256 Team NFL Tournament: Region 7/Round 1: 1979 San Diego Chargers v. 1980 Oakland Raiders

'00 Ravens v. '05 Seahawks

 

10. 1980 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION OAKLAND RAIDERS at 7. 1979 SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

7. 1979 SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

Record: 12-4

Pythag: 12-4

Off: 2nd

Def: 2nd

1st AFC West

lost Div Round Oilers 17-14

HC Don Coryell OC Joe Gibbs DC Jackie Simpson

San Diego Stadium: 65 degrees

Ralph Lawler

Offense:

QB Dan Fouts All Pro (28 Oregon)

RB Mike Thomas (26 UNLV)

RB Clarence Williams (24 S Carolina)

WR John Jefferson All Pro (23 Ariz St)

WR Charlie Joiner (32 Grambling)

TE Bob Klein (32 USC)

LT Billy Shields (26 Geo Tech)

LG Doug Wilkerson (32 NC Central)

C Bob Rush (24 Memphis)

RG Ed White (32 Cal)

RT Russ Washington (33 Missouri)

Defense

LDE Leroy Jones  (29 Norfolk)

LDT Wilbur Young (30 William Penn)

RDT Big Hands Johnson (27 Grambling)

RDE Fred Dean (27 LA Tech)

LLB Ray Preston (25 Syracuse)

MLB Bob Horn (25 Oregon St)

RLB Woody Lowe (25 Alabama)

LCB Willie Buchanon (29 S Diego St)

RCB Mike Williams (26 LSU)

SS Mike Fuller (26 Auburn)

FS Glen Edwards (32 Florida A&M)

K Mike Wood  (25 SE Missouri St)

P Jeff West (26 Cincinnati)

KR Artie Owens (26 W Virginia)

PR Mike Fuller (26 Auburn)

There won't be many opportunies (this migh be it) for these Fouts/Coryell Chargers; they're at home here, 7th seeds in the region.  Number 2 in both offense and defense in '79 despite that first round knockout in the playoffs.  Fouts is 28, 26 TD, 24 picks (different world) he throws to two thousand yard receivers, his All Pro, 23 year old John Jefferson, who scored 10 times, and 32 year old Charlie Joiner.  On defense, the left side of the line went to the Pro Bowl, 27 year old Fred Dean and Big Hands Johson.   Don Coryell and Joe Gibbs leading these Chargers into the tournament.  

 10. 1980 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION OAKLAND RAIDERS

Record: 11-5

Pythag: 10-6

Off: 7th

Def: 10th

2nd AFC West

d. Oilers WC 27-7

d. Browns Div Rnd 14-12

d. Chargers AFC Title 34-27

d. Eagles Super Bowl 27-10

HC Tom Flores DC Charlie Sumner

Offense

QB Jim Plunkett (33 Stanford)

RB Kenny King (23 Oklahoma)

FB Mark van Eeghan (28 Colgate)

WR Cliff Branch (32 Colorado)

WR Bobby Chandler (31 USC)

TE Ray Chester (32 Morgan St)

LT Art Shell (34 ME Shore)

LG Gene Upshaw (35 A&M Kingsville)

C Dave Dalby (30 UCLA)

RG Mickey Marvin  (25 Tenn)

RT Henry Lawrence (29 Florida A&M)

Defense

LDE John Matuszak (30 Tampa)

NT Reggie Kinlaw (23 Oklahoma)

RDE Dave Browning (24 Wash)

LOLB Ted Hendricks All Pro (33 Miami)

LILB Matt Millen  (22-R Penn St)

RILB Randy McClanahan (26 Louisiana)

ROLB Rod Martin (26 USC)

LCB Lester Hayes All Pro (25 A&M)

RCB Monte Jackson (27 S Diego St)

SS Mike Davis (24 Colorado) 

FS Burgess Owens (29 Miami)

 

K Chris Bahr (27 Penn St)

P Ray Guy (31 S Miss)

KR Arthur Whittington (25 SMU)

PR Ira Matthews (23 Wisconsin)

The 1980 Super Bowl Champs are here; they're the 10th seed in the region, not really bringing anything noteworthy on either side of the ball.  Jim Plunkett's 33, 20 scores, 16 picks. 31 year old Bobby Chandler caught 10 TD passes.  Two All Pros on defense, 25 year old Lester Hayes, who had 13 picks and 33 year old Ted Hendricks.

In '79, the Chargers split their 2 games with the Raiders.  The following season, the Raiders split their two games with the Chargers in the regular season -- and then knocked them out in the rubber match, beating San Diego to win the AFC Championship.  Here's game 6.  Let's go to San Diego for the kick.

1st Qtr

The Chargers will open at the 16.

3 and out.

Raider ball at their own 46.

1/10 Mark van Eeghan gets 2.

2/8 - Jim Plunkett going downfield -- Raiders going vertical -- Plunkett to Bobby Chandler for 31 yards.  

1/10 - van Eeghan picks up 10, Raiders quickly at the Charger 11.

1/10 - Kenny King for 3.

2/7 - Plunkett is dropped-Big Hands Johnson with the big sack.

3/14 - Plunkett to King - flashing over the middle -- King...Kenny King muscles his way into the endzone-- TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS - it takes the Raiders just 6 plays to put 7 points on the board and we are off and running.  Plunkett 15 yards to Kenny King.  

Chargers at the 20.

3 and out.

Again, good field position, Oakland at their own 47.

1/10 - King gets 4

2/6 - van Eeghan gets 9, Raiders at the Charger 40.

1/10 - Van Eeghan for 4.

2/6 - Fred Dean is in the backfield- crushing Arthur Whittington for a huge loss.

3/14 - Plunkett - sideline - to Cliff Branch -- Branch is inbounds -- and he's at the sticks -- Okland picks it up - Raiders to the SD 24 yard line.

1/10 - Van Eeghan for 4.

2/6 - Plunkett, trouble -- play has broken down - Plunkett across the line -- Plunkett - great job there by Jim Plunkett, 9 yards all the way to the San Diego 11 yard line.

The drive ends here - short Bahr FG makes it 10-0, the kickoff is the last play of the qtr, SD will start at their own 25, down 10-0

2nd Qtr: Raiders 10 Chargers 0

Oakland dominates here - San Diego doesn't have a first down, while the Raiders have two long scoring drives.  Chargers start at the 25.

1/10 - Dan Fouts completes his first pass - its to John Jefferson for 10.  San Diego has a first down.

1/10 - Clarence Williams carries.  Nothing.  

2/10 - Mike Thomas screen - Thomas behind White and Washington -- Thomas cuts to the sideline -- AND THOMAS IS GONNA GO!  OPEN FIELD -- 40....30...20...10 -- Mike Thomas goes 65 yards -- into the end zone --- TOUCHDOWN CHARGERS - Mike Thomas goes 65 yards and just like that - 3 plays, 75 yards -- San Diego cuts it to 10-7.

Raiders at the 21.  They get a first down on a 9 yard Van Eeghan run -- but it ends at the 34 and the Chargers get the ball back at their own 33.

1/10 - Thomas on the carry - Ted Hendricks rips the ball clean away -- Fumble -- Fumble- Hendricks has the football and the Raiders regain possession at the Charger 38 yard line.

Oakland gains 7 yards on 3 plays --- Bahar....misses....the 48 yard FG and the Chargers take over, there's a false start so it is 1st and 15 at the 33.

1/15 - Fouts to Clarence Williams out of the backfield -- he picks up blockers and he's got 15, Joe Gibbs has maybe found a route to attack the Raiders defense.  

1/10 - Lydell Mitchell stopped.

2/10 - Mitchell stopped again.

3/10 -- John Jefferson vs Lester Hayes was the marquee matchup today -- JJ gets him here, 21 yards, Chargers at the Raider 30.  

1/10 - Williams loses 1.

2/11 - Incomplete

3/11 - Fouts drops back --pump fake -- Fouts throwing to the endzone -- Larry Burton --- TOUCHDOWN CHARGERS -- Fouts 31 yards to Burton - San Diego scores again, it's 14-10 now.  Raiders will start at the 39 with 4 minutes left in the half.  

1/10 - King gets 2

2/8 - Plunkett dump off to Van Eeghan, 3 yards.

3/5 - Van Eeghan gets 4 -- we're at the 2 minute warning, Raiders at their own 48, 4th and 1.

Flores decides to go for it.  Well, here's an inflection point, Raiders down 4, risking giving the ball back to the Chargers.  2 minute warning.

4/1 - Van Eeghan lowers his shoulder and picks it up.  Nice call by Flores.  

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Plunkett to Cliff Branch - 15 yards and Oakland stops the clock.  

1/10 - Plunkett to Branch again -- 25 yard shot - really nice throw by Plunkett on the sideline, Branch it out of bounds at the 10 - first and goal for Oakland with 90 seconds left.  

1/goal - Plunkett - quick drop - fires over the middle - caught - Dave Casper -- at the goal -- Casper is into the endzone -- TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS - the veteran Casper is the second TE for these Raiders, bur he's into the endzone here - Plunkett finds him and it's 17-14 Oakland.  Chargers at the 20, 1:23 left.  

1/10 - Fouts dump off to Thomas, 3 yards and he's out of bounds.  

2/7 - Incomplete

3/7 - Fouts picks it up -- John Floyd with 11 yards, San Diego stops the clock at the 34, 48 seconds left in the half.  

1/10 - Fouts, in trouble - goes to Charlie Joiner -- 6 yards, he's out of bounds.

2/4 - Fouts - another dump off, Clarence Williams, he picks up the first down and is out of bounds, 34 seconds left in the half, Chargers at their own 45.  

1/10 - Fouts -- again to Williams - 8 more yards and again, out of bounds with 23 seconds left in the half.  

2/2 - Fouts drops back now -- Fouts rifling one over the middle -- John Jefferson is there -- all the way to the Oakland 21 yard line - San Diego stops the lock at 12 seconds left.  

1/10 - Fouts - drops back - Fouts -- End Zone -- Jefferson -- Broken Up by Lester Hayes -- Nice play by Hayes, there's 1 second left - San Diego brings on Benirschke - he makes the kick - and we go into the lockers all tied at 17.

Third qtr: Chargers 17 Raiders 17

Oakland scored the first 10 - San Diego came back with the next 14 - and it's now all tied at 17, we've got a good one here in San Diego, just a couple games left to finish Region 7, round 1.

Oakland starts at the 18.  

1/10 - Nothing for Van Eeghan.

2/10 - Nothing for King.

3/10 - Plunkett to Van Eeghan over the middle and he - Fights - his way to the sticks, just does make the first down.  

1/10 - Kenny King with some daylight, 16 yards - daylight hard to come by today, but now the Raiders reach the 46.  

The drive stops there, a Fred Dean sack takes Oakland back 6 - after the punt the Chargers start at the 26.

1/10 - Thomas gets 1

2/9 - Williams stopped at the line.

3/9 - Fouts going up top - he hits Floyd - 23 yards and the Chargers are at midfield.

1/10 - Thomas gets 1

2/9 - Fouts over the middle to Bob Klein - Klein's first catch of the day, it's 10 and the first.

1/10 - Thomas gets 5 to the Raider 34.

2/5 - Pitch right to Williams, Williams turns the corner -- Williams has a step -- and He is Gonna Go -- He is Gonna Go -- Clarence Williams run 34 yards into the Oakland end zone - TOUCHDOWN CHARGERS and San Diego regains the lead, 24-17.  

Oakland at the 25.

1/10 - Nice gain for King - the vets Shell and Upshaw starting to maybe wear down this Charger line, 21 yards for Kenny King.  

1/10 - Nothing for Van Eeghan.

2/10 - Quick out to Branch, he gets 5 and it's 3rd and 5 at the Charger 39.

3/5 - King goes off tackle left -- he's got it - a dozen more for Kenny King, Shell and Upshaw clearing a big path there -- Oakland now at the 27 yard line.  

That's the end of the drive - Gary Johnson's second sack moves Oakland back -- Bahr hits the 47 yard kick, it's 24-20 Chargers.

Chargers at their own 31.

1/10 - Williams picks up 12.

1/10 - Thomas for 4

2/6 - Mitchell gets a yard -- that's the last play of the third.  We'll come back to a big third and 5.

4th Qtr: Chargers 24 Raiders 20

Tight game here in San Diego; Chargers up 4, 3rd and 5 at their own 48 yard line.

3/5 - Incomplete.  Oakland takes over at the 25.

1/10 - Fred Dean is in the Raider backfield - he wrestles the ball from Kenny King -- it's a fumblle -- the Chargers recover -- big play here by Dean, he forces the King fumble and San Diego has a first down at the Raider 20.  

They get 8 yards on 3 plays -- short FG is good - Chargers go up 27-20. 

Oakland at the 25.  12:28 left.  

1/10 - Nothing for King.

2/10 - Nothing for Whittington.  

3/10 - Plunkett - firing over the middle -- Picked Off by Woody Lowe -- Lowe steps in front of Ray Chester - Lowe is down at the Oakland 25 yard line -- Oakland turns it over on consecutive possessions and now the Chargers are really in the drivers seat - up 7 at the Oakland 25 yard line, 11 minutes left.

The next 3 plays lose 6 yards - a John Matuszak sack really keeps the Raiders in the game -- Benirschke with the kick -- it's 30-20 Chargers, little more than 9 to go.

Raiders at the 21.  They get one first down - Plunkett 13 to Branch.

But that's all. Chargers now at their own 30, under 7 left.

3 and out.  Raider defense trying to keep them alive, but Oakland meeds 2 scores and there's less than 5 to go.  Good return by Ira Matthews - Oakland will start at their own 49.  They have to get going right now.

1/10 - Plunkett finds Ray Chester, his first catch - 7 yards.  

2/3 - Give to Van Eeghan, stopped at the line.  Big 3rd down.

3/3 - Incomplete

4/3 - Plunkett under a heavy rush - Johnson and Dean converge -- Plunkett slips it -- Plunkett running -- Plunkett diving.  

Plunkett will be just short.  Raiders turn it over on downs.  Charger ball with 3:30 left up 10.

They pick up a first down on 3 short runs.  Oakland has to burn all of its timeouts plus the 2 minute warning - the Chargers punt with 80 seconds to go, Oakland's at the own 15 yard line, trailing by 10.

Oakland is able to get to the Charger 17 - but the game ends there.  

Final: Chargers 30 Raiders 20

Just 14 first downs for San Diego, Oakland outgains them, had 9 more minutes of possession - but 4 sacks and and 2 4th quarter turnovers and they move on; back to back SB Champs are bounced from Region 7.

Fouts: 12 for 17, 231, 2 TD

Plunkett: 15 for 25, 181, 2 TD, 1 INT

Williams: 14 carries, 65 yds, 1 TD

King: 14 carries, 114 yds, 1 TD

Jefferson: 3 catches, 54 yds

Branch: 4 catches, 60 yds

Dean/Johnson: 2 sacks

Player of the Game: Fred Dean

256 Team NFL Tournament: Region 7/Round 1: 2000 Baltimore Ravens v. 2005 Seattle Seahawks

'61 Packers v. '21 Cowboys 

11. 2005 NFC CHAMPION SEATTLE SEAHAWKS at 6. 2000 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION BALTIMORE RAVENS

6. 2000 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION BALTIMORE RAVENS

Record: 12-4

Pythag: 14-2

Off: 14th

Def: 1st

2nd AFC Central

d. Broncos WC 21-3

d. Titans Div Rnd 24-10

d. Raiders AFC Title 16-3

d. Giants Super Bowl 34-7

HC Brian Billick OC Matt Cavanaugh DC Marvin Lewis

PSINet Stadium: 50 degrees

Scott Garceau/Tom Matte

Offense

QB Trent Dilfer (28 Fresno St)

RB Jamal Lewis (21 Tenn)

WR Qadry Ismail (30 Syracuse)

WR Patrick Johnson (24 Oregon)

WR Travis Taylor (22 Florida)

TE Shannon Sharpe (32 Savannah St)

LT Jonathan Ogden All Pro (26 UCLA)

LG Edwin Mulitalo (26 Arizona)

C Jeff Mitchell (26 Florida)

RG Mike Flynn (26 Maine)

RT Harry Swayne (35 Rutgers)

Defense

LDE Rob Burnett    (33 Syracuse)

LDT Sam Adams (27 A&M)

RDT Tony Siragusa (33 Pitt)

RDE Michael McCrary (30 Wake)

LLB Peter Boulware (26 Florida St)

MLB Ray Lewis All Pro (25 Miami)

RLB Jamie Sharper (26 UVA)

LCB Duane Starks (26 Miami)

RCB Chris McAlister (23 Arizona)

SS Kim Herring (25 Penn St)

FS Rod Woodson (35 Purdue)

K Matt Stover All Pro (32 LA Tech)

P Kyle Richardson (27 Ark St)

KR Corey Harris (31 Vandy)

PR Jermaine Lewis (26 Mary)

The '61 Pack await the winners of this game - the number one offense from 2005 heads to Baltimore to face the number one defense from 2000, the Super Bowl Champion Ravens.  Ray Lewis is a 25 year old All Pro, leading the way; 33 year old Rob Burnett and 26 year old Peter Boulware combined for 17 sacks, and 35 year old Rod Woodson added 4 picks.  The offense is largely along for the ride.  Trent Dilfer's 28, 12 scores and 11 picks. The rookie Jamal Lewis rushed for 1300 yards and 26 year old Jonathan Ogden was an All Pro

11. 2005 NFC CHAMPION SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Record: 13-3

Pythag: 12-4

Off: 1st

Def: 7th

1st NFC West

d. Redskins Div Rnd 20-10

d. Panthers NFC Title 34-14

lost Super Bowl Steelers 21-10

HC Mike Holmgren OC Gil Haskell DC Ray Rhodes

Offense

QB Matt Hasselbeck

RB Shaun Alexander All Pro

FB Mack Strong All Pro

WR Bobby Engram

WR Joe Jurevicius

TE Jerramy Stevans

LT Walter Jones All Pro

LG Steve Hutchinson All Pro

C Robbie Tobeck

RG Chris Gray

RT Sean Locklear

Defense

LDE Bryce Fisher

LDT Chartric Darby

RDT Marcus Tubbs

RDE Grant Wistrom

LLB Jamie Sharper

MLB Lofa Tatupu 

RLB DD Lewis

LCB Kelly Herndon

RCB Marcus Trufant

SS Michael Boulware

FS Marquand Manuel

K Josh Brown

P Tom Rouen

KR Josh Scobey

PR Jimmy Williams

Couple of branches from the Bill Walsh tree tangled in this one. The '05 Seahawks had the top offense in football.  30 year old Matt Hasselbeck had 25 scores and 9 picks - 4 All Pros, Shawn Alexander is 28, ran for almost 1900 yards and scored 28...28 times.  Yikes.  34 year old Mack Strong, 31 year old Walter Jones, 28 year old Steve Hutchinson round out the All Pro quartet.  The defense is okay, 28 year old Bryce Fisher had 9 sacks.    It's Brian Billick and the best defense from 2000 hosting Mike Holmgren and the best offense from 2005.  Let's go to Baltimore for the kick.

1st Qtr

Big return by Corey Harris to open the game - Ravens will start at midfield.

3 and out.

Seatle starts at the 10.  

They pick up a first down, Shaun Alexander with a couple of 5 yard runs.  

But the drive ends at the 26.  After the punt, Ravens will start at their own 45, good return by Jermaine Lewis.  

1/10 - Jamal Lewis gains 11 - a lot of running on both sides expected today.

1/10 - Priest Holmes gets a yard.

2/6 - Holmes gets 4 more.

3/5 - Trent Dilfer's first completion is to the Missile, Qadry Ismail, 12 yards to the Seattle 29.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Holmes gets 10 yards, Ravens to the 19.

That's it - a Lofa Tatupu sack nets a 3 yard loss -- Stover hits the 39 yard FG and it's 3-0.

Seattle at the 29.

3 and out.  

Ravens at the 42.  Lewis with another good return - Ravens special teams might be the difference here, Matt Stover was also an All Pro in '05. 

1/10 - Lewis gets 3.

2/7 - Holmes gets 1.

3/6 - Dilfer's going deep - Dilfer finds Ismail for the big shot -- 33 yards to the Seahawk 21 as the quarter ends.

2nd Qtr: Ravens 3 Seahawks 0

Seattle's offense not showing much so far against that Baltimore defense, Ravens up 3 with first down at the Seattle 21.

The next 3 plays net just 3 yards -- Stover hits another FG and it's 6-0.

Seattle at the 25.

1/10 - Alexander gets 3.

2/7 - Hasselbeck in trouble -- Hasselbeck scrambling -- Hasselbeck looking deep -- He's got a Man -- Joe Jurevius is Behind the Secondary -- Caught -- Jurevicious is at the 30....the 20...the 10....Joe Jurevicius is brought down by Duane Starks at the 5 yard line -- that is a 67 yard bomb - a bomb - Hasselbeck to Jurevicius -- 67 yards -- the Seahawks have a first and goal.

1/goal - Give to Mack Strong -- He is Met in the Backfield by Ray Lewis....FUMBLE.....Baltimore recovers.  Just like that - Ray Lewis forces the turnover and the Ravens get the ball back.

3 and out.  After the punt, Seattle ball at their own 49.

1/10 - Maurice Morris gets 9 on his first carry.

2/1 - Alexander picks it up.

That's it - the next 3 plays net 8 yards -- Brown with the .....50 yard FG that just clears the crossbar and the Seahawks are on the board.

Ravens at the 26.

Another 3 and out --- good performance from that Seattle defense today.  Seahawks to start at their own 39.

They get a first down - Hasselbeck to Jerramy Stevens, a dozen yards -- but the drive ends, Baltimore gets it back at the 2 minute warning at their own 17.

1/10 - Dilfer finds Obafemi Ayanbadejo, he's got 10 and the first.   

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Incomplete

3/10 - Shannon Sharpe's first catch is for a dozen yards, Ravens using their first timeout with a minute to go at their own 39.

The next 3 plays net 2 yards - on the punt - the Seahawks get hit a roughing tthe kicker penalty - that gives the Ravens the first down at the Seattle 45 yard line with 30 seconds left, they are out of timeouts.

1/10 - Dilfer hits Ismail - it's 15 yards - but the clock is running, Dilfer's able to spike the ball to stop it with just 7 seconds left.  Billick is not taking any chances - he brings on Stover for the 47 yard try....and he misses it.

That's the half.

3rd Qtr: Ravens 6 Seahawks 3

All FGs, largely a defensive struggle - Seattle fumbled on a first and goal, Baltimore missed a FG at the whistle.  Good return by Josh Scobey to start the half - Seattle at their own 44.

1/10 - Morris gets 4.

2/6 - Leonard Weaver gets a carry, he goes for 2.

3/4 - Hasselbeck scrambling -- he's across the line of scrimmage, he's going to be....just short of the first down.  4th and inches at the Baltimore 46.

Well -- here's a pivot point.  Holmgren's gonna go for it --- down 3, 4th and inches, on the Ravens side of the field -- Seattle's sending out the offense.

4/1 - Give to Alexander -- AND HE IS STOPPED DEAD.  The Ravens defense converges on Alexander and swarms him at the line of scrimmage and Baltimore takes over.  That Ravens defense, stifling.  

Baltimore picks up 1 first down  - Dilfer to Ayanbadejo for a dozen -- but that's it - nice job by that Seahawk defense really all day long in keeping their team in the game.  

The punt - touchback.  Seattle at the 20.

3 and out.  The Seahawks just nothing at all on offense.  

Ravens start at their own 44.  3 and out -- really nice job here again by the Seahawks - Bryce Fisher gets the sack.  

Seattle starts at their own 27.  They get a first down -- Hasselbeck hitting Bobby Engram for a 25 yard gain.

But that's it.  Good Seattle punt - Ravens start at their own 8 yard line.

3 and out.  The quarter ends with Baltimore preparing to punt from their own 11.

4th Qtr: Ravens 6 Seahawks 3

A little close for comfort for the Ravens, this vaunted defense has been all it needed to be, but the offense hasn't mustered much today - and as we hit the 4th qtr, it remains 6-3 Ravens, Baltimore punting from their 11.

Great field position for Seattle, they start at the Ravens 43.

1/10 - Alexander for 1.

2/9 - Incomplete

3/9 - Hasselbeck - finds DJ Hackett downfield -- that's an 18 yard pickup, big play, it puts Seattle into FG range -- Seattle at the Ravens 24 yard line.  

1/10 - Alexander for 1.

2/9 - Hasselbeck to Strong, Strong bulls forward, just short of the sticks -- Seattle with a third and 1 at the Ravens 15 yard line.

3/1 -- Alexander picks it up.  Seattle has a first down at the Baltimore 13.  Trailing by 3, little more than 12 minutes left.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Alexander gets 2

3/8 - Hasselbeck - looking to the endzone-- Jerramy Stevens -- TOUCHDOWN SEAHAWKS....TOUCHDOWN SEAHAWKS -- Matt Hasselbeck hits Jerramy Stevens with the 11 yard strike and the Seahawks take the 10-6 lead!

Baltimore starts at the 24.  10:35 left.  The Ravens have got to get something going, you wonder if they consider a move to Tony Banks at some point.

3 and out.  Oh, man.  Just nothing at all and Seattle starts at their own 40.  9 minutes left.

3 and out.  Very conservative here for Holmgren, really not wanting to risk a sack ot a turnover, 3 run plays and a punt.  Baltimore will start at its own 31.

3 and out.  Again - 3 and out -- Lofa Tatupu picks up his second sack of the day -- there are some boos now here in Baltimore, the Super Bowl Champions unable to move the ball at all today.

Seattle at their own 26.  The first play is a pass - Hasselbeck to Bobby Engram for 11 yards and a first down -- and that is it, 3 runs and a punt -- but tick, tick, tick, tick -- there is now a little more than 2 and a half minutes left to go in the football game.  Baltimore at their own 26.

Billick riding with Dilfer.  The Ravens trail by 4, they have all 3 timeouts, they need to drive 74 yards in 2 and a half minutes or they are going to go home.  

1/10 - Dilfer to Jamal Lewis, 4 yards, out of bounds.

2/6 - Big sack -- Marcus Tubbs leveling Dilfer, that's gonna take us to the 2 minute warning - Baltimore has a 3rd and 15.  

3/15 -- Dilfer picks it up -- 21 yards to Shannon Sharpe -- Baltimore stops the clock at their own 42 yard line.  1:50 left.  

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Incomplete

3/10 - Dilfer to Lewis -- Lewis breaks a tackle -- Jamal Lewis down the sideline, run out of bounds after an 18 yard pickup -- the Ravens are at the Seattle 40 yard line, there's 1:15 left to go in the game.  Ravens have 2 timeouts.  Can Dilfer do it?  Can Dilfer do it?

1/10 - Fisher sacks Dilfer -- big Seattle play, Ravens lose 5 - have to burn their 2nd timeout, there's a minute left and it's 2nd and 15.

2/15 - Incomplete

3/15 - Incomplete

Here it is.  40 seconds left in the football game.  Baltimore has a 4th and 15 from the Seattle 45.  Here it is.  Here it is.  

4/15 -- Dilfer drops back.  Dilfer has time.  Dilfer looks downfield.  Dilfer throws...Sharpe....KNOCKED AWAY BY MARCUS TRUFANT!  Trufant bats the ball away -- and that will be that --  the Seahawks are able to burn off the clock and this game is over.

Final: Seahawks 10 Ravens 6

The Seattle defense is the story here - 5 sacks - Seattle comes into Baltimore and knocks off the 6th seed in the region.

Hasselbeck 10 for 18, 169 yds, 1 TD

Dilfer: 11 for 24, 132 yds

Alexander: 22 carries, 62 yds

Lewis: 20 carries, 48 yds

Engram: 4 catches, 44 yds

Ismail: 3 catches, 60 yds

Tatupu/Fisher: 2 sacks

Player of the Game: Lofa Tatupu

256 Team NFL Tournament: Region 7/Round 1: 1961 Green Bay Packers v. 2021 Dallas Cowboys

'67 Rams v. '08 Packers 

14. 2021 DALLAS COWBOYS at 3. 1961 NFL CHAMPION GREEN BAY PACKERS

3. 1961 NFL CHAMPION GREEN BAY PACKERS

Record: 11-3

Pythag: 11-3

Off: 1st

Def: 2nd

1st NFL West

d. Giants NFL Title 37-0

HC Vince Lombardi DC Phil Bengsten

New City Stadium: 45 degrees

Ray Scott

Offense

QB Bart Starr (27 Alabama)

RB Paul Hornung All Pro (26 N Dame)

FB Jim Taylor (26 LSU)

WR Max McGee (29 Tulane)

WR Boyd Dowler (24 Colorado)

TE Ron Kramer (26 Michigan)

LT Bob Skoronski (27 Indiana)

LG Fuzzy Thurston All Pro (28 Valpo)

C Jim Ringo All Pro (30 Syracuse)

RG Jerry Kramer (25 Idaho)

RT Forrest Gregg (28 SMU)

Defense

LDE Willie Davis (27 Grambling)

LDT Dave Hanner (31 Arkansas)

RDT Henry Jordan All Pro (26 UVA)

RDE Bill Quinlan (29 Michigan St)

LLB Dan Currie (26 Michigan St)

MLB Ray Nitschke (25 Illinois)

RLB Bill Forester All Pro (29 SMU)

LCB Hank Gremminger (28 Baylor)

RCB Jesse Whittendon All Pro (27 UTEP)

LS John Symank (26 Florida)

RS Willie Wood (25 USC)

K Paul Hornung (26 N Dame)

P Boyd Dowler (24 Colorado)

KR Herb Adderley (22 Mich St)

PR Willie Wood (25 USC)

The '62 Packers have already advanced as the top seeds from Region 5, here's the team before; NFL Champs, 3rd seed in the region, number one in offense, 2 in defense.  Bart Starr's 27, 17 scores and 16 picks.  Paul Hornung's a 26 year old All Pro, he had 10 scores.  Jim Taylor's 26, he rushed for over 1300 yards and scored 16 times.  28 year old Fuzzy Thurston and 30 year old Jim Ringo are All Pros on the OL.  3 All Pros on the other side of the ball - 26 year old Henry Jordan, 29 year old Bill Forester, 27 year old Jesse Whittenton and you dont have to look hard to find more Hall of Famers.  Green Bay will run and dare you to stop them.  

14. 2021 DALLAS COWBOYS

Record: 12-5

Pythag: 12-5

Off: 1st

Def: 7th

1st NFC East

lost WC 49ers 23-17

HC Mike McCarthy OC Kellen Moore DC Dan Quinn

Offense

QB Dak Prescott (28 Miss St)

RB Ezekial Elliott (26 Ohio St)

WR Ceedee Lamb (22 Oklahoma)

WR Amani Cooper (27 Alabama)

WR Cedrick Wilson (26 Boise)

TE Dalton Schultz (25 Stanford)

T Tyron Smith (31 USC)

G Zach Martin All Pro (31 N Dame)

C Tyler Biadasz (24 Wisconsin)

G Connor Williams (24 Texas)

T Terence Steele (24 TTech)

Defense

DE Tarrell Basham  (27 Ohio)

DT Osa Odighizuwa (23 UCLA)

DE Dorance Armstrong (24 Kansas)

LB Micah Parsons All Pro (22 Penn St)

LB Leighton Vander Esch (25 Boise)

LB Keanu Neal (26 Florida)

CB Anthony Brown (28 Purdue)

CB Trevon Diggs  All Pro (23 Alabama)

CB Jourdan Lewis (26 Michigan)

SS Damontae Kazee (28 S Diego St)

FS Jayron Kearse (27 Clemson)

K Greg Zuerlein (34 Miss West St)

P Bryan Anger (33 Cal)

KR Tony Pollard (24 Memphis)

PR CeeDee Lamb (22 Oklahoma)

The best offense from 2021 is the Cowboys; they'll take that and a 60 year difference into Green Bay to try to oust Lombardi's Pack.  38 scores/10 picks for 28 year old Dak Prescott. 26 year old Zeke Elliott had a dozen scores; 31 year old Zach Martin is the offense's All Pro. The defense is okay, the Pack will look to run and probably be successful; the rookie Michah Parsons is an All Pro on defense with 13 sacks. 23 year old Trevon Diggs is also an All Pro, he had 11 picks and scored twice.  Can Dallas ride that ultramodern passing game into a 14/3 upset?  Let's head to Wisconson for the kick.

1st Qtr

Dallas starts at the 32.

1/10 - Zeke Elliott is stopped at the line.

2/10 - Incomplete

3/10 - Dak Prescott flushed - Prescott escaped - Prescott outruns the Packer defense to a first down, 16 yards.

1/10 - Henry Jordan rushes up the middle and drops Dak.  

2/19 - Elliott stopped at the line.

3/19 - Prescott going deep -- downfield to Cedrick Wilson - 37 yards - another first down - Cowboys are at the Packer 24.  

1/10 - Elliott gets six.  

2/4 - Nothing for Elliott.

3/4 - Willie Davis is into the backfield for a sack -- Zuerlein will hit the FG and Dallas is on the board.

Pack at the 37.

1/10 - Jim Taylor gets a yard.

2/9 - Paul Hornung gets 6. 

3/3 - Bart Starr goes to Taylor out of the backfield and he picks it up. 

1/10 - Starr over the middle, Max McGee in traffic, 15 yards to the Cowboy 36.

1/10 - Jim Taylor, busts through the line -- Taylor blows through the secondary - Jim Taylor is into the endzone -- TOUCHDOWN PACKERS - in less than 3 minutes the Packers go 63 yards and take the lead.

Cowboys at the 35.

1/10 - Tony Pollard carries for 2.

2/8 - Prescott to Amani Cooper, 10 yards and the first.

1/10 - Elliott gets 2, a holding call makes it 2nd and 18.

2/18 - Prescott to CeeDee Lamb, 9 yards.

3/9 - Prescott hits Cooper again, 13 yards and the Cowboys are at the Packer 39.

1/10 - Prescott going downfield -- Michael Gallup -- 25 yards and Dallas is at the 14 - both teams really moving the ball here in the first quarter.

1/10 - The Pack get another sack, it's Nitschke, right up the gut and he hits Prescott before he can even drop back.  

2/20 - Pollard - sweep -- Pollard gets the edge -- Tony Pollard down the sideline --- TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS - Dallas comes right back and goes 65 yards of their own - the Cowboys take the 10-7 lead - the top offense from 2021 going right at the 1961 Packers.

Herb Adderley with the big KR -- all the way to the GB 49 and tack on another 5 for a penalty to make it 1st and 5 inside Dallas territory.

1/5 - Hornung gets 2.

2/3 - Hornung stopped - and that ends the qtr.

2nd Qtr: Cowboys 10 Packers 7

Scores on each possession; the Pack have a third and 3 at the Cowboy 44.

3/3 - Starr picks it up, 6 yards to Hornung.

1/10 - Taylor for 3.

2/7 - Taylor again - 32 yards to Jim Taylor - Taylor busts to the 3 yard line and it is a first and goal.  

1/goal - Hornung stopped.

2/goal - Play action - Dallas bites -- Max McGee wide open in the back corner of the endzone -- TOUCHDOWN PACKERS -- 2 Packer drives -- 2 Packer TDs.  

Dallas at the 29.

1/10 - End around, Lamb gets 10.

1/10 - Nothing for Pollard.

2/10 - 2 for Elliott

3/8 - Dak picks it up - a dozen to Lamb and Dallas is in Packer territory.  

1/10 - Give to Pollard, he gets 15 to the GB 32.  

1/10 - Prescott to Wilson, taps the toes on the sideline and is inbounds for a dozen, Dallas at the 20.

1/10 - Prescott - End Zone -- Michael Gallup --- TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS -- 71 yards in 7 plays -- each drive hgas ended in a score, we still have 7:45 left in the second quarter and we have a full on shootout here in Green Bay between the third seeded Pack and the 14th seeded Cowboys.  17-14 Dallas

 Pack at the 30.

1/10 - Hornung gets 13.  These offenses have been unchallenged today.

1/10 - Tom Moore gets his first carry, 3 yards.

2/7 - Jim Taylor gets 6, just short.  

3/1 - Taylor picks it up.

1/10 - Starr hits Boyd Dowler for 4.

2/6 - Taylor for 11.   The Pack reached the Dallas 31.

1/10 - Taylor gets 9 more - Dallas has no answer for this Packer run game.  

2/1 - Hornung picks it up - Pack at the 18.  

1/10- Taylor gets a yard.

2/8 - Moore gets 2, Pack will have a third and 7 at the 2 minute warning.

3/7 - Starr - over the middle -- Ron Kramer - Kramer bounces off a defender -- Kramer is into the endzone -- TOUCHDOWN PACKERS -- this 1961 Packer offense just chewing up the Dallas defense and it's 21-17.

Cowboys at the 39, 1:50 left in the half.

1/10 - Prescott to Cooper for 10.  Dallas timeout.  

1/10 - Prescott to Elliott for 16 and he's out of bounds at 1:36.

1/10 - Bill Forester gets the 4th GB sack of the day - it's an 11 yard loss and the second Dallas timeout at 1:20.  Big, sack.  

2/21 - Incomplete

3/21 - Prescott has the pull the ball down and run -- he picks up 6 to the Packer 40 -- the Cowboys decide to punt - rolls down at the GB 9 and they take over with 45 seconds left.

Lombardi doesn't play it conservatively -- big pass plays here, 23 to Taylor, 14 to Hornung, 16 to Knafelc, 28 yards to Mac McGee -- Packers use all of their timeouts - and they have a short FG at the gun....but miss it/...and it's halftime.  

Third Qtr: Packers 21 Cowboys 17

We've seen a couple of heavy defensive games back to back - this is not that, the teams moving up and down the field, Packers lead as we come out of the locker room.

Packers at the 29.

1/10 - Jim Taylor goes for 17 yards - just a monster performance for Taylor.

1/10 - Lew Carpenter picks up 10 yards on his first carry.

1/10 - Taylor goes off left - AND HE'S GONNA GO!  Jim Taylor blows through the Cowboy defense -- 44 yards to paydirt -- TOUCHDOWN PACKERS -- and now GB has opened it up a little, 28-17.  Jim Taylor's second TD of the day.  

Cowboys at the 27.

1/10 - Elliott gets 6.

2/4 - Prescott is sacked -- 5th Packer sack of the day - that's Willie Wood's second sack.  

3/10 - Prescott to Pollard in space -- Pollard outruns the Packer defense -- Pollard's got the first down and he's into GB territory.  

1/10 - Prescott to Dalton Schultz and the Cowboys are at the GB 26.

1/10 - Prescott to Zeke - 16 yards and it is a first and goal.

1/goal - Elliott gets 1

2/goal - Pollard gets 1

3/goal -- Prescott rolling out - Firing - Wilson - Goal Line -- TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS - Dak Prescott 8 yards to Cedric Wilson and the Packer lead is again 4.  

What a game, goodness.  

Pack at the 27.

1/10 - Taylor for 1.

2/9 - Horning for 1.

3/8 - Starr to Ron Kramer -- 18 yards and the Pack is again - again on the move -- the Packers have yet to punt today, only one punt all day from either side.  

1/10 - Hornung for 2.

2/8 - Moore gets 18 yards, Packers are at the Dallas 33 yard line.

1/10 - Taylor for 3.

2/7 - Incomplete

3/7 - Starr looks downfield -- Kramer in traffic -- Caught -- Down at the 8 yard line for a first and goal for GB.  

1/goal - Taylor gets 2

2/goal -- Taylor -- Taylor Cannot Be Stopped -- TOUCHDOWN PACKERS - it's the hat trick for Jim Taylor, his 3rd TD of the day and it is 35-24 Packers, Dallas to start at the 29 with 2 minutes left in the third qtr.

1/10 - Pollard...21 yards on the ground -- Dallas doesn't stop - they take every Packer blow and they keep coming.

1/10 - Elliott big yards -- 17 yards and the Cowboys are at the Packer 33 yard line.

1/10 - Prescott planned run -- 4 yards, the quarter ends.

4th Qtr: Packers 35 Cowboys 24

Just a tremendous offensive performance from both squads - it's the Pack up 11, Jim Taylor has 3 scores.  Dallas has a 2nd and 4 at the Packer 29.

Dallas doesn't pick it up  - GB with its 6th sack of the day - Henry Jordan's 2nd, Zuerlein hits the 50 yard FG and it's an 8 point game.

Pack at the 29.  Can Dallas get the stop it needs?

1/10 - Jim Taylor, oh Lord -- Jim Taylor with a 64 yard run -- Jim Taylor with a historic, absolutely historic performance against the 2021 Cowboys -- Jim Taylor sets up a first and goal at the 7.

1/goal - Hornung for 3.

2/goal - Starr to Carpenter -- he's stopped right at the goal line.  

3/goal - Hornung is stopped.....just short....it is 4th down at the goal line.  Packers up 8, a little more than 10 minutes left.  

Lombardi decides to go for it.  

4/goal - Taylor's the upback - the veteran Elijah Pitts gets the carry - disappears into the line ---- TOUCHDOWN PACKERS -- Elijah Pitts is into the end zone and it's 42-27 Green Bay, their biggest lead of the day, with a little more than 10 minutes to go.

Cowboys at the 30.

1/10 - Dak to Zeke.  6 yards.

2/4 - Incomplete

3/4 - Prescott to Gallup -- first down.  

1/10 - Give to Elliott -- Pack not fooled, he loses 1.

2/11 - Prescott to Amani Cooper for 10, Dallas crosses midfield and has a third and short.  

3/1 - Incomplete.  No choice here, down 15 with 7:26 left.  

4/1 - Play action -- Prescott is going downfield -- CeeDee Lamb -- Caught!  27 yards to the Packer 20 yard line.  Dallas throws it downfield on 4th and 1 and picks it up.

1/10 - Prescott to Schultz - 2 yards.  

2/8 - Incomplete

3/8 - Prescott to Lamb - Lamb with the circus catch - Dallas is at the 4 yard line for the first and goal.

1/goal Dak to Zeke -- he bowls into the endzone -- TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS - it's now 42-34.

Dallas kicks it deep - Packers at the 30, 5:25 left in the football game.  Once again, can Dallas find a way to stop GB?  The Packers have yet to punt, only a missed FG at the end of the half keeps them from having scored on each possession.  

1/10 - Hornung gets 10.  What can Dallas do?

1/10 - Tom Moore breaks one -- Moore goes 45 yards - - Moore all the way to the Cowboy 10 yard line and that is probably the backbreaker.

1/goal - Taylor gets right to the goal line and is stopped.

2/goal - Hornung stacked up.  3rd and goal at the 1.

3/goal - Starr, the play fake is to Taylor -- Starr to Max McGee in the back -- TOUCHDOWN PACKERS - a tremendous, overwhelming performance by the Packer offense - it's 49-34 with a little more than 2 minutes to go.

Dallas will drive down --- and they score again right before the final whistle -- Prescott with medium range completions, to Galluop, Cooper, Gallup, Pollard all the way down the field, ending with a 9 yard TD pass to Schultz with just a few seconds left - game ends with an onside kick, Pack recovers and it's over.  

Final: Packers 49 Cowboys 41

The Green Bay Packers don't punt, score on every possession save a missed FG at the end of the first half.  GB marches onto Rnd 2.  Starr with just one incomplete pass.  Jim Taylor has what might be the game of the tournament to date.

Starr: 14 for 15, 177 yds, 3 TD

Prescott: 27 for 33, 354 yds, 4 TD

Taylor: 18 carries, 242 yds, 3 TD

Pollard: 9 carries, 56 yds, 1 TD

McGee: 4 catches, 52 yds, 2 TD

Gallup: 5 catches, 70 yds, 1 TD

Jordan/Davis: 2 sacks

Player of the Game: Jim Taylor

256 Team NFL Tournament: Region 7/Round 1: 1967 Los Angeles Rams v. 2008 Tennessee Titans

 '18 Saints v. '96 49ers

13. 2008 TENNESSEE TITANS at 4. 1967 LOS ANGELES RAMS

4. 1967 LOS ANGELES RAMS

Record: 11-1-2

Pythag: 12-2

Off: 1st

Def: 1st

1st NFL Coastal

Lost Div Rnd Packers 28-7

HC George Allen 

LA Coliseum: 60 degrees

Dave Niehaus/Dick Enberg

Offense

QB Roman Gabriel (27 NC St)

RB Les Josephson (25 Augustana)

FB Dick Bass (30 Pacific)

WR Bernie Casey (28 Bowling Green)

WR Jack Snow (24 N Dame)

TE Billy Truax (24 LSU)

LT Jack Carollo (27 N Dame)

LG Tom Mack (24 Michigan)

C Ken Iman  (28 SE Missouri St)

RG Joe Scibelli (28 American Institute)

RT Charlie Cowan (29 Highlands)

Defense

LDE Deacon Jones All Pro (29 Miss Vall St)

LDT Merlin Olsen All Pro (27 Utah St)

RDT Roger Brown (30 ME Shore)

RDE Lamar Lundy (32 Purdue)

LLB Jack Pardee (31 Tex A&M)

MLB Myron Pottios (28 N Dame)

RLB Maxie Baughan (29 G Tech)

LCB Clancy Williams (25 Wash St)

RCB Irv Cross (28 Nwestern)

LS Chuck Lamson (28 Wyoming)

RS Eddie Meador (30 Ark Tech)

K Bruce Gossett (26 Richmond)

P Jon Kilgore (24 Auburn)

KR Wendell Tucker (24 SC St)

PR Irv Cross (28 Nwestern)

The best offense in football in 1967?  Rams.  The best defense in football in 1967?  Rams. That earns them a 3rd seed in region 7, despite the early playoff exit.  Roman Gabriel's 27, he accounted for 31 scores and 13 picks. He's one of 5 Pro Bowlers on offense.  The defense also has 5, with two, 29 year old Deacon Jones and 27 year old Merlin Olsen, being named All Pro.  30 year old Eddie Meador had 8 picks.  A win here and the Rams will stay home to host their rival 49ers in the next round.

13. 2008 TENNESSEE TITANS

Record: 13-3

Pythag: 12-4

Off: 14th

Def: 2nd

1st AFC South

Lost Div Rnd Ravens 13-10

HC Jeff Fisher OC Mike Heimerdinger DC Jim Schwartz

Offense

QB Kerry Collins (36 Penn St)

RB Chris Johnson (23-R E Carolina)

FB Ahmard Hall (29 Texas)

WR Justin Gage (27 Missouri)

WR Justin McCareins (30 N Illinois)

TE Alge Crumpler (31 UNC)

LT Michael Roos (26 E Wash) All Pro

LG Eugene Amano (26 SE Missouri St)

C Kevin Mawae (37 LSU) All Pro

RG Jake Scott (27 Idaho)

RT David Stewart (26 Miss St)

Defense

LDE Jevon Kearse (32 Florida)

LDT Tony Brown (28 Memphis)

RDT Albert Haynesworth (27 Tenn) All Pro

RDE Kyle Vanden Bosch (30 Nebraska)

LLB David Thornton (30 UNC)

MLB Stephen Tulloch (23 NC St)

RLB Keith Bulluck (31 Syracuse)

LCB Nick Harper (34 F Vall St)

RCB Cortland Finnegan (24 Samford) All Pro

SS Chris Hope (28 Florida St)

FS Michael Griffin (23 Texas)

K Rob Bironas (30 Auburn)

P Craig Hentrich (27 N Dame)

KR/PR Chris Carr (25 Boise St)

The 2000 Titans have advanced; this team from 8 years later had the 2nd best defense in football and that earns them a 13th seed in the region.  2 All Pros on defense, 27 year old Albert Haynesworth had 8.5 sacks, 24 year old Cortland Finnegan had 5 picks. The offense might really struggle to move the ball against the Fearsome Foursome, Kerry Collins is 36, 12 scores and 7 picks. Big year for the rookie RB Chris Johnson, nearly 1500 yards from scrimmage and 10 scores.  Two All Pros on the line, 26 year old Michael Roos, 37 year old Kevin Mawae.  

Might see another real defensive slugfest here - let's go to LA for the kick of the last game of the top half of region 7.

1st Qtr

The Rams start at the 20.

1/10 Dick Bass gets the carry, 24 yards, penalties then take LA back 15.

1/25 Roman Gabriel's first pass is caught, a dozen yards for Les Josephson. 

2/13 - Bass gets 2, third and a bunch.

3/11 - Gabriel finds Bernie Casey - picks up the first down to the Titan 44.

But that's it.  Punt.

Titans at the 20.

3 and out - Deacon Jones sacks Kerry Collins on the first play.  

Rams in good field position at the Titan 41.

1/10 - Bass is stopped.

2/10 - Josephson with the big run, 21 yards all the way to the Titan 20.  

That's it - a FG 3 plays later makes it 3-0.

Chris Carr with the good return, Titans at the 40.

1/10 - Chris Johnson breaks one - if the Tians are going to move the ball today it needs to be Chris Johnson, he gets a 27 yard carry to the LA 33.  

The drive ends there, a long FG ties it at 3.

Rams at the 30.

They pick up a first down on a 10 yard Dick Bass run - but have a 4th and long around midfield as the quarter ends.

2nd Qtr: Rams 3 Titans 3

Unsurprising, lot of defense so far, Rams about to give the ball back to the Titans.

Titans at the 13 after the punt.

1/10 - Johnson carries the rock, he gets a dozen.  Titans go back 5 on the next play

1/15 - Collins to Johnson.  5 yards

2/10 - Collins to Justin Gage - 10 yards and a first down.

1/10 - LenDale White gets his first carry, 3 yds.  

2/7 - Johnson again, he picks it up, Titans near midfield.

That's all - Titans pick up 2 yards on the next 3 plays and kick.

Rams at the 12.  Little over 9 left in the half.  3-3

1/10 - Josephson picks up 11. 

1/10 - Bass for 1.

2/9 - Incomplete

3/9 - Gabriel picks it up - Jack Snow's first catch of the game goes for 13 yards.

And it stops here, 3 plays lose 5 yards.  The Titans will start at their own 41, little more than 4 left in the half.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Incomplete

3/10 - Kerry Collins finds Chris Johnson out of the backfield, he makes men miss and picks up 14 to cross midfield.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Johnson gets 1.

3/9 - Collins to Alge Crumpler, 10 yards - Titans at the 34 at the 2 minute mark.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Collins is sacked, Merlin Olsen dropping him.

3/13 - Collins picks it up -- Justin McCareins right at the sticks -- with 95 seconds left in the half the Titans have a first down at the Ram 24.

1/10 - Collins - drop back -- Collins -- End Zone -- Collin....Picked Off by Maxie Baughan -- Baughan intercepts the ball in the end zone -- Touchback -- and the Rams turn Tennessee away.

That'll be it - LA runs the ball and putns, Titans get a couple incomplete passes and we hit the locker room.

Third Qtr Rams 3 Titans 3

We thought we might get a defensive struggle and that's this - neither offense generating much today.

The Titans will start at the 30.

3 and out.

LA picks up one first, Gabriel for a dozen to Dick Bass, the drive ends around midfield, Titans take over at the 17.

They get one first, Collins to Gate for 15, but the drive ends at their own 28 yard line, LA gets it back at their own 43.

1/10 - Bass, stacked up.

2/10 - Josephson, stacked up.

3/10 - Gabriel is flushed - Gabriel has to run - Gabriel will Pick Up the first down, he's across midfield to the Titan 43.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Josephson gets 2

3/8 - Gabriel finds Bernie Casey right at the sticks -- there's a measurement....First Down.

1/10 - Bass gets 6.

2/4 - Bass picks it up.  Rams at the Titan 22.  

1/10 - Josephson gets 2.

2/8 - The dam breaks - Josephson is through the line - Josephson breaks a tackle -- Josephson is into the End Zone -- TOUCHDOWN RAMS - Les Josephson goes for 20 yards and Los Angeles has the first TD of the day - there's only time left for the kickoff -- ooh, good return, Titans will start all the way at their own 40 when we come back for the 4th.

4th Qtr: Rams 10 Titans 3

The Rams throw just one pass in a 10 play 57 yard TD drive.  Titans have first down at their own 40, trailing by 7.

1/10 Johnson is stacked up.

2/10 - Johnson - breaks one -- Johnson home run -- Chris Johnson streaking 53 yards down the field -- Chris Johnson all the way down to the LA 7 yard line and the Titans have a first and goal.

But --- the next 3 plays lose 3 yards, Deacon Jones with his second sack of the day - Bironas FG makes it 10-6.  

Wendell Tucker takes the kick back....all the way to the Titan 10 yard line!  Tucker knocked out of bounds at the Tennessee 10 and LA has a first and goal.

And they don't move a yard.  The Gossett FG makes it 13-6.  Still 10 minutes left in the game.

Titans start at their own 39.

1/10 - Johnson gets 4

2/6 - Lendale White gets 1.

3/5 -- Collins pass is incomplete, but Deacon Jones picks up a late hit call, that's a first down and the Titans are in LA territory.

1/10 - Johnson goes for 14 all the way to the LA 28 yard line.

1/10 - White goes for 11 -- Titans now at the Rams 17 ---

But it stops here -- another Bironas FG makes it 13-9 Rams.  

LA starts at their own 37.  Can the Titans get the quick stop?

1/10 - Josephson loses a yard.

2/11 - Tommy Mason goes for a dozen yards -- huge, huge first down for the Rams.

1/10 - Gabriel to Josephson for 5, a holding call backs LA up 10.

2/15 - Gabriel hits Bernie Casey for a big 25 yard gain -- that's the big play, LA is at the Ttian 34 at the 2 minute warning.  

1/10 - Josephson gets a dozen - Titans forced to stop the clock.  

That's it - Rams run the ball 3 times - they get nothing - Titans have to burn their final 3 timeouts - there's just 48 seconds left -- Gossett hits the FG and it's 16-9 Rams, Titans get the ball back at their own 39 yard line, 40 seconds left in the football game -- they need to go 61 yards in 40 seconds without a timeout.

1/10 - Collins dropping back -- over the middle he is throwing deep -- he is throwing deep --- PICKED OFF - by Eddie Meador -- Meador picks off Kerry Collins -- Meador is down at the Rams 29, that will be the end, victory formation for Gabriel and it is done.

Final: Rams 16 Titans 9

The Rams win the defensive battle, they hold Tennessee to a dozen first downs and they advance to round two and a date with the '96 Niners.  3 sacks and 2 picks for LA.

Gabriel: 12 for 16, 117 yds

Collins: 8 for 23, 2 INT

Josephson: 15 carries for 98yds, 1 TD

Johnson: 15 carries, 124 yds

Casey: 3 catches, 46 yds

Gage: 3 catches, 25 yds

Jones: 2 sacks

Player of the Game: Deacon Jones

First half of Region 7 is done.  Moving on:

1975 Steelers

1968 Jets

1996 49ers

1967 Rams

256 Team NFL Tournament: Region 7/Round 1: 2018 New Orleans Saints v. 1996 San Francisco 49ers

'68 Jets v. '65 Bears 

12. 1996 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS at 5. 2018 NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

5. 2018 NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 

Record: 13-3

Pythag: 11-5

Off: 3rd

Def: 14th

1st NFC South

d. Eagles Div Rnd 20-14

lost NFC Title Rams 26-23

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

Superdome

Zach Strief/Deuce McAllister

Offense

QB Drew Brees (39 Purdue) 

RB Alvin Kamara (23 Tenn)

FB Zach Line (28 SMU)

WR Tre'Quan Smith (22-R C Florida)

WR Michael Thomas (25 All Pro Ohio St)

TE Josh Hill (28 Idaho St)

LT Terron Armstead (27 Ark PB)

LG Andrus Peat (25 Stanford)

C Max Unger (32 Oregon)

RG Larry Warford (27 Kentucky)

RT Ryan Ramczyk (24 Wisc)

Defense

LDE Cameron Jordan (29 Cal)

LDT Sheldon Rankins (24 Louisville)

RDT Tyeler Davison (26 Fresno St)

RDE Alex Okafor (27 Texas)

LLB Demario Davis (29 Ark St)

MLB PJ Williams (25 Florida St)

RLB AJ Klein (27 Iowa St)

LCB Eli Apple (23 Ohio St)

RCB Marshon Lattimore (22 Ohio St)

SS Kurt Coleman (30 Ohio St)

FS Marcus Williams (22 Uta)

K Will Lutz (24 Georgia St)

P Thomas Morstead (32 SMU)

KR Taysom Hill (28 BYU)

PR Alvin Kamara (23 Tenn)

Another Payton/Brees saints squad; the 5th seeds in Region 7 are the 2018 Saints. The '19 and '20 teams have both already advanced to Round 2.  This group has a better seed than both.  The offense is third in football.  Brees is 39 and what that means in ultra modern NFL numbers is 36 total scores and 5 picks.  The jump in passing offense in the concussion era is remarkable.  Alvin Kamara is 23 and had 18 scores.  The team's All Pro is Michael Thomas, 25, caught 125 balls for 1400 yards.  4 members of the OL made the Pro Bowl.  The defense is not providing a lot, 29 year old Cameron Jordan had a dozen sacks.

12. 1996 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Record: 12-5

Pythag: 12-4

Off: 3rd

Def: 4th

2nd NFC West

d. Eagles WC 14-0

lost Packers Div Rnd 35-14

HC George Seifert OC Marc Trestman DC Pete Carroll

Offense

QB Steve Young (35 BYU)

RB Terry Kirby (26 UVA)

FB William Floyd (24 Florida St)

WR Terrell Owens (23-R UT Chat)

WR Jerry Rice (34 All Pro Miss Vall St)

TE Brent Jones (33 S Clara)

LT Steve Wallace (32 Auburn)

LG Ray Brown (34 Ark St)

C Jesse Sapolu (35 Hawaii)

RG Chris Dalman (26 Stanford)

RT Harris Barton (32 UNC)

Defense

LDE Roy Barker (27 UNC)

LDT Bryant Young (24 All Pro N Dame)

RDT Dana Stubblefield (26 Kansas)

RDE Chris Doleman (35 Pitt)

LLB Lee Woodall (27 W Chester)

MLB Ken Norton (30 UCLA)

RLB Gary Plummer (36 Cal)

LCB Tyronne Drakeford (25 Va Tech)

RCB Marquez Pope (26 Fresno St)

SS Tim McDonald (31 USC)

FS Merton Hanks (28 Iowa)

K Jeff Wilkins (24 Youngstown St)

P Tommy Thompson (24 Oregon)

KR/PR Dexter Carter (29 Florida St)

Possible upset alert; the Niners are the 12th seeds in the region, but were top 4 in both offense and defense in 1996.  Steve Young's 35, 18 scores and 6 picks, the All Pro on offense is, of course, Jerry Rice, 34, 108 catches, 1250 yards.   The defense is led by 24 year old All Pro Bryant Young - he, 35 year old Chris Doleman - 27 year old Roy Barker combined for 35 sacks. 

We should have a good one from the Superdome - let's go out for the kick.

1st Qtr

Niners start at the 36.

3 and out.

Saints at the 26.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Alvin Kamara busts a giant run -- 56 yards -- Kamara going around the right end for a home run -- Kamara cutting back over the middle -- Kamara the 40, the 30 - the 20 -- Kamara is Caught Fron Behind By Marquez Pope and Stripped -- Kamara is Stripped -- the 49ers recover!  Alvin Kamara with the home run - 56 yards -- but Marquez Pope catches him from behind, strips him - and San Francisco recovers at their own 13 yard line.  

1/10 - Steve Young to Jerry Rice, 4 yards.

2/6 - Young gets ripped to the turf by Cameron Jordan.

3/12 - Young finds Brent Jones over the middle, 21 yards and the first down.  

1/10 - Terry Kirby for 1.

2/9 - Young gets sacked again - Sheldon Rankins just pounds Young into the turf and it is third down and a ton.

3/16 - Draw to Kirby -- and Kirby's into the secondary -- Terry Kirby blows into the secondary -- 48 yards all the way to the Saints 26 yard line.

That's it.  3 more plays net 5 yards -- Wilkins hits the 38 yard FG and it's 3-0.

Saints start at the 29.

1/10 - Kamara for 1.

2/9 - Zach Line, the FB, gets a carry.  2 yards.

3/7 - Drew Brees first pass is caught by the former 49er Ted Ginn, Ginn gets a dozen.

1/10 - Kamara gets 1.

2/9 - Line is Blown Up by Bryant Young -- Fumble -- Fumble -- the Niners have recovered their second fumble of the quarter!  Two fumble recoveries in the first quarter.

Niners at the Saints 43.  

1/10 - Young to Kirby out in the flat, 9 yards.

2/1- Terry Kirby picks it up.

1/10 - Kirby gets 6 more.

2/4 - Young crossing route to Rice -- Rice breaks a tackle - Rice open field -- Rice dragged down at the Saints 7 yard line.  First and goal.

1/goal - Give to Tommy Vardell, he gets 2.

2/goal - Vardell again, he gets right to the goal line -- Vardell inches short, Niners will have third and goal as we flip ends.

2nd Qtr Niners 3 Saints 0

2 Fumble recoveries for San Francisco, they have third and goal as the qtr begins.

3/goal - Derek Lovill is stopped dead - right at the line - and the Niners have 4th and goal inside the Saints 1 yard line.

4/goal - Young attempts a sneak -- he is met head on by Sheldon Rankins -- he is....Short...Short...a Goal Line stand by the Saints and New Orleans takes over just inches from their own goal line.

3 and out.  

Niners start at midfield

1/10 - Young to Kirby, 8 yards.

2/2 - William Floyd's first carry, he gets 5.

1/10 - Kirby for 2

2/8 - Vardell gets 2

3/6 - Young scrambling -- Young's across the line - Young's got the first down - Young is Hit by AJ Klein -- Fumble -- Fumble -- and now the Saints have recovered a fumble - turnover heavy first half here in New Orleans.  

Saints at their own 26.  They go back 5 on a false start.

1/15 - Kamara gets 2

2/13 - Brees finds Michael Thomas, his first catch, 6 yards

3/7 - Brees goes to Taysom Hill -- Hill has 9 and the first down.

1/10 - Mark Ingram's first carry is for 6.

2/4 - Brees goes back to Thomas - 8 yards and a first down across midfield.

That's all - 3 plays net 3 yards.  Saints punt.  

Niners at their own 17.  

1/10 - Give to Vardell -- and he's Stripped by Rankins -- Sheldon Rankins forces the Fumble --the Saints recover - the Saints recover at the Niner 22 yard line.  

Both teams have lost 2 fumbles, Niners still up 3-0.  

1/10 - Brees to Tre'Quan Smith for 9.

2/1 - Incomplete

3/1 - Ingram gets 7 and it's a first and goal at the 6 yard line.  

The next 3 plays lose 3 yards including a Bryant Young sack - Lutz with the short FG -- it is 3-3, the Niners will start at their own 19, just a tick ahead of the 2 minute warning.

1/10 - Young rolling out - he's been under fire all day -- he finds Rice downfield, 27 yards and the first down.  

1/10 - Young - planned run -- Young cuts upfield -- Young's got 18 all the way to the Saints 36 yard line and out of bounds.  

1/10 - Young in trouble, Young running again - Young's got 7 yards.  Timeout.

2/3 - Young, quick out to Rice -- Rice breaks a tackle - Rice out of bounds with the 13 yard gain and the Niners are at the 16 yard line.

But the drive ends there and with less than a minute left, Wilkins makes it 6-3.

Saints at the 32.  46 seconds left.  

1/10 - Brees to Thomas for 9.  Timeout.

2/1 - Incomplete

3/1 - Brees to Thomas at the sideline, gets the feet in and then is out of bounds across midfield, 29 seconds left.  

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Brees to Kamara, it's a bail out, 2 yards and out of bounds. 

3/8 - Brees over the middle - Ginn - Ginn's got the first down at the Niner 33 - Saints stop the clock at 2 seconds left - Lutz hits the 50 yarder at the gun and we are tied at 6

3rd Qtr  Niners 6 Saints 6

Evenly matched on every score - turnovers, defensive stops, old QB throwing to All Pro receivers - this is more of an 8/9 game than a 5/12 game.  Nothing but FGs so far.

Taysom Hill terrific return and the Saints start at their own 41.

3 and out.  

Niners at the 14.

1/10 - Floyd is stopped at the line, holding on the next play is half the distance, Niners way back at their own 7.

2/17 - Kirby for 2.  Third and forver.

3/15 - Young to Brent Jones, 18 yards, Niners at the 27 - and there's a face mask 15 tacked on - that's a huge play, Niners at their own 42.

1/10 - Terry Kirby breaks his second big run -- 47 yards -- Kirby all the way to the NO 13 yard line -- Niners first down at the 13.

But again - the drive stalls.  Again, a FG. 9-6.

Hill with another big return - Saints all the way out to their own 42.

1/10 - Ingram for 2

2/8 - Brees to Smith for 3.

3/5 - Ingram busts up the gut, 21 yards to the Niner 32 yard line.

But that's all - Bryant Young picks up his second sack -- Lutz hits a 51 yard FG and now it's 9-9.

Dexter Carter now matches Hill, he takes the kick back to the Saint 49 yard line - these two teams just mirror images of each other.  

1/10 - Kirby gets 1.

2/9 - Young to Ri --- No -- Picked Off by Marshon Lattimore -- Lattimore steps in front of Rice -- he is down at the Saints 45 yard line - the Saints force a third Niner turnover.  

3 and out.  Nice stop by the Niner defense.  

Niners at their own 11.  

1/10 - Gadget play - a reverse for Jerry Rice - Rice runs for 18 yards and the first.

1/10 - Kirby gets a dozen.

1/10 - Young finds William Floyd for 10 -- that's 3 straight first downs on 3 plays and the Niners near midfield as we hit the 4th qtr.

4th Qtr: Niners 9 Saints 9

Battle of FG continue, Niners have a first down at their own 49.

1/10 Young to Popson for 11 - that's 4 plays, 4 first downs on the drive.  

1/10 Young to Kirby for 10 -- 5 plays, 5 first downs.  Niners at the 28.

And it ends there.  Wilkins kicks another FG and it is 12-9.  

Saints at the 28.

1/10 - Gadget play - mirror images -- Ted Ginn on the end around -- and he breaks it -- 67 huge huge yards -- Ginn will go all the way to the 49er 5 yard line -- Ted Ginn with the biggest play of the game, a 67 yard run - and the Saints have a first and goal at the 5 yard line.

But again...it ends here, Bryant Young with his third sack of the day.  Again, Lutz with the FG and with a little more than 9 minutes left in regulation it is 12-12.

Niners at the 27.

1/10 - Kirby runs for 10.

1/10 - Floyd for 2.

2/8 - Loville for 1.  Third down. 

3/7 - Young looking downfield -- Young looking for the home run -- Big Shot -- Young Finding the rookie, Terrell Owens -- 51 yards downfield -- it's TO's first catch of the day at the very best possible time -- 51 yards and the Niners now have a first and goal with 6:27 to go in the game.

1/goal - Kirby stacked up

2/goal - It's a planned Young run -- Young gets to the Saint 5 yard line and it's third and goal.

3/goal - Give to Kirby - HE'S STRIPPPED BY CAMERON JORDAN -- FUMBLE -- AND THE SAINTS RECOVER!!  The 4th Niner turnover is a crusher - Kirby fumbles at the Saint 4 yard linec -- Saints recover - the Saints take over at their own 4 yard line with under 5 left in a tie game.

3 and out.  The Niner defense again standing up, it's a very quick change of possession, Niners forcing the punt from the end zone -- and they will start in Saints territory at the 41, 3:25 left in the game.

1/10 - Young goes to Terry Kirby -- Kirby in open field - Kirby 23 yards to the Saints 18 yard line.

1/10 - Kirby stopped for nothing - we are at the 2 minute warning.  It's 12-12, Niners are in FG range. 

2/10 - Young gets sacked - Jordan's second sack of the game - the Niners forced to stop the clock as Young is shaken up -- it's third and 15 for San Francisco at the Saint 23, 1:47 left.

3/15 - Young to pass - Niners not running the ball here -- Young to pass -- he finds Tommy Vardell on the sideline -- Vardell breaks a tackle -- Vardell has a first down at the 12 yard line!  Young picks up the first down -- 1:23 left in the game and the Niners are at the 12 yard line.

1/10 - Floyd runs into the line, Saints call time -- Niners now looking to kick this FG with as little time on the clock as possible.  

2/10 - Play action -- Young to throw -- Young to the Endzone -- Rice -- TOUCHDOWN NINERS -- Gutsy play call here -- Niners sold they were trying to run out the clock - instead - Young finds Rice in the endzone -- the Niners are into the endzone --- but that means NO will get the ball back with a chance to tie it up -- 19-12 Niners, under a minute left.  

Saints at the 35.

1/10 - Brees going downfield -- Keith Kirkwood -- 26 yards!  Brees goes 26 to Kirkwood - Saints stop the clock at the Niner 39 with 44 seconds left.  Ohhhh, boy.  

1/10 - Brees dump off to Kamara for 2.  Out of bounds.  

2/8 - Incomplete.  30 seconds left and it is 3rd and 8.

3/8 - Brees to Kirkwood - at the stick -- there's a measurement -- and he got it -- Saints are at the Niner 29, 21 seconds to go in the game.

1/10 - Brees to Kamara - 8 yards, Saints timeout.  Saints at the Niner 21 yard line, 13 seconds to go.  That's the Saints final timeout - so this is probably it.

Saints are down 19-12.  At the 49er 21 yard line.  13 seconds left and out of timeouts.  They maybe can get two plays, but it would be risky.

2/2 - Brees dropping back -- Brees is looking to the end zone -- 

 BREES IS SACKED BY CHRIS DOLEMAN -- the veteran Doleman sacks Drew Brees to end the game!  Chris Doleman sacks Drew Brees to end the game and the San Francisco 49ers go to New Orleans and knock off the Saints.

Final: 49ers 19 Saints 12

Niners win the defensive battle, they overcome 4 turnovers, get two of their own, plus 4 sacks, 3 from Bryant Young and a game ender by Chris Doleman. Niners defense holds that NO ultramodern offense to 10 first downs.

Young: 17 for 22, 260 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT, 6 carries 30 yds

Brees: 14 for 27, 121 yds

Kirby, 14 carries, 137 yds, 4 catches, 50 yds

Kamara: 13 carries, 82 yds

Rice: 6 catches, 79 yds, 1 TD

Thomas: 5 catches, 39 yds

Young: 3 sacks

Jordan: sack, forced fumble

Wilkins: 4 FG

Lutz: 4 FG

Player of the Game: Bryant Young