All Time NFL Tournament-The Finals

 2008 STEELERS v. 2015 STEELERS

 Well, sometimes, life is like this.  You put together a 256 team tournament covering the history of professional football and it ends with two Ben Roethlisberger teams.  

JUST AS PROPHECY FORETOLD.

Okay, lets wrap it up.  This game is in Pittsburgh.  'Cause why not?

2008 STEELERS 33        2015 STEELERS 18

The winners of the tournament.  The 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers.

The '15 team scored first, a 15 yard Leveon Bell first qt TD run - the '08 team then ran off the next 23 points.  Big Ben 17 yards to Hines Ward, a short Mewelde Moore TD run, 3 Jeff Reed FGs; it was 23-7 through 3 qtrs.  The '15 team cut the lead to 5; Roethlisberger 43 yards to Antonio Brown, followed by a 2 pt conversion and then a Chris Boswell FG.  23-18, 6 minutes left in the game.

The '15 team forced a quick 3 and out - got the ball back - and Troy Polamalu takes a pick back 41 yards for a game sealing score.  The '08 team tacks on a late FG for the final score.

Both Willie Parker and Mewelde Moore rush for over 100 yards in the win.  James Harrison had a pick and a sack for the winning team (he also had a sack for the losing side). 115 yards receiving for Brown in the loss.

All hail the 2008 Steelers, champions of the world.  

All Time NFL Tournament. The Final Four.

 

 Both Final Four games are played at the LA Coliseum.

2007 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 

2015 PITTSBURGH STEELERS

First Half

Pitt Drive 1: Started at 24, ended at 44, took 4 minutes.  Punt

NE Drive 1: Started at 23, 8 plays, ended with Tom Brady - 7 yards to Randy Moss.  TD.  

Pitt Drive 2: Started at 24, 8 plays, ended with Ben Roethlisberger - 2 yards to LeVeon Bell.  TD

NE Drive 2: Started at 31, 3 and out.  Stephon Tuitt sack.  6 seconds left in 1st qtr.

Pitt Drive 3: Started at 39.  5 plays, ended with Ben to Antonio Brown, 12 yards. TD  14-7.

NE Drive 3: Started at 35.  3 and out. Punt.

Pitt Drive 4: Started at 30.  Ended at 44.  Punt.  6:40 remaining in half. 

NE Drive 4: Started at 18.  10 plays, ended with Brady to Donte Stallworth, 12 yards, TD  14-14.

Pitt Drive 5: 1:45 left in half.  Own 35.  Chris Boswell 32 yard FG to end half.  17-14

Second Half

NE Drive 1: Started at 43.  10 plays, ends with Brady - 7 yards to Wes Welker.  TD.  21-17

Pitt Drive 1: 3 and out.  Punt.

NE Drive 2: Started at 48, ends with Stephen Gostkowski 45 yard FG.  24-17.  4:34 left in third.

Pitt Drive 2: Started at 40, ends at NE 49, 2 Patriot sacks on drive.  

NE Drive 3: Starts with 45 seconds left in third, NE at own 18.  Ends at NE 36.  Punt.

Pitt Drive 3: Starts at 32.  Ends with DeAngelo Williams 51 yard TD run.  24-24

NE Drive 4:  11:35 left in game.  Starts at 42.  3 and out.  Punt.  

Pitt Drive 4: Starts at 18, ends with Rodney Harrison interception.  

NE Drive 5: 8:19 left in game.  Starts at 19.  Ends at Steeler 46. Punt.  

Pitt Drive 5: 5:22 left in game.  Starts at 12.  13 plays.  Ends with Boswell 53 yard FG.  27-24.

NE Drive 6:  54 seconds left in game.  Starts at 26. 7 plays.  Ends with Gostkowski 40 yard FG at end of regulation.  27-27.

First game of the Final Four tied, 27-27, heading to OT.

Patriots win toss.  Start the drive at their own 40.  On the 3rd play James Harrison intercepts Brady, returns it to the NE 46.  9 plays later LeVeon Bell runs into the endzone from 9 yards out.

Touchdown.  The 2015 Pittsburgh Steelers knock off the 2007 Patriots, 33-27 and head to the finals.

107 yards rushing for DeAngelo Williams, 112 yards receiving for Antonio Brown. 15 tackles from Lawrence Timmons.

In the loss, both Randy Moss and Wes Welker go over 100 yards receiving.  

2008 PITTSBURGH STEELERS

1987 CLEVELAND BROWNS

First Half

Pitt Drive 1: Starts at 22.  On the 2nd play, Big Ben finds Mewelde Moore out of the backfield - he breaks into the open field and runs 70 yards for the TD.  

Cle Drive 1: Starts at 43, goes 3 and out, sack by James Harrison.  Punt

Pitt Drive 2: Starts at 22.  12 plays, ends with Big Ben to Heath Miller from 2 yards, TD.  14-0.

Cle Drive 2: 3:55 left in first qtr, Starts at 30. Browns again 3 and out.  Punt

Pitt Drive 3: Starts at 34.  3 and out, ends qtr.  Punt

The second qtr was scoreless.  Halftime score.  14-0 Steelers.

Second Half

Cle Drive 1: Starts at 33.  6 plays. Ends with 9 yard pass from Bernie Kosar to Earnest Byner.  TD.

Pitt Drive 1: Starts at 19.  3 and out.  Punt

Cle Drive 2: Starts at own 48.  2 sacks.  3 and out.  Punt.  

Pitt Drive 2: Starts at 35.  3 and out.  Punt.  

Cle Drive 3: 5:45 left in 3rd qtr.  Starts at 23.  Ends with Troy Polamalu interception.  

Pitt Drive 3.  Starts at Cleveland 21.  Ends with Jeff Reed 31 yard FG at end of 3rd qtr.  17-7 Steelers.

Cle Drive 4: Starts at 32.  3 and out.  Punt.

Pitt Drive 4: Starts at 33.  3 and out.  Punt

Cle Drive 5: Starts at 28.  8 plays, ends with Jeff Jaeger 45 yard FG.  17-10.

Pitt Drive 5: 6:55 left.  Starts at 29.  3 and out.  Punt.

Cle Drive 6.  Starts at 36.  9 plays.  Ends with Kevin Mack 16 yard TD run.  17-17.

Pitt Drive 6: 1:39 left.  Steelers reach Browns 39 yard line, Carl Hairston sacks Big Ben, loss of 8 yards, Steelers out of timeouts, do not get FG off.  End of Regulation.  

OT

Browns start at 26, 3 and out.  Steelers start at 38.  10 plays later, Jeff Reed hits 24 yard FG to win game.  20-17.

Can you believe this?  A 256 team all time NFL tournament, featuring teams from the 40s all the way through until last year and the final is going to be the 2008 Steelers against the 2015 Steelers?

2 sacks for James Harrison, A pick and a sack for Troy Polamalu.  

All Time NFL Tournament-Elite 8

Sweet 16

2007 Patriots v. 2006 Patriots

2008 Ravens v. 2015 Steelers

1978 Cowboys v. 2008 Steelers

1987 Browns v. 1974 Steelers

2 Tom Brady teams, 2 Big Bens.  Bradshaw.  Staubach.  And - Flacco and Kosar.  

We start off with the Patriots matchup; the '07 Pats were the top overall seed in the entire field, the '06 team the 7th seed in region 8 - but they meet here, lets go out to Foxborough to find out which New England team makes the Final Four.  

2007 PATRIOTS 29    2006 PATRIOTS 6

The 2007 Patriots entered the tournament as the favorite and now they have made the final four.  The '06 team scored first on a 38 yard Stephen Gostkowski FG - the '07 team led 9-3 at the half, with a second quarter Kevin Faulk 5 yard TD run (missed XP) and a 43 yard FG from Gostkowski.  The third quarter ended it - Faulk scored again, this time a one yard run - and then after the '06 Gostkowski kicked a 43 yard FG to make it 16-6, the '07 team wrapped it up when Tom Brady hit Wes Welker for an 81 yard TD.  A couple FGs in the 4th from '07 Gostkowski and its a wrap.  

112 yards rushing for '07 Lawrence Maroney. 3 sacks for '07 Mike Vrabel.  

The 2007 Pats are headed to the Final Four.

We head to Candlestick to find out who they will face.

2015 STEELERS  22   2008 RAVENS 17

They finished 2nd in their own division, they were a 13th seed in this tournament -- and they are in the final four.  Baltimore scored first - Joe Flacco to Derrick Mason culminated the first drive of the game - a short Chris Boswell FG ended the quarter, the Ravens up 7-3.  Baltimore scored the next ten, a 49 yard Matt Stover FG early in the second qtr and then a second Flacco TD, this one to Mark Clayton.  2 more Boswell FGs closed the half, 17-9 Ravens.  Halfway through the third, Boswell hits his 4th FG and its 17-12, and with 2:57 left in the quarter, Big Ben hit Heath Miller from 5 yards out, the Steelers taking their first lead, 19-17.  Boswell adds one more FG in the middle of the 4th for the final score.  At the 2 minute warning, the Ravens had crossed midfield into Steeler territory - but a James Harrison interception sealed the win.  105 yards rushing for LeVeon Bell.  Harrison added 2 sacks to that pick.  

The 2007 Patriots will meet the 2015 Steelers.

The '08 Ravens played in that game - coming up in this one, the '08 Steelers, facing the '78 Cowboys - we are playing this one in Texas, in the Houston Astrodome.

2008 STEELERS 17  1978 COWBOYS 3

Did you expect two Ben Roethlisberger teams to reach the Final Four?  No TDs in this game, 5 Jeff Reed FGs and a safety got them their 17 points.  A seven sack game for the Steelers, they batter Roger Staubach, including two from James Farrior.  

One spot left.  This one is being played in Oakland, will a third Steeler team make the Final Four or will the Browns continue their Cinderella story?

1987 BROWNS 17  1974 STEELERS 12

The Cleveland Browns are in the Final Four.  

The Steelers led 9-7 at the half, Cleveland scored in the middle of the first quarter on a 17 yard Earnest Byner RD run, at the end of the quarter, Rocky Bleier countered with an 11 yard TD run of his own, Pittsburgh missed the PAT, at the end of the half, Roy Gerela made up for that miss with a 31 yard FG to give the Steelers the 9-7 lead.  Cleveland took their opening third quarter drive down the field, Kevin Mack scoring from 5 yards out to make it 14-9. With 10:21 left in the game, Gerela hit a short FG to cut the deficit to 2.  With 2:34 left, Jeff Jaeger hit a 34 yarder and it was 17-12 with the Steelers getting the ball one last time; they were unable to cross midfield and the Cleveland Browns will move on to face the '08 Steelers in the Final Four.

Bernie Kosar goes 12-16, 174 yards.  Carl Hairston has two sacks.

And there we go.  4 teams remain.  

2007 Patriots, the top overall seed in the field

2015 Steelers, a 13th seed in their region.

2008 Steelers, Big Ben and Mike Tomlin, half of the Final Four

And the 1987 Cleveland Browns, the slipper still nestled snugly, midnight not yet upon them.

All Time NFL Tournament - Sweet 16 (Part 2)

 Part 1

Already set for the Elite 8

2007 Patriots v. 2006 Patriots

2008 Ravens v. 2015 Steelers

Here's what the bottom half of the bracket looks like

1978 Dallas Cowboys v. 2019 Kansas City Chiefs

2014 Seattle Seahawks v. 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers

2001 St Louis Rams v. 1987 Cleveland Browns

2022 San Francisco 49ers v. 1974 Pittsburgh Steelers

Region 6 v. Region 11 (at Indianapolis)

1978 Cowboys

18-5

NFC Champs, L SB Steelers 35-31

Region 6 Champions d. 1999 Rams 23-10

HC Tom Landry (54)

QB R.Staubach (36)

RB T.Dorsett (24)

RB P.Pearson (33)

WR T.Hill (22)

WR D.Pearson (27)

LT P.Donovan (25)

RG T.Rafferty (24)

FS C.Harris (30)

RDT R.White (25)

SS C.Waters (30)

RDE H.Martin (28)

MLB T.Henderson (25)

LDE E.Jones (27)

2019 Chiefs

19-4

Super Bowl Champions d. Niners 31-20

Region 11 Champions d. 2016 Falcons 33-27

HC Andy Reid (61)

QB P.Mahomes (24)

RB D.Williams (27)

WR T.Hill (25)

WR M.Hardman (21)

TE T.Kelce (30)

RT M.Schwartz (30)

RDE F.Clark (26)

DT C.Jones (25)

SS T.Mathieu (27)

1978 COWBOYS 27  2019 CHIEFS 19

-The 5th team to reach the elite is the '78 Cowboys.  The Chiefs took took the opening drive right now the field and scored on a Patrick Mahomes 7 yard toss to Travis Kelce, Harrison Butker missed the PAT.  Dallas took the lead on their opening possession, Roger Staubach 3 yard TD pass to Tony Dorsett.  The 7-6 score held until 4:13 left in the half when Dorsett scored again, a 1 yard TD run.  The teams traded short FGs and the halftime score was Dallas 17-9.  Midway through the third qtr the Cowboys put it away, Robert Newhouse 2 yard run.  24-9.  In the 4th qtr, again, short FGs for both teams - KC scored a too late TD on another Mahomes toss to Kelce.  148 yards rushing for Dorsett.  7 sacks for the Cowboy defense, they dominate today, 3 by Harvey Martin.

The '78 Cowboys will face the winners of this next game...

Region 3 v. Region 14 (at Buffalo)

2014 Seahawks

18-5

NFC Champs, L SB Patriots 28-24

Region 3 Champions, d. 1986 Bears 16-7

HC Pete Carroll (63)

Key Contributors (age)

QB R.Wilson (26)

RB M.Lynch (28)

WR D.Baldwin (26)

RT J.Britt (23)

RG JR Sweezy (25)

RCB R.Sherman (26)

FS E.Thomas (25)

MLB B.Wagner (24)

SS K.Chancellor (26)

RDE M.Bennett (29)

LB KJ Wright (25)

2008 Steelers

19-4

Super Bowl Champions d. Cardinals 27-23

Region 14 Champions, d. 1975 Rams 22-0

HC Mike Tomlin (36)

Key Contributors (age)

QB B.Roethlisberger (26)

RB M.Moore (26)

WR H.Ward (33)

WR S.Holmes (24)

RT W.Colon (25)

C J.Hartwig (30)

ROLB J.Harrison (30)

SS T.Polamalu (27)

LILB J.Farrior (33)

LOLB L.Woodley (24)

DE A.Smith (32)

The '78 Cowboys await - will the Steelers join the Patriots with 2 representatives in the Elite 8?

2008 STEELERS 17  2014 SEAHAWKS 14

-The answer is yes, the 2008 Steelers join the 2015 Steelers as one of the 6 teams currently in the Elite 8, they will face the '78 Cowboys.  Pittsburgh led 14-0 at the half, Ben Roethlisberger throwing a first qtr TD pass to Hines Ward and a second qtr TD pass to Nate Washington.  The Seahawks tied it up in the third qtr, Christine Michael had a 41 yard TD run and then Russell Wilson bootlegged in a 9 yard run to make it 14-14, but early in the 4th Jeff Reed hit a 42 yard FG and that turned out to be the last score of the game.  2 sacks each for Lamar Woodley and James Harrison; KJ Wright had 12 tackles and a pick in the loss.

Just 2 spots remain; 2 games left in the Elite 8.

Region 7 v. Region 10 (at Atlanta)

2001 Rams

20-3

NFC Champs, L SB Patriots 20-17

Region 7 Champions d. 1978 Steelers 20-16

HC Mike Martz (50)

Key Contributors (age)

QB K.Warner (30)

RB M.Faulk (28)

WR T.Holt (25)

WR I.Bruce (29)

LT O.Pace (260

RG A.Timmerman (30)

LG T.Nutten (30)

CB A.Williams (33)

MLB L.Fletcher (26)

DE G.Wistrom (25)

1987 Browns

15-6

AFC Central Champs, L AFC Title Broncos 38-33

Region 10 Champions, 2009 Colts 31-30

HC Marty Schottenheimer (44)

Key Contributors (age)

QB B.Kosar (24)

RB E.Byner (25)

RB K.Mack (25)

WR W.Slaughter (23)

WR B.Brennan (25)

TE O.Newsome (31)

RT C.Risien (31)

C M.Baab (28)

CB H.Dixon (29)

CB F.Minnifield (27)

DT B.Golic (30)

DE C.Hairston (35)

It's Browns v. Rams - someone is headed to the Elite 8.

1987 BROWNS 31  2001 RAMS 17

The '87 Browns were the 9th seeded team in Region 10, underdogs in every game they've played in the tournament and they are headed to the Elite 8.  They busted out a 17-3 first half lead and never looked back. Scoreless first qtr, with 8 minutes left in the half, Kevin Mack scored the game's first points with a 6 yard run.  4 minutes later, Jeff Wilkins kicked a 37 yard FG, Cleveland then scored twice more before the end of the half, Bernie Kosar finding Ozzie Newsome with an 8 yard TD pass and then Jeff Jaeger hitting a 52 yard FG as the half ended.  The Rams took the opening drive of the third qtr down the field for a TD, Kurt Warner to Marshall Faulk with a 31 yard TD.  Cleveland went back up 2 scores on a 4th down and goal at the 1 Kosar QB sneak at the end of the third qtr.  The Rams never got closer - a short Earnest Byner TD run in the middle of the 4th qtr essentially ended the game, a late TD pass from Warner to Torry Holt provided the final margin.  Kosar goes 18-24 for 204 yards, both passing for and running for scores.  Frank Minnifield and Hanford Dixon each intercepted Warner - and the Browns reach the elite 8.

One spot remains - to be claimed by the winner of this game:

Region 2 v. Region 15 (at St Louis)

2022 49ers

19-5

NFC West Champs, L NFC Title Eagles 31-7

Region 2 Champions, d. 2023 Ravens 31-23

HC Kyle Shanahan (43)

Key Contributors (age)

QB J.Garoppolo (31)

QB B.Purdy (23)

RB C.McCaffrey (26)

WR B.Aiyuk (24)

WR D.Samuel (26)

TE G.Kittle (29)

LT T.Williams (34)

RT M.McGlinchey (28)

RDE N.Bosa (25)

MLB F.Warner (26)

SS T.Hufanga (23)

RLB D.Greenlaw (25)

1974 Steelers

17-3-1

Super Bowl Champions, d. Vikings 16-6

Region 15 Champions, d. 1968 Cowboys 24-14

HC Chuck Noll (42)

Key Contributors (age)

QB T.Bradshaw (26)

QB J.Gilliam (24)

RB F.Harris (24)

WR F.Lewis (27)

LT J.Kolb (27)

DT J.Greene (28)

DE LC Greenwood (27)

OLB J.Ham (26)

OLB A.Russell (33)

MLB J.Lambert (22)

DE D.White (25)

One game left in the round, can the Steelers earn their 3rd slot in the elite 8?

1974 STEELERS 15   2022 49ERS 13

-They do.  Nothing but FGs until the middle of the 4th qtr, it was 9-6 Steelers, Terry Bradshaw finds Lynn Swann with a 49 yard yard strike, the Steelers missed the PAT to make it 15-6; on the next drive, Brock Purdy ran in a 30 yard busted play to cut the deficit to 2, but the Steelers were able to run out the clock and win the game.  101 yards rushing for Rocky Bleier.  Jack Ham had both a sack and a pick.  12 tackles and a sack for Fred Warner in the loss.

And that sets up the Elite 8 matchups

2007 Patriots v. 2006 Patriots

2008 Ravens v. 2015 Steelers

1978 Cowboys v. 2008 Steelers

1987 Browns v. 1974 Steelers

All Time NFL Tournament-Sweet 16 (Part 1)

 Region 16

 All the games are on neutral sites (chosen by random generator).  Lets do the top half of the bracket.

2007 New England Patriots v. 1942 Chicago Bears

2006 New England Patriots v. 1987 San Francisco 49ers

2008 Baltimore Ravens v. 1994 San Francisco 49ers

2018 New Orleans Saints v. 2015 Pittsburgh Steelers

1978 Dallas Cowboys v. 2019 Kansas City Chiefs

2014 Seattle Seahawks v. 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers

2001 St Louis Rams v. 1987 Cleveland Browns

2022 San Francisco 49ers v. 1974 Pittsburgh Steelers

Records are cumulative, regular season+postseason+tournament

Region 1 v. Region 16 (at Oakland)

2007 Patriots

22-1

AFC Champion, Lost Super Bowl Giants 17-14

Region 1 Champions: d. 1967 Raiders  28-0

HC Bill Belichick (55)

Key Contributors (age)

QB T.Brady (30)

LT M.Light (29)

WR R.Moss (30
LG L.Mankins (25)

C D.Koppen (28)

WR W.Welker (26)

LOLB M.Vrabel (32)

LCB A.Samuel (32)

NT V.Wilfork (26)

RT N.Kaczur (28)

RB L.Maroney (22)

1942 Bears

15-1

NFL West Champion, Lost NFL Title Redskins 14-6

Region 16 Champion d. 1989 49ers 16-10

HC George Halas (47)

Key Contributors

QB S.Luckman (26)

RB H.Gallarneau (25)

RB G.Famigletti (29)

RT L.Artoe (25)

LG D.Fortmann (26)

C B.Turner (23)

RG R.Bray (25)

LT E.Kolman (27)

Both undefeated until losing in the championship game, one will survive to the Elite 8.  Lets go to Oakland to kick off the Sweet 16.

2007 PATRIOTS 27   1942 BEARS 9

-The 2007 Patriots are the first team to make the Elite 8.  They scored first, at 7:55 remaining in the first qtr with a Stephen Gostkowski 24 yard FG. Chicago took the lead with 1:49 left in the qtr Sid Luckman ten yard TD pass to John Siegal.  Gostkowski brought the Patriots within 1, a 33 yarder at 8:27 of the second qtr.  Then the big play - Asante Samuel takes a Luckman pick back 41 yards for a score at 7:26 of the second qtr.  13-7.  With 1:51 left in the half, Danny Fortmann sacked Tom Brady in the end zone for a safety - that was the halftime score, 13-9, Chicago would not score again.

At 6:45 of the third qtr Tom Brady threw a 1 yard TD pass to Ben Watson. And at 11:21 remaining in the game, it was Brady again - this time to Wes Welker from 10 yards.  27-9 and that was the final.

Brady was 21-28, 196 yards and the 2 scores.

The 2007 Patriots advance to the Elite 8 - they'll face the winners of this game:

Region 8 v. Region 9 (at Houston)

2006 Patriots 

18-5

AFC East Champs, L AFC Title Colts 38-34

Region 8 Champions, d. 1952 Lions 17-14

HC Bill Belichick (54)

Key Contributors (age)

QB T.Brady (29)

RB C.Dillon (32)

RB L.Maroney (21)

WR R.Caldwell (27)

LT M.Light (28)

C D.Koppen (27)

LG L.Mankins (24)

RDE R.Seymour (27)

CB A.Samuel (25)

LB M.Vrabel (31)

DE T.Warren (25)

LB T.Bruschi (33)

1987 49ers

17-3 

NFC West Champs, L DivRnd Vikings 36-24

Region 9 Champs d. 1969 Vikings 10-7

HC Bill Walsh (56)

Key Contributors (age)

QB J.Montana (31)

RB R.Craig (27)

RB T.Rathman (25)

WR J.Rice (25)

C R.Cross (33)

T H.Barton (23)

NT M.Carter (27)

FS R.Lott (28)

RDE D.Board (31)

CB D.Griffin (23)

The '06 Patriots are a game away from facing the '07 Patriots in the Elite 8; standing in their way is the last Bill Walsh/Joe Montana team left in the tournament.  

Lets head to the Houston Astrodome for the second matchup in the sweet 16.  

2006 PATRIOTS 20   1987 49ERS 17

-The '06 Patriots will face the '07 Patriots in the Elite 8.  Scoreless first qtr, in the second qtr, Joe Montana found Jerry Rice twice for scores, at 11:29 with a 7 yarder and later at 5:56 with a 37 yarder.  In between was a Stephen Gostkowski 50 yard FG, the Niners leading at the half 14-3.  With 26 seconds left in the third qtr Corey Dillon had a 17 yard TD run to make it 14-10. At 9:19 of the 4th qtr, Tom Brady went to Ben Watson for a 5 yard TD pass and New England led 17-14.  The Niners tied it at 1:37, Ray Wersching hitting a 39 yard FG.  Brady drove the Patriots to the Niner 30 and as the clock hit :00 Gostkowski won it for the Pats with a 47 yard FG.

Rosevelt Colvin sacked Montana 3 times, Joe also threw two interceptions including a huge one in the end zone to Rodney Harrison in the 3rd qtr when the Niners looked to extend that 14-3 lead.  

105 yards receiving and that score for Rice in the loss. 

The '06 Patriots face the '07 Patriots in our first elite 8 matchup - time to find the teams that will faceoff in the second.  

Region 5 v Region 12 (at Dallas)

2008 Ravens

17-6

2nd AFC North, L AFC Title Steelers 23-14

Region 5 Champion, d. 2010 Patriots 10-3

HC John Harbaugh (46)

Key contributors (age)

QB J.Flacco (23)

RB W.McGahee (27)

WR D.Mason (34)

WR M.Clayton (26)

ILB R.Lewis (33)

FS E.Reed (30)

OLB T.Suggs (26)

NT H.Ngata (24)

DE T.Pryce (33)

1994 49ers

20-3

Super Bowl Champions, d. Chargers 49-26

Region 12 Champion d. 2013 Seahawks 19-7

HC George Seifert (54)

Key Contributors (age)

QB S.Young (33)

RB R.Watters (25)

TE B.Jones (31)

C B.Oates (36)

LG J.Sapolu (33)

RG D.Deese (24)

LT S.Wallace (30)

CB D.Sanders (27)

FS M.Hanks (26)

SS T.McDonald (29)

DT D.Stubblefield (24

It's time to head to Texas Stadium for the 5/12 matchup, who will the third team be to make the Elite 8?

2008 RAVENS 23   1994 49ERS  20

Back to back losses for the Niners organization.  Scoreless first qtr - the teams combined for 4 FGs in the second qtr, Doug Brien hit one from 51 yards to give the Niners a 3-0 lead, Matt Stover hit FGs from 38 and 45 to make it 6-3 Ravens.  With 1:49 left in the half, Steve Young found William Floyd for a 10 yard TD pass to make it 10-6 Niners - and at the gun, Stover his his third FG of the quarter, a 56 yarder.  The Ravens regained the lead at 8:39 of the third qtr, Joe Flacco to Derrick Mason, a 14 yard TD.  16-10 Ravens - Doug Brien sliced that in half with a minute left in the qtr with a 38 yard FG.  16-13 Baltimore as we entered the 4th qtr.  At 13:31 came what appeared to be the big play - Deion Sanders, in to return punts - took one back 67 yards for a score - the Niners go up 20-16 -- but with 1:35 left, Flacco again, this time to Todd Heap - 9 yards for the game winning TD.  San Francisco reached midfield but no further and the Ravens move on.  110 yards rushing for Le'Ron McClain.  Joe Flacco throws for under a hundred yards on the day in the win.  2 sacks for Terrell Suggs.  

The '08 Ravens advance and will face the winner of this one:

Region 4 v. Region 13 (at Tampa)

2018 Saints 

18-4

NFC South Champs, L NFC Title Rams 26-23

Region 4 Champions, d. 2006 Ravens 24-21

HC Sean Payton (55)

QB D.Brees (39)

RB A.Kamara (23)

WR M.Thomas (25)

RT R.Ramczyk (24)

C M.Unger (32)

RG L.Warford (27)

LG A.Peat (25)

LT T.Armstead (27)

LDE C.Jordan (29)

LLB D.Davis (29)

2015 Steelers

15-7

2nd AFC North, L Div Rnd, Broncos 23-16

Region 13 Champions, d. 2017 Vikings 16-14

HC Mike Tomlin (43)

QB B.Roethlisberger (33)

RB D.Williams (32)

WR A.Brown (27)

RG D.DeCastro (25)

LG R.Foster (29)

LDE C.Heyward (26)

RILB L.Timmons (29)

The 2008 Ravens await the winner - lets head to Tampa for this contest.

2015 STEELERS 41  2018 SAINTS 35

We'll have an all AFC North matchup in the Elite 8.  The Saints took a 7-0 lead midway through the first qtr on a 19 yard TD pass from Drew Brees to Alvin Kamara.  The teams would then combine for 42 second qtr points.  At 13:38 the Steelers tied the game with a 1 yard Le'Veon Bell TD run.  2 minutes later the Saints went back on top with another Brees TD pass, to Ben Watson, five yards.  Over the next 6 minutes, Pittsburgh had taken the lead, a 5 yard TD pass from Ben Roethlisberger to Heath Miller - and then a gadget play, a double reverse to Martavis Bryant, he ran it in from 41 yards out.  The Saints tied it at the 2 minute warning on Drew Brees' third TD pass of the half, 14 yards to Michael Thomas. But at 18 seconds remaining in the half it was Roethlisberger, 18 yards to Markus Wheaton, the Steelers leading at the half 28-21.

In the third, Chris Bowell kicked a 41 yard FG at 8:30 and the Steelers led by 10.  Drew Brees threw his 4th TD pass 3 minutes later, 11 yards to Tre'Quan Smith.  But as the quarter came to a close, the Steelers once again went up double digits as Bryant scored again, on a 4 yard toss from Roethlisberger.

The Steelers basically iced the game at the 5 minute mark to play in the game with a 31 yard Boswell FG, New Orleans scores with under a minute to play on a 14 yard run by Mark Ingram, but it wasnt enough - and the Steelers reach the Elite 8.

140 yards from scrimmage for Le'Veon Bell, the 3 TD passes for Big Ben, 9 tackles and 2 sacks for James Harrison.  Brees threw for 378 yards and the 4 scores in the defeat.

There you go. Half of the Elite 8 is set.

2007 Patriots v. 2006 Patriots

2008 Ravens v. 2015 Steelers