Highlighted Year: Earl Cooper, 1980

Fullback, San Francisco 49ers

Age: 23 (Sept. 17)

1^st season in pro football

College: Rice

Height: 6’2”   Weight: 227

Prelude:

Cooper was an effective all-around back in college, rushing for 1583 yards on 407 carries and catching 101 passes for 802 yards. Altogether he totaled 2385 yards from scrimmage and 21 touchdowns. Attracted by his size and ability to catch the ball, he was chosen by the 49ers in the first round of the 1980 NFL draft (13^th overall) and proved to be a productive receiver out of the backfield in Head Coach Bill Walsh’s West Coast offense.

1980 Season Summary

Appeared and started in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 171

Most attempts, game – 21 (for 86 yds.) vs. NY Giants 11/23

Yards – 720

Most yards, game – 90 yards (on 15 carries) vs. Buffalo 12/21

Average gain – 4.2 [16]

TDs – 5

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 83 [2, 1^st in NFC]

Most receptions, game – 10 (for 71 yds.) at New Orleans 9/7

Yards – 567

Most yards, game – 84 (on 3 catches) vs. NY Giants 11/23

Average gain – 6.8

TDs – 4

Scoring

TDs – 9 [12, tied with eight others]

Points – 54

49ers went 6-10 to finish third in the NFC West.

Aftermath:

Cooper rushed for 330 yards on 98 carries and caught 51 passes for 477 yards during the 1981 season that ended with a win in the Super Bowl, where he also contributed a touchdown catch. However, he proved to not be an effective inside runner and lost his starting job during the strike-shortened 1982 season. Cooper was shifted to backup tight end in ’83 due to his pass receiving skills and had his best year at that position in 1984, with 41 catches for 459 yards and four TDs, but lasted just one more season in San Francisco and finished his career in 1986 with the Raiders. Overall, Cooper rushed for 1152 yards on 298 carries (3.9 avg.) and caught 213 passes for 1908 yards (9.0 avg.), scoring a total of 18 touchdowns.

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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 Percentage, 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

1989: Oilers Outlast Lions in Back-and-Forth Battle

The Houston Oilers had a 4-4 record as they hosted the Detroit Lions on November 5, 1989. The Oilers were a talented team, most notably on offense where QB Warren Moon (pictured above) was a formidable passer in the team’s version of the run-and-shoot. However, under Head Coach Jerry Glanville, they were also prone to undisciplined play and inconsistency. 

Detroit also operated a run-and-shoot offense, but Head Coach Wayne Fontes’ club was struggling at 1-7. Rookie RB Barry Sanders was having an impact but the passing game had yet to click. The Lions were also leading the league in turnovers with 30 thus far.

There were 48,056 fans in attendance at the Astrodome. The Lions had the first possession and drove 83 yards in nine plays as rookie QB Rodney Peete started off with a completion to WR Robert Clark for 47 yards to the Houston 36. From there it was Barry Sanders carrying on almost every play until diving into the end zone from a yard out for a touchdown. Ed Murray added the extra point for the 7-0 lead.

Houston responded with a 10-play, 75-yard series. Facing third-and-four, Warren Moon threw to WR Ernest Givins on a crossing pattern to pick up 32 yards to the Detroit 37 and, three plays later, RB Mike Rozier converted a fourth-and-one situation with a run for the necessary yard. A pass interference penalty in the end zone set up RB Lorenzo White’s one-yard carry for a TD and Tony Zendejas added the game-tying point after.

As the game headed into the second quarter, the Oilers again had the ball in Detroit territory. But after reaching the 32, Moon fumbled when hit by SS Bennie Blades and LB Chris Spielman recovered for the Lions, with his 19-yard return giving them possession at the Houston 49. Eight plays later, a scrambling Peete passed to Clark for a 16-yard touchdown, Murray converted, and the visitors were back in front by 14-7.

The Oilers came back with a long drive of 89 yards in 15 plays. Moon completed six passes along the way, with tosses to WR Haywood Jeffires for 25 yards and WR Drew Hill (pictured at right) for 18. Another throw to Hill for six yards converted a fourth-and-one situation and a personal foul on the Oilers on a third down play gave the home team first-and-goal at the Detroit six. Rozier ran the last yard for a TD, Zendejas added the extra point, and the score was again knotted at 14-14.

With the time down to less than three minutes to go in the first half, the Lions put together an eight-play, 60-yard possession. Peete connected with WR Walter Stanley for 18 yards and Clark for 25 as Detroit advanced into scoring territory, and Murray kicked a 47-yard field goal to put the visitors ahead by 17-14 at halftime.

On the first play from scrimmage of the third quarter, Rozier fumbled and, after Detroit DE Kevin Brooks grabbed the ball in the air but also couldn’t maintain possession, FS William White picked it up and ran 20 yards for a touchdown. Murray’s point after put the Lions further ahead at 24-14. Now down by ten points and following a 28-yard kickoff return by DB Kenny Johnson to the Houston 43, the Oilers drove 57 yards in seven plays. Six of them were pass completions by Moon, the longest to Hill for 25 yards and the last to Givins in the back of the end zone for a six-yard TD. Zendejas converted to again make it a three-point contest.

After a punt by the Lions, Houston had another scoring drive, advancing 78 yards in ten plays. Detroit’s defense still couldn’t stop Moon’s passes, including the last one to Hill for a seven-yard touchdown. Zendejas added the extra point and the home team was in front, 28-24.

The Lions had the ball as the game entered the fourth quarter and punted, but immediately got the ball back when Moon’s throw down the middle was intercepted by LB Jimmy Williams. Two plays later Peete connected with Clark for a 22-yard gain to the Houston 18, but the receiver fumbled and LB Eric Fairs recovered for the Oilers. The home team proceeded to put together a long 18-play, 87-yard drive that ran more than ten minutes off the clock. Moon finished it off with a run this time, carrying for a two-yard TD, and Zendejas converted.

With 3:15 left to play, Detroit fought back with an eight-play, 69-yard possession that was kept going when a Peete completion to Clark gained 19 yards in a fourth-and-nine situation. The series concluded with Sanders running 14 yards for a TD on a draw play. Murray kicked the point after and it was a four-point contest, although with the time remaining down to 1:41. 

It appeared that the Oilers would be able to run out the clock, but the Lions got a break when, after catching a third down pass, Givins fumbled and CB Terry Taylor recovered and ran 35 yards to give Detroit the ball at midfield. But any chance of the visitors pulling out a dramatic win ended three plays later when a sideline pass by Peete was deflected and picked off by a leaping DB Tracey Eaton with 56 seconds to go. Houston won by a final score of 35-31.

The Oilers led in total yards (455 to 351), first downs (30 to 19), and time of possession (39:39 to 20:21). Houston never punted but turned the ball over four times, to two by the Lions, and was penalized 10 times at a cost of 85 yards, to seven flags for 50 yards thrown on Detroit.

Warren Moon completed 30 of 38 passes for 345 yards and two touchdowns while giving up one interception. He also ran the ball 8 times for 22 yards and a TD. Drew Hill topped the Houston receivers with 9 catches for 101 yards and a touchdown. Ernest Givins and WR Curtis Duncan had six pass receptions apiece, for 77 and 66 yards, respectively, and Givins had a score. RB Allen Pinkett led the runners with 40 yards on 8 attempts.

For the Lions, Rodney Peete (pictured at left) was successful on 18 of 29 throws for 273 yards and a TD while being intercepted once. Robert Clark grabbed 6 passes for 141 yards and a touchdown and WR Richard Johnson contributed 6 receptions for 77 yards. Barry Sanders rushed for 91 yards on 19 carries that included two TDs.

“We felt our offense could score every time we went out on the field,” said Warren Moon. “When we did get stopped it was because we stopped ourselves with fumbles and penalties.”

The Oilers surged to four wins in their next five games, but tailed off badly at the end and finished with a 9-7 record that placed second in the AFC Central and qualified for a Wild Card playoff slot. They lost to Pittsburgh in the first round. Detroit caught fire following the close loss to Houston, winning six of their last seven and ending up with a respectable 7-9 tally that ranked third in the NFC Central.

Highlighted Year: Dan Fouts, 1980

Quarterback, San Diego Chargers

Age:  29

8^th season in pro football & with Chargers

College: Oregon

Height: 6’3”   Weight: 210

Prelude:

A third-round draft choice by the Chargers in 1973, Fouts gradually took over the starting job as a rookie while an over-the-hill Johnny Unitas faded from the scene in his last season. He struggled for the next two years but benefited from the presence of Bill Walsh as offensive coordinator in 1976. Fouts missed the first 10 games in ’77 due to a lawsuit against the NFL, although he performed well upon his return. Head Coach Tommy Prothro was replaced by the pass-oriented Don Coryell during the 1978 season, and the sturdy drop-back passer’s career benefited greatly. After leading the NFL in yards per attempt in ’78 (7.9), he set a new passing yardage record in 1979 with 4082, led the league in completion percentage (62.6), and was a consensus first-team All-NFL and Pro Bowl selection.  

1980 Season Summary

Appeared and started in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Passing

Attempts – 589 [1]

Most attempts, game – 45 vs. Denver 11/9

Completions – 348 [1]

Most completions, game – 29 vs. Oakland 9/14, vs. Denver 11/9

Yards – 4715 [1]

Most yards, game – 444 vs. NY Giants 10/19

Completion percentage – 59.1 [10]

Yards per attempt – 8.0 [2]

TD passes – 30 [2, tied with Vince Ferragamo & Brian Sipe, 1^st in AFC]

Most TD passes, game – 4 at Seattle 9/7

Interceptions – 24 [5]

Most interceptions, game – 5 vs. Oakland 9/14

Passer rating – 84.7 [6]

400-yard passing games – 1

300-yard passing games – 8

200-yard passing games – 15

Rushing

Attempts – 23

Most attempts, game – 5 (for -5 yds.) vs. Philadelphia 11/30

Yards – 15

Most yards, game – 12 yards (on 2 carries) at Miami 11/20

Yards per attempt – 0.7

TDs – 2

Scoring

TDs – 2

Points – 12

Postseason: 2 G

Pass attempts – 82

Most pass attempts, game – 45 vs. Oakland, AFC Championship

Pass completions – 44

Most pass completions, game – 22 vs. Buffalo, AFC Divisional playoff; vs. Oakland, AFC Championship

Passing yardage – 650

Most passing yards, game – 336 vs. Oakland, AFC Championship

TD passes – 4

Most TD passes, game – 2 vs. Buffalo, AFC Divisional playoff; vs. Oakland, AFC Championship

Interceptions – 3

Most interceptions, game – 2 vs. Oakland, AFC Championship

Rushing attempts – 3

Most rushing attempts, game – 2 vs. Buffalo, AFC Divisional playoff

Rushing yards – -4

Most rushing yards, game – 2 vs. Oakland, AFC Championship

Average gain rushing – -1.3

Rushing TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:

2^nd team All-NFL: AP

2^nd team All-AFC: UPI

Pro Bowl

Chargers went 11-5 to finish first in the AFC West while leading the NFL in total yards (6410) and passing yards (4531). Won AFC Divisional playoff over Buffalo Bills (20-14). Lost AFC Championship to Oakland Raiders (34-27).

Aftermath:

With an outstanding group of receivers to throw to in the Air Coryell passing game, Fouts broke his passing yardage record once again with 4802 yards in 1981 while leading the NFL in attempts (609) and completions (360) as well as TD passes (33). He was a Pro Bowl selection for a third straight year, although the Chargers once again came up short in the playoffs. In the strike-shortened ’82 season Fouts led the NFL in passing yards (2883), TD passes (17), and yards per attempt (8.7) and received MVP honors from the PFWA and NEA as well as Offensive Player of the Year recognition from AP. Playing in just 10 games in 1983, Fouts again achieved Pro Bowl recognition. While he never again passed for 4000 yards in the remaining five years of his career, he did throw for over 3000 three more times, led the league in yards per attempt (8.5) and TD percentage (6.3) in 1985, and was twice more selected to the Pro Bowl (for a total of six). At the time of his retirement, he ranked second all-time in NFL career pass attempts (5604), completions (3297), and yards (43,040) and had a passer rating of 80.2. The Chargers retired his #14 and Fouts was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1993.

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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

1968: Sayers Runs for 205 Yards & Bears Defeat Packers on Free Kick

The Green Bay Packers had won three straight NFL Championships but were struggling at 3-3-1 as they hosted their biggest rivals, the Chicago Bears, on November 3, 1968. Vince Lombardi had stepped down as head coach in favor of long-time defensive assistant Phil Bengtson, and age and injuries were catching up to the once-great club. To be sure, QB Bart Starr was still formidable at age 34, if also more prone to injury, and flanker Carroll Dale a dependable receiver. The defense remained tough and contained familiar names like MLB Ray Nitschke, CB Herb Adderley, and FS Willie Wood. But there were holes inadequately filled and the lack of a dependable placekicker to succeed the retired Don Chandler was one of them.

The Bears had a new head coach as well in Jim Dooley, with George Halas having finally retired from sideline duty (he remained the owner). They had gotten off to a poor start but were winners of their last two games and had a 3-4 record coming into Green Bay. Young and mobile QB Virgil Carter was performing well since taking over the starting role initially vacated by the injured Jack Concannon, but the key to the offense was outstanding HB Gale Sayers (pictured above).

There were 50,861 fans in attendance at Lambeau Field. In the first quarter, the Packers had the first shot as Bart Starr threw to HB Donny Anderson, who gained 26 yards before being tripped up by SS Richie Petitbon. But they came up empty when, four plays later, Errol Mann missed a 44-yard field goal attempt. Green Bay missed another opportunity midway through the second quarter as Mann again failed on a field goal attempt, this time from 29 yards.

The Bears were not getting near scoring territory until, late in the second quarter, Gale Sayers broke away as he ran wide to the right and then cut against the grain for a 63-yard carry to the Green Bay 17. That set up a 10-yard Mac Percival field goal for the first points of the game and gave the Bears a 3-0 lead at halftime.

Sayers returned the second half kickoff 46 yards to give Chicago favorable starting field position at the Green Bay 44. Eleven plays later, Virgil Carter bootlegged the last two yards for a touchdown, taking advantage of the defense keying on Sayers. Percival added the extra point and the visitors were ahead by 10-0.

Down by ten points, the Packers put together an 81-yard drive in seven plays, culminating in Starr throwing long to Carroll Dale, who beat FS Roosevelt Taylor for a 50-yard TD. Chuck Mercein, normally a fullback but relieving the injured and ineffective Errol Mann, added the point after and the score was narrowed to 10-7. The Packers got a break when Chicago next had to punt and Jon Kilgore’s shanked 17-yard kick gave them the ball at their 41. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Mercein tied the score with a 19-yard field goal.

On the ensuing kickoff, WR Dick Gordon muffed the ball and had to scramble into the end zone to recover it. But while two officials initially signaled a safety, the play was ruled a touchback and the Bears started out at the 20. The Packers regained possession when CB Bob Jeter intercepted a Carter pass at midfield, but on the series that followed Anderson fumbled when hit by LB Dick Butkus and LB Jim Purnell recovered at the Chicago 42.

The Bears had the next opportunity when a 21-yard Sayers run moved them into scoring territory, but LB Lee Roy Caffey blocked Percival’s field goal attempt from 29 yards. Green Bay received a further break when, on the next possession by the Bears, Sayers fumbled at the Chicago 39 and Herb Adderley recovered and returned it to the 14. Anderson ran the ball three times and Mercein tried for a field goal from the 22, but it missed wide.

There was an exchange of punts before a Donny Anderson kick into the wind from deep in his own territory traveled only 28 yards. WR Cecil Turner of the Bears called a free catch at the Green Bay 43 and, with 26 seconds left on the clock, Chicago chose to attempt a rare free kick from the point of the catch. Percival came through with a 43-yard field goal and the Bears won by a final score of 13-10.

Chicago had the edge in total yards (328 to 242) and first downs (18 to 12). While completing only five passes, the Bears gained 291 yards on the ground. However, they also turned the ball over three times, to one by Green Bay, and were flagged for 10 penalties as opposed to two called on the Packers. Green Bay was also hurt by a combined three missed field goals in four attempts by Errol Mann and Chuck Mercein.

Gale Sayers had a big performance, rushing for 205 yards on 24 carries, with 118 on 10 attempts in the first half alone, although he also fumbled three times. Virgil Carter completed 5 of 14 passes for 51 yards and gave up two interceptions, but ran the ball 11 times for 56 yards and a touchdown. HB Brian Piccolo, who gained a modest seven yards on five rushing attempts, was Chicago’s leading pass receiver with a mere two catches for 19 yards.

For the Packers, Bart Starr was successful on 10 of 18 throws for 154 yards and a TD with no interceptions. HB Elijah Pitts ran for 43 yards on 10 attempts in addition to catching four passes for 33 yards. Carroll Dale gained a team-leading 74 yards on three pass receptions that included a touchdown.

“He’s fantastic,” said Green Bay’s Coach Bengtson of Gale Sayers. “I’ve seen him have good days, but this has to be the best.”

Sayers extended his NFL rushing total to 824 yards with his career-high performance against the Packers, but disaster struck the following week against the 49ers when he went down with a season-ending knee injury. The Bears faltered but remained in the Central Division race until suffering a one-point loss to Green Bay in the season finale that left them in second place with a 7-7 record. That was still better than the Packers, who suffered their first losing season in ten years, ending up at 6-7-1.

Highlighted Year: Isaac Bruce, 1996

Wide Receiver, St. Louis Rams

Age: 24 (Nov. 10)

3^rd season in pro football & with Rams

College: Memphis

Height: 6’0”   Weight: 178

Prelude:

In two seasons at Memphis after transferring from Santa Monica College, Bruce caught 113 passes for 1586 yards (14.0 avg.) and 15 touchdowns, including 74 for 1054 yards and 10 TDs in 1993. He was chosen by the Rams in the second round of the ’94 NFL draft and had a quiet rookie season, with 21 catches for 272 yards and three touchdowns, before missing the last four games with a knee injury. Bruce broke out in 1995 by catching 119 passes for 1781 yards and 13 TDs, showing off his deceptive speed.

1996 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 84 [12, tied with Wayne Chrebet]

Most receptions, game – 11 (for 136 yds.) vs. Washington 9/22, (for 229 yds.) at Baltimore 10/27

Yards – 1338 [1]

Most yards, game – 229 (on 11 catches) at Baltimore 10/27

Average gain – 15.9 [13]

TDs – 7 [19, tied with seven others]

200-yard receiving games – 1

100-yard receiving games – 5

Rushing

Attempts – 1

Yards – 4

TDs – 0

Passing

Attempts – 2

Completions – 1

Yards – 15

TD passes – 0

Interceptions – 1

Scoring

TDs – 7

Points – 42

Awards & Honors:

2^nd team All-NFC: UPI

Pro Bowl

Rams went 6-10 to finish third in the NFC West.

Aftermath:

Bruce was slowed by injuries in 1997 and ’98, appearing in a combined 17 games with diminished production. Healthy again in 1999, and with an improved supporting cast that included QB Kurt Warner and WR Torry Holt, he had the first of three straight Pro Bowl seasons, scoring 12 touchdowns among his 77 receptions for 1165 yards in ’99, pulling in 87 passes for 1471 yards and 9 TDs in 2000, and averaging a career-high 17.3 yards on 64 catches for 1106 yards in 2001. Bruce stayed with the Rams until 2007, compiling a total of eight thousand-yard seasons and leaving the club as the career leader in pass receptions (942), receiving yards (14,109), and TD receptions (84). He finished up with San Francisco in 2008 and ’09, giving him overall totals of 1024 catches for 15,208 yards, which ranked second all-time in NFL history, as well as 91 TDs. Bruce added another 44 receptions for 759 yards and four touchdowns in the postseason, all with the Rams. He was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and the Rams retired his #80.

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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

1953: Third Quarter Explosion Propels Rams to Win Against Lions

The Los Angeles Rams and Detroit Lions both had 4-1 records and were battling for control of the NFL’s Western Conference as they faced each other on November 1, 1953. The Lions were the reigning league champions, having topped LA in a playoff to win the conference in ’52, but more recently the Rams had beaten them in Detroit two weeks earlier.

Under Head Coach Hamp Pool, Los Angeles had a high-powered offense that featured the passing of QB Norm Van Brocklin, primarily to star end Elroy “Crazylegs” Hirsch, and the running of FB “Deacon Dan” Towler and HB Skeets Quinlan (pictured above). The Lions were coached by Buddy Parker and featured a rugged defense, with the line anchored by MG Les Bingaman and the opportunistic backfield led by safety Jack Christiansen. QB Bobby Layne provided leadership as well as passing ability to the offense and the stable of backs was a good one.

There was a then-record regular season crowd of 93,761 fans on hand at the Memorial Coliseum. The Lions had the opening possession and drove 78 yards in 11 plays, culminating in HB Doak Walker’s 38-yard field goal. The Rams responded by advancing into Detroit territory as Dan Towler had runs of 21 and 17 yards. But after reaching the 15, Jack Christiansen intercepted a throw by Norm Van Brocklin and ran it back 92 yards for a touchdown. Walker added the extra point and, in stunning fashion, the Lions were ahead by 10-0 midway through the opening period.

In the second quarter, the Rams put together a 10-play, 58-yard series. Van Brocklin completed three passes, two to Crazylegs Hirsch, and Skeets Quinlan ran effectively, finishing the drive with a five-yard run around end for a TD. Ben Agajanian’s try for the extra point was blocked, and the score remained 10-6 in favor of the visitors.

On LA’s next possession, Quinlan broke a 31-yard run to the Detroit 35, Towler carried for nine, and Van Brocklin threw to end Bob Boyd for 16 yards to set up an 18-yard field goal by Agajanian that made it a one-point game. However, HB Jug Girard took the ensuing kickoff and returned it 85 yards to the LA 15 before finally being caught from behind. Four plays later, Bobby Layne tossed a pass to end Leon Hart for a three-yard touchdown, Walker converted, and the Lions held a 17-9 lead that they took into halftime.

Los Angeles struck quickly in the early minutes of third quarter when Quinlan ran around end for a spectacular 74-yard touchdown. Agajanian’s kick again made it a one-point contest at 17-16. The Lions came right back with a 65-yard advance to the LA 6. However, Walker was stopped for a seven-yard loss and Layne, heavily pressured when attempting to pass, was intercepted by safety Herb Rich, who returned it 36 yards. While Detroit immediately got the ball back when DHB Jim David picked off Quinlan’s option pass and returned it 21 yards to the Los Angeles 43, two plays later LB Don Paul intercepted a Layne throw, returned it 15 yards, and lateraled to DHB Woodley Lewis who went the remaining 45 yards for a 60-yard TD. In dramatic fashion, the Rams were ahead by 23-17.

It got worse for the Lions on the next series when Layne was again picked off, and this time it was DHB Jack Dwyer returning it 31 yards for another touchdown. LA was in control by a score of 30-17.

Frustrations boiled over in the fourth quarter when the Lions became enraged due to an altercation between Jim David and LA’s Bob Boyd that led to David being ejected and, when players and coaches took to the field in protest, an additional 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Shortly thereafter, the Rams added to their lead when Van Brocklin connected with HB Vitamin T. Smith for a 54-yard TD and Agajanian converted. The Lions scored one more time late in the game with QB Tom Dublinski spelling Layne, driving 63 yards to a one-yard touchdown carry by HB Bob “Hunchy” Hoernschemeyer, but it was of no consequence as the Rams won by a final score of 37-24.

LA led in total yards (392 to 255) although the Lions had more first downs (19 to 14). The Rams ran the ball especially well, gaining 222 yards on 33 carries. Both teams turned the ball over four times apiece, with Detroit’s ultimately proving more costly.

Skeets Quinlan was the rushing star with 130 yards on 12 carries that included two touchdowns. Dan Towler (pictured at left) contributed 79 yards on 14 attempts and also had two pass receptions for 21 yards. Norm Van Brocklin completed 10 of 18 passes for 153 yards and a touchdown while being intercepted twice. Crazylegs Hirsch had four catches for 51 yards while Vitamin Smith gained 63 yards on his two receptions that included a TD.

For the Lions, Bobby Layne, who was harried by the LA defense, was successful on just five of 17 throws for 50 yards and a TD while giving up three interceptions. He also ran the ball for a team-leading 65 yards. In relief, Tom Dublinski was five of nine for 68 yards and was picked off once. Leon Hart topped the receivers with three catches for 29 yards and a touchdown.

“The turning point came in the third quarter when our defense really put the pressure on Layne and helped us make interceptions,” explained LA's Coach Pool.

The win put the Rams a game ahead of Detroit at 5-1, and seemingly in command in the Western Conference race, but they faltered, winning only one of their next four games (which included a tie). Detroit didn’t lose again and topped the conference with a 10-2 record while the Rams ended up third at 8-3-1 (the 49ers, who swept their season series with Los Angeles, placed second with a 9-3 tally). The Lions repeated as NFL Champions, defeating the Browns by a score of 17-16.

Skeets Quinlan ended up rushing for 705 yards on 97 carries, for a gaudy 7.3-yard average gain, and scored four rushing touchdowns. The yardage total ranked third in the league rushing standards, while Dan Towler was second with 879 yards on 152 attempts (5.8 avg.) and seven TDs.

Highlighted Year: Lynn Chandnois, 1951

Tailback/Halfback, Pittsburgh Steelers

Age: 26

2^nd season in pro football & with Steelers

College: Michigan State

Height: 6’2”   Weight: 195

Prelude:

Following two years of military service during World War II, Chandnois was an all-purpose star at Michigan State, rushing for 885 yards on 129 carries, intercepting 7 passes, and accumulating 1382 total yards as a senior in 1949, when he received some All-American recognition. Overall, he gained 3535 all-purpose yards, including 2103 rushing with a 6.6-yard average, and set school career records for interceptions (20) and interception return yards (410). Chandnois was chosen by the Steelers in the first round of the 1950 NFL draft (eighth overall). With speed and excellent running ability in the open field, he made his biggest mark as a rookie returning kickoffs as he averaged 29.3 yards on 12 returns. His numbers were more modest on offense, where he gained 216 yards on 71 rushing attempts (3.0 avg.) and caught 7 passes for 158 yards (22.6 avg.).

1951 Season Summary

Appeared in all 12 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 108 [12]

Most attempts, game – 17 (for 60 yds.) vs. San Francisco 10/14

Yards – 332

Most yards, game – 76 yards (on 16 carries) at Green Bay 10/7

Yards per attempt – 3.1

TDs – 2

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 28 [20, tied with Fred Cone, John Hoffman & Elbie Nickel]

Most receptions, game – 6 (for 89 yds.) at Washington 12/16

Yards – 440

Most yards, game – 104 (on 3 catches) vs. NY Giants 10/1

Yards per catch – 15.7 [13]

TDs – 4 [12, tied with four others]

100-yard receiving games – 1

Passing

Attempts – 43

Completions – 16

Yards – 256

Completion percentage – 37.2

Yards per attempt – 6.0

TD passes – 2 [19, tied with five others]

Most TD passes, game – 1 at Chi. Cards 10/28, vs. Green Bay 11/11

Interceptions – 4

Passer rating – 34.6

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 12 [15]

Yards – 390 [10]

Average per return – 32.5 [1]

TDs – 0

Longest return – 55 yards

Punt Returns

Returns – 12 [18, tied with Buddy Young & Vitamin Smith]

Yards – 55

Average per return – 4.6 [19]

TDs – 0

Longest return – 20 yards

All-Purpose yards – 1217 [6]

Scoring

TDs – 6         

Points – 36

Steelers went 4-7-1 to finish fourth in the NFL American Conference.

Aftermath:

Chandnois again led the NFL by averaging 35.2 yards on 17 kickoff returns in 1952, two of which were touchdowns. He also rushed for 298 yards and caught 28 passes for 370 on his way to accumulating 1378 total yards and was selected to the Pro Bowl. His most productive season came in 1953, when he achieved career highs in rushing attempts (123), yards (470), and pass receptions (43), and averaged 29.0 yards on 21 kickoff returns, leading the league with 1593 all-purpose yards. Chandnois was again named to the Pro Bowl. He spent three more seasons with the Steelers, with declining numbers due to injuries, until 1956. Overall, he averaged 29.6 yards on 92 kickoff returns, still among the highest marks in NFL history. Chandnois also rushed for 1934 yards on 593 carries (3.3 avg.), caught 162 passes for 2012 yards (12.4 avg.), and averaged 4.7 yards on 66 punt returns. In all, Chandnois accumulated 6978 all-purpose yards and scored a total of 26 touchdowns. He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection.

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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