256 Team NFL Tournament - Rnd 2/3 Preview

 

Probably, I hold off the next round until the top of the year.  My plan is to do it like I did the basketball tournament, so, as opposed to doing all of the next round's games - instead I combine two rounds, so in Region 1, I'll play the first 2 round of 128 games -- and then immediately the two winners will play their round of 64 game (regional semi final).  I'll do that all the way through, leaving us with the final 32 teams.

Probably...we'll see how it goes, but the hope is that this allows for a reasonable inclusion of teams from the 2022 season, I'd like to give the four best teams of the current season a chance to work their way in, and I can do that if there are still regions at the 128 team round.

Here's what's left.  

Super Bowl Champions Still Alive:

1968 Jets

1969 Chiefs

1971 Cowboys

1973 Dolphins

1974 Steelers

1975 Steelers

1976 Raiders

1977 Cowboys

1978 Steelers

1979 Steelers

1983 Raiders

1984 49ers

1985 Bears

1986 Giants

1988 49ers

1989 49ers

1991 Redskins

1992 Cowboys

1993 Cowboys

1994 49ers

1995 Cowboys

1996 Packers

1997 Broncos

1998 Broncos

1999 Rams

2001 Patriots

2002 Bucs

2004 Patriots

2008 Steelers

2009 Saints

2013 Seahawks

2014 Patriots

2015 Broncos

2021 Rams

3 organizations have double digit teams moving to rnd 2: San Francisco (13) Dallas (11) New England (10)  The Packers have 9, the Rams 8. 

Here's the matchups.

Region 1:

9. 2015 Chiefs at 1. 2007 Patriots 

12. 2014 Packers at 4. 2002 Bucs

11. 1975 Dolphins at 3. 1967 Raiders

7. 2012 49ers at 2. 2019 Ravens

If seeding holds - that regional semi-final in the upper half should be a good one, the top overall seed, the '07 Patriots hosting that all time great '02 Bucs defense.  

Region 2

9. 2007 Chargers at 1. 1985 Bears

5. 2015 Seahawks at 4. 1968 Chiefs

6. 2006 Patriots at 3. 1997 Broncos

7. 1998 Falcons at 2. 1993 Cowboys

If seeding holds - check out the bottom half of the region, the front half of back to back champs, the '97 Broncos facing the back half of back to back champs, the '93 Cowboys

Region 3

9. 1987 Browns at 1. 1996 Packers

12. 2019 Saints at 4. 1999 Rams

6. 1954 Lions at 3. 1978 Cowboys

10. 1960 Browns at 2. 1970 Vikings

2 Browns teams still alive in the region; possible regional semi between the Greatest Show on Turf and the 3rd overall seeded '96 Pack

Region 4

9. 2016 Falcons at 1. 1991 Redskins

12. 2021 Rams at 4. 1978 Steelers

14. 2007 Cowboys at 6. 1970 Lions

15. 1976 Colts at 10. 2015 Broncos

Wild difference between the upper and lowe halves of the region - in the top we get a battle of Super Bowl Champions in the round of 128 with the '21 Rams facing the '78 Steelers - and the winner there is on track to face the 4th overall seeded '91 Redskins.  In the bottom half - underdogs abound, 3 of the four surviving teams are double digit seeds.  

Region 5

8. 2014 Broncos at 1. 1962 Packers

13. 2008 Eagles at 12. 2000 Titans

6. 2004 Colts at 3. 1971 Cowboys

15. 1995 Chiefs at 7. 1962 Lions

Looks like smooth sailing for the '62 Pack in the upper half; the winner of this region likely to be a team at least 50 years in the past.  

Region 6

8. 2020 Saints at 1. 1968 Colts

12. 1982 Dolphins at 4. 1953 Browns

6. 1994 Cowboys at 3. 1986 Giants

7. 2002 Raiders at 2. 2014 Patriots

Tough road for the '86 Giants, they've got to knock off a '94 Cowboys team that is the core of that early 90s Dallas multi-time champs - and if they do, perhaps face a Super Bowl Champion Patriots team.  

Region 7

8. 1968 Jets at 1. 1975 Steelers

12. 1996 49ers 4. 1967 Rams

11. 2005 Seahawks at 3. 1961 Packers

15. 1951 Giants at 7. 1979 Chargers

Battle of Super Bowl Champs coming in the next round, Namath's '68 Jets at the 7th overall seed, the '75 Steelers

Region 8

9. 1993 49ers at 1. 2004 Patriots

12. 1988 Vikings at 4. 1984 Dolphins

6. 2005 Broncos at 3. 1955 Browns

7. 1997 Packers at 2. 1998 Vikings

Young-Rice and the '93 Niners against the 8th overall seeded '04 Patriots to start the region; at the bottom the battle of late 90s NFC Central rivals Packers and Vikings.

Region 9

9. 1966 Chiefs at 1. 1973 Dolphins

5. 2011 Patriots at 4. 1976 Raiders

6. 1958 Colts at 3. 1992 49ers

7. 1998 Rams at 2. 1969 Vikings

Look at how seeding held in round 1 - only the 8/9 game went to the dog -- that leaves us with a hot round 2/3 - if seeding holds the Super Bowl Champion Raiders will head to Miami to face the Super Bowl Champion Dolphins.

Region 10

8. 2001 Eagles at 1. 1984 49ers

12. 1975 Raiders at 4. 2014 Seahawks

6. 1973 Rams at 3. 1998 Broncos

7. 1973 Cowboys at 2. 1979 Steelers

The Raider team the year before they won the SB against the Seahawk team the year after they won the SB.  We get the 70s Cowboys/Steelers rivalry game.  If seeding holds, a region semi between the back to back Super Bowl Champion Broncos and the back to back Super Bowl Champion Steelers

Region 11

8. 2004 Steelers at 1. 1992 Cowboys

5. 2013 Broncos at 4. 1954 Browns

14. 1953 Eagles at 6. 1991 49ers

15. 1984 Seahawks at 10. 2009 Patriots

The early 90s Cowboys and Niners went to war in 3 straight NFC Title games - we might see another battle in the Region 11 Finals.  

Region 12

9. 2020 Bills at 1. 2013 Seahawks

13. 2013 Patriots at 12. 1988 49ers

6. 1965 Packers at 3. 1995 Cowboys

10. 1976 Rams at 2. 1950 Browns

Brady heads to San Francisco to face Montana in the next round, if the Packers can upset Dallas there's a possible Lombardi v. Brown matchup in the regional semi.

Region 13

16. 1991 Oilers at 9. 1992 Eagles

13. 1966 Cowboys at 5. 1995 49ers

6. 1963 Packers at 3. 2012 Patriots

7. 1983 Raiders at 2. 2001 Rams

The Rams face Los Angeles -- the '83 Super Bowl Champion LA Raiders go to St Louis to meet the Rams.  We get Lombardi v. Belichick - and this is the region where the top seed is gone, wide open at the top.

Region 14

8. 1974 Steelers at 1. 1994 49ers

13. 1964 Packers at 5. 2011 Saints

6. 2006 Chargers at 3. 1987 49ers

15. 2001 Patriots at 7. 1968 Cowboys

If seeding holds, the regional final will be Montana and the '87 Niners at Young and the '94 Niners, with Rice being really the only commonality. First though, the '94 Niners have to beat the '74 Steelers in a battle of Super Bowl Champs  

Region 15

9. 1985 49ers at 1. 1969 Chiefs

12. 2002 Eagles at 4. 2008 Steelers

14. 1985 Patriots at 6. 1977 Cowboys

10. 1998 49ers at 2. 1983 Redskins

The Niners really packed in the last couple of regions; that Cowboy/Redskin game would be a super intense rivarly matchup.

Region 16

9. 1975 Vikings at 1. 1976 Steelers

13. 1970 Cowboys at 12. 1997 Chiefs

14. 1984 Raiders at 6. 2009 Saints

10. 1968 Rams at 2. 1989 49ers

Nearly a Super Bowl rematch right at the top of the region - looks like a collison course between the heart of the Steelers and Niners dynasties in the regional final.

2022 NCAA/NFL Picks Week 11

NCAA: 22-28

NFL: 29-21

OK St +7.5 OK loss

EMU +7.5 Kent win

TCU -2.5 Bay loss

VT +10 Liberty win

SMU +3.5 Tulane loss

2-3

24-31

LAR +4.5 NO loss

Ariz +8 SF loss

Cleve +8.5 Buff win

Ind +6.5 Phi win

NYG -3 Det loss

2-3

31-24

256 Team NFL Tournament Round 1/Region 16: 1989 San Francisco 49ers v. 2007 New York Giants

'07 Giants v. '15 Steelers 

15. 2007 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION NEW YORK GIANTS at 2. 1989 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

2. 1989 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Record: 14-2

Pythag: 13-3

Off: 1st

Def: 3rd

1st NFC West

d. Vikings Div Rnd 41-13

d. Rams NFC Title 30-3

d. Broncos Super Bowl 55-10

HC George Seifert OC Mike Holmgren DC Bill McPherson

Candlestick Park: 55 degrees

Joe Starkey/Wayne Walker

Offense

QB Joe Montana 33 All Pro  N Dame

RB Roger Craig 29 Nebraska

FB Tom Rathman 27 Nebraska

WR Jerry Rice All Pro 27  Miss Vall St

WR John Taylor 27 Delaware St

TE Brent Jones 26 S Clara

LT Bubba Paris 29 Michigan

LG Guy McIntyre 28  UGA

C Jesse Sapolu 28 Hawaii 

RG Bruce Collie 27 Tex Arlington

RT Harris Barton 25 UNC

Defense

LDE Pierce Holt 27  Angelo St

NT Michael Carter 29 SMU

RDE Kevin Fagan 28 Miami

LOLB Charles Haley 25 J Madison

LILB Matt Millen 31 Penn St

RILB Mike Walter 29 Oregon

ROLB Keena Turner 31 Purdue

LCB Darryl Pollard 25 Weber St

RCB Don Griffin 25 Mid Tenn St

SS Chet Brooks 23 A&M

FS Ronnie Lott 30 All Pro USC

K Mike Cofer 25 All Pro NC St

P Barry Helton 24 Colorado

KR Terrence Flagler 25 Clemson

PR John Taylor 27

Last game in Round 1 - the 17th overall seed in the field is the '89 Niners, best offense in football, third best defense. 33 year old Joe Montana is an All Pro, in 13 games he had 29 scores and 8 picks. Over 1500 yards from scrimmage for 29 year old Roger Craig. 27 year old Jerry Rice is an All Pro, he had over 1400 yards receiving and 17 TDs. 27 year old John Taylor is also over 1000 yards receiving.  30 year old Ronnie Lott is an All Pro on defense, 25 year old Mike Cofer is also an All Pro. 27 year old Pierce Holt and 25 year old Charles Haley combined for 21 sacks.  

15. 2007 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION NEW YORK GIANTS

Record: 10-6

Pythag: 9-7

Off: 14th

Def: 17th

2nd NFC East

d. Bucs WC 24-14

d. Cowboys Div Rnd 21-17

d. Packers AFC Title 23-20

d. Patriots Super Bowl 17-14

d. '70 Colts 19-14

d. '15 Steelers 25-10

HC Tom Coughlin OC Kevin Gilbride DC Steve Spagnuolo

Offense

QB Eli Manning 26  Ole Miss

RB Brandon Jacobs 25 S Illinois

RB Derrick Ward 27 Ottawa

WR Plaxico Burress 30 Mich St

WR Amani Toomer 33 Michigan

TE Jeremy Shockey 27 Miami

LT David Diehl 27 Illinois

LG Rich Seubert 28 W Illinois

C Shaun O'Hara 30 Rutgers

RG Chris Snee 25 B College

RT Kareem McKenzie 28 Penn St

Defense

LDE Michael Strahan 36  Tex Southern

LDT Barry Cofield 23 Nwestern

RDT Fred Robbins 30 Wake

RDE Osi Umenyiora 26 Troy

LLB Mathias Kiwanuka 24 B College

MLB Antonio Pierce 29 Arizona

RLB Kawika Mitchell 28 S Florida

LCB Aaron Ross 25 R Texas

RCB Sam Madison 33 Louisville

SS James Butler 25 Geo Tech

FS Gibril Wilson 26 Tenn

K Lawrence Tynes 29 Troy

P Jeff Feagles 41 Miami

KR Ahmad Bradshaw 21  Marshall

PR RW McQuarters 31 Ok St

The 2007 SB Giants not only don't have an All Pro, they have only one Pro Bowler, 26 year old Osi Umenyiora, he had 13 sacks and 36 year old Michael Strahan added 9. 26 year old Eli Manning had 24 scores and 20 picks. 25 year old Brandon Jacobs had over a thousand yards rushing. 30 year old Plaxico Burress over a thousand receiving.  The Giants knocked off the '70 Colts 19-14 and then the '15 Steelers 25-10.  The Giants had 4 wins in '07 to win the Super Bowl and now add 2 tournament wins to that -- can they go to San Francisco and knock off the 17th overall seed in the field?  

1st Qtr

Niners at the 27.

3 and out.  Giants take over at the 32.

1/10 - Eli Manning 10 to Plaxico Burress, offsides on the next play makes it 1st and 5.

1/5 - Incomplete

2/5 - Manning to Jeremy Shockey, first down.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Manning to Brandon Jacobs, 8 yards to the 49er 35.

1/10 - Derrick Ward for 4.  

2/6 - Manning to Amani Toomer, its 9 yards to the 22. A false start backs NY 5.

1/15 - Brandon Jacobs carries for 13.

2/2 - Ward is stopped at the line.  

3/2 - Jacobs busts through -- he goes all the way to the Niner 4 and the Giants have first and goal.

The Niners hold them here - short Tynes FG and it is 3-0.

Niners at their own 36, on second and 9, Michael Strahan drills Joe Montana -- Fumble -- and the Giants recover at the 49er 30 yard line -- big early play for this New York defense.

1/10 - Ward goes for 16 - the Giants are at the 14.

1/10 - Ward is stacked up.

2/10 - Incomplete

3/10 - Manning -- End Zone -- Sinorice Moss -- TOUCHDOWN GIANTS -- Eli to Moss - the Giants jump out to a 10-0 lead!  

Niners at the 31.

1/10 - Roger Craig for 9.

2/10 - Montana -- Downfield to a wide open Brent Jones -- Jones all the way to the New York 25 yard line.  

1/10 - Craig stopped at the line and the qtr ends.

2nd Qtr: Giants 10 49ers 0

The '07 Giants cinderella ride took them to a Super Bowl - they've won 2 Play in Games to get this shot against the 17th overall seed in the field and jump out to a 10-0 lead.  Niners have 2nd and 10 at the 25.

The Niner drive ends here - Cofer FG makes it 10-3.

Giants at the 39.

1/10 - Manning to Toomer for 4.

2/6 - Jacobs is buried in the backfield.

3/10 - Manning finds Burress in space -- Plaxico Burress all the way to the 49er 38.  

1/10 - Brandon Jacobs busts one -- Jacobs running downhill all the way to the 1 yard line!  The Giants have really found an offensive rhythm as the tournament has continued and they are just rolling right now.

1/goal -- Derrick Ward Is Into the End Zone -- TOUCHDOWN GIANTS -- Wow, Wow, Wow -- the Giants have already won the only battle of Super Bowl Champs in the tournament and they have come into San Francisco and are just blasting away, 17-3!

Niner ball at the 19.

1/10 - 3 for Craig

2/7 - Tom Rathman for 1

3/6 - Montana to Jerry Rice, Rice has the first down and more, Rice 13 yards.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Terrence Flagler gets a carry, 1 yard.  

3/9 - Montana crossing route to John Taylor, Taylor's got space -- 20 yards for Taylor to the Giants 43.

1/10 - Craig gets 3.

2/7 - Montana downfield to Taylor -- big gainer for John Taylor, 22 yards and San Francisco is at the 18.

1/10 - Craig gets 5.

2/5 - It's an end around to Rice -- Rice has a first down -- the Niners have a first and goal at the 4.

1/goal -- Rathman....Rathman is Into the End Zone...TOUCHDOWN 49ERS -- that's more of what you'd expect -- San Francisco goes 81 yards down the field and it's 17-10 Giants, about 4 minutes left in the half.

Giants at the 21.  They get one first down, Shockey 8 yard reception.

But just before the 2 minute warning, it's a punt -- and John Taylor with the big return - JT to the Giants 37 yard line - big second quarter for John Taylor and the Niners are in business.

1/10 - Montana to Rice, it's a 16 yard pickup and it is the 2 minute warning.  

1/10 - Montana again to Taylor, 10 yards, the Niners are at the Giants 11.

1/10 - Incomplete.  90 seconds left in the half.

2/10 - Montana -- End Zone -- Brent Jones -- TOUCHDOWN 49ERS -- It takes less than a minute, the Niners tie the score -- there's a little more than a minute left in the half, the Giants will get a couple first downs, 11 yards to Burress, 15 to Shockey, but Charles Haley sacks Manning and the half comes to an end.

3rd Qtr: 49ers 17 Giants 17

San Francisco scores twice in the last couple of minutes of the half and we are dead even.

Giants at the 32.

3 and out.  Niners will start at the 35.

1/10 - Montana to Rice -- 14 yards.

1/10 - Big gainer for Craig, Roger Craig with the high knees - Craig busting tackles for a 25 yard pickup to the New York 26.

1/10 - Terrence Flagler gets 15 - the 49ers go bang-bang-bang to the 11.  

1/10 - Montana to Craig, 5 yards.

2/5 - Incomplete

3/5 - Montana to Flagler -- Flagler is going to be just short of the first down.  

Niners 4th and less than a yard at the 2.  Seifert and Holmgren are going for it - big spot here.  

4/1 - Roger Craig....Is Into the End Zone....TOUCHDOWN 49ERS - the Niners go for it on 4th and it pays off -- San Francisco now leads 24-17.

Giants at the 37.  

3 and out.  The Niners defense has stepped up since the early Giants blitz.  Niners at the 32.

3 and out.  Giants at the 25.  6 minutes left in the third.

One first down, Jacobs 9 yard run.  But Pierce Holt gets a sack - the Niners will regain at their own 17.  

1/10 - Craig for 12.

1/10 - Craig for 4

2/6 - Craig - Is Popped by Antonio Pierce -- Fumble - the Giants recover.  Big play - the Giants down 7 get their second turnover and with 2 minutes left the Giants take over at the 49er 35.

1/10 - Jacobs for 4

2/6 - Nothing for Jacobs

3/6 - Manning to Jacobs -- he breaks tackles, he's got 11 - the Giants are at the Niner 20 as the qtr ends.

4th Qtr: 49ers 24 Giants 17

San Francisco takes the lead - the Giants have first down at the SF 20 - 15 minutes of regulation play remain in round 1.

1/10 - Give to Ward -- Rocked by Ronnie Lott at the line of scrimmage --- Fumble -- Fumble -- the 49ers recover!  San Francisco forces the turnover -- the 49ers regain possession at the 19.

3 and out including an Osi Umenyiora sack.  Giants regain at their own 35.  

1/10 - Jacobs gets 1.

2/9 - Ward for 4.

3/5 - Manning to Toomer, 8 yards and the Giants are at the 48.

1/10 - Jacobs for 1.

2/9 - Manning -- Picked Off by Lott!  Ronnie Lott with the Interception -- in back to back Giants drives, Lott forces turnovers -- San Francisco has the ball at their own 36 yard line, now with less than 10 minutes to go in the game, still up 7.

1 first down, Montana 6 to Rathman the biggest play - but the Niners kick -- and it's a great one from Helton, rolling dead at the New York 3 yard line.

Giants up against it here -- they need to go 97 yards, there's less than 6 to play and the Niners lead by 7.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Manning, 4 yards to Moss

3/6 - Incomplete

There's 4 minutes left, the Giants have a 4th and 6 at their own 7 yard line.  

They're gonna go for it.  

4/6 - Incomplete

The 49ers take the game by the the throat, the defense really put the clamps on after that early Giants blitz and now the Niners have the ball at the New York 8.

1/goal - Terrence Flagler takes the pitch -- and he will go Into the End Zone -- TOUCHDOWN 49ERS -- San Francisco goes up 2 scores and it looks like the Niners are headed to round 2.

Giants at the 26 - they get a first down when Jacobs busts a 47 yard run -- but again, the Niners turn them over on downs, there's less than 3 minutes to go, Niner ball at their own 26 - they're gonna burn through the Giants timeouts, getting first downs on runs by Craig and Harry Sydney - the Giants get the ball back with less than 2 minutes left, out of timeouts, at their own 31 - they get one first down, Manning 14 to Toomer -- but once again, the Niners stop the drive - it's victory formation for San Francisco and it is done.

Round 1 is done.

Final: 49ers 31 Giants 17

We started with 274 teams -- there are now 128.  

Montana: 15 for 21 203 yds TD

Manning: 16 for 35 167 yds TD/INT

Craig: 18 carries, 62 yds TD

Jacobs: 20 carries, 131 yds 

Rice: 4 catches, 45 yds

Burress: 4 catches 61 yds

Player of the Game: Ronnie Lott

Region 16 Rnd 1 MVP: Mean Joe Greene

When we hit Rnd 2

1976 Steelers v. 1975 Vikings

1997 Chiefs v. 1970 Cowboys

2009 Saints v. 1984 Raiders

1989 49ers v. 1968 Rams

256 Team NFL Tournament Round 1/Region 16: Play In Game 3

'07 Giants v. '70 Colts 

15. 2007 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION NEW YORK GIANTS at 15. 2015 PITTSBURGH STEELERS

15. 2015 PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Record: 10-6

Pythag: 11-5

Off: 4th

Def: 11th

2nd AFC North

d. Bengals WC 18-16

lost Broncos Div Rnd 23-16

HC Mike Tomlin OC Todd Haley DC Keith Butler

Heinz Field: 55 degrees

Bill Hillgrove/Tunch Ilkin

Offense

QB Ben Roethlisberger 33

RB DeAngelo Williams 32

RB LeVeon Bell 23

WR Antonio Brown 27 All Pro

WR Markus Wheaton 24

TE Heath Miller 33

LT Alejandro Villanueva 27

LG Ramon Foster 29

C Cody Wallace 31

RG David DeCastro 25 All Pro

RT Marcus Gilbert 27

Defense

LDE Cameron Heyward 26

NT Steve McClendon 29

RDE Stephon Tuitt 22

LOLB Arthur Moats 27

LILB Ryan Shazier 23

RILB Lawrence Timmons 29

ROLB Jarvis Jones 26

LCB William Gay 30

RCB Antwon Blake 25

SS Will Allen 33

FS Mike Mitchell 28

K Chris Boswell 24

P Jordan Berry 24

KR Jacoby Jones 31

PR Antonio Brown 27

The Steelers '15 team had the 4th best offense in football, 33 year old Ben Roethlisberger had 21 scores and 16 picks in 11 starts. 11 TDs for 32 year old DeAngelo Williams.  27 year old Antonio Brown is an All Pro, he caught 136 balls for over 1800 yards and scored a total of 11 times. 25 year old David DeCastro is also an All Pro. On defense 26 year old Cameron Heyward and 22 year old Stephon Tuitt combined for 13.5 sacks.  

15. 2007 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION NEW YORK GIANTS

Record: 10-6

Pythag: 9-7

Off: 14th

Def: 17th

2nd NFC East

d. Bucs WC 24-14

d. Cowboys Div Rnd 21-17

d. Packers AFC Title 23-20

d. Patriots Super Bowl 17-14

d. '70 Colts 19-14

HC Tom Coughlin OC Kevin Gilbride DC Steve Spagnuolo

Offense

QB Eli Manning 26

RB Brandon Jacobs 25

RB Derrick Ward 27

WR Plaxico Burress 30

WR Amani Toomer 33

TE Jeremy Shockey 27

LT David Diehl 27

LG Rich Seubert 28

C Shaun O'Hara 30

RG Chris Snee 25

RT Kareem McKenzie 28

Defense

LDE Michael Strahan 36

LDT Barry Cofield 23

RDT Fred Robbins 30

RDE Osi Umenyiora 26

LLB Mathias Kiwanuka 24

MLB Antonio Pierce 29

RLB Kawika Mitchell 28

LCB Aaron Ross 25 R

RCB Sam Madison 33

SS James Butler 25

FS Gibril Wilson 26

K Lawrence Tynes 29

P Jeff Feagles 41

KR Ahmad Bradshaw 21

PR RW McQuarters 31

The 2007 SB Giants not only don't have an All Pro, they have only one Pro Bowler, 26 year old Osi Umenyiora, he had 13 sacks and 36 year old Michael Strahan added 9. 26 year old Eli Manning had 24 scores and 20 picks. 25 year old Brandon Jacobs had over a thousand yards rushing. 30 year old Plaxico Burress over a thousand receiving.  The Giants knocked off the '70 Colts 19-14 to reach this second Play In Game -- the winner here moves into our final Round 1 game, against the 17th overall seed in the tournament, the '89 Niners.  

The battle for the last available spot in rnd 2 continues. Lets go to Pittsburgh for the kick.

1st Qtr

Giants start at the 31.

1/10 - Brandon Jacobs gets a yard.

2/9 - 5 for Jacobs.

3/4 - Eli Manning picks it up with a 16 yard gain to Derrick Ward - NY crosses midfield.

1/10 - Ward is stuffed in the backfield.

2/13 - Ward gains 5.  

3/8 - Eli picks it up, 9 yard gain to Amani Toomer, Giants at the 38.  

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Manning to Jacobs - 11 yards to the 27.

1/10 - Ward gets 1 - a false start on the next play backs NY up.

2/14 - 2 for Jacobs. 

3/12 - Manning --- hits Plaxco Burress in stride -- it's a footrace -- Plaxico Burress is Gonna Go Into the End Zone -- TOUCHDOWN GIANTS - the Giants take half the first quarter, drive down the field - and Eli Manning hits a big, big 29 yard strike to Burress and New York is on the board.

Steelers at the 30.

1/10 - DeAngelo Williams 3 yard gain.

2/7 - Ben Roethlisberger to Antonio Brown, 5 yards.

3/2 - Williams picks it up.

1/10 - Ben to Heath Miller, 7 yards to the 47.  

2/3 - Ben to LeVeon Bell, breaking tackles -- 14 yard pickup.

1/10 - Williams for 7 yards to the Giants 32.

2/3 - Bell pounds his way to a 15 yard gain.

1/10 - 5 more for Bell, the Steelers are at the 17.

2/5 - Ben -- End Zone -- TOUCHDOWN STEELERS -- Martavis Bryant with the catch -- Roethlisberger 17 yards to Bryant - the Steelers match the Giants drive and with 2 minutes left in the quarter we are all tied at 7.

Giants at the 33.

1/10 - Jacobs for 3.

2/7 - Ward stopped in the backfield.

3/10 - Manning hits Amani Toomer -- 16 yards to the 48 and the quarter ends.

2nd Qtr: Giants 7 Steelers 7

Matching long TD drives, the Giants again have a first down at their own 48.

1/10- Manning to Jeremy Shockey, 9 yards.

2/1 - 8 for Jacobs and the Giants are at the 35.

1/10 - Ward goes for 10 -- the Giants keep rolling, to the 25.

The drive stalls - a FG makes it 10-7.

Steelers at the 28.

1/10 - Bell is stopped.

2/10 - Williams is stopped

3/12 - Ben downfield to Markus Wheaton -- it's a 26 yard strike, Steelers at the Giants 49.

1/10 - Ben to Bryant - 12 yards to the 37.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Bell for 4

3/6 - Roethlisberger to Williams for a 9 yard pickup, Steelers to the 24.

And that ends the drive -- the Steelers tie the score -- there's 4 minutes left in the half and we are dead solid even at 10-10.

Giants at the 15.

1/10 - Manning 4 to Toomer.

2/6 - Derrick Ward explodes through the line, one cut and he goes 59 yards downfield -- All the Way to the Steeler 22.  Ward with the huge run and the Gaints are in business.

But -- the Steelers get the first two sacks of the game - Cameron Heyward, Lawrence Timmons, and the Giants kick the FG with less than a minute left - the Steelers don't have time to build a drive of their own and it is halftime.

3rd Qtr: Giants 13 Steelers 10

Very even in the first half, NY with the slim lead.  Winner heads to San Francisco for the final game of Round 1.

Steelers at the 32.

One first down - Ben to Antonio Brown, 14 yards.  The Giants get their first sack to end the drive, Osi Umenyiora.  After the punt, Giants at the 21, they've scored on each possession.

1/10 - Manning to Shockey, 13 yards. 

1/10 - Jacobs for 1

2/9 - Ward gets 17 -- Giants cross midfield again.

1/10 - Jacobs gets 2

2/8 - Manning 15 to Burress and the Giants are driving, the Giants offense just really humming today.

1/10 - Manning back to Burress, 8 yards to the 23.

2/2 - Incomplete

3/2 - 5 yards for Jacobs.

1/10 - 1 yard for Jacobs

2/9 - Manning to Ward -- Ward breaks tackles and gains 11 yards to the 6.  First and goal.

1/goal - 3 for Jacobs.

2/goal -- Manning -- End Zone -- Shockey -- TOUCHDOWN GIANTS - Manning 3 yards to Shockey -- the Giants miss the XP, with 4 minutes left in the third it is 19-10.

Steelers at the 35, they get a first down, Ben to Brown, 15 yards.  But Umenyiora gets another sack and the Steelers kick.  Giants at the 25.

3 and out.  Steelers get the ball back at their own 43, they get a yard and the quarter ends.

4th Qtr: Giants 19 Steelers 10

The Giants defense asserts itself, the lead is now 9, Steelers have 2nd and 9 at their own 44.

2/9 - Ben to Brown, 8 yards.

3/1 - Williams for 4.  Steelers at the NY 44.  

1/10 - Roethlisberger once again to Antonio Brown -- it is a 13 yard pickup to the 31.

1/10 - 5 for Bell

2/5 - Michael Strahan gets to Ben and it's 3rd and a bunch.

3/11 - Ben - End Zone --- Picked off by Sam Madison!  Madison intercepts Roethlisberger in the end zone, it's a touchback.

11 and a half to play, Giants at their own 20 with a 9 point lead.

1/10 - Ward is stopped

2/10 - 3 for Jacobs

3/7 - Ward breaks another run -- Derrick Ward 42 yards - Ward all the way to the 35.  

1/10 - Manning to Sinorice Moss -- 18 yards to the Steeler 17 yard line, New York is looking for the dagger here.

1/10 - Lawrence Timmons with his second sack of the day.

2/17 - Manning to Shockey, 14 yards to the 10.

3/3 - Jacobs....Brandon Jacobs is Gonna Go -- Into the End Zone --- TOUCHDOWN GIANTS -- 10 yard run by Jacobs -- the Giants miss the 2 pt conversion -- but with a little more than 6 minutes to play the Giants are up 25-10.

Steelers at the 35.

The Steelers move down the field, Ben to Wheaton for 26, Ben to Miller for 16 the big plays - the drive gets to the Giants 16 -- but they cant move beyond there, and with 2+ minutes left in the game, the Giants regain possession and they burn the rest of the clock.

Final: Giants 25 Steelers 10

The 2007 Super Bowl Champs continue their run - they win their second play in game and do it pretty easily.

Manning: 15 for 21 176 yds 2 TD

Roethlisberger 17 for 30 229 yds TD/INT

Ward: 16 carries 142 yds 

Williams: 12 carries 35 yds

Burress: 4 catches, 52 yds TD

Brown: 6 catches, 68 yds

Umenyiora/Timmons: 2 sacks

Player of the Game: Derrick Ward

256 Team NFL Tournament Round 1/Region 16: Play In Game 2

 '90 Bills v. '68 Rams

15. 2007 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION NEW YORK GIANTS at 15. 1970 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION BALTIMORE COLTS

15. 1970 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION BALTIMORE COLTS

Record: 11-2-1

Pythag: 10-4

Off: 6th

Def: 7th

1st AFC East

d. Bengals Div Rnd 17-0

d. Raiders AFC Title 27-17

d. Cowboys Super Bowl 16-13

HC Don McCafferty OC John Idzik

Memorial Stadium: 50 degrees

Ted Moore/Neal Eskridge

Offense

QB Johnny Unitas 37

RB Norm Bulaich R 24

RB Jerry Hill 31

WR Eddie Hinton 23

WR Roy Jefferson 27

TE John Mackey 29

LT Bob Vogel 29

LG Glenn Ressler 27

C Bill Curry 28

RG John Williams 25

RT Dan Sullivan 31

Defense

LDE Bubba Smith 25

LDT Billy Ray Smith 35

RDT Fred Miller 30

RDE Roy Hinton 27

LLB Bob Grant 24

MLB Mike Curtis 27

RLB Ted Hendricks 23

LCB Charlie Stukes 27

RCB Tommy Maxwell 23

SS Jerry Logan 29

RS Rick Volk 25

K Jim O'Brien 23

P David Lee 27

KR Jim Duncan 24

PR Ron Gardin 26

One spot is left in Rnd 2 - there are 4 teams vying for it and 3 are our last 3 Super Bowl Champs. The Great Unitas is 37, 14 scores and 18 picks. There's no Ray Barry, no Lenny Moore, a 29 year old John Mackey is here.  3 Pro Bowlers on defense, there aren't any All Pros on this team, 25 year old Bubba Smith, 27 year old Mike Curtis, 29 year old Jerry Logan.

15. 2007 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION NEW YORK GIANTS

Record: 10-6

Pythag: 9-7

Off: 14th

Def: 17th

2nd NFC East

d. Bucs WC 24-14

d. Cowboys Div Rnd 21-17

d. Packers AFC Title 23-20

d. Patriots Super Bowl 17-14

HC Tom Coughlin OC Kevin Gilbride DC Steve Spagnuolo

Offense

QB Eli Manning 26

RB Brandon Jacobs 25

RB Derrick Ward 27

WR Plaxico Burress 30

WR Amani Toomer 33

TE Jeremy Shockey 27

LT David Diehl 27

LG Rich Seubert 28

C Shaun O'Hara 30

RG Chris Snee 25

RT Kareem McKenzie 28

Defense

LDE Michael Strahan 36

LDT Barry Cofield 23

RDT Fred Robbins 30

RDE Osi Umenyiora 26

LLB Mathias Kiwanuka 24

MLB Antonio Pierce 29

RLB Kawika Mitchell 28

LCB Aaron Ross 25 R

RCB Sam Madison 33

SS James Butler 25

FS Gibril Wilson 26

K Lawrence Tynes 29

P Jeff Feagles 41

KR Ahmad Bradshaw 21

PR RW McQuarters 31

We get a battle between Super Bowl Champions in a Play In Game, the 2007 SB Giants not only don't have an All Pro, they have only one Pro Bowler, 26 year old Osi Umenyiora, he had 13 sacks and 36 year old Michael Strahan added 9. 26 year old Eli Manning had 24 scores and 20 picks. 25 year old Brandon Jacobs had over a thousand yards rushing. 30 year old Plaxico Burress over a thousand receiving. 

The battle for the last available spot in rnd 2 is underway.  Lets go to Baltimore for the kick.

1st Qtr 

Ahmad Bradshaw takes the opening kick back to midfield.  

The Giants get one first down when Brandon Jacobs runs for 15 yards -- but that's all and when Tynes misses the FG, the Colts take over unharmed at their own 38.

One first down - Johnny Unitas to Roy Jefferson, 16 yards.  But Osi Umenyiora sacks Unitas to end the threat and the Colts punt.

Giants at the 12 - on first down Eli Manning hits Plaxico Burress over the middle, but he is Rocked by Mike Curtis -- Fumble -- the Colts recover at the New York 29.  

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Unitas to Eddie Hinton, 13 to the Giants 16.

1/10 - Norm Bulaich loses a yard - a defensive holding on the next play gives the Colts a first down.

1/10 - 8 for Bulaich.

2/2 - Jerry Hill is Into the End Zone -- TOUCHDOWN COLTS - Jerry Hill 4 yd TD run and the Colts take the early lead after Curtis forced that Burress fumble.  

Giants at the 35.

1/10 - Derrick Ward 2 yards.

2/8 - 2 for Jacobs

3/6 - Manning to Jacobs, 9 yards and a first down at the 48.

1/10 - 2 for Ward

2/8 - Manning to Ward, 7 yards.  

3/1 - Manning finds Jeremy Shockey - two years from now Shockey is on the Saints team which already advanced in this region - now he catches the 10 yard first down.  

1/10 - 1 for Ward, holding on the next play makes it 2nd and 19 at the Colt 29.

They dont pick it up - a FG cuts the deficit to 7-3.  Colts will start at the 29 when the 2nd qtr begins.

2nd Qtr: Colts 7 Giants 3

Tight so far, the Burress fumble the key play. 

3 and out.  The 3rd year man from Notre Dame, Justin Tuck, Blocks the Punt -- the Giants take over at the Colts 4 -- The Giants return the favor and get the big play of their own -- a Tuck blocked kick and New York takes over at the 4.

 But they can't get it in, Bubba Smith sacks Manning - the Giants settle for the chip shot.  Nice stand by the Baltimore defense after the blocked punt.

Colts at the 22.  

1 first down, Unitas to Ray Perkins, 15 yards, but that's it - Giants take over at their own 21.

3 and out.  Colts get the ball back at the 34.

On the second play - Unitas throws to the sideline -- Picked Off By Sam Madison -- Sam Madison streaks down the Sideline -- Sam Madison is Gonna Go All the Way To the End Zone -- TOUCHDOWN GIANTS -- Sam Madison takes a Unitas Pick 6 Back 48 yards to the house -- the New York Giants take a 13-7 lead.

Colts at the 24.  One first down, Tom Nowatzke going for 27, but two plays later Nowatzke coughts it up at the Giants take over at their own 32.

2 first downs, Manning to Amani Toomer for 16, Manning to Shinorice Moss for 11 - but the Colts add two more Sacks, Ted Hendricks and Billy Ray Smith and the Giants punt with under a minute left.  Colts get the ball deep in their own end and run it out.

3rd Qtr: Giants 13 Colts 7

Sam Madison takes a Unitas pick back for a score and the Giants go out in front.

Colts at the 31.

2 first downs, Unitas 12 to Bulaich, Unitas 17 to Hinton -- but O'Brien misses a FG and New York takes over at their own 40.

3 and out.  Colts at the 37.  2 First downs, both on big plays -- Jimmy Orr takes a reverse 25 yards, Unitas hits Perkins for 25 -- the Colts reach the Giants 9 yard line -- but Sam Madison does it again -- Picking Off Unitas in the end zone -- and with 3 minutes left in the third, the Giants take over at the 20.

1/10 - Jacobs for 2.

2/8 - Manning finds Moss in space, 21 yards to the 43.  

1/10 - 1 for Jacobs

2/9 - 8 for Jacobs

3/1 - Brandon Jacobs for 11 yards -- Brandon Jacobs to the Colts 37 as the qtr ends.

4th Qtr: Giants 13 Colts 7

It's the Sam Madison show, he gets another interception, this time in the end zone, Giants at the Baltimore 37.  

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Manning finds Burress -- 22 yards over the middle to the 15.

1/10 - Jacobs for 3

2/7 - Jacobs is stopped

3/7 - Manning -- Finds Plaxico Burress In the Corner of the End Zone -- TOUCHDOWN GIANTS - Plaxico Burress with the circus catch and the Giants go up 19-7 with 13 minutes left.

Colts at the 30.  2 first downs, Unitas 15 to John Mackey and 14 to Bulaich -- but the drive ends in a punt -- Giants deep in their own end, at their own 6, 10 minutes left, up 12.

3 and out.  Colts take over with 8 minutes left at the Giants 41.  

1/10 - Bulaich for 8 an offsides on the next play gives Baltimore a first down at the 28.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Unitas 8 to Mackey.

2/2 - Incomplete

3/2 - Bulaich picks it up, first down at the 16.

1/10 - a yard for Bulaich.  

2/9 -3 for Hill - a defensive holding on the next play gives the Colts first and goal at the 7.

1/goal - 3 for Nowatzke

2/goal - Incomplete

3/goal - Incomplete

It's 4th and goal from the 4 - Colts down 12, 5 minutes left, they're gonna go for it.

Incomplete.  The Giants defense has risen up today when they needed it and New York takes over at their own 4 yard line.

On the second play, Mike Curtis forces his second fumble of the game, Ward coughing it up -- and the Colts get the ball at the 11 yard line.  They make a change at QB, Earl Morrall coming on in relief of Unitas.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Morrall -- End Zone -- Jefferson --- TOUCHDOWN COLTS -- The Colts aren't dead yet -- a fumble and q uick score -- and with 3 and a half minutes left in the game it's now 19-14, Bradshaw gets a good return - all the way to the 40.

1/10 - 2 for Jacobs.  Timeout Colts.  

2/8 - Ward gets 4.  Timeout Colts.  

3/4 - Manning to throw -- Picked Off by Ted Hendricks!  Picked off By Ted Hendricks!  The only thing that couldn't happen does -- the Colts take over at the Giants 44 yard line, 3:12 left to play in a 5 pt game.  Morrall stays on.

1/10 - Bulaich 5 yard run.  

2/5 - Incomplete

3/5 - Incomplete

Colts have another 4th down -- 4th and 5 at the Giants 39, there's 2:20 left.  

4/5 - Incomplete.

The Giants defense turns the Colts away, they take over at their own 39, needing just one first down to end this game.

1/10 - Ward for 3.  2 minute warning.

2/7 - Jacobs for 4, last Colts timeout.  

3rd down - if the Giants pick it up, they will advance to a second play in game against the '15 Steelers.

3/3 - Ward....Ward....Has Got the First Down --- And That Will End It.

Final: Giants 19 Colts 14

2 Big Madison Interceptions win this one and the Giants move on, despite just earning 12 first downs all day.

Manning 12 for 18 140 yds TD/INT

Unitas 14 for 31 178 yds 2 INT

Jacobs 17 carries 60 yds

Nowatzke 8 carries 44 yds

Burress 3 catches 49 yds TD

Jefferson 4 catches 30 yds TD

Madison: 2 INT/TD

Hendricks: INT/sack

Player of the Game: Sam Madison