Tonight the (10-5) Dallas Cowboys, minimum an ‘offs team and needing 3 of 4 results to be Dallas wins or (11-4) Philly (Eagles) losses, to win their division, host the (11-4) Detroit Lions, who last week, clinched their first “div” crown in 30 years.
Detroit is a likely NFC “3” seed and just might face the currently (8-7) L.A. Rams, whose quarterback Matthew Stafford was at that position for many years, with the Lions, in a wild card round game, 2 weeks or 2 weeks and and one day day hence.
In their very likely wild card round game, (the Lions who are (0-9) in wild card round games have a very slight chance to avoid playing in one, but need 3 of 4 decisions to be their wins and both Philly and (11-4), current top seed, S.F. (49ers) losses), Detroit will be seeking to make just their fourth “slots”/division round appearance.
Their previous such tilts were in ’70 (the first year of such games as the AFC/NFC configuration began), ’83 and ’91.
The Lions won vs Dallas at home in ’91, but lost a Saturday “slots”/div round game, by the highly unusual score of (5-0), at Dallas, in the late afternoon, second ever such game in ’70.
In ’83, the usually reliable excellent kicker, Eddie Murray missed a potential game winning field goal and S.F. prevailed at home, vs Detroit, in that slot 2/later Saturday “div” round game.
Ten years later, Murray’s overtime field goal at the New York Giants in the “reg” finale, gave Dallas the NFC one seed, which they rode to a second straight Super Bowl crown, within a period of 3 titles in 4 seasons.
Dallas has not “titled” or even made a “semi” since, while the Lions have made but one semi in the 65 completed seasons, since they thumped the Cleveland Browns in the 1957 NFL Title Game.
Fifty nine years and one day after their last title, the Cleveland Browns (1999 expansion team version) are over a touchdown favorite in tonight’s last Thursday night and maybe Al MIchaels’ last game, vs the New York Jets, to clinch an ‘offs spot for just the third time in their 24 seasons.
It is noteworthy that the Browns and Jets met in the first “packaged” (i.e. there would be a full season of such and have been for 54 years and counting) Monday Night Football tilt, that juxtaposed with the fact tonights game is available only on something called Amazon.
The Browns are (10-5) with the great Jim Brown’s #32 proudly displayed on their uniforms.
Jim died earlier this year, in perhaps eery or maybe a symbolic situation, 60 years to the date, after another Syracuse University great, Ernie Davis, died tragically young at the age of 22.
Left to right, Ernie Davis and former Browns’ owner, Art Modell, who as with once Giants owner Well Mara, did much good and some not so, (Modell moved the great Browns to Baltimore where they play as the current best record Ravens).
Truly good: Modell helped Ernie Davis and his family.
In a too hyped game, however one in which the result might make it a bit more worthy of said hype, the (12-3) Baltimore Ravens won (33-19), at (11-4) San Francisco (49ers).
Both teams control their destiny to be their conference’s top seeds.
Yesterday, in the other two games, somewhat questionably played on Christmas Day, the (7-8) Las Vegas Raiders, a huge underdog won outright, at the (9-6) defending champion and still very likely “div” winning, Kansas City Chiefs.
Next the (11-4) Philadelphia Eagles maintained their NFC East advantage, winning (33-25), but as 2 TD favorites, vs the (5-10) New York Giants.
“Balti” would clinch the “div” and the AFC top seed with a win vs Miami, as an opening field goal home “fave.”
In an epic overtime game con Jim Simpson behind the television microphone, a Baltimore team, the Colts, rode a Toni Linhart overtime field goal to a div clinching win in 1975’s 13th, but also as this year, for ‘Phins/Balti, the penultimate NFL week, (now the 17th), vs the Dolphins.
Perspective on a day with Billy G, sure joy if as in the past, dogs not “dogging” but let’s (en)joy what we have while we have it!!
There are two Super Bowl rematches to be played today and tomorrow.
Last night in a redux of both the 1964 and 1965 A.F.L. Title games, each won by the Buffalo Bills, again it was the Bills who were victorious vs the Chargers but in a game far closer than expected.
“Buff” is now (9-6) and very much in the ‘offs race while the Chargers, despite a good effort under interim coach, Giff Smith (ode to Mr. Gifford), fell to a highly disappointing (5-10) record.
Today it is a redux of the sixth Supe (1971 season), in which, Dallas (Cowboys) finally won “The Big One” (24-3) vs the Miami Dolphins, as the pair of (10-4) teams meet in Miami.
Tomorrow night, in the last of 3 Christmas tilts, it is a rematch of the 2012 season Supe when the Baltimore Ravens barely held off Colin Kaepernick and S.F. (49ers), as the pair of (11-3) Conference leaders/likely “1” seeds, clash in “that city by the bay.”
The great Duane Thomas wore #33 and helped Dallas win their first Super Bowl in 1971.
Six years later, the even greater Tony Dorsett, wearing #33 helped Dallas win a second such crown.
On Saturday night the (8-7) Buffalo Bills, I believe rightly considered a viable title contender, visit the so disappointing (5-9) L.A. Chargers.
It is a redux of AFL Title tilts played in back to back years (1964 and 1965), each a Bills’ win, their only 2 “all the way” crowns and as with the Chargers (1963) and Oilers/Titans (1960 and 1961), were AFL and never NFL.
Also in a night tilt involving an AFC East team, this one on Christmas Eve, once reserved for at most “The Hawaii Bowl” and before that no games/no action, the (3-11) New England Patriots visit the (7-7) Denver Broncos.
The Broncos (an impressive (8-2) in AFC Title games/NFL “semis”) defeated the Patriots in both the 2013 and 2015 AFC Title games.
Nobody but Bill Groman played 6 seasons and was a title winner in as many as four.
Bill was on the ’60 and ’61 AFL Title winning, Houston Oilers, making mighty contributions and the ’64 and ’65 Buffalo Bills, for whom he saw limited action.
Groman gathered in a 7 yard George Blanda TD pass, putting the Oilers ahead to stay in that first AFL Title Game, played on January 1, 1961, the first time a major pro football league had an ‘offs game as late as January.
Now they play the Supe well into February.
The more or less miracle, (7-7) Seattle Seahawks’ (20-17) win vs the (10-4) Philly Eagles on Monday night past, (more than overtones with (17-13) Eagles in ’60) makes it very likely that the (11-3) San Francisco 49ers will be the NFC top seed.
S.F. has a magic # of 2 vs both Philadelphia and Dallas (Cowboys) with each team having 3 tilts remaining on their schedule.
The Niners own the tiebreaker vs both of those teams as a result of rout wins vs each of them. It seems very likely the Niners would have the tiebreaker vs a third (10-4) NFC team, the Detroit Lions. Thus let’s call it a magic # of 2 concerning Detroit as well, all making S.F. a likely one seed.
In a battle of current conference 1 seeds, S.F. hosts (11-3) Baltimore (Ravens) on Monday/Christmas night.
The Eagles SEEMINGLY have the advantage over Dallas in a bid to become the first repeat NFC East winner since Dallas won 5 such titles from (1992-1996.)
Detroit almost certainly will win its first “div” crown since 1991 while each with (7-7) records the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints are tied for the NFC South lead with the former having the current tiebreaker advantage.
Alvin Harper, pictured above and very large, caught the go ahead to stay long TD pass for Dallas in its 1992 NFC title game win at San Francisco.
Last night, the (11-3) Baltimore Ravens took a step, likely a major one, toward being the A.F.C. “1” seed, with a (23-7) win at Jacksonville, vs the (8-6) Jaguars, who after a third straight loss, are in a 3 way tie with Houston (Texans) and Indianapolis, the former a winner by 3 points, for the AFC South lead with (sorry) three weeks/games remaining.
Miami (Dolphins) is (10-4) after a (30-0) win vs the Jets.
The Ravens face the top rated S.F. 49ers, on the road, before hosting the ‘Phins in the penultimate week.
Do not count out defending Super Bowl champion (9-5) Kansas City (Chiefs), in its bid for a chance to host the AFC Title Game/NFL “semi” (semi decent was said as) for an incredible 6th straight season.
The Chiefs host the Raiders on Christmas Day, a day that ought to be no NFL play, which was the case after Miami 2 overtimed K.C. on Christmas Day 1971, at venerable Municipal Stadium (Curt Gowdy talked often about the fans picking up their seat cushions and filing out, all but silently, after Garo Yepremian, once a tiemaker, broke the long in effect tie, booting a field goal that sent Miami to a home “semi” vs the Colts, which they won before Dallas finally won “The Big One” vs them in the subsequent Super Bowl), followed by a home tilt vs (8-6) Cincinnati (Bengals), before closing at the (5-9) Chargers.
One other game/update as the (9-5) Cleveland Browns came from 2 touchdowns down to FG the (5-9) Chicago Bears.
Two of the greatest NFL players, each at the very top or at worst so very close in the offensive and defensive categories, that died in 2023, Jim Brown and Dick Butkus, are honored as “Cleve” players wear Jim’s #32 on their uniform, while “Chi” players honor the great Butkus, with #51, adorning their uniforms.
I end this my apparent 4,500th post, with video of the conclusion of that December 25, 1971 Miami “div round” win at Kansas City.
Rick Weaver, long the voice of the Dolphins, is doing the play by play.
He told his one time football analyst partner, Hank Goldberg, himself like Weaver, a talented broadcaster, talk all you want between plays, but when they break the huddle–“shut up.”
Perhaps right now and oh does it change week to week, the S.F. Niners and Dallas Cowboys, each NFC teams that have met in 5 NFC Title Games/NFL Semis, are the two top teams in the NFL.
That, of course, is an arguable point.
In addition to S.F. and Dallas, the Philly Eagles and Baltimore Ravens have (9-3) records.
The S.F./Dallas thought led to Bruce Bochy as a positive, having guided the Texas Rangers to the most recent World Series crown, it, their first, occurring in the once Washington Senators franchise’s 62nd completed season.
Meanwhile De Sanders and his Colorado team, which has two of his sons on the roster and as viable participants, got so much publicity, even a segment on 60 Minutes, after a (3-0) start.
Colorado finished (4-8) and did not make one of the “half million” bowl games, so many of which are adversely affected by the transfer portal and the reality that top players would not risk injury as they have possible, even likely, lucrative pro careers in front of them.
Deion Sanders did play and contribute mightily to the ’93 Title Dallas Cowboys team, which semi’d the Niners in the last “CBS NFL/NFC package game” and similarly was integral to the Niners’ ’94 title team, which “semi’d” Dallas, en route to the crown.
Sanders also played on the ’92 N.L. Pennant winning Atlanta Braves.
Click below to view the last play of the ’92 NLCS, as Francisco Cabrera’s all-time type clutch hit was decisive.
Another NFL week, (it started with the (6-8) Raiders tripling the so disappointing (5-9) Chargers by a (63-21) count, in an ’80 AFC Title game redux, that franchise also won. (Joe Peta said “start” as), the 15th, began last night, one in which, I saw “Sabbath’s Theater” and thought it to be great!
There are three other semis or conference title reduxes this 15th week, plus a rematch of two Supes, each won by Dallas as the (10-3) Cowboys “Dallas to Buffalo” to face the (7-6) Bills.
Elsewhere the (9-4) Miami Dolphins, who as 14 point favorites, dissipated a 14 point lead in the last 4 minutes to (5-8) Tennessee (Titans) and lost in “reg,” which I believe to be unprecedented, host the (5-8) New York Jets, in a redux of the strike marred 1982 season AFC Title tilt. Miami “A.J. Duhe’d” the Jets in that one.
In one of three Saturday games, none on over the air television, (also 6 bowl games, but 2 on over the air television) a rematch of the ’95 AFC Title tilt,when Pittsburgh (Steelers) at home, held off the Indy Colts and Jim Harbaugh’s near miracle pass, yielding a call to the sleeping Beano Cook, informing that his Steelers’ AFC “pick” was in. (He was not excited).
Both the Steelers and Colts enter tomorrow’s tilt with (7-6) records.
Finally, in the early time slot on Sunday, (8-5) defending champion K.C. (Chiefs) visits (3-10) New England (Pats) in a redux of the overtime, Pats AFC Title Game win at Kansas City in 2018.
There is a game matching the (8-5) Cleveland Browns and the (5-8) Chicago Bears this week. I note it in this context, as despite the fact the teams could have met in 16 “all the way” NFL title games (’50-’65), 4 “called the NFL Title game, but as semis,” with Supes to follow (’66-’69) (that sounds like an ad, ode to Winston tastes good (as) like a cigarette should) and after this season 54 more Supes (’70-2023), but never have met in any ‘offs game, with the caveat that any such game, other than a final round one, was not possible.
Chicago played for the NFL crown 8 times from ’33-’49 before Cleveland entered the league in 1950. Since that time “Chi” played in 2 “all the way” NFL title tilts, splitting with the Giants, losing in ’56 and prevailing (14-10) with two QB sneak TD’s by Billy Wade in 1963.
The Bears also split in 2 Supes, crushing New England in ’85 and losing in rainy Miami to the Colts, after the ’06 season. Meanwhile all as the original Browns, “Cleve” played in 9 “all the way” NFL title tilts, going (4-5) and also 5 NFL semis, all losses with Supe bids on the line.
All 5 times, (the Colts famously in ’68, the Vikings in what should be more publicized in ’69 and the Denver Broncos (’86,’87 and ’89), the team that “semi’d” the Browns, lost and fairly decisively at least, each time, in the subsequent Super Bowl.
In ’50 both teams had unscheduled playoff games to decide conference crowns. While Cleveland won vs the New York Giants, the Rams rode 3 Bob Waterfield to Tom Fears TD passes to a (24-14) home win vs the Rams.
That result in a game played exactly 73 years ago this Sunday (then it was one week after the 12 games “reg” had ended, now there will remain 3 more weeks of “reg” play in the 17 game NFL regular season after Sunday), prevented a Browns/Bears ‘offs tilt in the first year it was possible. It remains the closest the NFL has ever come to such an ‘offs game.
A final “73” note: After the Browns won the ’50 title tilt at home vs the Rams, L.A. prevailed at home the next season, with a Norm Van Brocklin 73 yard TD pass to Mr. Fears as the decisive play. As noted here before and likely will be again, the Rams title as St. Louis in ’99, their next one, was again in a game in which a 73 yard td pass, that one Kurt Warner to Isaac Bruce, was the decisive offensive play.
The fact Tennessee came so close was cleverly included in the movie “Cast Away.”
Notice that above, I imparted “offensive play” as the Rams/Titans Supe game ended when Mike Jones tackled Kevin Dyson just short of the goal line.
In a tragic event, Frank Wycheck, an excellent player on the Titans, fell and died. “Tenn” won its next game, the aforementioned game vs Miami.
It was Wycheck, who threw across the field to Dyson in a play known as “The Music City Miracle,” that gave Tennessee a wild card/home win vs the Bills.
That play with the Titans’ analyst “no-no” “stepping on” the play by play man’s call is shown below.
It is indeed sad, exacerbated by a relative lack of coverage that ought to have been accorded a superb player, George McGinnis, who died days back, far too young at age 73.
Was he 73 or 72, probably the former, born in 1950 was likely 73 (it is December, a “mo” that creeps closer no matter), however, certain is that he was an integral part of Indiana Pacers’ title teams in both 1972 and 1973.
McGinnis must be mentioned as one of, if not the greatest player/achiever in ABA annals, before his < than, but still excellent NBA career, an assessment one could put forth about the media darling, and great player, Julius Erving.
Oh to see George hold the ball, his almost one man team effort as the Pacers made the 1975 ABA final, upsetting the almost unbeatable at home, Denver Nuggets in a 7 game semi, in which “Indy” prevailed thrice at Denver’s unreal advantage/”snakepit” small arena, in which they played before moving to the far bigger and less advantageous, McNichols Arena the next season.
Another time for opinions (save one) and details. Today, I cite that a fabulous player, George McGinnis died and there was far too little publicity accorded a great and Hall of Fame player.
Two pictures of 1974-1975 A.B.A. MVP George McGinnis below (I found a tape from April 1976 on which my late friend Brad Weiner and I “discussed” the ’74-’75 NBA MVP results, greats Rick Barry and Bob McAdoo involved just yesterday before learning George, pictured below holding the ABA ball with one hand before likely launching a jump shot).
Andy B Sports 