14. 2017 NEW ORLEANS SAINTS at 3. 1971 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION DALLAS COWBOYS
3. 1971 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION DALLAS COWBOYS
Record: 11-3
Pythag: 11-3
Off: 1st
Def: 7th
1st NFC East
d. Vikes Div Rnd 20-12
d. Niners NFC Title 14-3
d. Dolphins Super Bowl 24-3
HC: Tom Landry OC: Jim Myers
Texas Stadium: 55 degrees
Bill Mercer/Verne Lundquist
Offense
QB Roger Staubach (29 Navy)
QB Roger Staubach (29 Navy)
RB Duane Thomas (24 W Tex A&M)
FB Walt Garrison (27 Oklahoma St)
WR Lance Alworth (31 Arkansas)
WR Bob Hayes (29 Florida A&M)
TE Mike Ditka (32 Pitt)
LT Ralph Neely (28 Oklahoma)
LG John Niland (27 Iowa) All Pro
C Dave Manders (30 Mich St)
RG Blaine Nye (25 Stanford)
RT Rayfield Wright (26 F Vall St) All Pro
Defense
LDE Larry Cole (25 Hawaii)
LDT Jethro Pugh (27 Eliz City St)
RDT Bob Lilly (32 TCU) All Pro
RDE George Andrie (31 Marquette)
LLB Dave Edwards (32 Auburn)
MLB Lee Roy Jordan (30 Alabama)
RLB Chuck Howley (35 W Virginia)
LCB Herb Adderley (32 Mich St)
RCB Mel Renfro (30 Oregon)
SS Cornell Green (31 Utah St)
FS Cliff Harris (23 Baptist)
K Mike Clark (31 Tex A&M)
P Ron Widby (26 Tenn)
KR/PR Cliff Harris (23 Ouachita Baptist)
Bottom half of region 5 starts in Dallas with the third seed in the region, the 1971 Super Bowl Champion. Best offense in football, Staubach's 29. 17 total scores, just 4 picks. Big names on the offense, 24 year old Duane Thomas who scored 13 times, Bullet Bob Hayes is 29, he scored 8 times and 31 year old Lance Alworth is on the other side. 2 All Pros on the line, 27 year old John Niland, 26 year old Rayfield Wright. The defense is just okay, but it's got an All Pro, 32 year old Bob Lilly, 32 year old corner Herb Adderley is headed to the HoF, he had 6 picks. Dallas is going to run the football.
14. 2017 NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Record: 11-5 1st NFC South
Pythag: 11-5
Off: 4th
Def: 10th
d. Panthers 31-26
lost Vikes Div Rnd 29-24
HC Sean Payton OC Pete Carmichael DC Dennis Allen
Offense
QB Drew Brees (38)
RB Mark Ingram (28)
WR Ted Ginn (32)
WR Michael Thomas (24)
WR Willie Snead (25)
TE Coby Fleener (29)
LT Terron Armstead (26)
LG Andrus Peat (24)
C Max Unger (31)
RG Larry Warford (26)
RT Ryan Ramczyk (23-R)
Defense
LDE Cameron Jordan (28) All Pro
LDT Sheldon Rankins (23)
RDT Tyeler Davison (25)
RDE Alex Okafor (26)
LLB Craig Robertson (29)
MLB Manti Te'o (26)
RLB AJ Klein (26)
LCB Ken Crawley (24)
RCB Marshon Lattimore (21-R)
SS Kenny Vaccaro (26)
FS Marcus Williams (21-R)
K Will Lutz (23)
P Thomas Morstead (31)
KR Alvin Kamara (22)
PR Ted Ginn (32)
The 14th seed in region 5 is the '17 Saints, they'll look to keep the upset run alive in region 5, the 12th and 13th seeds having advanced. The Saints are seeded 14th, making the tournament because of their 4th ranked offense. Drew Brees is 38, 25 total scores and 8 picks. The backs, 28 year old Mark Ingram and 22 year old Alvin Kamara combined for 25 scores. 24 year old Michael Thomas caught 104 balls. The defense is just okay - this is a battle of offenses, run dominated '71 Cowboys v. the modern pass game from the '17 Saints. 28 year old Cameron Jordan was an All Pro with 13 sacks.
The '78 Cowboys and '19 Saints have already advanced, one of these two teams will join them. Let's go to Texas Stadium.
1st Qtr
Dallas starts at the 23.
3 and out. Saints at their own 49, good field position after the Ted Ginn return.
1/10 - Drew Brees to Alvin Kamara for 16 - Dallas may struggle against this 2017 offensive attack.
1/10 - Mark Ingram for 4.
2/6 - Mark Ingram for 2.
3/4 - Brees finds Michael Thomas all the way to the Cowboy 12.
The next 3 plays get nothing - short FG makes it 3-0.
Cowboys at their own 35.
1/10 Duane Thomas takes a pitch, one cut - and he is upfield -- Duane Thomas just explodes into the secondary, it's a 46 yard run all the way to the Saints 19.
1/10 - Walt Garrison gets 4.
2/6 - Roger Staubach completes his first pass - its to Lance Alworth, 6 and the first.
1/goal - Garrison powers his way home -- TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS
65 yard TD drive for the Cowboys, 4 plays, that big Thomas run getting it going.
Saints at the 30.
1/10 - Here comes Brees. 12 to Thomas.
1/10 - Brees. 8 to Ginn.
2/2 - Ingram gets 1. Third and very short.
3/1 - Brees goes deep middle to Fleener - 27 yards all the way to the Cowboy 22.
The next 3 plays net 7 yards - it's another Lutz FG, Cowboys 7 Saints 6.
Dallas at the 32.
1/10 - Thomas gets 2
2/8 - Screen to Garrison gets 11.
1/10 - Thomas gets 2.
2/8 - Sheldon Rankins sacks Staubach - it'll be third and long when we start the 2nd
2nd Qtr
7-6 Dallas - 3rd seed in Region 5 trying to avoid the fate of the 4th and 5th seeds. A false start makes it Dallas 3rd and 18 at their own 37.
3/18 - Staubach picks it up - 19 yards to Alworth - the best offense in 1971 now on the move.
Except the next 3 plays stall out and after the punt, Saints at the 11.
3 and out. Dallas in good field position at the NO 46.
1/10 - Garrison stacked up.
2/10 - Garrison again, this time Walt gets 15 and the Cowboys are at the Saints 31.
1/10 - Thomas gets 1
2/9 - Calvin Hill gets his first carry, 7 yards.
3/2 - Hill picks it up, 5 yards and Dallas is at the Saints 18,
1/10 - Staubach looking to the endzone - in the corner for Alworth - Picked Off - Picked Off - Marshon Lattimore Intercepts Staubach in the end zone - runs it out the 14 - big play for the Saints. The rookie Lattimore intercepting Staubach.
3 and out. Dallas will take over at their own 48. 4:46 left. Still 7-6.
1/10 - Garrison gets 2
2/8 - Calvin Hill again, he gets to to Saints 38.
1/10 - Thomas gets 8.
2/2 - Incomplete
3/2 - Hill picks it up at the 2 minute warning, Cowboys at the 28.
1/10 - Incomplete
2/10 - Incomplete
3/10 - Staubach gets blown up by Cam Jordan - a 7 yard loss and the Cowboys have a 4th and 17 at the 35.
Long FG attempt, 52 yards -------and it's no good.
Another Cowboy drive that dies in Saints territory - still 1:37 left, Saints with all 3 timeouts at their own 35.
1/10 - Brees finds Fleener over the middle - 39 yards - Fleener is tearing up the Cowboy deep middle, Saints are stopping the clock with 1:21 left at the 26.
1/10 - Incomplete
2/10 - Brees finds Thomas - crossing route -- Thomas has the first down and gets out of bounds at the Cowboy11. Still 59 seconds left.
1/10 - Draw to Kamara - he's stopped at the line and the Saints stop the clock.
2/10 - Brees to Kamara in the flat, Kamara is stopped at the 3 - Saints call their final timeout with 42 seconds left and a third and 2.
3/2 - Brees in the shotgun - Brees fires quickly over the middle - Ted Ginn -- TOUCHDOWN SAINTS - The Saints are into the endzone just before the half - Touchdown Saints - Brees 3 yards to Ginn and it's 13-7 NO; 32 seconds left, Dallas at their own 35.
1/10 - Staubach to Thomas, 11 yards and Dallas stops the clock.
1/10 - Staubach to Ditka - 9 yards - and another Cowboy timeout, 10 seconds left, Dallas at the Saints 45 yard line.
2/1 - Staubach's in trouble - Staubach keeping the play alive - Staubach - this will be the last play of the half - throwing it up for grabs in the endzone --- CAUGHT! CAUGHT! CAUGHT! Billy Truax catches the Staubach Hail Mary on the last play of the first half - Staubach 45 yards to Truax on the last play of the first half -- TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS - and we go to the half, Dallas leading 14-13.
Third Qtr
The Saints and Cowboys each score in the last minute of the half, Staubach hits the hail mary and Dallas is up a point. We got a good one - the 14th seeded Saints trying to get the upset.
Saints big Kamara runback, they start at the 42.
1/10 - Reverse to open the half, Ted Ginn, gets 3.
2/7 - Brees to Kamara out of the backfield for 10.
1/10 - Brees going to Ginn - 18 yards on the sideline and the Saints are at the Cowboy 27.
1/10 - Ingram for 1
2/9 - Brees in trouble - has to settle for Kamara and 2 yards and it's 3rd and 7.
3/7 - Brees picks it up - 7 yards to Thomas, he stretches the ball and picks it up and the Saints are at the Dallas 17 yard line.
The next 3 plays net 4 yards - another short Lutz FG, the Saints regain the lead 16-14.
Cowboys at the 31.
3 and out. Saints at the 30.
1/10 - Incomplete
2/10 - Brees to Ginn, just 3 yards.
3/7 - Brees goes downfield to Brandon Coleman - 24 yards -- the Saints are moving again - into Dallas territory at the 43.
But the next 3 plays net a yard. Punt. Dallas starts at the 12.
3 plays go nowhere - the quarter ends before the punt.
4th Qtr
All defense in the qtr - the Saints scored the go ahead FG on the first drive and that was that, just no offense at all for the Cowboys, they don't get a first down. Dallas will be punting from deep in their own end.
After the punt, the Saints start at their own 45, solid Dallas punt to get the ball across midfield
1/10 - Give to Kamara, nice run - Kamara goes for 16 yards and the Saints are at the Cowboy 39 yard line.
The next 3 plays lose 4 yards, Bob Lilly getting a sack. Punt.
Dallas at the 19. Punt. Dallas does not have a first down in the second half.
Saints at the 37.
1/10 - Give to Ingram - Lilly busts through the line and buries him....it's a Fumble..Fumble...Dallas has the ball! Dallas has the ball! Lily got a sack on the last Saints offensive play - and now forces an Ingram fumble - just huge, huge - the Cowboys take possession at the Saints 26 yard line, it's 16-14 New Orleans with a little more than 10 minutes to go.
1/10 - Staubach to Alworth - 16 and the first - Dallas has a first and goal
1/goal - Garrison gets 2.
2/goal - Incomplete. So, third and goal at the 8.
3/goal - Staubach throws the fade -- to Richardson --- TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS - great over the shoulder endzone grab by Gloster Richardson -- Dallas takes the 21-16 lead.
Saints at the 30. 8:38 left. 21-16 Cowboys.
3 and out. Dallas at the 30. 7:06 left.
3 and out. Saints get a good Ted Ginn return, Saints are at the Cowboy 46 yard line with 4:59 to go, Dallas 21-16.
1/10 - Brees gets sacked by Lilly - two sacks and a forced fumble in the 4th quarter, Bob Lilly taking over.
2/15 - Draw to Kamara for 5. Big third and 10.
3/10 - Brees gets it - Michael Thomas gliding all the way to the Dallas 30 yard line, huge spot - under 3 minutes to go and now the Saints might be in FG range.
1/10 - incomplete
2/10 - give to Ingram -- Ingram breaks it! Ingram breaks it -- Mark Ingram is Going to Go....TOUCHDOWN SAINTS...TOUCHDOWN SAINTS....TOUCHDOWN STAINTS...30 yard run for Mark Ingram and the New Orleans Saints take a 22-21 lead!
The Saints try to 2 pt conversion - it's another give to Ingram -- but he's stopped short.
So -- it's Dallas ball at the 27. 2:31 left. Saints 22 Cowboys 21. Here we go.
1/10 - It's a handoff to start, Duane Thomas, he gets 8. 2 minute warning.
2/2 - Staubach finds Bob Hayes - 17 yards on the sideline, Dallas is into Saints territory.
1/10 - Staubach again - he finds Ditka, 8 yards to the 40.
2/2 - Big Cam Jordan sack - it's his second sack of the day and Dallas calls timeout on 3rd and 8. Big play here. Big play. Dallas is not in FG range at the Saints 46 yard line so they need to pick it up with 1:29 left.
3/8 - Incomplete
So here it is. 4th and 8 for Staubach. Saints 46 yard line. It would be a 63 yard FG from here for Mike Clark and that's just too much.
Dallas goes for it.
4/8 - Staubach surveying the field - going through a progression - Staubach has to run - Staubach has to run -- Staubach taking a huge shot --- Staubach picks up the first down! It's a 10 yard Roger Staubach run on 4th and 8 - Dallas stops the clock here with 1:19 to go in the game, first down at the Saints 36 yard line - huge run by Staubach. Wow.
1/10 - Staubach to Alworth over the middle - big catch by the veteran - Dallas stops the clock for the last time, little more than a minute left in the game, Dallas at the Saints 21 yard line.
1/10 - Thomas gets a carry, gets a yard, Saints stop the clock. Dallas at the Saints 20.
2/9 - Incomplete. 51 seconds left.
3/9 - Staubach dropping back -- Staubach looking for the endzone -- Staubach firing ---
Incomplete.
Clark coming out - 37 yard attempt - Dallas trying to take the lead with under a minute to play.
Clark....the kick.....
It's good.
Mike Clark hits the 37 yard FG with 47 seconds to go - Dallas takes the 24-22 lead - huge roar from this Texas Stadium crowd.
Saints at the 29 with 40 seconds left. They have 2 timeouts. It's Brees now - can he move the Saints down for this FG?
1/10 - Brees downfield -- it's Ted Ginn -- Ginn is able to to get out of bounds at midfield - Ohhhhh, man. Ohhhhh, man. Brees to Ginn to midfield. 30 seconds to go.
1/10 - Brees to Ingram in the flat - breaks a tackle and he's out of bounds at the 41.
2/1 - Ingram running play - he picks it up and the Saints are stopping the clock, Saints at the Dallas 38 yard line, 14 seconds left.
1/10 - Brees looking to get a little closer - looks for Thomas on the sideline -- PICKED OFF BY MEL RENFRO! MEL RENFRO INTERCEPTS DREW BREES - Renfro down the sideline - Renfro heads -- inbounds -- Renfro takes a knee -- that is going to do it -- that is going to do it -- Mel Renfro Intercepts Drew Brees - the Saints don't get a chance at the game winning kick -- It Is Over!
Final: Cowboys 24 Saints 22
Excellent 4th qtr - Lilly's forced fumble, Staubach on 4th and 8 - then the Renfro pick -it took all of it and Dallas moves on.
Staubach: 14 for 25, 185 yds, 2 TD/1 INT
Brees: 20 for 33, 257 yds 1 TD/1 INT
Thomas: 16 carries, 79 yds
Ingram: 16 carries, 47 yds, 1 TD
Alworth: 4 catches, 56 yds
Ginn: 5 catches, 53 yds 1 TD
Lilly: 2 sacks, forced fumble
Jordan: 2 sacks
Player of the Game: Bob Lilly
