11. 1981 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS at 6. 2004 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
6. 2004 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Record: 12-4
Pythag: 12-4
Off: 1st
Def: 19th
1st AFC South
d. Broncos WC 49-24
lost Patriots Div Rnd 20-3
HC: Tony Dungy OC Tom Moore DC Ron Meeks
RCA Dome
Bob Lamey/Mark Herrmann/Ted Marchibroda
Offense
QB Peyton Manning (28 Tennessee) All Pro
RB Edgerrin James (26 Miami)
WR Marvin Harrison (32 Syracuse)
WR Reggie Wayne (26 Miami)
TE Dallas Clark (25 Iowa)
TE Marcus Pollard (32 Bradley)
LT Tarik Glenn (28 Cal)
LG Rick DeMulling (27 Idaho)
C Jeff Saturday (29 UNC)
RG Jake Scott (23-R Idaho)
RT Ryan Diem (25 N Illinois)
Defense
LDE Raheem Brock (26 Temple)
LDT Montae Reagor (27 TTech)
RDT Josh Williams (28 Michigan)
RDE Dwight Freeney (24 All Pro Syracuse)
LLB David Thornton (26 UNC)
MLB Rob Morris (29 BYU)
RLB Cato June (25 Michigan)
LCB Nick Harper (30 F Vall St)
RCB Jason David (22-R Wash St)
SS Mike Doss (23 Ohio St)
FS Idrees Bashir (26 Memphis)
K Mike Vanderjagt (34 WVA)
P Hunter Smith (27 N Dame)
KR Dominic Rhodes (25 MWestern St)
PR Troy Walters (28 Stanford)
We've seen the Baltimore Colts advance to Rnd 2, we've seen Denver Bronco Peyton Manning advance to Rnd 2 - but prime Peyton has yet to move on. The '04 Colts are seeded 6th in Region 5 based on the best offense in football. Manning is 28, All Pro, 49 scores and 10 picks. 26 year old Edge ran for over 1500 yards. 32 year old Marvin Harrison and 26 year old Reggie Wayne combined for 27 scores. The defense is not much, but they do have an All Pro, 24 year old Dwight Freeney with 16 sacks.
11. 1981 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Record: 13-3
Pythag: 11-5
Off: 7th
Def: 2nd
1st NFC West
d. Giants Div Rnd 38-24
d. Cowboys NFC Title 28-27
d. Bengals Super Bowl 26-21
HC Bill Walsh DC Chuck Studley
Offense
QB Joe Montana (25 N Dame)
RB Ricky Patton (27)
FB Earl Cooper (24)
WR Dwight Clark (24 Clemson)
WR Freddie Solomon (28 Tampa)
TE Charle Young (30)
LT Dan Audick (27)
LG John Ayers (28)
C Fred Quillan (25)
RG Randy Cross (27)
RT Keith Fahnhorst (29)
Defense
LDE Fred Dean (29) All Pro
NT Archie Reese (25)
RDE Dwaine Board (25)
LOLB Willie Harper (31)
LILB Dan Bunz (26)
RILB Hacksaw Reynolds (34)
ROLB Keena Turner (23)
LCB Ronnie Lott (22-R USC) All Pro
RCB Eric Wright (22)
SS Carlton Williamson (23-R)
FS Dwight Hicks (25)
K Ray Wersching (31)
P Jim Miller (24)
KR Amos Lawrence (23)
PR Freddie Solomon (29)
Joe Montana v. Peyton Manning here in Rnd 1; we've seen a Harbaugh 49ers team advance; this is the first Bill Walsh team in the tournament. It's the defense ranked 2nd in this 1981 Super Bowl Championship season, 29 year old Fred Dean had a dozen sacks and is an All Pro; the other All Pro is 22 year old rookie Ronnie Lott, he and 25 year old Dwight Hicks combined for 16 picks. The offense is just okay; Montana is 25, 21 total scores and 12 picks. 24 year old Dwight Clark caught 85 balls.
The '71 Cowboys sit home in Dallas, they'll await a visit from the winners here. Let's go to Indianapolis for the kick.
1st Qtr
The Colts get the nice Dom Rhodes return and start at their own 40.
1/10 - Edgerrin James goes for 11.
1/10 - Incomplete
2/10 - Edge again - 19 yards - Colts big yards on the ground to start this one.
1/10 - Dominic Rhodes stacked up.
2/10 - Edge gets 1. Third and long.
3/9 - Peyton Manning's first completion - 25 yards downfield to Brandon Stokley and he is out of bounds at the 4. First and goal.
1/goal - Edge pounds it home TOUCHDOWN COLTS - too easy for Indy, 60 yards in 8 plays and it's 7-0.
Niners at the 26.
1/10 - Joe Montana's first pass of the day - it's to Earl Cooper running out of the backfield, he's got open field for 15.
1/10 - Ricky Patton goes for 4
2/6 - Patton again, 2 more and it's 3rd down.
3/4 - Montana finds Dwight Clark on the sideline, 10 yards across midfield.
1/10- Another first down - Montana to Charle Young for 10, Niners at the 33.
1/10 - Cooper for 1
2/9 - Montana finds Freddie Solomon, he's in space over the middle, he's got 11.
1/10 - Monanta to a wide open Earl Cooper on the sideline -- 16 yards and it's the Niners who have 1st and goal.
But they can't convert - the Colts stiffen and hold San Francisco to a FG. 7-3.
Colts at the 31.
1/10 - Rhodes bursts for 14 - Colts getting some real holes on the ground early on.
1/10 - James Mungro carries for 7.
2/3 - Edge gets 4 and the first.
1/10 - Incomplete
2/10 - Manning finds Marvin Harrison for the first time today - great matchup with these Niner corners against Harrison/Wayne, 15 yards to the 29.
1/10 - Rhodes gets 3 as the qtr ends.
2nd qtr
Offense dominates the first, the Colts drive down and score - the Niners drive down but settle for 3 and here are the Colts again, in Niner territory at the 26, 2nd and 7.
2/7 - Edge is stopped. Third down.
3/7 - Big sack - Hacksaw Reynolds busts through the line and drives Manning to the turf. It's 4th and 17 now at the 36; Colts decide not to try the 53 yard FG - instead they will go for it.
4/17 - Incomplete
Niners get the ball on downs.
1/10 - Montana scrambling, he's able to get 3.
2/7 - Montana to Clark - Dwight just short of the sticks.
3/1 - Play action - Montana finds Young for 10 yards and the Niners again are across midfield.
1/10 - Incomplete
2/10 - Montan to Eason Ramson - 10 more yards.
1/10 - Patton for 1
2/9 - Incomplete. 3rd and long.
3/9 - Montana picks it up -20 yards downfield to Clark, Dwight's down at the 16.
But again - the Colts defense turns the Niners away - another short FG makes it 7-6. On third down, Dwight Freeney levels Montana - Joe has to be helped from the field - Montana taken to the locker room - huge moment here, as Montana appears to be done for the remainder of the half.
Colts at the 25. Less than 9 min left in the half.
1/10 - Manning to Stokley for 10.
1/10 - Rhodes running - 10 more.
But that's it - 3 straight incomplete passes leads to the game's first punt. Niners at the 18, 6:49 left, down 1.
1/10 - It's backup QB Guy Benjamin on for Montana. Niners, understandably, come out running. Earl Cooper with a big run, 17
1/10 - Screen pass - Benjamin to Cooper - and Cooper gets blocks -- Cooper is going to run for 40 yards on the screen pass - Earl Cooper having a big first half.
1/10 - Patton gets 1
2/9 - Cooper loses 3, third and long.
3/12 - Benjamin has to thrown downfield - he does -- it's Solomon -- 22 yards and the first down - first and goal at the Colts 5 yard line! Guy Benjamin to Freddy Solomon for 22.
1/goal - Earl Cooper is into the end zone -- TOUCHDOWN NINERS -- With Montana knocked out of the game - Guy Benjamin takes the Niners downfield, 82 yards in just 6 plays and it's 13-7.
Colts at the 27.
1/10 - Manning to Edge, 6 yards.
2/4 - Edge gets 6 and the Colts are at the 39, under 2 minutes now.
1/10 - Incomplete
2/10 - Manning to Stokley - 11 more yards and the Colts are at midfield.
1/10 - Manning to Harrison over the middle - Intercepted by Lott - Ronnie Lott steps in front of Marvin Harrison - Niners take over at their own 37 with a little more than a minute left and a 13-7 lead.
And here comes Montana. Joe Montana coming back out onto the field - Montana comes out of the locker room and he is back on the field.
1/10 - Play action - Montana downfield to Solomon - Caught - 18 yards and the Niners are across midfield. Timeout.
1/10 - Montana quick out to Clark for 9.
2/1 - Paul Hofer gets a carry and goes for 11 yards to the Colts 25. Niners second timeout with less than a minute to go.
1/10 - Incomplete
2/10 - Montana finds Solomon - open field - Freddy sprinting across the middle - Solomon cuts back - Solomon is alll the way at the Colt 2 yard line with 41 seconds to go in the half! Niners use their final timeout - Niners at the Colts 2 with 41 seconds left in the half!
1/goal - Earl Cooper is into the endzone - TOUCHDOWN NINERS - In less than a minute the Niners score, Earl Cooper with an enormous first half - he's got 2 scores and the Niners are up 20-7.
Colts at the 28. 30 seconds left.
1/10 - Manning to Rhodes - it's an easy 14 yards, Colts timeout.
1/10 - Manning dumpoff to Edge, he gets 6 and is out of bounds at the 48.
2/4 - Manning going over the top -- Manning to Harrison -- He's Got Him -- Marvin Harrison with a Step on the Niners defense and he is gone -- TOUCHDOWN COLTS - Peyton Manning hits a home run, there is just 6 seconds left - the Colts set this place on fire - Peyton Manning 52 yards to Harrison and it will be 20-14 at the half.
Third Qtr
Wild first half, the Niners score on every possession, 2 TDs, 2 FG, Montana is knocked out, Guy Benjamin leads a scoring drive - Montana comes back and gives the Niners a 2 score lead with 30 seconds left - but Manning hits a 52 yarder to Harrison just before the end of the half and it's 20-14 49ers
Niners at the 32.
1/10 - Montana is on, passing whatever concussion protocol he had to go through in a 2004 environment. Ricky Patton opens with a 6 yard run.
2/4 - Paul Hofer picks it up.
1/10 - Niners running again. Patton gets 1.
2/9 - Montana short to Clark, he's got 6. Third down.
3/3- Patton picks it up and the Niners are across midfield.
1/10 - Earl Cooper for 1
2/9 - Monanta finding Clark again, 7 yards. Third and a foot at the 37.
3/1- It's Hofer - Paul Hofer gets 13 yards and the Niners have the first down.
1/10 - Patton gets 4
2/6 - Hofer picks it up again, Niners really controlling with the ground game now.
1/10 - Hofer loses 1
2/11 - Montana finds Solmon - he tip toes on the sideline, just short of the first down at the 5.
3/1 - It's Hofer...and he is into the endzone -- TOUCHDOWN NINERS - 10 runs and just 3 passes on that drive -- the 49ers take over 8 minutes to start the half and go up 27-14. Terrific balanced game plan by these 49ers today.
Colts at the 33.
3 and out. The first 3 and out of the day, the Niners have not been stopped all day, they have a 13 point lead and now they start at their own 29.
1/10 - Montana to Young for 9. Defensive holding on the next play gives the Niners first down at the 43.
1/10 - Patton loses 3.
2/13 - Cooper gets 6 - Walsh running the ball a lot here, maybe to run clock, keep the ball from Manning, maybe to now put too much pressure on Montana who was knocked out of the game for a series in the first half.
3/7 - Montana picks it up - 7 to Patton, the clock keeps ticking, Niners at the Colts 44.
But that's it - and for the first time today it's a Jim Miller punt.
Colts at the 15 - they get one play, Manning to Reggie Wayne for 8 - and we head to the 4th.
4th qtr
Niners in control - up 27-24; Colts at their own 23, 2nd and 2.
2/2 - Edge gets 6.
1/10 - Incomplete
2/10 - incomplete
3/10 - Manning hits Marvin Harrison, great one handed grab and he's got 17 and the first down.
1/10 - Edge gets 4
2/6 - Mungro gets 10 and it's a first at the Niner 40.
1/10 - Rhodes is stuffed.
2/10 - Edge gets 3. 3rd and 7. Getting late for the Colts if they don't convert here.
3/7 - They convert here - Manning finds Reggie Wayne, over his shoulder, just a great catch, 27 yards and it's a first and goal. Such a great pass and catch in that spot.
1/goal - Edge gets 5
2/goal - Manning finds Dominic Rhodes in the flat -- he dives to the pylon --- TOUCHDOWN COLTS - 12 plays, 85 yards - the Colts have cut the deficit to 27-21, just 9 minutes to go so they are going to need a stop now.
Niners at the 27.
1/10 - Patton gets 2
2/8 - Big sack, Colts first of the day, Robert Mathis dropping Montana, and its 3rd and 14.
3/14 - Montana to Clark right at the sticks - just perfect pitch and catch - when Joe's needed a pick up, he's gone to Dwight all day. First down Niners at the 37. 7 minutes left. Niners by 6.
1/10 - Cooper loses 1
2/11 - Bill Ring gets his first carry, he gets the yard back - Another third and long, Niners trying to run a little clock.
3/10 - Montana to Ricky Patton, he fights his way forward -- and another first down for the Niners, another pickup on third and long and the Niners are near midfield with 5 minutes left in the game and a 6 point lead.
1/10 - Montana over the middle to Cooper -- 10 yards and another first down.
But that's where it ends.
The next 3 plays lose 3 yards, Dwight Freeney with the huge sack on third down and so near midfield the Niners punt with under 3 minutes left.
Colts at the 24. 2:44. 27-21. Here comes Peyton Manning.
1/10 - Manning to Edge for 14.
1/10 - Manning to Harrison for 21 - that's 35 yards, bang, bang and the Colts are at the Niner 41.
1/10 - Edge gets a yard. 2 minute warning. Colts have all 3 timeouts. Down 6.
2/9-Manning finds Reggie Wayne, it's 11 yards and he is out of bounds at the San Francisco 29.
Whooooo, boy. Peyton Manning, driving down against the '81 Niners.
1/10 - Manning to Wayne again, 17 yards -- first down, timeout Colts at 1:40 to go.
1/10 - Fred Dean with the huge sack - 8 yard loss - Colts stop the clock again and now are back at the 20, 2nd and 18, 1:31 left.
1/18 - Manning, shotgun - Manning - End Zone -- Manning - Reggie Wayne -- TOUCHDOWN COLTS -- Peyton Manning to Reggie Wayne - TOUCHDOWN COLTS - and after the XP Indianapolis has taken the 28-27 lead, it took just 90 seconds to go 76 yards, the Colts take the lead.
But - that means Montana has more than a minute, 3 timeouts. And just needs a FG.
Niners at the 30. 1:07.
1/10 - Montana to Hofer out of the backfield, he makes a man miss and is out of bounds with a 14 yard gain to the 44.
1/10 - Handoff - Walsh looking to cross the Colts up, it doesn't work, Patton gets 2 and it's a timeout, Niners at their own 46.
2/8 - Montana in trouble. Montana throws to Charle Young on the sideline, it's a 3 yard gain and it's 3rd and 5.
3/5 - Montana in trouble - huge pressure from the Colts - Montana breaks contain - Montana trying to run for the first down - Montana gets 2 yards and it's 4th and 3 and another timeout, 30 seconds left, Niners have a 4th and 3 at the Colt 49 yard line, trailing by 1 - they can't try the kick from here, at least they need 10 more yards. So - here we go.
4/3 - Blitz - massive pressure - Montana under massive pressure - again he's running - Montana looking for the sticks - Montana stretching out --as he is tackled.
Measurement. Niners are right at the sticks with 20 seconds left, clock stopping for the measurment, Niners right at the 46, this call could go either way.
Here come the chains.
And......
......he's short.
Huge explosion from this Colts crowd - Niner bench is furious - that's a tough spot - really could have gone either way - just as close as it could be - but it's short - the Colts take over on downs - victory formation and the Indianapolis Colts escape
Final: Colts 28 Niners 27
Peyton Manning with 2 4th qtr TD passes including a game winning drive, the Niners end the game on the Colts side of the field, just 10 yards from a realistic shot at the FG; the first of 5 Niner SB Champs to compete in the tournament goes home.
Manning: 17 for 27, 273 yds 3 TD/1 INT
Montana: 23 for 35, 255 yds
Edge: 17 carries, 81 yds
Cooper, 9 carries, 26 yds, 4 catches, 81 yds, 2 TD
Harrison: 5 catches, 105 yds, 1 TD
Wayne: 5 catches, 83 yds 1 TD
Solomon: 5 catches, 84 yds
Player of the Game: Peyton Manning
