256 Team NFL Tournament Round 1/Region 9: Play In Game

 '98 Vikes v. '96 Panthers

Time for the back half of Round 1.  

16. 1999 JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS at 16. 1981 AFC CHAMPION CINCINNATI BENGALS

16. 1981 AFC CHAMPION CINCINNATI BENGALS

Record: 12-4

Pythag: 11-5

Off: 3rd

Def: 12th

1st AFC Central

d. Bills Div Rnd 28-21

d. Chargers AFC Title 27-7

Lost 49ers Super Bowl 26-21

HC Forrest Gregg HC Lindy Infante DC Hank Bullough

Riverfront Stadium: 45 degrees

Phil Samp/Andy MacWilliams

Offense

QB Ken Anderson 32 All Pro

RB Charles Alexander 24

FB Pete Johnson 27

WR Cris Collinsworth 22-R

WR Isaac Curtis 31

TE Dan Ross 24

LT Anthony Munoz 23 All Pro

LG Dave Lapham 29

C Blair Bush 25

RG Max Montoya 25

RT Mike Wilson 26

Defense

LDE Eddie Edwards 27

NT Wilson Whitley 26

RDE Ross Browner 27

LOLB Bo Harris 28

LILB Jim LeClair 31

RILB Glenn Cameron 28

ROLB Reggie Williams 27

LCB Louis Breeden 28

RCB Ken Riley 34

SS Bobby Kemp 22-R

FS Bryan Hicks 24

K Jim Breech 25

P Pat McInally 28 All Pro

KR David Verser 23

PR Mike Fuller 28

Okay - let's get the back half of round 1 underway with the Play in game for Region 9; the AFC Champs from '81 are the Bengals.  I believe this is it for Cincinnati - if they're moving forward, they're doing it with this team. 3rd in offense.  12th in defense.  32 year old Kenny Anderson is an All Pro, 30 scores and 10 picks. 27 year old Pete Johnson scored 16 times. 22 year old rookie Cris Collinsworth had over a thousand yeards receiving. And 23 year old Anthony Munoz is an All Pro anchoring the line.  The defense is just okay; 34 year old Kenny Riley had 5 picks.  Pat McInally also adds an All Pro member on special teams.

16. 1999 JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Record: 14-2

Pythag: 13-3

Off: 6th

Def: 1st

1st AFC Central

d. Dolphins Div Rnd 62-7

Lost Titans AFC Title 33-14

HC Tom Coughlin DC Dom Capers

Offense

QB Mark Brunell 29

RB James Stewart 28

FB Damion Shelton 27

WR Keenan McCardell 29

WR Jimmy Smith 30

TE Kyle Brady 27

LT Tony Boselli 27 All Pro

LG Ben Coleman 28

C John Wade 24

RG Zach Wiegert 27

RT Leon Searcy 30

Defense

DE Renaldo Wynn 25

LDT Gary Walker 26

RDT Seth Payne 24

RDE Tony Brackens 25

LLB Bryce Paup 31

MLB Lonnie Marts 31

RLB Kevin Hardy 26 All Pro

LCB Fernando Bryant 22-R

RCB Aaron Beasley 26

SS Donovin Darius 24

FS Carnell Lake 32

K Mike Hollis 27

P Bryan Barker 35

KR Alvis Whitted 25

PR Reggie Barlow 26

One shot for the Jags; one of these two franchises is about to exit the tournament, on paper, Jacksonville's the better club - they've got the top defense from '99 and the 6th best offense. 26 year old All Pro Kevin Hardy had 10.5 sacks - 25 year old Renaldo Wynn and 25 year old Tony Brackens combined for 22 more. 6 picks for 26 year old Aaron Beasley. 15 scores and 9 picks for 29 year old Mark Brunell, 13 scores for 28 year old James Stewart. Huge year in 1999 numbers for 30 year old Jimmy Smith, 116 catches for over 1600 yards.  And we get the USC battle of future Hall of Fame left tackles, Tony Boselli is a 27 year old All Pro.

Comparable offenses, but the Jags defense is just much better than the Bengals - will that be the difference or will Cincinnati's cold home field be the advantage?  Winner moves into the field and will head to Miami to face the 9th overall seed in the tournament - the 1973 Dolphins.

1st Qtr

Jags open at the 33 with a first and 15.  

1/15 - James Stewart gets the game's first carry, 5 yds. 

2/10 - Mark Brunell, in motion, we'll see a lot of that today - finds Stewart, he gets 7.  

3/3 - Brunell - downsfield - Jimmy Smith - 20 yards, the Jags have the first down at the Cincinnati 35.  

1/10 - Brunell to Reggie Barlow for 7.

2/3 - Stewart goes all the way to the 16 yard line - Jags going right down the field against the Bengals defense. 

1/10 - Stewart gets 6, Jags at the 10.  

2/4 - Stewarts gets 6 more and it is a first and goal.

1/goal - Incomplete

2/goal - Stewart --- he is into the endzone -- TOUCHDOWN JAGS 67 Yards in 6 minutes, Jacksonville opens up Region 9 with a score.  

Bengals to start at the 30.

3 and out.  Jags at their own 32.  

3 and out.  Bengals at the 25.

1/10 - Ken Anderson's first completion is a short one, Pete Johnson for 3. 

2/7 - Anderson airs it out - a 36 yard strike to Cris Collinsworth - Collinsworth dragged down at the Jaguar 36.  

1/10 - Pete Johnson thumps his way for 5.

2/5 - Johnson busts one -- Johnson rumbling all the way to the Jaguar 10 yard line it will be a first down and goal for the Bengals.  

1/goal - Archie Griffin gets a carry, stacked up.

2/goal - Charles Alexander running wide -- he is Leveled By Kevin Hardy -- Fumble -- Fumble -- Kevin Hardy forces the Alexander fumble and the Jags have recovered - they will start at the 14, huge play here for the Jags.  

1/10 - Reggie Williams is into the backfield and sacks Brunell.  

2/15 - Brunell picks it up, 15 yards to Jimmy Smith as the qtr expires.

2nd Qtr: Jags 7 Bengals 0

The Jags capitalalized on a long drive, Stewart punching it in - and the Bengals could not, Hardy forcing the Alexander fumble.  Jags have a first down at their own 24.

1/10 - Stewart for 1

2/9 - Incomplete

3/9 - Keenan McCardell's first reception, 14 and the first.  

1/10 - 2 more for Stewart.  

2/8 - Brunell back to Smith - first down into Bengal territory at the 47.

It ends here - 3 plays gain 3 yards, after the punt, Bengals at their own 10.

3 and out including a Tony Brackens sack.  Jags at their own 47.

3 and out.  Bengals at their own 8.

3 and out.  Jags at the Cincinnati 47.

3 and out.  Bengals at their own 6 yard line with a little more than 2 minutes left in the half.  

1/10 - Pete Johnson gets 12.

1/10 - 1 for Alexander

2/9 - Anderson finds Johnson, he bulldozes for a dozen to the 31.  Timeout.

1/10 - Archie Griffin gets 10, Bengals stop the clock again at their own 41, 90 seconds left.  

The next 3 plays net a yard, Jags get it back at their own 27 - a Jim LeClair sack ends the half.

3rd Qtr: Jags 7 Bengals 0

All defense in the second qtr - Jags still have the lead from their opening drive.

Bengals will start at the 24.

1/10 - Pete Johnson's the only real offense for Cincinnati today, he goes for 17.

1/10 - Archie Griffin for 8, the Bengals near midfield.  

2/2 - Charles Alexander picks it up - Forrest Gregg comes out running to open the half.  

1/10 - Anderson - over the middle to Dan Ross - the TE with his first catch and Cincinnati is at the Jags 31.  

1/10 - Johnson gets 4. 

2/6 - Give to Griffin - sweep left -- No - Its a Reverse - Griffin gives to Steve Kreider - Munoz with the crackback block, Kreider hits the corner -- Kreider's Gonna Go!  Kreider's Gonna Go!  Steve Kreider 27 yards to the house...TOUCHDOWN BENGALS - Steve Kreider goes 27 on the reverse and the Bengals have tied the game at 7.

Jags at the 20.

1/10 - Stewart loses 3.  

2/13 - Stewart is stopped and it's 3rd and a ton.  

3/13 - Brunell - scrambling - Brunell keeps the play alive - finds Jimmy Smith for 14 and the first.  

1/10 - Fred Taylor gets a carry, he gets 5.

2/5 - Incomplete

3/5 - Taylor - a dozen yards - Jags near midfield...

And that's it.  Jags get 4 more and kick.

Bengals at the 10.  

1/10 - Griffin gets 5.

2/5 - Isaac Curtis with his first catch, 10 yards.

1/10 - Johnson gets 1.

2/9 - Anderson screen to Griffin, he gets 8, third and short.

3/10 - Play action to Collinsworth - 11 yards to the 45. False start makes it 1st and 15.

1/15 - Alexander is stacked up.

2/15 - Jimmy Hargrove gets a carry, 5 yards. 

3/10 - Anderson picks it up - 21 to Curtis - big gainer for the Bengals to the 34.

1/10 - Anderson to Kreider - 11 yards - that's the last play of the qtr and the Bengals are at the Jags 23.  

4th Qtr: Bengals 7 Jags 7

The Jags have been shut down since the opening drive of the game, it's now tied and Cincy is at the Jags 23 yard line.

1/10 - Gary Walker sacks Anderson, Jags second sack of the day.

2/17 - Johnson gets 8, third and long.

3/9 - Anderson - Collinsworth on the sideline, he's out of bounds at the 7 yard line and it's first and goal to go.

1/goal - Anderson to Alexander - he's stuffed by Hardy at the line.

2/goal - Give - Johnson -- Johnson just bowls over Jags defenders - into the endzone -- TOUCHDOWN BENGALS - Cincinnati is into the endzone and with 12 minutes left the Bengals have their first lead of the game.

Jags muff the kick - they will be starting at the 6.

1/10 - Stewart gets 8.

2/2 - Fred Taylor busts one -- 45 yards near midfield - that's a big gainer.

1/10 - Brunell - he's going up top -- Brunell looking for the home run -- Kenny Riley bats it down, really nice play by Riley.

2/10 - Stewart is stopped dead at the line.

3/10 - Give to Taylor -- And He Busts it - Fred Taylor Around Left End - Huge Boselli Block -- Fred Taylor is at the 30 -- the 20 -- the 10 -- Fred Taylor is into the endzone -- TOUCHDOWN JAGUARS - Fred Taylor with the 51 yard TD run and the Jags have tied this up at 14, huge play by Fred Taylor.  

Little more than 8 minutes to go.  Tied.  

Bengals at the 35.  

3 and out.  Jags will start at the 21.  

3 and out.  Bengals are at the Jaguar 45 after the Fuller punt return - little more than 5 left in the game, Bengals with the great chance here.  

3 and out.  That's a big series for the Jags defense - they force the punt and Jax gets the ball back at the 17, under 4 left.  

They get one first down - Brunell 15 yards to Barlow - but with less than 2 minutes left Cincinnati gets it back at their own 35.  They have all 3 timeouts.  Can Anderson drive down for the game winning kick.

1/10 - Give to Alexander, running wide, 10 yards, out of bounds.  

1/10 - Johnson, up the middle, he's across midfield, Bengals stop the clock, under 90 seconds left.

2/2 - Anderson - over the middle to Collinsworth - he's at the 35, that's a dozen and the first down.

The next 3 plays get 1 yard - there's 30 seconds left -- here comes Jim Breech, it's an attempt at a 51 yard FG to give the Bengals the lead, most likely the win.  

Breech.  Snap.  Kick.  Up.........no good.  Jim Breech misses a 51 yard FG and with 29 seconds left -- the Jags have the ball at their own 41 and they have all 3 timeouts.  

1/10 - Brunell, in trouble -- he pulls it down to run - he's got 8 and is out of bounds at midfield.  

2/2 - Give to Stewart -- he's got 10 yards -- there's just 14 seconds left, the Jags stop the clock - they are at the Bengal 40.  

1/10 - Brunell - short to Stewart, Stewart's got 9 yards -- Jags stop the clock with just a few seconds left at the 32 -- Mike Hollis comes out -- Hollis is looking at a 49 yard FG attempt to win this game.  

Hollis.  Snap.   Kick....    GOOOOOD!  GOOOOD!  GOOOOD!   MIKE HOLLIS HITS THE 49 YARD FG AT THE GUN - THE JAGS WIN 17-14

Final: Jags 17 Bengals 14

Mike Hollis with a 49 yard kick at the gun - Jags win the play in game and we will get the All Florida 1/16 game when they face the '73 Dolphins

Brunell: 14 for 26, 164 yds

Anderson: 15 for 20, 178 yds

Taylor: 15 carries, 118 yds, TD

Johnson: 16 carries, 99 yds, TD

Smith: 6 catches, 99 yds

Collinsworth: 4 catches, 74 yds

Player of the Game: Fred Taylor

256 Team NFL Tournament: Region 8/Round 1: 1998 Minnesota Vikings v. 1996 Carolina Panthers

'97 Packers v. '86 Bears 

15. 1996 CAROLINA PANTHERS at 2. 1998 MINNESOTA VIKINGS

2. 1998 MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Record: 15-1

Pythag: 13-3

Off: 1st

Def: 6th

1st NFC Central

d. Cards Div Rnd 41-21

Lost NFC Title Falcons 30-27

HC Dennis Green OC Brian Billick DC Foge Fazio

HHH Metrodome

Dan Rowe 

Offense

QB Randall Cunningham 35 UNLV All Pro

RB Robert Smith 26 Ohio St

WR Cris Carter  33 Ohio St

WR Robert Moss 21 Marshall All Pro

WR Jake Reed 31 Grambling

TE Andrew Glover 31 Grambling

LT Todd Steussie 28 Cal

LG Randall McDaniel 34 Arizona St All Pro

C Jeff Christy 29 Pitt

RG David Dixon 29 Arizona St

RT Korey Stringer 24 Ohio St

Defense

LDE Derrick Alexander 25 Florida St

LDT Jerrry Ball 34 SMU

RDT Tony Williams 23 Memphis

RDE John Randle All Pro 31 A&M Kings

LLB Dixon Edwards 30 Mich St

MLB Ed McDaniel 29 Clemson

RLB Dwayne Rudd 22 Alabama

LCB Corey Fuller 27 Florida St

RCB Jimmy Hitchcock 28 UNC

SS Robert Griffith 28 S Diego St

FS Orlando Thomas 26 Louisiana

K Gary Anderson All Pro 39 Syracuse

P Mitch Berger 26 Colorado

KR/PR David Palmer 26 Alabama

One more game left to close out the first half of round 1.  The '98 Vikes are the 25th overall seed in the tournament, best offense in football.  35 year old All Pro Randall Cunningham had 35 scores, 10 picks. 26 year old Robert Smith had nearly 1500 yards from scrimmage, the 21 year old rookie All Pro, Randy Moss, combined with 33 year old Cris Carter for 29 scores.  34 year old Randall McDaniel was also an All Pro.  The defense was ranked 6th, 31 year old All Pro John Randle had 10.5 sacks, 25 year old Derrick Alexander and 29 year old Ed McDaniel combined for 14.5 sacks. 28 year old Jimmy Hitchcock had 7 picks. 

15. 1996 CAROLINA PANTHERS

Pythag: 12-4

Off: 7th

Def: 2nd

d. Cowboys Div Rnd 26-17

Lost NFC Title Packers 30-13

HC Dom Capers OC Joe Pendry DC Vic Fangio

Offense

QB Kerry Collins  24 Penn St

RB Anthony Johnson 29 N Dame

FB Howard Griffith 29 Illinois

WR Mark Carrier 31 Nicholls

WR Willie Green 30 Ole Miss

TE Wesley Walls 30 Ole Miss

LT Blake Brockermeyer 23 Texas

LG Matt Elliott 28 Mich

C Curtis Whitley 27 Clemson

RG Greg Skrepenak 26 Mich

RT Norbert Davidds Garrido R 

Defense

LDE Mike Fox  29 W Virginia

NT Greg Kragen 34 Utah St

RDE Gerald Williams 33 Auburn

LOLB Kevin Greene All Pro 34 Auburn

LILB Sam Mills All Pro 37 Montclair

RILB Carlton Bailey 32 UNC

ROLB Lamar Lathon 29 Houston

LCB Eric Davis 28 Jack St

RCB Tyrone Poole 24 F Valley St 

SS Brett Maxie 34 Tex So.

FS Pat Terrell 28 N Dame

K John Kasay 27 UGA

P Rohn Stark 37 Florida St

KR Michael Bates All Pro 27 Arizona

PR Winslow Oliver 23 N Mexico

The Panthers are here on the strength of the 2nd best defense from 1996; 34 year old Kevin Greene is an All Pro with 14.5 sacks. Next to him is 37 year old Sam Mills, also an All Pro, with 5.5 sacks - and another member of the linebacker quartet, Lamar Lathon, had 13.5 sacks. 24 year old Kerry Collins is the QB, 14 scores and 9 picks. 10 TDs for 30 year old Wesley Walls.  

We close out Region  8 - which means we close out the first half of Round 1 - let's go to Minnesota for the kick.

1st Qtr

Vikes start at the 24.

1/10 - Robert Smith with the carry to open the game, stopped cold.

2/10 - Smith again, he gets a dozen yards.

Thats as far as it goes, and when Randall Cunningham eats a Kevin Greene sack, the Vikes have to punt.  

Panthers at their own 39.  

1/10 - Kerry Collins hits Willie Green on the opening play for 15, across midfield. 

And that's all - Panthers punt - Vikes to start at the 11.

They get 1 first down.  Cunningham 16 yards to Andrew Glover -- the drive ends there -- Winslow Oliver with the big return - all the way down to the Viking 21.  

1/10 - Collins over the middle to Wesley Walls, 9 yards.

2/2 - Collins quick out to Mark Carrier, he's at the sticks, first down and goal at the 9.

1/goal - Anthony Johnson goes for 6 to the 3.  

2/goal - Collins is plowed over by John Randle - 3rd and goal from the 8.

3/goal - Collins - backshoulder to Rocket Ismail in the endzone -- TOUCHDOWN PANTHERS - Rocket Ismail with the 8 yard TD reception from Kerry Collins and the Panthers go up 7-0.

Vikes at the 18.  

1/10 - Leroy Hoard gets a yard.  

2/9 - Cunningham, to Hoard in the flat, he bulldozes for 8.  

3/1 - Cunningham short over the middle to Smith, Smith outruns the defense for 10 and the first.

1/10 - Hoard nothing.

2/10 - Cunningham has to scramble -- pulls it down and gains 14 yards, Vikes across midfield as the qtr ends.

2nd Qtr: Panthers 7 Vikings 0

Big Panther punt return the key play, it's 7-0.  Vikes first and ten at the Panther 49.

1/10 - Cunningham loads up -- right down the middle of the field -- Andrew Glover --- He's Got it - and He is Into the EndZone -- TOUCHDOWN VIKINGS -- Cunningham with the 49 yard strike to Glover and we are tied.  

Panthers start at the 23.  

3 and out.  Vikes to start at their own 47.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Hoard gets 2.

3/8 - Cunningham finds Cris Carter - his first reception of the day, 10 yards and the first down.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Here's Robert Smith - 14 yards to the 27.

1/10 - Another Kevin Greene sack, big 8 yard loss.  

2/18 - Smith gets 2.

3/10 -- Cunningham -- Cunningham up top -- There's Carter -- TOUCHDOWN VIKINGS - Randall Cunningham floats a 33 yard ball to Cris Carter - all he does is catch touchdowns - it's 14-7. 

Panthers at the 30.  

3 and out.  Vikes at the 32.

1/10 - Lamar Lathon sacks Cunningham, 3 sacks now for Carolina.

2/16- Smith for 1

3/15 - Cunningham -- downfield -- Cris Carter for 26, Vikes across midfield.

1/10 - Smith for 2

2/8 - Cunningham - he finds Randy Moss, his first catch of the day - 22 yards all the way to the 23 yard line.

That's it - Carolina gets its 4th sack, Lathon with his second, Gary Anderson hits the long FG, with 2 minutes left in the half it's 17-7.

Panthers at the 34.

Carolina gets its first first down since their TD drive, Collins 10 yards to Carrier - but thats it and with a minute left, Vikes get the ball back at the 29.

1/10 - Cunningham to Carter, 8 yards and out of bounds.  

2/2 - Cunningham - flips to Robert Smith -- and he's got running room -- 27 yards - there's 32 seconds left, Vikes use their second timeout at the Panther 36 yard line.

1/10 - Cunningham to Jake Reed, his first catch, 7 yards and out of bounds. 

2/3 - Cunningham to Leroy Hoard - he's got the first down at the 25, Vikes stop the clock with 12 seconds left.

That's it - Cunningham takes the endzone shot - incomplete -- Anderson kicks another FG at the whistle - we go into the locker room.

3rd Qtr: Vikings 20 Panthers 7

-That's the Viking team we expected, they blitz Carolina with 20 points in the qtr, Panthers can't do anything on offense and there's a real uphill climb now.

Panthers start all the way at the 43.  

1/10 - Anthony Johnson gets 11, Panthers in Viking territory.

1/10 - Nothing for Johnson

2/10 - Collins to Willie Green -- 16 yards and the Panthers are at the 30.  

1/10 - Collins looking endzone -- Green --- Intercepted by Jimmy Hitchcock - Hitchcock brings it out -- Hitchcock down at the 29 yard line -- big play there by the Viking defense, they turn the Panthers away.

1/10 - Cunningham - Moss -- Picked Off by Eric Davis - Davis steps in front of Moss and picks off Cunningham - Panthers at the Viking 43.

1/10 - Collins to Muhsin Muhammad, that's 13 yards to the Viking 30 - Panthers in business again.

The drive ends here - John Kasay with the FG to cut the deficit to 10.

Vikes at the 32.

1/10 - Robert Smith gets 5.

2/5 - Smith gets 8.

1/10 - Cunningham to Moss - 16 yards to the Panther 39.

1/10 - Cunningham to Moss - 12 yards and Minnesota is at the 27.

1/10 - Cunningham over the mid -- PICKED OFF by Sam Mills -- the Panthers with their second interception to go with 4 sacks and they have the ball at their own 34, down 10.

1/10- Incomplete

2/10 - Howard Griffith pounds away for 17

1/10 - Winslow Oliver gets 24 yards -- big gainers now for the Panthers and they are at the 25 yard line.

1/10 - Collins to Muhammad -- 13 yards and now Carolina has a first and goal.

But that's all - they settle for the short FG and it's 20-13.  

Vikes at the 26.

1/10 - Cunningham 13 to Glover.  

1/10 - Smith gets 3 as the qtr ends

4th Qtr Vikings 20 Panthers 13

15 more minutes of football to close out the top half of region one.  Panthers chipping away at that lead on the backs of 2 INTs.  Vikes with a second and 7 at the 42.

1/10 - Cunningham to Moss, first down.  

1/10 - Smith gets 13 yards, Vikes at the 37.  

1/10 - Hoard gets 6. 

2/4 - Cunningham 16 to Moss -- Vikes at the 15 yard line.

1/10 - Smith -- Smith breaks a tackle and Smith is gonna go into the endzone -- TOUCHDOWN VIKINGS - and that might be the dagger - Vikes go up 27-13 with a little more than 12 minutes left to go in the game.

Panthers at the 15.

1/10 - Johnson busts one, 39 yards and Carolina crosses midfield.

1/10 - Collins to Green - a dozen yards - Panthers to the 34.  

That's it -- Panthers will miss a long FG, with a little more than 9 left in the game, Minnesota has the ball at their own 38 and a 2 score lead.

1/10 - Robert Smith busts one -- 58 yards through the heart of the defense -- Smith dragged down at the 4 yard line - Vikes with a first and goal to go.

They can't cash in - they settle for the FG, it's 30-13, 7 minutes left.

Panthers good return, Michael Bates was an All Pro and he gets to midfield.  

1/10 - Collins to Walls, 13 yards to the 37.  

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Incomplete

3/10 - Collins - Deep Middle -- Muhammad - Caught - Caught -  Mushin Muhammad will go into the endzone -- TOUCHDOWN PANTHERS - in less than 2 minutes, Carolina cuts the deficit to 30-20.  

Vikes start at the 35.  Panthers need a quick stop.

They get it.  3 and out.  There's about minutes left in the game and after the punt, Panthers start at the 30.  

1/10 - Collins, 8 yards to Walls.  

2/2 - Derrick Alexander sacks Collins -- Panthers have to burn their first timeout.  3rd and long.

3/10 - Collins - in trouble -- Collins - Collins flips it out to Johnson, he gets 6, it's 4th and 4 at their own 36.

4/4 - Collins --- Looking Downfield -- Collins looking for the big strike --- CAUGHT BY MARK CARRIER -- And He Is Gonna Go!  Mark Carrier 64 yards to the House on 4th and 4!  Collins to Carrier -- Collins to Carrier -- TOUCHDOWN PANTHERS - and with a little more than 2 minutes left to play in the game, it's now Vikings 30 Panthers 27.

Panthers to attempt the onside kick....

....and the Vikings recover.  

That's gonna be it -- the Vikings keep the ball on the ground, get 2 first downs, it ends the game.  

Final: Vikings 30 Panthers 27

The 2nd seeds in the region advance - Vikes hold on.  

Cunningham: 18 for 26, 293 yds, 2 TD/2 INT

Collins: 14 for 28, 220 yds, 3 TD/1 INT

Smith: 19 carries, 163 yds, 1 TD

Johnson: 18 carries, 71 yds

Carter: 4 catches, 77 yds, 1 TD

Carrier: 3 catches, 64, 1 TD

Greene/Lathon: 2 sacks

Player of the Game: Robert Smith

Player of the Region: Dan Marino

Round Two:

Region One:

1. 2007 Patriots v. 9. 2015 Chiefs

4. 2002 Bucs v. 12. 2014 Packers

3. 1967 Raiders v. 11. 1975 Dolphins

2. 2019 Ravens v. 7. 2012 49ers

Region Two:

1. 1985 Bears v. 9. 2007 Chargers

4. 1968 Chiefs v. 5. 2015 Seahawks

3. 1997 Broncos v. 6. 2006 Patriots

2. 1993 Cowboys v. 7. 1998 Falcons

Region Three:

1. 1996 Packers v. 9. 1987 Browns

4. 1999 Rams v. 12. 2019 Saints

3. 1978 Cowboys v. 6. 1954 Lions

2. 1970 Vikings v. 10. 1960 Browns

Region Four:

1. 1991 Redskins v. 9. 2016 Falcons

4. 1978 Steelers v. 12. 2021 Rams

6. 1970 Lions v. 14. 2007 Cowboys

10. 2015 Broncos v. 15. 1976 Colts

Region Five:

1. 1962 Packers v. 8. 2014 Broncos

12. 2000 Titans v. 13. 2008 Eagles

3. 1971 Cowboys v. 6. 2004 Colts

7. 1962 Lions v. 15. 1995 Chiefs

Region Six:

1. 1968 Colts v. 8. 2020 Saints

4. 1953 Browns v. 12. 1982 Dolphins

3. 1986 Giants v. 6. 1994 Cowboys

2. 2014 Patriots v. 7. 2002 Raiders

Region Seven:

1. 1975 Steelers v. 8. 1968 Jets

4. 1967 Rams v. 12. 1996 49ers

3. 1961 Packers v. 11. 2005 Seahawks

7. 1979 Chargers v. 15. 1951 Giants

Region Eight:

1. 2004 Patriots v. 9. 1993 49ers

4. 1984 Dolphins v. 12. 1988 Vikings

3. 1955 Browns v. 6. 2005 Broncos

2. 1998 Vikings v. 7. 1997 Packers

256 Team NFL Tournament: Region 8/Round 1: 1997 Green Bay Packers v. 1986 Chicago Bears

2005 Broncos v. 2018 Chiefs 

10. 1986 CHICAGO BEARS at 7. 1997 GREEN BAY PACKERS

7. 1997 NFC CHAMPION GREEN BAY PACKERS

Record: 13-3

Pythag: 12-4

Off: 2nd

Def: 5th

1st NFC Central

d. Bucs Div Rnd 21-7

d. Niners NFC Title 23-10

Lost Broncos Super Bowl 31-24

HC Mike Holmgren OC Sherm Lewis DC Friz Shurmur 

Lambeau Field: 45 degrees

Jim Irwin/Max McGee

Offense

QB Brett Favre 28 S Miss All Pro

RB Dorsey Levens 27 Geo Tech

FB William Henderson 26 UNC

WR Robert Brooks 27 S Carolina

WR Antonio Freeman 25 Va Tech

TE Mark Chmura 28 B College

LT Ross Verba  R  24 Iowa

LG Aaron Taylor 25 N Dame

C Frank Winters 33 W Illinois

RG Adam Timmerman 26 S Dakota St

RT Earl Dotson 27 Tex A&M Kings

Defense

LDE Reggie White 36 Tenn

LDT Santana Dotson 28 Baylor 

RDT Gilbert Brown 26 Kansas

RDE Gabe Wilkins 26 Gard Webb

LLB Seth Joyner 33 UTEP

MLB Bernardo Harris 26 UNC

RLB Brian Williams 25 USC

LCB Tyrone Williams 24 Nebraska

RCB Doug Evans 27 La Tech

SS LeRoy Butler All Pro 29 Florida St

FS Eugene Robinson 34 Colgate

K Ryan Longwell 23 Cal

P Craig Hentrich 26 N Dame

KR/PR Bill Schroeder 26 Wisc-Lacrosse

The Packers have had some good first round success - the 2014, 1996, 1962, 1961 teams have all advanced -- that 1996 SB Champion team is the third overall seed in this tournament - this team is from the following season and won the NFC Title.  2nd in offense, 5th in defense.  Brett Favre is a 28 year old All Pro, 36 scores and 16 picks. 27 year old Dorsey Levens had a dozen TDs as did 25 year old Antonio Freeman. On defense, Reggie White is 36, 11 sacks, 29 year old LeRoy Butler is an All Pro with 5 picks.

10. 1986 CHICAGO BEARS 
Record: 14-2

Pythag: 13-3

Off: 13th

Def: 1st

1st NFC Central

Lost Div Rnd Redskins 27-13

HC Mike Ditka OC Ed Hughes DC Vince Tobin 

Offense

QB Jim McMahon  27 BYU

RB Walter Payton 32 Jack St

FB Matt Suhey 28 Penn St

WR Willie Gault 26 Tenn

WR Keith Ortego 23 McNeese St

TE Emery Moorehead 32 Colorado

LT Jimbo Covert All Pro 26 Pitt

LG Mark Bortz 25 Iowa

C Jay Hilgenberg 27 Iowa

RG Tom Thayer 25 N Dame

RT Keith Van Horne 29 USC

Defense

DE Dan Hampton  29 Ark

LDT Steve McMichael 29 Tex

RDT William Perry 24 Clemson

RDE Richard Dent 26 Tenn St

LLB Otis Wilson 29 Louisville

MLB Mike Singletary All Pro 28 Baylor

RLB Wilber Marshall All Pro 24 Florida

LCB Mike Richardson 25 Ariz St

RCB Vestee Jackson 23 Wash

SS Dave Duerson 26 N Dame

FS Gary Fencik 32 Yale

K Kevin Butler 24 UGA

P Maury Buford 26 TTech

KR Dennis Gentry 27 Baylor

PR Lew Barnes Oregon

We've got a proxy fight in this one for a game that, if seeding holds, will be very, very important in a much later round - the '96 Pack is the third overall seed, the '85 Bears the second -- in this game the '97 Pack are hosting this team, the '86 Bears.  Best defense in football, yet again.  The Bears can get to the QB -- 29 year old Dan Hampton had 10 sacks, 29 year old Steve McMichael had 8, 26 year old Richard Dent had 11.5.  29 year old Otis Wilson had 8.  And none of those were the team's 2 First Team All Pros - that's the team leader, 28 year old Mike Singletary and 24 year old Wilber Marshall who had 5.5 sacks and 5 picks.  In the secondary 25 year old Mike Richardson and 26 year old Dave Duerson combined for 13 picks - and Duerson added 7 sacks of his own.  It's the Bears, you know the deal.  The offense is not good - lots of guys got time at QB, it could be several will play here - McMahon starts, he's 27 with 5 scores and 7 picks. 32 year old Walter Payton had 11 scores on 1700 yards from scrimmage. Jimbo Covert was All Pro.

Fascinating game.  The two year after teams square up - one of them goes home right now.

Let's go to Lambeau for the kick.

1st Qtr

Chicago opens at the 24.

1/10 - Walter Payton gets the game's first carry, he goes for 6.  You'd think the Bears will look to run the football - the Pack, they're going to the air.  

2/4 - Payton stopped at the line.

3/4 - McMahon in trouble -- McMahon pulls it down -- McMahon is going to pick up the first down and get to the 37.  

1/10 - Payton gets 1.

2/9 - Matt Suhey is stopped at the line, third and long.

3/9 - McMahon is going up top -- it's to Keith Ortego -- 20 yards to the Pack 42.  

1/10 - Payton gets 8

2/2 - Suhey stopped at the line and it's another 3rd down.

3/2 - McMahon again - Payton out of the backfield -- Payton makes men miss and gets out to the 26 for the first down.

And that's where it stops -- and when Kevin Butler...misses...the FG the Bears come up empty.

Pack at the 25.

1/10 - Dorsey Levens goes for 2.

2/8 - Brett Favre to throw the ball - Antonio Freeman for 11 to the 38.

1/10 - Levens gets 7

2/3 - Levens gets to the marker, but is just short

3/1 - William Henderson picks it up.  The next play is a false start, so the Pack backs up 5.

1/15 - Incomplete

2/15 - Favre, running - Favre gets a couple, it's third and a bunch.

3/13 - Favre -- hits Freeman in stride - Freeman gets to the Chicago 36 for the first down.

1/10 - Levens gets 4.

2/6 - Henderson - right up the middle -- Henderson through the secondary -- Henderson marches straight into the endzone -- TOUCHDOWN PACKERS -- William Henderson runs 32 yards into the Chicago end zone and with less than 2 minutes to go in the qtr, it's 7-0.

Dennis Gentry the good return - goes to the 40.

1/10 - Payton gets 8

2/2 - McMahon finds Tim Wrightman for 9 yards.

1/10 -Calvin Thomas gets 6 yards -- and that's the end of the qtr.

2nd Qtr: Packers 7 Bears 0

Pack went 75 yards - Henderson with the big TD run for the game's score -- Chicago at the GB 37, second down 4.

2/4 - Payton gets 2.  

3/2 - Thomas picks it up - Bears at the Packer 31.

But the drive ends with a Reggie White sack of McMahon...and then Butler misses a second FG, Kevin Butler misses 2 45 yd FGs in the first half.  

Pack at the 35.

1/10 - Favre to Henderson, 6 yards.

2/4 - Dorsey Levens breaks one--42 yards -- Levens speeds all the way to the Chicago 17 yard line, the Pack breaking out a couple of big runs against this Bear defense.

The drive ends here -- Longwell kicks the FG and it is 10-0.

Bears at the 19.

1/10 - Suhey for 1.

2/9 - Incomplete

3/9 - McMahon to Suhey, he's got some running room and he will go for 15.

1/10 - Payton blasts out 12 yds.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Payton again, 11 more - the great Walter Payton moving the football.  

1/10 - Payton gets 4 to the Packer 38.  

2/6 - Suhey for 4.

3/2 - Thomas is stopped dead at the line.

It's 4th and 2 - Ditka calls timeout.  

Bears down 10, under 4 left in the half, 4th and 2 at the 34, Butler's already missed 2 FG.

Ditka's going for it.

4/2 - Payton - over the top -- first down.  

But it ends here -- and again, Butler with a 40+ yd FG attempt --- this time, he hits it.

Pack at the 18.

1/10 - Favre to Mark Chmura, 7 yds.

2/3 - Favre to Levens, 5 yds.  

1/10 - Favre to Chmura, 5 yds.  Pack calls timeout now with 90 seconds left, Pack at their own 35.  

2/5 - Give to Levens - he busts for 10 yds -- Levens is out of bounds with a first down at the GB 45.

1/10 - Favre drops back -- and he is pounded to the turf by Dan Hampton -- Fumble!  Fumble! Chicago recovers with a minute to go at the GB 45 yard line!  The Bears are down 7, but have a chance here to get some more pts.  Big play by Hampton.  

3 plays net 5 yards -- the Bears looking at 4th and 5 at the 40 --- Ditka decides to punt -- it's down at the 12 - Holmgren just runs one play -- and we go to the locker room.

3rd Qtr: Packers 10 Bears 3

Couple of long runs by Henderson/Levens and a couple of missed Butler FGs the difference so far.

Pack starts at the 28.

3 and out - Favre took a good shot there at the end of the half, then Holmgren decided to run the clock out - Favre doesn't get anything going here - keep an eye out on Favre.

Bears at the 20.

1/10 - Payton is stopped cold.

2/10 - Payton stopped again.  

3/10 - McMahon - nice ball to Willie Gault on the sideline - he's got 18 and the first down.

1/10 - Payton gets 17, nice gainer for the great Payton and the Bears cross midfield.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Incomplete

3/10 - McMahon to Suhey -- Suhey is going to pick up the first down - 10 yards and the Bears are at the 35.  

1/10 - McMahon - over the mid -- Picked Off by LeRoy Butler - Butler steps in front of Moorehead and Intercepts McMahon - Packers turn Chicago over and are at their own 29.

3 and out - Favre took another big hit there, by McMichael, it led to an incomplete pass - Favre doesn't look right - and it's another punt.

Bears at their own 32.

1/10 - Payton gets 1.

2/9 - Payton busts one - busts one --Payton gets 37 yds -- Walter Payton to the Packer 30.

1/10 - Suhey for 1.

2/9 - Payton again, 11 yards -- the Bears are quickly at the Packer 18 yard line.

1/10 - Thomas Sanders with a carry, loses 2.

2/12 - Payton back at it -- Payton breaking tackles -- Walter Payton all the way to the 5 yard line!  Bears running on every play of the drive and now have a first and goal.

1/goal - Calvin Thomas -- Thomas -- Calvin Thomas is into the endzone!  TOUCHDOWN BEARS -- Chicago drives 68 yards on nothing but running plays; its 10-10 with 2 minutes left in the third qtr.

Packers start at the 31. 

1/10 - Aaron Hayden gets a carry and goes for 15 yards.

1/10 - Levens for 3.

2/7 - Incomplete.  

3/7 - Favre - short pass to Freeman -- he breaks a tackle - breaks another -- Freeman 18 yards, Antonio Freeman nice run after catch to the Bear 33 as the qtr ends

4th Qtr: Packers 10 Bears 10

Chicago relying on the run game to tie this score -- Packers with very little offense since that Hampton sack near the end of the first half.  Pack now at the Chicago 33.  First down.

The drive ends there -- Ryan Longwell hits the FG and it's now 13-10.

Bears start at the 30.

1/10 - Walter Payton rips off a 39 yarder -- the Pack is really jamming the line of scrimmage, daring the Bears to pass - but they don't pass - they keep running and Walter Payton keeps gaining yards.  

The drive ends 7 yards later -- Butler....hits a 41 yard FG and with 10:16 left to go in the 4th qtr it is 13-13.  

Bill Schroeder gets the big return -- all the way to the GB 45 yard line -- Pack in great shape here.

1/10 - Favre - receiver screen to Robert Brooks, he gets 10 yards to the Bears 45.  

1/10 - Levens gets 6.

2/4 - Hayden gets 1.

3/3 - Levens breaks one -- 32 yards - Dorsey Levens 32 yards all the way to the Chicago 6 yard line!  Pack has a first and goal at the 6 yard line with under 8 minutes to go in the game.

1/10 - William Henderson is going to bust his way into the endzone -- TOUCHDOWN PACKERS - Favre looks clearly compromised, the Pack relying as the Bears are relying, almost solely on the run game - but it works here, and with less than 7 minutes left in the game it is 20-13 Packers.  

Bears at the 22.  They need a drive now.  

1/10 - Payton - the whole Packer defense keyed on Payton, still - Payton, he gets 15.

1/10 - Suhey for 2.

2/8 - Thomas Sanders gets 6.  Third and 2.

3/2 - Payton -- nearly all 11 Packers converge - Payton still forces his way to midfield - Chicago calls timeout with about 4 minutes to go, first down at midfield.

1/10 - McMahon - drops back and he is in trouble -- McMahon starts to run --McMahon's got open field -- McMahon has 12 yards to the 38.

1/10 - First carry of the game for the rookie, Neal Anderson, he gets 7 yards to the 31, there's about 3 minutes left now.  

2/3 - Payton is stopped.  And now it's 3rd and 3.  Chicago stops the clock again, 2:27 left.  

3/3 - Give to Payton -- Over the -- No -- No -- Its a bootleg - it's a bootleg -- McMahon keeps the ball and runs for a 7 yard gain - McMahon out of bounds at the 24 -- the Bears sucker the Pack defense with the Payton Dive -- instead, McMahon keeps and the Bears now have a first down at the 24. Little more than 2 minutes left.  

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Incomplete.  It's the 2 minute warning.  3rd and 10 at the 24.

3/10 - Payton -- Payton gets the corner -- Payton down the sideline -- Payton knocked out of bounds at the 3 yard line!  Walter Payton 21 yards to the Packer 3 - there's 1:40 left in the game, Packers by 7.  First and goal at the 3.

1/goal - McMahon - play action -- floats one to the back of the endzone -- Willie Gault -- TOUCHDOWN BEARS....TOUCHDOWN BEARS....TOUCHDOWN BEARS...just a masterful drive by Chicago - 78 yards for the tying score - there's under 90 seconds left and we are tied at 20.

Another great Schroeder return -- Schroeder to the Packer 43 yard line!  Favre has not done anything since late in the second quarter when he was hammered by Hampton, Packers entirely reliant on the run -- but here, a couple of first dows and they can take a shot at the FG to win this thing.

1/10 - Incomplete.  Favre not close.  

2/10 - Favre - short to Brooks, he gets 7, he's out of bounds, little more than a minute left.  Big third down.

3/3 - Favre -- Fires over the middle -- Caught by Mark Chmura -- big play by Favre, just rifled the ball to Chmura for a 14 yard pickup, Pack stops the clock - Green Bay is at the Chicago 36 with 56 seconds to play in the game.

It would be a 53 yard FG from here.  Pack probably needs one more first down.  20-20 score.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Dave Duerson safety blitz nails Favre on the blindside - it's a big loss - Pack has to use their second timeout - they are definitely out of FG range now, 3rd and 18.  Gutsy call from Chicago and it's 3rd and 18

3/18 -- Favre - looking again for Chmura - over the middle -- Favre -- He's Picked off by Duerson!  Dave Duerson sacks Favre and then picks him off -- Bears at their own 23 yard line, just 34 seconds left.  

1/10 - McMahon -- he's going up top -- McMahon -- incomplete.  25 seconds left.

2/10 - McMahon -- to Gault in space -- Gault has room to run - Willie Gault has a 20 yard gain to the Bear 43 yard line and he's out of bounds, 12 seconds left in the football game.  

Bears have a timeout left -- if they can get one more play just like that they maybe have enough time to try a long FG.

1/10 - McMahon dropping back -- and McMahon is plowed down by Reggie White --- that will be the final play of regulation and we are off to OT.

OT: Packers 20 Bears 20

Defense +running game in this one and we go to sudden death.

Pack wins the toss.  It's another big return for Bill Schroeder - Schroeder might be the hero today for GB -- the Pack all the way at their own 44 - a FG wins this thing.

3 and out.  The Bear defense just shuts it down.  After the punt, it's Chicago at the 12.

1/10 - Payton.  3 yards.  

2/8 - Payton. 8 yards.  Bears at the 23.  

But that's it -- Bears punt and again, the Pack in great shape after the Schroeder return, they're at the Chicago 49.  

1/10 - Levens gets 2.

2/8 - Favre, in trouble -- Favre has to run out of bounds, he gets a yard.  

3/7 -- Favre - Favre firing up top - Robert Brooks -- 22 yards - that's a big strike -- big strike -- the Pack is at the 24!  First down at the 24!

1/10 - Give to Levens -- Levens busts out for 14!  Dorsey Levens for 14 yards -- the Pack is at the Bear 10 yard line!  

Holmgren isn't going to wait - there's one play for ball placement -- here's Ryan Longwell - a 27 yard FG attempt.  If its good - it's over.

Snap.  Kick.  Up.......

...GOOOOOOOOD!!!!  GOOOOOOD!!!!!! GOOOOOD!!!!!!!!!

Ryan Longwell hits the GW FG - the sideline empties - the Green Bay Packers have won 23-20

Final: Packers 23 Bears 20

The Bears had 15 more minutes of possession, 10 more first downs, just a monster effort from Walter Payton - but they go home in OT, the two missed Butler kicks to much to overcome.

Favre: 15 for 23, 133 yds, 1 INT

McMahon: 11 for 25, 112 yds, 1 TD/1 INT

Levens: 20 carries, 142 yds

Payton: 28 carries, 219 yds

Freeman: 5 catches, 50 yds

Gault: 4 catches, 41 yds, 1 TD

Duerson: sack, INT

Player of the Game: Walter Payton

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