NFL FOOTBALL - 2011
Pre-Season - New York Jets (16) @ (20) Houston Texans - In the opening pre-season game for both teams, the Texans ran in a late TD to take the win. Both teams starters only played the 1st quarter, with Jets QB Mark Sanchez (6-7-43-0) out-performing Texans QB Matt Schaub (2-5-20-0). The stars for the Texans were rookie RB Chris Ogbonnaya (17-37-1 + 6-67-1), whose 1 yard TD run with 1:56 left won the game, and a defense that forced 7 sacks and 1 fumble. The Jets were led after the 1st quarter by rookie QB Greg McElroy (23-39-208-1) who was making his NFL debut (10, 2 Discs, ESPN - Tirico/Jaworski/Gruden, PAL)
12/09/11 - New England Patriots (38) @ (24) Miami Dolphins - In a shootout on Monday Night Football, the Patriots showed they were still a force in the league with a big win in Miami. Led by QB Tom Brady (32-48-517-4) the Patriots broke open a tight game at the half with 4 TD passes in the 2nd half, including a team-record 99 yard TD pass to WR Wes Welker (8-160-2). Miami QB Chad Henne (30-49-416-2) and WR Brandon Marshall (7-139-0) had huge games in defeat. Both teams combined for an NFL record 906 yards passing, with Tom Brady's 517 yards a team record (10, 2 Disc, ESPN - Tirico/Jaworski/Gruden, PAL)
18/09/11 - Green Bay Packers (30) @ (23) Carolina Panthers - The NFL champion Packers withstood an early onslaught from the Panthers to move to 2-0 in a shootout in Charlotte. Led by rookie QB Cam Newton (28-46-432-1), the Panthers ran out to an early 13-0 lead but the Packers, led by QB Aaron Rodgers (19-30-308-2 including an 84 yard TD pass), scored the next 23 points and held off a late Carolina charge to take the win. The Packers also featured RB James Starks (9-85-0), LB Clay Matthews (4 tackles) and DB Charles Woodson (5 tackles, 2 interceptions). The Panthers also featured WR Steve Smith (6-156-0). The passing yards by Newton set an NFL record for most yards in a single game by a rookie QB (10, 2 Discs, FOX - Pitts/Mora, NTSC)
02/10/11 - San Francisco 49ers (24) @ (23) Philadelphia Eagles - In the hostile confines of Philadelphia, the 49ers staged a big comeback to move to 3-1 on the season. The Eagles, led by a big game from QB Michael Vick (30-46-416-2 + 8-75-0), took a 23-3 lead in the 3rd quarter before the 49ers started their comeback. Led by QB Alex Smith (2-33-291-2) and RB Frank Gore (15-127-1), the 49ers scored 21 unanswered points to take the win. The 49ers also featured WR Michael Crabtree (5-68-0). The Eagles also featured WR DeSean Jackson (6-171-0) and DL Jason Babin (3 sacks) (10, 2 Discs, FOX - Pitts/Mora, NTSC)
10/10/11 - Chicago Bears (13) @ (24) Detroit Lions - The Lions made the first Monday Night Football game in Detroit for 10 years a winning one as they beat their Division rivals. The Bears led 10-7 at the half but the Lions took control in the 2nd half to take the win. Detroit were led by QB Matthew Stafford (19-26-219-2 including a 73 yard TD pass), RB Jahvid Best (12-163-1 including an 88 yard TD run), WR Calvin Johnson (5-130-1) and a defense that featured DL's Nick Fairley (his NFL debut) and Ndamukong Suh (4 tackles) + LB DeAndre Levy (9 tackles). The Bears were led by QB Jay Cutler (28-38-249-1) and RB Matt Forte (22-116-0). Coverage also includes Monday Night Countdown (10, 2 Discs, ESPN - Tirico/Jaworski/Gruden, PAL)
16/10/11 - San Francisco 49ers (25) @ (19) Detroit Lions - The 49ers upset the unbeaten Lions at Ford Field in a game that ended with both Head Coaches in a skirmish at the end of the game. In a tight back-and-forth game, the 49ers scored the final 10 points of the game in the final 1:51 to take the win. The 49ers were led by QB Alex Smith (17-32-125-1), RB Frank Gore (15-141-1) and WR Michael Crabtree (9-77-0). The Lions were led by QB Matthew Stafford (28-50-293-2) and WR Calvin Johnson (7-113-0) but were let down by a rushing game that only managed 66 total yards. After the game ended, 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh aggressively shook the hand of Lions coach Jim Schwartz which resulted in a scuffle as they left the field. The handshake is on the DVD but not the scuffle (10, 2 Discs, FOX - Albert/Johnston, NTSC)
06/11/11 - Denver Broncos (38) @ (24) Oakland Raiders - In a very physical game in Oakland, Denver got back into the winning habit with a big win over their big rivals. The Broncos overcame a 17-7 deficit at the half to outscore the Raiders 31-7 in the 2nd half to take the win. Denver rushed for 298 yard and 2 TD's, led by QB Tim Tebow (10-21-124-2 + 12-118-0) and RB Willis McGahee (20-163-2 including a 60 yard TD run) while the defense forced Raiders QB Carson Palmer (19-35-332-3), in his 1st start for Oakland, into 3 interceptions. The Raiders also featured RB Michael Bush (19-96-0). The win was Denver's 1st against the Raiders in 5 attempts (10, 2 Discs, CBS - Gumbel/Dierdorf, NTSC)
17/11/11 - New York Jets (13) @ (17) Denver Broncos - The Broncos moved to 5-5 with another 4th quarter comeback win against the reeling Jets. Both teams struggled on Offense as the Defenses' took control but the Jets held a 13-10 lead when the Broncos received the ball at their own 5 yard line with 6 minutes left. Broncos QB Tim Tebow (9-20-104-0 + 8-68-1) calmly led his team downfield and scored the game-winning TD himself on a 20 yard run with 58 seconds left. The Broncos Defense again held and Denver took the unlikely win. The Broncos also featured on Offense RB Willis McGahee (12-18-0) and WR Demaryius Thomas (2-37-0) and on Defense LB Von Miller (10 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble) and DL Elvis Dumervil (3 tackles, 1.5 sacks). The Jets featured QB Mark Sanchez (24-40-252-0), RB Joe McKnight (16-59-0) and WR Plaxico Burress (4-64-0). Coverage includes 25 minutes of Post-Game (10, 2 Discs, NFL Network - Nessler/Mayock/Flanagan, NTSC)
11/12/11 - Houston Texans (20) @ (19) Cincinnati Bengals - On a record-setting day in Cincinnati, the Texans overcame a big deficit at the half to win the game with a late TD. The Bengals started fast, led by QB Andy Dalton (16-28-189-1), and led 16-3 at the half. But the Texans fought back and sensationally won the game on a 6 yard TD pass from 3rd string QB TJ Yates (26-44-300-2) to WR Kevin Walter (6-76-1) with 2 seconds left. The win gave the Texans their 1st ever AFC South title and booked their place in their 1st ever Playoff game. The Texans also featured RB Arian Foster (15-41-0) and WR Owen Daniels (7-100-0) but were missing star WR Andre Johsnon to injury. The Bengals also featured RB Cedric Benson (21-91-0) and WR AJ Green (5-59-0) (10, 2 Discs, CBS - Albert/Gannon, NTSC)
11/12/11 - Chicago Bears (10) @ (13) Denver Broncos - In a remarkable finish, Denver scored 10 points in the final 2 minutes of the game to force Overtime, then used a Bears turnover to kick the game-winning FG. Chicago controlled the game upto the final 2 minutes, with QB Caleb Hanie (12-19-115-0) and RB Marion Barber (27-108-1) giving the Bears a 10-0 lead. The Bears defense, led by LB's Brian Urlacher (11 tackles) and Lance Briggs (9 tackles), were doing their part to keep the Broncos Offense down. But Denver suddenly found their rhythm and led by QB Tim Tebow (21-40-236-1 + 12-49-0) the Broncos reeled off 10 unanswered points including a 59 yard FG with 3 seconds left to force overtime. The Bears were still favourite to win after receiving the ball but Barber fumbled and Broncos kicker Matt Prater kicked the game-winning 51 yard FG to complete the unlikely comeback (10, 2 Discs, FOX - Albert/Johnston/Siragusa, NTSC)
19/12/11 - Pittsburgh Steelers (3) @ (20) San Francisco 49ers - On a wild night in San Francisco, the 49ers overcame 2 power outages to dominate the Steelers. During warm-ups and in the 2nd quarter the stadium was plunged into darkness after a nearby power station blew up. The disruption didn't stop the 49ers as QB Alex Smith (18-31-187-1), RB Frank Gore (18-65-1) and kicker David Akers (2 FG's) paced the Offense while the Defense, led by LB Navorro Bowman (8 tackles), forced 3 interceptions, 3 sacks and 1 fumble. The Steelers were led by QB Ben Roethlisberger (25-44-330-0) but he was hindered by a badly sprained ankle. With his 2 FG's, 49ers kicker David Akers became the 49ers all-time points scorer, eclipsing WR Jerry Rice. Coverage includes Monday Night Countdown (10, 3 Discs, ESPN - Tirico/Gruden/Jaworski, PAL)
26/12/11 - Atlanta Falcons (16) @ (45) New Orleans Saints - On a record-setting night in New Orleans, the Saints clinched the NFC South title with a big win over the Falcons. Led by QB Drew Brees (23-39-307-4) the Saints broke open a tight game with 27-3 run over the 2nd and 3rd quarters to ease away from the Falcons and take the win. The passing yards by Brees broke the NFL single season yardage record held by Miami Dolphins QB Dan Marino since 1984. Brees finished with 5,087 yards and set the record on his final TD pass with 2:51 left in the game. The Falcons were led by QB Matt Ryan (34-52-373-1) (10, 2 Discs, ESPN - Tirico/Gruden/Jaworski, PAL)
01/01/12 - Detroit Lions (41) @ (45) Green Bay Packers - In the final week of the season, the Lions and Packers turned in a record setting game in a shootout at Lambeau Field. Both teams combined for an NFL Single Game passing yards record of 971 yards, with the Packers led by back-up QB Matt Flynn (31-44-480-6) and the Lions led by QB Matthew Stafford (36-59-520-5). The Packers needed every one of their passing yards as they had to rely on a 4 yard TD pass with 1:10 left in the game to take the win. Green Bay also featured WR Jordy Nelson (9-162-3) and DB Charlie Peprah (11 tackles) but were missing QB Aaron Rodgers, LB Clay Matthews and DB Charles Woodson (all rested). Detroit also featured WR Calvin Johnson (11-244-1) and TE Brandon Pettigrew (7-116-0) (10, 2 Discs, FOX - Brennaman/Billick/Okmin, NTSC)
07/01/12 - AFC Wildcard - Cincinnati Bengals (10) @ (31) Houston Texans - The Texans celebrated their 1st ever Playoff game with a big win against the Bengals. Houston used big plays on Offense and Defense, scoring on a 29 yard interception return TD + a 40 yard TD pass, as well as forcing 4 turnovers and 4 sacks. Houston were led on Offense by QB TJ Yates (11-20-159-1), RB Arian Foster (24-153-2) and WR Andre Johnson (5-90-1) and on Defense by LB Brian Cushing (8 tackles). Cincinnati were led by QB Andy Dalton (27-42-257-0) (10, 2 Discs, NBC - Hammond/Mayock/Flanagan, NTSC)
08/01/12 - AFC Wildcard - Pittsburgh Steelers (23) @ (29) Denver Broncos - Playing in their 1st playoff game since 2005, the Broncos sensationally advanced to the next round with a big win in Overtime. Denver had the better of the 1st half, leading 20-6 at the break, but Pittsburgh fought back to tie the game in the 4th quarter and force Overtime. Denver received the ball and on the 1st play scored on an 80 yard TD pass to win the game. The Broncos were led by QB Tim Tebow (10-21-316-2 + 10-50-1) in his 1st playoff game, WR Demaryius Thomas (4-204-1) and a Defense that had 5 sacks led by DL Robert Ayers (3 tackles, 2 sacks). The Steelers were led by QB Ben Roethlisberger (22-40-289-1) and RB Isaac Redman (17-121-0) (10, 2 Discs, CBS - Nantz/Simms, NTSC)
14/01/12 - NFC Divisional - New Orleans Saints (32) @ (36) San Francisco 49ers - In a shootout in San Francisco, the 49ers moved on to the NFC Championship game with a dramatic late TD to take the win. Both teams QB's had big games, with the 49ers Alex Smith (24-42-299-3) and the Saints Drew Brees (40-63-462-4) both on their game. The 49ers ran out to an early 17-0 lead before the Saints rallied to 20-14 at the half. Neither team could pull ahead by more than 1 score the rest of the game and it came down to who had the ball last. Both teams combined for 34 points in the 4th quarter but it was the 49ers that scored last, when Smith threw a 14 yard TD pass to TE Vernon Davis (7-180-2) with 9 seconds left for the win and the 49ers 1st Playoff win for 9 years. The 49ers also featured RB Frank Gore (13-89-0), WR Michael Crabtree (4-25-1) and LB Dashon Goldson (11 tackles, 1 interception). The Saints also featured WR's Darren Sproles (15-119-1) and Marques Colston (9-136-1). Disc 1 is 53 minutes of Pre-Game (10, 3 Discs, FOX - Albert/Johnston/Siragusa, NTSC)
22/01/12 - NFC Championship - New York Giants (20) @ (17) San Francisco 49ers - On a rainy day in San Francisco, the Giants upset the 49ers to advance to their 2nd Superbowl in 4 years. Both teams were evenly matched in a tight, defensive game, with the Giants holding a 10-7 lead at the half. Neither team could find the winning score in regualtion so the game went into Overtime, where New York capitalised on a 49ers fumble to kick the game-winning 31 yard FG. The Giants were led by QB Eli Manning (32-58-316-2), RB Ahmad Bradshaw (20-74-0) and WR Victor Cruz (10-142-0). The 49ers were led by QB Alex Smith (12-26-196-2), RB Frank Gore (16-74-0) and TE Vernon Davis (3-112-2 including a 73 yard TD catch) (10, 3 Discs, FOX - Buck/Aikman/Oliver, NTSC)