 yards and the Cowboys are at the Packer 39.

1/10 - Prescott going downfield -- Michael Gallup -- 25 yards and Dallas is at the 14 - both teams really moving the ball here in the first quarter.

1/10 - The Pack get another sack, it's Nitschke, right up the gut and he hits Prescott before he can even drop back.  

2/20 - Pollard - sweep -- Pollard gets the edge -- Tony Pollard down the sideline --- TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS - Dallas comes right back and goes 65 yards of their own - the Cowboys take the 10-7 lead - the top offense from 2021 going right at the 1961 Packers.

Herb Adderley with the big KR -- all the way to the GB 49 and tack on another 5 for a penalty to make it 1st and 5 inside Dallas territory.

1/5 - Hornung gets 2.

2/3 - Hornung stopped - and that ends the qtr.

2nd Qtr: Cowboys 10 Packers 7

Scores on each possession; the Pack have a third and 3 at the Cowboy 44.

3/3 - Starr picks it up, 6 yards to Hornung.

1/10 - Taylor for 3.

2/7 - Taylor again - 32 yards to Jim Taylor - Taylor busts to the 3 yard line and it is a first and goal.  

1/goal - Hornung stopped.

2/goal - Play action - Dallas bites -- Max McGee wide open in the back corner of the endzone -- TOUCHDOWN PACKERS -- 2 Packer drives -- 2 Packer TDs.  

Dallas at the 29.

1/10 - End around, Lamb gets 10.

1/10 - Nothing for Pollard.

2/10 - 2 for Elliott

3/8 - Dak picks it up - a dozen to Lamb and Dallas is in Packer territory.  

1/10 - Give to Pollard, he gets 15 to the GB 32.  

1/10 - Prescott to Wilson, taps the toes on the sideline and is inbounds for a dozen, Dallas at the 20.

1/10 - Prescott - End Zone -- Michael Gallup --- TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS -- 71 yards in 7 plays -- each drive hgas ended in a score, we still have 7:45 left in the second quarter and we have a full on shootout here in Green Bay between the third seeded Pack and the 14th seeded Cowboys.  17-14 Dallas

 Pack at the 30.

1/10 - Hornung gets 13.  These offenses have been unchallenged today.

1/10 - Tom Moore gets his first carry, 3 yards.

2/7 - Jim Taylor gets 6, just short.  

3/1 - Taylor picks it up.

1/10 - Starr hits Boyd Dowler for 4.

2/6 - Taylor for 11.   The Pack reached the Dallas 31.

1/10 - Taylor gets 9 more - Dallas has no answer for this Packer run game.  

2/1 - Hornung picks it up - Pack at the 18.  

1/10- Taylor gets a yard.

2/8 - Moore gets 2, Pack will have a third and 7 at the 2 minute warning.

3/7 - Starr - over the middle -- Ron Kramer - Kramer bounces off a defender -- Kramer is into the endzone -- TOUCHDOWN PACKERS -- this 1961 Packer offense just chewing up the Dallas defense and it's 21-17.

Cowboys at the 39, 1:50 left in the half.

1/10 - Prescott to Cooper for 10.  Dallas timeout.  

1/10 - Prescott to Elliott for 16 and he's out of bounds at 1:36.

1/10 - Bill Forester gets the 4th GB sack of the day - it's an 11 yard loss and the second Dallas timeout at 1:20.  Big, sack.  

2/21 - Incomplete

3/21 - Prescott has the pull the ball down and run -- he picks up 6 to the Packer 40 -- the Cowboys decide to punt - rolls down at the GB 9 and they take over with 45 seconds left.

Lombardi doesn't play it conservatively -- big pass plays here, 23 to Taylor, 14 to Hornung, 16 to Knafelc, 28 yards to Mac McGee -- Packers use all of their timeouts - and they have a short FG at the gun....but miss it/...and it's halftime.  

Third Qtr: Packers 21 Cowboys 17

We've seen a couple of heavy defensive games back to back - this is not that, the teams moving up and down the field, Packers lead as we come out of the locker room.

Packers at the 29.

1/10 - Jim Taylor goes for 17 yards - just a monster performance for Taylor.

1/10 - Lew Carpenter picks up 10 yards on his first carry.

1/10 - Taylor goes off left - AND HE'S GONNA GO!  Jim Taylor blows through the Cowboy defense -- 44 yards to paydirt -- TOUCHDOWN PACKERS -- and now GB has opened it up a little, 28-17.  Jim Taylor's second TD of the day.  

Cowboys at the 27.

1/10 - Elliott gets 6.

2/4 - Prescott is sacked -- 5th Packer sack of the day - that's Willie Wood's second sack.  

3/10 - Prescott to Pollard in space -- Pollard outruns the Packer defense -- Pollard's got the first down and he's into GB territory.  

1/10 - Prescott to Dalton Schultz and the Cowboys are at the GB 26.

1/10 - Prescott to Zeke - 16 yards and it is a first and goal.

1/goal - Elliott gets 1

2/goal - Pollard gets 1

3/goal -- Prescott rolling out - Firing - Wilson - Goal Line -- TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS - Dak Prescott 8 yards to Cedric Wilson and the Packer lead is again 4.  

What a game, goodness.  

Pack at the 27.

1/10 - Taylor for 1.

2/9 - Horning for 1.

3/8 - Starr to Ron Kramer -- 18 yards and the Pack is again - again on the move -- the Packers have yet to punt today, only one punt all day from either side.  

1/10 - Hornung for 2.

2/8 - Moore gets 18 yards, Packers are at the Dallas 33 yard line.

1/10 - Taylor for 3.

2/7 - Incomplete

3/7 - Starr looks downfield -- Kramer in traffic -- Caught -- Down at the 8 yard line for a first and goal for GB.  

1/goal - Taylor gets 2

2/goal -- Taylor -- Taylor Cannot Be Stopped -- TOUCHDOWN PACKERS - it's the hat trick for Jim Taylor, his 3rd TD of the day and it is 35-24 Packers, Dallas to start at the 29 with 2 minutes left in the third qtr.

1/10 - Pollard...21 yards on the ground -- Dallas doesn't stop - they take every Packer blow and they keep coming.

1/10 - Elliott big yards -- 17 yards and the Cowboys are at the Packer 33 yard line.

1/10 - Prescott planned run -- 4 yards, the quarter ends.

4th Qtr: Packers 35 Cowboys 24

Just a tremendous offensive performance from both squads - it's the Pack up 11, Jim Taylor has 3 scores.  Dallas has a 2nd and 4 at the Packer 29.

Dallas doesn't pick it up  - GB with its 6th sack of the day - Henry Jordan's 2nd, Zuerlein hits the 50 yard FG and it's an 8 point game.

Pack at the 29.  Can Dallas get the stop it needs?

1/10 - Jim Taylor, oh Lord -- Jim Taylor with a 64 yard run -- Jim Taylor with a historic, absolutely historic performance against the 2021 Cowboys -- Jim Taylor sets up a first and goal at the 7.

1/goal - Hornung for 3.

2/goal - Starr to Carpenter -- he's stopped right at the goal line.  

3/goal - Hornung is stopped.....just short....it is 4th down at the goal line.  Packers up 8, a little more than 10 minutes left.  

Lombardi decides to go for it.  

4/goal - Taylor's the upback - the veteran Elijah Pitts gets the carry - disappears into the line ---- TOUCHDOWN PACKERS -- Elijah Pitts is into the end zone and it's 42-27 Green Bay, their biggest lead of the day, with a little more than 10 minutes to go.

Cowboys at the 30.

1/10 - Dak to Zeke.  6 yards.

2/4 - Incomplete

3/4 - Prescott to Gallup -- first down.  

1/10 - Give to Elliott -- Pack not fooled, he loses 1.

2/11 - Prescott to Amani Cooper for 10, Dallas crosses midfield and has a third and short.  

3/1 - Incomplete.  No choice here, down 15 with 7:26 left.  

4/1 - Play action -- Prescott is going downfield -- CeeDee Lamb -- Caught!  27 yards to the Packer 20 yard line.  Dallas throws it downfield on 4th and 1 and picks it up.

1/10 - Prescott to Schultz - 2 yards.  

2/8 - Incomplete

3/8 - Prescott to Lamb - Lamb with the circus catch - Dallas is at the 4 yard line for the first and goal.

1/goal Dak to Zeke -- he bowls into the endzone -- TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS - it's now 42-34.

Dallas kicks it deep - Packers at the 30, 5:25 left in the football game.  Once again, can Dallas find a way to stop GB?  The Packers have yet to punt, only a missed FG at the end of the half keeps them from having scored on each possession.  

1/10 - Hornung gets 10.  What can Dallas do?

1/10 - Tom Moore breaks one -- Moore goes 45 yards - - Moore all the way to the Cowboy 10 yard line and that is probably the backbreaker.

1/goal - Taylor gets right to the goal line and is stopped.

2/goal - Hornung stacked up.  3rd and goal at the 1.

3/goal - Starr, the play fake is to Taylor -- Starr to Max McGee in the back -- TOUCHDOWN PACKERS - a tremendous, overwhelming performance by the Packer offense - it's 49-34 with a little more than 2 minutes to go.

Dallas will drive down --- and they score again right before the final whistle -- Prescott with medium range completions, to Galluop, Cooper, Gallup, Pollard all the way down the field, ending with a 9 yard TD pass to Schultz with just a few seconds left - game ends with an onside kick, Pack recovers and it's over.  

Final: Packers 49 Cowboys 41

The Green Bay Packers don't punt, score on every possession save a missed FG at the end of the first half.  GB marches onto Rnd 2.  Starr with just one incomplete pass.  Jim Taylor has what might be the game of the tournament to date.

Starr: 14 for 15, 177 yds, 3 TD

Prescott: 27 for 33, 354 yds, 4 TD

Taylor: 18 carries, 242 yds, 3 TD

Pollard: 9 carries, 56 yds, 1 TD

McGee: 4 catches, 52 yds, 2 TD

Gallup: 5 catches, 70 yds, 1 TD

Jordan/Davis: 2 sacks

Player of the Game: Jim Taylor