NFL FOOTBALL - 1980's
1980
07/09/80 - San Francisco 49ers (26) @ (23) New Orleans Saints - In the opening game of the season, the 49ers barely avoided an upset to the underdog Saints in the Superdome. Both teams were evenly matched with the 49ers, led by QB Steve DeBerg (21-29-223-1), holding a slim 14-7 lead at the half. The Saints fought back to tie the game in the 4th quarter, led by QB Archie Manning (25-40-314-1), but after the 49ers had gone ahead again by a Field Goal, the Saints missed a game-tying FG in the final seconds to lose the game. The 49ers also featured RB Paul Hofer (12-68-0 + 7-114-1), DL Dwaine Board, LB Bobby Leopold and DB Ray Rhodes. The Saints also featured RB Chuck Muncie (12-57-1) and WR Larry Hardy (6-103-0). Coverage is missing the last 39 seconds including the missed FG (8, Audio Hiss + occassional slight light jitter, 2 Discs, CBS - Glieber/Staubach, NTSC)
14/09/80 - Oakland Raiders (24) @ (30) San Diego Chargers - Oakland QB Dan Pastorini battled with Chargers QB Dan Fouts (29-44-387-3) for the win but was knocked out of the game late in the 4th quarter as the Raiders were driving for the tieing score. In stepped Jim Plunkett for 1 play and he threw the tieing TD pass to force overtime. Both teams battled in overtme until Chargers WR John Jefferson caught the winning TD pass (8, 2 Discs, NBC - Enberg/Olsen, NTSC)
21/09/80 - San Francisco 49ers (37) @ (27) New York Jets - The Jets got a record-setting day from QB Richard Todd (42-60-447-3) but it wasn't enough to beat the 49ers. Todd set an NFL record with 42 completions but couldn't bring the Jets back from an early 24-0 deficit. The 49ers were led by QB Steve DeBerg (17-23-181-2) who was playing despite a bruised Larynx. This required him to wear a microphone and a speaker so the rest of the Offense could hear his cadence. He shared time with QB Joe Montana (4-6-60-2) and between them they get the 49ers ahead for good. The Jets also featured WR Clark Gaines (17-160-0) and DL Mark Gastineau + Marty Lyons. The 49ers also featured RB Paul Hofer (10-40-0) and WR Dwight Clark (7-70-2) (7, Low Audio + jumpy picture from half-time onwards, 2 Discs, CBS - Nelson/Jurgenson, NTSC)
13/10/80 - Washington Redskins (17) @ (20) Denver Broncos - On Monday Night Football, the Broncos beat the Redskins with some 4th quarter heroics. Led by back-up QB Craig Morton (6-8-108-1), in for the ineffectual starter Matt Robinson (5-11-43-0) in the 2nd quarter, the Broncos scored the winning TD on a 32 yard TD pass to WR Rick Upchurch (5-93-1) with 3:28 remaining in the game. The Redskins, led by QB Joe Theismann (18-23-158-1), had 1 last chance to win but the Denver Defense, led by LB's Tom Jackson and Randy Gradishar, held firm for the win. The Broncos also featured RB Otis Armstrong (22-107-1) and FB Jim Jensen (4-35-0). The Redskins also featured RB Wilbur Jackson (12-104-1) and WR Art Monk (6-47-1) (8, Slightly fuzzy picture, 2 Discs, ABC - Gifford/Cosell/Meredith, NTSC)
23/11/80 - New York Giants (0) @ (12) San Francisco 49ers - In the 1st ever meeting between 49ers QB Joe Montana and Giants QB Phil Simms, it was the 49ers that came out on top in a Defensive battle. Both QB's had good games with Montana (9-15-151-1) and Simms (15-28-118-0) evenly matched even though Steve DeBerg started for the 49ers. All the scoring was done in the 2nd quarter, with all 3 phases of the team scoring ; Montana threw a 66 yard TD pass, the Defense scored a Safety and the Special Teams added a FG. The 49ers defense also sacked Simms 10 times, led by LB's Dan Bunz and Bobby Leopold. The Giants Defense were led by DL George Martin and LB Harry Carson (9, 2 Discs, CBS - Bender/Madden, NTSC)
07/12/80 - New Orleans Saints (35) @ (38) San Francisco 49ers - The 49ers completed an NFL record comeback from 35-7 down at the half to force overtime and win the game on a Ray Wersching FG. Saints QB Archie Manning (377 yards) won the 1st half but 49ers QB Joe Montana won the 2nd half. The Saints also featured WR Wes Chandler. The 49ers also featured WR Dwight Clark and LB Dan Bunz (7, 2 Discs, CBS - Kelly/Hill, PAL)
14/12/80 - Cleveland Browns (28) @ (23) Minnesota Vikings - In a sensational finish, the Vikings scored 2 TD's in the final 2 minutes, including the winning 46 yard TD pass on the last play of the game, to upset the Browns. Cleveland were ahead 23-15 and in control when QB Brian Sipe (20-33-232-1) was intercepted. The Vikings quickly cashed it in with a TD and then got the ball back with 14 seconds left on their own 20 yard line. A hook-and-lateral pass took the ball to the Browns 46 before QB Tommy Kramer (38-49-456-4) launched a final desparation pass to the end-zone that WR Ahmad Rashad (9-142-2) caught for the game winner. Minnesota also featured RB Ted Brown (10-49-0), WR's Rickey Young (9-72-0) and Joe Senser (7-79-1) and LB's Matt Blair and Scott Studwell. The Browns also featured RB Mike Pruitt (19-88-0), WR's Ozzie Newsome (3-27-0) and Dave Logan (2-56-0) and LB Clay Matthews (8, 2 Discs, NBC - Jones/Dawson, NTSC)
1981
06/09/81 - San Francisco 49ers (17) @ (24) Detroit Lions - In the opening game of the season, the Lions rode the legs of RB Billy Sims (21-59-1 + 5-66-1) to a big win. In a tight game, the Lions led 10-3 at the half thanks to a TD pass from QB Gary Danielson (16-27-196-2) to Sims. After a scoreless 3rd quarter, 49ers QB Joe Montana (18-28-195-1) led his team back into contention and his TD pass levelled the scores late in the game. But Danielson cooly guided his team back downfield and Sims won the game with a 1 yard TD run in the final seconds (8, Missing last 2 plays of the game including the game-winning TD, 2 Discs, CBS - Nelson/Allen, NTSC)
27/09/81 - San Diego Chargers (24) @ (42) Denver Broncos - The Broncos jumped on the Chargers early as QB Craig Morton (17-18-303-4) set the NFL passing efficiency record. But the Chargers fought back with TE Kellen Winslow (10-106-1) leading the way. But the rally fell short and the Broncos held on for the win (8, 2 Discs, NBC - Criqui/Brodie, NTSC)
11/10/81 - Dallas Cowboys (14) @ (45) San Francisco 49ers - The 49ers finally found their signature win under 3rd year coach Bill Walsh, humbling the Cowboys in San Francisco. The 49ers used the "West Coast Offense" to it's fullest and raced out to a 24-0 lead in the 2nd quarter thanks to a TD pass from QB Joe Montana (19-29-279-2) and TD runs from RB's Paul Hofer (11-40-1) and Johnny Davis (8-28-1) and never looked back. The 49ers racked up 440 yards of total Offense while the 49ers Defense held Dallas to only 192 yards. The Defense was led by LB Fred Dean (3 sacks, 2 hurried passes and 2 batted down passes), in his 1st game for the club, and by rookie DB Ronnie Lott (2 interceptions inc. 41 yard TD return). The Cowboys featured QB Danny White (8 16-60-0) and RB Tony Dorsett (9-21-0) (8, 3 Discs, CBS - Summerall/Madden, NTSC)
06/12/81 - San Francisco 49ers (21) @ (3) Cincinnati Bengals - In 49ers coach Bill Walsh's return to Cincinnati, his team proved to Bengals GM Paul Brown that he had made a mistake letting Walsh leave, as they used a strong defense and a methodical offense to win the game. 49ers QB Joe Montana (23-36-187-2) used a balanced attack to grind out long drives, using RB's Earl Cooper, Ricky Patton and Johnny Davis to amass 146 yards rushing. The defense, led by LB Fred Dean and DB Ronnie Lott also played their part, forcing 6 turnovers and held the potent Bengals offense scoreless in the 2nd half. The Bengals featured QB's Ken Anderson (11-20-97-0) and Jack Thompson (10-18-114-0), WR Cris Collinsworth (3-32-0) and RB Pete Johnson (12-86-0) (8, 2 Discs, CBS - Ryan/Dryer, NTSC)
02/01/82 - AFC Divisional Playoff - San Diego Chargers (41) @ (38) Miami Dolphins - In arguably the greatest NFL game ever, with numerous records set, the Chargers out-lasted the Dolphins in Overtime to advance to the AFC Championship. The Chargers raced out to an early 24-0 lead before Miami clawed their way back, even using a "Hook-and-Lateral" TD pass to score just before the half. Miami then tied the game at 24-24 in the 3rd quarter and both teams then traded points upto the final play of the game when Miami lined up for the winning FG. But it wasn't to be as Chargers TE Kellen Winslow reached high to block the kick and force Overtime. Both teams had chances to win in Overtime before Chargers kicker Ralf Benirschke ended it 13 minutes in. The game set playoff records for most combined points (79), most total yards (1,036) and most passing yards (809). The heroes for the Chargers were QB Dan Fouts (33-53-433-3) and TE Kellen Winslow (13-166-1 + 1 blocked FG) and for the Dolphins QB Don Strock (29-43-403-4) and WR Duriel Harris (6-106-0) (9, 2 Discs, NBC - Criqui/Brodie, NTSC)
03/01/82 - NFC Divisional Playoff - New York Giants (24) @ (38) San Francisco 49ers - The 49ers moved on to their 1st NFC Championship game since 1972 with a big win against the Giants. Led by QB Joe Montana (20-31-304-2), who was playing in his 1st Playoff game, the 49ers posted a 24-10 lead at the half and coasted home. His favourite targets were WR's Dwight Clark (5-104-0) and Freddie Solomon (6-107-1) and and he was also supported by a strong defensive effort from DB Ronnie Lott (2 Interceptions inc. 1 returned for a TD). The Giants were led by QB Scott Brunner (16-37-290-3 inc. 59 and 72 yard TD passes), WR Johnny Perkins (7-121-2), DL George Martin and LB's Harry Carson and Lawrence Taylor (8, 2 Discs, CBS - Summerall/Madden, NTSC)
10/01/82 - NFC Championship - Dallas Cowboys (27) @ (28) San Francisco 49ers - 1 dynasty ended and another was born as the 49ers, led by QB Joe Montana and WR Dwight Clark, upset the Cowboys, led by QB Danny White and RB Tony Dorsett. The 49ers trailed 27-21 in the final 2 minutes but Montana had the ball. He rolled right and threw a high pass into the back of the end-zone that Clark caught for "The Catch" (8, 2 Discs, CBS - Scully/Stram, NTSC)
1982
25/11/82 - New York Giants (13) @ (6) Detroit Lions - The Giants finally got into the win column for the season with a big win over the Lions on Thanksgiving. Both teams Defense's played well in the 1st half, with the Lions holding a 6-0 lead at the half thanks to 2 FG's and 3 turnovers forced. In the 2nd half the Giants returned the favour, scoring 2 FG's of their own and forcing 4 turnovers, one of which proved the game-winner, as LB Lawrence Taylor intercepted Lions QB Gary Danielson (12-29-125-0) and returned the pick 97 yards for the game-winning TD at the start of the 4th quarter. The Giants also featured QB Scott Brunner (12-28-136-0) and RB Butch Woolfork (21-87-0). The Lions also featured QB Eric Hipple (3-12-39-0), who only played the 1st half, and RB Billy Sims (26-114-0). Taylor only played the 2nd half as he was held out of the 1st half with an injured knee. Disc 1 includes NFL Today Pre-Game (8, 2 Discs, CBS - Summerall/Madden, NTSC)
11/12/82 - San Diego Chargers (41) @ (37) San Francisco 49ers - In the strike-shortened season, both teams needed a win in an effort to make the playoffs. In a wild shootout, Chargers QB Dan Fouts (33-48-450-5) and 49ers QB Joe Montana (31-46-356-3) went head-to-head and it was the Montana who made the mistake as his last minute drive ended with an interception. Chargers WR Wes Chandler had 3 TD catches. The 49ers also featured Fred Dean, Jack Reynolds and Ronnie Lott on defense (7, 2 Discs, NBC - Enberg/Olsen, PAL)
20/12/82 - Cincinnati Bengals (34) @ (50) San Diego Chargers - The Chargers exacted a measure of revenge against the team that beat them in the AFC Championship as they set all kinds of records on Monday Night Football. Both teams combined for 1,102 yards of Offense with Chargers QB Dan Fouts (25-40-435-1) and Bengals QB Ken Anderson (40-56-416-2) both having great games (8, 2 Discs, ABC - Gifford/Cosell/Meredith/Tarkenton, NTSC)
26/12/82 - Chicago Bears (34) @ (26) Los Angeles Rams - The Bears travelled West to Anaheim and used a good offensive game to beat the Rams. The Bears raced out to a 17-0 1st quarter lead thanks to QB Jim McMahon (18-28-280-2), making his 2nd career start, and RB Walter Payton (20-104-1 + 5-102-0), whose 104 yards took him past 10,000 yards for his career. The Rams fought back to within 1 point in the 4th quarter behind the play of QB Vince Ferragamo (30-46-509-3), whose 509 yards passing were the 2nd highest ever, but McMahon led the Bears to a late TD pass to seal the win. Chicago also featured TE Emory Morehead (4-46-1), WR Ken Margerum (3-47-1), DL Dan Hampton and LB Mike Singletary. The Rams also featured RB Wendell Tyler (12-32-0 + 8-102-1) and WR's George Farmer (9-183-1) and Preston Dennard (5-122-1) (8, 2 Discs, CBS - Ryan/Morris, NTSC)
03/01/83 - Dallas Cowboys (27) @ (31) Minnesota Vikings - In the final game of the strike-shortened regular season, the Vikings upset the playoff-bound Cowboys with the winning TD in the final 2 minutes. The game is remembered for Cowboys RB Tony Dorsett (153 yds rushing) breaking off a 99 yard TD run in the 4th quarter. The vikings were led by QB Tommy Kramer (8, 2 Discs, ABC - Gifford/Cosell/Meredith/Tarkenton, NTSC)
1983
Pre-Season - Minnesota Vikings (28) v (10) St.Louis Cardinals - In the 1st ever NFL game in England, the Vikings used a strong rushing attack to upset the Cardinals and claim the Global Cup. The Vikings led 18-7 at the half thanks to a strong ground game, led by RB's Ted Brown, Riley Young and Darrin Nelson, and an opportunistic pass attack led by QB Tommy Kramer (2 TD passes) and WR Leo Lewis (31 yd TD catch). In the 2nd half, the Cardinals had chances to close the gap but missed 2 FG's and the Vikings saw out the win thanks to DB Rufus Bess who had a 39 yard interception return and a 75 yard punt return for a TD. The Vikings also featured QB Steve Dils, rookie LB Walker Lee Ashley and DL's Doug Martin and Randy Holloway. The Cardinals were led by QB'S Neil Lomax, Rusty Lisch and Jim Hart, Center Dan Dierdorf, RB Otis Anderson and WR's Roy Green and Stump Mitchell (7, Low audio + Picture bend at the top of the screen + Edited Huddles + Slight jumpy pic and tracking lines, 1 Disc, KSDK/WCCO - Randolph/Fritz, NTSC)
05/09/83 - Dallas Cowboys (31) @ (30) Washington Redskins - In a game of 2 halves, the Cowboys rebounded from a 23-3 half-time deficit to beat the Redskins. Washington, led by QB Joe Theismann (28-38-325-2) and RB John Riggins (27-89-1), were outstanding in the 1st half and the Redskins defense also played their part, holding Dallas to only 85 total yards. But the 2nd half saw a fired-up Dallas dominate as QB Danny White (9-20-193-3), RB Tony Dorsett (14-151-0) and WR Tony Hill (3-133-2) scored 28 unanswered points to steal the win. The game also featured the 1st career start for Redskins DB Darrell Green (8, 2 Discs, ABC - Gifford/Cosell/Meredith/Simpson, NTSC)
18/09/83 - Chicago Bears (34) @ (31) New Orleans Saints - In a game of big-plays, the Saints and Bears battled to ovetime where the Bears won out. Chicago RB Walter Payton was awesome as he ran 28 times for 161 yards and 1 TD, caught 2 passes for 27 yards and threw 2 passes for 77 yards and 2 TD's (8, 2 Discs, CBS - Ryan/Morris, NTSC)
25/09/83 - Los Angeles Rams (24) @ (27) New York Jets - The Jets re-ignited their season with an Overtime victory against the Rams at Shea Stadium. Both teams combined for 909 yards of total Offense but the game was ultimately decided by a Defensive play, as Jets DB Jerry Holmes intercepted a Rams pass in Overtime which set up the game-winning FG by Pat Leahy after 8 minutes of the extra period. 3 players suffered concussions in the game, Jets RB/WR Freeman McNeill suffered a seperated shoulder and the Rams Jackie Slater and the Jets Mark Gastineau got into a fight after Gastineau celebrated a sack with his "Sack Dance". The Jets were led on Offense by QB Richard Todd (37-50-446-2), RB Dwayne Cutchfield (12-46-0), who replaced an injured Freeman McNeil in the 1st quarter, and WR Wesley Walker (8-135-2) and on Defense by DL's Joe Klecko and Mark Gastineau (1 sack) and DB Jerry Holmes (1 Interception + 57 yard blocked FG return TD). The Rams featured QB Vince Ferragamo (22-37-232-1), RB Eric Dickerson (28-192-2 including an 85 yard TD run) in his rookie season and WR Mike Barber (8-57-0) (7, grainy picture, 3 Discs, CBS - Summerall/Madden, PAL)
09/10/83 - Buffalo Bills (38) @ (35) Miami Dolphins - Miami QB Dan Marino (19-29-322-3) made his 1st ever NFL start against a strong Buffalo team, led by QB Joe Ferguson. Marino managed to lead his team into overtime but it wasn't enough as the Bills kicked a FG for the win (8, Slightly fuzzy picture with tracking line at the very bottom of the screen, 2 Discs, Player-to-Recorder copy, NBC - Jones/Griese, NTSC)
17/10/83 - Washington Redskins (47) @ (48) Green Bay Packers - A wild shootout on Monday Night Football went the way of the home team but the Packers had to survive a last play FG attempt to take the win. Both teams were evenly matched throughout with Packers QB Lynn Dickey (22-31-387-3) and Redskins QB Joe Theismann (27-39-398-2) both having big games. After the Packers scored the go-ahead FG with 54 seconds left, the game came down to a last play 39 yard FG attempt by the Redskins, but the kick sailed wide and the Packers celebrated. Green Bay also featured WR's James Lofton (5-96-0) and Paul Coffman (6-124-2). The Redskins also featured RB's John Riggins (25-98-2) and Joe Washington (16-80-0 + 9-57-2) + WR Art Monk (5-105-0). Both teams combined for 1,025 yards of total offense in the highest scoring game in Monday Night Football history (10, 2011 Re-Broadcast with no Pre-Game or Half-Time or Post-Game, 2 Discs, ABC - Gifford/Meredith/Simpson, PAL)
20/11/83 - San Francisco 49ers (24) @ (28) Atlanta Falcons - In a remarkable finish, the Falcons upset the 49ers with a last play Hail Mary TD pass. In a back-and-forth game, the 49ers finally took the lead in the 4th quarter on a TD run by QB Joe Montana (21-28-182-1). But Falcons QB Steve Bartkowski (28-29-301-2) got the team in position for the last pass play which WR Billy "White Shoes" Johnson caught off of a tip at the 3 yard line and dove over the line to score and win the game. The 49ers also featured RB's Roger Craig and Wendell Tyler, WR Dwight Clark and Defenders Ronnie Lott and Jack Reynolds. The Falcons also featured RB Gerald Riggs and kicker Mick Luckhurst (8, 2 Discs, NBC - Stockton/Walker, NTSC)
11/12/83 - Baltimore Colts (19) @ (21) Denver Broncos - Broncos QB John Elway brought the team back from a 19-0 4th quarter deficit to record his 1st ever 300 yard passing game and his 1st ever 4th quarter comeback. The winning TD pass came with 44 seconds left on a 4th down 26 yard pass to RB Gerald Wilhite (8, 2 Discs, NBC - Randolph/Chandler, PAL)
29/01/84 - Pro Bowl - AFC (3) v (45) NFC - The annual end-of-season game for the best players in the league went the way of the NFC in a blow-out in Honolulu. The NFC jumped on the AFC early and took a 17-3 lead in at the half. The NFC didn't let up in the 2nd half either, holding the AFC scoreless to retain the Pro Bowl trophy. The star for the NFC was MVP QB Joe Theismann (21-27-242-3) who put the misery of the Superbowl behind him with a big game. The NFC were led by coach Bill Walsh and also featured QB Joe Montana (7-10-45-1), RB's William Andrews (6-43-0 + 4-49-2), Eric Dickerson (11-46-1), Walter Payton (11-40-0) and Tony Dorsett (5-17-0), WR's James Lofton (2-23-1) and Roy Green (2-21-0) + LB's Lawrence Taylor and Mike Singletary. The AFC featured QB's Dan Fouts (7-9-103-0) and Bill Kenney (7-32-80-0), RB's Tony Collins (3-25-0), Earl Campbell (5-9-0) and Curt Warner (4-12-0) and WR's Chris Collinsworth (5-73-0) and Todd Christensen (2-18-0) (9, Missing last 11:24 of the game including 1 NFC TD, 3 Discs, ABC - Gifford/Simpson/Swann, NTSC)
1984
04/11/84 - Los Angeles Rams (16) @ (13) St.Louis Cardinals - The Rams staged a big 2nd half comeback to beat the Cardinals, but needed a last second blocked FG to seal the win. The Cardinals took a 13-3 lead in at the half thanks to QB Neil Lomax (34-52-341-1), RB Ottis Anderson (16-33-0) and WR Roy Green (5-105-1). But the Rams found their rhythm in the 2nd half with RB Eric Dickerson (21-208-0), in the midst of his NFL record 2,105 yard season, leading the way. The Cardinals had 1 last chance to force overtime but a last play 48 yard FG was blocked. The star on Defense was DL Jack Youngblood (3 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 blocked FG). The 208 yards by Dickerson put him through 1,000 yards rushing in 10 games (8, 2 Discs, CBS - Stockton/Stram, NTSC)
18/11/84 - Minnesota Vikings (21) @ (42) Denver Broncos - The 10-1 Broncos eased past the ailing Vikings with a big game from QB John Elway. Elway (16-19-218-5) threw a career high 5 TD passes as he led the Broncos to a 35-7 lead at the half. The 5 TD passes went to 4 different receivers. The Broncos also featured RB Sammy Winder (12-75-0) and WR's Steve Watson (5-123-2) and Butch Johnson (3-47-1) + LB's Karl Mecklenburg (2 Interceptions) and Tom Jackson. The Vikings were led on Offense by QB Tommy Kramer (11-19-122-1) and WR Ted Brown (6-68-1) and on Defense by LB Scott Studwell and DB Joey Browner (8, Disc 2 is a Player-to-Recorder copy, 2 Discs, CBS - Lundquist/Bradshaw, NTSC)
06/01/85 - AFC Championship - Pittsburgh Steelers (28) @ (45) Miami Dolphins - In his self-proclaimed best game, Miami QB Dan Marino (21-32-421-4) led the Dolphins to the Superbowl. Pittsburgh featured WR John Stallworth and QB Mark Malone (8, 2 Discs, NBC - Enberg/Olsen/Griese, NTSC)
1985
15/09/85 - Seattle Seahawks (49) @ (35) San Diego Chargers - In a shootout, the Seahawks played the Chargers at their own game and escaped with their unbeaten streak intact. Seahawks QB Dave Kreig (22-32-307-5) had a huge game as he duelled Chargers QB Dan Fouts (29-43-440-4) until the end. The Chargers led 23-14 at the half but Krieg engineered a 28 point 3rd quarter that broke open the game and the Seahawks held on to win and move to 2-0. The Seahawks also featured RB Curt Warner (28-169-2), WR's Daryl Turner (7-121-4) and Steve Largent (6-99-1) + DB's Kenny Easley and Eugene Robinson. The Chargers also featured RB Lionel James (8-41-0 + 6-96-1) and WR Wes Chandler (13-243-1) (7, Copy from a Multi-Generation video so a little grainy + tracking line at the bottom of the screen + Missing last 8 seconds but no scoring, 2 Discs, NBC - Jones/Rutigliano, NTSC)
19/09/85 - Chicago Bears (33) @ (24) Minnesota Vikings - On Thursday Night football, the Bears called on injured QB Jim McMahon to save their season and beat the Vikings. McMahon (8-15-236-3), with a pinched nerve in his neck, entered the game in the 3rd quarter for ailing starting QB Steve Fuller and rallied the Bears from a 17-9 deficit with 2 TD passes (70 yards + 25 yards) on his first 2 passes then completed the comeback with a 43 yard TD pass. Vikings QB Tommy Kramer (28-55-436-3) had a big game in defeat (8, 2 Discs, ABC - Gifford/Namath/Simpson, NTSC)
13/10/85 - New York Giants (30) @ (35) Cincinnati Bengals - Giants QB Phil Simms was on fire, throwing for 513 yards, the 4th highest passing yards in NFL history. But the Bengals, with 2nd year QB Boomer Esiason, out-lasted the Giants. New York set an NFL record with 29 first downs (8, 2 Discs, CBS - Summerall/Madden, PAL)
10/11/85 - Los Angeles Raiders (34) @ (40) San Diego Chargers - The local rivalry again produced a classic as both teams battled into overtime before the Chargers RB Lionel James ended the game with a 17 yard TD run. James had a career game as he contributed 345 combined yards (51 rushing, 168 receiving, and 126 on kickoff returns). He was ably supported by QB Dan Fouts (26-41-436-4). The Raiders were led by QB Marc Wilson (18-32-297-3) and RB Marcus Allen (28-119-1) (7, JIP 1st drive of the game, Tracking line at bottom of the screen, 2 Discs, NBC - Criqui/Trumpy, NTSC)
17/11/85 - San Diego Chargers (24) @ (30) Denver Broncos - A wild game in Denver started and ended with Special Teams TD's with the Broncos getting the all-important final score to beat the Chargers in overtime. The Chargers opended the game with a 98 yard kick-off return for a TD by RB Gary Anderson and built a 14-7 lead at the half with Chargers QB Dan Fouts (23-45-245-1) leading the way. But in the 2nd half and primarily the 4th quarter, Broncos QB John Elway (28-50-261-1) guided the team to 17 points and overtime. The Broncos then clinched the improbable victory in overtime by blocking the potentially game-winning FG, which DB Louis Wright picked up and returned 60 yards for the winning TD. The Chargers also featured RB Lionel James (15-64-0 + 11-93-1) and TE Kellen Winslow (4-64-0). The Broncos also featured RB Gene Lang (15-51-2 + 5-45-0) (8, 2 Discs, NBC - Stone/Rutigliano, NTSC)
18/11/85 - New York Giants (21) @ (23) Washington Redskins - On an emotional night in RFK Stadium, the Redskins overcame the loss of QB Joe Theismann to upset the division-leading Giants. In the 2nd quarter, Theismann was sacked by Lawrence Taylor and suffered a compound fracture of his leg. With their leader out of the game, the Redskins rallied behind 2nd year backup QB Jay Schroeder (13-20-221-1) and he led the team to 9 points in the 4th quarter that sealed the upset win. The Redskins also featured WR Art Monk (7-130-0), RB John Riggins (11 yards) and DB Darrell Green. The Giants featured QB Phil Simms, RB Joe Morris (17-118-3) and LB's Harry Carson, Lawrence Taylor and Gary Reasons (8, Includes ESPN Monday Night Match-up pre-game show, 2 Discs, ABC - Gifford/Namath/Simpson, NTSC)
02/12/85 - Chicago Bears (24) @ (38) Miami Dolphins - On Monday Night Football, Miami ended the Bears hopes of an undefeated season with a shock win. Led by QB Dan Marino (14-27-270-3), the Dolphins ran out to a 31-10 lead at the half and never looked back. The Bears were led by QB Steve Fuller (11-21-169-1) who was subbing for injured starter Jim McMahon, although McMahon did enter the game in the 2nd half to try and rally the Bears, but the plan didn't work. The Dolphins also featured WR's Mark Clayton (5-88-1), Mark Duper (5-107-0) and Nat Moore (4-75-2) + RB's Tony Nathan (15-74-0) and Ron Davenport (3-2-2). The Bears also featured RB Walter Payton (23-121-0) and the infamous "46" defense led by DL's William Perry and Richard Dent + LB Mike Singletary (10, 2011 Re-Broadcast - Audio sounds tinny, 2 Discs, ABC - Gifford/Namath/Simpson, PAL)
09/12/85 - Los Angeles Rams (27) @ (20) San Francisco 49ers - The Rams took control of the NFC West division with a big win over their long-time rivals, the 49ers, at Candlestick Park. Led by QB Dieter Brock (16-22-160-1), RB Eric Dickerson (16-97-0) and a Defense that forced 3 turnovers and 4 sacks, the Rams out-scored the 49ers 17-7 in the 4th quarter to take the win. The 49ers were led by QB Joe Montana (26-36-328-3), RB Roger Craig (19-56-0 + 7-41-1) and Rookie WR Jerry Rice (10-241-1) who set the 49ers single game receiving yardage record (8, 1 Disc, ABC - Gifford/Namath/Simpson, NTSC)
1986
21/09/86 - Miami Dolphins (45) @ (51) New York Jets - In a shootout in the Meadowlands, the Jets scored a last play TD to force overtime then took the win with a 43 yard TD pass. Both teams combined for 927 yards passing and 10 TD's. Jets QB Ken O'Brien (29-43-479-4) and Miami QB Dan Marino (30-50-448-6) had huge games. O'Brien was helped by WR's Wesley Walker (6-194-4) and Al Toon (7-111-0) + a defense that featured DL Mark Gastineau and Joe Klecko. Miami also featured WR's Mark Clayton (8-174-1) and Mark Duper (7-154-2) (8, 2 Discs, NBC - Enberg/Olsen, NTSC)
22/12/86 - New England Patriots (34) @ (27) Miami Dolphins - The Patriots beat the Dolphins and secured the AFC East title with a last minute TD pass from Steve Grogan to Stanley Morgan. The Patriots win knocked the Dolphins and the watching Bengals out of the playoffs. The game was also the last ever Dolphins game to be played at the Orange Bowl (7, 2 Discs, ABC - Michaels/Gifford, PAL)
03/01/87 - AFC Divisional Playoff - New York Jets (20) @ (23) Cleveland Browns - Browns QB Bernie Kosar (33-64-483-1) played the game of his life to bring the Browns back from a 20-10 deficit in the 4th quarter to force overtime with a FG with 7 seconds left. The Browns then won the game on a 27 yard FG by Mark Moseley in the 2nd overtime period to send the Browns to the AFC Championship game. The Browns also featured RB Kevin Mack and WR Ozzie Newsome. The Jets featured QB Ken O'Brien, WR Wesley Walker and DL Mark Gastineau (8, 2 Discs, NBC - Criqui/Trumpy, PAL)
11/01/87 - AFC Championship - Denver Broncos (23) @ (20) Cleveland Browns - The Browns led the Broncos 20-13 and had the Broncos pinned on their own 2 yard line after a great punt. QB John Elway then marched the Broncos 98 yards in 15 plays to the game tieing TD to WR Mark Jackson with 39 seconds left. Once in overtime the Broncos marched to the winning FG (8, 2 Discs, NBC - Enberg/Olsen/Griese, NTSC)
1987
13/09/87 - Seattle Seahawks (17) @ (40) Denver Broncos - The Broncos opened their 1987 campaign with a big win against the Seahawks. Broncos QB John Elway (22-32-338-4) had a big game but was helped by a good ground game from RB's Sammy Winder (17-79-0) and Gene Lang (12-46-0). A tight 1st half ended 20-17 to the Broncos but the Denver defense shut-out the Seahawks in the 2nd half as Elway led the Broncos to 20 unanswered points to seal the win. The game also was the 1st NFL game for Seahawks LB Brian Bosworth (8 solo tackles, 9 total tackles) who had a big game with a couple of crunching hits on Elway. The Seahawks also featured QB Dave Krieg (14-28-185-2) and WR Steve Largent (4-73-0) (8, 3 Discs, NBC - Enberg/Olsen, NTSC)
16/11/87 - Chicago Bears (30) @ (31) Denver Broncos - On Monday Night Football, both teams took part in a shootout, with the Broncos emerging victorious on a TD run with 4 minutes remaining and a great defensive effort in the final minutes. Both QB's lit up the scoreboard with Broncos QB John Elway (21-40-341-3) and Bears QB Jim McMahon (21-34-311-3) having big games. It was also McMahon's first 300 yard passing game as a pro. The Broncos also featured on Offense WR's Vance Johnson (6-86-1), Ricky Nattiel (4-93-1) and Mark Jackson (3-53-1) and on Defense DL Karl Mecklenburg. The Bears also featured on Offense RB's Walter Payton (12-73-0) and Neal Anderson (11-44-0) and WR Willie Gault (5-133-2) and on Defense DL William Perry and Steve McMichael + LB Mike Singletary (9, 2 Discs, ABC - Michaels/Gifford/Dierdorf, NTSC)
17/01/88 - AFC Championship - Cleveland Browns (33) @ (38) Denver Broncos - The Broncos jumped out to a 21-3 half-time lead but the Browns fought back to a 31-31 tie in the 4th quarter. QB John Elway then led the Broncos back down-field to the go-ahead TD to Sammy Winder. Browns QB Bernie Kosar then guided the Browns downfield to the Broncos 2 yard line with 1 minute left. Browns RB Earnest Byner then fumbled as he stretched for the goal-line and Denver recovered for the win and a trip to the Superbowl (8, 2 Discs, NBC - Enberg/Olsen, PAL)
1988
11/09/88 - Pittsburgh Steelers (29) @ (30) Washington Redskins - The reigning champion Redskins finally got their season going with a shootout win over the Steelers. The Redskins out-gained the Steelers 515 yards to 341 yards on Offense but turnovers and penalties at inopportune times gave the Steelers 16 points and kept Pittsburgh in the game. Washington only managed to escape with a win thanks to a FG with 12 seconds left and a huge game from QB Doug Williams (30-52-430-2). The Redskins also featured RB Timmy Smith (15-58-0), who was ejected in the 3rd quarter for pushing an official, and WR Ricky Sanders (5-145-1). The Steelers were led by QB Bubby Brister (12-28-258-2 inc. TD passes of 80 and 72 yards) and DB Rod Woodson (8, Player-to-Recorder copy, Very small tracking line at top of the screen for 1st quarter only, 2 Discs, NBC - Gowdy/Olsen, NTSC)
31/10/88 - Denver Broncos (23) @ (55) Indianapolis Colts - In the first Monday Night Football game at the Hoosier Dome, the Colts stunned the Broncos thanks to a big game from star RB Eric Dickerson and a strong defensive effort. Dickerson (21-159-4) led the Colts to a 45-10 lead at the half while the defense forced 4 fumbles and 3 sacks to keep the Broncos out of scoring range until late in the 2nd quarter. The Colts were led by 1st year coach Ron Meyer and he used a combination of Pro and Wishbone Offense's, led by QB's Chris Chandler (10-13-167-1) and Gary Hogeboom (1-2-53-1) which also featured WR Billy Brooks (3-108-1). The Broncos were led by QB's John Elway (15-27-158-1) and Gary Kubiak (12-16-138-2) and also featured RB Tony Dorsett (6-22-0) and WR Vance Johnson (7-79-1). The 159 yards by Dickerson put him over 1,000 yards rushing for a record-tying 6th straight season (8, 2 Discs, ABC - Michaels/Gifford/Dierdorf, NTSC)
1989
Pre-Season - Philadelphia Eagles (17) v (13) Cleveland Browns - In a pre-season game in London, the Eagles beat the Browns with a solid defensive effort. The Browns didn't help themselves either, as they committed several Special Teams errors including a missed FG, a missed PAT and a fumbled punt. The Eagles led 10-0 at the half with a TD run from RB Mark Higgs and a FG from Louis Zendejas. The Browns pulled within 3 points on a George Swarn run but the Eagles replied with a 34 yard TD pass from QB Don McPherson to WR Henry "Gizmo" Williams. A late TD pass from QB Mike Pagel to TE Derek Tennell gave the Browns hope but the Eagles ran out the final minutes for the win (8, 50 minutes hi-lites, 1 Disc, NBC - ?, PAL)
10/09/89 - Los Angeles Rams (31) @ (21) Atlanta Falcons - In the season opener for both teams, the Rams used a strong 2nd half to beat the Falcons. The Falcons led 14-10 late in the 1st half, thanks to QB Chris Miller (23-37-299-2) and DB Deion Sanders (68 yard punt return TD), on his NFL debut. But Rams QB Jim Everett (14-25-206-1) led his team to 21 unanswered points to take the win. The Rams also featured RB Greg Bell (26-128-2), WR Henry Ellard (5-99-1) and LB Kevin Greene (3 sacks) (8, 2 Discs, CBS - Zabriskie/Bradshaw, NTSC)
24/09/89 - Buffalo Bills (47) @ (41) Houston Oilers - In a wild shootout, the Bills used a big game from QB Jim Kelly (17-29-363-5) to beat the high-scoring Houston Oilers. In a game of big plays, the Bills scored on 63 and 78 yard TD passes and on a 76 yard blocked FG return. The Oilers kept pace with the Bills with QB Warren Moon (28-42-338-1 + 1 TD run) having a big game and the Oilers forced Overtime with a 52 yard FG by Tony Zendejas on the last play of regulation. But the defense couldn't stop the Bills driving for the winning score in Overtime, capped off by a 28 yard TD pass to WR Andre Reed (5-135-2) (8, 2 Discs, NBC - Albert/Trumpy, NTSC)
22/10/89 - New England Patriots (20) @ (37) San Francisco 49ers - The Patriots and the 49ers squared off at Stanford Stadium as a result of the Bay Area earthquake that hit San Francisco 5 days earlier. The 49ers lost Safety Jeff Fuller and QB Joe Montana in the 1st half and went into the break with a 17-10 lead but back-up QB Steve Young (10-18-188) inspired the 49ers with TD passes of 50 yards to WR Jerry Rice and 43 yards to WR John Taylor. Patriots QB Steve Grogan threw 2 TD passes to WR Stanley Morgan (9, 2 Discs, NBC - Enberg/Walsh, NTSC)
05/11/89 - Dallas Cowboys (13) @ (3) Washington Redskins - The winless Cowboys finally got their first win of the season and it came against their big rivals. A dour Offensive game was dominated by mistakes and great defense at critical times with neither team able to score in the 1st half. But in the 2nd half Dallas QB Steve Walsh (10-30-142-0) and RB Paul Palmer (18-110-1) guided the 'Boys to a 13-3 lead that the Redskins couldn't overcome. Washington were led by QB Doug Williams (28-52-296-0), in his 1st start after back surgery, and also featured WR's Art Monk, Rickey Sanders and Gary Clark. The Redskins defense featured DL Charles Mann and Dexter Manley + LB Wilbur Marshall. The Cowboys also featured on Offense WR Kelvin Martin (5-93-0) and on Defense DL Ed Jones, LB's Ken Norton and Jim Jeffcoat + DB Bill Bates (8, 2 Discs, ESPN - Patrick/Theismann, NTSC)
26/11/89 - Los Angeles Rams (20) @ (17) New Orleans Saints - The high-scoring Rams used a big game from WR Flipper Anderson to overcome a strong Saints Defense and win in Overtime. Anderson (15-336-1) had the game of his life, setting an NFL record for receiving yards, as QB Jim Everett (29-51-454-1) went to him when a big play was needed. The Saints were 17-3 up in the 4th quarter before Everett and Anderson started the comeback and the Rams forced Overtime in the final seconds with a TD pass to Anderson. The Rams then finished off the worn-out Saints in the extra-period and the win kept them in the Playoff hunt. The Rams also featured on Offense RB Greg Bell (11-17-0) and TE Pete Holohan (2-15-0) and on Defense LB Kevin Greene and DB Jerry Gray. The Saints were led on Offense by QB Bobby Hebert (12-26-155-1), RB Dalton Hilliard (24-112-0) and WR Eric Martin (5-107-2) and on Defense by DL Frank Warren and LB's Sam Mills, Rickey Jackson, Pat Swilling and Vaughan Johnson. The Game coverage is a combination of 2 sources ; 1 source is a Grade 7, the other is a Grade 8. The bulk of the coverage is a Grade 8. Pre-Game and Half-Time has tracking line in middle of the screen. Game coverage OK. (7/8, 2 Discs, ESPN - Patrick/Theismann, NTSC)
27/11/89 - New York Giants (24) @ (34) San Francisco 49ers - In the battle for home field advantage in the playoffs, the defending champion 49ers took an early big lead and held on for the win. San Francisco QB Joe Montana (27-34-292-3) threw 3 TD passes in the 1st half to stake the 49ers to a 24-7 lead. But Giants QB Phil Simms (25-48-326-2) brought them back to a 24-24 tie before Montana led the 49ers to a late FG and a rushing TD from Tom Rathman (9, Disc 1 has a grainy picture for first 9 minutes of real-time then upgrades to a better picture for the rest of the game - Missing the 2nd half kick-off, 2 Discs, ABC - Michaels/Gifford/Dierdorf, NTSC)
10/12/89 - New York Giants (14) @ (7) Denver Broncos - In the cold and snow of Mile High Stadium, the Giants held off a late Broncos rally to claim the win. New York held a 14-0 lead at the half thanks to a 4 yard TD run from Otis Anderson (18-34-1) and a 57 yard TD pass from QB Phil Simms (13-22-171-1) to RB/WR Dave Meggett (2-66-1). A 2nd half rally by QB John Elway (23-47-292-1) fell just short as the Broncos failed on 2 shots to the end-zone in the final minutes. The pivotal play of the game was when Broncos RB Bobby Humphrey (15-44-0) had a chance to to score but was stopped on 4th down at the goal-line by a thunderous mid-air collison with Giants LB Gary Reasons (8, 2 Discs, CBS - Summerall/Madden, NTSC)
11/12/89 - San Francisco 49ers (30) @ (27) Los Angeles Rams - In the race for the NFC West title, the 49ers staged a remarkable comeback from a 27-10 deficit in the 4th quarter to win the game with a yard TD run from Roger Craig and take the lead in the division. The heroes for the 49ers were QB Joe Montana (30-42-458-3) and WR John Taylor (11-286-2) who had 2 TD passes of over 90 yards (92 and 96). The Rams were led by QB Jim Everett (18-31-239-2) who had a big game in defeat (8, 2 Discs, ABC - Michaels/Gifford/Dierdorf, NTSC)
23/12/89 - Cleveland Browns (24) @ (20) Houston Oilers - With the AFC Central title on the line, the Browns RB Kevin Mack (12-62-1) came through, running in the winning score with 39 seconds left. The Browns were ahead most of the game but Houston, led by QB Warren Moon (32-51-414-2), went ahead with 4:46 left. The score came 1 play after the Oilers had shotgun-snapped the ball past Moon when he wasn't looking, lost the ball to Browns LB Clay Matthews who then tried to throw a lateral that was fumbled and recovered by the Oilers. The Browns recovered their poise, though, and Mack rescued the game with his dramatic TD run. Cleveland were led by QB Bernie Kosar (18-36-228-2), WR Webster Slaughter (3-66-1) and RB Eric Metcalf (4-14-0 + 2-74-1 inc. 68 yard TD catch). The Oilers also featured WR Drew Hill (10-141-2) and RB Allen Pinkett (8-63-0) (9, 4 Discs, ESPN - Patrick/Theismann, NTSC)
06/01/90 - AFC Divisional Playoff - Buffalo Bills (30) @ (34) Cleveland Browns - In a game that would eventually signify the end of one era and the beginning of another, the Browns LB Clay Matthews intercepted Bills QB Jim Kelly at the Browns 1 yard line with 3 seconds left to reach the AFC Championship game. Both teams traded blows throughout the game with Browns QB Bernie Kosar (251 yds passing + 3 TD's) and Bills QB Jim Kelly (405 yds passing + 4 TD's) both having huge games. The Bills scored on 72 and 33 yard TD passes and the Browns scored on a 90 yard kick-off return TD from Eric Metcalf. But the final interception proved the game winner. The game saw the birth of the no-huddle offense from the Bills, a philosophy that we see them reach the next 3 Superbowls (8, 2 Discs, NBC - Jones/Olsen, NTSC)