256 Team NFL Tournament: Region 8/Round 1: 2005 Denver Broncos v. 2018 Kansas City Chiefs

'84 Dolphins v. '09 Chargers 

11. 2018 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS at 6. 2005 DENVER BRONCOS

6. 2005 DENVER BRONCOS

Record: 13-3

Pythag: 12-4

Off: 7th

Def: 3rd

1st AFC West

d. Patriots Div Rnd 27-13

Lost AFC Title Steelers 34-17

HC Mike Shanahan OC Gary Kubiak DC Larry Coyle

Invesco Field: 55 degrees

Dave Logan/David Diaz Infante

Offense

QB Jake Plummer 31 Ariz St

RB Mike Anderson 32 Utah

FB Kyle Johnson 27 Syracuse

WR Ashley Lelie 25 Hawaii

WR Rod Smith 35 Mo Southern

TE Stephen Alexander 30 Oklahoma

LT Matt Lepsis 31 Colorado

LG Ben Hamilton 28 Minn

C Tom Nalen 34 B College

RG Cooper Carlisle 28 Florida

RT George Foster  25 UGA

Defense

LDE Courtney Brown 27 Penn St

LDT Michael Myers 29 Alabama

RDT Gerald Warren 27 Florida

RDE Trevor Pryce 30 Clemson

LLB DJ Williams 23 Miami

MLB Al Wilson All Pro 28 Tenn

RLB Ian Gold 27 Mich

LCB Champ Bailey All Pro 27 UGA

RCB Darrent Williams R 23 Ok St

SS Nick Ferguson 31 Geo Tech

FS John Lynch 34 Stanford

K Jason Elam 35 Hawaii

P Todd Sauerbraun 32 W Virginia

KR/PR Darrent Williams R 23 OK St

The 6th seed in the region is the '05 Broncos; 3rd in defense and that gets them the spot in the field.  27 year old All Pro Champ Bailey had 8 picks; 28 year old Al Wilson also was an All Pro.  The offense is okay, Jake Plummer is 31, 20 scores and 7 picks. 13 scores for 32 year old Mike Anderson, 1100 yards receiving for 35 year old Rod Smith.  3 Broncos teams have already advanced.  Is there an organization with 4?  Yeah, the Packers.  And the Cowboys have 5.

11. 2018 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 

Record: 12-4

Pythag: 11-5

Off: 1st

Def: 24th

1st AFC West

d. Colts Div Rnd 31-13

Lost AFC Title Patriots 37-31

HC Andy Reid OC Eric Bieniemy DC Bob Sutton

Offense

QB Patrick Mahomes All Pro  23 TTech

RB Kareem Hunt 23 Toledo

WR Chris Conley 26 UGA

WR Tyreek Hill All Pro 24 W Alabama

WR Sammy Watkins 25 Clemson

TE Travis Kelce All Pro 29 Cincinnati

LT Eric Fisher 27 C Mich

LG Cam Erving 26 Florida St

C Mitch Morse 26 Missouri

RG Andrew Wylie R 24 E Michigan

RT Mitchell Schwartz All Pro 29 Cal

Defense

LDE Allen Bailey 29 Miami

NT Derrick Nnadi R 22 Florida St

RDE Chris Jones 24 Miss St

LOLB Dee Ford 27 Auburn

LILB Anthony Hitchens 26 Iowa

RILB Reggie Ragland 25 Alabama

ROLB Justin Houston 29 UGA

LCB Kendall Fuller 23 Va Tech

RCB Steve Nelson 25 Ore St

SS Eric Murray 24 Minn

FS Ron Parker 31 Newberry

K Harrison Butker 23 Geo Tech 

P Dustin Colquitt 36 Tenn

KR Tremon Smith 22 C Ark

PR Tyreek Hill All Pro 24 W Alabama

Like the '05 Broncos, the '18 Chiefs lost in the AFC Title game. They've got the best offense in football. Patrick Mahomes is 23, All Pro, 52 scores...let's say it again for the folks in the back....52 scores and 12 picks.  23 year old Kareem Hunt scored 14 times, 24 year old Tyreek Hill is an All Pro, he scores 13 times, 29 year old Travis Kelce is an All Pro, he scored 10 times - one more first team All Pro on offense, 29 year old Mitchell Schwartz.  The defense is bad but they can get to the QB - 27 year old Dee Ford, 24 year old Chris Jones, 29 year old Justin Houston combined for 37.5 sacks.  

One of these franchises is about to get its 4th entrant into round 2 and head to Cleveland to face the '55 Browns.  Let's go out to Denver for the kick.

1st Qtr

Chiefs at their own 24.

1/10 - Kareem Hunt carry to start this one, 3 yards.

2/7 - Patrick Mahomes is throwing the ball - Denver's gonna get a heavy dose of this - 14 yards.  

1/10 - Hunt gets 7

2/3 - Damien Williams picks it up - Chiefs cross midfield.

1/10 - Hunt again, 8 more yards.  

2/2 - Hunt is just shy of the first.

3/1 - Mahomes -- Mahomes going up -- down the heart of the defense -- Sammy Watkins -- He's got It --- He's Into the End Zone -- TOUCHDOWN CHIEFS -- Mahomes with the 40 yard bomb - Watkins outuns the Denver secondary -- pretty ball - easy score -- Chiefs up 7-0

Denver starts at the 28. 

1/10 Mike Anderson gets 4 - if Shanahan tries to control the clock, looking to keep the ball away from Mahomes, that would make a lot of sense.  

2/6 - Incomplete

3/6 - Jake Plummer going up top - Plummer looking to Ashley Lelie -- running a fly pattern down the sideline - Plummer Hits Him in Stride -- And Ashley Lelie is Gonna Go -- Ashley Lelie is Gonna Go -- 68 yard TD pass from Jake Plummer -- Big Strike From Plummer and it's 7-7 TOUCHDOWN BRONCOS

Best offense from '18 v 3rd best from '05 - we're 6 minutes in and two long scoring passes already on the board.

Chiefs start at the 28.  They get one first down on a 13 yard Anthony Sherman run, Mahomes will be sacked, Trevor Pryce dropping him, and there's a punt around midfield.  

The Broncos start at their own 2 yard line.  

1/10 - Plummer swings out to Anderson, he makes his way forward for 21.  

1/10 - Anderson gets 5.

2/5 - Kyle Johnson gets 2.

3/3 - Plummer picks it up - 17 yards to Jeb Putzier - Broncos are now at the 47. 

1/10 - Plummer to Rod Smith, 5 yds.

2/5 - Give to Anderson, 6 yards - Broncos at the Chiefs 42.  

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Plummer - hits Smith on the sideline, it's 13 yards and Denver's at the 29 as the qtr ends.

2nd Qtr: Broncos 7 Chiefs 7

Couple of big plays the story here - and now Denver's driving, first down at the KC 29.

1/10 - Strip sack - Dee Ford rips the ball from Plummer, Fumble -- the Chiefs recover - KC recovers at their own 34 - big play by Ford, sack, fumble - KC ball.

1/10 - Gadget play - Tyreek Hill gets the ball on an end around -- Hill throws a backward pass back to Mahomes -- Mahomes looks downfield -- To a Wide Open Kareem Hunt -- Hunt is Wide Open -- No One within 15 yards of Hunt -- Hunt is going to walk into the end zone -- TOUCHDOWN CHIEFS - Hill to Mahomes -- Mahomes 66 yards to Hunt - huge strike and it's 14-7 KC.

Broncos at the 34.

1/10 - Mike Anderson breaks one -- 51 yards -- Anderson hits the home run - down to the Chiefs 15 yard line.  

1/10 - Tatum Bell gets 8.

2/2 - Kyle Johnson is short.

3/1 - Bell picks it up - first and goal at the 4.

1/goal - Incomplete

2/goal - Bell is stopped cold and it's 3rd and goal.  

3/goal - Ron Dayne just plows forward - hitting the Chiefs line and driving them back...into the endzone --- TOUCHDOWN BRONCOS - Ron Dayne runs 4 yards into the KC endzone and it is tied at 14, 11 minutes left in the half.

KC at the 38.

They get 1 first down, Mahomes 7 yards to Watkins - but they punt around midfield.  

Broncos at the 11.  They get a first down, Plummer 15 to Smith -- that's all, after the punt, KC starts at the 25.

KC gets 2 first downs - 15 yard run for Hunt, 10 yard end around for Watkins...but that's all, and Denver will start at the 20 at the 2 minute mark.  

1/10 - Kyle Johnson loses 3.  Timeout.

2/13 - Plummer -- Going up top -- Plummer to Ashley Lelie -- 40 yard strike - Lelie is at the KC 43, Broncos stopping the clock.  

1/10 - Plummer scrambles out of bounds - 1:36 left in the half.  14-14.  

2/10 - Plummer to Stephen Alexander, 9 yards -- Plummer hurrying to the line, not stopping the clock

3/1 - Plummer...handoff to Anderson --- Anderson Is Through the Hole -- Anderson is gonna go All the Way Into the Endzone -- TOUCHDOWN BRONCOS -- 51 yard run for Mike Anderson makes it 21-14 Denver with a minute to go.  

Chiefs at the 29.  1:10 left.  

1/10 - Mahomes goes to Kelce -- 15 yards to the 44, KC timeout at 57 seconds.  

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Mahomes to Kelce, he's got 6 yards and is out of bounds.  

3/4 - Mahomes to Kelce -- 8 yards, first down to the 41, KC stops the clock with 33 seconds to go.

1/10 - Mahomes has to run - gets back to the line and is out of bounds, 24 seconds left

2/10 - Mahomes -- finds Hill on the sideline - that's a first down at the 28, just 11 seconds left.

1/10 - Mahomes is sacked by Al Wilson coming right up the middle -- the Chiefs stop the clock just before the zeroes flas on the scoreboard -- Butker comes on and hits the long FG and the half comes to an end.

Third Qtr: Broncos 21 Chiefs 17

The offense continues here - Mahomes with his second huge TD strike, Denver really rolling through in both pass and ground.  We've got a good one here in Denver.

Broncos at the 21.

1/10 - Plummer is dropped by Chris Jones on the first play of the half.

2/14 - Mike Anderson continues his big game - 19 yards to the 36.  

1/10 - Bell for 2

2/8 - Anderson for 5

3/3 - Plummer picks it up, 8 yards to Smith and Denver is across midfield.

That's as far as it goes....Jason Elam kicks a 58 yard FG....and makes it 24-17, Denver takes the first 7 minutes of the third qtr, and their lead is 7.

Chiefs at the 32.

1/10 - Hunt gets 2

2/8 - Incomplete

3/8 - Mahomes to Watkins - 16 yards and the Chiefs are at midfield.

1/10 - Mahomes to Hill, he's got a first down at the 33.

And that's it -- Butker's FG makes it 24-20 Denver, these two teams so evenly matched today.

Denver at the 20.

1/10- Plummer going up top - 27 yards to Lelie- Denver at the 47, Jake Plummer has matched Patrick Mahomes shot for shot today.

1/10 - Plummer to Putzier for 9

2/1 - Plummer to Anderson for 7 - Denver's at the 37.

1/10 - Anderson gets 17 yards -- KC just is unable to slow this Bronco offense.

1/10 - Bell gets 11 yards -- That's the last play of the qtr.  Denver will have first and goal with the 4 pt lead.

4th Qtr: Broncos 24 Chiefs 20

Clearly an even matchup, the Chiefs have put up very little resistance on defense and that's the slim difference.  First and goal for Denver at the 9.

1/goal - Plummer to Putzier, 6 yards and it's second and goal.

2/goal - Anderson is stopped just short.

3/goal - Play action -- Plummer flips the ball into the endzone -- Bell is there -- TOUCHDOWN BRONCOS -- Plummer goes 1 yard to Bell - Denver leads 31-20.

KC at the 31.

1/10 - Mahomes 9 yards to Hill

2/1 - Mahomes 5 to Damien Williams

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Mahomes to Hill, he's in space -- 21 yards to the Denver 34.

1/10 - Mahomes to Hill - he's in space again 15 yards -- KC is at the 19 yard line.

But that's it - Denver gets its 3rd sack of the day on a John Lynch safety blitz -- Butker will hit the FG and with 9 minutes to play, it's Broncos 31-23.

Denver starts at the 26.  KC needs a stop.

Denver gets 1 first down, Plummer 21 yards to Rod Smith - but Justin Houston gets the third Chiefs sack of the day - KC forces the punt - it's a big one, rolling dead at the KC 9 yard line.

So here we go.  5:17 left.  Denver by 8.  Mahomes needs to go 91 yards and then get that 2 pt conversion.

1/10 - Hunt gets 1

2/9 - Hunt loses 3.

3/12 from their own 7 -- KC in a big hole -- Mahomes in big trouble, busted play -- Mahomes trying to keep it alive, Mahomes is leveled by Gerald Warren -- it's a Fumble -- the ball rolling toward the endzone -- it's batted backward and recovered by a Chiefs lineman -- but its in the endzone -- that's a Safety -- Warren the man to get that safety - and now it's Broncos by 10, with 3 minutes left - about to get the ball back and this game is over.

Denver's able to pick up first downs, burning KC timeouts -- and eat up the final 3 minutes of the clock, the game ending at the KC 11 yard line.

Final: Broncos 33 Chiefs 23

In a game filled with big offensive plays - it was a defensive play, a strip sack by Gerald Warren that led to a Warren safety that was the dagger.  In round 2, the '05 Broncos will be headed to Cleveland to face the '55 Browns.

Plummer: 17 for 22, 278 yds, 2 TD

Mahomes: 15 for 23, 260 yds, 2 TD

Anderson: 18 carries, 161 yds, 1 TD

Hunt: 15 carries, 63 yds, 1 catch, 66 yds, 1 TD

Lelie: 3 catches, 133 yds, 1 TD

Hill: 5 catches, 70 yds

Player of the Game: Jake Plummer

256 Team NFL Tournament: Region 8/Round 1: 1984 Miami Dolphins v. 2009 San Diego Chargers

'71 Colts v. '88 Vikings 

13. 2009 SAN DIEGO CHARGERS at 4. 1984 AFC CHAMPIONSHIP MIAMI DOLPHINS

4. 1984 AFC CHAMPION MIAMI DOLPHINS 

Record: 14-2

Pythag: 13-3

Off: 1st

Def: 7th

1st AFC East

d. Seahawks Div Rnd 31-10

d. Steelers AFC Title 45-28

Lost Super Bowl 49ers 38-16

HC Don Shula DC Chuck Studley

Orange Bowl: 75

Rick Weaver/Hank Goldberg

Offense

QB Dan Marino All Pro 23 Pitt

RB Joe Nathan 28 Alabama

FB Woody Bennett 29 Miami

WR Mark Clayton 23 Louisville

WR Mark Duper 25 NWestern St

TE Dan Johnson 24 Iowa St

LT Jon Giesler 28 Michigan

LG Roy Foster 24 USC

C Dwight Stephenson All Pro 27 Alabama

RG Ed Newman All Pro 33 Duke

RT Cleveland Green 27 Southern

Defense

LDE Doug Betters 28 Nevada

NT Bob Baumhower 29 Alabama

RDE Kim Bokamper 30 S Jose St

LOLB Bob Brudzinski 29 Ohio St

LILB AJ Duhe 29 LSU

RILB Mark Brown 23 Purdue

LCB Don McNeal 26 Alabama

RCB William Judson 25 S Carolina St

SS Glenn Blackwood  27 Texas

FS Lyle Blackwood 33 TCU

K Uwe von Schamann 28 Oklahoma

P Reggie Roby 23 Iowa

KR/PR Fulton Walker 26 W Virginia

The 3rd seed in Region 8 is the top offense from '84, the Dolphins.  Dan Marino is 23, All Pro, 48 scores and 17 picks.  Big year for 23 year old Mark Clayton, 18 scores. 2 All Pros on the line, 27 year old Dwight Stephenson and 33 year old Ed Newman. 7th ranked defense, 28 year old Doug Betters and 25 year old Charles Bowser combined for 23 sacks. 

13. 2009 SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

Record: 13-3

Pythag: 11-5

Off: 4th

Def: 11th

1st AFC West

Lost Div Rnd Jets 17-14

HC Norv Turner OC Clarence Shelmon DC Ron Rivera

Offense

QB Philip Rivers  28 NC St

RB LaDanian Tomlinson  30 TCU

FB Mike Tolbert 24 CCarolina

WR Malcolm Floyd 28 Wyoming

WR Vincent Jackson 26 N Colorado

TE Antonio Gates 29 Kent St

LT Marcus McNeill 26 Auburn

LG Kris Dielman 28 Indiana

C Scott Mcruczkowski 27 B Green

RG Louis Vasquez 22-R 22 T Tech

RT Jeromey Clary 26 K St

Defense

LDE Jacques Cesaire 29 So Conn St

NT Ian Scott 28 Florida

RDE Luis Castillo 26 NWestern

LOLB Shaun Phillips 28 Purdue

LILB Stephen Cooper 30 Maine

RILB Brandon Siler 24 Florida

ROLB Shawne Merriman 25 Maryland

LCB Quentin Jammer 30 Texas

RCB Antonio Cromartie 25 Florida St

SS Kevin Ellison-R 22 USC

FS Eric Weddle 24 Utah

K Nate Kaeding All Pro 27 Iowa

P Mike Scifres 29 W Illinois

KR/PR Darren Sproles 26 K St

The '07 Chargers have advanced, move forward two years and here's the 13th seed in the region.  4th in offense in 09, Phil Rivers is 28, 29 scores and 9 picks, 30 year old LaDainian Tomlinson had a dozen TDs. The Chargers are gonna throw the ball, 26 year old Vincent Jackson, 29 year old Antonio Gates each had over 1100 yards receiving.  Just as the Charger offense isn't quite at the level of Miami's, so goes the defense. 28 year old Shaun Phillips had 7 sacks, but they might really have their hands full with Marino. The kicker, Nate Kaeding, is a 27 year old All Pro

The '88 Vikes await the winner.  Let's go to the Orange Bowl

1st Qtr

Chargers start at the 24.

1/10 - Phil Rivers first pass of the day....Is Picked Off by AJ Duhe-- Duhe down at the 23, Miami intercepts the first pass of the game and they are in business.

1/10 - Woody Bennett gets 13 and it's a first and goal.

1/goal - Dan Marino - fade pattern -- Mark Clayton -- TOUCHDOWN DOLPHINS - barely a minute in, a pick leads to a score - the Dolphins up 7-0.

Chargers at the 28.

3 and out.

Dolphins at the 34.

1/10 - Marino to Mark Duper, 9 yards.

2/1 - Tony Nathan picks it up, Dolphins at the 47.

1/10 - Nathan gets 2.

2/8 - Marino.  Nat Moore.  9 yards.  Miami at the 42.

That's where the drive ends, after the punt, it's SD at the 9.

1/10 - LaDainian Tomlinson gets 5 yards.  

2/5 - Rivers completes his first pass, 11 yards to Antonio Gates, 11 yards.

1/10 - Tomlinson stopped.

2/10 - Incomplete

3/10 - Rivers to Vincent Jackson, a dozen yards and a first down.

1/10 - Rivers again - Legedu Naanee, he's got 10 yards and another first down.

But that's all - after the punt, it's Miami at the 14.

1/10 - Marino to Nat Moore, 5 yards.

2/5 - Marino, under pressure - brought down by Shaun Phillips.

3/5 - Marino, under pressure - throws -- Picked Off by Quentin Jammer -- Jammer intercepts Marino and the Chargers are now in business at the Miami 29.

3 plays net 6 yards - they hit the FG, it's 7-3 Dolphins.

Miami starts at the 17 - an 8 yard Bennett run makes it 2nd and 2 as the qtr ends. 

2nd Qtr: Dolphins 7 Chargers 3

The teams trade picks - Miami with the lead on the Marino TD pass, it's second and 2 at their own 25.

Miami doesn't pick it up - after the kick the Chargers open at their own 41.

3 and out.  The expected shootout hasn't started yet.  Miami at the 22.

1/10 - Marino over the middle, Dan Johnson for 15.

1/10 - Marino, quick out to Duper for 9.

2/1 - Marino - in the flat to Nathan, he scoots for 9 and the Dolphins cross midfield.

1/10 - Woody Bennett runs between Stephenson/Newman and is through the hole -- Bennett goes for 34 yards to the Charger 11.

1/10 - Marino--- give to Joe Carter - Carter's got a block -- Carter's got a hole -- Carter will go into the endzone - TOUCHDOWN DOLPHINS - Joe Carter scoots his way into the endzone and it's 14-3 Miami.  

Chargers at the 36.

They get a first down - Rivers going up top to Kareem Osgood for 36 yards - big strike - the drive ends on a Doug Betters sack (Rivers heads to the locker room) and then Nick Kaeding misses the FG. Miami regains at the 36.  

1/10 - Tony Nathan gets 1.

2/9 - Marino -- Clayton.  21 yards and the Dolphins again cross midfield.

1/10 - Marino.  Duper.  16 yards to the 26.  Miami rolling now.  

1/10 - Tony Nathan -- he's got a big hole - a big gaping hole and he will stroll 26 yards...into the endzone....TOUCHDOWN DOLPHINS - Miami now with the big 21-3 lead, the top 1984 offense showing 2009 what's what - it's 21-3. 

Chargers will start at the 29.  

1/10 - Billy Volek on at QB for Rivers who is sent to the locker room after the Betters sack. Tomlinson with the big gainer, 32 yards and we hit the 2 minute warning.  

1/10 - Volek to throw - Tomlinson out of the backfield for 8.

2/2 - Incomplete

3/2 - Volek finds Malcolm Floyd - it's a 9 yard gain - the Chargers are at the 22.  

The drive ends there, with a minute left in the half, Kaeding's FG makes it 21-6.

Miami at the 30.  

1/10 - Marino.  Going up top.  Marino finds Clayton for a 42 yard shot - Miami calls timeout at the Charger 28 with 48 seconds left in the half.  

1/10 - Phillips with his second sack - Miami has to stop the clock again, 39 seconds left, they're at the Charger 30.

2/12 - Marino.  Duper.  16 yards at the sideline - Miami is at the Charger 14.

1/10 - Marino - has to dump it to Bennett, he's out of bounds at the 11, 17 seconds left.  

2/7 - Marino -- looking to the endzone -- fires --- Clayton -- TOUCHDOWN DOLPHINS - that's gonna end the half -- Miami is up 28-6, just firing on all cylinders against the Chargers.

3rd Qtr: Dolphins 28 Chargers 6

21 for Miami in the second quarter has probably ended the game; really impressive first half for Miami.

Miami starts at the 25.

1/10 - Woody Bennett stopped.

2/10 - Marino -- to Crash Jensen -- 16 yards.

1/10 - Marino - Joe Carter - 8 yards near midfield.

2/2 - Marino - Bruce Hardy - 14 yards - Dan Marino has just come out firing, flinging the ball all over the field.  

1/10 - Bennett stopped.

2/10 - Tony Nathan -- Nathan bounces to the outside -- Nathan has the corner -- And Tony Nathan's Gonna Go -- Tony Nathan 37 yards into the endzone - TOUCHDOWN DOLPHINS - it;s 35-6, Dolphins just all over, all over San Diego today.

Chargers at the 36, Phil Rivers is back on for San Diego.

1/10 - Tomlinson, big gainer -- 39 big yards to the Miami 25.

1/10 - Mike Tolbert gets 7.  

2/3 - Rivers -- Vincent Jackson - Jackson in space -- Jackson breaks a tackle and he will go into the endzone - TOUCHDOWN CHARGERS - it's 35-13 Miami.

Dolphins at the 33.  

1/10 - Nathan for 14.  

1/10 - Carter for 28 - the Chargers can't stop Miami at all.

1/10 - Marino to Jimmy Cefalo for 7.

2/3 - Carter gets 4.  First down.  Miami at the 14.

1/10 - Nathan -- right up the gut -- Tony Nathan is back in the endzone -- Nathan with his 3rd TD - TOUCHDOWN DOLPHINS - Miami has the 42-13 lead, just an overwhelming performance for Miami.  

Chargers at the 35.  The drive lasts most of the rest of the quarter, Rivers to Jackson for 10, Sproles a 15 yard run the big gainers - but San Diego punts, Miami at the 18.

They pick up 16 yards as the qtr ends.

4th Qtr: Dolphins 42 Chargers 13

Easy money today, Miami will advance to host the '88 Vikes.

Miami will take the first 8 minutes of the 4th qtr to continue this drive, it ends in a 9 yard TD pass from Marino to Dan Johnson.  TOUCHDOWN DOLPHINS Mostly runs and short passes, Marino to Duper for 18 the biggest play.  It's 49-13.  

The net San Diego drive ends on downs around midfield.  12 yard passes from Rivers to Gates and Jackson the biggest plays, Betters with his second sack.  

Don Strock comes on for Miami - foot off the gas now, they run the ball, Chargers burn all their timeouts - we pass the 2 minute warning and San Diego gets the ball back at their own 42.

They use the rest of the game to drive and score - 42 yards from Rivers to Gates the big play, Rivers 6 yards to Sproles the TD as the clock expires. TOUCHDOWN CHARGERS

Final: Dolphins 49 Chargers 20

Miami put this out of reach in the second qtr, the first half of region 8 is set

Marino: 22 of 25, 291 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT

Rivers: 15 of 27, 226 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT

Nathan: 11 carries, 109 yds, 3 TD

Tomlinson: 16 carries, 98 yds

Clayton: 5 catches, 88 yds, 2 TD

Jackson: 5 catches, 50 yds, TD

Betters: 2 sacks

Player of the Game: Dan Marino

Here's the top half of the region -

2004 Patriots

1993 49ers

1988 Vikings

1984 Dolphins

256 Team NFL Tournament: Region 8/Round 1: 1971 Baltimore Colts v. 1988 Minnesota Vikings

'12 Seahawks v. '93 Niners 

12. 1988 MINNESOTA VIKINGS at 5. 1971 BALTIMORE COLTS 

5. 1971 BALTIMORE COLTS 

Record: 10-4

Pythag: 12-2

Off: 5th

Def: 2nd

2nd AFC East

d. Browns Div Rnd 20-3

lost Dolphins AFC Title 21-0

HC Don McCafferty OC John Idzik

Memorial Stadium: 50 degrees

Chuck Thompson

Offense

QB Earl Morrall  37 Mich St

RB Tom Matte 32 Ohio St

FB Norm Bulaich 25 TCU

WR Ray Perkins 30 Alabama

WR Eddie Hinton 24 Oklahoma

TE Tom Mitchell 27 Bucknell

LT Bob Vogel 30 Ohio St

LG Glenn Ressler 28 Penn St

C Bill Curry 29 Geo Tech

RG John Williams 26 Minnesota

RT Dan Sullivan 32 B College

Defense

LDE Bubba Smith All Pro 26

LDT Billy Newsome 23 Grambling

RDT Fred Miller 31 LSU

RDE Roy Hinton 28 Jackson

LLB Ray May 26 USC

MLB Mike Curtis 28 Duke

RLB Ted Hendricks All Pro 24 Miami

LCB Charlie Stukes 28 ME Shore

RCB Jim Duncan 25 ME Shore

SS Jerry Logan  30 W Tex A&M

FS Rick Volk All Pro 26 Mich

K Jim O'Brien 24 Cincinnati

P David Lee 28 LA Tech

KR Charlie Pittman 23 Penn St

PR Rick Volk All Pro 26 Mich

3 Colts teams have advanced, this group is the 5th seed in the region. 2nd best defense, 5th best offense in '71.  24 year old Ted Hendricks, 26 year old Bubba Smith are both All Pro, as is 26 year old Rick Volk, who also returns punts.  8 picks for 28 year old Charlie Stukes.  Johnny Unitas is 38, but he's on the bench, it's 37 year old Earl Morrall who takes the football, 7 scores and a dozen picks. 25 year old Norm Bulaich scored ten times. 

12. 1988 MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Record: 11-5

Pythag: 13-3

Off: 4th

Def: 2nd

2nd NFC Central

d. Rams WC 28-17

Lost Niners Div Rnd 34-9

HC Jerry Burns OC Bob Schnelker DC Floyd Peters

Offense

QB Wade Wilson 29-Tex A&M Commerce

RB Darrin Nelson 29 Stanford

RB Alfred Anderson 27 Baylor

WR Anthony Carter 28 Michigan

WR Hassan Jones 24 Florida St

TE Steve Jordan 27 Brown

LT Gary Zimmerman All Pro 27 Oregon

LG Randall McDaniel 24 Arizona St

C Kirk Lowdermilk 25 Ohio St

RG Terry Tausch 29 Texas

RT Tim Irwin 30 Tenn

Defense

LDE Doug Martin 31 Wash

LDT Henry Thomas 23 LSU

RDT Keith Millard All Pro 26 Wash St

RDE Chris Doleman 27 Pitt

LLB Jesse Solomon 25 Florida St

MLB Scott Studwell 34 Illinois

RLB David Howard 27 LB St

LCB Issiac Holt 26 Alcorn St

RCB Carl Lee All Pro 27 Marshall

SS Joey Browner All Pro 28 USC

FS Joey Harris 32 Ariz St

K Chuck Nelson 28 Wash

P Bucky Scribner 28 Kansas

KR Darryl Harris  22 Ariz St

PR Leo Lewis 32 Missouri

The '70 Vikings have advanced; the 12th seeded '88 team looks to join them and we could have a good one here; as Minnesota's got the 2nd best defense, 4th best offense from 1988.  26 year old Keith Millard is an All Pro, he and 27 year old Chris Doleman each had 8 sacks. There are two All Pros in the seconday; 28 year old Joey Browner, 27 year old Carl Lee who combined for 13 picks. Wade Wilson's 29, 17 scores and 9 picks. 28 year old Anthony Carter had over 1200 yards receiving. 27 year old Gary Zimmerman is an All Pro.  

Let's go to Baltimore; the '71 Colts hosting the '88 Vikes.  Should be competitive.

1st Qtr

Colts will start at the 16

1/10 - Earl Morrall passes to start - 6 yards to Ed Hinton.

2/2 - Morrall again - Colts come out throwing - Tom Mitchell over the middle, 17 yards to the 39.  

1/10 - 5 for Norm Bulaich

2/5 - Incomplete

3/5 - Morral finds Ray Perkins - that's 18 yards - that's a first down and the Colts are at the 38.

The drive ends there -- long O'Brien FG is good.  3-0

Vikes will start at the 33.

3 and out.

Colts at the 25.  Bulaich is hit in the backfield by Keith Millard on the second play - it forces a fumble, the Vikes take over at the Colt 40 yard line.

3 and out.  They go backward 10 yards, Bubba Smith with the sack.  

Baltimore gets it back at the 27.  

They go back 7 yards, Chris Doleman with the sack.  3 and out.  

Vikes get it back at the 48.  3 and out.

Colts at their 28.  3 and out.

Vikes get it back at their own 40, time for one play, a Wade Wilson pass to Alfred Anderson for 9 yards.

2nd Qtr

Defense in the first qtr, the Vikes don't have a first down and trail 3-0, second and 1 near midfield.

2/1 - Anderson picks it up.

The Vikes will get another first down, 3 short runs - but that's all, Nelson hits a long FG and we are tied.  

Colts will open at the 11.  They'll get a first down on a 10 yard Tom Matte run - but that's it, after the punt, Minnesota regains possession at the 40, halfway through the qtr.  

They'll get a first down -- Wade Wilson going deep -- 33 yards to Anthony Carter --- but this time the FG is no good, and it stays 3-3.

Colts at their own 34.  3 and out - Vikes get the ball back at the 2 min warning.  

They get a first down - Wilson going 18 yards to Steve Jordan --

---but Mike Curtis forces an Alfred Anderson fumble, the Colts regain possession with a little more than a minute left in the half at the Viking 46 yard line.

They get a first down - Morrall 10 yard pass to Don Nottingham - the drive ends with the second Jim O'Brien FG of the day - that's going to end the first half, 6-3 Colts

3rd Qtr

So, this game is all defense - its the second best defense from both '71 and '88 and that's the game we're seeing.  Colts up 3.  Vikes to start at the 39,

1/10 - Darren Nelson gets a yard.

2/9 - Wilson finds Anthony Carter in space, he gets 18 and the Vikes are at the 42.

1/10 - Rick Fenney barrels his way for a 35 yard gain -- Fenney just brambling to the Colts 7 and it's a first and goal for Minnesota.  

That's it - Bubba Smith's second sack of the day - chip shot Nelson FG and it's 6-6.

Colts start at the 30.  3 and out.  

Vikes get it back at their own 46 - good field position after the Leo Lewis return. 

1/10 - Wilson goes downfield -- Anthony Carter -- that's 25 yards to the Colts 29 yard line.

Minnesota gets one more first down - 12 yard DJ Dozier run -- but again, a FG, as has been the case all day from both sides and it is now 9-6 Vikes.

Colts start at the 33.  They get a first down on a 12 yard Tom Matte run -- but Carl Lee then picks off Morrall -- the Vikes have forced the turnover  and start in Baltimore territory at the 49.

1/10 - Alfred Anderson with 29 yards on the draw play - Vikes at the Colts 20.

1/10 - Give to Nelson - running in between Zimmerman and McDaniel -- Nelson through the hole -- And Darren Nelson is Gonna Go -- Darren Nelson 20 yards into the end zone -- TOUCHDOWN VIKINGS -- Minnesota scores 10 quick points and with 3 minutes left in the third quarter they lead 16-6.

Colts at the 24.

1 first down -- Matte 10 yd run.

But they punt.  Vikes take over at their own 35.

Two plays lose 7 yards, Rick Volk sack on a safety blitz, Vikes will have a third and 17 as the 4th starts.

4th Qtr

Carl Lee with the big play - a pick of Morrall leading to the first TD of the day, Vikes have a third and a bunch in their own end, up 10.

They don't get it - Mike Curtis with the Colts 4th sack of the day - Baltimore will start at their own 43.  They need to move the ball.  

They don't.  3 and out.  

Vikes ball.  17.  3 and out -- Bubba Smith gets his 3rd sack of the day.  

Colts again starting at the 48.  And they're making the move at QB...here comes the Great Unitas...the legendary Johnny Unitas coming out to QB, little more than 11 minutes left, Vikes lead by 10.  

On the first play -- Unitas is Picked Off by Joey Browner -- Vikes taking over at their own 49 yard line and that feels like the dagger - Minnesota's second INT is off Unitas - Vikes take over.

They get a first down - Wilson to Gustafson - 20 yardds.

But that's it - and when Nelson misses the FG, the Colts live.

Unitas comes back out to the field - starting at the 40.  Trailing by 10.  

1/10 - Unitas to Matte, 5 yards.

2/5 - Unitas to Bulaich, 9 yards. 

1/10 - Unitas to Mitchell - 16 yards and the Colts are at the Viking 30. 

1/10 - Give to Bulaich, 1 yd.

2/9 - Give to Nottingham -- Notthingham runs all the way to the Viking 8 yard line, it's a first and goal for the Colts with 5 minutes left.

1/goal - Unitas - End Zone -- Matte -- TOUCHDOWN COLTS -- It takes Unitas just 3:30 to go 60 yards - Baltimore has cut the deficit to 16-13, under 5 to go.

Can the Colt defense, which has sacked Wilson 5 times, get this ball back?

Darryl Harris with the big return - Minnesota starts at their own 41 yard line, 4:46 left in the football game, up 3.  

1/10 - Nelson gets 4.

2/6 - Wilson -- Anthony Carter -- big play -- 22 yards -- the Colts at the Viking 33 yard line, such a big play there. 

1/10 - Nelson is stopped.  

2/10 - Nelson is stopped.

3/10 - Wilson - over the middle -- PICKED OFF BY HENDRICKS!  Ted Hendricks Intercepts Wade Wilson - the Vikes went to the well too many times - and now, with 2:10 left in the football game, the Baltimore Colts have a first down at their own 37, down 16-13.

Here we go.  Unitas.  2 minute drive.  

1/10 - Matte gets a carry, 3 yards.  2 minute warning.

2/7 - Unitas.  Hinton - 17 yards -- Colts stop the clock, they are at the Viking 43 yard line.

1/10 - Incomplete.

2/10 - Unitas is sacked - Chris Doleman drops Unitas - the Colts are back at midfield, they've got to use their second timeout, there's 1:40 left.  Third and 17.

3/17 - Incomplete.

So - this is it.  4th and 17 from midfield - the Colts need a FG to force OT.

4/17 - Unitas.  Looking downfield.  John Mackey -- Deflected away by Browner - Browner knocks away the Unitas pass - and that is it.

Vikes will run out the clock and it is a final.

Final: Vikings 16 Colts 13

The Vikes withstand a 5 sack day, withstand a late interception - withstand a comeback attempt by the legendary Unitas and move on.

Wilson: 13 for 23, 154 yds, 1 INT

Morrall: 8 for 21, 89 yds, 1 INT

Dozier: 6 carries, 54 yds

Matte: 15 carries, 52 yds, 1 TD

Carter: 4 catches, 98 yds

Mitchell: 3 catches, 36 yds

Player of the Game: Carl Lee

256 Team NFL Tournament: Region 8/Round 1: 2012 Seattle Seahawks v. 1993 San Francisco 49ers

'04 Patriots v. '06 Bears 

9. 1993 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS at 2012 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

8. 2012 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Record: 11-5

Pythag: 12-4

Off: 9th

Def: 1st

2nd NFC West

d. Redskins 24-14 WC

lost Falcons Div Rnd 30-28

HC: Pete Carroll OC Darrell Bevel DC Gus Bradley

Century Link Field: 55 degrees

Steve Raible/Warren Moon

Offense

QB Russell Wilson 24-R NC St

RB Marshawn Lynch All Pro 26 Cal 

FB Michael Robinson 29 Penn St

WR Sidney Rice 26 S Carolina

WR Golden Tate 24 N Dame

TE Zach Miller 27 Ariz St

LT Russell Okung 24 Oklahoma St

LG James Carpenter 23 Alabama

C Max Unger All Pro 26 Oregon

RG Paul McQuistan 29 Weber

RT Breno Giacomini 27 Louisville

Defense

LDE Red Bryant 28 A&M

LDT Alan Branch 28 Michigan

RDT Brandon Medane 27 Cal

RDE Chris Clemons 31 UGA

LLB LeRoy Hill 30 Clemson

MLB Bobby Wagner 22-R Utah St

RLB KJ Wright 23 Miss St

LCB Richard Sherman All Pro 24 Stanford

RCB Brandon Browner 28 Oregon St

SS Kam Chancellor  24 Va Tech

FS Earl Thomas All Pro 23 Texas

K Stephen Hauschka 27 NC St

P Joe Ryan 31 Regina

KR/PR Leon Washington 30 Florida St 

It's the best defense from 2012 hosting the best offense from 1993.  Richard Sherman's 24, All Pro, 8 picks - the other All Pro on defense is 23 year old Earl Thomas. 31 year old Chris Clemons had 11.5 sacks  It's Russell Wilson's rookie year, the 24 year old had 30 scores and ten picks. Two All Pros on offense, 26 year old Max Unger and 26 year old Marshawn Lynch, who ran for nearly 1600 yards and scores a dozen times.

9. 1993 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Record: 10-6

Pythag: 12-4

Off: 1st

Def: 16th

1st NFC West

d. Giants Div Rnd 44-3

Lost Cowboys NFC Title 38-21

HC George Seifert OC Mike Shanahan DC Bill McPherson

Offense

QB Steve Young All Pro 32 BYU

RB Ricky Watters 24 N Dame

FB Marc Logan 28 Kentucky

WR Jerry Rice All Pro 31 Miss Vall St

WR John Taylor 31 Delaware St

TE Brent Jones 30 S Clara

LT Steve Wallace 29 Auburn

LG Guy McIntyre 32 UGA

C Jesse Sapolu 32 Hawaii

RG Ralph Tamm 27 W Chester

RT Harris Barton All Pro 29 UNC

Defense

LDE Dennis Brown 26 Wash

LDT Dana Stubblefield 23-R 23 Kansas

RDT Ted Washington 25 Louisville

RDE Kevin Fagan 30 Miami

LLB John Johnson 25 Clemson

MLB Mike Walter 33 Oregon

RLB Bill Romanowski 27 B College

LCB Eric Davis 25 Jacksonville St

RCB Don Griffin 29 Mid Tenn St

SS Tim McDonald 28 USC

FS Merton Hanks 25 Iowa

K Mike Cofer 29 NC St

P Klaus Wilmsmeyer  26 Louisville

KR/PR Dexter Carter 26 Florida St

Ken Norton and Pete Carroll will arrive in the next couple of years; they're on the other sideline today.  John Marshall's on the Niners sideline, he'll eventually be on Seattle's.  Robert Saleh - he's with the Seahawks today and one day will be in San Francisco. It's incestuous.  These Niners have the top offense in the league.  32 year old Steve Young is an All Pro, 31 scores and 16 picks, 31 year old Jerry Rice, is an All Pro, 98 catches, 1500 yards, 16 scores.  29 year old Harris Barton is also an All Pro and 24 year old Ricky Watters had 11 scores.  On defense, 23 year old rookie Dana Stubblefield had 10.5 sacks.  

We got a good one in this 8/9 game in region 8.  Each franchise looking to advance its third team into round 2. Let's go to Seattle.

1st Qtr

Nice Leon Washington return, Seahawks start at the 42.

1/10 - Marshawn Lynch opens with an 11 yard gain.  

1/10 - Lynch gets 1.

2/9 - 19 more for Lynch - Seattle comes out running the ball and they're at the Niner 27.

1/10 - Michael Robinson gets a carry, goes for 4.

2/6 - Russell Wilson's first pass attempt - Sidney Rice, just shy of the first down.

3/1 - Lynch picks it up - the Seahawks are at the Niner 13.  

1/10 - Robinson gets 2.

2/8 - Wilson -- EndZone -- Golden Tate -- TOUCHDOWN SEAHAWKS - just easy money for Seattle in the opening drive, 5 minutes, 58 yards and Seattle scores.  

Niners at the 37.

1/10 - Ricky Watters carries for 1.

2/9 - Steve Young is sacked by Bobby Wagner, blitzing right up the gut - it's third and a bunch.

3/13 - Draw play - Marc Logan, Logan busts his way ---- to the first down - Mike Shanahan wants to establish the run, he gets 13 and the first.

1/10 - Young in trouble - he escapes the pocket - Young gets 7.

2/3 - Watters gets a yard.

3/2 - Another 3rd down give to Logan....and he Breaks It -- Marc Logan Into the Secondary -- Marc Logan is gonna go 45 yards..TOUCHDOWN NINERS - 45 yard TD run by Logan to tie the score.  

Seahawks at the 21.

They get one first down, a 13 yard Lynch run - but a Stubblefield sack follows and there's a punt.

Niners at the 18.

1/10 - Jerry Rice v. Richard Sherman is the marquee matchup today, it's the first look to Rice, he gets 4.

2/6 - Tom Rathman's first carry, he gets 1.

3/5 - Ricky Watters pick it up - Niners at the 32.

1/10 - Watters gets the corner -- Watters exploding for 31- Watters to the Seattle 37 as the qtr ends.

2nd Qtr: Seahawks 7 Niners 7

Both sides exchange TD drives, largely built on running the ball, Niners have a first down at the Seattle 37.

1/10 - Young sacked again, Chris Clemons drags him down.

2/13 - Logan picks it up -- Niners able to get big gains on the ground, 15 yards to the 23. 

1/10 - Amp Lee gets a carry and loses 2.

2/12 - Young to Rice, 5 yards and it's 3rd and 7.

3/7 - Young...Young pulls the ball down and runs...Young will be just short...it's 4th and 1 at the 14.

Seifert decides to go for it.  Woooo.  Okay, it's a 7-7 game, certainly looks like a tight one - but the Niners are gonna try to pick up this first down agains this Seattle defense.

4/1 - It's Rathman.  He picks it up.  

1/10 - Watters...Watters gets 10 yards and it is a first and goal to go at the 3.

1/goal - Young, rolling out -- stops - fires back over the middle -- Rathman gathers it in - tumbles into the endzone -- TOUCHDOWN NINERS -- the veteran Tom Rathman picks up the 4th down and then gatheres in the 3 yard score from Young and it's 14-7 San Francisco.

Seattle at the 30.  10 left in the half.

They pick up a first down, Washington with a 10 yard run -- but Dennis Brown sacks Wilson and Seattle is punting.  Niners at the 35, 7 left in the half.

1/10 - Young.  Rice.  14 yards near midfield.

1/10 - Young, planned run -- Young gets 2. A holding call on the next play makes it 2nd and 18.

2/18 - Young is gonna go downfield -- Young throwing over the top --- John Taylor --- 44 yards - a big strike - Young hits Taylor for 44 and the Niners are at the 15.

1/10 - Young, flips it out to Watters -- Watters breaks a tackle -- and Watters is gonna go!  15 yards into the endzone -- TOUCHDOWN NINERS -- -- Young 15 yards to Watters and the Niners go up 21-7.

Seattle at the 27.  4:31 left.  

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Lynch gets a yard.

3/9 - Wilson finds Robert Turbin - 14 yards to the 42.  

1/10 - Wilson - rifles one over the middle to Zach Miller -- a 20 yard pickup to the Niner 38, 2 minute warning.

1/10 - Wilson - looks to Miller -- Intercepted by Merton Hanks!  Hanks picks off Russell Wilson and the Niners will start at their own 46, up 2 scores.

3 and out.  Seattle gets the ball back, under 90 seconds left, at the 12.

3 and out including a big Kevin Fagan sack - Seattle has to punt from deep in their own end and the Niners have 53 seconds left, 2 timeouts, from the Seattle 46.

1/10 - Young -- to Jamie Williams for 8, he's out of bounds.  

2/2 - Young -- over the middle to Brent Jones -- 16 yards to the 22, Niners use their second timeout with 35 seconds left in the half. 

1/10-  Young, scrambling, gets out of bounds at the line.  27 seconds left.  

2/10 - Young -- Watters - Watters is all the way down to the 9, he is out of bounds -- the Niners have a first and goal with 11 seconds left.  

They take one shot at the endzone -- Incomplete.  

Mike Cofer kicks the short FG, it's halftime -- the Niners are all over Seattle, 24-7.

3rd Qtr

Niners have scored 24 straight - that '93 best offense really taking it to the '12 best defense, add 3 sacks and a pick and it's a 17 pt Niner lead.

Niners start at the 23.

1/10 - Young.  Rice.  9 yards.

2/1 - Young.  Rice.  6 yards.  

1/10 - Watters is stopped.

2/10 - Incomplete

3/10 - Young.  Keeps the play alive.  Finds Nate Singleton -- 14 yards and the Niners have a first down across midfield.  

1/10 - Young to Brent Jones, 8 yards, Niners at the 41.

2/2 - Young...in trouble...Young breaks contain -- Young's got 11 yards all the way to the 30.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/6 - Rathman gets 4.

3/6 - Watters -- Watters bursts through the line -- Ricky Watters is gonna go -- Into the Endzone...TOUCHDOWN NINERS -- 26 yard TD run for Watters, his second score of the day -- it is all San Francisco, 31-7.

Seahawks at the 27.  

On the third play - Wilson throws his second interception -- Eric Davis picking off Wilson, the Niners are at the 37, this is a country whipping.  

1/10 - Logan gets 10.

1/10 - Watters gets 9.

2/1 - Watters is stopped.

3/1 - Logan is stopped.  Niners have a 4th and 1 at the 18 ---

And they're gonna go for it.  George Seifert keeps his foot on the gas.  

4/1 - Watters picks it up.  

1/10 - Young to Logan -- he gets to the 6 yard line.

2/4 - Give to Watters -- he high steps his way into the endzone-- TOUCHDOWN NINERS - Ricky Watters with 3 scores, it is 38-7 and the Niners will be moving on to face the Patriots in round 2.

Seattle at the 31.

3 and out.  

Niners at the 20.

1/10 - Young throws to Taylor - downfield, 21 yards - Niners up 38-7, late third qtr, throwing the football.

1/10 - Watters stopped at the line.  

2/10 - Young to Jones for 7 yards, the qtr ends.

4th Qtr

This game is over; Niners up 38-7 and driving.  

They don't pick it up - and punt.  Seahawks at the 17.

They get a first down, Wilson picks it up with his legs - Ted Washington gives all 4 Niners linemen a sack today.  After the punt, Niners start at their own 46.

They're going to get a FG, the big play a 31 yard Watters run.  Cofer hits it and it's 41-7, 7 minutes left.

Seattle drives down and gets into the endzone - series of medium range throws down the field, it ends with a Wilson 7 yard TD pass to Lynch, under 3 minutes left and it's 41-14.

Seattle doesn't get the ball back - Niners pick up a couple of first downs on the ground, burn the Seattle timeouts and it is over.

Final: 49ers 41 Seahawks 14

-Easy for San Francisco today; they really use Mike Shanahan's ground attack for big yardage and the defense tees off on the rookie Wilson, 4 sacks and 2 picks.  A 3 score day for Ricky Watters.

Young: 18 for 29, 205 yds, 2 TD

Wilson: 12 for 18, 112 yds, 2 TD/2 INT

Watters: 19 carries, 163 yds, 3 TD

Lynch: 17 carries, 85 yds, 1 TD

Rice: 6 catches, 51 yds

Tate: 2 catches, 2 yds, TD

Player of the Game: Ricky Watters

256 Team NFL Tournament: Region 8/Round 1: 2004 New England Patriots v. 2006 Chicago Bears

Region 8 play in game 

16. 2006 NFC CHAMPION CHICAGO BEARS at 1. 2004 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

1. 2004 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 

Record: 14-2

Pythag: 12-4

Off: 4th

Def: 2nd

1st AFC East

d. Colts Div Rnd 20-3

d. Steelers AFC Title 41-27

d. Eagles Super Bowl 24-21

d. 2013 Saints 19-10

HC Bill Belichick OC Charlie Weis DC Romeo Crennel

Gillette Stadium: 45 degrees

Gil Santos/Gino Cappelletti

Offense

QB Tom Brady 

RB Corey Dillon

WR Deion Branch

WR David Givens

WR David Patten

TE Daniel Graham

LT Matt Light

LG Joe Andruzzi

C Dan Koppen

RG Steve Neal

RT Brandon Gorin

Defense

LDE Ty Warren

NT Keith Traylor

RDE Richard Seymour All Pro

LOLB Willie McGinest 

LILB Ted Johnson

RILB Tedy Bruschi

ROLB Mike Vrabel

LCB Ty Law

RCB Randall Gay 22-R

SS Rodney Harrison

FS Eugene Wilson

K Adam Vinatieri All Pro

P Josh Miller

KR Bethel Johnson

PR Kevin Faulk

3 Pats teams - '06, '07, '14 have advanced.  The 8th overall seed in the tournament is the '04 Super Bowl Champs; 2nd in defense, 4th in offense.  25 year old Richard Seymour is the All Pro on defense; he and 33 year old Willie McGinest combined for 14.5 sacks. 32 year old Adam Vinatieri also is an All Pro.  On offense, Brady's 27, 28 scores and 14 picks. Big year for 30 year old Corey Dillon, 1600 yards rushing and 13 scores. 

16. 2006 CHICAGO BEARS

Record: 13-3

Pythag: 12-4

Off: 2nd

Def: 3rd

1st NFC North

d. Seahawks Div Rnd 27-24

d. Saints AFC Title 39-14

lost Super Bowl Colts 29-17

HC Lovie Smith OC Ron Turner DC Ron Rivera

Offense

QB Rex Grossman 26 Florida

RB Thomas Jones 28 UVA

FB Jason McKie 26 Temple

WR Bernard Berrian 26 Fresno St

WR Muhsin Muhammad 33 Michigan St

TE Desmond Clark 29 Wake

LT John Tait 31 BYU

LG Ruben Brown 34 Pitt

C Olin Kreutz 29 All Pro Wash

RG Roberto Garza 27 A&M Kingsville

RT Fred Miller 33 Baylor

Defense

LDE Adewale Ogunleye 29 Indiana

LDT Tommie Harris 23 Oklahoma

RDT Tank Johnson 25 Wash

RDE Alex Brown 27 Florida

LLB Hunter Hillenmeyer 26 Vandy

MLB Brian Urlacher 28 All Pro N Mexico

RLB Lance Briggs 26 Arizona

LCB Peanut Tillman 25 Louisiana

RCB Nathan Vasher 25 Texas

SS Chris Harris 24 La Monroe

FS Danieal Manning 24-R Ab Christian

K Robbie Gould 24 All Pro Penn St

P Brad Maynard 32 Ball St

KR/PR Devin Hester 24 All Pro Miami

Don't sleep on the '06 Bears, they're stuck in this play in game - but maybe they shouldn't be, 2nd best offense, 3rd best defense and two All Pros on special teams.  That feels like a team that should have been in the field.  26 year old Rex Grossman had 23 scores and 20 picks; 28 year old Thomas Jones rushed for 1200 yards. 29 year old Olin Kreutz was an All Pro.  28 year old All Pro Brian Urlacher leads the defense.  Robbie Gould and Devin Hester are both 24 and All Pro, Hester returned 5 kicks for scores.  5 sacks took out the '13 Saints in the play in.  

There hasn't been a 16/1 upset -- can Chicago pull the first?  Let's head to New England for the kick.

1st Qtr

Bethel Johnson returns the opening kick to the 48, Patriots start there.

1/10 - Corey Dillon gets the first carry, goes for 6.

2/4 - Tom Brady quick pass to David Givens at the sideline, first down at the Bear 39.

1/10 - Dillon stopped at the line.

2/10 - Brady - Deion Branch, just short of the first down.

3/1 - Brady - back to Givens - a dozen yards, Pats at the Bears 18.

That's where it stops - Tommie Harris gets a third down sack -- Vinatieri with the short FG and it's 3-0.

Bears start at the 35.

1/10 - Rex Grossman throws on first down - 11 to Thomas Jones.

And that's all.  Patriots will take over at the 20.  

3 and out.  Bears with good field position at their own 49.

1/10 - Jones stacked up.

2/10 - Grossman is buried by Willie McGinest, third and long.

3/18 - Rex picks it up - hits Justin Gage, right at the sticks -- the Bears are at the Pats 39.

1/10 - Thomas Jones big gain, a dozen, Chicago's at the 27.  

1/10 - Jones another big gain -- Jones inside the ten-- Fumble -- Fumble -- Rodney Harrison strips Jones  - Fumble -- the Pats take over with 2 minutes left in the qtr with the 3 point lead.  Big Rodney Harrison forced turnover.

3 and out - the quarter ends before the punt.

2nd Qtr: Patriots 3 Bears 0

Big Patriots defensive play near the end of the qtr, Pats will punt from their own 10.

Bears start at the 43. 

They get a first down - Grossman to Jason McKie, 14 yards -- but the drive leads to no points when Gould misses a 50 yard FG.

Pats start at the 35 - 3 and out.

Bears at the 15.  3 and out.

Patriots at their own 49, 10 left in the half.  3-0 Bears.  All defense.

1/10 - Dillon for 3.

2/7 - Brady -- Daniel Graham - big gainer, he rumbles for 28 yards all the way to the Bear 20.  

1/10 - Dillon - off left - one cut -- and Dillon's Gonna Go -- Corey Dillon bursts 20 yards -- right into the Bear end zone -- TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS - in just 3 plays New England goes 51 yards and they take the 10-0 lead.  

Bears at the 36.  

1/10 - Jones for 5.

2/5 - Benson is just shy of the first.

3/1 - Grossman.  Play action.  Rex is going deep -- Rex - Deep sideline -- Muhsin Muhammad -- he's got him!  Huge Strike -- 54 yards from Grossman to Muhammad - he's out of bounds at the goal line - the official rules he was out of bounds before crossing the goal line -- just a great throw by Grossman, deep strike for a first and goal.

1/goal - Play action again - Grossman - Bernard Berrian -- TOUCHDOWN BEARS - Chicago comes right back at NE, 65 yards in 4 plays -- the two sides exchanging quick scoring drives and it's 10-7 Pats with less than 6 in the half.

Pats at the 23.

1/10- Brady to David Patten, 14 yards.

1/10 - Brady to David Givens - 29 yards - the first quarter was prelude, these two QBs slinging now.  Pats at the Chicago 34.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Dillon, through the line - cuts to the outside -- Dillon turns the corner and Dillon is Gonna Go!  Dillon is Gonna Go!  ---- 34 yard TD run for Corey Dillon and NE takes the 17-7 lead.  4 minutes left in the half.

2 TD runs for Corey Dillon here in the first half.  

Bears at the 35.  3 and out.  

Pats at the 20, little more than 2 minutes left.  Up 10.

1/10 - Brady to Dillon, 14 yards and it's the 2 minute warning.

1/10 - Dillon stopped at the line, Pats timeout.  

2/10 - Brady to Graham, 13 yards - out of bounds at the 47.  

1/10 - Dillon gets 3, Pats keep the clock moving.  

2/7 - Faulk gets 4, that's the second timeout, 1 minute left in the half, 3rd and 3 at the 46.

3/3 - Brady picks it up - Troy Brown's first reception - it's 14 yards, NE is at the Chicago 32, they use their final timeout, 44 seconds left in the half.  

1/10 - Brady to Patten - 15 yards, clock still moving, Brady spikes the ball.  Pats at the 17 yard line, 29 seconds left.  

It ends here - Viatieri will hit the FG at the gun and it's 20-7 at the half.

Third Qtr: Patriots 20 Bears 7

NE having their way right now, Corey Dillon really rolling, Pats with the 2 score lead. Good return from Devin Hester, Bears will start at the 41.

1/10 - Jones stopped at the line.

2/10 - Grossman - Desmond Clark - 17 yards and the Bears are quickly across midfield.

1/10 - Incomplete.

2/10 - Back to Clark - Clark's going to ramble all the way to the Pats 29 yard line, Bears moving the ball.  

1/10 - Benson gets 5

2/5 - Jones for 3 -

3/2 - Jones picks it up, Chicago is at the 16 yard line, first down.  

1/10 - 6 more for Jones

2/4 - Grossman...in trouble...Grossman across the line, gets a couple.  3rd and 2.

3/2 - Benson is stuffed - loses a yard - it's 4th and 3 at the 9.

Well, here's a gutsy call from Lovie Smith - down 20-7, middle third -- 3rd and 3, it's a healthy 3 - he's gonna go for it.  

Gotta like it - 16th seed, here against a 1, let's empty the clip. 

4/3 - It's a give to Jones....he is.....he's got it!  Jones picks up the first down, it's first and goal at the 6.

1/1goal - Benson gets to the 2. 

2/goal - Incomplete

3/goal - Jones...Thomas Jones is into the End Zone --- TOUCHDOWN BEARS - Chicago takes 8 minutes off the third quarter clock, drives and scores, they trail now just 20-14.

Pats at the 23.

3 and out.  Bears at their own 43.  Chicago is in this football game.  

1/10 - Grossman to Gage for 9.  

2/1 - Jones picks it up - Chicago is into Patriot territory.

1/10 - Cedric Benson goes for 13 --- Chicago has all the momentum now, they are at the 34.

1/10 - Thomas Jones gets 11 -- the Bears at the Patriot 23.

1/10 - Benson gets 9 and Chicago's at the 14.  

2/1 - Grossman -- to Muhammad -- Muhammad is going to be tackled at the 4 yard line!  The Chicago Bears - down 6 have a first and goal at the Patriot 4 yard line!

1/goal - Benson gets 1.

2/goal - Jones is stopped.  Big 3rd and goal at the 3.

3/goal - It's McKie...but he's stopped dead in the backfield.  Loses a yard.

That's the last play of the qtr.

4th Qtr

New England had the ball for a total of 3 offensive plays in the entire third quarter, the Bears have cut the deficit to 20-14, it's now 4th and goal at the 4 yard line...Lovie will take the points, Gould chip shot and it's 20-17.

Good return for NE, they open at the 42.  20-17 Patriots.

1/10 - Brady to Patten for 9.

2/1 - Incomplete.  

3/1 - Dillon picks it up.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Dillon gets 1 - third and 9 now for the NE.

3/9 - Brady finds David Givens, he's all the way to the Bear 34 yard line, first down for NE.

1/10 - Dillon - Dillon headed right - AND COREY DILLON'S GONNA GO AGAIN - Corey Dillon blasts through the Bear defense, 34 yards -- Corey Dillon's third TD run of the day -- the Patriots come right back and reassert themselves, TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS 27-17 Patriots, 10:29 left, Bears start at the 26.

1/10 - Benson gets 8.

2/2 - Grossman finds Clark - 15 yards to the 49, Chicago really found something at the half and they are clicking.

1/10 - Grossman to Berrian - that's a 17 yard gain - Chicago is at the Patriot 34 yard line.

1/10 - Jones gets 4.

2/6 - Grossman to Muhammad, 9 yards and the Bears are at the 21 -nice drive here by Chicago, they refuse go go quietly against the top seeded Pats.

1/10 - Benson gets 5

2/5 - McKie gets 2, it's 3rd down.

3/3 - Grossman picks it up - Berrian gets to the 8, first and goal.

1/goal - Grossman.  Muhammad. End zone  TOUCHDOWN BEARS - Rex Grossman leads Chicago 74 yards -- and with a little more than 5 minutes to go, the Bears have sliced the deficit to 3 points, 27-24.

Pats will start at the 19.  Can Chicago get a stop?

1/10 - Brady -- over the middle to a wide open Graham!  Graham has open field -- Graham has open field -- Graham will be caught from behind - 56 yard gain -- the Patriots just take Chicago's soul - 56 yards from Brady to Graham and the Pats are at the Bear 25.

1/10 - Dillon....COREY DILLON'S GONNA DO IT AGAIN - Dillon just exploding through the line -- TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS - that's 4 Corey Dillon scores - it takes only 2 plays for the Pats to go 81 yards and extend that lead to 10 points with a little more than 4 minutes to go.

Bears at the 20.

1/10 - Jones gets 6.

2/4 - Incomplete

3/4 - defensive holding, automatic first down.

1/10 - Grossman to Clark, 8 yards.  Now under 4 left.  

2/2 - Benson picks it up - Bears at the 44.  3:30.  

1/10 - Grossman to Jones - 14 yards, Jones is out of bounds at the Pats 42.  

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Grossman to McKie -- McKie has a 14 yard gain, Chicago taking it's first timeout at 2:48, Chicago at the Pats 27.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Incomplete

3/10 - Incomplete

This is it.  4th down, 2:09 left.  34-24 Patriots.  

4/10 - Grossman picks it up - 10 yards to Thomas Jones, 2 minute mark, Bears at the 17.

1/10 - Grossman to Mckie - 9 yards - Bears use their second timeout at the 8.

2/2 - Grossman - Endzone -- Berrian -- TOUCHDOWN BEARS -- 80 yard TD drive in less than 3 minutes for Chicago, there's 1:42 left in the game, 34-31, Bears have just 1 timeout.  Here comes the onside kick.

Pats recover.  And that's it - the Bears have to burn their final timeout - the Pats burn the rest of the clock - and they advance

Final: Patriots 34 Bears 31

Chicago had 10 more first downs, 11 more minutes of possession - but they fall short in their attempt to knock off the top seeds in region 8

Brady: 14 for 20, 226 yds

Grossman: 23 for 33, 286 yds, 3 TD

Dillon: 20 carries, 160 yds, 4 TD

Jones: 21 carries, 91 yds, 1 TD

Graham: 3 catches, 97 yds

Muhammad 5 catches, 80 yds 1 TD

Player of the Game: Corey Dillon