Alternate NFL Playoff History - Page 9

Hurkman · 02-13-2009, 03:34 PM

Super Bowl XXVII

The Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA

San Diego Chargers (11-5)

Head Coach: Bobby Ross
335 Points Scored
241 Points Allowed

Starting Quaterback: Stan Humphries

Road to the Super Bowl:
Defeated Kansas City, 34-13: AFC Wild Card Playoffs
Defeated Miami, 24-23: AFC Divisional Playoffs
Defeated Pittsburgh, 31-20: AFC Championship

Dallas Cowboys (13-3)

Head Coach: Jimmy Johnson
409 Points Scored
243 Points Allowed

Starting Quarterback: Troy Aikman

Road to the Super Bowl:
Defeated New Orleans, 17-10: NFC Divisional Playoffs
Defeated San Francisco, 24-23: NFC Championship

The Game

The San Diego Chargers had made history twice on their way to Super Bowl XXVII. They were the first team in NFL history to make it to the Super Bowl after starting the season 0-4, and they were also the first team in NFL history to win three playoff games before reaching the Super Bowl in a non strike season. Stan Humphries seemed to be playing better throughout the playoffs, while the San Diego running attack had also helped the Chargers make it through a tough AFC. The defense had also played well, coming up with key stops at critical points throughout the playoffs. On the other hand, the Dallas Cowboys were unlike any team that the AFC had produced this year. Dallas had a trio of stars on the offensive side with Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin, as well as a defense that could stand toe to toe with the Chargers. If the incredible run of the San Diego Chargers was going to continue, they would have to take down quite possibly the best team in football.

Things certainly started out in favor of the Chargers in the first quarter. Both of Dallas' first two drives ended in Troy Aikman interceptions. While the Cowboys were able to force a Charger punt after the first interception, the second turnover was far more benefitial to the Chargers. Halfback Marion Butts crashed through the Dallas defensive line for a nine yard touchdown, giving San Diego the first points of the Super Bowl. The next Dallas possession ended with a punt, and San Diego's Eric Bieniemy returned the ball to the Dallas 26 yard line. A Stan Humphries pass to Nate Lewis put the Chargers on the goal line, and three plays later, Humphries found Anthony Miller for the touchdown and a 14-0 lead. The Cowboys needed something to go their way, and they got it after an exchange of punts to start off the second quarter.

The Dallas offense, which had been one of the best in football during the regular season, finally snapped out of their funk, and Troy Aikman looked like he had calmed down after those two early interceptions. With Aikman leading the way with his crisp passes, the Cowboys moved deep into San Diego territory. Alvin Harper brought in a 14 yard pass in the end zone, and Dallas had gotten onto the scoreboard. The Cowboys would strike again later in the quarter, with Aikman again hitting Harper for a big 43 yard gain. From there, Emmitt Smith did the rest of the work, pounding through the San Diego front seven for 25 yards on two carries, including a nine yard touchdown run that tied the game. The Chargers were able to answer as the first half came to a close, though. Stan Humphries hit Marion Butts for a 45 yard gain which set up kicker John Carney for a 29 yard field goal as the half ended.

As the second half began, both teams knew that they needed to find a balance of what they did in the first half. However, neither team was able to get what they needed on their opening drives. The Cowboys moved into San Diego territory and looked as if they would score again, but Michael Irvin fumbled the ball at the San Diego 24 yard line, ending the drive. The Chargers then quickly moved downfield themselves, with Stan Humphries and the San Diego running attack eating up the Dallas defense. Unfortunately, the Cowboys' pass rush got to Humphries, and a poorly thrown ball was intercepted by Ray Horton at the Dallas 19 yard line and returned to the 32. This time, the Cowboys were able to take advantage, as Emmitt Smith once again picked his way through the San Diego defense. An 11 yard Smith run set up Troy Aikman's 34 yard pass to Alvin Harper, which then allowed Smith to pound out the last 18 yards on the ground. Smith's 16 yard touchdown, his second of the game, put the Cowboys on top for the first time in the game.

From there, neither team was able to move the ball effectively until midway through the fourth quarter. After being held silent for most of the game, Michael Irvin finally decided to join the Super Bowl party. A 33 yard catch on third down and eight kept a Dallas drive alive, and after the Cowboys made it to the San Diego two yard line, Irvin finished things off with a touchdown grab. The Chargers needed to score, and do so quickly if they wanted a shot to come back. Fortunately for them, Stan Humphries seemed up to the task. With just over two minutes to play, the San Diego quarterback guided his team downfield, and even though the Cowboys weren't allowing him to throw the deep ball, he was finding receivers open underneath the coverage, and they were getting out of bounds. Finally, when Dallas' defense did sneak in, Humphries stuck, hitting Shawn Jefferson with a 36 yard touchdown pass. However, there were just 33 seconds to play, and the game hinged on San Diego's ability to recover John Carney's onside kick. The kick was solid, but Dallas jumped onto the football, sealing their first Super Bowl win in a decade, and giving the Cowboys six championships.

Final Score: Dallas-28 San Diego-24

MVP: Emmitt Smith: 20 carries, 104 yards, 2 TDs

Hurkman · 02-18-2009, 08:21 PM

AFC Wild Card Playoffs

Kansas City Chiefs (11-5) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)
Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO

A year ago, the Kansas City Chiefs made the playoffs with Dave Krieg at quarterback. A year later, Krieg was still on the team, but his starting job had been taken by someone with a little more playoff success. Joe Montana and his three Super Bowl rings joined the Chiefs during the offseason, and though he missed five games, he still finished with over 2,100 yards passing and 13 touchdowns. Marcus Allen had a Pro Bowl season as well, as the Los Angeles castoff rushed for 764 yards and 12 touchdowns. The Kansas City defense had a bit of an off season, allowing over 18 points a game, though they were in the top five in turnover differential. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers had just managed to sneak into the playoffs after finishing with the best record in the AFC last season. Neil O'Donnell was solid, if unspectacular, at quarterback, throwing for over 3,200 yards and 14 touchdowns, while the running back duo of Leroy Thompson and Barry Foster proved to be one of the best in the NFL, combining for almost 1,500 yards and 11 touchdowns. Of course, the Pittsburgh defense was still strong, finishing third in turnover differential and allowing just 281 points on the season.

It was the Kansas City offense that made themselves known first though. After the opening kickoff was returned to the midfield, Marcus Allen began attacking the Pittsburgh defense, both on the ground and with help from Joe Montana. After getting to the Pittsburgh 14 yard line, Kimble Anders ran the ball in for a touchdown, giving the Chiefs the early lead. The beleaguered Kansas City defense kept the Steelers off the score board for the first quarter, but a Montana interception early in the second quarter set Pittsburgh up with a short field. Starting from inside Kansas City territory, the Steelers only had to go 17 yards to set up a Gary Anderson field goal. A second Montana interception on the very next Kansas City drive looked like it could turn the game in favor of the Steelers, but the Chiefs forced a punt, and Montana redeemed himself on the next drive. With the help of Marcus Allen, Montana moved the Chiefs 39 yards into Pittsburgh territory, where Nick Lowery nailed a 38 yard field goal. However, Neil O'Donnell would counter Montana, hitting Dwight Stone on a 60 yard pass to get to the Kansas City one yard line before finding Ernie Mills on the next play to finish the drive and tie the score. Neither team would move the ball on offense for the rest of the half, and the game would go into halftime tied at ten.

The defensive mindset continued in the third quarter, as neither team could move the ball across midfield. Each offense stalled against the opposing defense until the Chiefs were able to strike on special teams. A great punt return by Dale Carter set Kansas City up at the Pittsburgh 30 yard line, and though the Chiefs were only able to gain five yards, it was enough for Nick Lowery to kick his second field goal of the game and put Kansas City back on top. Once again, the Pittsburgh offense was unable to move the ball, and as the third quarter became the fourth quarter, the Steelers were running out of time. Finally, Neil O'Donnell was able to get his team moving once again. Leroy Thompson and Barry Foster, who had been kept in check the entire game, each managed to break off decent runs for the first time, and O'Donnell's pass to Jeff Graham on third down and 15 may not have gotten a first down, but it did set up Gary Anderson for a field goal and a tie game. The Chiefs looked as if they would answer on their next drive, but Todd McNair fumbled the football away at the Pittsburgh 34 yard line, ending the threat. Kansas City would get one last chance in regulation, making it inside Pittsburgh territory once again, but the Steeler defense came up big and stopped the Chiefs just before they could reach field goal range, sending the game into overtime.

Kansas City would win the coin toss, and received the overtime kickoff. However, the Pittsburgh defense, motivated by their stop at the end of regulation, held the Chiefs to just a single yard on their possession, forcing a punt. Rod Woodson returned the punt to the Pittsburgh 44 yard line, and the Steelers would never give the ball back. A Kansas City penalty, coupled with a Neil O'Donnell 15 yard pass to Jeff Graham put Pittsburgh in field goal range, and three plays later, Gary Anderson nailed the 47 yard attempt, ending the season of the Kansas City Chiefs and leaving them with an aging Joe Montana as seemingly their only option at quarterback.

Final Score: Pittsburgh-16 Kansas City-13/OT

Real Life Score: Kansas City-27 Pittsburgh-24/OT

Los Angeles Raiders (10-6) vs. Denver Broncos (9-7)
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA

Both the Raiders and the Broncos had missed the playoffs in 1992 after having playoff seasons in 1991, and both underwent changes to ensure playoff births in 1993. Dan Reeves was out in Denver, replaced by Wade Phillips. John Elway was still the quarterback, and he had an excellent season, throwing for over 4,000 yards with 25 touchdowns. Rod Bernstine was brought in from San Diego to be the primary running back, and he responded with over 800 rushing yards and four touchdowns, while Shannon Sharpe became Elway's favorite target, coming close to 1,000 receiving yards with nine touchdowns. In Los Angeles, former New York Giant backup quarterback Jeff Hostetler became the starter for the Raiders, and he threw for over 3,200 yards. Despite the solid season of Hostetler, the Raiders were lucky to make the playoffs, having allowed 20 more points than they scored. However, wide receiver Tim Brown had an excellent season, finishing with over 1,100 yards and eight touchdowns to emerge as the main Los Angeles weapon.

Even with their shortcomings, the Raiders were able to strike early and often against the Broncos. After a great punt return by Tim Brown gave Los Angeles the ball inside Denver territory, Greg Robinson broke a 47 yard run down to the one yard line on Los Angeles' first offensive play. James Jett came down with a Jeff Hostetler one yard pass on the next play, and the Raiders had the lead. A Robert Delpino on the next Denver drive gave the Raiders the ball back, and this time, Hostetler used his arm to move the ball downfield before settling for a Jeff Jaeger field goal. Los Angeles finally had to punt on their next possession, and the Broncos were able to take a little of the momentum their way. John Elway moved Denver 43 yards on 11 plays, getting to the Los Angeles 20 yard line before Jason Elam nailed a 37 yard field goal to but the Broncos on the scoreboard. However, the Raiders responded with an 11 play, 40 yard drive that ended with another Jaeger field goal. With just over two minutes left in the half, Elway once again got the Broncos into scoring postion, and Elam added a 25 yard kick just as the first half expired, putting Denver down by a score of 13-6 at the half.

Unfortunately for the Broncos, that would be as close as they would get. The Los Angeles defense, as criticized as they were, held Denver scoreless in the second half. With their defense actually stopping the opposing offense, Raider offense was content to let Greg Robinson eat up much of the second half on the ground. Jeff Jaeger kicked two fourth quarter field goals to end the scoring, and the Raiders were moving on to the second round of the playoffs after dominating the Broncos.

Final Score: Los Angeles-19 Denver-6

Real Life Score: Los Angeles-42 Denver-24

AFC Divisional Playoffs

Buffalo Bills (12-4) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)
Rich Stadium, Buffalo, NY

In what was becoming a yearly event, the Buffalo Bills had once again made the playoffs. Jim Kelly returned from injury, and though he threw as many interceptions as touchdowns, he still helped lead the Bills to the best record in the AFC. Thurman Thomas had another Pro Bowl season, rushing for 1,315 yards, while Andre Reed and former Indianapolis Colt receiver Bill Brooks brought balance to Buffalo's attack. The defense was also back on the right track, allowing 242 points and forcing 47 turnovers. However, the Bills had been shutout in a midseason game against the Steelers, so they knew Pittsburgh wouldn't be a pushover if they expected to get back to the AFC Championship.

Things didn't start out the way Buffalo had hoped in the first quarter. After the Bills were forced to punt following their opening possession, the Steelers marched quickly down the field. Neil O'Donnell picked apart the Buffalo defense before Leroy Thompson broke a 35 yard run right up the middle for a Pittsburgh touchdown and an early 7-0 lead. The Bills still couldn't get anything going on their next drive, as the Steeler defense stopped Buffalo in their tracks. However, Pittsburgh's offense quickly found that they couldn't get moving against a very tough Buffalo defense. The Bills finally got started midway through the second quarter, making it to the Pittsburgh two yard line. From there, Jim Kelly was intercepted by Darren Perry, ending the only threat the Bills would pose in the first half. Despite the inability of Buffalo's offense to get any points, the Steelers were also stuck, and the first half ended with the score still 7-0.

After being stopped for most of the first half, the Pittsburgh Steelers got things started quickly in the third quarter. Using the running of Leroy Thompson and Barry Foster, Pittsburgh moved into Buffalo territory for the first time since their opening drive. A 48 yard run by Foster got the ball to the Buffalo seven yard line, and on fourth down from the one, Neil O'Donnell hit Thompson for a touchdown. The next Steeler drive worked out just as well, as Thompson pulled in a 55 yard pass to the Buffalo 17 yard line. From there, Dwight Stone blew through the Bills defense, running untouched into the end zone. Pittsburgh would strike again early in the fourth quarter, going on a nine play, 59 yard drive that ended with an O'Donnell nine yard touchdown pass to Ernie Mills that effectively ended the game. Buffalo's powerful offense couldn't even get started as the Pittsburgh defense shut down Thurman Thomas, holding him to 28 yards on 15 carries. Gary Anderson added a late field goal for the Steelers, who had managed to hold the Bills scoreless for two games and were headed to their second straight AFC Championship.

Final Score: Pittsburgh-31 Buffalo-0

Real Life Score: Buffalo-29 Los Angeles-23 (L.A. was the fourth seed in real life, while Pittsburgh was the sixth. Since they both won, and Buffalo had the top seed, Pittsburgh came to Buffalo.)

Houston Oilers (12-4) vs. Los Angeles Raiders (10-6)
The Astrodome, Houston, TX

A 1-4 start to the season looked like it would spell the end of the Oilers in 1993. However, they weren't quite ready to pack it in yet, and Houston rode into the playoffs on an 11 game winning streak as possibly the hottest team in the NFL. While Warren Moon had an average season, throwing 21 touchdowns and 21 interceptions, Houston's offense still shined. Gary Brown picked up Lorenzo White's slack, finishing with just over 1,000 yards and six touchdowns, and the trio of Ernest Givins, Haywood Jeffires and Webster Slaughter each had over 700 receiving yards. Meanwhile, the Houston defense had also emerged as one of the best in the NFL, allowing just 238 points while recording 51 sacks on the season, proving that they could manage a high scoring offense with a powerful defense.

The high scoring Houston offense drew first blood. After a Los Angeles punt, the Oilers needed just three plays to find the end zone. First, Warren Moon hit Haywood Jeffires for a 68 yard pass down to the Raiders' 11 yard line. From there, Moon found Webster Slaughter for the touchdown and the early lead. However the Raiders would strike back later in the first quarter, as a combination of solid running by backup running back Steve Smith and passes by Jeff Hostetler moved Los Angeles deep into Houston territory. Hostetler's seven yard touchdown pass to James Jett ended the drive and tied the game. Once again, the Los Angeles defense that had been put under so much pressure before the playoffs came up huge, keeping the Oilers from scoring for the rest of the first half. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles offense was able to get on the scoreboard again late in the half. Hostetler once again picked apart the Houston secondary before giving way to Jeff Jaeger, who nailed a 40 yard field goal, giving the Raiders a 10-7 lead at the half.

The Los Angeles momentum carried over into the third quarter. Following a Houston punt, the Raiders struck again, first with Jeff Hostetler's arm, then with the running of Nick Bell and Greg Robison, who moved the ball inside the Houston 10 yard line. From there, Hostetler threw his second touchdown pass of the game, a seven yarder to Alexander Wright, putting the Raiders up by ten points. Houston was able to respond however, as Warren Moon passed the Oilers deep into Los Angeles territory. Once there though, Houston couldn't get into the end zone and had to settle for an Al Del Greco field goal that made the score 17-10. After an exchange of punts started the fourth quarter, the Raiders would make Houston pay for not finding the end zone. Jeff Hostetler guided Los Angeles downfield again on the strength of his arm, ending the eight play, 71 yard drive with a 17 yard touchdown pass to Raghib Ismail. Houston would turn the ball over on downs on their next two drives, with their final play of the season ending at the Los Angeles one yard line. The Raiders would run out the clock from there, earning a spot in the AFC Championship and sending the Oilers home from the playoffs early...again.

Final Score: Los Angeles-24 Houston-10

Real Life Score: Kansas City-28 Houston-20

AFC Championship Game

Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles Raiders (10-6) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)

The most unlikely AFC Championship game in years awaited fans in Los Angeles as the Raiders took on the Pittsburgh Steelers for the right to go to Super Bowl XXVIII. While the Steelers had the worst record of any playoff team in the AFC, the Raiders had actually been outscored by their opponents through the regular season. While no one thought that either Los Angeles or Pittsburgh would be the two final teams standing in the AFC, that's who was here, and one of the two teams would be headed to the Super Bowl.

The game started out well for the Steelers, who were playing their third consecutive road playoff game. Los Angeles managed to get the ball to midfield, but their drive stalled, and they were forced to punt. From there, Pittsburgh used the rushing duo of Barry Foster and Leroy Thompson to move downfield, getting to the Los Angeles 27 yard line before having to bring out Gary Anderson. His 44 yard field goal attempt split the uprights, and the Steelers had an early lead. The Raiders were able to respond though, pinning Pittsburgh deep in their own territory after a punt and forcing the Steelers to go three and out. The Mark Royals punt only made it to the Pittsburgh 36 yard line, and though the Raiders only gained four yards, they were close enough for a Jeff Jaeger field goal that tied the game. Pittsburgh answered back on their next possession, with Neil O'Donnell leading the charge this time, passing his way through the Los Angeles defense. Leroy Thompson finished the nine play, 80 yard drive with a ten yard touchdown run, and the Steelers were back on top. The Raiders would strike back late in the second quarter, getting deep into Pittsburgh territory before having to settle for another Jaeger field goal that cut the lead to 10-6 at the end of the first half.

With the lead and a solid defense, the Steelers were more than content to just run off as much time as possible in the second half without even worrying about putting more points on the board. The only question was whether or not the Raiders would be accomidating to this plan, and they were for the most part. The Pittsburgh offense became one focused entirely on the run in the third quarter, with the only scare coming on a Leroy Thompson fumble at his own 23 yard line. The Steelers would quickly recover from that mistake, as Jeff Hostetler threw an interception on the very next play, ending the Los Angeles threat. Gary Anderson would miss a field goal on the following drive, but it wasn't needed. Aside from one play, the Raiders wouldn't cross midfield on offense again the rest of the day. Pittsburgh's second half plan worked to absolute perfection, and the 9-7 team that had made their way into the playoffs through the back door was now headed to the Super Bowl.

Final Score: Pittsburgh-10 Los Angeles-6

Real Life Score: Buffalo-30 Kansas City-13 (In Buffalo)

kenyan_cheena · 02-18-2009, 09:04 PM

Hurkman · 02-20-2009, 05:55 PM

NFC Wild Card Playoffs

Detroit Lions (10-6) vs. Green Bay Packers (9-7)
The Silverdome, Detroit, MI

Two years after finishing their season with a loss to the New Orleans Saints, the Detroit Lions were back in the playoffs with essentially the same gameplan. Despite playing in only 11 games during the regular season, Barry Sanders still managed to run for over 1,100 yards with three touchdowns. The Detroit quarterback situation was a little more messy, as Rodney Peete and Erik Kramer battled for the starting job for most of the season. By the end of the year, Kramer had established himself as the starter, despite only throwing eight touchdowns on the season. Wideout Herman Moore was a solid target for whoever was behind center, providing balance to the Detroit offense with 935 yards and six touchdowns. Meanwhile, the Packers were led by a youngster at quarterback by the name of Brett Favre. Despite throwing more touchdowns than interceptions, Favre had guided Green Bay into the playoffs, thanks in large part to Sterling Sharpe's 1,274 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns. The defense also benefitted with the arrival of Reggie White, and he helped transform the Packers into a defensive force.

It was the Detroit offense that struck first, however. After a solid opening kickoff return put the Lions at midfield, it took just eight plays for them to find the end zone. Barry Sanders did most of the work, cutting through the Green Bay defense, before Erik Kramer hit Herman Moore for a nine yard touchdown. Green Bay would respond later in the quarter, as Brett Favre hit Robert Brooks with a 47 yard pass that made it to the Detroit 11 yard line. On third down and eight, Favre found Sterling Sharpe for the tying touchdown. From there, both defenses settled down, holding the opposing offenses at bay until midway through the second quarter. Another good special teams play by Detroit gave them the ball at their own 40 yard line, and a quick mix of run and pass plays drove the Lions deep into Green Bay territory. Barry Sanders capped the drive with a 26 yard touchdown run, putting the Lions on top again. Poor clock managment by the Packers led to Detroit getting a last second field goal attempt, and Jason Hanson would nail the 28 yard kick, giving the Lions a 17-7 lead at the half.

During the regular season, Brett Favre had established a reputation as a quaterback who seemed to throw to certain receivers no matter how covered they were. Early in the third quarter, that mentality came back to bite him once again. With Green Bay just inside Detroit territory, Favre tried to force a pass to Sterling Sharpe. George Jamison stepped in front of the ball, picking it off and returning it 62 yards for a Detroit touchdown. After the Packers punted on their next possession, the Lions embarked on a 15 play, 63 yard drive that took over ten minutes off the clock. Jason Hanson ended the drive with his second field goal of the game, and the Packers were up against the ropes. The Detroit defense would help deliver the final blow, as they sacked Favre and forced a fumble that was recovered by the Lions. Eric Lynch broke a 38 yard touchdown run on the next play, effectively ending the game. A late Green Bay touchdown brought the score to 34-14, but it wasn't even close to enough on this day, as the Lions managed to win their first playoff game since 1957.

Final Score: Detroit-34 Green Bay-14

Real Life Score: Green Bay-28 Detroit-24

New York Giants (11-5) vs. Minnesota Vikings (9-7)
Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ

After coming within one point of the Super Bowl in 1990, the New York Giants suffered back to back disappointing seasons. Change had come to the Giants in the form of former Denver Broncos head coach Dan Reeves, who looked as if he would be able to turn New York's problems around. For the first time since 1986, 39 year old Phil Simms had managed to play in all 16 games of the regular season, and he made the Pro Bowl with a 3,000 yard, 15 touchdown season. Rodney Hampton finished with over 1,000 yards on the ground, and another former Bronco, Mark Jackson, led the team with 708 receiving yards. Of course, the main story in New York was the dominant defense of the Giants, which allowed the fewest points in the NFL during the season. Second year player Keith Hamilton led the way with 11.5 sacks, and while Lawrence Taylor was beginning to look a little older, he was still able to record six sacks of his own. On the other hand, the Minnesota Vikings were lucky to even make the playoffs. A three game winning streak to close out the year propelled the Vikings into the postseason, despite a questionable offense. Jim McMahon had re-emerged as the starter for the Vikings, and finished with 1,968 yards and nine touchdowns. Former Kansas City Chief Barry Word led the team in rushing, while Chris Carter had emerged as a force at wideout, bringing in 86 catches for over 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns. Minnesota's defense, despite giving up over 18 points a game, was still very strong. The Vikings allowed the fewest yards in the NFL and recorded 45 sacks.

The weather at Giants Stadium was less than forgiving for both teams, as a strong wind whipped across the field for most of the first half. With the Giants having the wind at their backs in the first quarter, they wasted a golden opportunity to strike first. Instead, the Vikings benefitted from a good punt return late in the quarter that put them at midfield. From there, Minnesota used runs and short passes to get into New York territory as the quarter came to a close. Now, with their backs to the wind, the Vikings were free to open up their passing game, and it took just one play for Jim McMahon to hit Chris Carter for a 15 yard touchdown pass. However, the Giants were able to respond with the same type of gameplan. Using runs and short passes, New York drove deep into Minnesota territory, capping the drive with a seven yard touchdown pass from Phil Simms to Mark Jackson. After a holding penalty pushed the Vikings back to their own two yard line on their next possession, it looked like it would be three plays and out for Minnesota. Instead, the Vikings were able to use their running game to get out of the shadow of their own end zone and once again open up their passing game. Once the Vikings got to their own 35 yard line, they would run the ball only twice more in seven plays. Chris Carter hauled in a 22 yard pass from McMahon in the end zone to end the 98 yard scoring drive and put the Vikings back on top. The Giants, stunned that their defense would give up such a long scoring drive, ran out the clock to end the first half down by a touchdown.

The wicked winds seemed to die down in the second half, and the Giants quickly took advantage, moving downfield on their first drive of the third quarter. A 48 yard run by Lewis Tillman set New York up at the Minnesota seven yard line, and Phil Simms finished things off with a seven yard touchdown pass to David Meggett that tied the game. Once again though, the Vikings were able to respond as Jim McMahon guiding Minnesota into field goal range, and Fuad Reveiz nailed a 38 yard attempt to put the Vikings back on top. Late in the third quarter, it was New York's turn to answer back. A good punt return by Meggett put the ball at their own 42 yard line and the Giants needed just four plays to drive 58 yards to the end zone, with Rodney Hampton scoring on an 11 yard touchdown run, putting New York back on top. From there, the Giants were content to let their defense finish off Minnesota, but McMahon had one last gasp in him.

Late in the fourth quarter, the Vikings found themselves pinned back at their own 13 yard line. Facing a third down and 16, Jim McMahon hit Chris Carter for a 17 yard gain, keeping the slim hopes of the Vikings alive. Three plays later, on another third down and 16, McMahon found Anthony Carter for 17 yards, once again converting a long third down attempt. With just twenty seconds to play, and looking at a fourth down and ten this time, McMahon was able to hit Chris Carter for 16 yards, putting the ball inside New York territory at the 49 yard line. On the very next play, with the clock ticking down the final seconds, McMahon heaved one final Hail Mary into the end zone. His prayer was answered, as Eric Guliford somehow came down with the football with just one second to play. A stunned Giants Stadium could only watch in horror as the Vikings celebrated an improbable playoff win, which was quickly named "Miracle at the Meadowlands II."

Final Score: Minnesota-24 New York-21

Real Life Score: New York-17 Minnesota-10

NFC Divisional Playoffs

San Francisco 49ers (10-6) vs. Detroit Lions (10-6)
Candlestick Park, San Francisco, CA

The San Francisco 49ers will still stinging from their one point loss to the Dallas Cowboys in last year's NFC Championship game, and the hangover seemed to last for parts of the 1993 season. Despite coming into the playoffs on a two game losing streak, the 49ers still boasted the highest scoring offense in all of football, which was led by Steve Young. Young had finished his second full season as starter by throwing for over 4,000 yards and leading the NFL in touchdown passes, with 29. Jerry Rice had another All Pro season, catching 98 balls for over 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns, while Ricky Watters followed up his solid rookie season with another Pro Bowl campaign, rushing for 950 yards and ten touchdowns. However, the San Francisco defense seemed to take a few steps backward during the season, as they allowed over 18 points per game. The 49ers were still quite confident, especially since their last regular season win was a 55-17 thrashing of the Detroit Lions in Detroit.

The 49ers certainly had every reason to feel confident, as they quickly drove down the field on their first possession. However, Steve Young's pass to John Taylor was intercepted by Pat Swilling at the Detroit six yard line, ending the early scoring threat. Detroit took advantage of the turnover, as Barry Sanders broke free for 24 yards on his first two carries of the game. From there, Erik Kramer moved the Lions into San Francisco territory, where Jason Hanson nailed a 30 yard field goal to give Detroit an early lead. The 49ers looked like they would answer the field goal with one of their own on their next drive, but Mike Cofer pushed the 43 yard attempt to the left. Detroit gave the 49ers another shot just two plays later, when Sanders fumbled the ball at his own 45 yard line. This time, San Francisco would take advantage, and Amp Lee finished the five play drive with a 22 yard touchdown run. However, the Lions were able to respond, and after Kramer got Detroit down to the San Francisco two yard line, Sanders squirted into the end zone, putting the Lions back on top. With just under two minutes remaining in the first half, Young moved San Francisco downfield with long passes to Jerry Rice and John Taylor. This time, Mike Cofer was able to hit a 36 yard field goal as the half ended, tying the game.

While both teams had played questionable football in the first half, it only got worse in the second half. Detroit's first possession ended on a failed fourth down attempt at the San Francisco 34 yard line. The 49ers moved the ball into Detroit territory, but Steve Young was intercepted by Pat Swilling for the second time. Swilling returned the ball to midfield, and the Lions moved 34 yards in six plays, setting up a Jason Hanson field goal that gave them the lead. The next San Francisco possession looked like it would bring an answer to the Detroit field goal, but Young was intercepted for again, this time by Chris Spielman. Three plays later, the Lions struck again, as Erik Kramer's soft pass out to Barry Sanders turned into a 19 yard touchdown, putting Detroit up 20-10. Now midway through the fourth quarter, the 49ers once again moved into Detroit territory, only for Young to be intercepted for the fourth time, as Harry Colon picked off the San Francisco quarterback.

A 41 yard run by Barry Sanders put the Lions at the San Francisco 15 yard line, and after a holding penalty pushed them back, Erik Kramer hit Brett Perriman for the 25 yard touchdown on third down. The 49ers were finally able to put together a much needed scoring drive on their next possession, which ended with a 15 yard Ricky Watters touchdown run. After forcing a Detroit punt, San Francisco made it down to the Detroit three yard line before being stopped on fourth and goal. That goal line stand would prove to be the final blow for the 49ers, even with Watters scoring on a four yard run on the next San Francisco possession. With just 50 seconds to play, the 49ers were unable to recover their onside kick, and the Lions ran out the clock. Despite throwing for over 300 yards, Steve Young's four interceptions proved too much for San Francisco to overcome.

Final Score: Detroit-27 San Francisco-24

Real Life Score: San Francisco-44 New York-3

Dallas Cowboys (12-4) vs. Minnesota Vikings (9-7)
Texas Stadium, Irving, TX

Life was good for the defending Super Bowl champion Dallas Cowboys. Despite an 0-2 start and an early season holdout by Emmitt Smith, Dallas was able to finish the year 12-4. Smith rushed for over 1,400 yards and nine touchdowns in just 14 games, while Troy Aikman passed for 3,100 yards and 15 touchdowns. Michael Irvin had himself another Pro Bowl season, bringing in 88 passes for 1,330 yards and seven touchdowns. The defense was solid as well, allowing the second fewest points in the NFL. Dallas could also boast a 37-20 victory over their playoff opponents, the Minnesota Vikings, during the regular season. Unfortunately for the Cowboys, it was the last game that the Vikings had lost all season, and they were riding an emotional high after their Hail Mary victory over the New York Giants the week before.

Sure enough, the Vikings were able to carry over some of their emotion into the first half. After stopping the Cowboys on their first possession, Minnesota moved downfield. The 14 play, 75 yard drive ended with a Fuad Reveiz field goal, putting the Vikings on top. From there, both defenses stepped up their performances, with neither team even crossing midfield until midway through the second quarter. A good punt return by Eric Guliford put the Vikings at the Dallas 47 yard line. Two plays later, Jim McMahon hit Anthony Carter on a fly route for a 44 yard touchdown that put Minnesota up 10-0. Dallas' high scoring offense, which finished second in the NFL in points scored, seemed sluggish throughout the first half, and couldn't get anything moving. Only a good stand by the Dallas defense kept the Vikings from adding more points, and the game went to the half with Minnesota still up by ten points.

After both teams exchanged punts to start the second half, the Dallas offense finally woke up. A good punt return by Kevin Williams gave the Cowboys the ball at the Minnesota 38 yard line, and Emmitt Smith did the rest. A 32 yard touchdown run on third down and four gave the Cowboys their first points of the game, and they were far from finished. Another good punt return by Williams gave Dallas the ball at midfield to start their next drive, and Derrick Lassic finished off the 11 play drive with a two yard touchdown to put the Cowboys on top. Another Minnesota punt on their next possession put Dallas at their own 34 yard line, but it only took three plays for the Cowboys to strike again. This time, Emmitt Smith broke free for a 37 yard touchdown run, which followed a 29 yard pass from Troy Aikman to Michael Irvin. Now up 21-10, Dallas still wasn't through. Once again, Minnesota punted, and once again, Emmitt Smith found the end zone. A 64 yard touchdown run brought the fans in Dallas to their feet, and they would stay there for the rest of the game. A 15 yard touchdown pass from Aikman to Alvin Harper later in the fourth quarter finally put an end to the scoring, and the Cowboys were on their way to their second straight NFC Championship.

Final Score: Dallas-35 Minnesota-10

Real Life Score: Dallas-27 Green Bay-17

NFC Championship Game

Texas Stadium, Irving, TX

Dallas Cowboys (12-4) vs. Detroit Lions (10-6)

On paper the NFC Championship game looked like a complete mismatch. Not only did the Dallas Cowboys have the second highest scoring offense in the NFL, but they also had one of the top defenses in the league as well. They also had the trio of Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin, all of whom could beat any team in the NFL. Meanwhile, the Detroit Lions were in the middle of the pack in both scoring offense and scoring defense, and aside from Barry Sanders, there were very few players that struck fear into the hearts of opposing players. However, both teams knew that anything could happen as they stepped onto the field to determine who would go to Super Bowl XXVIII.

Sure enough, the Cowboys quickly showed their muscle, moving 75 yards in ten plays on the opening drive of the game. Emmitt Smith finished things off with a 14 yard touchdown run, and Dallas had the lead. The Lions weren't going to just roll over and die, though. Erik Kramer and Barry Sanders moved Detroit inside the Dallas ten yard line, but Dallas' defense held strong, and the Lions were forced to settle for a Jason Hanson field goal. The next Dallas drive was just as successful as their first one, as they battered the Detroit defense with runs and passes. Once again, Emmitt Smith capped the drive, this time with a 13 yard touchdown run, putting the Cowboys up 14-3. Detroit's offense couldn't get going for the rest of the half, as Dallas focused its attention on stopping Barry Sanders. It seemed to work, and the Cowboys went into the locker rooms still up 14-3.

Detroit got the ball to start the second half, and knew that they needed to score quickly. With Dallas looking in on Barry Sanders, the Lions started the third quarter off with a play action fake that worked to perfection. Erik Kramer hit Herman Moore for 49 yards on the first play of the half. Two plays later, Derrick Moore broke free for a 12 yard touchdown run, putting the Lions back in the game. After a Dallas punt on their first possession of the half, Detroit went right back to work. This time, they fed the ball to Sanders, and he was able to get the Lions to midfield. Once there, the Cowboys went back to stacking the box to try and stop him, only for Kramer to pass the ball right over the Dallas linebackers. The 12 play drive finally stalled out, and Jason Hanson nailed his second kick of the game to pull the Lions within a single point. Now it was the Cowboys that needed some points, and while they were able to drive into Detroit territory, they were forced to punt. However, the Dallas defense finally forced a punt from the Lions early in the fourth quarter, and Troy Aikman began moving the Cowboys downfield again. Unfortunately for Dallas, Pat Swilling sacked Aikman on a third down and three, forcing Eddie Murray to try a longer field goal that he pushed right. Once again though, the Cowboys forced a punt from the Lions, and even though they had to punt on their next possession, the Lions had just 1:42 left to work with.

From their own 35 yard line, Erik Kramer went to work moving the Lions into scoring position. A 14 yard pass to Brett Perriman put Detroit at midfield, then a 19 yard Barry Sanders run got the Lions well inside Dallas territory. However, Detroit was out of timeouts, and the clock was already becoming a factor. Two quick passes to Perriman and Herman Moore picked up 16 yards, and a 17 yard pass to Barry Sanders got the ball all the way to the Dallas one yard line. With just 15 seconds to play and no timeouts, the Lions decided to take one shot into the end zone. Even with every Dallas defender looking into the backfield, Sanders snuck his way in. The extra point put the Lions up 20-14 and silenced Texas Stadium. Troy Aikman had one last throw, but his pass to Michael Irvin was broken up, sending the Detroit Lions to their first Super Bowl.

Final Score: Detroit-20 Dallas-14

Real Life Score: Dallas-38 San Francisco-21

Hurkman · 02-21-2009, 12:27 AM

Super Bowl XXVIII

The Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA

Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)

Head Coach: Bill Cowher
308 Points Scored
281 Points Allowed

Starting Quarterback: Neil O'Donnell

Road to the Super Bowl:
Defeated Kansas City, 16-13/OT: AFC Wild Card Playoffs
Defeated Buffalo, 31-0: AFC Divisional Playoffs
Defeated Los Angeles, 10-6: AFC Championship

Detroit Lions (10-6)

Head Coach: Wayne Fontes
298 Points Scored
292 Points Allowed

Starting Quarterback: Erik Kramer

Road to the Super Bowl:
Defeated Green Bay, 34-14: NFC Wild Card Playoffs
Defeated San Francisco, 27-24: NFC Divisional Playoffs
Defeated Dallas, 20-14: NFC Championship

The Game
Quite possibly the most improbable Super Bowl in history awaited fans on their way to the Georgia Dome for Super Bowl XXVIII. While both the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers had made the playoffs, hardly anyone expected them to be anything but one and done teams. However, in spite of incredible odds, both teams had made it within a game of the championship. For Pittsburgh, it was a shot at their fifth Super Bowl title, while the Lions were looking for their first championship since 1957. The Steelers boasted one of the strongest defenses in the NFL, allowing the third fewest yards in football. Detroit, on the other hand, was in the middle of the pack on both offense and defense and relied strongly of the play of running back Barry Sanders to help carry them throughout the playoffs. Detroit quarterback Erik Kramer had played well against the NFC, but he would have to find another gear against a powerful Pittsburgh defense.

With Pittsburgh focusing on the Detroit running game, the Lions came out in the first half throwing the football. The first Detroit possession featured only eight running yards, while Erik Kramer was able to throw through the Steeler defense for 55 yards. Barry Sanders managed to finish the drive with a four yard touchdown run, and the Lions had the early lead. Neil O'Donnell and the Steelers answered quickly, using the run instead of the pass. Barry Foster and Leroy Thompson pounded the Detroit defense, and Thompson finished the drive with a one yard touchdown burst. The Lions answered with a 13 play, 85 yard drive that once again focused on the passing game. Over half the called plays were passes, including the four yard touchdown pass from Kramer to Willie Green. Once again though the Steelers were able to respond, this time courtesy of O'Donnell. Only 16 yards out of the 83 on the Pittsburgh drive were on the ground, and when Ernie Mills brought in the eight yard touchdown pass from O'Donnell, the game was tied once again. With Pittsburgh now thinking about the pass, Barry Sanders was able to find running room, and his 49 yard run on the next Detroit possession set up Jason Hanson's 29 yard field goal to put the Lions back on top. Late in the first half, a Sanders handoff that was supposed to just run out the clock ended in with a 53 yard gain and a second Hanson field goal as the first half expired, putting Detroit up 20-14 after a very exciting first half of football.

Pittsburgh knew they had to establish their running game again as the second half started, and they came out and did just that. Neil O'Donnell only attempted four passes on a 12 play, 65 yard drive, though it didn't seem to effect the Steelers. Both Barry Foster and Leroy Thompson pounded through the Detroit defense, and once Pittsburgh made it down to the Detroit two yard line, it was backup fullback Merril Hoge who finished things off, busting through the line for the touchdown and a Pittsburgh lead. The Steelers were able to force a Detroit punt, their first of the game, on their next possession, but Detroit forced a Pittsburgh punt on their next defensive series. Mel Gray returned the punt to the Pittsburgh 39 yard line, and the Lions moved 29 yards in six plays, finishing the drive with another Jason Hanson field goal that once again gave them the lead. From there, the Lions attempted to play keep away with the football, forcing two straight punts by the Steelers while attempting to run out the clock with efforts from Barry Sanders and Derrick Moore. With just over three minutes to play, the Lions punted the ball back to the Steelers, and it was downed at the Pittsburgh nine yard line, giving the Steelers a very slim chance at coming back. What happened next would be the stuff of legends.

Almost a full football field away from a touchdown, Neil O'Donnell rallied the Pittsburgh offense in a way that hadn't been seen since Terry Bradshaw. Three quick passes around a sack got the ball to the Pittsburgh 32 yard line, and then the Steelers were able run the football. Barry Foster broke off 11 yards on two carries to get the ball to midfield. With just over a minute to play, O'Donnell got the Steelers into Detroit territory, but an incomplete pass and a sack pushed Pittsburgh to a third and 18. With the Detroit defense closing around him, O'Donnell found Eric Green for a 27 yard gain, giving the Steelers new life. On the very next play, Leroy Thompson found a hole in the Detroit defense, breaking 26 yards for the go ahead touchdown. Just 22 seconds remained on the clock, and even Joe Montana couldn't manage a comeback under those situations. Erik Kramer got the Lions to midfield, but that was as close as he got as the Steelers celebrated their fifth Super Bowl championship. Despite looking like a boring matchup, Super Bowl XXVIII turned out to be one of the most exciting Super Bowls in history.

Final Score: Pittsburgh-28 Detroit-23

MVP: Neil O’Donnell: 16/27, 209 yards, 1 TD

Hurkman · 02-24-2009, 07:50 PM

AFC Wild Card Playoffs

Miami Dolphins (10-6) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (9-7)
Joe Robbie Stadium, Miami, FL

One year removed from a devestating torn Achilles tendon that cost him most of the 1993 season, Dan Marino had returned to lead the Dolphins to the AFC East title in 1994. The NFL's Comeback Player of the Year passed for almost 4,500 yards and 30 touchdowns while guiding the third highest scoring offense in football. The offense was supported by third year running back Bernie Parmalee, who rushed for over 800 yards, as well as former New England Patriot receiver Irving Fryar, who brought in 73 catches for over 1,200 yards. However, the Miami defense was seen as a liability, as they allowed over 20 points per game, placing them in the bottom half of the league. Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs looked to piece together one last run at the Super Bowl. Joe Montana was a year older, but age didn't slow him down much, as he finished the year with 3,283 yards and 16 touchdowns. Running backs Kimble Anders and Marcus Allen finished with over 1,200 combined yards and 8 touchdowns, while the Kansas City defense forced the second most turnovers in the NFL.

Dan Marino and the Miami offense came out swinging early in the first half, taking the opening kickoff and moving all the way down the field for a touchdown in just five plays. Bernie Parmalee broke off a 39 yard run, which was followed by a 23 yard pass from Marino to Irving Fryar before Parmalee finished the drive, getting into the end zone on a six yard burst through the middle. Kansas City would respond later in the first quarter, as their running game picked apart the Miami defense. Kimble Anders finished the six play, 73 yard drive with a 32 yard run into the end zone, tying the score. The next Kansas City drive would bring points, thanks to a 27 yard field goal by Lin Elliot that capped a 12 play, 48 yard possession. Miami would answer, however, as the Dolphins used a mix of run and pass to move down the field before the Chiefs were able to hold on defense. Pete Stoyanovich tied the game with a 39 yard field goal, but Kansas City wasn't done yet. With just over three minutes to play in the half, Joe Montana moved the Chiefs downfield with a series of short passes that the Kansas City receivers were able to turn into longer gains. Marcus Allen finished the drive on a 17 yard touchdown reception, and the Chiefs took a 17-10 lead into the half.

Kansas City got the ball coming out of the half, and was stopped cold by the Miami defense. Motivated by their defense, the Dolphins came out on offense and marched back down the field. A 25 yard pass from Dan Marino to Keith Jackson put Miami at midfield, then a Bernie Parmalee run gained another 30 yards. Four plays later, Parmalee tied the game on a five yard touchdown run. Of course, Joe Montana had made a career out of answering scoring drives with one of his own, and he did just that with the Chiefs. Montana threw for 50 yards on the 55 yard drive, which ended with a Lin Elliot 20 yard field goal. This time, it was Marino's turn to answer, and he was able to with an eight play, 79 yard drive that featured him passing the ball right through the heart of the Kansas City defense. A 26 yard pass from Marino to Keith Byars put the Dolphins back on top with just under 12 minutes to play. A stop by the Miami defense gave Marino the ball back, but the Kansas City defense was finally able to make a play, stripping Byars of the football. Derrick Thomas recovered at the Miami 16 yard line, and a third field goal by Elliot cut the lead to just one point.

Now needing to run out the clock, the Dolphins were unable to move the football, as Kansas City stopped them cold on three straight plays. With 3:25 remaining, Joe Montana came back out onto the field, looking to lead the Chiefs to a win. He started with a mix of short passes and runs by Marcus Allen and Kimble Anders, which moved the ball to the Kansas City 45 yard line. Anders was able to bring in a huge catch on fourth down and one to keep the drive alive, only for Willie Davis to fumble the ball away on the very next play. However, as the Dolphins were celebrating, the officials had called Troy Vincent for pass interference, negating the fumble and giving the Chiefs the ball at the Miami 46 yard line. On the very next play, Anders broke a 36 yard run to the ten yard line. Three plays later, Lin Elliot kicked his fourth field goal, putting the Kansas City back on top and silencing the Miami crowd. Dan Marino would get the Dolphins to midfield, but two long passes into the end zone were broken up, ending Miami's season and sending the Chiefs on to the next round.

Final Score: Kansas City-26 Miami-24

Real Life Score: Miami-27 Kansas City-17

Cleveland Browns (11-5) vs. New England Patriots (10-6)
Municipal Stadium, Cleveland, OH

One of the best teams of the 1980s was making its first playoff appearance of the 1990s as the Cleveland Browns had returned from mediocrity. Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Vinnie Testaverde had made his way to Cleveland and had started to fill the shoes of Bernie Kosar, passing for over 2,500 yards and 16 touchdowns. The running back tandem of Eric Metcalf and Leroy Hoard compiled over 1,200 yards and 7 touchdowns to help balance the offense, while the Cleveland defense gave up the fewest points in the NFL. They would need a solid effort against the Patriots, who featured second year quarterback Drew Bledsoe. The 22 year old led the league in passing yards and averaged almost 300 yards a game for New England. Former San Diego running back Marion Butts led the rushing attack with 703 yards and eight touchdowns, while tight end Ben Coates caught 96 passes for 1,174 yards. The New England defense was in the middle of the road in terms of points and yards allowed, but did lead the NFL in turnovers.

The Browns would turn the ball over on their opening possession, but it was a questionable coaching choice that led to the turnover. Coach Bill Belichick elected to go for a fourth down conversion at the New England 34 yard line, rather than attempt a long field goal. Vinnie Testaverde's pass was broken up, and the Patriots had endured an early test. From there, Drew Bledsoe moved New England into Cleveland territory before having to settle for a 37 yard field goal from Matt Bahr. Neither team would move the ball after that until the start of the second quarter, when a punt return by Eric Metcalf put the Browns inside New England territory to start their possession. Five plays later, Matt Stover nailed a 46 yard field goal, and the game was tied. The next Cleveland possession was a little more conventional, but worked just as well. Leroy Hoard and Eric Metcalf chewed through the middle of the New England defense before a Testaverde to Michael Jackson put the ball at the New England one yard line. Metcalf finished the drive from there, scoring on the next play and giving the Browns the lead. Later in the quarter, Testaverde once again moved Cleveland into New England territory before Stover added a 57 yard field goal as the first half came to a close.

New England came out in the second half needing points, and they wasted little time in chipping away at Cleveland's lead. Ray Crittenden's return of the opening kickoff put the Patriots at the Cleveland 17 yard line, and though New England was unable to score a touchdown, Matt Bahr's 29 yard field goal made the score 13-6 in favor of the Browns. The next New England possession ended the same way, with a 43 yard field goal by Bahr that cut the Cleveland lead to just four points. The New England defense would hold the Browns for the rest of the quarter, and a great punt by Pat O'Neill pinned Cleveland back at their own six yard line as the fourth quarter began. However, the great New England defense that had been so strong in the third quarter vanished in the fourth quarter. The Browns used Eric Metcalf and Leory Hoard to punish the Patriot defenders, as the two backs quickly moved the ball to midfield. A 36 yard run by Hoard put the ball at the New England five yard line, and two plays later, Vinnie Testaverde hit Michael Jackson with a two yard touchdown pass to cap the ten play, 94 yard drive. The next New England drive ended with a Drew Bledsoe interception that the Browns turned into another Matt Stover field goal. The Patriots would get to the Cleveland 16 yard line on their next drive, but there wasn't enough time left for New England as the Browns moved on.

Final Score: Cleveland-23 New England-9

Real Life Score: Cleveland-20 New England-13

AFC Divisional Playoffs

Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (9-7)
Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA

One year ago, it was the Pittsburgh Steelers going into Kansas City as the underdog and pulling off the upset. That win was just the first of four as the Steelers became the first team to win the Super Bowl as a Wild Card team. Now, the Chiefs had made their way to Pittsburgh, where the number one team in the AFC was waiting. Neil O'Donnell had another solid season, passing for almost 2,500 yards and 13 touchdowns, while rookie Bam Morris filled in very well for the departed Leroy Thompson, rushing for 836 yards and seven touchdowns to compliment Barry Foster's 851 yards and 5 touchdowns. The Pittsburgh defense was solid as well, finishing number two in points and yards allowed while forcing 31 turnovers and recording 55 sacks.

As the Pittsburgh fans hoped, the game started out as a defensive slugfest. After a Kansas City punt on their opening possession, the Steelers were able to return the ball to the Chiefs' 33 yard line. However, they couldn't get a first down, and Barry Foster was stopped on a fourth down attempt, giving the ball back to the Chiefs. Fortunately for Pittsburgh, their defense was on top of its game, keeping Joe Montana and the Kansas City offense from even getting started. The Steelers missed another chance on a drive late in the first quarter. Following another solid punt return, Pittsburgh started with the ball at midfield and moved to the Kansas City 28 yard line. However, Gary Anderson pushed the 45 yard field goal attempt to the right, and the game remained scoreless. The next Steeler drive would finally result in points, though. It would be Neil O'Donnell doing most of the damage, threading his passes through the Kansas City secondary for 42 yards on the drive, including a two yard touchdown throw to Barry Foster. From there, the Pittsburgh defense was able to keep the Chiefs under wraps, and the game went to the half with the Steelers on top 7-0.

As the second half began, Kansas City knew that they had to get something going on offense if they even wanted to have a chance. Their first drive was very successful as Joe Montana finally moved them into Pittsburgh territory. However, the Steelers were able to hold on defense, and the Chiefs had to settle for a Lin Elliot field goal. It was up to Pittsburgh to answer back, but they were unable to, as the Kansas City defense kept the Steelers from getting anywhere on offense. Of course, the Pittsburgh defense was doing the same to the Kansas City offense, and the third quarter quickly became the fourth quarter. Finally, with just five and a half minutes left to play, Neil O'Donnell got the Pittsburgh offense moving again with crisp passes to Yancey Thigpen, Eric Green and Charles Johnson. The ten play, 43 yard drive ended with a field goal from Gary Anderson, putting the Steelers up 10-3 with 1:45 to play. Of course, Joe Montana still had one last drive in his body, and he pulled it out right here. Starting at his own 27 yard line, the aging quarterback moved the Chiefs into Pittsburgh territory on two plays. Two plays after that, a pass to Eric Martin put Kansas City at the Pittsburgh three yard line with 45 seconds to play. A false start penalty moved the Chiefs back to the eight yard line, and that was followed by a quick two yard pass to Kimble Anders and a sack by Kevin Greene. One incomplete pass later, and the Chiefs were facing fourth and goal with three seconds to play. Montana dropped back to pass, but the Pittsburgh rush was too much, and he was brought down by Brentson Buckner, ending Kansas City's season and the career of Joe Montana, who would announce his retirement shortly after the game.

Final Score: Pittsburgh-10 Kansas City-3

Real Life Score: Pittsburgh-29 Cleveland-9 (With Kansas City being the #6 seed, they would come play the Steelers, hence the change in games.)

San Diego Chargers (11-5) vs. Cleveland Browns (11-5)
Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego, CA

It was a tale of two seasons for the San Diego Chargers. After missing the playoffs in 1993, San Diego came out in 1994 and started the year 6-0. From there though, the Chargers went 5-5 and, save for a one point win against the Chiefs and a three point win against the Steelers, none of their wins came against playoff teams. That being said, San Diego still had a solid season. Stan Humphries recovered from a poor season the year before to throw for 3,200 yards and 17 touchdowns, and second year running back Natrone Means had emerged as an elite player, making the Pro Bowl with 1,350 yards and 12 touchdowns. The San Diego defense was solid as well, allowing 19 points per game while recording 42 sacks and 32 turnovers.

Of course, none of that mattered to the Cleveland Browns, who were able to score just a minute in a half into the game. Frank Stams intercepted Stan Humphries at the San Diego 29 yard line and returned it to the 25. Vinnie Testaverde needed just one play to find Derrick Alexander for the touchdown and the lead. The Chargers were stunned, but proceeded to quickly give the ball back to Cleveland, thanks to a Natrone Means fumble. This time, the San Diego defense was able to keep the Browns off the scoreboard, but they wouldn't be so lucky on the next Cleveland possession. Testaverde moved the Browns into San Diego territory before giving way to Matt Stover, who would kick a 36 yard field goal. The Chargers would finally respond later in the second quarter with a John Carney 26 yard field goal to cap a nine play, 42 yard drive, and they would add a second Carney kick on their next possession. However, San Diego left too much time on the clock for the Browns, and Testaverde moved Cleveland into position for a 49 yard Matt Stover field goal as the first half ended, putting the Browns up 13-6.

San Diego returned the favor of ending a drive in a turnover on Cleveland's first drive of the second half, as Darrien Gordon intercepted Vinnie Testaverde. The Chargers could only get to midfield though before they had to punt the ball back to the Browns. However, Cleveland's offense seemed to stall as San Diego began to focus on stopping the pass more than the run, and the Browns quickly gave the ball back to the Chargers. This time, San Diego was able to move the ball, thanks in large part to a 30 catch by Tony Martin. Once inside the Cleveland 20 yard line, the Charger offense was stopped, and John Carney came out for his third field goal of the game, making the score 13-9. Another quick Cleveland punt would result in a ten play, 43 yard drive for the Chargers. Carney's fourth field goal of the game cut the score to 13-12 in favor of the Browns, and it appeared as if San Diego had all the momentum.

Cleveland would quickly turn the game around on a 31 yard pass from Vinnie Testaverde to Mark Carrier on a third down and 21. From there, the running attack of Leroy Hoard and Eric Metcalf punished the San Diego defense, inching into field goal range for Matt Stover, who nailed his third kick of the game to put the Browns up by four points with just 3:40 to play. San Diego did themselves no favors, as Stan Humphries was intercepted by Antonio Langham on the second play of their possession. However, Stover would miss a 47 yard field goal attempt with just under two minutes to play, giving the Chargers one last chance. Humphries would get San Diego inside Cleveland territory, but three straight incomplete passes after a two yard Natrone Means run sealed the fate of the Chargers on this day. Cleveland was headed to their first AFC Championship game in five years, while the Chargers were left to wonder what could have been.

Final Score: Cleveland-16 San Diego-12

Real Life Score: San Diego-22 Miami-21

AFC Championship Game

Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA

Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) vs. Cleveland Browns (11-5)

A good old fashioned AFC Central showdown was on tap for the AFC Championship. The Pittsburgh Steelers were looking for back to back Super Bowl appearances, while the Cleveland Browns were trying to get to their first Super Bowl in five years. Both teams featured strong defenses, ranking first and second in points allowed, and both used a running back tandem to help balance out a modest passing attack. While Pittsburgh had taken both games against Cleveland in the regular season, both teams knew that the playoffs were another creature altogether, and that whichever team made the fewest mistakes would more than likely head to the Super Bowl.

As expected, both defenses came out ready to play. Neither Cleveland nor Pittsburgh could get anything going on offense early in the first quarter, with each team punting on their opening possession. Following a second Pittsburgh punt, Vinny Testaverde moved the Browns into Steeler territory for the first time. A 17 yard run by Earnest Byner put the ball at the Pittsburgh 26 yard line, but on the next play Testaverde was intercepted by Darren Perry. However, Cleveland would get the ball back just three plays later, as Neil O'Donnell was intercepted by Eric Turner. From there, the Browns would go 14 yards in six plays, and only a goal line stand by the Steelers stopped Cleveland from scoring a touchdown. Instead, Matt Stover nailed a field goal to put the Browns on top. The next Cleveland drive worked out even better, as Leroy Hoard moved the Browns into Pittsburgh territory before Testaverde found Derrick Alexander for a 29 yard completion. A 13 yard pass to Mark Carrier put the Browns at the one yard line, and Testaverde did the rest, calling his own number for a one yard touchdown. Pittsburgh's offense finally woke up on their next drive, as O'Donnell expertly moved the Steelers downfield, finding Charles Johnson for 26 yards, then Yancey Thigpen for 12 more. On third down and 11, O'Donnell hit Eric Green for a 14 yard touchdown pass, putting the Steelers on the board. Neither offense could move the ball for the rest of the first half, and Cleveland took a 10-7 lead into the locker room.

The Browns started with the football in the second half and quickly added to their lead. A 43 yard run by Leroy Hoard on the second play of the half put Cleveland at the Pittsburgh 28 yard line. The Browns would get as close as the Pittsburgh 18 before having to settle for a Matt Stover field goal. The Steelers didn't do themselves any favors on their opening possession of the third quarter, as Barry Foster fumbled the ball back to Cleveland on Pittsburgh's second play. However, the Steelers would hold the Browns out of field goal range, and Cleveland punted the ball back to Pittsburgh. Later in the quarter, the Steelers intercepted Vinnie Testaverde for a second time, but Neil O'Donnell gave the ball back to Cleveland on the next play, throwing his second interception of the game. The Pittsburgh defense came through yet again though, once again keeping the Browns out of field goal range and forcing a punt. The defensive battle carried over into the fourth quarter, where the Steelers woke up again on offense. A mix of short passes by O'Donnell and runs from Barry Foster and Bam Morris seemed to break the Cleveland defense, and with six minutes to play, O'Donnell found Eric Green for a seven yard touchdown. Gary Anderson's extra point put Pittsburgh on top for the first time in the game, but the Browns still had time to work with.

Unfortunately for the Browns, that time was contested by the Pittsburgh defense, and they were not in a giving mood. Cleveland managed to get inside Pittsburgh territory on their next drive, but Vinnie Testaverde was intercepted for the third time, ending the threat. After a Steeler punt, Cleveland had one last chance, but Eric Metcalf fumbled the ball on a poor handoff and the Steelers recovered. As time ran out, Pittsburgh celebrated yet another trip to the Super Bowl, while the Browns came up just one point short.

Final Score: Pittsburgh-14 Cleveland-13

Real Life Score: San Diego-17 Pittsburgh-13

Bobbuttons · 02-24-2009, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hurkman

[b]

AFC Wild Card Playoffs

Cleveland Browns (11-5) vs. New England Patriots (10-6)
Municipal Stadium, Cleveland, OH

I still remember this game very well. There was a sign from a fan that read "Make Drew Bleed So!" Then they went and laid that egg in Pittsburgh...

jbergey22 · 02-25-2009, 02:06 PM

I can only laugh at that Giants/Vikings game as that is the complete opposite of how the Vikings history has went. I would have expected the Vikings to be on the other end of that finish.

Hurkman · 03-01-2009, 05:32 PM

NFC Wild Card Playoffs

Green Bay Packers (9-7) vs. Detroit Lions (9-7)
Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI

In a rematch from the year before, the defending NFC champion Detroit Lions once again squared off against the Green Bay Packers. The Lions went out and tried to improve from the year before, signing Scott Mitchell to a big contract in the offseason. However, Mitchell was less than effective, and when his season ended due to injury, journeyman Dave Krieg stepped in and got the Lions back into the playoffs. Barry Sanders continued to set the bar for running backs, rushing for 1,883 yards and seven touchdowns, while Herman Moore finished with over 1,100 receiving yards. The Detroit defense was a little shaky though, having allowed over 5,000 yards during the regular season. That defense was exactly what the Green Bay Packers were hoping to exploit. Brett Favre stepped into the spotlight as a star at quarterback this season, throwing for 3,800 yards and 33 touchdowns. However, he would be without his favorite target in Sterling Sharpe, who was injured in the final week of the season. Unlike Detroit, Green Bay's defense was one of the best in the NFL, allowing just under 18 points a game and forcing 33 turnovers.

All the talk about Green Bay's defense didn't seem to effect the Lions one bit. After both teams punted on their opening possessions, Detroit took a chance on their second drive. Dave Krieg completed a 51 yard bomb to Aubrey Matthews to put the ball at the Packers' 15 yard line. On the next play, Barry Sanders did the rest, dancing his way into the end zone to put the Lions on top. The Packers would respond on their first possession of the second quarter, as Brett Favre moved Green Bay into Detroit territory for the first time in the game. The Lions would hold on defense, and Chris Jacke was forced to kick a 32 yard field goal to put the Packers on the board. Detroit looked like they would answer right back on their next possession, as Krieg's arm and Sanders' legs put the Lions on the goal line. However, three straight stops by the Green Bay defense killed the Detroit drive, and a sack on an attempted fourth down gave the ball and the momentum back to the Packers.

The momentum would last all of three plays. After two Edgar Bennett runs moved Green Bay out of the shadow of their own goal posts, Brett Favre threw a costly interception to Mike Johnson. Four plays later, Dave Krieg hit Herman Moore for a 13 yard touchdown, putting the Lions up 14-3. The Packers would respond on their next drive with a 42 yard field goal from Chris Jacke, but the Lions moved right down the field on their next possession. Jason Hanson finished the first half with a 48 yard field goal, sending the Lions to the break up 17-6.

The second half didn't go much better for the Packers. Green Bay couldn't get into scoring position for the entire third quarter as Detroit's defense played above and beyond their display in the regular season. The Detroit offense was more than happy to just hand the ball off to Barry Sanders, and he responded with long runs that ate more and more time off the clock. The Lions would add a Jason Hanson field goal late in the third quarter, and their defense would do the rest. The Packers had just two possessions during the fourth quarter, and after Brett Favre's pass was knocked down on a fourth down try with 5:22 to play, Green Bay wouldn't see the ball on offense again. For the second straight year, the Lions had knocked the Packers out of the playoffs.

Final Score: Detroit-20 Green Bay-6

Real Life Score: Green Bay-16 Detroit-12

Minnesota Vikings (10-6) vs. Chicago Bears (9-7)
The Metrodome, Minneapolis, MN

After two straight seasons of not making the playoffs, the Chicago Bears were back in the postseason, though many people were wondering how. Chicago had been outscored for the season by 36 points, and averaged just under 17 points a game on offense. However, Steve Walsh had brought some stability to the quarterback position, while Lewis Tillman was solid at running back. The Chicago defense, while still strong, seemed to enact a bend, but don't break idea, allowing opponents to gain yards, but keeping them from scoring touchdowns. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings were on their third starting quarterback in three years, but Dennis Green's club was still in the playoffs. This year, former Houston quarterback Warren Moon was under center for the Vikings, and he responded by passing for over 4,200 yards and 18 touchdowns. Terry Allen had another good season at running back, rushing for over 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns, while the receiving duo of Chris Carter and Jake Reed each finished with over 1,100 yards receiving, making Minnesota a powerful offensive force.

That force would be shown early and often in the first quarter. Minnesota's first drive took only three plays to find the end zone. Terry Allen carried the ball all three times, breaking a 59 yard run on the third carry for the touchdown and an early lead. After a Chicago punt, the Vikings would attack the Bears through the air, with Warren Moon finding Andrew Jordan for a 65 yard touchdown catch on the fourth play of the possession. Chicago would counter with a Kevin Butler field goal, but Minnesota returned the ensuing kickoff to the Chicago eight yard line. After a holding penalty pushed the Vikings back and Allen picked up four yards, Moon found Jake Reed for a 14 yard touchdown pass, putting Minnesota up 21-3 before the first quarter had come to a close. From there, the Chicago defense was able to keep the Vikings under control for the rest of the half, while Steve Walsh and the Chicago offense attempted to chip away at the lead. Kevin Butler added his second field goal to cap a 12 play drive that took up most of the second quarter, and he would add a third kick to close out the first half, putting the Bears down 21-9.

Chicago needed more points as the second half began, and it looked like they might get them early. A 30 yard run by Lewis Tillman started the third quarter for the Bears, but Kevin Butler's 47 yard field goal attempt bounced off the left upright, ending a possible scoring drive. The next Chicago drive took just one play, as Steve Walsh was intercepted by Vencie Glenn. However, the Vikings still couldn't find their first quarter offensive mojo, and came away with no points. After a Warren Moon interception later in the third quarter, the Bears were finally able to add more points to the board, thanks to Butler's fourth field goal of the game. The next Chicago drive resulted in points as well, but it was another Butler field goal, not a touchdown. Minnesota would make the Bears pay for not finding the end zone with a 12 play, 72 yard drive on their next possession. Fuad Reveiz nailed a 25 yard field goal with just one minute to play, ending any chance of a late Chicago comeback. The Bears wouldn't get another first down, and the Vikings were on to the second round of the playoffs.

Final Score: Minnesota-24 Chicago-15

Real Life Score: Chicago-35 Minnesota-18

NFC Divisional Playoffs

San Francisco 49ers (13-3) vs. Detroit Lions (9-7)
Candlestick Park, San Francisco, CA

For a second straight week, the Detroit Lions would faceoff against a team that they defeated on their road to the Super Bowl the year before. This year though, the San Francisco 49ers were a much better team. After a 40-8 throttling at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco woke up, and turned a 3-2 start into a ten game winning streak and a 13-3 finish. Steve Young had his best season to date, passing for almost 4,000 yards to go along with 35 touchdowns and just ten interceptions. Jerry Rice had yet another outstanding season, leading the NFL with 1,499 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. The San Francisco defense was also much improved, thanks to the addition of Deion Sanders. The 49ers allowed just 18 and a half points a game and forced 35 turnovers, numbers that they hoped could push them into another NFC Championship.

At the start though, it was the Detroit Lions who looked like the favorites. After punts by both teams started the game, Dave Krieg passed the Lions into scoring position with crisp passes to Brett Perriman and Herman Moore. Once Detroit got inside the San Francisco ten yard line, Barry Sanders did the rest, scoring from a yard out to give the Lions an early 7-0 lead. The 49ers looked like they would respond on their next drive, but Steve Young was intercepted by Robert Massey, bringing up memories of his poor performance from last year's playoff game. This time though, the San Francisco defense held strong and forced a Detroit punt. On the next 49er possession, Ricky Watters broke free for a 21 yard gain, which then allowed Young to use the play action pass effectively. A 19 yard pass to Jerry Rice put San Francisco in field goal range, and Doug Brien nailed a 46 yard attempt, putting the 49ers on the scoreboard. However, that was all either team would get for the rest of the half. The Detroit offense was held in check by the San Francisco defense, while the 49ers were able to move the ball late in the quarter, only for Brien to miss a 46 yard field goal attempt as the first half expired, leaving San Francisco down 7-3 at the half.

The second half started out with the same defensive mindset that the first half had. Once again, neither Detroit nor San Francisco could move the ball, and many 49er fans were beginning to feel restless as the third quarter clock began to wind down. Their nerves were even more fried when Barry Sanders broke off a 61 yard run late in the third quarter to move the ball to the San Francisco 13 yard line. An 11 yard gain by Brett Perriman put the ball at the San Francisco two, and things were looking bleak for San Francisco. The 49ers needed a big play, and they got it when Ken Norton Jr picked off Dave Krieg in the end zone, ending the Detroit threat and giving San Francisco the ball. The 49ers were able to get to midfield before having to punt. Just six plays later, Detroit punted the ball back to San Francisco, and Dexter Carter returned the punt to the Detroit 49 yard line. A 40 yard pass from Steve Young to Brent Jones followed, and three plays later, the 49ers took the lead on a 4 yard pass from Young to Jerry Rice. From there, the San Francisco defense took over, stopping the Lions cold on offense. Without Barry Sanders effectively running the ball, Dave Krieg was unable to get Detroit's offense going, and the Lions would be held scoreless. San Francisco would add two more Doug Brien field goals, and despite an average game from Steve Young, the 49ers were headed back to the NFC Championship.

Final Score: San Francisco-16 Detroit-7

Real Life Score: San Francisco-44 Chicago-15

Dallas Cowboys (12-4) vs. Minnesota Vikings (10-6)
Texas Stadium, Irving, TX

Just last year, a 28 point fourth quarter barrage by the Cowboys ended the season for the Vikings. This season, Minnesota returned to Texas Stadium with a new quarterback and a better team, but the Cowboys were improved as well. Despite an injury plagued season from Troy Aikman, the Dallas quarterback was able to pass for 2,600 yards and 13 touchdowns. However, Emmitt Smith proved that he could carry the Cowboys when he needed to, rushing for almost 1,500 yards and an NFL leading 21 touchdowns. Michael Irvin added 79 catches for 1,241 yards, and the Dallas defense once again asserted itself, allowing just 241 points to go along with 47 sacks and 31 turnovers.

None of that seemed to matter to the Vikings, though. After Minnesota forced Dallas to punt on their first possession, the Vikings went right at the Dallas defense, rushing the ball seven straight times before Robert Smith broke free for a 38 yard touchdown and the lead. Unlike Chicago the week before, Dallas would respond with a touchdown. The next Cowboy drive took just seven plays and went 61 yards. It ended with a Troy Aikman four yard touchdown pass to Daryl Johnston that tied the game. The next Dallas drive would be just as effective. Following a 44 yard run by Emmitt Smith to start the second quarter, Aikman would find Alvin Harper for a ten yard touchdown, putting the Cowboys on top. Minnesota would answer late in the second quarter with a Fuad Reveiz 22 yard field goal, cutting the Dallas lead to 14-10 and ending the scoring for the first half.

As the second half started, it looked like the Cowboys would be able to finish off the Vikings early. Dallas forced Minnesota to punt on their opening possession, and Kevin Williams returned the kick to midfield. Two runs by Emmitt Smith put the Cowboys in scoring range, but then Troy Aikman was intercepted by Ed McDaniel, putting an end to the threat. Minnesota was unable to do anything with the turnover though, and punted the ball back to Dallas. This time, the Cowboys would get to midfield before having to punt, and the Vikings ended up with the ball at their own 21 yard line. From there, Minnesota started a 17 play drive that took over nine minutes off the clock and spanned parts of the third and fourth quarters. On fourth and goal, Terry Allen slipped into the end zone from a yard away, putting the Vikings back on top and silencing the Texas Stadium crowd. The Dallas offense was unable to do anything for most of the fourth quarter, and when Minnesota ended up with the ball and just under four minutes to play, it looked as if the game was over. The Vikings quickly moved downfield using their running game, and with just 1:45 to play, the Cowboys were almost out of time. However, Terry Allen fumbled the ball away at the Dallas 17 yard line, and the Cowboys recovered, returning the ball to their 30. Aikman wasted little time in moving the football, completing his first pass to Kevin Williams for 15 yards. His next pass was tipped at the line though, and Vencie Glenn intercepted it, ending Dallas' season and sending the Vikings to San Francisco.

Final Score: Minnesota-17 Dallas-14

Real Life Score: Dallas-35 Green Bay-9

NFC Championship Game

Candlestick Park, San Francisco, CA

San Francisco 49ers (13-3) vs. Minnesota Vikings (10-6)

It had been six years since the Vikings last made an NFC Championship game, and while they had never taken the next step to the Super Bowl, they were confident that this team could do just that. Warren Moon gave Minnesota something they hadn't had since Fran Tarkenton: a solid quarterback. Terry Allen, Chris Carter and Jake Reed rounded out a powerful offense, while John Randle led a defense that had started to mature and evolve during the playoffs. Of course, a 21-14 win over the 49ers in the final week of the season also helped the Vikings in terms of confidence, but this was a different San Francisco team from then. The 49ers weren't playing for anything that week, as they had already locked up home field advantage. This week, they were playing for a trip to the Super Bowl, and with All Pros Steve Young and Jerry Rice leading the offense, and Deion Sanders on defense, it seemed like there was nothing that could stop the 49ers from getting back to the Super Bowl.

It didn't take long for San Francisco to get started. After a Minnesota punt on their opening possession, the 49ers took over right around midfield. Two quick passes to Ricky Watters and Jerry Rice put San Francisco in scoring range, and Doug Brien nailed a 42 yard field goal, putting the 49ers on top. The San Francisco defense held the powerful Minnesota offense in check for the first quarter, but Terry Allen broke a 31 yard run on the first play of the second quarter, putting the Vikings in field goal range. Three plays later, Fuad Reveiz answered with a 42 yard field goal of his own, tying the game. The next Minnesota possession ended with a Warren Moon interception deep inside his own territory, and it took Steve Young just one play to take advantage. Young hit Nate Singleton for a 24 yard touchdown that put the 49ers back on top. Minnesota could get nothing going on offense for the rest of the half, and San Francisco was able to take advantage, moving downfield for a Doug Brien field goal as the first half came to a close.

The second half started with disaster for the Vikings. On the first play of the half, Steve Young found Brent Jones wide open, and he ran untouched for an 82 yard touchdown to put the 49ers up 20-3. Minnesota was able to answer with a much needed touchdown to cap a 12 play, 70 yard drive as Warren Moon found Jake Reed on an eight yard pass. However, the San Francisco running game dominated the Minnesota defense on the next 49er possession, as Ricky Watters, William Floyd and Marc Logan each took a turn driving into the heart of the Minnesota defense. Eventually, it was Watters who would finish the drive, scoring on a four yard touchdown pass from Young. Once again, the Vikings were able to answer, but this time it would only be with a Fuad Reveiz field goal early in the fourth quarter. San Fransisco would counter with a Doug Brien field goal of their own, making the score 30-13. Minnesota got the ball back with just under eight minutes to play and once again drove into San Francisco territory, but Moon was intercepted by Merton Hanks, who returned the ball to midfield. From there, the 49ers went on a nine play, 47 yard drive that ate up six minutes of clock. By the time Brien kicked a 28 yard field goal, there were just 39 seconds left to play. Minnesota could do nothing with so little time on the clock, and fell short of the Super Bowl once again.

Final Score: San Francisco-33 Minnesota-13

Real Life Score: San Francisco-38 Dallas-28

Apparatus · 03-01-2009, 06:17 PM

interesting

Hurkman · 03-02-2009, 12:23 PM

Super Bowl XXIX

Joe Robbie Stadium, Miami, FL

Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)

Head Coach: Bill Cowher
316 Points Scored
234 Points Allowed

Starting Quarterback: Neil O'Donnell

Road to the Super Bowl:
Defeated Kansas City, 10-3: AFC Divisional Playoffs
Defeated Cleveland, 14-13: AFC Championship

San Francisco 49ers (13-3)

Head Coach: George Seifert
505 Points Scored
296 Points Allowed

Starting Quarterback: Steve Young

Road to the Super Bowl:
Defeated Detroit, 16-7: NFC Divisional Playoffs
Defeated Minnesota, 33-13: NFC Championship

The Game

The 75th NFL season had been one of great success, and now it was coming to a close with the two best teams facing off in the Super Bowl. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, it was a chance at their sixth championship, tying them with the Dallas Cowboys for the most all time. Neil O'Donnell and the running back tandem of Bam Morris and Barry Foster provided the offensive spark, while the Pittsburgh defense allowed under 15 points a game during the regular season and recorded 55 sacks. For San Francisco, Super Bowl XXIX was a chance to win their fourth championship in ten years, cementing their place in NFL history. Steve Young, burdened for the past few seasons in his attempts to step out of Joe Montana's shadow led the highest scoring offense in the NFL. Jerry Rice was Young's right hand man, recording almost 1,500 receiving yards. The San Francisco defense was nothing to sneeze at, either, as the addition of Deion Sanders gave them that extra playmaker that they were lacking over the past few seasons. No matter which team came out on top, everyone was certain that Super Bowl XXIX would be one of the best games yet.

Despite San Francisco's high scoring offense, it was the defenses of both teams that flexed their muscles in the first quarter. The 49ers had the first scoring chance of the game on their second drive, after a Dexter Carter punt return put them inside Pittsburgh territory. Steve Young guided San Francisco to the 26 yard line, only for Kevin Greene to burst through the line for a sack on third down. With the extra distance added to the field goal attempt, Doug Brien pushed the kick to the right, keeping the 49ers off the scoreboard. Neil O'Donnell and the Pittsburgh offense would take advantage of the San Francisco mistake, with O'Donnell moving the Steelers downfield. When the 49ers managed to stop Pittsburgh's passing game, they easily switched over to their running back duo, and Barry Foster and Bam Morris punished the San Francisco defense. However, the 49ers were able to keep the Steelers out of the end zone, and Pittsburgh had to settle for a Gary Anderson field goal. This time, San Francisco was able to respond, thanks to a 55 yard pass from Steve Young to Marc Logan. Young finished the drive with a ten yard touchdown pass to Nate Singleton to start the second quarter, putting the 49ers up 7-3. San Francisco would move downfield again on their next possession, but once again, they came up short, as Doug Brien missed his second field goal attempt of the half. Pittsburgh made the 49ers pay again as Gary Anderson added his second field goal of the game, cutting the San Francisco lead to just one point. From there, neither team would score again as the first half wound down.

Whatever defensive momentum was left from the first half quickly disappeared in the third quarter. Pittsburgh needed just four plays to find the end zone on their first possession, moving quickly downfield thanks to a 53 yard end around by Ernie Mills. Two plays later, Neil O'Donnell found Charles Johnson for an 11 yard touchdown that put the Steelers back on top. Rod Woodson started the next Pittsburgh possession out with a great punt return, taking the ball to midfield. From there, O'Donnell moved the ball slowly downfield, getting the Steelers to the San Francisco 22 yard line before being stopped. Gary Anderson's third field goal of the game sailed through the uprights, and Pittsburgh was up 16-7. The 49ers were able to respond with a scoring drive of their own, as Ricky Watters pounded his way through the Pittsburgh defense. With Watters doing the dirty work, Steve Young assisted, and Doug Brien was finally able to nail a field goal, capping the seven play, 53 yard drive as the third quarter came to a close. Unfortunately for San Francisco, their defense could not stop Pittsburgh from once again moving downfield, and Gary Anderson added his fourth field goal of the game early in the fourth quarter. Once again, Young moved the 49ers downfield, getting to the Pittsburgh three yard line. However, a holding penalty and a sack forced San Francisco to kick another field goal, putting them down 19-13 with just under five minutes to play.

Things looked bad for the 49ers, and only got worse when Bam Morris and Barry Foster were able to each break off long runs, taking time off the clock and putting the ball into San Francisco territory. With under two minutes to play, the 49ers finally forced Pittsburgh's offense to stall, stopping them just short of field goal range. Mark Royals' punt rolled into the end zone with 1:41 to play, and San Francisco had to go 80 yards with no timeouts if they were to win the Super Bowl. Two quick runs by Derek Loville caught the Pittsburgh defense off guard, and Steve Young then hit Jerry Rice for a 13 yard gain, putting the ball at the San Francisco 39 yard line. A 24 yard catch by Rice on third down moved the ball inside Pittsburgh territory, but now there were only 42 seconds to play. Two incomplete passes and an eight yard completion later, the 49ers were faced with a fourth down and two from the Pittsburgh 29 yard line. When Young's offensive line collapsed, the game looked like it would be over, but the San Francisco quaterback slipped out of the backfield and scrambled for nine yards. Young followed that up with a 14 yard pass along the sideline to Brent Jones. With just eight seconds to play, the 49ers knew that had only two shots at the end zone.

They only needed one. Steve Young threaded a pass through the Pittsburgh secondary and John Taylor came down with the ball, sending the San Francisco sideline into euphoria. Doug Brien's extra point sailed through the uprights, and the 49ers were ahead. Neil O'Donnell had one last chance at a miracle, but his desperate heave toward the end zone fell to the turf. In the last minute and a half of Super Bowl XXIX, Steve Young not only stepped out of the shadow of Joe Montana, but put himself on a different level as the winning quarterback of the most dramatic Super Bowl ever.

Final Score: San Francisco-20 Pittsburgh-19

MVP: Steve Young: 20/25, 221 yards, 2 TDs, 2 carries, 19 yards

Hurkman · 03-05-2009, 06:52 PM

AFC Wild Card Playoffs

Buffalo Bills (10-6) vs. Miami Dolphins (9-7)
Rich Stadium, Buffalo, NY

After a disappointing 7-9 season in 1994, the Buffalo Bills rebounded with another AFC Eastern Division title in 1995. Even at age 35, Jim Kelly was able to put together a solid season, passing for 3,130 yards and 22 touchdowns. Thurman Thomas provided the running attack for Buffalo, finishing with over 1,000 yards rushing once again. The defense allowed over 20 points a game, but Bryce Paup, Bruce Smith and Phil Hansen each had double digit sacks, and helped the Bills force 28 turnovers. The Miami Dolphins, on the other hand, rode almost a roller coaster throughout the season. Miami started the year 4-0, then lost three games in a row, only to win two more before losing three in a row again. At 6-6, the Dolphins would win three out of their last four games to make the playoffs as the sixth seed. Despite the up and down season, Dan Marino still managed to pass for over 3,600 yards and 24 touchdowns, while Bernie Parmalee rushed for over 800 yards and nine touchdowns. Miami's defense struggled at times to get to the quarterback, and they would need to do just that if they wanted to beat the Bills.

The Miami defense did its job well in the first quarter, stopping Buffalo on both of their possessions. The Dolphins took advantage of the stalled Bills offense by driving downfield on their opening possession. Dan Marino found Irving Fryar for 52 yards, and Pete Stoyanovich nailed a 37 yard field goal to put Miami on top. Buffalo was able to turn things around in the second quarter, however. After forcing a Miami punt on their first drive of the quarter, the Bills moved into Dolphin territory for the first time. Jim Kelly threaded the Miami secondary with passes to Bill Brooks, Darick Holmes and Lonnie Johnson. Thurman Thomas ended the drive with a three yard touchdown run. Buffalo would get the ball back very quickly, thanks to a Kurt Schulz interception of a Dan Marino pass at the Miami 27 yard line. Four plays later, Kelly hit Thurman Thomas for a 14 yard touchdown pass, and the Bills were up 14-3. The Dolphins would get to midfield on their next drive, but the Buffalo defense forced another turnover on a Bernie Parmalee fumble, and the Bills turned that into a Steve Christie 24 yard field goal as the first half came to a close.

Things didn't start out much better for the Dolphins in the second half. After the Buffalo defense forced a punt, Darick Holmes returned the ball to the Buffalo 43 yard line. From there, Jim Kelly once again picked apart the Miami defense with crisp passes to Thurman Thomas and Bill Brooks. A 13 yard run by Thomas put the ball inside the ten yard line, and Holmes did the rest, scoring from seven yards out. Dan Marino rallied the Dolphins, moving them deep inside Buffalo territory, but Matt Darby stepped in front of a pass intended for Irving Fryar, ending the drive. From there, neither team would move the ball much on offense until midway through the fourth quarter. Buffalo got the ball to the Miami five yard line, but Thurman Thomas fumbled the ball away at the one. The only problem was Miami had to face Buffalo's pass rush with no room for error. On the first play, Marino was brought down by Cornelius Bennett for a safety. The ensuing Buffalo possession ended with a second Steve Christie field goal, and after the next Dolphin possession ended on fourth down, the Bills were headed on to the second round of the AFC Playoffs.

Final Score: Buffalo-29 Miami-3

Real Life Score: Buffalo-37 Miami-22 (Don Shula's last game)

San Diego Chargers (9-7) vs. Indianapolis Colts (9-7)
Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego, CA

Very few people had expected the Indianapolis Colts to make it to the playoffs in 1995. Just four years prior, the team looked like a lost cause, finishing 1-15. From the ashes of that season came a new, young group of players, hungry to make their own history. Second year running back Marshall Faulk had already established himself as one of the top backs in the league, finishing the season with 1,078 yards rushing, 475 yards receiving and 14 total touchdowns. The oldest player on the offense, journeyman quarterback Jim Harbaugh not only led the Colts to the playoffs, but may have salvaged his career with a 17 touchdown, five interception season that earned him a trip to the Pro Bowl. Not only that, the Indianapolis defense was one of the best in the NFL, allowing the fifth fewest points in the league. Of course, the San Diego Chargers weren't impressed by any of this, as they had to overcome their own obsticles just to make the playoffs. Through 12 weeks of the season, San Diego sat with a 4-7 record. A five game winning streak, including a win over the Colts, followed, and the Chargers had earned a right to host a playoff game. Stan Humphries finished the year with over 3,300 passing yards and 17 touchdowns, and Natrone Means fought through injuries to finish the year with 730 yards and five touchdowns. The San Diego defense was also strong, recording 36 sacks while finishing in the top ten in the NFL in points allowed.

In their first playoff game since 1987, it took the Colts just one play on offense to get on the scoreboard. After forcing a San Diego punt, Jim Harbaugh found Marshall Faulk out of the backfield for a 58 yard catch and run. The Chargers would answer with a more conventional scoring drive, as Stan Humphries moved San Diego downfield with crisp passes to Mark Seay and Tony Martin. Martin finished the drive with a 15 yard touchdown catch, but John Carney slipped on the extra point attempt, and it sailed wide, leaving the Chargers down by a point. Another mistake by Carney would come back to haunt San Diego later in the first half. For the first time since their scoring drive, the Chargers were able to move into Indianapolis territory. However, the Colts were able to stop San Diego from reaching the end zone, and Carney came out for a 42 yard field goal try. His kick sailed to the right, and the Chargers missed out on a chance to take the lead. On the next play, Faulk broke a 42 yard run into San Diego territory, and three plays after that, Harbaugh hit Floyd Turner for a 21 yard touchdown pass. Andre Coleman helped the Chargers get back into the game, returning the ensuing kickoff all the way to the Indianapolis three yard line. Natrone Means would do the rest, scoring on the next play to once again pull San Diego within one point. However, Harbaugh wasn't done with the first half quite yet, hitting Sean Dawkins with a 40 yard pass on the first play of Indianapolis' next drive. Passes to Turner and Faulk put the ball at the San Diego one yard line, and Lamont Warren scored from there. With just 35 seconds to play in the half, the Chargers ran out the clock, content to lick their wounds and wait for the second half to strike back.

They would do just that on their first possession of the third quarter. Following an Indianapolis drive that resulted in a missed field goal by Cary Blanchard, The Chargers moved ahead. Stan Humphries hit Shawn Jefferson with passes of 12 and 19 yards before turning to his running game. Aaron Hayden and Natrone Means pounded into the front seven of the Colts, who eventually gave way for a one yard touchdown run by Means, putting the Chargers down by a single point once again. The next San Diego possession saw them move into Colt territory once again, and this time, John Carney was able to nail a 45 yard field goal early in the fourth quarter, putting the Chargers on top for the first time. The lead lasted all of three plays. After a two yard run by Vince Workman and an incomplete pass, Jim Harbaugh was once again able to find Marshall Faulk slipping out of the backfield. A quick pass and long run later, and Faulk was in the end zone on a 64 yard play, putting the Colts back on top. Both teams would exchange punts before San Diego would be able to move on offense again. Humphries got the Chargers into field goal range, but Carney pushed a 49 yard field goal attempt wide to the right. The next San Diego drive got into Indianapolis territory as well, but with Carney's problems on the day, the Chargers elected to try and convert a fourth down and seven from the Colt 35 yard line. Humphries was sacked with under two minutes to play, and the Colts ran out the clock, earning their first playoff win since the 1987 season.

Final Score: Indianapolis-28 San Diego-23

Real Life Score: Indianapolis-35 San Diego-20

AFC Divisional Playoffs

Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5) vs. Buffalo Bills (10-6)
Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA

One year removed from a last second Super Bowl loss, the Pittsburgh Steelers certainly looked like they were feeling the effects early in the 1995 season. Pittsburgh started out the year 3-4, including an embarassing loss to the expansion Jacksonville Jaguars, but then managed to right the ship, winning eight games in a row to clinch the AFC Central Division. Neil O'Donnell had possibly his best season to date, despite only starting in 12 games, as he threw for almost 3,000 yards with 17 touchdowns. Erric Pegram stepped into the starting role left by Barry Foster, and provided an excellent option along with Bam Morris. Combined, the duo rushed for almost 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns. Yancey Thigpen established himself as the number one receiver in Pittsburgh's offense, bringing in 85 catches for over 1,300 yards and five touchdowns, while the Steeler defense was once again at the top of its game. The Steelers finished in the top ten in points allowed, yards given up and turnovers forced, and would be a tough matchup for the Buffalo Bills, with the winner going on to the AFC Championship.

The one thing that Pittsburgh's defense couldn't stop, however, were mistakes by the Pittsburgh offense. On his first pass attempt of the game, Neil O'Donnell was intercepted by Jeff Burris, who returned the ball to the Pittsburgh 24 yard line. Despite not gaining a single yard on offense, the Bills were close enough for Steve Christie to nail a 41 yard field goal just three minutes into the game, giving them the lead. The next Buffalo drive resulted in points as well. A 24 yard pass from Jim Kelly to Bill Brooks put the Bills inside Pittsburgh territory, and from there, the Buffalo running game did most of the work, with Thurman Thomas punishing the usually strong Pittsburgh defense. Thomas finished the drive with a touchdown run from a yard out, and the Bills led 10-0 after two possessions. Pittsburgh finally forced a Buffalo punt on their next possession, but after another punt by the Steelers, the Bills went back to work. The nine play, 53 yard drive was once again guided by the running game, but Jim Kelly finished things off with a 12 yard pass to Russell Copeland. Pittsburgh's best chance in the first half came on their next drive, which saw them get all the way to the Buffalo one yard line. Instead of running the ball in, however, the Steelers called for a screen pass to Ernie Mills. Mills caught the ball behind the line of scrimmage and then fumbled. Bryce Paup recovered for the Bills, and Buffalo was able to run out the rest of the time in the first half. The Pittsburgh faithful showered their team with boos as they headed into the locker rooms down 17-0.

The second half didn't start out much better for the Steelers. Their first possession broke into Buffalo territory, thanks to the running of Bam Morris, but after the Buffalo defense forced a field goal attempt, Norm Johnson missed from 49 yards away. Johnson would make up for it on the next possession, finally getting the Steelers on the board with a 34 yard kick that capped a 12 play, 67 yard drive. The Bills were able to answer though, as Jim Kelly found Thurman Thomas for a 25 yard pass that put Buffalo inside Pittsburgh territory again. A 13 yard pass to Andre Reed got the Bills inside field goal range, and Steve Christie kicked a 45 yarder to make the Buffalo lead 17 points once again. As the fourth quarter began, Pittsburgh knew they needed quick scores, and they got just that on their first possession. Neil O'Donnell first hit Yancey Thigpen for a 50 yard gain, then found Ernie Mills for a 14 yard touchdown on the very next play. A three and out by Buffalo and a good punt return by Ernie Mills put Pittsburgh inside Buffalo territory. Five plays later, Norm Johnson added a second field goal, putting the Steelers within a touchdown. Another Buffalo punt gave Pittsburgh the ball at their own 34 yard line, but 15 yards in penalties and a seven yard sack quickly pushed them back to the 17 yard line. O'Donnell's pass for Johnnie Barnes was knocked away on fourth down, and the Bills added another Christie field goal. The Steelers weren't about to give up, though, and marched downfield once again, this time ending the drive with an eight yard pass from O'Donnell to Mark Bruener. The only problem was that there were only 47 seconds to play, and Pittsburgh needed to recover the onside kick for a chance to come back. Johnson's kick was a good one, but the Bills ended up with the football. Jim Kelly kneeled down to run out the clock, and Pittsburgh's run at the top of the AFC had come to an end.

Final Score: Buffalo-23 Pittsburgh-20

Real Life Score: Pittsburgh-40 Buffalo-21

Kansas City Chiefs (13-3) vs. Indianapolis Colts (9-7)
Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO

Last season, the Kansas City Chiefs saw their season and Joe Montana's career end in the AFC Divisional Playoffs. This season, with a new quarterback and the best defense in the NFL, the Chiefs were hopeful that they could make it to their first Super Bowl in 26 years. Steve Bono had stepped into the shoes that Montana left behind and found them extremely comfortable. The career backup finally got a chance to start and made the most of it, earning a Pro Bowl appearance with a 21 touchdown, 3,100 yard season. Marcus Allen and Greg Hill helped out on the ground, finishing with a combined 1,557 yards and six touchdowns. The real strength for the Chiefs was their defense. Derrick Thomas, Neil Smith and Dan Saleaumua were the leaders on a defense that finished first in points allowed and second in total yards given up. They also forced 32 turnovers and recorded 47 sacks, enough to make them a very feared unit. They also knew that the Indianapolis Colts would not go down without a fight, and they were ready for anything.

On a bitterly cold night in Kansas City, the Chiefs knew that the key to stopping the Colts was stopping second year running back Marshall Faulk. Unfortunately for the Chiefs, the Colts were able to compensate on their opening drive with their other offensive weapons. Faulk touched the ball just three times for a total of 13 yards on the nine play, 62 yard drive. Jim Harbaugh did most of the work for Indianapolis, and he finished the drive with a 17 yard touchdown pass to Sean Dawkins. Kansas City was able to answer on their third possession early in the second quarter. Steve Bono moved the Chiefs into field goal range, and Lin Elliot ended the nine play, 49 yard drive with a 42 yard field goal, putting Kansas City on the board. From there, both defenses took over, as neither team could get past midfield on any drive. The rest of the half resulted in punts from both teams, as the defenses of the Colts and Chiefs shut down the opposing offenses. The first half came to a close with Indianapolis still leading by a 7-3 score.

Anyone hoping for a change in the defensive struggle that had gripped Kansas City was quite disappointed as the third quarter began. Just like much of the second quarter, neither team could get past midfield during the third quarter. The Chiefs still focused in on Marshall Faulk, daring Jim Harbaugh and the Colts to gain yards through the air. Harbaugh was unable to do so, and with Faulk's yards being limited, the Indianapolis offense ground to a halt. Meanwhile, the Colts were playing a well balanced game, stacking the line on obvious running plays while then playing softer on passing downs. The strategy worked, and even began to pay dividends midway through the fourth quarter, when Marcus Allen fumbled the ball away at his own 45 yard line. However, the Colts still couldn't get anything moving on offense, and had to punt the ball back to the Chiefs. Starting at their own 12 yard line, things looked bleak for Kansas City, but Steve Bono reached down deep, and managed to lead the Chiefs on only their second sustained drive of the game. A 13 yard pass to Keith Cash kept the drive alive early, and it was later followed by third down passes to Webster Slaughter and Willie Davis, and the latter moved the Chiefs inside the Indianapolis 20 yard line with under two minutes to play. A 12 yard pass to Lake Dawson put Kansas City at the seven yard line, and on the next play Bono found Greg Hill in the end zone for the go ahead touchdown. Indianapolis would have one last chance, but Harbaugh was intercepted by Brian Washington. Kansas City was able to run out the clock, and narrowly escape with a win.

Final Score: Kansas City-10 Indianapolis-7

Real Life Score: Indianapolis-10 Kansas City-7

AFC Championship Game

Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO

Kansas City Chiefs (13-3) vs. Buffalo Bills (10-6)

It seemed almost fitting that, for the 30th Super Bowl, the two AFC teams that met to determine the first AFL participant would meet again. For the Kansas City Chiefs, it was their first AFC Championship appearance in 24 years, while the Bills were looking at the tail end of an excellent decade, which saw them appear in two Super Bowls. While the Bills looked like the weaker team on paper, the Chiefs knew by now not to take any team for granted, especially one with Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas on offense. Kansas City would have to hope that their defense could hold Buffalo to a minimal number of points while their offense was able to do the best they could.

The game certainly didn't start out the way the Chiefs had envisioned. On the third play of the game, Jim Kelly hit a streaking Thurman Thomas for a 57 yard touchdown, putting the Bills up 7-0 just 67 seconds into the game. From that point on, though, the first half belonged to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs forced a Darick Holmes fumble on the next Buffalo possession, and Marcus Allen scored on a 27 yard run on the very next play. The next Buffalo drive ended with a fumble from Thurman Thomas. This time, Allen scored on the next play from 38 yards out. On the next Buffalo drive, the Bills got inside the Kansas City 20 yard line before Justin Armour fumbled the ball away. Though the Chiefs wouldn't score on that drive, they had set the tone for the rest of the first half. The Bills were unable to get anything else going on offense, as the Kansas City defense had stopped them in their tracks. The Chiefs would finally score some points with a sustained drive midway through the second quarter. A 40 yard pass from Steve Bono to Willie Davis put Kansas City deep into Buffalo territory, and though they were unable to find the end zone again, Lin Elliot's 20 yard field goal put the Chiefs up 17-7. From there, Buffalo moved downfield, but Steve Christie missed a 41 yard field goal try as the first half came to a close, with the Chiefs looking like the most dominant team in the AFC.

The Kansas City dominance continued in the second half. After an exchange of punts to start the third quarter, Steve Bono once again moved the Chiefs downfield, thanks in large part to a 52 yard pass to Greg Hill. Once again, they would have to settle for a Lin Elliot chip shot field goal, this one from 21 yards away, to put them up 20-7. The lead would only increase in the fourth quarter. On Kansas City's first drive of the fourth quarter, Bono led his team downfield against a tiring Buffalo defense. Willie Davis picked up 16 yards on a pass, followed by a 15 yard run from Kimble Anders. Two Buffalo penalties pushed the ball to the three yard line, and from there, Keith Cash came down with a Bono pass for a touchdown. Up 27-7, the Chiefs could smell victory, and it was all but confirmed after a Jim Kelly interception midway through the fourth quarter led to a Lin Elliot 50 yard field goal. The Chiefs would add one more Elliot field goal later in the quarter as the cherry on top of the most impressive victory in team history. For the first time in 26 years, the Kansas City Chiefs were headed to the Super Bowl.

Final Score: Kansas City-33 Buffalo-7

Real Life Score: Pittsburgh-20 Indianapolis-16 (In Pittsburgh)

kenyan_cheena · 03-05-2009, 07:13 PM

I remember that Chiefs-Colts divisional playoff. I think the KC kicker missed 3 or 4 FG attempts.

Hurkman · 03-08-2009, 02:36 PM

NFC Wild Card Playoffs

Philadelphia Eagles (10-6) vs. Detroit Lions (10-6)
Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia, PA

For the third straight season, the Detroit Lions had made it to the playoffs. This year, they looked even better than the past two seasons, as Scott Mitchell earned his money, passing for over 4,300 yards and 32 touchdowns while quarterbacking the second highest scoring offense in the NFL. Barry Sanders was his typical All Pro self, rushing for 1,500 yards and 11 touchdowns, and Herman Moore set an NFL record with 123 catches for 1,686 yards and 14 touchdowns. The Detroit defense also helped the Lions overcome a 4-6 start to the season by recoring 42 sacks and forcing 35 turnovers. On the other side of the field, the Philadelphia Eagles were making their first trip to the playoffs since 1992 with almost an entirely different team from that year. Randall Cunningham had been replaced as the starting quarterback midseason with Rodney Peete, and though he threw just eight touchdowns compared to 14 interceptions, it was enough to get the Eagles into the playoffs. Free agent pickup Ricky Watters started out slowly, but finished the year with over 1,200 yards and seven touchdowns. The Philadelphia defense was still one of the best in football, finishing fourth in the league in yards allowed while recording 48 sacks and 38 turnovers.

Detroit offensive lineman Lomas Brown guaranteed that the Lions would walk out of Philadelphia with a win, and the game certainly started out the right way for Detroit. After punts by both teams on their opening possessions, the Lions were able to move downfield thanks to the running of Barry Sanders and the arm of Scott Mitchell. Detroit would make it down to the Philadelphia seven yard line, but the Eagles' defense held, and Jason Hanson had to kick a 27 yard field goal to put the Lions on the board first. Philadelphia attempted to answer, but Rodney Peete's pass was intercepted by Willie Clay. Four plays later, Mitchell found Brett Perriman for a 17 yard touchdown that put the Lions up 10-0. The Eagles would respond this time, as Peete began to find a groove on offense. Sixty of the 63 yards on the ten play drive came through Peete's arm, and Gary Anderson finished the drive with a 36 yard field goal. The Lions would answer right back with an eight play, 55 yard drive that would result in a second Hanson field goal, but the Eagles had enough time for one last drive, and Anderson nailed a 40 yard kick as the first half came to a close, cutting the Detroit lead to 13-6.

At the end of the first half, most people thought the game would turn into a more high scoring affair. Unfortunately for them, it did not, as neither team could get anything moving on offense for most of the third quarter. For the first time, the Eagles were able to slow the high scoring Detroit offense, but they couldn't take advantage on offense. After a Detroit punt late in the third quarter put Philadelphia right around midfield, Rodney Peete was able to move the Eagles downfield for the first time in the half. Peete's arm, as well as the running of Ricky Watters and Charlie Garner, put Philadelphia closer to the end zone than they had been the entire game. Peete finished the drive with a 12 yard touchdown pass to Ed West early in the fourth quarter that tied the game. Philadelphia looked to have all the momentum as they forced a Detroit punt that was returned to near midfield once again, but the Lions held strong on defense, and their offense was able to wake up for one more drive. Detroit started with long runs by Barry Sanders and Allen Williams before Scott Mitchell found Herman Moore and Johnnie Morton to put the ball inside the Philadelphia 15 yard line. A three yard Barry Sanders run set up an eight yard touchdown run by fullback Ron Rivers, and the Lions were back on top. Another good return by the Eagles on special teams gave them the ball at midfield, and they would get to the Detroit 35 yard line, but Peete was intercepted by Corey Raymond. From there, the Lions were able to run out the clock, advancing to the Divisional Round once agian and making good on Lomas Brown's guarantee.

Final Score: Detroit-20 Philadelphia-13

Real Life Score: Philadelphia-58 Detroit-37 (Highest scoring playoff game in NFL history)

Green Bay Packers (11-5) vs. Atlanta Falcons (9-7)
Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI

For the third straight season, the Green Bay Packers had made it into the playoffs. Despite not winning a game in their past two trips, the Packers were confident that this was their year. Quarterback Brett Favre had his best season yet, winning the NFL MVP award with 4,413 yards and 38 touchdowns. Edgar Bennett came into his own at running back, finishing with over 1,000 yards and 3 touchdowns while Robert Brooks stepped into Sterling Sharpe's shoes and caught 102 passes for 1,497 yards and 13 touchdowns. The defense was also solid, with veteran leader Reggie White finishing with 12 sacks as the Packers held their opponents under 20 points per game. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Falcons had made the playoffs for the first time in four years with a lot of leftovers from other teams. After flaming out in Indianapolis, Jeff George seemed to be at home with the Falcons, passing for over 4,100 yards and 24 touchdowns. Former New Orleans running back Craig Heyward rushed for over 1,000 yards, and former Cleveland running back Eric Metcalf had been converted to a wide receiver and led the Falcons with 102 catches for over 1,100 yards. The Atlanta defense wasn't held in very high regard, but they knew that if they wanted to make a playoff run, they would have to step up their game as well.

Both teams seemed a little nervous at first on offense, as they exchanged punts to start the game. After that, the Atlanta Falcons seemed to wake up. Jeff George led the Falcons on a nine play, 65 yard drive with his arm and runs by Craig Heyward and Jamal Anderson. Morten Anderson finished the drive with a 28 yard field goal, putting the Falcons on top. The majority of the rest of the first half was a defensive struggle, as neither team could get anything going on offense. Surprisingly, Brett Favre was being held in check by a very average Atlanta defense, and when Edgar Bennett turned the ball over midway through the second quarter, the Falcons were able to take advantage. Atlanta once again used a solid mix of run and pass to move downfield as the Packers seemed unable to figure out how to stop the Falcons. Heyward finished the drive with a one yard touchdown catch, and Atlanta was up 10-0. Neither team could do anything on offense for the rest of the half, and the Falcons went into the half still up by ten points.

The third quarter did not start out very well for the Packers. After the Falcons forced Green Bay to punt, Pierce Holt broke through the line and blocked Craig Hentrich's attempt. Atlanta recovered at the Green Bay nine yard line, and Craig Heyward scored on a nine yard run on the very next play. Even though the Packers were able to get off a successful punt on their next drive, they were still unable to even get into Atlanta territory, and the Falcons drove downfield yet again. It was a solid mix of running and passing again by Atlanta that seemed to confuse Green Bay, and Morten Anderson's 32 yard field goal finished the drive and put the Falcons up 20-0. The Packers would finally answer back on their next drive on a 44 yard touchdown run by Robert Brooks, but Atlanta would counter with a four play, 85 yard scoring drive of their own. Eric Metcalf did the most damage with a 55 yard catch, but it was Heyward that found the end zone for the third time, scoring on a 13 yard run. Heyward almost scored for the fourth time on the next Atlanta possession, but he fumbled the ball at the Green Bay six yard line. The Packers would make it into Atlanta territory, but Brett Favre could not convert on a fourth down attempt, giving the ball back to the Falcons. This time, Heyward would not waste a scoring chance, picking up 69 yards on three carries, including a backbreaking 18 yard touchdown run to put the game out of reach. For the third straight season, the Green Bay Packers were sent home after just a single playoff game, leading some people to wonder if Brett Favre could perform in the playoffs.

Final Score: Atlanta-34 Green Bay-7

Real Life Score: Green Bay-37 Atlanta-20

NFC Divisional Playoffs

San Francisco 49ers (11-5) vs. Detroit Lions (10-6)
Candlestick Park, San Francisco, CA

In what seemed to be quickly becoming a playoff tradition, the Detroit Lions travelled out to San Francisco for the second round of the NFC playoffs. The defending Super Bowl champion 49ers took a small step backwards, record wise, in 1995, but they were still a very dangerous team. All five of their losses were by six points or fewer, and they still had the highest scoring offense in the NFL. Steve Young had another solid season, passing for 3,200 yards and 20 touchdowns, and Jerry Rice caught most of them, bringing in 122 passes for 1,848 yards and 15 touchdowns. Derek Loville stepped up as the starting running back, rushing for 723 yards and ten touchdowns. Even with the loss of Deion Sanders, the San Francisco defense continued to put up solid numbers, allowing the second fewest points in the NFL while recording 40 sacks and 34 turnovers. However, San Francisco did suffer an early season loss to the Lions, giving Detroit confidence that they could in fact upset the 49ers and head to another NFC Championship.

Unfortunately for Detroit, things did not start out very well. On the first play of the game, Brett Perriman turned the ball over inside Detroit territory. Though San Francisco couldn't score a touchdown off the turnover, they did get three points thanks to a Jeff Wilkins field goal. Detroit was forced to punt on their next two possessions, and Dexter Carter was able to bring the second punt back inside Detroit territory. From there, the 49ers were able to run through the Detroit defense, as Derek Loville and William Floyd punished the front seven of the Lions. Steve Young finished the drive with a six yard touchdown pass to Jerry Rice on the first play of the second quarter, putting San Francisco up 10-0. The next 49er drive would be just as successful, as Loville ended the five play, 44 yard drive with a 13 yard touchdown run. Scott Mitchell was finally able to move the Lions into San Francisco territory on their next possession, but Detroit had to settle for a Jason Hanson field goal. Once again, the 49ers moved downfield on their next possession, and Loville scored on a five yard touchdown run with just 12 seconds to play in the half, sending the 49ers to the locker room up 24-3 and in total control of the game.

Detroit managed to stop the San Francisco offense on their first drive of the third quarter, but they couldn't do it the next time Steve Young stepped onto the field. Young moved the 49ers into Detroit territory once again before giving way to Jeff Wilkins, who kicked a 39 yard field goal to increase the San Francisco lead. The Lions were able to respond on their next drive, going 45 yards in 12 plays, but having to settle for a second Jason Hanson field goal early in the fourth quarter. Even with that, the 49ers countered with another scoring drive. This time, William Floyd finished things off with a three yard touchdown run that effectively put an end to the game, even though there were still nine minutes to play. Wilkins would add another field goal on the next San Francisco drive to finally finish the onslaught, and the 49ers were on their way to another NFC Championship, this time leaving no doubt as to who the better team was between themselves and the Lions.

Final Score: San Francisco-37 Detroit-6

Real Life Score: Green Bay-27 San Francisco-17

Dallas Cowboys (12-4) vs. Atlanta Falcons (9-7)
Texas Stadium, Irving, TX

One year after being stunned by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the playoffs, the Dallas Cowboys were back and even better. After missing games in the past two seasons due to injury, Troy Aikman started all 16 games in 1995 and finished with over 3,300 yards and 16 touchdowns. The main weapon on offense was, once again, Emmitt Smith. Smith had his best season to date, rushing for 1,773 yards and an NFL record 25 touchdowns, while also catching 62 passes for 375 yards. Michael Irvin had himself another Pro Bowl season, catching 111 passes for 1,603 yards and ten touchdowns while newcomer Deion Sanders helped bring an even greater swagger to the Dallas defense. The Cowboys allowed the third fewest points in the NFL while recording 35 sacks. They also held a regular season victory over the Atlanta Falcons, giving them even more cause to be confident.

It didn't take long for Dallas' confidence to come into the game. Daryl Johnston broke off a 35 yard run on the first play of the game, followed by an Emmitt Smith 35 yard touchdown run just two plays later, giving the Cowboys an early lead. Atlanta would answer back midway through the first quarter, as they used Jeff George's arm and the legs of Craig Heyward to move into Dallas territory. Morten Anderson finished the drive with a 46 yard field goal to put the Falcons on the board. The Cowboys were quick to respond, with Troy Aikman finding Michael Irvin for two long gains on the next Dallas possession. Aikman finished the drive with a six yard touchdown pass to Emmitt Smith that increased the Dallas lead. Once again, the Falcons were able to answer with a long drive thanks to Craig Heyward. However, the Dallas defense would once again hold strong, and Atlanta would have to settle for another Morten Anderson field goal. On the next Dallas drive, Aikman would move the team downfield with his arm, picking up 61 out of the 64 yards the Cowboys gained on the drive. Aikman finished things off with a six yard touchdown pass to Michael Irvin with just 32 seconds to play in the half, giving the Cowboys a 21-6 lead at halftime.

Down by 15 points, the Falcons knew that they would have to score, and do so quickly if they wanted a chance against the Cowboys. On their first drive of the third quarter, Jeff George did what he does best: throw the football. George moved Atlanta into Dallas territory before the running game took over, with Jamal Anderson and Craig Heyward getting the Falcons inside the Dallas ten yard line for the first time in the game. From there, George finished the drive with an eight yard touchdown pass to Bert Emanuel, cutting the Dallas lead to 21-13. After a three and out possession for the Cowboys, Eric Metcalf returned the Dallas punt to the Atlanta 46 yard line. This time, Heyward did most of the work, pounding his way through the Dallas defense before finally breaking off a 23 yard touchdown run that cut the Cowboys' lead to just one point. Now with their backs against the wall, Dallas tried to respond, but was forced to punt once again. This time though, the Falcons were unable to get anything going on offense and had to give the ball back to the Cowboys. With just 12:31 left in the game, Aikman was able to move Dallas down the field for the first time in the second half. The 11 play, 75 yard drive came to a close with a 12 yard touchdown pass from Aikman to Daryl Johnston that gave the Cowboys a little more breathing room. After Brock Marion intercepted George on the next Atlanta possession, they would get a little bit more. The Cowboys worked the clock down to just two minutes before Chris Boniol nailed a 40 yard field goal, putting them back up by 11 points. George did his best to get the Falcons downfield again, but it was too little, too late. A failed fourth down converstion spelled the end for Atlanta, and the Cowboys were on to the NFC Championship and a date with the 49ers.

Final Score: Dallas-31 Atlanta-20

Real Life Score: Dallas-30 Philadelphia-11

NFC Championship Game

Texas Stadium, Irving, TX

Dallas Cowboys (12-4) vs. San Francisco 49ers (11-5)

The two best teams in the NFC were set to face off for the right to go to Super Bowl XXX. On paper, the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers looked remarkably similar. San Francisco had the highest scoring offense in the NFL, Dallas had the third highest. Dallas allowed 18 points per game on defense, San Francisco allowed 16. Dallas had the best running back in the NFL in Emmitt Smith and the 49ers could counter with the best wide receiver in the NFL in Jerry Rice. Even Troy Aikman and Steve Young had similar seasons. Despite all of that, the Cowboys knew that the 49ers could easily walk away with a victory, as they had come into Texas Stadium midway through the season and defeated Dallas 38-20 with Elvis Grbac starting in place of an injured Steve Young. Even with all of that, the Cowboys were confident that they could get past San Francisco to Super Bowl XXX and add to their legacy.

The game started out very well for the Cowboys. Deion Sanders intercepted Steve Young on San Francisco's first drive of the game, but the 49er defense would hold strong and force Chris Boniol to attempt a 50 yard kick. Boniol's attempt was long enough, but he pushed it just to the left and the Cowboys were kept off the scoreboard. Young would recover from the early turnover with a long scoring drive later in the first quarter. The San Francisco quarterback would account for 80 yards on the eight play, 91 yard drive that would end with a 37 yard touchdown pass from Young to J.J. Stokes, putting the 49ers in the lead. The Cowboys would respond with a scoring drive of their own, going 48 yards in 12 plays before settling for a Boniol field goal that split the uprights this time. Later in the second quarter, Young would once again turn the ball over, this time on an interception by Darren Woodson. Two plays later, Troy Aikman hit Michael Irvin for a five yard touchdown pass and the lead. San Francisco would get close to field goal range on their next drive, but the Dallas defense would force a punt, putting an end to any scoring chances for the rest of the first half.

The Cowboys started the second half very well. After their offense was forced to punt on their first possession, Dallas responded in turn by forcing a San Francisco punt. Kevin Williams returned the ball 65 yards for a touchdown, increasing the Cowboys' lead. However, Chris Boniol missed the extra point, and the lead stood at 16-7. Even with the missed extra point, it didn't look like the Cowboys would have to worry, as their defense was keeping San Francisco from moving anywhere on the field. Late in the third quarter, the 49ers finally got a chance when Dexter Carter returned a Dallas punt to midfield. From there, Derek Loville attacked the Dallas defense, eventually breaking off a 20 yard run that put San Francisco inside the Dallas five yard line. On fourth down and goal, Steve Young hit Jerry Rice with a two yard touchdown pass, cutting the Dallas lead to just two points early in the fourth quarter. Even with the smaller lead, the Cowboys seemed content to let Emmitt Smith run the ball time and time again to eat up the clock. Midway through the fourth quarter, disaster struck as Smith fumbled the ball at the Dallas 24 yard line. Though the 49ers only gained seven yards, they were close enough for a Jeff Wilkins field goal that sailed through the uprights and gave them the lead. Dallas was forced to punt on their next possession, and San Francisco marched downfield, going 52 yards in eight plays and adding another Wilkins field goal to their total. With just 57 seconds to play, Dallas had to hurry, but they could only get to midfield before their offense stalled out. Troy Aikman's fourth down pass to Jay Novacek was knocked down, and San Francisco ran out the clock, allowing them to go to their second straight Super Bowl.

Final Score: San Francisco-20 Dallas-16

Real Life Score: Dallas-38 Green Bay-27

Hurkman · 03-08-2009, 10:32 PM

Super Bowl XXX

Sun Devil Stadium, Phoenix, AZ

Kansas City Chiefs (13-3)

Head Coach: Marty Schottenheimer
358 Points Scored
241 Points Allowed

Starting Quarterback: Steve Bono

Road to the Super Bowl:
Defeated Indianapolis, 10-7: AFC Divisional Playoffs
Defeated Buffalo, 33-7: AFC Championship

San Francisco 49ers (11-5)

Head Coach: George Seifert
457 Points Scored
258 Points Allowed

Starting Quarterback: Steve Young

Road to the Super Bowl:
Defeated Detroit, 37-6: NFC Divisional Playoffs
Defeated Dallas, 20-16: NFC Championship

The Game

One year after winning their fourth Super Bowl in dramatic fashion, the San Francisco 49ers had made it back to the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history. Steve Young suffered through injuries, but still managed to lead the highest scoring offense in the NFL. Derek Loville stepped in for the departed Ricky Watters and scored ten touchdowns, while Jerry Rice had another All Pro season and brought in 15 touchdowns. The Kansas City Chiefs, on the other hand, had made it to their first Super Bowl in 26 years. Steve Bono had stepped into Joe Montana's shoes and gotten the Chiefs further than the future Hall of Fame quarterback ever good, and he even outplayed Steve Young, throwing for 21 touchdowns and over 3,200 yards. Kansas City's defense made the difference, as they had only allowed 14 points in two playoff games. The Chiefs were hopeful that their defense could stop the 49ers and lead them to their first Super Bowl victory.

After the last few Super Bowls, many fans were expecting an offensive shootout in Super Bowl XXX. What they got was the exact opposite. Neither team could move against the opposing defense, as the number one and number two scoring defenses flexed their muscles early. Kansas City broke into San Francisco territory midway through the first quarter, but that was as close as either team could get in the first stanza. The Chiefs would get the first scoring chance of the game, but Lin Elliot's 49 yard field goal attempt went to the right, and San Francisco was able to take advantage. Their seven play, 66 yard drive ended with a William Floyd nine yard touchdown, putting the 49ers on top. Kansas City tried to respond, but they couldn't cross midfield again, and San Francisco took their 7-0 lead into the half.

Much like the first half, the second half was a defensive struggle, with each team attempting to gain the upper hand. Kansas City tried to get on the scoreboard, but they were unable to, and gave the ball back to the 49ers midway through the third quarter. On a third and seven, Steve Young hit J.J. Stokes on a fly route, and the wideout ran untouched for a 67 yard touchdown on his only catch of the game to put the 49ers up by two touchdowns. The Chiefs would finally get a chance to score early in the fourth quarter after a Derek Loville fumble. Even though they lost yards on the drive, Lin Elliot connected on a 33 yard field goal attempt to put Kansas City on the board. The next drive by the Chiefs would be just as successful, as Tamarick Vanover returned a San Francisco punt to midfield. Six plays later, Steve Bono found Webster Slaughter for a 24 yard touchdown. Kansas City went for the first two point conversion in Super Bowl history, but Bono's pass fell incomplete, and the Chiefs were down by five points with just 4:33 to play. They would only see the ball one more time, as Bono was unable to guide them to another first down. San Francisco took over deep in Kansas City territory and just ran out the clock, winning back to back Super Bowls for the first time ever, and establishing Steve Young as the heir apparent to Joe Montana.

Final Score: San Francisco-14 Kansas City-9

MVP: William Floyd: 9 carries, 61 yards, TD, 2 catches, 22 yards

Hurkman · 03-10-2009, 04:00 PM

It's been another 15 seasons, which means it's time for another recap to help people catch up with what's been going on in this alternate reality. Only 13 more seasons to go...the end is in sight!

Ten years after becoming the first team to win back to back Super Bowls, the Dallas Cowboys become the first team to win back to back Super Bowls twice. Danny White and Tony Dorsett stepped into the shoes of Roger Staubach and Duane Thomas as the Cowboys defeated the Chargers in Super Bowl XVI and the Steelers in Super Bowl XVII, becoming the first team to beat Pittsburgh in a Super Bowl. Dorsett took MVP honors in both games, making him the first man to win two Super Bowl MVP awards.

After years of frustration and a move to Los Angeles, the Raiders were finally able to claim a Super Bowl title, defeating the Redskins in Super Bowl XXVIII. Howie Long earned MVP honors, as his eight tackles and two sacks helped stop the powerful Washington offense.

After falling short in two of the previous three NFC Championships, the San Francisco 49ers were finally able to break through, winning Super Bowl XIX against the Denver Broncos. Joe Montana took the MVP award, outdueling John Elway, who was the first quarterback from the 1983 Draft to make it to the Super Bowl.

Their win in Super Bowl XX may have been more about defense, but the main player for the Chicago Bears in their dominant win over the Miami Dolphins was Walter Payton. Sweetness scored four times in Chicago's rout, and while the Bears wouldn't get to another Super Bowl in his time with the team, the one title they did earn was well deserved.

Three out of the next four Super Bowls featured the same teams. The Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers squared off in Super Bowls XXI, XXII and XXIV. San Francisco took the first matchup, with MVP Joe Cribbs leading the way. The rematch went to Cleveland in a defensive battle and Clay Matthews took MVP honors for his role in stopping the 49ers on offense. After a year layoff, the rubber match went to San Francisco, as Roger Craig took MVP honors for gashing the Cleveland defense.

The only Super Bowl that didn't feature the Browns and 49ers in that four year span pitted the Philadelphia Eagles against the Buffalo Bills. In a hard fought battle, the brash Buddy Ryan and Philadelphia's ultimate weapon, Randall Cunningham, were too much for the Bills to handle.

Buffalo would get it's turn two years later, as the team that won Super Bowl I took Super Bowl XXV, keeping the 49ers from winning back to back Super Bowls. Thurman Thomas led the way for Buffalo on offense in, what has been to this point, their last Super Bowl trip.

The Washington Redskins had come close to winning a Super Bowl before, losing Super Bowls IX and XXVIII, but Mark Rypien and MVP Gary Clark weren't going to let it happen for a third time. Washington's win over John Elway and the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXVI gave them their first Super Bowl championship.

Not to be outdone by their NFC East foes, the Dallas Cowboys claimed their record sixth Super Bowl title the next season by defeating the San Diego Chargers in Super Bowl XXVII. Troy Aikman started his career on a 1-15 team, but just three years later, he and MVP Emmitt Smith had stepped out of the shadows of Danny White and Tony Dorsett.

After 14 years, the Pittsburgh Steelers were back on top of the NFL after claiming Super Bowl XXVIII over the surprising Detroit Lions. Leroy Thompson scored the game winning touchdown with just 22 seconds to play, but Neil O'Donnell claimed the MVP award for Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh made it back to the Super Bowl the next season, but the San Francisco 49ers had also returned. Steve Young stepped out of the shadow of Joe Montana with an incredible game winning drive in Super Bowl XXIX, then established his own legacy the next season with a win in Super Bowl XXX. San Francisco joined the Steelers with five Super Bowl championships, and became just the third different team to win back to back titles.

Code:

Super Bowl Scores:

Super Bowl XVI:		Dallas-24, San Diego-14
Super Bowl XVII:	Dallas 31, Pittsburgh-10
Super Bowl XVIII:	L.A. Raiders 22, Washington 17
Super Bowl XIX:		San Francisco 27, Denver 20
Super Bowl XX:		Chicago 38, Miami 3
Super Bowl XXI:		San Francisco 28, Cleveland 13
Super Bowl XXII:	Cleveland 16, San Francisco 10
Super Bowl XXIII:	Philadelphia 19, Buffalo 10
Super Bowl XXIV		San Francisco 21, Cleveland 3
Super Bowl XXV:		Buffalo 16, San Francisco 9
Super Bowl XXVI:	Washington 33, Denver 19
Super Bowl XXVII:	Dallas 28, San Diego 24
Super Bowl XXVIII:	Pittsburgh 28, Detroit 23
Super Bowl XXXIX:	San Francisco 20, Pittsburgh 19
Super Bowl XXX:		San Francisco 14, Kansas City 9

Hurkman · 03-10-2009, 04:09 PM

Eleven coaches managed to claim Super Bowl championships in the past 15 years, including the great Tom Landy, who is the only coach with five Super Bowls to his name.

Top Row L-R: Tom Landry (XVI, XVII), Tom Flores (XVIII), Bill Walsh (XIX, XXI), Mike Ditka (XX)
Middle Row L-R: Marty Schottenheimer (XXII), Buddy Ryan (XXIII), George Seifert (XXIV, XXIX, XXX), Marv Levy (XXV)
Bottom Row L-R: Joe Gibbs (XXVI), Jimmy Johnson (XXVII), Bill Cowher (XXVIII)

Hurkman · 03-23-2009, 02:08 PM

AFC Wild Card Playoffs

Buffalo Bills (10-6) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-7)
Rich Stadium, Buffalo, NY

One year ago, the Jacksonville Jaguars were an expansion team, and they played like it, finishing their first season 4-12. This year, despite a 4-7 start, Jacksonville rallied to win their last five games and secure their first playoff birth. Quarterback Mark Brunell had come into his own, leading the NFL in passing yards with over 4,300 while throwing 19 touchdowns and rushing for over 300 yards. Former San Diego running back Natrone Means provided James Stewart with a counterpart in the backfield, and the wide receiver tandem of Keenan McCardell and Jimmy Smith each finished with over 80 receptions and 1,100 yards. The Buffalo Bills, on the other hand, had enjoyed much success last year, coming within a game of the Super Bowl. This year, they were hoping to take that next step. At age 36, Jim Kelly looked like he was on his last legs, and it showed as he passed for only 2,800 yards with 19 interceptions. Thurman Thomas still provided a spark in the backfield, rushing for over 1,000 yards, but it was the defense that did most of the work for Buffalo. Bruce Smith and company allowed just over 16 points per game on the season, which was good for sixth in the league. The Bills knew that this might be their last chance to get another Super Bowl ring with their core group of players, and the last thing they wanted to do was lose in the first round.

The Bills certainly had the edge on Jacksonville on playoff experience, and it showed early. On their second drive, Buffalo was able to move downfield in just four plays. Jim Kelly found Andre Reed for an 11 yard touchdown, and the Bills went ahead. The Jaguars were able to answer on their next drive, as a good mix of running and passing put Jacksonville in position for a Mike Hollis 42 yard field goal. However, the rest of the half belonged to Buffalo. The Bills found the end zone on their next drive, with Thurman Thomas breaking a 20 yard touchdown run on a fourth down and one attempt, putting Buffalo up 14-3. After a Jacksonville punt, the Bills went on the move again. Kelly hit Reed for a second time in the end zone with an eight yard touchdown pass, and the Buffalo lead was now 21-3. Jacksonville's offense, which had been one of the best in the regular season, had stalled against Buffalo's strong defense, and the young Jags went into the half still down by 18 points.

The second half didn't start out any better for Jacksonville. Mark Brunell was intercepted by Emanuel Martin on the third play of the half, setting up a Steve Christie 32 yard field goal that extended the Buffalo lead. The Jaguars would finally catch a break later in the third quarter, as Jim Kelly was intercepted by Chris Hudson, who returned the ball to the Buffalo three yard line. However, the Buffalo defense held firm, and the Jaguars were forced to settle for a Mike Hollis field goal. After another Buffalo turnover gave Jacksonville the ball right back, the Jaguars were once again able to move inside the ten yard line of the Bills. For the second straight drive, the Buffalo defense was able to keep the Jaguars out of the end zone, and Hollis was called on for a third time. His field goal cut the lead to 24-9, but the Jaguars were settling for field goals when they should have been getting touchdowns. Those two missed chances inside the ten yard line proved to be Jacksonville's undoing. From that point on, the Bills wouldn't allow the Jaguars to get back across midfield. Buffalo would add another Christie field goal late in the fourth quarter to pad their lead, and the Bills proved that on this day, experience could defeat youth.

Final Score: Buffalo-27 Jacksonville-9

Real Life Score: Jacksonville-30 Buffalo-27

Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6) vs. Indianapolis Colts (9-7)
Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA

The Pittsburgh Steelers were back for another playoff run after being upset by the Buffalo Bills in the 1995 playoffs. Despite losing Neil O'Donnell in free agency, the Steelers were able to survive with veteran Mike Tomczak under center. Of course, their real strength on offense was, as usual, their running game. Jerome Bettis was brought in from the now St. Louis Rams, and was an instant success, finishing the year with over 1,400 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Pittsburgh defense was strong as well, finishing fourth in the league in points allowed while recording 50 sacks and 40 turnovers. Meanwhile, the Indianapolis Colts were just hoping they could prove that they belonged near the top of the NFL's food chain. After almost knocking off the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round of the playoffs last season, the Colts were hoping for more success this year. Jim Harbarugh had a solid, if unspectacular, season, passing for 13 touchdowns and 2,600 yards. Star running back Marshall Faulk battled injuries throughout the year and finished with just 587 rushing yards. If the Colts were going to make another run, it would be even more improbable than the one they made last year.

It was the Colts that made the first big move in the game, as Jeff Herrod intercepted Mike Tomczak midway through the first quarter, returning the ball 25 yards for an Indianapolis touchdown. The Steelers were quick to respond, though. A 15 yard personal foul penalty on the Colts on third down kept Pittsburgh's drive alive, and one play later, Erric Pegram burst through the Indianapolis defense for a 46 yard touchdown. After an Indianapolis punt, the Steelers went right back to work, with Pegram again doing most of the heavy lifting on a 58 yard run right through the middle of the Indianapolis defense. This time, it was Andre Hastings who finished the drive with a 14 yard touchdown catch. From there, both defenses took over, keeping each offense from moving the ball very effectively. Pittsburgh's defense would strike late in the second quarter, as Rod Woodson stepped in front of an errant Jim Harbaugh pass. The All Pro returned the interception 34 yards for a touchdown, and the Steelers went into the half up 21-7.

The momentum that Pittsburgh picked up on their late interception carried over into the second half. While Erric Pegram did most of the work on the ground in the first half, Jerome Bettis was more than happy to do his part in the third quarter. Bettis pounded the Colts on the first drive of the second half, first breaking off a 45 yard run, then finishing the drive with a four yard touchdown run that extended Pittsburgh's lead. Bettis would strike again on the next Steeler drive, which turned into a 14 play, 90 yard backbreaker. Bettis was responsible for 34 of the 90 yards, and when Indianapolis started looking for him to run, Mike Tomczak was able to pass it right over the top. Andre Hastings finished the drive with his second touchdown catch of the day, and the Steelers went up by a score of 35-7. The Colts would add a Cary Blanchard field goal early in the fourth quarter, but this day belonged to the Steelers. Pegram scored his second touchdown of the day midway through the fourth quarter, and Norm Johnson finally capped the scoring with a late field goal. This year, the Colts would not get a chance in the second round, as the Steelers looked like a team to be feared.

Final Score: Pittsburgh-45 Indianapolis-10

Real Life Score: Pittsburgh-42 Indianapolis-14

AFC Divisional Playoffs

Denver Broncos (13-3) vs. Buffalo Bills (10-6)
Mile High Stadium, Denver, CO

After two straight years of watching the playoffs at home, the Denver Broncos had returned as a force to be reckoned with. John Elway, even at age 36, had returned to his Pro Bowl form, passing for 3,300 yards and 26 touchdowns. Tight End Shannon Sharpe was still Elway's favorite target, finishing with over 1,000 yards for the second time in his career. The biggest addition, though, was that of second year running back Terrell Davis. Davis, a sixth round pick a year ago, had stormed onto the scene, finishing his second season with over 1,500 yards and 13 touchdowns. The Denver defense was also much improved, as Alfred Williams led the way with 13 sacks. However, the Broncos knew that the Bills could be a very dangerous team, and they were not going to take them lightly, especially with Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas and Andre Reed still playing.

It didn't take long for Terrell Davis to make himself known in the playoffs. After John Elway hit Ed McCaffrey with a 40 yard pass on the first play of the game, Davis finished the drive with a five yard touchdown run, giving the Broncos a very early lead. Denver had a chance to increase that lead on their next drive, but Vaughn Hebron fumbled the football at the Buffalo ten yard line. However, the Bills were forced to punt, and Hebron redeemed himself with a solid return that put the ball inside Buffalo territory. Elway did the rest, threading his passes through the Buffalo defense before hitting McCaffrey with a 20 yard touchdown pass. The Bills would finally respond midway through the second quarter on a 39 yard run by Thurman Thomas, but the Broncos would answer right back. Elway hit Aaron Craver with a 49 yard swing pass, then found Anthony Miller for 21 yards before Davis plunged into the end zone from three yards out. His second touchdown put the Broncos up 21-7. Denver would close out the half with a 25 yard field goal by Jason Elam, and the Broncos looked to be in total control of the game.

After the Denver offensive explosion in the first half, most fans were expecting more of the same in the second half. They would be sadly mistaken, as the Broncos would not score again for the rest of the game. However, their defense would also keep the Bills from posing any sort of threat. Buffalo's first two drives each ended in Denver territory. First, Jim Kelly was intercepted at the Denver 35 yard line, then Steve Christie pushed a 47 yard field goal try to the right. The Broncos would then have each of their next two punts blocked by the Bills, but Buffalo still couldn't get any points off of the Denver mistakes. Buffalo's last possession ended at the Denver 14 yard line with over seven minutes to play, but the Broncos would not allow the Bills to get the ball back. Terrell Davis, Aaron Craver and Vaughn Hebron pounded time off the clock and ensured that the Broncos would be hosting the AFC Championship.

Final Score: Denver-24 Buffalo-7

Real Life Score: Jacksonville-30 Denver-27

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

For the first time since 1978, the New England Patriots were hosting a playoff game. Drew Bledsoe had started to emerge as one of the top quarterbacks in the league, passing for over 4,000 yards with 27 touchdowns and only 15 interceptions. Second year running back Curtis Martin helped bring balance to one of the top offenses in the NFL, as he finished the year with over 1,100 yards and 14 touchdowns. Terry Glenn had proved to be a solid rookie receiver as he brought in 90 passes for a team leading 1,132 yards. The New England defense wasn't great, but it did enough to win games, and the Patriots had forced 34 turnovers during the regular season. However, the Pittsburgh Steelers had one of the best defenses in the NFL, and they knew that if they could stop the New England offense, they could win.

Much of the first half went exactly as the Steelers had hoped. After the Patriots punted on their first possession, Pittsburgh was able to move downfield with a mix of runs by Jerome Bettis and Erric Pegram and passes by Mike Tomczak. A Tomczak 29 yard pass to Yancey Thigpen put the Steelers inside the New England ten yard line, where Andre Hastings came down with a five yard Tomczak pass, giving Pittsburgh the lead. The Patriots would strike back on the next Pittsburgh drive, as Tomczak was intercepted by Jimmy Hitchcock inside Steeler territory. From there, Drew Bledsoe went to work, shredding the Pittsburgh defense before hitting Curtis Martin with an eight yard touchdown pass that tied the game. That would be the last time that New England would cross midfield in the half. The next three Pittsburgh possessions would end in field goals by Norm Johnson, with his last kick coming as time expired in the first half, putting the Steelers up 16-7.

The field goal kicking display would continue in the third quarter. Following a New England punt, the Steelers would embark on a 15 play, 75 yard drive that took almost 10 minutes off the clock. A defensive stand by New England kept Pittsburgh out of the end zone, and Norm Johnson added his fourth field goal of the game. When the Patriots were forced to punt, the Steelers once again marched downfield, with Mike Tomczak doing most of the work. Once again, they were stopped by the Patriots, and once again, Johnson came out and ended the drive with a field goal, his fifth of the game. With just 6:40 to play, Curtis Martin was stopped on a fourth down converstion attempt, and it looked like the game was over. However, Erric Pegram was stripped two plays later, and the Patriots were able to take advantage of the turnover, going 58 yards in just under two minutes, and Will Moore brought in a 17 yard pass from Drew Bledsoe to cut the Pittsburgh lead to 22-14. The Patriots forced a punt by the Steelers with just under two minutes to play, but a holding penalty put the ball back at their own five yard line. Needing to go 95 yards, and make a two point conversion, Drew Bledsoe calmly began moving the Patriots downfield. A 13 yard pass to Terry Glenn gave New England breathing room, then a 39 yard run by Curtis on a surprise draw play put New England in Pittsburgh territory. Bledsoe then hit Troy Brown for 11 more yards before two runs by Martin and a seven yard pass to Sam Gash put the Patriots at the Pittsburgh 19 yard line with no timeouts and 15 seconds to play. Bledsoe stared down the Steelers and threw a perfect strike to Glenn in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown. Curtis Martin added the first two point conversion in NFL playoff history, and the game was improbably tied.

The shocked Steelers ran out the remaining few seconds, sending the game to overtime. Pittsburgh won the toss, but was unable to do anything with the ball and punted it to the Patriots. On second and ten, Drew Bledsoe hit Shawn Jefferson in stride, with nothing between him and the endzone but about 25 yards of grass. However, Jefferson dropped the football, and after a Pittsburgh sack, New England was forced to punt. The Steelers looked to be making progress on their next drive, but a holding penalty set them back to their own 43 yard line. Jerome Bettis made sure that it wouldn't matter, as he broke a 40 yard run on the very next play, putting the Steelers into field goal range. Three plays later, Norm Johnson added his sixth field goal of the game, and the Steelers were headed to their third AFC Championship in four years.

Final Score: Pittsburgh-25 New England-22/OT

Real Life Score: New England-28 Pittsburgh-3

AFC Championship Game

Mile High Stadium, Denver, CO

Denver Broncos (13-3) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6)

For the first time in five years, the Denver Broncos were in the AFC Championship. With one of the best offenses in football, and a solid defense to go along with it, the Broncos were regarded as one of the best teams in the NFL. However, the Pittsburgh Steelers were making their fourth appearance in the AFC Championship in five years, and while they didn't have the same offensive firepower that the Broncos had, they did have one of the best defenses in the NFL, as well as Jerome Bettis, who was the key for Pittsburgh on offense. While most people expected the Broncos to win, no one would be surprised if the Steelers managed to pull off the upset.

Of course, for the Steelers to win the AFC Championship, they would have to play mistake free football. Having Mike Tomczak's first pass of the game be intercepted by Lionel Washington was not a good start. What made it even worse was that the Broncos wasted little time getting into scoring position. Jason Elam finished the drive with a 26 yard field goal, and Denver was on top early. After Vaughn Hebron returned the next Pittsburgh punt to midfield, the Broncos struck again. Terrell Davis broke a 32 yard run, then brought in a ten yard pass from John Elway to put the ball at the Pittsburgh one yard line. Aaron Craver did the rest, pounding into the end zone from a yard out to put Denver up 10-0. The Broncos looked as if they might score again on their next drive, but Ed McCaffrey fumbled the ball inside Pittsburgh territory and the Steelers recovered. However, Pittsburgh could do nothing with the ball and gave it right back to Denver. On the next play, Elway was intercepted by Chad Brown, but once again, the Bronco defense kept the Steelers from moving with the football and forced another Pittsburgh punt. On the next Denver drive, Elway was intercepted again, but once more the Steelers were unable to put any points on the board, as Norm Johnson missed a 40 yard field goal attempt. The Broncos were then able to get their turnover woes under control, and Elway needed just three plays to move 70 yards. Anthony Miller finished things off with a 32 yard touchdown catch, and Denver had quickly made the Steelers pay for thier missed chances. Pittsburgh would punt on their next drive, and Elam would then add a second field goal as the first half came to a close, putting the Broncos up 20-0.

The sloppy play from both teams carried over into the start of the second half. Denver's first drive of the third quarter had some promise, but ended with another John Elway interception. However, the Steelers turned the ball right back over on a fumble by Erric Pegram. This time, the Broncos would hold onto the ball, and Jason Elam would add his third field goal of the game. The next Pittsburgh possession finally allowed the Steelers to answer back, as Mike Tomczak was able to find Charles Johnson for a 26 yard gain, then a 15 yard gain later in the drive to put the ball at the Denver one yard line. From there, Jerome Bettis did the rest, moving the pile forward for a touchdown and putting the Steelers on the scoreboard. Pittsburgh decided to go for a two point converstion, and Mark Bruener brought it in, cutting the Denver lead to 23-8. However, the Broncos had an answer for the Steelers on their next drive. Vaughn Hebron broke a 48 yard run through the heart of the Pittsburgh defense, and Elway then hit Shannon Sharpe for a ten yard touchdown that put the game out of reach. The Steelers never got another scoring chance, and the Broncos, despite their sloppy play, were headed to the Super Bowl.

Final Score: Denver-30 Pittsburgh-8

Real Life Score: New England-20 Jacksonville-6 (In New England)

Hurkman · 03-25-2009, 06:26 PM

NFC Wild Card Playoffs

Dallas Cowboys (10-6) vs. Minnesota Vikings (9-7)
Texas Stadium, Irving, TX

One year after coming up just short in the NFC Championship, the Dallas Cowboys were once again in the playoffs, only this year, they would have to take a longer road if they wanted to make it to Super Bowl XXXI. The usually powerful Dallas offense seemed to stall out, as Troy Aikman threw only 12 touchdowns compared to 13 interceptions, and Emmitt Smith followed up his record setting 1995 with just 12 touchdowns on the ground. However, the Dallas defense was still one of the most feared in the NFL, as Deion Sanders, Tony Tolbert and Darren Woodson led a unit that finished third in the league in points and yards allowed. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings looked as if they could be a team on the rise. Brad Johnson replaced an injured Warren Moon midway through the season, and managed to pass for 17 touchdowns in just eight starts. Chris Carter and Jake Reed had formed one of, if not the best wide receiver pairing in the NFL and John Randle led a defense that recorded 43 sacks and 35 turnovers.

Unfortunately for the Vikings, that defense was shredded on the first Dallas drive. Emmitt Smith broke a 21 yard run on the third play of the game, which was then followed by a 21 yard pass from Troy Aikman to Kelvin Martin that put the ball at the Minnesota 14 yard line. Smith finished the drive from there, rumbling through the Minnesota defense for a 14 yard touchdown. The next Cowboy drive wouldn't even take that long, as Aikman found second year tight end Eric Bjornson open in the middle of the field. Bjornson wouldn't stop until he reached the end zone on a 53 yard touchdown catch, putting Dallas up 14-0. The Vikings looked as if they would answer on their next possession, but Chris Carter fumbled the ball away at the Dallas eight yard line. However, the Cowboys would be forced to punt, and David Palmer returned the ball to the Dallas ten yard line. From there, the Vikings would not gain a single yard, and had to settle for a Scott Sisson field goal as their first points of the game. From that point on, the first half belonged to the Cowboys. After a punt on their first drive of the second quarter, Dallas would go on to score on four straight drives, all thanks to field goals by Chris Boniol. Meanwhile, the Cowboys were also able to keep Minnesota off the board and add an interception by Roger Harper and a fumble recovery by Leon Lett that were responsible for the final two field goals of the half.

Down by 23 points at the half, the Vikings knew that they would have to score some points on their opening drive. They managed to do just that, going 65 yards in ten plays before having to settle for a second Scott Sisson field goal. The Cowboys would answer back midway through the third quarter, using Emmitt Smith and Sherman Williams to gash through the Minnesota front seven. Smith had the honors of finishing the drive with an eight yard touchdown run, and the game was, for all intensive purposes, over. Robert Smith would score on a two yard run for the Vikings early in the fourth quarter, and Chris Carter would add the two point conversion, but that would be the last time that Minnesota would come close to scoring. Dallas would finish the day with ten more points, thanks to a 31 yard touchdown pass from Troy Aikman to Michael Irvin and a late Chris Boniol field goal. While the Cowboys weren't as good in the regular season as they had been in the past few years, they certainly looked ready for the playoffs.

Final Score: Dallas-43 Minnesota-14

Real Life Score: Dallas-40 Minnesota-15 (This is the last playoff game the Dallas Cowboys have won in real life.)

San Francisco 49ers (12-4) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)
Candlestick Park, San Francisco, CA

Much like the Dallas Cowboys, the two time defending Super Bowl champion San Francisco 49ers found themselves in unfamiliar territory in the playoffs. Thanks to a run by the upstart Carolina Panthers, the 49ers would have to start their run to a third straight Super Bowl victory in the Wild Card round. That didn't mean that they weren't a team to be feared, though. Despite injuries, Steve Young still threw for 2,400 yards and 14 touchdowns, while Jerry Rice once again brought in over 100 catches and 1,200 yards. The defense was also solid, allowing just over 16 points a game while recording 45 sacks. While the 49ers were consistant on both sides of the ball, the Philadelphia Eagles could only find stability on offense. Ty Detmer had stepped into the starting quarterback role and had a decent season, with almsot 3,000 yards and 15 touchdowns, and Ricky Watters ran for 1,400 yards and 14 scores, but the Philadelphia defense was horribly inconsistant. The Eagles allowed over 21 points per game, despite allowing the fifth fewest yards in the NFL, which meant that if the 49ers were able to strike with longer plays, the Eagles would be done for.

It didn't take long for the 49ers to take advantage of some Philadelphia mistakes. Midway through the first quarter, Ty Detmer was intercepted by Marquez Pope, who returned the ball to the Philadelphia 13 yard line. One play later, Steve Young hit Terry Kirby on a swing pass, and the former Dolphin ran untouched into the end zone for the opening score of the game. The next Philadelphia drive produced the same result, as Pope picked Detmer off for the second time in the quarter. This time, it would take four plays, but Kirby would find the end zone again on an 11 yard touchdown run, putting the 49ers up 14-0. The Eagles would make progess on their next drive, as they were finally able to put the ball in San Francisco territory, but Gary Anderson missed a 47 yard field goal attempt, ending the threat. However, San Francisco was unable to add any more points to their lead, as Steve Young was intercepted by Troy Vincent, and Jeff Wilkins missed a 42 yard field goal try. Despite those mistakes, the 49ers were still able to carry their 14-0 lead into the half.

Philadelphia came out in the second half and looked like a different team, as they were able to march right downfield on their opening drive against the 49er defense. Once they got inside the ten yard line, though, they found the resistance much more difficult. After being stopped at the one yard line on third down and goal, the Eagles decided to take a chance and go for the touchdown on fourth down. Kevin Turner was stopped dead in his tracks, and the Eagles were left without any points. Once again though San Francisco's offense was unable to move against a Philadelphia defense that seemed able to shake off the early blows that the 49ers had struck against them. Early in the fourth quarter, Mike Zordich intercepted Steve Young inside San Francisco territory, giving the Eagles another chance at a score. However, Ty Detmer was intercepted for the third time on the very next play. Following the turnover, the 49ers were able to go on an eight play, 53 yard drive that ended with another Terry Kirby score, as he found the end zone on an eight yard run. Philadelphia was unable to cross midfield after that, and San Francisco added a late Jeff Wilkins field goal to cap the scoring. While San Francisco would have to win two more games to get to the Super Bowl, it certainly looked as if they were up to the challenge.

Final Score: San Francisco-24 Philadelphia-0

Real Life Score: San Francisco-14 Philadelphia-0

NFC Divisional Playoffs

Carolina Panthers (12-4) vs. Dallas Cowboys (10-6)
Ericsson Stadium, Charlotte, NC

While the rise of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC was a shock to most, the Carolina Panthers proved that expansion teams can become successful in just two seasons. After a 7-9 expansion year, the Panthers surged to a 12-4 record and the NFC Western Division title in their second year. Kerry Collins was named to his first Pro Bowl as he threw for almost 2,500 yards and 14 touchdowns. Anthony Johnson was given the starting job at running back, and he responded with an 1,100 yard, six touchdown season. Meanwhile, the Carolina defense sported four Pro Bowlers and was led by veteran Kevin Greene. The defense also recorded 60 sacks and allowed just 218 points for the entire season, giving Panther fans reason to believe that their team could make it to the Super Bowl in just their second season.

Things couldn't have started any better for the Panthers once the game started, either. On their opening drive, Anthony Johnson rumbled through the Dallas defense before Kerry Collins was able to find Howard Griffith for a 12 yard touchdown and an early 7-0 lead. The Cowboys had been down in the playoffs before, however, and responded with an 11 play, 72 yard drive that ended with a one yard touchdown run by Emmitt Smith. Carolina could get nothing going on their next drive, and, following a Dallas punt on their next possession, Collins made the first mistake of the game when he was intercepted by Darren Woodson at his own 13 yard line. On third down and two from the Carolina five yard line, Troy Aikman dropped back and scrambled out of the pocket. With Kevin Greene in pursuit, Aikman outran the veteran for a five yard touchdown run and a Dallas lead. The Panthers were unable to get anything going on offense, as the Cowboys focused on stopping Carolina's rushing game, putting the pressure on the second year quarterback Kerry Collins. Meanwhile, the Dallas offense was able to put together one more scoring drive in the first half, as Chris Boniol added a 36 yard field goal to put Dallas up 17-7 at the half.

The young Panthers knew that they needed to rebound quickly from a poor first half, and they caught a break early in the third quarter when Troy Aikman was intercepted by Chad Cota at the Dallas 15 yard line. Cota returned the pick to the Dallas seven yard line, and Anthony Johnson did the rest, scoring on the very next play to pull Carolina within three points. However, the Cowboys were once again able to keep the Panthers at bay with a scoring drive of their own on their next possession. After three straight runs brought the Carolina linebackers closer to the line of scrimmage, Aikman delivered a perfect pass to Eric Bjornson, who ran untouched for a 48 yard touchdown to make the Dallas lead ten points once again. The Panthers were able to respond with a long drive, but John Kasay missed a 46 yard field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter. Dallas would score twice more in the final quarter, once on a touchdown pass from Aikman to Michael Irvin and again on a 34 yard field goal by Chris Boniol. While the Panthers managed to block the extra point on the Irvin touchdown, it was the last highlight they would have of their season. The more experienced Cowboys had easily brushed aside the young Panthers and were headed to their fourth NFC Championship in five years.

Final Score: Dallas-33 Carolina-14

Real Life Score: Carolina-26 Dallas-17

Green Bay Packers (13-3) vs. San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI

The Green Bay Packers had made the playoffs in each of the past three seasons, only to be removed without a win each year. Despite back to back MVP seasons from Brett Favre, there were doubts about how well he could perform in the playoffs. The Green Bay quarterback hoped to put those doubts to rest after another excellent regular season. Favre passed for just under 3,900 yards with 39 touchdowns compared to only 13 touchdowns as he led the highest scoring team in the NFL. Veteran tight end Keith Jackson became Favre's end zone target, catching 10 touchdowns on the season, while second year receiver Antonio Freeman led the team with 933 yards through the air. The Green Bay defense was also one of the best in the NFL, finishing first in yards and points allowed while forcing 39 turnovers. The Packers also held a regular season victory over the San Francisco 49ers, so many were hopeful that Green Bay could finally win a playoff game and head to their second NFC Championship.

The first quarter certainly started out the way the Packers had hoped it would. After an exchange of punts on opening possessions, Eugene Robinson intercepted Steve Young at midfield. Seven plays later, Brett Favre found Keith Jackson for an 11 yard touchdown, and the Packers had an early lead. The defending champions wouldn't go down without a fight, though, and they quickly moved downfield on their next possession. The eight play, 59 yard drive ended with a Jeff Wilkins 34 yard field goal, cutting the lead to 7-3. San Francisco would cut the lead further on their next possession as Wilkins added another field goal. The 49ers would add another field goal on their next drive, thanks to an interception by Marquez Pope. Wilkins' third field goal of the second quarter gave San Francisco the lead, but Favre wasn't done with the first half yet. With just under a minute and a half to play in the first half, Favre moved the Packers quickly downfield and found Antonio Freeman for a 15 yard touchdown pass with just 35 seconds to play in the half, putting Green Bay back on top.

The third quarter started with a defensive struggle, as neither team could make any progess on the opposing defense. Midway through the quarter, Brett Favre made his second mistake of the game as he fumbled on a scramble attempt, giving San Francisco the ball at the Green Bay 25 yard line. Just as it had been for the entire game, the 49ers were unable to get into the end zone, and had to settle for a fourth Jeff Wilkins field goal that would cut the Green Bay lead to just two points. Following a Green Bay punt, San Franciscio would have a chance to take the lead as their running game set Wilkins up with a 50 yard attempt. The kick was just a little too far to the right, and bounced off the upright and to the field. From there, the Packers would dominate the 49ers on defense, not allowing them back into scoring range for the rest of the game. Green Bay would add a late Chris Jacke field goal, and for the first time since 1972, the Packers were headed to the NFC Championship.

Final Score: Green Bay-17 San Francisco-12

Real Life Score: Green Bay-35 San Francisco-14

NFC Championship Game

Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI

Green Bay Packers (13-3) vs. Dallas Cowboys (10-6)

After years of frustration, Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers had finally won a playoff game and were in the NFC Championship. Waiting for them were the battle tested Dallas Cowboys, who were appearing in their fourth NFC title game in the past five years. While the Cowboys were less effective on offense in the regular season than the Packers, the playoffs had been a different story, as Dallas had scored over 30 points in both their wins. Meanwhile, the Packers had struggled with a game San Francisco team, and while they thought they could hold their own against the Cowboys, they knew that Brett Favre would have to be careful with the football if they wanted to head to their first Super Bowl in 24 years.

The Packers were determined to stop the rejuvenated Dallas offense, but they couldn't do it on Dallas' first possession. Troy Aikman hit Michael Irvin for 32 yards on the second play of the game, then found Eric Bjornson for eight more before yielding to Emmitt Smith. While Smith couldn't find the end zone, he set up Chris Boniol for a 34 yard field goal and an early lead. The Green Bay offense could find no answer early for the Dallas defense, and Brett Favre soon made his first mistake, throwing a costly interception deep in Cowboy territory. While Dallas had to punt following the turnover, it had taken points for Green Bay away, and that was enough damage. The next Packer drive had the same result, as Favre was intercepted by George Teague at the Dallas 16 yard line. This time, the Cowboys were able to make the Packers pay for their mistake with a 14 play, 73 yard drive that ended with a second Boniol field goal. The next Dallas drive would see them finally find the end zone, thanks to an 82 yard catch and run by Daryl Johnston, which was followed with a three yard touchdown pass from Aikman to Kelvin Martin. The last Green Bay drive of the half ended with Favre's third interception of the half, and the Packers left the field to a chorus of boos and a 13-0 deficit.

The third quarter provided little comfort to Packer fans who were hoping for a quick fix when the second half started. While the Green Bay defense was able to keep the Cowboys from scoring, Brett Favre and the Green Bay offense was unable to move the ball into scoring position until late in the third quarter. Dorsey Levens broke a 63 yard run through the heart of the Dallas defense, which set up Chris Jacke's 40 yard field goal to finally put the Packers on the scoreboard. Desmond Howard helped the Packers climb even closer when he returned a Cowboy punt to the Dallas eight yard line early in the fourth quarter. Edgar Bennett scored on the next play, and the Packers were down by only three with 14:30 left to play. After another Dallas punt, the Packers had a chance to tie or take the lead, but the Cowboys were able to force a Green Bay punt, and the Dallas offense responded with a ten play, 53 yard drive. Despite Emmitt Smith almost losing the ball on a fumble midway through the drive, the Cowboys were able to get the ball inside the Green Bay ten yard line, where Troy Aikman hit Smith for a five yard, backbreaking touchdown. The Packers would get just one last possession, and when Favre's pass for Dorsey Levens was knocked down, the Cowboys were headed to their ninth Super Bowl, and the Packers were just headed home.

Final Score: Dallas-20 Green Bay-10

Real Life Score: Green Bay-30 Carolina-13

Hurkman · 03-29-2009, 02:52 PM

Super Bowl XXXI

The Superdome, New Orleans, LA

Denver Broncos (13-3)

Head Coach: Mike Shanahan
391 Points Scored
275 Points Allowed

Starting Quarterback: John Elway

Road to the Super Bowl:
Defeated Buffalo, 24-7: AFC Divisional Playoffs
Defeated Pittsburgh, 30-8: AFC Championship

Dallas Cowboys (10-6)

Head Coach: Barry Switzer
286 Points Scored
250 Points Allowed

Starting Quarterback: Troy Aikman

Road to the Super Bowl:
Defeated Minnesota, 43-14: NFC Wild Card Playoffs
Defeated Carolina, 33-14: NFC Divisional Playoffs
Defeated Green Bay, 20-10: NFC Championship

The Game

For the ninth time, the Dallas Cowboys had made it to the Super Bowl. Despite an average regular season on offense from Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith, the Cowboys managed to get into the playoffs. Once there, the offense came back to life, and coupled with an already solid defense, the Cowboys had become the hottest team in the NFL. Meanwhile, John Elway was still looking for his first Super Bowl championship. Elway had gotten the Broncos to the Super Bowl twice, but came up short against both the San Francisco 49ers and Washington Redskins. This looked like it could be his year, though. Sixth round pick Terrell Davis had emerged as the running threat that Elway had never had before, as he rushed for over 1,500 yards in just his second season. The Denver defense was also stronger than it had been in their previous two Super Bowl trips, having allowed the fourth fewest yards in the NFL during the regular season.

Despite both teams showing their offensive skills in the playoffs, Super Bowl XXXI quickly turned into a defensive struggle. Neither team could do anything on their opening possessions, but the Broncos got something going the second time they had the ball. John Elway hit Anthony Miller for a 40 yard gain, which set up Jason Elam for a 40 yard field goal for the first points of the game. Dallas was quick to answer, as Troy Aikman led the Cowboys on an 11 play, 56 yard drive. Chris Boniol kicked a 27 yard field goal to finish things off, and the game was tied. Denver had another chance to score early in the second quarter, when a combination of runs by Terrell Davis and passes from John Elway set the Broncos off on a nine minute drive. However, it would not result in any points, as Elam missed a 41 yard field goal attempt. The Cowboys were able to take advantage of the Denver mistake, thanks in large part to a 21 yard catch by Michael Irvin and a 40 yard run by Emmitt Smith. The Broncos were able to hold the Cowboys from getting into the end zone, and Chris Boniol nailed his second field goal of the half to put Dallas up 6-3. Denver could do nothing on their next possession, and the Super Bowl went to the half with the same 6-3 score.

The Cowboys started with the ball in the second half, and it didn't take long for them to begin moving downfield once again. Troy Aikman's passes to Kevin Williams and Daryl Johnston set up Emmitt Smith, who brought the ball all the way to the Denver one yard line. From there, the Denver defense once again stepped up and forced Chris Boniol to kick a 20 yard field goal that put Dallas up 9-3. The Broncos needed an answer, and they got it thanks to Terrell Davis. The Denver running back broke free for a 29 yard run on a third down and eight play, which set up Jason Elam for a 48 yard field goal that cut the Cowboy lead to just three points once again. After a Dallas punt on their next possession, it looked like momentum was with the Broncos, until John Elway was intercepted by Darren Woodson at the Broncos 38 yard line. A 17 yard pass from Aikman to Michael Irvin put the Cowboys in position to score their first touchdown of the game, but Alfred Williams came bursting through the line and brought Aikman down for a sack on third down. Chris Boniol's fourth field goal of the game put Dallas up 12-6. Once again, the Broncos needed to respond, but this time, they couldn't get anything going on offense and had to punt the ball back to the Cowboys. With a chance to run out the clock, Dallas took over four minutes away from the Broncos, but it could have been much worse. Alfred Williams came up with his second sack of the quarter on a second down, which was followed with another sack by Harald Hasselbach. Dallas punted the ball back to the Broncos with just 2:46 to play, giving Denver one last shot at winning.

The Broncos started their drive with two quick runs by Terrell Davis which pushed them out to their own 40 yard line. From there, John Elway hit Aaron Craver for 13 more yards as the Broncos made their way into Dallas territory. A short run by Davis and an incomplete pass put Denver in a third down and nine situation, but Elway found Anthony Miller for 11 yards, which kept the drive alive. Another incomplete pass and a short run had the Broncos facing a third down and eight, but once again Elway found Miller, this time for a 29 yard gain all the way to the Dallas four yard line. With under a minute to play and no time outs remaining, the Broncos took a chance and ran Davis off tackle to the right. The Denver running back found a crease and snuck into the end zone for the first touchdown of the game. Jason Elam's extra point was good, and the Broncos found themselves ahead with just 48 seconds to play. The Cowboys weren't done yet, though. After a good kick return set them up at their own 32 yard line, Troy Aikman went to work. First, he found Eric Bjornson for eight yards, then Emmitt Smith for 15 yards, putting Dallas at midfield. From there, Alfred Williams came through the line again, sacking Aikman for the fourth time in the game and the third time in the fourth quarter. Aikman's last two passes into the end zone fell incomplete, and John Elway was finally able to celebrate a Super Bowl championship.

Final Score: Denver-13 Dallas-12

MVP: Alfred Williams: 6 tackles, 4 sacks

02-13-2009, 03:34 PM	#161 (permalink)
Hurkman All Star Reserve Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 714 Thanks: 3 Thanked 7x in 7 posts	Super Bowl XXVII Super Bowl XXVII The Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA San Diego Chargers (11-5) Head Coach: Bobby Ross 335 Points Scored 241 Points Allowed Starting Quaterback: Stan Humphries Road to the Super Bowl: Defeated Kansas City, 34-13: AFC Wild Card Playoffs Defeated Miami, 24-23: AFC Divisional Playoffs Defeated Pittsburgh, 31-20: AFC Championship Dallas Cowboys (13-3) Head Coach: Jimmy Johnson 409 Points Scored 243 Points Allowed Starting Quarterback: Troy Aikman Road to the Super Bowl: Defeated New Orleans, 17-10: NFC Divisional Playoffs Defeated San Francisco, 24-23: NFC Championship The Game The San Diego Chargers had made history twice on their way to Super Bowl XXVII. They were the first team in NFL history to make it to the Super Bowl after starting the season 0-4, and they were also the first team in NFL history to win three playoff games before reaching the Super Bowl in a non strike season. Stan Humphries seemed to be playing better throughout the playoffs, while the San Diego running attack had also helped the Chargers make it through a tough AFC. The defense had also played well, coming up with key stops at critical points throughout the playoffs. On the other hand, the Dallas Cowboys were unlike any team that the AFC had produced this year. Dallas had a trio of stars on the offensive side with Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin, as well as a defense that could stand toe to toe with the Chargers. If the incredible run of the San Diego Chargers was going to continue, they would have to take down quite possibly the best team in football. Things certainly started out in favor of the Chargers in the first quarter. Both of Dallas' first two drives ended in Troy Aikman interceptions. While the Cowboys were able to force a Charger punt after the first interception, the second turnover was far more benefitial to the Chargers. Halfback Marion Butts crashed through the Dallas defensive line for a nine yard touchdown, giving San Diego the first points of the Super Bowl. The next Dallas possession ended with a punt, and San Diego's Eric Bieniemy returned the ball to the Dallas 26 yard line. A Stan Humphries pass to Nate Lewis put the Chargers on the goal line, and three plays later, Humphries found Anthony Miller for the touchdown and a 14-0 lead. The Cowboys needed something to go their way, and they got it after an exchange of punts to start off the second quarter. The Dallas offense, which had been one of the best in football during the regular season, finally snapped out of their funk, and Troy Aikman looked like he had calmed down after those two early interceptions. With Aikman leading the way with his crisp passes, the Cowboys moved deep into San Diego territory. Alvin Harper brought in a 14 yard pass in the end zone, and Dallas had gotten onto the scoreboard. The Cowboys would strike again later in the quarter, with Aikman again hitting Harper for a big 43 yard gain. From there, Emmitt Smith did the rest of the work, pounding through the San Diego front seven for 25 yards on two carries, including a nine yard touchdown run that tied the game. The Chargers were able to answer as the first half came to a close, though. Stan Humphries hit Marion Butts for a 45 yard gain which set up kicker John Carney for a 29 yard field goal as the half ended. As the second half began, both teams knew that they needed to find a balance of what they did in the first half. However, neither team was able to get what they needed on their opening drives. The Cowboys moved into San Diego territory and looked as if they would score again, but Michael Irvin fumbled the ball at the San Diego 24 yard line, ending the drive. The Chargers then quickly moved downfield themselves, with Stan Humphries and the San Diego running attack eating up the Dallas defense. Unfortunately, the Cowboys' pass rush got to Humphries, and a poorly thrown ball was intercepted by Ray Horton at the Dallas 19 yard line and returned to the 32. This time, the Cowboys were able to take advantage, as Emmitt Smith once again picked his way through the San Diego defense. An 11 yard Smith run set up Troy Aikman's 34 yard pass to Alvin Harper, which then allowed Smith to pound out the last 18 yards on the ground. Smith's 16 yard touchdown, his second of the game, put the Cowboys on top for the first time in the game. From there, neither team was able to move the ball effectively until midway through the fourth quarter. After being held silent for most of the game, Michael Irvin finally decided to join the Super Bowl party. A 33 yard catch on third down and eight kept a Dallas drive alive, and after the Cowboys made it to the San Diego two yard line, Irvin finished things off with a touchdown grab. The Chargers needed to score, and do so quickly if they wanted a shot to come back. Fortunately for them, Stan Humphries seemed up to the task. With just over two minutes to play, the San Diego quarterback guided his team downfield, and even though the Cowboys weren't allowing him to throw the deep ball, he was finding receivers open underneath the coverage, and they were getting out of bounds. Finally, when Dallas' defense did sneak in, Humphries stuck, hitting Shawn Jefferson with a 36 yard touchdown pass. However, there were just 33 seconds to play, and the game hinged on San Diego's ability to recover John Carney's onside kick. The kick was solid, but Dallas jumped onto the football, sealing their first Super Bowl win in a decade, and giving the Cowboys six championships. Final Score: Dallas-28 San Diego-24 MVP: Emmitt Smith: 20 carries, 104 yards, 2 TDs

02-18-2009, 08:21 PM	#162 (permalink)
Hurkman All Star Reserve Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 714 Thanks: 3 Thanked 7x in 7 posts	1993 AFC Playoffs: Can Buffalo at least make it two out of four? AFC Wild Card Playoffs Kansas City Chiefs (11-5) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO A year ago, the Kansas City Chiefs made the playoffs with Dave Krieg at quarterback. A year later, Krieg was still on the team, but his starting job had been taken by someone with a little more playoff success. Joe Montana and his three Super Bowl rings joined the Chiefs during the offseason, and though he missed five games, he still finished with over 2,100 yards passing and 13 touchdowns. Marcus Allen had a Pro Bowl season as well, as the Los Angeles castoff rushed for 764 yards and 12 touchdowns. The Kansas City defense had a bit of an off season, allowing over 18 points a game, though they were in the top five in turnover differential. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers had just managed to sneak into the playoffs after finishing with the best record in the AFC last season. Neil O'Donnell was solid, if unspectacular, at quarterback, throwing for over 3,200 yards and 14 touchdowns, while the running back duo of Leroy Thompson and Barry Foster proved to be one of the best in the NFL, combining for almost 1,500 yards and 11 touchdowns. Of course, the Pittsburgh defense was still strong, finishing third in turnover differential and allowing just 281 points on the season. It was the Kansas City offense that made themselves known first though. After the opening kickoff was returned to the midfield, Marcus Allen began attacking the Pittsburgh defense, both on the ground and with help from Joe Montana. After getting to the Pittsburgh 14 yard line, Kimble Anders ran the ball in for a touchdown, giving the Chiefs the early lead. The beleaguered Kansas City defense kept the Steelers off the score board for the first quarter, but a Montana interception early in the second quarter set Pittsburgh up with a short field. Starting from inside Kansas City territory, the Steelers only had to go 17 yards to set up a Gary Anderson field goal. A second Montana interception on the very next Kansas City drive looked like it could turn the game in favor of the Steelers, but the Chiefs forced a punt, and Montana redeemed himself on the next drive. With the help of Marcus Allen, Montana moved the Chiefs 39 yards into Pittsburgh territory, where Nick Lowery nailed a 38 yard field goal. However, Neil O'Donnell would counter Montana, hitting Dwight Stone on a 60 yard pass to get to the Kansas City one yard line before finding Ernie Mills on the next play to finish the drive and tie the score. Neither team would move the ball on offense for the rest of the half, and the game would go into halftime tied at ten. The defensive mindset continued in the third quarter, as neither team could move the ball across midfield. Each offense stalled against the opposing defense until the Chiefs were able to strike on special teams. A great punt return by Dale Carter set Kansas City up at the Pittsburgh 30 yard line, and though the Chiefs were only able to gain five yards, it was enough for Nick Lowery to kick his second field goal of the game and put Kansas City back on top. Once again, the Pittsburgh offense was unable to move the ball, and as the third quarter became the fourth quarter, the Steelers were running out of time. Finally, Neil O'Donnell was able to get his team moving once again. Leroy Thompson and Barry Foster, who had been kept in check the entire game, each managed to break off decent runs for the first time, and O'Donnell's pass to Jeff Graham on third down and 15 may not have gotten a first down, but it did set up Gary Anderson for a field goal and a tie game. The Chiefs looked as if they would answer on their next drive, but Todd McNair fumbled the football away at the Pittsburgh 34 yard line, ending the threat. Kansas City would get one last chance in regulation, making it inside Pittsburgh territory once again, but the Steeler defense came up big and stopped the Chiefs just before they could reach field goal range, sending the game into overtime. Kansas City would win the coin toss, and received the overtime kickoff. However, the Pittsburgh defense, motivated by their stop at the end of regulation, held the Chiefs to just a single yard on their possession, forcing a punt. Rod Woodson returned the punt to the Pittsburgh 44 yard line, and the Steelers would never give the ball back. A Kansas City penalty, coupled with a Neil O'Donnell 15 yard pass to Jeff Graham put Pittsburgh in field goal range, and three plays later, Gary Anderson nailed the 47 yard attempt, ending the season of the Kansas City Chiefs and leaving them with an aging Joe Montana as seemingly their only option at quarterback. Final Score: Pittsburgh-16 Kansas City-13/OT Real Life Score: Kansas City-27 Pittsburgh-24/OT Los Angeles Raiders (10-6) vs. Denver Broncos (9-7) Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA Both the Raiders and the Broncos had missed the playoffs in 1992 after having playoff seasons in 1991, and both underwent changes to ensure playoff births in 1993. Dan Reeves was out in Denver, replaced by Wade Phillips. John Elway was still the quarterback, and he had an excellent season, throwing for over 4,000 yards with 25 touchdowns. Rod Bernstine was brought in from San Diego to be the primary running back, and he responded with over 800 rushing yards and four touchdowns, while Shannon Sharpe became Elway's favorite target, coming close to 1,000 receiving yards with nine touchdowns. In Los Angeles, former New York Giant backup quarterback Jeff Hostetler became the starter for the Raiders, and he threw for over 3,200 yards. Despite the solid season of Hostetler, the Raiders were lucky to make the playoffs, having allowed 20 more points than they scored. However, wide receiver Tim Brown had an excellent season, finishing with over 1,100 yards and eight touchdowns to emerge as the main Los Angeles weapon. Even with their shortcomings, the Raiders were able to strike early and often against the Broncos. After a great punt return by Tim Brown gave Los Angeles the ball inside Denver territory, Greg Robinson broke a 47 yard run down to the one yard line on Los Angeles' first offensive play. James Jett came down with a Jeff Hostetler one yard pass on the next play, and the Raiders had the lead. A Robert Delpino on the next Denver drive gave the Raiders the ball back, and this time, Hostetler used his arm to move the ball downfield before settling for a Jeff Jaeger field goal. Los Angeles finally had to punt on their next possession, and the Broncos were able to take a little of the momentum their way. John Elway moved Denver 43 yards on 11 plays, getting to the Los Angeles 20 yard line before Jason Elam nailed a 37 yard field goal to but the Broncos on the scoreboard. However, the Raiders responded with an 11 play, 40 yard drive that ended with another Jaeger field goal. With just over two minutes left in the half, Elway once again got the Broncos into scoring postion, and Elam added a 25 yard kick just as the first half expired, putting Denver down by a score of 13-6 at the half. Unfortunately for the Broncos, that would be as close as they would get. The Los Angeles defense, as criticized as they were, held Denver scoreless in the second half. With their defense actually stopping the opposing offense, Raider offense was content to let Greg Robinson eat up much of the second half on the ground. Jeff Jaeger kicked two fourth quarter field goals to end the scoring, and the Raiders were moving on to the second round of the playoffs after dominating the Broncos. Final Score: Los Angeles-19 Denver-6 Real Life Score: Los Angeles-42 Denver-24 AFC Divisional Playoffs Buffalo Bills (12-4) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) Rich Stadium, Buffalo, NY In what was becoming a yearly event, the Buffalo Bills had once again made the playoffs. Jim Kelly returned from injury, and though he threw as many interceptions as touchdowns, he still helped lead the Bills to the best record in the AFC. Thurman Thomas had another Pro Bowl season, rushing for 1,315 yards, while Andre Reed and former Indianapolis Colt receiver Bill Brooks brought balance to Buffalo's attack. The defense was also back on the right track, allowing 242 points and forcing 47 turnovers. However, the Bills had been shutout in a midseason game against the Steelers, so they knew Pittsburgh wouldn't be a pushover if they expected to get back to the AFC Championship. Things didn't start out the way Buffalo had hoped in the first quarter. After the Bills were forced to punt following their opening possession, the Steelers marched quickly down the field. Neil O'Donnell picked apart the Buffalo defense before Leroy Thompson broke a 35 yard run right up the middle for a Pittsburgh touchdown and an early 7-0 lead. The Bills still couldn't get anything going on their next drive, as the Steeler defense stopped Buffalo in their tracks. However, Pittsburgh's offense quickly found that they couldn't get moving against a very tough Buffalo defense. The Bills finally got started midway through the second quarter, making it to the Pittsburgh two yard line. From there, Jim Kelly was intercepted by Darren Perry, ending the only threat the Bills would pose in the first half. Despite the inability of Buffalo's offense to get any points, the Steelers were also stuck, and the first half ended with the score still 7-0. After being stopped for most of the first half, the Pittsburgh Steelers got things started quickly in the third quarter. Using the running of Leroy Thompson and Barry Foster, Pittsburgh moved into Buffalo territory for the first time since their opening drive. A 48 yard run by Foster got the ball to the Buffalo seven yard line, and on fourth down from the one, Neil O'Donnell hit Thompson for a touchdown. The next Steeler drive worked out just as well, as Thompson pulled in a 55 yard pass to the Buffalo 17 yard line. From there, Dwight Stone blew through the Bills defense, running untouched into the end zone. Pittsburgh would strike again early in the fourth quarter, going on a nine play, 59 yard drive that ended with an O'Donnell nine yard touchdown pass to Ernie Mills that effectively ended the game. Buffalo's powerful offense couldn't even get started as the Pittsburgh defense shut down Thurman Thomas, holding him to 28 yards on 15 carries. Gary Anderson added a late field goal for the Steelers, who had managed to hold the Bills scoreless for two games and were headed to their second straight AFC Championship. Final Score: Pittsburgh-31 Buffalo-0 Real Life Score: Buffalo-29 Los Angeles-23 (L.A. was the fourth seed in real life, while Pittsburgh was the sixth. Since they both won, and Buffalo had the top seed, Pittsburgh came to Buffalo.) Houston Oilers (12-4) vs. Los Angeles Raiders (10-6) The Astrodome, Houston, TX A 1-4 start to the season looked like it would spell the end of the Oilers in 1993. However, they weren't quite ready to pack it in yet, and Houston rode into the playoffs on an 11 game winning streak as possibly the hottest team in the NFL. While Warren Moon had an average season, throwing 21 touchdowns and 21 interceptions, Houston's offense still shined. Gary Brown picked up Lorenzo White's slack, finishing with just over 1,000 yards and six touchdowns, and the trio of Ernest Givins, Haywood Jeffires and Webster Slaughter each had over 700 receiving yards. Meanwhile, the Houston defense had also emerged as one of the best in the NFL, allowing just 238 points while recording 51 sacks on the season, proving that they could manage a high scoring offense with a powerful defense. The high scoring Houston offense drew first blood. After a Los Angeles punt, the Oilers needed just three plays to find the end zone. First, Warren Moon hit Haywood Jeffires for a 68 yard pass down to the Raiders' 11 yard line. From there, Moon found Webster Slaughter for the touchdown and the early lead. However the Raiders would strike back later in the first quarter, as a combination of solid running by backup running back Steve Smith and passes by Jeff Hostetler moved Los Angeles deep into Houston territory. Hostetler's seven yard touchdown pass to James Jett ended the drive and tied the game. Once again, the Los Angeles defense that had been put under so much pressure before the playoffs came up huge, keeping the Oilers from scoring for the rest of the first half. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles offense was able to get on the scoreboard again late in the half. Hostetler once again picked apart the Houston secondary before giving way to Jeff Jaeger, who nailed a 40 yard field goal, giving the Raiders a 10-7 lead at the half. The Los Angeles momentum carried over into the third quarter. Following a Houston punt, the Raiders struck again, first with Jeff Hostetler's arm, then with the running of Nick Bell and Greg Robison, who moved the ball inside the Houston 10 yard line. From there, Hostetler threw his second touchdown pass of the game, a seven yarder to Alexander Wright, putting the Raiders up by ten points. Houston was able to respond however, as Warren Moon passed the Oilers deep into Los Angeles territory. Once there though, Houston couldn't get into the end zone and had to settle for an Al Del Greco field goal that made the score 17-10. After an exchange of punts started the fourth quarter, the Raiders would make Houston pay for not finding the end zone. Jeff Hostetler guided Los Angeles downfield again on the strength of his arm, ending the eight play, 71 yard drive with a 17 yard touchdown pass to Raghib Ismail. Houston would turn the ball over on downs on their next two drives, with their final play of the season ending at the Los Angeles one yard line. The Raiders would run out the clock from there, earning a spot in the AFC Championship and sending the Oilers home from the playoffs early...again. Final Score: Los Angeles-24 Houston-10 Real Life Score: Kansas City-28 Houston-20 AFC Championship Game Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA Los Angeles Raiders (10-6) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) The most unlikely AFC Championship game in years awaited fans in Los Angeles as the Raiders took on the Pittsburgh Steelers for the right to go to Super Bowl XXVIII. While the Steelers had the worst record of any playoff team in the AFC, the Raiders had actually been outscored by their opponents through the regular season. While no one thought that either Los Angeles or Pittsburgh would be the two final teams standing in the AFC, that's who was here, and one of the two teams would be headed to the Super Bowl. The game started out well for the Steelers, who were playing their third consecutive road playoff game. Los Angeles managed to get the ball to midfield, but their drive stalled, and they were forced to punt. From there, Pittsburgh used the rushing duo of Barry Foster and Leroy Thompson to move downfield, getting to the Los Angeles 27 yard line before having to bring out Gary Anderson. His 44 yard field goal attempt split the uprights, and the Steelers had an early lead. The Raiders were able to respond though, pinning Pittsburgh deep in their own territory after a punt and forcing the Steelers to go three and out. The Mark Royals punt only made it to the Pittsburgh 36 yard line, and though the Raiders only gained four yards, they were close enough for a Jeff Jaeger field goal that tied the game. Pittsburgh answered back on their next possession, with Neil O'Donnell leading the charge this time, passing his way through the Los Angeles defense. Leroy Thompson finished the nine play, 80 yard drive with a ten yard touchdown run, and the Steelers were back on top. The Raiders would strike back late in the second quarter, getting deep into Pittsburgh territory before having to settle for another Jaeger field goal that cut the lead to 10-6 at the end of the first half. With the lead and a solid defense, the Steelers were more than content to just run off as much time as possible in the second half without even worrying about putting more points on the board. The only question was whether or not the Raiders would be accomidating to this plan, and they were for the most part. The Pittsburgh offense became one focused entirely on the run in the third quarter, with the only scare coming on a Leroy Thompson fumble at his own 23 yard line. The Steelers would quickly recover from that mistake, as Jeff Hostetler threw an interception on the very next play, ending the Los Angeles threat. Gary Anderson would miss a field goal on the following drive, but it wasn't needed. Aside from one play, the Raiders wouldn't cross midfield on offense again the rest of the day. Pittsburgh's second half plan worked to absolute perfection, and the 9-7 team that had made their way into the playoffs through the back door was now headed to the Super Bowl. Final Score: Pittsburgh-10 Los Angeles-6 Real Life Score: Buffalo-30 Kansas City-13 (In Buffalo)

02-18-2009, 09:04 PM	#163 (permalink)
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 7,601 Thanks: 83 Thanked 143x in 125 posts	__________________ The Greatest Prize in Sports (a TBCB Dynasty) The Greatest Prize in Sports: Almanac kenyan_cheena's NBA 2K11 Off Topic Dynasty Major League Baseball: 1990 and Beyond... (an OOTP11 Dynasty)

02-20-2009, 05:55 PM	#164 (permalink)
Hurkman All Star Reserve Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 714 Thanks: 3 Thanked 7x in 7 posts	1993 NFC Playoffs: Who wants to play the Steelers? NFC Wild Card Playoffs Detroit Lions (10-6) vs. Green Bay Packers (9-7) The Silverdome, Detroit, MI Two years after finishing their season with a loss to the New Orleans Saints, the Detroit Lions were back in the playoffs with essentially the same gameplan. Despite playing in only 11 games during the regular season, Barry Sanders still managed to run for over 1,100 yards with three touchdowns. The Detroit quarterback situation was a little more messy, as Rodney Peete and Erik Kramer battled for the starting job for most of the season. By the end of the year, Kramer had established himself as the starter, despite only throwing eight touchdowns on the season. Wideout Herman Moore was a solid target for whoever was behind center, providing balance to the Detroit offense with 935 yards and six touchdowns. Meanwhile, the Packers were led by a youngster at quarterback by the name of Brett Favre. Despite throwing more touchdowns than interceptions, Favre had guided Green Bay into the playoffs, thanks in large part to Sterling Sharpe's 1,274 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns. The defense also benefitted with the arrival of Reggie White, and he helped transform the Packers into a defensive force. It was the Detroit offense that struck first, however. After a solid opening kickoff return put the Lions at midfield, it took just eight plays for them to find the end zone. Barry Sanders did most of the work, cutting through the Green Bay defense, before Erik Kramer hit Herman Moore for a nine yard touchdown. Green Bay would respond later in the quarter, as Brett Favre hit Robert Brooks with a 47 yard pass that made it to the Detroit 11 yard line. On third down and eight, Favre found Sterling Sharpe for the tying touchdown. From there, both defenses settled down, holding the opposing offenses at bay until midway through the second quarter. Another good special teams play by Detroit gave them the ball at their own 40 yard line, and a quick mix of run and pass plays drove the Lions deep into Green Bay territory. Barry Sanders capped the drive with a 26 yard touchdown run, putting the Lions on top again. Poor clock managment by the Packers led to Detroit getting a last second field goal attempt, and Jason Hanson would nail the 28 yard kick, giving the Lions a 17-7 lead at the half. During the regular season, Brett Favre had established a reputation as a quaterback who seemed to throw to certain receivers no matter how covered they were. Early in the third quarter, that mentality came back to bite him once again. With Green Bay just inside Detroit territory, Favre tried to force a pass to Sterling Sharpe. George Jamison stepped in front of the ball, picking it off and returning it 62 yards for a Detroit touchdown. After the Packers punted on their next possession, the Lions embarked on a 15 play, 63 yard drive that took over ten minutes off the clock. Jason Hanson ended the drive with his second field goal of the game, and the Packers were up against the ropes. The Detroit defense would help deliver the final blow, as they sacked Favre and forced a fumble that was recovered by the Lions. Eric Lynch broke a 38 yard touchdown run on the next play, effectively ending the game. A late Green Bay touchdown brought the score to 34-14, but it wasn't even close to enough on this day, as the Lions managed to win their first playoff game since 1957. Final Score: Detroit-34 Green Bay-14 Real Life Score: Green Bay-28 Detroit-24 New York Giants (11-5) vs. Minnesota Vikings (9-7) Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ After coming within one point of the Super Bowl in 1990, the New York Giants suffered back to back disappointing seasons. Change had come to the Giants in the form of former Denver Broncos head coach Dan Reeves, who looked as if he would be able to turn New York's problems around. For the first time since 1986, 39 year old Phil Simms had managed to play in all 16 games of the regular season, and he made the Pro Bowl with a 3,000 yard, 15 touchdown season. Rodney Hampton finished with over 1,000 yards on the ground, and another former Bronco, Mark Jackson, led the team with 708 receiving yards. Of course, the main story in New York was the dominant defense of the Giants, which allowed the fewest points in the NFL during the season. Second year player Keith Hamilton led the way with 11.5 sacks, and while Lawrence Taylor was beginning to look a little older, he was still able to record six sacks of his own. On the other hand, the Minnesota Vikings were lucky to even make the playoffs. A three game winning streak to close out the year propelled the Vikings into the postseason, despite a questionable offense. Jim McMahon had re-emerged as the starter for the Vikings, and finished with 1,968 yards and nine touchdowns. Former Kansas City Chief Barry Word led the team in rushing, while Chris Carter had emerged as a force at wideout, bringing in 86 catches for over 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns. Minnesota's defense, despite giving up over 18 points a game, was still very strong. The Vikings allowed the fewest yards in the NFL and recorded 45 sacks. The weather at Giants Stadium was less than forgiving for both teams, as a strong wind whipped across the field for most of the first half. With the Giants having the wind at their backs in the first quarter, they wasted a golden opportunity to strike first. Instead, the Vikings benefitted from a good punt return late in the quarter that put them at midfield. From there, Minnesota used runs and short passes to get into New York territory as the quarter came to a close. Now, with their backs to the wind, the Vikings were free to open up their passing game, and it took just one play for Jim McMahon to hit Chris Carter for a 15 yard touchdown pass. However, the Giants were able to respond with the same type of gameplan. Using runs and short passes, New York drove deep into Minnesota territory, capping the drive with a seven yard touchdown pass from Phil Simms to Mark Jackson. After a holding penalty pushed the Vikings back to their own two yard line on their next possession, it looked like it would be three plays and out for Minnesota. Instead, the Vikings were able to use their running game to get out of the shadow of their own end zone and once again open up their passing game. Once the Vikings got to their own 35 yard line, they would run the ball only twice more in seven plays. Chris Carter hauled in a 22 yard pass from McMahon in the end zone to end the 98 yard scoring drive and put the Vikings back on top. The Giants, stunned that their defense would give up such a long scoring drive, ran out the clock to end the first half down by a touchdown. The wicked winds seemed to die down in the second half, and the Giants quickly took advantage, moving downfield on their first drive of the third quarter. A 48 yard run by Lewis Tillman set New York up at the Minnesota seven yard line, and Phil Simms finished things off with a seven yard touchdown pass to David Meggett that tied the game. Once again though, the Vikings were able to respond as Jim McMahon guiding Minnesota into field goal range, and Fuad Reveiz nailed a 38 yard attempt to put the Vikings back on top. Late in the third quarter, it was New York's turn to answer back. A good punt return by Meggett put the ball at their own 42 yard line and the Giants needed just four plays to drive 58 yards to the end zone, with Rodney Hampton scoring on an 11 yard touchdown run, putting New York back on top. From there, the Giants were content to let their defense finish off Minnesota, but McMahon had one last gasp in him. Late in the fourth quarter, the Vikings found themselves pinned back at their own 13 yard line. Facing a third down and 16, Jim McMahon hit Chris Carter for a 17 yard gain, keeping the slim hopes of the Vikings alive. Three plays later, on another third down and 16, McMahon found Anthony Carter for 17 yards, once again converting a long third down attempt. With just twenty seconds to play, and looking at a fourth down and ten this time, McMahon was able to hit Chris Carter for 16 yards, putting the ball inside New York territory at the 49 yard line. On the very next play, with the clock ticking down the final seconds, McMahon heaved one final Hail Mary into the end zone. His prayer was answered, as Eric Guliford somehow came down with the football with just one second to play. A stunned Giants Stadium could only watch in horror as the Vikings celebrated an improbable playoff win, which was quickly named "Miracle at the Meadowlands II." Final Score: Minnesota-24 New York-21 Real Life Score: New York-17 Minnesota-10 NFC Divisional Playoffs San Francisco 49ers (10-6) vs. Detroit Lions (10-6) Candlestick Park, San Francisco, CA The San Francisco 49ers will still stinging from their one point loss to the Dallas Cowboys in last year's NFC Championship game, and the hangover seemed to last for parts of the 1993 season. Despite coming into the playoffs on a two game losing streak, the 49ers still boasted the highest scoring offense in all of football, which was led by Steve Young. Young had finished his second full season as starter by throwing for over 4,000 yards and leading the NFL in touchdown passes, with 29. Jerry Rice had another All Pro season, catching 98 balls for over 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns, while Ricky Watters followed up his solid rookie season with another Pro Bowl campaign, rushing for 950 yards and ten touchdowns. However, the San Francisco defense seemed to take a few steps backward during the season, as they allowed over 18 points per game. The 49ers were still quite confident, especially since their last regular season win was a 55-17 thrashing of the Detroit Lions in Detroit. The 49ers certainly had every reason to feel confident, as they quickly drove down the field on their first possession. However, Steve Young's pass to John Taylor was intercepted by Pat Swilling at the Detroit six yard line, ending the early scoring threat. Detroit took advantage of the turnover, as Barry Sanders broke free for 24 yards on his first two carries of the game. From there, Erik Kramer moved the Lions into San Francisco territory, where Jason Hanson nailed a 30 yard field goal to give Detroit an early lead. The 49ers looked like they would answer the field goal with one of their own on their next drive, but Mike Cofer pushed the 43 yard attempt to the left. Detroit gave the 49ers another shot just two plays later, when Sanders fumbled the ball at his own 45 yard line. This time, San Francisco would take advantage, and Amp Lee finished the five play drive with a 22 yard touchdown run. However, the Lions were able to respond, and after Kramer got Detroit down to the San Francisco two yard line, Sanders squirted into the end zone, putting the Lions back on top. With just under two minutes remaining in the first half, Young moved San Francisco downfield with long passes to Jerry Rice and John Taylor. This time, Mike Cofer was able to hit a 36 yard field goal as the half ended, tying the game. While both teams had played questionable football in the first half, it only got worse in the second half. Detroit's first possession ended on a failed fourth down attempt at the San Francisco 34 yard line. The 49ers moved the ball into Detroit territory, but Steve Young was intercepted by Pat Swilling for the second time. Swilling returned the ball to midfield, and the Lions moved 34 yards in six plays, setting up a Jason Hanson field goal that gave them the lead. The next San Francisco possession looked like it would bring an answer to the Detroit field goal, but Young was intercepted for again, this time by Chris Spielman. Three plays later, the Lions struck again, as Erik Kramer's soft pass out to Barry Sanders turned into a 19 yard touchdown, putting Detroit up 20-10. Now midway through the fourth quarter, the 49ers once again moved into Detroit territory, only for Young to be intercepted for the fourth time, as Harry Colon picked off the San Francisco quarterback. A 41 yard run by Barry Sanders put the Lions at the San Francisco 15 yard line, and after a holding penalty pushed them back, Erik Kramer hit Brett Perriman for the 25 yard touchdown on third down. The 49ers were finally able to put together a much needed scoring drive on their next possession, which ended with a 15 yard Ricky Watters touchdown run. After forcing a Detroit punt, San Francisco made it down to the Detroit three yard line before being stopped on fourth and goal. That goal line stand would prove to be the final blow for the 49ers, even with Watters scoring on a four yard run on the next San Francisco possession. With just 50 seconds to play, the 49ers were unable to recover their onside kick, and the Lions ran out the clock. Despite throwing for over 300 yards, Steve Young's four interceptions proved too much for San Francisco to overcome. Final Score: Detroit-27 San Francisco-24 Real Life Score: San Francisco-44 New York-3 Dallas Cowboys (12-4) vs. Minnesota Vikings (9-7) Texas Stadium, Irving, TX Life was good for the defending Super Bowl champion Dallas Cowboys. Despite an 0-2 start and an early season holdout by Emmitt Smith, Dallas was able to finish the year 12-4. Smith rushed for over 1,400 yards and nine touchdowns in just 14 games, while Troy Aikman passed for 3,100 yards and 15 touchdowns. Michael Irvin had himself another Pro Bowl season, bringing in 88 passes for 1,330 yards and seven touchdowns. The defense was solid as well, allowing the second fewest points in the NFL. Dallas could also boast a 37-20 victory over their playoff opponents, the Minnesota Vikings, during the regular season. Unfortunately for the Cowboys, it was the last game that the Vikings had lost all season, and they were riding an emotional high after their Hail Mary victory over the New York Giants the week before. Sure enough, the Vikings were able to carry over some of their emotion into the first half. After stopping the Cowboys on their first possession, Minnesota moved downfield. The 14 play, 75 yard drive ended with a Fuad Reveiz field goal, putting the Vikings on top. From there, both defenses stepped up their performances, with neither team even crossing midfield until midway through the second quarter. A good punt return by Eric Guliford put the Vikings at the Dallas 47 yard line. Two plays later, Jim McMahon hit Anthony Carter on a fly route for a 44 yard touchdown that put Minnesota up 10-0. Dallas' high scoring offense, which finished second in the NFL in points scored, seemed sluggish throughout the first half, and couldn't get anything moving. Only a good stand by the Dallas defense kept the Vikings from adding more points, and the game went to the half with Minnesota still up by ten points. After both teams exchanged punts to start the second half, the Dallas offense finally woke up. A good punt return by Kevin Williams gave the Cowboys the ball at the Minnesota 38 yard line, and Emmitt Smith did the rest. A 32 yard touchdown run on third down and four gave the Cowboys their first points of the game, and they were far from finished. Another good punt return by Williams gave Dallas the ball at midfield to start their next drive, and Derrick Lassic finished off the 11 play drive with a two yard touchdown to put the Cowboys on top. Another Minnesota punt on their next possession put Dallas at their own 34 yard line, but it only took three plays for the Cowboys to strike again. This time, Emmitt Smith broke free for a 37 yard touchdown run, which followed a 29 yard pass from Troy Aikman to Michael Irvin. Now up 21-10, Dallas still wasn't through. Once again, Minnesota punted, and once again, Emmitt Smith found the end zone. A 64 yard touchdown run brought the fans in Dallas to their feet, and they would stay there for the rest of the game. A 15 yard touchdown pass from Aikman to Alvin Harper later in the fourth quarter finally put an end to the scoring, and the Cowboys were on their way to their second straight NFC Championship. Final Score: Dallas-35 Minnesota-10 Real Life Score: Dallas-27 Green Bay-17 NFC Championship Game Texas Stadium, Irving, TX Dallas Cowboys (12-4) vs. Detroit Lions (10-6) On paper the NFC Championship game looked like a complete mismatch. Not only did the Dallas Cowboys have the second highest scoring offense in the NFL, but they also had one of the top defenses in the league as well. They also had the trio of Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin, all of whom could beat any team in the NFL. Meanwhile, the Detroit Lions were in the middle of the pack in both scoring offense and scoring defense, and aside from Barry Sanders, there were very few players that struck fear into the hearts of opposing players. However, both teams knew that anything could happen as they stepped onto the field to determine who would go to Super Bowl XXVIII. Sure enough, the Cowboys quickly showed their muscle, moving 75 yards in ten plays on the opening drive of the game. Emmitt Smith finished things off with a 14 yard touchdown run, and Dallas had the lead. The Lions weren't going to just roll over and die, though. Erik Kramer and Barry Sanders moved Detroit inside the Dallas ten yard line, but Dallas' defense held strong, and the Lions were forced to settle for a Jason Hanson field goal. The next Dallas drive was just as successful as their first one, as they battered the Detroit defense with runs and passes. Once again, Emmitt Smith capped the drive, this time with a 13 yard touchdown run, putting the Cowboys up 14-3. Detroit's offense couldn't get going for the rest of the half, as Dallas focused its attention on stopping Barry Sanders. It seemed to work, and the Cowboys went into the locker rooms still up 14-3. Detroit got the ball to start the second half, and knew that they needed to score quickly. With Dallas looking in on Barry Sanders, the Lions started the third quarter off with a play action fake that worked to perfection. Erik Kramer hit Herman Moore for 49 yards on the first play of the half. Two plays later, Derrick Moore broke free for a 12 yard touchdown run, putting the Lions back in the game. After a Dallas punt on their first possession of the half, Detroit went right back to work. This time, they fed the ball to Sanders, and he was able to get the Lions to midfield. Once there, the Cowboys went back to stacking the box to try and stop him, only for Kramer to pass the ball right over the Dallas linebackers. The 12 play drive finally stalled out, and Jason Hanson nailed his second kick of the game to pull the Lions within a single point. Now it was the Cowboys that needed some points, and while they were able to drive into Detroit territory, they were forced to punt. However, the Dallas defense finally forced a punt from the Lions early in the fourth quarter, and Troy Aikman began moving the Cowboys downfield again. Unfortunately for Dallas, Pat Swilling sacked Aikman on a third down and three, forcing Eddie Murray to try a longer field goal that he pushed right. Once again though, the Cowboys forced a punt from the Lions, and even though they had to punt on their next possession, the Lions had just 1:42 left to work with. From their own 35 yard line, Erik Kramer went to work moving the Lions into scoring position. A 14 yard pass to Brett Perriman put Detroit at midfield, then a 19 yard Barry Sanders run got the Lions well inside Dallas territory. However, Detroit was out of timeouts, and the clock was already becoming a factor. Two quick passes to Perriman and Herman Moore picked up 16 yards, and a 17 yard pass to Barry Sanders got the ball all the way to the Dallas one yard line. With just 15 seconds to play and no timeouts, the Lions decided to take one shot into the end zone. Even with every Dallas defender looking into the backfield, Sanders snuck his way in. The extra point put the Lions up 20-14 and silenced Texas Stadium. Troy Aikman had one last throw, but his pass to Michael Irvin was broken up, sending the Detroit Lions to their first Super Bowl. Final Score: Detroit-20 Dallas-14 Real Life Score: Dallas-38 San Francisco-21

02-21-2009, 12:27 AM	#165 (permalink)
Hurkman All Star Reserve Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 714 Thanks: 3 Thanked 7x in 7 posts	Super Bowl XXVIII Super Bowl XXVIII The Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) Head Coach: Bill Cowher 308 Points Scored 281 Points Allowed Starting Quarterback: Neil O'Donnell Road to the Super Bowl: Defeated Kansas City, 16-13/OT: AFC Wild Card Playoffs Defeated Buffalo, 31-0: AFC Divisional Playoffs Defeated Los Angeles, 10-6: AFC Championship Detroit Lions (10-6) Head Coach: Wayne Fontes 298 Points Scored 292 Points Allowed Starting Quarterback: Erik Kramer Road to the Super Bowl: Defeated Green Bay, 34-14: NFC Wild Card Playoffs Defeated San Francisco, 27-24: NFC Divisional Playoffs Defeated Dallas, 20-14: NFC Championship The Game Quite possibly the most improbable Super Bowl in history awaited fans on their way to the Georgia Dome for Super Bowl XXVIII. While both the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers had made the playoffs, hardly anyone expected them to be anything but one and done teams. However, in spite of incredible odds, both teams had made it within a game of the championship. For Pittsburgh, it was a shot at their fifth Super Bowl title, while the Lions were looking for their first championship since 1957. The Steelers boasted one of the strongest defenses in the NFL, allowing the third fewest yards in football. Detroit, on the other hand, was in the middle of the pack on both offense and defense and relied strongly of the play of running back Barry Sanders to help carry them throughout the playoffs. Detroit quarterback Erik Kramer had played well against the NFC, but he would have to find another gear against a powerful Pittsburgh defense. With Pittsburgh focusing on the Detroit running game, the Lions came out in the first half throwing the football. The first Detroit possession featured only eight running yards, while Erik Kramer was able to throw through the Steeler defense for 55 yards. Barry Sanders managed to finish the drive with a four yard touchdown run, and the Lions had the early lead. Neil O'Donnell and the Steelers answered quickly, using the run instead of the pass. Barry Foster and Leroy Thompson pounded the Detroit defense, and Thompson finished the drive with a one yard touchdown burst. The Lions answered with a 13 play, 85 yard drive that once again focused on the passing game. Over half the called plays were passes, including the four yard touchdown pass from Kramer to Willie Green. Once again though the Steelers were able to respond, this time courtesy of O'Donnell. Only 16 yards out of the 83 on the Pittsburgh drive were on the ground, and when Ernie Mills brought in the eight yard touchdown pass from O'Donnell, the game was tied once again. With Pittsburgh now thinking about the pass, Barry Sanders was able to find running room, and his 49 yard run on the next Detroit possession set up Jason Hanson's 29 yard field goal to put the Lions back on top. Late in the first half, a Sanders handoff that was supposed to just run out the clock ended in with a 53 yard gain and a second Hanson field goal as the first half expired, putting Detroit up 20-14 after a very exciting first half of football. Pittsburgh knew they had to establish their running game again as the second half started, and they came out and did just that. Neil O'Donnell only attempted four passes on a 12 play, 65 yard drive, though it didn't seem to effect the Steelers. Both Barry Foster and Leroy Thompson pounded through the Detroit defense, and once Pittsburgh made it down to the Detroit two yard line, it was backup fullback Merril Hoge who finished things off, busting through the line for the touchdown and a Pittsburgh lead. The Steelers were able to force a Detroit punt, their first of the game, on their next possession, but Detroit forced a Pittsburgh punt on their next defensive series. Mel Gray returned the punt to the Pittsburgh 39 yard line, and the Lions moved 29 yards in six plays, finishing the drive with another Jason Hanson field goal that once again gave them the lead. From there, the Lions attempted to play keep away with the football, forcing two straight punts by the Steelers while attempting to run out the clock with efforts from Barry Sanders and Derrick Moore. With just over three minutes to play, the Lions punted the ball back to the Steelers, and it was downed at the Pittsburgh nine yard line, giving the Steelers a very slim chance at coming back. What happened next would be the stuff of legends. Almost a full football field away from a touchdown, Neil O'Donnell rallied the Pittsburgh offense in a way that hadn't been seen since Terry Bradshaw. Three quick passes around a sack got the ball to the Pittsburgh 32 yard line, and then the Steelers were able run the football. Barry Foster broke off 11 yards on two carries to get the ball to midfield. With just over a minute to play, O'Donnell got the Steelers into Detroit territory, but an incomplete pass and a sack pushed Pittsburgh to a third and 18. With the Detroit defense closing around him, O'Donnell found Eric Green for a 27 yard gain, giving the Steelers new life. On the very next play, Leroy Thompson found a hole in the Detroit defense, breaking 26 yards for the go ahead touchdown. Just 22 seconds remained on the clock, and even Joe Montana couldn't manage a comeback under those situations. Erik Kramer got the Lions to midfield, but that was as close as he got as the Steelers celebrated their fifth Super Bowl championship. Despite looking like a boring matchup, Super Bowl XXVIII turned out to be one of the most exciting Super Bowls in history. Final Score: Pittsburgh-28 Detroit-23 MVP: Neil O’Donnell: 16/27, 209 yards, 1 TD

02-25-2009, 02:06 PM	#168 (permalink)
jbergey22 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,078 Thanks: 151 Thanked 137x in 105 posts	I can only laugh at that Giants/Vikings game as that is the complete opposite of how the Vikings history has went. I would have expected the Vikings to be on the other end of that finish.

03-01-2009, 05:32 PM	#169 (permalink)
Hurkman All Star Reserve Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 714 Thanks: 3 Thanked 7x in 7 posts	1994 NFC Playoffs: There's no way the Lions could repeat...right? NFC Wild Card Playoffs Green Bay Packers (9-7) vs. Detroit Lions (9-7) Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI In a rematch from the year before, the defending NFC champion Detroit Lions once again squared off against the Green Bay Packers. The Lions went out and tried to improve from the year before, signing Scott Mitchell to a big contract in the offseason. However, Mitchell was less than effective, and when his season ended due to injury, journeyman Dave Krieg stepped in and got the Lions back into the playoffs. Barry Sanders continued to set the bar for running backs, rushing for 1,883 yards and seven touchdowns, while Herman Moore finished with over 1,100 receiving yards. The Detroit defense was a little shaky though, having allowed over 5,000 yards during the regular season. That defense was exactly what the Green Bay Packers were hoping to exploit. Brett Favre stepped into the spotlight as a star at quarterback this season, throwing for 3,800 yards and 33 touchdowns. However, he would be without his favorite target in Sterling Sharpe, who was injured in the final week of the season. Unlike Detroit, Green Bay's defense was one of the best in the NFL, allowing just under 18 points a game and forcing 33 turnovers. All the talk about Green Bay's defense didn't seem to effect the Lions one bit. After both teams punted on their opening possessions, Detroit took a chance on their second drive. Dave Krieg completed a 51 yard bomb to Aubrey Matthews to put the ball at the Packers' 15 yard line. On the next play, Barry Sanders did the rest, dancing his way into the end zone to put the Lions on top. The Packers would respond on their first possession of the second quarter, as Brett Favre moved Green Bay into Detroit territory for the first time in the game. The Lions would hold on defense, and Chris Jacke was forced to kick a 32 yard field goal to put the Packers on the board. Detroit looked like they would answer right back on their next possession, as Krieg's arm and Sanders' legs put the Lions on the goal line. However, three straight stops by the Green Bay defense killed the Detroit drive, and a sack on an attempted fourth down gave the ball and the momentum back to the Packers. The momentum would last all of three plays. After two Edgar Bennett runs moved Green Bay out of the shadow of their own goal posts, Brett Favre threw a costly interception to Mike Johnson. Four plays later, Dave Krieg hit Herman Moore for a 13 yard touchdown, putting the Lions up 14-3. The Packers would respond on their next drive with a 42 yard field goal from Chris Jacke, but the Lions moved right down the field on their next possession. Jason Hanson finished the first half with a 48 yard field goal, sending the Lions to the break up 17-6. The second half didn't go much better for the Packers. Green Bay couldn't get into scoring position for the entire third quarter as Detroit's defense played above and beyond their display in the regular season. The Detroit offense was more than happy to just hand the ball off to Barry Sanders, and he responded with long runs that ate more and more time off the clock. The Lions would add a Jason Hanson field goal late in the third quarter, and their defense would do the rest. The Packers had just two possessions during the fourth quarter, and after Brett Favre's pass was knocked down on a fourth down try with 5:22 to play, Green Bay wouldn't see the ball on offense again. For the second straight year, the Lions had knocked the Packers out of the playoffs. Final Score: Detroit-20 Green Bay-6 Real Life Score: Green Bay-16 Detroit-12 Minnesota Vikings (10-6) vs. Chicago Bears (9-7) The Metrodome, Minneapolis, MN After two straight seasons of not making the playoffs, the Chicago Bears were back in the postseason, though many people were wondering how. Chicago had been outscored for the season by 36 points, and averaged just under 17 points a game on offense. However, Steve Walsh had brought some stability to the quarterback position, while Lewis Tillman was solid at running back. The Chicago defense, while still strong, seemed to enact a bend, but don't break idea, allowing opponents to gain yards, but keeping them from scoring touchdowns. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings were on their third starting quarterback in three years, but Dennis Green's club was still in the playoffs. This year, former Houston quarterback Warren Moon was under center for the Vikings, and he responded by passing for over 4,200 yards and 18 touchdowns. Terry Allen had another good season at running back, rushing for over 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns, while the receiving duo of Chris Carter and Jake Reed each finished with over 1,100 yards receiving, making Minnesota a powerful offensive force. That force would be shown early and often in the first quarter. Minnesota's first drive took only three plays to find the end zone. Terry Allen carried the ball all three times, breaking a 59 yard run on the third carry for the touchdown and an early lead. After a Chicago punt, the Vikings would attack the Bears through the air, with Warren Moon finding Andrew Jordan for a 65 yard touchdown catch on the fourth play of the possession. Chicago would counter with a Kevin Butler field goal, but Minnesota returned the ensuing kickoff to the Chicago eight yard line. After a holding penalty pushed the Vikings back and Allen picked up four yards, Moon found Jake Reed for a 14 yard touchdown pass, putting Minnesota up 21-3 before the first quarter had come to a close. From there, the Chicago defense was able to keep the Vikings under control for the rest of the half, while Steve Walsh and the Chicago offense attempted to chip away at the lead. Kevin Butler added his second field goal to cap a 12 play drive that took up most of the second quarter, and he would add a third kick to close out the first half, putting the Bears down 21-9. Chicago needed more points as the second half began, and it looked like they might get them early. A 30 yard run by Lewis Tillman started the third quarter for the Bears, but Kevin Butler's 47 yard field goal attempt bounced off the left upright, ending a possible scoring drive. The next Chicago drive took just one play, as Steve Walsh was intercepted by Vencie Glenn. However, the Vikings still couldn't find their first quarter offensive mojo, and came away with no points. After a Warren Moon interception later in the third quarter, the Bears were finally able to add more points to the board, thanks to Butler's fourth field goal of the game. The next Chicago drive resulted in points as well, but it was another Butler field goal, not a touchdown. Minnesota would make the Bears pay for not finding the end zone with a 12 play, 72 yard drive on their next possession. Fuad Reveiz nailed a 25 yard field goal with just one minute to play, ending any chance of a late Chicago comeback. The Bears wouldn't get another first down, and the Vikings were on to the second round of the playoffs. Final Score: Minnesota-24 Chicago-15 Real Life Score: Chicago-35 Minnesota-18 NFC Divisional Playoffs San Francisco 49ers (13-3) vs. Detroit Lions (9-7) Candlestick Park, San Francisco, CA For a second straight week, the Detroit Lions would faceoff against a team that they defeated on their road to the Super Bowl the year before. This year though, the San Francisco 49ers were a much better team. After a 40-8 throttling at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco woke up, and turned a 3-2 start into a ten game winning streak and a 13-3 finish. Steve Young had his best season to date, passing for almost 4,000 yards to go along with 35 touchdowns and just ten interceptions. Jerry Rice had yet another outstanding season, leading the NFL with 1,499 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. The San Francisco defense was also much improved, thanks to the addition of Deion Sanders. The 49ers allowed just 18 and a half points a game and forced 35 turnovers, numbers that they hoped could push them into another NFC Championship. At the start though, it was the Detroit Lions who looked like the favorites. After punts by both teams started the game, Dave Krieg passed the Lions into scoring position with crisp passes to Brett Perriman and Herman Moore. Once Detroit got inside the San Francisco ten yard line, Barry Sanders did the rest, scoring from a yard out to give the Lions an early 7-0 lead. The 49ers looked like they would respond on their next drive, but Steve Young was intercepted by Robert Massey, bringing up memories of his poor performance from last year's playoff game. This time though, the San Francisco defense held strong and forced a Detroit punt. On the next 49er possession, Ricky Watters broke free for a 21 yard gain, which then allowed Young to use the play action pass effectively. A 19 yard pass to Jerry Rice put San Francisco in field goal range, and Doug Brien nailed a 46 yard attempt, putting the 49ers on the scoreboard. However, that was all either team would get for the rest of the half. The Detroit offense was held in check by the San Francisco defense, while the 49ers were able to move the ball late in the quarter, only for Brien to miss a 46 yard field goal attempt as the first half expired, leaving San Francisco down 7-3 at the half. The second half started out with the same defensive mindset that the first half had. Once again, neither Detroit nor San Francisco could move the ball, and many 49er fans were beginning to feel restless as the third quarter clock began to wind down. Their nerves were even more fried when Barry Sanders broke off a 61 yard run late in the third quarter to move the ball to the San Francisco 13 yard line. An 11 yard gain by Brett Perriman put the ball at the San Francisco two, and things were looking bleak for San Francisco. The 49ers needed a big play, and they got it when Ken Norton Jr picked off Dave Krieg in the end zone, ending the Detroit threat and giving San Francisco the ball. The 49ers were able to get to midfield before having to punt. Just six plays later, Detroit punted the ball back to San Francisco, and Dexter Carter returned the punt to the Detroit 49 yard line. A 40 yard pass from Steve Young to Brent Jones followed, and three plays later, the 49ers took the lead on a 4 yard pass from Young to Jerry Rice. From there, the San Francisco defense took over, stopping the Lions cold on offense. Without Barry Sanders effectively running the ball, Dave Krieg was unable to get Detroit's offense going, and the Lions would be held scoreless. San Francisco would add two more Doug Brien field goals, and despite an average game from Steve Young, the 49ers were headed back to the NFC Championship. Final Score: San Francisco-16 Detroit-7 Real Life Score: San Francisco-44 Chicago-15 Dallas Cowboys (12-4) vs. Minnesota Vikings (10-6) Texas Stadium, Irving, TX Just last year, a 28 point fourth quarter barrage by the Cowboys ended the season for the Vikings. This season, Minnesota returned to Texas Stadium with a new quarterback and a better team, but the Cowboys were improved as well. Despite an injury plagued season from Troy Aikman, the Dallas quarterback was able to pass for 2,600 yards and 13 touchdowns. However, Emmitt Smith proved that he could carry the Cowboys when he needed to, rushing for almost 1,500 yards and an NFL leading 21 touchdowns. Michael Irvin added 79 catches for 1,241 yards, and the Dallas defense once again asserted itself, allowing just 241 points to go along with 47 sacks and 31 turnovers. None of that seemed to matter to the Vikings, though. After Minnesota forced Dallas to punt on their first possession, the Vikings went right at the Dallas defense, rushing the ball seven straight times before Robert Smith broke free for a 38 yard touchdown and the lead. Unlike Chicago the week before, Dallas would respond with a touchdown. The next Cowboy drive took just seven plays and went 61 yards. It ended with a Troy Aikman four yard touchdown pass to Daryl Johnston that tied the game. The next Dallas drive would be just as effective. Following a 44 yard run by Emmitt Smith to start the second quarter, Aikman would find Alvin Harper for a ten yard touchdown, putting the Cowboys on top. Minnesota would answer late in the second quarter with a Fuad Reveiz 22 yard field goal, cutting the Dallas lead to 14-10 and ending the scoring for the first half. As the second half started, it looked like the Cowboys would be able to finish off the Vikings early. Dallas forced Minnesota to punt on their opening possession, and Kevin Williams returned the kick to midfield. Two runs by Emmitt Smith put the Cowboys in scoring range, but then Troy Aikman was intercepted by Ed McDaniel, putting an end to the threat. Minnesota was unable to do anything with the turnover though, and punted the ball back to Dallas. This time, the Cowboys would get to midfield before having to punt, and the Vikings ended up with the ball at their own 21 yard line. From there, Minnesota started a 17 play drive that took over nine minutes off the clock and spanned parts of the third and fourth quarters. On fourth and goal, Terry Allen slipped into the end zone from a yard away, putting the Vikings back on top and silencing the Texas Stadium crowd. The Dallas offense was unable to do anything for most of the fourth quarter, and when Minnesota ended up with the ball and just under four minutes to play, it looked as if the game was over. The Vikings quickly moved downfield using their running game, and with just 1:45 to play, the Cowboys were almost out of time. However, Terry Allen fumbled the ball away at the Dallas 17 yard line, and the Cowboys recovered, returning the ball to their 30. Aikman wasted little time in moving the football, completing his first pass to Kevin Williams for 15 yards. His next pass was tipped at the line though, and Vencie Glenn intercepted it, ending Dallas' season and sending the Vikings to San Francisco. Final Score: Minnesota-17 Dallas-14 Real Life Score: Dallas-35 Green Bay-9 NFC Championship Game Candlestick Park, San Francisco, CA San Francisco 49ers (13-3) vs. Minnesota Vikings (10-6) It had been six years since the Vikings last made an NFC Championship game, and while they had never taken the next step to the Super Bowl, they were confident that this team could do just that. Warren Moon gave Minnesota something they hadn't had since Fran Tarkenton: a solid quarterback. Terry Allen, Chris Carter and Jake Reed rounded out a powerful offense, while John Randle led a defense that had started to mature and evolve during the playoffs. Of course, a 21-14 win over the 49ers in the final week of the season also helped the Vikings in terms of confidence, but this was a different San Francisco team from then. The 49ers weren't playing for anything that week, as they had already locked up home field advantage. This week, they were playing for a trip to the Super Bowl, and with All Pros Steve Young and Jerry Rice leading the offense, and Deion Sanders on defense, it seemed like there was nothing that could stop the 49ers from getting back to the Super Bowl. It didn't take long for San Francisco to get started. After a Minnesota punt on their opening possession, the 49ers took over right around midfield. Two quick passes to Ricky Watters and Jerry Rice put San Francisco in scoring range, and Doug Brien nailed a 42 yard field goal, putting the 49ers on top. The San Francisco defense held the powerful Minnesota offense in check for the first quarter, but Terry Allen broke a 31 yard run on the first play of the second quarter, putting the Vikings in field goal range. Three plays later, Fuad Reveiz answered with a 42 yard field goal of his own, tying the game. The next Minnesota possession ended with a Warren Moon interception deep inside his own territory, and it took Steve Young just one play to take advantage. Young hit Nate Singleton for a 24 yard touchdown that put the 49ers back on top. Minnesota could get nothing going on offense for the rest of the half, and San Francisco was able to take advantage, moving downfield for a Doug Brien field goal as the first half came to a close. The second half started with disaster for the Vikings. On the first play of the half, Steve Young found Brent Jones wide open, and he ran untouched for an 82 yard touchdown to put the 49ers up 20-3. Minnesota was able to answer with a much needed touchdown to cap a 12 play, 70 yard drive as Warren Moon found Jake Reed on an eight yard pass. However, the San Francisco running game dominated the Minnesota defense on the next 49er possession, as Ricky Watters, William Floyd and Marc Logan each took a turn driving into the heart of the Minnesota defense. Eventually, it was Watters who would finish the drive, scoring on a four yard touchdown pass from Young. Once again, the Vikings were able to answer, but this time it would only be with a Fuad Reveiz field goal early in the fourth quarter. San Fransisco would counter with a Doug Brien field goal of their own, making the score 30-13. Minnesota got the ball back with just under eight minutes to play and once again drove into San Francisco territory, but Moon was intercepted by Merton Hanks, who returned the ball to midfield. From there, the 49ers went on a nine play, 47 yard drive that ate up six minutes of clock. By the time Brien kicked a 28 yard field goal, there were just 39 seconds left to play. Minnesota could do nothing with so little time on the clock, and fell short of the Super Bowl once again. Final Score: San Francisco-33 Minnesota-13 Real Life Score: San Francisco-38 Dallas-28

03-01-2009, 06:17 PM	#170 (permalink)
Apparatus Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 34 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	interesting

03-02-2009, 12:23 PM	#171 (permalink)
Hurkman All Star Reserve Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 714 Thanks: 3 Thanked 7x in 7 posts	Super Bowl XXIX Super Bowl XXIX Joe Robbie Stadium, Miami, FL Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) Head Coach: Bill Cowher 316 Points Scored 234 Points Allowed Starting Quarterback: Neil O'Donnell Road to the Super Bowl: Defeated Kansas City, 10-3: AFC Divisional Playoffs Defeated Cleveland, 14-13: AFC Championship San Francisco 49ers (13-3) Head Coach: George Seifert 505 Points Scored 296 Points Allowed Starting Quarterback: Steve Young Road to the Super Bowl: Defeated Detroit, 16-7: NFC Divisional Playoffs Defeated Minnesota, 33-13: NFC Championship The Game The 75th NFL season had been one of great success, and now it was coming to a close with the two best teams facing off in the Super Bowl. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, it was a chance at their sixth championship, tying them with the Dallas Cowboys for the most all time. Neil O'Donnell and the running back tandem of Bam Morris and Barry Foster provided the offensive spark, while the Pittsburgh defense allowed under 15 points a game during the regular season and recorded 55 sacks. For San Francisco, Super Bowl XXIX was a chance to win their fourth championship in ten years, cementing their place in NFL history. Steve Young, burdened for the past few seasons in his attempts to step out of Joe Montana's shadow led the highest scoring offense in the NFL. Jerry Rice was Young's right hand man, recording almost 1,500 receiving yards. The San Francisco defense was nothing to sneeze at, either, as the addition of Deion Sanders gave them that extra playmaker that they were lacking over the past few seasons. No matter which team came out on top, everyone was certain that Super Bowl XXIX would be one of the best games yet. Despite San Francisco's high scoring offense, it was the defenses of both teams that flexed their muscles in the first quarter. The 49ers had the first scoring chance of the game on their second drive, after a Dexter Carter punt return put them inside Pittsburgh territory. Steve Young guided San Francisco to the 26 yard line, only for Kevin Greene to burst through the line for a sack on third down. With the extra distance added to the field goal attempt, Doug Brien pushed the kick to the right, keeping the 49ers off the scoreboard. Neil O'Donnell and the Pittsburgh offense would take advantage of the San Francisco mistake, with O'Donnell moving the Steelers downfield. When the 49ers managed to stop Pittsburgh's passing game, they easily switched over to their running back duo, and Barry Foster and Bam Morris punished the San Francisco defense. However, the 49ers were able to keep the Steelers out of the end zone, and Pittsburgh had to settle for a Gary Anderson field goal. This time, San Francisco was able to respond, thanks to a 55 yard pass from Steve Young to Marc Logan. Young finished the drive with a ten yard touchdown pass to Nate Singleton to start the second quarter, putting the 49ers up 7-3. San Francisco would move downfield again on their next possession, but once again, they came up short, as Doug Brien missed his second field goal attempt of the half. Pittsburgh made the 49ers pay again as Gary Anderson added his second field goal of the game, cutting the San Francisco lead to just one point. From there, neither team would score again as the first half wound down. Whatever defensive momentum was left from the first half quickly disappeared in the third quarter. Pittsburgh needed just four plays to find the end zone on their first possession, moving quickly downfield thanks to a 53 yard end around by Ernie Mills. Two plays later, Neil O'Donnell found Charles Johnson for an 11 yard touchdown that put the Steelers back on top. Rod Woodson started the next Pittsburgh possession out with a great punt return, taking the ball to midfield. From there, O'Donnell moved the ball slowly downfield, getting the Steelers to the San Francisco 22 yard line before being stopped. Gary Anderson's third field goal of the game sailed through the uprights, and Pittsburgh was up 16-7. The 49ers were able to respond with a scoring drive of their own, as Ricky Watters pounded his way through the Pittsburgh defense. With Watters doing the dirty work, Steve Young assisted, and Doug Brien was finally able to nail a field goal, capping the seven play, 53 yard drive as the third quarter came to a close. Unfortunately for San Francisco, their defense could not stop Pittsburgh from once again moving downfield, and Gary Anderson added his fourth field goal of the game early in the fourth quarter. Once again, Young moved the 49ers downfield, getting to the Pittsburgh three yard line. However, a holding penalty and a sack forced San Francisco to kick another field goal, putting them down 19-13 with just under five minutes to play. Things looked bad for the 49ers, and only got worse when Bam Morris and Barry Foster were able to each break off long runs, taking time off the clock and putting the ball into San Francisco territory. With under two minutes to play, the 49ers finally forced Pittsburgh's offense to stall, stopping them just short of field goal range. Mark Royals' punt rolled into the end zone with 1:41 to play, and San Francisco had to go 80 yards with no timeouts if they were to win the Super Bowl. Two quick runs by Derek Loville caught the Pittsburgh defense off guard, and Steve Young then hit Jerry Rice for a 13 yard gain, putting the ball at the San Francisco 39 yard line. A 24 yard catch by Rice on third down moved the ball inside Pittsburgh territory, but now there were only 42 seconds to play. Two incomplete passes and an eight yard completion later, the 49ers were faced with a fourth down and two from the Pittsburgh 29 yard line. When Young's offensive line collapsed, the game looked like it would be over, but the San Francisco quaterback slipped out of the backfield and scrambled for nine yards. Young followed that up with a 14 yard pass along the sideline to Brent Jones. With just eight seconds to play, the 49ers knew that had only two shots at the end zone. They only needed one. Steve Young threaded a pass through the Pittsburgh secondary and John Taylor came down with the ball, sending the San Francisco sideline into euphoria. Doug Brien's extra point sailed through the uprights, and the 49ers were ahead. Neil O'Donnell had one last chance at a miracle, but his desperate heave toward the end zone fell to the turf. In the last minute and a half of Super Bowl XXIX, Steve Young not only stepped out of the shadow of Joe Montana, but put himself on a different level as the winning quarterback of the most dramatic Super Bowl ever. Final Score: San Francisco-20 Pittsburgh-19 MVP: Steve Young: 20/25, 221 yards, 2 TDs, 2 carries, 19 yards

03-05-2009, 07:13 PM	#173 (permalink)
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 7,601 Thanks: 83 Thanked 143x in 125 posts	I remember that Chiefs-Colts divisional playoff. I think the KC kicker missed 3 or 4 FG attempts. __________________ The Greatest Prize in Sports (a TBCB Dynasty) The Greatest Prize in Sports: Almanac kenyan_cheena's NBA 2K11 Off Topic Dynasty Major League Baseball: 1990 and Beyond... (an OOTP11 Dynasty)

03-08-2009, 10:32 PM	#175 (permalink)
Hurkman All Star Reserve Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 714 Thanks: 3 Thanked 7x in 7 posts	Super Bowl XXX Super Bowl XXX Sun Devil Stadium, Phoenix, AZ Kansas City Chiefs (13-3) Head Coach: Marty Schottenheimer 358 Points Scored 241 Points Allowed Starting Quarterback: Steve Bono Road to the Super Bowl: Defeated Indianapolis, 10-7: AFC Divisional Playoffs Defeated Buffalo, 33-7: AFC Championship San Francisco 49ers (11-5) Head Coach: George Seifert 457 Points Scored 258 Points Allowed Starting Quarterback: Steve Young Road to the Super Bowl: Defeated Detroit, 37-6: NFC Divisional Playoffs Defeated Dallas, 20-16: NFC Championship The Game One year after winning their fourth Super Bowl in dramatic fashion, the San Francisco 49ers had made it back to the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history. Steve Young suffered through injuries, but still managed to lead the highest scoring offense in the NFL. Derek Loville stepped in for the departed Ricky Watters and scored ten touchdowns, while Jerry Rice had another All Pro season and brought in 15 touchdowns. The Kansas City Chiefs, on the other hand, had made it to their first Super Bowl in 26 years. Steve Bono had stepped into Joe Montana's shoes and gotten the Chiefs further than the future Hall of Fame quarterback ever good, and he even outplayed Steve Young, throwing for 21 touchdowns and over 3,200 yards. Kansas City's defense made the difference, as they had only allowed 14 points in two playoff games. The Chiefs were hopeful that their defense could stop the 49ers and lead them to their first Super Bowl victory. After the last few Super Bowls, many fans were expecting an offensive shootout in Super Bowl XXX. What they got was the exact opposite. Neither team could move against the opposing defense, as the number one and number two scoring defenses flexed their muscles early. Kansas City broke into San Francisco territory midway through the first quarter, but that was as close as either team could get in the first stanza. The Chiefs would get the first scoring chance of the game, but Lin Elliot's 49 yard field goal attempt went to the right, and San Francisco was able to take advantage. Their seven play, 66 yard drive ended with a William Floyd nine yard touchdown, putting the 49ers on top. Kansas City tried to respond, but they couldn't cross midfield again, and San Francisco took their 7-0 lead into the half. Much like the first half, the second half was a defensive struggle, with each team attempting to gain the upper hand. Kansas City tried to get on the scoreboard, but they were unable to, and gave the ball back to the 49ers midway through the third quarter. On a third and seven, Steve Young hit J.J. Stokes on a fly route, and the wideout ran untouched for a 67 yard touchdown on his only catch of the game to put the 49ers up by two touchdowns. The Chiefs would finally get a chance to score early in the fourth quarter after a Derek Loville fumble. Even though they lost yards on the drive, Lin Elliot connected on a 33 yard field goal attempt to put Kansas City on the board. The next drive by the Chiefs would be just as successful, as Tamarick Vanover returned a San Francisco punt to midfield. Six plays later, Steve Bono found Webster Slaughter for a 24 yard touchdown. Kansas City went for the first two point conversion in Super Bowl history, but Bono's pass fell incomplete, and the Chiefs were down by five points with just 4:33 to play. They would only see the ball one more time, as Bono was unable to guide them to another first down. San Francisco took over deep in Kansas City territory and just ran out the clock, winning back to back Super Bowls for the first time ever, and establishing Steve Young as the heir apparent to Joe Montana. Final Score: San Francisco-14 Kansas City-9 MVP: William Floyd: 9 carries, 61 yards, TD, 2 catches, 22 yards

03-10-2009, 04:00 PM	#176 (permalink)
Hurkman All Star Reserve Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 714 Thanks: 3 Thanked 7x in 7 posts	Super Bowl Recap: XVI-XXX It's been another 15 seasons, which means it's time for another recap to help people catch up with what's been going on in this alternate reality. Only 13 more seasons to go...the end is in sight! Ten years after becoming the first team to win back to back Super Bowls, the Dallas Cowboys become the first team to win back to back Super Bowls twice. Danny White and Tony Dorsett stepped into the shoes of Roger Staubach and Duane Thomas as the Cowboys defeated the Chargers in Super Bowl XVI and the Steelers in Super Bowl XVII, becoming the first team to beat Pittsburgh in a Super Bowl. Dorsett took MVP honors in both games, making him the first man to win two Super Bowl MVP awards. After years of frustration and a move to Los Angeles, the Raiders were finally able to claim a Super Bowl title, defeating the Redskins in Super Bowl XXVIII. Howie Long earned MVP honors, as his eight tackles and two sacks helped stop the powerful Washington offense. After falling short in two of the previous three NFC Championships, the San Francisco 49ers were finally able to break through, winning Super Bowl XIX against the Denver Broncos. Joe Montana took the MVP award, outdueling John Elway, who was the first quarterback from the 1983 Draft to make it to the Super Bowl. Their win in Super Bowl XX may have been more about defense, but the main player for the Chicago Bears in their dominant win over the Miami Dolphins was Walter Payton. Sweetness scored four times in Chicago's rout, and while the Bears wouldn't get to another Super Bowl in his time with the team, the one title they did earn was well deserved. Three out of the next four Super Bowls featured the same teams. The Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers squared off in Super Bowls XXI, XXII and XXIV. San Francisco took the first matchup, with MVP Joe Cribbs leading the way. The rematch went to Cleveland in a defensive battle and Clay Matthews took MVP honors for his role in stopping the 49ers on offense. After a year layoff, the rubber match went to San Francisco, as Roger Craig took MVP honors for gashing the Cleveland defense. The only Super Bowl that didn't feature the Browns and 49ers in that four year span pitted the Philadelphia Eagles against the Buffalo Bills. In a hard fought battle, the brash Buddy Ryan and Philadelphia's ultimate weapon, Randall Cunningham, were too much for the Bills to handle. Buffalo would get it's turn two years later, as the team that won Super Bowl I took Super Bowl XXV, keeping the 49ers from winning back to back Super Bowls. Thurman Thomas led the way for Buffalo on offense in, what has been to this point, their last Super Bowl trip. The Washington Redskins had come close to winning a Super Bowl before, losing Super Bowls IX and XXVIII, but Mark Rypien and MVP Gary Clark weren't going to let it happen for a third time. Washington's win over John Elway and the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXVI gave them their first Super Bowl championship. Not to be outdone by their NFC East foes, the Dallas Cowboys claimed their record sixth Super Bowl title the next season by defeating the San Diego Chargers in Super Bowl XXVII. Troy Aikman started his career on a 1-15 team, but just three years later, he and MVP Emmitt Smith had stepped out of the shadows of Danny White and Tony Dorsett. After 14 years, the Pittsburgh Steelers were back on top of the NFL after claiming Super Bowl XXVIII over the surprising Detroit Lions. Leroy Thompson scored the game winning touchdown with just 22 seconds to play, but Neil O'Donnell claimed the MVP award for Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh made it back to the Super Bowl the next season, but the San Francisco 49ers had also returned. Steve Young stepped out of the shadow of Joe Montana with an incredible game winning drive in Super Bowl XXIX, then established his own legacy the next season with a win in Super Bowl XXX. San Francisco joined the Steelers with five Super Bowl championships, and became just the third different team to win back to back titles. Code: Super Bowl Scores: Super Bowl XVI: Dallas-24, San Diego-14 Super Bowl XVII: Dallas 31, Pittsburgh-10 Super Bowl XVIII: L.A. Raiders 22, Washington 17 Super Bowl XIX: San Francisco 27, Denver 20 Super Bowl XX: Chicago 38, Miami 3 Super Bowl XXI: San Francisco 28, Cleveland 13 Super Bowl XXII: Cleveland 16, San Francisco 10 Super Bowl XXIII: Philadelphia 19, Buffalo 10 Super Bowl XXIV San Francisco 21, Cleveland 3 Super Bowl XXV: Buffalo 16, San Francisco 9 Super Bowl XXVI: Washington 33, Denver 19 Super Bowl XXVII: Dallas 28, San Diego 24 Super Bowl XXVIII: Pittsburgh 28, Detroit 23 Super Bowl XXXIX: San Francisco 20, Pittsburgh 19 Super Bowl XXX: San Francisco 14, Kansas City 9

03-10-2009, 04:09 PM	#177 (permalink)
Hurkman All Star Reserve Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 714 Thanks: 3 Thanked 7x in 7 posts	The Coaches Eleven coaches managed to claim Super Bowl championships in the past 15 years, including the great Tom Landy, who is the only coach with five Super Bowls to his name. Top Row L-R: Tom Landry (XVI, XVII), Tom Flores (XVIII), Bill Walsh (XIX, XXI), Mike Ditka (XX) Middle Row L-R: Marty Schottenheimer (XXII), Buddy Ryan (XXIII), George Seifert (XXIV, XXIX, XXX), Marv Levy (XXV) Bottom Row L-R: Joe Gibbs (XXVI), Jimmy Johnson (XXVII), Bill Cowher (XXVIII)

03-23-2009, 02:08 PM	#178 (permalink)
Hurkman All Star Reserve Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 714 Thanks: 3 Thanked 7x in 7 posts	1996 AFC Playoffs: Can Expansion Bowl happen? AFC Wild Card Playoffs Buffalo Bills (10-6) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-7) Rich Stadium, Buffalo, NY One year ago, the Jacksonville Jaguars were an expansion team, and they played like it, finishing their first season 4-12. This year, despite a 4-7 start, Jacksonville rallied to win their last five games and secure their first playoff birth. Quarterback Mark Brunell had come into his own, leading the NFL in passing yards with over 4,300 while throwing 19 touchdowns and rushing for over 300 yards. Former San Diego running back Natrone Means provided James Stewart with a counterpart in the backfield, and the wide receiver tandem of Keenan McCardell and Jimmy Smith each finished with over 80 receptions and 1,100 yards. The Buffalo Bills, on the other hand, had enjoyed much success last year, coming within a game of the Super Bowl. This year, they were hoping to take that next step. At age 36, Jim Kelly looked like he was on his last legs, and it showed as he passed for only 2,800 yards with 19 interceptions. Thurman Thomas still provided a spark in the backfield, rushing for over 1,000 yards, but it was the defense that did most of the work for Buffalo. Bruce Smith and company allowed just over 16 points per game on the season, which was good for sixth in the league. The Bills knew that this might be their last chance to get another Super Bowl ring with their core group of players, and the last thing they wanted to do was lose in the first round. The Bills certainly had the edge on Jacksonville on playoff experience, and it showed early. On their second drive, Buffalo was able to move downfield in just four plays. Jim Kelly found Andre Reed for an 11 yard touchdown, and the Bills went ahead. The Jaguars were able to answer on their next drive, as a good mix of running and passing put Jacksonville in position for a Mike Hollis 42 yard field goal. However, the rest of the half belonged to Buffalo. The Bills found the end zone on their next drive, with Thurman Thomas breaking a 20 yard touchdown run on a fourth down and one attempt, putting Buffalo up 14-3. After a Jacksonville punt, the Bills went on the move again. Kelly hit Reed for a second time in the end zone with an eight yard touchdown pass, and the Buffalo lead was now 21-3. Jacksonville's offense, which had been one of the best in the regular season, had stalled against Buffalo's strong defense, and the young Jags went into the half still down by 18 points. The second half didn't start out any better for Jacksonville. Mark Brunell was intercepted by Emanuel Martin on the third play of the half, setting up a Steve Christie 32 yard field goal that extended the Buffalo lead. The Jaguars would finally catch a break later in the third quarter, as Jim Kelly was intercepted by Chris Hudson, who returned the ball to the Buffalo three yard line. However, the Buffalo defense held firm, and the Jaguars were forced to settle for a Mike Hollis field goal. After another Buffalo turnover gave Jacksonville the ball right back, the Jaguars were once again able to move inside the ten yard line of the Bills. For the second straight drive, the Buffalo defense was able to keep the Jaguars out of the end zone, and Hollis was called on for a third time. His field goal cut the lead to 24-9, but the Jaguars were settling for field goals when they should have been getting touchdowns. Those two missed chances inside the ten yard line proved to be Jacksonville's undoing. From that point on, the Bills wouldn't allow the Jaguars to get back across midfield. Buffalo would add another Christie field goal late in the fourth quarter to pad their lead, and the Bills proved that on this day, experience could defeat youth. Final Score: Buffalo-27 Jacksonville-9 Real Life Score: Jacksonville-30 Buffalo-27 Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6) vs. Indianapolis Colts (9-7) Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA The Pittsburgh Steelers were back for another playoff run after being upset by the Buffalo Bills in the 1995 playoffs. Despite losing Neil O'Donnell in free agency, the Steelers were able to survive with veteran Mike Tomczak under center. Of course, their real strength on offense was, as usual, their running game. Jerome Bettis was brought in from the now St. Louis Rams, and was an instant success, finishing the year with over 1,400 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Pittsburgh defense was strong as well, finishing fourth in the league in points allowed while recording 50 sacks and 40 turnovers. Meanwhile, the Indianapolis Colts were just hoping they could prove that they belonged near the top of the NFL's food chain. After almost knocking off the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round of the playoffs last season, the Colts were hoping for more success this year. Jim Harbarugh had a solid, if unspectacular, season, passing for 13 touchdowns and 2,600 yards. Star running back Marshall Faulk battled injuries throughout the year and finished with just 587 rushing yards. If the Colts were going to make another run, it would be even more improbable than the one they made last year. It was the Colts that made the first big move in the game, as Jeff Herrod intercepted Mike Tomczak midway through the first quarter, returning the ball 25 yards for an Indianapolis touchdown. The Steelers were quick to respond, though. A 15 yard personal foul penalty on the Colts on third down kept Pittsburgh's drive alive, and one play later, Erric Pegram burst through the Indianapolis defense for a 46 yard touchdown. After an Indianapolis punt, the Steelers went right back to work, with Pegram again doing most of the heavy lifting on a 58 yard run right through the middle of the Indianapolis defense. This time, it was Andre Hastings who finished the drive with a 14 yard touchdown catch. From there, both defenses took over, keeping each offense from moving the ball very effectively. Pittsburgh's defense would strike late in the second quarter, as Rod Woodson stepped in front of an errant Jim Harbaugh pass. The All Pro returned the interception 34 yards for a touchdown, and the Steelers went into the half up 21-7. The momentum that Pittsburgh picked up on their late interception carried over into the second half. While Erric Pegram did most of the work on the ground in the first half, Jerome Bettis was more than happy to do his part in the third quarter. Bettis pounded the Colts on the first drive of the second half, first breaking off a 45 yard run, then finishing the drive with a four yard touchdown run that extended Pittsburgh's lead. Bettis would strike again on the next Steeler drive, which turned into a 14 play, 90 yard backbreaker. Bettis was responsible for 34 of the 90 yards, and when Indianapolis started looking for him to run, Mike Tomczak was able to pass it right over the top. Andre Hastings finished the drive with his second touchdown catch of the day, and the Steelers went up by a score of 35-7. The Colts would add a Cary Blanchard field goal early in the fourth quarter, but this day belonged to the Steelers. Pegram scored his second touchdown of the day midway through the fourth quarter, and Norm Johnson finally capped the scoring with a late field goal. This year, the Colts would not get a chance in the second round, as the Steelers looked like a team to be feared. Final Score: Pittsburgh-45 Indianapolis-10 Real Life Score: Pittsburgh-42 Indianapolis-14 AFC Divisional Playoffs Denver Broncos (13-3) vs. Buffalo Bills (10-6) Mile High Stadium, Denver, CO After two straight years of watching the playoffs at home, the Denver Broncos had returned as a force to be reckoned with. John Elway, even at age 36, had returned to his Pro Bowl form, passing for 3,300 yards and 26 touchdowns. Tight End Shannon Sharpe was still Elway's favorite target, finishing with over 1,000 yards for the second time in his career. The biggest addition, though, was that of second year running back Terrell Davis. Davis, a sixth round pick a year ago, had stormed onto the scene, finishing his second season with over 1,500 yards and 13 touchdowns. The Denver defense was also much improved, as Alfred Williams led the way with 13 sacks. However, the Broncos knew that the Bills could be a very dangerous team, and they were not going to take them lightly, especially with Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas and Andre Reed still playing. It didn't take long for Terrell Davis to make himself known in the playoffs. After John Elway hit Ed McCaffrey with a 40 yard pass on the first play of the game, Davis finished the drive with a five yard touchdown run, giving the Broncos a very early lead. Denver had a chance to increase that lead on their next drive, but Vaughn Hebron fumbled the football at the Buffalo ten yard line. However, the Bills were forced to punt, and Hebron redeemed himself with a solid return that put the ball inside Buffalo territory. Elway did the rest, threading his passes through the Buffalo defense before hitting McCaffrey with a 20 yard touchdown pass. The Bills would finally respond midway through the second quarter on a 39 yard run by Thurman Thomas, but the Broncos would answer right back. Elway hit Aaron Craver with a 49 yard swing pass, then found Anthony Miller for 21 yards before Davis plunged into the end zone from three yards out. His second touchdown put the Broncos up 21-7. Denver would close out the half with a 25 yard field goal by Jason Elam, and the Broncos looked to be in total control of the game. After the Denver offensive explosion in the first half, most fans were expecting more of the same in the second half. They would be sadly mistaken, as the Broncos would not score again for the rest of the game. However, their defense would also keep the Bills from posing any sort of threat. Buffalo's first two drives each ended in Denver territory. First, Jim Kelly was intercepted at the Denver 35 yard line, then Steve Christie pushed a 47 yard field goal try to the right. The Broncos would then have each of their next two punts blocked by the Bills, but Buffalo still couldn't get any points off of the Denver mistakes. Buffalo's last possession ended at the Denver 14 yard line with over seven minutes to play, but the Broncos would not allow the Bills to get the ball back. Terrell Davis, Aaron Craver and Vaughn Hebron pounded time off the clock and ensured that the Broncos would be hosting the AFC Championship. Final Score: Denver-24 Buffalo-7 Real Life Score: Jacksonville-30 Denver-27 New England Patriots (11-5) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6) Foxboro Stadium, Foxborough, MA For the first time since 1978, the New England Patriots were hosting a playoff game. Drew Bledsoe had started to emerge as one of the top quarterbacks in the league, passing for over 4,000 yards with 27 touchdowns and only 15 interceptions. Second year running back Curtis Martin helped bring balance to one of the top offenses in the NFL, as he finished the year with over 1,100 yards and 14 touchdowns. Terry Glenn had proved to be a solid rookie receiver as he brought in 90 passes for a team leading 1,132 yards. The New England defense wasn't great, but it did enough to win games, and the Patriots had forced 34 turnovers during the regular season. However, the Pittsburgh Steelers had one of the best defenses in the NFL, and they knew that if they could stop the New England offense, they could win. Much of the first half went exactly as the Steelers had hoped. After the Patriots punted on their first possession, Pittsburgh was able to move downfield with a mix of runs by Jerome Bettis and Erric Pegram and passes by Mike Tomczak. A Tomczak 29 yard pass to Yancey Thigpen put the Steelers inside the New England ten yard line, where Andre Hastings came down with a five yard Tomczak pass, giving Pittsburgh the lead. The Patriots would strike back on the next Pittsburgh drive, as Tomczak was intercepted by Jimmy Hitchcock inside Steeler territory. From there, Drew Bledsoe went to work, shredding the Pittsburgh defense before hitting Curtis Martin with an eight yard touchdown pass that tied the game. That would be the last time that New England would cross midfield in the half. The next three Pittsburgh possessions would end in field goals by Norm Johnson, with his last kick coming as time expired in the first half, putting the Steelers up 16-7. The field goal kicking display would continue in the third quarter. Following a New England punt, the Steelers would embark on a 15 play, 75 yard drive that took almost 10 minutes off the clock. A defensive stand by New England kept Pittsburgh out of the end zone, and Norm Johnson added his fourth field goal of the game. When the Patriots were forced to punt, the Steelers once again marched downfield, with Mike Tomczak doing most of the work. Once again, they were stopped by the Patriots, and once again, Johnson came out and ended the drive with a field goal, his fifth of the game. With just 6:40 to play, Curtis Martin was stopped on a fourth down converstion attempt, and it looked like the game was over. However, Erric Pegram was stripped two plays later, and the Patriots were able to take advantage of the turnover, going 58 yards in just under two minutes, and Will Moore brought in a 17 yard pass from Drew Bledsoe to cut the Pittsburgh lead to 22-14. The Patriots forced a punt by the Steelers with just under two minutes to play, but a holding penalty put the ball back at their own five yard line. Needing to go 95 yards, and make a two point conversion, Drew Bledsoe calmly began moving the Patriots downfield. A 13 yard pass to Terry Glenn gave New England breathing room, then a 39 yard run by Curtis on a surprise draw play put New England in Pittsburgh territory. Bledsoe then hit Troy Brown for 11 more yards before two runs by Martin and a seven yard pass to Sam Gash put the Patriots at the Pittsburgh 19 yard line with no timeouts and 15 seconds to play. Bledsoe stared down the Steelers and threw a perfect strike to Glenn in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown. Curtis Martin added the first two point conversion in NFL playoff history, and the game was improbably tied. The shocked Steelers ran out the remaining few seconds, sending the game to overtime. Pittsburgh won the toss, but was unable to do anything with the ball and punted it to the Patriots. On second and ten, Drew Bledsoe hit Shawn Jefferson in stride, with nothing between him and the endzone but about 25 yards of grass. However, Jefferson dropped the football, and after a Pittsburgh sack, New England was forced to punt. The Steelers looked to be making progress on their next drive, but a holding penalty set them back to their own 43 yard line. Jerome Bettis made sure that it wouldn't matter, as he broke a 40 yard run on the very next play, putting the Steelers into field goal range. Three plays later, Norm Johnson added his sixth field goal of the game, and the Steelers were headed to their third AFC Championship in four years. Final Score: Pittsburgh-25 New England-22/OT Real Life Score: New England-28 Pittsburgh-3 AFC Championship Game Mile High Stadium, Denver, CO Denver Broncos (13-3) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6) For the first time in five years, the Denver Broncos were in the AFC Championship. With one of the best offenses in football, and a solid defense to go along with it, the Broncos were regarded as one of the best teams in the NFL. However, the Pittsburgh Steelers were making their fourth appearance in the AFC Championship in five years, and while they didn't have the same offensive firepower that the Broncos had, they did have one of the best defenses in the NFL, as well as Jerome Bettis, who was the key for Pittsburgh on offense. While most people expected the Broncos to win, no one would be surprised if the Steelers managed to pull off the upset. Of course, for the Steelers to win the AFC Championship, they would have to play mistake free football. Having Mike Tomczak's first pass of the game be intercepted by Lionel Washington was not a good start. What made it even worse was that the Broncos wasted little time getting into scoring position. Jason Elam finished the drive with a 26 yard field goal, and Denver was on top early. After Vaughn Hebron returned the next Pittsburgh punt to midfield, the Broncos struck again. Terrell Davis broke a 32 yard run, then brought in a ten yard pass from John Elway to put the ball at the Pittsburgh one yard line. Aaron Craver did the rest, pounding into the end zone from a yard out to put Denver up 10-0. The Broncos looked as if they might score again on their next drive, but Ed McCaffrey fumbled the ball inside Pittsburgh territory and the Steelers recovered. However, Pittsburgh could do nothing with the ball and gave it right back to Denver. On the next play, Elway was intercepted by Chad Brown, but once again, the Bronco defense kept the Steelers from moving with the football and forced another Pittsburgh punt. On the next Denver drive, Elway was intercepted again, but once more the Steelers were unable to put any points on the board, as Norm Johnson missed a 40 yard field goal attempt. The Broncos were then able to get their turnover woes under control, and Elway needed just three plays to move 70 yards. Anthony Miller finished things off with a 32 yard touchdown catch, and Denver had quickly made the Steelers pay for thier missed chances. Pittsburgh would punt on their next drive, and Elam would then add a second field goal as the first half came to a close, putting the Broncos up 20-0. The sloppy play from both teams carried over into the start of the second half. Denver's first drive of the third quarter had some promise, but ended with another John Elway interception. However, the Steelers turned the ball right back over on a fumble by Erric Pegram. This time, the Broncos would hold onto the ball, and Jason Elam would add his third field goal of the game. The next Pittsburgh possession finally allowed the Steelers to answer back, as Mike Tomczak was able to find Charles Johnson for a 26 yard gain, then a 15 yard gain later in the drive to put the ball at the Denver one yard line. From there, Jerome Bettis did the rest, moving the pile forward for a touchdown and putting the Steelers on the scoreboard. Pittsburgh decided to go for a two point converstion, and Mark Bruener brought it in, cutting the Denver lead to 23-8. However, the Broncos had an answer for the Steelers on their next drive. Vaughn Hebron broke a 48 yard run through the heart of the Pittsburgh defense, and Elway then hit Shannon Sharpe for a ten yard touchdown that put the game out of reach. The Steelers never got another scoring chance, and the Broncos, despite their sloppy play, were headed to the Super Bowl. Final Score: Denver-30 Pittsburgh-8 Real Life Score: New England-20 Jacksonville-6 (In New England) Last edited by Hurkman; 08-04-2009 at 02:17 PM.

03-25-2009, 06:26 PM	#179 (permalink)
Hurkman All Star Reserve Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 714 Thanks: 3 Thanked 7x in 7 posts	1996 NFC Playoffs: Can Favre and the Packers make it to New Orleans? NFC Wild Card Playoffs Dallas Cowboys (10-6) vs. Minnesota Vikings (9-7) Texas Stadium, Irving, TX One year after coming up just short in the NFC Championship, the Dallas Cowboys were once again in the playoffs, only this year, they would have to take a longer road if they wanted to make it to Super Bowl XXXI. The usually powerful Dallas offense seemed to stall out, as Troy Aikman threw only 12 touchdowns compared to 13 interceptions, and Emmitt Smith followed up his record setting 1995 with just 12 touchdowns on the ground. However, the Dallas defense was still one of the most feared in the NFL, as Deion Sanders, Tony Tolbert and Darren Woodson led a unit that finished third in the league in points and yards allowed. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings looked as if they could be a team on the rise. Brad Johnson replaced an injured Warren Moon midway through the season, and managed to pass for 17 touchdowns in just eight starts. Chris Carter and Jake Reed had formed one of, if not the best wide receiver pairing in the NFL and John Randle led a defense that recorded 43 sacks and 35 turnovers. Unfortunately for the Vikings, that defense was shredded on the first Dallas drive. Emmitt Smith broke a 21 yard run on the third play of the game, which was then followed by a 21 yard pass from Troy Aikman to Kelvin Martin that put the ball at the Minnesota 14 yard line. Smith finished the drive from there, rumbling through the Minnesota defense for a 14 yard touchdown. The next Cowboy drive wouldn't even take that long, as Aikman found second year tight end Eric Bjornson open in the middle of the field. Bjornson wouldn't stop until he reached the end zone on a 53 yard touchdown catch, putting Dallas up 14-0. The Vikings looked as if they would answer on their next possession, but Chris Carter fumbled the ball away at the Dallas eight yard line. However, the Cowboys would be forced to punt, and David Palmer returned the ball to the Dallas ten yard line. From there, the Vikings would not gain a single yard, and had to settle for a Scott Sisson field goal as their first points of the game. From that point on, the first half belonged to the Cowboys. After a punt on their first drive of the second quarter, Dallas would go on to score on four straight drives, all thanks to field goals by Chris Boniol. Meanwhile, the Cowboys were also able to keep Minnesota off the board and add an interception by Roger Harper and a fumble recovery by Leon Lett that were responsible for the final two field goals of the half. Down by 23 points at the half, the Vikings knew that they would have to score some points on their opening drive. They managed to do just that, going 65 yards in ten plays before having to settle for a second Scott Sisson field goal. The Cowboys would answer back midway through the third quarter, using Emmitt Smith and Sherman Williams to gash through the Minnesota front seven. Smith had the honors of finishing the drive with an eight yard touchdown run, and the game was, for all intensive purposes, over. Robert Smith would score on a two yard run for the Vikings early in the fourth quarter, and Chris Carter would add the two point conversion, but that would be the last time that Minnesota would come close to scoring. Dallas would finish the day with ten more points, thanks to a 31 yard touchdown pass from Troy Aikman to Michael Irvin and a late Chris Boniol field goal. While the Cowboys weren't as good in the regular season as they had been in the past few years, they certainly looked ready for the playoffs. Final Score: Dallas-43 Minnesota-14 Real Life Score: Dallas-40 Minnesota-15 (This is the last playoff game the Dallas Cowboys have won in real life.) San Francisco 49ers (12-4) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (10-6) Candlestick Park, San Francisco, CA Much like the Dallas Cowboys, the two time defending Super Bowl champion San Francisco 49ers found themselves in unfamiliar territory in the playoffs. Thanks to a run by the upstart Carolina Panthers, the 49ers would have to start their run to a third straight Super Bowl victory in the Wild Card round. That didn't mean that they weren't a team to be feared, though. Despite injuries, Steve Young still threw for 2,400 yards and 14 touchdowns, while Jerry Rice once again brought in over 100 catches and 1,200 yards. The defense was also solid, allowing just over 16 points a game while recording 45 sacks. While the 49ers were consistant on both sides of the ball, the Philadelphia Eagles could only find stability on offense. Ty Detmer had stepped into the starting quarterback role and had a decent season, with almsot 3,000 yards and 15 touchdowns, and Ricky Watters ran for 1,400 yards and 14 scores, but the Philadelphia defense was horribly inconsistant. The Eagles allowed over 21 points per game, despite allowing the fifth fewest yards in the NFL, which meant that if the 49ers were able to strike with longer plays, the Eagles would be done for. It didn't take long for the 49ers to take advantage of some Philadelphia mistakes. Midway through the first quarter, Ty Detmer was intercepted by Marquez Pope, who returned the ball to the Philadelphia 13 yard line. One play later, Steve Young hit Terry Kirby on a swing pass, and the former Dolphin ran untouched into the end zone for the opening score of the game. The next Philadelphia drive produced the same result, as Pope picked Detmer off for the second time in the quarter. This time, it would take four plays, but Kirby would find the end zone again on an 11 yard touchdown run, putting the 49ers up 14-0. The Eagles would make progess on their next drive, as they were finally able to put the ball in San Francisco territory, but Gary Anderson missed a 47 yard field goal attempt, ending the threat. However, San Francisco was unable to add any more points to their lead, as Steve Young was intercepted by Troy Vincent, and Jeff Wilkins missed a 42 yard field goal try. Despite those mistakes, the 49ers were still able to carry their 14-0 lead into the half. Philadelphia came out in the second half and looked like a different team, as they were able to march right downfield on their opening drive against the 49er defense. Once they got inside the ten yard line, though, they found the resistance much more difficult. After being stopped at the one yard line on third down and goal, the Eagles decided to take a chance and go for the touchdown on fourth down. Kevin Turner was stopped dead in his tracks, and the Eagles were left without any points. Once again though San Francisco's offense was unable to move against a Philadelphia defense that seemed able to shake off the early blows that the 49ers had struck against them. Early in the fourth quarter, Mike Zordich intercepted Steve Young inside San Francisco territory, giving the Eagles another chance at a score. However, Ty Detmer was intercepted for the third time on the very next play. Following the turnover, the 49ers were able to go on an eight play, 53 yard drive that ended with another Terry Kirby score, as he found the end zone on an eight yard run. Philadelphia was unable to cross midfield after that, and San Francisco added a late Jeff Wilkins field goal to cap the scoring. While San Francisco would have to win two more games to get to the Super Bowl, it certainly looked as if they were up to the challenge. Final Score: San Francisco-24 Philadelphia-0 Real Life Score: San Francisco-14 Philadelphia-0 NFC Divisional Playoffs Carolina Panthers (12-4) vs. Dallas Cowboys (10-6) Ericsson Stadium, Charlotte, NC While the rise of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC was a shock to most, the Carolina Panthers proved that expansion teams can become successful in just two seasons. After a 7-9 expansion year, the Panthers surged to a 12-4 record and the NFC Western Division title in their second year. Kerry Collins was named to his first Pro Bowl as he threw for almost 2,500 yards and 14 touchdowns. Anthony Johnson was given the starting job at running back, and he responded with an 1,100 yard, six touchdown season. Meanwhile, the Carolina defense sported four Pro Bowlers and was led by veteran Kevin Greene. The defense also recorded 60 sacks and allowed just 218 points for the entire season, giving Panther fans reason to believe that their team could make it to the Super Bowl in just their second season. Things couldn't have started any better for the Panthers once the game started, either. On their opening drive, Anthony Johnson rumbled through the Dallas defense before Kerry Collins was able to find Howard Griffith for a 12 yard touchdown and an early 7-0 lead. The Cowboys had been down in the playoffs before, however, and responded with an 11 play, 72 yard drive that ended with a one yard touchdown run by Emmitt Smith. Carolina could get nothing going on their next drive, and, following a Dallas punt on their next possession, Collins made the first mistake of the game when he was intercepted by Darren Woodson at his own 13 yard line. On third down and two from the Carolina five yard line, Troy Aikman dropped back and scrambled out of the pocket. With Kevin Greene in pursuit, Aikman outran the veteran for a five yard touchdown run and a Dallas lead. The Panthers were unable to get anything going on offense, as the Cowboys focused on stopping Carolina's rushing game, putting the pressure on the second year quarterback Kerry Collins. Meanwhile, the Dallas offense was able to put together one more scoring drive in the first half, as Chris Boniol added a 36 yard field goal to put Dallas up 17-7 at the half. The young Panthers knew that they needed to rebound quickly from a poor first half, and they caught a break early in the third quarter when Troy Aikman was intercepted by Chad Cota at the Dallas 15 yard line. Cota returned the pick to the Dallas seven yard line, and Anthony Johnson did the rest, scoring on the very next play to pull Carolina within three points. However, the Cowboys were once again able to keep the Panthers at bay with a scoring drive of their own on their next possession. After three straight runs brought the Carolina linebackers closer to the line of scrimmage, Aikman delivered a perfect pass to Eric Bjornson, who ran untouched for a 48 yard touchdown to make the Dallas lead ten points once again. The Panthers were able to respond with a long drive, but John Kasay missed a 46 yard field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter. Dallas would score twice more in the final quarter, once on a touchdown pass from Aikman to Michael Irvin and again on a 34 yard field goal by Chris Boniol. While the Panthers managed to block the extra point on the Irvin touchdown, it was the last highlight they would have of their season. The more experienced Cowboys had easily brushed aside the young Panthers and were headed to their fourth NFC Championship in five years. Final Score: Dallas-33 Carolina-14 Real Life Score: Carolina-26 Dallas-17 Green Bay Packers (13-3) vs. San Francisco 49ers (12-4) Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI The Green Bay Packers had made the playoffs in each of the past three seasons, only to be removed without a win each year. Despite back to back MVP seasons from Brett Favre, there were doubts about how well he could perform in the playoffs. The Green Bay quarterback hoped to put those doubts to rest after another excellent regular season. Favre passed for just under 3,900 yards with 39 touchdowns compared to only 13 touchdowns as he led the highest scoring team in the NFL. Veteran tight end Keith Jackson became Favre's end zone target, catching 10 touchdowns on the season, while second year receiver Antonio Freeman led the team with 933 yards through the air. The Green Bay defense was also one of the best in the NFL, finishing first in yards and points allowed while forcing 39 turnovers. The Packers also held a regular season victory over the San Francisco 49ers, so many were hopeful that Green Bay could finally win a playoff game and head to their second NFC Championship. The first quarter certainly started out the way the Packers had hoped it would. After an exchange of punts on opening possessions, Eugene Robinson intercepted Steve Young at midfield. Seven plays later, Brett Favre found Keith Jackson for an 11 yard touchdown, and the Packers had an early lead. The defending champions wouldn't go down without a fight, though, and they quickly moved downfield on their next possession. The eight play, 59 yard drive ended with a Jeff Wilkins 34 yard field goal, cutting the lead to 7-3. San Francisco would cut the lead further on their next possession as Wilkins added another field goal. The 49ers would add another field goal on their next drive, thanks to an interception by Marquez Pope. Wilkins' third field goal of the second quarter gave San Francisco the lead, but Favre wasn't done with the first half yet. With just under a minute and a half to play in the first half, Favre moved the Packers quickly downfield and found Antonio Freeman for a 15 yard touchdown pass with just 35 seconds to play in the half, putting Green Bay back on top. The third quarter started with a defensive struggle, as neither team could make any progess on the opposing defense. Midway through the quarter, Brett Favre made his second mistake of the game as he fumbled on a scramble attempt, giving San Francisco the ball at the Green Bay 25 yard line. Just as it had been for the entire game, the 49ers were unable to get into the end zone, and had to settle for a fourth Jeff Wilkins field goal that would cut the Green Bay lead to just two points. Following a Green Bay punt, San Franciscio would have a chance to take the lead as their running game set Wilkins up with a 50 yard attempt. The kick was just a little too far to the right, and bounced off the upright and to the field. From there, the Packers would dominate the 49ers on defense, not allowing them back into scoring range for the rest of the game. Green Bay would add a late Chris Jacke field goal, and for the first time since 1972, the Packers were headed to the NFC Championship. Final Score: Green Bay-17 San Francisco-12 Real Life Score: Green Bay-35 San Francisco-14 NFC Championship Game Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI Green Bay Packers (13-3) vs. Dallas Cowboys (10-6) After years of frustration, Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers had finally won a playoff game and were in the NFC Championship. Waiting for them were the battle tested Dallas Cowboys, who were appearing in their fourth NFC title game in the past five years. While the Cowboys were less effective on offense in the regular season than the Packers, the playoffs had been a different story, as Dallas had scored over 30 points in both their wins. Meanwhile, the Packers had struggled with a game San Francisco team, and while they thought they could hold their own against the Cowboys, they knew that Brett Favre would have to be careful with the football if they wanted to head to their first Super Bowl in 24 years. The Packers were determined to stop the rejuvenated Dallas offense, but they couldn't do it on Dallas' first possession. Troy Aikman hit Michael Irvin for 32 yards on the second play of the game, then found Eric Bjornson for eight more before yielding to Emmitt Smith. While Smith couldn't find the end zone, he set up Chris Boniol for a 34 yard field goal and an early lead. The Green Bay offense could find no answer early for the Dallas defense, and Brett Favre soon made his first mistake, throwing a costly interception deep in Cowboy territory. While Dallas had to punt following the turnover, it had taken points for Green Bay away, and that was enough damage. The next Packer drive had the same result, as Favre was intercepted by George Teague at the Dallas 16 yard line. This time, the Cowboys were able to make the Packers pay for their mistake with a 14 play, 73 yard drive that ended with a second Boniol field goal. The next Dallas drive would see them finally find the end zone, thanks to an 82 yard catch and run by Daryl Johnston, which was followed with a three yard touchdown pass from Aikman to Kelvin Martin. The last Green Bay drive of the half ended with Favre's third interception of the half, and the Packers left the field to a chorus of boos and a 13-0 deficit. The third quarter provided little comfort to Packer fans who were hoping for a quick fix when the second half started. While the Green Bay defense was able to keep the Cowboys from scoring, Brett Favre and the Green Bay offense was unable to move the ball into scoring position until late in the third quarter. Dorsey Levens broke a 63 yard run through the heart of the Dallas defense, which set up Chris Jacke's 40 yard field goal to finally put the Packers on the scoreboard. Desmond Howard helped the Packers climb even closer when he returned a Cowboy punt to the Dallas eight yard line early in the fourth quarter. Edgar Bennett scored on the next play, and the Packers were down by only three with 14:30 left to play. After another Dallas punt, the Packers had a chance to tie or take the lead, but the Cowboys were able to force a Green Bay punt, and the Dallas offense responded with a ten play, 53 yard drive. Despite Emmitt Smith almost losing the ball on a fumble midway through the drive, the Cowboys were able to get the ball inside the Green Bay ten yard line, where Troy Aikman hit Smith for a five yard, backbreaking touchdown. The Packers would get just one last possession, and when Favre's pass for Dorsey Levens was knocked down, the Cowboys were headed to their ninth Super Bowl, and the Packers were just headed home. Final Score: Dallas-20 Green Bay-10 Real Life Score: Green Bay-30 Carolina-13

03-29-2009, 02:52 PM	#180 (permalink)
Hurkman All Star Reserve Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 714 Thanks: 3 Thanked 7x in 7 posts	Super Bowl XXXI Super Bowl XXXI The Superdome, New Orleans, LA Denver Broncos (13-3) Head Coach: Mike Shanahan 391 Points Scored 275 Points Allowed Starting Quarterback: John Elway Road to the Super Bowl: Defeated Buffalo, 24-7: AFC Divisional Playoffs Defeated Pittsburgh, 30-8: AFC Championship Dallas Cowboys (10-6) Head Coach: Barry Switzer 286 Points Scored 250 Points Allowed Starting Quarterback: Troy Aikman Road to the Super Bowl: Defeated Minnesota, 43-14: NFC Wild Card Playoffs Defeated Carolina, 33-14: NFC Divisional Playoffs Defeated Green Bay, 20-10: NFC Championship The Game For the ninth time, the Dallas Cowboys had made it to the Super Bowl. Despite an average regular season on offense from Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith, the Cowboys managed to get into the playoffs. Once there, the offense came back to life, and coupled with an already solid defense, the Cowboys had become the hottest team in the NFL. Meanwhile, John Elway was still looking for his first Super Bowl championship. Elway had gotten the Broncos to the Super Bowl twice, but came up short against both the San Francisco 49ers and Washington Redskins. This looked like it could be his year, though. Sixth round pick Terrell Davis had emerged as the running threat that Elway had never had before, as he rushed for over 1,500 yards in just his second season. The Denver defense was also stronger than it had been in their previous two Super Bowl trips, having allowed the fourth fewest yards in the NFL during the regular season. Despite both teams showing their offensive skills in the playoffs, Super Bowl XXXI quickly turned into a defensive struggle. Neither team could do anything on their opening possessions, but the Broncos got something going the second time they had the ball. John Elway hit Anthony Miller for a 40 yard gain, which set up Jason Elam for a 40 yard field goal for the first points of the game. Dallas was quick to answer, as Troy Aikman led the Cowboys on an 11 play, 56 yard drive. Chris Boniol kicked a 27 yard field goal to finish things off, and the game was tied. Denver had another chance to score early in the second quarter, when a combination of runs by Terrell Davis and passes from John Elway set the Broncos off on a nine minute drive. However, it would not result in any points, as Elam missed a 41 yard field goal attempt. The Cowboys were able to take advantage of the Denver mistake, thanks in large part to a 21 yard catch by Michael Irvin and a 40 yard run by Emmitt Smith. The Broncos were able to hold the Cowboys from getting into the end zone, and Chris Boniol nailed his second field goal of the half to put Dallas up 6-3. Denver could do nothing on their next possession, and the Super Bowl went to the half with the same 6-3 score. The Cowboys started with the ball in the second half, and it didn't take long for them to begin moving downfield once again. Troy Aikman's passes to Kevin Williams and Daryl Johnston set up Emmitt Smith, who brought the ball all the way to the Denver one yard line. From there, the Denver defense once again stepped up and forced Chris Boniol to kick a 20 yard field goal that put Dallas up 9-3. The Broncos needed an answer, and they got it thanks to Terrell Davis. The Denver running back broke free for a 29 yard run on a third down and eight play, which set up Jason Elam for a 48 yard field goal that cut the Cowboy lead to just three points once again. After a Dallas punt on their next possession, it looked like momentum was with the Broncos, until John Elway was intercepted by Darren Woodson at the Broncos 38 yard line. A 17 yard pass from Aikman to Michael Irvin put the Cowboys in position to score their first touchdown of the game, but Alfred Williams came bursting through the line and brought Aikman down for a sack on third down. Chris Boniol's fourth field goal of the game put Dallas up 12-6. Once again, the Broncos needed to respond, but this time, they couldn't get anything going on offense and had to punt the ball back to the Cowboys. With a chance to run out the clock, Dallas took over four minutes away from the Broncos, but it could have been much worse. Alfred Williams came up with his second sack of the quarter on a second down, which was followed with another sack by Harald Hasselbach. Dallas punted the ball back to the Broncos with just 2:46 to play, giving Denver one last shot at winning. The Broncos started their drive with two quick runs by Terrell Davis which pushed them out to their own 40 yard line. From there, John Elway hit Aaron Craver for 13 more yards as the Broncos made their way into Dallas territory. A short run by Davis and an incomplete pass put Denver in a third down and nine situation, but Elway found Anthony Miller for 11 yards, which kept the drive alive. Another incomplete pass and a short run had the Broncos facing a third down and eight, but once again Elway found Miller, this time for a 29 yard gain all the way to the Dallas four yard line. With under a minute to play and no time outs remaining, the Broncos took a chance and ran Davis off tackle to the right. The Denver running back found a crease and snuck into the end zone for the first touchdown of the game. Jason Elam's extra point was good, and the Broncos found themselves ahead with just 48 seconds to play. The Cowboys weren't done yet, though. After a good kick return set them up at their own 32 yard line, Troy Aikman went to work. First, he found Eric Bjornson for eight yards, then Emmitt Smith for 15 yards, putting Dallas at midfield. From there, Alfred Williams came through the line again, sacking Aikman for the fourth time in the game and the third time in the fourth quarter. Aikman's last two passes into the end zone fell incomplete, and John Elway was finally able to celebrate a Super Bowl championship. Final Score: Denver-13 Dallas-12 MVP: Alfred Williams: 6 tackles, 4 sacks

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