NFL Game of the Week began life under the sweltering heat of Baltimore's Memorial Stadium. The Baltimore Colts, defending champions of the Western Conference, put on an aerial assault that simply overwhelmed Minnesota. Lenny Moore scored a touchdown in his 18th straight game, completing an NFL record, as Baltimore took out the Vikings 31-16.
Defense was often the deciding factor for many a Packer game in 1965. The Lambeau Field opener was no exception. Besides their front four, linebacker Lee Roy Caffey shone brightly with an interception for a touchdown. This 23-14 win kept the Packer momentum building toward a championship.
Don Chandler was the Packers' new placekicker and punter in 1965. He proved his worth in this game. Chandler booted two field goals and sent the Niners reeling with a 90-yard punt (second-longest in NFL history) as Green Bay towered 27-10.
Back on Halloween, the Steelers defeated Dallas, effectively ending the Cowboys' chances at the Eastern Conference title. The Cowboys took heed of coach Tom Landry's emotional postgame speech. Now, on November 14, Dallas hosted the Steelers and, with a renewed purpose, beat Pittsburgh 24-17.
Both the Steelers and Giants were going to spend all of 1966 battling for the dishonor of NFL's worst record. No one could have known that from the Opening Day showdown, however. A 34-34 tie was not the true measure of futility by which Pittsburgh and New York would be judged.
The Cleveland Browns were anxious to get revenge on the Green Bay Packers for losing the 1965 NFL Championship Game. On this day of September 25, 1966, the scene was Cleveland Municipal Stadium. That in itself kept the Browns in the game, but it could not prevent the Packers from a late comeback to stay on Lombardi's championship course, 21-20.
This was a game for the record books: Washington 72, New York 41. It demonstrated that the Giants were on very hard times. They had no Huffs, no Robustellis, no Griers, no defense.
Dallas was the fastest team in the NFL, and on December 4, the speed paid dividends. By manhandling St. Louis, the Cowboys won their first-ever berth in the NFL playoffs.
Despite a 3-1-1 start, Green Bay was criticized as an old team with no offense. So on October 22, they went to Yankee Stadium and belittled the Giants 48-21. One key to victory: the Packers were starting regular QB Bart Starr for the first time following a preseason injury.
Back on October 15, the Giants had won a squeaker in Pittsburgh on a triple-reverse flea-flicker. Now, another tight game in Yankee Stadium between these same two teams. It was New York again, 28-20, against a cellar-dwelling division rival.
The recipe for this November 26 game was big plays. Cleveland seemed to have the biggest plays, including a team record 104-yard kicokff return touchdown, as the Browns withstood the Redskins' challenge 42-37.
Baltimore had yet to lose in 1967 (and couldn't afford to lose, either). The Dallas Cowboys, seeking the NFL Capital Division title, played the Colts on December 3 too close for anyone's comfort. Fortunately for Baltimore, their horseshoe heroes pulled it out, 23-17.
After a sluggish 1-2 start, the Redskins returned to the renamed RFK Stadium October 16 for the home opener. It was tough going, but the 'Skins evened their record with a 17-14 win over the luckless Eagles.
Cleveland was riding on the strength of new starting QB Bill Nelsen, who had won six straight games. New York trailed the Browns by just one game going into this December 1 showdown. Nelsen and RB Leroy Kelly turned this into a mismatch. Winning 45-10, the Browns were one victory away from the Century Division title (a title they would win the next week).
Since late October, the Rams were gasping for breath in the tight Coastal Division race with the Baltimore Colts. They had to beat the Bears on December 8 to maintain the remote hope of a title. What happened in the final minutes, though, was an unforgettable sting. An officiating blunder aided and abeted the Bears to upset the Rams 17-16.
September 21 was a new dawn for the New York Giants. Just a few days earlier, they elevated Alex Webster to head coach. Now the likeable ex-Giant running back faced his first big challenge in the Vikings, winners of the Central Division the year before.
The home opener for the Minnesota Vikings on September 28 was a huge test. Their opponents were the Baltimore Colts, the same team that had beaten them in the 1968 playoffs. Viking QB Joe Kapp took dead aim and fired his way into a share of the NFL record book: Seven touchdown passes.
For 20 years, the Cleveland Browns had been among the NFL's elite teams. When they met the Detroit Lions on October 5, 1969 in Cleveland Municipal Stadium, the Browns were 2-0. But the Browns had a failing: except for the 1954 NFL Championship and one game late in 1964, the Browns could not beat the Lions. This the Lions exploited in the second half of a 28-21 comeback win.
Vince Lombardi brought a new optimism to the Washington Redskins and their fans. But until October 12, the new formula was still unproven. It would take a visit from the St. Louis Cardinals to really show how the far the Redskins had come.
How bad was 1969 for Baltimore? The Colts lost the Super Bowl, the Orioles lost the World Series, both to the upstarts from Shea. Now the Colts are still living off the nightmarish start to the '69 season. On October 26, the 49ers came to town for the game that would make or break the Colts' year after just six weeks.
New Orleans and St. Louis had had troubles offensively for the first half of the season. But on November 2, the two teams pierced the air in AFL style. The result: a 51-42 Saints victory.
The Vikings opened the second half of the season, and the second half of their winning streak, the way they began. Once again, Joe Kapp and Co. riddled one of the NFL powers for more than 50 points. Cleveland was humbled 51-3 in foreboding Metropolitan Stadium.
The Rams, riding an 8-0 start, found the hapless Eagles anything but a laugher. It was time for another L.A. star to rise, and his name was Eddie Meador.
Dick Nolan had been building a youth movement in San Francisco during 1969. It didn't amount to much, as evidenced by this game of November 23. The Saints, playing like surprising veterans,kept pace with the 49ers in a 43-38 shootout.
The NFL's 50th anniversary season was anything but golden for the Chicago Bears. Through ten weeks, the Bears had but one victory to their season. Now on November 30, they face an even greater challenge from a Cleveland Browns team that can win its division.
Paul Brown, the ex-Cleveland coach, returned to Municipal Stadium October 11 to start the new Battle of Ohio rivalry. Brown, now the Cincinnati coach, seemed at times to have the upper hand on his former team and his former student, coach Blanton Collier. But the Browns found a way to win, 30-27.
Revenge was the sweetest poison Baltimore could deliver on the Jets October 18. Not only did the Colts dominate the game, intercepting Joe Namath six times, but they also helped fracture a bone in Joe's wrist. It shelved Namath for the rest of the year. The Jets sank 29-22 and would not be a serious threat for a long time to come.
The Giants and Cardinals were in contention throughout 1970. But on October 25, a victory for the Giants meant regaining New York fan support. All things considered, Fran Tarkenton had a golden day. Even though St. Louis tried to come back, but the Giants were too far ahead, winning 35-17.
Both the Vikings and Lions were 5-1 going into their first clash of the season November 1. Detroit seemed to have momentum early, but the bulk of the game would be all Minnesota. This 30-17 win was Minnesota's fifth straight over the Lions.
If you want a reason for the uncertainties of the NFC East Division's first year, look no further than November 8, 1970. Despite their 5-2 start, the Cowboys were a shaky team with a sputtering offense. They faced a Giant team in rebirth. It would be the Big Blue players like running back Ron Johnson and kicker Pete Gogolak who would truly make the difference in the Giants 23-20 victory.
The Lions had already lost to the Vikings two weeks before in Detroit. Now on November 15, with only one loss on the Viking log, Minnesota had to struggle. Detroit would not let go, but the final two minutes produced an all-too-familiar ending. Minnesota won (as it had been winning at home since Week 2 of the 1969 season). Detroit could not break free of the icy grip that was only half-finished.
New rivals in the AFC Central Division, Pittsburgh visited Riverfront Stadium for the first time November 22, 1970. And there was little the Steelers could do as Cincinnati powered to an overwhelming 34-7 triumph. Though the Bengals were still one game out of first place, they had the momentum to take the AFC Central title at season's end.
With Joe Namath out of action, the Jets had relied for most of the year on Al Woodall at QB. Now, on November 29, he pulled his second upset in three weeks. The Vikings' ""Purple People Eaters"" were humbled 20-10 in Shea Stadium. It would be the last victory for the 1970 Jets.
The Cardinals had a chance to land the NFC East crown in 1970, but fell flat because they couldn't beat the Giants. In this rematch at Busch Stadium, New York had a much easier time than before, trouncing St. Louis 34-17 and bringing the NFC East Championship down to the final week.
The NFC East Division's first tightest race came in the newly-realigned division's first year. Both the Giants and Cowboys, along with the St. Louis Cardinals, were in the race for one playoff berth. Dallas got it in record-breaking style, busting Houston for more than 50 points. As a consolation, New York's Ron Johnson became the Giants' first running back to rush for 1000 yards in a season.
The Vikings had been undefeated at home in 1969 and 1970. But on December 27, Metropolitan Stadium would not be a happy place for the home team. San Francisco, finally winners of their division, dominated the Vikes 17-14 for the 49ers first-ever post-season win.
Jim Plunkett and Archie Manning had competed for the Heisman Trophy in 1970 and were high picks in the '71 draft (Plunkett earned both). This doubleheader shows the pro debuts of both QBs. Plunkett, leading the renamed New England Patriots in Foxboro's new Schafer Stadium, surprises Oakland with an overwhelming victory. Archie Manning of the Saints finds it more difficult, but he rallies New Orleans in the last minutes for the first-ever Opening Day win in Saints history.
New quarterback Archie Manning had but one win under his pro belt prior to October 17 (Game of the Week covered it
George Allen's Redskins had become the last undefeated team in the NFL. Visiting Kansas City on October 24, injuries would take the Redskins down. It was to be Kansas City's first-ever regular-season win over an NFC team.
During the 1970s, big days for New York football were hard to come by. Thus November 7 was to be cherished for a long time. Both the Giants and Jets, suffering through mediocrity, pulled off upsets.
There was always a little extra tension in games between the Baltimore Colts and Miami Dolphins. Don Shula was riding what would be a very long Orange Bowl winning streak, which Baltimore threatened to break. But the strength the Dolphins had amassed by now, would lead them to a late 17-14 win.
After nearly fourteen months on the bench nursing two injuries, Joe Namath made his return to the gridiron November 28, 1971. His presence was all the Jets could hope for if they wanted to avoid a losing season. And the 49ers knew it.
Two division crowns were awarded in Week 13 of the 1971 season. First the NFC Central, between an unshakable Minnesota squad and the luckless Lions. Fluke plays aided and abeted the Vikings to a 29-10 conquest. Not as easy to win was the AFC West, but Kansas City beat out their archrivals from Oakland 16-14.
The longest NFL game ever played, between the Chiefs and Dolphins, took up 82:40 on Christmas Day 1971. It sent a message to the League and to the Dolphins, who were to realize they could compete with anyone. They stayed step-for-step with Kansas City and prevailed, 27-24.
Pittsburgh, resplendent with rookie running back Franco Harris, opened their season September 17 with a new belief in winning. They opened up a big lead on Oakland, but nearly gave it away. Daryle Lamonica replaced the inexperienced Ken Stabler as Oakland QB and fired three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough.
Joe Namath and Johnny Unitas dueled really for the only time head-to-head September 24. And they had the same day in the sun, piling up passing yardage in a 44-34 Jets win.
The true test of the 1972 Miami Dolphins came with this Week 5 showdown. San Diego pressed Dolphin starter Bob Griese, injuring his right ankle. Now came the genius of Don Shula: backup QB Earl Morrall kept up Miami's caliber. The largest crowd in Dolphin history cheered the team to its fifth straight win. No one at that time knew just how long their success would endure.
The 9-0 Dolphins were quick to win the AFC East in this Week 10 showdown with the 7-2 Jets. Any hopes New York had of earning the AFC Wild Card began to sink in this contest.
The NFC Central Division was ready to change its guard in 1972. A renewed running game put Green Bay on the fast track, but they had yet to shake off the rival Vikings. On November 26, the race only got tighter, as the Washington Redskins and Pittsburgh Steelers, each having their year of years, kept those from the Black and Blue Division at bay. Washington beat the Pack 21-16 and Pittsburgh denied Minnesota 23-10.
Green Bay ran away with the Central Division of the NFC. Their potent ground game showed its strength in Metropolitan Stadium against the previous NFC Central champs.
For the Steelers, who had never been in the playoffs before, this game of December 23 would be remembered forever. It's a holy day of obligation in Pittsburgh, with a surprise ending steeped in controversy. One cannot dispute, however, that The Immaculate Reception, the key to Pittsburgh's 13-7 win, was the spark that ignited the Steeler Dynasty.
THere was no home-field advantage rule in the NFL playoffs back on December 31, 1972, which was a sign of disrespect. Miami, winners of 15 straight, had something to prove against the Cinderella Steelers. Along the way, Don Shula put quarterback Bob Griese back in the huddle for the first time since he broke his ankle in Week 5. The result: every Dolphin stood up to the task and beat the Steelers 21-17.
Buffalo restocked its roster for '73 with draft choices that included quarterback Joe Ferguson and future Hall of Fame guard Joe DeLamielleure. They paid immediate dividends on Sept. 16 against a Patriot team loaded with new faces themselves. O.J. Simpson rushed for 250 yards, a portent of things to come.
September 23, 1973 marked the end of an era for Giants football. It was their final regular-season game at Yankee Stadium. With the big ball yard about to be closed for baseball-only renovations, the Giants were about to enter a prolonged period of despair and defeat. And it all started with this useless 23-23 tie against the archrival Eagles.
The Eagles had yet to win going into October 7 and their first visit to Orchard Park, New York. What they faced was the O.J. Simpson express. Simpson's 171 yards paced the Bills' game plan, but it almost wasn't enough. Philadelphia had two running backs equal to the task, but a bad break at the end of the game made Buffalo the victor, 27-26.
Everything was new for Carroll Rosenbloom's Los Angeles Rams of 1973. The team responded for new coach Chuck Knox, and wearing new uniforms, they sprinted to an opening winning streak. This 37-31 victory over the established winners from Dallas, was emblematic of the Rams' new spirit.
In an otherwise dismal year for the Colts, one psychological win occurred October 21 at Detroit's Tiger Stadium. The Colts stood toe-to-toe with their ex-coach Don McCafferty and prevailed 29-27.
Denver in 1973 was a team on the make. A true symbol of their new-found strength was their November 18 game at Three Rivers Stadium. Charley Johnson quarterbacked the Broncos in a ball-control offense. The 23-13 Denver win would vault them toward unprecedented heights.
George Allen's Over-the-Hill Gang always fought an uphill battle to beat the experts' predictions of failure. Fortunately, the Giants were Washington's regular punching bag. But this time, the Giants whipped out a 21-3 lead. Nothing new for the Redskins. A wobbly Sonny Jurgensen replaced an injured Billy Kilmer at QB to conduct a stunning comeback, 27-24.
Few gave the Minnesota Vikings much of a chance to win the NFC title December 30, 1973 in Dallas. It was a sloppy game, to be sure, but Minnesota rose above the Coeboys, 27-10, after the two teams turned the ball over on nine consecutive possessions.
Saturday, December 22, 1973 in Bloomington, Minnesota was a comfortable 24 degrees for the start of the playoffs. Redskins' QB Billy Kilmer, hospitalized for much of the week, played admirably in this showdown with the more-balanced Vikings. But the Vikings were just that much tougher.
The Buffalo Bills accomplished so much on December 16, 1973 that all the football world took notice. The biggest achievement was O.J. Simpson's 2,000th rushing yard. It was the exclamation point to the Bills' 34-13 walloping of the Jets, but not the period. The period came in the last minute, when the head-coaching career of the Jets' Weeb Ewbank came to an unglorious end.
A third straight NFL championship would be awfully hard for Miami to achieve. New England gave them a reason to doubt, as the Pats opened the year at Schafer Stadium in Foxboro, and came out winners. For Miami, that third loss in 35 games was probably the hardest to swallow.
It's the first time a regular-season football game went to overtime. Pittsburgh and Denver learned and taught a lot in the extra fifteen minutes of this September 22 contest. The result, ironically, was a 35-35 stalemate, since neither team could score.
New England, at 2-0, continued their magic carpet ride through the first half of the season. This time, it was the Rams who paid.
Dallas was not enjoying the kind of season you would expect from a club that had yet to be named ""America's Team."" In this Oct. 6 rematch of the teams that had faced off in the 1973 NFC Championship, the Cowboys played the Vikings tougher.
For years, the Cardinals had been a have-not in the NFC. But this season was the first major exception. Tight end Jackie Smith outmuscled the Doomsday defense for a score as St. Louis won, 31-28.
The Bills welcomed the Patriots on October 20, and welcomed the chance to knock the Pats off the unbeaten mountain. Despite the close score, Buffalo more or less had New England's number all day.
When they first met in Cleveland three years before, Denver shut out the Browns. Now, on Oct. 27, their roles were reversed. The Broncos were just starting a winning tradition, while Cleveland was in the start of its first period of dread. But you wouldn't have known it from this game, which the Browns won, 23-21.
The fall of the '74 Patriots began Nov. 3 at Foxboro. New England's injuries really caught up with them. In a fiercely-fought contest, Buffalo held on to a one-point victory.
The Giants' decade of their discontent seemed crystallized at the Yale Bowl in New Haven, Connecticut. ""Big Blue"" had been forced to play their home games in the Yale Bowl for much of '73 and all of '74, and they won there only once. Perhaps the epitomy of the Giants' pitiful '74 season was this Nov. 10 game with the Jets. Joe Namath was allowed one last glorious game, looking like the Joe of old. He scrambled for the touchdown that tied the game, and his passing produced the first overtime victory in NFL regular-season play.
Buffalo and Miami were tied atop the AFC East by now. Before this game of Nov. 17, Bills head coach Lou Saban told his players, ""You gotta get it done."" But they could not. For the Bills were in the vice grip of two Dolphin laws. They hadn't lost in the Orange Bowl in three years, and all decade long, they never lost to Buffalo. This particular game epitomized Bills' failure at Miami's hot hands.
In 1974, the surest route to victory was playing the New York Giants in the Yale Bowl. St. Louis's ""Cardiac Catds"" were up to their usual tense selves, scratching out a 23-21 triumph. The ninth win of their season, ensured the Cardinals a berth in the playoffs for the first time since they lost the 1948 NFL Championship in snowy Philly.
On Thanksgiving Day 1974, the Dallas Cowboys were desperate for a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Washington Redskins kept up their word to knock Dallas QB Roger Staubach out. But that only produced a golden moment in Cowboys history, and untested rookie quarterback Clint Longley engineered it. Later the NFL would consider this 24-23 Dallas comeback the greatest regular-season game of 1974.
The Steelers and Patriots ended their 1974 season in marked contrast to the way they began. New England had suffered too many costly injuries, which helped bury their 5-0 start. When they hosted Pittsburgh on December 8, the Patriots were lucky to keep the game as close as they did. When the game ended and the Steelers had their 21-17 win, the entire AFC playoff ranking was set.
A great coaching career came to an end as Sid Gillman, now with the Oilers, led Houston to its first .500 finish since the league merger. The groundwork was laid for Houston's love affair with the Oilers.
The AFC Championship game, held on December 29, 1974, featured a highly anticipated matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Oakland Raiders. The game was played at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Steelers, led by head coach Chuck Noll, had finished the regular season with a 10-3-1 record and were the AFC Central division champions. The Raiders, coached by John Madden, had an impressive 12-2 record, winning the AFC West division.
The Bills were having an incredible start to the 1975 season. Entering this October 12 game, their offense was phenomenal. Now they met the heretofore struggling Colts. Baltimore would attempt to put Buffalo's defense in its proper place. Still, Buffalo ended the day as they had begun: undefeated.
By November 2, 1975, people had come to expect big drama in Cowboys-Redskins games. They got all that and more as Washington faced its first overtime debacle. The Over the Hill Gang stood up to the new challenge, helping Washington to a 30-24 triumph over their natural archenemies.
The Redskins were desperately seeking a place in the playoffs on this afternoon of November 30. Minnesota was unbeaten and already assured of its fifth NFC Central crown. A loss and Washington was through for the year. They dominated early, then watched as the Vikings fought back. In the end, a missed point-after would make the difference as Washington broke the Vikings' win streak, 31-30.
The 1975 AFC East race became tighter in Week 12. At Shea Stadium, the streaking Colts won their seventh straight, keeping them in the race with Miami. The Dolphins? As was their habit in the 1970s, they beat Buffalo, but it was close, and not without controversy.
The Giants thought they had a new identity in 1976. There was a new stadium they could call home, and they donned new helmets. But before the Giants could go to their new home, they had to face the road challenge of September 12. Washington coach George Allen had his familiar old cast-offs, plus a spirited new cast-off in fullback John Riggins. And once again, the Over the Hill Gang took down the Giants, 19-17 in RFK Stadium.
THe Patriots and QB Steve Grogan were said to arrive in this game at Schafer Stadium October 3, 1976. They had already upset Miami and Pittsburgh, and now New England was up to its new tricks again. A 48-17 win for the Pats would prove to be Oakland's only defeat of the 1976 season.
This was the tightest game the '76 Raiders faced between Opening Day and the playoffs. Chicago had its chances to win, but the pull of fate (i.e., the officials and uprights as well as the Silver and Black) produced a bitter 28-27 Oakland result.
George Allen brought his stretch-running Redskins into Dallas on December 12, needing one more win to make the playoffs. This Redskin team had a secret weapon, who proved to make the tide-turning play.
Oakland had lost the previous three AFC Championship games, the last two to Pittsburgh. Memories of the Opening Day brawl were fresh in everyone's mind when the two teams met again Dec. 26, 1976 for the right to play in Super Bowl XI. But the Steelers had little ground power. Without Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier in the game, it was time for Oakland, finally, to shine. The Raiders, 20-7 winners over Pittsburgh, were finally returning to the Super Bowl after nine years.
Stanley Morgan was one of New England's two first-round picks. That, plus an easy schedule, meant the Patriots were among the playoff favorites. But costly holdouts could have burned New England as early as September 18 against the Chiefs. But the Pats, particularly their running game, turned the tables in an Opening Day 21-17 win.
Walt Michaels had been the linebackers coach on the Super Bowl III Jets. Now, nine years later, he was the head coach in New York. In this Shea Stadium-based game, a rarity for Week 3, the Jets had their hands full with the talented Patriots. But Walt Michaels got his first victory (one of three on the Jets' season), 30-27.
The Colts retired Johnny Unitas's jersey number 19 at halftime of this showdown with ex-coach Don Shula. After an explosive opening few minutes, the Colts held the Dolphins scoreless in the second half. That 45-28 Baltimore win marked the most points a Miami defense had surrendered since Shula became their coach.
Both the Raiders and Broncos were 4-0 when they clashed in Oakland Coliseum on October 16, 1977. On that day, Broncomania was born. Denver overwhelmed Raider QB Ken Stabler, pressing him into seven interceptions (one shy of the NFL single-game record). That, coupled with a fake field goal attempt turned touchdown, lifted Denver to a 30-7 win, making the Broncos true contenders.
Oakland wanted to return to form after a staggering home loss to archrival Denver. They responded in typical Raider fashion. Despite four TD passes by the Jets' Richard Todd, Ken Stabler threw fourth-quarter scores to Mike Siani and Fred Biletnikoff in this 28-27 cliffhanger.
THe Rams saw a changing of the guard during of October. In Week 5, second-year QB Pat Haden had made his first start of the yeatr, succeeding Joe Namath, of all people. Haden's return to the starting job had inspired L.A. two weeks before, jelling them to a 14-7 win over New Orleans in Los Angeles Coliseum. Now for the rematch in the Louisiana Superdome, the Saints got their slight measure of revenge, 27-26. It was to be one of only three Saints wins in 1977, notched before a season-best attendance of 59,023.
The Steelers thought getting back into contention on Nov. 13 would be easy, especially since the Browns were coming into Three Rivers Stadium. With the Browns' starting QB Brian Sipe out with a shoulder injury before halftime, Pittsburgh's win seemed assured. What they didn't know was that David Mays, the Browns' backup quarterback, would lead a furious comeback attempt.
The Bears were to get the best possible inspiration to keep close to Minnesota in the NFC Central Division race. Walter Payton would emerge with a then-single-game record 275 rushing yards. Chicago couldn't score much, but its defense held the Vikings' offense out of the end zone in a 10-7 thriller.
On November 27, two teams with identical 9-1 records clashed at Mile High Stadium. The strength of Broncomania was evident as Denver broke out in the second half for a 27-13 win over the now-fading Colts.
Without Fran Tarkenton at QB, the Vikes looked a beaten team, falling behind the Niners 24-7. But then rookie quarterback Tommy Kramer came in for Minnesota. He provided the rallying cry for the 28-27 decision, the greatest comeback the Vikings had yet seen.
New England, Miami, and Baltimore were in the thick of the race for the AFC East in 1977. Only one would advance to the playoffs. Ironically, the Patriots needed Baltimore to win if New England's hopes for the crown were to improve. The Pats did their part by holding off Miami, but all would turn dark in Baltimore. On the last play of the game, a questionable Colt punt attempt was blocked and turned into the Lions' winning touchdown.
Going into Baltimore on December 24, 1977, the Oakland Raiders had yet to win a road playoff game. They were in for a classic against a Colts team poised to finally win in the postseason for the first time in six years. The fireworks in the second half came at the right places for Oakland to force overtime on the ""Ghost to the Post."" After 16 minutes of extra play, the Raiders closed out winners 37-31.
On January 1, 1978, the mantle of greatness in the AFC West vividly passed from the Oakland Raiders to the Denver Broncos. The rise of Broncomania reached its first of many peaks as Denver capitalized not only on the opponents' mistakes, but the officials' as well. The failure to spot running back Rob Lytle fumbling the ball on the Oakland goal line aided and abeted Denver in a 20-17 win, propelling the Broncos to Super Bowl XII.
Baltimore's season of ups and downs came down to the final game of 1977. To win the AFC East, they had to beat the Patriots (who were desperately seeking post-season life themselves).
New England had spent the first four weeks either living or dying in the last seconds of a game. This week, the Pats lived again in the clutch, 28-23. A late TD drive handed Don Coryell defeat in his first game as Charger coach. In the second game, the Falcons showed their tightrope act in a 23-20 squeaker over the Giants.
First place in the AFC East was at stake for this mid-season match-up. Bob Griese lost his effectiveness late in the game. After New England broke a 24-24 tie, they put the icing on with a safety. That ended the scoring 33-24, a crowning jewel in the Pats' winning streak that would reach seven in a row.
After going 0-8 for half the season, the Cardinals finally won their first game for coach Bud Wilkinson. It came against an Eagles team that lost a few they should have won, and would win a few they should have lost.
The Patriots burst out of the gate November 12, but their 23-0 lead was vulnerable. Houston dramatically overtook New England 26-23 to tighten the AFC East race. Miami did their part by cutting off Buffalo, which the Dolphins always did in the 1970s.
This was the point from which the Eagles' fortunes shot upward after over a decade of misery. With less than 30 seconds remaining, Herman Edwards scooped up an unexpected Giants fumble and raced to the winning touchdown–the original Miracle of the Meadowlands. It landed the Eagles a 19-17 win that kept their playoff chances alive.
A precursor to the Browns' ""Kardiac Kids"" era may have been this game against the Jets. Cleveland had a seemingly safe lead, then lost it. But the Browns stormed back in overtime to win 37-34. That knocked the Jets out of the '78 playoffs.
This playoff preview featured the two teams that would face other in the NFC Wild Card Game of 1978. Atlanta looked off form when the Cardinals pushed them about. Conversely, the Eagles took the field with the attitude of winners, and got the job done. Philadelphia completed its season 9-7, the first Eagle winning record in twelve years.
After spotting the Falcons an early lead, Dallas lost QB Roger Staubach to a concussion. His replacement that second half would be Danny White, ready to take his place in the legend of Cowboy comebacks. Atlanta would never live it down.
The Oilers were a cushy team, used to the comforts of their dome. Now, on January 7, 1979, they had no chance at reaching Super Bowl XIII. The Steelers and the elements of a Pittsburgh winter wrecked havoc on Houston (and the NFL Films crew), 34-5.
Dallas, the defending Super Bowl champions, wanted nothing more than to get back to the big game. Thomas (Hollywood) Henderson had said that the Cowboys would not let the Rams go to Super Bowl XIII, and he would prove it. The Dallas linebacker put the icing on the 28-0 shutout with a late fourth-quarter interception of the Rams' lowly backup QB Vince Ferragamo.
One year earlier, Atlanta had come to New Orleans and squeaked out with a last-second miracle win. Now an even stranger play, this one in overtime, aided and abeted the Falcons to a 40-34 surprise victory at the Superdome.
Three of the four undefeated teams in the NFL got beaten in Week 5. Two of them, Pittsburgh and Miami, are featured here. An Eagle team with something to prove did indeed prove it against the World Champion Steelers, 17-14. In the second game, the Jets stood their home ground against the Dolphins, 33-27.
Both the Steelers and Browns had equal records through the first five games of 1979. When they collided on October 7, Pittsburgh had the upper hand. They had lost to Cleveland only once since 1974. Ths defending Super Bowl champions took a huge lead, but nearly gave it away. Brian Sipe quarterbacked the Browns back into contention in the second half. Still, the Steelers showed their strengths, beating the Browns for the fifth straight time, 51-35.
Both the Bucs and Saints were set on defying both the experts and history. Tampa Bay was 5-1 going into this October 14 game. But they came up woefully short against New Orleans, 42-14. The Saints improved to 3-4 en route to their best finish yet: 8-8.
Two West Coast teams, Los Aggeles and San Diego, headed eastbound Nov. 11 leading their respective divisions. Only one of these teams (Chargers) would end the day with a win.
The Kardiac Kids phenomenon swept through Cleveland in '79. While they were in the playoff hunt going into this November 18 game, the Browns really could not afford to lose again. Such is the consequence of sharing a same division with Pittsburgh. Still, the injury-riddled Kardiac Kids lived up to their billing, as a Brian Sipe-to-Reggie Rucker TD in overtime won it, 30-24. That knocked the Dolphins out of first place in the AFC East, briefly.
Just how frustrating was that Three Rivers Jinx to the Browns? Perhaps this game from November 25, 1979 is the best proof. Cleveland's ""Kardiac Kids"" held a lead for a good amount of time, but leave it to the defending World Champions to storm back.
One month earlier, the Eagles had overturned the Cowboys at Texas Stadium. Now, on December 8, both sought first place in the NFC East. Luck, fate, and bizarre bounces all seemed to aid the Cowboys. The biggest bounce lifted Dallas to a 24-17 win, keeping Philadelphia out of contention for the NFC East title.
The Oilers would never get closer to the Super Bowl than they did January 6, 1980. For all Oilers and their fans, the team's fortunes turned on that one play: the ruling that Mike Renfro did not control the ball in the end zone. That truly was the difference, and not just in the 27-13 final score that sent Pittsburgh to their fourth Super Bowl.
The year before, New York had lost a heartbreaker to Houston in overtime. Now, in Shea Stadium on November 23, the Jets were about to get a rare smile in a mediocre season. Again the Jets and Oilers went to overtime, but now New York prevailed, 31-28.
Never before had the tightness of the NFC Central Division shown itself more clearly. Chicago outpowered Detroit on Thanksgiving Day, November 27. Then came Minnesota's supposed no-contest with winless New Orleans–a game that was anything but easy. And then there was that Tampa Bay battle with Green Bay in Milwaukee. With the Bucs' triumph, all five NFC Central teams were still in the race.
Both the Eagles and Falcons would soar to the championship of their respective division in 1980, but both would come late. Against hostile Philly on December 7, Atlanta took the one step closer to their first-ever NFC West crown, 20-17.
The ""Kardiac Kids"" from Cleveland found themselves in the identical situation as in 1979. Beat Cincinnati and the Browns go into the playoffs; lose and the Browns go home. In typical Browns' fashion, this game went down to the final minutes. This was a hard-hitting game between two bitter rivals. Cleveland came out on top, 27-24, to capture their first AFC Central title in nine years.
The Eagles had waited 20 years to play in a championship game. On this blustery cold day of January 11, 1981, they faced principal NFC East rival Dallas. Despite the Cowboys' penchant for the unexpected, Philadelphia braved best in the cold, never letting up in a 20-7 win for their first NFC Championship.
The AFC title game played January 11, 1981 was an aerial shootout. Unfortunately for ""Air Coryell"" and their hometown San Diego fans, the wild card Raiders got off to the early advantage. At one point in the first half, Oakland led by two touchdowns. The Chargers fought back gamely, but Oakland held firm 34-27.
The Falcons had been a preseason Super Bowl favorite, but the team was plagued by the fear of failure. It showed on this rainy afternoon at Fulton County Stadium. Favored to beat the Giants, Atlaanta instead fell to Big Blue's special teams. New York's 27-24 overtime win was to be Phil Simms's last victory of 1981.
After a disastrous 0-5 start, Joe Gibbs's Redskins got into a rhythm that would stay with them for a long time. It showed in this game of Nov. 8 against Detroit, a team that has never won in Washington.
Back in the bad old days, the Patriots were the most talented losers in the NFL. It was never more apparent in 1981, when they had the league's worst record. This game on November 22 was typical of both the Pats and Bills. Buffalo's 20-17 win came in the last 12 seconds.
Atlanta's hopes for the postseason were barely flickering when they came to Tampa Stadium December 6. There they battled a Bucs team trying to fight off its own inconsistency.
This is the game many have considered the greatest football game ever. San Diego was a harbinger of the salary cap days. Their paltry defense gave as much as their ""Air Coryell"" offense got. Now, on January 2, 1982, on a humid night in Miami, the Chargers would have to call on all their strengths if they were to beat the Dolphins. Both teams were up to any challenge the other gave, culminating in Rolf Benirschke's field goal late in overtime. The Chargers' 41-38 win was a microcosm of their 1981 season.
Most remember this championship game for ""The Catch,"" but there was much more that built up to San Francisco's 28-27 win. The 49ers and Cowboys battled through six leadf changes and nine turnovers. Ultimately, according to some, this game ended one dynasty and created another.
From humid Miami the week before, the Chargers traveled to Cincinnati for the coldest NFL game ever played, even colder than the Ice Bowl. Forrest Gregg was on that '67 Packer offensive line, and his fiery command as coach, lifted the Bengals to this moment. Cincinnati's defense easily manhandled San Diego's ""Air Coryell"" to the tune of 27-7, making the Bengals AFC Champions.
For the first time, both New York NFL teams make the playoffs on the same day. The Giants edge out Dallas in overtime of a 13-10 defensive struggle on Dec. 19, promising the first winning season for any Giants Stadium team. Then on Dec. 20, the Jets stomp Green Bay 28-3 in Shea Stadium. That Jet game ended more than a decade of truly terrible football in the Big Apple. Both the Jets and Giants launched into the NFL playoffs as wild cards.
Washington was a team together in 1982. Dick Vermeil's Eagles were unraveling. But Philly played the Redskins tough. It took Mark Moseley's field goals to send the game into overtime and win it for the Redskins, 37-34.
Pittsburgh, fresh off an opening-day win at Dallas, was a rebuilding team in 1982. Their task would be measured in this game against the Bengals on Sept. 19.
It's back to business for the NFL and the Chicago Bears in particular. Mike Ditka is coaching only his third game, and against a Lions team that some thought would finish on top, the Bears are in the right position to win.
The defending Super Bowl champions had a difficult time defending in 1982. San Francisco won two games going into this game. It's a measure of an NFL axiom: no matter how many yards you throw for, and Joe Montana threw for over 400, the central goal is to win the game. Dan Fouts, the gawdy QB of San Diego, torched the Niners 41-37.
Pride and poise remained on the Raiders in their first season in Los Angeles. Their ""honored"" guests would be the L.A. Coliseum's former home team, the Rams. Both shades of 1982 L.A. football were demonstrated in this game: the Raiders would storm back to win late, forcing the Rams to swallow a hard loss.
New England's first home game since ""The Snowplow Caper"" was a battle for survival. The winner of this January 2, 1983 showdown would go on to the expanded NFL playoff tournament. Thus New England seized the day and the game, 30-19.
The Packers, fresh off a playoff appearance the year before, spent September 4, 1983 living a harbinger of their entire season: explosive offense, terrible defense, and blown leads. Battling the hapless Oilers helped Green Bay win this game in overtime.
San Diego State alum Brian Sipe, in his final NFL season, would produce his best day as a pro in front of the San Diego crowd. The Browns were a surly bunch, especially against the Chargers' predictably stomach-turning defense.
The preview of Super Bowl XVIII came October 2, 1983. Just a year earlier, the Washington Redskins and Los Angeles Raiders posted the best records in the NFL. Now the 4-0 Raiders faced the 3-1 Redskins in perhaps the most thrilling game of the 1983 season.
The legendary Dan Marino got his first NFL start October 9, 1983 at Miami. On him was the awesome task of extending the Orange Bowl jinx on the Buffalo Bills. This time, though, Buffalo quarterback Joe Ferguson was ready to give the Bills their first win at Miami since 1966.
America's Team kept up its winning tradition, as evidenced by this Nov. 6 game in Philadelphia. Dallas assured itself of its 18th straight winning season (an NFL record) by outlasting the Eagles 27-20. That kept the Cowboys in a first-place tie with the Redskins.
Everyone in the NFC Central (well, four of the five teams) were still in the hunt for the division crown by November 20, 1983. Green Bay broke into a huge halftime lead, but the Lions fought back to force overtime. Detroit came out on top, 23-20. That would make the Lions' season a winning one.
There were to be no breaks for Green Bay in 1983. After two straight overtime defeats, the Packers returned to Lambeau Field Dec. 4 to face the Bears. This time, Chicago threatened to break Green Bay's back with a potential for overtime. However, the Pack fought back to win it in regulation, 31-28.
Going into Sept. 23, 1984, some Buffalo fans were waving the white flag of distress. The Jets, who had beaten Indianapolis to start the season, thought the winless Bills would be pushovers. But New York had to fight for this 28-26 win.
Dan Marino took his air show to Busch Stadium Sept. 30, 1984 to do battle with the Cards. Rather than fold up before Miami's record-setting aerial attack, St. Louis made a game of it before falling 36-28.
What proved to be the final game in Miami's 11-0 start was bolstered when Paul Lankford intercepted Philadelphia QB Ron Jaworski. The real difference was Miami's Doug Betters, who blocked the Eagles' extra-point attempt to keep the Dolphins unbeaten, 24-23.
In their first year under Alex Spanos's ownership, the Chargers didn't amount to too much. They won only five of their first eleven games and hopelessly out of the AFC West race. Now, on November 18, they met the heretofore perfect Dolphins of Dan Marino. But this day, the Chargers capitalized on Miami mistakes to keep it all close. Miami had a chance to tie the Bears' record for most consecutive regular-season wins, but a missed field goal ended that. San Diego took control in overtime for a satisfying 34-28 upset.
The Giants were emerging into something special by November 25, 1984. Bill Parcells coached his team well, and they were in the thick of the NFC East race. Kansas City seemed to have their encounter at Giants Stadium in hand, but Big Blue fought back to a 28-27 win.
Sam Wyche had come to Cincinnati as head coach prepared to shock a few people. By December 2, 1984, the Bengals were on the brink of shocking the nation. Their challenge for the AFC Central crown was augmented in this showdown at Cleveland Stadium. Their overtime period was forced when Boomer Esiason passed a last-minute TD to tackle Anthony Muñoz. It offset the longest field goal in Browns history and set the stage for Cincinnati's 20-17 win.
For the first time in history, Washington completed a regular-season sweep of Dallas. It certainly didn't look that way in the first half of this December 9 game. Dallas seemed in command, but the Redskins marched back in the second half for a tense 30-28 win.
By September 22, the Chargers were living up to their reputation of explosive offense, terrible defense. It showed again on September 22, 1985, when San Diego faced the Bengals in Cincinnati. Before temperatures that surpassed 100°, the Chargers had the hottest hands in a 44-41 barn burner.
Sunday night, October 6, put the Cowboys and Giants in a dogfight for control of the NFC East. It appeared Phil Simms would give the Giants the upper hand, but a second-quarter miscue would prove to be the difference in Dallas's 30-29 victory.
The Bucs, now under a new coach, had yet to win a game in 1985. And they had to face yet another powerhouse: the Dolphins. This Miami team was far less talented than the one that went to Super Bowl XIX just nine months before. Thus as sunset passed on October 27, it appeared Tampa Bay had a chance.
Lionel James was San Diego's ""Little Train"" that could. In a season that saw him set the NFL record for all-purpose yards, the diminuitive James saved his best for last: he scored San Diego's winning TD in this 40-34 eye-opener.
Mile High Stadium in Denver had witnessed many odd bounces of the ball favor the hometown Broncos. But perhaps the wildest game in Mile High Stadium history was this gem from November 17, 1985. The surprising Chargers were threatening to become a serious force in the fiercely-competitive AFC West. Not if the mystic force of Broncomania had something to say, and it did.
One of two games in three weeks between archrivals Denver and the Silver And Black. It also was one of the two games that would decide the AFC West Division race. Los Angeles had come to depend on League MVP Marcus Allen, and he would be crucial to the outcome of this game as well as the season.
It was the first time the Browns had faced the Giants since 1977. Both teams were in the hunt for the playoffs. ""Big Blue"" defined itself with defense, but on Dec. 1, it was Cleveland's defense that seemed to shine brighter.
Both the Bengals and Redskins had their backs to the wall December 15, 1985. Whoever lost was out of the playoff picture; whoever won still had a chance. Joe Gibbs knew what Washington needed to win, and that meant not inserting John Riggins.
The Broncos' road to Super Bowl XXI began Sept. 7 against their natural rivals, the Raiders. Denver well remembered how their two overtime defeats to the Silver and Black in 1985 cost John Elway & Co. not only the division title, but postseason play of any kind. Now Elway and the Raiders' shaky Marc Wilson hit the airwaves with force. John Elway, of course, had the largest force, leading a drive (not The Drive, mind you) that gave Denver a 38-36 comeback win.
Buddy Ryan, the former Bears defensive coordinator turned Eagles coach, wanted nothing more than to get revenge on the World Champions on September 14, 1986. What stood against him was the Bears ""46"" Defense that he had molded, plus the fact that the Eagles had yet to win in Chicago. But this game was hardly the mismatch people had predicted.
Named by the NFL as the greatest game of 1986, this showdown of September 21 pitted two first-round picks from the touted Quarterback Class of '83. Dan Marino of the Dolphins and Ken O'Brien of the Jets lit up the scoreboard, breaking the NFL game aggregate passing yardage record in the process.
Sullivan Stadium (as it was then called) hosted the Backup Bowl October 12, 1986. New England turned to veteran Steve Grogan at QB, while the Jets called on Pat Ryan to sub for the injured Ken O'Brien. For the moment, New York had the better team of starters.
It took time to develop, but two hot quarterbacks, Tommy Kramer of Minnesota and Jay Schroeder of Washington, put up a pass-happy showdown vital to both teams' postseason chances. While long plays dictating the outcome, three squandered PATs forced an overtime that the Redskins won, 44-38.
Phil Simms had gone through a series of setbacks since he was drafted. Even in 1986, the Giants used their defense to stay the course to a Super Bowl. But in a game at Minneapolis on November 16, 1986, Simms passed the test of a winner. He has said that completing a 4th-and-17 pass is the highlight of his career.
Cleveland had waited 17 years to gain a season sweep of the archrival Steelers. Now, on Nov. 23, the Browns' QB Bernie Kosar, just two days before his 23rd birthday, had the talent to make the sweep a reality. But Pittsburgh would not go down without a fight, forcing overtime.
K.C. had never won at Los Angeles Coliseum. But now, with the Chiefs and Raiders with 8-6 records, the Chiefs would prevail 20-17. This loss virtually ended L.A. Raider playoff hopes.
Newly-appointed coach Steve Mariucci wanted to bring a new mindset to the Detroit Lions. It began on September 7 against the Cardinals, one of the NFL's worst teams. Detroit handled well, with an impressive 42-24 win.
I have come to the conclusion that there was no NFL Game of the Week for Week 2 of the 2003 season. This despite the excellent show Dallas and the Giants displayed on Monday night, Sept. 15. NFL Network as we know it, did not sign on until Nov. 4, 2003, halfway into the 2003 season. If you wish to pry the people at NFL FIlms about the existence or non-existence of NFL Game of the Week programs, please call 856-222-3500.
The Rams and Seahawks were in their second season in the NFC West together. It was becoming a tough rivalry going into September 21. St. Louis, resurgent under new starting QB Marc Bulger, had the momentum for much of the game. But Seattle stood up to the challenge. Two touchdowns in the last five minutes produced Seattle's 24-23 comeback to improve their record to 3-0.
I have come to the conclusion that there was no NFL Game of the Week for Week 4 of the 2003 season. If my assertion is correct, I will subtract two from the Episode Number of each Game of the Week program thereafter. NFL Network as we know it, did not sign on until November 4, 2003, halfway into the 2003 season. If you wish to pry the people at NFL FIlms about the existence or non-existence of NFL Game of the Week programs, please call 856-222-3500.
They called him ""The Human Joystick."" On this afternoon of October 2, in just the fifth week of the season, Daunte Hall had notched his fourth (and last) kick return TD of the season. That knocked Denver off the unbeaten summit, 24-23.
Mindful of their heretofore unbeaten record, the Chiefs put everything on the line in their battle with Green Bay. K.C. worked overtime to notch the game-winning touchdown.
The 4-2 Patriots had been hurting, with several players out with injuries. Now they faced the 4-1 Dolphins, eager to get revenge for the last-play loss in Foxboro that kept Miami out of the 2002 playoffs. What they could not foresee October 19, 2003 was that the outcome of this game was decided by the World Series between the Yankees and Marlins.
It was the Steelers' 1000th game. Marc Bulger, a Pittsburgh native, made the game sweet indeed for St. Louis. He completed 22 of 37 passes, but reserve running back Arlen Harris proved more effective. Harris, in his first NFL start, scored three TDs as the Rams finally won on the road, 33-21.
There are no moral victories, so they say. As the Giants and Jets sputtered through losing records in 2003, they faced each other at the New Jersey Meadowlands on November 2. Chad Pennington got his first start of the season, and his presence inspired the Jets. Big Blue watched in horror as Gang Green tied the game in the last seconds of regulation. But in the last seconds of OT, the Giants got the field goal to win, 31-28.
The only thing worse than a Washington spiral in 2003 was Seattle's failure to win east of Arizona. This game showed all the bad bounces hit Seattle in the face. The Redskins, winning 27-20, gave Steve Spurrier what proved to be his last home victory as an NFL coach.
Chad Johnson of the Bengals had guaranteed as far back as November 9 that Cincinnati would be the first team to beat the Chiefs in 2003. Now, in Paul Brown Stadium on November 16, the Chiefs felt that guarantee firsthand. Though K.C. kept it close, the Bengals, resplendent under new coach Marvin Lewis, kept Chad's word.
The 2003 Seahawks were cursed not to win a game East of the Rockies all season long. This loss on November 23 was typical of how bad bounces hurt Seattle's chances. The officials were to blame for sending the game to overtime, and then giving it to Baltimore.
One of the greatest strengths in the 2003 Patriots was their defense. This was never more evident than in the final seconds of this contest at the RCA Dome. It will go down as the greatest goal-line stand in New England history.
The AFC South lead was at stake when Indy went to The Coliseum in Nashville. RB Edgerrin James played tough, as did WR Marvin Harrison. But special teams secured the Colts' 29-27 win.
Cleveland had a habit of losing to Denver late. Now, on December 14, 2003, things weren't about to change. New Broncos QB Jake Plummer pulled off his first comeback in Denver, which forced an overtime that the Broncos eventually won.
After spectacular starts, the Chiefs and Vikings spent the months of November and December on slumps. When they met on December 20, it was K.C.'s return specialist Daunte Hall against Minnesota's QB Daunte Culpepper. On this Saturday, the Vikings' offense pulled out all the stops in a 45-20 pummeling.
On January 23, 2000, the Tampa Bay Bucs brought their highly-touted defense to St. Louis to face the NFL's hottest offense. Tampa Bay had virtually no offense, suffering a safety early. Still, they had a 6-5 lead midway through the fourth quarter until Kurt Warner found Ricky Proehl with the home-run ball. What happened on Tampa Bay's final drive would force a change in the NFL rule book. It also would preserve the Rams' 11-6 win for the right to play Tennessee in Super Bowl XXXIV.
There aren't that many guarantees in the NFL. One guarantee through the 2001 season was that Green Bay never lost a home playoff game. This showdown with the 49ers was the last link in that Packer chain of victories. Brett Favre, an institution at quarterback, set a Packers playoff record, completing 75.9% of his passes to disarm San Francisco.
For the third straight year, the Rams' offense had racked up over 500 points. Their opponents, the Philadelphia Eagles, were a worthy candidate for the NFC title. Both teams battled to the wire for the right to play New England in Super Bowl XXXVI, but St. Louis held on by five points.
One week after pulling off the Music City Miracle, the Tennessee Titans continued their surprising march to Super Bowl XXXIV. This time, their victims were the Indianapolis Colts, a future divisional rival. Tennessee RB Eddie George excelled as the Titans triumphed 19-16.
The Patriots had won Super Bowl XXXVI by not giving up. Now, on December 29, 2002, the defending champions could still make the playoffs by returning to that form. Though Miami seemed to have the upper hand for much of the game, Adam Vinateri came through once again. His clutch field goal tied the game with seconds left in regulation, and another FG won the game for New England, 27-24.
Peyton Manning's hot playoff hand continued in Arrowhead Stadium January 12, 2004. Even more incredibly, neither team punted, a first for an NFL playoff game. K.C. expected high drama, and they got that. What they didn't expect was to fall to Indianapolis.
No one who saw the AFC Wild Card game, the first playoff held in Nashville, will ever forget it. The Bills had seemed out of it in the fourth quarter, but Steve Christie kicked a field goal with less than 20 seconds remaining. Then came ""The Music City Miracle,"" when on the ensuing kickoff, Lorenzo Neal lateraled to Kevin Dyson, who surprised everyone on the Bills' coverage team. That was the play that shaped the character of the 1999 AFC playoffs, and launched the Titans where their predecessors, the late Houston Oilers, never witnessed: the Super Bowl.
Until January 4, 2003, Peyton Manning had never won a playoff game. Now the league's co-MVP would carve ""Peyton's Place"" in the RCA Dome, guiding the Colts flawlessly through a 41-10 whitewashing of the Denver Broncos.
The Raiders had already won the AFC West for 2001, but regressed at season's end. This late loss January 6, 2002 was more than monumental. It was the first time the Jets won in Oakland since Opening Day 1962, and it put New York in the playoffs.
The Art Modell era of pro football came to an end Saturday, January 3, 2004. His name was emblazoned on the wall at M&T Bank Stadium as the Ravens, first-time winners of the AFC North, faced former rival Tennessee. But the heroes all wore the white shirts and white helmets. League Co-MVP Steve McNair and battle-scarred Eddie George would not let the Titans lose to Baltimore for the sixth straight time. Nor would Gary Anderson. The final game-winning kick of Anderson's career silenced the Baltimore crowd.
The last game ever played at the Seattle Kingdome was one to remember. ""Holmgren's Heroes,"" as the Seahawks were called that year, had won their second and last AGC West title just the week before. They faced the Dolphins, who had backed into the playoffs themselves (thanks in part to a Seattle loss the week before). At times, the Seahawks thought they had the game in command, but Miami legend Dan Marino engineered a late-fourth-quarter comeback and a 20-17 win. It was the final victory in his, and Jimmy Johnson's, NFL career.
One of the two unforgettable games from Meltdown Sunday, January 5, 2003. The Giants, victims on the opening game of the 2002 season against these same 49ers, thought they had their revenge. But that 38-24 lead was more than vulnerable. San Francisco pulled off the second-greatest comeback in playoff history, then had to hold on for dear life to preserve that 39-38 win. When Trey Junkin muffed the long snap on New York's last-play field goal attempt, the NFL got as close to war as it could possibly get.
Brett Favre had played inspirational football for the past three weeks. But on January 11, 2004, it was the Eagles' Donovan McNabb who produced the greatest inspiration of all. His fourth-and-26 completion set the stage for an overtime which Philadelphia eventually won.
The modern Game of the Week turns on the Way-Back Machine for the first of several games dating back more than a few days. In this installment, Miami's new QB Jay Fiedler and a running back of some note, have something to prove against Peyton Manning and the Colts.
It was the final year for the old Soldier Field. Now, as if it were their duty, the Chicago Bears marched on to victory in unexpected ways. This sudden turn of events at the hands of San Francisco was typical of the Bears' drive to their final NFC Central Division Championship.
Bill Cowher of Pittsburgh and Jeff Fisher of Tennessee had the longest tenures of any NFL head coach going into the 2002 playoffs. As former divisional rivals, the two teams knew each other all too well. The Titans, who had started the 2002 season 1-4 only to win the AFC South, were the hotter team. But after getting pushed around for the first quarter, the Steelers pounded back. A physical game wound down in overtime and a bunch of kicks. The last one counted, giving Tennessee the 34-31 win.
Finally, a dome team would make it to the Super Bowl. Everyone assumed it would be the Vikings, who went 15-1 with the most explosive offense ever. Despite the spirit of the Atlanta Falcons' rise to their best record ever, few gave Atlanta a chance. It would all come down to the two kickers. One's miss and one's make would tell all that would be remembered in the Falcons' 30-27 upset.
It was a game that symbolized a career. Tommy Maddox had been out of football, but returned to the NFL, helping the Pittsburgh Steelers overcome a tough start to the 2002 season. His first victory for Pittsburgh came in September, in a game the Browns thought they had controlled. Now, on Meltdown Sunday, January 5, 2003, it was indeed déjà vu all over again. The Browns would never recover from Maddox and the Steelers' second-half heroics. It would go down as the sixth-greatest comeback in NFL history, but only the second-greatest comeback of the day.
The Patriots had the answer to halt the vaunted Colts offense. For New England, which had never lost an AFC Championship Game, this was the proving ground for their dynasty. Winning 24-14 gave New England that certain edge.
""The Big Chill"" settled over Gillette Stadium on January 10, 2004. In the coldest game for both the Patriots and Titans, guts stood out above all else. New England and Tennessee matched guts for the majority of the game. Late in the fourth quarter, Adam Vinateri came through with another clutch field goal in the Pats' 17-14 win.
The Saints had never won a playoff game, and had just been crowned the NFC West Champions for only the second (and last) time. Now they faced the ultimate challenge in the defending Super Bowl Champions. With the steady guidance of Coach of the Year Jim Haslett, the Saints put up a big lead but nearly gave it away in the fourth quarter. What followed with just over two minutes remaining, could only be called divine intervention. A Saints punt was fumbled away, New Orleans recovered, and saved a 31-28 redemption.
After winning the boring Wild Card game against Dallas, the Carolina Panthers still had something to prove. They entered the Edward Jones Dome on January 10, 2004 and proved a lot against The Greatest Show on Turf. Still, it took five full quarters and one play in the sixth before all the tensions equaled the Panthers' surprising 29-23 win over the Rams.
Two years before, the Patriots had pulled off the great Super Bowl upset. Now they were set up for a repeat performance, but possibly on the wrong side. Carolina seemed ready for their own Cinderella finish to a two-year turnaround. The Patriots and Panthers played surprisingly evenly, but in the end, old heroes Tom Brady and Adam Vinateri came through again, winning Super Bowl XXXVIII 32-29.
Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren returned to Green Bay hoping his 2003 Seattle team would finally win a game in the Central Time Zone. What happened on the overtime coin flip that afternoon of January 4, 2004, will go down in infamy.
Some thought the Pittsburgh Steelers were the strongest team in the AFC during 2001. They had new Heinz Field on their side, producing the AFC's best record. But they did not count on the resolve of the New England Patriots. What they could not foresee January 27, 2002 was that the Steelers' loss would signal the sharp downturn in Pittsburgh QB Kordell Stewart's career.
For the Panthers, January 18, 2004 was ""A Night to Remember."" For the Eagles, it was a night to forget. Both had come off overtime thrillers to reach this NFC Championship Game. But the visiting Panthers had Philly's number. They shut down Donovan McNabb. With a 14-3 win, Carolina and coach John Fox culminated a two-year turnaround: from the NFL's worst team to a Super Bowl berth.
This was the ultimate ""Road Test"" for the 2003 Seattle Seahawks, a team that almost never won on the road. Now they had to beat the 49ers at Candlestick if Seattle would see the playoffs.
January 19, 2002 will go down as a turning point in NFL history. That final game in Foxboro Stadium would produce the one moment everyone would remember for years to come. The Patriots drove through a snowstorm to overcome a 17-7 hole. With the help of what the NFL calls ""The Tuck Rule,"" they tied Oakland on a last-second field goal. From then on, New England wore destiny's colors, booting another field goal to win 20-17.
For one half, the Vikings played evenly with the resurgent Rams, but NFL MVP Kurt Warner broke loose in the second half. His total of 391 passing yards and 5 touchdowns only added to the glory of St. Louis's 49-37 victory.
The 49ers received a break on November 3, facing a Raider team on the skids. Terrell Owens racked up 191 yards on 12 passes, but San Francisco had to go to OT for the 23-20 victory.
This special preseason edition introduces the ""Sounds of the Game"" concept, later reproduced in November. No narration is provided in this, the Broncos' second preseason game, which they lost to Buffalo, 16-6.
""Day One"" of the 2004 NFL season (for all but six teams) was September 12. The New York Jets and Cincinnati Bengals entered with a reasonable shot at a season to be proud of. Both had young quarterbacks making their first opening-day start (Chad Pennington for the Jets, Carson Palmer for Cincinnati). It set the stage for some offensive firepower.
Both the Steelers and Raiders had had horrendous 2003 campaigns. Now, on Opening Day 2004, they sought the same goal: ""Old Tradition, New Edition.""
This clash of the 2003 co-MVPs saw Peyton Manning make that first true assault on the NFL single-season TD record. And there was little a depleted Titans team could do as the Colts defense outplayed Tennessee QB Steve McNair.
This Monday Night Football match-up of Sept. 20 put a defense known for protecting its red-zone turf (Philadelphia) against a team that, in 2003, had trouble scoring within the red zone (Minnesota). The result was ""Winged Victory.""
Two former division rivals had yet to find themselves after 1-1 starts. When they met September 26, 2004 in the Edward Jones Dome, offense had to carry the day. It was a game of ""Saints and Sinners."" With penalties piling up on St. Louis, a Saints' backup RB caught attention in New Orleans's 28-25 overtime win, ending the Rams' 15-game regular-season home winning streak.
""Full Throttle"" was the way to describe Peyton Manning's Week 3 performance at the RCA Dome. What had been billed as the showcase game by Fox Sports and others, really lived up to its billing. On September 26, 2004, the Colts racked up 35 points in the first half, then had to face a stiff challenge from the resilient Brett Favre.
The Jaguars opened 2004 by winning their first three games by a combined margin of seven points. Division rival Indianapolis was every bit the champions of the AFC South. Now they met in the searing heat of Alltel Stadium Oct. 3 to see who was full of hot air and who could really fly.
October 3, 2004 was a ""Welcome Home"" for safety John Lynch. After being released by the Buccaneers, Lynch signed with Denver and now faced his old team at Raymond James Stadium. Of even greater significance was that Denver could take sole possession of first place in the AFC West.
Invesco Field at Mile High, the Broncos' four-year old gridiron, began evoking the spirit of Mile High Stadium October 10, 2004. All the breaks seemed to go Denver's way, much to the chagrin of the defending NFC Champion Panthers.
The Rams had been billed as ""Fast and Furious,"" but it certainly didn't look that way for much of their October 10 game with the Seahawks at Qwest Field. Down 27-10 late in the fourth quarter, however, St. Louis showed their resolve. The ""greatest show on turf"" was re-established, tying the game with eight seconds left, and then launching an overtime TD to win, 33-27.
The sloppy Seahawks met the dominant Patriots October 17, 2004 in a game that symbolized both teams' seasons. New England sought its 20th straight win, but it would not come easy.
The 62nd Battle of Ohio was a must-win for both teams, but more so to Browns quarterback Jeff Garcia. He had critics to answer, and he responded October 17, 2004 with the longest touchdown pass in Cleveland Browns history.
The Lions and Giants went through the first six weeks of 2004 on a new attitude as winners. Steve Mariucci took Detroit to East Rutherford, New Jersey October 24 to face Big Blue and new coach Tom Coughlin. Though the Lions would prevail 28-13, it would be the exception to a season that would give Detroit and New York losing records.
The greatness of the RCA Dome would usually be reserved for Peyton Manning and Company. But the Jacksonville Jaguars, under coach Jack Del Rio, were strong challengers in 2004. Three weeks earlier, they had hosted the Colts and lost. Now, on October 24, the Jags went back to their custom of winning the tight ones, 27-24.
Halloween was a true ""Red October"" in Kansas City. Fans at Arrowhead Stadium expected another shootout between the Colts and Chiefs on October 31. This time, K.C. would avenge their AFC Divisional Playoff loss to the high-rising Colts.
There are those who like a winning streak to keep going and going. Others love to see the winning streak end. That latter category packed Heinz Field on Halloween claiming ""21 And Done"" and, as dusk fell, never stopped gloating as the Steelers walked all over an injured New England team. It was the Patriots' first loss in 13 months.
Already the Steelers had knocked off the unbeaten Patriots. Now, on November 7, 2004, they sought the only other undefeated team: the Eagles. For the second straight week, the outcome was never in doubt, especially for all those in Heinz Field.
Viewers tuned into Monday Night Football November 8, 2004 expecting an offensive clinic between the Colts and Vikings. They were not disappointed. With brilliant track records in the enclosed stadiums, both Indy and Minnesota were ready for some ""Dome Cookin'."" The upper hand would belong to the Colts, 31-28.
The Packers, after a slow start, were intent on continuing their ""March to First"" on November 14 against faltering Minnesota.
The sound bytes get more intense as two tightly-wound teams clashed in star-crossed New Jersey on November 14, 2004.
Many people didn't give San Diego much of a chance before the 2004 training camp. A 1-2 start seemed to confirm their suspicions. But the Chargers did have some life in them. It became crystallized in this Dec. 5 showdown for first place in the AFC West. Denver became victim of its inconsistencies, falling short of a fourth-quarter comeback. San Diego, 20-17 victors, achieved their first winning season since 1995.
Pittsburgh dreamed of playing in Super Bowl XXXIX in Jacksonville. To get there, it appeared the Steelers had to climb a mountain called the Jaguars on Sunday night, December 5. Ex-rival Jacksonville spent 60 minutes doing everything they could to disrupt the Steelers' rhythm, but to no avail.
The NFC West became the weakest division in 2004. It was assumed the winner of that division would finish with a .500 record. Certainly Seattle fit the picture, as they battled Minnesota December 12. Both teams were tied for first in their respective divisions. But in a close battle, Seattle hung on, and finished the day alone on top the NFC West.
Just one year earlier, the Chargers were the NFL's worst team. Now they led the AFC West, with a near-perfect home record. The third consecutive Charger game featured on NFL Game of the Week, put the energetic Chargers against a Bucs team staggering to grasp for a wild card berth.
The Panthers, after a disastrous start, sought to pull off an incredible comeback story that would land them in the playoffs. But on Dec. 18, the new NFC South champion Falcons dealt a comeback of their own, rubbing out the Panthers' lead.
An ever-tightening race in the NFC North got tighter when the Jaguars marched into Lambeau Field December 19. Jacksonville, looking for a playoff bid themselves, ignored the history and dealt the Packers a 28-25 setback. Thus Green Bay fell back into a tie with Minnesota for the top of the NFC North.
It was once said that the Black and Blue Division carried four laws, among them ""There are no sure things"" and ""Expect the unexpected."" All those laws were carried out December 24, 2004, as the Packers and Vikings met in ""The Fight Before Christmas."" A win over Minnesota would guarantee Green Bay the championship of their division again.
Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning needed two TD passes on December 26 to break Dan Marino's record for most touchdowns thrown in a season. More important than the record, though, is that both the Colts and Chargers were champions of their respective divisions. This overtime game would help decide who would be third seed and fourth seed in the AFC playoffs.
Perhaps the Saints and the Panthers had ""Nine Lives"" when they entered Bank of America Stadium on January 2, 2005. Both teams had seemed out of it at midseason, but both had stormed through the second half. Now, both teams put it on the line, for the winner could make the playoffs. In the end, with the Saints 21-18 winners, neither team reached the postseason because other teams didn't win their games.
The Jets and Rams arrived at the Edward Jones Dome January 2, 2005 from opposite directions. New York could make the playoffs in one of two ways, but for St. Louis, it was win or go home. In this portrayal of ""Two Roads, Same Destination,"" a couple of questionable Jet moves would aid the Rams to scratch out a 32-29 overtime victory.
NFL Game of the Week turns back the clock on this 30-minute special chronicling the NFL Kickoff game from September 9, 2004. The Colts were eager to avenge their 2003 AFC Championship loss in New England. Though Peyton Manning got a jump start on his record-setting season, the game would be decided in the last seconds.
Nobody gave the St. Louis Rams much of a chance to beat the Seahawks in Seattle to start the playoffs. But this was a Rams team which had shown its greatest resilience in October, overcoming a huge deficit to overturn Seattle in overtime. The results of this playoff game on January 8, 2005, were not pretty. But ""The Greatest Show on Turf"" had been reinvigorated, besting the NFC West Champion Seahawks 27-20. The Rams were thus the first team in NFL history to win a post-season game after finishing the regular season at .500.
The San Diego Chargers had waited nine years for this moment: a post-season game. But the Jets were not intimidated this night of January 8, 2005. Talk of ""Jet lag"" would end, as New York seemed to control the game. A penalty would lead to the Chargers' game-tying touchdown that forced overtime, but Herman Edwards' team kept pushing, and ultimately won late in the 15th minute of overtime, 20-17.
""Afro-Zen Tundra""?? That spelling suggests the unorthodox ways of the second NFC Wild Card Game of 2004. When they returned to Lambeau Field January 9, 2005, the Vikings knew how to overcome consecutive last-second defeats to the Packers. Daunte Culpepper was the Zen master this day.
""Pressure"" is the operative word in any playoff game. Atlanta, hosting the NFC Divisional Playoff against the Rams January 15, 2005, had a pressure performer in Michael Vick. Just as pressure-tested for this playoff was the Falcons' defense, which shut down St. Louis in the second half. Jim Mora Jr. had, in just his first full season as a head coach, both a 47-17 victory in his first post-season game and a trip to the NFC Championship Game eight days later.
The Steelers' starting QB, rookie Ben Roethlisberger, had gone undefeated in 13 NFL starts. Now he faced a true test in the AFC Divisional Playoff January 15, 2005 against the Jets. New York was good enough to win at certain times, but in the fourth quarter, when it mattered, they fell short. Overtime saw Pittsburgh scratch a 20-17 overtime win.
For the Indianapolis Colts, this was a recurring nightmare: their failure to win in Foxboro. It didn't let up on January 16, 2005. New England's defense proved more than a match for league MVP Peyton Manning. Given a 20-3 victory, New England was eager for a rematch with the Steelers for the right to play in Super Bowl XXXIX.
Both the Patriots and Steelers were ""A Cut Above"" the other NFL teams in 2004. With the two best records in the league, New England naturally would face Pittsburgh January 23, 2005. (Some assumed the winner of this game would automatically win the Super Bowl two weeks later.) Though Pittsburgh had the stingiest defense in the NFL, New England overwhelmed them on both sides of the ball. The end result: the visitors walked away winning 41-27, leaving Pittsburgh 1-4 in their last five AFC Championship games.
Fans in Philadelphia had been hurt several times since 2001 when their sports heroes didn't win the one game that really mattered. On January 23, 2005, one day after a blizzard swept through town, the Eagles' fans believed it was ""Our Team, Our Town, Our Turn."" Only the Atlanta Falcons stood in their way, and their quick rise ended. The Philadelphia Eagles, 27-10 winners over Atlanta, were back in the Super Bowl for the first time in 24 years.
Some predicted the Patriots and Eagles to meet in Super Bowl XXXIX before the season began. One team was every bit a dynasty, the other a team working to conquer its past demons. For New England, this was a night for new and different heroes. Deion Branch was named MVP for his Super-Bowl-record-tying eleven receptions. Still, Philadelphia would not go down without a fight at the end. The fight produced a 24-21 Patriot triumph, their third championship in four years.