256 Team NFL Tournament: Region 3/Round 1: 1978 Dallas Cowboys v. 1989 Denver Broncos

'99 Rams v. '67 Chiefs 

14. 1989 AFC CHAMPION DENVER BRONCOS at 3. 1978 NFC CHAMPION DALLAS COWBOYS

3. 1978 NFC CHAMPION DALLAS COWBOYS

Record: 12-4

Pythag: 13-3

Off: 1st

Def: 3rd

1st NFC East

d. Falcons Div Rnd 27-20

d. Rams NFC Title 28-0

Lost Steelers Super Bowl 35-31

HC: Tom Landry OC: Dan Reeves, DC: Ernie Stautner

Frank Gleiber/Verne Lunquist/Brad Sham

Texas Stadium 60 degrees

Offense

QB Roger Staubach (36 Navy)

RB Tony Dorsett (24 Pitt)

FB Robert Newhouse (28 Houston)

WR Tony Hill (22 Stanford)

WR Drew Pearson (27 Tulsa)

TE Billy Joe DuPree (28 Mich St)

LT Pat Donovan (25 Stanford)

LG Herbert Scott (25 Va Union)

C John Fitzgerald (30 B College)

RG Tom Rafferty (24 Penn St)

RT Rayfield Wright (33 F Valley St)

Defense

LDE Too Tall Jones (27 Tenn St)

LDT Jethro Pugh (34 Eliz City St)

RDT Randy White (25 Maryland) All Pro

RDE Harvey Martin (28 Tex A&M Comm)

LLB Hollywood Henderson (25 Langston)

MLB Bob Breunig (25 Ariz St)

RLB DD Lewis (33 Miss St)

LCB Benny Barnes (27 Stanford)

RCB Aaron Kyle (24 Wyoming)

SS Charlie Waters (30 Clemson)

FS Cliff Harris (30 Ouachita Baptist) All Pro

K Rafael Septien (25 Louisiana)

P Danny White (26 Ariz St)

KR/PR Butch Johnson (24 UC Riverside)

Let's kick off the bottom half of Region 3 with a battle of conference champions who fell short in the Super Bowl. We saw the '83 Cowboys win the first game of the tournament and then fall to the '07 Pats - back up 5 years and it's really the same core - with Roger Staubach as the trigger man.  Dallas had the top offense in '78, Staubach's 36, 26 total scores and 16 picks. 1700 combined yards from scrimmage for 24 year old Tony Dorsett.  Both Cowboys All Pros are on the third ranked defense, 25 year old Randy White, 30 year old Cliff Harris. 

14. 1989 AFC CHAMPION DENVER BRONCOS

Record: 11-5

Pythag: 12-4

Off: 8th

Def: 1st

1st AFC West

d. Steelers Div Rnd 24-23

d. Browns AFC Title 37-21

Lost Super Bowl 49ers 55-10

HC: Dan Reeves, OC: Chan Gailey, DC: Wade Phillips 

Offense

QB John Elway (29 Stanford)

RB Bobby Humphrey (23-R Alabama)

FB Jeff Alexander (24-R Southern)

WR Mark Jackson (26 Purdue)

WR Vance Johnson (26 Arizona)

TE Clarence Kay (28 UGA)

LT Gerald Perry (25 Southern)

LG Doug Widell (23-R B College)

C Keith Kartz (26 Cal)

RG Jim Juriga (25 Illinois)

RT Ken Lanier (30 Florida St)

Defense

LDE Alphonso Carreker (27 Florida St)

NT Greg Kragen (27 Utah St) 

RDE Andre Townsend (27 Ole Miss)

LOLB Simon Fletcher (27 Houston)

LILB Karl Mecklenberg (29 Minn) All Pro

RILB Rick Dennison (31 Colorado St)

ROLB Michael Brooks (25 LSU)

LCB Tyrone Braxton (25 N Dakota St)

RCB Wymon Henderson (28 UNLV)

SS Dennis Smith (30 USC)

FS Steve Atwater (23-R Arkansas)

K David Treadwell (24 Clemson)

P Mike Horan (30 L Beach St)

KR/PR Ken Bell (25 B College)

Dan Reeves spent his entire playing career in Dallas, he's coaching the Broncos in '89 and with him are Wade Phillips and Chan Gailey who one day will be Cowboy coaches. Denver's here because of the best defense in the league. 29 year old Karl Mecklenberg is the All Pro, 7.5 sacks and 27 year old Simon Fletcher had a dozen. The offense is okay; Elway's 29, 21 total scores and 18 picks.  Couple of teams who run the ball in this 3/14 matchup; lets head to Texas Stadium.

First Qtr

Denver starts at the 31, 1st and 15 after a penalty.

1/15 - Bobby Humphrey stopped at the line.

2/15 - Humphrey again, 7.

3/8 - 5 receivers come out in the package, wild look for these '78 Cowboys - Elway finds Mike Young for 11 and the Broncos are near midfield.

1/10 - Jeff Alexander is the FB, he gets 1.

2/9- Incomplete, another 3rd and long, again, Denver spreads  the field out again with a multi receiver package.  Elway goes deep - Vance Johnson - 47 yards -- all the way to the Cowboy 5 - the '89 Broncos have come out firing away.  

1/goal - Humphrey for 2.

2/goal - incomplete

3/goal - Elway finds Vance Johnson at the goal line - tremendous tackle by Hollywood Henderson to keep him out of the end zone and it's 4th and goal from like 6 inches away.

Reeves is going for it.  Big play.  

4/goal - Humphrey is stacked up at the line of scrimmage - just splattered to the turf by the middle of that Dallas defense and it's Cowboy ball.

3 and out.  Denver in great field position at the Dallas 35, 9:21 left.

1/10 - Humphrey for 4.

2/6 - Elway sideline to Ricky Nattiel, really nice grab out of the air and once again the Broncos are deep in Dallas territory.

The next 3 plays lose 7 yards, Too Tall Jones sacks Elway - David Treadwell hits a GD and Dallas takes over - Butch Johnson tries to run the ball out from deep in the end zone and is slapped down at the 6.  Dallas again starts deep in their own end.  

3 and out.  Denver starts at the Cowboy 42 - the whole quarter played on the Dallas half of the field.  

1/10 - Randy White sacks Elway.  

2/15 - Humphrey for 4. 

3/11 - Humphrey for 9 on the draw - 4th and 2 at the Dallas 34, in 2022, a clear go for it - and Dan Reeves decides to do the same thing.  Denver was stopped on a 4th down already today, 4th and 2 here.

4/2 - And once again - Bobby Humphrey is met by a wall of Cowboy white - stopped cold at the line and again - again, the Broncos turn it over on downs.

3 and out. Dallas has run 9 plays and has yet to get a first down.  

Denver at the 31.  

1/10 - Elway's on the move, he gets 4.

2/6 - Humphrey - nothing.

3/6 - Elway goes downfield - 27 yards to Vance Johnson as the quarter expires.

Second Quarter

Just nothing for the Dallas offense in the first quarter; top offense from '78 totally shut down by the top defense from '89 - Denver only with a FG after failing on two 4th downs.

Denver has 1st down at the Dallas 38, then goes back 10 on a holding call.

1/20 - Elway is picked off by Benny Barnes - Barnes into Denver territory at the 42.

1/10 - Tony Dorsett gets a yard.

2/9 - It's the first Cowboy first down of the day, 11 for Dorsett to the 30.

1/10 - Robert Newhouse for 6.

2/4 - Staubach scrambles for a yard.

3/3 - Staubach to Newhouse out of the backfield - it's 11 yards and Dallas is at the 12.  

That's it - Dallas gets 2 yards in 3 plays - Rafael Septien FG ties it up.  

Denver at the 28. 10:08.  

3 and out.  Dallas at the 40.  8:34.

3 and out.  Denver at the 19.  6:26.  

1/10 - Elway scrambles for 6.

2/4 - Humphrey picks it up.  

And that's it - 3 plays net 3 yards.  Dallas starting at the 37, 2:48.  

3 and out.  Just no offense, none, zero for the Cowboys today.  

Denver at the 27.  1:09.  

Denver gets a first down on a ten yard pass to Vance Johnson - but that's it and the half will end after a punt and two harmless Dallas plays.

Third Qtr

All defense in the first half - Denver had some chances, moved the ball a little bit -but a goal line stand, an interception, and a couple of sacks by the Cowboys keep them in the game.  3-3 as we go back to the second half.  

Dallas opens at their own 14.

1/10 - Staubach going deep on the first play of the half - fly pattern to Tony Hill -- he's got it - breaks a tackle - And He Is Going All The Way TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS - a real bolt of lightning on the very first play of the second half - Staubach throws an 86 yard TD pass and that's more yards that the Cowboys had in the entire first half of play.

Broncos at the 34.  3 and out.

Cowboys at the 25 - they'll get a first down on a Dorsett 19 yard run - but have to punt around midfield.

Broncos at the 7.  They'll pick up a first down on an 11 yard Elway to Mark Jackson pass, but then punt from their own 23.  

Dallas at their own 44.  They'll get a first down when Staubach hits Dorsett for 8 yards, but they'll punt from around midfield.  

Broncos from their own 5.  3 and out - great field position for the Cowboys, at the Bronco 31, 1:11 left in the third.

It takes one play - Robert Newhouse running between Rafferty and Wright - buts through the Bronco defense and goes all the way to the house - TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS - the second 1 play TD drive of the quarter for Dallas, a 31 yard Robert Newhouse TD run.  

Denver gets the ball at the 24 and has time for two plays, a Bobby Humphrey 16 yard run and a Sammy Winder 1 yard run.  That takes us to the 4th.

4th Qtr

Dallas hasn't had anything even remotely approaching a real drive today - but they're up 17-3 with a stifling defense and 2 big third quarter strikes.  Denver at their own 41, 2nd and 9.

They get 1 more yard and punt.  

Dallas at the 24.  

1/10 - Preston Pearson gets a carry.  6 yards.

2/4 - Dorsett gets 1.

3/3 - Staubach finds Drew Pearson over the middle for 19 - he takes a huge shot from Steve Atwater but holds on - spins the ball on the field, makes the first down motion and the Cowboys are in Bronco territory.

But that's it - the next 3 plays get 7 yards, Landry has a 4th and 3 at the Denver 38 but punts.

Denver at the 15.  10:08 left. 17-3 Dallas.

3 and out.  Doomsday just choking the life out of Denver today.  

Dallas starting at the Denver 39.  8:26 left.

1/10 - Preston Pearson gets 2.

2/8 - Newhouse for 1

3/7 - Staubach to Tony Hill for 11 and the first.  

1/10 - Another big Newhouse run, 20 yards and it's first and goal at the Denver 5.

1/goal - Dorsett gets the goal line, just short.

2/goal - Dorsett plows his way home.  TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS it's a 24-3 lead when Dorsett scores, Denver is taking possession at their own 18, only 4:53 left and this one is all done.

4 and out.  Dallas gets it back on downs at the Denver 17 - the Cowboy defense has just wiped Denver off the map today.  

Dallas runs the ball 3 times and kicks the short FG.  27-3.

Denver gets the ball at their own 33, 2:13 left.

3 and out - Staubach's gonna take a couple knees and this game is in the books.

Final: Cowboys 27 Broncos 3

This was a real woodshed game for the Dallas defense, Denver held to 8 first downs (Dallas only had 10, don't let the final score fool you, Dallas did not move the ball today).

Staubach: 7 for 17, 132 yards, 1 TD

Elway: 10 for 26, 142 yards, 1 INT

Newhouse: 12 carries, 79 yards, TD

Humphrey: 21 carries, 50 yds

Hill: 2 catches, 97 yds, TD

Johnson: 5 catches, 94 yds

Player of the Game - Randy White

256 Team NFL Tournament: Region 3/Round 1: 1999 St Louis Rams v. 1967 Kansas City Chiefs

'05 Steelers v '19 Saints

13. 1967 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS at 4. 1999 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION ST LOUIS RAMS

4. 1999 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION ST LOUIS RAMS

Record: 13-3

Pythag: 14-2

Off: 1st

Def: 4th

1st NFC West

d. Vikings Div Rnd 49-37

d. Bucs NFC Title 11-6

d. Titans Super Bowl 23-16

HC: Dick Vermeil, OC: Mike Martz, DC: Peter Giunta

TWA Dome 

Gary Bender/Jack Snow

Offense:

QB: Kurt Warner (28 N Iowa) All Pro

RB Marshall Faulk (26 S Diego St) All Pro

WR Isaac Bruce (27 Memphis)

WR Torry Holt (23-R NC St)

WR Az-Zahir Hakim (22 S Diego St)

TE Roland Williams (24 Syracuse)

LT Orlando Pace (24 Ohio St) All Pro

LG Tom Nutten (28 W Michigan)

C Mike Gruttadauria (27 C Florida)

RG Adam Timmerman (28 S Dakota St)

RT Fred Miller (26 Baylor)

Defense

LDE Kevin Carter (26 Florida) All Pro

LDT Ray Agnew (32 NC St)

RDT D'Marco Farr (28 Wash)

RDE Grant Wistrom (23 Nebraska)

LLB Mike Jones (30 Missouri)

MLB London Fletcher (24 J Carroll)

RLB Todd Collins (29 Cars-Newm)

LCB Todd Lyght (30 N Dame)

RCB Dexter McCleon (26 Clem)

SS Billy Jenkins (25 Howard)

FS Keith Lyle (27 UVA)

K Jeff Wilkins (27 Youngs St)

P Rick Tuten (34 Florida St)

KR Tony Horne (23 Clemson)

PR Az-zahir Hakim (22 S Diego St)

Region three has turned into a graveyard for SB Champs, the '82 Redskins and '05 Steelers have lost in back to back games.  Here's the 4th seed in the region, the Super Bowl Champs from 1999, the Rams. 1st in offense, 4th in defense. Kurt Warner's 28, 42 total TDs and 13 picks.  He's an All Pro as is 26 year old Marshall Faulk with nearly 2500 combined yards of offense.  Isaac Bruce is 27 with a dozen scores. and the LT, 24 yar old Orlando Pace, gives this Rams offense 3 First Team All Pros,  On defense, there's one, 26 year old Kevin Carter with his 17 sacks.  

13. 1967 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Record: 9-5

Pythag: 11-3

Off: 2nd

Def: 3rd

2nd AFL West

Did not make playoffs

HC: Hank Stram

Offense

QB Len Dawson (32 Pudue)

RB Mike Garrett (23 USC) All Pro

RB Curtis McClinton (28 Kansas)

WR Otis Taylor (25 Prairie View)

WR Chris Burford (29 Stanford)

TE Fred Arbanas (28 Mich St)

LT Jim Tyrer (28 Ohio St) All Pro

LG Ed Budde (27 USC)

C Wayne Frazier (28 Auburn)

RG Curt Merz (29 Iowa)

RT Dave Hill (26 Auburn)

Defense

LDE Jerry Mays (28 SMU)

LDT Ernie Ladd (29 Grambling)

RDT Buck Buchanan (28 Grambling) All Pro

RDE Chuck Hurston (25 Auburn)

LLB Bobby Bell (27 Minn) All Pro

MLB Willie Lanier (22-R Morgan)

RLB Bud Abell (27 Missouri)

LCB Fred Williamson (30 Nwestern)

RCB Willie Mitchell (27 Tenn St)

LS Bobby Hunt (27 Auburn)

RS Johnny Robinson (29 LSU ) All Pro

K Jan Stenerud (25 Mont St)

P Jerrel Wilson (26 So Miss)

KR/PR Noland Smith (24 Tenn St)

The '68 Chiefs were on the other side of the 4/13 game in Region 2, they easily advanced.  Tougher sled here as the 13th seed.  The '67 Chiefs went 9-5 and didn't make the playoffs in the AFL, but they had an 11-5 pythag and were top 3 in offense and defense. Lenny Dawson is 32, 24 scores, 17 picks. 2 All Pros on offense, Mike Garrett's 23 and had 10 scores and the 28 year old LT Jim Tryer. And then there's that defensive group - 29 year old safety Johnny Robinson, 28 year old DT Buck Buchanan, 27 year old LB Bobby Bell are all All Pro.  The 2019 Saints await the winners of this one, it's a Show Me State battle - the '67 Chiefs head to St Louis to face the '99 Super Bowl Champion Rams.  Let's go to the kick.

1st Qtr

Rams to start at the 25.

1/10 - Jerry Mays fires out of left end and sacks Kurt Warner on the first play of the game. Greatest Show on Turf's gonna have to bring it today.

2/16 - Warner to Isaac Bruce for 7.  Third and long.

3/9 - Warner goes to Ricky Proehl for 15 - big pickup.  A holding call backs the Rams up 10.

The Rams get close after a Warner scramble but are left w/ a 4th and short at midfield.

After the punt, Chiefs are at the 15.  3 and out.

Nice runback by Az Hakim - Rams at the KC 42.   

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Faulk for 1

3/9 - Warner to Bruce, a 23 yard gain and a first down.

1/10 - Warner to the rookie Torry Holt, 16 yards and a first and goal.

1/goal - And just like that - Marshall Faulk is in the end zone for the TOUCHDOWN RAMS

2:16 to go 42 yards, Rams are on the board.  7-0

Nice runback by Noland Smith; Chiefs in business at the 43.

On third and 8 - Dawson is picked by Todd Lyght and the Rams take over at their own 45.  

1/10 - Faulk for 5

2/5 - Warner to Faulk for a dozen.  Rams at the KC 35.  

1/10 - Warner to Az Hakim, that's another first down - Rams at the KC 27 yard line.  

The next 3 plays net 4 yards - Jeff Wilkins hits a 40 yd FG and it's 10-0

Another really nice runback by Smith, Chiefs start at the 44.

1/10 - Dawson's first completion is to Curtis McClinton for 6.

2/4 - Incomplete

3/4 - KC picks up its first first down, 5 yards to Dawson to Chris Burford. 

McClinton for 1 and it's the end of the qtr.

2nd Qtr

Rams score on their last 2 possessions; it's 10 nothing, Chiefs though are in St Louis teritory with a 2nd and 9.

They only get 2 more yards.  And punt. Rams at the 14.  

1/10 - Warner throwing again - Hakim for 19.  

That's all - 3 plays go 8 yards and the punt.  Chiefs at their own 27, 11:52 left.

1/10 - Big play, Mike Garrett busts a 38 yarder and the Chiefs are at the 35.  

1/10 - McClinton for 1.

2/9 - Garrett for 8 and it's third and short.

3/1 - Garrett goes for 6, KC all the way down to the Rams 20.

1/10 - McClinton for 1.

2/9 - Dawson picks it up - he hits Fred Arbanas for a 10 yard gain and the Chiefs have a first and goal at the 9.  

Just takes one play - Mike Garrett student body lefts his way into the end zone.  TOUCHDOWN CHIEFS - KC is in this game, 7 plays, 73 yd TD drive, Mike Garrett running all over the Rams on that drive.   

Rams at the 25.  7:30.

1/10 - Big strike - Warner going full vertical to Torry Holt for 56 yards - okay, the Rams are bringing the full ass now, Dick Vermeil and Mike Martz going bombs away - after an incomplete pass Marshall Faulk slips his way 19 yards and into the end zone for this second TD of the day TOUCHDOWN RAMS - that just took 1 minute, 75 yards and it's 17-7 Rams

Chiefs at the 22.

1/10 - 11 yard run for McClinton and 5 tacked on for a facemask.  

Two plays get nothing - but on 3/10 - Dawson hits Mike Garrett for 10, Chiefs out near midfield at the 2 minute warning.  

That's it though - another punt comes 3 days later and the Rams take over at the 14, 1:31 and a 10 pt lead.

1/10 - 2 for Faulk.

2/8 - Robert Holcombe's first carry goes for 41 - if Holcombe is busting out 41 yard runs, the Rams are just going to roll here.  

1/10 - Warner to Bruce - 19 yards to the KC 24.  

1/10 - Faulk for 3.

2/7 - Holcombe right up the gut -- and onto the end zone -- TOUCHDOWN RAMS - it is a rout, 86 yards in less than a minute - it's a 17 point St Louis lead.

And that will do it - 3 and out for the Chiefs, Rams take over at midfield and decide to take a shot - but Warner is sacked by Big Cat Ladd and the half ends.

Third Qtr

The Greatest Show on Turf having its way with its cross state, cross generational rival today; not unexpected giving the seed disparity, but it's a really impressive first half performance for the '99 Rams. 24-7.  Chiefs at the their own 28.

3 and out.

1/10 - Rams come out with a reverse, 24-7 and calling a reverse, it's Holt, he gets 2.

2/8 - Warner to Ricky Proehl for a 2 yd screen.

3/6 - Warner to Torry Holt - that's an 18 yard pickup across midfield.

1/10 - Faulk for 5.

2/5 - Warner to Isaac Bruce for 14, it's a first down to the KC 26 yard line.  Rams looking for the dagger.  

1/10 - Warner's sacked - Buck Buchanan - third sack today for the Chiefs.

2/15 - Warner to Holt for 13.

3/2 - Faulk gets it and some more, 11 yards to the 7. First and goal.

1/goal - Warner - end zone - Proehl - TOUCHDOWN RAMS - It's done - 31-7 Rams, really impressive - the '99 Champs rolling into rnd 2.

Chiefs at the 26.  8:21.  All over but the shouting.  

They're gonna get two first downs, Otis Taylor has a 17 yard end around for the big play - but it ends with a punt inside Rams territory (maybe you go for it, I don't know).

The kick pins the Rams deep - on the first play Warner is picked off by Bobby Bell -- and he rumbles 22 yards into the endzone -- TOUCHDOWN CHIEFS - Bobby Bell intercepts a Kurt Warner pass and takes it to the house.  

Rams start at the 34, 3:38.  31-14.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Faulk gets 5

3/5 - Robert Holcombe busts another one, 48 yards all the way to the Chiefs 13 yard line, huge yds/carry today for the StL fullback.  

1/10 - Faulk gets 1.

2/9 - Warner to Hakim, he picks it up and it's a first and goal at the 3.

1/goal - 4th KC sack of the day, Willie Lanier gets it.  Rams a the 10.  

2/goal - 5 yards for Holcombe as the third ends.  

4th Qtr -

Chiefs pick up a second TD on the Bell pick 6, the Rams come right back, of course they did, and have 3rd and goal at the 5 up 17.

Faulk gets to the goal - is just short - Vermiel decides to go for it - and calls a pass play - and its incomplete.

So - the Chiefs take over on downs at their own 1 yard line.

1/10 - Garrett for 3.

2/7 - Garrett for 1.

3/6 - Dawson to Taylor for 9 and the first.

1/10 - Garrett for 3.

2/7 - Bert Coan for 2.

3/5 - Dawson to Taylor - 14 yards and the Chiefs are out at the 33.

1/10 - Garrett for 2.

2/8 - incomplete

3/8 - Dawson hits Chris Burford - that's a 19 yard gain and the Chiefs have crossed midfield with 9:45 to go.  

The next 3 plays lose 7 yards when London Fletcher sacks Dawson, it's 4th and 17 - Chiefs are down 17, Dawson throws downfield and it's intercepted by Dexter McLeon, a penalty on the runback means the Rams are starting at their own 25.  8:24 left.

The Rams pick up a couple first downs, Warner to Bruce for 25, a personal foul on a face mask, a Holcombe 11 yard run - and the drive ends with a Wilkins FG  34-14.

The Chiefs go four and out - turning it over on downs, Rams take possession at the KC 33 w/ 2:52 left.  They run the ball 3 straight times and kick another FG to make it 37-14.

Another 4 and out by the Chiefs ends the game.

Final: Rams 37 Chiefs 14.

A game never in doubt; the Super Bowl Champs outgain KC by 250 yards and they'll host the '19 Saints in the next round.

Warner: 18-26, 271 yds, 1 TD/1 Int

Dawson: 9-26 84 yds 2 INT

Holcombe: 7 carries, 130 yds, 1 TD

Faulk: 18 carries, 80 yds, 2 TD

Garrett: 19 carries, 97 yds 1 TD, 3 catches 21 yds

Bruce: 6 catches, 91 yds

Holt: 4 catches, 103 yds

Bell INT/TD

Player of the Game: Robert Holcombe

That's half of Region 3

1996 Packers

1987 Browns

2019 Saints

1999 Rams

256 Team NFL Tournament: Region 3/Round 1: 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers v. 2019 New Orleans Saints

'82 Redskins v. '87 Browns

 

12. 2019 NEW ORLEANS SAINTS at 5. 2005 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION PITTSBURGH STEELERS

5. 2005 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Record: 11-5

Pythag: 12-4

Off: 9th

Def: 3rd

2nd NFC North

d. Bengals WC 31-17

d. Colts Div Rnd 21-18

d. Broncos AFC Title 34-17

d. Seahawks Super Bowl 21-10

HC: Bill Cowher, OC: Ken Wisenhunt DC Dick LeBeau

Heinz Field: 55 degrees

Announcers: Bill Hillgrove/Tunch Ilkin

Offense

QB Ben Roethlisberger (23 Miami Oh)

RB Willie Parker (25 UNC)

FB Dan Kreider (28 N Hampshire)

WR Antwaan Randle El (26 Indiana)

WR Hines Ward (29 UGA)

TE Heath Miller (23-R UVA)

LT Marvel Smith (27 Ariz St)

LG Alan Faneca (29 LSU) All Pro

C Jeff Hartings (33 Penn St)

RG Kendall Simmons (26 Auburn)

RT Max Starks (23 Florida)

Defense

LDE Aaron Smith (29 N. Colorado)

NT Casey Hampton (28 Texas)

RDE Kimo von Oelhoffen (34 Boise St) 

LOLB Clark Haggans (28 Colorado St)

LILB James Farrior (30 UVA)

RILB Larry Foote (25 Michigan)

ROLB Joey Porter (28 Colorado St)

LCB Ike Taylor (25 Louisiana)

RCB Deshea Townsend (30 Alabama)

SS Troy Polamalu (24 USC) All Pro

FS Chris Hope (25 Florida St)

K Jeff Reed (26 UNC)

P Chris Gardocki (35 Clemson)

KR Quincy Morgan (28 Kansas St)

PR Antwaan Randle El (26 Indiana)

How about another Super Bowl Champion?  Here are the '05 Steelers; okay offense, 3rd best defense in the league. 24 year old Troy Polamalu leads the unit, he's the All Pro, 28 year old Joey Porter/28 year old Clark Haggans combine for nearly 20 sacks.  Big Ben is 23, in his second season, total of 20 scores and 9 picks. Hines Ward is 29, he caught 11 scores. 29 year old guard Alan Faneca is the squad's All Pro.  We just saw the '82 Champion Redskins become the first SB winner to fall in the tournament - will the '05 Steelers right the ship?

12. 2019 NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 

Record: 13-3

Pythag: 11-5

Off: 3rd

Def: 13th

1st NFC South

Lost WC Vikings 26-20

HC: Sean Payton, OC Pete Carmichael, DC Dennis Allen

Offense

QB Drew Brees (40 Purdue)

RB Alvin Kamara (24 Tenn)

WR Michael Thomas All Pro (26 Ohio St)

WR Ted Ginn (34 Ohio St)

WR Tre'Quan Smith (23 C Florida)

TE Jared Cook (32 S Carolina)

C Erik McCoy (22 A&M)

G Larry Warford (28 UK)

G Andrus Peat (26 Stanford)

T Ryan Ramczyk (25 Wisc)

T Terron Armstead (28 Ark Pine Bluff)

Defense

DE Cameron Jordan (30 Cal)

DT David Onyemata (27 Manitoba)

DT Malcom Brown (25 Texas)

DE Marcus Davenport (23 Tex S-A)

LB Demario Davis All Pro (30 Ark St)

LB AJ Klein (28 Iowa St)

CB Eli Apple (24 Ohio St)

CB Marshon Lattimore (23 Ohio St)

CB PJ Williams (26 Fl St)

SS Vonn Bell (25 Ohio St)

FS Marcus Williams (23 Utah)

K Will Lutz (25 Geo St)

P Thomas Morstead (33 SMU)

KR/PR Deonte Harris (22 Assumption) All Pro

The '19 Saints got bounced in the WC round of the playoffs. they're in the field on the strength of the third best offense in football - we got the 3rd best offense from '19 against the third best defense in '05. Brees is 40 - 28 total scores and 4 picks; we really see that change in QB numbers from ultra modern teams as the rule shift. Two All Pros, Michael Thomas, 26 years old he caught a monster 149 balls and Ryan Ramczyk 25 year old tackle. 7 Pro Bowlers on offense. Middling defense, 30 year old Demario Davis is an All Pro at LB, big year for the 30 year old Cameron Jordan, 15.5 sacks.  

The 5th seeds in Region 3, the Super Bowl Champion Steelers, host the '19 Saints - lets head out to Heinz Field for the kick.

First Qtr

Saints start at the 20.  

3 and out.  Steelers to start at their own 40.

3 and out.  Saints at their own 42.

3 and out including a Clark Haggans sack.  Steelers will start at their own 47 after a good Randle El return.  9:46.

1/10 - Willie Parker gets 19 yards for the game's first first down.  

1/10 -Jerome Bettis for 1.

2/9 - Big Ben scrambles for a yard.  

3/8 - Ben to Hines Ward for 17 - and the Steelers are at the Saints 15.

1/10 - Ben to Randle El, that's 13 yards, that's a first down and goal.

1/goal - Incomplete

2/goal - Ben to Ward in the end zone -- TOUCHDOWN STEELERS - good field position after the Randle El punt return, a big Parker run, a couple of nice Ben throws and the Steelers are into the end zone.

Saints at the 23.  5:58.

1/10 - Alvin Kamara for 2.

2/8 - Drew Brees finds Latavius Murray for 8 yards and the first NO first down.

1/10 - Brees to Michael Thomas, 8 yards.

2/2 - Murray goes around left end for 16 yards - the Saints are into Steeler territory.

1/10 - Kamara loses 2.

2/12 - Kamara gains 4.

3/8 - Brees hits Jared Cook over the middle for 15 - and now the Saints are at the Steeler 26 yard line.  

1/10 - Brees to Ted Ginn for 13 and it's another first down.

1/10 - Brees finds Michael Thomas over the middle, he walks into the end zone for the game tying score - TOUCHDOWN SAINTS - 9 plays, 72 yards, and it takes us all the way down to the last 9 seconds of the quarter.

Steelers start at the 32.  Parker gains 2 yards.

Second Qtr

Strong TD drives by both teams mixing runs and passes - this looked like a really even matchup, despite it being a 5/12 game - and that's been true so far.  Steelers have a 2nd and 8 at their own 34.

2/8 - Simple draw play to Jerome Bettis -- Bettis has a hole - Bettis running behind Faneca - Bettis has open field!  Bettis has open field!  Bettis is going to go all the way - a 66 yard TD run for Jerome Bettis!  TOUCHDOWN STEELERS --  33 year old Jerome Bettis - the Bus 

rumbles for a 66 yard TD and Heinz Field is lit up.  14-7.

The Saints start at the 21.  3 and out.  

Another big Randle El return, Steelers at the Saints 31, up a score 13:03 left in the half.

1/10 - Parker for 6. 

2/4- Paker just shy of the first down.

3/1 -- Shovel pass to Ward, just gets the first down.

The next 3 plays net 2 yards, Steelers 4th and 8 at the 18 - Reed hits the 35 yarder and it's a 17-7 Steeler lead.  

Saints at the 32, 9:32.  

1/10 - Kamara for 3.

2/7 - Incomplete

3/7- Brees finds Thomas for 8.  

1/10 - Kamara for 2.  

2/8 - Kamara for 9 - Saints are across midfield.

But they head back the other way on a big Joey Porter sack and have to punt a couple plays later from their own 45.  

Steelers at the 20.  4:36 left - up 10 points.  

1/10 - Bettis for 1.

2/9 - Incomplete

3/9 - Ben to Randle El, his productive day continues, that's 16 yards and a first down at the 37. 

The next 3 plays net 9 yards - Steelers have the 4th and 1 at their 46, 1:19 left with a 10 pt lead.  Cowher plays it safe - there's the punt - Saints will start at the 17, 1:10 left.

1/10 - Saints call a run play, doesn't go anywhere and they stop the clock.

2/10 - Another run play -- and Kamara busts one - Alvin Kamara busts a 49 yard run all the way to the Steeler 36 yard line and another time out with 55 seconds left.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Brees is airing it out - Brees looking to the end zone - Michael Thomas is There -- TOUCHDOWN SAINTS - it takes only 29 seconds to go 83 yards - the Saints miss the XP, Steelers lead 17-13.  

Steelers get the ball at their own 36, 35 seconds left. Two Willie Parker first downs, an 11 yard reception and a 14 yard run got the Steelers a chance at a nearly 60 yard FG at the gun - off the upright.

Third Qtr

Steelers had a 10 point lead and the ball with less than 90 seconds left - but the second Brees to Thomas TD of the day gets the Saints to 17-13.  

Steelers start at the 29.

3 and out.  Saints at the 34.

3 and out.  Third quarter starting like the first qtr.  

Steelers at the 12.  2 run plays get zero and on third and 10 Ben hits Quincy Morgan for 36 and the Steelers are in business.  

But - the next 3 plays net 7 and it's another punt.

Saints deep in their own end.  4 yard line.  8:03.

1/10 - Murray gets 1.

2/9 - Kamara for 3.

3/6- Murray goes 17, first down at the 25.  

1/10 - Brees to Murray for 5.

2/5 - Steelers third sack of the day, Casey Hampton.  3rd and long.

3/9 - Brees once again finds Michael Thomas - when in doubt - Michael Thomas - 41 yard strike gets the Saints to the 33.  Michael Thomas another big play. Saints are now at the Steeler 33.  

1/10 - Murray for 7.

2/3 - Kamara gets 2 and there's another third down.

3/1 - Brees short to Taysom Hill, he breaks a tackle, first down, all the way to the 13 yard line - Saints down the Steeler 11 yard line with 1:51 left in the third.  

1/10 - Kamara for 4.

2/6 - Murray loses a yard and it's 3rd and 7 - Brees to Thomas - but he is collared by Polamalu after a gain of just 2 yards and as the quarter ends, the Saints have a 4th and 5 at the 6, down 17-13.

4th Qtr

Sean Payton's going to call for the FG on 4th and 5 at the 6, it's a chip shot and the Steelers lead is now down to 17-16.

Steelers at the 29.  3 and out.  

Saints at the 31.  Down 1.  12:39 left.  

1/10 - Brees finds Tre'Quan Smith for 8.

2/2 - Incomplete.  

3/2 - Brees to Ted Ginn - that's 10 yards and the big first down near midfield.

1/10 - Brees to Thomas for a dozen.  Saints at the Steeler 39, 10:18 left. 

1/10 - Brees to Murray for 8.

2/2 - Kamara gets 3 - the chains keep moving - Saints are at the 28.  In FG range.  

1/10 - Brees to Cook - 17 yards - the Saints offense moving down the field against the Super Bowl Champs from 2005.  Saints all the way down to the Steeler 11 yard line.  

1/10 - Murray loses 1.

2/11 - Brees to Kamara for 8 - Kamara down to the 4 yard line, big 3rd and 3.

3/3 - Joey Porter comes up big - the Steelers 4th sack of the day - Will Lutz hits the chip shot - and New Orleans takes its first lead of the day, 19-17.  

And so - the Steeler offense takes over.  28 yard line.  5:50.  Can Ben drive down and win this game.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - First carry of the game for Verron Haynes - and He Busts One -- Haynes goes 40 yards - Haynes all the way to the Saints 32 yard line!

1/10 - Parker loses 1

2/11 - It's Bettis - the Bus drives for 14 yards and another first down, a false start will then take the Steelers back 5 - but with 3:02 left Pittsburgh is at the New Orleans 24 yard line/

1/10 - 11 yards for Willie Parker - Ben hasn't completed a pass on this drive - but the Steeler ground game is just burying the Saints - Steelers first down at the Saints 13 yard line with 2:19 to go in the game.

The next 3 plays lose 9 yards when Cam Jordan gets the Saints first sack of the day.  

Jeff Reed with 1:52 left lines up for  a 39 yard FG that would give Pittsburgh the lead.

It's good.

Steelers 20 Saints 19

Saints will start at their own 28. 1:44 to go.  It's Drew Brees now.  Can he win it?

1/10 - Kamara for 21 - big, big gain for Alvin Kamara and the Saints are near midfield in one play.  An offsides call gets them 5 more.

1/5 - Murray for 4.

2/1 - Kamara picks it up - timeout Saints - Saints are at the 41 yard line with 1:26 to go, just needing a FG to win it.  

1/10 - Brees finds Ginn - 13 yards - the Saints are at the 28.  

1/10 - There's that man again - Brees to Michael Thomas - 24 huge yards - the Saints are all the way down to the 4 yard line, first and goal with just 42 seconds left!  

1/goal - Kamara runs into the line.  Timeout Pittsburgh.  Pittsburgh in real trouble here a FG beats them.

2/goal - Kamara gets the ball - and the Steelers let him score!  Alvin Kamara walks into the endzone untouched - the Steelers let the Saints score and it's 25-20 TOUCHDOWN SAINTS

You understand what Cowher is thinking here - if you let the clock tick to zero the Saints have a chip shot FG - here, you give yourself at least a couple of plays as there are still 23 seconds left.  

The Saints miss the 2 pt conversion.  

Steelers have just 17 seconds left, 25-20, starting at their own 34.

After an incomplete pass - Pittsburgh gets to midfield on a Ben to Ward completion.  

4 seconds left in the game.  Time for a Hail Mary.

Ben heaves the ball to the endzone -- Ben looking for Heath Miller ----

Knocked down.  Done.

Final: Saints 25 Steelers 20

Down 17-13 headed to the 4th qtr, the Saints score a dozen and knock out the SB Champs.  Just 13 first downs for Pittsburgh, the Saints defense really handles Ben in this one.

Brees: 19-27 256 yds 2 TD

Roethlisberger: 8-15 120 yds 1 TD

Kamara: 17 carries, 112 yds, 1 TD

Bettis: 10 carries, 93 yds 1 TD

Thomas: 8 catches, 138 yds, 2 TD

Ward: 4 catches, 44 yds, 1 TD

Porter - 2 sacks

Player of the Game: Michael Thomas

256 Team NFL Tournament: Region 3/Round 1: 1982 Washington Redskins v. 1987 Cleveland Browns

'96 Packers v '03 Colts 

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

        

256 Team NFL Tournament: Region 3/Round 1: 1996 Green Bay Packers v. 2003 Indianapolis Colts

Play In Game

1. 1996 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION GREEN BAY PACKERS

Record: 13-3

Pythag: 14-2

Off: 1st

Def: 1st

d. Niners Div Rnd 35-14

d. Panthers NFC Title 30-13

d. Patriots Super Bowl 35-21

HC: Mike Holmgren, OC: Sherm Lewis, DC Fritz Shermur

Lambeau Field 40 degrees

Jim Irwin/Larry McCarren

Offense

QB Brett Favre (27 S Miss) All Pro

RB Edgar Bennett (27 Florida St) 

FB William Henderson (25 UNC)

WR Robert Brooks (26 S Carolina)

WR Antonio Freeman (24 Va Tech)

TE Mark Chmura (27 B College)

LT John Michels (23-R USC)

LG Aaron Taylor (24 N Dame)

C Frank Winters (32 W Illinois)

RG Adam Timmerman (25 S Dakota St)

RT Earl Dotson (26 Tex A&M Kingsville)

Defense

LDE Reggie White (35 Tennessee)

LDT Gilbert Brown (25 Kansas)

RDT Santana Dotson (27 Baylor)

RDE Sean Jones (34 Neastern)

LLB Wayne Simmons (27 Clemson)

MLB George Koonce (28 E Carolina)

RLB Brian Williams (24 USC)

LCB Craig Newsome (25 Ariz St)

RCB Doug Evans (26 La Tech)

SS LeRoy Butler (28 Florida St) All Pro

FS Eugene Robinson (33 Colgate)

K Chris Jacke (30 UTEP)

P Craig Henrich (25 N Dame)

KR/PR Desmond Howard (26 Michigan)

The third overall seed is the '96 Packers; number one in both offense and defense, rolled through the postseason to win the Super Bowl - every SB Champion in the field so far has advanced, as have the other number one regional seeds.  Brett Favre is 27, All Pro, 41 total TDs and 13 picks. The All Pro on defense is 28 year old LeRoy Butler, 5 picks and 6.5 sacks.  35 year old Reggie White added 8.5 sacks.

16. 2003 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Record: 12-4

Pythag: 11-5

Off: 2nd

Def: 20th

1st AFC South

d. Broncos WC 41-10

d. Chiefs Div Rnd 38-31

Lost AFC Title 24-14

d. '09 Cowboys 37-35

HC: Tony Dungy, OC: Tom Moore, DC: Ron Meeks

Offense

QB Peyton Manning (27 Tenn) All Pro

RB Edgerrin James (25 Miami)

WR Marvin Harrison (31 Syracuse)

WR Reggie Wayne (25 Miami)

TE Dallas Clark (24-R Iowa)

TE Marcus Pollard (31 Bradley)

LT Tarik Glenn (27 Cal)

LG Rick DeMulling (26 Idaho)

C Jeff Saturday (28 UNC)

RG Steve Sciullo (23-R Marshall)

RT Ryan Diem (24 N Illinois)

Defense

LDE Raheem Brock (25 Temple)

LDT Larry Tripplett (24 Washington)

RDT Montae Reagor (26 T Tech)

RDE Dwight Freeney (23 Syracuse)  

LLB Marcus Washington (26 Auburn)

MLB Rob Morris (28 BYU)

RLB David Thornton (25 UNC)

LCB Walt Harris (29 Miss St)

RCB Nick Harper (29 F Valley)

SS Mike Doss (22-R Ohio St)

FS Idrees Bashir (25 Memphis)

K Mike Vanderjagt (33 W Virginia) All Pro

P Hunter Smith (26 N Dame)

KR Brad Pyatt (23 N Colorado)

PR Troy Walters (27 Stanford)

  The Colts with the Fantastic Finish in the Play In Round, they have to have all the confidence in the world in their offense, but they are up against the machine in the #3 overall seed in the tournament. Peyton Manning's 27  and he's an All Pro, 29 scores, 10 picks.  Double digit scores for 31 year old Marvin Harrison and 25 year old Edgerrin James.  On defense, Dwight Freeney's 23 and had 11 sacks.  Really hard to see this Colts defense providing much to slow down the top ranked Packer offense.

The Colts won a thriller to reach this game - but the Packers are a whole other situation; let's go to Lambeau for the kick.

1st Qtr

Colts open at the 34.  

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Manning is sacked by Reggie White - 4 yard loss and thats what the Colts are up against in Lambeau today.

3/14 - Manning finds Troy Walters - he is in open field - he extends -- first down, 15 yard gain.

1/10 - Edgerrin James gets the game's first carry.  6 yards.

2/4 - Edge again - pounding away for 20 yards, that's a big gainer, and the Colts are down to the Packer 25.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Edge.  Edge around the right end - Edge finds another gear -- and he is gone -- Edgerrin James is Gone - Edge to the End Zone - TOUCHDOWN COLTS - A 25 yard Edgerrin James TD run gives the Colts the early lead.  

Pack at the 20.  11:40.  

1/10 - Favre is slammed to the turf by Dwight Freeney, loss of 6.

2/16 - Edgar Bennett gets 4.

3/12 - Draw to Bennett - Bennett's in the secondary - Bennett is stripped by Idrees Bashir, FUMBLE - the Colts have the ball - the Colts recover the Edgar Bennett fumble and now, with a 7-0 lead, Indy will start at the Packer 35 yard line - the Colts score on their first possession and force a turnover 3 plays into the first Packer possession.  

1/10 - Manning to Edge for 5.

2/5 - Edge loses 2.

3/7 - Manning to Reggie Wayne for a 21 yard gain - -- the Colts - the Colts are down to the 11 yard line.  7:53.  

The next 3 plays lose a yard - Mike Vanderjagt hits the short FG -- only 6:13 into the ballgame and the Colts are up 10.  Wow.  Wow.  Wow.  

Packers at the 30.  

1/10 - Favre sacked again by Freeney - Dwight Freeney with 2 first quarter sacks.  3 yard loss.  

2/13 - 6 yard Bennett run, that early fumble is something he'll need to shake off.  

3/7 - Illegal contact on the Colts defense gives GB the automatic first down at their own 38.

1/10 - Favre to Bennett for 8.

2/2 - Bennett gets 1.  Third and short.

3/1-  Dorsey Levens getrs the carry, he goes 7 yards and it's the first Packer first down across midfield.  

1/10 - Favre throws over the middle looking for Chmura -- PICKED OFF by Bashir -- Bashir has already caused a fumble and now intercepts Brett Favre -- Green Bay's second turnover in the first qtr and the Colts will start at their own 31 with a first and 15 after a false start.  

3 and out.  Pack to start at the 32, 1:08 left.  

2 plays before the end of the quarter - a 10 yard pass to Mark Chmura, a 15 yard Edgar Bennett run.  

2nd Qtr

Great qtr for the Colts much maligned defense, they force 2 turnovers, Indy with the 10 point lead.  Pack with first down at the Colts 43.  

1/10 - Levens for 3.

2/7 - William Henderson gets a carry, he goes for 9.  First down at the Colt 31.  

1/10 - Bennett for 3.

2/7 - Favre rolls right - fires downfield to Robert Brooks for 20 yards - that's a first and goal for the Packers at the 8 yard line.  

1/goal - Bennett for 4.

2/goal - Henderson loses 1.

3/goal - Incomplete -- that leaves the Pack with a 4th and goal at the 5 - Holmgren brings on the FG team and it's 10-3.  

Colts at their own 17.  10:58.

3 and out -- Packer defense rising now, 2 straight 3 and outs.  Good field position for GB, at midfield.  8:45.

1/10 - Favre to Bennett for 8.

2/2 - Levens goes for 16 - Packers moving the ball now, they're at the Colts 26 yard line with a first down.  

1/10 - Levens loses 2.  

2/12 - Henderson is stopped at the lien - an offsides call then gives the Pack the 3rd and 7.

3/7 - Dorsey Levens between Winters and Timmerman - Levens one cut - and Levens is Gone - Levens Will Go - Dorsey Levens with the 23 yard score TOUCHDOWN PACKERS and GB has tied this game at 10.  

Colts ball at the 29.  5:35.  

And for the third consecutive drive - 3 and out - the Packer top ranked defense showing up now.  Pack will start at the 27.  3:59 left.

1/10 - Henderson gets 1.

2/9 - Levens again finding a hole, 16 yards to the GB 44.  

1/10 - Great play call from Holmgren - Keith Jackson wide, wide open over the middle of the field and he rumbles for a huge 52 yard gain, all the way to the Colt 4 yard line when he runs out of gas. Big Packer play - 1st and goal at the 2 minute warning.  

1/10 - Favre fade pattern to Antonio Freeman - catch - 2 feet in bounds -- TOUCHDOWN PACKERS -- 17 straight GB points here in the second quarter - this is what we expected - Packers now rolling on both sides of the ball.  

Colts at the 29.  1:52.

1/10 - Safety blitz by LeRoy Butler gets Manning for the 4 yd loss.  

2/14 - Manning finds Marvin Harrison for 17 yards.

That's as far as it goes, the next 3 plays lose 4 yards - the Packers take over after the punt - Favre will get sacked by Robert Mathis - the Packers punt - the Colts get a chance for 1 play - Manning hits a 42 yard bomb to Troy Walters but that's where the half ends.

Third Qtr

Colts came out hot, scored on their first drive, forced a couple turnovers and took a 10-0 lead.  Packers asserted themselves in the 2nd qtr with 17 and are up 7.  They start at the 23.

1/10 - 18 yards for Edgar Bennett.  

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Favre goes downfield - 24 to Robert Brooks, Packers have picked it up where they let off.  Pack at the 35.

1/10 - Travis Jervey gets a carry, 7 yards.  

2/3 - Bennett for 1.

3/2 - Favre bootleg - pulls up and tosses to the wide open William Henderson on the sideline - Henderson marches on home - TOUCHDOWN PACKERS - this is who we expected to see, the third overall seed is clamping down now, up 2 scores.  

Colts at the 30.  11:42. 

1/10 - Manning to Harrison for 17.  

The next 3 plays net a yard.  Pack will start at the 11.  9:25.

3 and out.  Colts take over at their own 49.  7:50.

1/10 - Ricky Williams for 2.

2/8 - Edge gets 5 but a false start takes that away.

3/8 - Manning to Reggie Wayne for 12 and the first at the Packer 37.

1/10 - Manning to Brandon Stokley, 15 yards.

1/10 - Edge for 3.  Colts at the 22.  

2/7 - Manning gets picked - Eugene Robinson intercepts Manning, takes it to the Packer 26 - big missed opportunity for Indianapolis with just 4:18 left in the third, down 24-10.

3 and out.  Colts at the 32.  2:11.  

3 and out including a Santana Dotson sack.  The Colts punt is the last play of the quarter.

4th Qtr

Packers have the ball at their own 35 and a 24-10 lead.  

1/10 - Favre to Henderson for 9.

2/1 - Incomplete

3/1 - Edgar Bennett picks it up.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Favre to Antonio Freeman for 20 - Pack now at the Colt 35.  12:48, Colts need a stop right now or this is done.  

1/10 - Bennett for 1.

2/9 - Levens for 6.

3/3 - Favre finds Brooks -- 18 yards - that's a first and goal at the 10 yard line.

1/goal - Handoff to Henderson and there's a huge hole - he struts into the endzone and now it's a route TOUCHDOWN PACKERS 

Green Bay now up 31-10, so it's done - Colts will take over at the 24 with 10:29 left.  

3 and out.  Packers will start at their own 49.  

1/10 - Bennett for 3.

2/7 - Bennett busts one, 36 yard rumble all the way to the Colts 12 yard line.  

1/10 - Favre scrambling - goes for 7 yards - takes a big shot and he is in the face of the Colts defense - Favre pointing to the scoreboard - the game getting a little chippy now as we near the end.  

2/3 - Henderson loses 5.  

3/8 - Farve with the play action - Dorsey Levens is wide open in the end zone -- Packers pouring it on - it's 38-10 now TOUCHDOWN PACKERS it is a full beating.  

Colts at the 36.  7:05. 

They get 2 plays.  A Gabe Wilkins sack and then Eugene Robinson's second INT of the day - Robinson runs it back to the Colts 27 - The Packers have the ball again with a 38-10 lead, 6:40 left -- coming out to the field is Jim McMahon - he's the starting QB, of course, for the '85 Bears, the second overall seed in the tournament -- 11 years later hes coming out to the field to mop up for Favre.  

3 running plays net 8 yards and Chris Jackie kicks a 36 yard FG as Holmgren continues to add points.  41-10

Colts ball at the 27.  4:31.  They pick up a first down on a 14 yard pass to Harrison - but that's all, ball gets turned over on downs.  Packers at the Indy 45, 3:35 left.  

3 running plays.  

Bennett gets 11.

Henderson gets 10.

Jervey busts for 24 -- Travis Jervey is in the endzone -- TOUCHDOWN PACKERS - - man oh man oh man oh man -- 48-10.  What can you say?

Colts at their own 15.  1:56.  Edge gets a 5 yard run - and then Manning is intercepted one more time, it's LeRoy Butler - he is down at the Indy 29 - that's all there is, McMahon takes 3 knees and the game is over.

Final: Packers 48 Colts 10

GB holds the Colts to 10 first downs and intercept Manning 3 times.  Right after a nearly perfect Play in Performance - Manning is throttled by the Packers.  They are easily into Rnd 2 with the most impressive performance of the tournament so far.

Favre: 13-20, 214 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT

Manning: 11-25 164 yds 3 INT

Bennett: 17 carries, 124 yds

Henderson: 2 TDs

Levens: 2 TDs

Edge: 20 carries, 81 yds

Brooks: 4 catches, 66 yds

Harrison: 3 catches, 48 yds

Robinson: 2 picks

Butler: 1 pick/1 sack

Bashir: 1 pick/1 sack

Player of the Game: Eugene Robinson