256 Team NFL Tournament: Region 6/Round 1: 2002 Oakland Raiders v. 1961 Houston Oilers

'94 Cowboys v. '52 Rams 

10. 1961 AFL CHAMPION HOUSTON OILERS at 7. 2002 AFC CHAMPION OAKLAND RAIDERS

7. AFC CHAMPION 2002 OAKLAND RAIDERS

Record: 11-5

Pythag: 12-4

Off: 2nd

Def: 6th

d. Jets Div Rnd 30-10

d. Titans AFC Title 41-24

Lost Super Bowl Bucs 48-21

Oakland Coliseum: 60 degrees

Greg Papa/Tom Flores

HC Bill Callhan, OC: Marc Trestman DC Chuck Bresnahan

Offense:

QB Rich Gannon (37 Delaware) All Pro

RB Charlie Garner (30 Tenn)

WR Tim Brown (36 N Dame)

WR Jerry Porter (24 W Virginia)

WR Jerry Rice (40 M Valley St)

TE Doug Jolley (23 BYU)

LT Barry Sims (28 Utah)

LG Mo Collins (26 Florida)

C Barret Robins (29 TCU) All Pro

RG Frank Middleton (28 Arizona)

RT Lincoln Kennedy (31 Wash) All Pro

Defense

LDE DeLawrence Grant (23 Ore St)

LDT Sam Adams (29 Tex A&M)

RDT John Parrella (33 Nebraska)

RDE Tony Bryant (26 Florida St)

LLB Bill Romanowski (36 B College)

MLB Napoleon Harris (23-R Nwestern)

RLB Eric Barton (25 Maryland)

LCB Charles Woodson (26 Mich)

RCB Tory James (29 LSU)

SS Derrick Gibson (23 Florida St)

FS Rod Woodson (37 Purdue) All Pro

K Sebastian Janikowski (24 Florida St)

P Shane Lechler (26 Tex A&M)

KR Marcus Knight (24 Mich)

PR Phillip Buchanon (22 Miami)

The '67 Raiders have advanced; move forward through the LA years and the Raiders are now back in Oakland with the '02 AFC Champs.  2nd best offense in '02, 6th best defense. Rich Gannon is a 37 year old All Pro, 29 scores and 10 picks. 30 year old Charlie Garner scored 11 times. Jerry Rice is 40 years old and caught 92 balls for over 1200 yards.  29 year old Barrett Robins and 31 year old Lincoln Kennedy are both All Pros.  There's an All Pro on defense, 37 year old Rod Woodson had 8 picks.  

10. 1961 AFL CHAMPION HOUSTON OILERS

Pythag: 12-2

Off: 1st

Def: 2nd

d. Chargers AFL Title 10-3

HC: Wally Lemm

Offense

QB George Blanda (34) All Pro

RB Billy Cannon (24) All Pro

RB Charlie Tolar (24)

WR Charley Hennigan (26) All Pro

WR Bill Groman (25) All Pro

WR Bill McLeod (23-r)

LT Al Jamison (24) All Pro

LG Bob Talamini (22)

C Bob Schmidt (25)

RG Hogan Wharton (26)

RT Rich Michael (23)

Defense

LDE Dalva Allen (26)

LDT Orville Trask (27)

RDT Ed Husmann (30)

RDE Don Floyd (23)

LLB Doug Cline (23)

MLB Dennit Morris (25)

RLB Mike Dukes (25)

LCB Tony Banfield (24) All Pro

RCB Mark Johnston (23)

LS Jim Norton (23)

RS Fred Glick (24)

K George Blanda (34)

P Jim Norton (23)

KR/PR Billy Cannon (24)

The 10th seed in Region 6 is the 1961 Oilers; the AFL Champs, best offense, second best defense in the AFL.  5 All Pros on offense. 34 year old George Blanda threw for 36 scores. 22 picks. 24 year old Billy Cannon scored 15 times in a 14 game season.  Both men - future Raiders. 26 year old Charley Hennigan scored 12 times and had over 1700 yards receiving; 25 year old Bill Groman scored 18 times.  24 year old Al Jamison also is first Team All Pro.  On defense, the All Pro is 24 year old Tony Banfield.  He and 23 year old Jim Norton combined for 17 picks.

Two games left in region 6.  Let's go to Oakland.  

1st Qtr

Oilers start at the 17.

They'll get a first down, Blanda hitting Charley Hennigan for an 18 yard gain-but that's all, great punt, Raiders pinned back at their own 16.

1/10 - Rich Gannon is going deep on the game's first place - it's to the Goat - it's to 40 year old Jerry Rice, 49 yards - all the way to the 35.  

1/10 - Gannon dump off to Charlie Garner, he gets 1.

2/9 -Gannon over the middle - Tim Brown - 13 yards, Oakland has come out firing.  

1/0 - Pitch to Garner - one cut and he's got 11 and it's a first and goal.

1/goal - Garner - End Zone - Roland Wiliams - TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS - 10 yards from Gannon to Roland Williams - Oakland just flies down the field for the 7-0 lead.

Billy Cannon busts out the return - all the way to midfield.

3 and out.  

Raiders get it at their own 7.

1/10 - Screen to Tyron Wheatley - he's got blockers - he's got a convoy -- Wheatley is going to go downfield - 56 yards - Oakland does not stop.

The next 3 plays net 4 yards -- and then Janikowski misses a 50 yard FG.

Oilers on their own 40.  3 and out.

Raiders at their own 19.  

1/10 - Gannon going for it again -- deep down the middle of the field - caught by Roland Williams at midfield - two Oiler defenders collide-- AND WILLIAMS IS GONNA GO - ROLAND WILLIAMS IS GONNA MARCH INTO THE END ZONE - TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS - An 81 Yard Bomb from Gannon to Williams and it is 14-0 Oakland.

Oilers at the 35.  

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Cannon gets 2.

3/8 - Blanda finds Bill Groman, that's a 16 yard gain.

1/10 - Charley Tolar goes for 3. 

2/7 - Blanda picks it up on the last play of the qtr - 15 yards all the way to the Oakland 29.

2nd Raiders

Gannon's come out slinging; Oakland up 14, just going right after the Oilers.  Houston has a first down at the Raider 29.

1/10 - Blanda to Cannon for 9.

2/1 - Tolar is stopped dead. 

3/1 - Blanda looking for the end zone --- Broken up by Charles Woodson and now it's 4th down.

4th and short- but Houston not taking the points - they're going to go for it right now, that's good stuff - let's go.  

4/1 - Cannon picks it up.  Houston at the 18.

1/10 - Tolar gets 2.

2/8 - Tolar busts up the gut - Tolar busts up the gut - Tolar into the endzone -- TOUCHDOWN OILERS - Charley Tolar into the endzone --  16 yard TD run and the deficit is cut in half....nope, it's not, Blanda misses the PAT

Oakland at the 20.

3 and out.  Oilers get the quick stop and take over at their own 40.

1/10 - Blanda to Cannon, Cannon making men miss - Cannon's got a 23 yard gain to the 37.

The next 3 plays net 4 yards....and then Blanda misses the 50 yard FG and Oakland regains at their own 40.

Oakland picks up one first down on a Gannon 18 yard shot to Terry Kirby, but again Oakland settles for a FG attemt....and again Janikowski misses it - Janikowski misses his second FG of the half.  

Houston at their own 37, 5:37 left in the half.  Down 14-6.

3 and out, Trace Armstrong getting a sack.  

Oakland ball at their own 33.  2:39 left.

1/10 - Wheatley gets a yard.

2/8 - Garner gets 2 at the 2 minute warning, a false start makes it 3rd and 12.

3/12 - Gannon over the middle to Rice -- Rice runs away from the defense, 19 yard gain for the 40 year old Rice to midfield.

1/10 - Gannon to Garner - Garner's in space, 17 yards and Oakland's at the 33.

That's as far as it goes - the next 3 plays net 5 yards --- this time the Janikowski FG is good and it's 17-6.  Houston will take the ball at the 20 with a minute left in the half - Blanda hits Cannon -- Cannon is Rocked by Bill Romanowski - Romanowski forces the Fumble and 

Oakland will take oer with just under a minute left in the half at the Oiler 33.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Gannon in trouble, scrambles for 4 yards and a timeout.

3/6 - Gannon in trouble again - Gannon across the line - he's got 7 and it out of bounds at the 22 with 30 seconds left.  

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Gannon to Rice, 17 yards - Rice is taken down at the 5 - Oakland stopping the clock with 13 seconds left.  

1/goal - It's a run - it's Garner -- Charlie Garner is into the endzone -- TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS -- Oakland calls a run with 13 seconds left in the half - it pays off and we go to the locker room 24-6.

3rd Qtr

2nd best offense in 2002, the Raiders are just punishing the Oilers.  

Oakland starts at the 29.

1/10 Wheatley gets 1.

2/9 - Charlie Garnet gets 9 and a 5 yard facemask gives Oakland a first down at the 42.

1/10 - Gannon forced to run, gets 2.

2/8 - Gannon to Tim Brown - 5 yards.  3rd and short

3/3 - Gannon again to Brown, 8 yards and the Raiders are again in Oiler territory.

1/10 - Garner gets 8.

2/2 - Kirby gets 6, Oakland picks up another first down at the 35. 

But that's all - a Don Floyd sack backs Oakland up and they punt.  

Oilers at the 11.  3 and out.  

Raiders in great field position at the Oiler 38.  

3 and out - and then Janikowski misses his 3rd FG of the day.  

Oilers at their own 36.

1/10 - Billy Cannon breaks a 29 yard run.  

1/10 - Tolar gets 14 - two big runs and Houston's at the 21.

1/10 - Blanda finds Dave Smith for 16 - Houston getting chunks of yards and have a first and goal.  

1/goal - Tolar for 2

2/goal -- Billy Cannon is into the end zone -- TOUCHDOWN OILERS - and with 2 minutes left in the third it is 24-13 Raiders.

Oakland at the 30.

1/10 - Garner gets a yard.

2/9 - Incomplete

3/9 - Gannon goes back to Brown - 16 more and Oakland's near midfield.

Two plays net a yard and as the qtr ends, Oakland has a 3rd and 9.

4th Qtr

Critical play here for Houston, they trail by 11, Oakland has a 3rd and long - if Houston can get the ball back right now, they have an opening to pull into this game.

Incomplete.  

After the punt, Houston takes over at the 21.  Okay.  Let's see what's what.

1/10 - Smith goes for 13.

1/10 - Smith gets 1

2/9 - Tolar is stopped at the line, 3rd and 9.

3/9 - Blanda picks it up - hits Groman for 15 and the Oilers have a first down at midfield.

But that's as far as it goes and after the Houston punt, it's Oakland at their own 9, little less than 10 minutes left, with a 24-13 lead.

1/10 - Wheatly carries for 13.

1/10 - Gannon finds Doug Jolley for 11.  

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Gannon screen to Terry Kirby and its a convoy - 37 yards right down the field - Oakland is at the Oiler 30.

The next 3 plays net 5 yards....this time Janikowski's FG is good -- it's 27-13 Oakland with 6:38 to go in the game.  Cannon terrific runback - all the way to the 46.

1/10 - Smith gets 6.

2/4 - Tolar picks it up.

1/10 - Cannon gets a yard.

2/9 - Blanda hits Hennigan for 15 and Houstons at the Raider 28 yard line.  Holding on the next play backs them up 10, little more than 5 left.  

1/20 - Cannon gets 4.

2/16 - Incomplete.  

3/16 - Blanda picks it up - 21 yards to Groman -- Houston has the ball at the Raider 13 yard line.

1/10 - Smith gets 3.

2/7 - Cannon gets 2.

3/5 -- Blanda looks to the endzone-- Hennigan --- TOUCHDOWN OILERS - 8 yard score from Blanda to Charley Hennigan  - and now with 3:45 left to go in the football game the Houston Oilers trail 27-20.  

They kick it deep - Oakland starting back at their own 14.  They need to pick up a couple of first downs.

1/10 - Gannon's throwing - surprise -- it's Garner out of the backfield and he's got a 14 yard gain - big play call there.  

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Wheatley gets a yard - and it's the 2 minute warning.  

3/9 - Garner gets a yard - Oilers call timeout - Oakland has to punt -- Oilers take possession at their own 35 with a little less than 2 minutes to go.  

Can Blanda drive down for the tie?

1/10 - Blanda dump off to Tolar, gets a yard and he's out of bounds.  

2/9 - Blanda goes downfield -- Groman -- 26 yards - that's a big strike - the Oilers are at the Raider 38 yard line! Oilers second time out.  

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Blanda finds John White -- 13 yards -- Houston is at the Oakland 25 yard line -- Blanda up to the line quickly and spikes the ball.  28 seconds left in the game.  Oilers 2nd down at the Raider 25.  Down 7 points.  

Woooooooo.  Okay.  

2/10 - Blanda picks it up - Hennigan over the middle for 11 - Houston calls their final timeout of the game at 19 seconds to go at the Raider 14 yard line.  14 yard line.  

1/10 - Blanda drops back - Blanda looks to Groman -- End Zone --- Incomplete.  

11 seconds left.  

2/10 - Blanda drops back.  Blanda -- looks endzone -- Hennigan.....PICKED OFF BY ROD WOODSON!  PICKED OFF BY ROD WOODSON!  WOODSON INTERCEPTION IN THE ENDZONE!  Woodson takes the knee - just a couple seconds left, victory formation for Oakland and it is done.

Final: Raiders 27 Oilers 20

37 year old Rod Woodson picks off Blanda in the endzone to preserve the victory - Oakland will head to round two.

Gannon: 20 for 27, 387 yds, 2 TD

Blanda: 17 for 27, 239 yds, 1 TD/ 1 INT

Garner: 13 carries, 48 yds, 4 catches, 42 yds 1 TD

Cannon: 18 carries, 56 yds, 3 catches, 46 yds, 1 TD

Rice: 6 catches, 95 yds

Williams: 2 catches, 91 yds, 2 TD

Hennigan: 6 catches, 75 yds TD

Player of the Game: Rich Gannon

256 Team NFL Tournament: Region 6/Round 1: 1994 Dallas Cowboys v. 1952 LA Rams

 '86 Giants v. '71 Vikes

11. 1952 LOS ANGELES RAMS at 6. 1994 DALLAS COWBOYS

6. 1994 DALLAS COWBOYS

Record: 12-4

Pythag: 12-4

Off: 2nd

Def: 3rd

1st NFC East

d. Packers Div Rnd 35-9

Lost NFC Title Niners 38-28

HC Barry Switzer OC Ernie Zampese DC Butch Davis

Texas Stadium: 60 degrees

Brad Sham/Dale Hansen

Offense

QB Troy Aikman (28 UCLA)

RB Emmitt Smith (25 Florida) All Pro

RB Moose Johnston (28)

WR Alvin Harper (26)

WR Michael Irvin (28 Miami)

TE Jay Novacek (32)

LT Mark Tuinei (34) 

LG Nate Newton (33) All Pro

C Mark Stepnoski (27)

RG Derek Kennard (32)

RT Larry Allen (23-R Sonoma St)

Defense

LDE Tony Tolbert (27)

LDT Russell Maryland (25 Miami)

RDT Leon Lett (26)

RDE Charles Haley (30 J Madison) All Pro

LLB Dixon Edwards (26)

MLB Robert Jones (25)

RLB Darrin Smith (24)

LCB Kevin Smith (24)

RCB Larry Brown (25)

SS Darren Woodson (25) All Pro

FS James Washington (29)

K Chris Boniol (23)

P John Jett (26)

KR/PR Kevin Williams (23)

The '86 Giants will host the winner of this one; the '94 Cowboys failed in a three-peat attempt, they were 2nd in offense, 3rd in defense. 8 Pro Bowlers on offense.  28 year old Troy Aikman had 14 scores and 12 picks.  The two All Pros on offense are 33 year old Nate Newton and 25 year old Emmitt Smith; 22 scores for Emmitt, over 1800 yards of total yards from scrimmage. Over 1200 yards receiving for a 28 year old Michael Irvin. 2 All Pros on defense, 30 year old Charles Haley with his 12.5 sacks and 25 year old Darren Woodson with 5 picks. No Jimmy Johnson on the sidelines, Barry Switzer coaches these Cowboys. If this game sounds familiar, it should, the '93 Cowboys beat up on the '53 Rams in Region 2.  

11. 1952 LOS ANGELES RAMS

Record: 9-3

Pythag: 9-3

Off: 1st

Def: 6th

2nd NFL National Div

Lost Lions Div Rnd 31-21 

HC: Hampton Pool

Offense

QB Norm Van Brocklin (26)

FB Dan Towler (24 All Pro)

RB Skeets Quinlan (24-R)

RB Tank Younger (24)

WR Crazy Legs Hirsch (29)

WR Tom Fears (30)

LT Don Simensen (26)

LG Dick Daugherty (23)

C Leon McGlaughlin (27)

RG Harry Thompson (26)

RT Tom Dahms (25)

Defense

LDE Larry Brink (29)

LDT Jim Winkler (25)

MG Stan West (26) All Pro

RDT Ken Casner (22-R)

RDE Andy Robustelli (27)

LLB Tank Younger (24)

RLB Don Paul (27)

LCB Jerry Williams (29)

RCB Night Train Lane (24-R)

LS Woodley Smith (27)

RS Herb Rich (24)

K/P Bob Waterfield (32)

KR Skeets Quinlan (24)

PR Woodley Lewis (27)

Last year's Super Bowl Champs and a Greatest Show on Turf Rams have advanced, here's another chance for one of these 50s Rams squads.  They're driven by the best offense from 1952, Norm Van Brocklin is 26, 14 scores and 17 picks. The first team All Pro is Dan Towler, 24, with 10 scores in a 12 game season.  The defense is midding and really likely to struggle against the Cowboy offense; they've got one All Pro, 26 year old Stan West.  

Winner heads to New York to face the '86 Giants in round 2.  Let's go to Dallas for the kick.

1st Qtr

Dallas at the 27.

1/10 - Emmitt gets the carry to start and goes for 9.

2/1 - Emmitt buried in the backfield and it's 3rd and 4.

3/4 - Troy Aikman's first pass is to Moose Johnston, 9 and the first.  

1/10 - Emmitt gets 3.

2/7 - Emmitt gets 3

3/4 - Aikman finds Jay Novacek, it's 9 yards and another first down.

1/10 - Dallas is at the Rams 43, Emmitt gets 1.

2/9 - Aikman finds Novacek for 5.  One more third down.

3/4 - Aikman hits Alvin Harper on the sideline, he is out of bounds at the Ram 23.

1/10 - Emmitt powers his way for 10.  

1/10- Emmitt gets 9, the next play backs Dallas up 5 on a false start.  

2/6 - Stan West sacks Aikman and it is 3rd and long.  

3/10 - Pitch to Emmitt - running right behind Larry Allen - And Emmitt will go into the End Zone -- TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS - Dallas chews up over 8 minutes, 13 plays, 73 yards.

Rams at the 28.  3 and out.

Dallas at the 33.  3 and out including an Andy Robustelli sack.

Rams at the 43.

1/10 - Dan Towler for 3.

2/7 - Tank Younger loses a yard.

3/8 - Norm Van Brocklin's first completion is to Tom Fears - 14 yards and LA is at the Dallas 41.

The last play of the quarter is a Towler 4 yard gain.

2nd Qtr

Dallas had a long, long TD drive to open the game and that's where it stands.  LA with 2nd and 6 at the Cowboy 37. 

2/6 - Skeets Quinlan for 1.

3/5 - Incomplete

LA not going to attempt the 53 yard FG - nor go for it - instead it's a punt - and Dallas will open at the 16.

1/10 - Emmitt gets 3.

2/7 - Lincoln Coleman gets a carry, he gets a yard.

3/6 - Emmitt busts one.  The Rams were going to struggle with the Dallas offense and you see that now - 42 yards for Emmitt Smith to the LA 38.

That's it.  3 plays get 0 and Dallas punts to the LA 24.

1/10 - Tank Younger gets a yard.

2/9 - Towler gets 6 and it's another 3rd down.  

3/3 - Van Brocklin hits a home run - 61 yard yards to Crazy Legs Hirsch - NVB right down the heart of the defense - Hirsch is all the way to the Cowboy 8 yard line for a first and goal.

But it ends right here.  LA settles for the chip shot and it's 7-3.

Dallas at the 30.  3 and out.  LA gets it back at the 36, little under 5 left in the half.

LA gets first downs on back to back pass plays - 10 to Hirsch and then 10 to Fears -- but that's all and it's another punt.  

Dallas at the 12.  1:38 left.  

1/10 - Aikman downfield to Harper - 26 yards - Dallas stops the clock at their own 38.

1/10 - Aikman gives to Johnston - Stan West flashes into the backfield - hits Johnston - punches the ball loose -and the Rams have the football!  The Rams turn the Cowboys over with 1:20 left in the half. 

1/10 - Younger gets 1, LA goes back 5 on the next play

2/14- Van Brocklin dumps off to Younger for a yard, he's out of bounds, 3rd and a bunch.

3/13 - Van Brocklin finds the rookie, Bob Carey, for a 16 yard gain, first down to the 25, Rams stop the clock.

1/10 - NVB to Fears, 3 quick yards and out of bounds. 37 seconds left.  

2/7 - Incomplete

3/7 - Incomplete 

Waterfield comes on....hits the 39 yard FG... Dallas runs the ball into the line and is content to go into the locker room, Cowboys still up 7-6.

Third Qtr

Dallas took the opening drive down the field to go up 7-0 as the game began - but that's the extend of their offense, LA puts up a couple FG and now it's 7-6.

Rams at the 16.

3 and out.  Dallas in really good field position at the 41.  

3 and out.  Rams deep in their own end at the 5 yard line.

1/10 - Charles Haley sacks NVB right at the goal line, almost a safety, but the officials rule that NVB is out of the endzone, but the Rams have a 2nd and 15.

2/15 - Towler with the nice gain, he gets a dozen to make it 3rd and short.

3/3 - Give to Younger - he is crunched by Leon Lett and Russell Maryland.  Fumble -- - Fumble -- Dallas takes over at the LA 9 yard line, Dallas with a first and goal.  

1/goal - Aikman to Emmitt in the flat - breaks a tackle and Emmitt is into the End Zone -- TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS - The Rams forced a late second qtr fumble - Dallas returns that favor and the turn it into a TD.  13-6.  

Rams at the 17.

1/10 - NVB hits Hirsch.  13 yards to the 30.

1/10 - Towler punches forward for 9.

2/1 - 15 more for Towler, strong run for Towler and LA is across midfield.

1/10 - Quinlan takes a pitch and goes for 16 -- Rams picking up good yards on the ground - Rams at the Cowboy 29 yard line.

But that's it - 3 plays get a yard -- and then Waterfield.....misses....a 45 yard FG and Dallas regains possession at the 36.

3 and out. The Rams maligned defense has shown up since that first drive of the game.  And when Woodley Lewis returns the punt to midfield -  the Rams are in good shape.

They get one first down, NVB hitting Quinland - but the drive stops at the 31 -- long 48 yard FG for Waterfield is good - and so Dallas starts with under a minute left, it's 14-9, really nice runback for Kevin Williams to the 46.

Time for one play, it gets zero and we head to the final qtr.

4th qtr

Super tight here, Dallas took advantage of a turnover deep in LA territory to add that second TD, but their lead is only 14-9.  Cowboys have a second and 10 at their own 46.

2/10 -- Aikman has barely looked at Michael Irvin today, he is getting locked down by the rookie Night Train Lane - he throws to Irvin here and it is Picked Off by Lane -- Lane intercepts Aikman and the Rams take over at their own 46.  Big, big, big play.

2 Rams plays net 3 yards.  

On the third play, NVB is Picked Off by Darren Woodson - Woodson gets the football right back for the Cowboys - and they will take over at their own 35 yard line.

Dallas ball at the 35, 12:30 left, Dallas up 14-9.

1/10 - Emmitt is stopped at the line, and there's a holding call on the next play that makes it 2nd and 20 at the 25.

2/20 - Aikman has to settle for Emmitt for 3 yards and here's a big play - 3rd and forever -- 

3/17 - Aikman dialing it up -- home run to Alvin Harper -- 47 yards and thats a big bomb - there's no Michael Irvin today, just totally locked up by Lane - but here's a huge play by Alvin Harper. 

The next 3 plays net 7 -- Boniol FG makes it 17-9 Dallas.

Rams at the 38.  A TD/2 pt conversion would force OT.

1/10 - Quinlan busts one - 35 big yards - Quinlan all the way to the Cowboy 27.  Holding on the next play and its 1st and 20.

1/20 - NVB finds Tom Fears for 14.  

But that's it.  Incomplete on both second and third -- LA chooses FG on 4th and 6....and it is no good....Dallas regains possession at the 30 yard line, 7 minutes left, up 17-9.

1/10 - Coleman gets  a yard.

2/9 -- Emmitt...here he goes -- Emmitt Smith bounding up the sideline -- Emmitt Smith rumbling up the sideline -- it's a 50 yard shot through the Los Angeles heart.

1/10 - Blair Thomas gets a carry.  1 yd.

2/9 - Aikman goes to Kevin Williams for 16 - that's a first down and the Cowboys now have a first and goal.

1/goal - Emmitt.  End Zone.  TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS - and that will be that - Dallas up 24-9 with just 3 and a half minutes to go.  The Dallas Cowboys will move to round 2.

LA starts at their own 45.  3:25 left.  They pick up a first down on a 16 yard pass to Hirsch, but on a 4th down and 8, Chad Hennings gets a sack and Dallas takes over on downs at their own 42.  

They run the ball on every play, burn all the Rams timeouts - get one first down and punt with just a handfull of seconds left.  It's Bob Waterfield who takes a couple of shots to no end as the gun goes off.

Final: Cowboys 24 Rams 9

Defense+Emmitt Smith was the formula in this one.  Dallas will head to New York to play the '86 Giants.  

Aikman: 10 for 15, 150 1 TD/1 INT

NVB 12 for 26, 169 yds 1 INT

Emmitt: 22 carries, 146 yds, 3 TD

Towler: 15 for 66

Harper: 3 catches, 89 yds

Hirsch: 4 catches, 100 yds

Player of the Game: Emmitt Smith

256 Team NFL Tournament: Region 6/Round 1: 1986 New York Giants v. 1971 Minnesota Vikings

 '53 Browns v. '21 Patriots

14. 1971 MINNESOTA VIKINGS at 3. 1986 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION NEW YORK GIANTS

3. 1986 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION NEW YORK GIANTS

Record: 14-2

Pythag: 12-4

Off: 8th

Def: 2nd

1st NFC East

d. Niners Div Rnd 49-3

d. Redskins NFC Title 17-0

d. Broncos Super Bowl 39-20

HC Bill Parcells OC Ron Erhardt DC Bill Belichick

Jim Gordon/Dick Lynch

Giants Stadium: 45 degrees

Offense:

QB Phil Simms (31 Morehead)

RB Joe Morris (26 Syracuse) All Pro

FB Maurice Carthon (25 Ark St)

WR Bobby Johnson (25 Kansas)

WR Stacy Robinson (24 N Dak St)

TE Mark Bavaro (23 N Dame) All Pro

LT Brad Benson (31 Penn St)

LG Billy Ard (27 Wake)

C Bart Oates (28 BYU)

RG Chris Godfrey (28 Mich)

RT Karl Nelson (26 Iowa St)

Defense

LDE George Martin (33 Ore)

NT Jim Burt (27 Miami)

RDE Leonard Marshall (25 LSU)

LOLB Carl Banks (24 Mich St)

LILB Gary Reasons (24 NW St)

RILB Harry Carson (33 S Carol St)

ROLB Lawrence Taylor (27 UNC) All Pro

LCB Mark Collins (22-R C-St Fullerton)

RCB Perry Williams (25 NC St)

SS Kenny Hill (28 Yale)

FS Terry Kinard (27 Clemson)

K Raul Allegre (27 Texas)

P Sean Landeta (24 Towson) All Pro

KR/PR Phil McConkey (29 Navy)

Bottom half of Region 6 starts with the third seed, the '86 Super Bowl Champs with the 2nd best defense in the league, LT is 27, All Pro, he and 25 year old Leonard Marshall combined for 32.5 sacks.  The offense is okay, Phil Simms is 31, 22 total scores, 22 picks. 26 year old Joe Morris was an All Pro, 15 scores and over 1500 rushing. 23 year old Mark Bavaro and 24 year old Sean Landeta also earned first team All Pro status. Giants looking to advance their first team into Rnd 2.

14. 1971 MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Record: 11-3

Pythag: 11-3

Off: 18th

Def: 1st

1st NFC Central

Lost Div Rnd Cowboys 20-12

HC Bud Grant OC Jerry Burns DC Neill Armstrong

Offense

QB Gary Cuozzo (30 UVA)

RB Clint Jones (26 Mich St)

FB Dave Osborn (28 N Dakota)

WR Bob Grim (26 Ore St)

WR Gene Washington (27 Mich St)

TE Stu Voigt (23 Wisc)

LT Grady Alderman (33 Det Mercy)

LG Ed White (24 Cal)

C Mick Tingelhoff (31 Nebraska)

RG Milt Sunde (29 Minn)

RT Ron Yary (25 USC) All Pro

Defense

LDE Carl Eller (29 Minn) All Pro

LDT Gary Larsen (31 Concordia-Moorhead)

RDT Alan Page (26 N Dame) All Pro

RDE Jim Marshall (34 Ohio St)

LLB Roy Winston (31 LSU)

MLB Carl Gersbach (24 W Chester)

RLB Wally Hilgenberg (29 Iowa)

LCB Charlie West (25 UTEP)

RCB Ed Sharockman (32 Pitt)

SS Karl Kassulke (30 Drake)

FS Paul Krause (29 Iowa)

K Fred Cox (33 Pitt)

P Bob Lee (25 Pacific)

KR/PR Charlie West (25 UTEP)

The Vikes are on the wrong end of this 3/14 matchup; the '70 Vikes have already advanced.  Strong defense, of course, best in the league and we are really likely to get a defensive battle from Giants Stadium today.  Carl Eller's 29, Alan Page 26, both All Pros from the People Eaters.  We might see multiple QBs today, Gary Cuozzo will start, 30 years old, 6 scores and 8 picks. 25 year old Ron Yary is an All Pro.

We go to the Meadowlands for the kick.

1st Qtr

Giants start at the 37.

1/10 - Phil Simms going downfield on the first play of the game - 24 yards to Mark Bavaro - big strike.  

But that's all - 3 plays net 2 yards and the Giants punt.  

Vikes at the 9.

1/10 - Clint Jones loses 5.

2/15 - Jones loses 2 more and it's 3rd and 17 at the 2.

3/17 - Gary Cuozzo picks it up - 19 yards to Al Denson - Vikes out to the 21.

1/10 - Give to Dave Osborn -- he is met with a Thump by Harry Carson -- Fumble -- the Giants take over at the Viking 27.  

1/10 - Simms finds Stacy Robinson for 16.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Joe Morris takes a pitch right - through the line -- scoots all the way to the endzone TOUCHDOWN GIANTS - Harry Carson forces a quick fumble, Joe Morris is into the endzone and the Giants go up 7-0.

Vikes at the 18.

1/10 - Jones loses 4 more - the Giants really dominating the line of scrimmage.

2/14 - Jones for 2

3/12 - Cuozzo again with a long third down conversion, 17 yards to Bob Grim.

But that's it - nothing on the next 3 plays and after the punt the Giants take over at their own 40.

1/10 - Simms starts each drive so far by throwing it downfield - this one to Phil McConkey for 17.

1/10 - Simms keeps firing - 18 to Bobby Johnson - Giants at the 28.

1/10 - Simms to Bavaro, short.  3 yards.

2/7 - Morris gets 1.

3/6 Simms to Morris in the flat, Morris makes a mad miss - Joe Morris for a dozen to the Viking 15 yard line.

The drive stalls - short FG for Raul Allegre makes it 10-0.

Vikes start at the 19 - one play before the quarter ends, Cuoozo to Grim for 20 yards.

2nd Qtr

Giants have it all going on both sides of the ball in the first qtr - the passing game especially effective.  Vikes at their own 39, first down.

1/10 - Osborn stopped at the line.

2/10 - Oscar Reed for 2.

3/8 - Cuozzo hits Gene Washington for 28, Vikes doing a good job picking up third and longs through big air strikes.  

The next 3 plays net 3 yards - Fred Cox hits the 45 yard FG and it's 10-3.

Giants at the 37.

1/10 - Morris gets 4.

2/6 - Incomplete

3/6 - Morris again, he gets 10 and the Giants are across midfield.

That's all - NYG gets 7 more but then punts.  Vikes at the 14.  

The Vikes lose 6 yards on the drive, LT getting the third down sack.  Vikes have to punt from their 8.  

NY starts from the Minnesota 38.  5:34 left.  

3 and out - Allegre hits the 49 yard FG and it's 13-3 NY.  Viking defense doing a nice job in the 2nd.

Vikes at the 31.

3 plays lose 8 yards. A second LT sack.  And the Giants will be starting at their own 39, right after the 2 minute warning.

1/10 - Morris gets 4, goes out of bounds.  

2/6 - Simms finds Stacy Robinson for 9 yards, the Giants cross midfield.

1/10 - Simms over the middle to Bavaro -- Intercepted by Paul Krause -- Krause is down at the Viking 48 - Vikes take over with a minute left.

1/10 - Cuozzo sacked again, Leonard Marshall gets him, Vikes stop clock.

2/14 - Cuozzo goes deep - huge strike - 41 yards to Voigt - he's out of bounds at the Giants 15 yard line, big play.

And that's all - the next 3 plays lose 5 yards, Leonard Marshall gets his second sack - and then Fred Cox misses the FG as the half ends.

Third Qtr

Giants up 13-3, seems unlikely the Vikes can move the ball enough against the Giants defense to make up much more than this deficit.

Vikes start at the 30.

And after 3 downs, they're at the 24, losing 6 yards on the Carl Banks sack.  That's 5 sacks and a fumble.  

Giants start at the Viking 46.  

3 and out.  Minnesota defense keeping them in the game.  

Vikes at the 14.

They get a couple first downs, 11 yard Cuozzo to Voigt, 9 yard Osborn run - but Banks gets his second sack and the Vikes punt from their own 33.

Giants at the 38.

1/10 - Gary Larsen gets Minnesota's first sack, 7 yards.

2/17 - Morris for 2

3/15 - Simms hits McConkey over the middle - 27 yards to the Viking 40.  They go back 5 on a false start.

1/15 - Maurice Carthon gets a yard.

2/14 - 6 for Morris.

3/8- Simms picks it up - 10 yards to Bavaro and the Giants are at the 28.

1/10 - Simms to Morris for 11 - Giants at the Viking 17.

The drive stalls there - another Allegre FG makes it 16-3.

Vikes at the 19.

1/10 - Jones gets 18 - the next two plays net 4 yards as the qtr ends.

4th Qtr

6 Giants sacks, the Vikings just can't move the ball, they trail 16-3, with a 3rd and 6 from their own 41.

3/6 - Cuozzo picks it up - 16 to Washington to the 43.

1/10 - Cuozzo 11 to Osborn and the Vikes have their best drive of the day, they're at the Giants 32.

1/10 - Cint Jones off tackle right- following Ron Yary -- Jones breaks it outside -- and Jones Is Gonna Go!  Clint Jones is gonna go!  32 yards into the End Zone - TOUCHDOWN VIKINGS - Clint Jones is into the endzone and now the Giants lead is cut to 6.  

Giants ball at the 24.  They get a first down - Simms to Bavaro for 17.  

But thats it - they punt from midfield - the Vikes regain at the 12, 9:34 remaining.

3 and out. Giants don't allow the Vikes anything here and after the punt the Giants take over just inside Viking territory.

They get a first down on  a12 yard pass to Bavaro - the drive ends at the Viking 25 - Raul Allegre comes on -- 42 yard FG here would maybe put this one out of reach...

.....and it's good.

Allegre right down the middle and it's 19-10.  Vikes get a good return though - they are at their own 41, 4:32 left.  They need two scores.

4 plays net zero yards.  

And that should be that.  The Vikes scored that TD with 9 and a half left but don't have a first down on two drives subsequent, Giants regain at the Viking 39.

3 and out.  After the punt the Vikes take over at the 19.  2:13 left.  

4 plays lose 9 yards, Harry Carson getting New York's 7th sack. Giants regain at the Viking 7 yard line with 1:40 left.  

The Giants run the ball into the line - burning all the Vikes timeouts - at 38 seconds left Allegre kicks the short FG and it's 22-10.

Vikes will through a couple of incomplete passes and the game is over.  

Final: Giants 22 Vikes 10

Minnesota had the one drive to start the quarter, getting within a score - but 7 sacks and a forced fumble by the Giants defense was the story in this one. 

Simms: 14 for 23, 184 yds, 1 INT

Cuozzo: 12 for 24, 110

Morris: 22 for 61, 1 TD

Jones: 15 for 47, 1 TD

Bavaro: 5 catches, 60 yds

Voigt: 2 catches, 50 yds

Allegre: 5 FGs

Taylor/Carson/Banks: 2 sacks

Player of the Game: Raul Allegre

256 Team NFL Tournament: Region 6/Round 1: 1953 Cleveland Browns v. 2021 New England Patriots

'52 Lions v. '82 Dolphins 

13. 2021 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS at 4. 1953 CLEVELAND BROWNS

4. 1953 CLEVELAND BROWNS

Record: 11-1

Pythag: 10-2

Off: 4th

Def: 1st

1st NFL East

Lost NFL Title Lions 17-16

HC: Paul Brown

Municipal Stadium: 45 degrees

Offense

QB Otto Graham (32 All Pro)

RB Chick Jagade (27)

RB Ken Carpenter (27)

RB Dub Jones (29)

WR Pete Brewster (23)

WR Dante Lavelli (30) 

LT Lou Groza (29 All Pro)

LG Abe Gibron (28)

C Frank Gatski (34 All Pro)

RG Chuck Noll (21-R)

RT John Sandusky (28)

Defense

LDE Doug Atkins (23-R)

LDT Don Colo (28)

MG Bill Willis (32 All Pro)

RDT Derrell Palmer (31)

RDE Len Ford (27 All Pro)

LLB Walt Michaels (24)

RLB Tommy Thompson (26 All Pro)

LCB Warren Lahr (30)

RCB Tommy James (30)

LS Ken Gorgal (24)

RS Ken Konz (25)

K Lou Groza (29)

P Horace Gillom (32)

KR Ken Carpenter (27)

PR Billy Reynolds (22)

Let's rewind to Region 3: 10th seeded 1960 Browns 50 7th seeded 2003 Patriots 14; back up 7 years and fast forward 18 and there's this game.  The '53 Browns had the top defense in the league with 3 All Pros, 32 year old Bill Willis, 27 year old Len Ford, 26 year old Tommy Thompson.  The offense is just okay - 32 year old Otto Graham is an All Pro, 17 scores, 9 picks. 2 linemen are also All Pros, Lou Groza's 29, Frank Gatski's 34. The Browns are going to run the ball over and over again in this one.

13. 2021 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Record: 10-7

Pythag: 12-5

Off: 6th

Def: 2nd

2nd AFC East

Lost Bills WC 47-17

HC Bill Belichick OC Josh McDaniels 

Offense

QB Mac Jones (23 Alabama)

RB Damien Harris

WR Jakobi Meyers

WR Nelson Agholor 

WR Kendrick Bourne

TE Hunter Henry 

T Isaiah Wynn 

G Shaq Mason

C David Andrews 

G Michael Onwenu

T Trent Brown

Defense

DT Davon Godchaux

DT Christian Barmore

LB Matt Judon

LB Kyle Van Noy

LB Ja'Whaun Bentley

LB Dont'a Hightower

CB JC Jackson

CB Jalen Mills

SS Adrian Phillips

FS Devin McCourty

DB Kyle Duggar

K Nick Folk

P Jake Bailey

KR/PR Gunner Olszewski

The 2007 Patriots are the top overall seed in the tournament; they've advanced, as has the '06 team, the '14 team is still to come in this region - this, of course, is the Belichick team w/o Brady, the first Mac Jones team, with the 2nd best defense in the league. 26 year old JC Jackson had 8 picks, 29 year old Matt Judon had 12.5 sacks. On offense, Jones is 23, in his rookie season, 22 scores and 13 picks. 24 year old Damien Harris ran for 15 scores (note, this is now a 17 game season) 

Let's go to Cleveland for the kick.

1st Qtr

Browns at the 32.

3 and out.

Patriots at the 24.  They get a first down - Mac Jones to Jakobi Meyers for 18.

That's it.  After the punt, Browns at the 19.

1/10 - Ken Carpenter gets a yard.

2/9 - Otto Graham's first completion is to Ray Renfro for 9.  First down.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Incomplete

3/10 - Graham finds Pete Brewster for 16, Browns at the 45.

1/10 - Chick Jagade for 4.

2/6 - Renfro gets a yard.

3/5 - Graham hits Dub Jones for 14 and the Browns are at the NE 36.

1/10 - Carpenter gets 10. 

1/10 - Jagade for 1

2/9 - Incomplete

3/9 - Graham finds Renfro downfield, he's got 18 yards and the Browns have a first and goal at the 7.

1/goal - Jagade gets 6.  Browns at the doorstep.

2/goal - Play action - Graham finds a wide open Dub Jones - TOUCHDOWN BROWNS - that's a terrific drive, 14 plays, 81 yards - takes 7 and a half minutes - Browns doing Browns things against a team 70 years in their future.  

Patriots will start at the 23.

1/10 - Damien Harris gets a yard.

2/9 - Harris gets a dozen.

1/10 - Jones finds Hunger Henry for a dozen, Patriots near midfield.

1/10 - Jones quick out to Nelson Agholor - he turns upfield - and is Stripped by Warren Lahr - Fumble -- Lahr forces the Agholor fumble and the Browns take over at their own 41.

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

2nd Qtr

The Browns take half the quarter to drive and score - then force a turnover; Cleveland's got a second and 9 at their own 41, up 7-0.

2/9 - Graham converts - 16 yards to Pete Brewster, Browns at the 43.

The next 3 plays net 3 yards and the Patriots take over after a touchback.

1/10 Rhamondre Stevenson gets 9.

2/1 - Jones to Harris for 6,

1/10 - Stevenson gets 1.

2/9 - Harris gets 15, Patriots have crossed midfield.

1/10 - Jones finds Brandon Bolden, 13 yards to the 36.

1/10 - Bolden, draw play - Bolden's into the Secondary -- Bolden's Got Open Field -- Bolden is Into the Endzone --- TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS - just one pass attempt on that drive - Belichick staying on the ground, Brandon Bolden rumbling 36 yards for the game tying score.

Cleveland deep in their own territory at the 5.

They get a first down on a Jagade 12 yard run, but that's it - nice return by Gunner Olszewski, Pats start at the 33.  

1/10 - Harris gets 7.

2/3 - Stevenson is just short of the first down

3/1 - Play action - Jones finds Stevenson on the sideline, he's got 16 and the Pats have a first and goal.

1/goal - Harris for 1

2/goal - Jones to Bolden, just 3 - and it's 3rd and goal at the 4.

3/goal - Stevenson blows into the endzone -- TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS - back to back scores by New England, almost entirely on the ground Belichick has taken Brown's gameplan and fed it back to him.  

Cleveland really struggling with special teams today - they're again pinned back deep in their own territory at the 9 -- and this time they go 3 and out.

After the punt - the Pats again  are in Cleveland territory, just 90 seconds left in the half - Pats at the 38 -- they only get 4 yards - but Folk hits a 51 yard FG and it's now 17-7.  

And it happens to the Browns again on the kick - they start at the 8 - a combination of penalties, muffs, generally bad special teams play causes the Browns again to start deep in their own end.  

1/10 - Jagade stopped at the line - Pats call timeout, New England might try to get this ball back one more time with a minute left.  

2/10 - Jagade gets 1 and there's the second timeout.

3/10 - Graham looking to pass - Graham's flushed - Graham across the line of scrimmage, he's got 4 yards - but that's the Pats third timeout - and with 30 seconds left, the Patriots get the ball back again, Pats at the Browns 48.

1/10 - Handoff - Damien Harris -- AND HARRIS BUSTS THROUGH THE LINE -- Damien Harris busts through the line and he will - go - all - the - way - TOUCHDOWN PATRIOTS - Damien Harris busts through for a 48 yard TD run -- the New England Patriots have scored 24 2nd qtr points - the Browns will just down the ball and go to the locker room after the kick - it is 24-7 Patriots.

3rd Qtr

Just a lightning bolt in the 2nd qtr - 24 straight Patriots points, all on long TD runs, the biggest scoring quarter in the tournament - this Cleveland crowd is stunned. 

Patriots start at the 36.

3 and out.  Browns start at the 31.

1/10 - Ray Renfro carries for 13.

1/10 - Renfro for 16 and the Browns are quickly across midfield.

The next 3 plays net 7 yards - Lou Groza is at the end of his range ---- but he does hit the 50 yard FG and the deficit is 24-10.

Pats start at the 23.

1/10 - Harris loses 1

2/11 - Stevenson stopped at the line.

3/11 - Jones picks is up - 19 to Meyers - the Patriots are at the Browns 41.  

1/10 - Harris goes for 11. 

The next 3 plays net 6 yards - the Patriots punt - the Browns get the ball back at the 18.

1/10 - Jagade stopped at the line.

2/10 - Billy Reynolds gets 13.

1/10 - 2 for Reynolds.

2/8 - Dub Jones gets 11

1/10 - Renfro gets 14 - the Browns, big yardage on the ground.

The next 3 plays lose 2 yards - and so the qtr ends with a 4th and 12 for the Browns near midfield.

4th Qtr

24-10 Pats, Cleveland punting the ball back to them as the qtr starts.  NE will start at their own 6.

1/10 - Jones over the middle to Meyers for 5.

2/5 - Bolden gets a dozen, big first down for the Patriots to get away from their end zone.

But thats it - 3 more plays net 7 yards - after the punt, the Browns start at their own 39.

1/10 - Jagade stopped at the line.

2/10 - Carpenter stopped at the line.

3/10 - Graham finds Dante Lavelli for the first time all day - it's 29 big yards - all the way to the Patriot 32.  

1/10 - Reynolds gets 2.

2/8 - Reynolds gets 11, Browns at the 23.  

1/10 - Jagade for 1

2/9 - Reynolds gets 8 and the Browns are at the 14.  

3/1 - Graham to pass - back corner of the endzone -- Lavelli -- TOUCHDOWN BROWNS - Graham 14 yards to Lavelli and the Browns have cut the deficit to 24-17.

Patriots at their own 32.  6:36 left.  Can the Browns get a quick stop?

They can.  3 and out.  Browns getting the ball back at the 29.  4:21 left.

24-17.  Can Cleveland tie this score?

1/10 - Reynolds for 8.

2/2 - Graham to Horace Gillom for 4 and it's a first down.

1/10 - Carpenter for 1

2/9 - Jagade for 6 and it's a third and 3.  Big play here.

3/3 - Reynolds picks it up, 3 yards - and the Browns are at the Patriot 49 at the 2 minute warning.

1/10 - Reynolds gets 1 - the Browns running on every play of the drive.

2/9 - Graham goes downfield -- it's Lavelli -- Caught -- 22 yards and Cleveland it at the 26 and this stadium is quaking.

1/10 - Graham to Brewster - 15 yards -- that's another 1st down and Cleveland has first down at the 11.

1/10 - Graham over the middle - Brewster -- Brewster at the 3-2-1---- TOUCHDOWN BROWNS - TOUCHDOWN BROWNS - Cleveland has scored 17 straight points and tied this game at 24 - Graham 11 yard TD pass to Brewster to tie this score.

Patriots have some time, 1:15, and the ball at the 22.

They get one first down, Jones to Henry for 9 - but that's it, and with a few seconds left in the game they punt.  Graham hits a 21 yard pass to Lavelli and we end regulation tied at 24.

OT

Cleveland shuts out NE in the second half - scores 17 of their own and we head to Sudden Death 

Browns win the toss.  They start at the 28.

1/10 - Renfro gets 16, Browns at the 44.  

1/10 - Jagade loses 2.

2/12 - Carpenter gets all 12 and the Browns are across midfield - this is sudden death, NE may not get the ball at all if Cleveland can score. 

The next 3 plays net 9 yards and so Cleveland has a 4th and 1 at the 37.  

Big decision here for Brown.  Go for it?  Punt?  

Neither.  He brings out Groza to attempt a 54 yard FG.

Here's Groza...54.....up.......GOOOD!  GOOOOOD!   GOOOOD!   GOOOOD!

Lou Groza with a 54 yard FG and the Cleveland Browns have defeated the New England Patriots and advance to Rnd 2.

Final: Browns 27 Patriots 24

20 unanswered Browns points and the 2021 Pats go home.

Graham: 16 for 24, 212, 3 TD

Jones: 10 for 14, 121

Renfro: 10 carries for 69, 4 catches for 42

Harris: 16 for 106, 1 TD

Lavelli: 4 catches for 86 1TD

Meyers 3 catches for 42

Player of the Game: Lou Groza

Region 6 is halfway done.

1968 Colts

2020 Saints

1982 Dolphins

1953 Browns

Bottom half of the region next - we've got a SB Champ in the next game.

256 Team NFL Tournament: Region 6/Round 1: 1952 Detroit Lions v. 1982 Miami Dolphins

 '20 Saints v. '64 Bills

12. 1982 AFC CHAMPION MIAMI DOLPHINS at 5. 1952 NFL CHAMPION DETROIT LIONS

5. 1952 NFL CHAMPION DETROIT LIONS 

Record: 9-3

Pythag: 10-2

Off: 2nd

Def: 1st

1st NFL National Div.

d. Rams Div Rnd 31-21

d. Browns NFL Title 17-7

HC Buddy Parker, DC Buster Ramsey

Briggs Stadium: 45 degrees

Van Patrick

Offense

QB Bobby Layne (26 All Pro Texas)

FB Pat Harder (30 Wisc)

RB Jug Girard (25 Wisc)

RB Bob Hoernschemeyer (27 Navy)

WR Cloyce Box (29 W Tex A&M)

WR Leon Hart (24 N Dame)

LT Lou Creekmur (25 All Pro Wm & Mary)

LG Jim Martin (28 N Dame)

C Vince Banonis (31 Det Mercy)

RG Dick Stanfel (25-R S Francisco)

LT Gus Cifelli (26 N Dame)

Defense

LDE Jim Doran (25 Iowa St)

LDT Thurman McGraw (25 All Pro Col St)

MG Les Bingaman (26 Illinois)

RDT John Prchlik (27 Yale)

RDE Blaine Earon (25-R Duke)

LLB Dick Flanagan (26 Ohio St)

RLB LaVern Torgeson (23 Wash St)

LCB Jim David (25-R Col St)

RCB Yale Lary (22-R Tex A&M)

LS Bob Smith (27 Iowa)

RS Jack Christiansen (24 All Pro Col St)

KR Pat Harder (30 Wisc)

P Bob Smith (27 Iowa)

KR/PR Jack Christiansen (24 Col St)

The '54 Lions, the '62 Lions, the '70 Lions have already advanced - the Detroit Lions are really hammering this tournament.  You know, like you'd expect.  Let's go all the way back to '52 for the NFL Champs.  1st in defense.  2nd in offense.  24 year old Jack Christiansen, 25 year old Thurman McGraw both All Pros on defense.  26 year old Bobby Layne is an All Pro, 20 total scores/20 picks. 29 year old Cloyce Box and 25 year old Lou Creekmur are also All Pros, Box scored 15 times.  

12. 1982 AFC CHAMPION MIAMI DOLPHINS

Record: 7-2

Pythag: 7-2

Off: 10th

Def: 2nd

1st AFC East

d. Patriots WC 28-13

d. Chargers Div Rnd 34-13

d. Jets AFC Title 14-0

Lost Super Bowl Redskins 27-17

HC Don Shula, DC Bill Arnsbarger

Offense

QB David Woodley (24 LSU)

RB Tony Nathan (26 Alabama)

FB Andra Franklin (23 Nebraska)

WR Jimmy Cefalo (26 Penn St)

WR Duriel Harris (28 N Mex St)

TE Joe Rose (25 Cal)

LT Jon Giesler (26 Michigan)

LG Bob Kuechenberg (35 N Dame)

C Dwight Stephenson (25 Alabama)

RG Ed Newman (31 Duke)

RT Eric Laasko (26 Tulane)

Defense

LDE Doug Betters (26 Nevada)

NT Bob Baumhower (27 Alabama)

RDE Kim Bokamper (28 S Jose St)

LOLB Bob Brudzinski (27 Ohio St)

LILB AJ Duhe (27 LSU)

RILB Earnest Rohne (29 Henderson)

ROLB Larry Gordon (28 Ariz St)

LCB Don McNeal (24 Alabama)

RCB Gerald Small (26 S Jose St)

SS Glenn Blackwood (25 Tex)

FS Lyle Blackwood (31 TCU)

K Uwe Von Schamann (26 Okla)

P Tom Orosz (23 Ohio St)

KR Fulton Walker (24 W Virginia)

PR Tommy Vigorito (23 UVA)

We haven't seen many Dolphins teams in the tournament; we did see the '75 team advance as 11th seeds.  Here's a 12th seed, the strike shortened AFC Champs from '82 with the 2nd best defense in the league, the Killer Bees front 4 combined for 16.5 sacks in a 9 game season.  24 year old David Woodley is the QB of a mediocre offense that might struggle to move the ball against the best defense from '52. 7 total scores, 8 picks. 23 year old fullback Andra Franklin scored 7 times in 9 games. 

Is a 4th Lions team about to advance?  Let's go to Detroit for the kick.

1st Qtr

Lions at the 17.

Detroit picks up 1 first down, Bobby Layne 10 yards to Bob Hoernschemeyer, but a Bob Brudzinski third down sack ends the drive.  

Dolphins at the 35.  They pick up a first down on a David Woodley 21 yard pass to Nat Moore, but that's all and after the punt, Lions at the 14.

1 first down.  Jug Girard with an 8 yard run.  But another punt and Miami at the 32.

3 and out. Lions at the 35.  

1/10 - Hoernschemeyer gets 2

2/8 - Pat Harder gets 10 and the first.  

2 runs get 5 yards - the quarter ends and it's 3rd and 5 at the Dolphin 48.

2nd Qtr

Just defense in the first qtr - Detroit has a third down and 5...

...they don't pick it up.  

Another punt, Dolphins start at the 12.

3 and out.  Neither team able to do anything at all offensively.  

Lions get the good Jack Christiansen return, they start all the way at the Miami 42.

Layne to Girardi 10 yard completion gives them a first down - but that's all - and Harder will then miss a 39 yard FG and still, we are scoreless.

Miami at the 29.  They'll get a first down, Andra Franklin picks up 11 on the ground - but that's all, this drive is 6 straight runs and a punt.  First FG wins here in Detroit.  

Lions at the 22.  Girard 12 yard run gets them a first.  

But, of course, another punt. Miami takes over at the 33, 3 minutes and change left in a scoreless first half.

1/10 - Tony Nathan gets 5.

2/5 - Franklin picks up 1.

3/4 - Woodley hits Joe Rose, a 12 yard game gets Miami across midfield and its the 2 minute warning. 

1/10 - Franklin gets 4.

2/6 - Incomplete

3/6 - Shula calls a draw - and it works, Tony Nathan busts a 19 yarder all the way to the 26 yard line, the Dolphins call timeout with 90 seconds left.

1/10 - Franklin gets 3 yards.

2/7 - Incomplete.

3/7 - Shula calls the draw again - again it works - Franklin's got the first down -- and Franklin's gonna go - Franklin rumbles 23 yards into the end zone TOUCHDOWN DOLPHINS-- and with a minute left in the half the Miami Dolphins go up 7-0. 

Lions at the 17.  

1/10 - Layne to Leon Hart for 8 and a timeout. 

2/2 - Layne in trouble - but he escapes contain, he's got 9 yards and is out of bounds at the 34 with 40 seconds to go in the half.  

1/10 - Layne under pressure again - throws into coverage - Picked Off by Don McNeal - McNeal intercepts Layne - and Miami's gonna get another shot - still 30 seconds left, Miami at the Lions 34 yard line.  

1/10 - Another give to Franklin -  And Franklin Breaks Through the Line -- Andra Franklin through the Defense -- Andra Franklin is Gonna Go Into the Endzone - TOUCHDOWN DOLPHINS - Miami scores twice in the last minute of the half to go up 14-0 

Layne has time for a bomb, he completes it - 44 yards to Cloyce Box to end the half

Third Qtr

This sold out Briggs Stadium crowd is stunned - scoreless the first 29 minutes of the half, but two Andra Franklin TD runs sandwich a Don McNeal pick and Miami has a 14-0 lead.

Miami starts at the 35.

One first down on a Nathan 7 yard run - but then a punt, Lions at the 29. They are down 2 scores, they have not moved the ball at all against the second best defense from 1982.

They get a first down, Layne to Hart for 13.  But there's a punt - Miami starts at the 17 and the third quarter is halfway gone.

1/10 - Franklin gets 3.

2/7 - Nathan gets a dozen.  

1/10 - Franklin stopped at the line.

2/10 - Woodley finds Nat Moore, 13 yards to the 45.  

1/10 - Woodley to Nathan for 3.

2/7 - Nathan gets 3

2/4 - Woodley picks it up - 10 yards to Jimmy Cefalo - the Dolphins are at the Lions 39 yard line.

The next 3 plays net 8 yards - Von Schamann then.....misses the 48 yarder and the Lions have kept the game at just the 2 score deficit.  

Time for one play - 19 yard Harder run gets across midfield as the qtr ends.

4th Qtr

Detroit's down 2 scores, but they've got the ball at the Miami 43, 1st down.

1/10 - Hoernschmeyer gets 2.

2/8 - Planned run for Layne, he gets 2.

3/6 - Jug Girard's got it - he's got the first down -- But He's Leveled by AJ Duhe -- Fumble -- Fumble - Fumble - the Dolphins take over at their own 31 - huge play here by the Dolphins defense, up 14 and they have the ball.

3 and out.  

Lions get the good return, first down from their own 48.  

3 and out including a Glenn Blackwood sack.  

Miami gets it back at their own 10 yard line with under 10 minutes to play.

1/10 - Woodley to pass - quick sideline out -- and It's Picked Off by Yale Lary - Lary steps in front of Duriel Harris -- and Lary quickly sprints into the end zone -- TOUCHDOWN LIONS -- Yale Lary with the pick 6 - Yale Lary with the pick 6 and the Lions slice the deficit in half.

Miami ball at the 33.  9 minutes left.  Can the Lions get a quick stop?  Will Shula hesitate to throw the ball after the Woodley pick?

3 and out.  

The Lion fans can smell it now, the momentum shifting their way - and on the punt, Yale Lary, who just took that pick back for the score - comes off the corner to BLOCK THE KICK - Lary blocks the punt and the Lions will take over at the Miami 8 yard line!  Lions at the Dolphins 8 yard line!

But the next 3 plays lose 6 yards, Doug Betters with the third down sack - Detroit settles for the FG and so with 7:25 left, the Dolphins start at their own 32, their lead now down to 14-10.

1/10 - Nathan gets 4.  

2/6 - Woodley find Bruce Hardy for 8, it's a first down.

1/10 - Franklin loses 2.

2/12 - Nathan off of left guard - huge block by Stephenson - and Nathan breaks it - Tony Nathan breaks it -- 39 huge yards when Miami needed 39 huge yards - a false start will take the Fish back 5, so they have first and 15 at the Lions 24, little more than 4 left, up 4.  

1/15 - Franklin is stopped.

2/15 - Incomplete

3/15 - Woodley looking to the endzone -- Jimmy Cefalo - TOUCHDOWN DOLPHINS -- David Woodley 24 yards to Jimmy Cefalo and the Dolphins go up 21-10 with less than 4 minutes remaining!  The 12th seeded Dolphins up 11 on the 5th seeded Lions with less than 4 left.

Lions at the 30.  

4 plays...and they turn it over on downs.  

That's that - Miami with the ball at the Lions 35.  They run 3 plays...and then miss a FG.

So it's Detroit with the ball again at their own 36, but down 2 scores.

Miami in the prevent defense - and for the first time all day the Lions move the ball, the key plays a 17 yard Girard run, a 28 yard Hoernschemeyer run, it ends with a short Layne to Hart TD as the clock expires, the 2 point is no good and that's the final.

Final: Dolphins 21 Lions 16

Yale Lary almost stole this one for a Detroit team that could not move the ball; he followed a pick 6 with a blocked punt -- but David Woodley was able to throw for a score to put it away and the Lions fall to Miami.

Woodley: 10 for 20, 101 yds 1 TD/1 INT

Layne: 8 for 19, 95 yds, 1 TD/1 INT

Franklin: 23 for 88 2 TD

Girard: 9 for 64 

Cefalo: 3 for 37 1 TD

Hart: 3 for 25 1 TD

Lary: 1 TD/1 INT/1 Blocked Punt

Player of the Game: Andra Franklin