Review: From Pirates to Powerhouse The 15 Forgotten Coaches Who Built the Steelers' Foundation

By John Turney 

Most accounts of Pittsburgh Steelers history begin in earnest with Chuck Noll’s arrival in 1969, the Immaculate Reception, and the Steel Curtain, you know the usual suspects. That is understandable—the franchise’s six Super Bowl titles and the long-term stability under Noll, Bill Cowher, and Mike Tomlin (with Mike McCarthy now the fourth coach of the modern era) dominate the popular culture of the fan base. It's what they know, what they grew up with. And that's fine, but it's not the only lens to view the franchise in the Steel City.

David Orochena’s new book From Pirates to Powerhouse does something rarer and more useful: it treats the preceding thirty-six seasons and fifteen head coaches as the necessary, if often painful, foundation rather than mere prologue.

Organized in three parts, the book moves chronologically from the 1933 expansion Pirates through the wartime mergers (the Steagles and Card-Pitts), the postwar single-wing holdouts (the club not adopting the T-Formation until the early 1950s), the Buddy Parker years, and the final pre-Noll stints under Mike Nixon and Bill Austin. 

Each coach receives a dedicated chapter that mixes biography, contemporary newspaper accounts (primarily via Newspapers.com), key games, statistical context drawn from Pro Football Reference, and the author’s own "Perspective of an Average Steelers Fan" that includes his passionate memories of the team. That is illustrated by song selections at the close of most chapters supply a light personal touch.

We love stuff like that.

The early chapters are especially strong on the precarious economics of the 1930s NFL. Art Rooney’s $2,500 franchise purchase, the roles of investors such as Milton Jaffe, the reliance on local sandlot and semipro talent (guys like Ray Kemp, Mose Kelsch, Harp Vaughan), and the absence of a draft until 1936 are handled with great detail.

Orochena covers Forrest "Jap" Douds’s 3-6-2 player-coach debut, Luby DiMeolo’s one-and-done 2-10 season, Joe Bach’s two stints (including the near-miss 1936 campaign and the later introduction of the T-formation with Jim Finks), and Johnny Blood McNally’s colorful tenure; all are covered. 

Walt Kiesling’s multiple stints, the brief co-coaching arrangements with Bert Bell, Aldo “Buff” Donelli, Greasy Neale, and Phil Handler, and the later arrivals of Jock Sutherland, John Michelosen, Buddy Parker, and the others are placed in the broader context of league instability, wartime roster shortages, and Rooney’s persistent efforts to keep the franchise solvent through some pretty harsh times.

The author is pretty clear-eyed about the record: the pre-Noll Steelers lost more than they won, coaching turnover was high (eight of the fifteen lasted one season or less; several quit mid-season or just before), and talent was frequently traded away for short-term help. 

Yet he argues persuasively that these coaches—and the organizational habits they and the Rooneys developed—created the conditions under which later success became possible. The last chapters draw the explicit line to the modern era: the shift under Dan Rooney toward stability, draft-centric building (greatly aided by Bill Nunn’s HBCU scouting work), and a preference for young, first-time head coaches in their mid-thirties. 

The book's appendices supply coaching records, an abridged Top 500 Steelers ranking, Pro Football Hall of Fame members, and the Steelers Hall of Honor, giving the volume lasting reference value among other sundries.

The author's prior Steelers Depot columns and input from the Heinz History Center. His tone is that of an informed, longtime fan (since 1972, Orochena has attended games since the early 2000s and writes regularly for Steelers Depot) rather than some academic monograph; it reads easily.

From Pirates to Powerhouse fills a genuine gap in history, from the beginning until the arrival of Noll. And that's a ton of history that has not been covered like the other longtime NFL teams like the Bears or Packers or Lions, etc.

Readers interested in the full arc of Steelers history—or in the broader story of how a chronically losing small-market franchise of the 1930s–1960s became one of the NFL’s most stable and successful organizations—will find this a worthwhile addition.

The book, Orochena Press (Potomac, Maryland), First Edition 2026, is 186 pages (Advance Review Copy) with 16 of those in an appendix. It is available November 16, 2026, on Amazon (print and Kindle) and IngramSpark (print) and the listed price is 20 bucks in paperback and eight on Kindle. 

Author bio: 

David Orochena is a longtime contributor to Steelers Depot, where he writes the “Perspective of an Average Steelers Fan” series. A Pittsburgh native and Steelers fan since 1972, he has attended games since Heinz Field (now Acrisure Stadium) opened and became a season-ticket holder in the PNC Champions Club in 2015. 

He hosts a regular Steelers Town Hall on the Clubhouse app and is a familiar presence among fans at the stadium. After a career with the U.S. Departments of Transportation and Homeland Security, he lives in Maryland and continues to write extensively about Steelers history, roster analysis, and franchise traditions. This is his first book.

Raiders’ Pete Banaszak, Super Bowl XI Champion and Holy Roller Figure, Dies at 82

 By John Turney 

Pete Banaszak, the tough Oakland Raiders running back known as "the Rooster," died in October 2026 at age 82. The team announced his passing, noting that his toughness, competitive spirit, and dedication embodied a legendary era of Raiders football.

Born May 21, 1944, in Crivitz, Wisconsin, he played his entire 13-year professional career with the Raiders after being selected in the fifth round (59th overall) of the 1966 AFL Draft out of the University of Miami. 

He finished with 3,772 rushing yards on 964 carries (3.9 average) and 47 rushing touchdowns, plus 121 receptions for 1,022 yards and five more scores.

Banaszak was a Super Bowl XI champion and scored two touchdowns in the Raiders' 32-14 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. 

He also played a central role in the famous "Holy Roller" play against the San Diego Chargers in 1978, batting Ken Stabler's forward fumble farther downfield so Dave Casper could recover it in the end zone for the winning score. 

His signature season came in 1975. Banaszak led the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns (still the Raiders' single-season franchise record) while rushing for a career-high 672 yards on 187 carries (3.6 average) in 14 games. 

Remarkably, he started none of them. Per Stathead data, that 16-touchdown total is the most by any player since 1950 who started zero games in a season. 

It was an odd rotation, but with veteran Marv Hubbard and youngster Mark van Eeghen splitting time at fullback, Banaszak spelled them and the halfbacks and was the tough-guy in short-yardage and goal-line situations (Ken Stabler called him the best short-yardage runner he ever saw), yet he still led the team in both rushing yards and touchdowns and received the team's Gorman Award as MVP from his teammates.

Rooster knew his role and took a realistic approach to it. "I don't know whether I should be proud or embarrassed," he said when reminded of his short-yardage specialty, telling UPI in 1978. "I don't think I've been blessed with as much ability as some of the guys who've been with us, but I'm not going to downgrade my own ability either because I've seen some guys come in who are great athletes and I've seen them go, too."

Added UPI: "His role is clear: in short-yardage situations he takes the handoff and drives straight ahead. He feels the pressure of those plays but accepts it. He argues the Raiders' power-oriented offense doesn't need breakaway backs; they led the conference in rushing by 'bang[ing] and hammer[ing] away.'"

A Wisconsin native fiercely proud of his Polish heritage, Banaszak was inducted into the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame in 1990 and the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame in 1983. 

Pete Banaszak’s University of Miami career (1963–65) showed he was a tough, hard-running fullback/running back for the Miami Hurricanes despite frequent injuries that limited his playing time. 

As a sophomore in 1963, he led the team in rushing (roughly 460 yards on about 97 carries) and added 18 receptions. As a junior in 1964, weight issues and more leg injuries reduced his production. He stayed healthy and productive as a senior in 1965, rushing for 473 yards on 111 carries (4.3 average), including a 46-yard run, while also catching 8 passes for 65 yards and returning kicks. Over his three-year career he totaled 1,107 rushing yards on 263 carries and 12 touchdowns.

Banaszak's pro football longevity (173 regular-season games, only 36 starts) and willingness to contribute in any role made him a classic example of the unselfish, durable contributors who helped define the Raiders of the 1960s and 1970s. In fact he was a full-time starter just two seasons of his career. ""

The Contracts That Nearly Cost the Rams Roman Gabriel to the Raiders

By John Turney 

Roman Gabriel was one of the rare players taken at the top of both the NFL and AFL drafts. In 1962, the Oakland Raiders selected him with the No. 1 overall pick in the AFL Draft; the Los Angeles Rams took him second overall in the NFL Draft, behind only Ernie Davis. 

Gabriel negotiated with both clubs. 

Newspaper accounts indicate that what ultimately tipped the scales toward Los Angeles was the Rams' ability to arrange outside employment opportunities that Gabriel felt he could not afford to pass up—something more readily available in the larger Los Angeles market than in the Bay Area.

When talks with the Raiders stalled, Oakland gave Lamar Hunt and the Dallas Texans permission to pursue Gabriel, with the understanding that the Raiders could later trade his rights if the money was right. The Rams closed the deal anyway. Oakland general manager Wes Fry called the Rams' offer "a kind of fantastic deal." 

Rams coach Bob Waterfield described Gabriel as "the best college passing prospect I've ever seen." Reports at the time suggested the contract could reach "upwards of $30,000" per year and was structured in part as a personal-services agreement, similar to Billy Cannon's earlier deal with Houston, combining football salary with compensation for endorsements and media appearances. 

Gabriel himself said he had received "somewhat more than he had hoped for."  He got $50,000 or so, huge for that era but the Oakland and San Francisco papers reported the Raiders offered far more and the Texans even more than that.

For the Raiders, it was the first setback: Gabriel signed with the Rams and began his professional career in Los Angeles. 

Four years later, the NFL and AFL were at war. teams were signing players from one league to another, back and forth. And in the spring of 1966, with the AFL aggressively raiding NFL quarterbacks in a final push to force a merger, the Raiders signed Gabriel to a multi-year deal for the 1967 season. 

Reports placed the package at roughly $400,000, including a $100,000 signing bonus. Gabriel, then earning about $22,500 with the Rams and frustrated by limited playing time under Harland Svare, accepted. But claimed to have not cashed the bonus check. 

Them newly hired Rams coach George Allen stepped in. Allen, who had already named Gabriel the starter for 1966, persuaded him to return the Raiders' money and re-sign with Los Angeles. Allen promised a real opportunity to play, a raise into the mid-$30,000 range, and additional deferred or retirement compensation, $20,000 a year for five years after he retired.

Gabriel trusted him and stayed. 

After the leagues agreed to merge, NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle ruled that Gabriel's rights remained with the Rams. The Raiders treated their contract as void. Gabriel did not. 

In May 1967, through attorney Edward Masry (of Erin Brockovich fame), he filed a $200,000 lawsuit in California Superior Court against the Raiders, the Rams, and both leagues. The sum represented the difference between the Oakland offer and what he stood to earn in Los Angeles. 

The complaint alleged breach of contract by the Raiders, interference with contractual relations by the Rams (including claims that he had been induced to re-sign without the benefit of counsel), and antitrust violations stemming from the merger itself as a restraint of trade. Gabriel stated he remained ready, willing, and able to play for Oakland.

The case never went to trial. 

After discussions with Rams ownership, Gabriel dropped the suit in July 1967, the day before he was due to report to training camp. As he later explained to Sport magazine, he believed something was coming his way but wanted peace of mind to focus on football and didn't want teammates blaming him if the season went poorly. 

A December 1967 New York Times report noted that the settlement included bonus provisions that could more than double his base salary of approximately $36,000 if the Rams advanced deep into the postseason, with further increases expected for 1968. Later accounts indicate the Rams also structured deferred money that effectively matched key elements of the original Raiders offer. 

True to his new promise, Gabriel reported to camp free of the distraction, started all 14 games in 1967, and led the Rams to an 11-1-2 record and the Coastal Division title. He threw for 2,779 yards and 25 touchdowns, earned his first Pro Bowl selection, and finished as a second-team All-Pro. It was the best football the Rams had played since the early 1950s.

If the MVP voting had taken place after the season rather than a week earlier, front-runner Johnny Unitas may have lost out since Gabriel surged late in season, throwing four touchdown passes against the Packers in Week 13 and 4 more versus the Colts in Week 14. In the end, Gabriel threw six more scoring areials than Unitas; both teams had 11-1-2 records, though Unitas passed for more yards. 

The Rams scored the most points in the NFL that year before falling to the Packers in the Western Conference championship game.

The episode was one of several high-profile player-contract fights that accompanied the final stages of the AFL-NFL war—John Brodie's was the most expensive. 

AI generated

For the Rams, it was a narrow escape, nearly losing their star quarterback to the Raiders. Twice.

Without Allen's persuasion and the eventual settlement, the quarterback who would become the face of their late-1960s contenders might have been wearing Silver & black. Instead, he stayed, took the job, and helped turn a long stretch of mediocrity into one of the better stretches in franchise history.

And the Raiders went with an MVP themselves at quarterback: Darryl Lamonica. 

Gabriel and Lomonica from 1970 appearance on the Jim Nabors show:

Lawrence McCutcheon: The Quiet Engine of the 1970s Rams Passes Away

By John Turney 

Lawrence McCutcheon in 1969 (l) and 1977 (r)

Lawrence McCutcheon, the durable running back who powered the Los Angeles Rams' ground game through the mid-1970s and later spent more than three decades in the franchise's front office, died Friday. He was 76.

His family said McCutcheon, known as Clutch, passed away on October 23 with family at his bedside after a long battle with Parkinson's disease."It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our husband, brother, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Lawrence McCutcheon," the family said in a statement. "

"The Los Angeles Rams are deeply saddened by the passing of Lawrence McCutcheon," the team said in a statement. "His impact on this organization spanned generations, and he embodied what it means to be a Ram ... his legacy is woven into the fabric of our team. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the McCutcheon family as we celebrate a life that gave so much to the Rams and to our game."

Through a decade-long playing career and another 32 years in the Rams' front office, Clutch "earned the respect and admiration of teammates, opposing players, colleagues, and fans alike," added the Rams franchise, and it rings true since he was the Rams' best skill position player of the mid-1970s. For the Rams fans of that era, Clutch will be remembered forever.

Born and raised in Plainview, Texas, McCutcheon saw himself as an ordinary kid rather than a standout rural athlete. That changed when he moved from Booker T. Washington High School in Houston to Plainview High for his senior year. He found the new environment "pretty pleasant," and it did not hurt his play: the Bulldogs went 7-3 in 1967 and then won seven games in each of the next two seasons.

 Playing against higher-level competition regularly, he said, gave the local kids a better chance to be seen by college scouts which happened with his oppotunity to play at Colorado State University in Ft. Collins. There, McCutcheon established himself as one of the premier running backs in Colorado State history. 

He played three seasons in the Western Athletic Conference and became the first CSU player to rush for 1,000 yards in a season—doing so twice. 

McCutcheon at Colorado State

In 1969, he rushed for 797 yards and nine touchdowns at 5.5 yards per carry and became the first Ram to gain more than 200 yards in a game (213 against Wichita State) and was awarded with second-team All-WAC honors.

As a junior in 1970, he ran for 1,008 yards and added 486 receiving yards (1,494 yards from scrimmage), earning honorable-mention All-American recognition from the Associated Press while ranking fourth among the national leaders in yards per game and was elevated to first-team All-WAC

In his senior year of 1971 he carried 261 times for 1,112 yards and eight touchdowns and earned first-team All-WAC honors once again. He finished with 2,917 rushing yards, 67 receptions for 838 yards, 3,755 yards from scrimmage, and 27 total touchdowns. A three-year letterman, he remains in the school record books for running backs, is a member of the CSU All-Century Team, and was inducted into the Colorado State Athletics Hall of Fame.

McCutcheon in 1972 preseason

A third-round pick of the Rams in 1972, McCutcheon saw limited regular-season action as a rookie, spending most of it on the taxi squad (the forerunner to today's practice squad) but played extensively in the preseason, where he was said to have a fumbling problem and it landed him in Rams coach Tommy Prothro's doghouse and he only played three games in the season and didn't carry the ball at all. McCutcheon felt he wasn't part of the team and did think surgery on a knee he hurt in college affected him. 

But then things changed for the better,

When Head coach Chuck Knox arrived in 1973, he reviewed the '72 preseason film and concluded McCutcheon could be his starting fullback. He was correct. In the 1973 preseason, McCutcheon earned the starting job.

Even though there was still a fumbling problem, it was soon corrected. Rams great Tank Younger, then a Rams' scout, taped into a handle to a football and presented it to McCutcheon as a reminder to hold on to the ball. Lesson learned, problem solved.

McCutcheon led the Rams in rushing for five consecutive seasons (1973-77), earning a Pro Bowl selection each year. He also prided himself on being a complete back, one who runs, catches and blocks, attributing it to why he became a starter in 1973.

In 1974, he told the press about his success: "All it takes is quickness and blocking," he said. "If you have our kind of blocking and my kind of ability, you should gain 1,000 yards every year. Quickness is the ability to hit between the blockers as soon as the hole starts to open. Speed only help on end runs."

Going on, "A back might have 9.6 speed and still not be a good inside runner because he isn't a particularly fast starter. But quickness, the ability to accelerate, is the key ingredient."

McCutcheon feels his ability to block and catch passes also impressed Knox. "On a pass play, a running back is always single-covered. It's the only opportunity I have to go one-on-one against a defensive man. On running plays, it's 11 against one." 

1973

He was a first-team All-Pro selection by the Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA) in 1974 and a second-team NEA All-Pro in 1973, while also earning first- or second-team All-NFC honors throughout the 1973-77 stretch. 

McCutcheon produced four 1,000-yard seasons in that span, peaking at 1,238 yards and seven touchdowns in 1977. In the 1975 playoffs, he rushed for 202 yards against the St. Louis Cardinals—the second-highest total in pro football history at the time—helping the Rams to a 35-23 victory. 

In 1976 Knox moved him to halfback; over the next two seasons he averaged just over 1,200 rushing yards and ranked in the top five in Proscout, Inc., evaluations. Injuries later limited his production but had a final hurrah by throwing a halfback option pass in Super Bowl XIV in a 31-19 loss to the Steelers.

With the Rams, he carried 1,435 times for 6,186 yards and 23 touchdowns. For a period, those totals made him the franchise's all-time leading rusher; he now ranks fourth behind Steven Jackson, Eric Dickerson, and Marshall Faulk. 

In the postseason, he rushed for 687 yards, fifth-most in NFL history at the time of his retirement after the 1981 season. He also added 184 receptions for 1,683 yards with the club and appeared in 11 postseason games, including Super Bowl XIV, where he threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Ron Smith that briefly gave the Rams the lead.

During his 1973-77 peak, he rushed for 5,523 yards; only O.J. Simpson gained more on the ground in that five-year window. His 7,029 yards from scrimmage in the same span ranked behind only Simpson, Lydell Mitchell, and Chuck Foreman.

McCutcheon in 1980 and 1981 with Broncos, Seahawks and Bills

In 1980, the Rams traded McCutcheon to the Denver Broncos, where he was expected to bolster the running game. That did not materialize, and he was released during the season and signed with Seattle for the remainder of the season. 

In 1981, he signed with the Buffalo Bills and was reunited with Knox, who employed him as a backup and as one of "his guys"—a group of players who had performed well for Knox in Los Angeles, including Isiah Robertson, Bill Simpson, Ron Jessie, and others.

After his playing days ended, McCutcheon returned to the Rams organization as a scout. He rose to director of player personnel, a post he held from 2003 until his retirement in 2016, giving him 42 years with the franchise.

In the end, McCutcheon’s career embodied the unglamorous virtues he himself described: quickness into the hole, reliable blocking, and good hands rather than pure speed or raw power. He wasn't going to bowl anyone over like an Earl Campbell or run away from someone like an O.J. Simpson. He was a workhorse, steady, strong and one who would get you a first down; it might not look spectacular, but it was reliable. 

Those same traits carried him from Texas to the Colorado State backfield through 42 years with the franchise—on the field and later in the front office—leaving the Rams organization and its fans with a lasting standard of steady, professional production.

He will always be a Rams legend and will be missed.

TUESDAY TIDBITS: 'How 'Bout Them Cowboys?'

By TJ Troup  

Going to begin with the dismissal of Chris Ballard of the Colts. Carlie Irsay-Gordon and her hands-on approach will eventually lead to the Colts being a consistently strong team again, but how long will it take. The Colts have two very talented players that just might be traded, Jonathan Taylor & DeForest Buckner. Buckner has been quoted stating "same old song and dance" ... not sure if I can picture Buckner on stage with Steven Tyler singing one of Aerosmith's signature songs? 

Will go to my grave knowing how important the Defensive Passer rating is each year. At this point in the season, the top 4 teams in this category (Minnesota, Denver, Kansas City, Green Bay) have an overall record of 18-4. 

Yes, will be updating all of you as the season progresses. 

Art: AI

The first half of last night's game was a surgical destruction of the Washington defense. The Niners offense gained 303 yards on 41 plays. Though Washington rallied, the Niners' first-half performance led to victory. 

Over the years one of the league's best rivalries has been San Francisco vs. Dallas, which will take me to a question for all of you, when will Dallas actually hire a defensive coordinator who knows what he is doing. 

Right now the Dallas defense is on pace to allow over 2,500 yards rushing. This will allow me to segue to my historical saga of the week. From October 3rd '88 through the '89 season, Dallas won two of twenty-eight games! October 25th, 1992, was a turning point for the Cowboys as they defeated the Raiders in the Coliseum 28-13 before 91,505 fans to improve their record to 6-1! Steve Sabol honored me by allowing me to serve on the "America's Game" committee. 

Credit: Time-Life

When you watch this chapter you hear Aikman, Irvin, and Norton discuss Jimmy Johnson, and how that magical season unfolded while also discussing the growing pains of the previous three years. The November 16th issue of Sports Illustrated has on the cover "THE D IS BACK IN DALLAS" and Dr. Z tells the tale of Dave Wannstedt and his "No Names for Now" since not one Dallas defensive player was chosen for the Pro Bowl! Cowboy opponents attempted only 345 running plays against them in '92 for a league-low 1,244 yards. 

The real strengths of this Cowboy D was quickness, proper pursuit angles, and sure tackling thus only twice did an opponent runner gain more than 20 yards on a running play all year. Since opponents figured they could not run on Dallas, then lets throw the hell out of the ball against them, similar to Erik Kramer in the playoff loss to Detroit in '91. 

Jimmy Johnson's secondary of Holt, Brown, Everett, Washington, Smith and Horton finished 10th in the defensive passer rating category with a mark of 69.9 (league average was 75.3)this is a far cry from '89 when Dallas was DEAD LAST in this category with a mark of 93.9 (league average 75.6). 

When I met Paul Lionel Zimmerman for the first time face to face was in a hotel in Santa Monica and he did an interview with Ken Norton Jr. which I was allowed to attend. Dr. Z's insightful questions and Norton's candid answers was so unlike the crap you would read/hear from other writers doing interviews. Before I go to the other side of the ball let's end this part of the story with a quote from Wannstedt "The domination is coming, believe me, it's coming, but right now I'm thankful for what we've got."

Much of the film from "America's Game" of the '92 Cowboys shows Aikman delivering strikes to Irvin, Harper, and Novacek or Emmitt darting through a hole, careening off a tackler with surprising strength to keep the chains moving. Dr. Z shared his nickname for the Dallas o-line with me, as he called them "road graders," and boy oh boy were Newton, Tuinei, Stepnoski, Gesek and man mountain Erik Williams just that. 

These five well-coached men were also superb pass blockers. Add to the mix a fullback who could knock the taste out of your mouth in Darryl Johnston and you have an offensive juggernaut. We all know the final result of the '92 Cowboys, and Jimmy Johnson's classic euphoric statement in the locker room at Candlestick, which is the title of this week's column. 

Credit: Time-Life

My question for all of you, is this the best Cowboy team of all-time or would you choose the '71 or '77 Cowboys and why?

Watson, Golden and Kraft Help Take Down Dallas

By Eric Goska

Christian Watson (9), Matthew Golden (0) and Tucker Kraft (85)
combined for 205 receiving yards against the Cowboys.
(photos by Eric Goska)

What better stage than prime time for the Packers’ Big Three to display their wares.

Sunday night, the Cowboys became the latest team to contend with Green Bay’s potent passing attack. That the Texans departed on the wrong end of a 23-13 count suggests they failed to adequately limit the damage the Packers inflicted.

With neither Green Bay nor Dallas gaining traction on the ground – 105 combined rushing yards – both clubs turned to the air. And there, in the night sky, the Packers outdistanced the Cowboys by more than four yards per completion (12.0 to 7.6)

Jordan Love’s receiving corps turned 23 completions into 276 yards. Dak Prescott’s group came away with fewer yards (258) despite more (34) connections.

Jordan Love threw for 276 yards against Dallas.

As has become custom, three receivers stood out for Green Bay. Matthew Golden (104 receiving yards), Christian Watson (64) and Tucker Kraft (37) combined for 205 receiving yards, the fourth time this season the trio has exceeded 200.

Golden (3) and Watson (2) were the only Packers to have receptions of 20 or more yards. Golden (5), Watson (3) and Kraft (2) produced 10 of Green Bay’s 13 first downs passing.

The trio combined for 14 catches and one touchdown (Golden). Twelve of their receptions fueled scoring drives.

Not all went as planned. Golden dropped a touchdown pass in the second quarter and Watson did the same in the third. As a result, Green Bay had to settle for field goals – 25- and 44-yard boots by Trey Smack – on those advances.

Despite those negatives, Love continued to look to his Big Three. Golden (13), Kraft (8) and Watson (8) accounted for 29 of Love’s 40 targets.

Larry Kuciemba, the Texas Cheesehead,
attended the game.

Love has set his sights set on these three receivers since opening day. In most cases, that focus has been rewarded.

Watson, Golden and Kraft combined for 307 receiving yards in Minneapolis. They staked claim to 222 against the Falcons and amassed a season-high 330 in taking down the Bears.

The three lead the NFL with 1,288 receiving yards, 49 ahead of the Cowboys’ second-place trio of CeeDee Lamb (577), George Pickens (428) and Ryan Flournoy (234). Lamb and Co. combined for 183 receiving yards against Green Bay.

In addition, Kraft, Golden and Watson have gained more receiving yards through the first six games of a season than any other trio in Packers history. Greg Jennings (530), Jordy Nelson (413) and Jermichael Finley (321) had held that honor with the 1,264 they collected in 2011.

Fingers crossed, Watson, Golden and Kraft make it through the season intact. As Love has set his sights on them, this confab would do well to take aim at the franchise single-season mark of 3,252 yards established by Nelson (1,519), Randall Cobb (1,287) and Davante Adams (446) in 2014. That trio is the only in Packers history to average more than 200 receiving yards a game over the course of an entire season.

Triple Threats
Most combined receiving yards by three Packers players six games into a season.

Yds   Year     Trio
1,288   2026    Christian Watson (538), Matthew Golden (501), Tucker Kraft (249)

1,264   2011     Greg Jennings (530), Jordy Nelson (413), Jermichael Finley  (321)

1,253   2013     Jordy Nelson (526), Randall Cobb (378), James Jones (349)
1,242   1983     James Lofton (609), John Jefferson (342), Paul Coffman (291)
1,218   1942     Don Hutson (819), Andy Uram (328), Ted Fritsch (71)

1,218   1999     Antonio Freeman (495), Bill Schroeder (458), Dorsey Levens (265)   
1,195   2018     Davante Adams (557), Jimmy Graham (349), Geronimo Allison (289)
1,163   2004    Javon Walker (597), Donald Driver (443), Bubba Franks (123)

Note: Only the top three players from a season are listed. Example: In 2004, Walker (597), Driver (443) and Robert Ferguson (121) also combined for more than 1,100 yards, but only Walker-Driver-Franks are listed as they had the most of any three Packers players that season.

Love Rains Down Fire at Lambeau Field

By Eric Goska

(photos by Eric Goska)

Who says nothing new can come to pass in a rivalry more than 100 years old?

Certainly not the Packers who came away with a unique development in downing the Bears 31-7 at Lambeau Field.

Green Bay relied on its aerial game in sinking Chicago for the 109th time in 211 regular-season meetings. Offensively, the Packers went as far as the arm of quarterback Jordan Love would take them.

And that distance was considerable. As if channeling Zeus of ancient mythology, No. 10 unleashed five thunderbolts that struck deep into the heart of the Bears No.1 ranked defense.

Those haymakers are worthy of a recap.

• 1st quarter—Christian Watson for 42 yards and a TD. Green Bay leads 7-0.
• 3rd quarter—Watson for 53 and a TD. Green Bay up 20-7.
• 3rd quarter—Tucker Kraft for 46 to set up Trey Smack’s 35-yard field goal. Packers in front 23-7.
• 3rd quarter—Matthew Golden races 36 to set the stage for MarShawn Lloyd’s 4-yard TD run. Packers on top 31-7.
• 4th quarter—Golden gobbles up 50 more on a drive marred by Smack’s miss from 43 yards out.

That’s five completions of more than 35 yards in a single game. How many Packers passers have uncorked that many against the mighty Monsters of the Midway?

Scour the archives. You will come up empty.

Until Sunday, no Packer had hit on five against the Bears. No player to wear the Green and Gold even got to four.

Three is the most you will find, engineered by three different quarterbacks.

• Bart Starr connected with Paul Hornung (61), Bob Long (48) and Jim Taylor (41) in a 23-14 win in 1965.
• Lynn Dickey found James Lofton (67), Phillip Epps (45) and Gerry Ellis (40) in a 31-28 squeaker in 1983.
• Aaron Rodgers got there twice: Jordy Nelson (73, 40) and Eddie Lacy (56) in a 55-14 rout in 2014, and Randall Cobb (75), Davante Adams (51) and Geronimo Allison (39) in a stirring 24-23 comeback in 2018.

That’s it. A short list that underscores how rarely lightning strikes for Green Bay in a series that dates to 1921.

Early in the game, an impending explosion appeared unlikely. Love stayed short for most of Green Bay’s opening drive, hitting Kraft for 13, Golden for 3, Watson for 5, Pierre Strong Jr. for 4 and Kraft again for 2 as the Packers reached the Bears’ 42-yard line.

There, Love fired deep to a wide-open Watson and the rout was on. Green Bay remained ahead on the scoreboard for the remaining 50 minutes, 51 seconds.

Like any quarterback, Love looks to make splash plays. He has completed 45 passes of more than 35 yards since becoming a starter in 2023, the second most in the NFL behind Lamar Jackson’s 46 over that span according to a search at Stathead.

As with any passer, Love needs accomplices. Watson, more than any other, has filled that role.

In five seasons together, the duo has clicked 16 times for more than 35 yards. Those long-distance connections have yielded 843 yards and seven touchdowns.

That output is better than what Love has generated with his second and third favorite 36-plus targets combined: Jayden Reed (8-392-1) and Tucker Kraft (7-374-1).

Clearly, this Love-Watson combo bears watching—from fans and defenses alike.

Love’s final numbers on Sunday were impressive: 25 completions in 31 attempts for 367 yards, two touchdowns and a passer rating of 137.5. But missing from that deep-dive accounting was the fact that the 27-year-old became just the second Packers passer to complete five passes of more than 35 yards in a single regular-season game regardless of opponent.

Cecil Isbell is the only other player to have been so prolific. On Nov. 1, 1942, Isbell completed 10 of 21 passes for 333 yards and five touchdowns in a 55-24 blowout of another team from Chicago. Five times did Isbell connect for more than 35 yards against the Cardinals—Don Hutson (38, 73, 65) and Andy Uram (64, 36)—and five times did the recipient of those throws reach the end zone.

Deep Dive

Packers passers who threw four or more passes of more than 35 yards in a single regular-season game.
 

No.   Date                      Passer                   Opponent             Result
 5        Nov. 1, 1942           Cecil Isbell              Cardinals                 GB won, 55-24
 5        Oct. 11, 2026         Jordan Love            Bears                        GB won, 31-7
 4        Oct. 21, 1956         Tobin Rote               Rams                        GB won, 42-17
 4        Oct. 19, 1958         Babe Parilli             Redskins                  GB lost, 21-37
 4        Dec. 22, 2003       Brett Favre              Raiders                     GB won, 41-7
 4        Dec. 5, 2010          Aaron Rodgers       49ers                         GB won, 34-16
 4        Jan. 1, 2012           Matt Flynn               Lions                        GB won, 45-41
 4        Sept. 13, 2020      Aaron Rodgers        Vikings                     GB won, 43-34