TUESDAY TIDBITS: "It Was Won Yesterday in Philadelphia"

By TJ Troup 

So much is written online about the games in the NFL each week; and there are some statements that are not only valuable, they are intriguing. Where to begin? Historically, when a team is at least 9 games over .500 and ahead by at least 20 points, they have won 161 times without a loss until last Sunday! 

Who could lead such a comeback? Why none other than the reigning MVP Mr. Josh Allen! His teammates rallied around him, thus securing a decisive road victory. ESPN analytics state that Buffalo now has the 5th-best chance to win the Silver Trophy. 

Alright, all my ardent readers and knowledgeable fans out there; please share the handful of teams right now that actually have a chance to hoist the Lombardi Trophy and why? There are times the schedule makers just get it right, and in two days we have a dandy in the Pacific Northwest as the Rams journey to Seattle. The Seahawks have won 26 of the last 47 times these teams have battled. Rams are 14-10 at home, but only 7-16 on the road. Who wins, and how do they get it done? The Eagles returned to playing physical football last Sunday on that new jv team from Las Vegas. We have to go back to December 4th, 1955 to find the last time the Eagles allowed so few offensive yards by an opponent. 

Philadelphia in '55 was not very consistent yet on this December Sunda,y the Cardinals gained just 61 yards passing, but lost 60 yards in sacks, while gaining just 48 yards rushing on 24 attempts. The Philadelphia defense that day was led by their two Pro Bowl defenders; linebacker Wayne Robinson & right defensive end Norm "Wild Man" Willey. Since the Eagles were mentioned; lets journey back 78 years today (by this time you all know history of the game is a joy for me). Either Washington or New York have won every division title in the Eastern Conference from 1933 through 1946 until '47. Philadelphia will go on to play in three consecutive championship games, but their first playoff game in team history is brought about due to a tie for the division crown. 

Johnny "Zero" Clement

How did these Pennsylvania teams get there you ask? Well, here goes. Since Dudley is traded to Detroit, and 14 rookies make the Steeler roster coach Sutherland has an opportunity to show he really can teach/coach this game, and his brand of single wing football. Leading the offense is tailback Johnny "Zero" Clement, and boy oh boy is he productive, effective, and clutch in moving the black & gold down the field. He finishes 5th in the passer rating category! Two guys named Luckman & Baugh are ahead of him. 

When he injures his right arm he is "replaced" in the line-up by rookies Walt Slater & Gonzo Morales. While both give maximum effort, they just cannot do what Johnny Zero could do. Pittsburgh at one point wins six straight during the year including a strong victory over the Eagles. The 6-2 Steeler defense is led by ten year veteran Chuck Cherundolo (born before Pershing is winning the Great War in Europe). 

The Eagles win the rematch late in the year as they have the best running back of his era in Steve Van Buren who gains over 1,000 rushing! The passing attack is led by quarterback Tommy Thompson who is one of the men who finishes ahead of Clement in the passer rating category. The Eagles punished the Steeler defense in their victory by gaining 219 yards rushing; and Doc Sutherland is not about to let that happen again. 

Al Wistert

The day before the game in a team meeting, every Eagle has a chance to speak, thus the title for today's saga comes from Captain Al Wistert. The Eagles are ready and Forbes field is packed (35,729) for the deciding game, but Pittsburgh has to punt the first two times they have possession. That second punt is blocked by the rookie end Pete Pihos (he has done this before, ask Sammy Baugh), and the ball bounces out of bounds. The Steeler defense is packed inside; thus Thompson flips a flare pass to Van Buren to the left and "Supersonic Steve" dashes 15 yards to score. 

Hall of Fame coach Earle "Greasy" Neale resorts to trickery during the game on a fake field goal with holder Allie Sherman throwing incomplete to Ferrante, but during the 2nd quarter Thompson zips a pass to Black Jack Ferrante between the two linebackers and away he goes with right corner Tony Compagno in hot pursuit. Compagno is joined by left corner Paul White and they are carried into the end zone on the 28-yard score. 

Just before the half, Clement finally breaks free on a 27-yard run, but the Steelers still cannot find paydirt. Pittsburgh punts in the 3rd quarter to Bosh Pritchard and the elusive halfback weaves, cuts, and sprints 79 yards to put the game away. Clement has his right elbow in a brace, and is rusty after a couple weeks on the sideline thus he completes only 4 of 16 for 52 yards. 

The rushing champion is bottled up as Van Buren gains just 45 yards on 18 carries (his long run is 9 yards), yet Thompson is decisive & accurate as he pinpoints 11 of 17 for 131 yards. Would be fun to see these two teams battle each other for the Silver Trophy this season, but doubtful that will happen?