Packers Fence in Bengals for 30 Minutes in 27-18 Win

 By Eric Goska

(photos by Eric Goska)

Invisible fencing can teach a family pet to stay within a set boundary.

In a similar vein, stingy defense and ball-control offense can prevent an opponent from straying too far.

Green Bay erected its version of an unseen wall during the first half of its 27-18 victory over the Bengals Sunday at Lambeau Field. In holding Cincinnati scoreless in the opening two quarters, the Packers allowed their visitors to run just one play from beyond midfield.

Allowing an opponent to run no more than one play from beyond the 50 during the opening 30 minutes of play is not an everyday occurrence. The Packers have turned the trick 24 times since 1952, going 22-1-1 in those games.

Green Bay is undefeated at Lambeau Field when playing this type of game. Its record at the stadium, which opened in 1957, is 11-0-1.

In pitching a first-half shutout, the Packers held the Bengals to 65 yards on 22 offensive snaps. They permitted four first downs and only one drive that lasted more than five plays.

Despite facing Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, perhaps the best receiving duo in the NFL, Green Bay allowed Cincinnati to run but one play from beyond the 50 prior to halftime. No easy feat when three Bengals drives began at their own 36-, 37- and 40-yard lines.

But starting so close to the 50 did nothing for the Ohioans. Green Bay forced three three-and-outs and surrendered all of four yards on nine plays.

Not until one minute, six seconds remained in the second quarter did quarterback Joe Flacco marshal his teammates into Packers territory. The bulk of Cincinnati’s first-half yards (44) came on this advance which saw Flacco spike the ball from the Green Bay 49 to kill the clock with one second remaining.

From there, Evan McPherson would have connected on a record-setting 67-yard field goal that hit the crossbar and fell over, but the Packers had called a timeout. McPherson came up short on his second attempt from that distance.

While the Packers played stout defense, their offense engaged in a game of keep away. In running 38 offensive plays, Jordan Love and his teammates controlled the ball for 21:44. They possessed it for 13 minutes in the first quarter alone.

Aside from Love’s interception – a deflected pass off the hand of receiver Romeo Doubs – Green Bay had little trouble beyond the 50 in the first half. The Packers amassed 82 yards on 20 plays including a 29-yard pass to Josh Jacobs that set up the running back’s 3-yard touchdown run.

The second half, as any nail-biting Packers fan will tell you, was a different story. Cincinnati ran 27 of its 40 plays in Green Bay territory and gained 109 yards.

Flacco completed 14 of 22 passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns (104.0 rating) beyond the 50 in the second half. His scoring strikes to Tanner Hudson and Chase pulled the Bengals to within one score in the third and fourth quarters, respectively.

But Green Bay countered with 99 yards on 14 plays in Cincinnati territory. Jacobs scored on a 14-yard run and Tucker Kraft hauled in a 19-yard TD pass to keep the Packers out front until newcomer Lucas Havrisik all but put the game out of reach with a 39-yard field goal with 1:52 to play.

Extra Point
On Oct. 20, 1994, Green Bay permitted the Vikings but one play beyond the 50 in the first half in the Metrodome, but wound up losing 13-10 in overtime.

Binary Code Defense
The 12 regular-season games at Lambeau Field in which
the Packers allowed their opponent to run either zero or
one offensive play from beyond the 50 in the first half.
 
Date                       Team        0/1    Result
Oct. 12, 2025          Bengals         1        GB won, 27-18
Sept. 15, 2024        Colts              1        GB won, 16-10
Dec. 4, 2016           Texans           1        GB won, 21-13
Oct. 2, 2014            Vikings          0       GB won, 42-10
Dec. 21, 2006         Vikings          0       GB won, 9-7
Nov. 10, 2002        Lions              1        GB won, 40-14
Sept. 24, 2001       Redskins       0        GB won, 37-0
Oct. 15, 1995          Lions              0       GB won, 30-21
Nov. 30, 1975        Bears              1        GB won, 28-7
Dec. 3, 1972           Lions              0       GB won, 33-7
Oct. 3, 1971            Bengals         1        GB won, 20-17
Oct. 5, 1958           Lions              1       GB tied 13-13

An Extraordinary Coincidence

 by Nick Webster

What do you know, through week 5 of the NFL season, the two top active pass rushers named Smith (Preston and Za'Darius - no relation) are tied with precisely 70.5 sacks. In fact, between 2019 and 2021, both Smith's were rushing the passer for the same team - the Green Bay Packers. For 2025, Preston has landed back with his original team in Washington (though you may have heard they've changed their name since he left) and Za'darius has caught on with the Philadelphia Eagles

Speaking of the Washington and Philly franchises - two players who began their careers in those locals are in a similar boat. The two top active pass rushers named Sweat (Montez, who started in D.C. and Josh who started in Philly - also no relation) are also tied with 48 career sacks.

And while these two are actually related, if TJ Watt managed 3.5 more sacks before the Smith's and Sweat's tally anymore we'll have a 3rd same-name tie on the Career Sack leaderboard with TJ and his brother JJ tied at a more impressive 114.5.

TUESDAY TIDBITS: "Huge Character Win"

By TJ Troup 

Baker Mayfield

There is no doubt that every week this season there are going to be "nuggets" to share with all of you.

Ready? 

Here goes -- Baker Mayfield becomes just the third quarterback in league history to throw for at least 375 yards with less than 5 incompletions, joining Kurt Warner and Petyon Manning. Recently had an enjoyable conversation with one of the best football writers ever in Rick Gosselin and he shared his thoughts on Mayfield; his quote, "Baker Mayfield is Drew Brees with swagger". 

When Seattle took the field against Tampa Bay last Sunday, they wore the style and colors of the original uniforms from 1976. How refreshing; though wish Seattle would wear them every week. Watching the Lions demolish, destroy, overwhelm, hell you folks picks the adjective the Cincinnati Bengals this past Sunday showcases when an organization has a man of strong leadership qualities in charge. 

At the close of the 2021 season, the Lions finished 3-13-1, while the Bengals finished 10-7 and played so well in the playoffs that they earned the right to play for the Silver Trophy. Look at the records and direction of both teams now! 

Has the window closed on Cincinnati? Will Detroit advance to the NFC title game? Would relish any and all thoughts on these two teams. 

You all know my belief in team pass defense, and right now the bottom five teams in the category of the defensive passer rating category are 28) Saints, 29 Ravens 30), NYJ,  31) Cowboys, 32) Miami and the combined record of these five teams is 5-19-1. 

The October 2nd Thursday night game featured the two teams that each and every year demonstrate they are well coached and find a way to win. The 49er victory over the Rams just continues the legendary rivalry between these two teams, and the title for this week's column is a quote from Kyle Shanahan after the victory. 

Speaking of the 49ers, this coming Sunday, the 12th, marks the 73rd anniversary of one of those early-season wins that stands out. The two main contenders trying to dethrone the champion Rams in '52 are the Lions & Niners and they square off in Detroit. The 2-0 49ers put a stranglehold on the Lions offense, which gained just 65 yards on 48 offensive plays. San Francisco allows just 4 first downs to set a team defensive record that will stand for 21 years. 

Joe Perry carries against the Detroit Lions, 1952

Future Hall of Fame running backs Joe "The Jet" Perry & Hugh "the king" McElhenny combine to gain 136 yards rushing on 32 carries (Detroit allowed only 95 yards a game rushing all season). Y.A. Tittle was an efficient 13 of 18 for 90 yards passing as San Francisco built a 21-0 3rd quarter lead. 

Future Hall of Fame quarterback Bobby Layne completes just 5 of 15 for 43 yards. Lion passers are sacked five times for 49 yards, and the Leo "the Lion" Nomellini led the d-line stonewalls the Detroit ground game which gains just 40 yards on 17 rushing attempts. 49er linebacker Don Burke returns an interception 35 yards for a score in the 4th quarter, and the victory is complete. 

San Francisco registers their first shut-out in team history 28-0!

Seniors Screening Committee Recommends 52 Semifinalists With a Chance to be in the Class of 2026

 By John Turney 

Seniors' Screening Committee Recommends 52 Semifinalists with a chance to be in the Class of 2026. The next step in the process is that a Seniors nine-person Blue-Ribbon committee (BRC) will reduce the list of 52 candidates to 25 in the next couple of weeks, then again to nine perhaps a month later ot so  Ultimately, the BRC will choose three Finalists for the Class of 2026 and they will be presented to the full Pro Football Hall of Fame Board of Selectors.

Here are the 52 -- 

QUARTERBACKS (5): Ken Anderson, Charlie Conerly, Roman Gabriel, Jack Kemp, Don

Meredith.

All but Meredith have some sort of MVP award on their wall. Conely and Kemp have rings, but probably Anderson, the final 25 for sure, likely the final 9. 

RUNNING BACKS (6): Ottis Anderson, Larry Brown, Roger Craig, Chuck Foreman, Cecil Isbell, Paul “Tank” Younger.

Larry Brown was an MVP, Craig was a Player of the Year, the first 1,000-1,000 player was key to NFL Championships and has a strong case. Isbell, to me, should be listed with the QBs, yes, he was a tailback, but he was a passer ... he just wasn't a T-formation guy ... and should be listed with them in my opinion.

WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS (9): Mark Clayton, Isaac Curtis, Lavvie Dilweg, Henry Ellard, Harold Jackson, Billy "White Shoes" Johnson, Stanley Morgan, Art Powell, Otis Taylor.

I think Dilweg is the most honored end of all these players, but he was a two-way end, as good on defense as he was on offense. But his chances are small.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (11): Jay Hilgenberg, Chris Hinton, Joe Jacoby, Mike Kenn, Bob

Kuechenberg, Marvin Powell, Dick Schafrath, Jerry Sisemore, Walt Sweeney, Jim Tyrer, Al

Wistert.

It is quite a surprise that George Kunz was off the list this year after representing well last year. Just as surprising that Jerry Sisemore essentially took his place. Sisemore was a Pro Bowler twice and was a starter on a Super Bowl team once. Seems thin.

Do we dare put Jim Tyrer's name through the process again? It would be a wasted vote. Mike Kenn and Bob Kuechenberg are two that I think should make it to the Final 9. At least I will support them in that fashion.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (4): L.C. Greenwood, Ed “Too Tall” Jones, Jim Marshall, Harvey Martin.

No defensive tackles, all edge guys. That is a bit of a surprise. Greenwood has the jewelry (four rings), more than the other three ends combined. But all of then have better sack totals. But, Greenwood had the most Pro Bowls and also consensus first-team All-Pro selections.

I think L.C. is the top candidate of the four. 

LINEBACKERS (8): Carl Banks, Maxie Baughan, Mike Curtis, Larry Grantham, Lee Roy Jordan, Clay Matthews Jr., Matt Millen, Tommy Nobis.

Matt Millen? Three second-team All-AFC selections and one Pro Bowl? That is not a lot of end-of-season honors. But he does have four rings -- two with the Raiders and one each with the 49ers and Redskins.

Baughan made it to nearly the end until snubbed by the full board of voters. He has a strong chance of advancing that far again. Lee Roy Jordan, Tommy Nobis and now Mike Curtis -- how do you order them? If you had to rank them 1-2-3? Any group of people would come up with dozens of different ranks. That does not bode well for any of them.

DEFENSIVE BACKS (8): Dick Anderson, Bobby Boyd, Pat Fischer, Lester Hayes, Albert Lewis, Eddie Meador, Lemar Parrish, Everson Walls.

Like that, Lemar Parish made it through the screening committee; his seven Pro Bowls as a cornerback and one as a returner stand out. He was a player quarterbacks avoided. Albert Lewis is right with him in terms of coverage and he had a special teams skill like Parrish, but Lewis' forte was blocking punts. The most in recent NFL history.

Among safeties, I have Meador over Anderson, even though Anderson had a high peak and played or better teams. Anderson's career was cut short by injuries. It's a tough all.

SPECIAL TEAMS (1): Steve Tasker.

I think Billy "White Shoes" Johnson belongs in this category with Tasker. As a wide receiver, he was not a Hall-worthy player, but as a returner, especially a punt returner, he has a solid case. 

TUESDAY TIDBITS: "I'm Pretty Ruthless Back There"

By TJ Troup 

George Atkinson

Four weeks into the season, and so many storylines have led to plenty of compelling drama in the weeks to come. Which teams off to a hot start can continue to win? Which teams that have struggled can correct their issues, and put themselves back in the play-off hunt? The quote in the title of my short saga today comes from Marcus Jones after his impressive day returning punts. 

I wonder if Marcus would be impressed if he looked in the 1970 Record Book and saw the number of yards returned on punts by George Atkinson of the Raiders, or the Lions' Jack Christensen and Tom Watkins, as they had set the standard for both the AFL & NFL as the league headed into the merger? 

Jack Christensen

Our journey back in time today for October 5th, deals with a rivalry that was highlighted by Steve Sabol at NFL Films; the Eagles and Giants. We return to 1947 and the New York Giants have beaten the Eagles 19 of the 26 times they have played each other entering this game. Philadelphia is at home coming off its high-scoring victory over the Redskins. 

Earle "Greasy" Neale's defense has come to play today, as the Giants gain just 39 yards on the ground in shutting out New York 23-0 (just the second shut-out of the Giants). Philadelphia will allow just 80 yards rushing a game in their eight victories. 

Steve Van Buren

The Eagle ground game is in fine form as future Hall of Famer Steve Van Buren gains 105 yards on 16 carries (the third time he has gained 100 rushing against New York). Van Buren will win the rushing title and become just the second runner in league history to gain over 1,000 yards in a season, as the Eagles earn their first division title.

Packers Start Strong, Settle for a Tie in Dallas

 By Eric Goska

The 1940 Packers

If a football game consisted solely of first quarters, your Green Bay Packers would be undefeated.

For the fourth time this season, the Packers dominated early. But in Dallas, as in Cleveland, Green Bay could not sustain that effort and had to settle for a 40-40 overtime tie with the Cowboys Sunday night.

In the spirit of “if you can’t say something nice …,” we’ll focus on Green Bay’s historic first-quarter run. We’ll leave the unpleasantries that played out in the heart of Texas for others to sort through.

Historic, when invoked here, is not hyperbole. The Green and Gold have outgained their competition in first quarters by a wide margin, breaking a record that had stood for 85 years.

Green Bay’s early-bird ways were on display for all to see at AT&T Stadium. Jordan Love and his offensive mates posted 149 yards on 17 plays in the first quarter. The Cowboys managed 26 on eight snaps.

The Pack possessed the ball for 10 minutes, two seconds. They earned six first downs to the Cowboys’ one. They ran six plays beyond the fifty to zero for Dallas.

And, of course, Love hit Romeo Doubs with a 2-yard TD pass that put Green Bay up 7-0 heading into the second quarter.

The first quarter in Dallas was typical of what the Packers did against the Lions, Commanders and Browns in Weeks 1 through 3. Here’s how Green Bay fared in the first quarter against those teams – in order – in the opening 15 minutes.

   Offensive yards:              104 to 46; 151 to 11; 51 to 46
   Time of possession:        8:28 to 6:32; 10:10 to 4:50; 8:28 to 6:32
   First downs:                     6 to 2; 7 to 0; 3 to 2
   Plays beyond the 50:      11 to 0; 9 to 0; 7 to 3
   Score:                                10 to 0; 7 to 0; 0 to 0

Let’s pretend these first quarters made up one game. How would that look statistically?

   Offensive yards:              455 to 129
   Time of possession:        37:08 to 22:52
   First downs:                     22 to 5
   Plays beyond the 50:      33 to 3
   Score:                                 24 to 0

Packers coach Matt LaFleur

Pretty heady numbers. And the type that, posted over the course of an entire game, one would expect to result in victory.

Much of Green Bay’s early superiority has come through the air. Love has 29 completions in 39 attempts for 385 yards and three touchdowns (130.8 rating). His counterparts – Jared Goff, Jayden Daniels, Joe Flacco and Dak Prescott – combined for 14 completions in 17 attempts for 70 yards (83.8).

Love’s favorite targets have been Doubs (6-68-2) and Tucker Kraft (5-109-1). No. 10 has connected with 10 different receivers in the first quarter.

In clamping down on those it has faced while running rampant itself, Green Bay has amassed 326 more yards in the first quarter than its opponents. That differential is a team record, 35 better than the 1940 squad that previously held the mark.

First and Foremost
The six seasons in which the Packers outgained their opponents by more than 200 yards in the opening quarters of their first four games.
 
     Difference      Year      GB Yards    Opp Yards
           +326              2025           455                 129
           +291              1940            497                 206
           +284              2015            461                 177
           +256              1995            364                 108
           +206              1947            399                 193
           +206              2019            421                 215
 

Note: Numbers from 1940 and 1947 are unofficial. Numbers from 1921, 1922 and 1941 are unavailable.

Rams New Front Making Waves Like the Old Ones

 By John Turney 

Byron Young, Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske and Jared Verse.

While they haven’t replicated that nine-sack outburst in a single regular-season game yet, opponents are clearly wary of their relentless pressure. Protection schemes have adjusted, but the Rams' defensive line, bolstered by players like nose tackle Poona Ford—who excels when shifted to a 3-technique role—continues to dominate.

The Los Angeles Rams' pass rush erupted late in the 2024 season, culminating in a historic performance on January 13, 2025, when they sacked the Minnesota Vikings' quarterback nine times in a Wild Card playoff game, tying the NFL record for sacks in a postseason contest. This game signaled that the Rams' defensive front was a force to be reckoned with.

While they haven’t replicated that nine-sack outburst in a single regular-season game yet, opponents are clearly wary of their relentless pressure. Protection schemes have adjusted, but the Rams' defensive line, bolstered by players like nose tackle Poona Ford—who excels when shifted to a 3-technique role—continues to dominate.

The Rams' defense, under rookie coordinator Chris Shula, started 2024 sluggishly but gained momentum as Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse and standout Braden Fiske found their rhythm. Quarterbacks began to feel the heat, and the sacks piled up. Over an eight-game stretch, dating back to 2024 and through their most recent game in Philadelphia, the Rams recorded 35 sacks. This places them tied for tenth in franchise history for sacks in an eight-game span since 1963, with only nine Rams defenses having surpassed this mark:

The Rams' defense, under rookie coordinator Chris Shula, started 2024 sluggishly but gained momentum as Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse and standout Braden Fiske found their rhythm. Quarterbacks began to feel the heat, and the sacks piled up. Over an eight-game stretch, dating back to 2024 and through their most recent game in Philadelphia, the Rams recorded 35 sacks.

This places them tied for tenth in franchise history for sacks in an eight-game span since 1963, with only nine Rams defenses having surpassed this mark:

Source: Pro Football Reference.

The current Rams squad has a chance to climb higher. Their next game against the Indianapolis Colts, led by Daniel Jones, replaces a 2024 game against the New York Jets where they managed just one sack on Aaron Rodgers. Adding more than one sack in this matchup could push them into the top five—or even higher—on the franchise’s all-time list. However, the Colts’ offensive line has been stingy, allowing only two sacks this season, presenting a tough challenge.

Historically, the top three spots for sacks in an eight-game span belong to the 1988 Rams (with some games from late 1987), who notched 39 sacks. That year, injuries decimated the defensive line, prompting coordinator Fritz Shurmur to deploy his innovative “Eagle/Hawk” scheme, using two defensive linemen and five linebackers. Led by Kevin Greene’s ferocious blitzes, this unit overwhelmed quarterbacks and secured the franchise record.

Kevin Greene.

Tied with 39 sacks is the legendary Fearsome Foursome from late 1968 to early November. Featuring Hall of Famers Deacon Jones and Merlin Olsen, alongside Pro Bowler Roger Brown and Lamar Lundy, this front four was relentless, achieving their sack total against fewer pass attempts than modern teams. They also stifled the run, allowing just 3.3 yards per rush attempt, showcasing their all-around dominance.

Deacon Jones and Merlin Olsen.

The 1999 St. Louis Rams, the Super Bowl-winning “Greatest Show on Turf” team, rank fifth with 34 sacks over eight games. Often overshadowed by their explosive offense, this defense—led by Kevin Carter, D’Marco Farr, Ray Agnew, and Grant Wistrom—topped the NFL in sacks that year.

Kevin Carter, D'Marco Farr, Ray Agnew and Grant Wistrom.

Other notable Rams defenses on the upper regions of the list feature icons like Jack Youngblood, Olsen, Larry Brooks, and Fred Dryer, cementing the franchise’s legacy of elite pass rushing both in late 1973 early 1974 as well as the last half of 1979 (sans Olsen).

Jack Youngblood, Fred Dryer, Merlin Olsen and Larry Brooks

But that was then. This is now.

Last year, the 2024 Rams, powered by young stars Verse, Fiske, Byron Young, and Kobie Turner, totaled 38 sacks—a strong but not jaw-dropping figure. However, their current pace suggests they could reach 50 or 60 sacks in 2025, a mark that would place them among the franchise’s all-time greats.

Note: Ignore the yards per rush allowed for the op team and the current Rams. Stopping the run is a work-in-progress. To a degree, the 1988 teams got it under control and if the last three games are an indication, the 2025 Rams won't be pushed around too often and not give up piles of yards to the likes of Saquon Barkley and others.

What to Watch For Tomorrow:

One sack against the Colts keeps the Rams tied for tenth in franchise history for an eight-game span.

Two sacks tie them for seventh.

Five sacks matches the franchise record of 39.

Six sacks would give the 2025 Rams sole possession of the record with 40 sacks in eight consecutive games.

With their young talent and relentless momentum, the Rams are poised to continue climbing the ranks of the franchise’s storied pass-rushing legacy.

Keep an eye out.

UPDATE: 9/28/25—Rams sacked Daniel Jones twice in a 27-20 win, so they are tied for seventh in Rams hisotry for sacks over any eight-game span.

Like a Fine Wine

By Nick Webster

Calais Campbell, the 39-year-old defensive lineman for the Arizona Cardinals, has already recorded three sacks through the first four games of the 2025 NFL season. He started in every one of those games, and with 13 games still left on the schedule, Campbell is on pace to finish the season with 12.5 sacks if he maintains his current level of production.  This would surpass all previous records for players in his age bracket. Of course, it’s a long season and injury, opponent matchups and the rise of youngsters on the roster could dramatically impact outcomes.

Whether considering official sacks, tabulated since 1982, or unofficial sacks compiled back to 1960, no player aged 39 or older has ever reached 10 or more sacks in a single NFL season. The leaders in this age group are Doug Atkins of the Saints with nine sacks in a 14-game season at age 39 in 1969 and Bruce Smith of the Redskins who notched nine sacks in 16 games at age 39 in 2002.

Other notable performances feature Andy Robustelli, with 6.5 sacks for the Giants in a 14-game season at age 39 in 1964 and Clay Matthews with 6.5 sacks at age 40 in 1996 for the Atlanta Falcons, appearing in 15 games but starting just one. Jim Marshall recorded four sacks in 14 games at age 39 in 1976 and another four in 16 games at age 41 in 1978 for the Minnesota Vikings

An interesting case is Coy Bacon who tallied three sacks in just the first three games of 1981 at age 39 for the Redskins.  After repeated tardiness and missed meetings and practices, young Joe Gibbs sent Bacon home after a Thursday meeting before week four, the next day Bacon was released and never played another down in the NFL, prompting the AP to publish the following:

James Harrison also notched three sacks at age 39 in 2017 across six games for New England and Pittsburgh, without any starts. Harrison notched one in just 40 snaps playing sporadically for the Steelers. After dressing but not playing in the Steelers Week 15 tilt against the Patriots, Harrison was cut, only to sign with the Pats and log 2 sacks in 27 snaps in his final NFL game. Talk about right-player, wrong-uniform!

Throughout his career, Campbell has earned great recognition as a six-time Pro Bowler, and he remains a key starter and influential leader within the Cardinals' defensive unit. If he continues at his current pace, he could become the geriatric sack leader of all time.  Perhaps paving his way to Canton.

MODERN-ERA PLAYERS NOMINATED FOR PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2026

By John Turney 

Thirteen players in their first year of eligibility are among the list of 128 Modern-Era Players nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026. Drew Brees is the biggest name among those

The nominees, plus some short commentary

QUARTERBACKS (10): Drew Brees, Randall Cunningham, Jake Delhomme, Rich Gannon, Jeff Garcia, Eli Manning, Donovan McNabb, Steve McNair, Philip Rivers, Alex Smith

Brees will leapfrog Eli Manning and even though the process has tightened up and the division of votes makes election to the Hall more difficult than in past years, he will get his Gold Jacket right of way.

Manning was hotly debated last year, but that will be put on the back burner for now. Randall Cunningham is running out of time to be a modern-era candidate. He may have a shot as a senior, though, when the time comes.

RUNNING BACKS (21): Shaun Alexander, Mike Alstott (FB), Tiki Barber, Larry Centers (FB), Jamaal Charles, Corey Dillon, Warrick Dunn, Arian Foster, Eddie George, Frank Gore, Priest Holmes, Steven Jackson, Chris Johnson, Thomas Jones, Jamal Lewis, Marshawn Lynch, LeSean McCoy, Eric Metcalf (also WR/PR/KR), Lorenzo Neal (FB), Fred Taylor, Ricky Watters

A lot of backs with amazing career numbers. They also pass the eye test -- runners were just seen more often, carrying the ball 300-350 times. When you look at a chart of the accomplishments of these runners, it will give you a headache -- they are impossible to separate -- at least for me. 

WIDE RECEIVERS (18): Anquan Boldin, Donald Driver, Larry Fitzgerald, Torry Holt, Chad Johnson, Brandon Lloyd, Brandon Marshall, Derrick Mason, Herman Moore, Muhsin Muhammad, Jordy Nelson, Jimmy Smith, Rod Smith, Steve Smith Sr., Hines Ward, Reggie Wayne, Wes Welker, Roddy White

Torry Holt and Reggie Wayne have been fighting it out for a mythical 'slot' for years. Will this year be the one when one breaks out? Larry Fitzgerald will probably jump ahead of them and go in before either of them.

TIGHT ENDS (6): Vernon Davis, Zach Miller, Greg Olsen, Wesley Walls, Delanie Walker, Jason Witten

Witeon will be interesting. Big-time numbers in a numbers crunch for votes.Of the six on this list he is only one with a realistic chance -- but maybe not right away.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (22): Willie Anderson (T), Matt Birk (C), Lomas Brown (T), Ruben Brown (G), Ryan Clady (T), David DeCastro (G), Jahri Evans (G), Jordan Gross (T), Ryan Kalil (C), Olin Kreutz (C), Nick Mangold (C), Logan Mankins (G), Tom Nalen (C), Maurkice Pouncey (C), Jeff Saturday (C), Josh Sitton (G), Joe Staley (T), Brian Waters (G), Richmond Webb (T), Erik Williams (T), Steve Wisniewski (G), Marshal Yanda (G)

There is a push for Richmond Webb. It will be interesting if he gets a serious look before he is pushed into the Seniors category. The same applies to Wisniewski -- he's running out of time and has a strong resume. Jahri Evans might be the next offensive lineman indicted, though the new process hinders that somewhat.

Willie Anderson is in no-man's land. He cannot push through, but also keeps making semis and finals. The push for Webb might push Big Willie out of the way for a year. 

Among the centers, it's another case of a lot of guys with similar cases. Who do you pick if you cannot pick them all? None?

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (13): John Abraham (DE also LB), Geno Atkins (DT), Jurrell Casey (DT), Elvis Dumervil (DE), La’Roi Glover (DT/NT), Robert Mathis (DE), Haloti Ngata (DT),  

Jay Ratliff (DE), Simeon Rice (DE), Justin Smith (DE), Ted Washington (NT/DT), Vince Wilfork (DT/NT), Kevin Williams (DT)

Abraham has a lot of sacks and a pile of forced fumbles, but he also played for several teams and it does not look like any of them will champion his case. Ngata gets attention among nose tackle-types.

To me, Kevin Williams is the biggest oversight. Players who were first-team All-Pro as many times as Williams are pretty rare. So far, it has not mattered to voters. Robert Mathis has gotten support before, so I would expect him on the semi-finalist list.

LINEBACKERS (14): NaVorro Bowman, Lance Briggs, Tedy Bruschi, Thomas Davis, James Farrior, London Fletcher, James Harrison, A.J. Hawk, Luke Kuechly, Clay Matthews III, Dat Nguyen, Takeo Spikes, Terrell Suggs, Lee Woodall

Suggs was good at playing the run as well as being an elite pass rusher. I wonder if that will matter. London Fletcher has a ton of tackles and a lot of splash plays for his position. But neither of those two will have as much support for Luke Kuechly. I think the former Panthers 'mike' will get a Gold Jacket this year, even with the crunch for votes.

DEFENSIVE BACKS (15): Eric Berry (S), Kam Chancellor (S), Nick Collins (S), DeAngelo Hall (DB), Rodney Harrison (S), James Hasty (CB), Carnell Lake (DB), Allen Rossum (DB), Asante Samuel (CB), Patrick Surtain (CB), Earl Thomas (S), Charles Tillman (CB), Troy Vincent (CB), Adrian Wilson (S), Darren Woodson (S)

I think it is very hard to separate the safeties. They are such different types. Among the corners, it's kind of the same thing, but, in my opinion, they are not as strong as the safeties.

Rodney Harrison has intriguing stats and the jewelry. Woodson has jewelry. Earl Thomas was a big-time playmaker. 

PUNTERS/KICKERS (7): David Akers (K), Gary Anderson (K), Jason Hanson (K), John Kasay (K), Sean Landeta (P), Shane Lechler (P), Adam Vinatieri (K)

Adam Vinatieri will eventually get in. His clutch kicking is his 'signature'. Lechler had a great gross average and even a decent net, but he was not the kind of punter I have liked -- one who has a high difference between gross and net and not a stellar inside-the-20 to touchback ratio. But, he was an All-Pro multiple times and he gets some buzz.

SPECIAL TEAMS (2): Josh Cribbs (KR/PR also WR), Brian Mitchell (KR/PR also RB)

Mitchell was good at coverage and a great punt returner. Cribbs was one of the best-ever kick returners and a very good returner on punts. He was also a guy who would cover kicks as well as return them. Hard to sort out these kinds of players. Especially when "White Shoes" Johnson and Rick Upchurch never got modern-era support. I think they had more impact on the game than Cribbs or Mitchell. 

Senior Player Nominees Announced for Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026

 By John Turney 

A couple of weeks ago, the Pro Football Hall of Fame released the preliminary list of 162 players nominated for the Hall's Class of 2026 in the Seniors category.

Here is the list with some brief commentary.

Quarterbacks (9): Ken Anderson, Charlie Conerly, Roman Gabriel, John Hadl, Jack Kemp, Don Meredith, Earl Morrall, Jim Plunkett, Doug Williams

Ken Anderson has had most of the momentum. He played 16 years and six or seven were good, and maybe four were elite, including his 1981 MVP campaign. I'd think he has a good chance to be a finalist.

Conerly, Gabriel, Morrall and Kemp also had MVP seasons in the NFL or AFL accepted by media organizations. Kemp, Plunkett and Williams started for league champions and Hadl was a backup for an AFL champion.

Backs/Running Backs (16): Alan Ameche, Ottis Anderson, Larry Brown, Earnest Byner, Roger Craig, John David Crow, Chuck Foreman, Cecil Isbell, Verne Lewellen, Jack Manders, Mercury Morris, Don Perkins, Billy Sims, Herschel Walker, Byron "Whizzer" White, Paul "Tank" Younger

Some new names here. My personal favorites are Larry Brown, Craig and Foreman among recent backs. But who I would most like to see advance to the pinnacle of the HOF process is Verne Lewellen. He was one of the best players of his era, at any position and checks all the boxes.

Ends/Wide Receivers/Tight Ends (30): Fred Arbanas, Todd Christensen, Mark Clayton, Ben Coates, Gary Collins, Isaac Curtis, Carroll Dale, Lavvie Dilweg, Boyd Dowler, Mark Duper, Henry Ellard, Jimmie Giles, Charley Hennigan, Billy Howton, Harold Jackson, Keith Jackson, Billy "White Shoes" Johnson, Brent Jones, Homer Jones, Steve Jordan, Eric Martin, Stanley Morgan, Jay Novacek, Art Powell, Del Shofner, Lionel Taylor, Otis Taylor, Rick Upchurch, Bobby Walston, Billy Wilson

Like Lewellen, I am for Lavvie Dilweg to get a bust one day. Both have similar credentials and were teammates in the late 1920s and early 1930s.

Among the recent receivers, Del Shofner and Art Powell stand out in my eyes. Powell was close a couple of years ago but was voted down at the last moment. The major 'knock' was that his best seasons were in the early AFL, and many think the level of competition was not as high as it was later in the decade of the 1960s. Shofner was a five-time first-team All-Pro, but after his elite seasons, he kept getting hurt and didn't compile a pile of numbers like some of the others.

Harold Jackson and Stanley Morgan are mentioned a lot and have strong supporters on social media. Among tight ends, Todd Christensen has folks pushing for him. All excellent players, but their peaks, to me, don't match Shofner and Powell.

Offensive Lineman (35): Heartley "Hunk" Anderson, Bruce Armstrong, Stew Barber, Dick Barwegen, Ed Budde, Ox Emerson, Gale Gillingham, Charles "Buckets" Goldenberg, Ken Gray, Dennis Harrah, Jay Hilgenberg, Chris Hinton, Joe Jacoby, Mike Kenn, Bob Kuechenberg, George Kunz, Riley Matheson, Max Montoya, Jon Morris, Ralph Neely, John Niland, Bart Oates, Marvin Powell, Duane Putnam, Dick Schafrath, Jerry Sisemore, Doug Smith, Walt Sweeney, Bob Talamini, Fuzzy Thurston, Jim Tyrer, Bob Vogel, Ed White, Ray Wietecha, Al Wistert

My first choices would be Al Wistert and Ox Emerson. The Blue Ribbon committee that will narrow this list of 162 to 50 advanced Wistert last year, but not Emerson. I am hoping for both this year to make the next round.

The more modern linemen that I will support are Mike Kenn, George Kunz and Joe Jacoby. Jim Tyrer had his shot last year, and it seems the opposition to how his post-NFL career went is too strong to be overcome. 

Defensive Lineman (15): Houston Antwine, Gene Brito, Roger Brown, Earl Faison, Mark Gastineau, L.C. Greenwood, Ed "Too Tall" Jones, Jim Marshall, Leonard Marshall, Harvey Martin, Jerry Mays, Tom Sestak, Fred Smerlas, Neil Smith, Bill Stanfill

There are maybe a few types of players in this position group. First, guys with high peaks and short/shorter careers, i.e., generally guys who left a lot on the table or may have been felled by injuries. Those are Brito, Faison, maybe Roger Brown, Faison, Tom Sestak and Bill Stanfill.

Then there are the players with longevity, but didn't have as high a peak as the first group. Antwine, Greenwood, Too Tall, Jim Marshall, Martin, Smith and Mays.

Fred Smerlas had a high peak and also played for a long time. But he never gets much traction, being a nose tackle. 

If I could pick three, it would be Smerlas, but also would include Brito and Sestak.

One thing that strikes me is that this may be the strongest position group here, from top to bottom.

Linebackers (25): Carl Banks, Maxie Baughan, Cornelius Bennett, Bill Bergey, Matt Blair, Mike Curtis, Joe Fortunato, Larry Grantham, Tim Harris, E.J. Holub (also OL), Vaughan Johnson, Lee Roy Jordan, Seth Joyner, Greg Lloyd, Wilber Marshall, Rod Martin, Clay Matthews Jr., Bud McFadin, Karl Mecklenburg, Matt Millen, Tommy Nobis, Isiah Robertson, Pat Swilling, Darryl Talley, Keena Turner

Like the defensive linemen, this is a deep group. But in this group, it seems like the players with longevity get my preference. Baughan, for instance, is one of them. Clay Matthews as well.

But there are some all-around linebackers that I love here, but they seem like they will have a tough route to Canton. Bennett, Blair, Grantham, Joyner, Lloyd, Marshall and Talley.

Among the MLBers Nobis, Bergey and Jordan have the best cases but I wonder outloud if these players just cancel each other out because none really stand out among the others. Their cases are just too similar to differentiate. 

Defensive Backs (27): Dick Anderson, Bobby Boyd, Dave Brown, Joey Browner, Butch Byrd, Don Doll, Pat Fischer, Goose Gonsoulin, Dave Grayson, Cornell Green, Merton Hanks, Lester Hayes, Warren Lahr, Albert Lewis, Tim McDonald, Eddie Meador, Lemar Parrish, Jimmy Patton, Eugene Robinson, George Saimes, Jake Scott, Dennis Smith, Jack Tatum, Everson Walls, Charlie Waters, Abe Woodson, Louis Wright

Glad to see Abe Woodson make the list. He's all but forgotten, but in his day, he was an elite cornerback. I like Albert Lewis, Louis Wright and Lemar Parrish among the corners.

Eddie Meador and probably Tim McDonald are the top safeties -- at least I see them that way.

Kickers/Punters (3): Jim Bakken, Jim Breech, Nick Lowery

If you like analytics -- comparing players to how they compared to their peers then Bakken and Lowery would be Hall of Famers. Kicking percentages just get higher and higher, so you cannot compare kickers who played in the 1960s-1990s in the same light as now. A couple of good sources rate Bakken and Lowery as a cut above. 

Special Teams (2): Mel Gray, Steve Tasker

White Shoes Johnson and Rick Upchurch should be listed here, not with the receivers. They were starting receivers at times, but they were all-time great returners and why they should be considered for the Hall of Fame.

TUESDAY TIDBITS: "Success is Living Up to Your Potential"

By TJ Troup 

Which division of the eight in the NFL is playing the best overall football right now? Before the season began spent plenty of time trying to answer that question for myself, and felt the NFC North would again be the best; while the AFC West would also be top-notch. 

So far, the NFC West is playing the best, so the new question would be, can these four teams sustain their early success? This past weekend's games sure delivered in two statistical areas that are paramount for success; the first is "takeaways", with the sixteen winning teams taking the ball away 30 times (the losers just 9), and sacks, with the winning teams taking down quarterbacks 46 times (losing teams 24).

 Isiah Rodgers

Isaiah Rodgers of Minnesota joined a small fraternity of players who have returned both an interception and a fumble recovery for a touchdown in the same game. 

A former Minnesota Viking is the subject of my trip down memory lane for September 28th. The 0-1 defending NFL Champion Colts are at the Met to play the 0-1 Vikings. The result of this game will be far different than last year's Western Conference playoff game. Minnesota quarterback Joe Kapp has thrown 18 touchdown passes in his 27-game career entering this season, but on this day, he will become just the 5th player to throw 7 touchdown passes in a game. 

Joe Kapp

Kapp will complete 28 of 43 passes for 449 yards (the 8th best total in league history at this point in time) in the 52-14 victory. Six different receivers will catch touchdown passes from him (Gene Washington catches two). Minnesota gains 622 yards in total offense while the Viking defense allows Baltimore just 56 yards rushing, and intercepts three Colt passes. 

In Viking lore, this special group of men will forever be known as "40 for 60", led by Kapp, yet the title of today's saga is a quote from Kapp that sure fits then and now.

Heartbreak in Regulation for Packers in Cleveland

 By Eric Goska

Packers kicker Brandon McManus
(photos by Eric Goska)

For 60 minutes of game time, the Packers never trailed.

For 60 minutes of game time, the Browns never led.

Yet three hours and three minutes after initiating play, Cleveland – not Green Bay – claimed victory when its kicker, Andre Szmyt, nailed a 55-yard field goal as time expired to secure a 13-10 win.

This was going to be a story focused on Green Bay's pass defense. How it is allowing the fewest yards per completion in the league. How its efforts have been the best by the team in well over 50 years.

And we’ll still do that. But first we have to address yet another creative way in which the Green and Gold snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.

Early on, this game between Green Bay and Cleveland had the earmarks of being a defensive struggle. Neither the Packers (230 yards) nor the Browns (221) mustered much yardage.

Scoring did not come easily or quickly, at least not at first. Green Bay counted on a 39-yard Brandon McManus field goal (13 plays-43 yards; 7:23) and a 3-yard TD pass from Jordan Love to tight end John FitzPatrick (14-71; 7:41). Cleveland got its initial score – a 35-yard field goal by Szmyt – on a 12-play, 63-yard advance that took 5:48 off the clock.

Throughout, Green Bay never trailed.

Jordan Love

No matter. Cleveland rose to the occasion in the final minutes turning a Love interception into a touchdown and a blocked McManus field goal into Szmyt’s game winner.

Only once previously have the Packers gone 60 minutes without trailing only to lose in regulation. On Sept. 11, 1988, Tampa Bay’s Donald Igwebuike booted them into the loss column with a 28-yard field goal on the game’s final play.

Green Bay’s breakdowns on offense and special teams with the game on the line cannot take away from another fine performance by its defense. Jeff Hafley’s unit again kept completion yards to a minimum.

In opening 2-0, the Packers had allowed a league-low 7.73 yards per completion, nearly a yard better than the second-place 49ers (8.71). The Browns (8.61), meantime, were one of four clubs to average fewer than nine yards per completion.

As one might suspect, the Green and Gold clamped down on the Browns. Cleveland quarterback Joe Flacco completed 21 of 36 passes for 142 yards, an average of just 6.76 yards per success. He completed but two passes of more than 14 yards – a 17-yarder to Isaiah Bond and a 17-yarder to Jerry Jeudy.

To date, the Packers have given up 567 yards on 76 completions. That’s an average of 7.46 per, the lowest allowed by the team through the first three games of a season since 1967 (6.83).

But that club – which went on to win Super Bowl II – wasn’t tested to the extent of this current group. Coach Vince Lombardi’s last team in Green Bay allowed 164 yards on 24 completions through its first three games.

That season – 1967 – was also the last time the Pack limited each of its first three opponents to fewer than 250 yards. In going 2-1 this year, Green Bay held the Lions (246), Commanders (230) and Browns (221) below that mark.

Heartbreak in Regulation

Regular-season games in which the Packers trailed for less than 45 seconds but lost in regulation.
 
Seconds
Trailing   Opponent        Final          Date
0                  Browns                10-13            Sept. 21, 2025
0                  Buccaneers         10-13            Sept. 11, 1988
5                  Eagles                  17-20            Sept. 12, 1993
8                  Vikings                 7-10              Oct. 15, 1967
*                  Bears                    7-10              Oct. 22, 1933
**                Bears                    7-14              Sept. 24, 1933
35                Bears                    14-17            Sept. 25, 1960
 
*second-to-last play of the game
**third-to-last play of the game

TUESDAY TIDBITS: "We've Got to Play Better, Simple as That"

By TJ Troup

Two weeks so far in what is going to be a very interesting season filled with compelling drama and excitement. Going to begin by praising McCaffrey of the 49ers, any player that can join Faulk, and Moore as the only three players in history to rush for 50 touchdowns, and catch 30 touchdown passes is an outstanding achievement! Especially when you consider how many outstanding versatile backs we have seen in league history. 

Shifting gears to prognostication, no doubt there are folks who enjoy predicting the team won/lost records each year. This is certainly a daunting challenge, yet there is a "writer" named Adam Rank who foolishly predicted the outcome of the NFC North as follows: Bears 11-6, Packers 10-7, Lions 8-9, and Vikings 7-10. 

What did he base his predictions on, especially since he is off to a horrendous start. Coach TJ has the advantage of two weeks into the season, so this should be easy, right? Well, lets look back at the end of the season and see who did better, me or Adam Rank. The Vikings will finish 9-8 for the year, the Lions will finish 11-6, and the Packers 12-5, oh need to predict the cuddly soft little Bears? Let's take a quick look at what the defense has accomplished, shall we. Have allowed 73 points in the last five quarters of play. Their defensive passer rating is 136, which if they continue would be the worst in league history (league average is about 93). 

Had no expectation that the Bears secondary of 2025 would exceed the '63 or '85 Bears in efficiency, yet when a team is forced to play Stevenson, they are going to be a) shredded, b) torched c) destroyed, of d) all of the above! Against Detroit, they allowed 5 plays of over 30 yards, the most of any team in the last 10 seaons. Would relish all of you sharing the worst coaches in the last 55 years, and some of you might have Eberflus & Gibron on your list. Ben Johnson will not join those two as he has too many positive qualities, yet he is sure dealing with a learning curve, and the title of this week's saga is a quote from him. Oh, the final record for the this woeful pathetic excuse of a team? The Bears will finish 6-11, and with the Adam Rank's brilliant expertise, the Bears need to go 11-4 the rest of the way for him to be correct. 

Mike Haffner with a fingertip touchdown catch

How many of you see hell freezing over right now? When that happens the Bears will go 11-4 the remaining games of 2025. Every team has a history, and some teams have an interesting story to tell, and will end with the Denver Broncos and their game against the Jets on September 21st, 1969. 

All-AFL DE Gerry Philbin takes down Steve Tensi

All-AFL DE Rich Jackson sacks Joe Namath

Though they had never had a winning season, this early-season clash with the champion Jets draws a record crowd to Mile High! Over the course of the last 53 games Denver had played their record against everyone except the Jets was 12-35, but against New York 3-3! 

Could they possibly beat the defending champs on this crisp day in Denver? New York builds a 13-0 lead, but Floyd Little's 52-yard punt return sets up his 1-yard score to put points on the board (Little pounds out 104 rushing yards against the tough Jets defense). Tensi is injured and Pete Liske (former Jet) enters the fray.

Steve Tensi

Lou Saban had him on the Buffalo roster in '64 but since he had Lamonica and Kemp he left for Canada, where he played outstanding football, and now Saban needs a backup to Tensi and brings Liske back. Pete lofts a pass to a wide-open Mike Haffner who stretches and makes a fingertip catch for a touchdown, and later Liske finds Denson open and the Broncos now lead. 

The Jets respond and score, and must go for two to gain a tie, but fail. Though they are outgained, the Broncos have knocked off the Super Bowl champs to have a record of 2-0. No, Denver does not have a winning season in '69 ("they're killing me Whitey, they're killing me"), there is continued excitement in Denver for years to come. 

This coming Sunday the Broncos play the Chargers in a key AFC battle, for me a game to watch. See ya next week.