1988: Broncos Win AFC Title as Browns Fumble Away Last Chance

On January 17, 1988 the Denver Broncos and Cleveland Browns met for the AFC Championship for the second consecutive year. In the previous season’s meeting at Cleveland, QB John Elway led the Broncos on a 98-yard drive to tie the game in the fourth quarter and Denver won in overtime. The rematch would be at Mile High Stadium this time, and the Browns were hoping to turn the tables.

In the strike-affected 1987 season (one week wiped out, three with the teams populated by replacement players), the Broncos again won the AFC West with a conference-best 10-4-1 record (2-1 in the replacement games). Coached by Dan Reeves for the seventh year, the key to the offense remained Elway, who passed for 3198 yards and 19 TDs and became even more formidable when the team began using a shotgun offense. Wide receivers Vance Johnson, Ricky Nattiel, and Mark Jackson, known as “The Three Amigos”, were all capable of making big plays (Johnson was out for the game against the Browns due to a groin injury). The defense had been overhauled but had outstanding players in DE Rulon Jones and LB Karl Mecklenburg. Denver defeated the Houston Oilers in the Divisional round to move once again to the conference title game.

Cleveland, under Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer, had won the AFC Central for the third straight year at 10-5 (also 2-1 in games with replacement playes). The run-oriented offense featured RB Earnest Byner and FB Kevin Mack, but also had the conference’s top-rated quarterback in Bernie Kosar (95.4 rating). Byner had the most pass receptions, but deep-threat WR Webster Slaughter, possession WR Brian Brennan, and TE Ozzie Newsome were a talented group. The most notable players on “the Dawg Defense” were LB Clay Matthews and cornerbacks Frank Minnifield and Hanford Dixon. The Browns had easily beaten the Colts in their Divisional game to advance.

It was sunny and in the 40s with 75,993 fans in attendance at Mile High Stadium. They saw the home team get an early break as DE Freddie Gilbert intercepted a deflected pass on the third play from scrimmage, giving the Broncos the ball at the Cleveland 18 yard line. RB Sammy Winder ran twice for 11 yards, lost one, and then Elway threw to Nattiel for an eight-yard touchdown.

The Browns turned the ball over again on their next possession as Mack fumbled when hit by FS Tony Lilly and CB Steve Wilson recovered for the Broncos at the Denver 40. Following a seven-yard scramble by Elway, RB Gene Lang broke away for a 42-yard gain to the Cleveland 11 and seven plays later, RB Steve Sewell ran for a touchdown from a yard out on a reverse. Two turnovers by the Browns had led to two TDs for Denver and it was 14-0 at just over 11 minutes into the game.

The Browns came back with a 13-play drive that covered 64 yards and stretched into the second quarter. Kosar threw to Newsome for a 25-yard gain on the first play and also hit for 19 yards to WR Clarence Weathers in a third-and-17 situation that moved the ball to the Denver 19. Cleveland got to the six yard line before having to settle for a 24-yard field goal by Matt Bahr, but had put together a good sustained drive and gotten on the board.


The Broncos responded with a scoring drive of their own, moving 80 yards in eleven plays. Elway (pictured at right) threw to Nattiel for 21 yards to the Cleveland one on a third-and-seven play and Lang went one yard up the middle to finish it off and, with Rich Karlis adding his third extra point, it was a formidable 21-3 margin for Denver.

Following a short three-and-out series for the Browns, the Broncos again drove into Cleveland territory. Elway again scrambled out of trouble along the way, taking off on an 11-yard run for a first down in a third-and-ten situation from his own 46. The drive stalled at the Browns’ 33 and a 50-yard field goal attempt by Karlis went wide to the left.

Mack started off the Cleveland series with a 13-yard run and Kosar threw to Slaughter for nine, but after moving into Denver territory, a 15-yard personal foul penalty moved the ball back to the Cleveland 42 and Brennan fumbled after catching a short pass and safety Randy Robbins recovered at the 48. Fortunately for the Browns, this time the Broncos came up empty on the takeaway and had to punt. Cleveland had a shot at putting three more points on the board after Kosar connected with Slaughter for 24 yards to the Denver 28, but Bahr’s 45-yard field goal attempt on the last play of the half was no good.

It was the turn of the Browns to capitalize on a turnover when, on Denver’s initial possession of the third quarter, FS Felix Wright intercepted an Elway throw and returned it 13 yards to the Broncos’ 35. Three plays later, Kosar threw to WR Reggie Langhorne for an 18-yard touchdown and, with the successful conversion, it was a 21-10 contest.

Still, the Broncos came right back. In a third-and-ten situation at his own 20, a scrambling Elway tossed a short pass to Mark Jackson who proceeded to sprint down the sideline for an 80-yard touchdown. It seemed as though Denver had regained command, but the Browns put together an 80-yard drive of their own that took just five plays. The last three were pass completions by Kosar of 12 yards to Byner, 30 to Langhorne, and to Byner again for 32 yards and a TD. The score was 28-17 with just under seven minutes remaining in the period.


The Broncos had to punt following a short series and, starting from the Denver 42, Kosar (pictured at left) again passed the Browns down the field. This time it was nine yards to Mack (followed by a five-yard encroachment penalty on the Broncos), 16 to Slaughter, and eight once more to Mack before Byner ran up the middle for a four-yard touchdown. Suddenly, it was a four-point game in what had been an eventful third quarter.

The period wasn’t over yet and the Broncos went 59 yards in nine plays, highlighted by a 22-yard Elway completion to Jackson. Karlis was successful on a 38-yard field goal attempt and Denver led by 31-24 going into the final period.

Taking over at their own 14 following the kickoff return, the Browns put together an 86-yard drive in nine plays. The biggest along the way was a Kosar pass to Byner that gained 53 yards to the Denver 27. Three plays later, Mack ran for 14 yards to get the ball inside the ten and, on third-and-goal from the four, Kosar passed to Slaughter for a touchdown. Bahr added the extra point and the game that had seemed under control for the Broncos only a short time before was now tied at 31-31.

On the next possession, Elway came out passing and connected with Jackson for 23 yards, but the drive stalled at midfield. With fourth-and-one, the team lined up in shotgun formation but Elway punted, although his kick traveled only 18 yards. The Browns had to punt after their possession, giving the Broncos the ball at their own 25.

Elway threw to Nattiel for 26 yards and, after a three-yard carry by Winder and an incomplete pass, it was again to Nattiel for 26 more yards to the Cleveland 20. Following a time out, Elway passed to Winder three yards behind the line of scrimmage and the running back proceeded to go all the way to put the Broncos ahead by a touchdown.

With just under four minutes remaining on the clock, the Browns started at their own 25. Byner gained 16 yards up the middle and, after another short carry, Kosar threw to Brennan for 14 yards and again for 19, putting the ball at the Denver 24 at the two-minute warning. The Browns gained another five yards on an encroachment penalty and ran for six yards to the 13. Following an incomplete pass and another five-yard penalty on the Broncos, Byner took the ball and had a good gain with the end zone in sight before fumbling. DB Jeremiah Castille recovered for Denver at the three and, for all intents, it was all over (aftermath with Byner in foreground and pile untangling following the fumble pictured at top).

The Broncos ran the clock down with Elway maintaining possession all the way and punter Mike Horan took an intentional safety. After the free kick, Kosar’s last-gasp pass fell incomplete and the Denver Broncos were once again AFC Champions by a score of 38-33.

The Browns had the edge in total yards (464 to 412) and first downs (25 to 24). However, they also turned the ball over four times, including the play that came to be known simply as “The Fumble” at the end, while Denver had just one.

John Elway completed 14 of 26 passes for 281 yards with three touchdowns and an interception and also ran the ball 11 times for 36 yards. Ricky Nattiel caught 5 of those throws for 95 yards and a TD and Mark Jackson (pictured below) gained 134 yards on his 4 receptions that also included a score. Sammy Winder led the team in rushing with 72 yards on 20 carries while, with the one long run, Gene Lang added 51 yards on 5 attempts.


For the Browns, Bernie Kosar went to the air 41 times and completed 26 for 356 yards and three TDs with one picked off. Earnest Byner led the team in rushing with 67 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries and also in receiving with 7 catches for 120 yards and a score - unfortunately, the fumble at the end overshadowed the rest. Kevin Mack also ran the ball 15 times and accumulated 61 yards.

“I’m enjoying it now that it’s over,” said Elway afterward. “It was a little nerve-wracking at the time.”

Said a dejected Earnest Byner, “We know that Denver practices stripping the ball every day. Every time you run the ball, they try to take it out of your hands. Maybe if I had pulled the ball in closer…well, I don’t know.”

“This football team would not have been in a position to win the game if it wasn't for Earnest Byner,” said Marty Schottenheimer in defense of his star running back. “I already told it to him. If it hadn't been for - for lack of a better word - Earnest's heroics, we wouldn't have been in the position to win.”

The Broncos went on to lose the Super Bowl to the Washington Redskins. They dipped to 8-8 in 1988 but won their third AFC title in four years in ’89. Unfortunately for them, they lost the Super Bowls in each instance. Cleveland again made it to the postseason in ’88, but as a wild card entry. They lost a close contest in the first round and Schottenheimer was forced to resign. Under Bud Carson in 1989, the Browns again advanced to the AFC Championship game, and again lost to Denver in a contest that was not as closely decided as the previous two between the clubs. The team faded from contention thereafter.

Past Venue: Astrodome

Houston, TX



Year opened: 1965
Capacity: 62,439

Names:
Harris County Domed Stadium, 1965
Houston Astrodome, 1965-2000
Reliant Astrodome, 2000 to date

Pro football tenants:
Houston Oilers (AFL/NFL), 1968-96
Houston Texans (WFL), 1974
Houston Gamblers (USFL), 1984-85

Postseason games hosted:
AFC Wild Card playoff, Oilers 13 Broncos 7, Dec. 23, 1979
USFL Quarterfinal playoff, Wranglers 17 Gamblers 16, July 1, 1984
AFC Wild Card playoff, Oilers 23 Seahawks 20, Jan. 3, 1988
AFC Wild Card playoff, Steelers 26 Oilers 23, Dec. 31, 1989
AFC Wild Card playoff, Oilers 17 Jets 10, Dec. 29, 1991
AFC Divisional playoff, Chiefs 28 Oilers 20, Jan. 16, 1994

Other tenants of note:
Houston Astros (MLB – NL), 1965-99
Univ. of Houston (college football), 1965-97
Houston Hurricane (NASL), 1978-80

Notes: Hosted AFL All-Star game, Jan. 17, 1970. Hosted annual Bluebonnet Bowl, 1968-84, 87. Hosted Houston Bowl, 2000-01. Hosted annual Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, 1966-2003. Also hosted high school football playoff games. World’s first air-conditioned domed stadium when completed in 1965 and dubbed the “Eighth Wonder of the World”, it was also the world’s largest self-supporting dome at the time of construction. Original grass surface proved impractical and was replaced with AstroTurf in 1966 (the first such use of an artificial surface). Underwent major renovation in 1989, with external ramps added outside the structure, the dirt floor converted to concrete, and a new artificial surface installed. Conceived by Judge Roy Hofheinz, an entrepreneur and politician who was instrumental in bringing major league baseball to Houston and who maintained a large luxury apartment in the Astrodome that was removed as part of the renovation (Hofheinz died in 1982). Located in what is now Reliant Park; Reliant Stadium was constructed adjacent to it.

Fate: Facility is closed but still standing.




(more recent view, showing external renovations)

1995: Chargers Stun Steelers for AFC Championship

The Pittsburgh Steelers were heavily favored to win the AFC Championship game on January 15, 1995 as they hosted the San Diego Chargers at Three Rivers Stadium. In their third year under Head Coach Bill Cowher, the Steelers had won the AFC Central with a conference-best 12-4 record. The offense was the league’s best at running the ball and had an outstanding tandem of running backs in Barry Foster and Bam Morris as well as FB John L. Williams who, tellingly, was the club’s leading pass receiver. Sixth-year QB Neil O’Donnell was a good fit in the conservative offense – not flashy, but also not prone to making mistakes. It was the “Blitzburgh” defense that carried the club, however, with an outstanding linebacker corps that included All-Pros Kevin Greene and Greg Lloyd as well as run-stuffing Levon Kirkland and versatile Chad Brown. Another All-Pro performer, CB Rod Woodson, was the key player in the backfield and CB Carnell Lake earned selection to the Pro Bowl.

The Chargers finished first in the AFC West at 11-5, but had slowed after getting off to a 6-0 start. Head Coach Bobby Ross was also in his third year and, unusual in the franchise’s history, favored a power running offense. In his second season, RB Natrone Means ran for 1350 yards and 12 touchdowns. At quarterback was Stan Humphries (pictured below), who GM Bobby Beathard had drafted in Washington and then traded for with the Chargers. Like the Steelers, the pass receiving group was unheralded but effective. The defense had a fine pass-rushing line, led by Pro Bowl DE Leslie O’Neal (12.5 sacks), and a great middle linebacker in Junior Seau, who still played at a high level despite being hampered by a pinched nerve all year.


There were 61,545 fans in attendance on a 60-degree day in Pittsburgh that was overcast with occasional rain. The Steelers took the opening kickoff and put together a solid 13-play, 67-yard scoring drive. In a third-and-twenty situation at midfield, O’Donnell passed to WR Andre Hastings for 18 yards and, going for it on fourth-and-two, threw again to Hastings for another 11 yards. John L. Williams capped the series by catching a pass from O’Donnell for a 16-yard touchdown and the Steelers had the early 7-0 lead.

That was the score at the end of the first quarter as the teams traded punts. The Chargers got a break late in the period when Foster fumbled and safety Darren Carrington recovered at the San Diego 41, but they were unable to capitalize and had to punt for the third straight time.

The Steelers took over at their 12 yard line and began to move the ball effectively as O’Donnell completed passes to TE Jonathan Hayes for 16 yards and WR Yancey Thigpen for 21. Pittsburgh converted another fourth down on an O’Donnell quarterback sneak that just got the needed yard to the San Diego 38. The Steelers made it to the Chargers’ 27 before being backed up by a holding penalty and ended up having to punt.

San Diego’s offense had been quiet thus far, but taking over at their 20, Means immediately ran for 17 yards and followed up with a 15-yard gain on a pass from Humphries. A long pass intended for WR Shawn Jefferson drew a pass interference penalty that put the ball on the Pittsburgh two. Three straight runs by Means were stopped, however, and the Chargers were forced to settle for a 20-yard field goal by John Carney.

The Steelers came back with a 12-play drive that covered 51 yards with O’Donnell converting three third downs along the way with pass completions, all to WR Ernie Mills. With 13 seconds remaining in the half, Gary Anderson booted a 39-yard field goal and Pittsburgh went into halftime with a 10-3 lead. Thus far, the Steelers had outgained San Diego by 229 yards to 46 and had 13 first downs to the Chargers’ four. Despite the closeness of the score, Pittsburgh was clearly dominating the contest.

It looked even better for the Steelers when Rod Woodson intercepted a Humphries pass on the third play of the second half. O’Donnell connected with TE Eric Green for 33 yards to highlight a 50-yard drive that ended at the San Diego six yard line. Anderson kicked a 23-yard field goal to stretch Pittsburgh’s lead to 13-3.

The Chargers needed a big play on offense and they got it on their next series. On the fifth play, Humphries threw to a wide-open TE Alfred Pupunu for a 43-yard touchdown and, with Carney’s extra point, it was suddenly a three-point game midway through the third quarter.

The teams traded punts for the remainder of the period and into the fourth quarter. With just under ten minutes to go, the Chargers took over at their 20. Humphries tossed back-to-back completions to Pupunu that covered 31 yards and runs by Means got the ball into Pittsburgh territory. On a third-and-14 play, Humphries went long for WR Tony Martin, who outmaneuvered CB Tim McKyer for a stunning 43-yard touchdown (pictured at top). Carney’s extra point put San Diego ahead by four points.

Now with 5:13 on the clock, the Steelers moved furiously down the field. O’Donnell completed seven consecutive passes, the longest of 21 yards to Green to the San Diego nine for first-and-goal at the two-minute warning. Foster was stopped for a one-yard loss and O’Donnell’s pass intended for Green was incomplete. A throw to Williams gained seven yards, but it was now fourth-and-three. O’Donnell threw toward Foster in the end zone, but LB Dennis Gibson knocked the pass away and that was it. The Chargers were able to run out the clock and advance to their first Super Bowl appearance with a 17-13 upset.

The Steelers won the statistical battle, outgaining San Diego by 415 yards to 226 and accumulating 22 first downs to 13 for the Chargers. Neither team was able to effectively run on the other, with identical rushing totals of 66 yards (on 26 carries by the Steelers, 24 by San Diego). There was only one sack – by the Steelers – and each team turned the ball over one time. Pittsburgh was far more penalized, however, getting flagged 8 times at a cost of 111 yards to three for 15 yards on the Chargers.


Stan Humphries completed 11 of 22 passes for 165 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Alfred Pupunu (pictured above) led San Diego’s receivers with 4 catches for 76 yards and a TD. The wide receivers combined for just three catches, but Tony Martin’s for the game-winning 43-yard score was a very big one. Natrone Means rushed for 69 yards on 20 carries (Humphries had -3 yards, accounting for the lower net team total). Defensively, Junior Seau had 16 tackles and spearheaded the effort that shut down Pittsburgh’s running game, even after suffering a shoulder injury on a tackle late in the first half.

For the Steelers, Neil O’Donnell (pictured below) went to the air 54 times and completed 32 for 349 yards with the one TD and none intercepted - it was the failure to complete a pass in the end zone in the climactic possession that was most remembered afterward, however. Ernie Mills had 8 receptions for 106 yards and John L. Williams contributed 7 catches for 45 yards and a TD to go along with his three rushing attempts for 16 yards. Eric Green gained 80 yards on his 4 receptions. Barry Foster, thanks to the inspired play of Seau and the San Diego defense, was held to 47 yards on 20 attempts.


“We knew they were altering their game plan and that was something to our advantage,” said Seau. “Even before we stepped in the stadium, the issue was how to stop their running game.”

“There's a very empty feeling right now,” said Bill Cowher. “I guess you can say the further you come, the harder it is to fall.”

The Chargers faced another uphill battle in the Super Bowl against the NFC Champions, the San Francisco 49ers. This time they came out on the short end by a decisive score of 49-26. They returned to the postseason in 1995 as a 9-7 wild card entry, lost in the first round, and didn’t reappear in the playoffs until 2004.

The defeat was a bitter one for the Steelers and their fans (a clearly distraught Tim McKyer had to be helped off the field afterward), but they came back to win the AFC title in 1995, losing to the Cowboys in the Super Bowl. They would remain regular contenders through the remainder of Cowher’s coaching tenure and beyond.

1954: Weeb Ewbank Becomes Head Coach of Colts

The Baltimore Colts had been formed in 1953 out of the debris that had been the Dallas Texans franchise of ’52. The original Colts had been part of the All-America Football Conference from 1947 to ’49, and when the AAFC was merged into the NFL, it was one of three clubs (along with the Browns and 49ers) to be taken into the older league. For the Colts, it was only a one-year stay as they went 1-11 and folded.

Fans in Baltimore held out hopes for a return to the NFL and, once it was apparent that the Texans wouldn’t survive, Commissioner Bert Bell announced that, if they could sell 15,000 season tickets in a six-week period and locate viable ownership, they would become the league’s twelfth franchise. The ticket goal was reached in a month and a group headed by Carroll Rosenbloom was approved to operate the team. Don Kellett was appointed general manager and Keith Molesworth, ex-Bears quarterback, became the head coach. The fans were enthusiastic but the team went 3-9 in its first year.

On January 14, 1954 it was announced by Kellett that Molesworth was being shifted to the front office as executive vice president (in essence, chief talent scout) and his replacement would be Wilbur C. “Weeb” Ewbank, who turned 47 prior to the ’54 season.

Ewbank had, since 1949, been an assistant coach under Paul Brown with the Cleveland Browns – his hiring made him the first of Brown’s assistants to become a pro head coach (the Colts were reportedly also interested in Blanton Collier, who eventually succeeded Brown in Cleveland). His coaching experience stretched to the high school and college levels, as well as the military. Ewbank went to college at Miami of Ohio, where Brown was a teammate on the football team. He became head football coach at Van Wert High School in 1928 and ’29, a losing program, and then moved on to Oxford McGuffey High School, both in Ohio. He was reunited with Brown as an assistant at Great Lakes Naval Training Center in 1944, where he was also basketball coach in 1945 before being discharged from the Navy. After going into college coaching after World War II, he entered the pro ranks in Cleveland.

“I accept the job as a challenge,” said Ewbank at his signing. “I hope to institute the same principles that made the Browns champions.”

Rosenbloom said, “I believe we made an ideal choice selecting Ewbank.” His actions would belie that statement over the next few years, and the stocky head coach was often on shaky ground as he attempted to fulfill a five-year timetable to producing a championship team. In the end, however, Ewbank would prove Rosenbloom’s initial reaction to be correct.

There was talent to lay a foundation with in 1954, but there was also plenty of room for improvement as the team again went 3-9. The Colts scored just 14 touchdowns over the course of the season. Star HB Buddy Young accounted for the most with five and the all-purpose talent was also the team’s leading rusher with 311 yards. Another ex-AAFC star, HB George Taliaferro, had a lesser year due to a knee injury. QB Gary Kerkorian was an accurate passer but lacked arm strength and was clearly not a long-term answer at the position. End Dan Edwards was the top receiver, but jumped to Canada the following year. Rookie end Jim Mutscheller would pay dividends in future years, and two other rookies broke into the lineup on the offensive line, C Buzz Nutter and G Alex Sandusky.

The more promising platoon was the defense. Two ex-Texans, DE Gino Marchetti and DT Art Donovan, were joined by DE Don Joyce on the line. LB Bill Pellington, halfbacks Carl Taseff and Don Shula, and safety Bert Rechichar all had talent (Shula also brought a knowledge of the game that would make him a successful head coach later). Young, Marchetti, and Donovan earned selection to the Pro Bowl and, in addition, the 29-year-old Donovan was a consensus first-team All-Pro.

Ewbank proved to be a good judge of talent (and effective at bringing out the best in that talent), as was Molesworth on the scouting side of the organization, and over the next few years the roster would develop accordingly. 1955 brought FB Alan Ameche, the Heisman-winning first round draft choice out of Wisconsin who led the NFL in rushing as a rookie and was the key to the ground game until an injury ended his career in 1960. It also brought another pick in the first round of the draft (in the form of a bonus choice) in QB George Shaw from Oregon. Baylor HB L.G. “Long Gone” Dupre, C/LB Dick Szymanski of Notre Dame, and tackles Jack Patera from Oregon and George Preas of Virginia Tech were other draftees who would have an impact. Slow-but-steady offensive end Raymond Berry caught the first 13 of an eventual 631 career passes. Baltimore’s record improved to 5-6-1.

DT Gene “Big Daddy” Lipscomb was claimed off waivers from the Rams in 1956 and became a highly-successful Ewbank reclamation project. Another new arrival was rookie HB Lenny Moore from Penn State, an outstanding outside runner who could also be used with extreme effectiveness as a flanker.

But the most significant addition of all arrived in the form of an unheralded quarterback out of Louisville, Johnny Unitas, who was drafted in the low rounds and cut by the Steelers in ‘55 and was playing semipro football when the Colts gave him a call. The Colts were looking for a backup for Shaw, but when the starter went down with a leg injury five games into the season, Unitas stepped in and showed great promise. That promise would blossom into greatness over the next few seasons.

The Colts held steady at 5-7 in ’56 despite the influx in talent, and they were not improving quickly enough for Rosenbloom. The impatient owner had considered Ewbank’s five-year plan to a title to be too slow to begin with, and a third straight losing record had the coach’s job in jeopardy. It was widely reported in the media late in the season that Ewbank would be fired. A long Unitas-to-Mutscheller touchdown completion pulled out a win in the last game, apparently giving the coach a reprieve, but when Buddy Parker abruptly resigned as head coach of the Lions on the eve of the 1957 preseason, there was speculation that Rosenbloom would hire him to replace Ewbank (Parker went to Pittsburgh instead).

The Colts turned a corner in ’57, winning their first three games and remaining in contention until losing the final two on their annual West Coast swing to finish out of the running at 7-5. Rookie first draft choice Jim Parker out of Ohio State moved directly into the starting lineup at left offensive tackle. Unitas, in his first full season as starting quarterback, had a breakout year and led the league in passing yards (2550) and TD passes (24). Berry topped the NFL with 800 receiving yards and Moore placed fourth with 687 and also led the league in yards from scrimmage (1175) and touchdowns (11). Mutscheller had the most pass receiving TDs (8). Marchetti, Donovan, and DHB Milt Davis were consensus first-team All-Pros and joined Unitas, Ameche, Mutscheller, and Rechichar as Pro Bowl selections.

The stage was set for the Colts to go all the way in Ewbank’s fifth year, as planned, in 1958. They did, compiling a 9-3 record and winning a thrilling overtime championship game over the Giants. In ’59 they again went 9-3 and defeated New York to repeat as champions.

When Baltimore started off at 6-2 in 1960, it seemed as though the Colts might make it three straight. However, the defense began to show its age, the running game was not as effective (especially after Ameche suffered a career-ending injury), and Unitas injured his back and, while still able to pass well, was less mobile and thus more vulnerable to pass rushers. The team lost four straight to close out the season with a disappointing 6-6 record.

In the follow-up to the 1960 season, there was talk about dissension among the players, although age and injuries seemed more the culprit in the team’s decline. Ewbank had always tended toward regimentation (no doubt a trait influenced by Paul Brown) and could drive both the team and himself very hard. In the 1958 Championship game, he showed a fiery streak when Berry caught a pass and was pushed out of bounds near the Baltimore bench. Feeling that the Giants’ middle linebacker, Sam Huff, was guilty of a late hit on his star end, the 5’7”, 182-pound coach went after the 230-pound linebacker. While players quickly intervened to break up the altercation, it was a display that won Ewbank respect from his players (although he later expressed regret and made light of the incident).

Following two more mediocre seasons, in which the Colts went 8-6 and 7-7, Ewbank was finally dismissed by Rosenbloom. 33-year-old Don Shula took his place, and Ewbank moved on to the newly-renamed and refurbished New York Jets of the AFL for 1963, where he performed another major rebuilding job that culminated in a championship.

In nine years as head coach of the Colts, Ewbank compiled a 59-52-1 regular season record and, most importantly, was 2-0 in the postseason with the two NFL titles. The less-than-overwhelming overall record reflects the years of building the team into a winner (as would also be the case later in New York). In 1978 he was honored for his coaching efforts with induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

MVP Profile: Mark Moseley, 1982

Placekicker, Washington Redskins



Age: 34
12th season in pro football, 9th with Redskins
College: Stephen F. Austin
Height: 6’0” Weight: 205

Prelude:
Taken by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 14th round of the 1970 NFL draft, Moseley had a mediocre rookie year and lost his job to Happy Feller in the ’71 preseason. Catching on with the Houston Oilers during the season, he had a better year but was cut in favor of Skip Butler after one game in 1972. Moseley caught on with the Redskins in 1974 and finally hit his stride, leading the NFL in field goals kicked three times (1976, ’77, and ’79) and gaining selection to the Pro Bowl following a 1979 season in which he connected on 75.8 % of his field goal attempts (25 of 33). His performance dipped in ’80 and he nearly lost his job to Dan Miller during the 1982 preseason.

1982 Season Summary
Appeared in all 9 games
[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Kicking
Field goals – 20 [1]
Most field goals, game - 4 at St. Louis 12/12
Field goal attempts – 21 [4, tied with Joe Danelo]
Most field goal attempts, game – 4 at St. Louis 12/12
Field goal percentage – 95.2 [1]
PATs – 16 [17, tied with Florian Kempf & Ed Murray]
PAT attempts – 19 [14]
Longest field goal – 48 yards at Philadelphia 9/12

Scoring
Field Goals – 20
PATs – 16
Points – 76 [4]

Postseason: 4 G
Field goals – 4
Most field goals, game – 2 vs. Miami, Super Bowl
Field goal attempts – 8
Most field goal attempts, game – 2 in all four contests
PATs – 14
Most PATs, game – 4 vs. Detroit, NFC First Round playoff, vs. Dallas, NFC Championship
PAT attempts – 14
Longest field goal – 31 yards vs. Miami, Super Bowl

Awards & Honors:
NFL MVP: AP
1st team All-NFL: AP, PFWA, NEA, Pro Football Weekly
1st team All-NFC: UPI
Pro Bowl

Redskins went 8-1 in strike-shortened season and were top seed in the NFC playoff tournament that replaced the usual postseason format. Defeated the Detroit Lions in the First Round playoff (31-7), Minnesota Vikings in the Second Round playoff (21-7), Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Championship (31-17), and Miami Dolphins in the Super Bowl (27-17).

Aftermath:
With the high-scoring 1983 Redskins, Moseley set a then-record for points that didn’t include TDs with 161 (62 extra points and 33 field goals). He was finally let go during the 1986 season and finished up his career that year with Cleveland as the last straight-ahead placekicker in regular service in the NFL. At the time of his retirement, he ranked fourth all-time in career scoring with 1382 points, including 300 field goals in 457 attempts (65.6 %) and 482 extra points. His 1206 points and 263 field goals with the Redskins are franchise records.

--

MVP Profiles feature players who were named MVP or Player of the Year in the NFL, AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press, Pro Football Writers Association, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, Maxwell Club – Bert Bell Award, or the league itself).

[Updated 2/10/14]

1986: Patriots Upset Dolphins to Win AFC Title

The Miami Dolphins were the defending AFC Champions and looking to return to the Super Bowl as they faced the New England Patriots in the conference title game on January 12, 1986 at the Orange Bowl.

Head Coach Don Shula’s Dolphins, after a 4-1 start in 1985, had struggled during a midseason slump that reduced their record to 5-4, including a loss at New England. But they proceeded to win their last seven games to again top the AFC East at 12-4. QB Dan Marino, coming off a record-setting year in ’84, held out during training camp and WR Mark Duper missed nearly half the season, but the high-flying aerial attack still had WR Mark Clayton (70 catches, 996 yards), 34-year-old WR Nat Moore, and RB Tony Nathan accumulating nearly as many yards as a receiver out of the backfield (651) as he did as a runner from scrimmage (667). Marino’s numbers might not have been as astronomical as they were a year earlier, but he still led the NFL with 4137 passing yards and 30 TD passes. A chink in the defensive armor was noted in the AFC Divisional round win over the 8-8 Cleveland Browns in which the Dolphins struggled and gave up 251 rushing yards.

New England, under Head Coach Raymond Berry, had a reputation as a talented team that was prone to underachieving. The Patriots got off to a 2-3 start but went 9-2 the rest of the way (including a split with the Dolphins) to finish third in the AFC East at 11-5 and in the postseason as a wild card entry. Deposed as starting quarterback by Tony Eason, Steve Grogan stepped in when Eason was injured and performed well. FB Craig James (pictured above) earned a Pro Bowl berth as he ran for 1227 yards while HB Tony Collins contributed another 657 yards and caught 52 passes for 549 more. Wide receivers Irving Fryar and Stanley Morgan were outstanding. The defense featured linebackers Andre Tippett and Steve Nelson, CB Raymond Clayborn, and FS Fred Marion. The Patriots beat the team that finished second in the division, the Jets, in the Wild Card round and then upset the Raiders in Los Angeles to earn a shot at the AFC title against a team that had beaten them 18 straight times at the Orange Bowl.

There were 74,978 fans in attendance on a wet and cloudy day in south Florida. Following a 37-yard kickoff return by New England WR Stephen Starring, the Patriots made it to the Miami 45 and had to punt. On the Dolphins’ first play from scrimmage, Nathan fumbled after being hit by Nelson and DE Garin Veris recovered for New England. Six plays later, barefooted PK Tony Franklin kicked a 23-yard field goal and the Patriots had the early lead.

The teams traded punts, and as the first quarter came to an end the Dolphins were in the midst of an 80-yard drive. Marino connected on passes of 12 yards to TE Bruce Hardy, 18 to Duper, and finally 10 yards to TE Dan Johnson in the middle of the end zone for a touchdown. Fuad Reveiz kicked the extra point and Miami was ahead by 7-3. New England came right back, going 66 yards in eight plays highlighted by a 45-yard run by RB Robert Weathers. Eason threw to Collins for a four-yard TD and the Patriots were back in front.

New England regained possession thanks to another fumble, this time by Marino on the Dolphins’ second play of the next series. NT Lester Williams recovered for the Patriots at the Miami 36 and they drove to another score in seven plays. Craig James ran for 23 yards on three carries and Eason threw to Morgan for 12 yards and a first down at the one yard line. The third-year quarterback then rolled out and tossed a TD pass to TE Derrick Ramsey and, with Franklin’s PAT, the Patriots were ahead by 17-7.

The Dolphins drove from their 17 to the New England 14 with Marino making big completions of 16 yards to Clayton and 29 to Hardy. But they came up empty when Reveiz missed a 31-yard field goal try. The clubs traded punts to finish off the half and New England maintained its 10-point lead at the intermission.

The Patriots got a big break on the kickoff for the second half as Miami RB Lorenzo Hampton fumbled after being hit by RB Mosi Tatupu and WR/RB Greg Hawthorne recovered. Starting at the Dolphins’ 25, the visitors scored in six plays with James and Collins running the ball effectively and Eason passing to Weathers for a two-yard touchdown. Franklin kicked the extra point and New England’s lead was now 24-7.

Marino threw three incomplete passes on Miami’s next possession, but the Dolphins got a special teams break of their own when Reggie Roby’s punt was fumbled by safety Fred Marion and recovered by safety Bud Brown. With the ball at the New England 42, RB Joe Carter ran for a 19-yard gain and Marino threw to RB Ron Davenport for seven more to the 16 yard line. But a pass into the end zone intended for Clayton was intercepted by Marion – making up for his turnover – and the Dolphins came up empty.

The Patriots put together a 13-play drive that consumed nearly eight minutes with Collins, James, and Weathers carrying the load on the ground – Eason threw just one pass, a six-yard completion to Tatupu. However, after getting to the Miami 24, New England also came up short when Franklin’s 41-yard field goal attempt was wide to the left. Still, the Patriots maintained a 17-point lead going into the final period.

Three plays into the fourth quarter, the Dolphins punted, and once again the Patriots turned the ball over as safety Roland James fumbled. Miami gained possession on the New England 10 and immediately capitalized as Marino threw to Nathan for a TD. It was now a 24-14 contest with plenty of time remaining.

It looked even more favorable for the Dolphins when the Patriots went nowhere in three plays and punted. But two plays later, and with the ball at the Miami 38, it was the turn of the Dolphins to fumble the ball away as Carter lost the handle and 14-year DE Julius Adams recovered for New England. Again, the Patriots kept the ball on the ground as Craig James ran four straight times and Collins three consecutive, including a carry of 14 yards to the Miami 17 on a third-and-seven play. After a three-yard run by Collins, James went 13 yards to the one yard line, and Tatupu finished the nine-play drive off with a touchdown carry around end.

In effect, the Patriots had put the game away, but there was still 7:34 on the clock and Marino came out throwing. Hitting on six passes, the Dolphins moved from their 21 yard line to the New England eight. The drive stalled there, however, and two penalties moved Miami back to the 28 from where a Marino toss into the end zone was intercepted by Raymond Clayborn.

The Patriots kept the ball on the ground and, while Miami sent all eleven players after Rich Camarillo’s punt, it sailed 49 yards and came to rest on the Dolphins’ 14. By then, there was no longer any doubt and New England advanced to the Super Bowl with a stunning 31-14 win.

The Patriots had more total yards (326 to 302) and first downs (21 to 18) than Miami. Of the yardage total for New England, 255 came on the ground and just 71 through the air (as opposed to 68 and 234, respectively, for the Dolphins). Most of all, while the Patriots turned the ball over twice on fumbles, Miami lost the ball a costly six times. Combined with the other two playoff wins on the road, New England came away with a total of 16 takeaways in climbing to the pinnacle of the AFC and becoming the first wild card team to win three road games to advance to the Super Bowl.


Craig James paced the New England running attack with 105 yards on 22 carries while Robert Weathers carried 16 times for 87 yards and Tony Collins (pictured at right) contributed 61 yards on 12 attempts. Tony Eason went to the air just 12 times but completed 10 for 71 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Collins and Derrick Ramsey caught three passes apiece (for 15 and 18 yards, respectively, and each with a touchdown) while Stanley Morgan gained a team-high 30 yards on his two receptions.

Dan Marino was successful on just 20 of his 48 passes for 248 yards with two TDs and two interceptions. Tony Nathan was Miami’s top receiver with 5 catches for 57 yards and a score (he gained four yards on two carries). Mark Duper and Mark Clayton caught three passes each, for 45 and 41 yards. Bruce Hardy gained the most receiving yards with 52 on his three receptions. Joe Carter rushed for 56 yards on 6 carries, but had the one big fumble.

The surprising run through the postseason came to an end for New England against the 15-1 Chicago Bears in the Super Bowl. The Patriots were crushed by a 46-10 score. They won the AFC East in ’86 but lost in the Divisional round and didn’t reappear in the postseason until 1994. Miami was 8-8 the next year and didn’t return to the playoffs until 1990 despite Dan Marino’s continued heroics.

1970: Chiefs Beat Vikings in Last Pre-Merger Super Bowl

The 1969 season marked the last pre-merger campaign for the American Football League as it prepared to be absorbed into the NFL for 1970. The AFL’s New York Jets had stunned the NFL Colts in the Super Bowl following the ’68 season, thus giving notice that the teams from the new league were ready to compete with their longer-established brethren. On January 11, 1970 in Super Bowl IV the AFL was represented by the Kansas City Chiefs against the NFL champion Minnesota Vikings, with the AFL hoping to end its existence as a separate entity with another win over the NFL’s best – it was especially meaningful in that the Chiefs were owned by Lamar Hunt, the founder of the AFL, and the Vikings had originally been slated to join the new league before jumping ship and accepting an offer to become a NFL expansion franchise for 1961. Also, Kansas City had been the younger league’s representative in the first Super Bowl against Green Bay following the 1966 season, and there were still many players from that team that lost 35-10 who were looking forward to another shot.

The Chiefs, coached by the innovative Hank Stram, had finished second in the Western Division with an 11-3 record but benefited from a playoff system utilized for the AFL’s last year in which each second place team faced off against the opposing division’s first place club. After unseating the reigning-champion Jets in a close-fought game in New York, they beat the Raiders for the AFL Championship by a 17-7 score. QB Len Dawson (pictured above) had missed much of the year due to strained knee ligaments but was back and healthy in the playoffs, although reports that his name had come up in a federal gambling probe added a layer of distraction in the days prior to the Super Bowl (he was later cleared). The team employed a running back-by-committee approach that was highly effective and flanker Otis Taylor was one of the best receivers in the league. The defense was tough and strong and featured tackles Buck Buchanan and Curley Culp, linebackers Willie Lanier and Bobby Bell, CB Jim Marsalis, and FS Johnny Robinson. Another significant weapon was PK Jan Stenerud, a strong-legged soccer-style kicker (when they were still something of a rarity) who had kicked 27 field goals during the year.

Minnesota, in the third year under Head Coach Bud Grant, had topped the Central Division with a 12-2 record, losing only the first and last contests of the regular season. The Vikings came from behind to beat the Rams for the Western Conference title and then dominated Cleveland for the NFL Championship. Defense was Minnesota’s strong suit, giving up the fewest points in the league (a mere 133). All four of the linemen were selected for the Pro Bowl (ends Carl Eller and Jim Marshall, tackles Alan Page and Gary Larsen), along with FS Paul Krause. The offense was conservative but still led the NFL in points scored. QB Joe Kapp lacked passing finesse but was a fiery leader and a good fit in the ball-control attack while the running game featured HB Dave Osborn and FB Bill Brown. WR Gene Washington had earned a trip to the Pro Bowl with his 39 catches for 821 yards and 9 TDs. The line was excellent and contained All-Pros in OT Grady Alderman and C Mick Tingelhoff.

There were 80,562 fans in attendance at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans on an overcast day with a wet field. The highly-favored Vikings had the ball first and made it to the Kansas City 39 yard line on a series highlighted by a Kapp completion of 26 yards to TE John Beasley. However, the drive stalled and the Vikings punted. Now it was the turn of the Chiefs to move the ball effectively as Dawson completed passes to HB Mike Garrett for 17 yards and to WR Frank Pitts for 20. The drive lasted for eight plays and Stenerud capped it with a 48-yard field goal.

The Vikings got a break when they were forced to punt from their 27 yard line but retained possession thanks to a roughing-the-kicker penalty. They were unable to capitalize, though, making it to midfield before punting again. Taking over at their 20, the Chiefs got 20 yards on a Dawson pass to Pitts down the middle and then nine more on a throw to Taylor. The series extended into the second quarter and was helped along by a 17-yard pass interference penalty. Stenerud booted another field goal, from 32 yards, and Kansas City was ahead by 6-0.

The teams traded turnovers as WR John Henderson caught a pass from Kapp for 16 yards but fumbled, Johnny Robinson recovering for the Chiefs. Two plays later, Dawson went long for Taylor and was picked off by Krause at the Minnesota seven.

The Vikings were unable to move the ball (and in fact lost yards thanks to a delay-of-game penalty) and punted, with Kansas City starting off with good field position at the Minnesota 44. Pitts picked up 19 yards on a reverse and an offside penalty on the defense added another five. The drive stalled at the 17 and Stenerud was called upon for a third time, successfully kicking a 25-yard field goal that made it 9-0.

With 7:52 to go in the first half, Vikings safety Charlie West fumbled the ensuing kickoff and C Remi Prudhomme recovered for the Chiefs at the Minnesota 19. Dawson was immediately sacked by Jim Marshall for an eight-yard loss, but FB Wendell Hayes gained 13 yards up the middle on a draw play and Dawson connected with Taylor for 10 more to the four yard line. Three plays later, and after losing a yard on an end run, Garrett ran for a five-yard touchdown and Stenerud added the extra point.

Following a 27-yard kickoff return by West, Kapp threw to Henderson for another 27 yards, but the drive ended at the Kansas City 49. Fred Cox attempted a 56-yard field goal that fell short and was returned 17 yards by HB Warren McVea. There was no further scoring and the teams went into halftime with the Chiefs ahead by 16-0.

Kansas City had the ball first in the third quarter, maintained possession for six minutes, and punted. The Vikings proceeded to put together their best drive of the game, going 69 yards in 10 plays. Kapp completed four passes and had a seven yard run along the way. Dave Osborn ran four yards for a touchdown and, with the conversion, it was 16-7.

It took the Chiefs just six plays from scrimmage to respond decisively. They ran the ball five times, with a short passing play nullified by a penalty, and including a seven-yard gain for a first down by Pitts on another reverse. Dawson then threw to Taylor along the sideline. The star wide receiver made the catch, broke two tackles, and sprinted to the end zone for a 46-yard touchdown (pictured below).


As the game moved into the fourth quarter, Kansas City asserted its domination on defense. Kapp was intercepted to end each of the next two Minnesota possessions and the Chiefs kept the ball on the ground and punted to keep the Vikings in their own territory. Finally, Kapp was sacked by DE Aaron Brown and knocked out of the game. Backup QB Gary Cuozzo entered and, following a 15-yard carry by RB Oscar Reed on a second-and-23 play, threw to Henderson for 16 yards and a first down. But two plays later, Cuozzo was picked off by CB Emmitt Thomas, and that was it. Kansas City controlled the ball for the remaining four minutes and came away with a 23-7 win.

The Chiefs outgained Minnesota, 273 yards to 239, and had 18 first downs to 11 for the Vikings. While both teams recorded three sacks, Kansas City consistently put heavy pressure on Kapp and the Vikings turned the ball over five times, to just one turnover by the Chiefs.

Len Dawson completed 12 of 17 passes for 142 yards with a touchdown and an interception and was named as the game’s MVP. Otis Taylor caught 6 passes for 81 yards, including the one long TD. Mike Garrett ran for 39 yards on 11 carries that included a score and Frank Pitts was right behind with 37 yards on his three reverses. All members of the running back committee contributed with Wendell Hayes running the ball 8 times for 31 yards and Warren McVea accumulating 26 yards on 12 attempts. Jan Stenerud (pictured below) was successful on all three of his field goal attempts as well as two extra points.


For Minnesota, Joe Kapp was successful on 16 of 25 throws for 183 yards, giving up two interceptions. John Henderson had 7 catches for 111 yards, but Gene Washington was held to just one catch for nine yards. Bill Brown paced the ground game with 26 yards on 6 carries.

In the restructured NFL, the Chiefs made it to the postseason in 1971 but went into a long dry spell thereafter. But in winning Super Bowl IV, they allowed the AFL to achieve a split in the four contests that were played between champions of rival leagues. Wearing AFL ten-year commemorative patches on their jerseys, the Chiefs commemorated the American Football League’s tenure in the most meaningful way of all – by coming out on top.