1950: Rams Defeat Bears in National Conference Playoff

The Los Angeles Rams hosted the Chicago Bears on December 17, 1950 in a playoff game to decide the champion of the NFL National Conference (the renamed Western Division). Both teams had finished the regular season with 9-3 records, but the Bears had beaten the Rams both times they faced off, including three weeks earlier at Chicago. 

Los Angeles topped the Western Division in 1949, losing the league title to the Eagles, and Clark Shaughnessy was replaced as head coach by Joe Stydahar, formerly an outstanding player for the Bears. The Rams had an explosive offense that scored as many as 70 points in a game and set league records with 64 touchdowns and 466 points. The quarterback tandem of Bob Waterfield (pictured above) and Norm Van Brocklin was superb and there were excellent receivers in ends Tom Fears and Elroy “Crazy Legs” Hirsch as well as HB Glenn Davis, once a Heisman Trophy winner at Army, who also topped the club in rushing. The defense, however, was not nearly as impressive. Furthermore, Waterfield was unable to practice during the week before the game due to the flu and was still showing the effects during the pregame warmup.

The Bears were owned and coached by “the Papa Bear”, George Halas, and depended on a solid running attack, led by HB George Gulyanics, behind a good line along with a tough defense. QB Johnny Lujack was suffering from a shoulder injury that affected his passing ability but he could still run well and had scored 11 touchdowns on the ground.  

There were 83,501 fans in attendance on a sweltering 92-degree day at the LA Memorial Coliseum. Norm Van Brocklin started the game at quarterback for the Rams and in the first quarter Bob Waterfield kicked a 43-yard field goal to give Los Angeles the early lead. The Bears, establishing their strong ground game, responded by driving 65 yards in eight plays, the last of which was a 22-yard touchdown carry by HB Al Campagna.

LA’s high-powered offense was having difficulty getting on track and an apparent 63-yard run by Glenn Davis was nullified by a holding penalty. Van Brocklin completed just two of 10 passes during the opening period and Waterfield relieved him in the second quarter, bringing results from the first series that he was behind center. The Rams went 76 yards, most of it occurring when Waterfield fired a pass to Tom Fears that covered 67 yards for a TD. Waterfield then kicked the extra point to put the home team up by 10-7.

On their next possession, the Rams drove to another score. Again it was Waterfield to Fears (pictured at left) for a 32-yard touchdown and Waterfield booted the point after. The Rams took a 17-7 lead into halftime.

The Bears still couldn’t add points and Waterfield’s ability as a punter came into play as his booming kicks kept Chicago pinned on its side of the field. Late in the third quarter, Waterfield threw to HB Verda “Vitamin T.” Smith for a 35-yard gain and followed up with a short toss to Fears that the end turned into a 23-yard TD as he broke five tackles along the way. Los Angeles held a formidable 24-7 lead.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, the Bears finally got on the board again at the conclusion of a 12-play, 76-yard drive that featured the running of George Gulyanics and HB Julius “Julie” Rykovich. FB Fred “Curly” Morrison powered the last four yards for a touchdown and Lujack kicked the extra point to make it a ten-point contest.

Chicago again advanced deep into LA territory, but was stopped at the two yard line with six minutes remaining as the Rams’ defense rose to the occasion. Twice the Bears came up empty on drives into Los Angeles territory. Tensions between the teams eventually boiled over as in the final seconds a free-for-all broke out and it took several minutes for the officials to restore order. In the end, the Rams came away with an impressive 24-14 win.

The Bears actually outgained LA (422 yards to 371), with 229 yards of their total coming on the ground. Chicago also had more first downs (23 to 11). But LA gained 297 yards through the air and the defense accounted for six sacks, totaling 52 yards in losses, to none for the Bears. Chicago also turned the ball over three times, to two by the Rams.

Bob Waterfield had a fine overall performance as he completed 14 of 21 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns while giving up one interception. He also was successful on all of his placekicks and averaged 42.4 yards on seven punts, including a long kick of 67 yards. Tom Fears was equally outstanding with 7 catches for 198 yard and all three TDs. The running game was an afterthought and FB Dick Hoerner led with just 18 yards on 7 carries.

For the Bears, Johnny Lujack was successful on 15 of 29 throws for 193 yards but was intercepted three times in addition to the six sacks. George Gulyanics (pictured above) led the team with 94 yards on 15 carries and also with 6 pass receptions for 67 yards. Julie Rykovich contributed 67 yards on 14 rushing attempts.

The Rams advanced to the NFL Championship game and lost a close contest against the Cleveland Browns, newcomers from the AAFC that topped the Giants in the American Conference. Los Angeles returned to the title game for a third straight year in 1951 and this time came away winners over the Browns. Chicago dropped to fourth place in ’51 with a 7-5 record. The Bears next returned to the postseason in 1956.

Highlighted Year: Willie Brown, 1964

Cornerback, Denver Broncos

Age: 24 (Dec. 2)

2^nd season in pro football & with Broncos

College: Grambling

Height: 6’1”   Weight: 190

Prelude:

An offensive end in college, Brown went undrafted and was initially signed by the Houston Oilers in 1963, who converted him to cornerback. He was cut in the preseason and the Broncos signed him. Brown was a reserve in the defensive backfield before getting an opportunity to start later in the year. While his performance was initially shaky due to inexperience, he intercepted one pass and showed improvement as the season progressed.

1964 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Interceptions – 9 [3]

Most interceptions, game – 4 vs. NY Jets 11/15

Int. return yards – 140 [6]

Most int. return yards, game – 91 (on 4 int.) vs. NY Jets 11/15

Int. TDs – 0

Scoring

Safeties – 1

Points – 2

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-AFL: League, AP, NEA, UPI, NY Daily News

AFL All-Star Game

Broncos went 2-11-1 to finish fourth in the AFL Western Division while leading the league in most points surrendered (438).

Aftermath:

Following his breakout season, Brown’s interceptions dropped to two in 1965 while dealing with injuries but he repeated as an AFL All-Star. After four years in Denver, he was traded to Oakland in 1967 and was a key defensive component as the Raiders won the AFL Championship and continued to contend well beyond that. Brown intercepted seven passes, one of which he returned for a TD, in ’67, which was the first of seven straight years in which he was chosen to either the AFL All-Star Game or, following the 1970 merger, the Pro Bowl. He was also a consensus first-team All-AFL choice in 1968 and ’69. Fast and with excellent instincts, Brown was also highly adept at bump-and-run coverage.  He had an off-year in 1970 due to a shoulder separation but still made the Pro Bowl and bounced back to be a consensus first-team All-NFL selection in ’71. Brown lasted a total of 16 seasons and intercepted 54 passes, with 15 of those coming with Denver. His 9 in ’64 remained his career-high. In 17 postseason games he picked off another seven passes, three of which he returned for TDs, including one for 75 yards against the Vikings in Super Bowl XI following the 1976 season. Brown was a consensus first-team All-AFL or All-NFL choice five times, received some first- or second-team recognition after another six seasons, and was selected to nine Pro Bowls. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1984.

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Highlighted Years features players who were consensus first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating

Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)

All-Purpose: Total Yards

Defense: Interceptions, Sacks

Kickoff Returns: Average

Punt Returns: Average

Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970

1956: Giants Defeat Eagles to Clinch Eastern Conference Crown

The New York Giants were looking to lock up the NFL Eastern Conference title as they faced the Philadelphia Eagles on December 15, 1956. Under the guidance of Head Coach Jim Lee Howell, the Giants had roared out to a 6-1 record and, following a 1-2-1 stretch, were now coming into the season finale at 7-3-1 and could gain a slot in the NFL Championship game with a win. New York operated a power-T offense that was the responsibility of assistant coach Vince Lombardi and emphasized a strong running game that utilized halfbacks Frank Gifford and Alex Webster (pictured above) and FB Mel Triplett. A platoon system was used at quarterback where Don Heinrich started games and the more-talented Charlie Conerly relieved when needed. Assistant coach Tom Landry handled the tough and talented defense.

The Eagles were going nowhere at 3-7-1 in their first year under Head Coach Hugh Devore.  They also used a two-quarterback platoon with Adrian Burk and Bobby Thomason and there was an able receiver in end Bobby Walston, but the ground attack was average at best. The defense was particularly sound at linebacker with All-Pro Chuck Bednarik and Wayne Robinson, but the backfield was a problem, particularly after the loss of safety Jerry Norton to injury.  

There were 15,562 fans in attendance on a foggy afternoon at Connie Mack Stadium and the contest was also nationally televised. It had rained the previous three days and the field was soft. The Giants had the first possession with Don Heinrich at quarterback and punted and, while the Eagles started off with runs by HB Ted Wegert for six yards and FB Dick Bielski for 12, they were forced to punt in turn. New York advanced into Philadelphia territory thanks primarily to the running of Mel Triplett and Frank Gifford, but the drive stalled at the 43 and Don Chandler punted into the end zone.

Following another punt by the Eagles, the Giants were driving as the game headed into the second quarter. Alex Webster started the series with a 14-yard carry and Heinrich threw to end Kyle Rote for a gain of 15 yards to the Philadelphia 30. An eight-yard run by Webster and 11-yard carry by Gifford (pictured below) got the ball inside the ten and Gifford then threw an option pass to Rote for a six-yard touchdown to complete the eight-play, 65-yard series. Ben Agajanian added the extra point.

Bobby Thomason was at quarterback for the Eagles on their next possession but a clipping penalty nullified a pass completion and Thomason was sacked for a loss of ten yards on third down to force another punt. Once again the running of Triplett and Webster advanced the ball into Philadelphia territory and Heinrich completed a pass to Gifford for nine yards to convert a third down. Following a five-yard carry by Triplett, Webster ran wide to the left for 10 yards that set up a 10-yard run by Gifford for a TD. Agajanian again converted to give the visitors a 14-0 lead.

The Eagles turned the ball over on the next series when DE Walt Yowarsky recovered an errant pitchout at the Philadelphia 35. But while the productive ground game got the Giants to the 14, Heinrich’s pass was intercepted by safety Lee Riley. The score remained unchanged at the half.

The Eagles had the ball first in the third quarter but a Thomason pass was picked off by safety Emlen Tunnell, who returned it 14 yards to the Philadelphia 27. Six plays later the Giants capitalized as Webster ran seven yards for a touchdown. Agajanian again booted the point after and New York held a comfortable 21-0 lead.

The teams exchanged punts and Riley briefly provided some excitement for the home team with a 35-yard return to midfield. But with Thomason giving way to Burk, the Eagles lost yardage from there and punted once again. Chuck Bednarik recovered a Triplett fumble on the next series at the Philadelphia 45 and the Eagles advanced into New York territory. Burk completed four passes, three of them to end Bobby Walston for gains totaling 36 yards, in the closing minutes of the period. But a run for negative yardage followed by a penalty on the offense to start the third quarter and an incomplete pass set up a fourth-and-30 situation, and Burk’s throw to Walston gained just 18 yards to turn the ball over on downs at the New York 12.

The Giants were able to put together a long series that was extended by a roughing-the-kicker call on a punt by Chandler. New York failed to extend its lead when Agajanian was wide on a 46-yard field goal attempt, but time was running out on the Eagles, who again had to punt.

Philadelphia finally put together a scoring drive of 64 yards in 14 plays that was helped along by a 26-yard pass interference penalty on the Giants. Burk completed two passes, one of which converted a fourth down, and had an 11-yard scramble in a third-and-10 situation. After an incomplete pass and 13-yard sack, the Eagles faced third-and-23 and Burk threw to end Hank Burnine for 13 yards and, on fourth down, to Walston for a 15-yard touchdown. Walston kicked the extra point, but while it averted a shutout, it was of no consequence with only 1:08 remaining in the contest. New York won by a final score of 21-7.

The Giants led significantly in total yards (332 to 174), with 291 of that total coming on the ground, and in first downs (22 to 13). Both teams turned the ball over twice. New York recorded four sacks, to none by the Eagles.

Alex Webster led the New York rushers with 132 yards on 23 carries that included a TD. Frank Gifford accumulated 81 yards and a touchdown on 16 attempts and Mel Triplett contributed 72 yards on 14 carries. With the Giants in control, Don Heinrich remained in for the full game and completed three of 10 passes for 35 yards. Gifford and Kyle Rote each caught two passes, for 20 and 21 yards, respectively, and Rote scored a touchdown on a Gifford pass.

For the Eagles, Adrian Burk was successful on 12 of 26 throws for 124 yards and a TD while Bobby Thomason was two of four for 17 yards. Bobby Walston (pictured at right) led the receivers with 5 catches for 69 yards and a touchdown. Ted Wegert rushed for 31 yards on 11 attempts.

The win allowed the Giants to finish atop the Eastern Conference with an 8-3-1 record. In their first NFL Championship game appearance in ten years, they thrashed the Chicago Bears 47-7. For Philadelphia, the loss closed out the club’s worst season since 1942, finishing at the bottom of the conference with a 3-8-1 tally.

Frank Gifford received MVP honors as he led the league in yards from scrimmage (1422, with 819 rushing and 603 receiving). Alex Webster also ranked among the Top 10 rushers with 694 yards and seven TDs and Mel Triplett added 515 yards on the ground.  

Highlighted Year: Richie Cunningham, 1997

Placekicker, Dallas Cowboys

Age: 27

1^st season in pro football

College: Louisiana - Lafayette

Height: 5’10” Weight: 167

Prelude:

Cunningham was undrafted coming out of college and first tried to make the Cowboys in 1994, losing out in training camp to Chris Boniol. He sat out the next two seasons before receiving an invitation to try out for the Packers in ’96, and while he had a good preseason, he again was cut prior to the regular season. Invited to try out again with the Cowboys in 1997, Cunningham made the team.

1997 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Kicking

Field goals – 34 [1]

Most field goals, game – 5 at Arizona 9/7, vs. Philadelphia 9/15

Field goal attempts – 37 [3, tied with Jeff Wilkins]

Most field goal attempts, game – 6 at Arizona 9/7

Field goal percentage – 91.9 [2]

PATs – 24

PAT attempts – 24

Longest field goal – 52 yards at Pittsburgh 8/31

Scoring

Field Goals – 34

PATs – 24

Points – 126 [2, 1^st in NFC]

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-NFL: AP, Sporting News

Cowboys went 6-10 to finish fourth in the NFC East.   

Aftermath:

Cunningham followed up by kicking 29 field goals in 35 attempts in 1998 and, with a perfect 40-of-40 in extra points, scored 127 points. An ankle injury caused his performance to drop off during the ’99 season and he was let go and finished up the year with Carolina, where he also appeared in four games in 2000. Cunningham was waived by the Bengals prior to the 2001 season and had a brief stint with Jacksonville in 2002, his last year. Overall, over five active NFL seasons he kicked 84 field goals out of 105 attempts (80 %) and 119 of 120 tries for extra point for a total of 371 points. 75 field goals, 95 PATs, and 320 points came with the Cowboys.

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Highlighted Years features players who were consensus first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating

Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)

All-Purpose: Total Yards

Defense: Interceptions, Sacks

Kickoff Returns: Average

Punt Returns: Average

Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970

1992: Fumble Recovery Propels Redskins to Defeat of Cowboys

Two bitter NFC East rivals, the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins, faced off at RFK Stadium on December 13, 1992. The Redskins, coached by Joe Gibbs for the twelfth season, were the defending NFL Champions but finding the going more difficult the year after winning the Super Bowl. Following a 5-2 start, they lost three of four games and were at 8-5. QB Mark Rypien was not performing up to his level of the season before and the vaunted offensive line was injury-riddled. However, 30-year-old RB Earnest Byner was still dependable, the receiving corps led by WR Gary Clark was a good one, and the defense remained tough.

Dallas was the up-and-coming team under Head Coach Jimmy Johnson and came into Washington with an 11-2 record, including a win in the season-opening contest with the Redskins. The offense had a solid nucleus with QB Troy Aikman, RB Emmitt Smith, and WR Michael Irvin and the defense was outstanding. The Cowboys had been a Wild Card team in 1991 and were looking to top the NFC East for the first time since 1985.   

There were 56,437 enthusiastic fans in attendance on a cloudy and breezy day. The teams traded punts to start the game before SS Kenneth Gant intercepted a Mark Rypien pass that was bobbled by TE Terry Orr at midfield and returned it to the Washington 42. The Cowboys advanced 37 yards in 10 plays, the biggest a throw from Troy Aikman to WR Alvin Harper for 21 yards. Emmitt Smith gained the necessary yardage to convert a fourth-and-one situation at the 10 yard line, but the Cowboys couldn’t reach the end zone and Lin Elliott kicked a 23-yard field goal.

The teams returned to exchanging punts for the remainder of the opening period and into the second quarter. Taking possession at their own 47 after a Kelly Woodburn shanked punt traveled 30 yards and went out of bounds, the Cowboys drove 53 yards in six plays. Facing third-and-nine, Aikman connected with Michael Irvin for 40 yards to the Washington 12 and then completed two passes to TE Jay Novacek, the second for five yards and a touchdown. Elliott added the extra point and the visitors were up by 10-0.

The Redskins again had to punt following their next series, which saw the home crowd boo Rypien for twice missing makeable throws intended for Gary Clark, but got a break when WR Kelvin Martin slipped and muffed the kick and center Guy Bingham recovered for Washington at the Dallas 41. On the next play, RB Earnest Byner (pictured at left), faking a sweep to the right that successfully fooled the defense, threw an option pass to Orr for a 41-yard TD and, with Chip Lohmiller’s conversion, the Dallas lead was narrowed to 10-7.

The Cowboys advanced into Washington territory on the next possession, helped along by Smith’s 17-yard run to the Redskins’ 41. However, following a short carry by Smith, Aikman threw three incomplete passes, the second of which was broken up in the end zone and the third nearly intercepted by LB Wilber Marshall. Dallas was forced to punt and pinned the Redskins inside their 20, which ultimately resulted in a 50-yard line-drive punt by Goodburn that Martin returned for 18 yards to the Washington 42.

Taking over on offense with 2:06 remaining in the first half, it took seven plays for the Cowboys to score again. Aikman completed passes to Harper for 12 yards and Martin for nine, but a holding penalty backed Dallas up. However, a pass interference call on the Redskins gave the visitors a first down at the Washington 11 and, three plays later, it was Aikman to Novacek once again for a five-yard touchdown. Elliott added the point after and Dallas took a 17-7 lead into halftime.

The Cowboys had the first possession in the third quarter and punted from midfield. Washington put together a 12-play, 68-yard series in response. Byner ran effectively and Rypien completed four passes, the longest to WR Ricky Sanders for 29 yards. But after finding themselves with first-and-goal at the one, the Redskins lost yardage and had to settle for a 32-yard Lohmiller field goal.

Dallas was on the move as the game headed into the fourth quarter, helped along by a fake punt in which FB Daryl Johnston ran for 13 yards in a fourth-and-six situation to the Washington 38. Smith ran for 18 and 14 yards on the next two plays and the Cowboys had first-and-goal at the six. But following two more carries by Smith, Aikman passed on third down and LB Andre Collins intercepted and returned it 59 yards to the Dallas 42. Rypien had completions to Clark for 16 yards and Sanders for 13 as the Redskins drove to a 22-yard Lohmiller field goal. Instead of Dallas potentially scoring a game-clinching touchdown, Washington had now made it a four-point contest at 17-13.

On the third play of the next Dallas series, Irvin fumbled when hit by CB Darrell Green after gaining 20 yards on a pass from Aikman. SS Danny Copeland recovered and returned it 15 yards to give the Redskins the ball at the Dallas 24. Rypien passed to Clark for 13 yards and Byner had a four-yard run, but the home team found itself facing fourth-and-one at the Dallas two and Rypien’s pass intended for Clark was overthrown.

The clock was down to 3:33 to play as the Cowboys took possession. Johnston ran up the middle for two yards, but on second down Aikman fumbled while being sacked in the end zone by DE Jason Buck, who overwhelmed center Mark Stepnoski and got a hand on the ball just as the quarterback was about to go into his throwing motion (television replays were inconclusive as to whether Aikman had already begun to move his arm forward before losing the ball). Smith picked the loose ball up for Dallas, but he was hit by Collins and Copeland and tried to toss the ball out of the end zone. Copeland managed to recover for Washington for a touchdown, but the resolution of the play added to the bizarre situation as the safety had already left the pileup with ball in hand and run to midfield to celebrate while the officials were still sorting out who had possession, and he had to return to the end zone. Lohmiller converted and the Redskins were ahead by three points.

There was still time for Dallas, and with the crowd in a frenzy, Aikman threw back-to-back 14-yard completions to Martin and Irvin. Another throw to Martin was good for 10 yards to the Washington 38, but Aikman was then sacked by Collins for a loss of seven yards. A toss to Smith regained the yardage, but on third-and-10, Aikman was sacked once again, this time by LB Monte Coleman. Aikman threw for Harper on fourth-and-17, the pass was incomplete, and Washington came away with a 20-17 win.

The Cowboys had the edge in total yards (342 to 246) and first downs (22 to 14). However, the Redskins recorded four sacks, to two by Dallas, and the Cowboys turned the ball over four times, one leading directly to the winning touchdown, to one suffered by Washington.

Mark Rypien had a mediocre performance as he completed 12 of 29 passes for 144 yards and gave up an interception. Earnest Byner rushed for 69 yards on 19 carries and also tossed a touchdown pass. Gary Clark caught four passes for 50 yards and Ricky Sanders gained 53 yards on his three receptions.

For the Cowboys, Troy Aikman was successful on 23 of 35 throws for 245 yards and two TDs with one picked off. Emmitt Smith (pictured at right) gained 99 yards on 25 rushing attempts and caught five passes for 16 yards. Michael Irvin also had five pass receptions, for 105 yards, while Jay Novacek scored two TDs among his five catches for 25 yards.

“It was one of the hardest-fought games I’ve ever been in,” summed up Coach Gibbs of the Redskins. “Everyone laid it on the line out there. This was one of the most emotional games I’ve been in, and it’s one I’ll always remember. There were a lot of great plays back and forth. This was two great teams and had everything wrapped into it.”

“The Redskins gave a great effort and we gave a great effort,” said Jimmy Johnson of the Cowboys. “They are to be commended.  Our guys will be all right. We came up short against a good football team on the road.”

The loss proved to be the last of the season for Dallas. The Cowboys won their remaining two games to place first in the NFC East at 13-3 and continued on in the postseason to a Super Bowl triumph over Buffalo. The Redskins lost two close contests to finish out the schedule with a 9-7 record that placed third in the division but still qualified for the playoffs as a Wild Card. They defeated Minnesota in the Wild Card round but lost to the 49ers at the Divisional level.

The decisive fumble recovery by Danny Copeland was one of three for the year and resulted in his only career touchdown. Earnest Byners touchdown pass was his only completion of the season, out of three attempts, and his third career scoring toss. He rushed for 998 yards on 262 carries (3.8 avg.) and caught 39 passes for another 338 yards (8.7 avg.), compiling a total of seven TDs.

1982: Patriots Beat Dolphins in “Snowplow Game”

It was a snowy day in Foxboro, Massachusetts on December 12, 1982 as the New England Patriots hosted the Miami Dolphins. Temperatures were in the 20s with the wind gusting up to 30 mph. The artificial surface was frozen, having been soaked by rain the previous day, and now a heavy snow was falling. Snowplows and sweepers were busily employed at clearing the field during the pregame warmups and beyond.

The Patriots had a 2-3 record thus far in the season that was interrupted by a 57-day players’ strike, which was as many wins as the team had compiled in going 2-14 in ‘81. The roster had been significantly overturned upon the arrival of new Head Coach Ron Meyer. QB Steve Grogan had reclaimed his starting job from Matt Cavanaugh while 30-year-old FB Mark Van Eeghen, formerly of the Raiders, joined a good group of running backs that included FB Mosi Tatupu and HB Tony Collins. Veteran PK John Smith was just returning after missing all of the season thus far due to a knee injury.

Miami, in its thirteenth season under Head Coach Don Shula, was at 4-1. The ground-oriented offense was directed by QB David Woodley and included FB Andra Franklin and HB Tony Nathan. The 3-4 defense was tough up front with ends Doug Betters and Kim Bokamper and NT Bob Baumhower. Backing them up were linebackers A.J. Duhe, Bob Brudzinski, and Larry Gordon.

Only 25,716 fans were in attendance at Schaefer Stadium, the smallest regular season turnout in the stadium’s history going back to 1971. The teams exchanged punts throughout the first quarter. Late in the opening period, the Patriots took possession at their 20 and mounted a long 19-play drive that extended into the second quarter. Mark van Eeghen carried twice for four yards, Steve Grogan converted third-and-six with a pass to TE Lin Dawson for seven yards, and van Eeghen ran three more times for 13 yards before Mosi Tatupu carried eight consecutive times, picking up 27 yards. But the last of those carries came on third-and-goal at the Miami one and Tatupu was stopped for no gain. John Smith came in to try for an 18-yard field goal, but the kick was partially blocked and missed the mark.

The Dolphins responded with a long drive of their own. Andra Franklin (pictured at right) started off with 20 yards on two carries and David Woodley threw to TE Bruce Hardy for 12 more yards to the New England 48. Franklin and Tony Nathan ran the ball to pick up another first down and Woodley took off for 14 yards. But after Nathan gained six yards to the 18, Franklin lost a yard and Woodley was sacked by LB Clayton Weishuhn for a loss of 12 yards. Miami had to punt with 19 seconds remaining in the first half and the game remained scoreless at the intermission.

The snow was still falling steadily as the clubs traded punts during the third quarter. The Dolphins again advanced into New England territory as Woodley completed two short passes and Nathan, Franklin, and HB Tommy Vigorito ran effectively. But after getting a first down at the 28, Woodley’s next three throws fell incomplete and Uwe von Schamann’s 45-yard try for a field goal was blocked and rolled into the end zone.

The Patriots had the ball as the period ended and, on the first play of the fourth quarter, Grogan’s pass was intercepted by CB Gerald Small at the Miami 30, and he returned it 21 yards to the New England 49. The Dolphins were able to reach the 34 before punting.

Taking possession at their own seven, the Patriots drove 77 yards in 11 plays. Van Eeghen carried for the first four and gained 25 yards. Tatupu took his place and immediately ran for 15 yards off tackle, followed by a burst through the middle in which he shook off two tackles and picked up 26 yards to the Miami 28. Three more carries by Tatupu gained 13 yards and Tony Collins then ran for two. But Collins fumbled the next handoff, and while he recovered, the play lost three yards and created a fourth-and-ten situation.

The Patriots called timeout and Coach Meyer waved one of the tractor-driven snowplows, which had been periodically used to clear the yard stripes, onto the field. Mark Henderson, a prisoner on work release who was its driver, cleared an arc that included the area from where the kick would occur (pictured at top). While some observers stated afterward that the plowing was of little consequence, whether or not that was the case Smith kicked a 33-yard field goal to finally break the scoreless tie.

There was still 4:33 to go as Miami came on offense after the ensuing kickoff. Woodley immediately passed to WR Duriel Harris for 17 yards to the New England 48 and then connected with TE Joe Rose for four. Woodley picked up five yards on a quarterback draw and, on third-and-one, Franklin hit the line but a measurement showed he was inches short of a first down. Nathan dove for two yards to keep the series alive and a sideline pass by Woodley to Harris was complete for 16 yards to the 20. Franklin ran for a yard, Woodley threw an incomplete pass, and then on third-and-nine Woodley went to the air again and was intercepted by LB Don Blackmon.

There were just 30 seconds remaining but the Dolphins used all three of their timeouts while Van Eeghen ran three times and the Patriots punted. There was only time for one long pass by Woodley from midfield, and it was picked off near the goal line by SS Roland James to end the game. The Patriots, thanks to the controversial field goal, came away winners by a final score of 3-0.

In the slippery conditions, Miami had the edge in total yards (235 to 212) and first downs (16 to 13). 199 of New England’s yards came on the ground, to 176 for the Dolphins. The Patriots went to the air just five times and gained 13 net passing yards to Miami’s 59. The Dolphins turned the ball over twice, to one suffered by New England.

Mark van Eeghen (pictured at left) rushed for 100 yards on 22 carries (his only hundred-yard performance in two seasons with New England) and Mosi Tatupu contributed 81 yards on his 13 attempts. Steve Grogan completed two of five passes for 13 yards and gave up one interception. Both completions were to Lin Dawson.

For the Dolphins, David Woodley was successful on 9 of 18 throws for 76 yards and tossed the two late interceptions. Andra Franklin gained 107 yards on 23 carries and Tony Nathan added 29 on 10 attempts in addition to two catches for 14 yards. Two other Miami receivers caught two passes apiece, with Duriel Harris gaining a team-leading 33 yards on his. 

“I did wave the guy on the field,” admitted Ron Meyer regarding the tractor affixed with a plow and power brush that cleared the space for the winning field goal. “I would have waved the guy on the field for the Dolphins in a similar situation. It was just something that happened. The main thing is that we kicked the field goal and earned a great and very gratifying win for the Patriots.”

“The officials shouldn’t have let it happen,” said Miami’s Don Shula, who had a less charitable view of the snowplow incident. “The official nearest me said he didn’t see the guy come out before it was too late.”

“Game officials have no control over the removal of the snow done by a maintenance man with a power brush on the plow,” explained referee Bob Frederic (a situation that would be addressed in the offseason).

“The Dolphins players weren’t happy,” said Henderson, the snow plow operator, who became something of a minor celebrity. “They called me an (expletive), but maybe that was because I sprayed them with snow… It wasn’t intentional.”

The Patriots went on to win two of their remaining three games to finish with a 5-4 record that, in the revamped division-less format that the NFL implemented due to the strike, placed seventh in the AFC and qualified them for a spot in the resulting postseason tournament. They faced Miami, who finished second with a 7-2 tally, and the Dolphins gained a measure of revenge by winning 28-13. The Dolphins continued on to the Super Bowl, where they fell to the Washington Redskins.

The NFL banned the use of snowplows on the field the next year, but the John Deere tractor which was used to clear the spot for Smith’s field goal remains on display at the Patriots Hall of Fame.

Highlighted Year: Josh Cribbs, 2007

Wide Receiver/Kick Returner, Cleveland Browns

Age: 24

3^rd season in pro football & with Browns

College: Kent State

Height: 6’1”   Weight: 192

Prelude:

Cribbs played quarterback in college and twice both rushed and passed for over a thousand yards in a season. He went undrafted in 2005 and signed as a free agent with the Browns. Converted to wide receiver, Cribbs primarily returned kickoffs as a rookie, averaging 24.3 yards on 45 returns and scoring one touchdown. He averaged 24.5 yards and scored another TD in ’06, also catching 10 passes on offense. What he lacked in exceptional speed he made up for in sound running instincts. Having returned just seven punts in his first two years, Cribbs added that responsibility in 2007.

2007 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 59 [4, tied with Chris Carr & Glenn Holt]

Yards – 1809 [1]

Most yards, game – 245 (on 7 ret.) at Baltimore 11/18

Average per return – 30.7 [1]

TDs – 2 [3, tied with Devin Hester]

Longest return – 100 yards

Punt Returns

Returns – 30 [12, tied with Adam Jennings, Ryne Robinson & Jacoby Jones]

Yards – 405 [4]

Most yards, game – 135 (on 4 ret.) vs. San Francisco 12/30

Average per return – 13.5 [4]

TDs – 1 [2, tied with 12 others]

Longest return – 76 yards

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 3        

Yards – 37

Average gain – 12.3

TDs – 0

Rushing

Attempts – 9

Yards – 61

Average gain – 6.8

TDs – 0

All-purpose yards – 2312 [1]

Scoring

TDs – 3

Points – 18

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-NFL: Sporting News

2^nd team All-NFL: AP

Pro Bowl

Browns went 10-6 to finish second in the AFC North.

Aftermath:

Cribbs followed up in 2008 by averaging 25.2 yards on 44 kickoff returns with one TD and 8.1 yards returning 28 punts, and also led the club in tackles on special teams. In ’09, he received first-team All-NFL as well as Pro Bowl honors after averaging 27.5 yards on 56 kickoff returns, three of which he returned for touchdowns, and 11.9 yards on 38 punt returns that also included a TD. While used more at wide receiver, the results were less impressive, although he ran the ball 55 times for 381 yards (6.9 avg.) and a score. In 2010, for the first time in his career Cribbs failed to return a kick for a touchdown and had a down year overall but had a stronger season in 2011 that included a punt return TD as well as his best pass receiving season, with 41 catches for 518 yards (12.6 avg.) and four touchdowns. He averaged 27.4 yards on kickoff returns and 12.0 running back punts in 2012 and received Pro Bowl recognition but was released by the Browns in the offseason and signed with Oakland. The Raiders cut him during the 2013 preseason and he caught on with the New York Jets, but his season was cut short by a shoulder injury. He appeared in six games with the Colts in 2014. Overall, Cribbs returned 426 kickoffs for a 26.1-yard average and NFL career-high eight touchdowns (along with Leon Washington) and 222 punts for an average of 10.7 yards and three TDs. 387 of his kickoff returns, for a 25.9-yard average, and 195 punt returns, for an 11.0 average, came with the Browns, as did all of his touchdowns on returns. Cribbs also caught 110 passes for 1175 yards and seven TDs and rushed for 808 yards. He received consensus first-team All-NFL honors once and was named to the Pro Bowl three times.    

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Highlighted Years features players who were consensus first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating

Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)

All-Purpose: Total Yards

Defense: Interceptions, Sacks

Kickoff Returns: Average

Punt Returns: Average

Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970