TUESDAY TIDBITS: "It's a shame, we played well enough to win"

Where to start? Ok, since am a stat guy, let's go to a category and performance last Sunday that we will never see again. A bold statement? Hell Yes! Braden Mann has proven to be a consistent and excellent punter, and his 86 yard booming punt sure was impressive. Later in the game he had a -2 yard punt, yes folks MINUS 2! That combination will never happen again! Josh Allen had a passer rating of 87.3 last night. Not one of his best passing game performances to say the least, but the Vikings entered the game ranked #1 in the defensive passer rating category with a mark of 64.9, thus Allen was efficient enough coupled with Buffalo staying on the ground in literally grinding out a victory. Minnesota has now lost two straight, and this Sunday they play their hated rivals from Green Bay. Yes, you guessed correctly there will be plenty of smokehouse almonds and dr. pepper as I watch. If Detroit can pull out another win on Sunday coupled with the cuddly little Bears having a bye; the standings in the NFC North will simply mean that EVERY game for these four teams has an impact on the standings and who stays home in January. Wait, they could all go to the play-offs? Bill Barnwell writes online that the NFC North this year is the best division ever? If you don't agree with his assessment, share with me which division historically is better? During the final weeks of the '94 season the four contending teams in the "black & blue" division won enough to qualify for the play-offs, and were matched up against each other. Since I mentioned the Packers they are one of the two teams involved in a game that I can watch over and over. The '58 Packers were abysmal, thus enter Vince Lombardi! He has prepared his team so well that they start out 3-0, then they lose four straight. The defending champion Colts have lost two in a row after winning 4 of 5. Baltimore journey's to Milwaukee on a chilly November afternoon with snow encircling the field. Green Bay and Baltimore would never be considered heated rivals, but after this game they sure became bitter rivals since division and conference titles were on the line for the next nine years! Billy Butler returns the opening kick-off 27 yards, and when Starr gains 37 yards on a completion to McGee the Packers have first and ten on the Colt thirty-two yard line. On second down Hornung cannot make the catch of a swing pass from Starr and deflects the ball skyward. When you watch the "Big Daddy" arrive on the scene due to his amazing pursuit skills and snag the ball we get to watch the big man rumble, and I mean RUMBLE down the sideline for 49 yards before Starr takes his legs out. Baltimore can not make a first down, thus Myhra enters the game to attempt a field goal. Ray Brown has thrown a few passes as a Colt and on a fake field goal attempt Brown lofts the ball to end zone for Marchetti, yes Marchetti who is expertly defended by savvy veteran Emlen Tunnell. Who would have thought you would ever see this scenario in a game based upon the backgrounds of Marchetti & Tunnell at this point in their careers? The Packers take over and advance 64 yards before the drive ends with a Hornung 23 yard field goal. Middle linebacker Dick Szymanski intercepts a screen pass and the Colts score on Lenny Moore's shifty 26 yard run. Early in the second quarter Baltimore drives 80 yards on 11 plays. Unitas pitches to Berry for 7 yards is a text book example of two men, their synergy and timing. Baltimore 14 Green Bay 3. Just before the half John again completes to Berry for a score, this one for 10 yards. Looks like the game is going to be a runaway. About a minute left in the half as Starr calls signals....WAIT? The Colts are not only in their version of an early "nickle" defense it is their 3 man defensive line that needs to be discussed. First down has #70 Art Donovan as the nose tackle, second down it is #76 Lipscomb, and on third down #78 Ray Krouse. The Baltimore Colt defensive strategy is light years ahead of many of the other teams in the league. Add to that all three men earned a Pro Bowl berth during the decade of the '50's.....has to be the only time in league history. This Green Bay Packer team comes out of the locker room for the 2nd half ready to due battle, and boy oh boy do they. Baltimore punts, and Starr back as the starting quarterback masterfully moves the Pack 75 yards in eight plays as Taylor scores from the two. When the Horse fumbles (that is Alan Ameche to you that don't know the roster)and quick tough defensive tackle Henry Jordan pounces on the pigskin. Bones Nelson is called for pass interference. First and ten; Starr reads the coverage of the Colts flips a pass to Taylor and he bolts 20 yards to score! Baltimore 21 Green Bay 17 midway through the 3rd quarter. Green Bay stops the Colts and on first down Hornung explodes for the longest run of his career, he weaves his way 63 yards to the Baltimore ten yard line. Hornung misses his 2nd field goal of the game. Unitas finds Mutscheller open and he gains 27, then completes to Berry for 13. At the 13:49 mark of the 4th Mr. Hightops again finds Jim Mutscheller ready to latch onto the pigskin, this time for 24 yards. Baltimore 28 Green Bay 17. Bart Starr has found rookie Boyd Dowler open all day and his 21 yard gain has the Packers near midfield. Can these guys actually rally to beat the champs? Right linebacker Don Shinnick pilfers a pass (one of his league leading 7 during the campaign), but the Packer defense stiffens, yet there is a reason the Colts are champions, and they also force a punt. Green Bay again forces a punt. Starr completes 4 passes while mixing in the run. Taylor again scores. Hornung's onside kick is recovered by Milt Davis. So much has been written about the Baltimore pass offense, yet they can run the ball as Moore, Sommer and Ameche pound out 39 yards. The game ends with Baltimore on the Packer twenty-seven 1st and 10! Having watched this game many times, what washes over me is how many outstanding football players were on the field that day. Hard bitten veterans like Pellington of the Colts. The rookie of the year in Dowler. Future Hall of Famers including Starr & Unitas driving their teams down the field. Cutting edge strategy in offensive alignments. Lombardi is quoted after the game with the title of todays saga. With Starr at the helm Green Bay will win their last four to finish with a winning record in Lombardi's maiden voyage as head coach. John Eisenberg captures the essence in his terrific book "That First Season". As for Baltimore, they also continue to win, all the way to their second world championship. ESPN over the years has had many a documentary on signficant/important games. Really believe this game could and should be done. Oh well, just a crusty old dinosaur wishing and a hopin'.....see ya next week.