1931: Nevers Spurs Cards to Upset of Packers

The Green Bay Packers were undefeated and trying for a third consecutive NFL title as they faced the Chicago Cardinals on November 15, 1931. The Cards did not appear to be a formidable opponent. Coached by Ernie Nevers (pictured at right), who was also their most outstanding player, they had won their last two games following three straight losses to start the season, and were thus 2-3 as they hosted the powerful Packers.

Green Bay, under the direction of team founder and coach Curly Lambeau, was 9-0 and had easily beaten the Cardinals at home. The two-time defending champs were loaded with outstanding players that included back Johnny (Blood) McNally, end Lavvie Dilweg, guard Mike Michalske, and tackle Cal Hubbard.  

There were 8000 fans in attendance at Wrigley Field. The Packers had the game’s first possession, defending the muddy half of the field, and the teams traded punts until a pass from Ernie Nevers to end Milan Creighton put the Cardinals at the Green Bay 20. Chicago came up empty, however, when a field goal attempt by Nevers was short and wide.

Following another punt by the Packers, Nevers went to the air, with a big completion to back Bill Glassgow for 29 yards. A short run, incomplete pass, and three-yard throw to Creighton had the Cards facing fourth-and-five. Nevers connected again with Creighton, who grabbed the ball at the Green Bay 16 and evaded four tacklers on the way to a 27-yard touchdown. Nevers added the extra point.

Early in the second quarter, the Packers got a break when tackle Dick Stahlman broke through the line and blocked a Nevers punt. End Tom Nash recovered in the end zone for a TD. However, a bad snap caused the extra point to be aborted and the score remained 7-6 at halftime.

In the third quarter, the teams again exchanged punts before the Cardinals, taking possession at the Green Bay 49, drove to another score. Two carries by back Bunny Belden picked up nine yards and Nevers gained two for a first down. Chicago continued to move methodically, mixing reverses with off-tackle runs by Nevers. A reverse by back Gene Rose gained 12 yards and Nevers carried three straight times to get a first down at the three.  Cal Hubbard broke through to tackle Nevers for a two-yard loss, but on the next play Rose ran a reverse for a five-yard touchdown for the Cards. Nevers converted and Chicago was ahead by 14-6.

As the game entered the fourth quarter, the Packers opened up their passing game. A throw by back Paul Fitzgibbon was intercepted by end George Rogge, who nearly went the distance on the return but was caught at the Green Bay 11 by Johnny McNally. A nine-yard run by Nevers was nullified by offsetting penalties and after a lateral picked up two yards and two passes fell incomplete, it appeared that the Cards would come up short. However, on fourth down Nevers threw to end Chuck Kassel in the end zone for a 16-yard TD. Nevers booted the extra point so firmly that it sailed into the stands and time was called for the ball to be retrieved. The Cardinals held a commanding 21-6 lead.

McNally returned the ensuing kickoff to the Green Bay 27 and back Hank Bruder and McNally made good gains on successive carries. But Bruder then slipped while cutting with a nearly clear field ahead of him and the drive ultimately petered out.

After a Nevers punt to midfield, the Packers put together a 50-yard drive. Passes from FB Russ Saunders to McNally and tailback Red Dunn to Bruder got the ball to the Chicago 26 and, three plays later, Dunn connected with McNally down to the seven. Bruder ran for a one-yard touchdown shortly thereafter and Dunn kicked the point after. The Cards got the ball back with three minutes remaining, ran the clock down, and then dominated on defense to prevent any chance of a Green Bay comeback. Chicago won by a final score of 21-13.

The Cards gained 271 total yards, with 135 on the ground, and completed 10 of 19 passes, most of them by Nevers, and gave up no interceptions. Green Bay was successful on only 8 of 23 throws and three were picked off. The Packers managed only two yards from scrimmage prior to scoring on the blocked punt. Ernie Nevers received acclaim for engineering the upset as he played all 60 minutes and contributed to every facet of play, on offense, defense, and kicking.

The loss was a setback in Green Bay’s drive to a third successive championship as they faced a difficult contest against the Giants the following week, but they won that game and the next two after before losing the season finale to Chicago’s other team, the Bears. The Packers managed to achieve their third successive NFL title with a 12-2 record. The Cardinals ended up in fourth place at 5-4.

In what proved to be the final season of his brilliant career, Ernie Nevers led the league in points after touchdown (15), ranked second in scoring (66 points), and third in touchdowns (8). He received consensus first-team All-NFL honors.  

1965: Cowboys Rally in Fourth Quarter to Defeat Steelers

On November 14, 1965 the struggling Dallas Cowboys hosted the Pittsburgh Steelers, who had beaten them two weeks previously. In their sixth season under Head Coach Tom Landry, the Cowboys had started the season with two big wins before dropping five consecutive games, finally breaking the streak with a win over the 49ers the previous week to be at 3-5. At the center of the storm was QB Don Meredith (pictured above), who had a bad elbow and delivered uneven performances, and was challenged by backups Jerry Rhome and Craig Morton. The running game lacked outside speed but rookie split end Bob Hayes provided plenty of that for the passing game and was one of several promising young players on the roster.

Pittsburgh’s season had gotten off to a bad start two weeks before it started when Head Coach Buddy Parker abruptly quit. Mike Nixon took his place and the team lost its first five games. Veteran FB John Henry Johnson went down with a knee injury, 37-year-old QB Ed Brown was ineffectual, and his young replacement, QB Bill Nelsen, was hampered by a bad knee. While the Steelers won two straight games, they were coming off of a loss the previous week and had a 2-6 record coming into Dallas.

A big crowd of 57,923 was in attendance at the Cotton Bowl on a warm afternoon. The fans booed Don Meredith during pregame introductions and he was a target of disaffection for much of the contest. The Steelers got the first break when safety Willie Daniel intercepted a Meredith pass and returned it nine yards to the Dallas 44. In a drive that took seven plays, HB Dick Hoak carried for the last three, gaining eight and five yards before scoring on a three-yard touchdown. Mike Clark added the extra point.

Bob Hayes returned the ensuing kickoff 37 yards to the Dallas 43 and the Cowboys took eight plays to advance the remaining distance. Meredith rolled out and threw to split end Frank Clarke in the left corner of the end zone for a one-yard TD and Danny Villanueva’s kick tied the game at 7-7.

In the second quarter, a promising Dallas series ended with an interception by DB Bob Sherman. The Steelers had to punt, with Frank Lambert’s kick sailing into the end zone for a touchback, and this time the Cowboys didn’t turn the ball over. Meredith completed passes to Hayes, FB Don Perkins, and rookie HB Dan Reeves to reach the Pittsburgh 13, but the advance stalled there and the home team settled for a 33-yard field goal by Villanueva to move ahead by 10-7.

The teams settled into a stalemate until late in the period. Bill Nelsen threw deep to split end Roy Jefferson for a gain of 45 yards and he nearly went farther before being tripped up by safety Obert Logan at the Dallas 21. Nelsen followed up with another completion, this time to flanker Gary Ballman at the two. Rolling to his left on the next play, the quarterback overthrew FB Mike Lind, who was open in the end zone, but the Cowboys were called for an offside penalty and the ball was placed at the one. Nelsen twice tried to sneak across the goal line but was stopped, and on fourth down Hoak was held to no gain.

Dallas was forced to punt on the ensuing series and safety Clendon Thomas, calling for a fair catch, muffed the kick and DB Don Bishop recovered for the Cowboys at the Pittsburgh 41. But the score remained unchanged at halftime when Villanueva’s 46-yard field goal attempt sailed to the right.

Pittsburgh had the first possession in the third quarter and drove to a 32-yard field goal by Clark that tied the score at 10-10. Late in the period, the Steelers’ punt return unit made a big play when Hayes fumbled a kick by Lambert and TE Lee Folkins, an ex-Cowboy, grabbed the bouncing ball and ran 18 yards for a touchdown. Clark added the PAT and the Steelers were ahead by 17-10.

In the fourth quarter, a Nelsen pass was picked off by CB Cornell Green at the Dallas 49. The Cowboys advanced 51 yards in five plays, the biggest a Meredith pass to Reeves that gained 47 yards. Reeves ran the last two yards for a TD and Villanueva knotted the score once again at 17-17.

Another interception of a Nelsen pass, this time by safety Mel Renfro, gave the Cowboys the ball once more near midfield, but Meredith fumbled when hit from behind and Pittsburgh LB John Campbell picked up the loose ball and ran to the Dallas 28. Helped by a penalty on the defense, the Steelers moved to the 17 with Ed Brown now in the game at quarterback. But Brown, throwing toward Jefferson near the goal line, gave up an interception to Logan instead.

The Steelers got another shot with less than three minutes remaining to play, and the result was yet another interception, this time by LB Dave Edwards. After HB Perry Lee Dunn ran for four yards to the Pittsburgh 28 just prior to the two-minute warning, Meredith connected with Hayes, who caught the ball at the 12 and broke away from CB Brady Keys for a 28-yard touchdown. Villanueva converted and the Cowboys won by a final score of 24-17.

Dallas had the lead in total yards (341 to 197) and first downs (15 to 12). The Steelers, who gained just 50 yards on the ground, hurt themselves with six turnovers, five of which were interceptions, although the Cowboys turned the ball over five times. Both teams recorded four sacks apiece.

Don Meredith completed 14 of 31 passes for 245 yards and two touchdowns while being intercepted twice. Bob Hayes (pictured below) accounted for 5 catches for 95 yards and the game-winning TD. Perry Lee Dunn led the club with 47 rushing yards on 13 carries and added another 26 on two pass receptions. Dan Reeves ran for just 10 yards on 6 carries but gained 73 yards on three catches.

For the Steelers, Bill Nelsen was successful on 11 of 25 throws for 172 yards with no TDs and two were picked off. Ed Brown had no completions in four attempts, three of which were intercepted. Roy Jefferson had a big performance by catching four passes for 108 yards. Mike Lind led the rushers with 26 yards on 9 attempts and had four pass receptions for 25 yards.

The win put the Cowboys in a tie for third in the Eastern Conference at 4-5 and, while they lost their next two games, they finished strong with three victories to tie for second with the Giants in the Eastern Conference at 7-7, their first non-losing record. It set the stage for a first place showing in ’66. As for the Steelers, they failed to win again the rest of the way, typically being blown out as they ended up in the conference’s basement after compiling a 2-12 tally.

Don Meredith completed only 46.2 percent of his passes due to his slow start, but ended up throwing for 2415 yards and 22 touchdowns as adjustments to the offense allowed him to utilize his mobility to better effect. Bob Hayes had 46 catches for 1003 yards (21.8 avg.) and scored 12 touchdowns. He was named to the Pro Bowl.

Highlighted Year: Sam Baker, 1956

Fullback/Kicker, Washington Redskins

Age:  27 (Nov. 12)

2^nd season in pro football & with Redskins

College: Oregon State

Height: 6’2”   Weight: 210

Prelude:

Baker didn’t placekick at all in college, where he played fullback and left as Oregon State’s all-time rushing leader at the time with 2043 yards. He was chosen as a future pick by the Los Angeles Rams in the 11^th round of the 1952 NFL draft, but was traded to the Redskins in ‘53, where he was a backup fullback and punter. Baker missed the next two seasons due to a stint in the military and, upon his return in 1956, took on placekicking duties in addition to punting.

1956 Season Summary

Appeared in all 12 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Kicking

Field goals – 17 [1]

Most field goals, game – 3 vs. Detroit 11/11

Field goal attempts – 25 [2]

Field goal percentage – 68.0 [2]

PATs – 16 [11, tied with Gary Glick]

PAT attempts – 19 [9]

Longest field goal – 49 yards vs. NY Giants 11/18

Punting

Punts – 59 [3, tied with Don Chandler]

Yards – 2510 [3]

Average – 42.5 [3]

Punts blocked – 0

Longest punt – 56 yards

Rushing

Attempts – 25

Yards – 117

Average gain – 4.7

TDs – 0

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 4

Yards – 35

Average gain – 8.8

TDs – 0

Punt Returns

Returns – 1  

Yards –0

TDs – 0

Scoring

Field Goals – 17

PATs – 16

Points – 67 [7]

Awards & Honors:

Pro Bowl

Redskins went 6-6 to finish third in the NFL Eastern Conference.

Aftermath:

Baker followed up by tying for the NFL lead in scoring with Cleveland’s Lou Groza as he totaled 77 points on 14 field goals, 29 extra points, and a touchdown on a fake field goal. He led the league in punting in ’58 with a 45.4-yard average. Baker was dealt to Cleveland in 1960 to take over for the retired Groza, but when “The Toe” returned in ’61 he handled only the punting and was then traded to the Dallas Cowboys for 1962. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in ’63 after kicking 16 field goals and averaging 42.3 punting yards. Baker was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in 1964 as part of a deal that brought flanker Tommy McDonald to Dallas and spent the remaining six years of his career there. He set a new franchise record (which he twice broke) with 16 field goals in his first season with the Eagles and was again named to the Pro Bowl. He led the NFL with a 72.0 percent success rate on his field goals (18 of 25) in 1966 and was named to another Pro Bowl following a ’68 season in which he booted a career-high 19 field goals, out of 30 attempts, although he also missed four of 21 tries for extra points. He gave up punting duties in 1969, his last season at age 40, and finished with a then-NFL record of having scored in 110 consecutive games. Overall, Baker kicked 179 field goals out of 316 attempts (56.6 %) and added 428 extra points, out of 444 attempts. Adding in two TDs, he scored a total of 977 points, which ranked second in NFL history at the time (as did the field goal total). Of those totals, 54 field goals, 91 PATs, both touchdowns, and 265 points were scored with the Redskins. Baker also averaged 42.6 yards on 703 punts, 223 for a 43.4 average coming with Washington. Virtually all of his 234 career rushing yards and seven pass receptions were with the Redskins while he completed one pass, for a 58-yard TD out of punt formation, with the Eagles in 1968. Baker was selected to a total of four Pro Bowls, one with Washington.

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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: Oilers Overcome 23-Point Deficit to Defeat Patriots

Two AFC contenders, the Houston Oilers and New England Patriots, faced each other in Foxboro, MA on November 12, 1978. The Oilers, coached by O.A. “Bum” Phillips for the fourth year, had a 6-4 record, with most of those wins coming in closely-fought contests. The offense benefited from the addition of star rookie RB Earl Campbell (pictured above), who was in contention for the league rushing title and drawing comparisons to Hall of Fame FB Jim Brown with his combination of power and speed. QB Dan Pastorini was playing with greater maturity at age 29 and behind a capable line. The defense was especially tough up front where NT Curley Culp was flanked by DEs Elvin Bethea and Jim Young, and the linebacker corps headed by Robert Brazile was outstanding.

New England was guided by sixth-year Head Coach Chuck Fairbanks and was on a roll at 8-2, having won seven consecutive contests. The team was highly talented on both sides of the ball, with QB Steve Grogan directing an offense that featured a fine group of running backs led by FB Sam “Bam” Cunningham and receivers that included game-breaking WR Stanley Morgan and TE Russ Francis, one of the NFL’s best at the position. The defense was strong from front the back, although injuries were becoming a factor. 

There were 60,356 fans in attendance at Schaeffer Stadium on a windy and cloudy day. CB Raymond Clayborn returned the opening kickoff 36 yards and the Patriots advanced 33 yards in seven plays. Steve Grogan threw to Russ Francis for 13 yards and Sam Cunningham (pictured at right) ran for 14 along the way. David Posey kicked a 32-yard field goal for the early 3-0 advantage.

The Oilers drove into New England territory on their first series, keeping the ball on the ground with Earl Campbell and FB Tim Wilson handling the ball carrying. The drive stalled at the 44 and Houston was forced to punt. New England came back with a 62-yard advance in seven plays, the big ones Grogan passes to Cunningham for 13 and 27 yards. Posey made it 6-0 with a 34-yard field goal.

The Patriots quickly regained possession when Campbell fumbled following a six-yard run and LB Rod Shoate recovered at the Houston 35. Grogan went to the air on first down and his pass was complete to Stanley Morgan for a gain of 32 yards as the first quarter came to an end. HB Horace Ivory started the second quarter with a three-yard touchdown run and, following Posey’s extra point, the home team was now in front by 13-0.

It got worse for the Oilers on the ensuing kickoff when WR Johnnie Dirden fumbled after returning it 20 yards and LB Ray Costict recovered at the Houston 28. The Patriots were only able to advance nine yards in six plays, but added another three points when Posey booted his third field goal, this time from 37 yards.

The Oilers moved well on their next series as Dan Pastorini completed passes to FB Rob Carpenter for nine yards and TE Mike Barber for 16. But they continued to be afflicted by turnovers as Wilson fumbled and the Patriots recovered at their 41. Cunningham ran effectively, with two 12-yard carries along the way, and Grogan scored a touchdown on a three-yard bootleg to complete the 59-yard drive in nine plays. Posey added the point after and, with 11:36 to go in the first half, the home team had an imposing 23-0 lead.

Now in a deep hole, Houston had a three-and-out series but got a break when Morgan fumbled Cliff Parsley’s punt and LB Ted Thompson recovered for the Oilers at the New England 32. Pastorini immediately threw to WR Ken Burrough for a 20-yard gain and, two plays later, Carpenter (pictured below) ran eight yards for a TD. Toni Fritsch added the PAT and the visitors were finally on the board, although down by 23-7. That remained the score at halftime as Posey’s 38-yard field goal attempt on the last play of the half was unsuccessful.

The start to the third quarter was unpromising for the Oilers when a Pastorini pass was intercepted by LB Steve Nelson and he returned it 17 yards to the Houston 37. Runs by Ivory and Cunningham got the ball inside the 10, but the drive stalled at the seven and Posey’s 25-yard field goal attempt hit the left upright and was no good.

Given a reprieve, Houston advanced 80 yards in 17 plays, helped along when a punt was wiped out by an illegal chuck on the Patriots to keep the series going. Pastorini completed five passes, the longest to Barber for 18 yards, and Campbell, who caught a swing pass for 14 yards, pounded away on seven carries for 24 yards. Carpenter dove into the end zone from a yard out and, with Fritsch adding the point after, the New England lead was narrowed to 23-14.

With time running out in the period, Grogan passed on the first play following the kickoff and it was picked off by CB Willie Alexander. As the game headed into the fourth quarter, the Oilers moved methodically down the field, covering 72 yards in 15 plays. Following two runs by Carpenter, Pastorini was sacked by Shoate for a six-yard loss but, facing second-and-16, he completed passes to Barber for six yards and WR Mike Renfro for 14 to keep the series going. Lining up for a 48-yard field goal attempt, Houston instead faked with Pastorini tossing a shovel pass to Carpenter for an 18-yard gain and first down at the New England 13. Five plays later, Campbell blasted into the end zone from a yard out. A bad snap forced the extra point attempt to be aborted, but Houston was now down by just three points at 23-20.

Clayborn’s 30-yard kickoff return had 15 yards tacked on for unnecessary roughness on Dirden of the Oilers, giving the Patriots good starting field position at the Houston 49. Three running plays netted eight yards and a Grogan pass on fourth down was broken up by FS Mike Reinfeldt. The Oilers proceeded to drive 59 yards in ten plays. Pastorini converted a third-and-10 situation with a pass to Barber for 14 yards and followed up with a throw to Burrough that gained 26. Pastorini finished the series off by floating a pass to WR Rich Caster, who had gotten free in the corner of the end zone, and that resulted in a 10-yard touchdown. While they again had to abort the try for extra point, the visitors, who were once behind by 23-0, were ahead by three points.

There was 2:29 left on the clock as the Patriots came back on offense but, facing fourth-and-five, they again failed to convert when Grogan, facing a heavy rush, threw an incomplete pass. The Oilers ran the clock down, punted, and Grogan’s last-ditch pass with seven seconds remaining was intercepted by CB J.C. Wilson. Houston came away with a 26-23 win.

The Oilers led in total yards (322 to 274) and first downs (24 to 16) and, most critically, controlled the ball for almost 23 minutes in the second half. Each club turned the ball over four times apiece.

Dan Pastorini, who was three-of-nine at the half, completed 15 of 28 passes for 200 yards and a touchdown while giving up one interception. Earl Campbell rushed for 74 yards on 24 carries that included a TD and Rob Carpenter, in addition to gaining 33 yards on 11 rushing attempts, two of them for scores, also caught four passes for 39 yards. Unfortunately, he also suffered a season-ending knee injury. Mike Barber (pictured below) had four pass receptions as well, for 54 yards, and Ken Burrough led the team with 62 yards on his three receptions.

For the Patriots, Steve Grogan was successful on 9 of 18 throws for 130 yards with no TDs and two interceptions. He also ran the ball five times for 22 yards and a touchdown. Sam Cunningham rushed for 87 yards on 16 carries and caught three passes for 45 more. Stanley Morgan gained 49 yards on two pass receptions. David Posey had a mixed day, hitting on his first three field goal attempts but then missing two kicks.

“A comeback like that, I won’t ever forget it,” said Ken Burrough. “I think I’ll purchase a copy of the game film and carry it with me the rest of my life.”

It was the sixth time that Houston rallied to a win in 1978 and the Oilers went on to finish second in the AFC Central with a 10-6 record, thus qualifying for a Wild Card playoff spot. They reached the AFC Championship game before bowing to the powerful division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers. The Patriots placed first in the AFC East at 11-5, but the departure of Coach Fairbanks just prior to the season finale took the air out of the team and New England lost meekly to the Oilers in the Divisional playoff round.

Earl Campbell won the league rushing title with 1450 yards and received MVP honors from the Pro Football Writers and NEA as well as being named Rookie of the Year and a consensus first-team All-NFL selection.

Highlighted Year: George Blanda, 1963

Quarterback/Placekicker, Houston Oilers

Age:  36 (Sept. 17)

14^th season in pro football, 4^th in AFL & with Oilers

College: Kentucky

Height: 6’2”   Weight: 215

Prelude:

Blanda was chosen by the Chicago Bears in the 12^th round of the 1949 NFL draft and, with a very brief hiatus in Baltimore, played for them for ten years. He led the league in passing attempts (362) and completions (169) in 1953, but otherwise was forced to share the quarterback job while handling the placekicking. After two seasons (1957 & ’58) in which he saw scant action at quarterback, he retired. The creation of the new AFL in 1960 pulled Blanda out of retirement, and he led the Oilers to the first league title while throwing for 2413 yards and 24 touchdowns. He followed that up with a 1961 season that started slowly (he was actually briefly benched) but ended up with his winning AFL Player of the Year honors, leading the league in passing yards (3330) and yards per attempt (9.2) as well as tossing a record 36 TD passes (tied by Y.A. Tittle in the NFL in 1963 but not broken until 1984) as the Oilers, following a fortuitous coaching change, went on to win a second AFL Championship. Blanda was still an AFL All-Star choice in ’62 as he threw for 2810 passing yards and 27 TDs, but he was intercepted 42 times. Houston topped the Eastern Division for the third straight year, losing the AFL title to the Dallas Texans in overtime.

1963 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Passing

Attempts – 423 [1]

Most attempts, game – 43 at Denver 10/13

Completions – 224 [1]

Most completions, game – 25 at NY Jets 9/22

Yards – 3003 [1]

Most yards, game – 342 at Oakland 12/22

Completion percentage – 53.0 [3]

Yards per attempt – 7.1 [5]

TD passes – 24 [2]

Most TD passes, game – 5 at Oakland 12/22

Interceptions – 25 [1]

Most interceptions, game – 5 vs. Oakland 9/7

Passer rating – 70.1 [4]

300-yard passing games – 2

200-yard passing games – 10

Rushing

Attempts – 4

Yards – 1

Yards per attempt – 0.3

TDs – 0

Kicking

Field goals – 9 [5, tied with Dick Guesman]

Most field goals, game – 2 vs. Oakland 9/7, vs. Denver 9/14

Field goal attempts – 24 [4, tied with Dick Guesman & Mack Yoho]

Most field goal attempts, game – 6 vs. Denver 9/14

Field goal percentage – 37.5 [7]

PATs – 39 [3]

PAT attempts – 39 [3]

Longest field goal – 46 yards vs. Oakland 9/7, at Boston 11/1

Scoring

Field goals – 9

PATs – 39

Points – 66 [7, tied with Lance Alworth]

Awards & Honors:

2^nd team All-AFL: AP, NY Daily News

AFL All-Star Game

Oilers went 6-8 to finish third in the AFL Eastern Division while leading the league in passing yards (3210).

Aftermath:

Blanda led the AFL in both passes and completions in 1964 and ’65, although again in interceptions as well. The team’s record tailed off badly and QB Don Trull was drafted and groomed to be Blanda’s replacement. At age 39, Blanda was let go by Houston following the 1966 season and signed with the Oakland Raiders. He proved to be a capable backup quarterback, especially in a remarkable 1970 season when he again received MVP consideration, and placekicker for the Raiders through 1975, at age 48. Blanda retired as the all-time NFL leader in scoring (2002 points) and field goals (335), as well as seasons played (26 – the record that still stands), and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1981.

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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

1991: McMahon Spurs Eagles from 23-0 Deficit to Defeat Browns

The Philadelphia Eagles, with their top-ranked defense, were at 4-5 as they faced the Cleveland Browns on November 10, 1991. Head Coach Rich Kotite’s first season at the helm had gotten off to a rough start when star QB Randall Cunningham was lost for the year in the opening week. Backup QB Jim McMahon (pictured at right), once a title-winner with the Bears, performed ably when healthy, but that was not the case for several games when lesser performers were behind center and the offense struggled. The team lost four straight games after starting off at 3-1 before beating the Giants the previous week. McMahon was available but playing with an assortment of injuries, most notably to his throwing elbow.

Cleveland also had a first-year head coach in Bill Belichick and was in transition. Seventh-year QB Bernie Kosar was still in place from the winning years in the late ‘80s, as were FB Kevin Mack and the corps of wide receivers led by Webster Slaughter. However, the Browns were hampered by some key injuries. Anthony Blaylock was starting at cornerback in place of the aging but capable Frank Minnifield and all-purpose HB Eric Metcalf, who returned punts, was also out.

It was a cool, dry day at Cleveland Municipal Stadium with 72,086 fans in attendance. The Browns took the opening kickoff and drove 37 yards in seven plays, helped along by four penalties on the defense. Matt Stover kicked a 50-yard field goal for the early 3-0 lead. Three plays after the ensuing kickoff, the Browns scored again when FS Eric Turner intercepted a Jim McMahon pass and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown. Stover converted and the home team led by 10-0 with four minutes elapsed.

The Eagles were forced to punt after their next series and the Browns struck quickly. Kevin Mack ran for four yards and then Bernie Kosar threw to RB Leroy Hoard, who rambled 65 yards for a TD. Stover’s extra point attempt hit the left upright and was no good, but Cleveland was now up by 16-0.

Once again Philadelphia had to punt and, as the game headed into the second quarter, the Browns were on the move. Kosar completed passes to Webster Slaughter for 14 yards, TE Scott Galbraith for 13, and WR Reggie Langhorne for nine yards to reach the Philadelphia 20 and, four plays later he connected with Slaughter for an 18-yard touchdown. Stover’s point after was successful this time and, following the nine-play, 54-yard possession, Cleveland held a commanding 23-0 lead.

Now in a deep hole, the Eagles responded by advancing 80 yards in seven plays. McMahon completed two passes before RB James Joseph (pictured above) broke away for a 23-yard run. Facing third-and-seven at the Cleveland 38, the visitors benefited from a pass interference penalty on CB Anthony Blaylock that gave them a first down at the 19 and, two plays after that, McMahon threw to TE Keith Jackson for a 16-yard TD. Roger Ruzek converted and the Eagles were on the board, although still down by 23-7.

The Browns had to punt following their series and Philadelphia quickly narrowed the score further when, on first down, McMahon passed to WR Fred Barnett for a 70-yard touchdown. Ruzek again made good on the extra point and the score was 23-14 with 6:47 left in the first half.

WR Danny Peebles returned the ensuing kickoff 32 yards to give the Browns good starting field position at their 44, but two plays later a Kosar pass intended for Langhorne was intercepted by CB Ben Smith, who returned it six yards to midfield. McMahon immediately threw to Jackson for a gain of 33 yards to the Cleveland 17, but Philadelphia was moved back by a holding penalty on the next play. While McMahon completed his next three passes, the drive stalled at the four and Ruzek kicked a 21-yard field goal. The once-formidable Cleveland lead was narrowed to six points at 23-17.

The Browns regained possession with 1:32 remaining in the half. Mack ran for 10 yards and Kosar then threw to WR Brian Brennan for 11 yards and Slaughter for 17 in a play that cost the Eagles Ben Smith (for the remainder of the season with a serious knee injury, it turned out). Kosar then connected on two passes to Langhorne, first for 23 yards and then for 24 yards and a TD. Stover kicked the point after and Cleveland took a 30-17 lead into halftime.

The Eagles had the first possession in the third quarter and drove 60 yards in 11 plays. Joseph handled the bulk of the running and McMahon completed three passes, the longest to WR Calvin Williams for 30 yards. Ruzek booted a 37-yard field goal to make the score 30-20.

The Browns went three-and-out, but Brian Hansen’s punt traveled 65 yards and went out of bounds at the Philadelphia four. McMahon quickly got the Eagles out of the hole with a pass to Barnett (pictured below) for 38 yards and a throw to Jackson had them nearly to midfield. Tosses to Barnett and Williams gained another 14 yards and, after Joseph ran for five yards, McMahon connected with RB Keith Byars for seven yards. A defensive pass interference penalty gave Philadelphia a first down at the Cleveland seven, but the drive stalled as three passes fell incomplete and Ruzek kicked a 24-yard field goal.

The Browns punted after their next series and the Eagles had the ball as the game headed into the fourth quarter. They moved methodically and converted a third-and-12 situation with a 16-yard McMahon-to-Williams pass play. Joseph had a 21-yard carry to the Cleveland 22 but Jackson dropped McMahon’s next toss and another fell incomplete to set up third-and-10. Once again the Browns were flagged for pass interference and once again the Eagles were unable to reach the end zone after getting first-and-goal inside the ten. A 19-yard Ruzek field goal finished off the 13-play, 78-yard drive and narrowed the score to 30-26.

Kosar completed a 14-yard pass to Slaughter to start Cleveland’s next series, but two sacks with an incompletion in between forced the Browns to punt. The Eagles had good field position at their 48 but moved backward thanks to a penalty and a sack and were forced to punt in turn. However, Slaughter, who typically didn’t return punts and unwisely fielded the ball at the one when it appeared certain to be a touchback, ran laterally and fumbled when hit by RB Robert Drummond. LB Britt Hager recovered at the Cleveland two.

Joseph was dropped for a three-yard loss on first down, but two plays later McMahon completed a five-yard touchdown pass to Williams. DE Rob Burnett blocked Ruzek’s kick but the Eagles were in front by two points with 5:19 remaining in regulation.

Another short series by the Browns resulted in a punt and Philadelphia, taking over with 4:28 to play, managed to control the ball for nearly the remainder of the game. McMahon threw to WR Roy Green for nine yards on a third-and-four play and yet another defensive pass interference penalty converted a third down. The Eagles finally had to punt, but there were only ten seconds remaining for the Browns to work with from their own 20 and two Kosar passes fell incomplete. Philadelphia won by a final score of 32-30.

The Eagles, in overcoming the 23-point deficit, led in total yards (418 to 258), first downs (24 to 16), and time of possession (41:14 to 18:46) with Cleveland managing just 24 total yards in the second half as the Eagles adjusted and dominated on defense. The Browns turned the ball over twice, to one by Philadelphia, and while the Eagles drew 10 penalties, at a cost of 72 yards to 7 penalties for 86 yards on Cleveland, the Browns were flagged five times for defensive pass interference to significant effect.

Jim McMahon completed 26 of 43 passes for 341 yards and three touchdowns while giving up the one early interception. Fred Barnett had 8 catches for 146 yards and a TD and Calvin Williams and Keith Jackson had identical totals of 6 receptions for 76 yards and a score apiece. James Joseph rushed for 89 yards on 20 attempts.

For the Browns, Bernie Kosar was successful on just 14 of 33 throws for 246 yards and three TDs with one interception, completing only two of 13 in the second half. Webster Slaughter caught five passes for 74 yards and a TD, but his critical misplay of the punt in the fourth quarter drew the most comments. Reggie Langhorne (pictured above) was right behind in pass receiving yards with 73 on his four receptions that included a score. Cleveland gained just 25 yards on the ground and Kevin Mack accounted for 23 of them on 10 carries.

“You guys don’t know how bad Jim McMahon felt last night and this morning,” said Philadelphia’s Coach Kotite. “He could barely move his arm. I just can’t get over this guy.”

The dramatic win against the Browns was the second of six straight, and seven in their last eight games, for the Eagles. Injuries continued to plague McMahon and, while the formidable defense was able to keep them in games, they finished third in the NFC East at 10-6, just missing a playoff berth. Cleveland placed third in the AFC Central with a 6-10 record.

Jim McMahon started 11 games, with the Eagles winning eight of them, and completed 60.1 percent of his passes for 2239 yards and 12 touchdowns while giving up 11 interceptions. The 341-yard passing total against the Browns was the second-highest of his 15-season career. Fred Barnett caught 62 passes for 948 yards (15.3 avg.) and four touchdowns. Rookie James Joseph’s 89-yard rushing performance against Cleveland was his best of the year as he led the club with just 440 yards on 135 carries, averaging 3.3 yards-per-attempt.

Highlighted Year: Josh Bidwell, 2005

Punter, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Age: 29

6^th season in pro football, 2^nd with Buccaneers

College: Oregon

Height: 6’3”   Weight: 220

Prelude:

Bidwell was chosen by the Green Bay Packers in the fourth round of the 1999 NFL draft but was forced to sit out his rookie season due to a bout with testicular cancer. He fortunately recovered and came back to win the punting job in 2000. While he struggled in his first year, he improved thereafter and spent four years with Green Bay, averaging 41.1 yards on 308 punts. Bidwell moved on to the Buccaneers as a free agent in 2004 and punted 82 times for a 42.3-yard average.

2005 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Punting

Punts – 90 [3]

Most punts, game – 8 at San Francisco 10/30

Yards – 4101 [2]

Average – 45.6 [3, 1^st in NFC]

Best average, game – 51.8 (on 5 punts) at NY Jets 10/9

Punts blocked – 0

Longest punt – 61 yards

Postseason: 1G (NFC Wild Card playoff vs. Washington)

Punts – 5

Yards – 197

Average – 39.4

Blocked – 0

Longest punt – 45 yards

Awards & Honors:

2^nd team All-NFL: AP

1^st team All-NFC: Pro Football Weekly

Pro Bowl

Buccaneers went 11-5 to finish first in the NFC South. Lost NFC Wild Card playoff to Washington Redskins (17-10).  

Aftermath:

Bidwell spent another three seasons with the Buccaneers. While having a strong leg, he sometimes struggled with consistency and directional kicking, but he was adept at getting distance when needed and landing the ball inside the 20. Released in 2010 after missing all of the ’09 season due to a hip injury, he was active for four games with Washington but spent most of the year back on injured reserve in what was his last season. For his career, Bidwell punted 742 times for a 42.7 average, with 419 punts for a 44.0 average coming with Tampa Bay.

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Highlighted Years features players who were 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