1954: 49ers Withstand Late Rally to Defeat Lions

A showdown between two undefeated NFL Western Conference teams, the San Francisco 49ers (3-0-1) and Detroit Lions (3-0), occurred in San Francisco on October 24, 1954. The 49ers, coached by Buck Shaw, had an outstanding backfield with HB Hugh McElhenny (pictured at right) providing breakaway speed and FB Joe Perry and HB John Henry Johnson formidable power. End Billy Wilson was a fine receiver although QB Y.A. Tittle was playing with a broken left hand.

Detroit had won the last two NFL Championships and was still a powerful club that won its last two games by a combined score of 56-3. Head Coach Buddy Parker’s offense was directed by fiery QB Bobby Layne and contained a good group of runners operating behind an excellent line as well as capable receivers. The defense was solid, particularly with big middle guard Les Bingaman, LB Joe Schmidt, and a defensive backfield led by safety Jack Christiansen and thus dubbed “Chris’ Crew”.

An overthrow crowd of 61,000 fans was in attendance at Kezar Stadium. The 49ers had the game’s first possession and struck quickly. Joe Perry ran for 10 yards and then Hugh McElhenny broke away for a 60-yard touchdown run. Gordie Soltau added the extra point to give San Francisco the early 7-0 advantage.

The Lions turned the ball over on the third play of their ensuing series when Bobby Layne fumbled the snap and DE Jack Brumfield recovered at the Detroit 33. Y.A. Tittle missed on two passes but a defensive holding call on third down kept the 49ers alive. Tittle threw to Billy Wilson for 11 yards and Perry rumbled for five before the drive stalled and Soltau kicked a 20-yard field goal.

Down by 10 points, the Lions couldn’t move on offense and had to punt. McElhenny ran for nine yards and Tittle then threw a play option pass to John Henry Johnson that picked up 34 yards to the Detroit 24. The six-play, 67-yard advance ended with Johnson running 12 yards for a TD and Soltau’s point after had the home team leading by 17-0.

Detroit put together an 80-yard drive that took 19 plays and stretched into the second quarter. HB Bob Hoernschemeyer converted a third-and-four situation with an eight-yard run and FB Lew Carpenter gained four yards on a fourth-and-two play at the San Francisco 20 and five yards when facing third-and-four at the ten. Layne completed six passes, the last to end Jim Doran for a seven-yard touchdown. Doak Walker converted and the score was narrowed to 17-7.

On the first play following the kickoff, the Lions got the ball back when McElhenny fumbled and DE Jim Cain recovered at the San Francisco 36. However, the visitors lost ground and came up empty when Jim Martin’s long field goal attempt fell short. The 49ers had to punt after a short series and Detroit again turned the ball over when Hoernschemeyer fumbled after catching a short pass and safety Johnny Williams recovered at the Detroit 28. Tittle immediately threw to end Bill Jessup for 17 yards and the four-play series concluded with a Tittle pass to Wilson (pictured below) for an eight-yard TD. Soltau converted and once again the 49ers had a 17-point lead at 24-7.

Carpenter took off on a 20-yard run to spark the next drive for the Lions and Layne threw to end Dorne Dibble for 23 yards to the San Francisco 41. A pass to Walker and a run by Hoernschemeyer picked up 11 yards in all but Brumfield and DT Leo Nomellini dumped Layne for a 10-yard loss and, after two long passes fell incomplete, Martin again missed a long try for a field goal.

The Niners immediately advanced into Detroit territory on first down when Johnson took a pitchout and ran for 31 yards to get just past midfield. Perry blasted up the middle for 14 yards, but penalties blunted the promising drive and it was Soltau’s turn to miss a long try for three points.

With time running short in the first half, Layne took to the air and completed successive passes to end Jug Girard for 15 yards, FB Bill Bowman for 11, and Girard again for 26 to the San Francisco 28. Walker kicked a 36-yard field goal and the score was 24-10 at halftime.

The teams traded punts to start the third quarter before the Lions drove 76 yards in 10 plays. The big play came after a penalty and sack put the visitors in a second-and-33 hole at the Detroit 13 as Layne tossed a pass over the middle to Walker that gained 55 yards to the San Francisco 32. Layne was sacked by DT Bob Toneff, which not only resulted in a loss of eight yards but knocked the quarterback out of the game.  Backup QB Tom Dublinski came in and threw a screen pass to Hoernschemeyer for 15 yards and the halfback followed up with a 12-yard carry on third-and-three. Two more passes by Dublinski were incomplete and a third down toss to Carpenter came up a foot short of a first down. Going for it on fourth down, Dublinski connected with Doran in the end zone for a three-yard touchdown and, with Walker’s conversion, the Lions were only seven points behind at 24-17.

McElhenny gave the 49ers good starting field position at the 50 thanks to a 41-yard kickoff return and Johnson followed up with runs of 13 and 9 yards as San Francisco moved methodically down the field. Tittle completed successive nine-yard passes to McElhenny and Perry and Johnson concluded the 13-play series with a one-yard TD. Soltau again added the extra point to extend the Niners’ lead to 31-17.

The Lions were driving as the period came to an end thanks to a Dublinski screen pass to Bowman for 28 yards and a run by Carpenter for 10. However, the series stalled at the San Francisco 25 and Dublinski’s fourth-and-six pass was incomplete. The 49ers took just three plays to move 75 yards to another score.  McElhenny ran for 34 yards on first down, Perry gained six more up the middle, and then Tittle fired long to Wilson, who raced past Jack Christiansen on the way to a 37-yard touchdown. Soltau’s extra point kick hit the crossbar and was no good, but the home team held a 20-point lead at 37-17.

Detroit responded quickly following Girard’s 34-yard kickoff return. Dublinski threw to Walker for 24 yards and then to Dibble for 27 down to the San Francisco two. From there, Hoernschemeyer ran the remaining distance for a TD and Walker’s PAT narrowed the margin to 37-24 with over twelve minutes still to play.

A three-and-out series forced the 49ers to punt and the Lions put together a 77-yard drive in 12 plays. Dublinski completed seven passes, the longest to Dibble for 19 yards. Another throw to Carpenter was good for seven yard in a fourth-and-inches situation at the San Francisco 19 and it was Walker gathering in a pass from Dublinski for a 12-yard touchdown. Walker converted to make it a six-point game.

The 49ers advanced to midfield before having to punt. Christiansen returned the kick 47 yards to the San Francisco 47, but an incomplete pass was followed by Dublinski being sacked by Brumfield for a loss of 14 yards. Another pass was knocked down and the visitors punted. They never got the ball back as Johnson ran for five yards on a third-and-three play and McElhenny gained 16 yards for another first down. San Francisco held on to win by a final score of 37-31. 

Detroit had the edge in total yards (443 to 424) and first downs (27 to 23). The 49ers were especially effective at running the ball, gaining 270 yards. They also recorded four sacks to none by the Lions. Detroit turned the ball over twice and San Francisco once.

Hugh McElhenny gained 126 yards on just seven carries and had the one long touchdown. John Henry Johnson contributed 83 yards on 11 attempts, along with three pass receptions for 45 yards, and Joe Perry gained 51 yards on 15 rushes. Y.A. Tittle completed 13 of 25 passes for 157 yards with two touchdowns and none intercepted. Billy Wilson had four catches for 74 yards and both of the aerial TDs.

For the Lions, Bobby Layne was successful on 17 of 29 throws for 212 yards and a TD with none picked off before having to leave the game. In his place, Tom Dublinski was 14 of 24 for 177 yards and tossed two touchdowns while also giving up no interceptions. Lew Carpenter rushed for 56 yards on 11 carries. Doak Walker (pictured at right) was most effective as a receiver out of the backfield, gaining 129 yards on seven receptions that also included a score. Dorne Dibble gained 91 yards on his three catches.

While the win pulled the 49ers ahead of the Lions, they lost their next three games to fall back into the pack in the Western Conference and ended up in third place with a 7-4-1 record. Meanwhile, Detroit bounced back to reel off five consecutive wins, including a 48-7 thrashing of San Francisco at home, and topped the conference for the third straight year at 9-2-1. There was no third straight NFL title, however, as the Lions were overwhelmed by the Cleveland Browns in the championship game.

Part of San Francisco’s slump came due to the loss of Hugh McElhenny the next week to a shoulder separation, depriving the offense of his speed in the open field. He ended up rushing for 515 yards on just 64 carries for a staggering 8.0 average gain in six games. Joe Perry had a MVP season as he led the league with 1049 yards on 173 attempts (6.1 avg.) and scored eight touchdowns, and John Henry Johnson was runner-up with 681 yards on 129 carries (5.3 avg.) and nine TDs. Perry was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection, and both he and Johnson were chosen to the Pro Bowl.

Bobby Layne came back to pass for 1818 yards and 14 touchdowns while Tom Dublinski started four contests and was successful on 77 of 138 passes (55.8 %) for 1073 yards and eight TDs, giving up seven interceptions. Doak Walker was a consensus first-team All-NFL and Pro Bowl choice, accumulating 1093 all-purpose yards. Pass receiving accounted for 564 yards of that total, on 32 catches (17.6 avg.). He was also the league’s second-ranked scorer with 106 points.

Highlighted Year: Cliff Branch, 1974

Wide Receiver, Oakland Raiders

Age: 26

3^rd season in pro football & with Raiders

College: Colorado

Height: 5’11” Weight: 170

Prelude:

A track as well as football star in college, Branch caught 36 passes for 665 yards (18.5 avg.), rushed for 354 yards, and scored eight touchdowns on kickoff returns, which was a NCAA Division 1-A record. He was chosen by the Raiders in the fourth round of the 1972 NFL draft and, while Branch impressed with his speed, he was also still a raw talent and caught just 22 passes in his first two seasons as backup to WR Mike Siani. He beat out Siani for the starting job in 1974 and became the deep threat across from dependable possession WR Fred Biletnikoff.

1974 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 60 [4] 

Most receptions, game – 7 (for 124 yds.) at San Diego 10/13, (for 96 yds.) vs. Cincinnati 10/20, (for 125 yds.) vs. San Diego 11/17

Yards – 1092 [1]

Most yards, game – 138 (on 6 catches) vs. New England 12/1

Average gain – 18.2 [10]

TDs – 13 [1]

100-yard receiving games – 5

Scoring

TDs – 13 [2, 1^st in AFC]

Points – 78 [8]

Postseason: 2 G

Pass receptions – 12

Most pass receptions, game – 9 vs. Pittsburgh, AFC Championship

Pass receiving yards – 270

Most pass receiving yards, game – 186 vs. Pittsburgh, AFC Championship

Average yards per reception – 22.5

Pass Receiving TDs – 2

Awards & Honors:

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

1^st team All-AFC: AP, UPI, Pro Football Weekly, Sporting News

Pro Bowl

Raiders went 12-2 to finish first in the AFC West while leading the NFL in touchdowns (46) and scoring (355 points) and the AFC in total yards (4983). Won AFC Divisional playoff over Miami Dolphins (28-26). Lost AFC Championship to Pittsburgh Steelers (24-13).

Aftermath:

Branch’s breakout 1974 season was the first of three straight in which he was a consensus first-team All-NFL choice and four that resulted in selection to the Pro Bowl. He had career highs with 1111 yards and averaging 24.2 yards per catch on 46 receptions in 1976, when he again topped the league with 12 touchdowns. While the honors ceased coming after 1977, he had a long and productive career with the Raiders, playing until 1985 and catching 501 passes for 8685 yards (17.3 avg.) and 67 touchdowns. Branch added another 73 receptions for 1289 yards (17.7 avg.) and five TDs in 22 playoff games and was a member of three NFL Championship squads. Following his departure from the Raiders in 1985, he played for the Los Angeles Cobras of the Arena Football League in ‘88 and caught 25 passes for 250 yards and three TDs.

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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

1989: Broncos Rally to Force Overtime, Defeat Seahawks

The Denver Broncos had a 5-1 record as they met the Seattle Seahawks on October 22, 1989. In their ninth season under Head Coach Dan Reeves, the key to the offense remained QB John Elway (pictured at right), and rookie RB Bobby Humphrey was giving a lift to the ground game. However, it was the revamped defense that was most responsible for the club’s success in the early going.

Seattle was 3-3 and coming off a narrow win the previous week. Under Head Coach Chuck Knox, the Seahawks had operated with a conservative, ground-oriented offense, and that was still the case with RB Curt Warner and FB John L. Williams. QB Dave Krieg was capable, and while WR Steve Largent was in the twilight of his great career, WR Brian Blades was emerging as a star in his second year.

There were 62,353 fans in attendance at the Kingdome. The Broncos started off with a short series and punted. The Seahawks, taking possession at their 35, drove 65 yards in 11 plays. A key play came in converting a fourth-and-one situation at the Denver 45 as Curt Warner took off for a 21-yard gain. Facing third-and-four at the 18, Dave Krieg scrambled and threw to WR Paul Skansi for 17 yards. A run by Warner lost yardage, but John L. Williams ran around left end for a four-yard touchdown. Norm Johnson added the extra point to give the home team a 7-0 advantage.

The teams exchanged punts and a 21-yard kick by Mike Horan of the Broncos gave the Seahawks the ball at the Denver 43. Seattle was unable to take advantage, however, as Warner fumbled two plays later and SS Dennis Smith recovered for the Broncos.

The Seahawks had possession at the end of the opening period and drove 55 yards in eight plays. Krieg completed a pass to Warner for 24 yards and followed up with a toss to Brian Blades for 15 yards to the Denver five. Three plays later, Krieg connected with Williams for a five-yard TD. Johnson again converted and Seattle had a 14-0 lead.

The Broncos had to punt following their next series and Seattle drove into Denver territory. Warner (pictured below) and Williams ran effectively and Krieg passed to WR Louis Clark for 20 yards. The drive stalled at the Denver 18 and the Seahawks came up empty when Johnson’s 36-yard field goal attempt had to be aborted due to a bad snap that hit the holder, QB Jeff Kemp. That was the closest that either team came to scoring during the remainder of the first half and the score remained unchanged heading into the third quarter. Denver had managed just three first downs and 13 rushing yards in the first 30 minutes.

The Seahawks had the first series of the second half and punted. The Broncos put together a drive that was helped along by a 43-yard pass play from John Elway to WR Michael Young that was originally ruled out of bounds but was overturned upon replay review. However, the Broncos also failed to score when, after a short running play, Elway threw an incomplete pass and then was sacked by NT Joe Nash. David Treadwell attempted a 46-yard field goal that sailed wide to the left.

Denver got the ball back three plays later when a Krieg pass was intercepted by CB Tyrone Braxton, who returned it 19 yards to the Seattle 27. Elway threw to WR Mark Jackson for 13 yards and Bobby Humphrey took a pitchout and ran for 12. Facing second-and-goal from the one, and with the home crowd creating a deafening roar, two runs into the line were stopped but, facing fourth down, Humphrey ran into the end zone for a touchdown. Treadwell added the extra point and Seattle’s lead was trimmed to 14-7.

As the game headed into the fourth quarter, and following a punt by the Seahawks, Elway promptly threw long to Jackson for a gain of 49 yards to the Seattle 10. Three plays later, and scrambling away from defenders, Elway connected with TE Clarence Kay for a two-yard TD and, with Treadwell’s kick, the game was tied at 14-14.

Williams fumbled for Seattle on the next series and Dennis Smith recovered for Denver at the Seahawks’ 40. The Broncos weren’t able to advance more than seven yards and punted. Seattle had to punt in turn but Elway fumbled the snap on first down and LB Darren Comeaux recovered for the Seahawks at the Denver 35. Three plays later, Krieg threw to Skansi for a 24-yard touchdown and, with Johnson’s extra point, the home team was back in front by 21-14.

Regaining possession with 5:22 to play in regulation, the Broncos went three-and-out on their next series and punted. The Seahawks were unable to maintain possession and punted it back. With the clock now down to 2:31, Elway rolled to his left and fired a long pass to WR Vance Johnson that went the distance for a 54-yard TD. Treadwell again converted to tie the score once again at 21-21.

It looked as though the Broncos would pull the game out in regulation when, after getting the ball back following a punt by the Seahawks, Elway threw to WR Michael Young for a 47-yard gain to the Seattle nine. But Treadwell was wide on a 27-yard field goal attempt with 19 seconds remaining and the game went into overtime.

Seattle had the ball first and converted two third downs on the way to reaching the Denver 22, but Johnson’s 40-yard field goal try sailed to the left and was unsuccessful. The Broncos had to punt following their series but Krieg’s first down pass was intercepted by Smith and returned 28 yards to the Seattle 10. Treadwell immediately took the field and kicked a 27-yard field goal to give Denver a 24-21 win with 7:14 left in the extra period.

The Broncos had the edge in total yards (371 to 363) although Seattle had more first downs (23 to 15) and dominated time of possession (40:21 to 27:25). The Seahawks also recorded four sacks, to two for Denver. But Seattle turned the ball over four times, to one suffered by the Broncos, although Denver was hurt by 13 penalties, at a cost of 84 yards, to four flags thrown on the Seahawks. Both teams suffered failures on special teams that could have made the difference in the outcome, with David Treadwell missing three of four field goal attempts and Norm Johnson failing on one and having another aborted due to a bad snap.

John Elway completed 18 of 35 passes for 344 yards and two touchdowns with none intercepted. Mike Young had 6 catches for 137 yards while Mark Jackson and Vance Johnson contributed three apiece, for 74 and 67 yards, respectively, and Johnson scored a TD. The running game was kept in check as Bobby Humphrey gained just 50 yards on 17 carries that included a score.

For the Seahawks, Dave Krieg was successful on 22 of 38 throws for 237 yards and two TDs, but with two interceptions. Curt Warner (pictured at left) ran for 74 yards on 22 attempts and John L. Williams contributed 62 yards on 18 carries with one touchdown while also catching five passes for 28 yards and another score. Brian Blades had 6 pass receptions for 61 yards and Paul Skansi gained 81 yards on five catches that included a score.

The win put Denver three games in the lead in the AFC West and the Broncos remained on top as they coasted to an 11-5 record. They won the AFC Championship before being humiliated by the 49ers in the Super Bowl. The Seahawks won their next game but then dropped four straight on the way to a 7-9 tally and fourth place in the division. It was Seattle’s first losing record in seven seasons under Coach Knox.

“I’m very relieved and very thankful my teammates stayed behind me and gave me another opportunity,” said David Treadwell (pictured at right). “I felt like I let everyone down after the miss (the 27-yard attempt that could have won the game in regulation). I still don’t know what happened.”

Things got better for Treadwell, the first-year placekicker who had hit on 12 of 13 field goal attempts coming into the game at Seattle, as he ended up missing only six field goals all year. He connected on 27 of 33 attempts and was chosen to the Pro Bowl. The 27 field goals led the AFC , as did his 120 points.

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.