NFL FOOTBALL - 1970's
1970
Pre-Season - New York Giants (6) @ (21) Pittsburgh Steelers - The occasion of the first ever football game at the new Three Rivers stadium also provided a first start at QB for the Steelers of rookie Terry Bradshaw. Bradshaw didn't disappoint, throwing his first TD pass (a 37 yarder to Ron Shanklin) and led the Steelers to a 14-3 lead at the half. Bradshaw finished 15-23-244-1. The game also marked the first ever Monday Night Football broadcast, with Keith Jackson, Howard Cosell and Don Meredith calling the action (8, 2 Discs, ABC - Jackson/Cosell/Meredith, NTSC)
21/09/70 - New York Jets (21) @ (31) Cleveland Browns - In the season opener for both teams, the Browns pulled out a tight win with a final minute TD off an Interception. Led by QB Bill Nelsen (12-27-145-1) and RB Leroy Kelly (20-62-0) the Browns took a 21-7 lead in the 3rd quarter before the Jets started a comeback. Led by QB Joe Namath (18-31-298-1), RB Matt Snell (16-108-0) and WR George Sauer (19-172-1), the Jets rallied to a 21-24 score in the final minute before a game-winning drive by Namath ended with his 3rd interception of the game, which LB Billy Andrews returned 25 yards for the game-clinching TD. The Jets also featured RB Emerson Boozer (15-58-2) and WR Don Maynard (4-69-0). The game was also the first regular season broadcast of Monday Night Football (10, 2011 Re-Broadcast missing Half-Time, 2 Discs, ABC - Jackson/Cosell/Meredith, PAL)
28/09/70 - Kansas City Chiefs (44) @ (24) Baltimore Colts - The reigning Superbowl champion Chiefs showed why they are the Champs with a comfortable win over the Colts. Chiefs QB Len Dawson (9-12-152-4) faced off against Colts QB John Unitas (5-15-58-0), but Unitas had a bad start and was pulled in the 2nd quarter for Earl Morrall (17-36-243-3). The Chiefs defense registered 5 interceptions and 2 fumbles (6, Fuzzy picture and 3rd quarter jumpy picture, 2 Discs, ABC - Jackson/Cosell/Meredith, PAL)
03/01/71 - NFC Championsip - Dallas Cowboys (17) @ (10) San Francisco 49ers - In the 1st ever NFC Championship game, the Cowboys beat the 49ers to advance to their 1st Superbowl. Led by QB Craig Morton (7-22-101-1), RB Duane Thomas (27-143-1) and a hard-hitting defense, the Cowboys used 2 interceptions in the 2nd half to set up 2 scores that proved the winning margin. The 49ers were led by QB John Brodie (19-40-262-1) who had a big game but his 2 interceptions proved the difference. The 49ers also featured WR's Gene Washington and Dick Witcher, LB's Dave Wilcox and Frank Nunley and Punter Steve Spurrier. The Cowboys also featured WR Bob Hayes, RB Dan Reeves, TE Mike Ditka, DL Bob Lilly, LB Lee Roy Jordan and DB Mel Renfro. The game proved to be the last NFL game at Kezar Stadium (9, 3 Discs, CBS - Scott/Summerall, NTSC)
1971
Pre-season - New York Jets (20) @ (41) Oakland Raiders - The Raiders defeated the visting Jets with a strong all-around game, with the Rookies making a big impact. The game was tied 10-10 at the half but the Raiders broke open the game in the 2nd half with 3 special teams scores : a blocked punt recovered in the end-zone by Carl Weathers, a 99 yard kick-off return TD by rookie RB Clarence Davis and a 72 yard punt return TD by DB George Atkinson. The Raiders were led in the 1st half by rookie QB Ken Stabler (1 TD pass) and in the 2nd half by George Blanda. The Jets started with QB Al Woodall in place of injured starter Joe Namath, but he struggled against a strong Raiders defense and was replaced for the 2nd half by Bob Davis. The Raiders also featured on Offense RB's Marv Hubbard and Don Highsmith and WR's Fred Biletnikoff and Eldridge Dickey, and on Defense rookies LB Phil Villapiano and DB Jack Tatum. The Jets also featured RB's Emerson Boozer and rookie John Riggins although the Raiders kept them both from having an imapct on the game (8, Black and White & Slightly Fuzzy picture, 3 Discs, WOR-TV - Criqui/Ratterman/Mathis, NTSC)
13/12/71 - Washington Redskins (38) @ (24) Los Angeles Rams - Redskins coach George Allen returned to LA 1 year after he left. In a game of big plays the Redskins beat the Rams on a 45 yard interception return as the Rams were driving for the tieing score in the last minute. The Redskins featured QB Billy Kilmer (14-19-246-3) and the Rams featured QB Roman Gabriel (17-44-219-1), DL Merlin Olsen and Deacon Jones (7, 2 Discs, ABC - Gifford/Cosell/Meredith, NTSC)
02/01/72 - AFC Championship - Baltimore Colts (0) @ (21) Miami Dolphins - The Miami Dolphins advanced to their 1st Superbowl with a strong win over an ageing Colts team. A low scoring game was punctuated by big plays from the Dolphins as they scored on a 75 yard TD pass and a 62 yard interception return for a TD. The Dolphins were led on Offense by QB Bob Griese (4-8-158-1), WR Paul Warfield (2-125-1) and RB's Jim Kiick (18-66-0) and Larry Csonka (15-63-1) and were well supported by a Defense featuring LB Nick Buoniconti and DB's Jake Scott and Dick Anderson, that forced 3 interceptions. The Colts were led by QB Johnny Unitas (20-36-224-0), in what proved to be his final playoff game, RB Don McCauley (15-50-0) and WR's Eddie Hinton (6-98-0) and Ray Perkins (3-19-0). The crowd of 78,500 was the largest ever to watch a Dolphins game (8, NBC radio overlaid onto colour game film - Timer at the bottom of the screen, 2 Discs, NBC - Jones/Ratterman, NTSC)
1972
24/09/72 - New York Jets (44) @ (34) Baltimore Colts - In a re-match of Superbowl 3, the Jets and Colts went at it. Jets QB Joe Namath (15-28-496-6) and Colts QB Johnny Unitas (26-45-376-2) both had huge days with big plays (8, 30 minute NFL Game of the Week, 1 Disc, NFL Films, PAL)
1973
22/10/73 - Oakland Raiders (23) @ (23) Denver Broncos - In the 1st ever Monday Night Football game in Denver, the upstart Broncos battled the Raiders to a tie with a last play FG. Denver featured QB Charley Johnson and RB Floyd Little on Offense and LB Randy Gradishar on defense. Oakland featured QB Kenny Stabler (16-24-313-2) and WR Fred Biletnikoff (8-116) (7, 2 Discs, ABC - Gifford/Cosell/Meredith, PAL)
03/12/73 - Pittsburgh Steelers (26) @ (30) Miami Dolphins - The champion Dolphins showed their class with a dominating performance over the Steelers. Miami DB Dick Anderson intercepted 4 passes, returning 2 for TD's as the Dolphins built a big lead. Injured starting QB Terry Bradshaw came off the bench in the 2nd half to rally the Steelers but the comeback fell short. Miami featured QB Bob Griese and WR Paul Warfield (7, 2 Discs, ABC - Gifford/Cosell/Meredith, NTSC)
1974
04/11/74 - Los Angeles Rams (15) @ (13) San Francisco 49ers - On Monday Night Football, the Rams survived a 2nd half fightback by the 49ers to take the win. The Rams took a 12-3 lead at the half with a 1 yard TD run from RB Tony Baker and a 23 yard TD pass from QB James Harris (12-20-150-1) to TE Bob Klein (2-49-1). But the PAT's from both TD's was missed leaving the door open for the 49ers. In the 2nd half, the 49ers replaced starting QB Tom Owen (4-12-87-0) with veteran Norm Snead (11-17-149-1) and he brought the team to within 2 points with a 39 yard TD pass to WR Gene Washington (3-98-1) but the Rams defense held on to secure the win. The Rams also featured RB's Lawrence McCutcheon (17-70-0) and John Cappelletti (16-65-0) + DL Merlin Olsen, Jack Youngblood and LB's Isiah Robertson and Jack Reynolds. The 49ers also featured LB Dave Wilcox (9, 4 Discs, ABC - Gifford/Cosell/Karras, NTSC)
10/11/74 - New York Jets (26) @ (20) New York Giants - In only the 3rd meeting between the 2 teams, the Jets won the game in overtime to claim bragging rights and end their 6 game losing streak. Jets QB Joe Namath (20-31-236-2 + 1 TD run), in his only game in the rivalry, was the hero as his 4th quarter 3 yard TD run tied the game and he finished off the Giants in overtime with a 5 yard TD pass. The Jets also featured RB Robert Burns (21-101-0). The Giants were led by QB Craig Morton (21-32-237-2). The game was also the 2nd ever NFL regular season overtime game and the 1st game settled by a win. The game was also played at the Yale Bowl as Yankee Stadium was being renovated (8, Video is a merge between colour game film and NFL Films footage and has NBC radio audio overlayed, NBC - Albert/Huff/DiPolo, 1 Disc, NTSC)
1975
20/10/75 - New York Giants (17) @ (14) Buffalo Bills - On Monday Night Football, OJ Simpson (34-126-1) led the Bills against QB Craig Morton (15-21-220-1) and the Giants. The Giants played great defense against Simpson but the Bills led in the final minute. Morton led the Giants into FG range and won it with seconds to spare (7, 2 Discs, ABC - Gifford/Cosell/Karas, NTSC)
28/12/75 - NFC Divisional Playoff - Dallas Cowboys (17) @ (14) Minnesota Vikings - In a sensational finish at the old Metropolitan Stadium, Dallas booked a place in the NFC Championship game with a comeback win over the favoured Vikings. Minnesota, led by QB Fran Tarkenton (12-26-135-0 + 3-32-0) and RB Chuck Foreman (18-56-1) led 7-0 at the half and 14-10 in the 4th quarter when the Cowboys got the ball with 1:51 left in the game. Dallas QB Roger Staubach (17-29-246-1) guided his team to midfield where, with 24 seconds left in the game, he threw a 50 yard "Hail Mary" TD pass to Drew Pearson (4-91-1) to win the game. Dallas also featured RB Robert Newhouse (12-33-0), DL's Ed Jones, Randy White and Harvey Martin + DB Charlie Waters. Minnesota also featured DL's Carl Eller, Jim Marshall and Alan Page (8, 3 Discs, CBS - Bender/Namath, NTSC)
1976
03/10/76 - Los Angeles Rams (31) @ (28) Miami Dolphins - The Rams off-set a 14-0 deficit at the half to beat the Dolphins, thanks mainly to the passing of QB James Harris (17-29-436-2). Harris threw TD passes of 43 and 58 yards to WR Ron Jessie (7-220-2) who had a huge game. Harris was also supported on Offense by RB Lawrence McCutcheon (22-91-1) and on Defense by DL Jack Youngblood. The Dolphins were led by QB Bob Griese (6-11-100-1) and RB's Benny Malone (19-111-1) and Norm Bulaich (12-52-1). The coverage also includes the 49ers @ Jets where whoever recorded the game switched channels during commercial breaks. The odd play is missing during the channel-changing (9, 2nd half only - JIP during Half-Time with Dolphins leading 14-0, 1 Disc, CBS - Summerall/Brookshier, NTSC)
18/12/76 - AFC Divisional Playoff - New England Patriots (21) @ (24) Oakland Raiders - The pre-dynasty Raiders hosted the Patriots for a place in the AFC championship game. The Patriots were leading 21-17 in the last minute of the game when Raider QB Ken Stabler set-up for a crucial 3rd and 18 pass at the Patriot 28 yard line. As he delivered the pass, which fell incomplete, the Patriots Ray Hamilton crashed into the QB. The referee judged it a late hit and threw the flag. The Raiders scored the winning TD with 10 seconds left and the Patriots were out (8, 30 minute NFL Game of the Week, 1 Disc, NFL Films, PAL)
1977
02/10/77 - San Francisco 49ers (14) @ (34) Los Angeles Rams - The Rams heaped even more misery on the winless 49ers with a big home win at the LA Coliseum. Led by QB Joe Namath (7-14-126-0) and a strong rushing attack led by RB's John Cappelletti (20-51-2) and Lawrence McCutheon (25-89-2), the Rams took a 17-7 lead in at the half then coasted home. The 49ers were led by QB Jim Plunkett (12-22-185-1) and RB Delvin Williams (14-37-1) but the Rams defense, led by DL's Fred Dryer, Larry Brooks and Jack Youngblood + LB Isiah Robertson, were too strong. The game proved to be Namath's last win in the NFL (8, Slight Jitter during 1st half, 3 Discs, CBS - Scully/Jurgensen, NTSC)
11/12/77 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (33) @ (14) New Orleans Saints - Tampa Bay won their 1st ever game with a dominating defensive performance, setting an NFL record while returning 3 interceptions for TD's. New Orleans featured QB Archie Manning (7, occasional picture drop-out, 2 Discs, CBS - Glieber/Boozer, NTSC)
12/12/77- Dallas Cowboys (42) @ (35) San Francisco 49ers - The Cowboys continued their dominance over the 49ers with a shootout win in San Francisco on Monday Night. Led by QB Roger Staubach (14-19-220-3) and RB's Preston Pearson (3-20-1 + 3-59-1) and Tony Dorsett (29-92-1), Dallas jumped out to a 21-14 lead at the half and managed to keep the 49ers at arms length in the 2nd half to take the win. The 49ers, led by QB Jim Plunkett (15-29-263-4) and WR Gene Washington (5-130-1), overcame a weak start to the game to hold their own against the Superbowl-bound Cowboys. Dallas also featured DL Randy White, LB D.D Lewis and DB Benny Barnes (8, Coverage ends with 2:50 left in the game - missing last 49ers TD, 2 Discs, ABC - Gifford/Meredith/Cosell, NTSC)
01/01/78 - AFC Championship - Oakland Raiders (17) @ (20) Denver Broncos - The Broncos advanced to their 1st ever Superbowl with a convincing win against the Raiders. Broncos WR Haven Moses caught 5 passes for 168 yards and 2 TD's (7, 2 Discs, NBC - Enberg/Dawson, NTSC)
1978
18/09/78 - Baltimore Colts (34) @ (27) New England Patriots - On Monday Night Football, the injury-plagued Colts rode a career game from newly-acquired RB Joe Washington (16-53-0 rushing + 2-41-1 receiving + 1-1-54-1 passing) to upset the Patriots. Both teams started slow with the Patriots holding a 13-7 lead at the half, but as the rain came down both teams heated up and in the 4th quarter they combined for 41 points. Colts RB Joe Washington threw a TD pass, caught a TD pass and returned a kick-off 90 yards to win the game with just over a minute remaining. The Colts also featured QB Bill Troup (10-15-221-2), RB Roosevelt Leaks (8-27-0) and WR Roger Carr (6-187-2). The Patriots featured QB Steve Grogan (11-33-229-1), RB's Andy Johnson (27-109-1) and Sam Cunningham (8-13-1) + WR Stanley Morgan (3-125-1) (8, 2 Discs, ABC - Gifford/Cosell/Meredith, NTSC)
29/10/78 - San Francisco 49ers (20) @ (38) Washington Redskins - The Redskins ended a 2 game losing streak with a tough win over the 1-7 49ers. Redskins coach Jack Pardee started veteran QB Billy Kilmer over Joe Theismann and the move paid off as Washington out-scored the 49ers 35-3 after the 49ers had taken an early 10-0 lead. The stars for the Redskins were Kilmer (12-23-185-2), RB John Riggins (21-61-2) and a defense, led by DB's Jake Scott (2 interceptions) and Ken Houston (1 interception) that forced 5 turnovers. The 49ers were led by QB Steve DeBerg (19-33-215-0) and also featured RB O.J. Simpson (15-46-0) and WR Freddie Solomon (7-45-0). After the game the 49ers fired head coach Pete McCulley, paving the way for the hire of Bill Walsh (8, 4 Discs, CBS - Scully/Allen/Brown, NTSC)
20/11/78 - Miami Dolphins (30) @ (35) Houston Oilers - On Monday Night Football, Houston's Rookie RB Earl Campbell (28-199-4) put on a show. With the Oilers down by 2 with 2 minutes to go, Campbell ripped off a stunning 81 yard TD run to win the game. The Dolphins were led by QB Bob Griese (23-33-349-2), RB Delvin Williams (18-73-1) and WR Nat Moore (3-84-1). The Oilers also featured QB Dan Pastorini (10-15-156-1) and WR Mike Barber (3-56-1) (2 versions : 10, 2011 Re-Broadcast, 2 Discs, ABC - Gifford/Cosell, PAL / 8, Original broadcast - Last 2 minutes quality 6, 2 Discs, ABC - Gifford/Cosell, NTSC)
1979
07/10/79 - Seattle Seahawks (35) @ (24) San Francisco 49ers - The Seahawks recorded their 1st ever win over the 49ers thanks to a good defensive display and a steady, turnover-free Offense. The Seahawks led 28-10 at the start of the 4th quarter and held off a mini-revival to move to 2-4. The 49ers fell to 0-6. The stars for Seattle were QB Jim Zorn (13-20-162-0 inc. completing 9 of his first 10 passes), RB Dan Doornik (19-58-2), WR Steve Largent (4-83-0) and DB Sammy Green (91 yard interception return TD). The 49ers were led by QB Steve DeBerg (31-40-306-1), RB OJ.Simpson (15-71-1) and WR Freddie Solomon (6-81-0). The TD run scored by OJ.Simpson proved to be the last of his career (8, 2 Discs, NBC - Albert/Haffner, NTSC)
07/10/79 - Pittsburgh Steelers (51) @ (35) Cleveland Browns - In a shootout, the Steelers used a big 1st quarter to build a lead then a 9 minute drive in the 4th quarter to seal the game and beat the rival Browns. The Steelers went up 28-0 early in the 2nd quarter on the arm of QB Terry Bradshaw (12-21-161-3) and the legs of RB Franco Harris (19-153-2 inc. 71 yard TD run) before the Browns started a comeback. Browns QB Brian Sipe (22-41-351-5) pulled the team within 9 points in the 4th quarter but the Steelers then drove 94 yards in 9 minutes to the last TD to seal the win (8, Picture bend at the top of the screen, 2 Discs, NBC - Criqui/Brodie, NTSC)
21/10/79 - Atlanta Falcons (15) @ (20) San Francisco 49ers - The 49ers finally notched their 1st win of the season with a comeback win at home against the Falcons. The win was also the 1st for coach Bill Walsh as head man at the 49ers. The Falcons led 9-7 at the half, but the 49ers fought back to out-score the Falcons 13-6 in the 2nd half and capped the win with a late interception. The stars for San Francisco were QB Steve DeBerg (24-37-245-0), RB's Paul Hofer (10-33-2 + 7-84-0) and OJ Simpson (10-21-0) and WR Freddie Solomon (4-40-0 + 2-68-1). The Falcons were led by QB Steve Bartkowski (13-27-126-1), RB Lynn Cain (11-58-0) and WR Wallace Francis (5-71-0) (8, 3 Discs, CBS - Nelson/Hornung, NTSC)
22/11/79 - Houston Oilers (30) @ (24) Dallas Cowboys - In the battle for State bragging rights, it was the Oilers that claimed the title. Houston RB Earl Campbell (33-195-2) had a huge game as did Dallas QB Roger Staubach (21-36-287-2) but the game was settled by a 4th Quarter Special Teams mistake that gave Houston a final chance to win the game. Oilers QB Dan Pastorini duely obliged and threw the winning 32 yard TD pass to Ken Burroughs (7, Slight Jitter in the picture, 2 Discs, NBC - Enberg/Olsen, NTSC)
09/12/79 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7) @ (23) San Francisco 49ers - The 49ers finally put together a complete game to win only their 2nd game of the season and their last home game of the season. The 49ers never trailed, building on a 13-7 lead at the half to claim the win by keeping the Bucs scoreless in the 2nd half. The stars for the 49ers were QB Steve DeBerg (22-30-186-1), RB's Wilbur Jackson (8-35-0) and OJ Simpson (6-26-0) and WR Mike Shumann (4-61-1). The 49ers had 9 different players catch a pass. Tampa Bay were led by QB Doug Williams (10-24-167-1), RB Ricky Bell (10-36-0), WR Isaac Hagins (3-90-0) and DL Lee Roy Selmon but couldn't overcome 6 turnovers including 5 interceptions by Williams (8, From 2nd quarter to mid 3rd quarter there is a "Speaking Clock" audio in the background, 2 Discs, CBS - Nelson/Hornung, NTSC)
16/12/79 - Washington Redskins (35) @ (34) Dallas Cowboys - The final game of the season pitted the 2 big rivalries together with an NFC East title and a playoff spot on the line. The Redskins opened up a 34-21 lead late in the 4th quarter but 2 TD passes in the final 2:20 turned the game around and helped Dallas clinch the NFC East title. Dallas QB Roger Staubach (24-42-336-3) had a huge game in what turned out to be his last home game before retiring (7, 2 Discs, CBS - Summerall/Stram, PAL)
30/12/79 - NFC Divisional Playoff - Los Angeles Rams (21) v (19) Dallas Cowboys - A back-and-forth game was settled in the 4th quarter on a big play by the Rams Offense and then their Defense. The Rams led 14-5 at the half thanks to QB Vince Ferragamo (9-21-210-3) but the Cowboys, led by QB Roger Staubach (12-28-124-1), stormed back to lead 19-14 with 2 mins left. Ferragamo then struck again, throwing the winning 50 yard TD pass to WR Billy Waddy (3-97-1) to win the game. Staubach had 1 last chance to salvage the game but his final drive ended on downs. The game proved to be the final NFL match for Staubach as he retired after the game (9, 4 Discs, CBS - Scully/Allen, NTSC)