11. 2021 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS at 6. DETROIT LIONS
6. 1970 DETROIT LIONS
Record: 10-4
Pythag: 11-3
Off: 2nd
Def: 2nd
2nd NFC Central
Lost Div Rnd Cowboys 5-0
HC: Joe Schmidt, OC Bill McPeak, DC Jim David
Tiger Stadium: 40 degrees
Van Patrick
Offense
QB Bill Munson (29 Utah St)
RB Mel Farr (26 UCLA)
FB Altie Taylor (23 Utah St)
WR Earl McCulloch (24 USC)
WR Larry Walton (23 Ariz St)
TE Charlie Sanders (24 Minn) All Pro
LT Roger Shoals (32 Maryland)
LG Chuck Walton (29 Iowa St)
C Ed Flanagan (26 Purdue)
RG Frank Gallagher (27 UNC)
RT Rocky Freitas (25 Oregon St)
Defense
LDE Jim Mitchell (22-R Virginia St)
LDT Alex Karras (35 Iowa)
RDT Jerry Rush (28 Mich St)
RDE Larry Hand (30 App St)
LLB Paul Naumoff (25 Tenn)
MLB Mike Lucci (31 Tenn)
RLB Wayne Walker (34 Idaho)
LCB Lem Barney (25 Jack St)
RCB Dick LeBeau (33 Ohio St)
SS Mike Weger (25 B Green)
FS Wayne Rasmussen (28 S Dakota St)
K Errol Mann (29 N Dakota)
P Herman Weaver (22 Tenn)
KR Bobby Williams (28 C Oklahoma)
PR Lem Barney (25 Jack St)
Three games left in Region 4, all pitting a team from the 70s against a 21st century club. 50 years separate these two teams. Detroit was 2nd in both offense and defense in 1970, inauspicious postseason effort sticks them in a 6th seed. Detroit is likely to use 2 QBs, 29 year old Bill Munson and 24 year old Greg Landry; Munson threw for 10 scores, 7 picks. The 24 year old TE Charlie Sanders is an All Pro and 26 year old Mel Farr scored 11 times. On defense, the corners, 25 year old Lem Barney, 33 year old Dick LeBeau combined for 16 picks.
11. 2021 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Record: 12-5
Pythag: 11-6
Off: 4th
Def: 8th
1st
d. Steelers WC 42-21
d. Bills Div Rnd 42-36
Lost Bengals AFC Title 27-24
HC Andy Reid OC Eric Bieniemy DC Steve Spagnuolo
Offense
QB Patrick Mahomes (26 TTech)
RB Darrel Williams (26 LSU)
WR Tyreek Hill (27 W Alabama)
WR DeMarcus Robinson (27 Florida)
WR Mecole Hardman (23 UGA)
TE Travis Kelce (32 Cincinnati)
T Orlando Brown (25 Oklahoma)
G Trey Smith (22 Tennessee)
C Creed Humphrey (22 Oklahoma)
G Joe Thuney (29 NC St)
T Lucas Niang (23 TCU)
Defense
DE Frank Clark (28 Michigan)
DT Jarran Reed (29 Alabama)
DT Chris Jones (27 Miss St)
DE Michael Danna (24 Mich)
LB Nick Bolton (21 Missouri)
LB Anthony Hitchens (29 Iowa)
CB L'Jarius Sneed (24 La Tech)
CB Charvarius Ward (25 Mid Tenn St)
SS Tyrone Mathieu (29 LSU)
FS Juan Thornhill (26 UVA)
DB Daniel Sorensen (31 BYU)
K Harrison Butker (26 Geo T)
P Tommy Townsend (25 Florida)
KR Byron Pringle (28 Kansas St)
PR Mecole Hardman (23 UGA)
The 2021 Chiefs just slide into the tournament with that 4th ranked offense; they weren't as good in 2021 as the Lions were in 1970, which is why we're headed to Detroit for this game - but the 50 years separating them and the ultramodern Mahomes attack might be too much. Mahomes is 26, had 39 total scores and 13 picks. He throws it to Tyreek Hill, 27, 111 receptions and Travis Kelce, 32 with 92 catches. The defense is just okay, 27 year old Chris Jones leads the way with his 9 sacks.
The ultramodern Chiefs head to Detroit to face the number 2 offense and defense from 1970. Lets go to the kick.
1st Qtr
Chiefs start at the 34.
On the first play - Patrick Mahomes hits Clyde Edwards Helaire on a wheel route - he's got blocking - and he goes 66 yards down the sideline - to the house -- TOUCHDOWN CHIEFS - the very first play of the game - the 2021 Chiefs go 66 yards to the house and that's how this one gets started. 7-0
Lions at the 3.
1/10 - Mel Farr gets the first carry and goes for 10.
1/10 - Farr gets 1 and an offsides increases that 5.
2/4 - Altie Taylor picks it up.
1/10 - Taylor for 1.
2/9 - Farr for 3. 3rd and 6 at the Chiefs 43.
3/6 - Bill Munson's first pass attempt of the game -he hits Earl McCullouch - it's 17 yards and the Chiefs are at the 26.
1/10 - Farr for 1.
2/9 - Taylor for 2. Another 3rd down.
3/7 - Munson picks it up - 22 yards to Larry Walton - he gets all the way down near the goal.
2 plays later - Mel Farr is into the endzone -- TOUCHDOWN LIONS and halfway through the first quarter we are all even at 7.
Chiefs at the 19.
1/10 - A give to Edwards-Helaire. 3 yards.
2/7 - Darrel Williams goes for 18, Chiefs at the 40.
1/10 - Mahomes fires over the middle to Travis Kelce, it's 18 and the Chiefs are in Lions territory.
1/10 - 13 for Williams to the 29.
1/10 - Williams loses 2
2/12 - Edwards-Helaire gets 2.
3/11 - Mahomes picks it up - 14 yards to Tyreek Hill and the Chiefs are at the 16.
The next 3 plays lose a yard, Alex Karras getting a sack on Mahomes - Butker kicks the FG and it's 10-7.
Lions at the 39, they get two four yard runs as the qtr ends.
2nd Qtr
Number 4 offense from 2021, number 2 offense from 1970 - the first qtr was up and down the field, Lions have a 3rd and 2 near midfield, trailing 10-7.
1/10 - Taylor busts one -- 47 yards off left tackle - all the way to the KC 10.
1/goal - Farr for 8.
2/goal - Munson hits Charlie Sanders in the end zone -- TOUCHDOWN LIONS - Detroit goes in front 14-10, back and forth these two offenses go - we may get a shootout here at Tigers Stadium.
Chiefs at the 20. They'll get a first down on an Edwards-Helaire 9 yard run - but they need to punt, Lions starting at the 28, 10:52 left.
1/10 - Taylor for 1
2/9 - Farr loses 3 - nice play by Chris Jones - 3rd and long -
3/12 - Munson picks it up -- 13 yards to Taylor, Lions at the 39, Lions have yet to be stopped, two drives, two scores.
1/10 - Farr for 11.
1/10 - Taylor gets 1
2/9 - Bill Triplett gets a carry - 22 yards - Triplett and the Lions get to the 27 yard line, an offsides moves KC up 5 yards - but 2 incompletions make it 3rd and 5 at the 22.
3/5 -Munson to Taylor - he's stopped right at the sticks - Lions with 4th and inches at the 18.
Up 4 - Joe Schmidt, the Lions legendary LB now HC -- decides to for it.
4/1 - It's a pass - they fake a Farr dive - McCullouch is open for a big gain - all the way to the Chiefs 4 yard line -- Huge, Huge Gutsy Call by Schmidt - not only do the Lions go for it on 4th down they call a pass play.
On the next play - Munson hits Farr in the endzone --- TOUCHDOWN LIONS - Detroit has had three possessions and scores 3 times - the Chiefs with no answers against this Lions offense. 21-10 Detroit.
Chiefs at the 24. 3:56.
1/10 - Mahomes to Kelce for 2.
2/8 - Incomplete
3/8 - Mahomes to Mecole Hardman for 9 yards and the first.
1/10 - Mahomes back to Kelce, 7 yards and a 2 minute warning.
2/3 - Mahomes goes to Hill - Chiefs moving the ball through the air - 9 yards and across midfield.
1/10 - Incomplete
2/10 - Incomplete
3/10 - Mahomes going over the top - it's Hardman - 30 yards to the Lions 19 and the Chiefs are stopping the clock with 90 seconds left.
1/10 - Incomplete
2/10 - Mahomes finds Hill - 12 yard gain - first down - Chiefs stop the clock again with a little over a minute left, first and goal.
On the second play - Edwards-Helaire is into the end zone -- TOUCHDOWN CHIEFS - Mahomes drives right down the field, 76 yards in less than 3 minutes and cuts the deficit to 21-17.
Lions start back at their 11 - they go 3 and out, KC using their last timeout - a big sack by Chris Jones puts Detroit deep, deep in the shadow of their own goal when they punt.
The Chiefs get the ball back with just a few seconds left at the Lions 35 - Butker comes on and kicks a 52 yard FG -- KC scores 10 points in the last minute of the first half and it's 21-20.
Third Qtr
Tremendous first half, Lions rolling three times right down the field for scores, Chiefs scoring on the first play of the half and then twice more in the last minute. 21-20 Detroit.
Lions start at the 26.
Mel Farr takes the opening play 56 yards -- all the way to the Chiefs 18 yard line. Detroit busts out a 56 yard run to open the third quarter.
After going back 5 - Munson goes to Taylor for 21.
On the next play - Taylor is into the endzone. TOUCHDOWN LIONS - we are less than 2 minutes into the half -0 Detroit now up 28-20.
Chiefs at the 34. On the second play - Mahomes is Picked Off by Dick LeBeau - LeBeau picks off Mahomes and Detroit starts at the Lions 32.
3 and out - they lise 6 yards on a Frank Clark sack. Lions punt - Chiefs at the 18.
So, the pick doesn't haunt the Chiefs - they get the ball back, down 8.
3 and out.
Lions at the 40.
On the first play - Munson goes vertical - we thought we might see both Munson and Landry today - but Munson just keeps rolling along -- 50 yards to Sanders - a real home run shot by Munson all the way to the Chiefs 10 yard line.
On the next play - Munson to Larry Walton -- TOUCHDOWN LIONS - Detroit has been both methodical and explosive - the Lions offense just torrential - and they lead the Chiefs 35-20-, KC ball at the 29, 6:54 left in the third.
1/10 - Mahomes to Blake Bell - 13 yards.
1/10 - Mahomes 10 yards to Hill. Chiefs across midfield.
1/10 - Edwards-Helaire for 3.
2/7 - Edwards-Helaire for 4.
3/3 - Williams loses a yard. 4th and 4 at the 41. Reid's going for it.
4/4 - Mahomes is flushed - he runs - he's going to get 8 yards and pick up the first down to the Lions 33.
1/10 - Derrick Gore gets a carry and goes for 13 - first down for the Chiefs at the 20.
1/10 - Edwards-Helaire for 14.
1/goal - Mahomes finds Kelce - TOUCHDOWN CHIEFS - the Chiefs cut the deficit to 8 as the quarter ends.
4th Qtr
Region 4 has been fun, that last second Rams win, the 14/3 upset - we got one here, Lions up 35-27 as we start the 4th qtr. Lions at the 27.
1/10 - Taylor for 1.
2/9 - Taylor for 6
3/3 - Triplett for 8, first down.
1/10 - Farr gets 2
2/8 - Incomplete, another 3rd down
3/8 - It's a give to Taylor, he breaks it - Taylor goes 28 yards all the way to the Chiefs 8 and now with 11:25 left, Lions up 8 and driving again, all running plays on the drive.
1/10 - Farr gets 5
2/5 - Steve Owens, the rookie from Oklahoma, gets his first carry, it's a yard.
3/4 - Triplett gets close to the sticks - but is just short.
So - 4th and inches - Lions up 8, do you go for it - do you kick the 36 yard FG --
Schmidt decides to kick --- and Mann misses it.
Huge - Huge - Huge spot there. The Lions go conservative - and then miss the kick.
Chiefs take over at their own 26. 9:29. 35-27 Lions.
1/10 - Mahomes is sacked by Wayne Walker.
2/14 - Mahomes going downfield -- Mahomes going downfield -- it's Hardman - 55 yards! Mahomes with the monster shot - 55 yards to Hardman and the Chiefs are at the Lions 23.
1/10 - Incomplete
2/10 - Gore for 7
3/3 - Williams picks it up - Chiefs at the Lions 13, 7 minutes left.
1/10- Edwards-Helaire gets 1.
2/9 - Mahomes rolling out - Mahomes firing to the endzone - Darrel Williams - TOUCHDOWN CHIEFS!! TOUCHDOWN CHIEFS!!
Kansas City down 35-33 -- and they're going for 2.
It's a planned run for Mahomes -- he stretches ---- MAHOMES IS IN - WE ARE TIED AT 35!!!!!
Lions ball at their own 14. 5:42. 35-35. Super fun.
1/10 - Incomplete
2/10 - Munson to Taylor for 7. Lions with 3rd down.
3/3 - Taylor gets 7 and the first. Lions at the 29.
1/10 - Farr gets 2
2/8 - Munson finds Chuck Hughes -- 20 yards and a first down! This 1970 Detroit crowd roars its approval - Lions across midfield. 3 minutes left in the game.
1/10 - Munson downfield - Larry Walton -- 24 yards - Lions at the 25!
1/10 - Taylor gets 4 and we're at the 2 minute warning.
2/6 - Pitch to Mel Farr -- and he breaks it -- Mel Farr is going to go! TOUCHDOWN LIONS - Detroit drives 85 yards and takes a 42-35 lead on the 21 yard Farr TD run.
Chiefs at the 28. 1:47 left. Can Mahomes bring them down the field?
1/10 - Incomplete
2/10 - Mahomes to Williams, 7 yards.
3/3 - Incomplete and now it's 4th and 3. Here we go.
4/3 - Mahomes to Williams -- he's got it. 5 yards. Chiefs at the 40 and they stop the clock with a minute to go.
1/10 - Mahomes to Bell - a dozen yards and he's out of bounds across midfield.
1/10 - Huge Alex Karras sack - Chiefs lose 8 yards and half to stop the clock.
2/18 - Mahomes to Hill, 10 yards - out of bounds, KC at the Detroit 46 with 30 seconds to go. 3rd and 8.
3/8 - Incomplete
So - here it is - 23 seconds left. 4th and 8 at the Lions 46. Chiefs down 8, they have one timeout left.
Mahomes drops back - Mahomes has time -- Mahomes looking downfield for Hardman - Mahomes throws ---
----knocked down by Lem Barney and it's done. It is done.
Victory formation for Munson and the game has ended.
Final: Lions 42 Chiefs 35
Terrific shootout here in 1970 Detroit, it's the Lions who score last - Munson over Mahomes and Detroit moves on to face the '07 Cowboys.
Munson: 13 for 16, 207 yards, 3 TD
Mahomes: 20 for 33, 309 yds, 3 TD/1 INT
Farr: 16 carries, 134 yds, 3 TD
Taylor: 15 carries, 97 yards, 4 catches, 45 yds, 1 TD
Edwards Helaire 11 carries, 43 yds, 1 catch, 66 yds, 2 TD
Walton: 3 catches, 56 yds 1 TD
Hardman: 3 catches, 94 yds
Karras: 2 sacks
Player of the Game: Mel Farr
