256 Team NFL Tournament Round 1/Region 14: 1951 Cleveland Browns v. 2001 New England Patriots

'68 Cowboys v. '20 Packers 

15. 2001 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS at 2. 1951 CLEVELAND BROWNS

2. 1951 CLEVELAND BROWNS

Record: 11-1

Pythag: 10-2

Off: 3rd

Def: 1st

1st NFL American Div

Lost NFL Title Rams 24-17

HC Paul Brown 

Municipal Stadium: 55 degrees

Bob Neal

Offense

QB Otto Graham All Pro 30 Nwestern

FB Marion Motley 31 Nevada

RB Ken Carpenter 25 Ore St

RB Dub Jones 27 All Pro LSU

WR Mac Speedie 31 Utah

WR Dante Lavelli 28 Ohio St

LT Lou Groza 27 Ohio St

LG Abe Gibron 26 Purdue

C Frank Gatski 32 Auburn

RG Bob Gaudio 26 Ohio St 

RT Lou Rymkus 32 N Dame

Defense

LDE George Young 27 UGA

LDT John Kissell 28 B College

MG Bill Willis 30 All Pro Ohio St

RDT John Sandusky 26 Nova

RDE Len Ford 25 All Pro Mich

LLB Tony Adamle 27 Ohio St

MLB Alex Agase 29 Illinois

RLB Tommy Thompson 24 Wm&Mary

LDH Warren Lahr 28 Case Western

RDH Tommy James 28 Ohio St

S Cliff Lewis 28 Duke

K Lou Groza 27 Ohio St

P Horace Gillom 30 Nevada

KR/PR Ken Carpenter 25 Ore St

Cleveland looks for its 6th team to advance and will try to beat the Patriots again (entirely a coincidence that we have so many Browns/Pats games) to do it. The '51 squad had the best defense in football and is seeded second in region 2. 30 year old Bill Willis and 25 year old Len Ford were All Pros. Otto Graham is 30 and also an All Pro, 20 scores and 15 picks. 27 year old Dub Jones is an All Pro with 12 scores in 12 games.  

15. 2001 SUPER BOWL CHAMPION NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Record: 11-5

Pythag: 11-5

Off: 6th

Def: 6th

1st AFC East

d. Raiders Div Rnd 16-13

d. Steelers AFC Title 24-17

d. Rams Super Bowl 20-17

HC Bill Belichick OC Charlie Weis DC Romeo Crennel

Offense

QB Tom Brady 24  Mich

RB Antowain Smith 29 Houston

FB Marc Edwards 27 N Dame

WR Troy Brown 30 Marshall

WR David Patten 27 W Carolina

TE Jermaine Wiggins 26 UGA

LT Matt Light 23 Purdue

LG Mike Compton 21 WVA

C Damien Woody 24 B College

RG Joe Andruzzi 26 So Conn St

RT Greg Randall 23 Mich St

Defense

LDE Bobby Hamilton 30 So Miss

LDT Brandon Mitchell 26 Tex A&M

RDT Anthony Pleasant 33 Tenn St

RDE Richard Seymour 22 R UGA

LLB Mike Vrabel 26 Ohio St

RLB Roman Phifer 33 UCLA

LCB Ty Law 27 Mich

RCB Otis Smith 36 Missouri

SS Lawyer Milloy 28 Wash

FS Tebucky Jones 27 Syracuse

 

K Adam Vinatieri 29 S Dakota St

P Ken Walter 29 Kent St

KR Kevin Faulk 25 LSU

PR Troy Brown 30 Marshall

New England needs one more win to match Dallas and Green Bay with 9 teams in round 2. The 15th seeds in region 14 are the 2001 Super Bowl Champs, 6th in offense and defense. Tom Brady is 24, 18 scores and 12 picks. 29 year old Antowain Smith rushed for over 1100 yards, 30 year old Troy Brown caught 101 balls for almost 1200 yards and returned 2 punts for scores. On defense, 30 year old Bobby Hamilton and 33 year old Anthony Pleasant combined for 13 sacks. 

It's the last game in region 14 - lets head to Cleveland for the kick.

1st Qtr

Patriots at the 36.

They get 2 first downs, 11 yard Antowain Smith run, 15 yards from Tom Brady to Troy Brown; but a George Young sack knocks the Pats back and they kick.

Browns at the 17.  3 and out.

Patriots at the 41.

1/10 - Smith goes for 6.

2/4 - Smith for 1

3/3 - Brady to David Patten, 14 yards and the Patriots are at the 38.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Incomplete

3/10 - Brady finds Terry Glenn, 13 yards and the first down.

The drive ends here - Vinatieri hits the FG for the game's first points.

Browns start at the 18, they get a first down on a Ken Carpenter 8 yard run - Browns running on every play of the quarter until the final one - and on that play Otto Graham is sacked by Richard Seymour.  Browns will punt to open the quarter.

2nd Qtr: Patriots 3 Browns 0

All defense so far, Browns will punt from their own 30 to open the quarter.

Patriots at the 27.

1/10 - Marc Edwards stuffed

2/10 - Brady to Brown - 17 yards to the 44.

1/10 - Smith for 5.

2/5 - Edwards stopped

1/10 - 14 for Smith - and when the Browns jump offsides on the next play, the Patriots are at the 32, first and 5.

2 sacks though end the drive - Bill Willis and Len Ford - Vinatieri hits the 53 yarder and it is 6-0.

Browns at the 27.

1/10 - 8 for Dub Jones

2/2 - 3 for Ken Carpenter

1/10 - Motley stopped at the line

2/10 - Emerson Cole for 7

3/3 - Otto Graham's first completion, 8 yards across midfield. 

1/10 - 4 for Motley

2/6 - Jones stopped.

3/6 - Graham finds Dante Lavelli - 14 yards and a first down at the 29.

1/10 - Ken Carpenter busts one -- 29 yards right up the gut and into the end zone -- TOUCHDOWN BROWNS - Cleveland takes the 7-6 lead.

Patriots at the 25.

1/10 - 7 yards to Charles Johnson, it's a tick before the 2 minute warning.

2/3 - a yard for Smith, 2 minutes

3/3 - Brady to Faulk - just picks it up, clock rolling.  

1/10 - Brady to Edwards, 7 yards and he's out of bounds at the 43.

2/3 - Brady to Faulk - 10 yards, across midfield, first down, Pats stop the clock at 1:38.

1/10 - Brady to Smith, 14 yards, Pats stop the clock again, they're at the 33, 1:24 left.  

1/10 - Brady to Patten, 8 yards on the sideline, an incidental facemask gives them the first down at the 20 yard line with 1:10 to go.  

The drive doesn't advance - Vinatieri hits another FG and the half ends.

Third Qtr: Patriots 9 Browns 7

3 Vinatieri FGs gives the 15th seeded Pats the lead - do they pull off the upset to end region 14?

Browns at the 35.

2 first downs - 20 yards from Graham to Mac Speedie - 14 yard Carpenter run - but a Groza FG attempt - misses - and New England keeps the lead.  

Pats at the 20.

1/10 - Smith gets 6, a false start backs them up.  

2/9 - 7 for Faulk.

3/2 - 13 for Faulk and the Patriots are at the 41.

1/10 - End around for Troy Brown, 3 yards.

2/7 - Brady goes deep - 34 yard strike to Patten, that takes New England to the Browns 22.

1/10 - 4 for Smith

2/6 - Brady to Glenn, 9 yards.  It's a first and goal at the 9.

But - again - the Browns turn them away - another FG and it's 12-7.

Browns starting back at the 9 - a Willie McGinnest sack takes them back even furter - Browns go 3 and out and have to punt from the back of the end zone -- Troy Brown nearly takes it back - he's brought down at the Browns 10 yard line ---- but again -- again -- New England has to settle for the FG, it's 15-7 with just seconds left in the third.

Browns at the 26, a yard later it's 2nd and 9 and the qtr ends.

4th Qtr: Patriots 12 Browns 7

It's all New England - the 15th seeds in the region having the better end of this today, but they are unable to punch it in the end zone, that keeps Cleveland alive, they have a 2nd and 9 at the 27.

They do not pick it up.  Patriots will start at the 34.

One first down, 13 yard run for Smith - Ford and Willis each get their second sacks of the day - that is 5 Cleveland sacks - and after the punt, it's Cleveland ball again at the 28.

1/10 - 14 for Jones

1/10 - Emerson Cole busts one -- Emerson Cole just rumbles for 55 yards -- Emerson Cole rumbles 55 yards, dragged down at the 3 yard line!

1/goal - Dub Jones rolls Into The End Zone -- TOUCHDOWN BROWNS - Browns now down 2 - Browns going for 2, looking to tie the score.

It's Otto Graham - he looks to run it in --- But He Is Stopped Short.  The Pats keep Cleveland from the 2 point conversion and it is 15-13 Patriots, 9 minutes left in the football game, 9 more minutes in region 14.

Pats at the 27 - Tommy Thompson gets Cleveland's 6th sack - and after the 3 and out the Browns are in great shape - down 2 points, 6 and a half left - at their own 47 yard line.

3 plays later is a 3rd and 8 - and Otto Graham is Picked Off by Ty Law - Ty Law With the Huge, Huge INT, with 4 and a half left, the Pats are at their own 39 yard line, 15-13.

3 and out.  Just nothing at all for the Patriots -this Browns defense not giving an inch.  

Cleveland ball at the 22.  2:28 to go.  Down 2 points.  

1/10 Give to Jones, 4 yards.

2/6 - Graham - Lavelli, 5 yards and at the 2 minute warning it is 3rd and 1.

3/1 - Rex Bumgardner is stacked up, Browns use their second timeout here.  4th and 3.

4/3 - Graham finds Mac Speedie - 14 yards to the 42, big first down - big first down - clock running, here comes Graham.

1/10 - Dump to Carpenter, 6 and he's out of bounds, there's 1:16 left, Browns at the 48. 

2/4 - Incomplete

3/4 - Incomplete

Once again, a 4th down, there's 54 seconds left in the game, Browns 4th and 4 at their own 48.

4/4 - Graham -- Lavelli - Big 15 Yard Pickup -- Browns are at the Patriot 37 yard line, clock is running, Graham spikes the ball, it is second and 10 at the New England 37 and there are 38 seconds left.  A FG and the Browns win this football game.

There's a defensive hold on the next play - Browns might have had the winner there -  but a hold gives them 10 more yards, 27 seconds left and Cleveland's at the 27.  Still with a timeout.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Give to Motley, he loses 2 - the Browns use their final timeout - there's 8 seconds left and it's time for Groza.

Lou Groza, he missed a FG earlier - but here he comes on, looking for a 46 yard FG, it's a long one for him for sure.  Game on the line.  

Hold.  Snap.  Kick.......

NO GOOD!  NO GOOD!  GROZA'S KICK IS WIDE LEFT AND THE PATRIOTS UPSET THE BROWNS!

Final: Patriots 15 Browns 13

5 Vinatieri FGs for NE, 2 missed FGs for Groza - and the 15 knocks off the 2 to end region 14.

Brady: 18 for 28, 166 yds

Graham: Graham: 8 for 16, 101 yds INT

Smith: 18 carries, 83 yds

Carpenter: 12 carries, 74 yds

Patten: 4 catches, 59 yds

Lavelli: 4 catches, 51 yds

Ford/Willis: 2 sacks

Player of the Game: Adam Vinatieri

Region 14, Rnd 1 MVP: Joe Montana

When we come back:

1994 49ers v. 1974 Steelers

2011 Saints v. 1964 Packers

1987 49ers v. 2006 Chargers

1968 Cowboys v. 2001 Patriots

The 150 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time

Through 2021-22.

This list supersedes all prior lists.

The inputs for this list (1) WS, regular season, playoff, ABA all included (2) VORP, same inclusions; there are projections/adjustments made for era; the primary distinction between this and prior lists is a greater adjustment made for post-season value.  The Total Value number is a mash up of per game (rate) and career value.The floor for consideration is 75 regular season WS (NBA+ABA) through the 2021-22 season that means the pool contains 198 players.  Note, because a rate stat is part of the TV, it is possible for a player's TV to fall in post-peak seasons.  

75th Anniversary team members who did not make list

Tiny Archibald (182nd, through 2021-22)

Dave Bing (68.8 regular season Win Shares)

Billy Cunningham (169th through 2021-22)

Dave DeBusschere (60.8 regular season Win Shares)

Pete Maravich (46.7 regular season Win Shares)

Nate Thurmond (179th through 2021-22)

Bill Walton (39.3 regular season Win Shares)

Through 2021-22, here's where active players who are nearing the WS cut off stand:

Serge Ibaka 72.76

Kyrie Irving 72

Brook Lopez 71.48

George Hill 69.12

Thaddeus Young 68.88

Andre Drummond 67.69

Jonas Valanciunas 67.39

Karl Anthony Towns 66.08

Lou Williams 65.75

Through 2021-22 there are 193 players with TV of 200+.  Here are the last 10 out:

(Teams playes/positions played are those for which the player had 5 yrs tenure)

151. Earl Monroe SG 1968-80 Knicks/Bullets 243.1

152. Harry Gallatin PF 1949-48 Knicks           243

153. Rod Strickland PG 1989-05 Blazers/Wizards 242.2

154. Lamar Odom PF 2000-13 Lakers/Clips    240.5

155. Michael Finley SF 1996-10 Mavs/Spurs  240.5

156. Otis Thorpe PF 1985-01 Rockets/Kings   240.4

157. Tyson Chandler C 2002-20 Bulls              239.6

158. Carlos Boozer PF 2003-15 Jazz                239.5

159. Glen Rice SF 1990-04 Heat                      235.8

160. Bernard King SF 1978-93 Bullets/Knicks 233.9

150. ANDRE MILLER       PG 2000-16 Nuggets            244.1

149. DEREK HARPER     PG 1984-89 Mavs                 245.7

148. MARCUS CAMBY    C 1997-13 Nuggets/Knicks  246.1

147. SHAWN KEMP          PF 1990-03 Sonics                246.4

146. DENNIS JOHNSON  PG/SG 1977-90 Celtics        246.7

145. DAVID WEST            PF 2004-18 Hornets              247.3

144. SAM CASSELL         PG 1994-08 Bucks                249.9

Here are the players in the 240s, note the last half dozen guys to miss the list are also in the 240s, so if you liked Earl Monroe more than Sam Cassell, for ex., that wouldn't hurt my feelings. Per game, the best player here is Camby, the most valuable post season performer is DJ.  

143. NEIL JOHNSTON    C 1952-59 Warriors              250.6

142. DeANDRE JORDAN C 2009-    Clippers               251.4

141. CLIFF HAGAN         SF 1957-70 Hawks                251.5

140. STEVE SMITH         SG 1992-05 Hawks/Heat      251.5

139. LENNY WILKENS  PG 1961-75 Hawks               253.1

138. DAN MAJERLE       SG/SF 1989-02 Suns/Heat    253.7

137. JOE DUMARS          SG 1986-99 Pistons               255.3

136. MARK JACKSON    PG 1988-04 Knicks/Pacers  255.4

135. CEDRIC MAXWELL SF 1978-88 Celtics              255.7

134. DERON WILLIAMS PG 2006-17 Jazz/Nets          255.8

133. ANTHONY MASON  PF 1990-03 Knicks               257.2

The first (through 2021-22) active player on the list is Jordan, you should expect he will drop a little bit in Total Value given the per game component.  We also get the first players from the 50s - we also see a wide disparity in games played - Williams was a substantially better player game for game than Jackson, but Jackson played in nearly 500 more NBA games, regular season+postseason. Combine those things and they're virtually identical in TV. Williams/Maxwell are the best per game players in this group, Hagan has the most postseason value.  

132. PAUL MILLSAP PF 2007-22 Jazz                          261.9

131. DENNIS RODMAN PF/SF 1987-00 Pistons           262

130. JASON TERRY SG/PG 2000-18 Mavs/Hawks      263.1

129. RASHARD LEWIS SF/PF 1999-14 Sonics             263.4

128. PEJA STOJAKOVIC SF 1999-11 Kings/Hornets  263.7

127. BOB DANDRIDGE SF 1970-82 Bucks                   265.3

126. BOB McADOO C/PF 1973-86 Braves                     268.5

125. SAM PERKINS PF 1985-01 Mavs                          269.8

Peja is the best game for game player in the 260s (and the first one as good as Gallatin, who just missed the list) Rodman's the most valuable postseason player (DJ is the most valuable postseason player we've seen so far - and none of the players with 200 TV not in the top 150 match him). Per game, Terry has the least value of anyone on the list since Miller.  Terry played in over 1500 NBA games - there's value in longevity; balancing career with per game - balancing regular season and postseason, looking to consider a players entire career, that's the premise of the Total Value number computed for each player; there's no storyline here - no "let's group X next to Y" - it's math.  

124. MIKE CONLEY PG 2008- Grizzlies                     271.7

123. ANDREI KIRILENKO SF 2002-15 Jazz            272.1

122. BUCK WILLIAMS PF 1982-98 Nets/Blazers    272.3

121. AMAR'E STOUDEMIRE PF/C 2003-17 Suns/Knicks  275

120. BILL SHARMAN SG 1951-61 Celtics                275.4

119. HERSEY HAWKINS SG 1989-01 Sixers            276.1

118. VERN MIKKELSEN PF 1950-59 Lakers           276.8

117. TIM HARDAWAY PG 1990-03 Warriors/Heat  276.9 

116. VLADE DIVAC C 1990-05 Lakers/Kings           277.1

115. ALEX ENGLISH SF 1977-91 Nuggets                277.7

114. TERRY PORTER PG 1986-02 Blazers                278.4

113. CARMELO ANTHONY SF/PF 2004-22 Nuggets/Knicks 278.8

Another active player, Conley moving up should be expected. The best per game player on the list is now Bill Sharman and he's also has the most postseason value in the 270s.  

112. ALONZO MOURNING C 1993-08 Heat            280.2

111. CHRIS MULLIN SF 1986-01 Warriors              281.3

110. DETLEF SCHREMPF SF/PF 1986-01 Sonics/Pacers  283.5  

109. JAMES WORTHY SF 1983-94 Lakers               283.5

108. BOB COUSY PG 1951-70 Celtics                        284.3

107. WILLIS REED C 1965-75 Knicks                       284.7

106. HAL GREER SG 1959-73 Sixers                         286.1

105. ZELMO BEATY C 1963-75 Hawks                     288.3

T was in the last group, C is in this one (M did not make it). Willis Reed becomes the top per game player on the list; his entire NBA career was less than 600 games, less than half of Hal Greer's. The new top playoff performer is James Worthy. 

104. BLAKE GRIFFIN PF 2011- Clips                       290

103. TONY PARKER PG 2002-19 Spurs                   290.1

102. KEVIN LOVE PF 2009 - Cavs/Wolves               290.6

101. GRANT HILL SF 1995-13 Pistons                    291.5

100. ANDRE IGUODALA SF 2005 - Sixers/Warriors 294.7 

99. BILL LAIMBEER C 1981-94 Pistons               294.8

98. MARC GASOL C 2009-21 Grizzlies                   296.1

97. CHRIS WEBBER PF 1994-08 Kings                  296.3

96. JERRY LUCAS PF 1964-74 Royals                    296.7

95. SAM JONES SG 1958-69 Celtics                         297.2

94. ISIAH THOMAS PG 1982-94 Pistons                 298.8

93. ELTON BRAND PF/C 2000-16 Clips/Sixers       299.7

92. MARQUES JOHNSON SF 1978-90 Bucks          299.9

Presumbly, Iguodala is unaware he is jeopardizing his top 100 ranking by coming back to play for another season.   Griffin also is likely to be bumped back into the 280s following the 2022-23 season.  Johnson is the best per game player in this section, still behind Reed in the overall list - and Sam Jones moves past Worthy to become the top playoff performer. Lot of Pistons here in the 290s.  

91 players with Total Value of 300 +.

91. BAILEY HOWELL PF 1959-71 Pistons                           303.2

90. LaMARCUS ALDRIDGE PF/C 2007-22 Blazers/Spurs 303.4

89. BEN WALLACE C/PF 1997-12 Pistons                            304

88. DAVE COWENS C 1971-83 Celtics                                  304.1

87. JACK SIKMA C 1978-91 Sonics                                       306.5

86. SIDNEY MONCRIEF SG 1980-91 Bucks                        308.5

85. DIKEMBE MUTOMBO C 1992-09 Nuggets/Hawks/Rockets  309.5

Moncrief's the best per game player here, still trailing Reed - and Ben Wallace is now the top playoff performer on the list.  

84. PAUL GEORGE SF 2011 - Pacers                                     310.1

83. KYLE LOWRY PG 2007 - Raptors                                     312.8

82. EDDIE JONES SG 1995-08 Heat/Lakers                        317.1

Super small group here including 2 players likely to keep accumulating value.  George both best per game and in postseason here, Reed/Wallace still tops overall.  

81. RASHEED WALLACE PF/C 1996-13 Blazers/Pistons   320.6

80. CHRIS BOSH C 2004-14 Raptors/Heat                            320.9

79. BOBBY JONES PF 1975-86 Sixers                                    322

78. ELVIN HAYES PF 1969-84 Bullets/Rockets                     322.1

77. ED MACAULEY C 1950-59 Celtics                                   322.2

76. MAURICE CHEEKS PG 1979-93 Sixers                          323.4

75. RUDY GOBERT C 2014 - Jazz                                            323.5

74. CHET WALKER SF 1963-75 Sixers                                  325

73. VINCE CARTER SG/SF 1999-20 Raptors/Nets               326.1

Gobert's the top per game player on the list to date and likely to keep adding overall value; Rasheed has the most postseason value here and trails just Ben at the top of that list - Wallace/Wallace, the top postseason players of all time, with just 72 remaining to be heard from.

72. AL HORFORD C 2008 - Hawks                                         333.9

71. TRACY McGRADY SF/SF 1998-12 Rockets                   334

70. DOMINIQUE WILKINS SF 1983-99 Hawks                  334.8

69. KEVIN JOHNSON PG 1988-00 Suns                               337

68. JEFF HORNACEK SG 1987-00 Jazz/Suns                      339

67. GEORGE GERVIN SG/SF 1972-86 Spurs                       339

66. ALLEN IVERSON PG/SG 1997-10 Sixers                       339.7

Al Horford's way up here, one of the top 75 players of all time and likely to climb.  KJ has the most per game value here, Gobert still leads that group - Horford's got the postseason value for this group, he's behind the Wallaces, but that may not be the case in a year.  

65. LARRY NANCE PF 1982-94 Suns/Cavs                           344.1

64. HORACE GRANT PF 1988-04 Bulls/Magic                    346.1

63. SHAWN MARION SF/PF 2000-15 Suns/Mavs                347.5

62. ROBERT PARISH C 1977-97 Celtics                                348.6 

61. WALT BELLAMY C 1962-75 Hawks/Bullets                   348.9

Nance is the top per game player here, still behind Gobert - the two new top playoff performers on the list are the Chief - and then right ahead of the Chief is Horace Grant. 

60. DAMIAN LILLARD PG 2013 -   Blazers                            351.2

59. RICK BARRY SF 1966-80 Warriors                                  352.5

58. ELGIN BAYLOR SF 1959-72 Lakers                                354

57. PAUL ARIZIN SF 1951-62 Warriors                                  355.6

56. RUSSELL WESTBROOK PG 2009 - Thunder                 358.2

2 active point guards are in the 350s, Lillard's headed up - Westbrook probably moving the other way.  Paul Arizin's now the best per game player on the list (we get the two Warriors small forwards here, we also get Baylor next to Barry, and generally think of them together historically; as do I Worthy and Mullin, who we saw near each other earlier in the list). Baylor's the best postseason player in this group, but still solidly behind Horace Grant (everyone so far is solidly behind Horace Grant).  

55. DAN ISSEL C 1971-85 Nuggets/Colonels                          361.8

54. STEVE NASH PG 1977-2014 Suns/Mavs                          362.3

53. KEVIN McHALE PF 1981-93 Celtics                                368.5

52. DWIGHT HOWARD C 2005-22 Magic                             369.1

Nearing the top 50; McHale is both the top per game and the top playoff performer in this block - Arizin remains the best per game player on the list - but McHale takes over as the most valuable in the postseason.  

51. BOB LANIER C 1971-84 Pistons/Bucks                            370.8

50. PATRICK EWING C 1986-02 Knicks                                371.4

49. WES UNSELD C 1969-81 Bullets                                       372.5

48. DOLPH SCHAYES PF 1950-64 Nationals                         374.4

47. GEORGE MIKAN C 1949-56 Lakers                                375.7

46. JIMMY BUTLER SF/SG 2012 - Bulls                                 376.8

45. GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO 2014 - Bucks                   379.4

Bigs and actives fill the 370s. Giannis is now the top per game player we've seen on the list; Mikan's the top postseason player in this block, McHale retains the overall lead.  We will see Giannis and Butler continue to climb.  

44. MANU GINOBLI  SG 2003 - 18 Spurs                                   385

43. WALT FRAZIER PG 1968-80 Knicks                                      385.8

42. ANTHONY DAVIS PF 2013 - Pelicans                                     385.8

41. ADRIAN DANTLEY SF 1977-91 Jazz                                     393

40. GARY PAYTON PG  1991-07 Sonics                                       393.5

39. NIKOLA JOKIC C 2016 - Nuggets                                          393.6

38. CHAUNCEY BILLUPS PG/SG 1998-2014 Pistons/Nuggets  394

Davis goes by Giannis for per game value and then Jokic goes by both of them - Jokic is worth 1/4 of a win in every NBA game he's ever played in.  Billups has the top postseason value here - or would, except here's Ginobli, who goes right by him and goes by McHale to become the top playoff performer.

And now - the 37 players with 400+ Total Value.

37. JOHN HAVLICEK SF 1963-78 Celtics                                    400.3

Hondo is the only guy in the 400s, We're getting into some deep water.  36 guys left.  

36. JASON KIDD PG 1995-13 Mavs/Nets/Suns                            412.8

35. RAY ALLEN SG 1997-14 Bucks/Celtics/Sonics                       414.6

34. PAU GASOL C/PF 2002-19 Grizzlies/Lakers                          416

33. ARTIS GILMORE C 1972-88 Bulls/Spurs/Colonels                   417.3

The most underrated basketball player who ever lived is probably Artis Gilmore, one of the 10 best centers of all time. Gasol is the top per game here; Allen the best in the playoffs - for the overall list, it's still Jokic/Ginobli.  

32. MOSES MALONE C 1975-95 Rockets/Sixers                          422

31. PAUL PIERCE SF 1999-17 Celtics                                             425.2

30. SCOTTIE PIPPEN SF 1988-04 Bulls                                         429.7

Pippen's the top per game player in the group - and the top playoff performer we've seen so far.  

29. DWYANE WADE SG 2004-19 Heat                                           433

28. KAWHI LEONARD SF SF 2012 - Spurs                                   434.9

27. BOB PETTIT PF 1955-65 Hawks                                               436.4

Kawhi's got more to go - right now he's the top per game player so far; he's also the top playoff performer in this group, trailing Pippen overall.  

26. CLYDE DREXLER SG 1984-98 Blazers                                  448.5

The only member of this group - and no one is in the 450s or the 460s.  

The top 25 players in NBA history.  

25. STEPH CURRY PG 2010 - Warriors                                        476.1

24. REGGIE MILLER SG 1988-05 Pacers                                  478.7

Steph's got the per game and the playoff advantage here - he's near the top overall in both lists - but Kawhi/Pippen continue their leads.  

We've hit the 23 players with 500+ TV.

23. HAKEEM OLAJUWON C 1985-02 Rockets                         508.1

The Dream falls just a tick behind Pippen for the most valuable postseason player. 

22. JULIUS ERVING SF 1972-87 Sixers                                      518.2

Erving and Olajuwon are identical per game and nearly so in the playoffs; Erving's got more games played and it helps him slip by.

21. JAMES HARDEN  SG/PG  2010 - Rockets                              521

Harden's got 30 more regular season WS than Curry - the list isn't about who changed the game or who won more titles, it's just performance on the floor for every minute of your career.  

Top 20.

20. KOBE BRYANT SG 1997-2016 Lakers                                    533.6

19. KEVIN GARNETT PF 1996-16 TWolves/Celtics                    536.2

Contemporaries - Kobe rolls into the top postseason player spot.  It's still Kawhi who is the top per game player.  

18. DIRK NOWITZKI PF 1999-19 Mavs                                      558.1

17. JERRY WEST PG 1961-71 Lakers                                          559

16. OSCAR ROBERTSON PG 1961-74 Royals                            559

15. LARRY BIRD SF 1980-92 Celtics                                            559

14. BILL RUSSELL C 1957-69 Celtics                                          559.6

Super elite here and that is the company that Nowitzki keeps. The 4 new top per game players are here, Bird, then West, then a tie with Oscar and Russell.  Russell is second in the postseason, just behind Kobe.  Dirk's the first guy we've seen with 200 regular season Win Shares.  

13. CHARLES BARKLEY PF 1985-99 Sixers                             562.8

12. KEVIN DURANT SF 2008 - Thunder                                    567.1

11. SHAQUILLE O'NEAL C 1993-11 Lakers                              569.1

You should expect KD to retire inside the top 10.  He matches Bird at the top of the per game value list, and Shaq passes Kobe as the top playoff performer.  

The Top 10.

10. DAVID ROBINSON C 1990-03 Spurs                                   578.3

The Admiral is now the top per game player on the list.  

9. JOHN STOCKTON PG 1985-03 Jazz                                     588.9

Stockton has 200+ WS and is the first player we've seen with 100+ VORP.  That total 200/100 group in NBA history is 4 guys.  

8 players left in the 600+ Total Value club.

8. MAGIC JOHNSON PG 1980-96 Lakers                                610

7. CHRIS PAUL PG 2006 - Hornets/Clips                                  613.1

Magic is now top of both lists we've been tracking - the top per game player and the the top player in the postseason.  CP3 has already played in 200+ more NBA games than Magic; he'll cross 200 WS this season and will eventually hit the 100 VORP mark as well.  

6. KARL MALONE PF 1986-04 Jazz                                        626.7

5. TIM DUNCAN PF 1998-16 Spurs                                          629.7

Duncan roars into the top postseason player spot. 

In every single version of this list, regardless of inputs, weights, over several years - the top 4 players have been, in some order, the top 4 players.  

4. KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR  C 1970-89 Lakers/Bucks    729.4

Kareem's got the most regular season win shares in history and, to this point in the list, trails just Duncan for playoff value.  

3. WILT CHAMBERLAIN C 1960-73 Warriors/Lakers        741.3

The Dipper is now the top per game player on the list and second in WS.  

2. MICHAEL JORDAN SG  1985-03 Bulls                              781.4

Jordan's the best game for game player in NBA history; Wilt finishes second. To this point in the list, Jordan's also the top playoff performer ever and top in VORP.  

There's one guy in the 800 Total Value club.  He's the best basketball player who ever lived.

1. LEBRON JAMES SF 2004 - Cavs/Lakers                          865.9

LeBron's got the most postseason value, he's third per game, first in VORP, second in regular season Win Shares - he's played in nearly 400 more NBA games than Jordan; nearly 600 more than Magic or Bird. And it continues.  The King is the King.  There is no denying it.  

 

256 Team NFL Tournament Round 1/Region 14: 1968 Dallas Cowboys v. 2020 Green Bay Packers

 '06 Chargers v. '00 Raiders

10. 2020 GREEN BAY PACKERS at 7. 1968 DALLAS COWBOYS

7. 1968 DALLAS COWBOYS

Record: 12-2

Pythag: 12-2

Off: 1st

Def: 2nd

1st Cap Division

lost Div Rnd Browns 31-20

HC Tom Landry 

Cotton Bowl: 60 degrees

Bill Mercer/Blackie Sherrod

Offense

QB Don Meredith 30 30 SMU

RB Craig Baynham 24 24 Geo Tech

RB Don Perkins 30 N Mexico

WR Lance Rentzel 25 Oklahoma

WR Bob Hayes 26 All Pro Florida A&M

TE Pettis Norman 26 JC Smith

LT Tony Liscio 28 Tulsa

LG John Niland 24 Iowa

C Malcolm Walker 25 Rice

RG John Wilbur 25 Stanford

RT Ralph Neely 25 All Pro Oklahoma

Defense

LDE Larry Cole 22 R  Hawaii

LDT Jethro Pugh 24 Eliz City St

RDT Bob Lilly 29 All Pro TCU

RDE George Andrie 28 Marquette

LLB Chuck Howley 32 All Pro W Virginia

MLB Lee Roy Jordan 27 Alabama

RLB Dave Edwards 29 Auburn

LCB Cornell Green 28 Utah St

RCB Mike Johnson 25 Kansas

LS Mike Gaechter 28 Oregon

RS Mel Renfro 27 All Pro Oregon

K Mike Clark 28 A&M

P Ron Widby 23 Tenn

KR Craig Baynham 24 Tenn

PR Bob Hayes 26 All Pro Florida A&M

The '66 Cowboys upset the '11 Packers in Region 13; Dallas looks to tie the Packers with their 9th team into round 2.  Best offense in football, second best defense. 30 year old Don Meredith had 22 scores and 12 picks. 25 year old Lance Renzel had a thousand yards receiving. 26 year old All Pro Bullet Bob Hayes caught 10 TDs and ran back two punts for scores. 25 year old Ralph Neely is also an All Pro. 2 All Pros on defense, 29 year old Bob Lilly, 32 year old Chuck Howley. 

10. 2020 GREEN BAY PACKERS

Record: 13-3

Pythag: 11-5

Off: 1st

Def: 13th

1st NFC North

d. Rams Div Rnd 32-18

lost Bucs NFC Title 31-26

HC Matt LaFleur OC Nathaniel Hackett DC Mike Pettine

Offense

QB Aaron Rodgers 37 All Pro Cal

RB Aaron Jones 26 UTEP

WR Davante Adams 28 All Pro Fresno 

WR Marques Valdes Scantling 26 S Florida

WR Allen Lazard 25 Iowa St

TE Robert Tonyan 26 Indiana St

LT David Bakhtiari All Pro 29 Col St

LG Elgton Jenkins 25 Miss St

C Corey Linsley All Pro 29 Ohio St

RG Lucas Patrick 27 Duke

RT Billy Turner 29 N Dakota St

Defense

LDE Dean Lowry 26 Nwestern

NT Kenny Clark 25 UCLA

RDE Kingsley Keke 24 A&M

LOLB Preston Smith 28 Miss St

LILB Christian Kirksey 28 Iowa

RILB Krys Barnes 22 R UCLA

ROLB Za'Darius Smith 28 Kentucky

LCB Jaire Alexander 23 Louisville

RCB Kenny King 25 Wash

SS Adrian Amos 27 Penn St

FS Darnell Savage 23 Mary

K Mason Crosby 36 Colorado

P JK Scott 25 Alabama

KR Darrius Shepherd 25 N Dakota St

PR Tyler Ervin 27 S Jose St

The '64 Packers became the 9th Green Bay team to advance in the upper half of the region - they then watched the 49ers go by them and add their 10th team to round 2.  This Green Bay team had the best offense in 2020.  Aaron Rodgers is a 37 year old All Pro, 51 scores and 5 picks.  Yeeesh.  26 year old Aaron Jones had 14 starts and nearly 1500 yards from scrimmage. 28 year old Davante Adams is an All Pro, 18 TDs, over 1300 yards receiving, 115 catches. 26 year old Robert Tonyan had 11 TDs; two All Pros on the line, 29 year old David Bakhtiari, 29 year old Corey Linsley. On defense, 28 year old Za'Darius Smith had 12.5 sacks.  

It's Cowboys/Packers; Green Bay trying to catch the Niners - the Cowboys trying to catch Green Bay - lets head to the Cotton Bowl for the kick.

1st Qtr: 

The Cowboys start at the 31.

3 and out.

Packers at the 36.

1/10- A yard for Aaron Jones.

2/9 - Aaron Rodgers going up top - he finds Davante Adams - that's a big 38 yard gain, Rodgers hitting Adams for 38 on the second play of the drive.

1/10 - 1 for Jones

2/9 -  Bob Lilly drops Aaron Rodgers, big sack for the Cowboys.

3/15 - Rodgers picks it up - brilliant strike to Marquez Valdes Scantling for 19, the Pack is at the 11 yard line.

The drive ends on a Lee Roy Jordan sack - Crosby FG makes it 3-0.

Dallas at the 36.

1/10 - Don Perkins gains 16 yards.

1/10 - 17 for Perkins.

1/10 - Craig Baynham goes for 3

2/7 - Don Meredith's first completion, 15 to Lance Renzel and the Cowboys are at the 13.

1/10 - Meredith - End Zone -- Bob Hayes -- TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS - Meredith 13 yard strike to Hayes - the Cowboys take the 7-3 lead.

GB at the 31 - they get a first down on 5 yard Jamaal Williams run, but they have a 4th down and line up to punt as the qtr ends.

2nd Qtr Cowboys 7 Packers 3

Dallas up on that Bob Hayes TD reception, they'll be getting the ball back after the punt.

Dallas at the 19.

1/10 - Meredith to Pettis Norman, 13 yards

1/10 - Perkins gets 3 - a face mask adds 15 more and the Cowboys are at midfield.

1/10 - Meredith 3 to Rentzel.

2/7 - Meredith 10 yards to Rentzel - Dallas at the 37. 

1/10 - 2 for Perkins

2/8 - 5 for Dan Reeves

3/3 - Big gain for Perkins, he goes all the way to the Packer 8 yard line - the Packers with no answer for Don Perkins so far in this one.  

1/goal - Meredith -- End Zone -- Baynham -- TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS - 8 yard strike to Baynham - Dandy Don with his second TD pass of the day, the Cowboys go up 14-3.

Packers at the 22.

1/10 - Rodgers to Williams, 5 yards

2/5 - Rodgers to Adams, 13 yards to the 40.

1/10 - Rodgers to Williams, that's another first down - Pack at midfield, Rodgers moving the ball through the air.

1/10 - 2 for Williams

2/8 - Incomplete

3/8 - Rodgers picks it up - 16 yards to Valdes Scantling, the Pack at the 32.

1/10 - Jones for 1

2/9 - First carry for AJ Dillon, he gets 18 yards and the Pack is at the 13 yard line.

And that's where the drive ends - Lilly picks up his second sack - Crosby hits his second FG and ar the 2 minute warning, it's 14-6.

Pack way back at the 4.

1/10 - Baynham gets 5.  

2/5 - Incomplete

3/5 - Meredith to Perkins, he goes for 14 yards, picks up the first down, a false start on the next play mans Dallas has a 1st and 15 at the 18 with 1:24 to go.  

1/10 - Meredith to Baynham - he's got a step and gets to the 35 yard line, it's a first down for the Cowboys.

That's it - the Pack uses a timeout to stop the clock before the punt, they get it back with less than 30 seconds left at their own 19 yard line.  

1/10 - Rodgers -- Going Deep -- Rodgers with the big Strike to Adams -- Davante Adams catches the home run ball and goes 52 yards - all the way to the Dallas 29 yard line!  Green Bay uses their second timeout, they've got 12 seconds left in the half and are at the Dallas 29 yard line!

1/10 - It's a Draw - Aaron Jones -- Jones bursts through the line -- Jones has a Step -- Aaron Jones is Gonna Go Into the End Zone -- TOUCHDOWN PACKERS - Aaron Jones ends the first half with the 29 yard TD run -- super gutsy call, Matt LaFleur risking the end of the half, but must have seen the opening in the Dallas defense - Pack decides to kick the XP instead of trying to tie it up - and so we go to the half, 14-13 Dallas.

3rd Qtr: Cowboys 14 Packers 13

Fun game in Dallas, the end of the half Packer TD slicing the deficit to a point.

Pack at the 35.

1/10 - Aaron Jones takes the first run 64 yards - stepping out of bounds just before hitting the goal line -- Aaron Jones, who went to high school in Texas, went to UTEP, comes to Dallas and ends the half with the big TD run - and starts the half with the 64 yard run.  Big, big, big  game for Aaron Jones.

1/goal - Aaron Rodgers sneak -- TOUCHDOWN PACKERS - it takes just 2 plays and the Packers take the lead, 20-14.

Cowboys at the 7.

1/10 - Don Perkins again, 16 yards, Perkins keeps putting the pressure on the Packer defense

1/10 - Meredith, quick 5 to Hayes

2/5 - Baynham goes for 23, Dallas crossed midfield.

1/10 - Meredith to Perkins.  5.

2/5 - Meredtith to Renzel. 8 - Dallas at the 36.

1/10 - Meredith forced to run, 3 yards.

2/7 - Dan Reeves pops a 19 yrd run, Dallas started at the 7 and are all the way to the Packer 14, we have 8 minutes left in the third.  

1/10 - 4 for Perkins

2/6 - Meredith - End Zone -- Pete Gent -- TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS - A 93 yard drive by the Cowboys to answer the Packers, Meredith to Gent the capper - Dallas retakes the lead and it is 21-10., little more than 6 left in the third.

Pack at the 32.

1/10 - Nothing for Jones

2/10 - Rodgers to Jones, 7 yards

3/3 - AJ Dillon busts a 19 yard gain, out to the Cowboy 44.

1/10 - 3 for Williams

2/7 - Rodgers 10 yards to Jones, another first down

1/10 - 3 for Dillon

2/7 - 2 for Jones

3/5 - Rodgers to Adams right at the sticks -- that's a first down at the 20.

1/10 - 3 for Jones

2/7 - Chuck Howley sacks Rodgers, that's the 4th Cowboy sack of the day and that is the last play of the third qte

4th Qtr: Cowboys 21 Packers 20

Set up for a fantastic finish; Pack down 1, 3rd and 14 in field goal range at the 24.

They don't pick it up - the Crosby FG makes it 23-21 Pack.

Dallas at the 33.  

1/10 - Green Bay's first sack, Dean Lowry gets Meredith

2/14 - It's back to back sacks, Rashan Gary gets Meredith.

3/21 - And then Bob Hayes - catches the ball in space and then uses the speed - Hayes with the 30 yard reception, Dallas picks up the first down. 

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Kenny Clark gets Meredith - the Pack defense finally getting home, 3 big sacks on the drive.  

3/16 - Meredith -- Bob Hayes -- Hayes has the 16 yards -- Dallas again - Meredith to Hayes again --  Dallas at the 35.

1/10 - Walt Garrison's first carry, 5 yards.

2/5 - Meredith - End Zone -- Hayes --- Picked Off by Jaire Alexander!  Alexander with the massive intercption - he Picks off Don Meredith in the End Zone and now with 10 minutes to go, the Packers have the ball at the 20, up by 2.

1 first down for the Pack, Rodgers 6 to Adams.  

But with less than 7 to play, they have to punt.  Dallas at the 31.

2 first downs, 14 yards from Meredith to Norman, 14 yards from Meredith to Garrison.  

But instead of taking a shot at a 58 yard FG or going for a 4th and long - Landry decides to punt the ball back to the Packers - that is a super tough call here - the Packers regain possession at their own 16, up 2, 4 minutes left.

1/10 - Nothing for Jones.  

2/10 - DD Lewis sacks Rodgers, Dallas has 5 sacks today.  

3/17 - Rodgers picks it up - a 23 yard reception by Valdes Scantling - Green Bay now has a first down at their own 32 yard line.  

1/10 - Jones, no gain - but we're now at the 2 minute warning.  

2/10 - 2 yards for Jones, Cowboys call their first timeout.  

3/8 - Bob Lilly gets his 3rd sack of the day - that's a huge stop - Dallas stops the Packer drive - the Cowboys stop the clock - Dallas gets the ball after the nice Hayes return, Dallas is at their own 44, 98 seconds to go, Dallas with 1 timeout remaining.

And coming out with the offense is Craig Morton - Meredith pulled - Landry going with Morton - 1:38 to play, Dallas down 2, Dallas at their own 44.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Incomplete

3/10 - Morton finds Gent - right at the first down marker, Dallas at the Packer 46 there is a minute left in the game

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Rashan Gary gets his second sack - Dallas forced to use its final timeout - it's 3rd and 15 at their own 49 with 39 seconds left in the game.  

3/15 - Morton finds Lance Rentzel -- a huge 25 yard pickup - Dallas has a first down at the Packer 26, Morton hurrying the Cowboys to the line -- he'll spike the ball to stop the clock, theres 15 seconds left, Dallas at the Packer 26, Cowboys out of timeouts.  

Landry's not waiting.  Mike Clark comes out on the field - Clark lining up for a 43 yard FG that almost certainly wins the game for the Cowboys.

Snap.  Kick.   GOOOOOOOOD!!!!  GOOOOOOOOD!!!!!! Mike Clark drills a 43 yard FG and with just seconds remaining - Dallas takes the 24-23 lead - Clark -- Clark- Mike Clark gives the Cowboys the 1 point lead!!!

And that is the final - squib kick, some laterals - it's over.

Final: Cowboys 24 Packers 23

Craig Morton comes off the bench and leads the Cowboys to the game winning FG.  One spot remains in region 14.

Meredith: 19 for 27, 213 yds 3 TD/INT

Rodgers: 14 for 20, 203 yds

Perkins: 13 carries, 84 yds

Jones: 14 carries, 120 yds 1 TD

Hayes: 5 catches 64 yds TD

Adams: 5 catches, 105 yds

Lilly: 3 sacks

Gary: 2 sacks

Player of the Game: Bob Lilly

256 Team NFL Tournament Round 1/Region 14: 2006 San Diego Chargers v. 2000 Oakland Raiders

 '87 Niners v. '12 Ravens

11. 2000 OAKLAND RAIDERS at 6. 2006 SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

6. 2006 SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

Record: 14-2

Pythag: 12-4

Off: 1st

Def: 7th

1st AFC West

lost Div Rnd 24-21 Patriots

HC Marty Schottenheimer OC Cam Cameron DC Wade Phillips

Qualcomm Stadium: 65 degrees

Josh Lewin/Hank Bauer

Offense

QB Philip Rivers 25  NC St

RB LaDainian Tomlinson 27 All Pro  TCU

FB Lorenzo Neal 36 All Pro Fresno St

WR Keenan McCardell 36 UNLV

WR Vincent Jackson 23 N Colorado

TE Antonio Gates All Pro 26 Kent St

LT Marcus McNeill 23 R Auburn

LG Kris Dielman  Indiana

C Nick Hardwick Purdue

RG Mike Goff 30 Iowa

RT Shane Olivea 25 Ohio St

Defense

LDE Luis Castillo 23 NWestern

NT Jamal Williams 30 All Pro Oklahoma St

RDE Igor Olshansky 24 Oregon

LOLB Shawne Merriman 22 All Pro Maryland

LILB Randall Godfrey 33 UGA

RILB Donnie Edwards 33 UCLA

ROLB Shaun Phillips 25 Purdue

LCB Quentin Jammer 27 Texas

RCB Drayton Florence 26 Tuskegee

SS Terrence Kiel 26 A&M

FS Marlon McCree 29 Kentucky

K Nate Kaeding 24 Iowa 

P Mike Scifres 26 W Illinois

KR Michael Turner 24 N Illinois

PR Eric Parker 27 Tennessee

2 Chargers teams have safely moved forward, the Chargers are the 6th seed in the region. This 2006 team had the best record in football. Phil Rivers is 25, 22 scores and 9 picks.  The engine is 27 year old All Pro LaDainian Tomlinson who had over 2300 yards from scrimmage. Lorenzo Neal, at 36 is also an All Pro as is 26 year old Antonio Gates with 9 TDs. On defense there's 22 year old Lights Out Merriman, All Pro with 17 sacks. And another 18.5 combined from 23 year old Luis Castillo and 25 year old Shaun Phillips.  This is a defense who will get after you.

11. 2000 OAKLAND RAIDERS

Record: 12-4

Pythag: 12-4

Off: 3rd

Def: 9th

1st AFC West

d. Dolphins Div Rnd 27-0

lost AFC Title Ravens 16-3

HC Jon Gruden OC Bill Callahan DC Chuck Bresnahan

Offense

QB Rich Gannon 35 All Pro Delaware

RB Tyrone Wheatley 28 Michigan

FB Jon Ritchie 26 Stanford

WR Tim Brown 34 N Dame

WR James Jett 30 W Virginia

TE Rickey Dudley 28 Ohio St

LT Matt Stinchcomb 23 R UGA

LG Steve Wisniewski 33 Penn St

C Barret Robbins 27 TCU

RG Mo Collins 24 Florida

RT Lincoln Kennedy 29 Wash

Defense

LDE Tony Bryant 24  Florida St

LDT Grady Jackson 27 Knoxville

RDT Darrell Russell 24 USC

RDE Regan Upshaw 25  Cal

LLB William Thomas 32 A&M

MLB Greg Biekert 31 Colorado

RLB Elijah Alexander 30 K St

LCB Charles Woodson 24 Michigan

RCB Eric Allen 35 Ariz St

SS Marquez Pope 30 Fresno St

FS Anthony Dorsett 27 Pitt

K Sebastian Janikowski 22  Florida St

P Shane Lechler 24 All Pro A&M

KR David Dunn 28 Fresno 

PR Darrien Gordon 30 Stanford

5 Raiders teams have advanced; the 11th seed in the region is the 2000 Oakland group with the 3rd best offense in football.  35 year old Rich Gannon is an All Pro, 32 scores and 11 picks. 28 year old Tyrone Wheatley rushed for over a thousand yards in 13 starts with 10 scores. 1100 yards+ receiving for 34 year old Tim Brown. Shane Lechler, the 24 year old punter, is the team's other All Pro. On defense, 28 year old Grady Jackson had 8 sacks. 

The '87 Niners will host the winners of this game in round 2 - battle of AFC West rivals - let's go to San Diego for the kick.

1st Qtr

Chargers at the 27.

1/10 - LaDainian Tomlinson takes the first carry 66 yards - all the way to the 7 - Tomlinson just exploding through the Raider defense, it's a first and goal.

1/goal - Michael Turner --- goes into the End Zone --- TOUCHDOWN CHARGERS - it takes just 2 plays and San Diego is up 7-0.

Raiders at the 31, they get a first down, Rich Gannon 11 yards to Andre Rison, but the drive ends in a punt.  Chargers at the 17.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Philip Rivers to Tomlinson, 9 yards.

3/1 - Tomlinson busts a 20 yard run.  

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Good god - 28 yards for Tomlinson, he is over a hundred yards already - already!

1/10 - 6 more for Tomlinson.

2/4 - Lorenzo Neal gets 2.

3/4 - Rivers to Neal - he picks it up and it's a first and goal at the 10 yard line.

1/goal - Tomlinson for 2.

2/goal - Rivers.  End Zone.  Antonio Gates. TOUCHDOWN CHARGERS - 8 yards from Rivers to Gates, there are still 5 minutes left in the quarter and the Chargers lead 14-0.  

Raiders at the 28. 3 and out.

Chargers at the 25. 

1/10 12 yard gain for Lorenzo Neal.

1/10 - End around to Keenan McCardell gets a yard

2/9 - Rivers to Vincent Jackson, 4 yards.

3/5 - Rivers to Tomlinson, 11 yards across midfield - the Chargers are killing the Raiders today.

1/10 - Tomlinson for 5 - that's the last play of the qtr.

2nd Qtr: Chargers 14 Raiders 0

San Diego is just all over Oakland, no answer at all for La Dainian Tomlinson who is storming toward an all time effort today.  2nd and 5 at the Raider 42.

2/5 - Rivers goes 14 yards to McCardell - Chargers at the 28.

The drive ends here - a FG makes it 17-0.

Raiders at the 32 - another 3 and out.  

Chargers at the 22.  9 left in the half.

1/10 - Rivers downfield to McCardell, that's an 18 yard pickup.

1/10 - a yard for Tomlinson

2/9 - Rivers 7 yards to Gates. 

3/2 - Turner picks it up, Chargers at midfield.

1/10 - A yard for Tomlinson

2/9 - Rivers to Jackson, 12 yards to the 37 and an offsides takes it 5 more on the next play.

1/5 - Rivers - Tomlinson, 16 yards to the Raider 16.

1/10 - Another yard for Tomlinson

2/9 - Here goes Michael Turner -- Turner goes 15 yards - 15 yards for Michael Turner --- Into the End Zone -- TOUCHDOWN CHARGERS - San Diego is mauling the Raiders, it is 24-0 with less than 4 to play in the first half.

Raiders at the 40.  

3 and out.  Chargers at the 30.  3 and out. 

Raiders at the 32 with 80 seconds left.

1/10 - Tyrone Wheatley busts a 50 yard run - the drive dies after that - Janikowski FG to end the half.

Third Qtr: Chargers 24 Raiders 3

This looks over; San Diego just way too much in this one.

Raiders at the 37.

1/10 - Rich Gannon finds Tim Brown, 13 yards.  

1/10 - Napoleon Kaufman goes for 6.

2/4 - Zack Crockett for 1

3/3 - Gannon to Jon Ritchie - 19 yards, Raiders at the San Diego 24.

That's it - Oakland FG makes it 24-6.

Chargers at the 36.

1/10 - Tomlinson, again -- 18 yards.

1/10 - 1 for Tomlinson

2/9 - Incomplete

3/9 - Rivers finds Eric Parker, 14 to the Raider 31.

1/10 - Incomplete

2/10 - Turner goes for 11

1/10 - 8 for Tomlinson

2/2 - Tomlinson picks it up and there's a first and goal at the 10.

1/goal - Lorenzo Neal bulldozes his way -- Into the End Zone -- TOUCHDOWN CHARGERS -the Raiders had scored the last 6 points -- but the Chargers have salted this away, it is 31-6 with less than 5 to go in the third.  

Raiders at the 21, 3 and out including a Shawne Merriman sack.

Chargers at the 39.  3 and out.

Raiders at the 20 - on the second play, the Chargers force a fumble by Crockett, the Chargers have a first down at the Oakland 10 as the qtr ends

4th Qtr: Chargers 31 Raiders 6

San Diego will head to round 2 to face the 1987 49ers.  

They run the ball 3 times and kick the FG.  34-6.

Raiders at the 35 - Shaun Phillips strip sacks Gannon on the first play and rumbles all the way to the 12 yard line.  The Chargers with a dominant performance on both sides of the ball today.

Two plays later, Rivers finds Antonio Gates in the back of the end zone -- TOUCHDOWN CHARGERS - with 10 left to go, it is 41-6 San Diego.  

Raiders at the 36, they'll get a couple first downs, the biggest play Gannon 21 yards to Brown - but Merriman's second sack will end the drive, the Chargers taking over on downs at their own  30.  

3 plays later, Michael Turner blows through the line, 35 yards, just running downhill - into thje endzone -- TOUCHDOWN CHARGERS - with 5 minutes left San Diego is up 48-6.

Oakland takes the rest of the game to dunk their way downfield, Gannon 21 yards to Brown, again, the biggest play - Tyrone Wheatley caps the drive with a touchdown - TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS

After the onside kick fails, its victory formation and the Chargers advance.  

Final: Chargers 48 Raiders 13

Easy, easy, easy money for San Diego - a dominant win for the Chargers.

Rivers: 15 for 24 180 yds 2 TD

Gannon: 10 for 18 115 yds 

Tomlinson: 26 carries, 207 yds, 4 catches, 43 yds

Turner: 9 carries, 95 yds, 3 TDs

Wheatley: 15 carries, 115 yds, TD

Gates: 5 catches 62 yds TD

Brown: 6 catches, 68 yds

Merriman: 2 sacks

Player of the Game: LaDainian Tomlinson