TUESDAY TIDBITS: 'I Didn't Know Anybody East of Idaho'

by TJ Troup 

For those of us who have watched and attended games for many years, we have all seen games that stand out as all-time classics. 

What makes a classic you ask? 

Would relish a definition from all of you, and possibly you can respond to this column with games you believe are all-time classics. 

Sunday the first-place Vikings headed to Orchard Park to take on the Bills in a stadium that has "the hawk" (Dr. Z told me about attending games there with the winds whipping). Minnesota outlasted Buffalo in a game that featured with so many twists and turns, that Harrison Ford and Spielberg might have had a cameo. 

Was fortunate enough here in Louisville that the game was on TV, and thus did not miss a play (why would ya?). Most of you know that I will be buried in Navy blue & Burnt orange, and as such watching the Bears lose a commanding lead to the Lions was painful. 

During his career as a "snap taker" in Chicago, Bobby Douglass rushed for at least 100 yards three times in his career (Bears won two). 

Quarterback Justin Fields has already tied Bobby (Douglass was never a quarterback, he was a snap taker) with his three 100-yard rushing games, but the Bears have lost all three. 

Entertainment is an aspect of the current NFL, but winning is more important....got that Justin? He claims he will never throw an interception for a touchdown again, sure hope so, 'cause that errant throw was just damn bad/foolish/stupid.....ah hell you pick the description. 

Could probably make a comment on all the games, but before going back in history will make a prediction; the Packers will find a way to earn a playoff berth. Thursday night should be a dandy when the Titans come to town. 

The Dallas Cowboys of 2022 are a fuzzy puzzle.....195-0 when leading in the 4th quarter by 14 points, and you lose? Tom Landry and the boys of the "flex" defense known as "Doomsday" are speechless! The 1955 Pittsburgh Steelers were in first place early in the season with a record of 4-1, but have lost two straight (scoring only 13 points in those losses). 

The Black & Gold are home to take on the defending three-time conference champion Lions, who are in last place in the west with a record of 1-6. Having the complete game film of this hard-fought game is a joy to watch—yeah, I know, you have heard me say that before. 

When you are in the line-up for Buddy Parker at halfback you must be able to throw the half-back option pass, and due to injury right corner Bill Stits is getting some playing time on offense. 

Third quarter with a 17-7 lead Stits sweeps left, pulls up and tosses a 21 yard touchdown pass to future Hall of Famer Doak Walker. The Steelers score, and have the ball back in the 4th quarter. Jimmy Finks is passing on almost every play now, and flips a flare pass to his left to Fran Rogel, who bobbles the easily catchable ball right to Bill Stits. 

The lanky corner jogs seven yards into the end zone. Thus Bill Stits is the LAST player in league history to throw a touchdown pass, and return an interception for a touchdown in the same game. The Steelers do not win another game all season finishing sixth and last in the east, while the Lions also finish last in the West. 

How many of you can detail the career of Bill Stits? This will not be a war & peace chapter. After being selected for the Pro Bowl as a rookie in '54, he continued to start until Yale Lary returns from the army in '56. San Francisco has not been able to find an adequate right corner since Lowell Wagner retired, and with McElhenny and Perry getting the bulk of the carries for the 49ers . . . John Henry Johnson has become expendable. May of '57 they are traded for each other (fullback Bill Bowman is also part of the deal). Johnson and Stits will face each other in the famous playoff game in December of '57. 

We all know that passing is the key weapon in the NFL these days, and in the thirteen games played this past weekend the average number of passes thrown by each team was 32. 

The record for the most passes thrown in a game prior to November 13th, 1994 was 68 by venerable George Blanda in a 24-10 to loss to the undefeated Buffalo Bills. The New England Patriots with a record of 3-6 are at home to take on a 7-2 Vikings team that is headed to the playoffs. 

Drew Bledsoe

Warren Moon is at quarterback for Minnesota, and in his career, he has had games where he threw passes all over the stadium, and would have relished watching the look on his face on the sideline as he watched young Drew Bledsoe of the Patriots. The Vikings lead at the half 20-3, but the Minnesota secondary should have put on their track shoes for this game as Bledsoe passes on 59 of the Patriots final 66 plays. 

We go to overtime and Drew goes six for six on the game-winning drive—final New England 26 Minnesota 20. Bledsoe attempts 70 passes, and completes 45 (to seven different men) . . . and three of the Patriots catch at least 10. Drew has set records for most attempts and completions, and though we have had some outstanding passers since 1994 these are still the records today. Bledsoe is not sacked and does not throw an interception. More important than the records set by Pro Bowl-bound Bledsoe is the fact that the victory ignites the Patriots! New England wins seven straight to earn a spot in the postseason.