Alternate NFL Playoff History

[Hurkman]

Super Bowl IX

Tulane Stadium, New Orleans, LA

Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3-1)


Head Coach: Chuck Noll
305 Points Scored
189 Points Allowed

Starting Quarterback: Joe Gilliam


Road to the Super Bowl:
Defeated Buffalo, 26-7-AFC Divisional Playoffs
Defeated Oakland, 21-3-AFC Championship



Washington Redskins (10-4)


Head Coach: George Allen
320 Points Scored
196 Points Allowed

Starting Quarterback: Billy Kilmer


Road to the Super Bowl:
Defeated Los Angeles, 15-14-NFC Divisional Playoffs
Defeated St. Louis, 12-10-NFC Championship



The Game

The Pittsburgh Steelers came into a cold and soggy Tulane Stadium heavy favorites over the Washington Redskins. After all, Pittsburgh had to go through the Oakland Raiders to get to the Super Bowl, while Washington just squeaked by both Los Angeles and St. Louis to emerge as the NFC's best team. On paper, however, this game could be seen as evenly matched. Both Pittsburgh and Washington loved to attack opposing defenses with runs, whether it was Franco Harris or Rocky Bleier for the Steelers, or Larry Brown or Duane Thomas for the Redskins. What really set these teams apart was defense. Pittsburgh loved to attack with their defense, while Washington was willing to sit back, though their defense was still effective.

From the opening gun, it was obvious that Pittsburgh had studied how the Redskins had gotten this far. On the first play of the game for Washington, the Steelers had eight men at the line of scrimmage, waiting to stuff a run attempt in its tracks. Instead, Billy Kilmer completed a pass to Roy Jefferson for 19 yards. Stunned by this sudden turn of events, the Steelers' defense folded for a minute, allowing Washington to get to the Pittsburgh 25 yard line. It was there that the Steel Curtain again formed, as Jack Lambert stripped running back Larry Brown of the football. Jack Ham recovered for the Steelers, ending the Washington threat. Though Pittsburgh had to punt, their defense came up with another turnover on Washington's next drive. As they were expecting more passes now, the run stuffing defense that was practiced was scrapped in favor of a more traditional defense. It paid off, as Glen Edwards intercepted Kilmer at Washington's 35 yard line and returned it to the 19. Four plays later, Roy Gerela's kick sailed through the uprights, giving the Steelers a 3-0 lead.

As the second quarter started, it was more of the same for Washington against the Pittsburgh defense. On their first two drives, the Redskins got deep into Pittsburgh territory, only to have Brown fumble again, and Kilmer throw his second interception of the game. Though the Steelers could get no points off of either turnover, they killed Washington's drives dead in their tracks. However, when Pittsburgh forced the Redksins to punt, they still could not generate any offense of their own, as the Redskins were playing the same tough defense that got them to the Super Bowl. Late in the first half, it looked as if the Redskins would score, but Kilmer was intercepted for the third time in the half, this time at the Pittsburgh two yard line. As the gun sounded for the half, the Steelers were feeling lucky, while the Redskins were trying to figure out how many points they had left on the field in that first half.

With the Redskins getting the ball to start the second half, Pittsburgh knew it had to come up with yet another stop, and the defense did just that. After three plays, Washington was forced to punt. However, the Steelers' offense still could not move, and they gave the ball back to the Redskins. In what had been a defensive struggle so far, all that was needed was for one key mistake to be made, and the game could be taken to a whole different level. After Washington was forced to punt again, that mistake happened. The Redskins' special teams was manhandled by the Steelers, and Pittsburgh returned the punt 47 yards for the first touchdown of the game. Shocked by the sudden score, the Redskins were unable to even get a single first down for the remainder of the quarter and headed into the final quarter of the season down 10-0.

As the fourth quarter began, Washington made a change at quarterback, replacing Kilmer with Sonny Jurgensen. Though he was slightly more effective than Kilmer (12/32, 138 yards), it seemed as if it still wouldn't be enough on this day. Yet again, Washington was forced to punt and this time, the Steelers would make them pay. After two straight Franco Harris runs, Joe Gilliam called a play action fake, drawing the linebackers up to the line and leaving room in the middle of the field for a deep throw. The play worked to perfection, as Gilliam hit receiver Ron Shanklin in stride for a 43 yard touchdown strike that effectively broke the backs of the Redskins. Washington would get just one more first down the rest of the game, and that was taken away on the next play by Larry Brown's third fumble of the game, this one recovered by Jack Lambert. Pittsburgh would add a late Rocky Bleier touchdown run to finish the scoring, and when the final whistle blew, the Pittsburgh Steelers were kings of the football world, and winners of one of the most dominant Super Bowl performances of all time.

Final Score: Pittsburgh-24 Washington-0

MVP: Jack Lambert: 6 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery

[Hurkman]

AFC Divisional Playoffs

Pittsburgh Steelers (12-2) vs. Baltimore Colts(10-4)
Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA

Starting in 1975, the NFL decided to adopt a playoff format which ranked the teams based on their record in the regular season. By virtue of their AFC best 12-2 record, the Pittsburgh Steelers had home field advantage throughout the playoffs. This meant that teams would have to travel to Three Rivers Stadium to face the imposing Pittsburgh defense, as well as an offense now led by quarterback Terry Bradshaw. However, the Colts were not afraid of the Steel Curtain defense. Not with quarterback Bert Jones and 1,000 yard rusher Lydell Mitchell leading the offense.

In the first quarter though, it was Pittsburgh's offense that started the game off well. After a punt on their opening drive, Bradshaw and the Steelers came out for their second drive in the shadow of their own goal posts. However, a crisp 17 yard pass to Lynn Swann moved Pittsburgh into a more comfortable position, and then 40 yards on two plays by Rocky Bleier had the Steelers into Baltimore territory. Another pass to Swann and a 14 yard Franco Harris run later, and Pittsburgh was inside the Colts' ten yard line. On the next play, Bradshaw hit Fred Lewis from two yards out, putting the defeding champions on the board first with a 7-0 lead.

As the second quarter started, it looked as if Pittsburgh's offense would come out firing again. However, an errant Bradshaw pass was picked off by Tom Macleod at the Steeler 27, giving the Colts their first chance of the game. Four plays later, Jones found Lydell Mitchell in the end zone for the tying score. With the Steelers now dead even with the Colts, Baltimore figured to have their best chance of the day to upset the kings of the AFC. On their very next drive, the Colts once again pushed their way downfield against the powerful Steelers, and soon found themselves in field goal range. However, Toni Linhart missed a 39 yard kick which ended the last real scoring threat for Baltimore. On their next possession, Pittsburgh ran the two minute drill to perfection, with Bradshaw finding open receivers near the sidelines to stop the clock. When the Steelers did run, Harris and Bleier were able to find open lanes and ways to the sidelines to make sure there was enough time for a shot at the end zone. With just twelve seconds left in the half, Bradshaw found Bleier in the end zone for a touchdown and a 14-7 lead at the half.

When the second half started, the Steelers knew that they had Baltimore right where they wanted them. All they had to do was run the ball and rely on their defense, and they would win the game. In the third quarter, they did just that, allowing just two first downs the entire quarter, while eating up large portions of clock with their running attack. Late in the third, Pittsburgh embarked on a 10 play, 96 yard drive that took nearly seven minutes and was finished with a Franco Harris two yard burst up the middle to cap his 18 carry, 107 yard day. The fourth quarter was more of the same, and though the Colts had two chances to score, Linhart missed field goals of just 25 and 26 yards on back to back drives, leaving Baltimore with precious little time to comeback. Any last hopes at a miracle were dashed when Pittsburgh took control with just under four minutes left and ran out the clock. For the second straight season, the Steelers were headed to the AFC Championship.

Final Score: Pittsburgh-21 Baltimore-7

Real Life Score: Pittsburgh-28 Baltimore-10

Oakland Raiders (11-3) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (11-3)
Oakland-Alameda Stadium, Oakland, CA

The upstart Cincinnati Bengals were back in the playoffs following a 7-7 season in 1975. Once again, they had a chance to play Cinderella against the Oakland Raiders, who they upset two years before in the AFC Championship. Oakland had not forgotten that game, nor had they forgotten the 14-10 loss they had suffered at the hands of the Bengals earlier in the 1975 season. When Cincinnati came into Oakland, the Raiders knew they were in for a fight.

However, it was the Bengals that looked as if they were ready for a shot against the Steelers. Knowing that their already questionable running game would not work well against Oakland, head coach Paul Brown put the game in quarterback Ken Anderson's hands. On the opening drive, that paid off in a big way. Anderson took control of the offense, converting on a fourth and one at his own 40, and then a third and eight inside Raiders' territory to keep the drive alive. Finally, he finished things with a 23 yard touchdown strike to Chip Myers, stunning the Raider faithful and putting the Bengals up 7-0. Oakland looked ready to respond, and with a kick return that brought them out near midfield, they were certainly capable of striking. Quarterback Ken Stabler drove the Raiders down to the Cincinnati 14 yard line, but kicker George Blanda missed an easy 31 yard field goal, keeping the score at 7-0 heading into the second quarter.

In the second quarter, it was the Raiders who were able to catch a break, as Cincinnati's David Green missed a 48 yard field goal in the first minute that would have put the Bengals up by ten points. Instead, Ken Stabler hit his stride, finding Fred Biletnikoff and Cliff Branch for big gains before Pete Banaszak, who scored 16 touchdowns in the regular season, found a seam in the Bengals' defense for a 24 yard touchdown run that knotted the score at seven. The teams then exchanged turnovers before Cincinnati was able to embark on one last drive. With just a minute and a half remaining in the half, Anderson was again able to lead the Bengals down field. While any chance at a touchdown disappeared when he was sacked by Ted Hendricks, David Green was able to put a 45 yard kick through the uprights as time expired, giving the Bengals the lead at the half.

This time, it was Oakland's turn to return the favor on the Bengals on their opening drive of the second half. Stabler was again solid, and the three headed attack of Pete Banaszak, Mark Van Eeghen and Clarence Davis attacked the center of the Cincinnati defensive line. Finally, it was Davis who managed to break through on the big run, going six yards up the middle for the go ahead score. With the Raiders now up 14-10, Cincinnati needed to respond, and they moved down the field quickly on the arm of Ken Anderson. However, a lack of a solid running game would be their undoing, and David Green would miss his second kick of the game, keeping the score 14-10.

As the fourth quarter started, the Raiders were in position to add more points to their lead, but Blanda missed his second kick of the game, allowing the Bengals to still have a chance. Oakland's pressure defense was up to the task, though, as they forced Anderson to throw his second interception of the game, this one deep inside Cincinnati territory. Blanda's aim was true this time around, and the Raider lead was now 17-10. After a Bengals' three and out, Oakland marched down the field again, led this time by the legs of Clarence Davis. For the second time in the game, Davis scored from six yards away, making the Raider lead 24-10, and almost putting an end to any hopes the Bengals might have. The Bengals would not go away, however, and Ken Anderson once again began finding holes in the Oakland secondary. He completed several long passes that allowed time to stay on the clock, and when he hit Chip Myers for his second touchdown of the day, the score was 24-17 with four minutes remaining. Oakland fans were even more nervous after the Raiders were forced to punt. However, the punt was excellent and pinned the Bengals back at their own six yard line. With orders to rush the quarterback, Oakland came out like a pack of crazed dogs, and sacked Anderson in his own end zone for a safety. The Raiders took the free kick and ran out the clock, securing a second straight AFC Championship matchup with the Steelers.

Final Score: Oakland-26 Cincinnati-17

Real Life Score: Oakland-31 Cincinnati-28 (Paul Brown's last game as coach)

AFC Championship Game

Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA

Pittsburgh Steelers (12-2) vs. Oakland Raiders (11-3)

In a rematch of last season's AFC Championship, the Pittsburgh Steelers played host to the Oakland Raiders in a game between two of the fiercest rivals in the NFL. Both Pittsburgh and Oakland knew what was at stake in this game, and neither wanted to be the team sitting at home during the Super Bowl. However, while the game was projected as being hard fought, the actual result would be nothing even close to that.

From the opening drive, it was clear that Pittsburgh knew what they were doing against the Oakland defense. Quarterback Terry Bradshaw was able to get past the Oakland defensive line with his mobility, while Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier decided to just run over Raider defenders. The result was an 11 play, 77 yard drive that took the first half ofthe first quarter to complete. Though the Steelers only managed a field goal out of the drive, the tone was set for the rest of the game. Oakland was forced to punt on their first possession, and though Pittsburgh missed a field goal on their ensuing drive, they forced a fumble on the very first play that Oakland ran following the attempt. As the first quarter ended, Oakland was shocked at the utter inability of their offense to even move the ball aganist Pittsburgh's defense.

The Raiders did catch a break as the second quarter started, when Bradshaw was intercepted deep in Oakland territory. However, they could not take advantage, as Stabler was intercepted by Mel Blount just four plays later. This time, Pittsburgh would not fail to score, and after a 29 yard pass from Bradshaw to John Stallworth, Franco Harris punched the ball into the endzone, putting the Steelers up 10-0. The two teams then exchanged punts and missed field goals, as it appeared the Raiders were finally finding some holes in Pittsburgh's tough defensive front. However, their last chance of the half died when Stabler threw his second interception of the game to Blount, sending the Raiders to the half down by ten, in a very hostile environment.

As the second half began, most fans had to wonder if they were watching a replay of the end of the first half. This was due to the third interception of the day by Mel Blount on Ken Stabler on the very first play of the half. Stabler's pass was overthrown horribly and read perfectly by Blount, putting the Steelers in position to do some damage early. They needed only two plays to do just that. One Rocky Bleier 23 yard run and a Franco Harris 41 yard touchdown later, the Steelers were up 17-0, and Three Rivers Stadium was shaking more than it ever had before. Oakland was again unable to move the ball, as Pittsburgh adjusted to the moves that the Raiders had shown before the half. The only time that Oakland had good field position, Stabler was intercepted for the fourth time by Mel Blount, and that interception all but ended the Raiders' chances on this day.

The fourth quarter was practically a game of keep-away, as Pittsburgh ran the ball seemingly at will against the Raiders. Oakland would run 20 plays in the fourth quarter, and most of them were usless incomplete passes. Stabler would be intercepted a fifth time, this time by Glen Edwards, and that was enough to remove him from the game. The Steelers would add a late Roy Gerela field goal, but by then the damage had already been done. Edwards would add a second interception, this one off of George Blanda, to finish the domination by Pittsburgh, as they controlled the ball for over 42 minutes in a convincing victory to earn themselves a second straight trip to the Super Bowl.

Final Score: Pittsburgh-20 Oakland-0

Real Life Score: Pittsburgh-16 Oakland-10

[Hurkman]

NFC Divisional Playoffs

Los Angeles Rams (12-2) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (11-3)
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA

After last season's improbable run to the NFC Championship game, the St. Louis Cardinals had made the playoffs once again and were looking to prove that their success last season was not a fluke. Led once again by quarterback Jim Hart and the dual running back threat of Jim Otis and Terry Metcalf, St. Louis certainly would pose a challenge to the Los Angeles Rams, who were looking to get back into the NFC title game after a defeat against the Redskins last year. Lawrence McCutcheon was looking to redeem himself after a horrible performance in the playoffs in 1974, while the vaunted Ram defense was capable of punishing any team they faced.

In the first quarter, it appeared early that both defenses would carry the day. Neither the Rams nor the Cardinals could move the ball well on their first possession, and the Rams were forced to punt again after three plays on their second drive as well. Starting at their own 18 yard line, the Cardinals started to find holes in the Los Angeles defense. On the second play of the drive, Terry Metcalf ran off tackle for 45 yards, making his way down to the Ram 37 yard line. From there, Jim Hart hit a stride, completing all four passes on the drive, including a three yard touchdown to wide receiver Mel Gray. The Cardinals now led 7-0 and had the Rams looking confused with their defensive schemes.

As the second quarter started, it appeared as if the Rams had started to make the all important adjustments that they would need to stay in the game. Even though they had to punt on their first drive of the quarter, they had made some headway against the Cardinals' defense, and they were able to stop St. Louis on three plays following the punt. The Cardinals had struggled on special teams all season, and it struck again on the punt, as the Rams returned it to midfield. With their best field position of the game, quarterback James Harris finally seemed to settle down, completing two quick passes for 30 yards and moving the Rams for the first time in the game. Lawrence McCutcheon broke a ten yard scamper on the next play, and even though the Rams would only gain another three yards, Tom Dempsey added a field goal, cutting the lead to 7-3. The two teams would then trade interceptions before the Cardinals were forced to punt once again. Just like earlier in the quarter, the Rams had a good return, taking the punt into St. Louis' territory. From there, Harris led a solid two minute drill, and Dempsey added a second field goal to make the score 7-6 as the first half ended.

When the third quarter started, most people watching the game believed that the Rams now had the key to beating the Cardinals. However, St. Louis coach Don Coryell made adjustments of his own at halftime, and wasted little time in putting them to use. On their first drive of the half, St. Louis was not able to score, but they did pin the Rams deep in their own territory with an excellent punt. After the Rams were unable to move the ball, their punt got caught up in the wind and landed out of bounds at their own 20 yard line. Blessed with good field position for the first time in the game, the Cardinals once again pounded the Los Angeles line with runs by Otis and Metcalf, with Otis picking up the score on a three yard run up the middle. The Cardinals had another chance to add points when Harris threw his second interception of the day, this one to Roger Wehrli who returned it to the Ram 41. However, the Cardinals were unable to advance the ball and kicked it back to the Rams, ending the last chance they would have to score all day.

The fourth quarter began with another Ram punt, but this one followed a six and a half minute drive that ended the third quarter and tired the St. Louis defense. When the Cardinals were forced to punt after just three plays on their next possession, the Rams took advantage of that tired defense, using Lawrence McCutcheon's bruising running and James Harris' mobility in the pocket to move downfield. Dempsey's third kick of the game cut the score to 14-9, and everyone in the stadium was beginning to feel the momentum change. Once again, the Cardinals went three and out and the Rams moved down the field. This time, Harris was able to find Harold Jackson in the end zone for a go ahead touchdown to cap a nine play, five minute drive. The extra point was blocked, however, making the Ram lead just 15-14. It would not matter, however, as the Rams' defense was up to the task, sacking Hart in the end zone for a safety on the Cardinals' next possession. With the ball and the clock now on their side, the Rams were able to run out the clock, adding a late Dempsey field goal to close the scoring and advance once again to the NFC Championship.

Final Score: Los Angeles-20 St. Louis-14

Real Life Score: Los Angeles-35 St. Louis-23

Minnesota Vikings (12-2) vs. Dallas Cowboys (10-4)
Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, MN

The perennial NFC East champion Dallas Cowboys found themselves in an unfamiliar position going into the 1975 playoffs. Roger Staubach and company were the wild card team, having finished second to the Cardinals after missing the playoffs in 1974. However, very few people were counting the Cowboys out, especially with Staubach, running back Robert Newhouse and wide receiver Drew Pearson leading a dynamic offense. The Minnesota Vikings were once again led by quarterback Fran Tarkenton, and running back Chuck Foreman scored 22 touchdowns during the regular season. Of course, the Vikings also had one of the best defenses in the NFL to go along with their high powered offense.

As the game started, it was both teams' offenses that stole the show with long, time consuming drives. First, Dallas marched down the field on the arm of Staubach, who beat the Minnesota pass defense twice for long gains. In between, the Cowboys ran at the heart of the Minnesota defense and were able to gain small, but meaningful, bits of yardage, getting them into field goal range. However, their eight minute drive would yield no points, as Toni Fritsch missed a 41 yard field goal attempt. On their first drive, the Vikings used the arm of Tarkenton and the legs of Foreman to drive deep into Dallas territory. Just when it looked like Minnesota would go on the board first, Tarkenton was intercepted by Lee Roy Jordan, who returned the interception all the way to Minnesota's 32 as the first quarter came to a close.

At the start of the second quarter, Dallas was in good position to score the first points of this tightly contested matchup. However, the Minnesota defense stopped the Cowboys cold, and Toni Fritsch missed his second field goal attempt of the game, this one from 46 yards away. On the ensuing Minnesota drive, Tarkenton was far more careful with his passes, and moved the Vikings down the field once again. With Dallas stopping Foreman on the ground, it was Tarkenton who had to get the job done, and he did, finding John Gilliam in the end zone for a 16 yard touchdown throw. Dallas was able to block Fred Cox's extra point attempt, so the score was just 6-0 in favor of the Vikings. From there, Dallas was able to drive into Minnesota territory again, but when they were stopped at the 37, Fritsch's two misses from before loomed large, and the Cowboys punted to the Vikings, who ran out the clock and ended the first half up by six.

The second half opened with the first defensive stand of the game, as Dallas was able to finally put a stop to Minnesota's powerful offense, forcing them to punt after just three plays. Using the three headed running attack of Robert Newhouse, Preston Pearson and Doug Dennison, the Cowboys marched down the field and into field goal range once again. This time, Fritsch was able to hit a 30 yard attempt to end an impressive 13 play, eight minute drive for Dallas that cut the lead in half. With the ball and needing to keep their now tired defense off the field, the Vikings were finally able to find some running lanes for Pro Bowler Chuck Forman. He gained 28 yards on the drive, but the Vikings were victims of Dallas' defense once again, as Tarkenton was intercepted for the second time inside Dallas territory, ending a potential scoring drive as the third quarter came to a close.

Dallas started the fourth quarter with the ball and momentum, and quickly drove into Minnesota territory once again. Staubach, who had problems finding open receivers all day, finally saw gaps in the Minnesota defense, while Newhouse was finding running lanes of his own in the now tired front line of the Vikings. All of this was rendered useless though as Fritsch missed his third kick of the game on a 46 yard attempt that would have tied the score. When the Vikings got the ball back, they made sure that would be the last chance Dallas would have at beating them on this day. Fran Tarkenton went five for five on the drive, and Foreman found more room to run than he had seen all day long. With just under six minutes to play, Tarkenton found Jim Lash in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown. The extra point was good this time, and the Vikings now led 13-3. Dallas' last attempt at a drive ended when Staubach was picked off by Fred McNeil. The Vikings would score on a five yard run by Ed Marinaro and then stop the Cowboys one final time before ensuring a spot in the NFC Championship.

Final Score: Minnesota-20 Dallas-3

Real Life Score: Dallas-17 Minnesota-14 (Hail Mary Game)

NFC Championship Game

Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, MN

Minnesota Vikings (12-2) vs. Los Angeles Rams (12-2)

The two best teams in the NFC squared off for the right to head to Super Bowl X. While both teams were known for their high scoring offenses, it was the defenses that wanted their voices to be heard in this game. Fran Tarkenton, Chuck Foreman and Lawrence McCutcheon would have their chances, but for the most part, this day was about defense.

The tone of the game was set from the first snap by the Rams. Quarterback James Harris was sacked by Jeff Wright, who then fell on the loose ball at the Los Angeles 22, giving the Vikings all the momentum and great field position to start the game. However, three runs by Chuck Foreman gained a total of four yards, and the Vikings were forced to settle for a Fred Cox 35 yard field goal and an early 3-0 lead. The Rams would have even less luck on their next drive, losing ten yards, before they had to punt to the Vikings. However, this time luck was on Los Angeles' side, as Tarkenton would be intercepted on his first pass attempt of the game. The return went to the Minnesota 32 yard line, and after the Rams advanced to the 17, they were forced to settle themselves for a Tom Dempsey 33 yard kick that tied the score. The Vikings then went three and out on their next drive, giving the ball back to the now energized Rams. It looked as if their drive would end quickly as well, but on third down and eight, McCutcheon found some daylight and broke off a 40 yard dash to the Minnesota 22. The Rams could get no closer, but they did add a Dempsey field goal to give them the lead at 6-3 as the first quarter came to a close.

As the second quarter started, it looked as if the Vikings might have been able to solve the Los Angeles defense, at least for a few plays. Running backs Chuck Foreman and Ed Marinaro began to batter the Ram front four, gaining large chunks of yardage and sending the Rams reeling. The Vikings got as close as the Los Angeles nine yard line, but a third and one pass attempt was batted down, forcing Fred Cox onto the field. His second field goal of the day tied the score at six, and most people knew now that this game would be a battle of defenses. From that point on, neither team could even advance the ball past midfield, with both Los Angeles and Minnesota getting just one more first down the entire half. A long, desperate pass by Ram quarterback James Harris was batted down well short of the end zone, ending the first half and pretty much summing up the action to that point.

With the Vikings getting the ball to start the second half, fans were hoping that Minnesota could drive down the field and score the first touchdown of the game. Instead, they were greeted with another quick three plays and a punt. Los Angeles was able to drive into Minnesota territory, thanks in large part to a 17 yard McCutcheon run, but a failed fourth down attempt ended their scoring threat. For the next seven minutes, the teams traded punts, hoping that the other offense would make a mistake. With three minutes to go in the quarter, Tarkenton made that mistake, throwing his second interception of the game. With the ball in Minnesota territory, the Rams hoped to score a touchdown, but they could only gain eight yards and settled for the third Tom Dempsey field goal of the game and a 9-6 lead as the third quarter ended.

The fourth quarter began with Minnesota pinned deep in their own territory, and it didn't get much better for the Vikings. They were again forced to punt, and the Rams returned the kick to the Minnesota 44 yard line. Once again, they took advantage of the good field position, with Harris finding open receivers underneath the Minnesota coverage. Once again, they could not score a touchdown, but once again, Dempsey's aim was true, putting the Rams ahead 12-6. Faced now with a six point deficit and a clock that was starting to run out of time, Tarkenton and the Viking offense needed a big drive. Two times before the two minute warning, they were able to drive into Los Angeles territory, and two times they failed to convert on fourth down. However, they still had all their time outs, and when they stopped the Rams with just a minute and thirty seconds to go, there was still a slim chance that they could score. That chance seemed to be coming to life, as Tarkenton found Foreman for 17 yards, followed by a pass to Stu Voigt for 23 yards, putting the Vikings at the Los Angeles 40. From there, the Vikings would gain just six yards on three downs, and on fourth down, Tarkenton was sacked by Fred Dryer, ending the chances of the Vikings. It would be the Los Angeles Rams representing the NFC in Super Bowl X.

Final Score: Los Angeles-12 Minnesota-6

Real Life Score: Dallas-37 Los Angeles-7 (In Los Angeles)

[Hurkman]

Super Bowl X

The Orange Bowl, Miami, FL

Pittsburgh Steelers (12-2)


Head Coach: Chuck Noll
373 Points Scored
162 Points Allowed

Starting Quarterback: Terry Bradshaw


Road to the Super Bowl:
Defeated Baltimore, 21-7-AFC Divisional Playoffs
Defeated Oakland, 20-0-AFC Championship



Los Angeles Rams (12-2)


Head Coach: Chuck Knox
312 Points Scored
135 Points Allowed

Starting Quarterback: James Harris


Road to the Super Bowl:
Defeated St. Louis, 20-14-NFC Divisional Playoffs
Defeated Minnesota, 12-6-NFC Championship



The Game

It seemed almost fitting that these two teams would meet on the tenth anniversary of the Super Bowl. While the Los Angeles Rams were attempting to put their stamp on being the team of the Super Bowl era with their fourth championship, the Pittsburgh Steelers were the new kids on the block, despite their status as defending champions. Both teams featured amazing defenses that had punished opponents all season long. However, when the dust settled on this day, there would only be one team left standing.

The first quarter started out like most that were watching expected it to, with both defenses playing strong. Los Angeles was able to get on the board though, as quarterback James Harris was able to find a few weak spots in Pittsburgh's normally tough passing defense. This opened up holes for running back Lawrence McCutcheon, and together, they moved the Rams down the field. Eventually, they would have to settle for a Tom Dempsey field goal, but they did have a 3-0 lead midway through the first quarter. After forcing a Pittsburgh punt, it seemed as if the Rams would move at least into field goal range again. However, Harris was intercepted by Mel Blount, who obviously hadn't had enough with his dominant performance in the AFC Championship. The ball was returned to the Pittsburgh 47, and the Steelers began to drive as the first quarter came to a close.

As the second quarter began, Steelers coach Chuck Noll readujsted his gameplan. Seeing that the Rams were expecting Pittsburgh to throw, Noll decided to put the game in the hands of Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier, his talented running backs. On their first drive following the Blount interception, that plan was executed to perfection. Harris and Bleier attacked the Ram defensive line with no mercy, eventually taking away large chunks of yardage until there was nothing left to take. Bleier was the one that found the end zone from two yards out, and Pittsburgh was on top of the Rams 7-3. Throughout the rest of the second quarter, the Rams were in position to respond to the Steeler touchdown, but were stricken with mistakes. A failed fourth down conversion on their next drive inside Pittsburgh territory stopped them, then Blount's second interception of the game, again inside Pittsburgh territory, ended the following drive. Following the interception, Bradshaw was given instructions to being throwing deep again and now, with the Rams looking for the run, he found the middle of the field wide open. Bradshaw found John Stallworth from ten yards out for a touchdown, capping a quick five play drive on which he was three for three. With little time left in the half, the uninspired Rams could not move the ball, and went into the locker room down 14-3.

As the third quarter started, it appeared as if the Rams may have figured out the Steeler puzzle during halftime. Not only did they force Pittsburgh to punt on their first drive of the half, but they also then took the ball on a nine play drive of their own. Using the running game, Los Angeles was able to find holes in the offense where there previously were none. McCutcheon finally found some running room, and broke a 21 yard run early in the drive. James Harris found open space again to fit his passes, and completed the only two he threw during the possession. Finally, backup running back Jim Bertelsen broke his longest run of the day, a 21 yard scamper to the end zone that made the score Pittsburgh 14, Rams 10. Just like the rest of the day though, Pittsburgh was quick to answer back. After two strikes from Bradshaw to Swann, Franco Harris hit a large patch of open grass and ran untouched for 44 yards and a Pittsburgh touchdown. The score seemed to suck the air out of the Rams, and as the third quarter came to a close, they punted the ball back to the Steelers, needing a stop to even have a change of winning,

That stop never came, because just two plays after the punt, Bradshaw found Bleier on a soft screen pass, and Rocky did the rest. Twenty two yards later, the Steelers were up 28-10, and there was no doubt who would be kings of football on this day. The Rams were unable to do anything on their next two drives, and Pittsburgh's final possession ate up almost eight minutes of the fourth quarter and ended with a Roy Gerela field goal that would end the scoring. There would be no fourth Super Bowl title for the Rams on this day; instead, they watched in awe as the Pittsburgh Steelers dominated their second straight Super Bowl and were crowned as champions once again.

Final Score: Pittsburgh-31 Los Angeles-10

MVP: Franco Harris: 18 carries, 108 yards, 1 TD

[Hurkman]

(Yes, I know it's been a while, but I've been re-energized watching the playoffs, and I want to get this thing going once again.)

AFC Divisional Playoffs

Oakland Raiders (13-1) vs. New England Patriots (11-3)
Oakland-Alameda Stadium, Oakland, CA

After two straight defeats at the hands of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship, the Oakland Raiders came out in 1976 and put together one of the most dominating seasons in recent memory. With a record of 13-1 and a win over the Steelers in the regular season, the Raiders felt like they could not be beaten. However, when it came to the playoffs, they had to face the one team that defeated them in the regular season, as Steve Grogan, Sam Cunningham and the New England Patriots made their way to Oakland with an upset on their minds.

While the Raiders had the edge in postseason experience, New England was making its first appearance in the Super Bowl era, and the nervousness showed on their first possession. After a 24 yard run and catch by Cunningham, Grogan completely misread the Oakland defense, and fired an interception into Ted Hendricks' waiting arms. However, the Raiders could not avoid the turnover bug, and on their second play, Mark Van Eeghen fumbled the ball back to New England. This time, the Patriots would hold onto the ball, and John Smith put the first three points on the board with a 31 yard field goal.

Oakland ended the first quarter driving downfield, and on the second play of the second quarter, Ken Stabler finished the drive off with a touchdown pass to Cliff Branch. However, Fred Steinfort slipped on the extra point and the kick sailed wide, leaving the score just 6-3 early in the second quarter. From there, the Oakland defense began to clamp down on the Patriots. Steve Grogan could find very few open receivers, and Cunningham and secondary running back Andy Johnson could not find holes in the defensive front to get through. Only Fred Biletnikoff's fumble on the Patriot two yard line kept the score close in the second quarter, as Oakland marched down the field on their next possession and scored on a 28 yard run from Clarence Davis. Even when New England was able to move the ball, they could not capitalize, as John Smith missed a 42 yard field goal at the end of the first half to keep the score 13-3 at the break.

When the second half started, it was clear that New England was not ready to roll over and die quite yet. After forcing the Raiders to punt on their first possession, the Patriots returned the kick to the Oakland twelve yard line. Sam Cunningham put the ball in the end zone on the first play, and the score was now 13-10. After another Oakland punt on their next possession, the Patriots came out on fire once more. Grogan was now hitting the passes he missed in the first half, and when Cunningham broke off a 28 yard run to put New England at the Oakland 30, you could hear a pin drop in the crowd. Smith added his second field goal of the game, and all of a sudden, it was a 13-13 score heading into the fourth quarter.

The final quarter started with a New England punt, and it appeared as if Oakland had finally regained the edge they had in the first 30 minutes of football. The running game was finally working again, and both Clarence Davis and Mark Van Eeghen were once again bursting through the line and taking time off the clock. Oakland used the first five minutes of the quarter to get into field goal range, and Steinfort's 36 yard kick put them back on top 16-13. The Patriots once again punted on their next drive, and Davis then broke off a 62 yard run for the Raiders, putting them in range for another Steinfort kick. This time, a 46 yard kick sailed through the uprights, putting Oakland up by six, but there was still enough time for one more Patriot drive.

With the clock now firmly against them, and in hostile territory, the Patriots needed to put together one final touchdown drive. They continued to stay faithful on the ground though, and it worked for a couple of plays, as Cunningham and Johnson were once again able to find holes in the Oakland defense. When Grogan had to pass, his receivers were open enough to gain positive yards, and with just one minute to go, the Patriots were at the Oakland 22 yard line. However, two straight incompletions after a nine yard reception left New England staring at a fourth and one. Oakland brought pressure, and Grogan was stopped inches short of a first down, giving the Raiders the win and a third straight trip to the AFC Championship game.

Final Score: Oakland-19 New England-13

Real Life Score: Oakland-24 New England-21

Baltimore Colts (11-3) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4)
Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, MD

The 1976 season was not an especially kind one to the two time defending Super Bowl champion Steelers. Not only was quarterback Terry Bradshaw quite inconsistant, but they got off to a 1-4 start before winning nine straight games to close out the year, and win the AFC Central division via a tiebreaker against the Cincinnati Bengals. They did have two 1,000 yard rushers in Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier, and their defense was superb, allowing just 9.9 points per game. Of course, the Baltimore Colts would be a tough task for Pittsburgh. Not only did they have Bert Jones at quarterback, but they also had Lydell Mitchell running the ball, and Roger Carr receiving it to give the Colts the highest scoring offense in all of football.

On the first drive of the game, it appeared as if Baltimore's offense would have the edge over Pittsburgh's defense. The Colts marched down the field on an eight and a half minute drive to start the game, but it was for nothing, as Toni Linhart pushed a 47 yard field goal to the right, keeping the Colts off the board. It did not take long for Pittsburgh to respond, as Bradshaw found Bleier twice out of the backfield for gains of 17 and 28 yards to get the Steelers to the Baltimore eight yard line. From there, Lynn Swann did the rest, catching Bradshaw's pass in the end zone to give Pittsburgh the early 7-0 lead. Baltimore's next drive ended in a 26 yard field goal, and from that point on in the first half, the defenses took over the game. Neither team would score again in the half, with Pittsburgh coming the closest before Fred Cook intercepted Bradshawn in the end zone with a minute and a half to go in the half.

When the second half started, Pittsburgh took the momentum they had from that late second quarter drive and ran with it. Using their two headed running attack of Harris and Bleier, the Steelers marched down the field. Bradshaw threw just one pass on the entire drive, and though it didn't result in a touchdown, Roy Gerela did add a 33 yard field goal to give the Steelers a 10-3 lead. While Pittsburgh was able to move the ball on the ground, the Colts were having no such luck, as Lydell Mitchell was being stopped on every carry he got. Bert Jones was having very little luck as well, as the Steelers' defense was burying the Colts quarterback in a sea of black and gold. The Colts punted the only time they had the ball in the third quarter, and Pittsburgh then set out on a backbreaking drive. In 14 plays, they marched down the field. Harris and Bleier did most of the damage, and Bradshaw needed just three passes on the entire drive. One was to Bleier for two yards, another was to John Stallworth for 18 yards and the third was a four yard touchdown to Swann on the first play of the fourth quarter that put the Steelers up 17-3. After that, there was no doubt who would win on this day.

Baltimore tried to make a comeback, but against the Steelers and their defense it was impossible. Pittsburgh would have one more long drive, and this one would end with a Bleier 16 yard touchdown run against an exhausted Colts defense. The Colts would get into Pittsburgh territory just once in the entire fourth quarter, and nothing would come of it. Once again, the Steelers were set to face the Oakland Raiders for the right to go to the Super Bowl.

Final Score: Pittsburgh-24 Baltimore-3

Real Life Score: Pittsburgh-40 Baltimore-14

AFC Championship Game

Oakland-Alameda Stadium, Oakland, CA

Oakland Raiders (13-1) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4)

For the third straight season, the Oakland Raiders and the Pittsburgh Steelers were meeting in the AFC Championship. The last two years, Pittsburgh had gotten the better of Oakland, but most people believed this year would be different. Oakland had the better record, the home field advantage, and Ken Stabler at quarterback. Pittsburgh did have Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier, as well as the most dominant defense in the NFL, but Oakland still believed that on this day, they would finally stand victorious over the Steelers.

As the game started, it appeared as if those beliefs were justified. On the first play of the game, Mark Van Eeghen rushed for 50 yards into the very heart of Pittsburgh's defense. Three plays later, Stabler found Clarence Davis in the corner of the end zone, and Oakland had an early 7-0 lead. The lead would not last long, as Rocky Bleier found a seam in the Oakland defense, and countered their touchdown with a 52 yard score of his own. The extra point made it 7-7, and it appeared as if the crowd in Oakland was in for a fight today. Oakland was forced to punt on their next possession, and Pittsburgh started marching right down the field again. Harris and Bleier led the way, and Bradshaw found Lynn Swann twice on the drive for 30 total yards. Roy Gerela added a 23 yard field goal to cap the 11 play, six and a half minute drive, and the Steelers had the lead heading into the second quarter.

As the second quarter got underway, both teams began to settle into a defensive rhythm. Neither team could move the ball well at all, and both Bradshaw and Stabler were struggling under the constant pressure both teams were bringing. It stayed that way until late in the quarter, when Dave Casper coughed up the football after a reception. Jack Ham fell on the ball at the Oakland 32, giving the Steelers a chance for more points right before halftime. The Steelers got the ball inside the ten, but appeared to be stopped before a roughing the passer penalty on third and goal gave them new life. On the very next play, Franco Harris found the end zone, and Pittsburgh took a 17-7 lead. However, Oakland was not done on the half, as the Steeler defense seemingly quit on a Van Eeghen draw, allowing him to gain 49 yards and putting the Raiders into Fred Steinfort's range. Sure enough, his 43 yard attempt sailed through the uprights as time expired, and the Pittsburgh lead was now 17-10.

The momentum that Oakland had going into the locker room carried over as the third quarter started. On the very first play of the half, Bradshaw was intercepted by Monte Johnson, giving the Raiders a chance to tie the game early in the half. However, they had to settle for a second Fred Steinfort field goal that cut the score to 17-13. They would not see the ball on offense again for a long time, as Bradshaw made ammends for his interception by passing the Steelers down the field on a 14 play, eight minute drive. Oakland had decided to stop the Pittsburgh running attack by lining up eight men near the line of scrimmage. Bradshaw saw this, and began having his receivers run routes across the now open middle of the field. By the time Oakland reacted, Pittsburgh was back in their running game, and Bleier capped the drive with an 8 yard touchdown run to make the score 24-13.

From that point on, the Steelers dominated the Raiders in every aspect of the game. Oakland would cross the fifty yard line just once more the entire game, and Pittsburgh would use their running attack to its fullest as they used up precious time on each drive. A 9 play, six minute drive would end with another Gerela field goal, and when Oakland got the ball on offense, Stabler could not find anyone to throw to. He finished the game 13 of 27 passing, and the Raiders were booed off their own field as the Pittsburgh Steelers advanced to their third straight Super Bowl, leaving the Raiders as bridesmaids once again.

Final Score: Pittsburgh-27 Oakland-13

Real Life Score: Oakland-24 Pittsburgh-7

[Hurkman]

NFC Divisional Playoffs

Minnesota Vikings (11-2-1) vs. Washington Redskins(10-4)
Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, MN

Once again, the Minnesota Vikings found themselves in a familiar position. For the eighth time in nine years, they had won the NFC Central division and were in the playoffs. While they had yet to win a Super Bowl during their run of success, they were sure that their time was coming. Fran Tarkenton wasn't getting any younger at quarterback, however, he still had young Chuck Foreman and Sammy White to lead the way on offense, while the defense allowed just under 13 points a game. On the other side, the Washington Redskins clinched the wild card position in the NFC and had an even older quarterback in Billy Kilmer. They compensated for this with a dual running threat of Mike Thomas and John Riggins, while Joe Lavender was third in the NFL with eight interceptions on the season.

At the start of the game, it was the playoff experience and poise of the Minnesota Vikings that seemed to lead the way. After the opening kickoff, the Vikings held onto the ball for the first eight minutes of the game. Foreman and fullback Brent McClanahan pounded on the Washington defensive front, and Tarkenton was given time to find receivers Sammy White and Ahamd Rashad for big chunks of yards. The Redskins did manage to hold in the end, keeping the Vikings out of the end zone once they got inside the 10 yard line, but Fred Cox's 21 yard kick was good enough to give the Vikings the early lead. It would not take long for the Redskins to respond, and they did so through the air. The seemingly ageless Billy Kilmer was perfect on Washington's drive, going three for three with the biggest blow being a 49 yard strike to Frank Grant. Two plays later, Jean Fugett came down with a 10 yard touchdown pass, and the Redskins were on top 7-3.

At the end of the first quarter, the Vikings seemed to be knocking on the door once again, and as the second quarter started, they kicked it down. After being held in check for portions of the opening period, Chuck Foreman broke lose a 23 yard touchdown run on the third play of the new quarter. The Vikings now led 10-7, and lead was only going to get bigger. On the first Washington play of the quarter, Kilmer was intercepted by Nate Wright at the Redskin 26 yard line. Two plays later, Tarkenton found Rashad on a twenty yard pass into the end zone, giving the Vikings a ten point lead. While the Redskins could have just rolled over and died following a quick 14 point surge, they did not. They moved down the field quickly on their next drive, including converting a seemingly impossible third and 18 play. John Riggins then bullied his way into the end zone to finish off the six minute, 10 play drive that cut the Minnesota lead to three points. After that, both teams finally were able to put a stop to the other, and the score remained 17-14 in favor of the Vikings at the half.

Washington was unable to move the ball on their first possession of the second half, but Fran Tarkenton knew he needed more points to put away the pesky Redskins, and began leading his team down the field once more. By the time the Redskins had put a halt to the drive, the Vikings were once again in field goal range. However, Cox missed a 40 yard kick, and the Redskins were given new life again. With the ball and good field position, Washington used a short and steady passing and running game to slowly chip away at the Minnesota defense. With the Vikings now weakening, Kilmer struck, hitting Frank Grant with a 35 yard stirke, to put the Redskins deep into Minnesota territory. The Vikings held from there, however, and the Redskins settled for a Mark Moseley 38 yard field goal that tied the score at 17.

The fourth quarter began much the way the third quarter had. Tarkenton was again leading the Vikings down the field, using both Foreman and McClanahan to force the Redskins to keep the linebackers close to the line of scrimmage, then passing over top of them on key third down conversions. However, the drive stalled just outside the 10 yard line, and this time, Cox converted a 29 yard kick to give the Vikings the lead back. When Kilmer was intercepted on the next Washington drive, it appeared as if the Vikings would hold on and win. Sure enough, the Vikings got into field goal range again, but this time, Cox missed on a 41 yard attempt that would have forced the Redskins to score a touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Inspired by the missed field goal, the Redskins tore a hole in the Vikings front seven. Mike Thomas and John Riggins broke free for a total of 57 yards on the most important Washington drive of the season, and Mark Moseley nailed a 37 yard field goal with a minute and a half left to tie the game. The Vikings were content to run out the clock, and this game was headed for overtime.

In the overtime, it was Washington that would get the first chance to score, as their punt return team brought Minnesota's punt to midfield. The Redskins would stall at the Minnesota 24, and Moseley missed the 41 yard attempt, keeping the Vikings in the game. The Vikings would march down the field on their next drive, led by Brent McClanahan and his 20 yard run up the middle. The Redskins were able to stop the Vikings at the 13 yard line, but Fred Cox was well within his range. However, the snap on the 30 yard field goal attempt was low, and the Vikings missed a perfect chance to end the game. Washington would make them regret their mistake, as they marched down the field once again. After a 14 yard gain on third and 17, Moseley was brought out to try a 48 yard field goal. The kick just cleared the front crossbar, and the Washington Redskins had shocked the Vikings in overtime, leaving Minnesota to again wonder what could have been.

Final Score: Washington-23 Minnesota-20/OT

Real Life Score: Minnesota-35 Washington-20

Dallas Cowboys (11-3) vs. Los Angeles Rams (10-3-1)
Texas Stadium, Irving, TX

After last season's defeat at the hands of the Minnesota Vikings in the playoffs, the Dallas Cowboys were more than ready to make an impact against the Los Angeles Rams. Roger Staubach had a solid, if unspectacular, season, while running backs Doug Dennison, Robert Newhouse and Scott Laidlaw headed a good Dallas running attack. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Rams were still having issues at quarterback after the defeat in Super Bowl X, with James Harris getting the starting nod for the playoffs. Meanwhile, running back Lawrence McCutcheon was attempting to remove the demons that had plagued him during the last two playoff seasons for the Rams.

The game could not have started out any better for the Cowboys. Following three straight Harris incompletions, Dallas returned the Ram punt to the Los Angeles 27 yard line. From there, the three headed running attack of Dennison, Newhouse and Laidlaw struck quickly, moving their way downfield before Laidlaw finished the drive with a one yard touchdown plunge, giving Dallas an early 7-0 lead. With confidence now on their side, Dallas again forced a Los Angeles punt and again drove down the field, this time using the arm of Staubach and the legs of Dennison to move into field goal range. Efren Herrera's 22 yard field goal was good, giving the Cowboys 10 points on their first two drives.

Games are not won in the first quarter, however, and the Rams were sure to remind Dallas of that the next time they touched the ball. Both Harris and McCutcheon began hitting their strides, and Harris connected with John Cappelletti for a 16 yard touchdown to cap a 15 play, seven minute drive that cut the lead to 10-7. When Staubach was intercepted on the Cowboys' first play, their tired defense had to go back on the field. However, they managed to stop the Ram offense on three straight plays, and Tom Dempsey missed a 46 yard field goal that would have tied the game. Neither team was then able to move the ball until late in the first half, when Dallas again benefitted from a good punt return. Starting at the Los Angeles 39, the Cowboys made it down to the 12 yard line with just nine seconds to play in the half. Herrera's kick was good, and Dallas took a 13-7 lead into the half.

The entire second half could be best described as a defensive struggle. The Cowboys seemed to be unable to move the ball almost the entire second half, while the Rams let key chances slip through their fingers. Dempsey missed a field goal on Los Angeles' first possession of the half, and while Dallas could not even get into Ram territory, the Rams were not putting any points on the board themselves. The fourth quarter started with a Demspey 29 yard field goal to cut the score to 13-10, and after another Dallas punt, Los Angeles began driving down the field once again on the arm of Harris. After an eight yard completion gave the Rams a first and goal to go at the Dallas one yard line, the Cowboy defense found another gear, stopping the Rams four straight times on runs right up the middle of the field. Both McCutcheon and John Cappelletti had two chances, and neither one gained more than six inches on any carry. While the Cowboys would have to punt on the ensuing possession, just stopping the Rams on a dramatic goal line stand was enough.

It was a good thing the Cowboys stopped the Rams on that possession, because the Rams moved right down the field again on their next one as the clock slowly began to run out. Once again, Harris got the Rams inside to Dallas ten yard line, but once again, Dallas' defense stood tall, stopping the Rams three straight times at the five yard line. This time, however, Dempsey came into the game and booted a tying field goal with just 43 seconds remaining. Demoralized at losing their lead, Dallas ran out the clock and sent the game into overtime.

The Cowboys got the ball to start the overtime, and they quickly moved down the field, to the shock of the now confident Ram defense. The Rams eventually stood tough though, and forced Efren Herrera to try a 48 yard kick. The attempt sailed wide, giving the Rams a shot to score and end the game. They then quickly moved down the field, with Harris proving his worth as a starting quarterback by quiding the Rams down to the Dallas 27 yard line. From there, Lawrence McCutcheon burst ahead for 15 yards, but as he was tackled, he lost the football and Dallas recovered at their own seven yard line. It would be the last time the Rams would have the ball.

With new life, Staubach guided the Cowboys down the field with all the poise and skills of a true field general. When the passing game stopped working, he simply handed it off to one of his three backs, and when that stopped, he threw the ball over the heads of the Ram defenders to now open receivers. In the end, the Cowboys had to settle for a Efren Herrera 22 yard field goal, but that was enough to win them the game and send them to another NFC Championship. For McCutcheon and the Rams, it was another heartbreaking loss.

Final Score: Dallas-16 Los Angeles-13/OT

Real Life Score: Los Angeles-14 Dallas-12

NFC Championship Game

Texas Stadium, Irving, TX

Dallas Cowboys (11-3) vs. Washington Redskins(10-4)

Two heated NFC East rivals clashed for the right to go to Super Bowl XI and face the Pittsburgh Steelers. For the Dallas Cowboys, it was a chance to prove that they still belonged in the same breath as teams like the Steelers and Raiders, while for the Redskins, it was a chance to show that they were one of the better teams in football.

On this day, however, only one team could stand, and it became obvious from the start who that would be. Dallas took the opening kickoff and marched down the field against the Redskins, picking up 59 yards on their first three plays. While they would not score a touchdown, Efren Herrera did hit a 30 yard field goal to give them a 3-0 lead. The Redskins were forced to punt after three plays, and Dallas moved downfield again on the arm of Staubach. Though they again had to settle for a Efren Herrera field goal, the tone of the game had been set. Washington's next two possessions ended in a fumble by Kilmer and a blocked punt that Dallas recovered at the Redskin eight yard line early in the second quarter. Staubach this time found Drew Pearson in the end zone, giving the Cowboys a 13-0 lead.

The Cowboy dominance continued throughout the second quarter. After forcing another Redskin punt, Dallas moved down the field once again. Doug Dennison caught his only pass of the game, but it went for 34 yards, and set up another Staubach touchdown, this one to Billy Joe Dupree that made the score 20-0. It was then that the Redskins finally decided to wake up, and they did so in a hurry. Kilmer finally started finding open receivers, and Mike Thomas began to see running lanes that weren't there for most of the first half. On a third and 18, Kilmer found Frank Grant for 19 yards and a touchdown with just 30 seconds to go in the half. Suddenly, as the first half ended, momentum seemed to be swinging back towards the Washington Redskins.

That momentum clearly had an effect on the Redskins as they came out for the second half, because just three plays after the kickoff, Mike Thomas came through with a 31 yard touchdown run to cut the lead to 20-14. Thomas had two carries on the drive for a total of 57 yards, which was more than he had gained the entire first half. After a Dallas punt, Thomas and Kilmer moved the Redskins again, this time settling for a field goal that would make the score 20-17, and all of a sudden, Dallas fans began to sweat. Their worries were unfounded, however, as Dallas quickly regained their dominance that they had throughout the first half. Their next possession lasted for 14 plays and nine minutes. It ended in the fourth quarter with a Doug Dennison one yard touchdown run that made the lead 27-17. Three plays later, Charlie Waters picked off Kilmer, and four plays after that, Staubach found Preston Pearson for an 11 yard touchdown. With the lead back up to 17 points, the Redkins were completely deflated. They were stopped on four downs on their next possession, and would never see the ball again, as Dallas used its running backs to control the last seven minutes of the game, and earn the right to face Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XI.

Final Score: Dallas-34 Washington-17

Real Life Score: Minnesota-24 Los Angeles-13 (In Minnesota)

[Hurkman]

Super Bowl XI

The Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA

Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4)


Head Coach: Chuck Noll
342 Points Scored
138 Points Allowed

Starting Quarterback: Terry Bradshaw


Road to the Super Bowl:
Defeated Baltimore, 24-3-AFC Divisional Playoffs
Defeated Oakland, 27-13-AFC Championship



Dallas Cowboys (11-3)


Head Coach: Tom Landry
296 Points Scored
194 Points Allowed

Starting Quarterback: Roger Staubach


Road to the Super Bowl:
Defeated Los Angeles, 16-13 (OT)-NFC Divisional Playoffs
Defeated Washington, 34-17-NFC Championship



The Game

For the third straight season, the Pittsburgh Steelers had come to the Super Bowl with hopes of winning another championship. Terry Bradshaw, Rocky Bleier, Franco Harris, John Stallworth and Lynn Swann led an imposing offense, while Jam Ham, Jack Lambert, Mel Blount and Joe Greene headed up one of the best defenses in recent memory. Opposing them would be the third different NFC team to face the Steelers in the Super Bowl: the Dallas Cowboys. While Roger Staubach didn't have the best year at quarterback, their three pronged running attack, along with an imposing defense made the Cowboys a very tough team.

At the start of the game, it appeared as if the Steelers would march their way to a third straight Super Bowl title with no problem at all. Rocky Bleier and Franco Harris dismantled the Dallas run defense, and by the time Terry Bradshaw threw his first pass, the Steelers were already at the Dallas 22 yard line. However, they would get no closer, and Roy Gerela would miss his 39 yard field goal attempt, leaving the game scoreless. Of course, Dallas still had to deal with Pittsburgh's defense, and that forced Staubach and the Cowboys to punt after three plays. This time, Bradshaw found his mark, hitting Randy Grossman for 16 yards, then Franco Harris for 33 more, setting the Steelers up for another field goal attempt. Gerela's 32 yard attempt was good, giving Pittsburgh a 3-0 lead ten minutes into the game.

Dallas seemed determined to give the Steelers another chance to score, as Staubach was intercepted by Jack Ham on the very next offensive play. However, Bradshaw was picked off just two plays later by Charlie Waters, giving the Cowboys another chance. When Doug Dennison broke off a 17 yard run, it appeared as if that might happen, but then Staubach was sacked by Jack Ham and then threw his second interception of the quarter, but this time, there was no one that could stop Mike Wagner as he raced 45 yards for the first touchdown of Super Bowl XI.

Dallas finally seemed to settle down on their next possession, with Staubach handing the ball off to Dennison, Robert Newhouse and Scott Laidlaw for punishing runs into the heart of the Pittsburgh defense. It worked well enough to begin to loosen up the Pittsburgh passing defense, and after getting down to the ten yard line, Staubach found Billy Joe Dupree open in the end zone for a touchdown that cut the lead to 10-7. Following a Pittsburgh punt, Dallas drove downfield again, on the legs of Dennison and a 19 yard catch and run by Drew Pearson. However, Efren Herrera missed the 41 yard field goal try, leaving the Cowboys unable to tie the score.

Pittsburgh would take advantage of the Dallas miss, moving once again with Harris and Bleier doing most of the heavy work. Bradshaw completed just one pass on the entire 11 play drive, but the two running backs gained 42 yards and put Pittsburgh in position to kick another field goal. When the ball sailed through the uprights, the score was 13-7. Dallas did little with its last possession of the half, and the game went to halftime with the same 13-7 score.

After the half, Dallas came out and looked like a different team on their first possession, moving down the field with the typical Cowboy skill and grace. Staubach finally began to find his receivers again, but it was the running attack that would fail Dallas on this drive, stopping the Cowboys short of a go-ahead touchdown. They had to settle for an Efren Herrera 29 yard field goal that made the Pittsburgh lead just three points. Meanwhile, the Steelers seemed more than content to just sit on their lead and run straight at the Dallas defense. In the entire third quarter, Bradshaw threw just two passes while letting Bleier and Harris do most of the work. It was effective, as the Steelers controlled the ball for much of the quarter. However, it did little to put points on the board, and as the fourth quarter began, Dallas recovered a Harris fumble to give themselves a shot at tying the score or even taking the lead.

The Cowboys had a chance on that drive, but on third and 12, Butch Johnson, a seldom used receiver, dropped a Staubach pass in the open field, ending the drive. From there on, it was more of the same for the Steelers, as both Bleier (116) and Harris (105) had over 100 yards rushing on the day. Combined, they carried the ball 43 times for 221 yards, and ate up precious time in the fourth and final quarter. The Cowboys had one final shot at a sustained drive, but on fourth down and seven from their own 42 yard line, Staubach was sacked for a third time by Jack Ham, giving Pittsburgh the ball back once again. This time, they would not give Dallas another chance, and for the third straight season, the Steelers stood alone on top of the NFL mountain.

Final Score: Pittsburgh-13 Dallas-10

MVP: Jack Ham: 6 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 INT

[Hurkman]

AFC Divisional Playoffs

Denver Broncos (12-2) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers(9-5)
Mile High Stadium, Denver, CO

For the first time in their history, the Denver Broncos advanced to the AFC playoffs, and they did so on the strength of their defense. "Orange Crush," as it was called, completely dominated teams throughout the season, allowing just 148 points the entire season. Meanwhile, veteran Craig Morton, long thrown away by the Dallas Cowboys, was looking to prove that he could still lead a team to the Super Bowl. That would be no easy task against the three time defending champion Pittsburgh Steelers, though some of the luster had worn off this season. The once dominant defense struggled through the season, and poor outings by both Terry Bradshaw and Rocky Bleier during the season seemed to spell the end of the Steelers' reign.

In the first quarter, it appeared as if both teams would allow their defenses to set the tempo on this day. Neither team could move the ball for the greater part of the quarter, until Morton and the Broncos began to finally get going. Running back Otis Armstrong charged ahead for a 14 yard gain that put Denver into Pittsburgh territory and Morton did the rest, passing for 22 yards before the Broncos had to settle for a Jim Turner 44 yard kick and a 3-0 lead.

The Denver offense continued to find its stride as the game got older. On their next drive, Morton and Armstrong were in sync again, with Armstrong finishing the drive with a 20 yard touchdown that went right through the heart of the Pittsburgh defense. Later in the quarter, "Orange Crush" began to make their mark on Terry Bradshaw. With five minutes remaining in the half, the Steeler quarterback was intercepted by Louis Wright, who returned the pick back to the Pittsburgh 15 yard line. Five plays later, Rob Lytle punched into the end zone, putting the Broncos up 17-0 on the defending champs. On Pittsburgh's very next drive, Bradshaw was intercepted again, this time by Tom Jackson. That turnover set up a second Turner field goal, and the lead was now 20 points. Bradshaw was finally able to move the Steelers on their next drive, but they stalled inside the ten yard line, and Roy Gerela gave them their first points as the half expired.

Down by 17 points coming out of the half, most people expected the Steelers to be able to at least mount some kind of comeback. Instead, what they got was pure domination by the Denver defense. both Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier were held in check the entire game, with neither rushing for even 30 yards. Meanwhile, both Armstrong and backup running back Rob Lytle punished the Pittsburgh front, finally denting the "Steel Curtain" enough to break through. With the veteran Morton leading the way, Denver controlled the clock in the second half, while the defense kept pressure on Bradshaw, who was forced to throw more to make up the score. The two teams traded field goals in the fourth quarter, and Pittsburgh's last gasp of a drive ended with Bradshaw's third interception of the game. It seemed impossible, but the Pittsburgh Steelers would not win the Super Bowl this year.

Final Score: Denver-23 Pittsburgh-6

Real Life Score: Denver-34 Pittsburgh-21

Baltimore Colts (10-4) vs. Oakland Raiders (11-3)
Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, MD

By virtue of their AFC East championship, the Baltimore Colts were fortunate enough to host the Oakland Raiders in the divisional round of the AFC playoffs. While not as solid as last year, Baltimore quarterback Bert Jones had a good season, and Lydell Mitchell rushed for over 1,150 yards. Meanwhile, safety Lyle Blackwood was a dominant force in the secondary, leading the NFL wth 10 interceptions. For Oakland, they were led once again by Ken Stabler and the dual running attack of Mark Van Eeghen and Clarence Davis, as well as leading receiver Dave Casper.

As the game started, it became clear that Baltimore was going to try and force Stabler to beat them by stacking the line of scrimmage to take away Oakland's solid running game. It certainly worked, as on the first play of the game, Stabler was picked off by Lyle Blackwood. However, the Oakland defense stopped the Colts cold, and forced a punt. Stabler was able to move the ball down the field with short swing passes to his running backs, but the next time he looked deep for a pass on the next Oakland drive, Blackwood was there again for another interception. This time, the Colts were able to attack the Oakland front, using running back Lydell Mitchell in multiple roles. First, he gained 30 yards on a sweep, then caught a five yard touchdown pass out of the backfield to give Baltimore the early 7-0 lead.

With those two early interceptions still echoing in his mind, Ken Stabler decided that his best means of attacking the Baltimore defense would be to stick with the short passing game. This time around, it worked, with Clarence Davis picking up 26 yards on a short swing pass, followed by a 10 yard pass to Casper and a 16 yard touchdown to Fred Biletnikoff that tied the score at seven. Though Oakland still couldn't run on the Colts, Stabler had found a way to pass on them. The only problem with that was that head coach John Madden still wanted to run the football. In the second quarter, Oakland's running game proved ineffective, and led directly to ten Baltimore points. After one short drive consisting of nothing but running plays, Baltimore came back onto the field and used Bert Jones' arm to lead them to the end zone, finishing the 9 play drive with a 17 yard touchdown to Raymond Chester.

On the very next Oakland drive, Mark Van Eeghen fumbled the football back to the Colts, and after another Baltimore drive, Toni Linhart booted a 23 yard kick through to make the score 17-7. In just 10 minutes, Oakland's decision to run the football had put them into a hole that they would not escape from. As the first half came to a close, the Colts were brimming with confidence, while the Raiders looked beaten already.

Though the Raiders looked sullen walking off the field, as they got back on it in the third quarter, their defense was determined to keep Oakland in the game. On the second play of the half, Jones' pass was intercepted by Jack Tatum, who returned the ball to the Baltimore 30. Oakland made it down to the ten yard line, but then Stabler threw his third interception of the game, this one to Bruce Laird. When he was finally brought down at the Baltimore 41, all the air had been let out of the Raiders' balloon. Jones threw his third touchdown of the game on the Colts' drive, this one to Don McCauley, and from there, the game was never in doubt. Lydell Mitchell attacked the Raiders for the rest of the game, finishing with 151 yards and a rushing touchdown that he added late in the fourth quarter. Stabler would be picked off once again by Blackwood, and by the time the Raider running game got started, it was too little, too late, even with a Mark Van Eeghen touchdown run. The gun sounded, and it would be the Colts getting their shot at the upstart Broncos in the AFC Championship.

Final Score: Baltimore-31 Oakland-14

Real Life Score: Oakland-37 Baltimore-31/2 OT (Ghost to the Post Game)

AFC Championship Game

Mile High Stadium, Denver, CO

Denver Broncos (12-2) vs. Baltimore Colts (10-4)

In just their fourth winning season, the Denver Broncos not only found themselves one game away from the Super Bowl, but they were also hosting the game. Fortunately for them, they had a veteran quarterback in Craig Morton, along with one of the best defenses in football. The Baltimore Colts would not be intimidated, however, as they were able to counter with Bert Jones and Lydell Mitchell on offense, as well as Lyle Blackwood and his three interceptions against the Oakland Raiders in the first round of the playoffs. As people began to fill Mile High Stadium, it was a common thought that the team that played more mistake free football would win the game.

Early on, it appeared as if that would certainly be the case. The Colts received the ball first, but Bert Jones missed a wide open Don McCauley on third down, and they were forced to punt. The Broncos would not waste time in moving down the field, with both Otis Armstrong and Rob Lytle playing huge parts in the opening drive. In fact, only the two of them would touch the ball on Denver's first drive, with each rushing into the Baltimore defense and catching passes out of the backfield. Armstrong finished the drive with a 1 yard touchdown up the middle, and the Broncos were up 7-0. After another Baltimore punt, the Broncos, knowing the Colts would be expecting running plays, used play action fakes to soften up the defense. From there, Morton was able to attack the Baltimore secondary, passing for 60 yards on the drive, including a six yard touchdown pass to Jack Dolbin that put the Broncos up 14-0 as the first quarter came to a close.

In the second quarter, it seemed as if the Colts had finally figured out how to at least make progress against the stingy Denver defense. Jones started using Mitchell out of the backfield, as well as utilizing shorter passes against the aggressive Denver linebackers. In doing so, the Colts moved downfield, with Mitchell's one yard touchdown run capping a 12 play, seven minute drive. However, the Broncos were quick to answer this time, as Morton hit Dolbin in stride for 49 yards on the second play of their next possession. That was followed on the next play by a Ron Egloff touchdown catch that once again made the Bronco lead 14 points. The Colts were forced to punt on their next drive, but then Morton made his first mistake of the game, as Nelson Munsey stepped in front of a pass and intercepted it. After a Bert Jones 26 yard pass to Roger Carr, Lydell Mitchell scored for the second time, making the score 21-14. Once again, the Broncos were able to respond, moving without a huddle and benefitting from an Armstrong 41 yard run, before settling for a Jim Turner field goal as the half expired to put them up 24-14.

Just 30 minutes from their first trip to the Super Bowl, the Denver Broncos came into the second half wanting to just play mistake free football, and they attempted to do just that by running the ball on almost every play. However, this was the same mistake that Oakland had made the week before against the Colts, and on their second drive of the half, the Colts made the Broncos pay. Backup running back Ronald Lee broke off a 51 yard run, then Lydell Mitchell added his third score of the game, this one from 15 yards against a tiring Denver defense to make the score 24-21 in favor of Denver. Unlike the Raiders, however, the Broncos were able to rely on their defense for the rest of the third quarter, and despite not gaining a single first down in 15 minutes, the Broncos took a three point lead into the fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter started with yet another Denver punt, and while they were able to stop the Colts once again, the Broncos were now losing in field postion on each drive, giving the Colts fewer and fewer yards to go for a score. The defense would make up for that, though, when Tom Jackson stripped Freddie Scott Jr. Bob Swenson recovered the fumble, and the Broncos were on the move. Their once stagnant running game came back to life, with Lonnie Perrin gaining 44 yards on a draw play. From there, the Colts held firm, forcing the Broncos to settle for a second Turner field goal, making the score 27-21 with just five minutes to play. Knowing time was important, Bert Jones came back onto the field and began moving the Colts toward the Denver end zone with drive and determination. Using both runs and passes to keep the Broncos off balance, the Colts soon found themselves at the Denver eight yard line.

On first down, Lydell Mitchell was able to gain two yards to the Denver six. Both second and third down were disrupted by a Denver pass rush that had once again found itself, and now the Colts were looking at a fourth and goal to go at the Denver seven yard line. Jones had some time, but his pass bounced off the fingertips of Glenn Doughty, ending the last chance that Baltimore would have. Morton and the Broncos ran out the clock, sending Denver to their very first Super Bowl.

Final Score: Denver-27 Baltimore-21

Real Life Score: Denver-20 Oakland-17

[Hurkman]

NFC Divisional Playoffs

Dallas Cowboys (12-2) vs. Chicago Bears (9-5)
Texas Stadium, Irving, TX

For the first time since 1963, the Chicago Bears had made the NFL playoffs. However, most people were putting this appearance off as a fluke. The Bears only scored two more points than they allowed, and their quarterback, Bob Avellini, threw seven more interceptions than touchdowns. The one thing that people did like about Chicago was Walter Payton, who at just 23 years of age, became a superstar in 1977, rushing for over 1,800 yards and 14 touchdowns, both of which led the league. Of course, none of this mattered to most people, considering their first playoff game in 14 years was against the Dallas Cowboys. Somehow, the Cowboys had gotten even better from last season, adding rookie running back Tony Dorsett to the team. With the rest of the offense and defense still in place, most people believed that this game would be nothing more than a warm up for the NFC Championship.

At the start, however, it became obvious that the younger, less experienced Bears were not nervous about playing under the bright lights of Texas Stadium. Despite not being able to score any points themselves, they held the Cowboys scoreless in the first quarter, and controlled most of the clock, using Payton and fullback Roland Harper to minimize the mistakes that Avellini could make. When the second quarter started though, Dallas was driving, and after a stand by the Bears, Efren Herrera booted through a 30 yard kick that put the first points on the board. Four plays later, Dallas had the ball again, and with the threat of Dorsett in the backfield, Staubach was able to get more time to throw, and he moved Dallas downfield once again. Herrera added a second field goal, and Dallas led 6-0.

With little time left in the half, Chicago finally found an offensive gear that they were looking for. For the first time in the game, Avellini didn't look completely shell shocked back in the pocket, and his passes began to find receivers. On drive where Payton touched the ball just once, the Bears moved down to the Dallas 11 yard line before having to settle for a Bob Thomas 28 yard field goal. As the half ended, the Bears may not have been leading the Cowboys, but they were certainly hanging right with them.

The second half started out perfectly for the upstart Bears. Dallas went three plays and had to punt on their opening possession, and the Bears returned the kick to the Cowboys' 49 yard line. With Payton now rested, he charged straight at the Dallas defense, gaining 38 yards, including a two yard touchdown that gave the Bears the lead for the first time at 10-6. Two Dallas possessions later, Staubach was intercepted by Virgil Livers, who returned the ball to the Dallas 46. The Bears could not score a touchdown, but they did add a Thomas 26 yard field goal to put them up 13-6. As the third quarter came to a close, the Bears could feel the upset coming, while many Dallas fans shifted nervously in their seats, hoping for a Cowboy miracle.

The Bears certainly gave Dallas their chances in the fourth quarter. On their first drive of the final quarter, Chicago went for a conversion on fourth and 13 from the Dallas 35. Avellini could not complete the pass, and the Cowboys took over. However, they couldn't move the ball, and were forced to punt. On the next play, Payton fumbled and Dallas recovered at the Chicago 43 yard line. For some reason, the Cowboys attempted just one pass on the drive, and had to settle for a third Herrera field goal that made the score 13-9 with just six minutes to play. The Cowboys forced another quick Bears punt and got the ball back at their own 31 yard line with four and a half minutes to play.

With enough time to still run the ball, the Cowboys were able to keep the Bears from focusing completely on the pass, and it paid off as Staubach was able to find Billy Joe Dupree and Golden Richards on back to back plays for 28 yards, moving the ball into Chicago territory. From there, however, the Bears just pinned their ears back and attacked Staubach, forcing an incomplete pass on first down, a two yard run on second down and a sack on third down. On fourth and 15 from the Chicago 42, Staubach dropped back and overthrew Dorsett, whose 55 yards on the ground were meaningless when compared to Payton's 100. From there, the shocked Cowboys could only watch as the Bears ran out the clock and advanced to their first NFC Championship game.

Final Score: Chicago-13 Dallas-9

Real Life Score: Dallas-37 Chicago-7


Los Angeles Rams(10-4) vs. Minnesota Vikings (9-5)
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA

Two of the most storied franchises in the NFL matched up against each other yet again in the playoffs. The Rams had one of the highest scoring offenses in football, led by Pat Haden at quarterback and the solid Lawrence McCutcheon at running back. Their defense was also one of the most feared in the league, allowing just ten and a half points a game, with players like Jack Youngblood, Jim Youngblood and Bill Simpson leading the way. The Minnesota Vikings were not nearly as flashy as the Rams, but the ageless Fran Tarkenton still had the legs of Chuck Foreman and the hands of Sammy White to guide the offense, while Paul Krause, Alan Page and Matt Blair solidified an aging, but still talented, defense.

On this day, however, the weather would play more of a factor than anything else possibly could. A torrential rainstorm hit the Los Angeles area, and when the Vikings took the field on offense, it was with backup quarterback Bob Lee behind center. Coach Bud Grant used Lee because he later said he wanted to be able to throw more while the field conditions were not horrible. Even from the start, this would prove to be a bad idea. The Vikings were unable to move on their first drive, even with the rain just starting to fall. When the Rams got hold of the ball, they promptly marched downfield against the older Minnesota defense. McCutcheon moved with the style and grace the Rams were used to seeing out of him, and this allowed Haden to find open receivers down the field for large chunks of yards. The drive finally ended with a McCutcheon two yard touchdown, and the Rams were ahead 7-0.

Neither team could move the ball for the rest of the quarter, and as the second quarter started, the Vikings seemed to finally be able to move the ball as the field conditions got worse and worse. Eventually, the drive stalled, but the usually reliable Fred Cox missed a 45 yard field goal, keeping Minnesota off the board. Once again, the Rams were able to take advantage, with fullback John Cappelletti doing most of the leg work on the drive. It was Cappelletti who ended up finishing the drive as well, with an 11 yard touchdown grab from Haden that put Los Angeles up 14-0. With the Vikings unable to move the ball yet again, the game went to the half with the score still 14-0 in favor of Los Angeles.

In the third quarter, the rain that had been falling at a steady pace became a downpour, and neither team could see more than ten yards in front of them, let alone try and get a first down. With the focus now on the running game and the lack of traction everyone was getting, neither team could do anything but hope for the rains to let up, which they eventually did in the fourth quarter. At the same time, Fran Tarkenton, who was also banged up from a season in which he took punishing hit after punishing hit, finally got a chance to step onto the field for the Vikings. With their leader now in the game, and playing hurt, no less, the Vikings stormed down the field, finally scoring on a Tarkenton two yard touchdown to Sammy Johnson. However, Cox slipped on the PAT, and the Rams lead was 14-6.

Whatever hope the Vikings had for a late comeback was soon snuffed out, however. On the next three Ram possessions, Los Angeles scored 13 points on two Rafael Septien field goals and a late McCutcheon touchdown, all of which were thanks to Viking turnovers. With momentum clearly on their side, the Rams stood victorious over the Vikings, and now waited for the underdog Chicago Bears to head to Los Angeles.

Final Score: Los Angeles-27 Minnesota-6

Real Life Score: Minnesota-14 Los Angeles-7 (Yes, it really did pour that day. Rams fans called it the "Mud Bowl.")

NFC Championship Game

Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles Rams (10-4) vs. Chicago Bears (9-5)

Though the Bears were a heavy underdog coming into their game with the Los Angeles Rams, no one on the Rams was taking the Bears lightly at all. They had all seen what the Bears were able to do to Dallas, plus the Bears had already beaten the Rams once during the regular season. With Walter Payton and a young defense on their side, the Bears were hoping that they could pull off yet another upset, while the experienced Rams were looking for another trip to the Super Bowl to prove their past few playoff failings were not a trend.

From the start of this game, it was obvious who the better team would be on this day. On the very first play of the game, Chicago fullback Roland Harper fumbled the football. Los Angeles recovered, and three plays later, Pat Haden found Terry Nelson in the end zone for an 11 yard touchdown and a very early 7-0 lead. On the next Chicago possession, Bob Avellini's pass was overthrown and intercepted by Pat Thomas, and the Rams marched back down the field in ten plays, going 76 yards and finishing the drive with a second Haden touchdown pass, this one to John Cappelletti. By the time the first quarter was over, the Rams already led 14-0, and the Bears were in a state of shock. Their mistake free football that they had played against the Cowboys had apparently been left in Dallas, and it wouldn't get any better in the second quarter.

Both teams traded punts to start out the second quarter, but on the next Bear possession, Avellini was picked off again, this time by Bill Simpson, who returned the ball all the way to the Chicago 39 yard line. Six plays later, Lawrence McCutcheon was in the end zone, having gained 20 yards on the drive. The score was now 21-0 in favor of the Rams, and even though it wasn't even halftime yet, fans in Los Angeles were celebrating, and with good reason. After another Chicago punt, the Rams moved down the field yet again, the Chicago defense seemingly unable or unwilling to put a stop to McCutcheon and Haden. It was those two again leading the way for the Rams, only this time they had to settle for a Rafael Septien field goal to make the score 24-0 at the half.

In the second half, it became more obvious that while the Bears were good, the Rams were just on a different level on this day. Roland Harper fumbled away the ball for a second time on the Bears' opening possession of the second half, and the only other time Chicago got the ball in the third quarter, Bob Thomas missed a 50 yard field goal. It was no better in the fourth quarter, as McCutcheon picked up his second touchdown of the day, this one from 10 yards out. McCutcheon finished the day with 129 yards on 24 carries, compared to Payton's 50 yards on 18 carries. Avellini was intercepted one more time on the next Chicago drive, but by then, the game was well in hand for the Rams. Los Angeles ran out the clock, and advanced to their fifth Super Bowl, while the Bears could at least look back on a successful season.

Final Score: Los Angeles-31 Chicago-0

Real Life Score: Dallas-23 Minnesota-6 (In Dallas)

[jbergey22]

The Vikings are getting no love. Very interested read!

[Zoso1515]

This is so unrealistic.

[The Professor]

This is great! What a fun read.

[Mattingly120]

I love to do things like this on whatifsports.com, and I don't know if you know this, but back when you didn't have Bradshaw as the starting QB for the Steelers several seasons ago, you can change the depth charts for the teams.

I am actually replaying the 2003 season for my own enjoyment, I'm up to Week 11 and there's been some surprises.

[Hurkman]

Originally Posted by Mattingly120

I love to do things like this on whatifsports.com, and I don't know if you know this, but back when you didn't have Bradshaw as the starting QB for the Steelers several seasons ago, you can change the depth charts for the teams.

I am actually replaying the 2003 season for my own enjoyment, I'm up to Week 11 and there's been some surprises.

Yeah, I know about the depth charts. The thing is, those kicked in right after I finished with that season, so I didn't get a chance to use them for that season. Ever since then, I've been setting them to what I've found online. It makes things a lot better with the depth charts, since now I can actually take out the offensive players that were out, so it's a good thing.

[magnet]

Why do you hate Minnesota?

[Hurkman]

I don't hate the Vikings, they've just gotten some really bad breaks in the playoffs. I never saw them losing to the Cardinals, or seemingly being unable to beat the Rams in the playoffs either? I'm hoping they get some more chances, especially that 1998 team. I wanted Randall to go to the Super Bowl so bad! They could win one down the road, I mean, the Steelers won three in a row, and the Bengals made the Super Bowl! Anything is possible.

[Hurkman]

Super Bowl XII

The Superdome, New Orleans, LA

Denver Broncos (12-2)


Head Coach: Red Miller
274 Points Scored
148 Points Allowed

Starting Quarterback: Craig Morton


Road to the Super Bowl:
Defeated Pittsburgh, 23-6: AFC Divisional Playoffs
Defeated Baltimore, 27-21: AFC Championship



Los Angeles Rams (10-4)


Head Coach: Chuck Knox
302 Points Scored
146 Points Allowed

Starting Quarterback: Pat Haden


Road to the Super Bowl:
Deafeated Minnesota, 27-6: NFC Divisional Playoffs
Defeated Chicago, 31-0: NFC Championship



The Game

For the first time ever, the Denver Broncos had reached the peak of the NFL season. With veteran Craig Morton at the helm, a Super Bowl championship was in reach for the Orange Crush defense. Trying to fight that defense was Pat Haden, Lawrence McCutcheon and the Los Angeles Rams, who had looked dominant in two games against the best the NFC had to offer.

As the game began, it seemed as if the momentum that the Rams carried into the game would continue as well. After punts by both teams, the Rams took the ball downfield after a good punt return. Using a balanced running attack of Lawrence McCutcheon and John Cappelletti, Los Angeles moved downfield, and backup running back Wendell Tyler put the ball in the end zone for the Rams, giving them an early 7-0 lead on the upstart Broncos. The momentum was with the Rams, and it would continue into the second quarter.

Denver's once solid running attack seemed to falter under the Los Angeles assault, so the Broncos turned to veteran Craig Morton to lead them for the rest of the game. While he was a veteran, he was still nervous about playing in the Super Bowl, and the Broncos punted on their next drive. It took just one play for the Rams to strike, when Harold Jackson brought in a Pat Haden pass, and broke 64 yards through the Denver defense for a touchdown and a 14-0 Los Angeles lead. Even staring down a two touchdown lead, the Broncos refused to give in, and as the half expired, Jim Turner booted a 33 yard field goal that made the score 14-3 at the half.

As the second half started, it soon became clear that the Broncos had managed to figure out the Rams in such a short period of time, while the Rams were unable to adjust to Denver. On the first drive of the second half, Denver moved downfield almost at ease, until finally being stopped at the 18 yard line. With Otis Armstrong and Lonnie Perrin now leading the push on offense, Turner booted another field goal, and the Broncos were down 14-6, with just 24 minutes to play.

The Rams missed a chance on their next drive, when after McCutcheon and Haden moved the team downfield, Rafael Septien missed a 50 yard kick that left the score a two possession game by the slimmest of margins. On the next Denver drive, the running attack finally came to life after being stagnant during the first half. Otis Armstrong began to see holes in the Los Angeles line, while Craig Morton now finally had time to find open receivers. When Haven Moses brought in a 24 yard touchdown from Morton, the score was just 14-13, and the Broncos had a shot as the fourth quarter began.

If Denver thought they had just a shot as the final quarter began, it soon became a flood of emotion. After stopping the Rams on third down, Denver fielded the punt at their own 39 yard line. From there, the Broncos went on an eight play drive, resulting in an Otis Armstrong 10 yard run that would put the Broncos ahead 19-14 after a missed Turner extra point. Neither team could move for most of the quarter after that, with the Broncos now playing extra defensive in anticipation of a Los Angeles comeback. Instead, Joe Rizzo picked off Pat Haden, and when Lonnie Perrin put the ball in the end zone with just under two minutes to play, the Rams were in serious trouble.

Down by 12 points, the Rams needed a miracle. Instead, all they got was four plays and out by Haden, leaving the Broncos celebrating on their sidelines. On the next Denver possession, Turner added a field goal to make the score 29-14 in favor of the Broncos. When the Rams got the ball back, veteran quarterback Joe Namath was placed in the game, just to say that he finally got a chance to play in the Super Bowl. Even though he was ineffective, the Rams were still able to say they gave an old man a chance, and when the clock ran out, Los Angeles was again left to wonder what could have been, while the Denver Broncos celebrated becoming kings of the NFL for the first time.

Final Score: Denver-29 Los Angeles-14

MVP: Craig Morton: 14/21, 169 yards, 1 TD

[Hurkman]

In 1978, the NFL decided to expand the regular season to 16 games. At the same time, they added a fifth team to each conferences' playoff bracket, making the addition of the Wild Card round necessary.

(I'm going to try a shorter recap style, now that I've hit the Wild Card round. If I like it, it'll stick around. If not, I'll think of something else. Let me know what you think!)

AFC Wild Card Playoffs

Miami Dolphins (11-5) vs. Houston Oilers (10-6)
The Orange Bowl, Miami, FL

For the first time since 1969, the Houston Oilers had made the AFC playoffs. Facing them would be the veteran Miami Dolphins, who were returning to the playoffs themselves for the first time since 1974. Miami still had Bob Griese leading the way at quarterback, while the running game was led by Delvin Williams. The Oilers actually allowed more points than they scored in 1978, but they had excellent rookie running back Earl Campbell, who led the NFL in rushing with 1,450 yards.

Despite the problems that Houston's defense had during the regular season, they kept the Dolphins scoreless throughout the first half. Without much of a passing game, Miami was forced to turn to Delvin Williams on most plays, and Houston was ready for that, shutting him down early. When the Oilers got the ball, they ran right at the heart of the Miami defense with Campbell, and after the Dolphins started to adjust, quarterback Dan Pastorini was able to find open receivers behind the linebackers. This paid off in the second quarter, when Houston put the first 13 points on the board, thanks to two Toni Fritsch field goals and a 22 yard touchdown pass from Pastorini to Robert Woods.

In the second half, Houston's defense continued to pressure Griese, forcing an interception on the Dolphins' first drive of the half that was returned by Mike Reinfeldt for a touchdown, putting the Oilers up by 20. Miami would finally score on their next drive, when Griese hit Nat Moore for a 17 yard touchdown, but on the very first Houston play of their next drive, Pastorini hit Campbell out of the backfield for a 69 yard touchdown catch and run that effectively put the game out of reach. From there, Houston played keep-away from the Miami offense, using Campbell and Tim Wilson to hold onto the ball for 36 minutes during the game. Miami would put up ten points in the fourth quarter, but the Oilers countered with another Fritsch field goal to end the scoring. When the clock expired, Houston had their first playoff win since the 1961 AFL Championship game.

Final Score: Houston-30 Miami-17

Real Life Score: Houston-17 Miami-9

AFC Divisional Playoffs

Pittsburgh Steelers (14-2) vs. Denver Broncos (10-6)
Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA

Revenge was on the minds of the Pittsburgh Steelers going into their playoff matchup with the Denver Broncos. Just last season, Denver had ended Pittsburgh's chance at four straigt Super Bowl titles, but now, the Steelers were back to form, with their defense allowing just 195 points all season and Terry Bradshaw having one of his finest seasons at the helm of the offense. Denver still had Craig Morton behind center, but aside from Haven Moses at wide receiver and an excellent defense, there was little to right home about. They were still hoping to shock the world again, but this year, it would be much more difficult.

From the start of this game, it was clear that the defenses would rule the day in Pittsburgh. Aside from the Steelers' opening drive when Bradshaw found Lynn Swann open in the end zone for a 14 yard touchdown pass, neither team could do much to move the ball at all. Denver got a break on a Bradshaw interception, which set up a Jim Turner 31 yard field goal late in the first quarter, but aside from that, their offense was stagnant. The running attack that was used so well last season was unable to even get out of the blocks on this day, so the Broncos were forced to rely on the aging Craig Morton. He seemed up to the task at first, hitting Haven Moses with a 45 yard strike that set up a second Turner field goal in the second quarter, but after that, he was unable to get himself going again as he wilted in the face of a relentless Pittsburgh pass rush. The only thing saving the Broncos was their own defense, and at the half, the score was just 7-6 in favor of the Steelers.

The second half saw things get increasingly more difficult for the Broncos and their offense. Morton was still under tremendous pressure, and with the running attack stopped cold, the 35 year old quarterback seemed unable to carry the load on this day. With the score still 7-6 in the fourth quarter, Morton threw two huge interceptions. The first set up a Roy Gerela field goal that made it a two possession game, and the second was returned for a tochdown by Jack Ham with just under two minutes remaning in the game. With that interception return, the Steelers had their revenge, and the defending Super Bowl champions would be watching the rest of the playoffs at home.

Final Score: Pittsburgh-17 Denver-6

Real Life Score: Pittsburgh-33 Denver-10

New England Patriots (11-5) vs. Houston Oilers (10-6)
Foxboro Stadium, Foxborough, MA

After a year away, the New England Patriots were back in the playoffs, and this time, they were playing host to the wild card Houston Oilers. Despite an average season from quarterback Steve Grogan and issues with head coach Chuck Fairbanks, the Patriots were still a solid team. Sam Cunningham, Andy Johnson and Horace Ivory were a three headed monster at running back, while receivers Harold Jackson and Stanley Morgan helped pace the NFL's fourth highest scoring offense.

The first half almost resembled a heavyweight boxing match more than a football game, with both teams giving each other their best shots early and often. Houston scored on their opening drive when Dan Pastorini hit Mike Renfro with a three yard touchdown pass. New England countered with a touchdown of their own on their opening drive, courtsey of Steve Grogan to Andy Johnson. Houston then went on another long drive, finishing it with a Toni Fritsch field goal early in the second quarter. New England fumbled the ball back to Houston on their first play, and the Oilers scored again on a Robert Woods touchdown catch. The Patriots would answer back with a field goal on their next drive, then their defense finally stopped the Oilers, forcing them to punt. New England would tie the game late in the second quarter with Andy Johnson's second receiving touchdown of the half. However, Houston had one last haymaker in them, and they landed it when Pastorini found Robert Woods for a 58 yard touchdown pass with just 20 seconds remaining in the half to give the Oilers the lead, 24-17, at halftime.

If the first half resembled a heavyweight title fight, the second half of the game was more of a war of attrition. Other than a David Posey 27 yard field goal on the Patriots' opening drive of the half, neither team could move the ball in the third quarter. It was the same throughout much of the fourth quarter as well, with each team punting on almost every drive. Finally, with just four and a half minutes to go in the game, Houston blinked on defense. After allowing a punt to be returned to their own 41 yard line, the Oilers needed a stop. After three straight New England running plays, the time was right for a pass, and Grogan found Don Hasselbeck, who took the ball and ran 27 yards for the go ahead touchdown with just two and a half minutes remaining. Losing for the first time, Houston staged a furious drive, getting to midfield with just under a minute to go. However, Pastorini was unable to hit Renfro on fourth and 14, giving the ball and the game to the Patriots.

Final Score: New England-27 Houston-24

Real Life Score: Houston-31 New England-14

AFC Championship Game

Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA

Pittsburgh Steelers (14-2) vs. New England Patriots (11-5)

On paper, the AFC Championship game looked like a total mismatch. Pittsburgh was the stronger team on offense, and their defense was geared toward shutting down the running attack that New England had based their season on. Not only that, but Pittsburgh had the clear edge in postseason play, with most of their players a part of the three straight titles the Steelers had won. Of course, games are not played on paper, and the Patriots were hoping that they could prove that on this day.

The first quarter of the game could be described as one of the most shocking in AFC Championship history. On their first drive, the Patriots moved down the field at will against the Pittsburgh defense, ending the drive with a 21 yard touchdown pass from Steve Grogan to Russ Francis. Following a Roy Gerela field goal for the Steelers, New England came right down the field again. Grogan attacked the Steelers with short passes that took advantage of the aggressive Pittsburgh linebackers and gained solid yardage on every play. Sam Cunningham scored from three yards out, and at the end of the first quarter, the Steelers were down 14-3 to the upstart Patriots.

Of course, the Steelers wouldn't go down without a fight, and on their next two possessions, they added two more Gerela field goals while the defense finally got on track, stopping the Patriots cold throughout the second quarter. Pittsburgh closed out the first half with one more scoring drive, this one finding the end zone when Bradshaw hit Jim Smith Jr. with a 24 yrad touchdown pass that put the Steelers up 16-14 at the half and seemed to silence any chance the Patriots had of winning on this day.

For most of the second half, it seemed as if a Pittsburgh victory was inevitable. With the lead, all they had to do was rely on their defense to stop New England, which was something they had done for all but two drives early in the game. Throughout the third quarter, the two teams traded punts, with Pittsburgh more than willing to run just three plays and give it back to the Patriots, knowing full well that their offense could not move the ball any more. As the fourth quarter began to wind down, the Steelers did have one drive that got into New England territory, but Gerela missed a field goal, giving the Patriots decent field position.

Just like the week before against Houston, Grogan began to lead his team down the field against the clock. This week, he did it with his arm, completing three huge passes that moved the Patriots down to the Pittsburgh nine yard line with just over one minute remaining. On second and goal to go, Grogan zipped a pass to Russ Francis in the middle of the end zone for the go ahead touchdown. Three Rivers Stadium went deathly silent, but they knew the Steelers would get one last chance for a touchdown. Sure enough, Bradshaw began leading the Steelers down the field, reaching the New England 45 yard line with just 30 seconds to play. From there, however, it was New England's defense that pressured Bradshaw, forcing him into a fourth and ten. His last desperate pass sailed over the hands of Franco Harris, and the New England Patriots had shocked the world and were headed to their first Super Bowl.

Final Score: New England-21 Pittsburgh-16

Real Life Score: Pittsburgh-34 Houston-5

[Hurkman]

NFC Wild Card Playoffs

Atlanta Falcons (9-7) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (9-7)
Fulton County Stadium, Atlanta, GA

In the first Wild Card game in the NFC, two teams with less than stellar pasts squared off. Since their NFL title in 1960, the Philadelphia Eagles had not made the playoffs. This year, however, things began to turn around. Quarterback Ron Jaworski led a solid offense and along with running back Wilbert Montgomery and wide receiver Harold Carmichael, formed one of the better trios of offensive players in the league. Linebacker Bill Bergey and cornerback Herman Edwards helped provide a solid backbone to an improving defense. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Falcons had made the playoffs for the first time in their history. Even though they were outscored by 50 points on the season, quarterback Steve Bartkowski and running back Bubba Bean gave the Atlanta fans a reason to cheer.

In the first half, it appeared as if nerves had struck both teams on defense. On their first possession, the Eagles marched down the field on the arm of Jaworski, but kicker Nick Mike-Mayer missed a 46 yard attempt. The Falcons answered back with a drive of their own that finished with a Bartkowski touchdown pass to Jim Mitchell. Philadelphia would respond after a Bill Bergey interception on the next Atlanta drive, needing only two plays for Jaworski to find Keith Krepfle down the sideline for a 27 yard touchdown that tied the game as the second quarter began.

From the start of the second quarter on, the game belonged to the Eagles. After Bergey sacked Bartkowski on a fourth down attempt, Philadelphia marched down the field and added a field goal that gave them the lead. After a second Bartkowski interception, Jaworski needed just one play to find Carmichael on a 24 yard touchdown pass. At the end of the half, Mike-Mayer added another field goal to make the score 20-7 Eagles, and there was no doubt who would win on this day. Philadelphia pitched a shutout in the second half, with their defense constantly putting pressure on Bartkowski and not allowing Bubba Bean to get anything going on the ground. Mike-Mayer added a third field goal midway through the fourth quarter to finish the scoring, but by then, even the Falcons knew who would win. Philadelphia had won their first playoff game since 1960 and were on their way to face the powerhouse Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round.

Final Score: Philadelphia-23 Atlanta-7

Real Life Score: Atlanta-14 Philadelphia-13

NFC Divisional Playoffs

Dallas Cowboys (12-4) vs. Minnesota Vikings (8-7-1)
Texas Stadium, Irving, TX

After last season's embarassing defeat at the hands of the Chicago Bears, the NFC East champion Dallas Cowboys knew better than to look past the Minnesota Vikings, despite their record. After several years at the top of the NFC, age had started to ravage the Vikings, though they were still able to make the playoffs. Chuck Foreman still had a solid season at running back, and Sammy White and Ahmad Rashad were goo wide receivers. However, Fran Tarkenton was 38 years old, and his 32 interceptions led the league and were a career high. For Dallas, Roger Staubach may have been 35, but he put up solid numbers, while Tony Dorsett had established himself as one of the elite backs in the NFL. The Dallas defense was still excellent as well, allowing just 208 points on the season.

Going into the game, both teams knew that the only way the Vikings would have a chance against Dallas would be by controlling the clock. During the first half, they did just that. Their opening drive of the game lasted for nine and a half minutes, but only ended in a Rick Danmeier field goal. After forcing Dallas to go three plays and out on their first drive, the Vikings had a chance to attack the tired Cowboys defense, but they could do nothing. This failure to capitalize would be a tremendous mistake for Minnesota. After withstanding the initial Minnesota offensive attack, the Dallas defense dug in their heels for the rest of the half, rarely allowing a first down. The only problem was that the Dallas offense couldn't get started either. The only break Dallas got was on a good punt return late in the half that set up a Dorsett touchdown run. The extra point was missed, however, and the Cowboys went into the locker room leading just 6-3.

The second half was the same defensive struggle that the first half was, for the most part. With neither team able to do anything on offense, the game became a struggle for field position, and both teams knew that one big play might be enough to win the game. Late in the third quarter, Dallas got that play when Dorsett burst through the Minnesota line for a 55 yard run. One play later, Staubach found Tony Hill for a 14 yard touchdown, and the Cowboys finally had the lead. The fourth quarter saw the Vikings trying desperately to get down the field and score in a two possession game. The only problem was, they couldn't move with any speed, as Dallas was taking away the bigger plays and leaving the Vikings with just shorter options on offense. The Vikings took them, and eventually, Rickey Young was on the receiving end of a Tarkenton touchdown pass to cut the score to 13-10. With six and a half minutes remaining, the Vikings gave the ball back to the Cowboys, and never saw it again. Despite being dominated on possession, 37 minutes to 23, the Cowboys were able to hold onto the ball for the last six and a half minutes, running out the clock and holding onto a very close victory.

Final Score: Dallas-13 Minnesota-10

Real Life Score: Dallas-27 Atlanta-20 (Because Atlanta won in real life, they couldn't play the Rams, due to the rules of divisional play in the playoffs. That didn't happen here, obviously.)

Los Angeles Rams (12-4) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (9-7)
LA Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA

Once again, the Rams had made the NFC playoffs, and this year, they were hoping to prove that the previous years of playoff heartbreak were going to end. Despite inconsistant quarterback play from Pat Haden, and the loss of running back Lawrence McCutcheon due to injury, the Rams were still the top team in the NFC, thanks to a solid defense and good receiver play from Willie Miller and Ron Jessie.

If the Eagles were intimidated playing the playoff veteran Rams, it certainly did not show early. Herman Edwards picked off Pat Haden on Los Angeles' second drive, and after Philadelphia moved down inside the Ram ten yard line, Ron Jaworski found his favorite target in Harold Carmichael for a six yard touchdown. The Rams needed a response, and they got just that on their very next drive. Using the legs of John Cappelletti and Cullen Bryant, the Rams pounded the Eagles, with Bryant scoring a 30 yard touchdown that tied the game. The Rams continued with the running attack, and the Eagles had no answer on their next drive, either. This time, it wuold be Cappelletti that would find the end zone on a two yard run. After that, both teams dug in, and neither offense could move much for the remainder of the first half.

As the second half started, the Eagles still felt like they had a chance to win. That hope was soon dashed, as on the punt after the first Philadelphia drive, Jackie Wallace ran 84 yards, almost untouched, to the end zone to put the Rams up by two scores. Demoralized by the sudden change in fortune, the Eagle offense went into a shell and did practically nothing throughout the third and most of the fourth quarters. Meanwhile, the Rams found success again with the running game, scoring on a 55 yard drive where Cullen Bryant accounted for every yard gained, including a ten yard touchdown that made the score 28-7. The rest of the game was just for show, and despite allowing a late Wilbert Montgomery touchdown run, the Rams were not challenged in the second half. Once again, they were one step away from the Super Bowl.

Final Score: Los Angeles-28 Philadelphia-14

Real Life Score: Los Angeles-34 Minnesota-10

NFC Championship Game

LA Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles Rams (12-4) vs. Dallas Cowboys (12-4)

Clearly, the two best teams in the NFC were squaring off in Los Angeles for the right to go to the Super Bowl. While the Dallas Cowboys had the highest scoring offense in the NFL, the Rams were certainly not short on the offensive side. Both teams also had solid defenses as well, and most fans were looking foward to a hard fought, well played matchup to see who would be crowned the kings of the NFC.

Each team could do nothing on their first drive, but then the Rams found a groove on offense. Quarterback Pat Haden led Los Angeles down the field, while running backs Cullen Bryant and John Cappelletti powered their way through the Dallas defenders. In the end, it would be Cappelletti with the touchdown on an eight yard swing pass from Haden that put the Rams in front as the first quarter came to a close. Once the second quarter began, Dallas found their way through the Los Angeles maze on defense. Using two big plays; a 42 yard run by Robert Newhouse and a 41 yard touchdown pass from Staubach to Preston Pearson, Dallas took the lead from the Rams. Following a Los Angeles field goal that made the score 7-6 the Cowboys marched down the field, with Tony Dorsett doing most of the work. After six plays, Dorsett found the end zone on a 12 yard scamper, and Dallas went up 14-6 at the half.

With their backs up against the wall yet again, the Rams came out in the third quarter swinging. On their opening possession, Frank Corral added his third field goal of the game, then the defense stepped up and stopped Dallas, setting up a punt. For the second straight game, Jackie Wallace took a punt and found a seam in the defense, returning this one 97 yards for the go ahead touchdown. Just like Philadelphia the week before, the air seemed to come out of the Cowboys after that play, and they were unable to do anything the rest of the game. Los Angeles put an exclamation point on the game with a Pat Haden touchdown pass to Terry Nelson midway through the fourth quarter, with the celebration only stopping temporarily when Frank Corral missed the extra point. However, after two straight Dallas drives ended with the Cowboys failing to convert on fourth down, the Rams were able to run out the clock and celebrate a second straight NFC title.

Final Score: Los Angeles-26 Dallas-14

Real Life Score: Dallas-28 Los Angeles-0

[Mattingly120]

Man, when are the Giants going to be in the Playoffs?