1973: Cards Hire Don Coryell as Head Coach

On January 18, 1973 the St. Louis Cardinals of the NFL dipped into the college ranks to hire Don Coryell as the new head coach. The 48-year-old Coryell of San Diego State replaced Bob Hollway, who was fired directly following a second straight 4-9-1 record in 1972 with one year remaining on his three-year contract. The Cardinals had not reached the postseason since 1948, although they were contenders several times under Wally Lemm and Charley Winner during the 1960s.

Coryell’s record at San Diego State was 104-19-2 over twelve seasons, including 10-1 in 1972. Prior to that, the former college defensive back spent one year as coach at Wenatchee Junior College in Washington in 1955 and then coached a service team at Fort Ord in California that went undefeated in ’56. Moving on to Whittier College, his teams had a 23-5-1 record and won three conference championships.

Prior to his arrival in 1961, the Aztecs had gone through lean years and hit rock bottom with back-to-back 1-6-1 records in the two seasons immediately preceding. Coryell recruited junior college players and his teams were known for their pass-oriented offense. He had success with future pro quarterbacks Don Horn, Dennis Shaw, and Brian Sipe, and notable wide receivers included Gary Garrison, Isaac Curtis, and Haven Moses. John Madden and Joe Gibbs were assistant coaches, and Gibbs rejoined Coryell in St. Louis along with two of his current assistants, Rod Dowhower and Jim Hanifan, who all went on to head coaching jobs in the NFL.

Asked about his decision to move to a pro team, Coryell explained that “I was as far as I could go in the situation I was in.” He had a written a letter to owner Bill Bidwill expressing his interest in the job.

“I’m not a disciplinarian in the way I try to get people to do things,” said the soft-spoken Coryell of his manner of handling players. “They do it or they don’t play.”

“I believe in a wide-open style of play,” said Coryell with regard to his offensive strategy, which ran counter to the prevailing wisdom in the NFL at the time. “I like to throw the ball. I believe in attacking the defense.”

The quarterback Coryell inherited was Jim Hart (pictured at left), a 29-year-old veteran who had been unheralded coming out of Southern Illinois in 1966, showed great promise when forced into the starting job in ’67, but had endured challenges from Pete Beathard, Gary Cuozzo, and Tim Van Galder in recent years.  A classic drop-back passer who was at his best throwing long, Hart prospered in Coryell’s offense.

TE Jackie Smith was a talented veteran receiver and WR Mel Gray was up-and-coming. HB Donny Anderson was still effective at age 30, but was joined by speedy rookie Terry Metcalf out of Long Beach State. There were also good young linemen in OT Dan Dierdorf, G Conrad Dobler, and C Tom Banks, in addition to savvy veteran OT Ernie McMillan. The defense included a good group of linebackers in Larry Stallings, Pete Barnes, and Mark Arneson. CB Roger Wehrli was the best of the defensive backs and DT Dave Butz was a promising rookie. To top things off, Jim Bakken was an accomplished placekicker who had been with the club since 1962.

The Cardinals duplicated their 4-9-1 record in 1973. Hart performed capably but played with injuries during the second half of the season and missed two games altogether (rookie Gary Keithley, also the punter, filled in). Moreover, the team ranked 12^th in the league in offensive production but 26^th in defense.

St. Louis broke out with a 10-4 record in 1974, making it into the postseason for the first time in 26 years. Hart had a Pro Bowl year as he threw for 2411 yards and led the NFC in touchdown passes (20) and completions (200), while giving up just eight interceptions. He was sacked only 16 times, a tribute to the improvement on the offensive line. Metcalf also gained Pro Bowl recognition for his outstanding all-around performance, gaining a total of 2058 yards (718 on 152 rushing attempts, 377 on 50 catches, 623 on 20 kickoff returns and 340 on 26 punt returns). FB Jim Otis provided inside power and Mel Gray also reached the Pro Bowl. The dependable Jackie Smith had a new backup and heir apparent in rookie J.V. Cain.  The defense, under the direction of coordinator Ray Willsey, was significantly better, allowing 147 fewer points and almost a thousand less yards than in ’73. Wehrli was chosen to the Pro Bowl and CB Norm Thompson intercepted six passes, while DT Bob Rowe was outstanding on the line that lost Butz for the year in the season’s opening week. After getting off to a 7-0 start, the Cards had a rougher time during the second half of the season but still topped the NFC East. They lost to Minnesota in the Divisional playoff round.

The Cardinals repeated as division champs in 1975 with an 11-3 record. The offense was even more productive. Hart threw more interceptions (19) but also 19 touchdowns and 2507 yards and again was chosen to the Pro Bowl. Metcalf outdid himself by setting a NFL record with 2462 all-purpose yards, scoring 13 touchdowns with at least one apiece via rushing, pass receiving, returning a punt, and returning a kickoff, and Otis led the NFC in rushing with 1076 yards. Both joined Hart as Pro Bowl choices, and so did Dan Dierdorf and Conrad Dobler on the line that allowed just eight sacks.  Gray was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection as well (48 catches, 926 yards, 11 TDs). On defense, the pass rush was still unexceptional, but Wehrli and Thompson intercepted 13 passes between them, and the former was also a consensus first-team All-Pro. But once more the Cards couldn’t win in the postseason, losing to the Rams.

The record in 1976 was still strong at 10-4, although in the highly-competitive NFC East that was only good for third place (thanks to being swept by the Redskins, who managed the same record) and the Cards missed the playoffs. Hart had a third straight Pro Bowl year, tossing 18 touchdown passes while his yardage increased (2946) and his interceptions dropped (13). Metcalf and Otis had lesser, if still good, seasons. WR Ike Harris emerged with 52 catches for 782 yards across from Gray, still a dangerous deep threat and Pro Bowler. Bakken was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection for the second straight year with perhaps his greatest season in his 15^th year, connecting on 20 of 27 field goal attempts, several of which were pivotal in victories. But the pass rush continued to be disappointing and injuries were a problem at middle linebacker.

The Cards dropped down to 7-7 in 1977. Hart, Metcalf, Gray, Dierdorf, Dobler, Banks, and Wehrli were still Pro Bowl performers, but after breaking out to a 7-3 start, the club lost its last four games. Friction developed with the front office, where Bidwill insisted on cutting costs and salary disputes with several veterans affected team morale. Coryell also chafed at not having a voice in personnel decisions, the team had not drafted well, and he became increasingly outspoken about the situation. 

Coryell resigned as head coach following the season, having compiled a 42-27-1 record that included two division titles. In just five years, he had become the winningest coach in the team’s long history (he was eventually surpassed by Ken Whisenhunt). At a time when zone defenses ruled and teams tended toward ground-oriented offenses, Coryell proved that an aggressive passing offense could still be successful.

Coryell did not remain out of work long, returning to San Diego as head coach of the Chargers during the 1978 season and remaining there until 1986, enjoying even more success (if still never achieving a championship).  With outstanding personnel and rules changes that went into effect in ’78 to benefit the passing game, Coryell was able to further innovate and develop an even more explosive offensive attack.

Bidwill and the Cardinals again went with a successful college coach to replace Coryell, although in this instance it was 62-year-old Bud Wilkinson, who had last manned the sidelines at Oklahoma 15 years earlier before moving to the broadcast booth. With the loss of key personnel, including Metcalf, who jumped to the CFL, and Harris and Dobler, dealt to New Orleans, the result was a drop to 6-10 in ’78. It was the first of four straight losing seasons until the team went 5-4 in the strike-shortened 1982 season under Jim Hanifan, the former Coryell assistant.

Highlighted Year: Jesse Baker, 1982

Defensive End, Houston Oilers

Age:  25

4^th season in pro football & with Oilers

College: Jacksonville State

Height: 6’5”   Weight: 272

Prelude:

Baker was twice named a Little All-American by the Associated Press and starred on the 1977 Jacksonville State team that contended for the Division II national championship. He was chosen by the Oilers in the second round of the 1979 NFL draft and was used in passing situations in place of Pro Bowl DE Elvin Bethea, accumulating an unofficial total of 15.5 sacks. Baker continued in that role for the next two years, and was credited with 10 (unofficial) sacks in 1981. He moved into the starting lineup for the ’82 season, the first in which sacks were officially compiled for individual players.

1982 Season Summary

Appeared in all 9 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Sacks – 7.5 [6, tied with Curtis Greer & Lawrence Taylor, 1^st in AFC]

Most sacks, game – 3 at Cincinnati 9/12

Multi-sack games – 1

Interceptions – 0

Fumble recoveries – 1

Fumble recovery TDs – 0

Oilers went 1-8 to finish 13th in the AFC, divisions having been eliminated due to the strike-shortened nature of the season.

Aftermath:

Baker had a down season in 1983, still leading the 2-14 Oilers in sacks, but with only 5.5. He bounced back with 11 in ’84. After another lesser year in 1985 he was waived by the Oilers and picked up by Dallas, but was released by the Cowboys after three games and returned to Houston for the remainder of the season. Baker played in nine games in 1987, his last year. Better as a pass rusher than a run defender, Baker recorded an official total of 35 sacks (all but one of them with the Oilers), but when adding in unofficial totals prior to 1982, his actual total was at least 25 more than that.

--

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

1978: Dallas Defense Dominates Broncos in Super Bowl XII

Super Bowl XII on January 15, 1978 featured two 12-2 teams, the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos, appearing in the first Super Bowl to be held in an indoor venue, the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. There was a crowd of 75,583 fans on hand in addition to a huge television audience.

The Cowboys, coached by Tom Landry, were used to contending, having made it to the postseason for the 11^th time in 12 years in 1977, and were just two years removed from their most recent of three Super Bowl appearances (a loss to the Steelers). 35-year-old QB Roger Staubach led the NFC in passing and All-Pro WR Drew Pearson led a solid group of receivers. Rookie HB Tony Dorsett didn’t move into the starting lineup until halfway through the season yet still rushed for 1007 yards and 12 TDs. The retooled defense was outstanding, particularly on the line that contained pass-rushing ends Harvey Martin, a consensus first-team All-Pro, and Ed “Too Tall” Jones and DT Randy White, successor to the great Bob Lilly and a Pro Bowl selectee in his first year starting. After handily topping the NFC East, the Cowboys defeated the Bears in the Divisional playoff round and Minnesota for the conference championship, outscoring their opponents by a combined 60-13.

Denver, on the other hand, had never been to the playoffs previously. Under first-year Head Coach Red Miller, the Broncos benefited from the strong “Orange Crush” defense that featured DE Lyle Alzado, linebackers Randy Gradishar and Tom Jackson, CB Louis Wright, and SS Bill Thompson. The offense was conservative. QB Craig Morton, a 13^th-year veteran who spent his first nine full seasons with Dallas, had joined the team in ’77 and provided steady guidance, if not statistical brilliance. The group of running backs was unspectacular while TE Riley Odoms led the club with 37 receptions and WR Haven Moses was the leading deep threat. After beating out the Raiders in the AFC West, the Broncos defeated Pittsburgh in their Divisional game and narrowly defeated Oakland for the AFC title.   

Dallas had the game’s first possession and punted, narrowly averting disaster on the first play from scrimmage when Tony Dorsett and WR Butch Johnson muffed an exchange on an attempted reverse, but Denver was unable to recover the loose ball. On their first series, the Broncos converted a third-and-12 play when Craig Morton completed a pass to Haven Moses for 21 yards to the Dallas 34. But following a short carry by HB Otis Armstrong, Morton’s next pass was batted down and he was then sacked for a loss of 11 yards by Randy White (pictured at right) to force a punt.

The Cowboys, who were pinned back at their one after WR Tony Hill muffed Denver’s punt and fell on the ball, were no more proficient on offense and again had to punt, but three plays later a poorly-thrown pass by Morton, who was trying to avoid being sacked, was intercepted by safety Randy Hughes to give Dallas the ball at the Denver 25. Staubach threw a swing pass to TE Billy Joe Dupree for 13 yards and, following a two-yard carry by FB Robert Newhouse, Dorsett ran the ball three straight times, the last for a three-yard touchdown. Efren Herrera added the extra point and the Cowboys held a 7-0 lead.

On the second play of Denver’s next possession, Morton threw another interception. The pass was tipped by LB Bob Breunig and CB Aaron Kyle grabbed the ball and returned 19 yards to the Broncos’ 35. A nine-yard run by Newhouse was followed by Dorsett picking up 18 yards around end. The series bogged down at that point and Lyle Alzado’s sack of Staubach on third down forced the Cowboys to settle for a 35-yard Herrera field goal. Dallas took a 10-0 lead into the second quarter.

Denver again had to punt after a short series capped by DE “Too Tall” Jones tossing FB Lonnie Perrin for a seven-yard loss after catching a screen pass. Starting from their 43, the Cowboys advanced 32 yards in seven plays. Staubach threw to HB Preston Pearson on a screen pass for 11 yards and to DuPree for 19. Herrera kicked a 43-yard field goal to make it a 13-0 game.

Dallas again got the ball back in short order when Morton’s underthrown pass intended for Moses was picked off by CB Benny Barnes. A penalty and a sack moved the Cowboys back and they punted, but WR John Schultz muffed the kick and LB Bruce Huther recovered for Dallas at the Denver 40. Dorsett gained 19 yards on a sweep, but the Broncos stiffened on defense and Staubach’s throw into the end zone was batted away by Louis Wright. The Cowboys came up empty when Herrera tried for a 43-yard field goal and was wide to the left.

Once again the Broncos turned the ball over when Morton completed a pass to WR Jack Dolbin for 15 yards, but the receiver fumbled and Hughes recovered, returning it 19 yards to the Denver 27. Dorsett ran for eight yards and Newhouse for 10 to the nine yard line, but a swing pass to Newhouse lost seven yards at the two-minute warning and two more throws netted a gain of a yard. Herrera missed another try for a field goal, this time from 32 yards.

The teams exchanged back-to-back turnovers on first-play fumbles by the tight ends and, with time running out in the first half, Morton threw another interception that CB Mark Washington returned 27 yards to the Denver 35. A short pass from Staubach to Preston Pearson set up a 44-yard field goal attempt by Herrera, but it was wide to the left and the score remained unchanged heading into halftime. Dallas failed to generate further points on turnovers by the Broncos while controlling the ball nearly twice as long in the first thirty minutes.

The Broncos had the ball first in the third quarter and, while Armstrong gained 18 yards on a sweep, the drive stalled at the Denver 41. A fake punt failed when Bucky Dilts was sacked for a four-yard loss, but the Cowboys were penalized for having twelve players on the field to nevertheless keep the series alive. After reaching the Dallas 30, Jim Turner kicked a 47-yard field goal and the Dallas lead was narrowed to 13-3.

The teams exchanged punts before the Cowboys advanced 58 yards in five plays. Staubach completed a pass to Drew Pearson for 13 yards on a second-and-ten play and, following a run for no gain and an incomplete pass, Staubach threw long for Butch Johnson, who made a diving catch for a 45-yard touchdown (pictured below). Herrera added the point after and Dallas was up by 20-3.

The Broncos got a break when WR Rick Upchurch returned the ensuing kickoff 67 yards to the Dallas 26. Morton nearly threw another interception on first down and backup QB Norris Weese, who was more mobile, came into the game. HB Rob Lytle ran for four yards, Weese threw to FB Jim Jensen for five, and on fourth-and-one, Jensen ran for 16 yards. Lytle ran for the last yard and a TD and Turner converted to again make it a ten-point contest.

The Cowboys finished out the period with a time-consuming drive. Staubach completed all five of his passes, the longest to DuPree for 18 yards, but on the second play of the fourth quarter he fumbled when sacked by LB Tom Jackson and NT Rubin Carter recovered at the Denver 45.

A facemask penalty on the Cowboys negated a loss and gave the Broncos another first down, Weese threw to Upchurch for nine yards, and Armstrong ran for three to reach the Dallas 46. But that was as far as Denver could get. Weese’s next three passes were incomplete and the Broncos punted.

Staubach was sidelined with a broken finger on his throwing hand and Danny White came in at quarterback for Dallas. The backup completed a pass and gained 13 yards on a draw play. While Staubach returned before the series was over, the Cowboys had to punt. Three plays later, a sack by Harvey Martin (pictured at top) forced Weese to fumble and Kyle recovered at the Denver 29. On the next play, Newhouse threw an option pass that WR Golden Richards caught in the end zone for a 29-yard touchdown. Herrera added the point after and, with seven minutes to play, the Cowboys had an insurmountable 17-point lead.

Denver had the ball once more and reached the Dallas 24 before Weese’s incomplete pass on a fourth-and-23 play effectively ended the season for the Broncos. Dallas won by a final score of 27-10.    

The Cowboys easily outgained Denver (325 yards to 156) and had more first downs (17 to 11). The Broncos managed just 35 net passing yards and turned the ball over eight times, four apiece by interceptions and fumbles. While the Cowboys stifled Denver on defense, the offense wasn’t as dominating, fumbling six times but losing just two of them, their only turnovers of the game. Dallas also missed three field goals and set a Super Bowl record by being penalized 12 times (tied by Carolina in Super Bowl XXXVIII), to eight flags thrown on the Broncos.

Roger Staubach completed 17 of 25 passes for 183 yards and a touchdown while giving up no interceptions. Tony Dorsett (pictured below), who left the game in the third quarter with a twisted knee, ran for 66 yards on 15 carries that included a TD and Robert Newhouse added 55 yards on 14 attempts in addition to throwing a 29-yard touchdown pass. Preston Pearson had five catches for 37 yards while Billy Joe DuPree gained 66 yards on his four pass receptions. On defense, Harvey Martin was unofficially credited with two sacks and shared MVP honors with Randy White, who had one in addition to helping to apply tremendous pressure on the Broncos.

For the Broncos, Craig Morton was successful on just four of 15 throws, giving up four interceptions, and Norris Weese was four-of-10 for 22 yards but was not picked off. Weese also ran for 26 yards on three carries. Rob Lytle led the club with 35 yards on 10 rushing attempts that included the only Denver touchdown. Jack Dolbin and Riley Odoms caught two passes apiece, for 24 and 9 yards, respectively. Haven Moses gained 21 yards on his only reception, which came early in the contest.

“The number one plan was to pressure Craig Morton,” said Coach Tom Landry. “The front four played great. We just rushed the heck out of him.”

“They took away everything we had,” said Morton in defeat. “We tried to get something started, but…We’ve come a long way. Nobody expected us to be here.”

“I thought we were still in the game when it was 20-10,” said Coach Red Miller. “Then Norris (Weese) fumbled and they scored on that halfback pass, and that was it.”

“We played well defensively, but we had too many turnovers,” added Lyle Alzado. “I’m giving Dallas credit. When we make mistakes, the other team should capitalize. I’m a bit embarrassed.”

The Cowboys returned to the Super Bowl in 1978, losing a close contest to the Pittsburgh Steelers. They would not win another until the 1992 season. Denver again topped the AFC West in ’78 but lost in the Divisional playoff round. The Broncos next appeared in the Super Bowl following the 1986 season.

2007: McAllister Stars as Saints Edge Eagles in Divisional Playoff Game

The New Orleans Saints, just a year removed from being a team without a home on the way to a miserable 3-13 record, hosted the Philadelphia Eagles in a NFC Divisional Playoff contest on January 13, 2007. The Saints had a new head coach in Sean Payton and were back in the refurbished Louisiana Superdome, which had been badly damaged along with much of the rest of the city during Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The offense was the NFL’s most productive, directed by QB Drew Brees. Power-running RB Deuce McAllister (pictured above) had come back from a knee injury in ’05 to form an excellent tandem with flashy first draft choice RB Reggie Bush. The less-known WR Marques Colston, a seventh round draft pick, also proved to be a valuable addition (70 catches, 1038 yards, 8 TDs). The defense had a bend-but-not-break quality and was strongest on the line that was anchored by ends Will Smith and Charles Grant. New Orleans topped the NFC South with a 10-6 record and earned a first-round bye in the playoffs. They had beaten Philadelphia during the regular season.

The Eagles were in the playoffs for the sixth time in Head Coach Andy Reid’s eight-year tenure, having dipped to 6-10 in 2005 after reaching the Super Bowl in ’04. After getting off to a 5-6 start, they managed to win six games in a row to place first in the NFC East, also with a 10-6 tally, despite losing starting QB Donovan McNabb. Veteran backup QB Jeff Garcia performed capably in relief, however, and all-purpose RB Brian Westbrook gained 1916 yards from scrimmage while wide receivers Reggie Brown and Donte’ Stallworth were productive. The aggressive defense was especially strong in the backfield that featured FS Brian Dawkins. Philadelphia defeated the Giants in the Wild Card round to advance to the Divisional level.

There were 70,000 excited fans present at the Louisiana Superdome. The teams exchanged punts to start the game, with Reggie Bush taking a huge hit from Eagles CB Sheldon Brown on the second play from scrimmage that sent him briefly to the sidelines. The second possession for the Saints started off with Deuce McAllister running for a gain of 28 yards from midfield to the Philadelphia 22 and, after reaching the 15, John Carney kicked a 33-yard field goal.

The clubs resumed trading punts until, starting from their own 36 late in the opening period, the Saints again commenced a series with a long run. This time it was Bush reversing field and going around left end for 25 yards, and Drew Brees followed up with a pass to WR Devery Henderson that gained another 35 yards to the Philadelphia four. However, as the game moved into the second quarter, New Orleans lost a net total of a yard in the next three plays and settled for another Carney field goal, this time from 23 yards.

Down 6-0, the Eagles struck back three plays into their next series when Jeff Garcia threw to WR Donte’ Stallworth for a 75-yard touchdown (pictured at left). David Akers kicked the extra point to put the visitors in front by 7-6.

The Saints responded with a long drive of 78 yards in 14 plays. Brees threw to Marques Colston for 14 yards and McAllister ran three straight times for a total of 15 yards. After Bush was tackled by MLB Jeremiah Trotter for a loss of six yards to set up third-and-11, Brees connected with Bush for 14 yards to keep the drive going and then to Colston for another five. Bush lost two yards but then ran for the needed seven yards on third down and another third down at the Philadelphia 28 resulted in a Brees throw to Colston for 19 yards. Two plays later, Bush ran four yards for a TD and, with Carney’s conversion, New Orleans was ahead by 13-7.

The Eagles put together a long possession of their own, covering 80 yards in 11 plays. Garcia completed a pass to WR Reggie Brown (pictured below) for 32 yards to convert a third-and-11 situation and a third-and-six pass to WR Hank Baskett picked up 25 yards to the New Orleans 20. Garcia completed two more passes, to RB Correll Buckhalter for eight yards and TE L.J. Smith for another eight, and Brian Westbrook scored on a one-yard touchdown dive. Akers kicked the point after to put Philadelphia up by 14-13 with 54 seconds remaining in the first half, and that remained the score at halftime when a final-play throw into the end zone by Brees was pulled away from Colston by CB William James.

The Eagles had the first possession in the third quarter and struck quickly when Westbrook broke away for a 62-yard TD on the third play from scrimmage. Akers extended the lead to 21-13 with the PAT. Following a 36-yard kickoff return by WR Michael Lewis, the Saints responded with a seven-play, 63-yard drive. McAllister ran effectively and Brees completed passes to TE Billy Miller for 15 and 29 yards. McAllister ran for a five-yard touchdown and Carney’s extra point put New Orleans just a point behind at 21-20.

On the ensuing kickoff, RB Reno Mahe returned 11 yards and then lateraled to WR Jason Avant for another 28 yards to give the Eagles good starting field position at their 46. Westbrook had a run for 18 yards, but Garcia was unsuccessful on all three of his passes, forcing a punt. Starting from their 16, the Saints advanced methodically. Brees completed passes to McAllister for 10 yards and Miller for 13 and, when Bush fumbled following a 10-yard carry, WR Terrance Copper recovered at the Philadelphia 49. Brees threw to TE John Owens for 21 yards and, after a gain by Bush was negated by a holding penalty, a sack by DE Trent Cole was also nullified due to illegal contact. With a first down at the 34, McAllister ran for a 23-yard gain and that set up a Brees throw to McAllister for an 11-yard TD. Carney converted and New Orleans was back in the lead by a 27-21 score.

Garcia closed out the period with pass completions to Smith for 15 yards and Stallworth for 11 and, after a holding penalty backed the Eagles up to start the fourth quarter, he connected with Brown for a gain of 24 yards to the New Orleans 28. Westbrook carried twice for 24 yards to give Philadelphia second-and-one at the four. But in a pivotal set of plays, Westbrook was stopped for no gain and a pass to FB Thomas Tapeh lost two yards. The Eagles were forced to settle for a 24-yard Akers field goal.

The Saints punted following their next series and Philadelphia went three-and-out and did likewise. On a drive that consisted primarily of McAllister running the ball, New Orleans advanced to the Philadelphia 32, but Bush couldn’t handle a high pitchout from Brees and the loose ball was recovered by DE Darren Howard to give the Eagles possession at their 44 with 3:18 remaining on the clock.

Once again the visitors were unable to move the ball on offense and opted to punt after three plays. They never regained possession as, with all of Philadelphia’s timeouts expended, McAllister ran for five yards on a third-and-one play with 1:37 left. New Orleans won by a final score of 27-24.  

The Saints led in total yards (435 to 355) and first downs (27 to 14), with 208 of their yards coming on the ground. New Orleans also suffered the only turnover and the Eagles recorded three sacks, to one by the Saints. 

Deuce McAllister became the first player in franchise history to run for over a hundred yards in a postseason game as he gained 143 yards on 21 carries. He also caught four passes for 20 yards and scored a touchdown apiece by running and receiving. Drew Brees completed 20 of 32 passes for 243 yards and a TD with no interceptions. Reggie Bush (pictured below) contributed 52 yards on 12 rushing attempts that included a score and gained another 22 yards on three catches. Marques Colston had 5 pass receptions for 55 yards and Billy Miller accumulated 64 yards on his four catches.

For the Eagles, Jeff Garcia was successful on 15 of 30 throws for 240 yards and a touchdown while giving up no interceptions. Brian Westbrook rushed for 116 yards on 13 attempts that included two TDs. Donte’ Stallworth gained 100 yards on three catches that included the one long touchdown and Reggie Brown had 76 yards on his three receptions. On defense, DT Darwin Walker recorded two of the team’s sacks.

“Deuce was fantastic tonight and they weren’t going to stop him,” said Coach Sean Payton of McAllister’s performance. “He ran his heart out.”

New Orleans reached the NFC Championship game for the first time ever, but lost to the Chicago Bears by a 39-14 score. With heightened expectations, the Saints dropped to 7-9 in 2007 and didn’t reach the playoffs again until 2009, although with better results. The Eagles dropped to 8-8 in ‘07 but returned to the playoffs in 2008, advancing to the NFC Championship game. 

Highlighted Year: Donnie Abraham, 1999

Cornerback, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Age: 26 (Oct. 8)

4^th season in pro football & with Buccaneers

College: East Tennessee State

Height: 5’10” Weight: 181

Prelude:

Abraham was chosen by the Buccaneers in the third round of the 1996 NFL draft and moved quickly into the starting lineup as a rookie, intercepting five passes and showing great savvy at the cornerback position. He intercepted another five passes in ’97 but, after starting 34 straight games, Abraham missed three with a knee injury in 1998.

1999 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Interceptions – 7 [1, tied with four others]

Most interceptions, game – 2 vs. Atlanta 11/21, vs. Minnesota 12/6

Int. return yards – 115 [11, tied with Tony Blevins]

Most int. return yards, game – 55 (on 2 int.) vs. Minnesota 12/6

Int. TDs – 2 [1, tied with six others]

Sacks – 2

Most sacks, game – 1 vs. Kansas City 11/14, vs. Minnesota 12/6

Fumble recoveries – 0

Tackles – 65

Assists – 14

Scoring

TDs – 2

Points – 12

Postseason: 2 G

Interceptions – 0

TDs – 0

Buccaneers went 11-5 to finish first in the NFC Central while leading the NFL in fewest touchdowns allowed (19) and the conference in fewest total yards allowed (4280), fewest passing yards allowed (2873), and fewest points allowed (235). Won NFC Divisional playoff over Washington Redskins (14-13). Lost NFC Championship game to St. Louis Rams (11-6).

Aftermath:

Abraham followed up in 2000 with another seven interceptions and gained selection to the Pro Bowl. An excellent fit in Tampa Bay’s cover-two defensive scheme, he was capable on pass coverage and made up in technique and skill what he lacked in speed. Still, he lost his starting job to Brian Kelly in 2001 and was released after the season for salary cap reasons after having intercepted 31 passes in six years with the Bucs. He moved on to the New York Jets in 2002 and played well in a similar defense, but missed eight weeks in ’03 due to a shoulder injury. Following one last season with the Jets in 2004, Abraham retired. Overall, he intercepted 38 passes, returning them for 468 yards and three touchdowns, and was named to the Pro Bowl once.

--

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

2004: Neither Team Punts as Colts Defeat Chiefs in Divisional Playoff Game

The Kansas City Chiefs were back in the playoffs and hosting a postseason game for the first time in six years as they faced the Indianapolis Colts on January 11, 2004 in an AFC Divisional Playoff game. In their third season under Head Coach Dick Vermeil, the Chiefs won their first nine games on the way to a 13-3 record and first place in the AFC West. QB Trent Green passed for 4039 yards and 24 TDs and RB Priest Holmes scored a then-record 27 touchdowns while rushing for 1420 yards and gaining 2110 yards from scrimmage. TE Tony Gonzalez was, like Holmes, a consensus first-team All-Pro who caught 71 passes for 916 yards and 10 TDs, although the wide receivers were capable but unexceptional. WR Dante Hall received All-NFL recognition for his outstanding kick returning, in one stretch returning kicks for touchdowns in four straight games. The defense was an area of concern, however, ranking just 29^th overall in the league and twice yielding 45 points in late-season losses.

The Colts were in the playoffs for the second straight year with Head Coach Tony Dungy at the helm and the fourth time in five seasons. The key to success was sixth-year QB Peyton Manning (pictured above), a consensus MVP and first-team All-Pro after passing for 4267 yards and 29 TDs with only 10 interceptions. WR Marvin Harrison gained a Pro Bowl selection and both Reggie Wayne and Brandon Stokley were productive. RB Edgerrin James missed three games with a back injury but still rushed for 1259 yards and caught 51 passes. The defense was less impressive but respectable. Indianapolis topped the AFC South with a 12-4 tally and handily won their Wild Card playoff game the week before by a 41-10 score over Denver without punting once.

There were 79,159 fans in attendance at Arrowhead Stadium. The Colts took the opening kickoff and advanced 70 yards in 10 plays. Peyton Manning completed a pass to Marvin Harrison for 13 yards in a third-and-nine situation and Edgerrin James (pictured below) had a 15-yard run along the way. A Manning throw to WR Brandon Stokley was completed for a 29-yard touchdown and Mike Vanderjagt added the extra point.

Kansas City responded with a drive that included seven carries by Priest Holmes for 52 yards and Trent Green threw to Tony Gonzalez for 16 yards. But after getting first-and-goal at the Indianapolis six, the Chiefs were unable to reach the end zone and Morten Andersen kicked a 22-yard field goal to make it a 7-3 score.

The Colts came back with a six-play, 76-yard series. Manning passed twice to Harrison for gains of 13 and 38 yards and James ran around end for 13 yards in between, as well as 11 yards for a TD. Vanderjagt’s point after put the visitors in front by 14-3.

A 46-yard kickoff return by Dante Hall was nullified by a holding penalty, but in a series that extended into the second quarter, the Chiefs advanced 77 yards in 12 plays. Green completed five passes, including tosses to WR Eddie Kennison for 25 yards and WR Marc Boerigter for 21 to reach Indianapolis territory. Green ran for nine yards on a third-and-five play and a throw to WR Johnnie Morton picked up 14 yards to the seven. Hall caught a pass from Green for a nine-yard touchdown and, with Andersen’s extra point, the score was narrowed to 14-10.

Still, the Chiefs couldn’t stop the Colts, who drove 71 yards in nine plays. James had an 18-yard run and Manning completed four passes, including to WR Reggie Wayne for 17 yards, TE Marcus Pollard for 21, and RB Tom Lopienski for a two-yard TD. It was the only time that the rookie Lopienski touched the ball in his two-year NFL career and Vanderjagt’s PAT put the Colts up by 11 points at 21-10 with 4:34 remaining in the first half.

Starting from their 31 following the kickoff, the Chiefs gained 22 yards right away on a pass from Green to Gonzalez and two more throws to the tight end picked up eight and nine yards, although a longer completion was nullified by offensive pass interference. The possession stalled at the Indianapolis 13 and Kansas City came up empty when the normally-reliable Andersen missed on a 31-yard field goal attempt. The score remained unchanged at halftime.

The Chiefs had the ball first in the third quarter, but Holmes fumbled at the end of a 48-yard run and CB David Macklin recovered for the Colts at the Indianapolis 22. With James and RB Dominic Rhodes running effectively and Manning completing passes of 11 yards to Stokley and nine to Wayne, the visitors moved into KC territory and, after LB Shawn Barber stopped James for a loss of five yards on third down, Vanderjagt kicked a 45-yard field goal to increase the Indianapolis margin to 24-10.

The Chiefs, benefiting from a 27-yard kickoff return by Hall that had them starting from their 45, drove 55 yards in eight plays, six of them runs by Holmes (pictured at right), the first of which picked up 24 yards and the last reached the end zone from a yard out for a touchdown. Andersen’s conversion made it a seven-point game.

The Colts went largely to the air on their next series as Manning completed five passes, three of them to Wayne, including the last that was for a 19-yard TD. Vanderjagt kicked the extra point, but it was a seven-point game once more shortly thereafter when Hall returned the ensuing kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown. Andersen added the PAT and the score was 31-24.

The game entered the fourth quarter and the Colts remained unstoppable on offense. Manning converted a third-and-three situation with a pass to Wayne for 17 yards and followed up with a throw to Harrison for a gain of 27 to the KC 30. Manning completed three more passes to get the ball inside the ten, and James finished the drive off with a one-yard carry for a TD. Vanderjagt again converted to put the visitors up by 38-24.

A long series by the Chiefs followed. Starting from their 24, Kansas City picked up a first down thanks to defensive holding on a third-and-six play and converted a fourth-and-six situation with a pass from Green to Kennison for 19 yards. Green had four more completions as the Chiefs chipped away. Facing fourth-and-five at the Indianapolis seven, Green again connected with Kennison for six yards to get a first-and-goal at the one, and from there Holmes went up the middle for a touchdown. Andersen’s extra point once more made it a one-touchdown contest.

The clock was down to 4:16 remaining in regulation as the Colts again took over on offense. Manning threw to James for 16 yards and a first down, and James ran for another first down to keep the ball away from the Chiefs as the time ticked away. Rhodes was stopped for one yard on a fourth-and-three play, but the ball was at the Kansas City 27 and there were just eight seconds left to play. Green completed one last inconsequential pass and Indianapolis came away the winner by a final score of 38-31.

For the first time in NFL playoff history neither team punted and, equally unprecedented, the Colts managed to play two consecutive postseason games without punting. The teams combined for 842 total yards, with the Colts gaining 434 to Kansas City’s 408 and also leading in first downs (27 to 24) and time of possession (32:13 to 27:47). The Chiefs gained 196 yards of their total on the ground, while Indianapolis had 292 net passing yards. There was only one sack, which was by the Chiefs, and one turnover, also by Kansas City. 

Peyton Manning completed 22 of 30 passes for 304 yards and three touchdowns, with none intercepted. Edgerrin James ran for 125 yards and two TDs on 26 carries. Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne each had 6 catches, for 98 and 83 yards, respectively, and Wayne scored once.

For the Chiefs, Trent Green was successful on 18 of 30 throws for 212 yards and a TD with no interceptions. Priest Holmes had 176 rushing yards on 24 attempts that included two touchdowns and also pulled in five passes for 32 more yards. Tony Gonzalez gained 55 yards on his four pass receptions and Eddie Kennison contributed 50 yards on three catches. Dante Hall (pictured at right), in addition to two receptions for 19 yards and a TD, had 208 yards on seven kickoff returns that also included a touchdown.

“I am hot right now, we’re hot as an offense,” said Peyton Manning.

The Indianapolis offense was cooled off in the AFC Championship game the following week in a 24-14 loss to New England. The Chiefs fell back to 7-9 in 2004 and, while they rebounded to 10-6 in Dick Vermeil’s last year before retiring, did not reach the postseason again until 2006.