256 Team NFL Tournament: Region 4/Round 1: 2010 Green Bay Packers v. 1976 Baltimore Colts

 

'76 Vikings v. '15 Broncos

15. 1976 BALTIMORE COLTS at 2. 2010 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION GREEN BAY PACKERS

 2. 2010 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION GREEN BAY PACKERS

Record: 10-6

Pythag: 12-4

Off: 10th

Def: 2nd

2nd NFC North

d. Eagles WC 21-16

d. Falcons Div Rnd 48-21

d. Bears NFC Title 21-14

d. Steelers Super Bowl 31-25

HC Mike McCarthy, OC Joe Philbin DC Dom Capers

Wayne Larrivee/Larry McCarren

Lambeau Field: 40 degrees

Offense

QB Aaron Rodgers (27 Cal)

RB Brandon Jackson (25 Nebraska)

FB John Kuhn (28 Shippensberg)

WR Donald Driver (35 Alcorn St)

WR Greg Jennings (27 W Michigan)

TE Jermichael Finley (23 Texas)

LT Chad Clifton (34 Tenn)

LG Daryn Colledge (28 Boise)

C Scott Wells (29 Tenn)

RG Josh Sitton (24 C Florida)

RT Bryan Bulaga (21-R Iowa)

Defense

LDE Ryan Pickett (31 Ohio St)

NT BJ Raji (24 B College)

RDE Cullen Jenkins (29 C Michigan)

LOLB Clay Matthews (24 USC) All Pro

LILB AJ Hawk (26 Ohio St)

RILB Desmond Bishop (26 Cal)

ROLB Frank Zombo (23-R C Mich)

LCB Charles Woodson (34 Michigan)

RCB Tramon Williams (27 LA Tech)

SS Charlie Prepah (27 Alabama)

FS Nick Collins (27 Beth-Cook)

K Mason Crosby (26 Colorado)

P Tim Masthay (23 Kentucky)

KR Jordy Nelson (25 Kansas St)

PR Tramon Williams (27 La Tech)

Aaron Rodgers Super Bowl Champion Packers are the 2nd seed in Region 4 and it's because of the 2nd ranked defense in 2010.  The lone All Pro is 24 year old Clay Matthews with 13.5 sacks; 34 year old Charles Woodson made the Pro Bowl.  The offense is just okay, Rodgers is 27, 32 scores total and 11 picks.  He throws it to 27 year old Greg Jennings, 12 TDs.  

15. 1976 BALTIMORE COLTS

Record: 11-3

Pythag: 11-3

Off: 1st

Def: 13th

1st AFC East

Lost Steelers Div Rnd 40-14

HC Ted Marchibroda, DC Maxie Baughan 

Offense

QB Bert Jones (25 LSU) All Pro

RB Lydell Mitchell (27 Penn St)

FB Roosevelt Leaks (23 Texas)

WR Roger Carr (24 La Tech)

WR Glenn Doughty (25 Michigan)

TE Raymond Chester (28 Morg St)

LT Dave Taylor (27 Catawba)

LG Robert Pratt (25 UNC)

C Ken Mendenhall (28 Oklahoma)

RG Elmer Collett (28 S Francisco St)

RT George Kunz (29 N Dame)

Defense

LDE Fred Cook (24 S Miss)

LDT Mike Barnes (26 Miami)

RDT Joe Ehrmann (27 Syracuse)

RDE John Dutton (25 Nebraska) All Pro

LLB Derrel Luce (24 Baylor)

MLB Jim Cheyunski (31 Nebraska)

RLB Stan White (27 Ohio St)

LCB Lloyd Mumphord (30 Tex So)

RCB Nelson Munsey (28 Wyoming)

SS Bruce Laird (26 American Int)

FS Jackie Wallace (25 Arizona)

K Toni Linhart (34 Austria Tech)

P David Lee (33 La Tech)

KR/PR Howard Stevens (26 Louisville)

Baltimore's a 15th seed, but they're the team in this game with a top ranking, the Colts had the best offense in '76.  26 total TDs for 25 year old All Pro Bert Jones, 9 picks.  Lydell Mitchell is 27, had a combined 1750+ yards.  24 year old Roger Carr had 11 TDs. The Colts are the inverse of the Packers, the defense is just adequate, they've got an All Pro, 25 year old John Dutton. 

Colts offense vs. Packers defense. Let's go to Lambeau for the kick

1st Qtr

Packers start at the 31. 

3 and out.  Colts at the 35.  

3 and out.  Packers at the 25. 

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Incomplete

3/10 - Aaron Rodgers picks up the game's first first down - 24 yards to Greg Jennings.

And on the next play Quinn Johnson, getting his first carry, fumbles.  

Colts recover at their own 47.  

3 and out.  Packers at the 26.

1/10 - Brandon Jackson goes for 11.

1/10 - Rodgers to John Kuhn for 6.

2/4 - Rodgers to Jennings - 13 yards and the Pack crosses midfield.

That's it - drive dies here.  Colts take over after the punt at the 14.

And go 3 and out - the best offense from 1976 can't produce a single first quarter first down against the second best defense from 2010.  

Pack at their own 45, Kuhn gets a yard and we switch sides,

2nd Qtr

Defense only in the first qtr.  Neither side able to move the ball at all.

Pack w/2nd and 9 at the 46.

They lose 5 yards on the next 2 plays and punt.  

Colts at the 39, Howard Stevens with a nice return.  

1/10 - Lydell Mitchell for 5

2/5 - Lydell Mitchell for 5 and the first down.  

1/10 - Roosevelt Leaks stacked up at the line.

2/10 - Don McCauley carries for a yard. 

3/9 - Bert Jones finds Roger Carr for a big 26 yard pickup.  Colts at the 24.

1/10 - Mitchell for 11

1/10 - Leaks for 6 to the Packer 7

2/4 - Mitchell for 5 - Colts now with a first and goal at the 2.

1/goal - Mitchell is into the endzone -- TOUCHDOWN COLTS - With just 1 passing play the Colts go 61 yards in 6 minutes and score the game's first point.

Packers at the 23.  7:57

3 and out.  Colts to start at their own 42.  Good field position.  5:35 left in the half.

1/10 - McCauley for 2

2/8 - Ron Lee goes for 3.  

3/5 - Jones goes to Glenn Doughty for 7 yards.  Holding on the next play takes the Pack back 10.  

1/20 - Mitchell for 1

2/19 - Leaks for 4

3/16 - Bert Jones is really limiting his pass attempts, 1976 style, but he finds Lydell Mitchell for 17 here - first down for the Colts all the way to the Packer 34.  2 minute warning.  

The next 3 plays lose 8 yards when Clay Matthews sacks Jones. Colts punt - it rolls into the endzone for a touchback - the Pack has less than a minute, Rodgers will complete a 13 yard pass to Andrew Quarless, but get sacked by Stan White and it ends the half.  

Third Qtr

Defensive struggle - Colts top offense vs the Packers top defense, it's GB that's getting the better of that matchup - but on the other side the Packers offense just totally shut down, and it's Baltimore with the 7-0 lead.

Colts start at the 34.

3 and out.

Packers at the 39.  3 and out.

Colts at the 22.  3 and out -- we are full on getting a defensive battle in this 2/15 game.

Pack get good field position at their own 45.  9:29 left in the third.

1/10 - James Starks for 6

2/4 - Starks for 11 - Pack at the 38 and offsides gives them 5 more.

1/5 - Brandon Jackson runs for 20 - Packers getting yardage on the ground, all the way to the 13.

1/10 - Rodgers to Jennings for 7.

2/3 - Starks for 1

3/2 - Starks for 1

Pack just short of the 1st down, 4th and 1 at the 4. Down 7.  5:41 left in the third.

McCarthy decides to go for it.  It's a give to Ryan Grant -- he's  -- into the end zone -- TOUCHDOWN PACKERS -- Mike McCarthy decides to go for it on 4th and 1, not only does Grant pick it up - he's into the end zone and we are all tied up at 7, 5 minutes left - Colt ball at the 35.

1/10 - Mitchell for 2

2/8 - Mitchell goes for 13 - Colts at midfield

1/10 - Leaks for 3

2/7 - Jones finds Roger Carr - 20 yard pickup and the Colts are at the Pack 27.

1/10 - McCauley for 1

2/9 - Incomplete

3/9 - Jones finds Glenn Doughty for 14 - the Colts reach the Green Bay 12 yard line.

A McCauley run goes nowhere and the quarter ends

4th qtr

7-7 in this defensive battle, we've already seed the 3rd seed in region 4 fall, the second seed is getting all it wants here today.  Colts have a 2nd and 10 at the Packer 12.

And Lydell Mitchell goes off right tackle - and scoots his way into the end zone for the TOUCHDOWN COLTS - Baltimore takes the 14-7 lead-  the 15th seeds in Region 4 in Green Bay with a 7 point lead on the 2010 Super Bowl Champs.

Pack at the 38.  Nice runback by Jordy Nelson.  

1/10 - Rodgers to Jermichael Finley - 18 yards and the Packers are in Colts territory.

1/10 - Jackson for 3

2/7 - Rodgers to Kuhn for 7 yards - Packers with a first down at the Colts 34.

But that's it - the next 3 plays net 1 yard.....and then Crosby misses a 52 yard FG....the Packers come away with nothing and with 11:14 left Baltimore has possession at their own 42.

1/10 - Mitchell for 2.

2/8 - Jones to Roger Carr for 17 - that's a big play here, Colts up 7 picking up the first down to the Packer 39.  

1/10 - Leaks for 2

2/8 - Jones finds Ray Chester for 17 - hoooo, boy, are we about to see a 15 knock off a 2?  Exciting - Bert Jones to Ray Chester, the Baltimore Colts are at the Packer 20 yard line with 8:33 to go.  The 1976 Baltimore Colts are up 7 with a first down.

The next 3 plays lose 3 yards - Linhart......hits....the 40 yard FG and with under 7 minutes to go its 17-7.  

1/10 - Rodgers is buried by John Dutton, it's a 9 yard loss.

2/19 - Incomplete

3/19 - Incomplete

This is it, right?  4th and 19.  5:48 left.  17-7 Colts.

Rodgers picks it up.  Hits Finley for 20 yards and the Pack is at the 42.

1/10 - Rodgers to Jennings for 12 and the Pack crosses midfield.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Rodgers to Jackson for 8 - Pack stopping the clock at 4:36.

3/2 - Incomplete.

And it's another 4th down.  Packers need 2 scores.

4/2 - Rodgers finds Donald Driver for the big strike - 26 yards, Geen Bay stays alive at the 12.

The next 3 plays lose 4 yards, Stan White comes through with his 2nd sack - McCarthy takes the 3 points and with 3:30 left it's 17-10 Colts.

Packers kick it deep. Colts take over at the 21.  Pack needs a quick stop.  3:26 left.

1/10 McCauley gets 6.  Clock ticking.  

2/4 - Jones a quick pass over the middle to Carr - that's 9 and a first, the Packers did not expect that call in that spot - they call time, but that might be the dagger.  

1/10 - Mitchell goes for 13 - we're at the two minute warning and the Colts are at their own 49. 

1/10 - Mitchell goes for 15 and that might be that - the Packers use their second timeout, Lydell Mitchell gains 28 yards on the last 2 plays, there's 1:53 left and the Colts are at the 36.

1/10 - Leaks is stopped at the line, that's the last GB timeout.  

2/8 - Mitchell runs into the line.  Tick, tick, tick, tick.

3/7 - Mitchell gets 7 - he's going to be short - but stays in bounds, Colts will stop the clock themselves before the delay of game - as they're lining up for the 44 yard FG....

...Linhart hits it - and that will do it - Rodgers will have time for a couple of passes - but it ends here.

Final: Colts 20 Packers 10

Chaos at the bottom half of Region 4.  Two Super Bowl Champs, the 3rd seeded '16 Patriots and the 2nd seed '10 Packers both get bounced in the two biggest upsets of the tournament to date.

Jones: 10 for 16, 146 yds

Rodgers: 13 for 22, 168 yds

Mitchell: 23 carries, 112 yds, 2 TDs

Jackson: 9 carries, 44 yds

Carr: 4 receptions, 72 yds

Jennings: 4 receptions, 56 yds

White: 2 sacks

Player of the Game: Lydell Mitchell

So that finishes Region 4, we are 1/4 of the way through Rnd 1.  Here are the Rnd 2 matchups for Region 4

'91 Redskins v. '16 Falcons

'78 Steelers v. '21 Rams

'70 Lions v. '07 Cowboys

'15 Broncos v. '76 Colts

Region 4 Rnd 1 MVP - Matt Ryan

256 Team NFL Tournament: Region 4/Round 1: 1976 Minnesota Vikings v. 2015 Denver Broncos

'70 Lions v. '21 Chiefs 

10. 2015 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION DENVER BRONCOS at 7. 1976 NFC CHAMPION MINNESOTA VIKINGS

7. 1976 NFC CHAMPION MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Record: 11-2-1

Pythag: 11-3

Off: 9th

Def: 2nd

1st NFC Central

d. Skins Div Rnd 35-20

d. Rams NFC Title 24-13

Lost Super Bowl Raiders 32-14

HC: Bud Grant, OC Jerry Burns, DC Neill Armstrong

Metropolitan Stadium: 40 degrees

Joe McConnell

Offense

QB Fran Tarkenton (36 UGA)

RB Chuck Foreman (26 Miami)

FB Brent McClanahan (25 Ariz St)

WR Ahmad Rashad (27 Oregon)

WR Sammy White (22-R Grambling)

TE Stu Voigt (28 Wisc)

LT Steve Riley (24 USC)

LG Charles Goodrum (26 Florida A&M)

C Mick Tingelhoff (36 Nebraska)

RG Ed White (29 Cal)

RT Ron Yary (30 USC) All Pro

Defense

LDE Carl Eller (34 Minn)

LDT Doug Southerland (28 Wisc-Sup)

RDT Alan Page (31 N Dame)

RDE Jim Marshall (39 Ohio St)

LLB Matt Blair (26 Iowa St)

MLB Jeff Siemon (26 Stanford)

RLB Wally Hilgenberg (34 Iowa)

LCB Nate Wright (29 S Diego St)

RCB Nate Allen (28 Tex So)

SS Jeff Wright (27 Minn)

FS Paul Krause (34 Iowa)

K Fred Cox (38 Pitt)

P Neil Clabo (24 Tenn)

KR/PR Leonard Willis (23 Ohio St)

2 games left for Region 1/Round 1, the NFC Champion Vikes are the 7th seed on the strength of the second best defense from '76.  The PPE are aging but Page, at 31 is still a Pro Bowler.  29 year old Nate Wright had 7 picks. On offense, Tarkenton's 36, 18 total scores, 8 picks, 26 year old Chuck Foreman had 14 scores.  The 22 year old rookie Sammy White had 22 scores.  The 30 yr old RT Ron Yary was an All Pro. 

10. 2015 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION DENVER BRONCOS

Record: 12-4

Pythag: 10-6

Off: 19th

Def: 4th

1st AFC West

d. Steelers Div Rnd 23-16

d. Patriots AFC Title 20-18

d. Panthers Super Bowl 24-10

HC: Gary Kubiak, OC: Rick Dennison DC Wade Phillips

Offense

QB Peyton Manning (39 Tenn)

RB Ronnie Hillman (24)

WR Emmanuel Sanders (28)

WR Demaryius Thomas (28)

TE Owen Daniels (33)

TE Virgil Green (27)

LT Ryan Harris (30)

LG Evan Mathis (34)

C Matt Paradis (26)

RG Louis Vasquez (28)

RT Michael Schofield (25)

Defense

LDE Derek Wolfe (25)

NT Sylvester Williams (27)

RDE Malik Jackson (25)

LOLB Von Miller (26) All Pro

LILB Brandon Marshall (26)

RILB Danny Trevathan (26)

ROLB DeMarcus Ware (33)

LCB Aqib Talib (29)

RCB Chris Harris (26)

SS TJ Ward (29)

FS Darian Stewart (27)

K Brandon McManus (24)

P Britton Colquitt (30)

KR Omar Bolden (27)

PR Emmanuel Sanders (28)

The 2015 Super Bowl Champion Broncos are the 10th seeds in the region; 4th best defense in football - we've got a likely defensive battle in this one.  26 year old All Pro Von Miller and 33 year old DeMarcus Ware combined for 17.5 sacks. The offense is bad, Peyton Manning is 39, 9 scores and 17 picks, it's maybe the worst QB performance in the tournament. 28 year old Demaryius Thomas caught 105 balls.  

2nd best defense in '76 against the 4th best from '15 - let's head to Minnesota for the kick.

1st Qtr

Vikes start deep in their own end, at the 6.

Brent McClanahan goes for 13 on the first play - the next 3 net 9 yards and the Vikes kick.

Denver at their own 47.  

It's a pitch to CJ Anderson --- and he busts one -- CJ Anderson goes 53 yards all the way to the house -- TOUCHDOWN BRONCOS -- we came for a defensive battle but CJ Anderson breaks a 53 yard TD run on Denver's first play of the game.  7-0.

Vikes at the 28.  3 and out.

Broncos at the 37.

1/10 - Peyton Manning goes to Owen Daniels for 7.

-Two running plays gain 2 yards and Denver had 4th and 1 at their own 45.

And Kubiak decides to go for it. Alright - modern football decision - early 4th down and short go for the 2015 Broncos.

They pick if up - Ronnie Hillman gains a yard.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Manning to Demaryius Thomas for a yard.

3/9 - Manning to Emmanuel Sanders - 19 yard pick up - that's a first down all the way to the Viking 33.

1/10 - CJ Anderson goes for 19 - and Denver has a first down at the 11.

1/10 - Manning out of the backfield to Ronnie Hillman - breaks a tackle - Hillman - is Going to the End Zone -- TOUCHDOWN BRONCOS -- this maligned Broncos offense puts up 14 quick, quick points against the 2nd best defense from 1976 - and the game is barely underway and it's 14-0.

Vikes at the 32.

1/10 - Chuck Foreman goes for 5.

2/5 - Fran Tarkenton finds Sammy White, it's 9 yards and the first down and a face mask call tacks on 15.

1/10 - Chuck Foreman for 9 - Vikes at the 30.  

2/1 - McClanahan loses a yard.

3/2 - Von Miller busts through the line and drops Tarkenton - it's a 10 yard loss - Vikes stuck having to punt - touchback.

Just one play, Manning to Hillman for 3 and we move to the second qtr.

2nd Qtr

Denver comes into Minnesota, a low scoring game anticipated, and they score twice in the first qtr.  Denver's got a 2nd and 3 and their own 23.

Alan Page sacks Manning - Denver will punt.

Vikings at their own 45.

1/10 - McClanahan for 2.

2/8 - Foreman for 2.

3/6 - Tarkenton hits Bob Grim - 23 yards - all the way to the Denver 32.  

3 plays net 8 yards -- and then Fred Cox misses a 41 yard FG.  

Denver with the ball back at their own 31.  9:08 left.

They get a first down on a Hillman 10 yard run, but that's as far as it goes.  

Vikes at the 11.  6:46.  

1/10 - Foreman loses a yard.

2/11 - Tarkenton hits Sammy White for 17.  

1/10 - Foreman stacked up.

2/10 - Robert Miller gets a carry, it's 13 - Vikes out to the 40.

3 plays net 7 and it's a punt at the 2 minute warning.  

Broncos at the 27.

On the first play - Nate Allen steps in front of Sanders on the sidelne -- Picks Off - Peyton Manning -- and he runs untouched All the Way to the House TOUCHDOWN VIKINGS - Nate Allen takes a Peyton Manning pick 35 yards to the end zone -- and the Vikes slice the deficit in half.

Broncos at the 16.

1/10 - Manning to Daniels for 4.

2/6 - Manning to Hillman for 4 and a timeout.  

3/2 - Manning finds Sanders for 9, first down at the 33.

That's it - a Carl Eller sack essentially ends the half - there's a punt and a Tarkenton incompletion and we go to the locker room.

3rd Qtr

Second qtr is more of what we expected, all defense, with a Nate Allen pick 6 cutting Denver's lead to 14-7.

Broncos start at the 17.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Hillman gets 1

3/9 - Manning goes to Daniels for 17 - first down.

1/10 - Anderson for 13

1/10 - Anderson for 1

2/9 - Anderson is stacked up and Denver has another 3rd and 9.

3/9 - Again, Manning picks it up - Sanders for 16, Denver is at the Viking 40.

1/10 - Anderson for 7

2/3 - Incomplete

3/3 - Another third down - again, a pick up - Manning finding Vernon Davis for 7 yards and Denver is at the 26.

The next 3 plays net 2 yards - McManus hits the FG - Denver takes half the third quarter and extends its lead to 17-7.

Vikes start at the 25.

1/10 - Robert Miller stopped at the line.

2/10 - Miller gets a dozen.  

1/10 - McClanahan gets 2

2/8 - McClanahan loses 4 - third and a bunch.

3/12- Tarkenton hits Sammy White - 15 yards - Vikes are at midfield.

Next 3 plays net 5 yards and they kick back to Denver.  

Broncos at the 10.  2:53.  Up 17-7.

1/10 - Manning to Vernon Davis - VD has 23 yards, a penalty then knocks them back 5.

1/15 - Ronnie Hillman busts one - 49 yards -- Hillman all the way to the Viking 23 and now this crowd has to be super anxious - their Vikes haven't moved the ball - Denver's up 10, first down at the Minnesota 23 yard line.

The next 3 plays net 9 yards - as the quarter ends - Denver will have a 4th and 1 at the Viking 14.

4th Qtr -

Minnesota's only score today is the pick 6, that leaves Denver up 10 with a 4th and 1.  

They decide to kick.  It's good - and so the Vikes are now down 20-7.

Minnesota at their own 21.

1/10 - Foreman gets nothing.

2/10 - Tarkenton to McClanahan, 14 yards.

1/10 - Foreman loses 4.  

2/14 - Tarkenton finds Stu Voigt - 22 yards and the Vikes are across midfield.  

1/10 - Foreman for 12.  Vikes at the Denver 35.

The next 3 plays lose 3 yards - Minnesota has a 4th and 13 at the 38, down 20-7.

Bud Grant decides to punt.  And the Broncos have a touchback and that's just a rough 1976 decision.  

Denver gets a first down on a Hillman 8 yard run - but they're punting it back.  Vikes ball at their own 34, down 13, 7:08 to go.

1/10 - Foreman loses 3

2/13 - Miller gains 8.

3/5 - Tarkenton hits the home run - 53 yards to White -- the biggest Viking play of the day and they've got a first and goal.  

3 plays later, including a Von Miller sack - Minnesota's got a 4th and goal 

They go for it.  Tarkenton hits Ahmad Rashad with an 11 yard strike -- TOUCHDOWN VIKINGS - and now it's 20-14 Broncos.  

Broncos at the 30.  Can Minnesota get a quick stop?  4:17 left.

1/10 - Manning to Thomas for 10.  

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Manning to Thomas for a dozen.

1/10 - Manning to Thomas for 25 -- Kubiak decides to keep throwing here and Manning makes it count - Denver's all the way down to the 23 at the 2 minute warning.  

3 running plays later the Vikes are burning timeouts and Ronnie Hillman plunges into the endzone TOUCHDOWN BRONCOS - a 2 pt conversion makes it 28-14 with just a minute to go - Minnesota doesn't really go anywhere, the game ending on a third Von Miller sack.

Final: Broncos 28 Vikings 14

The 10th seeded Super Bowl Champion Broncos come into Minnesota and they handle the Vikes on both sides of the ball.  

Manning: 16 for 130, 165 yds, 1 TD/1 INT

Tarkenton: 13 for 27, 208 1 TD

Anderson: 11 carries, 109 yds, 1 TD

Hillman: 13 carries, 93 yds, 2 TD

Miller: 5 carries, 41 yds

Sanders: 4 catches, 50 yds

White: 4 catches, 94 yds

Miller: 3 sacks

Player of the Game: Von Miller

256 Team NFL Tournament: Region 4/Round 1: 1970 Detroit Lions v. 2021 Kansas City Chiefs

'16 Patriots v. '07 Cowboys 

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

256 Team NFL Tournament: Region 4/Round 1: 2016 New England Patriots v. 2007 Dallas Cowboys

'78 Steelers v. '62 Texans 

14. 2007 DALLAS COWBOYS at 3. 2016 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

3. 2016 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Record: 14-2

Pythag: 13-3

Off: 3rd

Def: 1st

d. Texans Div Rnd 34-16

d. Steelers AFC Title 36-17

d. Falcons Super Bowl 34-28

HC: Bill Belichick OC Josh McDaniels DC Matt Patricia 

Gillette Stadium: 50 degrees

Bob Socci/Scott Zolak

Offense

QB Tom Brady (39 Michigan)

RB LeGarrette Blount (30 Oregon)

WR Julian Edelman (30 Kent St)

WR Chris Hogan (29 Monmouth)

TE Martellus Bennett (29 Tex A&M)

TE Rob Gronkowski (27 Atizona)

LT Nate Solder (28 Colorado)

LG Joe Thuney (24-R NC St)

C David Andrews (24 Georgia)

RG Shaq Mason (23 Geo Tech)

RT Marcus Cannon (28 TCU)

Defense

LDE Chris Long (31 UVA)

LDT Alan Branch (32 Michigan)

RDT Malcolm Brown (22 Texas)

RDE Jabaal Sheard (27 Pitt)

LLB Jamie Collins (27 So Miss)

MLB Dont'a Hightower (26 Alabama)

RLB Rob Ninkovich (32 Purdue)

LCB Malcolm Butler (26 W Alabama)

RCB Logan Ryan (25 Rutgers)

SS Patrick Chung (29 Oregon)

FS Devin McCourty (29 Rutgers)

K Stephen Gostkowski (32 Memphis)

P Ryan Allen (26 La Tech)

KR Cyrus Jones (23 Alabama)

PR Julian Edelman (30 Kent St)

The '16 Falcons were super impressive in winning their round 1 matchup in the upper half of Region 4 - here's the team that beat them in the Super Bowl.  The Patriots have teams in both Regions 1 and 2 that have already moved forward - this squad had the top defense in football despite no All Pros and just 2 Pro Bowlers, 26 year old Dont'a Hightower and 29 year old Devin McCourty.  The offense is ranked third, Brady is 39, 28 scores, only 2 picks.  Big year for LeGarrette Blount, he scored 18 times.  Blount's 30 as is Julian Edelman who caught 98 balls.  

14. 2007 DALLAS COWBOYS

Record: 13-3

Pythag: 11-5

Off: 2nd

Def: 13th

Lost Div Rnd Giants 21-17

HC: Wade Phillips, OC: Jason Garrett, DC Brian Stewart

Offense

QB Tony Romo (27)

RB Julius Jones (26)

FB Oliver Hoyte (23)

WR Terrell Owens (34) All Pro

WR Patrick Crayton (28)

TE Jason Witten (25) All Pro

LT Flozell Adams (32)

LG Kyle Kosier (29)

C Andre Gurode (29)

RG Leonard Davis (29)

RT Marc Colombo (29)

Defense

LDE Marcus Spears (24) 

NT Jay Ratliff (26)

RDE Chris Canty (25)

LOLB Greg Ellis (32) 

LILB Bradie James (26)

RILB Akin Ayodele (28)

ROLB DeMarcus Ware (25) All Pro

LCB Jacques Reeves (25)

RCB Terence Newman (29)

SS Roy Williams (27)

FS Ken Hamlin (26)

K Nick Folk (23) 

P Mat McBriar (28)

KR Miles Austin (23)

PR Patrick Crayton (28)

The '07 Patriots took out the '83 Cowboys in Region 1; one of these Tony Romo teams lost a thriller in the Region 3 Play In. This '07 team had the second best offense in football.  Romo is 27, 38 total TDs, 19 picks.  He throws the ball to TO, 34 year old All Pro, 15 scores and nearly 1400 yards receiving. Jason Witten is 25, also an All Pro, 96 catches.  Average defensively, which is likely a concern the Cowboys will have real challenges overcoming, led by 25 year old DeMarcus Ware and 32 year old Greg Ellis who combined for 26.5 sacks.  Tough road ahead for this 14th seeded Dallas team, they head to face the third seed in region 4, the 2016 Super Bowl Champs.  Let's go to NE for the kick.

1st Qtr

Patriots start at the 12.

1/10 - LeGarrette Blount gets the first carry, loses 2.

2/12 - Blount again, getting 3.

3/9 - Tom Brady's first pass is to James White out of the backfield, he scoots ahead for 14 and the first down.  

1/10 - Brady to Chris Hogan for a dozen to the 39.  

1/10 - Blount stacked up.

2/10 - Brady to Julian Edelman, it's 13 and a first down.  

1/10 - Blount for 7.

2/3 - White picks it up.  

1/10 - Oh - it's Brady - home run - 38 yard strike to the rookie Malcolm Mitchell -- TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS - 83 yards in 9 plays, the Patriots making it look easy - they do blow the XP on an issue with the snap, so it's 6-0.

Dallas at the 24.  

1/10 - Tony Romo comes out looking for Terrell Owens.  10 yards -you have to think for Dallas to stay in this one, TO needs a monster game.  

1/10 - Julius Jones is stopped at the line.

2/10 - Jones again - he busts one - Flozell Adams clearing the way - Jones goes for 40 to the 26 yard line.  

1/10 - Oliver Hoyte for 3.

2/7 - Romo to Jones - right at the sticks, Dallas 3rd and short at the 17.

3/1 - Barber is shut down at the line - Hightower closing hard to the LOS and busting up the play.  

Wade Phillips with 4th and short decides to kick and Nick Folk makes it 6-3.

Patriots at the Dallas 33 after the big runback from Cyrus Jones.  Dallas can't give up big return yards and hope to stay in the game.  

1/10 - Blount for 4.

2/6 - White for 1 - a holding call drops the Patriots back 10 and it's 3rd and 15.  

3/15 - Brady to Martellus Bennett - it's a 25 yard gain - it's a big gainer to the 13 yard line.

1/10 - Dion Lewis carry loses 2.

2/12 - Incomplete

3/12 - Brady looking to the endzone -- Julian Edelman -- TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS - 15 yards from Brady to Edelman - Brady's got 2 first qtr TD passes and the Patriots are up 13-3.

Dallas at the 23.  1:24.

Romo looks to TO on the sideline and he is Picked Off by Malcolm Butler - Butler is down at the Dallas 36 yard line - Butler picks Romo and the Patriots, already up 10, take possession.

The next 2 plays net a yard, that ends the qtr.

2nd Qtr

The Patriots doing Patriot things - two scores and a pick - easy goings here at Gillette, Patriots have a 3rd and 9 at the Dallas 35.  

Brady picks it up - 17 yards to Michael Floyd - Patriots at the 18.

The next 3 plays net 3 yards - Gostkowski hits the FG and it's 16-3.

Dallas at the 36.  12:45 left in the half.

1/10 - Jones for 1

2/9 - Romo finds Jason Witten for 33 - big gainer all the way to the Patriot 30.

1/10 - Hoyte for 2

2/8 - Marion Barber gets a carry and goes for a dozen.  First down at the 16.

1/10 - Barber loses 2.

2/12 - Romo in trouble, escapes contain and gets 4.

3/8 - Romo - over the middle - TO - at the goal line - he bounces off a defender as in into the endzone -- TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS - Dallas goes 64 yards in 4 minutes and gets back into the game, down 16-10.  Romo 14 yards to Owens for the score.

Patriots at the 22.  8:32.  

On the first play - Brady hits Edelman for 34 - New England crosses midfield.

The next 3 plays gain 5 - Patriots with 4th and 5 at the Dallas 39 -- Bellichik decides to punt.

Dallas at the 18.  6:11 left.  

On 3rd and 7 - Romo throws his second pick - a big downfield shot is picked off by Devin McCourty -- Patriots regain at the Cowboy 49, 4:43 left.

3 and out.  

Dallas regains at the 12.  3:04 left in the half.

1/10 - Barber for 1.

2/9 - Jones for 12.  2 minute mark.

1/10 - Romo to Barber for 3, out of bounds.  

2/7 - Romo to Owens over the middle for a dozen - Dallas uses their first time out, first down at the 41, 1:50 left.  

1/10 - Sweep left - Jones - Jones has a first down -- and will make the sidelines - Jones is out of bounds across midfield, 1:43 left.  

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Romo ginds Patrick Crayton on the sideline - it's a 15 yard gain and a first down, still 90 seconds left.  

1/10 - Romo to Barber for 9 - Cowboys hustle to the line - 

2/1 - Romo tries to sneak for the first down - but the Patriots stuff him and Dallas has to use its second time out.  

3/2 - Romo rolls out - finds Owens- Owens has the first - Owens fights his way to the sideline

- thats a first down for Dallas at the Patriot 16 yard line, 52 seconds left.  

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Incomplete

3/10 - Romo finds Sam Hurd over the middle at the sticks -- Hurd's got the first down - 26 seconds left - Dallas using its last time out, first and goal at the 7 yard line.  

1/goal - Romo finds Witten at the goal line -- but he's stopped by Ninkovich.  Ninkovich stops Witten, tick, tick, tick -- Romo runs to the line - Romo gets it off - Romo rolling - Romo floating to the end zone -- Patrick Crayton -- TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS -- Romo to Crayton - TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS - Dallas hits the XP and we head to the locker room, Cowboys 17 Patriots 16

Third Qtr

The Patriots were up 16-3 on the strength of two Brady TD passes - but Romo comes back with two scores of his own and it's 17-16 Dallas.  The 14th seed in region 4, on the road, giving the 3rd seeded Pats all they want.  

Dallas at the 37.

1/10 - Romo finds Owens for 11.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Romo to Witten - 25 yards at the way to the New England 27 yard line!

8 yards in the next 3 plays - Phillips decides to kick the short FG - Dallas goes up 20-16.

Cyrus Jones with another big return - all the way to midfield.

3 and out.  Dallas to start at the 17.  8:52.  

They pick up 2 first downs, a Jones 12 yard run, a Barber 8 yard reception and get out near midfield - but still punt the ball back.  

Patriots at the 26.  5:26.

They'll get a first down, Brady to White for 11.  But they punt it back.  

Dallas at their own 27.  2:08.  

Two plays gain 2 yards - and then Romo hits back to back completions to Witten (14 yards_ and Owens (12) yards to get across midfield as the quarter ends.  

4th Qtr

Defense in the third - this Patriot crowd starting to get anxious, their side hasn't moved the ball much since the first qtr.  It's the Cowboys with the 4 pt lead and the ball at the Patriot 47, first down, as we turn to the final qtr.

1/10 - Jones for 5

2/5 - Romo to Barber for 4 - third and short.

3/1 - Romo to pass - Romo to Barber for 7 -- its a first down, the Cowboys are at the 31.

1/10 - Barber gets 1

2/9 - Hoyte gets 2 and here's another 3rd down.  

3/7 - Romo to Witten - its a big, big 9 yard gain - a first down at the Patriot 19 yard line.

1/10 - Jones for 5.

2/5 - Barber -- Barber right up the gut -- Marion Barber is in the endzone -- TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS - Dallas has a 12 play, 7 and a half minute drive - they go up 27-16 - the 14th seeded Cowboys now up 2 scores on the 3rd seeded Patriots.

Patriots at the 23.  10 minutes left in the game.

3 and out -- Hooooo, boy.  We have not seen an upset like this in the tournament - Dallas, seeded 14th in the region, is up 11 and getting the ball back.

Cowboys at their own 42.  7:55.

A 34 yard Romo to Crayton gets Dallas to the Patriot 28 - a Jamie Collins strip sack gives the ball back to New England - giving the Patriots one more gasp of life with 4:24 left to play in the game.

The Patriots get 1 first down on an 11 yard pass to Lewis - but a DeMarcus Ware sack will make it 4th and 15 - Brady's pass is incomplete and the Cowboys have the ball near midfield, under 3 minutes to go, up 27-16.

3 and out. Patriots regain at their own 15, under 2 minutes now, needing 2 scores.

Greg Ellis sacks Brady on 4th and 9 - the ball goes back over on downs with just over a minute to play - Dallas runs the ball into the line 3 times, the Patriots use all their timeouts - Dallas kicks a chip shot FG, there's only a handful of seconds left on the clock and we have a final score.  Wow!

Final: Cowboys 30 Patriots 16

New England had two scores and 2 picks early in the game and then couldn't move the ball at all the rest of the way - Romo and the Cowboys with the biggest upset to date in the tournament and we shake up the bottom half of region 4 with the 2016 Super Bowl Champs going home.

Just 14 first downs for NE - the maligned Cowboy defense really stands up the final 3 qtrs.

Romo: 21 for 30, 250 yds, 2 TD/2 INT

Brady: 16 for 27, 217 yds, 2 TD

Jones: 17 carries, 107 yds

Blount: 17 carries, 29 yds

Witten: 5 catches, 80 yds

Owens: 4 catches, 67 yds, 1 TD

McCourty: 15 tackes, INT

Player of the Game: DeMarcus Ware

256 Team NFL Tournament: Region 4/Round 1: 1978 Pittsburgh Steelers v. 1962 Dallas Texans

'59 Colts v. '21 Rams 

13. 1962 AFL CHAMPION DALLAS TEXANS at 4. 1978 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION PITTSBUFGH STEELERS

4. 1978 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION PITTSBURGH STEELERS 

Record: 14-2

Pythag: 13-3

Off: 5th

Def: 1st

d. Broncos Div Rnd 33-10

d. Oilers AFC Title 34-5

d. Cowboys Super Bowl 35-31

HC: Chuck Noll, DC George Perles

Three Rivers Stadium: 45 degrees

Jack Fleming/Myron Cope

Offense

QB Terry Bradshaw (30 LA Tech) All Pro

RB Franco Harris (28 Penn St)

RB Rocky Bleier (32 N Dame)

WR John Stallworth (26 Alabama A&M)

WR Lynn Swann (26 USC) All Pro

TE Randy Grossman (26 Temple)

LT Jon Kolb (31 Okla St)

LG Sam Davis (34 Allen)

C Mike Webster (26 Wisc) All Pro

RG Gerry Mullins (29 USC)

RT Ray Pinney (24 Wash)

Defense

LDE LC Greenwood (32 Ark P-Bluff )

LDT Joe Greene (32 N Tex)

RDT John Banaszak (28 E Mich)

RDE Dwight White (29 Tex A&M Comm)

LLB Jack Ham (30 Penn St) All Pro

MLB Jack Lambert (26 Kent St)

RLB Loren Toews (27 Cal)

RCB Mel Blount (30 Southern)

LCB Ron Johnson (22-R E Mich)

SS Donnie Shell (26 S Carolina St)

FS Mike Wagner (29 W Illinois)

K Roy Gerela (30 N Mex St)

P Craig Colquitt (24 Tenn)

KR Larry Anderson (22 La Tech)

PR Theo Bell (25 Arizona)

We welcome the 1970s Steeler dynasty the tournament, here's the 1978 Super Bowl Champs, 4th seeds in Region 4, which seems a little low - top defense in the league. One All Pro, 30 year old Jack Ham - 5 other Pro Bowlers, Greenwood and Mean Joe are both 32, Lambert's 26, Mel Blount is 30 and Donnie Shell is 26.  The offense is 5th overall, 3 All Pros, Bradshaw is 30, 29 total scores and 20 picks.  Lynn Swann and Mike Webster are both 26, Swann had 11 scores.  Like our last game, we get a SB Champ against a pre-SB era Champ, winner to face the 2021 Rams in the next rnd.

13. 1962 AFL CHAMPION DALLAS TEXANS

Record 11-3

Pythag: 11-3

Off: 1st

Def: 1st

d. Oilers AFL Title 20-17

HC Hank Stram

Offense

QB Len Dawson (27 Purdue) All Pro

RB Abner Haynes (25 N Texas) All Pro

FB Curtis McClinton (23 Kansas)

WR Bill Miller (22-R Miami)

WR Chris Burford (24 Stanford) All Pro

TE Fred Arbanas (23-R Michigan)

LT Jim Tyrer (23 Ohio St)

LG Marvin Terrell (24 Ole Miss)

C Jon Gilliam (24 Tex A&M Comm)

RG Al Reynolds (24 Tarkio)

RT Jerry Cornelison (26 SMU)

Defense

LDE Curt Merz (24-R Iowa)

LDT Paul Rochester (24 Mich St)

RDT Jerry Mays (23 SMU)

RDE Mel Branch (25 LSU)

LLB EJ Holub (24 T Tech) All Pro

MLB Sherrill Headrick (25 TCU) All Pro

RLB Smokey Stover (24 La Monroe)

LCB Duane Wood (25 Okla St)

RCB Dave Grayson (23 Oregon)

LS Bobby Hunt (22-R Auburn) All Pro

RS Johnny Robinson (24 LSU)

K Tommy Brooker (23 Alabama)

P Eddie Wilson (22 Arizona)

KR Dave Grayson (23 Oregon)

PR Frank Jackson (23 SMU)

It's the pre-Kansas City Chiefs; the '62 Texans won the AFL Title and were first in both offense and defense. Lenny Dawson is 27, 32 total scores, 17 picks. He's an All pro, as is 25 year old Abner Haynes who scored 19 TDs in 14 games - and 24 year old Chris Burford who scored a dozen times.  Two All Pros linebackers, it's too early for Lanier and Bell - this is 24 year old EJ Holub and 25 year old Sherrill Headrick. The rookie safety Bobby Hunt is also an All pro with 8 picks.

The battle of World Champions in the prior game went down to the last play - let's see what happens in Pittsburgh with this one.  Let's go to Three Rivers for the kick.

First Qtr

Steelers open at the 32.

On the first play from scrimmage, Franco fumbles - he and Bradshaw never quite getting the handoff situated - the Chiefs recover and take over at the Steeler 34.  

1/10 - Abner Haynes gers 1

2/9 - Lenny Dawson to Fred Arbanas for 14 - Chiefs now at the 19.

1/10 - Curtis McClinton gets 1.

2/9 - Haynes again, 15 yards - all the way to the Steeler 3 yard line for a first and goal.

That's it.  The drive ends on an LC Greenwood sack - Tommy Brooker short FG makes it 3-0 Chiefs.

Steelers at the 38.

1/10 - Chuck Noll tries again - Franco gets the carry and he gets 14.  5 yards is tacked on and it's 1st and 5 at the Dallas 43.  

1/10 - Rocky Bleier gets a carry, it's a dozen yards to the 31.  

1/10 - Franco for 1.

2/9- Incomplete

3/9 - Bradshaw's first completion - it's to Swann - 14 yards and a first down at the Texan 16.

1/10 - Bradshaw finds Randy Grossman ovee the middle for 13.  

1/goal - Franco picks his way into the end zone -- TOUCHDOWN STEELERS - It takes just 3 and a half minutes and the Steelers are up 7-3.

Chiefs at the 19.  6:39.

1/10 - McClinton stacked up.

2/10 - Dawson to Haynes for 8.

3/2 - McClinton picks it up.  

1/10 - Dawson to Chris Burford for 7.

2/3 - McClinton gets 1

3/2 - Haynes picks it up.  

1/10 - McClinton gets 2

2/8 - Haynes gets 5

3/3 - Dawson finds Burford for a 24 yard gain - all the way to the Steeler 30.

Last two plays of the quarter net 6, it's 3rd and 4 as we switch sides.

2nd Qtr

Franco is the key figure in the first qtr, he scored the game's TD and his fumble led to the Texan FG.  Dallas has 3rd and 4 at the 24 - they don't pick it up, Brooker hits another FG and it's 7-6.

Steelers at the 20.

1/10 - Bleier loses 1.

2/11 - Bradshaw goes vertical - Swann - acrobatic catch around midfield.  

1/10 - Franco gets 4.

2/6 - Franco loses 1

3/7 - Bradshaw goes to his other receiver - it's 22 to Stallworth and now the Steelers are at the 27.

1/10 - Franco for 2

2/8 - Bleier gets a dozen - it's a first down at the 13, a Steeler penalty then backs them up 5 -- and that will be it -- the Steelers lose a yard over the next 3 plays - Roy Gerela....misses...a 36 yard FG attempt and the Chiefs get the ball back at their own 26, down 7-6, 8:34 left in the half.

3 and out.  Steelers good field position at their own 43.  

3 and out.  Chiefs at their own 24.  4:07 left in the half.  Down 7-6.

1/10 - Haynes goes for 5.

2/5 - Incomplete

3/5 - Haynes goes for 15, Chiefs up to their own 44.  

The next 3 plays net 3 yards.  Chiefs punt to the Steeler 31, 1:38 left.

1/10 - Bradshaw short to Bennie Cunningham, makes a man miss and makes his way out of bounds after a big 23 yard gain.  

The next 3 plays net 2 yards and the Steelers punt it back with 1:02 left.  

Chiefs at the 24.  3 and out.  Bradshaw gets 1 play, a 22 yard pass to Grossman and we hit halftime.  

Third Quarter

Top defense from '78 vs the top AFL defense from '62 and this is what we get, 7-6 Steelers.

Cheifs start at the 34.  3 and out.

Steelers at their 34, they get a first down on an 11 yard pass to Swann, but punt from just inside Chiefs teritory - it's a good one, Chiefs pinned back at their own 4.  

They get out to the 30 on a 10 yard run by Frank Jackson and a 14 yard run by Haynes - but a Jack Ham sack ends the drive, Steelers to start at their own 45.  4:48 left in the third.  

1/10 - Bleier gets 1

2/9 - Franco gets 1

3/8 - Bradshaw finds Bleier for a dozen.  Steelers in KC territory.

1/10 - Franco gets 6, a holding call on the next play makes it 2nd and 14.

2/14 - Sidney Thornton's first carry, gets 1. 

3/13 - Bradshaw picks it up - finds Swann for 16 yards and the Steelers are at the KC 28.

The next two plays net 5, the quarter ends - as we start the 4th, Pittsburgh has a big 3rd and 5 at the KC 23, up 7-6 in this defensive battle.

4th Qtr -

Third and 5 at the 23 - Bradshaw is going for it -- looks to the end zone --- Stallworth --- TOUCHDOWN STEELERS -- Bradshaw strike to Stallworth on the first play of the 4th quarter extends the lead to 14-6.

Chiefs at the 27.  14:46.

1/10 - McClinton for 16.  Holding on the next play.  

The Chiefs get 6 on the next 3 downs, leading a 3rd and 14.

Steelers start at the 26.  12:26.  Bradshaw finds Grossman for 10 - but that's all.  Dallas regains at the 30.  10:42.  They need to move the ball.  

1/10 - Haynes is stopped.

2/10 - Dawson to Arbanas for 18 - Chiefs out near midfield.  They really need a score.

1/10 - McLinton for 5.

2/5 - Haynes loses a yard.

3/5 - Dawson finds McClinton on the sideline - he makes his way all the way to the Steeler 25 - that's the big play the Chiefs have needed and now, with 7:15 left, down 14-6, the Chiefs have a first down at the 25 yard line.  Big, big play.

1/10 - Haynes gets 2.

2/8 - Dawson finds Bill Miller, it's 4 yards - big, big third and 4 at the 19.

3/4 - A give to Haynes gets just one.  

Hank Stram has a decision - kick the FG, just a 35 yarder, cutting the deficit to 14-9. or go for it.  Just 5:15 to go.  

Stram.....goes for it.

Dawson drops back - Dawson looks over the middle - Dawson looking for Arbanas -- Knocked Down by Ham - Jack Ham deflects the Dawson pass and the Steelers take over at their own 18 yard line, just 5:12 to go.

1/10 - Franco for 1.

2/9 - Bleier for 2

3/7 - Bradshaw finds Stallworth - it's 27 yards -- that's a huge, huge play - Steelers near midfield.

1/10 - Bradshaw to Stallworth again for 7.

2/3 - Bradshaw keeps throwing - Swann for 9, Steelers with their foot on the gas - at the Chiefs 36 with just 2:13 left and an 8 pt lead.

1/10 - Bleier gets 2

2/8 - Franco gets 6.

3/2 - Franco gets 5 - the Texans are stopping the clock now - but that might be that - Steelers with the first down at the 23.  

1/10 - Franco for 2 

2/8 - Franco busts it - Franco rumbles into the end zone -- TOUCHDOWN STEELERS - and that's the ballgame - a minute to go - Steelers up 21-6.

Chiefs get to about midfield as the clock expires.  

Final: Steelers 21 Texans 6

The Steeler defense was number one in 1978 and we see why here.  

Bradshaw: 16 for 25, 247 yds, 1 TD

Dawson: 11 for 21, 117 yds

Franco: 19 carries, 77 yds 2TD

Haynes: 19 carries, 82 yds

Swann: 5 catches, 79 yds

Stallworth: 4 catches, 79 yds 1 TD

Arbanas 3 catches, 39 yds

Player of the Game: Jack Ham

That's the upper half of region 4 - the 4 winners:

1991 Redskins

2016 Falcons

2021 Rams

1978 Steelers