256 Team NFL Tournament Round 1/Region 9: 2015 Carolina Panthers v. 1966 Kansas City Chiefs

'73 Dolphins v. '99 Jaguars 

9. 1966 AFL CHAMPION KANSAS CITY CHIEFS at 8. 2015 NFC CHAMPION CAROLINA PANTHERS

8. 2015 NFC CHAMPION CAROLINA PANTHERS

Record: 15-1

Pythag: 12-4

Off: 1st

Def: 6th

1st NFC South

d. Seahawks Div Rnd 31-24

d. Cards NFC Title 49-15

Lost Super Bowl Broncos 24-10

B of A Stadium: 60 degrees

Mick Mixon/Eugene Robinson/Jim Szoke

HC: Ron Rivera OC Mike Shula DC Sean McDermott

Offense

QB Cam Newton 26  All Pro  Auburn

RB Jonathan Stewart 28 Oregon

WR Corey Brown 24 Ohio St

WR Ted Ginn 30 Ohio St

TE Ed Dickson 28 Oregon

TE Gregg Olsen 30 Miami

LT Michael Oher 29 Ole Miss

LG Andrew Norwell 24 Ohio St

C Ryan Kalil 30 All Pro USC

RG Trai Turner 22 LSU

RT Mike Remmers 26 Oregon St

Defense

LDE Charles Johnson 29  UGA

LDT Star Lotulelei 26 Utah

RDT Kawann Short 26 Purdue

RDE Jared Allen 33 Idaho St

LLB Shaq Thompson 21-R Wash

MLB Luke Kuechly 24 All Pro B College

RLB Thomas Davis 32 All Pro UGA

LCB Charles Tillman 34 Louisiana

RCB Josh Norman 28 All Pro C Carolina

SS Roman Harper 33 Alabama

FS Kurt Coleman 27 Ohio St

K Graham Gano 28 Florida St

P Brad Nortman 26 Wisc

KR Fozzy Whittaker 26 Tex

PR Ted Ginn 30 Ohio St

The Panthers haven't advanced to the next round; here's their 15-1 squad, the NFC Champs from 2015.  Top offense in football.  Cam Newton is a 26 year old All Pro.  45 scores and 10 picks - he's a kind of weapon the '66 Chiefs have not encountered.  10 scores for the 30 year old Ted Ginn. 1100 yards receiving for 30 year old Greg Olsen. The 30 year old center, Ryan Kalil, is an All Pro. 

3 All Pros on defense, 24 year old Luke Kuechly, 32 year old Thomas Davis, 28 year old Josh Norman. 11 sacks for the 26 year old Kawann Short. 

9. 1966 AFL CHAMPION KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Record: 11-2-1

Pythag: 11-3

Off: 1st

Def: 2nd

1st AFL West

d. Bills AFL Title 31-7

Lost Super Bowl Packers 35-10

HC: Hank Stram 

Offense

QB Len Dawson 31 All Pro Purdue

RB Bert Coan 26                    Kansas

RB Curtis McClinton 27      Kansas

WR Otis Taylor 24 All Pro   Prairie View

WR Chris Burford 28             Stanford

TE Fred Arbanas 27             Mich St

LT Jim Tyrer 27 All Pro       Ohio St

LG Ed Budde 26 All Pro      Mich St

C Wayne Frazier 27                Auburn

RG Al Reynolds 28                Tarkio

RT Dave Hill 25                     Auburn

Defense

LDE Jerry Mays 27 All Pro   SMU

LDT Ed Lothamer 24                Mich St

RDT Buck Buchanan 27 All Pro  Grambling

RDE Chuck Hurston 24            Auburn

LLB Bobby Bell 26 All Pro     Minn

MLB Sherrill Headrick  29    TCU

RLB  EJ Holub 28                   TTech

LCB Fred Williamson 29          Nwestern

RCB Willie Mitchell 26            Tenn St

LS Bobby Hunt 26                     Auburn

RS Johnny Robinson 28 All Pro  LSU

K Mike Mercer 31        Ariz St

P Jerrel Wilson 25         S Miss

KR Emmitt Thomas 23  Bishop

PR Mike Garrett 22 USC

3 Chiefs teams have already advanced - here's the AFL Champs from '66, losers to GB in SB1. First in offense, 2nd in defense in the AFL in 1966. Lenny Dawson is 31, 26 scores and 10 picks, 24 year old All Pro Otis Taylor rushed for 1300 yards in a 14 game season. 27 year old Fred Arbenas, 27 year old Jim Tyrer, 26 year old Ed Budde all all All Pro. On defense, 28 year old All Pro Johnny Robinson had 10 picks, as did 26 year old Bobby Hunt. 26 year old Bobby Bell, 27 year old Buck Buchanan, 27 year old Jerry Mays are all All Pros.  The '73 Dolphins await the winners of this 8/9 game - the 15-1 '15 Panthers hosting the first ever Super Bowl losers, the '66 Chiefs.  Lets head to Carolina for the kick.

1st Qtr

The Panthers to start at the 25.

3 and out. Chiefs get the nice Mike Garrett return and are at their own 44.  

1/10 - Lenny Dawson to Bert Coan, 5 yards.  

2/5 - Dawson again - Stram's come out firing - 19 yards to Chris Burford and the Chiefs are at the Panther 32. 

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Kawann Short is into the backfield - he snaps up Dawson, it's a 6 yard loss.  

3/16 - Incomplete.  Chiefs have 4th and a bunch - Stram decides it's too short to punt, too long to try the FG - so KC goes for it.

4/16 - Incomplete

Panthers take over at their own 38 after turning KC over on downs.  

3 and out.  KC defense off to a good start, Chiefs will start at the 22.

1/10 - Curtis McClinto gets a carry, 4 yards.

2/6 - Bert Coan carries for 1.

3/5 - Dawson -- Dawson's looking downfield -- Dawson finds Otis Taylor - Caught - Taylor's Got Some Daylight -- Otis Taylor is Gonna Go!  Otis Taylor's Gonna Go!  73 yard TD Strike from Dawson to Taylor!  TOUCHDOWN CHIEFS - Lenny Dawson 73 yard home run to Otis Taylor and it is 7-0.

Panthers at the 32.  

1/10 - Cam Newton screen to Mike Tolbert, Tolbert's got blockers - Tolbert's got a convoy, 45 yards all the way to the KC 23.  Big play.

But the next 3 gain 5 yards - Gano with the FG and it's 7-3.  

Chiefs at the 33 - 3 and out including a Jared Allen sack.

Panthers start at their own 34.  

1/10 - Cam Newton rolls out - Newton to Corey Brown, 12 yards.  

2/10 - Tolbert -- Tolbert busts one -- Tolbert for 30 yards -- the Panthers at the KC 24.  

1/10 - Newton, 8 yards to Ginn - the qtr ends.

2nd Qtr: Chiefs 7 Panthers 3

KC with the lead on the 73 yard TD pass from Dawson to Taylor, but the Panthers cut it to 4 and are driving.   

2/2 - Tolbert gets 5 and the Panthers have first and 10 at the 11.  

But that's it - KC shuts it down again, Panthers get 6 yards but have to kick another short FG.  7-6 KC.

Chiefs start at the 25.

1/10 - Dawson to Burford, 13 yards.  

1/10 - Coan gets 4

2/6 - McClinton gets 8 to midfield.  

The next 3 plays net 8 yards -- that's it, after the punt, Panthers start at their own 6.

3 and out.

Chiefs will start at the Panther 45.

1/10 - McClinton gets 1.

2/9 - Coan gets 5 to the Panther 39.

3/4 - Give to McClinton -- he bowls his way through the line -- McClinton is in the secondary -- McClinton's gonna power his way into the endzone -- TOUCHDOWN CHIEFS - 39 yard McClinton run - KC will miss the XP and so it is 13-6 KC with 4 minutes left in the half.  

Panthers at the 12.

They get a first down, Newton 9 to Stewart the big play - but with 2 minutes left, they punt it back and another good Garrett return means KC is starting at the Panther 40.  

3 and out - Stram decides against the long FG - the Panthers get the ball back with under a minute, Newton with 4 completions over 10 yards - to Olsen, Cotchery, Ginn and Ginn again - but a hail mary at the whistle is incomplete and we hit the locker room.

Third Qtr: Chiefs 13 Panthers 6

KC scores at the beginning and ending of the half, sandwiching Panther FGs; Emmitt Thomas takes the kick back to the KC 42 to start.

3 and out. Panthers start at the 30.

1/10 - Newton to James Stewart for 7.

2/3 - Newton to Cotchery - 7 and the first.  

1/10 - Stewart gets 4.

2/6 - Newton to Corey Brown - 15 yards and the Panthers are at the Chief 37.

1/10 - Stewart is stacked up.

2/10 - Newton's flushed - takes off - gets 5.

3/5 - Stewart.  Finds a seam.  Stewart is all the way to the KC 3 yard line - Panthers driving to the 3 yard line.

1/goal - Newton - RPO - Newton will keep -- Newton..is Into the End Zone -- TOUCHDOWN PANTHERS - Carolina goes 70 yards in 5 minutes on the opening drive of the half and it is 13-13.  

Chiefs at the 36.   

3 and out.  Carolina defense coming out strong here in the third.  

Panthers start at the 26.

1/10 - Give to Stewart - strong ground gains now for James Stewart, 17 yards.  

1/10 - First carry for Cameron Artis Payne, he gets 3.

2/7 - 6 more for Payne and the Panthers are just shy of the first.

3/1 - Newton - play action -- finds Olsen over the middle -- the Panthers are at the KC 37 yard line - Carolina has tied the score and they are driving again.  

The next 3 plays net 6 yards -- Gano hits a 48 yard FG and with less than 2 minutes to go in the 3rd, the Panthers have their first lead.

Chiefs at the 31.

1/10 - Dawson picks up the first KC first down of the half, 13 to Fred Arbanas.

1/10 - Curtis McClinton gets 8 and KC crosses midfield.

2/2 - Mike Garrett picks it up -- and the quarter ends.

4th Qtr: Panthers 16 Chiefs 13

Carolina turns the game around in the third - shutting KC down while putting together long scoring drives.  KC does have a first down at the Panther 45 as the 4th starts.

1/10 - Garrett goes for 15 and the Chiefs are at the 30.

The next 3 plays net 4 yards -- Mike Mercer comes on for the game tying 43 yard FG....

Wide right.  

The home crowd roars -- Carolina has stopped Kansas City, they have the ball, they have the lead.  Panthers at the 33.

3 and out including back to back sacks by Buck Buchanan and Bobby Bell, it's the first two Chiefs sacks of the game, they finally get to Newton and they do it when they need it.

Chiefs start at their own 41.  Less than 12 to play.  Down 3.

1/10 - Garrett gets 1

2/9 - Garrett gets 7 and its third and short.

3/2 - Dawson - to Otis Taylor with a quick out, he turns upfield and shakes his way for 9 to the Panther 42.

1/10 - Dawson - Taylor over the middle, 13 yards to the 29.  Chiefs back in FG range.  

1/10 - Dawson - Taylor downfield -- big strike -- 3 straight completions to Otis Taylor and the Chiefs have a first and goal inside the 5 yard line.

1/goal - Dawson - End Zone -- Incomplete, Norman with the deflection.  

2/goal - Dawson.  Endzone - Burford --- TOUCHDOWN CHIEFS - Lenny Dawson with the 4 yard TD pass to Chris Burford and KC regains the lead 20-16 halfway through the 4th qtr.

Panthers now at the 31.  Newton's turn.  

They get 1 first down, Newton goes 21 yards to Olsen.  

But the drive dies - Carolina punts and the Chiefs get the ball back with 4:32 left at their own 13.

Panthers need a quick stop.  

1/10 - Give to McClinton.  3 yards.  

2/7 - Give to Coan - 6 yards and it's 3rd and inches.  

3/1 - Play action -- Dawson to a wide open Coan - he's got 9 yards - gutsy call by Stram and with 2:39 left in the game and the clock rolling KC has a first down.  

1/10 - Dawson - finds Otis Taylor - 16 yards at the sideline -- KC throwing the ball for first downs - it's the 2 minute warning and the Chiefs are at their own 47.  Panthers desparate now for a stop.  

1/10 - Coan - stacked up and the Panthers use their first timeout.  

2/10 - McClinton - stacked up and Carolina calls their second timeout - there's 1:48 left, it is third and 10 at the 47.  

3/10 - Dawson's gonna pass - Chiefs are trying to pick this up -- Dawson to Arbanas --- Caught -- 18 yards - Fred Arbanas catches the ball -- and that will be that - Panthers won't be able to stop this clock once they burn their final timeout -- Chiefs are able to burn this clock and Kansas City moves on.

Final: Chiefs 20 Panthers 16

KC got it when they needed it - Carolina gets just 1 4th qtr first down, Chiefs get the 4th qtr TD drive and KC moves to round two to face the top seeded Dolphins.

Dawson: 15 for 23, 227 yds, 2 TD

Newton: 15 for 20, 195 yds, 1 TD rushing

McClinton: 12 carries, 80 yds, TD

Stewart: 16 carries, 64 yds

Taylor: 6 catches, 133 yds, TD

Olsen: 5 catches, 54 yds

Player of the Game: Otis Taylor

256 Team NFL Tournament Round 1/Region 9: 1973 Miami Dolphins v. 1999 Jacksonville Jaguars

'81 Bengals v. '99 Jags 

16. 1999 JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS at 1. 1973 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION MIAMI DOLPHINS

1. 1973 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION MIAMI DOLPHINS

Record: 12-2

Pythag: 12-2

Off: 5th

Def: 1st

d. Bengals Div Rnd 34-16

d. Raiders AFC Title 27-10

d. Vikings Super Bowl 24-7

Joe Robbie: 75 degrees

Rick Weaver/Fred Woodson

HC Don Shula OC Bill McPeak DC Bill Arnsparger

Offense

QB Bob Griese 28   Purdue

RB Mercury Morris 26  W Tex A&M

FB Larry Csonka 27 All Pro Syracuse

WR Paul Warfield 31 All Pro Ohio St

WR Marlin Briscoe 28  Nebraska Omaha

TE Jim Mandich Michigan

LT Wayne Moore 28 Lamar

LG Bob Kuechenberg 26 N Dame

C Jim Langer 25 S Dakota St

RG Larry Little 28 All Pro Beth-Cook

RT Norm Evans TCU

Defense

LDE Vern Den Herder  25   C College

LDT Manny Fernandez 27 Utah

RDT Bob Heinz 26 Pacific

RDE Bill Stanfill 26  UGA

LLB Doug Swift  25   Amherst

MLB Nick Buoniconti 33  N Dame

RLB Mike Kolen 25  Auburn

LCB Tim Foley 25  Purdue

RCB Curtis Johnson 25  Toledo

SS Dick Anderson 27 All Pro  Colorado

FS Jake Scott 28 All Pro  UGA

K Garo Yepremian 29 All Pro  None

P Larry Seiple 28 Kentucky

KR Charlie Leigh 28 None

PR Jake Scott 28 UGA

The '75, '82, '84 Dolphins advanced in the first half of Rnd 1 - they have the top team seeded team in the back half, the number one seed in Region 9, the '73 Super Bowl Champs. 5th in offense, first in defense, so we'll get a battle of the top defenses from '73 and '99. Both safeties are All Pro - 27 year old Dick Anderson and 28 year old Jake Scott combining for a dozen picks.  On offense, Bob Griese is 28, 17 scores and 8 picks. Larry Csonka's a 27 year old All Pro who rushed for a thousand yards and 26 year old Mercury Morris had 10 scores.  11 scores for 31 year old All Pro Paul Warfield. 28 year old Larry Little is an All Pro as is 29 year old Garo Yepremian.  

16. 1999 JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Record: 14-2

Pythag: 13-3

Off: 6th

Def: 1st

1st AFC Central

d. Dolphins Div Rnd 62-7

Lost Titans AFC Title 33-14

d. '81 Bengals 17-14

HC Tom Coughlin DC Dom Capers

Offense

QB Mark Brunell 29 Wash

RB James Stewart 28  Tenn

FB Damion Shelton 27  Sac St

WR Keenan McCardell 29 UNLV

WR Jimmy Smith 30        Jack St

TE Kyle Brady 27               Penn St

LT Tony Boselli 27 All Pro  USC

LG Ben Coleman 28            Wake

C John Wade 24                   Marshall

RG Zach Wiegert 27            Nebraska

RT Leon Searcy 30             Miami

Defense

DE Renaldo Wynn 25          N Dame

LDT Gary Walker 26           Auburn 

RDT Seth Payne 24             Cornell

RDE Tony Brackens 25     Texas

LLB Bryce Paup 31             N Iowa

MLB Lonnie Marts 31         Tulane

RLB Kevin Hardy 26 All Pro  Illinois

LCB Fernando Bryant 22-R  Alabama

RCB Aaron Beasley 26        W Virginia

SS Donovin Darius 24         Syracuse

FS Carnell Lake 32            UCLA

K Mike Hollis 27                 Idaho

P Bryan Barker 35               S Clara

KR Alvis Whitted 25           NC St

PR Reggie Barlow 26          Ala St

One shot for the Jags;  they've got the top defense from '99 and the 6th best offense. 26 year old All Pro Kevin Hardy had 10.5 sacks - 25 year old Renaldo Wynn and 25 year old Tony Brackens combined for 22 more. 6 picks for 26 year old Aaron Beasley. 15 scores and 9 picks for 29 year old Mark Brunell, 13 scores for 28 year old James Stewart. Huge year in 1999 numbers for 30 year old Jimmy Smith, 116 catches for over 1600 yards.  Tony Boselli is a 27 year old All Pro.  The Jags defense was solid against the Bengals, the offense good enough, big Fred Taylor game - will they be able to score enough points against a Back to Back Super Bowl Champion?

We've got the 9th overall seed in the tournament - can they keep the perfect run of top seeds alive?  Lets head to Joe Robbie and kick this off.

1st Qtr

The Jags open up this 1/16 matchup at the 28 with a first and 5.

1/5 - Incomplete

2/5 - James Stewart gets 3.

3/2 - Stewart picks it up.

1/10 - Fred Taylor was the Player of the Game in the Play In -- and he breaks one here, 27 yards to the Dolphin 40 and an offsides on the next play takes the Jags to the 35.

1/5 - Stewart is stopped.

2/5 - Darrion Shelton didn't carry the ball against the Bengals, he gets a carry here and is stopped.

3/5 - Shelton again - he picks it up.  

1/10 - Stewart, Jags keeping it on the ground against Miami, he gets 1.

2/9 - Taylor for 14 yards - the Jags are at the Miami 13.

But that's where it ends - 3 more plays get 5 yards, Hollis with the chip shot, the Jags take half the quarter on the opening drive and are up 3-0.

Miami at the 30.

1/10 - Mercury Morris - Miami's gonna run the ball and run it some more today - Morris gets 18.  

1/10 - Morris again - he busts it -- 36 yards for Mercury Morris to the Jag 16 yard line.  

1/10 - Larry Csonka gets 6.

2/4 - Morris gets to the goal line -- stopped at the one yard line - Miami with the first and goal.

1/goal -- Morris.  Endzone.  TOUCHDOWN DOLPHINS - In just 5 running plays the Dolphins go 70 yards against the best defense from 1999 and take the 7-3 lead.  

Jags at the 24.

They get a first down - Brunell completing his first pass, to Jimmy Smith for 10 - but a Bill Stanfill sack ends the drive - Jake Scott with the good return - Miami will open the second qtr at the Jags 47.

2nd Qtr: Dolphins 7 Jags 3

The best defense from '73 against the best defense from '99, this was expected to be a grind it out game - lot of grinding in the first, but pretty successfully.  Miami with the lead and the ball.  

1/10 - End around to Paul Warfield - he gets 9.

2/1 - Griese sacked by Carnell Lake on the safety blitz - that was Miami's first pass attempt and the Jags were all over it. 

3/5 - Griese with the completion to Jim Mandich - 15 yards to the 27.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Griese - over the middle to Warfield -- Warfield with a step - Warfield with a step -- Warfield's gonna go -- Into the End Zone -- TOUCHDOWN DOLPHINS - Griese 27 yards to Warfield - Miami's in the endzone again and now it is 14-3.  

Jags at the 19.

1/10 - Stewart for 1.

2/9- Taylor loses 1.

3/10 - Brunell, rolling out - firing to Jimmy Smith - 26 big yards out to the 45.

1/10 - Give to Taylor - running behind Boselli - big clear out block -- Taylor's Gonna Go!  Fred Taylor in open field -- 30-20-10 -- TOUCHDOWN JAGS - Fred Taylor with the 55 yard touchdown run - the Jags are right back in this one - 55 yard home run for Fred Taylor and it's 14-10.

Dolphins at the 31.

3 and out.  The Jags with their first stop.  Good return by Reggie Barlow - Jags will start at the Dolphin 43, less than 8 left in the half.  

1/10 - 7 more for Fred Taylor

2/3 - Jags with success on the ground - a dozen for Stewart and Jacksonville is at the Miami 24.  

1/10 - Stewart loses a couple.

2/8 - Brunell - to Keenan McCardell - 7 yards.  

3/5 - Brunell picks it up - over the middle - McCardell is dragged down at the Miami 2 yard line - the Jacksonville contingent here in Miami today losing their minds - Jags with a first and goal.  

1/goal - Taylor.  Endzone.  TOUCHDOWN JAGS - Fred Taylor into the endzone again -- and Jacksonville has taken the lead on the top seeded Dolphins, 17-14.  

Miami at the 22, little more than 4 minutes left.  

1/10 - Csonka gets 1.

2/9 - Incomplete

3/9 - Griese goes downfield -- Warfield -- 31 yards out to the Jags 46.

1/10 - Csonka - busts it -- Csonla rumbles for 31 yards all the way to the Jags 15 at the 2 minute warning.

1/10 - Griese hits Marlin Briscoe on the quick out - 5 yards and out of bounds.  

2/5 - Griese - Endzone - Briscoe - TOUCHDOWN DOLPHINS - Miami goes 78 yards in two and a half minutes to regain the lead - this second quarter has turned this into a shootout.  

Jags at the 30, 1:42 left.  They get a first down, Brunell 17 yards to Jimmy Smith - but they punt at 49 seconds left - and it's returned by Scott all the way to the Jags 43.

1/10 - Miami stays on the ground - Csonka powering 17 yards to the 26, Dolphins stop the clock, it's their  first timeout - there's 33 seconds left in the half and Miami's in FG range.

1/10 - Griese gets sacked, Gary Walker, dropping Griese, Miami stops the clock again at the Jags 34 with 22 seconds left in the half.  

2/18 - Give to Morris - looking to get the ball in the center of the field for the FG -- but Morris Finds a Seam -- Morris Into the Secondary -- Mercury Morris is Gonna Go!  Mercury Morris is gonna End the First Half with a 34 yard TD run TOUCHDOWN DOLPHINS - The Half ends with Miami scoring twice in the last 2 minutes of the half and they are up 28-17.

3rd Qtr: Dolphins 28 Jags 17

What looked like a defensive game has turned into a scoring barrage - largely built on big running plays, each team with some home runs - Jags had the lead briefly, but Miami comes back with 2 late scores and we head to the second half with the top seeds in region 9 up 11.

Miami will start at the 26.

They get a first down, Griese 15 to Briscoe - but the drive ends around midfield.

Jags start at the 23.  

1/10 - Stewart gets 1

2/9 - Stewart gets 7, third and short.

3/2 - Brunell 15 to McCardell, Jags out to the 46. 

1/10- Taylor is stacked up.

2/10 - Brunell picks it up on a busted play, keeps it alive, finds Smith, Smith is out to the Dolphin 37 - there's a holding call on the next play making it first and 20.

1/20 - 8 for Stewart

2/12 - Taylor is stacked up.

3/12 - Brunell going over to the middle to Mcc -- Picked Off by Scott -- Jake Scott picks it off - he's got a couple of blockers -- Scott cuts to the outside -- Scott has a step -- Jake Scott is Gonna Go!  Jake Scott is Gonna Go!  Jake Scott takes the Mark Brunell pick 77 yards TOUCHDOWN DOLPHINS - and that should be the dagger - Jake Scott takes back a Mark Brunell pick 77 yards for the score to give Miami the 35-17 lead with 7 left in the third.

Jags start at the 38.

3 and out.   Miami at the 22.

3 and out.  Jags at the 38.

1/10 - Taylor gets 4.

2/6 - Incomplete

3/6 - Taylor gets 11

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Incomplete

3/10 - Brunell to Jimmy Smith for a dozen to the Miami 36.

1/10 - Stewart gets a couple yards as the quarter ends.

4th Qtr: Dolphins 35 Jags 17

This is done; Jake Scott's punt returns were important to the Miami comeback in the second qtr - now he adds a pick 6.   Jags have a second and 8 at the Miami 34.

The next 2 plays net 3 yards -- Hollis with the long FG and it's 35-20

Dolphins at the 34.

1/10 - Csonka gets 1

2/9 - Incomplete

3/9 - Aaron Beasley intercepts Griese -- Jags are at the 30.  

They get a first down, Brunell 17 yards to Smith - but the drive ends there, Hollis with another FG and it's 35-23.

10 minute left.  Jags try the onside kick.  Dolphins recover.  They are at the Jags 47, 10 minutes left.  

They get a first down on a Csonka 11 yard run, but a couple of penalities and they wind up punting - Jags take over with 7 minutes left at their own 14.  

So - it is still a long road, a 12 point deficit with 7 minutes left, but the Jags do have a chance to make this interesting.  

1/10 - Brunell - 20 yards to Jimmy Smith and Jax is at the 34.  

That's all.  4 downs later the Dolphins take over on downs, Bill Stanfill gets a sack and Miami is at the Jags 31 with under 6 minutes left.  Griese is done for the day, it's Earl Morral now to wrap this up for Miami.  

1/10 - 19 yards for Mercury Morris.  

1/10 - Csonka gets 1

2/11 - Play action -- Morall has a wide open Paul Warfield in the endzone - TOUCHDOWN DOLPHINS - Miami goes up 42-23 and it is done, done, done.  

That's the final.  The Jags will turn it over on downs, Miami will run out the clock.  It's a final.

Final: Dolphins 42 Jaguars 23

9 top seeds have played, 9 top seeds have won.  

Griese: 9 for 18, 128 yards, 2 TD/1 INT

Brunell: 15 for 25, 172 yards, 0 TD/1 INT

Morris: 11 carries, 130 yds, 2 TD

Taylor: 15 carries, 126 yds, 2 TD

Warfield: 3 catches, 74 yds, 2 TD

Smith: 7 catches, 113 yds

Player of the Game: Mercury Morris

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

 '98 Vikes v. '96 Panthers

Time for the back half of Round 1.  

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

16. 1981 AFC CHAMPION CINCINNATI BENGALS

Record: 12-4

Pythag: 11-5

Off: 3rd

Def: 12th

1st AFC Central

d. Bills Div Rnd 28-21

d. Chargers AFC Title 27-7

Lost 49ers Super Bowl 26-21

HC Forrest Gregg HC Lindy Infante DC Hank Bullough

Riverfront Stadium: 45 degrees

Phil Samp/Andy MacWilliams

Offense

QB Ken Anderson 32 All Pro

RB Charles Alexander 24

FB Pete Johnson 27

WR Cris Collinsworth 22-R

WR Isaac Curtis 31

TE Dan Ross 24

LT Anthony Munoz 23 All Pro

LG Dave Lapham 29

C Blair Bush 25

RG Max Montoya 25

RT Mike Wilson 26

Defense

LDE Eddie Edwards 27

NT Wilson Whitley 26

RDE Ross Browner 27

LOLB Bo Harris 28

LILB Jim LeClair 31

RILB Glenn Cameron 28

ROLB Reggie Williams 27

LCB Louis Breeden 28

RCB Ken Riley 34

SS Bobby Kemp 22-R

FS Bryan Hicks 24

K Jim Breech 25

P Pat McInally 28 All Pro

KR David Verser 23

PR Mike Fuller 28

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

16. 1999 JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Record: 14-2

Pythag: 13-3

Off: 6th

Def: 1st

1st AFC Central

d. Dolphins Div Rnd 62-7

Lost Titans AFC Title 33-14

HC Tom Coughlin DC Dom Capers

Offense

QB Mark Brunell 29

RB James Stewart 28

FB Damion Shelton 27

WR Keenan McCardell 29

WR Jimmy Smith 30

TE Kyle Brady 27

LT Tony Boselli 27 All Pro

LG Ben Coleman 28

C John Wade 24

RG Zach Wiegert 27

RT Leon Searcy 30

Defense

DE Renaldo Wynn 25

LDT Gary Walker 26

RDT Seth Payne 24

RDE Tony Brackens 25

LLB Bryce Paup 31

MLB Lonnie Marts 31

RLB Kevin Hardy 26 All Pro

LCB Fernando Bryant 22-R

RCB Aaron Beasley 26

SS Donovin Darius 24

FS Carnell Lake 32

K Mike Hollis 27

P Bryan Barker 35

KR Alvis Whitted 25

PR Reggie Barlow 26

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

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

1st Qtr

Jags open at the 33 with a first and 15.  

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

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

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

1/10 - Brunell to Reggie Barlow for 7.

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

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

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

1/goal - Incomplete

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

Bengals to start at the 30.

3 and out.  Jags at their own 32.  

3 and out.  Bengals at the 25.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2nd Qtr: Jags 7 Bengals 0

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

1/10 - Stewart for 1

2/9 - Incomplete

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

1/10 - 2 more for Stewart.  

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

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

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

3 and out.  Bengals at their own 8.

3 and out.  Jags at the Cincinnati 47.

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

1/10 - Pete Johnson gets 12.

1/10 - 1 for Alexander

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

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

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

3rd Qtr: Jags 7 Bengals 0

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

Bengals will start at the 24.

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

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

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

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

1/10 - Johnson gets 4. 

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

Jags at the 20.

1/10 - Stewart loses 3.  

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

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

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

2/5 - Incomplete

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

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

Bengals at the 10.  

1/10 - Griffin gets 5.

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

1/10 - Johnson gets 1.

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

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

1/15 - Alexander is stacked up.

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

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

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

4th Qtr: Bengals 7 Jags 7

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1/10 - Stewart gets 8.

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

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

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

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

Little more than 8 minutes to go.  Tied.  

Bengals at the 35.  

3 and out.  Jags will start at the 21.  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Final: Jags 17 Bengals 14

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

Brunell: 14 for 26, 164 yds

Anderson: 15 for 20, 178 yds

Taylor: 15 carries, 118 yds, TD

Johnson: 16 carries, 99 yds, TD

Smith: 6 catches, 99 yds

Collinsworth: 4 catches, 74 yds

Player of the Game: Fred Taylor

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

'97 Packers v. '86 Bears 

15. 1996 CAROLINA PANTHERS at 2. 1998 MINNESOTA VIKINGS

2. 1998 MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Record: 15-1

Pythag: 13-3

Off: 1st

Def: 6th

1st NFC Central

d. Cards Div Rnd 41-21

Lost NFC Title Falcons 30-27

HC Dennis Green OC Brian Billick DC Foge Fazio

HHH Metrodome

Dan Rowe 

Offense

QB Randall Cunningham 35 UNLV All Pro

RB Robert Smith 26 Ohio St

WR Cris Carter  33 Ohio St

WR Robert Moss 21 Marshall All Pro

WR Jake Reed 31 Grambling

TE Andrew Glover 31 Grambling

LT Todd Steussie 28 Cal

LG Randall McDaniel 34 Arizona St All Pro

C Jeff Christy 29 Pitt

RG David Dixon 29 Arizona St

RT Korey Stringer 24 Ohio St

Defense

LDE Derrick Alexander 25 Florida St

LDT Jerrry Ball 34 SMU

RDT Tony Williams 23 Memphis

RDE John Randle All Pro 31 A&M Kings

LLB Dixon Edwards 30 Mich St

MLB Ed McDaniel 29 Clemson

RLB Dwayne Rudd 22 Alabama

LCB Corey Fuller 27 Florida St

RCB Jimmy Hitchcock 28 UNC

SS Robert Griffith 28 S Diego St

FS Orlando Thomas 26 Louisiana

K Gary Anderson All Pro 39 Syracuse

P Mitch Berger 26 Colorado

KR/PR David Palmer 26 Alabama

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

15. 1996 CAROLINA PANTHERS

Pythag: 12-4

Off: 7th

Def: 2nd

d. Cowboys Div Rnd 26-17

Lost NFC Title Packers 30-13

HC Dom Capers OC Joe Pendry DC Vic Fangio

Offense

QB Kerry Collins  24 Penn St

RB Anthony Johnson 29 N Dame

FB Howard Griffith 29 Illinois

WR Mark Carrier 31 Nicholls

WR Willie Green 30 Ole Miss

TE Wesley Walls 30 Ole Miss

LT Blake Brockermeyer 23 Texas

LG Matt Elliott 28 Mich

C Curtis Whitley 27 Clemson

RG Greg Skrepenak 26 Mich

RT Norbert Davidds Garrido R 

Defense

LDE Mike Fox  29 W Virginia

NT Greg Kragen 34 Utah St

RDE Gerald Williams 33 Auburn

LOLB Kevin Greene All Pro 34 Auburn

LILB Sam Mills All Pro 37 Montclair

RILB Carlton Bailey 32 UNC

ROLB Lamar Lathon 29 Houston

LCB Eric Davis 28 Jack St

RCB Tyrone Poole 24 F Valley St 

SS Brett Maxie 34 Tex So.

FS Pat Terrell 28 N Dame

K John Kasay 27 UGA

P Rohn Stark 37 Florida St

KR Michael Bates All Pro 27 Arizona

PR Winslow Oliver 23 N Mexico

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

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

1st Qtr

Vikes start at the 24.

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

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

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

Panthers at their own 39.  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Vikes at the 18.  

1/10 - Leroy Hoard gets a yard.  

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

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

1/10 - Hoard nothing.

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

2nd Qtr: Panthers 7 Vikings 0

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

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

Panthers start at the 23.  

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

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Hoard gets 2.

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

1/10 - Incomplete

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

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

2/18 - Smith gets 2.

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

Panthers at the 30.  

3 and out.  Vikes at the 32.

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

2/16- Smith for 1

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

1/10 - Smith for 2

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

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

Panthers at the 34.

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

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

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

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

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

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

3rd Qtr: Vikings 20 Panthers 7

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

Panthers start all the way at the 43.  

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

1/10 - Nothing for Johnson

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

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

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

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

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

Vikes at the 32.

1/10 - Robert Smith gets 5.

2/5 - Smith gets 8.

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

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

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

1/10- Incomplete

2/10 - Howard Griffith pounds away for 17

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

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

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

Vikes at the 26.

1/10 - Cunningham 13 to Glover.  

1/10 - Smith gets 3 as the qtr ends

4th Qtr Vikings 20 Panthers 13

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

1/10 - Cunningham to Moss, first down.  

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

1/10 - Hoard gets 6. 

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

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

Panthers at the 15.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Incomplete

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

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

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

1/10 - Collins, 8 yards to Walls.  

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

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

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

Panthers to attempt the onside kick....

....and the Vikings recover.  

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

Final: Vikings 30 Panthers 27

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

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

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

Smith: 19 carries, 163 yds, 1 TD

Johnson: 18 carries, 71 yds

Carter: 4 catches, 77 yds, 1 TD

Carrier: 3 catches, 64, 1 TD

Greene/Lathon: 2 sacks

Player of the Game: Robert Smith

Player of the Region: Dan Marino

Round Two:

Region One:

1. 2007 Patriots v. 9. 2015 Chiefs

4. 2002 Bucs v. 12. 2014 Packers

3. 1967 Raiders v. 11. 1975 Dolphins

2. 2019 Ravens v. 7. 2012 49ers

Region Two:

1. 1985 Bears v. 9. 2007 Chargers

4. 1968 Chiefs v. 5. 2015 Seahawks

3. 1997 Broncos v. 6. 2006 Patriots

2. 1993 Cowboys v. 7. 1998 Falcons

Region Three:

1. 1996 Packers v. 9. 1987 Browns

4. 1999 Rams v. 12. 2019 Saints

3. 1978 Cowboys v. 6. 1954 Lions

2. 1970 Vikings v. 10. 1960 Browns

Region Four:

1. 1991 Redskins v. 9. 2016 Falcons

4. 1978 Steelers v. 12. 2021 Rams

6. 1970 Lions v. 14. 2007 Cowboys

10. 2015 Broncos v. 15. 1976 Colts

Region Five:

1. 1962 Packers v. 8. 2014 Broncos

12. 2000 Titans v. 13. 2008 Eagles

3. 1971 Cowboys v. 6. 2004 Colts

7. 1962 Lions v. 15. 1995 Chiefs

Region Six:

1. 1968 Colts v. 8. 2020 Saints

4. 1953 Browns v. 12. 1982 Dolphins

3. 1986 Giants v. 6. 1994 Cowboys

2. 2014 Patriots v. 7. 2002 Raiders

Region Seven:

1. 1975 Steelers v. 8. 1968 Jets

4. 1967 Rams v. 12. 1996 49ers

3. 1961 Packers v. 11. 2005 Seahawks

7. 1979 Chargers v. 15. 1951 Giants

Region Eight:

1. 2004 Patriots v. 9. 1993 49ers

4. 1984 Dolphins v. 12. 1988 Vikings

3. 1955 Browns v. 6. 2005 Broncos

2. 1998 Vikings v. 7. 1997 Packers

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

2005 Broncos v. 2018 Chiefs 

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

7. 1997 NFC CHAMPION GREEN BAY PACKERS

Record: 13-3

Pythag: 12-4

Off: 2nd

Def: 5th

1st NFC Central

d. Bucs Div Rnd 21-7

d. Niners NFC Title 23-10

Lost Broncos Super Bowl 31-24

HC Mike Holmgren OC Sherm Lewis DC Friz Shurmur 

Lambeau Field: 45 degrees

Jim Irwin/Max McGee

Offense

QB Brett Favre 28 S Miss All Pro

RB Dorsey Levens 27 Geo Tech

FB William Henderson 26 UNC

WR Robert Brooks 27 S Carolina

WR Antonio Freeman 25 Va Tech

TE Mark Chmura 28 B College

LT Ross Verba  R  24 Iowa

LG Aaron Taylor 25 N Dame

C Frank Winters 33 W Illinois

RG Adam Timmerman 26 S Dakota St

RT Earl Dotson 27 Tex A&M Kings

Defense

LDE Reggie White 36 Tenn

LDT Santana Dotson 28 Baylor 

RDT Gilbert Brown 26 Kansas

RDE Gabe Wilkins 26 Gard Webb

LLB Seth Joyner 33 UTEP

MLB Bernardo Harris 26 UNC

RLB Brian Williams 25 USC

LCB Tyrone Williams 24 Nebraska

RCB Doug Evans 27 La Tech

SS LeRoy Butler All Pro 29 Florida St

FS Eugene Robinson 34 Colgate

K Ryan Longwell 23 Cal

P Craig Hentrich 26 N Dame

KR/PR Bill Schroeder 26 Wisc-Lacrosse

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

10. 1986 CHICAGO BEARS 
Record: 14-2

Pythag: 13-3

Off: 13th

Def: 1st

1st NFC Central

Lost Div Rnd Redskins 27-13

HC Mike Ditka OC Ed Hughes DC Vince Tobin 

Offense

QB Jim McMahon  27 BYU

RB Walter Payton 32 Jack St

FB Matt Suhey 28 Penn St

WR Willie Gault 26 Tenn

WR Keith Ortego 23 McNeese St

TE Emery Moorehead 32 Colorado

LT Jimbo Covert All Pro 26 Pitt

LG Mark Bortz 25 Iowa

C Jay Hilgenberg 27 Iowa

RG Tom Thayer 25 N Dame

RT Keith Van Horne 29 USC

Defense

DE Dan Hampton  29 Ark

LDT Steve McMichael 29 Tex

RDT William Perry 24 Clemson

RDE Richard Dent 26 Tenn St

LLB Otis Wilson 29 Louisville

MLB Mike Singletary All Pro 28 Baylor

RLB Wilber Marshall All Pro 24 Florida

LCB Mike Richardson 25 Ariz St

RCB Vestee Jackson 23 Wash

SS Dave Duerson 26 N Dame

FS Gary Fencik 32 Yale

K Kevin Butler 24 UGA

P Maury Buford 26 TTech

KR Dennis Gentry 27 Baylor

PR Lew Barnes Oregon

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

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

Let's go to Lambeau for the kick.

1st Qtr

Chicago opens at the 24.

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

2/4 - Payton stopped at the line.

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

1/10 - Payton gets 1.

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

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

1/10 - Payton gets 8

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

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

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

Pack at the 25.

1/10 - Dorsey Levens goes for 2.

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

1/10 - Levens gets 7

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

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

1/15 - Incomplete

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

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

1/10 - Levens gets 4.

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

Dennis Gentry the good return - goes to the 40.

1/10 - Payton gets 8

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

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

2nd Qtr: Packers 7 Bears 0

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

2/4 - Payton gets 2.  

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

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

Pack at the 35.

1/10 - Favre to Henderson, 6 yards.

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

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

Bears at the 19.

1/10 - Suhey for 1.

2/9 - Incomplete

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

1/10 - Payton blasts out 12 yds.

1/10 - Incomplete

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

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

2/6 - Suhey for 4.

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

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

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

Ditka's going for it.

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

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

Pack at the 18.

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

2/3 - Favre to Levens, 5 yds.  

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

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

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

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

3rd Qtr: Packers 10 Bears 3

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

Pack starts at the 28.

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

Bears at the 20.

1/10 - Payton is stopped cold.

2/10 - Payton stopped again.  

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

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

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Incomplete

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

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

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

Bears at their own 32.

1/10 - Payton gets 1.

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

1/10 - Suhey for 1.

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

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

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

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

Packers start at the 31. 

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

1/10 - Levens for 3.

2/7 - Incomplete.  

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

4th Qtr: Packers 10 Bears 10

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

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

Bears start at the 30.

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

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

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

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

1/10 - Levens gets 6.

2/4 - Hayden gets 1.

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

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

Bears at the 22.  They need a drive now.  

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

1/10 - Suhey for 2.

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

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

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

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

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

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

1/10 - Incomplete

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

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

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

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

1/10 - Incomplete.  Favre not close.  

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

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

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

1/10 - Incomplete

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

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

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

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

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

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

OT: Packers 20 Bears 20

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

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

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

1/10 - Payton.  3 yards.  

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

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

1/10 - Levens gets 2.

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

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

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

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

Snap.  Kick.  Up.......

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

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

Final: Packers 23 Bears 20

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

Favre: 15 for 23, 133 yds, 1 INT

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

Levens: 20 carries, 142 yds

Payton: 28 carries, 219 yds

Freeman: 5 catches, 50 yds

Gault: 4 catches, 41 yds, 1 TD

Duerson: sack, INT

Player of the Game: Walter Payton