NFL FOOTBALL - 2006
Regular Season - Atlanta Falcons (3) @ (23) New Orleans Saints - In an emotional night in New Orleans, the Saints returned to the Superdome for the 1st time since Hurricane Katrina. The Falcons, led by QB Michael Vick (12-31-137-0 + 6-57-0), were overwhelmed as the Saints blocked a punt for a TD and used the arm of new QB Drew Brees (20-28-191-0) to build a 20-3 half-time lead and effectively win the game (9, 2 Discs, ESPN - Tirico/Theismann/Kornheiser, PAL)
Regular Season - Chicago Bears (24) @ (23) Arizona Cardinals - The Bears somehow found a way to win despite not scoring an offensive touchdown. The Cardinals raced out to a 20-0 lead on the arm of rookie QB Matt Leinart (24-42-232-2) in his 2nd start but the Bears defense scored 2 TD's to keep the game close before Devin Hester returned a punt 83 yards with 3 minutes remaining to take the lead. Leinart still had time to lead the team into FG range for the win but the kick was wide and the Bears stole the win (9, 2 Discs, ESPN - Tirico/Theismann/Kornheiser, PAL)
Regular Season - Chicago Bears (38) @ (20) New York Giants - The Bears rallied from a 10 point 1st half deficit with 28 straight 2nd half points including an NFL-record 108 yard missed FG return for a TD by Devin Hester. Bears QB Rex Grossman (18-30-246-3) and RB Thomas Jones (30-113-1) had big games in the 2nd half. Giants QB Eli Manning (14-32-121-0) had a quiet game (9, 2 Discs, NBC - Michaels/Madden, PAL)
Regular Season - Cincinnati Bengals (31) @ (16) New Orleans Saints - Bengals QB Carson Palmer (14-22-275-3) and WR Chad Johnson (6-190-3) terrorized the Saints and ended their teams' 3 game losing streak. But Saints QB Drew Brees (37-52-510-2) did all he could to win the game with 510 yards passing, the most in a non-overtime game since 1990, but his 3 interceptions were his downfall. Saints RB Reggie Bush ran for 51 yards (10, 1 Disc, CBS - Enberg/Cross, PAL)
Regular Season - Chicago Bears (42) @ (27) St.Louis Rams - Bears QB Rex Grossman (13-23-200-2) put in a solid game against the Rams to help the Bears clinch a bye week in the playoffs. The Bears also benefited from 2 spectacular kick return TD's from Devin Hester to seal the win. Rams QB Marc Bulger (34-55-356-3) had a good game in defeat (9, 2 Discs, ESPN - Tirico/Theismann/Kornheiser, PAL)
Regular Season - New York Giants (21) @ (24) Tennessee Titans - The Titans staged a remarkable comeback from a 21 point 4th quarter deficit to win on a FG in the final seconds. Titans rookie QB Vince Young (24-35-249-2) led the comeback (10, 1 Disc, FOX - Albert/Baldinger/Myers, PAL)
Regular Season - Indianapolis Colts (17) @ (20) Tennessee Titans - The Titans stunned the Colts with a 60 yard FG to win the game on the final play. Titans QB Vince Young (15-25-163-2) again led the team (10, 1 Disc, CBS - Gumbel/Dierdorf, PAL)
Regular Season - Tennessee Titans (26) @ (20) Houston Texans - In Titans QB Vince Young's return to his hometown, he served up a treat for his fans, winning the game in overtime on a sensatinal 39 yard TD run. He also passed for 218 yards (10, 1 Disc, CBS - Criqui/Baldinger, PAL)
12/11/06 - San Diego Chargers (49) @ (41) Cincinnati Bengals - On a record-setting day in Paul Brown Stadium, the Chargers overcame a 21 point deficit to beat the Bengals. Cincinnati led 28-7 at the half thanks to QB Carson Palmer (31-42-440-3) and RB Rudi Johnson (18-85-1). But the Chargers dominated the 2nd half as QB Philip Rivers (24-36-338-3) and RB LaDainian Tomlinson (22-104-4) took control, with Rivers throwing the winning TD pass with 2:29 remaining. Tomlinson's 4 TD's set the NFL record for most TD's rushing through 9 games and most TD's rushing over a 5 game span. Carson Palmer's passing yardage was his highest as a Pro while Bengals WR Chad Johnson (11-260-2) set a team single game yardage record (10, 2 Discs, CBS - Gumbel/Dierdorf, NTSC)
Regular Season - New Orleans Saints (42) @ (17) Dallas Cowboys - Saints QB Drew Brees (26-38-384-5) had a big game against the Cowboys, setting a record for the most TD passes against the 'Boys in Texas Stadium. Dallas QB Tony Romo (16-33-249-1) had a good game in defeat, with his favourite target being Terry Glenn (8-150-0 (9, 2 Discs, NBC - Michaels/Madden, PAL)
21/01/07 - AFC Championship - New England Patriots (34) @ (38) Indianapolis Colts - In an emotional game in the Dome, the Colts cameback from an 18 point deficit in the 1st half to reach the Superbowl. Colts QB Peyton Manning (27-47-349-1) shook off a bad 1st half to finally win the big game against his nemesis, the Patriots, leading his team on an 80 yard drive to the winning TD with a minute to play. The Patriots had 1 last chance to win but QB Tom Brady (21-34-232-1) was intercepted with 17 seconds left and the Colts celebrated a return to the Superbowl. Coverage includes NFL Today Pre-Game (10, 2 Discs, CBS - Nantz/Simms, NTSC)