No, not an itch, (that is 7), it is teams that were in “5” year Supes at least qualifying for the 14 teams (only top seeds, ’05 Supe loser Seattle and ’15 winner Denver (Broncos)–the Seahawks “Suped” Denver in one of far too many Peyton Manning bad ‘offs tilts in 2013, get wild card round byes) NFL playoffs.
In addition to the top seeds, the (10-7) Pittsburgh Steelers ended the 16 game NFL slate, in the lone head to head tilt for qualification, with a (26-24) win over the Baltimore Ravens. “Pitts” made three “5” year Supes, they were the team that beat Seattle in the above referenced ’05 season such and they also split in “5” yr. such vs Dallas, winning in ’75 and losing 20 years later.
Seattle gained the “1” seed winning (13-3) on Saturday night while huge “fave” in an in between spread tilt, won (19-3) vs 7 seed L.A. (Chargers) to secure the franchise’s 7th top seed, this from a team that failed to even qualify for the albeit, far less teams in, ‘offs in their first 17 seasons, (1960-1976).
A quirk tiebreaker got (8-9) Carolina (Panthers) in though Tampa Bay (Buccaneers) the div winner the last 4 seasons, (16-14’d) them in the earlier Saturday tilt as Atlanta also by 2 points and as at least a FG favorite, beat New Orleans, yielding a 3 way (8-9) tie among those 2 and the Falcons(I am no John Gielgud, far from it, but so many “well paiders” say between, when it is among for more than 2 (ode to Schaefer Beer and its iconic “more than one” slogan) which yields the “5” seed Rams (-10) at “Caro” in the first wild card round tilt, late Saturday afternoon at Carolina.
“Caro” was the team Denver with Peyton Manning beat, however, ’twas their defense as Manning did little, certainly not anywhere what would be needed to call him a true great, that lost to Denver in the most recent “5”year Supe.
The “2” seeds (for the 6th straight season, after I believe 42 seasons of the far better giving 2’s byes, belong to “5” year (’85) Supe opponents Chicago (Bears) and New England Patriots.
Chi ripped N.E. (46-10) with its famed and all-time type great 4-6 defense, plus plenty of offense (46-10), in that NBC telecast Supe. Then it was Enberg, this NBCer on Feb. 8th is Tirico. Talk about deflation!!
‘Twas Dick Enberg then Merlin Olsen on William ‘el” Refrigerator Perry’s Supe TD in which Chi ripped N.E.
That tilt and the upcoming one forty years later was telecast by NBC.
32 games remain, (16 NFL “reg,” 13 NFL ‘offs games culminating in the Supe on Feb. 8th and 3 in the college ‘offs), the # evoking Jim Brown whose last truly meaningful game was 60 years ago yesterday in a (23-12) ’65 title tilt loss at Green Bay.
Another great “32” and as with Jim a true favorite, Sandy Koufax turned 90 days back while another Earvin “Magic” Johnson was the most recent Rose Bowl’s grand marshal.
One more great player/#32 Orenthal James “O.J.” Simpson scored both TD’s in USC’s ’67 title clinching Rose Bowl win in the only other (before the days back Indiana ease which with Ole Miss’ upset win vs Georgia and Miami’s such vs Ohio State, leaves Indiana a pretty sizable plurality “fave” to title) Indiana Rose Bowl appearance.
You do not give Jim Brown an ultimatum, however, then Browns’ owner and significant NFL figure, Art Modell did and Jim on the set of the great film, “The Dirty Dozen,” announced his retirement from pro football, though near the top of his game, which still makes him, the almost no argument, greatest of all running backs.
After a fairly tense Miami win vs Ohio State on New Year’s Eve, two ho hums, (now (14-0) Indiana with Fernando Mendoza starring ripped ‘Bama which finished with 4 losses preceded by Oregon’s shutout of Texas Tech) a scintillating Sugar (Bowl) manifested in Ole Miss, a near TD u/dog winning (39-34) vs 3rd seed Georgia.
In that “Sugar,” (ode to Peter B. and The Archies), Lucas Carneiro FG with :05 left broke a (34-34) tie and notes might include 2 bad decisions by 2 time title winner, Georgia coach, Kirby Smart and a weird across the field lateral type play that yielded a safety and a Georgia onside kick recovery. Still it ended Ole Miss by 5 and now 3 point underdogs vs Miami on January 8th.
In the noon Eastern Time start, “Orange” Oregon eased (23-0) vs Texas Tech and are 4 plus point(s) underdogs, vs Indiana and Mendoza, a week from tonight.
Heisman Trophy winner, (14-0) and plurality “fave” to title, Indiana QB, Fernando Mendoza, pictured above.
Miami Florida an incredible four time champion in 9 seasons (’83-’91) but with just one crown, that in ’01 since then knocked out defending champion, plurality favorite and second ranked Ohio State in the first “quarter” played as the Cotton Bowl.
A far better and deserving Ohio State team was denied even one crown when U.C.L.A. Rose Bowled them exactly 50 years ago tomorrow on another Thursday January 1st.
Ohio State won crowns in ’02 (that vs defending champion Miami in 2 overtimes with the aid of a key interference call vs the ‘Canes (Miami), in the first 4 team ‘off in ’14 (once Canes fan “Stone” said 14 as) and in last year’s first 12 team ‘off.
The ‘Canes will meet the winner of tomorrow’s night/finale of 3 bowl/playoff games, evoking the good days of meaningful 1/1 bowl games, between Georgia a near TD “fave” vs Ole Miss.
In the day’s first tilt, Oregon is a slight favorite vs Texas Tech, the latter the higher ranked team. (In 5 ‘offs quarters, the bye/higher ranked team lost).
Then in the Rose Bowl/quarter, top ranked Indiana, evoking memories of John Isenbarger and ’67, is also a near TD “fave” vs Alabama.
‘Bama has a plethora of college football crowns (at least 12, 6 under Nick Saban, 5 coached by Paul “Bear” Bryant and one with Gene Stallings at the helm, that one clinched vs a Miami team, favored to claim a 5th crown in 10 seasons), but none in basketball.
Indiana is the near reverse with 5 basketball crowns, 3 under Bob Knight and 2 under Branch McCracken) and none in football.
John Isenbarger, pictured above led Indiana to their only previous Rose Bowl appearance after the 1967 season.
In that game played on 1/1/1968 a running back named Simpson scored both TD’s as U.S,C. won (14-3) and claimed the ’67 title.
Isenbarger and O.J. died about a month apart 56 years later in 2024.
Six of the seven NFC ‘offs participants are and essentially have been known for a while.
Only one team knows its seed, that the to be “7” (ode to Mickey (Mantle) and there have been 5 same year (’36,’39’ ’61, ’62 and ’96) Yankees/Packers crowns, however for the 24th time in 25 seasons, the Yankees did not win it all and while G.B. conceivably can, there ‘es’ ‘mucho’ wood to chop.”
Saturday night’s Sea at S.F. (a redux of the ’13 NFC title tilt won by Seattle en route to their lone title) winner will be the NFC top seed. If Sea wins and the Rams beat Arizona late afternoon Sunday then the Rams would be the “5” and surely pretty big faves at the NFC South winner, which would be currently (8-8) Carolina if they “Saturday afternoon” Tampa Bay on the road or if in an odd quirk, Atlanta wins at New Orleans early Sunday.
Elsewhere the “2” seed once so coveted and still a “bond yielding at least two home tilts if said “2” wins its first and possibly all 3 within the conference a situation the Eagles rode to a second title in eight seasons, last year.
This year “Philly” (Eagles) need help and their own win, respectively a Lions at Chi (Bears) win and their own home win vs “Wash.” Remember neither the Bears or Eagles can be the “1” and be off the next week thus it will be interesting to see how each team plays it regarding perhaps resting players.
Likely, in the simultaneous late Sunday starts, each will be motivated to win as again the “2” seed while no longer affording a wild card round bye, still has, above referenced value.
While both the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots clinched division crowns, the “Jax” Jaguars also were penultimate regular season week winners and have opened at least 10 point “faves” to win theirs (AFC South).
That would manifest if they win hosting Tennessee (Titans) or if Houston (Texans) lose at home to the Indianapolis Colts, however one AFC “div” has not been decided but will in a head to head/yet another big Baltimore Ravens/ Pittsburgh Steelers clash.
The Ravens in a Peacock game (I watched Svengoolie and there was a Dr. Raven character in the week’s movie) beat the Packers and earlier today, the Ravens/the old Browns got help from the now (4-12) newer, exponentially less glorious ones, as they (13-6’d) Pittsburgh. “Balt” opened a FG/Fave in next week’s, at Pittsburgh clash.
It evokes memories of the, or at least a rare other time, a head to head clash would or did decide a Steelers’ ‘offs bid.
In 1963, the New York Giants won (33-17) at Yankee Stadium to win the NFL Eastern Conference crown vs the Steelers, who played 39 seasons (’33 when the first NFL title game was played-’71 without making the scheduled ‘offs, be it the title game (’33-’65), as much as a conference ‘off or title game no less the Supe ’66-’69 and one of the 8 ‘offs teams upon the AFC/NFC configuration start ’70 and ’71) which had ‘offs, sans an appearance in any.
The Texans, Bills and Chargers are in the playoffs as are the Jaguars, Broncos and Pats.
The talented Rich Koz is “Svengoolie.”
Today marks the 67th anniversary of the so called “greatest game,” (true story a driver for someone I know, upon hearing “so called” in front of “greatest game” politely turned around and said “what do you mean so called?!!), played on another Sunday December 28th at Yankee Stadium, in which the Baltimore Colts won the title (23-17) vs the New York Giants in the NFL’s first overtime game.
Certainly that game, the third AFL/NFL Championship Game/Super Bowl Jets’ (16-7) win vs the near 3 TD favorite same Colts ten years 2 weeks and one day later and a rarely cited Cleveland Browns (30-28) win over the L.A. Rams (mention/thoughts of the Rams evokes 60 years friend “Ben E,” who sadly died days back in a car crash) in the 1950 NFL Title tilt, cementing the “4 of 4 titles,” in the All American Football Conference, Browns, as an NFL great.
One man, Weeb Ewbank was an integral part of all 3 epic football victories (please keep it in perspective as the Bronxville resident did not discover a cure for polio, but also does not get enough credit–again perspective, something desperately needed now), as head coach in both ’58 and ’68 and as an assistant on the great coach, Paul Brown’s staff in 1950.
Weeb Ewbank was on the winning side, as cited above in those 3 epic games with the pro football title at stake. His Browns with Weeb an aforementioned assistant under Paul Brown, for whom the team was named, lost title tilts in Ewbank’s last 3 seasons in that role (’51-’53) before winning the next 2 seasons, in “Automatic” and great, Otto Graham’s last 2 campaigns.
Ewbank made the “Hall” in ’78 and died on November 17, 1998 the 30th anniversary of the famed “Heidi Game.”
In that game the Oakland Raiders scored a pair of touchdowns after NBC switched from game coverage to the movie, “Heidi” and won (43-32) (apparently the line was Oak -7 plus, imagine having the Jets but also imagine a $$ line as 18 point “dogs” in that season’s AFL/NFL Championship Game/Super Bowl) vs Weeb’s Jets. In the subsequent, ’68 AFL title game at Shea Stadium, ’twas the Jets (27-23).
This season the Jets are (3-12), the Raiders (2-13) with today’s game vs the New York Giants likely to afford the losing team the top draft pick and then the inherent speculation. Next a post about the teams playoffs bound.
On this Christmas Day, the always fine “gift” of an episode of the great television show, “What’s My Line.”
Today’s episode from March 1963 features panelists Arlene Francis, Johnny Carson, Phyllis Newman and Bennett Cerf.
John Charles Daly is the show’s impeccable host.
Danny Kaye is the mystery guest.
Click below and enjoy. Anyone to clarify Mr. Carson’s words when introducing the beautiful Phyllis Newman? If so, please comment.
In all likelihood, 13 of the 14 ‘offs teams are now known, with the 14th to be the NFC South Division winner between (8-7) Carolina and (7-8) Tampa Bay, probably to be decided when the teams meet on the final “reg” day January 4, 2026.
While only the defending champion, (10-5) Philadelphia Eagles have clinched a “div” crown (they became the first repeat NFC East champion since they, under Andy Reid won 4 straight such titles (2001-2004), 4 pretty big longshot teams, certainly the (11-4) Chicago Bears and (12-3) New England Patriots (40 years later– a Supe redux on NBC??– but no Enberg, just a blown up display item/king at Rockefeller Center) and also the (11-4) Jacksonville Jaguars and (9-6) Pittsburgh Steelers are seemingly on the precipice of div crowns and minimum a wild card round home game.
Elsewhere regarding “divs,” both the (12-3) Seattle Seahawks and (11-4) S.F. 49ers control their own destiny and if each team wins this Sunday in the season’s penultimate week, their at S.F. (by the way the Supe will be played there) final day-night? head to head clash, would decide the NFC West and perhaps the coveted 1 seed, the only one that comes with a wild card round bye.
The highly rated (11-4) L.A. Rams need help, one loss by both S.F. and Sea and wins in their at Atlanta and vs Arizona games, to get the “div” crown, however they remain Supe plurality “faves” and have clinched an ‘offs spot. Ditto the (11-4) Buffalo Bills and with a magic # of 1, the (9-5-1) Green Bay Packers, both teams with faint div title hopes.
Finally the AFC West is still going and if the (11-4) L.A. Chargers, slight favorites vs another so likely ‘offs participant, the (10-5) Houston Texans (they are still in contention for the AFC South title, currently considered (see above) to be going to Jacksonville (Jaguars), win the NFL Network late Saturday afternoon (Houston invariably played/hosted in that time slot’s wild card round game, still possible but again unlikely this season, regarding “hosting–i.e. playing in Houston, though one never knows–ode to Cherchez la Femme/Se Si Bon) then the final week’s Chargers at Denver (Broncos) tilt would determine the division winner.
Truly “one never knows” in life and certainly regarding NFL results. Hear it early in the fine song, one can hear by clicking above.
Some updates: Last night was not a good sports night in Oklahoma, as Alabama down (17-0) rallied to become the first “road” winner in what was the fifth 12 teams/’offs game (all 4 home teams prevailed last year, all at least fairly sizable “faves”), (34-24) as a slight underdog.
In the NBA, (no alarm but I warn Ok City, taken to 7 by both Denver and Indiana before winning the title after a superb (68-14) reg, is not unbeatable and they play in the so much tougher Western Conference), Minnesota Timberwolves 5’d out by the Thunder in last year’s semis won at home leaving the Thunder with a still great (25-3) record.
In all likelihood they will not break the Warriors’ (73-9) record and are better off not doing so. Recall those Warriors were denied in a 7 game final by the Cleveland Cavaliers, speaking of whom, these 9 years later, as top East odds choice, are a pretty bad (15-14) and have lost 8 of their last 11 tilts.
Below– read an account of the first ever Alabama/Oklahoma clash, which took place on 1/1/1963 the 1962 season Orange Bowl, attended by John F. Kennedy and in many ways introducing Joe Namath. Two charismatic figures to say the least.
Kennedy was at midfield for the coin toss in front of 73,380 in the stadium, while millions more watched on television. In the first quarter, Namath directed the Tide 61 yards in ten plays, and from the Oklahoma 25, he faked a handoff and a short pass, whirled, and sailed a long pass into end Richard Williamson’s hands in the end zone. Tim Davis kicked the extra point, and Alabama had a quick 7-0 lead.
The Sooners came right back and worked the ball down the field against the vaunted Tide defense, thanks in no part to a 56-yard pass play from Ron Fletcher to Allen Bumgardner. With the ball sitting at the Alabama seven-yard line, they had their best scoring opportunity. Unfortunately, Grisham fumbled, and Oklahoma was turned away.
Jordan was all over the field as a defensive battle began to take shape. But the Tide struck again in the second period. In the second period, Alabama’s Billy Piper returned a Looney punt to the Oklahoma 34. First, Namath threw a pass to Williamson that was good for 20 yards, and then two plays later, a pitchout to halfback Cotton Clark resulted in a 15-yard scoring sprint, his 16th of the season. Davis again converted the extra point, and Alabama had a 14-0 lead, which is how the teams headed to the locker rooms.
After intermission, the Tide was again presented with another opportunity. This one arose when Looney, the nation’s leading punter with a 43.4 yard average, was hurried by ‘Bama guard Frankie McClendon’s rush and got off a kick of only seven yards. Namath moved the offense from the Oklahoma’s 33 to the two-yard line, where they faced a fourth down. Bryant opted for a field goal attempt, and Davis’ 19-yarder made it 17-0. It closed out the scoring.
Both teams compiled exactly 260 yards of total offense, but Oklahoma was unable to get into the end zone. Despite his fumble, Grisham earned 107 tough yards on the ground for the Sooners, but it was too much Jordan, as he almost single-handedly turned Oklahoma away, and finished the game with an Alabama bowl record of 31 tackles. Namath completed nine of 17 passes for 86 yards and picked up another 24 yards rushing. The Alabama seniors finished with a school-best 29-2-2 three-year record, and once again, it was Bryant who had beaten Wilkinson.
In the Alabama dressing room after the game, a photographer asked Bryant to spell the name of a player whose picture he had just taken. “That’s Namath, so – N-A-M-A-T-H,” he said. “But don’t worry about it. You’ll learn how to spell it in the next couple of years.
Left to right Joe Namath and legendary coach, especially with Alabama, where he won 5 A.P. mythical titles, Paul “Bear” Bryant.
The “Jordan” cited above is Leroy Jordan, who went on to a great career with the Dallas Cowboys.
