NFC Divisional Playoffs
Minnesota Vikings (11-3) vs.
Dallas Cowboys (11-3)
Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, MN
The rematch of last season's NFC Championship game was highly anticipated, though most people were expecting another defensive struggle. The only major change to either team on offense was Dallas deciding to go with Roger Staubach at quarterback over Craig Morton. Staubach, along with running back Duane Thomas and wide out Bob Hayes, helped make the Cowboys the highest scoring team in football. Meanwhile, Minnesota still had the Purple People Eaters and they were the key part of the stingiest defense in the NFL.
The majority of this game would be spent seeing which defense could batter the other offense more. Minnesota let up first, allowing Staubach to push the Cowboys into field goal range, but Mike Clark missed a 32 yard attempt midway through the first quarter, and the game remained scoreless. Meanwhile, Dallas' Doomsday Defense was pressuring quarterback Gary Cuozzo even more so than last year's NFC Championship game, and the Vikings could only punt during their possessions in the first quarter.
The second quarter saw more of the same from each defense, while Dallas began to make strides thanks to the mistakes of the Vikings. Two times in the second, Minnesota had what looked like a scoring drive going. Both times, Dallas defenders stripped the ball away from running back Oscar Reed, ending the threat. After the second fumble, Dallas advanced the ball slowly down the field, taking what little yardage they could get from the running game and letting Staubach make throws only when necessary. Mike Clark's field goal with 14 seconds left in the half was the lone score up to that point, and Dallas found themselves 30 minutes away from a sixth straight NFC Championship game appearance.
Neither team could even advance the ball in the third quarter, as the poor weather conditions in Minnesota began to have their way with the game. Minnesota still could not advance the ball even into field goal range, and Dallas had Mike Clark bounce a 38 yard field goal attempt off the upright near the end of the quarter, keeping the score at 3-0 Dallas heading into the fourth.
Minnesota mounted one last valiant effort against the Cowboys, but with their running attack only gaining 26 yards the entire day, the Vikings were stuck in the mud without any way of getting out. With just under two minutes to play, Gary Cuozzo finally had the Vikings going in the right direction, but Minnesota's third fumble of the game, this one by Al Denson, was recovered by Dallas at midfield, and Staubach was able to run out the rest of the clock, sending Dallas to yet another NFC Championship game.
Final Score: Dallas-3 Minnesota-0
Real Life Score: Dallas-20 Minnesota-12
San Francisco 49ers (9-5) vs.
Washington Redskins (9-4-1)
Candlestick Park, San Francisco, CA
For the first time since 1945, the Washington Redskins were playing football with a chance to win a championship. New head coach George Allen brought his Super Bowl winning attitude with him from Los Angeles, and the "Over the Hill Gang" found it contagious. While Billy Kilmer and Larry Brown led the offense, the real strength of the team was on defensive side of the ball, which only allowed 190 points all season. San Francisco still had a powerful offense that was led by John Brodie, and their defense had improved as well, as they were inspired from last season's loss to Minnesota in the playoffs.
Whatever strength the 49ers' defense may have had wasn't showing in the first quarter. After stopping the Redskins on their opening drive, San Francisco allowed Kilmer to pass his way down the field, moving Washington closer and closer to a touchdown. Finally, backup running back Charlie Harraway plunged in from two yards out, giving Washington a 7-0 lead. San Francisco quickly responded, using Vic Washington on the ground to punish the Redskins as they moved into field goal range. Bruce Gossett's 49 yard boot cut the Redskins' lead to four points going into the second quarter.
Following a Redskin punt, the 49ers moved rapidly back down the field again to start the second quarter, with the main play being Vic Washington's 50 yard burst up the middle. Unfortunately for San Francisco, they again stalled and had to settle for another Gossett field goal that cut the lead to only one point. On their very next drive, they had a chance to take the lead, but Jack Pardee intercepted Brodie at the Washington 15, ending the last scoring threat either team would have in the half.
The second half was the definition of a defensive struggle. Washington was comfortable with their slim lead, and preferred to just run the ball and let their defense stop San Francisco. The 49ers had their chances to prove the Redskins wrong, but they could never do it. Gossett missed a 49 yard field goal towards the end of the third quarter, and Brodie was again intercepted in Washington territory with 12 minutes to go in the game. San Francisco would get no other chances, and Washington was off to see Dallas for a chance to go to Super Bowl VI.
Final Score: Washington-7 San Francisco-6
Real Life Score: San Francisco-24 Washington-20
NFC Championship Game
Texas Stadium, Irving, TX
Dallas Cowboys (11-3) vs.
Washington Redskins (9-4-1)
For the first time, the NFC Championship game would be played between interdivisional opponents. Both the Redskins and Cowboys were quite familiar with each other, having split their games against each other this season. Their head coaches knew each other well, too, as George Allen and Tom Landry were the only two NFC coaches to have ever won the Super Bowl.
Just like both teams' games the week before, the NFC Championship would be won on defense. Washington got the ball first, and the Redskins moved down the field on Dallas, but Curt Knight missed what should have been an easy 30 yard field goal to keep Washington off the board. Dallas could do nothing either, punting the ball after falling just short of field goal range themselves. In fact, neither team would score until there were only 12 seconds remaining in the half. Dallas kicker Mike Clark made up for missing a field goal earlier in the second quarter by booting a 37 yarder that put the Cowboys up 3-0 at the half.
In the second half, Washington's offense still could not find a way to move the ball against Dallas. Their running game, which had done well the week before against San Francisco, was all but invisible and quarterback Billy Kilmer could not find any open receivers. The only thing keeping the Redskins in the game was the fact that Dallas was having a similar lack of success against Washington's defense. Staubach's normally crisp passes were being batted down by Washington linemen, and his open receivers were completely covered by Redskin defenders. The only scoring came on another Mike Clark field goal as the quarter came to a close.
The fourth quarter belonged to Dallas and its secondary. On two straight possessions, Kilmer got the Redskins into Dallas territory. Both times, he was intercepted by Dallas. Mel Renfro ended the first threat, while Herb Adderly finished off the second drive. On the very next Washington possession, Adderly struck again, jumping on a poorly thrown pass and returning it 12 yards for the only touchdown of the game. While the extra point was missed, it did not matter for Dallas. The Redskins would not mount another offensive threat, and Dallas was headed for their fourth Super Bowl.
Final Score: Dallas-12 Washington-0
Real Life Score: Dallas-14 San Francisco-3