9. 1987 CLEVELAND BROWNS at 8. 1982 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION WASHINGTON REDSKINS
8. 1982 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION WASHINGTON REDSKINS
Record: 8-1
Pythag: 7-2
Off: 12th
Def: 1st
1st NFC East
d. Lions WC 31-7
d. Vikings Div Rnd 21-7
d. Cowboys NFC Title 31-7
d. Dolphins Super Bowl 27-17
HC: Joe Gibbs, OC: Joe Bugel, DC: Richie Petitbon
RKF 40 degrees
Frank Herzog/Sonny Jurgensen/Sam Huff
Offense
QB Joe Theismann (33 N Dame)
RB John Riggins (33 Kansas)
WR Charlie Brown (24-R S Carolina St)
WR Art Monk (25 Syracuse)
TE Rick Walker (27 UCLA)
TE Don Warren (26 S Diego St)
LT Joe Jacoby (23 Louisville)
LG Russ Grimm (23 Pitt)
C Jeff Bostic (24 Clemson)
RG Mark May (23 Pitt)
RT George Starke (34 Columbia)
Defense
LDE Mat Mendenhall (25 BYU)
LDT Dave Butz (32 Purdue)
RDT Perry Brooks (28 Southern)
RDE Dexter Manley (23 Oklahoma St)
LLB Mel Kaufman (24 C Poly San Luis Obispo)
MLB Neal Olkewicz (25 Maryland)
RLB Rich Milot (25 Penn St)
LCB Jeris White (30 Hawaii)
RCB Vernon Dean (23-R S Diego St)
SS Tony Peters (29 Oklahoma)
FS Mark Murphy (27 Colgate)
K Mark Moseley (34) All Pro
P Jeff Hayes (23)
KR/PR Mike Nelms (27)
Every Super Bowl Champion has advanced so far, if that is to continue the '82 Skins will need to win this 8/9 matchup. Washington had the best defense in the strike shortened '82 season; 23 year old Dexter Manley and 32 year old Dave Butz combined for 11 sacks. The offense is middling, 33 year old Joe Theismann threw for 13 scores and 9 picks. Big year for the rookie WR from S Carolina St Charlie Brown, 8 TDs in a 9 game season. 34 year old kicker Mark Moseley is the only All Pro. Washington wiped everyone out in the postseason - this isn't the only time we'll see this core group, next year's team, the '83 Skins, are a highly ranked team in the tournament.
9. 1987 CLEVELAND BROWNS
Record: 10-5
Pythag: 11-4
Off: 3rd
Def: 2nd
1st AFC Central
d. Colts Div Rnd 38-21
Lost AFC Title Broncos 38-33
HC: Marty Schottenheimer OC Lindy Infante, DC Dave Adolph
Offense
QB Bernie Kosar (24 Miami)
RB Ernest Byner (25 E Carolina)
FB Kevin Mack (25 Clemson)
WR Reggie Langhorne (24 Eliz City St)
WR Webster Slaughter (23 S Diego St)
TE Ozzie Newsome (31 Alabama)
LT Paul Farren (27 Boston U)
LG Larry Williams (24 N Dame)
C Mike Baab (28 Texas)
RG Dan Fike (26 Florida)
RT Cody Risien (30 A&M)
Defense
LDE Sam Clancy (29 Pitt)
NT Bob Golic (30 NDame)
RDE Carl Hairston (35 MEastern Shore)
LOLB Lucius Sanford (31 Geo Tech)
LILB Eddie Johnson (28 Louisville)
RILB Mike Johnson (25 Va Tech)
ROLB Clay Matthews (31 USC)
LCB Frank Minnifield (27 Louisville)
RCB Hanford Dixon (29 So Miss) All Pro
SS Ray Ellis (28 Ohio St)
FS Felix Wright (28 Drake)
K Jeff Jaeger (23 Wash)
P Jeff Gossett (30 E Illinois)
KR Glen Young (27 Miss St)
PR Gerald McNeil (25 Baylor)
Here's the scab season - '87 is going to have some wonky outcomes; Cleveland is top 3 - top 3 in both offense and defense, lost the AFC Title game to Denver - which, of course, would lose the SB to a Joe Gibbs Redskins team. So, like the '82 Washington squad that played 9 games, the Browns regulars also played a shortened season. 12 games for 24 year old Bernie Kosar. 23 total scores and 9 picks. The Browns All Pro is on defense, it's 29 year old corner Hanford Dixon, he had 3 picks while 35 year old Carl Hairston had 8 sacks. It's the Browns - they head to DC to face the World Champs. Let's go to RFK for the kick.
First Qtr
The Browns start at the 19.
1/10 - Bernie Kosar opens with a pass - it goes to the veteran Ozzie Newsome for 8 yards.
2/2 - Kevin Mack loses 2.
3/4 - Kosar goes to Webster Slaughter for 7. First down.
1/10 - Mack busts one - Mack busts one for 33 yards. Big play for the Browns early on and they're at the Redskin 35.
1/10 - Earnest Byner, future Redskin, gets a yard.
2/9 - Mack gets 1 and it's 3rd and long.
3/8 - Kosar finds Byner over the middle and Byner's got open field - Byner in the secondary - Byner out of bounds with a 26 yard gain and Cleveland's got a first and goal.
1/goal - it's a yard for Kevin Mack.
2/goal - Incomplete, another third down.
3/goal - Kosar to Perry Kemp out of the backfield - but he's shut down after a yard - Jeff Jaeger hits the chip shot and the Browns score the first points of the game. 3-0.
Washington at their own 42, nice runback by Mike Nelms.
3 and out - Sam Clancy with the 3rd down sack.
Browns start at their own 49 after they get a nice return from Gerald McNeil.
3 and out. Washington to start at their own 12. 5:21 left in the 1st.
1/10 - John Rigins with the carry, nothing.
2/10 - Riggins goes for 4.
3/6 - Joe Theismann hits Virgil Seay for a 22 yard gain and a first down.
1/10 - Theismann to Art Monk for 10, Skins out to their own 48.
1/10 - Riggins loses 3.
2/7 - Joe Washington gets a carry, he goes for 2.
3/11 - Theismann to Monk again, a dozen yards, and a Washington first down at the Browns 41 - one play left in the qtr is Washington stopped at the line of scrimmage.
2nd Qtr
Browns up 3-0 from that opening drive; Washington has a second and 10 at the Cleveland 41.
2/10 - Riggins is stopped at the line. Another 3rd down.
3/10 - Theismann to Charlie Brown, 11 yards and the Skins keep moving.
1/10 - Riggins gets 2.
2/8 - Theismann to Brown again, 4 yards and once again, a third down.
3/4 - It's a give to Washington, he's shut down just short. So - decision time for Gibbs, 4th and a foot at the Cleveland 22.
He's going for it. Okay - big early spot here.
It's a give to Washington -- and he is shut down - Washington stoned at the line of scrimmage - Bob Golic wraps up Joe Washington and the Browns take over on downs.
1/10 - Incomplete
2/10 - Kosar to Derek Tennell for 9.
3/1 - Kosar to Webster Slaughter, 2 yards, first down Cleveland at the 33. 10:16 left.
1/10 - Mack gets nothing.
2/10 - Incomplete
3/10 - Kosar to Ozzie Newsome right down the heart of the field - it's 25 yards and the Browns are into Washington territory.
1/10 - Byner gets 1.
2/9 - Kosar goes to the end zone -- Brian Brennan is there -- TOUCHDOWN BROWNS - Bernie Kosar with a 41 yard strike, an absolute strike, to Brian Brennan - Cleveland is up 10-0 - Washington to start at the 27, 7:50 left in the half.
1/10 - Riggins for a yard.
2/9 - End around to Monk, just gets a yard.
3/8 - Theismann screen pass to Riggins - he makes his way for the first down. 5:47 left.
1/10 - 3 for Riggins.
2/7 - Incomplete
3/7 - Theismann with the big play - 24 yards to Charlie Brown - Washington is at the Browns 36 yard line with 3:39 to go in the half, down 10-0.
1/10 - Riggins gets a dozen - Skins moving now.
1/10 - Washington for 1.
2/9 - Theismann to Don Warren, 5 yards - it's the last play before the 2 minute warning, Washington will have a third down and 4 at the Cleveland 18 yard line.
3/4 - Theismann to Washington out of the backfield - Washingon picking his way forward - Washington to the seconda--- Washington is going to go -- No - No - No - Washington is stripped by Hanford Dixon - the Browns recover all the way down at their own 5 yard line. Huge, huge, huge turnover - Hanford Dixon strips Joe Washington near the goal line and Cleveland takes over at 1:52 left.
1/10 - Kosar, passing from near the goal line, hits Kevin Mack for 8.
2/2 - Kosar to Mack for 6 and the first down at the 19. 1:40 left.
The next 3 plays lose 8 yards after the Darryl Grant sack. Good Washington field position at the Cleveland 44 yard line, a minute left in the half. Marty was maybe too aggressive here, risking that 3rd down pass attempt, leading to a sack and the Skins getting the ball back in good shape.
1/10 - Riggins for 2.
2/8 - Incomplete.
3/9 Theismann finds Art Monk for 16 - Washington is at the 26. 46 seconds.
1/10 - Theismann to Warren for a dozen, they call their final timeout at 38 seconds left at the Browns 14 yard line, down 10-0.
1/10 - Big sack - Carl Hairston gets Theismann for the 8 yard loss - Washington has to hurry now.
2/18 - Incomplete, there's not time for another play - Gibbs sends out the FG unit. Mark Moseley hits the 39 yarder at the gun. 10-3 Cleveland.
3rd Qtr
Cleveland had a 10-0 and the ball with less than 2 minutes left, but they couldn't run out the clock, the Redskins were able to get a FG to end the half and now trail by 7, getting the ball to open the third.
Skins to start at the 26.
1/10 - Theismann to Riggins for 5.
2/5 - Riggins for 6, first down.
1/10 - Theismann to Washington for 4.
2/6 - Theismann to Warren for 7; Washington is at the 48 yard line after another first down.
The next 3 plays net 3 yards and they punt. Browns to start at the 18.
3 and out. Mike Nelms with the big punt return - takes it back to the Browns 29 and the Skins are really in business now.
1/10 - Theismann to Monk for 13. Washington is at the 16.
1/10 - Riggins for 1.
2/8 - Riggins for 2.
3/7 - Big spot here. Washington down 7, once again in Browns territory - at the 13. Third and 7.
3/7 - Theismann drops back and looks in the endzone - finds Virgil Seay - TOUCHDOWN REDSKINS - Theismann to Virgul Seay for the 13 yard score and Washington has tied the game up at 10. 7:07.
Browns will start at the 9. 10-10.
1/10 - Kevin Mack busts another big run, 35 yards. Cleveland at the 44.
But the next 3 plays net 3 yards. Washington starts at their own 36, Mike Nelms punt returns the sneaky hero today, an offsides makes it first and 5.
1/5 - Riggins for 2.
2/3 - Riggins for 5 - Redskins at their own 43, 2:49 left in the third.
The next 3 plays net 2 yards and there's a punt. Browns to start at their own 31 - Kosar throws to Byner for 5, Mack gains a yard and the quarter ends.
4th Qtr
10-10, the Skins even it up in the third - Browns at their own 37, third down and 4.
Mack is stopped at the line - Redskins ball again - again, again another Mike Nelms punt return, Washington begins at the Browns 47 yard line. 14:06 left.
1/10 - It's Riggins for 16 - and now the Skins are at the 31.
But the next 3 plays net 1 yard and so Mark Moseley lines up for the 47 yard FG.
Wide right.
Moseley, the All Pro kicker, misses the 47 yarder - and the Browns regain possession with 12 minutes left at their own 37.
The first two plays lose 5 yards and on third and 15 Bernie Kosar's pass is Picked Off by Mark Murphy -- Murphy is down at the Browns 36 - Washington comes right back with the huge interception and with 10:25 to play they start at the Cleveland 36, all tied at 10.
1/10 - Theismann to Washington for 3.
2/7 - Riggins for 1.
3/6 - Washington goes for 7 yards -- first down at the Cleveland 25.
1/10 - Clarence Harmon comes on for the first time today - he gets the carry - running left behind Joe Jacoby - Harmon makes one cut -- Harmon's Gonna Go! Harmons's gonna Go! Clarence Harmon is into the End Zone TOUCHDOWN REDSKINS - A 25 yard TD run for the Redskins third RB, 27 year old Clarence Harmon, he is into the end zone, this RFK crowd explodes - Washington takes its first lead of the day - 17-10 Redskins.
Cleveland starts at the 17. 8:12 left. Down 7.
1/10 - Kosar has to shake off that pick, just 24 years old, down 7 on the road to the 1982 Super Bowl Champs. He hits Reggie Langhorne for 15.
1/10 - Byner gets 2.
2/8 - Kosar to Mack for 7, just inches short of the first down.
3/1 - Play action - Kosar flips over the middle to Newsome for a 6 yard gain, Browns now out to their own 47 with 5:34 to go.
1/10 - Mack for 4.
2/6 - Kosar to Byner for 10 - Browns at the Washington 39 yard line. 4:17 left.
1/10 - Byner gets 1.
2/9 - Mack for 3. 3rd and 6.
3/6 - Marty calls another run and Mack gets 3 more - a run on 3rd and 6 in this spot, wow - -
And so Cleveland now has 4th and 3 at the Washington 32. 2:48 left - they're down 7, not sure you can call the run on 3rd and 6 if you're not about to follow it up with going for it on 4th down.
And so they do. Browns going for it. 4th down and 3 yards to go. Down 7.
4/3 - Kosar dropping back, throwing over the middle to Webster Slaughter - caught - Slaughter breaks a tackle -- AND SLAUGHTER'S GOING TO GO - Webster Slaughter 32 yards, TOUCHDOWN BROWNS - on 4th and 3 the Browns throw the ball - Kosar hitting Slaughter for the 32 yard game tying TD and it is 17-17.
Washington at the 18. 2:36. Can they go get the game winning FG?
No. 3 plays lose 8 yards, Carl Hairston gets his second sack of the day, the Redskins punt from deep in their own end and a good McNeil return gets the Browns all the eay to the Redskin 37 yard line!
Cleveland at the Washington 37 with 1:06 left - from here it's a 54 yarder.
1/10 - Dave Butz sacks Kosar and the Browns lose 7 yards. On the next play Dexter Manley rips Kosar hard to the turf on an incomplete pass - it's a late hit -- 15 yards and the Browns have a first down at the 29 with 58 seconds left. Kosar stumbles to his feet - a FG from here would be just 46 yards.
1/10 - Mack for 4. Browns stop the clock, it is their final timeout at 52 seconds.
2/10 - Incomplete
3/10 - Incomplete
36 seconds left. 17-17. 23 year old Jeff Jaeger coming out to attempt what is most likely the game winning 42 yard FG.
Here's Jaeger. Here's the kick.
Wide left.
Jaeger misses the game winning kick - Washington will pick up 1 first down but we will go into OT. First score wins.
OT
17-17. The teams match 4th qtr TDs, Jaeger misses a FG that would have won the game almost certainly and now we are in OT.
Skins win the toss. Sudden death OT. They start at their own 20.
3 and out - Clay Matthews with the 3rd down sack - after the punt the Browns are in Washington territory at the 44 yard line.
1/10 - Mack for 2.
2/8 - Kosar goes downfield - to Webster Slaughter for 24 yards! Slaughter makes the nifty sideline catch and now Cleveland is at the Washington 18 yard line.
They run 2 plays, get 3 yards, are in the middle of the field - on third and 8 Marty decides to kick - Jeff Jaeger comes on again with the chance to redeem himself -- 32 yard FG attempt.
It's up.
It's good.
It's over.
Huge Celebration by the Browns -- the Cleveland Browns have knocked off the Super Bowl Champion Redskins in OT 20-17 and will move to Rnd 2 to face the the 1996 Packers!
Final: Browns 20 Redskins 17
In the second OT game of the tournament, Marty, Bernie and the '87 Browns beat the '82 Redskins and head to Rnd 2.
Kosar: 17 for 30, 232 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Theismann: 19 for 23, 182 yds 1 TD
Mack: 17 carries, 95 yards
Riggins: 24 carries, 59 yds
Slaughter: 4 catches, 65 yds 1 TD
Monk: 5 catches, 56 yds
Carl Hairston - 2 sacks
Player of the Game - Gerald McNeil
