256 Team NFL Tournament - Region 2/Round 1: 1993 Dallas Cowboys v. 1953 Los Angeles Rams

 '98 Falcons v '01 Bucs

15. 1953 LOS ANGELES RAMS at 2. 1993 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION DALLAS COWBOYS

2. 1993 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION DALLAS COWBOYS 

Record: 12-4

Pythag: 12-4

Off: 2nd

Def: 2nd

1st NFC East

d. Packers Div Rnd 27-17

d. Niners NFC Title 38-21

d. Bills Super Bowl 30-13

HC: Jimmy Johnson, OC: Norv Turner, DC Butch Davis

Texas Stadium: 55 degrees

Brad Sham/Dale Hansen

Offense

QB Troy Aikman (27 UCLA)

RB Emmitt Smith (24 Florida) All Pro

FB Moose Johnston (27 Syracuse) 

WR Alvin Harper (25 Tenn)

WR Michael Irvin (27 Miami)

TE Jay Novacek (31 Wyoming)

LT Mark Tuinei (31 Hawaii )

LG Nate Newton (32 Florida A&M)

C Mark Stepnowski (26 Pitt)

RG Kevin Gogan (29 Wash)

RT Erik Williams (25 Cen St) All Pro

Defense

LDE Tony Tolbert (26 UTEP)

LDT Tony Casillas (30 Oklahoma)

RDT Russell Maryland (24 Miami) 

RDE Charles Haley (29 J Madison)

LLB Dixon Edwards (25 Mich St)

MLB Ken Norton (27 UCLA)

RLB Darrin Smith (23-R Miami)

LCB Kevin Smith (23 A&M)

RCB Larry Brown (24 TCU)

SS Darren Woodson (24 Ariz St)

FS Thomas Everett (29 Baylor)

K Eddie Murray (37 Tulane)

P John Jett (25 E Carolina)

KR/PR Kevin Williams (22 Miami)

One team left to move on in Region 2 - each Super Bowl Champion has advanced so far and here's the 2nd seeded team in the Region - the 31st overall seed in the tournament - the 1993 Dallas Cowboys.  2nd in both offense and defense.  8 offensive starters named to the Pro Bowl, 27 year old Troy Aikman threw for 15 scores and 6 picks; nearly 1500 yards on the ground for 24 year old All Pro Emmitt Smith. RT Erik Williams is 25, he also was named All Pro.  Defensively, 23 year old Kevin Smith had 6 picks. 26 year old Tony Tolbert had 7.5 sacks.  

15. 1953 LOS ANGELES RAMS

Record: 8-3-1

Pythag: 9-3

Off: 2nd

Def: 5th

Did not make playoffs

HC: Hampton Pool

Offense

QB Norm Van Brocklin (27 Oregon)

RB Dan Towler (25 Wash&Jeff)

RB Skeets Quinlan (25 S Diego St)

RB Tom McCormick (23-R Pacific)

WR Crazy Legs Hirsch (30 Michigan) All Pro

WR Bob Boyd (25 Loyola)

LT Bob Fry (23-R Kentucky)

LG Duane Putnam (25 Pacific)

C Leon McGlaughlin (28 UCLA)

RG Dick Daugherty (24 Oregon)

RT Tom Dahms (26 S Diego St)

Defense

LDE Larry Brink (30 N Illinois)

LDT Charlie Toogood (26 Nebraska)

MG Stan West (27 Oklahoma)

RDT Frank Fuller (24-R Kentucky)

RDE Andy Robustelli (28 Arnold) All Pro

LLB Harland Svare (23-R Wash St)

RLB Don Paul (28 UCLA) All Pro

LCB Jack Dwyer (26 Loyola)

RCB Night Train Lane (25 W Nebraska)

LS Norb Hecker (26 Baldwin Wallace)

RS Woodley Lewis (28 Oregon)

K Ben Agajanian (34 N Mexico)

P Norm Van Brocklin (27 Oregon)

KR/PR Woodley Lewis (28 Oregon)

The Rams are swimming upstream here; they're a 15 seed, they didn't make the playoffs, they have a middling defense, they're playing a Super Bowl Champion 40 years in their future.  2nd best offense from '53, Van Brocklin is 27, 19 scores and 14 picks.  Crazy Legs Hirsch is the 30 year old All Pro with 61 catches.  28 year old Andy Robustelli and 25 year old Night Train Lane are both on this defense.

Rams head to Texas Stadium - winner here will face the '98 Falcons.  Last game in Region 2, Round 1.  Here's the kick.

First Qtr

The Cowboys start at the 23.  

3 and out.  Rams will start at their own 43.  

3 and out including Charles Haley ripping Norm Van Brocklin's head off.  

Dallas the 31.  10:25.

1/10 - Troy Aikman completes his first pass, to Moose Johnston for 11.

1/10 - Aikman goes downfield to Alvin Harper, Night Train Lane will be shadowing Michael Irvin all day, that means Harper could be the go to guy. 27 yards and the first down at the Falcon 31.   

1/10 - Emmitt Smith busts one for 16.  

1/10 - Aikman now throws to Emmitt for 6.

2/4 - Aikam goes to Kevin Williams, he is down right at the goal line, Cowboys just rolling now.  

1/goal - Emmitt easy into the endzone. TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS - Dallas goes 69 yards in less than 4 minutes; LA to start at the 28, 6:29.  

3 and out.  Another sack, this time Kenny Norton getting to NVB.

Dallas starts at their 45 - 2 Emmitt carries gain 9 yards - he picks up the first down on a third carry but is leveled by Andy Robustelli and fumbles - the Rams get the ball back at their own 37.

3 and out.  Rams do not have a first down, Tony Tolbert with the third Dallas sack of the quarter.  Cowboys will start at the 34. 1:06.

1/10 - Emmitt gets 7.

2/3 - Johnston runs for 23 - time expires, Dallas at the LA 36.

2nd Qtr

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Michael Irvin's first catch is 5 yards.

3/5 - And his second catch is 23 yards - the Playmaker is down to the 8 yard line, Night Train Lane flagged for pass interference, he's draped all over Irvin but couldn't prevent the completion.

1/goal - Emmit for 3

2/goal - Derrick Lassic checks in - he gets the carry - and he scoots his way home TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS Dallas is up 2 scores, LA will open at the 21.  12:12.

1/10 - Dan Towler for 3.  

2/7 - Skeets Quinlan turns the corner - Quinlan's got a step - Quinlan goes 62 yards down the sideline, big, big play for LA - all the way to the Dallas 14 yard line.  

The next 3 plays lose 2 yards -- and then LA misses the short FG.  

Just feels like too much today for the Rams.

Dallas to start at the 23.  8:37 left.  

1/10 - Aikman goes to Jay Novacek for 6.

2/4 - Aikman hits Michael Irvin, 21 big yards - that takes the Cowboys to midfield.  

1/10 - Aikman to Alvin Harper, Dallas it opening it up now - 14 yards.  

1/10 - Aikman to Emmitt for 3.

2/7 - Big Daddy Lipscomb is a rookie in the DL rotation, he sacks Aikman.  

3/13 - Aikman goes downfield for Kevin Williams - it's a first down 20 to the LA 12 with 4:22 left in the half.  

1/10 - Aikman to Emmitt for 3, nothing but passes on this drive.  

2/7 - Aikman to Jay Novacek in the endzone TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS -- Dallas is rolling just as was expected; huge 21-0 lead  - LA will be starting at their own 8 yard line with 3:28 left.

3 and out.  Short punt.  Dallas starts at the Rams 33 yards line.  1:46.

1/10 - Emmitt runs for 11, Dallas timeout.  Brutal day for LA.

1/10 - Aikman to Novacek for 13.  Dallas at the 9.

1/goal - Emmitt for 5.

2/goal - Emmitt's in the end zone - TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS - in 2 and a half minutes the Cowboys are in the endzone twice, it's 28-0 and just a brutal whipping.

Rams start at the 37, :52 seconds left.  

1/10 - Tom McCormick for 13.

1/10 - Van Brocklin finds Crazy Legs Hirsch for 8.

2/2 - Russell Maryland splats NVB - he loses 7, LA gets 5 back on an offsides.  

3/4 - Van Brocklin to Bob Boyd for 13 to the 31.  21 seconds left.  

2 incomplete passes and a FG end the half.

Third Quarter

So, this one is done, 28-3 - not a surprise, Super Bowl Champion against a non playoff team from 40 years prior.  It's unclear how any pre-Super Bowl team will compete in the tournament, but you can't have everything.  

Rams to start at the 32.  They will get a first down on a Dan Towler 11 yard run, but that's all, the punt goes to the Dallas 19.

Dallas gets a first down, Emmitt gaining 24 yards on 3 carries, but that's all, and the punt goes to the LA 20.

3 and out.  Dallas at their own 47.

3 and out.  Rams get a nice Woodley Lewis return and are at the Dallas 46 yard line.

The first play gets them to the Cowboy 9 - NVB to Tank Younger for 37.

But the drive stops there and LA settles for the FG.  28-6

Dallas starts at the 25, runs one play, Aikman to Irvin for 12.  And it ends the third.

4th Qtr

Dallas takes their foot off the gas in the third, lot of simple runs.  

9 more for Emmitt and a first down - but that's all, Dallas punts.  Rams to start at the 12.

1/10 - Younget stopped at the line.

2/10 - Younger for 5.

3/5 - NVB just escapes the heat and makes his way for 5.

1/10 - Towler for 3.

2/7 - NVG to Tom Fears for 6.

3/1- NVB to Hirsch - Dallas at midfield with 8:51 left.  First down.

1/10 - NVB to Hirsch for 2.

2/8 - NVB hits Hirsch for 15 and the first down.

1/10 - NVB to Skeets Quinlan - Rams at the 23.  

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Incomplete

3/10 - NVB goes to Norb Hecker - in the end zone -- TOUCHDOWN RAMS - LA will miss the 2 pt conversion, they trail 28-12, Dallas taking over at their own 23, 7:25.

3 and out.

Rams take over at the 31.  5:04.

1/10 - NVB to Tom Fears for 13.

1/10 - Tony Tolbert plants NVB into the ground. 

3 straight incomplete passes and the Cowboys take over at the LA 31.  4:20.

Bernie Kosar now makes his way to the field to finish up for Aikman.  

1/10 - Derrick Lassic for 8.

2/2 - Lassic picks is up.  

1/10 - Moose Johnston rumbles for 19 yards -- he is all the way into the end zone with the TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS - Dallas goes up 35-12.  

Rams start at the 29 - 4 plays and they turn it over on downs - Kosar takes 3 knees and time expires.  

Final: Cowboys 35 Rams 12

Never in doubt, Dallas rolls on into Round 2.  Aikman with 2 incompletions all day.

Aikman 19-21 201 yards, 1 TD

Van Brocklin 12-22 166 yards 1 TD

Emmitt 20 carries 102 yards 2 TD

Quinlan 8 carries, 7 yds

Irvin 5 catches 67 yds

Hirsch 4 catches 44 yds

Player of the Game - TROY AIKMAN

And that ends Region 2, Round 1.

Next time we come back...

2007 Chargers at 1985 Bears

2015 Seahawks at 1968 Chiefs

2006 Patriots at 1997 Broncos

1998 Falcons at 1993 Cowboys

Region 2/Round 1 - MVP: LaDainian Tomlinson

256 Team NFL Tournament - Region 2/Round 1: 1998 Atlanta Falcons v. 2001 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

'06 Patriots v '17 Vikings 

10. 2021 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS at 7. 1998 NFC CHAMPION ATLANTA FALCONS

7. 1998 NFC CHAMPION ATLANTA FALCONS

Record: 14-2

Pythag: 12-4

Off: 4th

Def: 4th

1st NFC West

d. Niners Div Rnd 20-18

d. Vikings NFC Title 30-27

Lost Broncos Super Bowl 34-19

HC: Dan Reeves OC: George Sefcik, DC Rich Brooks

Georgia Dome 

Jeff Hullinger/Jeff Van Note

Offense

QB Chris Chandler (33 Wash) 

RB Jamal Anderson (26 Utah) All Pro

FB Bob Christian (30 Nwestern)

WR Tony Martin (33 Colo Mesa)

WR Terance Mathis (31 N Mexico)

TE OJ Santiago (24 Kent)

LT Bob Whitfield (27 Stanford)

LG Calvin Collins (24 Tex A&M)

C Robbie Tobeck (28 Wash St)

RG Gene Williams (30 Iowa St)

RT Ephraim Salaam (22-R S Diego St)

Defense

LDE Lester Archambeau (31 Stanford)

LDT Travis Hall (36 BYU)

RDT Shane Dronett (27 Texas)

RDE Chuck Smith (29 Tenn)

LLB Cornelius Bennett (33 Alabama)

MLB Jessie Tuggle (33 Valdosta St)

RLB Henri Crockett (24 Florida St)

LCB Ray Buchanan (27 Louisville)

RCB Ronnie Bradford (28 Colorado)

SS William White (32 Ohio St)

FS Eugene Robinson (35 Colgate)

K Morten Andersen (38 Mich St)

P Dan Sryzinski (33 Indiana)

KR/PR Tim Dwight (23 Iowa)

2 games left in Region 2. The '98 Falcons lost the Super Bowl to Denver; they were top 4 in both offense and defense.  One All Pro on the Falcons, 26 year old back Jamal Anderson, 1846 yards rushing and 16 combined scores. The QB is 33 year old Chris Chander, 25 scores, 12 picks. 31 year old Terance Mathis caught 11 TDs.  The 4 man defense line combined for 29.5 sacks. 27 year old corner Ray Buchanan had 7 picks.  

10. 2021 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Record: 13-4

Pythag: 12-5

Off: 2nd

Def 5th

d. Eagles WC 31-15

Lost Rams Division Rnd 30-27

HC Bruce Arians OC Byron Leftwich DC Todd Bowles

Offense

QB Tom Brady (44 Michigan)

RB Leonard Fournette (26 LSU)

WR Mike Evans (28 A&M)

WR Chris Godwin (25 Penn St)

WR Tyler Johnson (23 Minnesota)

TE Rob Gronkowski (32 Arizona)

LT Tristan Wirfs (22 Iowa) All Pro

LG Alex Cappa (26 Humboldt)

C Ryan Jensen (30 Col St Pueblo)

RG Ali Marpet (28 Hobart)

RT Donovan Smith (28 Penn St)

Defense

LDE Ndamukong Suh (34 Nebraska)

NT Vita Vea (26 Wash)

RDE Jason Pierre Paul (32 S Florida)

LOLB Lavonte David (31 Nebraska)

LILB Devin White (23 LSU)

RILB Joe Tryon Shoyinka (22 Wash)

ROLB Shaq Barrett (29 Col St)

CB Jamal Dean (25 Auburn)

CB Carlton Davis (25 Auburn)

FS Antoine Whitfield (23 Minnesota)

SS Jordan Whitehead (24 Pitt)

K Ryan Succup (35 S Carolina)

P Bradley Pinion (27 Clemson)

KR/PR Jaelon Darden (22 N Tex)

We just saw the '06 Patriots advance in the prior game - fast forward 15 years and we have a 44 year old Tom Brady leading the 11th ranked team in the region, the 2021 Bucs.  2nd best offense in the league, 43 scores and 12 picks for Brady.  28 year old WR Mike Evans had 14 scores.  The 22 year old LT Tristan Wirfs is the team's lone All Pro.  The defense is 4th - this Bucs team very comparable to the Atlanta team they're facing, despite the seed disparity (largely because the Falcons won the conference) 10 sacks for 29 year old Shaq Barrett.  

Two Round 2 slots left in Region 2 - will it be the Dirty Bird Falcons or 44 year old Tom Brady's Bucs?  Let's head to the Georgia Dome for the kick.

1st Qtr

Falcons start at the 30.

1/10 - Jamal Anderson for 3.

2/7 - 6 for Anderson. 

3/1- 5 for Anderson - 3 Anderson carries to open the game and a first down for the Falcons.

1/10 - Chris Chandler hits Tony Martin for 33 yards - big downfield play for the Falcons and they are at the Buc 23.  

1/10 - Anderson for 2.

2/8 - Chandler flushed, gets 3.

3/5 -Anderson gets 1 - 4th and 4 for the Falcons - they line up for the kick - but the Bucs jump offside and so Altanta has a first down at the 12.

1/10 - Bob Christian gets a yard.

2/9 - Incomplete

3/9 - JPP levels Chandler, big loss of 9 on the sack - this time there's no offsides and the FG is good.  Atlanta eats the first 6:19 of the game on their opening drive.  3-0

Tampa at the 36.

1/10 - Ronald Jones for 2.

2/8 - Leonard Fournette for 6.

3/2 - Tom Brady finds Chris Godwin for 15 -- Bucs near midfield.

1/10 - Fournette for 4.

2/6 - Jones loses 2.

3/8 - Brady goes to Mike Evans for 7, Bucs are just short, 4th and 1 at the Atlanta 42.

It's 2021 and it's Bruce Arians and the Bucs don't hesitate.  They go for it.  

4/1 - Fournette picks it up.

1/10 - Fournette loses 4.

2/14 - Brady hits a perfect strike to Evans right down the middle - he never breaks stride and rolls into the end zone TOUCHDOWN BUCS Brady hits Mike Evans for 45 yards and Tampa takes the 7-3 lead.  Falcons at the 22, 2:58.

1/10 - Chandler to OJ Santiago - both clubs have an OJ in the TE room in this one, 4 yards.

2/6 - Anderson breaks one - 32 yards off the right tackle, big gainer for Anderson to the Bucs 42.

1/10 - Anderson for 1.

2/9 - Incomplete

3/9 - Chandler hits Todd Kinchen for the first down -- but he's stripped by Antoine Winfield -- Fumble Recovered by the Bucs - Tampa will take over at their own 25 yard line with 44 seconds to go. 

1/10 - Fournette for 2.

2/8 - Jones for 1.  And that's the end of the qtr.

Second Qtr

Bucs up 10-3 as we hit the second qtr, Atlanta's moved the ball in both drives, but a sack ended the first drive in a FG and a fumble ended the second.  Tampa scored the only time they've had the ball and now have a 3rd and 7 at their own 28.

They don't pick it up.  Incomplete - really good field position for the Falcons, they take over at their own 49.

1/10 - 1 for Anderson

2/9 - Christian gets a dozen.  

1/10 - Anderson gets 15 - big hunks for yardage on the ground for the Falcons.  They're at the Tampa 24.  

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Anderson again, 15 more yards - Atlanta just huge gains on the ground.  First and goal at the 9.

1/goal - Chanlder finds Tony Martin in the end zone - TOUCHDOWN FALCONS - that was easy money, the Falcons regain the lead on the Chandler TD pass.  Bucs will start at the 26, 10:23 left.

1/10 - Brady goes to Godwin for a dozen.  

1/10 - Brady again to Godwin.  15 more - Bucs across midfield in just two plays. 

1/10 - Brady find Tyler Johnson, 17 yards, Atlanta on the ground - Tampa through the air - Bucs at the 30.  

1/10 - Fournette for 1

2/9 - Brady finds Antonio Brown for 13 - Brady dicing the Falcons secondary.  

1/10 - Fournette for 1

2/9 - Incomplete

3/9 - Brady hits Antonio Brown again -- 11 yards, a first and goal to the Falcons 4 yard line.

1/goal - Brady zips a strike to Tyler Johnson TOUCHDOWN BUCS -  Brady's second TD pass of the day - Tampa surges back in front, we've got a good one here between the 4th best offense from '98 against the 2nd best offense from '21.  Falcons at the 30.  4:37.

1/10 - Jamal Anderson is running all over the Bucs - 48 yards - it could be this 2021 defense just is not ready at all for a 90s style running game any more than the Falcons 1998 defense can handle Tom Brady and Bruce Arians.  A monster run for Anderson.  

But that's as far as the drive goes - 3 plays net 2 yards - Morten Andersen's 37 yd FG makes it 14-13 Bucs.  Tampa starts at the 19.  2:49 left.

3 and out.  

Atlanta at the 36.  1:46 left.  

1/10 - Chandler to Martin again, 6 yds.  out of bounds

2/4 - Anderson goes for 3, Falcon time out on the third and 1.  

3/1 - Chandler in trouble - Bucs pass rush all over him  - but he slips it - is across the line of scrimmage and has the first down.

1/10 - Chandler going back to Martin, that's his preferred target today - another dozen yards and the Falcons are in Tampa territory.  

1/10 - Chandler to Terance Mathis for 18 - big gainer for Atlanta showing they can move the ball through the air.  Falcons at the 23 with a minute 10 left. 

1/10 - Chandler goes right back to Mathis for 15 more - three first down passes in the last 3 plays get the Falcons to first and goal at the 8 and a timeout.  55 seconds.

1/goal - Anderson gets a yard.

2/goal Chandler throws to Anderson out of the backfield - And Anderson steamrolls his way into the endzone TOUCHDOWN FALCONS -- Jamal Anderson just carrying Bucs defenders into the endzone to give Atlanta the 20-14 lead.  Bucs will get the ball at the 25, 30 second left.

1/10 - Brady to Antonio Brown for 2.  

2/8 - Handoff to Jones, gets 2, timeout Bucs.  

3/6 - Brady hits Godwin for 22 - Bucs use their second timeout near midfield, 24 seconds left.  

1/10 - Brady to Fournette for a dozen, Bucs at the Falcons 37 yard line with 16 seconds left.

1/10 - Chuck Smith sacks Brady - loss of 4, Tampa uses their last time out.  

2/14 - Incomplete.  Ryan Succup attempts a 58 yard FG at the gun --- nope.

Halftime. 

3rd Qtr

We've got a good one, Falcons up 6 - Tampa will start at the 35.  

1/10 - Ronald Jones goes for 6.  

2/4 - Fournette loses 1

3/5 - Brady has to run -  44 year old Tom Brady stumbling his way for 6 yards and out of bounds for the first down.  

But that's it - Bucs lose 11 yards over the next 3 plays including Lester Archambeau ripping Brady down for a sack.  Falcons take over at the 32.  10:38.

3 and out.  Bucs start at the 27.  8:32.  

1/10 - Jones for 14.  First down Bucs.

But that's it.  3 plays net 4 yards and it's a punt.  Falcons at the 29.  6:19. Still up 6.  

1/10 - A yrd for Anderson

2/9 - 12 more for Anderson.  

1/10 - Christian stopped at the line.  

2/10 - Chander finds Mathis downfield for a big 30 yard gain - Chris Chandler with the big strike to Mathis and the Falcons reach the Tampa 28.  

1/10 - Anderson again, 14 more.  An offsides call then moves Atlanta to the 9.  

1/5 - Anderson again - Tampa Can't Stop Jam Anderson -- TOUCHDOWN FALCONS  - 1990s power football goes up against the ultramodern Bucs - and Tampa cannot stop this Falcons ground game - Anderson is in the endzone again and Atlanta goes up 13, 27-14. 

Bucs start at the 34.  2:33 left in the qtr.  

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Defensive holding is an automatic first down.  

1/10 - Jones for 1.

2/9 - Fournette for 2.

3/7 - Brady hits Mike Evans for a dozen - Bucs are across midfield.  

1/10 - Brady to Godwin, that's the last play of the qtr, 9 yard pickup.

4th Qtr 

Jamal Anderson has 2 TDS, Falcons up 13, Bucs have a 2nd and 1 at the Atlanta 37.  

2/1 - Brady to Evans, 12 more yards.  Bucs first down at the 25.

That's it - 3 plays net 5 yards, Succup hits a 37 yard FG and now it's 27-17 Atlanta.  13:28  Falcons start at the 33.

1/10 - Anderson goes for 3

2/7 - Ndamukong Suh in the backfield, sacks Chandler and he loses 5.

3/12 - Chandler to Mathis for 17 yards, big first down - Falcons are near midfield with 11:11 left and a ten point lead.  

1/10 - Anderson gets 3

2/7 - Chandler to OJ Santiago for a big 10 yard gain, first down at the Bucs 39 yard line.

The next 3 plays lose a yard.  Falcons punt.  Bucs will start from deep in their own territory, at their own 6.  8:08 left.  Down 10.  

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - A run, Fournette gers 9.  

3/1 - Brady hits Gronkowski for the first time all day - Gronk's been totally silent - but comes up with the big 15 yard catch here, Bucs are at their own 30,  6:34.  

1/10 - 3 for Fournette. 

2/7 - Brady to Godwin for 7, Bucs to the 49, 5:41. Down 10.  

1/10 - Jones gets a yard. 

2/9 - Incomplete, an offsides call then gives the Bucs 5 to make it 3rd and 4.

3/4 - Brady converts - 14 yards to Antonio Brown, Tampa's at the Atlanta 40, timeout Falcons, 4:54 left

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Brady to Godwin for 13, Bucs reach the 27.  

1/10 - Brady to Evans for 14, Bucs at the 13.  

1/10 - Brady to Fournette for 8 yards, he is out of bounds at the Atlanta 5 yard line with 4:11 left.

2/2 - Incomplete

3/2 - Brady throws into coverage in the endzone -- Gronk comes down with it - TOUCHDOWN BUCS - Brady to Gronk - Brady leads the Bucs 94 yards in a little over 4 minutes --- Tampa back in the game --- but they miss the XP.  Huge miss - instead of it being a 3 point game - the Falcons still lead by 4, 27-23.  

Falcons ball at the 36.  3:55 left.  Up 4.

1/10 - The first play is an nderson carry. And he busts another one.  Jamal Anderson goes for 48 huge yards and the Georgia Dome is absolutely going wild - Atlanta's all the way out to the Tampa 16.  

The next 3 plays gain 4 yards - Andersen hits the 29 yd FG.  There's 1:46 left, Tampa will start at their own 39.  Down 7.  

Well, here we go.  In Region 2 we've seen 37 year old John Elway with a 99 yard 4th qtr game winning TD drive.  Can 44 year old Tom Brady send this into OT?

1/10 - Brady to Fournette for 7.  Out of bounds at the 46.  1:39 left.  

2/3 - A run - Fournette gets only 2 - Bucs have to hurry.  

3/1 - Fournette goes into the line -- there's going to be a measurement.  

Short.  Short.  4th and 1.

4/1 - Brady finds Fournette on the sideline for 15 and a first down, out of bounds at the Atlanta 37 yard line.  Bucs have first down with 70 seconds to go.  

1/10 - Incomplete.

2/10 - Brady is sacked by Cornelius Bennett - Tampa has to stop the clock with just 42 seconds to go. Tampa back at the Falcons 40.  

3/13 - Brady looking deep - Brady going to the End Zone - Mike Evans -- TOUCHDOWN BUCS....Tom Brady hits Mike....

there's a flag.  

Holding.  offense.  

The TD comes back - just a huge call, huge, huge call - really controversial call - and now with 30 seconds left to go, Tampa has 3rd down and 23.  

Incomplete.

4th and 23 from just about midfield.  22 seconds to play in the game.  Can Brady somehow, someway, get this done?

Incomplete.

And tht's it - Chandler will take a knee and that's the final.

Final: Falcons 30 Bucs 23

Tampa had a shot - Brady had a 94 yard TD drive to pull the Bucs within a score - and needed to do it again to force OT - but a game tying TD was called back with a big holding call, biggest penalty call of the tournament to date and Atlanta heads to Rnd 2.  Jamal Anderson with an all time great game, virtually ensuring he is the MVP of Region 2, Rnd 1.  

Chandler: 12 for 17, 176, 2 TD

Brady: 25 for 36, 311 3 TD

Anderson: 23 carries, 230 yards, 2 TD

Jones: 11 carries, 33 yds

Mathis: 4 catches, 8 yds

Godwin: 8 catches, 100 yds

Player of the Game: Jamal Anderson

256 Team NFL Tournament - Region 2/Round 1: 2006 New England Patriots v. 2017 Minnesota Vikings

'97 Broncos v. '09 Colts 

11. 2017 MINNESOTA VIKINGS at 6. 2006 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

6. 2006 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Record: 12-4

Pythag: 12-4

Off: 7th

Def: 2nd

1st AFC East

d. Jets WC 37-16

d. Chargers Div Rnd 24-21

Lost Colts AFC Title 38-34

HC: Bill Belichick OC: Josh McDaniels, DC: Dean Pees

Gillette Stadium, Avg Temp 55 degrees

Announcers: Gil Santos/Gino Cappelletti

Offense

QB Tom Brady (29 Michigan)

RB Corey Dillon (32 Wash)

WR Troy Brown (35 Marshall)

WR Reche Caldwell (27 Florida)

TE Daniel Graham (28 Colorado) 

TE Ben Watson (26 UGA)

LT Matt Light (28 Purdue)

LG Logan Mankins (24 Fres St)

C Dan Koppen (27 B College)

RG Steve Neal (30 C St Bakersfield)

RT Nick Kaczur (27 Toledo)

Defense

LDE Ty Warren (25 Tex A&M)

NT Vince Wilfork (25 Miami)

RDE Richard Seymour (27 UGA)

LOLB Rosevelt Colvin (29 Purdue)

LILB Junior Seau (37 USC)

RILB Tedy Bruschi (33 Arizona)

ROLB Mike Vrabel (31 Ohio St)

LCB Asante Samuel (25 Cen Florida)

RCB Ellis Hobbes (23 Iowa St)

SS Rodney Harrison (34 W Illinois)

FS Artrell Hawkins (30 Cincinnati)

K Stephen Gostkowski (22 Memphis)

P Ken Walter (34 Kent)

KR Laurence Maroney (21 Minnesota)

PR Kevin Faulk (31 LSU)

The '07 Patriots are the top overall seed and safely into Round 2 - this team is the season prior; they lost the AFC Title game to the Colts and are the 6th seed in the region on the backs of the 2nd bes defense from 2006.  Not a single All Pro on the roster.  Ty Warren's 25, Rosevelt Colvin 29 they combined for 16 sacks.  Asante Samuel is 25, he picked off 10 balls.  Brady's 29, threw for 29 scores and a dozen picks.  13 scores for 32 year old Corey Dillon.  

11. 2017 MINNESOTA VIKINGS 

Record: 13-3

Pythag: 12-4

Off: 10th

Def: 1st

1st NFC North

d. Saints Div Rnd 29-24

Lost Eagles NFC Title 38-7

HC: Mike Zimmer OC Pat Shurmur DC George Edwards

Offense

QB Case Keenum (29)

RB LaTavius Murray (27)

WR Stefon Diggs (24)

WR Adam Thielen (27)

WR Laquon Treadwell (22)

TE Kyle Rudolph (28)

LT Riley Reiff (29)

LG Nick Easton (25)

C Pat Elflein (23-R)

RG Joe Berger (35)

RT Mike Remmers (28)

Defense

LDE Danielle Hunter (23)

LDT Tom Johnson (33)

RDT Linval Joseph (29)

RDE Everson Griffen (30)

MLB Eric Kendricks (25)

RLB Anthony Barr (25)

LCB Trae Waynes (25)

RCB Xavier Rhodes (27) All Pro

SS Andrew Sendejo (30)

FS Harrison Smith (28) All Pro

DB Terence Newman (39)

K Kai Forbath (30)

P Ryan Quigley (27)

KR Jerick McKinnon (25)

PR Marcus Shereles (30)

Case Keenum is an unlikely starting QB for an 11th seed in this tournament.  The '17 Vikings, like the Pats, lost in the conference title game; they're also here on the strength of their defense. Minnesota had the top defense in 2017 with 2 All Pros in the secondary, 27 year old Xavier Rhodes and 28 year old Harrison Smith.  Everson Griffen's 30, he and 23 year old Danielle Hunter combined for 20 sacks.  Keenum's 29, 22 scores/7 picks.  24 year old Diggs/27 year old Thielen combined for 150+ balls and a dozen scores.  

Two top ranked defenses; you'd anticipate a low scoring game in this 6/11 -- winner will head to Denver in round two to face the '97 Super Bowl Champs.  Let's head to Gillette.  

First Qtr

Vikes open at the 30.  

3 and out.  Pats will take over at their own 40.  

3 and out.  Vikes to take over at the 20.  

3 and out.  Pats will start at the Minnesota 44.  

3 and out.  Vikes will start at their own 10 yard line, 1st and 15 after a false start.  7:39.

1/10 - Case Keenum hits Adam Ehielen for 23, the Vikings reach the 33.  

And then net a total of 2 yards and punt.  Kevin Faulk takes the punt at the New England 25 --- cuts upfield -- AND HE IS GOING TO GO!!!  Faulk breaks a 75 yard punt return for a TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS - Kevin Faulk with the first kick return for a score of the tournament, 75 yards to give New England a 7-0 lead.

Vikings to start at the 23.  

3 and out.  Back to New England - and Faulk with another big runback - Faulk takes it back to the Minnesota 24 yard line.  3:04.  

3 and out.  Gostkowski hits a 33 yard FG and it's 10-0 Patriots.

Vikes to start at their own 41.  

3 and out.  

The punt ends the quarter.  

Second Quarter

Well, expected to be a defensive battle and that's what we have - the Patriots have zero first downs and 10 points, the Vikings have 1 first down.  Patriots will open at the 31.

1/10 - Hey, Tom Brady's playing - he hits the rookie from Florida, Chad Jackson, with an 11 yard pass.  

1/10 - Corey Dillon goes for 4.

2/6 - Brady to Troy Brown - he goes for 21, New England reaches the 33.

The next 3 plays lose 3 yards and the Patriots decide to punt.  Touchback.  11:51.

1/10 - Keenum is sacked by Ty Warren, loss of 7.

2/17 - Jerrick McKinnnon loses a yard.

3/18 - Keenum finds Adam Thielen for 23 yards and the first.  

1/10 - Keenum to McKinnon, he scoots for 11, the Vikes near midfield.  

1/10 - Latavius Murray for 1.

2/9 - McKinnon for 4.

3/5 - Murray gets 13 yards - big conversion, the Vikes have reached the NE 35 yard line.

1/10 - Dalvin Cook gains 1

2/9 - Keenum is sacked again, it's Richard Seymour for a loss of 5.

3/14 - 8 yard pass to Kyle Rudolph - 4th down Kai Forbath FG is good - Vikes take 7 minutes off the lock, but get on the board.  

Pats start at the 43.  3 and out.  

Vikes at the 32.  3:05 left.  1st and 5 after an offsides.  

1/5 - Keenum has to scrable, he gets 3.  

2/2 - McKinnon gets 7 and we hit the 2 minute warning.  

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - McKinnon to Rudolph for a dozen and the Vikes are across midfield.  

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Murray gets 1

3/9 - Keenum finds Stefon Diggs -- 18 yards and a first down at the Patriot 27 yard line with 1:29 left in the half and a timeout.  A holding call backs them 10.  

1/20 - Incomplete

2.20 - Keenum hits Laquon Treadwell for 15.  

3/5 - Keenum finds Diggs -- 18 yards all the way to the New England 4 yard line, 1st and goal with 50 seconds left in the half.

1/goal - Murray gets 2.  Vikes timeout  

2/goal - Murray gets the goal line - Vikes call their last timeout - 40 seconds left.  

3/goal - Keenum rolls out - back of the end zone -- Adam Thielen - TOUCHDOWN VIKINGS Case Keenum to Adam Thielen ties the score -- New England will pick up a first down but the half ends with them around midfield.  

Third Quarter

No offense at all for the Patriots, just none, but two big returns from Kevin Faulk get them 10 points.  Minnesota has two sustained drives in the second quarter and tie the score.  Onto the third.  

Pats at the 20.  3 and out.  

Vikes start at the 39.  3 and out.

Pats at midfield after another nice Faulk return.  3 and out.  

Vikes at the 16.  8:28.

1/10 - McKinnon gets 5.  

2/5 - Murray gets 6 and it's the first first down of the quarter.  

And of coure, that's as far as it goes.  Pats will take over at the 41.  

1/10 Dillon is stopped at the line.  

2/10 - Laurence Maroney gets 5.  

3/5 - Brady finds Caldwell for 7 and the first down.  

1/10 - Maroney stopped at the line.

2/10 - Incomplete

3/10 - Brady to Faulk for 11 and another first, Pats at the Minnesota 36, 1:12.  

1/10 - Dillon for 5. 

2/5 - Faulk loses 3.

3/8 - Incomplete - that's the last play of the quarter.

4th Quarter

Scoreless third quarter, very little offense, Patriots have 4th and 8 at the Viking 34 -- and instead of kicking a certainly makeable 51 yard FG - Belichick decides to go for it.  That's a wild call - 10-10 in the 4th qtr, Patriots have had zero offense all day, Kevin Faulk has been their entire production as a returner, but NE is going for it.

4/8 - Brady picks it up - goes to Troy Brown for 11 and the Patriots are at the 23.  

1/10 - Brady to Chad Jackson for 7.  

2/3 - Maroney loses a yard.

3/4 - Incomplete.

4/4 - Chip shot for Gostkowski - it's good - Vikes will get the ball back at their own 18, 12:31 left, down 13-10

3 and out. Patriots will take over at their own 48.  

3 and out.  Vikes start at the 21.  9:26 left in the game.  Vikes down 3 -- Can Case Keenum put a drive together to go down and win this game?

1/10 - Murray for 2.

2/8 - Cook for 1.

3/7 - Keenum finds Murray for 11 - Vikes out to the 35 with 7:24 left.  

1/10 - 3 for Cook

2/7 - 2 for Keenum

3/5 - Big play - a Tedy Bruschi sack - Bruschi blitz sacks Keenum, loss of 5 and there's a punt.  New England gets the ball back at the 33.  5:08 to play.  

1/10 - Faulk for 4.

2/6 - Faulk for 17 - big gainer for Kevin Faulk, Patriots are across midfield.  

1/10 - Brady to Caldwell for 9.  

2/1 - Incomplete

3/1- Maroney is stopped dead at the line -- that's a huge stop - Pats with 4th and 1 at the Viking 37 under 3 minutes to go.  Belichick again with the decision.  Go for it?  Kick the FG?

Punt. New England punts it back to Minnesota.

Vikes have another shot.  Way back at their own 13.  Down 3.  2:44 left.

1/10 - Keenum under heat - is able to pick up 2 yards at the 2 min warning.  

2/8 - Keenum hits Thielen for 13 yards - Vikes are at the 28, 1:54 left.

1/10 - Keenum looking again for Thielen - INTERCEPTED BY ASANTE SAMUEL - Samuel with the only pick of the day - Samuel is down at the Viking 34 with just 1:48 left and the New England faithful can exhale for the first time all day as the 6th seeded Pats have the ball and the lead.  

1/10 - Laurence Maroney takes a pitch left -- and HES GONE - Laurence Maroney busts home a 34 yard TD and that should salt this one away.  TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS.

Vikes to start at the 16, 1:35.  20-10 Pats.

1/10 - Keenum hits Thielen for 11.  Timeout.

1/10 - Keenum to Thielen for 12, he's out of bounds, Vikes at the 39.  1:21.  

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Keenum to McKinnon over the middle - he breaks free for 22 and is out of bounds at the New England 39, 1:10.  

1/10 - Keenum to Rudolph for 18 - Vikes down to the Patriot 21 and a timeout, :56 to go.

1/10 - Richard Seymour with his second sack of the day - Vikes have to spend their final timeout at the NE 26, 48 seconds left.  

2/15 - Incomplete

3/15 - Incomplete

4/15 - Incomplete.

That's it.  One Brady kneel down ends it.

Defense and special teams carry the day and New England reaches Round 2.

Final: Patriots 20 Vikings 10

Just 8 first downs all day for New England and they still win the game by 10 points.

Brady: 11 for 22, 104 yards

Keenum: 17 for 30, 207 yds 1 TD/1 INT

Maroney: 11 carries, 41 yds, 1 TD

McKinney: 11 carries, 49 yds

Brown: 3 catches, 43 yds

Thielen 7 catches, 91 yds  1 TD

Seymour: 2 sacks

Faulk - PR TD

Player of the Game - KEVIN FAULK

256 Team NFL Tournament - Region 2/Round 1: 1997 Denver Broncos v. 2009 Indianapolis Colts

'68 Chiefs v. '82 Jets 

14. 2009 AFC CHAMPION INDIANAPOLIS COLTS at 3. 1997 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION BRONCOS

3. 1997 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION DENVER BRONCOS

Record: 12-4

Pythag: 12-4

Off: 1st

Def: 6th

2nd AFC West

d. Jags WC 42-17

d. Chiefs Div Rnd 14-10

d. Steelers AFC Title 24-21

d. Packers 31-24 Super Bowl 

HC: Mike Shanahan, OC: Gary Kubiak, DC: Greg Robinson

Mile High Stadium 45 degrees

Dave Logan

Offense:

QB John Elway (37 Stanford)

RB Terrell Davis (25 UGA) All Pro

FB Howard Griffith (30 Illinois)

WR Ed McCaffrey (29 Stanford)

WR Rod Smith (27 Mo Southern) 

TE Shannon Sharpe (29 Sav St)

LT Gary Zimmerman (36 Oregon)

LG Mark Schlereth (31 Idaho)

C Tom Nalen (26 B College)

RG Brian Habib (33 Wash)

RT Tony Jones (31 W Carolina)

Defense

LDE Neil Smith (31 Nebraska)

LDT Keith Traylor (28 C Okla)

RDT Michael Dean Perry (32 Clemson)

RDE Alfred Williams (29 Colorado)

LLB Bill Romanowsi (31 B College)

MLB Allen Aldridge (25 Houston)

RLB John Mobley (24 Kutztown) All Pro

LCB Ray Crockett (30 Baylor)

RCB Darrien Gordon (27 Stanford)

SS Tyrone Braxton (33 N Dakota St)

FS Steve Atwater (31 Arkansas)

K Jason Elam (27 Hawaii)

P Tom Rouen (29 Colorado)

KR Vaughn Hebron (27 Va Tech)

PR Darrien Gordon (27 Stanford)

The third SB Champion to compete is the '97 Broncos; they look to keep the train rolling, as both the '02 Bucs and '85 Bears safely advanced.  Mike Shanahan's Broncos bring the best offense from 1997 into the field. John Elway is 37 - 27 scores, 11 picks.  He'll be handing the ball off to the All Pro, 25 year old Terrell Davis, who ran for 1700+ yards with 15 scores.  Shannon Sharpe is 29 and he's an All Pro, with 72 receptions.  The defense is fine, 6th best in '97, 24 year old LB John Mobley is an All Pro; 31 year old Neil Smith/29 year old Alfred Williams combined for 17 sacks.

14. 2009 AFC CHAMPION INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Record: 14-2

Pythag: 11-5

Off: 7th

Def: 8th

1st AFC South

d. Ravens Div Rnd 20-3

d. Jets AFC Title 30-17

Lost Super Bowl 31-17 Saints

HC: Jim Caldwell, OC: Tom Moore, DC: Larry Coyer

Offense

QB Peyton Manning (33 Tenn) All Pro

RB Joseph Addai (26 LSU)

WR Pierrce Garcon (23 Mt Union)

WR Reggie Wayne (31 Miami) 

TE Dallas Clark (30 Iowa) All Pro

TE Gijon Robinson (25 Mo West St)

LT Charlie Johnson (25 Ok St)

LG Ryan Lilja (28 Kan St)

C Jeff Saturday (34 UNC)

RG Kyle DeVan (24-R Ore St)

RT Ryan Diem (30 No Ill)

Defense

LDE Robert Mathis (28 Ala A&M)

LDT Daniel Muir (26 Kent)

RDT Antonio Johnson (25 Miss St)

RDE Dwight Freeney (25 Syracuse) All Pro

LLB Tyjuan Hagler (28 Cincinnati)

MLB Gary Brackett (29 Rutgers)

RLB Clint Session (25 Pitt)

LCB Kelvin Hayden (26 Illinois)

RCB Jerraud Powers (22-R Auburn)

SS Melvin Bullitt (25  Tex A&M)

RS Antoine Bethea (25 Howard)

K Matt Stover (41 La Tech)

P Pat McAfee (22 W Va-R)

KR Chad Simpson (24 Morg St)

PR TJ Rushing (26 Stanford)

Pretty heavy disparity between the Colts record, 14-2  and the record they deserved to have, 11-4; those 7th and 8th place ranks in offense/defense would have meant they didn't qualify for the tournament at all if not for the AFC Championship. It's our first look at Peyton Manning, and he's headed to his future town, Denver, to face his future boss, Elway.  Manning's 33, All Pro, 33 scores and 16 picks.  31 year old Reggie Wayne and 30 year old Dallas Clark each caught a hundred balls for 10 scores. 29 year old All Pro Dwight Freeney and 28 year old Robert Mathis combined for 23 sacks.  

Manning vs Elway.  The '09 Colts head to Denver to face the Super Bowl Champion Broncos.  Let's go to Mile High for the kick.

First Quarter

Denver starts at the 31.

1/10 - John Elway opens with a dump off to his fullback Howard Griffith for 7.

2/3 - Terrell Davis busts for 10

1/10 - Elway is picked off by Antione Bethea!  3rd play of the game - Antoine Bethea intercepts Elway and the Colts take over at the Bronco 34.  

1/10 - Joseph Addai goes for 7.

2/3 - Payton Manning's first pass is a 6 yard first down for Pierrce Garcon.  

1/10 - 4 for Adai

2/6 - Incomplete and then an offsides call makes it 3rd and 1.

3/1 - Manning finds his third TE, Tom Santi, for 11 yards, all the way to the 1 yard line.

1/goal - Play action - Dallas Clark wide open in the back of the end zone TOUCHDOWN COLTS - Elway pick quickly leads to a Manning score; Denver gets the ball back at the 31, 10:14.

1/10 - 2 yard loss for Terrell Davis.

2/12 - Davis is stacked up and it's a 3rd and long.

3/12 - Elway hits Rod Smith for 17 yards.  A holding call then backs Denver 10.

3 plays net 4 yards and the Broncos punt.  Colts at their own 36.  6:44

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Manning short to Addai for 3.

3/7 - Manning hits the big strike - Reggie Wayne over the middle for 57 yards!  Wayne's in his 9th season out of Miami, made the Pro Bowl this year and he catches the big deep shot from Manning down to the 2.

1/goal - Manning hits Dallas Clark again -- TOUCHDOWN COLTS - less than 7 minutes into the game and Peyton Manning has 2 scores to Dallas Clark and man, oh man, the '97 Champs are going to be fighting uphill today.  

Broncos at the 27.  4:54.  3 and out.  

Colts at the 23.  2:46.  3 and out.  

Broncos get a big return, Darrien Gordon returns to punt to the Colts 36 with 1:47 left in the quarter.  

1/10 - Davis is stopped at the line.

2/10 - Elway hits Shannon Sharpe for 8.  

3/2 - Davis goes for 10 - there'a a first down, and Denver is at the Colts 18 as the qtr ends.

Second Qtr

Manning v. Elway is all Manning so far; Denver now driving, first down at the Colts 18, 14-0 Indy.

1/10 - Vaughn Hebron goes for 8 and an incidental facemask gives Denver the first and goal at the 5.

1/goal - 3 for Davis

2/goal - QB draw for Elway - he is stopped dead at the goal line.

3/goal - Howard Griffith powers his way home TOUCHDOWN BRONCOS - Denver takes advantage of the field postion off the Gordon punt return and slices the deficit in half.  

Colts to start at the 30.  12:45.  

1/10 - Donald Brown gets a carry and goes for 14.  

1/10 - Manning to Addai for 14 - Colts really moving at will against this Bronco defense. 

1/10 - A dozen for Brown - look at the Colts, at the Bronco 30.

1/10 - Joseph Addai breaks one - daylight - Joseph Addai is going to go all the way - TOUCHDOWN COLTS - Indy takes 4 plays to go 70 yards; they've hung 21 on the Super Bowl Champion Broncos in Denver and we still have 10 minutes left in the half.  

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Terrell Davis for 11.

1/10 - Elway rolls out - and he throws deep over the middle to Sharpe - Shannon Sharpe with the big 40 yard pass reception - we got one today - Elway is down two scores and he connects with the 40 yard bomb.  

1/10- Elway to Rod Smith for 11 and the Broncos have 1st and goal at the 7.

1/goal - Elway rifles the ball into tight coverage in the endzone - snagged by Sharpe -- TOUCHDOWN BRONCOS  - the Broncos come right back - 5 plays, 69 yards, it's 21-14 Colts and we have a wild round one game here at Mile High.  

Colts at the 18.  8 minutes left in the half.

1/10 - Brown gains 1

2/9 - Addai gains 1

3/8 - Manning hits Reggie Wayne for 13.

1/10 - Pitch to Addai - he is Rocked- by John Mobley -- Fumble -- Denver recovers at the Colt 34 with 5:58 left - this huge crowd is in it now - they saw their team go down by 14 in the first 5 minutes but now trail by just 7 with the ball in Indy territory. 

1/10 - David gets 4 and an offsides will add 5

2/1- 4 for David.  First down at the 21.  4:39.

The next 3 plays gain 5 yards and Jason Elam kicks a 35 yard FG to make it a 21-17 game.  Colts start at the 31, 2:23 left.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Manning to Wayne for 9 at the 2 min warning.

3/1 - Addai picks up the yard.  Timeout.  

1/10 - Manning finds Austin Collie, a rookie from BYU - for a 22 yard gain to the Denver 37, the Colts are moving again.  1:48.

1/10 - Brown stopped at the line.  

2/10 - Incomplete

3/10 - Manning is picked by Ray Crockett!  Crockett returns to the Denver 46 - Denver forces their second turnover of the day - this time a Manning interception.  Denver trails by 4 but are near midfield with 1:18 left.  

1/10 - Dwight Freeney levels Elway with the sack and a loss of 4.  Timeout.

2/14 - Elway to Davis for 6, he's out of bounds, 3rd and 8 for Denver at their own 48.

3/8 - And Elway is picked off again by Bethea!  Antoine Bethea's second interception of the day - Colts neare midfield with 44 seconds left, the teams trading interceptions.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Incomplete

3/10 - Manning hits Wayne for 23, Colts at the 29 and they stop the clock.  23 seconds

1/10 - Manning hits Garcon for 9.  10 seconds and a timeout.  

2/10 - Incomplete.  Just seconds left.  Jim Caldwell calls for the kick - it's good.  Halftime.  24-17 Colts

Third Qtr

Turnovers and big plays - a wild game here in Denver and the 14th seeded Colts lead by a score.

Colts at the 23.

1/10 - Brown for 7.

2/3 - Manning to Clark, who has 2 TD catches on the day, for 9.  

1/10 - Manning to Addai for 7.

2/3 - Incommplete

3/3 - Addai gets 4, it's a first down to midfield.  

3 incomplete passes later the Colts are punting - it's a good one, Denver will be starting at their own 9.  

1/10 - Elway strikes - a 51 yard bomb to Rod Smith - it jolts this crowd alive - Smith all way to the Colt 40 yard line!

3 plays later, including a big Dwight Freeney sack, his second sack, the Broncos are punting - and oit's a great return - TJ Rushing out to the 49 where the Colts take over with 10:26 left in the third.  Up 7.

1/10 - Addai gets 1

2/9 - Addai gets 3

3/6 - Manning to Collie for 6- just does get enough after the measurement for the first down.  

The next 3 plays net 6 yards - Matt Stover hits a 52 yard FG and the Colt lead is again double digits, they have led this one the whole way.  

Denver starts at the 30.  7:28 left.

1/10 - Davis for 4.

2/6 - Davis for 7. 

The next 3 plays net 5 yards.  The crowd getting anxious now, the Super Bowl Champs down 10 and we're nearing the end of the quarter.  Colts start at the 24, 3:47.

3 and out.  Great return on the punt again by Darrien Gordon into Colt territory, Denver ball at the Indy 45, 2:48.

1/10 - Elway finds the second TE, Dwayne Carswell, for 4 and an offsides call gets 5 more.

2/1 - Incomplete

3/1 - Davis picks it up, 8 yards.  Denver's at the 28.  

1/10 - Elway to Davis - 8 yards.  

2/2 - Howard Griffith up the middle, one cut -- and Griffith's going to go!  Griffith stomps 20 yards into the end zone for his second TD of the game TOUCHDOWN BRONCOS Howard Griffith did not score a TD in the 1997 regular season, he has 2 today in the first round of the tournament and the Broncos have cut the deficit to 27-24.  

Colts start at the 28, Addai picks up a yard and that ends the quarter.

Fourth Quarter

Possible great finish ahead, Colts have led the whole way, Denver's as close as they've gotten, down a FG.  Indy ball at their own 29, second and 1.  Can they pull off the 14/3 upset?

2/9 - Addai for one.  

3/8 - Manning hits Austin Collie for a dozen - Indy converts and are out at the 42.  

1/10 - Brown gets 3

2/7 - Addai gets 1

3/6 - Brown gets 7 - that's another big 3rd down conversion for the Colts, they cross midfield with 11:46 to go.  

1/10 -Addai for 1.

2/9 - Chad Simpson, the second year back from Morgan St, is the 4th Colt to get a carry today, he gets 3.

3/6 - Draw play to Simpson - Simpson's going to pick up the first down - AND MORE -- CHAD SIMPSON IS GOING TO GO ALL THE WAY!  Chad Simpson with a 43 yard touchdown run - Chad Simpson goes 43 yards and the Colts are going to take a 10 point lead with just 10 minutes to go!  The 14th seeded Colts are 10 minutes from knocking off the 1997 Super Bowl Champion Broncos TOUCHDOWN COLTS 

Broncos at the 20.  10:10 left.  34-24 Colts

1/10 - Elway forced to run.  Gets 3.

2/7 - Elway hits Carswell over the middle, Carswell breaks a tackle, Carswell 28 yards out to the Colt 49 yard line.  Big play for Denver.

1/10 - Davis for 5.

2/5 - Davis for 1.

3/4 - Big play here.  7:26 left.  Broncos down 10.  Elway hits Ed McCaffrey for an 11 yard pickup and the first down to the Colt 32.  

1/10 - Hebron for 4.  

2/6 - Elway throwing to the endzone -- Shannon Sharpe at the goal line - caught - takes a shot - holds on -- TOUCHDOWN BRONCOS -- Elway with the 28 yard strike to Sharpe and the Broncos cut the deficit to 34-31.  

Here's that man - Chad Simpson - he just had a 43 yard TD run and he takes the kick back all the way to the Colt 48.  That might be a backbreaker - Colt ball at their own 48, 5:48 left, Colt lead is 3.  

But the Colts go 3 and out including a Neil Smith sack of Manning.  

McAfee's punt is a winner - pinning Denver back at their own 6.  4:12 left.  

Can Denver drive down and kick a game tying FG to force OT here?

Here comes Elway.  

1/10 - Elway is sacked on first down by Robert Mathis all the way back to his goal line, just  inches from a safety.  

2/15 - Elway in trouble in the end zone, Elway forced to tuck the ball and run and he gets just out of the end zone.  Third and 15 from as close to the end zone as you can get.  3:24 left  Broncos down 3.

3/15 - Elway finds Terrell Davis - he's near the sticks -- measurement....

Broncos first down.  Elway hits Davis for the 15 yard first down.  2:41 left.  Denver needs a FG to force OT.  

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Davis run, he gets 7 at the 2 minute warning.  Another 3rd down.  

3/3 - Elway finds Ed McCaffrey over the middle - stretches forward for the first down.  Denver is at their own 29 yard line.  1:55 left.  

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Elway finds Shannon Sharpe on the sidelines - turns upfield for 14 yards and a first down at the Broncos own 43.  1:40.  

1/10 - Davis.  15 big yards - Broncos call Timeout at 1:33, Denver is at the Colt 42- one more first down would at least give Elam a shot at tying this game.  

1/10  Incomplete.  And a false start backs Denver 5.  

2/15 - Oh, oh, oh - Elway hits McCaffrey on the sideline, gets both feet in - it's a 28 yard pass and the Broncos are in FG range now, Denver's at the Colts 19 yard line - 1:18 left - Elway - Elway - 37 year old John Elway, are we seeing it happen?  

1/10 - Elway to Sharpe over the middle - Sharpe is dragged down all the way at the 1 yard line!  18 yards to Shannon Sharpe!  The Broncos are down to the Indy 1 yard line!  57 seconds left and a first and goal.

1/goal - Incomplete

2/goal - Elway rolling right - throwing left - ---- Byron Chamberlain in the end zone

 --- TOUCHDOWN BRONCOS.....TOUCHDOWN BRONCOS.....TOUCHDOWN BRONCOS.....John Elway drives 99 yards in 14 plays -- a 99 yard drive and Denver takes its first lead of the day.  The Colts have just 41 seconds left, down 38-34 and they start at their own 31.

1/10 Manning to Reggie Wayne.  12 yards.  Out of bounds.  36 seconds.  

1/10 - Manning to Dallas Clark.  12 yards - timeout.  28 seconds left and the Colts are at the Bronco 45 yard line - is it Manning?  Is Manning driving down to win this football game?

1/10 - Incomplete.

2/10 - Manning is brought down by Alfred Williams - a huge sack, 8 yard loss, the Colts call time out back at their own 47, just 17 seconds left now.  Huge play by Alfred Williams

3/16 - Incomplete.

4th down.  9 seconds left.  Colts at their own 47.  They trail by 4.  Peyton Manning's last stand.

Incomplete.  

It's done.  Elway takes a knee and it's over.  The Denver Broncos win the best game of the tournament to date.  

Final: Broncos 38 Colts 34

In the signature game of the tournament, 37 year old John Elway takes the '97 Broncos 99 yards in the 4th qtr to beat Peyton Manning and the '09 Broncos and they advance to the 2nd rnd.

Elway: 21 for 32, 326 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT

Manning: 19 for 38, 225 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT

Davis: 20 carries, 91 yards, 4 catches 29 yds

Griffith: 2 TDs

Addai: 15 carries, 55 yds, 3 catches, 24 yds

Sharpe: 6 catches, 115 yds, 2TD

Wayne: 5 catches, 116 yds

Clark: 2 TD

Bethea: 2 INT

Freeney: 2 sacks

Player of the Game - JOHN ELWAY

256 Team NFL Tournament - Region 2/Round 1: 1968 Kansas City Chiefs v. 1982 New York Jets

'15 Seahawks v. '77 Rams 

13. 1982 NEW YORK JETS at 4. 1968 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

4. 1968 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Record: 12-2

Pythag: 12-2

Off: 4th

Def: 1st

1st AFL West

Lost Div Rnd Raiders 41-6

HC: Hank Stram

Municipal Stadium 60 degrees

Tom Hedrick

Offense

QB Len Dawson (33 Purdue) 

RB Mike Garrett (24 USC)

FB Robert Holmes (23-R Southern)

WR Gloster Richardson (26 Jack St)

WR Frank Pitts (25 Southern)

TE Fred Arbanas (29 Mich St)

LT Jim Tyrer (29 Ohio St) All Pro

LG Ed Budde (28 Mich St)

C EJ Holub (30 T Tech)

RG Mo Moorman (23-R Tex A&M)

RT Dave Hill (27 Auburn)

Defense

LDE Jerry Mays (29 SMU)

LDT Ed Lothamer (26 Mich St)

RDT Buck Buchanan (29 Grambling) All Pro

RDE Aaron Brown (25 Minnesota)

LLB Bobby Bell (28 Minnesota) All Pro

MLB Willie Lanier (23 Morgan St) All Pro

RLB Jim Lynch (23 N Dame)

LCB Emmitt Thomas (25 Bishop)

RCB Willie Mitchell (28 Tenn St)

LS Jim Kearney (25 Prairie View)

RS Johnny Robinson (30 LSU) All Pro

K Jan Stenerud (26 Mont St) 

P Jerrel Wilson (27 So Miss)

KR/PR Noland Smith (25 Tenn St)

The '15 Seahawks await the winner of this 4/13 matchup; the '68 Chiefs had the top defense in the AFL; 4 All Pros - 29 year old Buck Buchanan, 28 year old Bobby Bell, 23 year old Willie Lanier and the 30 year old Johnny Robinson. The offense is middling; Lenny Dawson threw for 17 scores, 9 picks. The 29 year old LT Jim Tyrer is an All Pro. 

13. 1982 NEW YORK JETS

Record: 6-3

Pythag: 6-3

Off: 3rd

Def: 10th

2nd AFC East

d. Bengals WC 44-17

d. Raiders Div Rnd 17-14

Lost AFC Title Dolphins 14-0

HC W.Michaels, OC: J.Walton, DC: J.Gardi

Offense

QB Richard Todd (29 Alabama)

RB Freeman McNeil (23 UCLA) All Pro

FB Mike Augustyniak (26 Purdue)

WR Johnny Lam Jones (24 Texas)

WR Wesley Walker (27 Cal)

TE Jerome Barkum (32 Jack St)

LT Chris Ward (27 Ohio St)

LG Stan Waldemore (27 Nebraska)

C Joe Fields (29 Widener) All Pro

RG Dan Alexander (27 LSU)

RT Marvin Powell (27 USC) All Pro

Defense

LDE Mark Gastineau (26 E Central) All Pro

LDT Abdul Salaam (29 Kent)

RDT Marty Lyons (25 Alabama)

RDE Kenny Neil (23 Iowa St)

LLB Greg Buttle (28 Penn St)

MLB Stan Blinka (25 S Houston)

RLB Lance Mehl (24 Penn St)

LCB Bobby Jackson (26 Florida St)

RCB Jerry Holmes (25 W Virginia)

SS Ken Schroy (30 Maryland)

FS Darrol Ray (24 Oklahoma)

K Pat Leahy (31 St Louis)

P Chuck Ramsey (30 Wake)

KR/PR Bruce Harper (27 Kutztown)

Strike shortened Jets team made the tournament on the strength of the 3rd best offense in '82; 29 year old Richard Todd threw for 14 scores and 8 picks. Freeman McNeil's 23 and an All Pro, he averaged over 5 yards a carry. Joe Fields is a 29 year old center, also an All Pro.  Middling defense led by Mark Gastineau, 26 year old All Pro with 6 sacks.  

The '15 Seahawks will either be headed to 1968 Kansas City or staying at home to host the '82 Jets.  Let's go to Kansas City for the kick.

First Quarter

The Jets start this one off at the 36.

3 and out.  

Chiefs get the punt and will start at the 39 - two plays gain six yards and then Lenny Dawson is intercepted by Bobby Jackson.  The Jets take over in Chiefs territory at the 47.

And again, go 3 and out.  This looked like a tough matchup on paper for the New York offense and that's what we're seeing so far.  Chiefs at the 16.  10:06

1/10 - The rookie Robert Holmes gets his first carry, stopped at the line.

2/10 - Incomplete

3/10 - Dawson's first completed pass is to Mike Garrett - he gets a dozen.  

1/10 - A yard for Holmes

2/9 - Otis Taylor is the 3rd receiver - he catches one for a 22 yard gain, Chiefs across midfield. 

1/10 - Incomplete  A holding call backs KC up 10.

2/20 - Incomplete

3/20 - Dawson deep strike to Taylor - 40 yards, Chiefs down to the 19.  

1/10 - Holmes for 2

2/8 - Incomplete

3/8 - Dawson finds Frank Pitts in the corner of the end zone -- TOUCHDOWN CHIEFS nice strike by the veteran Dawson to give KC the led.  Jets will start at the 39, 5:10.

1/10 - The fullback, Augustyniak gets a carry.  2 yds.

2/8 - Freeman McNeil for 1.  Jets need a big day from McNeil to compete today.

3/7 - Richard Todd's first complete pass of the day is the Wes Walker - 14 yards to the KC 44.

1/10 - Yard for Augustyniak.  

2/9 - Incomplete

3/9 - Todd hits Walker again, he's out at the 32.  First down Jets.  

3 plays get 2 yards - Pat Leahy hits a 47 yarder and it's 7-3.  Chiefs start at the 28, Holmes gets 2 and the quarter ends.  

Second Quarter

A 4/13 is not anticipated as inherently a close game and that's what the matchup looked like headed in - Jets picked up a couple of late first downs and that gave them a FG, so it's still a game through 1.  Chiefs at their own 30, second and 8.

2 plays net 6 yards and the Chiefs are punting. Jets open at the 35.

1/10 - Bruce Harper is a tiny scatback, he scats his way back for a 6 yard gain.

2/4 - Then Harper scoots for  9 and an incidental facemask adds 5 - look at this  - the Jets are at the Chiefs 45.

The next 3 plays gain a yard.  Punt.  Good one.  Chiefs at the 8, 10:35.

1/10 - End around for Pitts for 13 yards.  

1/10 - Holmes for 1.

2/9 - Holmes for 9 - Chiefs up to the 31.  

The next 3 plays gain 2 yards.  Punt.  Jets to start at the 34.  6:56.

On first down, Augustyniak gains 2.  On second down, Emmitt Thomas picks off Todd and the Chiefs start at the Jet 48.  

1/10 - Holmes for 3.

2/7 - Incomplete

3/7 - Dawson hits Gloster Richardson for 19 - Chiefs at the Jet 32, false start goes back 5.

1/15 - Incomplete

2/15 - Holmes for 3.

3/12 - Dawson to Pitts for 14 - Chiefs now at the Jets 20.

3 incomplete passes later and Jan Stenerud is kicking a 37 yard FG.  Dawson takes a big, big shot from Gastineau on third down.  10-3 Chiefs

Jets open at the 23.  2:16.  

1/10 - Todd needs to shake off that pick - Jets really not finding any offense against the best defense in the AFL in 1968. Todd finds Lam Jones for 14, that's a first down at the 37 at the 2 minute mark.

1/10 - Freeman McNeil gets 16 - Jets near midfield.

1/10 - Todd to Wesley Walker for 9, Jets rolling now - they stop the clock at the KC 38, 1:47 left in the half.  A false start backs them up 5.

2/6 - McNeil gets 3 yards, 3rd and short.  

3/3 - Incomplete

Jets are at the KC 40; this is one of those, "if it were 2022, the analytics chart says go for it" - Walt Michaels does not have that chart in 1982, Jets punt.  

Jacky Lee, 29 year old backup QB, comes on for the injured Dawson.  Chiefs at their own 27, 1:14 left.  10-3.

1/10 - Mike Garrett for 7.  

2/3 - Incomplete.

3/3 - Holmes finds his way for 3 and the first.   1 minute left.

1/10 - Lee completes a pass to Garrett for 9, out of bounds.  

2/1 - Incomplete. 

3/1 - Lee hits Richardson for the first -- but he's stripped by Greg Buttle - and the Jets reover the ball at their own 41.  38 seconds left.

1/10 - Augustyniak gets 11 yards and NY stops the clock.

1/10 - McNeil for 5 and another timeout.  25 seconds left.  

2/5 - Incomplete

3/5 - Buck Buchanan levels Todd.  The Jets punt will end the half.

Third Quarter

As expected, the Chiefs defense is the story here; Jets struggling to move the ball - but it's only 10-3 and Lenny Dawson is questionable to return.  

Chiefs start at the 18 - it's still Lee in for Dawson and the Chiefs are 3 and out.

Jets at their own 40.  They go 3 and out.  Chiefs will start at their own 39.  Lee still on the field.  

1/10 - Holmes for 4

2/6 - Wendell Hayes gets a carrry.  2 yards

3/4 - Mike Garrett goes for 12.  Chiefs to the Jets 43.

1/10 - Holmes - 19 yards, nice gainer for Holmes, all the way to the 29.

1/10 - Chiefs running the ball on every play - Garrett gets 6.

2/4 - Bert Coan gets a carry, 2 yards.  

3/2 - Lee gets sacked by Gastineau - Chiefs kick the 38 yarder -- and KC now leads 13-3.

Jets will open at their own 5 when a holding call takes them backward on the return.

1/10 - Augustyniak for 5.

2/5 - Todd finds Lam Jones for 11.  

The next 3 plays gain a total of 4 yards.  Chiefs open at their own 44.  Lee still in at QB.

3 and out.  Jets ball at their own 26.  2:02 left in the quarter.

1/10 - Todd is brutalized by Buck Buchanan, his second sack - loss of 8.

2/18 - Yikes - Todd again, pounded to the turf by the Big Cat, Ernie Ladd, loss of 7.

3/25 - Todd hurls the ball down the sideline -- Caught by Walker - Walker gets both feet in bounds with a 30 yard pickup - Richard Todd just a great pass to Wesley Walker- -- great catch by Walker at the Jet 41 as the clock expires.

4th Quarter

Just no offense in the third quarter, Dawson is out of the game and Lee has completed 1 pass - whatever the Chiefs are doing they are doing on the ground.  Jets down 10, end the quarter on a big play - they have a first down at their own 41.

1/10 - McNeill loses a yard.

2/11 - Incomplete

3/11 - Todd is just under real heat, tremendous heat on every play, he is able to complete a desperate ball to Jerome Barkum for 16.  Jets at the KC 44.  

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Incomplete

3/10 - Buck Buchanan's 3rd sack levels Todd, it's a hat trick for Buchanan and a huge 10 yard loss.  

After the punt, KC takes over at their own 25, up 10, 11:48 left.  

1/10 - Holmes busts one - 64 yards right between Tyrer and Budde- big blast all the way to the Jet 11 yard line and that might be the knockout.  

1/10 - Garrett gets 5.

2/5 - Pitch to Garrett and he is into the endzone for a TOUCHDOWN CHIEFS 6 yard run for Mike Garrett - Chiefs go up by 17 and it's hard to see the path for the Jets from here.

Jets will start at the 31.

1/10 - Todd to McNeil for 3.

2/7 - Bobby Bell sacks Todd, really tough day for Todd physically.

3/13 - Todd flings it out to Barkum - another big play - 29 yards over the middle, Richard Todd showing just tremendous toughness today under a real onslaught from the Chiefs.  The Jets then gain 5 on an offsides and are at the KC 38.  

1/10 - McNeil 3 yard run

2/7 - Incomplete

3/7 5 yard pass to McNeil

4/2 - Todd is decked on the blitz by Bell - fumble -- Chiefs will recover at their own 45 - that's a half dozen KC sacks on the day, Bell with 2, Buchanan with 3.  Todd helped off the field.

Hey, it's Lenny Dawson - 20-3, back on the field.  

1/10 - Garrett gets 1

2/9  Dawson goes play action, finds Pitts for 7.

3/2 - Mike Garrett busts a 40 yard run.  Chiefs running game plus defense has throttled New York today.  

Chiefs have first and goal at the 7 - 3 runs into the line and a Stenerud FG.  It's 23-3; Jets get a great Bruce Harper run back to midfield - but on the second play, Todd is picked off by Johnny Robinson - 6 sacks and 2 picks today for this Chiefs defense.  KC at their own 47 with 3:28 left and it's just a matter of getting to the gun now.

3 and out.  Jets take over at the 30.  1:49 left.  

Pat Ryan is the new QB for the Jets - 3 throws 3 incompletions and on 4th down hits Walker for 13.

That's it - 4 more plays yield 4 yards, the Chiefs take over on downs and run it out.

Final: CHIEFS 23 JETS 3

The KC defense was the best unit on paper and the best unit on the field; they really dominate here, the Chiefs running attack carries them offensively and they march into round 2.

Dawson: 7 for 16, 131 yards, 1 TD/1 INT

Todd: 9 for 23, 133 2 INT

Holmes: 18 carries, 110 yards

Garrett: 16 carries, 87 yards, 1 TD

McNeil: 16 carries, 31 yds

Pitts: 3 catches, 38 yds, 1 TD

Walker: 5 catches 77 yds

Buchanan - 3 sacks

Bell - sacks

Player of the Game - BUCK BUCHANAN

That's the upper half of Region 2 - the winners:

1985 Bears

2007 Chargers

2015 Seahawks

1968 Chiefs