Highlighted Year: Rich Caster, 1972

Tight End, New York Jets

Age: 24 (Oct. 16)

3^rd season in pro football & with Jets

College: Jackson State

Height: 6’5”   Weight: 228

Prelude:

Caster was chosen by the Jets in the second round of the 1970 NFL draft in the hope that he would bolster an aging corps of wide receivers. He caught 19 passes for 393 yards (20.7 avg.) and three touchdowns as a rookie and followed up with 26 receptions for 454 yards (17.5 avg.) and six TDs in ’71. While he had problems with inconsistency, Caster was shifted to tight end where it was hoped that his size and speed would be of benefit.

1972 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 39      

Most receptions, game – 6 (for 204 yds.) at Baltimore 9/24

Yards – 833 [4]

Most yards, game – 204 (on 6 catches) at Baltimore 9/24

Average gain – 21.4 [2]

TDs – 10 [2, 1^st in AFC]

200-yard receiving games – 1

Rushing

Attempts – 2

Yards – 6

Average gain – 3.0

TDs – 0

Scoring

TDs – 10 [8, tied with Walt Garrison, Art Malone & Charlie Smith]

Points – 60

Awards & Honors:

2^nd team All-AFC: UPI

Pro Bowl

Jets went 7-7 to finish second in the AFC East while leading the NFL in passing yards (2777) and placing second in total yards (4787) and scoring (367 points).

Aftermath:

Caster followed up his breakout season with 35 catches for 593 yards (16.9 avg.) and four touchdowns in 1973, continuing to display great ability but having problems with consistency as well. He had two Pro Bowl seasons in 1974 and ’75, leading all NFL tight ends in the second year with a career-high 47 catches, for 820 yards (17.4 avg.) and four TDs. Caster’s performance dropped off in 1976 and he was shifted back to wide receiver in an injury-plagued ’77 season. He was traded to the Houston Oilers in 1978 and mostly backed up as a wide receiver and tight end over three years, catching a high of 27 passes for 341 yards in 1980. Following an abortive stint with New Orleans in ’81 Caster was picked up by the Washington Redskins, where he finished his career in 1982. Overall he caught 322 passes for 5515 yards (17.1 avg.) and 45 touchdowns, with 245 of those receptions for 4434 yards (18.1 avg.) and 36 TDs coming with the Jets. Caster was a first-team All-AFC selection once, received second-team honors after two other seasons, and was named to three Pro Bowls.

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

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)

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

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

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

All-Purpose: Total Yards

Defense: Interceptions, Sacks

Kickoff Returns: Average

Punt Returns: Average

Punting: Average

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

**NFC/AFC since 1970

1980: Plunkett Leads Raiders to Win Over Steelers

The Oakland Raiders were at 3-3, having won for the first time in three weeks in their previous game, as they faced the 4-2 Steelers in Pittsburgh on October 20, 1980. Not much was expected of the Raiders heading into the season as they sought to retool following a 9-7 record in ’79 that caused them to miss the playoffs for the second straight season. QB Dan Pastorini had been obtained from the Oilers for the exciting, if erratic, QB Ken Stabler and he had gone down for the year with a broken leg two weeks earlier. QB Jim Plunkett (pictured above), once a highly-touted prospect with the Patriots who had become a forgotten backup in Oakland, was now behind center. Castoffs and savvy veterans were filling out the roster (a typical occurrence over the course of the franchise's history) and beginning to show results under second-year Head Coach Tom Flores.

Pittsburgh was coming off of back-to-back NFL titles in 1978 and ’79, the third and fourth under Head Coach Chuck Noll. But injuries had knocked starters out of the lineup at running back (FB Franco Harris) and wide receiver (Lynn Swann and John Stallworth). QB Terry Bradshaw was still formidable but other veterans were showing their age, particularly in the once-proud defensive unit. The Steelers were upset by the Bengals the previous week.

It was a cool, partly cloudy Monday night at Three Rivers Stadium with 53,940 fans in attendance. The Steelers had the first possession and drove 69 yards in six plays. Terry Bradshaw started off with passes to WR Theo Bell for 15 yards and FB Greg Hawthorne for 16. Another completion to Bell picked up 21 yards and was followed by a throw to WR Jim Smith in the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown. Matt Bahr added the extra point and the home team was ahead by 7-0.

On Oakland’s first play from scrimmage, HB Kenny King fumbled and SS Donnie Shell recovered to give Pittsburgh the ball at the Raiders’ 19. HB Rocky Bleier ran for 12 yards on first down and, while the Steelers were unable to reach the end zone, Coach Noll declining to not run a play on fourth down with less than a foot to go, Bahr kicked an 18-yard field goal to extend the lead to 10-0.

A short kickoff return had the Raiders starting their next series at their own 15, but a pass interference penalty advanced them 39 yards and the six-play, 85-yard drive ended with King running around end for a 27-yard TD. Bahr converted to make it a three-point game. To make matters worse for Pittsburgh, MLB Jack Lambert left with strained knee ligaments, removing a key player from the defense.

The teams traded punts until the Steelers, in a series that extended into the second quarter, drove 84 yards in ten plays. Bradshaw (pictured above) threw to Smith for a 25-yard gain on first down and Hawthorne followed up with a 13-yard carry. Hawthorne and FB Russell Davis pounded away, with Davis gaining three yards in a fourth-and-one situation at the Oakland 37, Bradshaw passed to TE Bennie Cunningham for 15 yards, Davis ran for another 12, and after Hawthorne ran around end for six yards, Davis dove into the end zone from a yard out for a touchdown. Bahr’s PAT put the home team ahead by ten points once again at 17-7.

The Raiders again had to punt following their next series, but they got the ball back in short order when LB Ted Hendricks intercepted a Bradshaw pass. Starting from the Pittsburgh 39, it took the visitors seven plays to score. The key play along the way was a Plunkett throw to WR Bob Chandler for 37 yards to the one yard line, and while the Raiders stopped three consecutive running plays, FB Mark van Eeghen reached paydirt from a yard out on fourth down. Bahr again converted and the score was 17-14.

The Steelers were backed up by a holding penalty to start their next possession but got a first down on a Bradshaw completion to Cunningham for 21 yards and a pass to Bell gained another 16. But on a third down play near midfield, Bradshaw fumbled when sacked by DE Cedrick Hardman. DE Willie Jones recovered for Oakland and lateraled to LB Rod Martin, who ran 34 yards for a touchdown. Bahr added the point after and the Raiders were in front by 21-17.

Backup QB Cliff Stoudt replaced Bradshaw, who had a bruised shoulder, and his third pass was picked off by Hendricks to give Oakland the ball at the Pittsburgh 49. Three plays later, Plunkett connected with WR Morris Bradshaw for a 45-yard TD. Bahr kicked the extra point and the visitors were now ahead by 28-17.

The Steelers got the ball with 1:17 remaining in the first half and advanced 79 yards in seven plays. Stoudt passed to Bell for 26 yards, Hawthorne for seven, and Bleier for 17 yards and finally to Smith for a 13-yard touchdown. Bahr’s conversion made the halftime score 28-24 in favor of the Raiders.

The Raiders wasted little time extending their lead in the third quarter, driving 75 yards in five plays. Plunkett connected with WR Cliff Branch (pictured at right) for a 56-yard TD and, with Bahr’s extra point, Oakland was ahead by 35-24. Terry Bradshaw was back behind center for the Steelers and they responded by going 68 yards in 11 plays. Bradshaw converted a third-and-10 situation by throwing to WR Calvin Sweeney for 19 yards and hit Smith for 15 yards on a third-and-11 play. The series ended with another Bradshaw pass, this time to Bell for a 36-yard touchdown. Bahr’s conversion made it a four-point game once more.

The Raiders, with van Eeghen and King primarily running the ball, drove into Pittsburgh territory, but van Eeghen fumbled at the 37 and LB Robin Cole recovered and ran to the Oakland 49. Bradshaw was sacked on first down for a loss of six yards but came back with a pass to Cunningham for 15 yards and a personal foul on Hardman for roughing the quarterback advanced the ball further, although it necessitated Stoudt coming back into the game for two plays. After reaching the Oakland 15, two Bradshaw passes into the end zone fell incomplete but Bahr booted a 32-yard field goal to make it a one-point contest at 35-34.

The Raiders had the ball as the fourth quarter started and drove 82 yards in eight plays. Plunkett completed a pass to TE Raymond Chester for 11 yards and had back-to-back throws to Branch for 13 yards apiece. One more pass to Branch resulted in a 34-yard touchdown and, with Bahr’s kick, the visitors had an extended lead of eight points at 42-34.

A short series by the Steelers resulted in a punt and Oakland, taking over with 8:41 on the clock, put together a 14-play, 35-yard drive. The Raiders converted two fourth downs along the way and HB Arthur Whittington carried most of the load on the ground. Bahr kicked a 36-yard field goal with 58 seconds left in the game to nail down the 45-34 win.  

The Steelers had the most total yards (467 to 390) and first downs (27 to 20). However, Pittsburgh turned the ball over three times, to two suffered by the Raiders, and hurt themselves with 10 penalties at a cost of 115 yards, to five flags thrown on the visitors. Oakland also accounted for five sacks as they battered Terry Bradshaw, who had to leave the game three times, while the Steelers registered none.

Jim Plunkett completed 13 of 21 passes for 247 yards with three touchdowns while giving up no interceptions. Cliff Branch was the primary recipient with five catches for 123 yards and two TDs. Kenny King (pictured below) rushed for 70 yards on 14 carries that included a score and Mark van Eeghen contributed 52 yards and a TD on 18 attempts.

For the Steelers, Terry Bradshaw was successful on 18 of 27 throws for 299 yards and two TDs while giving up one interception. Jim Smith caught 6 passes for 102 yards and two touchdowns and Theo Bell gained 114 yards on his five receptions that included one TD. Russell Davis led the team in rushing with 51 yards on 9 carries and Greg Hawthorne gained 38 yards on 12 attempts with one score and also caught four passes for 46 yards.

Oakland lost only twice more the rest of the season, putting together an 11-5 record that placed second in the AFC West and secured a Wild Card playoff spot. The Raiders went on to reach the Super Bowl, becoming the first Wild Card team to win. As for the Steelers, the loss to the Raiders was viewed as a major sign that the Pittsburgh dynasty was coming to a close, even though they remained in a tie atop the AFC Central. They lost again the next week, rallied to win three straight games, but split the remainder to end up at 9-7 and out of the postseason for the first time since 1971.

Jim Plunkett received Comeback Player of the Year honors from the Associated Press as he passed for 2299 yards and 18 touchdowns while the club went 9-2 with him behind center in the regular season. He capped the year by being named Super Bowl MVP.

Highlighted Year: Mark Bavaro, 1986

Tight End, New York Giants

Age: 23

2^nd season in pro football & with Giants

College: Notre Dame

Height: 6’4”   Weight: 245

Prelude:

Bavaro caught 55 passes for 771 yards and four touchdowns in college and received All-American honors from the Associated Press in 1984. He was chosen by the Giants in the fourth round of the 1985 NFL draft. With TE Zeke Mowatt lost for the entire year due to a knee injury, Bavaro moved directly into the starting lineup and performed well, catching 37 passes for 511 yards (13.8 avg.) and four TDs.

1986 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 66 [16]          

Most receptions, game – 7 (for 88 yds.) at Dallas 9/8, (for 110 yds.) vs. New Orleans 9/28, (for 98 yds.) at San Francisco 12/1

Yards – 1001 [16]

Most yards, game – 111 (on 5 catches) at Washington 12/7

Average gain – 15.2

TDs – 4

100-yard receiving games – 3

Scoring

TDs – 4

Points – 24

Postseason: 3 G

Pass receptions – 8

Most pass receptions, game – 4 vs. Denver, Super Bowl

Pass receiving yards – 134

Most pass receiving yards, game – 51 vs. Denver, Super Bowl

Average yards per reception – 16.8

Pass Receiving TDs – 2

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-NFL: AP, PFWA, Pro Football Weekly, Sporting News

2^nd team All-NFL: NEA

1^st team All-NFC: UPI, Pro Football Weekly

Pro Bowl

Giants went 14-2 to finish first in the NFC East with the conference’s best record. Won NFC Divisional playoff over San Francisco 49ers (49-3), NFC Championship over Washington Redskins (17-0) & Super Bowl over Denver Broncos (39-20).

Aftermath:

A tough, physical all-around tight end with good hands, Bavaro followed up with 55 catches for 867 yards (15.8 avg.) and eight touchdowns in 1987 and was again a consensus first-team All-NFL and Pro Bowl selection. A holdout and injuries led to a lesser season in ’88 although he still pulled in 53 passes. Bavaro was limited to seven games in 1989 by a knee injury and, following a lesser year in ’90 playing with a degenerative knee condition, it appeared that his career might be over as he missed the entire 1991 season. However, he caught on with the Cleveland Browns in ’92, caught 25 passes, and moved on to the Philadelphia Eagles for his last two seasons in 1993 and ’94, catching 43 passes with six TDs in ’93. Overall, Bavaro caught 351 passes for 4733 yards (13.5 avg.) and 39 touchdowns, with 266 of those catches for 3722 yards and 28 TDs coming with the Giants. He was twice a consensus first-team All-NFL choice and was also named to two Pro Bowls. His brother David played linebacker for five seasons in the NFL with four different teams.

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

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)

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

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

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

All-Purpose: Total Yards

Defense: Interceptions, Sacks

Kickoff Returns: Average

Punt Returns: Average

Punting: Average

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

**NFC/AFC since 1970

1970: Second Quarter Surge Leads Lions to Win Over Browns

Two teams with 3-1 records, the Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns, met in Cleveland in the fifth week of the NFL season on October 18, 1970. The Lions, coached by Joe Schmidt, were coming off of their first loss of the year the previous week. The team had long been known for prowess on defense, and while the line was showing its age, linebackers Mike Lucci and Wayne Walker and the backfield led by CB Lem Barney were still assets. The offense had a competent quarterback in Bill Munson, who was starting ahead of the up-and-coming (and more mobile) Greg Landry, while the corps of running backs was a good one and the receivers competent.

Cleveland, under Head Coach Blanton Collier for the eighth year, was a team used to contending that had moved to the American Football Conference in the newly-merged and reorganized NFL, and was expected to do so again. QB Bill Nelsen was a good passer playing on brittle knees and QB Mike Phipps had been drafted out of Purdue in the first round to be groomed for the job. However, the receiving corps was missing WR Paul Warfield, who had been dealt to Miami in order to trade up for Phipps, and HB Leroy Kelly was still an effective runner, but showing signs of wear. The defensive line was effective, but the linebackers and backfield were a source of concern. 

It was a sunny afternoon with 83,577 fans in attendance at Municipal Stadium. The Browns had the game’s first possession, had to punt, but got the ball back immediately when Lem Barney fumbled the kick and DB Freddie Summers recovered at the Detroit 20. Three plays later, Bill Nelsen threw to WR Gary Collins in the end zone, who beat Barney for a 14-yard touchdown. Don Cockroft added the extra point.

A short series by the Lions resulted in a punt and it looked promising for the Browns when FB Bo Scott ran for seven yards and then Leroy Kelly gained 24 yards to the Detroit 36. But a Nelsen swing pass was then intercepted by DE Larry Hand, who returned it 62 yards for a TD. Errol Mann kicked the point after and, instead of the home team possibly extending its lead, the score was tied at 7-7.

The Browns had to punt following their next possession and Detroit drove 77 yards in six plays. FB Mel Farr carried twice for a total of 13 yards and Bill Munson then threw deep to WR Larry Walton (pictured at top) for a gain of 56 yards to the Cleveland eight. Runs by Farr and HB Altie Taylor picked up six yards and, on third down, Munson tossed a pass to Taylor for a two-yard touchdown. Mann’s conversion put the visitors up by 14-7.

The teams exchanged punts as the game headed into the second quarter. The Browns crossed midfield but Nelsen fumbled while being sacked and Mike Lucci recovered for the Lions at the Cleveland 40. Munson completed three passes to Farr and Mann kicked a 51-yard field goal that hit the crossbar but tumbled on through to make it a 17-7 contest.

Cleveland responded with an eight-play, 79-yard drive. Nelsen completed passes to TE Milt Morin for eight yards and WR Fair Hooker for 18 and Scott had runs of 10 and six yards. Nelsen threw to Hooker for a 16-yard TD, Cockroft added the extra point, and Detroit’s lead was cut to 17-14.

The Lions came back with a scoring series of their own, going 80 yards in six plays. Facing third-and-ten from their own 20, Munson connected with Walton for a 40-yard pickup and, after runs by Taylor and Farr, it was Munson to Walton again for a 28-yard touchdown. Mann converted to put the visitors ahead by ten points. The lead expanded again quickly when, on the second play of the ensuing series, a Nelsen pass was picked off by SS Mike Weger (pictured above) and returned 29 yards for another Detroit touchdown.  Mann’s PAT made it 31-14.

Cleveland got the ball back with 2:39 remaining in the first half, and once again a Nelsen pass was intercepted, this time by Lucci. On the very next play, Munson again threw to Walton, this time for a 34-yard TD. Mann converted and, thanks to the 24-point second quarter, the Lions took a commanding 38-14 lead into halftime.

Detroit added another Mann field goal in the third quarter, from 34 yards. Rookie Mike Phipps came on at quarterback for the Browns but threw two more interceptions, the second on the first play of the final period. Cleveland finally scored again on a 47-yard Cockroft field goal and a late drive led to a Scott touchdown from three yards out, but it was all inconsequential as the Lions won by a final score of 41-24.

The Browns had a slight edge in total yards (318 to 315) and also led in first downs (19 to 13). However, Cleveland also turned the ball over six times, to two suffered by the Lions. Detroit also accounted for all of the game’s three sacks.

Bill Munson completed 10 of 20 passes for 187 yards and three touchdowns while giving up an interception. Larry Walton had a huge performance with four catches for 158 yards and two TDs. Altie Taylor topped Detroit’s runners with 51 yards on 13 carries. On defense, Mike Weger accounted for two of the Lions’ five interceptions.

For the Browns, Bill Nelsen was successful on just six of 16 throws for 65 yards and two TDs while giving up three interceptions. In relief, Mike Phipps was six-of-13 for 141 yards and was picked off twice. Leroy Kelly (pictured at right) was effective running the ball, gaining 106 yards on 24 attempts. Fair Hooker had four pass receptions for 52 yards and a TD and TE Chip Glass gained 74 yards on his two catches.

The Lions endured a midseason slump to go 10-4 and finish second in the NFC Central, qualifying for a Wild Card playoff slot. They lost to Dallas in the Divisional round. Cleveland bounced back to win the following week but slumped badly during the second half of the season and finished second in the AFC Central at 7-7.

Bill Munson started eight games before yielding to Greg Landry. He completed 84 of 158 passes for 1049 yards and 10 touchdowns while giving up 7 interceptions. Larry Walton, in his second season, had 30 catches for 532 yards (17.7 avg.) and five TDs. The 158-yard performance against the Browns was his only hundred-yard game of the year and was also his career high.

1926: LA Buccaneers Come From Behind to Defeat Canton

On October 17, 1926 the Los Angeles Buccaneers came to Canton to take on the Bulldogs in an early-season NFL contest. The Buccaneers were a traveling team, thus playing all road games while being ostensibly a Los Angeles franchise. End Brick Muller, formerly a major college star at the University of California, was the most well-known player on the club that was sometimes referred to as “Brick Muller’s Californians”. He was also a player/coach along with his former college teammate, tailback Tut Imlay (pictured above), and the roster drew heavily from California schools. The Buccaneers came into the game at Canton with a 1-1 record.

The Bulldogs were a once-formidable franchise that had fallen on lean times. After being dormant for a year, Canton back to the NFL in 1925 and went 4-4. They were 1-1-1 thus far in ’26 and still contained big names such as tackle Pete “Fats” Henry, who was also a co-coach along with back Harry Robb, and the aging legend, Jim Thorpe.

There were 5000 fans in attendance at Lakeside Park in Canton. The first quarter was scoreless, but in the second quarter a mixup in the LA backfield caused a loose ball that was picked up by end Cliff Marker of the Bulldogs, who ran 30 yards for a touchdown. Pete Henry (pictured below) added the extra point. Late in the period, the Buccaneers scored on a pass from FB Tuffy Maul to Tut Imlay for a 30-yard TD. However, Maul’s extra point attempt was unsuccessful and Canton held onto a 7-6 lead at the half.

Early in the third quarter, the visitors were forced to punt from their own end zone, which gave the Bulldogs possession at the LA 33. A good drive led to a one-yard touchdown carry by Harry Robb. Henry’s PAT attempt was nullified by a penalty, but Canton’s margin was now 13-6.

Later in the period, the Buccaneers drove to a one-yard TD by Maul, who added the point after to tie the score at 13-13. LA reached deep into Canton territory in the fourth quarter and Maul kicked a 17-yard field goal to put the Buccaneers in front by three points. The Bulldogs went to the air in desperation, but couldn’t come close to scoring again. The closest opportunity was a Henry drop-kick from midfield that was blocked. The Buccaneers hung on to win by a final score of 16-13.

The point total for the Buccaneers proved to be their second-highest of the season, although they compiled a healthy 6-3-1 record that placed sixth in the non-divisional 22-team NFL. The 1926 season proved to be the only one for the franchise, although they did play preseason contests in ’27 (and actually played them in California). Canton struggled through a poor 1-9-3 campaign that ranked 20^th in the league. It also proved to be the final year for the once-proud club.

Highlighted Year: Drew Brees, 2006

Quarterback, New Orleans Saints

Age:  27

6^th season in pro football, 1^st with Saints

College: Purdue

Height: 6’0”   Weight: 209

Prelude:

Chosen by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2001 NFL draft, Brees spent a year as backup to veteran Doug Flutie before taking over as starting quarterback in ’02. A good first year as starter was followed by a season in which he had difficulties, and the Chargers swung the deal that brought rookie Philip Rivers to San Diego in 2004. Brees bounced back that year with a Pro Bowl season in which his passer rating was 104.8, but he badly injured his shoulder in the last game of the ’05 season, the final year of his contract, and with the team committing to Rivers, he signed with the New Orleans Saints.

2006 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Passing

Attempts – 554 [5]

Most attempts, game – 52 vs. Cincinnati 11/19

Completions – 356 [4]

Most completions, game – 37 vs. Cincinnati 11/19

Yards – 4418 [1]

Most yards, game – 510 vs. Cincinnati 11/19

Completion percentage – 64.3 [5]

Yards per attempt – 8.0 [4]

TD passes – 26 [3, 1^st in NFC]

Most TD passes, game – 5 at Dallas 12/10

Interceptions – 11

Most interceptions, game – 3 vs. Baltimore 10/29, vs. Cincinnati 11/19
Passer rating – 96.2 [3, 1^st in NFC]

500-yard passing games – 1

300-yard passing games – 8

200-yard passing games – 10

Rushing

Attempts – 42

Most attempts, game – 6 (for 9 yds.) at Tampa Bay 11/5

Yards – 32

Most yards, game – 14 yards (on 4 carries) at Pittsburgh 11/12, (on 3 carries) vs. San Francisco 12/3

Yards per attempt – 0.8

TDs – 0

Postseason: 2 G

Pass attempts – 81

Most attempts, game – 49 at Chicago, NFC Championship

Pass completions – 47

Most completions, game – 27 at Chicago, NFC Championship

Passing yardage – 597

Most yards, game – 354 at Chicago, NFC Championship

TD passes – 3

Most TD passes, game – 2 at Chicago, NFC Championship

Interceptions – 1

Rushing attempts – 4

Most rushing attempts, game – 3 (for -2 yds.) vs. Philadelphia, NFC Divisional playoff

Rushing yards – 6

Most rushing yards, game – 8 at Chicago, NFC Championship

Average gain rushing – 1.5

Rushing TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:

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

Pro Bowl

Saints went 10-6 to finish first in the NFC South while leading the NFL in total yards (6264) and passing yards (4503). Won NFC Divisional playoff over Philadelphia Eagles (27-24). Lost NFC Championship to Chicago Bears (39-14).

Aftermath:

Brees started poorly and the team didn’t do as well in 2007, but he recovered to lead the league in pass attempts (652) and completions (440) while throwing for another 4423 yards. He had another Pro Bowl year in ’08 in which he led the NFL in passing yards (5069), TD passes (34), pass attempts (635) and completions (413). Brees went to the Pro Bowl for the third straight year, and fifth overall, in 2010 after throwing for 4620 yards and 33 touchdowns and leading the NFL in completion percentage (68.1). However, he also threw a career-high 22 interceptions and, while the team qualified for the postseason as a wild card with an 11-5 record, the Saints were upset in the first round of the playoffs by Seattle. Brees set a new NFL record with 5476 passing yards in 2011 and topped the league in completions (468), completion percentage (71.2), and TD passes (46). He broke the record long held by Johnny Unitas for consecutive games with a touchdown pass in 2012, which finally ended with 54 straight, on his way to recording a third 5000-yard passing season (5177) and again topping the NFL in TD passes (43) although also in interceptions (19) in a difficult year for the club both on and off the field. New Orleans rebounded in 2013 and Brees led the NFC with 5162 passing yards and 39 TD passes. He topped the NFL in passing yards for the fifth time in 2014 (4952) and tossed over 30 TD passes for the seventh consecutive year (33). Overall through 2014, Brees has completed 66.2 percent of his passes for 57,337 yards and 402 touchdowns and has been selected to nine Pro Bowls, including a string of seven straight.   

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

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)

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

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

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

All-Purpose: Total Yards

Defense: Interceptions, Sacks

Kickoff Returns: Average

Punt Returns: Average

Punting: Average

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

**NFC/AFC since 1970

1978: Packers Ride 28-Point First Quarter to Win Over Seahawks

The Green Bay Packers were off to a 5-1 start as they played the Seattle Seahawks in Milwaukee on October 15, 1978. For a team that had endured five straight losing seasons, the last three under Head Coach Bart Starr, it was a tremendous turnaround. Second-year QB David Whitehurst was playing very well in place of the injured Lynn Dickey, RB Terdell Middleton (pictured at right) was spearheading the ground game, and rookie WR James Lofton showed flashes of the ability that made him a first-round draft choice. The defensive line had fine pass rushers in ends Ezra Johnson and Mike Butler, and CB Willie Buchanon was an established star in the backfield.

Seattle, coached by Jack Patera, was 3-3 and coming off of an upset of the Vikings. QB Jim Zorn, a mobile lefthander, provided plenty of excitement and WR Steve Largent was highly reliable. FB Sherman Smith and HB David Sims were capable runners. The Seahawks, in their third year of existence, were an opponent to take seriously.

There were 52,712 fans in attendance at County Stadium, where there was a chilly light rain falling. Things started off quickly for the Packers when WR Steve Odom returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown. Chester Marcol added the extra point for the early 7-0 lead. Two plays following the ensuing kickoff, Jim Zorn fumbled and Green Bay recovered at the Seattle 35. It took just two plays for the Packers to capitalize as Terdell Middleton ran for 11 yards and David Whitehurst (pictured below) threw to James Lofton for a 24-yard TD. Marcol again kicked the point after and, with the game less than three minutes old, the home team held a 14-0 advantage.

The contest settled into an exchange of punts until HB Rufus Crawford of the Seahawks muffed a David Beverly kick and DB Estus Hood recovered for the Packers at the Seattle 20. Four plays later Middleton ran for a five-yard touchdown, Marcol converted, and the Green Bay lead was up to 21-0.

There was 2:36 remaining in the opening period as the Seahawks took over on offense, but Sherman Smith fumbled on first down and Ezra Johnson fell on it for the Packers at the Seattle 30. Whitehurst threw to TE Rich McGeorge for seven yards, FB Barty Smith ran up the middle for nine more, and Middleton carried for a 14-yard TD. Marcol added the PAT and Green Bay held a 28-0 advantage after a quarter of action.

The Seahawks fought back gamely in the second quarter. A seven-play, 72-yard series that featured a Zorn pass to TE Ron Howard for 42 yards concluded with the quarterback scrambling around right end for a 12-yard touchdown. Efren Herrera kicked the extra point. A successful onside kick allowed Seattle to retain possession, but the resulting series ended with Zorn fumbling the ball away. However, Whitehurst, throwing long from the Seattle 37, was picked off by SS Autry Beamon and on the next play Zorn connected with Steve Largent for a 48-yard TD. Herrera’s extra point made it 28-14 and less than four minutes had been used up in the period.

The Packers put together an eight-play, 58-yard drive in response that featured a Whitehurst screen pass to FB Jim Culbreath that picked up 17 yards. An apparent touchdown pass to Lofton in the end zone was nullified by offensive pass interference, but the Packers picked up another three points when Marcol booted a 22-yard field goal.

The next few short possessions resulted in punts, fumbles, or interceptions, but no points, and the score remained unchanged at 31-14 after Herrera’s 45-yard field goal attempt at the end of the half sailed wide to the left.

The Seahawks quickly ran into more trouble on the first play from scrimmage of the third quarter when Zorn fumbled and LB Mike Hunt recovered for the Packers at the Seattle 37. Five plays later, and after a Whitehurst pass to Lofton picked up 19 yards, Middleton ran for a two-yard TD, Marcol converted, and Green Bay was up by 38-14.

Seattle responded with a 75-yard drive in six plays that included a Zorn pass to Largent for 24 yards and concluded with Sherman Smith running for a nine-yard touchdown. But the Packers came right back with another scoring series of 65 yards in eight plays. Whitehurst completed passes to Lofton for 16 yards and Barty Smith for 19 and Middleton ran for a nine-yard TD, his fourth of the day. The Seahawks managed one more score early in the fourth quarter when David Sims ran for a two-yard touchdown, but Green Bay’s third quarter scores had extinguished any hopes for a Seattle comeback. The Packers won by a final tally of 45-28.  

The point total was the highest for the Packers in nine years. Seattle, playing catch-up throughout the game, led in total yards (483 to 369) and first downs (23 to 20). Both teams did well running the ball, with the Seahawks edging Green Bay by 194 yards to 190. However, Seattle also turned the ball over seven times, to devastating effect, and with three of them coming in the first quarter. The Packers had three turnovers. They also accounted for the game’s three sacks, two of them (unofficially) by Ezra Johnson. The Seahawks were penalized 9 times, at a cost of 65 yards, to six penalties for 50 yards on Green Bay.

Terdell Middleton had a big day as he rushed for 121 yards on 23 carries and scored four touchdowns. David Whitehurst completed 12 of 19 passes for 179 yards and a TD while giving up one interception. James Lofton had 5 catches for 98 yards and a score. In addition to his touchdown on the kickoff return, Steve Odom returned a punt 48 yards.

For the Seahawks, Jim Zorn was successful on 17 of 31 throws for 308 yards and a touchdown, but gave up two interceptions. He also ran for 28 yards and a TD on five carries. Steve Largent (pictured at right) caught 6 passes for 127 yards and a TD. David Sims rushed for 104 yards on 22 attempts that included a score and Sherman Smith contributed 12 carries for 62 yards and a score.

“We just didn’t play a very solid game,” summed up Seattle’s Coach Patera. “When you’re down 28 points, people start pressing a little. You just have to play hard and hope the breaks change and come your way. They didn’t today.”

The win marked the season’s high water mark for the Packers. They lost to Minnesota the next week and, with the offensive productivity dropping off, won just two more games the rest of the way, finishing at 8-7-1 and second to the Vikings in the NFC Central. Seattle recovered to win six of the remaining nine games and end up at 9-7, the franchise’s first winning record, placing third in the very competitive AFC West.

David Whitehurst passed for 2093 yards with 10 touchdowns but also 17 interceptions, and while he showed poise and promise, he ultimately became a career backup. Terdell Middleton rushed for 1116 yards and 11 TDs, receiving Pro Bowl recognition in what was easily the most productive season of his career. James Lofton, whose career track would be far more impressive, also was chosen to the Pro Bowl after catching 46 passes for 818 yards (17.8 avg.) and six touchdowns.

Jim Zorn led the AFC with 248 completions and 3283 yards, although he was also sacked a league-high 44 times. Steve Largent topped the conference with 71 pass receptions and his 1168 yards ranked second in the NFL. He was named to the Pro Bowl for the first of an eventual seven times.