By TJ Troup
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| 2025 Seahawks vs 49ers |
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| 1975 Steelers vs Oilers |
Next week will discuss the wild-card round of the playoffs, yet there is no doubt one of the three teams from the NFC West will travel to the NFC South Champion. Was stated online that when the Vikings beat the Lions they were the third team in the last 40 years with fewer than 10 yards net passing and won! The other two teams were the Texans in 2006 and the Cardinals in 1987.
So, why not travel back even earlier to list all the teams that "achieved" this dubious feat? Words like lazy & foolish come to mind, and will not cover all the games, yet boy oh boy, there sure are some dandy games to talk about where the winning team could not gain much passing! Oh, you want me to detail a couple of them? Yippee!
Three stand out to me; the first from 1974 when the Packers beat the Rams 17-6 and LOST 1 yard passing in the game. That Ram team would overcome the loss and advance to the NFC Title game.
The Redskins in '55 still have an outside chance of catching the Browns to win the Eastern Conference title with a record of 6-3 when they take on a 4-5 Steeler team. Washington will run the ball 62 times in the game, while completing just one pass. The Steeler pass rush gets to Guglielmi & LeBaron for 29 yards in sacks, and the lone completion is to Pro Bowl linebacker Chuck Drazenovich for a loss of 3 yards (Charley Cro played fullback many times earlier in his career). Thus, LeBaron & Guglielmi complete 1 of 9 for MINUS 3 yards. Washington wins 23-14.
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| Chuck Drazenovich |
The third and final comes on opening day '50 when the Giants play the Steelers. Early in the 4th quarter the Giants are behind 7-4, but the stellar New York defense will score twice on fumble return/recoveries to win 18-7! Chuckin' Charley completed only 3 of 13 for 30 yards, with the Steeler pass rush getting 24 yards in sacks. Conerly will rebound and pitch the pigskin well during the season, but that Giants team had a punishing ground attack and strong defense. They lost a hard-fought game to the Browns in the special NFL Eastern Conference playoff 8-3!
This coming Sunday, January 4th, has had many, many historical playoff games, and we sure could detail many of those games, but will end with the most meaningful. The last game in AFL History will be played in Oakland between the bitter rival Chiefs and the Raiders. Oakland won both regular-season games, but the winner of this game will advance to the Super Bowl.
Since both Oakland and Kansas City have both lost to the Packers in the Silver Trophy game, the game has even more meaning. The title of today's saga is a quote from Willie Lanier after Oakland destroyed the Oilers in the divisional round, and comes from Rick Gosselin's superb book "The Team History Forgot" -- get a copy, and enjoy, 'cause I sure did!
As always in those days, the game had plenty of compelling drama as Kansas City won 17-7! See ya next week.
BW ...
ReplyDeleteHope you watched that cold, rainy, slugfest in Buffalo, TJ. That was football like the '69 Raiders-Chiefs Championship bloodbath ...
The MVP award is basically a QBs award, but had the Bills converted the 2 pt try against Philly, would there be no doubt that Allen is the league's MVP? Instead, they lose the game, despite Philly not completing a pass in the second half!
Should the Bills had tried to tie it up, with the defense playing great or did HC McDermott go for the win knowing Allen was hurting from the beating he took?
He will keep his active game streak alive this week but should rest after a few snaps. The Chargers are resting Herbert as well, so Denver should get a bye next week.
McCaffrey is another player who should get MVP conversation with the Niners. So what is average per carry is low? This guy produces for this team and helps out his offensive line and defense. A defense that barely averages a sack per game. Would this team get this far without him?
Maye may win the award but its rare to win that and the SB. They better hope Hollins and Diggs play in the postseason. The Bears had their chance to beat the 49ers. What a basketball game ...
With the Jets and Raiders on Dog Watch, will the Raiders lose and get Mendoza in the draft? Can the Jets defensive linemen and linebackers tip a pass an pilfer an interception?
The Chiefs in '69 were a truly great team. They dominated the Vikings in the Super Bowl. They had a great 'D' and it was no surprise that they stuffed the Vikings. The only question was how would their offense do against the great Viking 'D'. They did pretty good. I think Stram really outcoached Grant, and the Chiefs athleticism and great offensive line were the difference.
ReplyDeleteLove to hear your thoughts coach.