TUESDAY TIDBITS: "Needing a Win to Sew up the Central Division Title"

By TJ Troup  

Another week of interesting, and sometimes even fascinating games. Since the AFC has 10 teams with at least six wins, we just might see tie breakers come into play at the close of the regular season. When the league puts the schedule out in the spring and I look at it....always try and figure out games that just might have real meaning. 

Did not focus at all on Denver playing Houston on December the 3rd as a meaningful game, and yet now it is. The NFC has 6 teams with six or more wins, and of course we have the NFC South, and again will ask all of you, who wins that division? The game of the week, or possibly the game of the year brings the Niners and Eagles into a battle for supremacy, and possible home field advantage. 

Would relish any and all comments on the game; low score since we have physical defenses that can rush the passer? High scoring since both teams have versatile attacks with plenty of men who can make a big play? 

Historically these teams have met 36 times in the regular season in the past 73 years, and there are three games that standout to me. Steve Young detailed how the '94 clash changed him and his focus during that championship season. The September of '59 game that featured two teams on the rise, oh not many of you remember that game? Guess that means I am damn old. 

The September of '89 game still stands out to me, and watched Joe Montana shred the Philadelphia secondary, though he was pressured and sacked all afternoon by the relentless Eagle pass rush. Historically November 26th has been significant in Green Bay Packer history, and the title of today's saga is a quote from the distinguished Mr. Eric Goska from his must have book "Green Bay Packers: A Measure of Greatness". 

Packers won on the 26th of November in 1931, as they were on the verge of a third consecutive championship, and no I did not attend the game. Packers won on the 26th of November in '44 rebounding from the loss to NYG and setting up the re-match with the Giants. Packers won on the 26th of November in '50 as the winning touchdown pass came with just a few seconds left in the game. Speaking of touchdown passes, the Packers won on the 26th of November in 1995 as Favre carved up the Buccaneers. 

There are two Packer games played on the 26th of November that stand out ......at least for me. We are in Wrigley Field for the final time that Halas will face Lombardi. The Bears are inconsistent on offense but have a defense led by Butkus that can keep them in any game, and a secondary that is playing outstanding team pass defense. Green Bay with a record of 7-2-1 opens the game with Starr completing to Dale for 48 yards, yet the drive quickly stalls. 

Jeter intercepts Concannon, and Starr again on first down gains big yardage in the air with a completion to Dowler for 42, and yet again the drive stalls with the Bear pass rush taking down Bart twice. Concannon is intercepted again, this time by Dave Robinson. The short touchdown drive culminates in Starr whistling a strike to Dowler. Kicking away from Sayers, the Bears begin with excellent field position and two running plays have the Bears on the Packer forty-three. 

When you watch Sayers 43 yard touchdown run you see why he is in the Hall of Fame. Percival kicks off, and here comes the other kickoff return man who can go the distance in  Travis "The "Roadrunner" Williams. 

When you watch my boy Rosey Taylor make the tackle and absorb the collision ... this is why Pro Football in the '60s became known for the physical style of play; even on special teams. Anderson scores early in the second quarter, but just before the half Percival kicks a 10 yard field goal after a staunch goal line stand by the two time defending champion Packers. 

When Sayers fumbles an Anderson punt that would have given Chicago excellent field position, Starr runs and passes the Packers to position Chandler for the field goal. Green Bay 17 Chicago 10. The Bears first possession of the 4th quarter is a sustained thirteen play drive of 75 yards that again culminates with a short Percival field goal. 

This drive signifies what the Packers and Bears were all about in this decade, as the Bears ran the ball eleven consecutive times. Pounding away at the Green and Gold defenders, but this is a team of destiny, and though giving up yards to Sayers and Piccolo ... the Packers still lead 17-13. Starr responds with another long completion to Dowler, but when Chandler's field goal attempt is blocked by massive Frank Cornish there are only 31 seconds left. Concannon is not Sid Luckman, or even Billy Wade and the Packers are victorious. 

Five years have passed and much has changed in the NFL. 

The merger, the death of Lombardi, but in '72 out of nowhere is a Packer team that with one significant trade, and an improving young defense can finally dethrone the hated Vikings from their Central division perch. Bob Oates in "Street & Smith's" is quoted with "Green Bay slumped into undisputed possession of the cellar for the first time since '58". 

Oates does state that Lane is better suited to pair with Brockington than Anderson was, and he also states that Gillingham and Lueck are the best pair of blocking guards in the league. Again quoting Oates, "The defensive backfield looks better"... now that is the understatement of the year! Green Bay is 7-3 and journeys to RFK on November 26th to take on the first place juggernaut known as the Washington Redskins. 

The 'Skins under the enthusiastic leadership of George Allen ("40 men together can't lose") have won seven straight with the basic formula of consticting team defense as they have allowed just 82 points in the win streak, and an offense that ... well. 

Let's just say that Larry Brown is convinced he can pound his way to a 1,400 yard season, and Kilmer can play action pass to Taylor, Jefferson and Smith for the big play. The game unfolds like you would expect, as both teams attempt to run the ball, sustain drives by wearing down the opponent, and play hard hitting team defense. 

Larry Brown fumbles the ball to the Packers on his first carry, yet the 'Skins dodge the bullet when they block Marcol's field goal attempt. Lane, and Brockington hammer away all afternoon, yet except for a couple runs of 10 or 11 yards, they cannot break loose. Larry Brown gets his carries, but the Packer defense is also resilient as he gains just 69 hard fought yards on 25 attempts. The difference in the game you ask? 

Man coverage is a challenge when you face receivers as physically gifted as Jefferson and Taylor, and as such Ellis and Buchanon cannot stop the 'Skins receivers the entire game. 

Final: Washington 21 Green Bay 16. 

Both teams win their division, and sets up a rematch that is significant in the coaching strategy of a Hall of Fame coach in Allen and a flawed and narrowed minded one in Dan Devine. But that is a story for another day. See ya next week, enjoy the games, and to whet your appetite -- think of all the rookie passers in league history that standout.