Super Bowl XXIII - Minnesota 38 Cincinnati 37

1988 ARAIG Super Bowl

Minnesota Vikings Defeated Resilient Cincinnati Bengals 38-37

This was a Super Bowl truly worthy of the name. As you would expect judging from the teams' regular season and playoff performances, offense was plentiful. In the end, a streaky game featuring 712 yards of offense was decided by about 8 inches. The story unfolded as follows:

The Bengals won the toss and elected to receive. First play from scrimmage was a Boomer to Eddie brown 37 yard bomb and it looked like the Bengals were in business. On the next play, though, Boomer was picked off by Viking safety David Harris. The Vikings began a drive of their own, using their stable of mediocrity at RB to advance to the Bengals 5 with first and goal to go. A couple incompletions and a sack of Wade Wilson by a blitzing Leon White forced the Vikings to settle for a Chris Nelson FG. Vikings 3-0. 

After an exchange of punts, the Bengals took over on their own 21. Boomer fumbled the snap; he was not having a good day. This time the Vikings were able to capitalize with a Wade Wilson to Steve Jordan touchdown pass. Vikings 10-0. 

The Bengals, with their otherworldly offense, were not out of this one by a long shot, though. After a short kickoff, Bengals took over in Vikings territory and scored on back to back Esiason to Tim McGee passes. Vikings 10-7. 

Vikings then went on a long drive capped by a Wade Wilson to Anthony Carter TD pass. We would hear from those two again. Vikings 17-7. 

The Bengals fumbled the kickoff, and Wilson hit AC in stride on the next play from scrimmage for a 45 yard TD and just like that it was Vikings 24-7. 

Teams exchanged punts a couple times, and then the Vikings drove to the Bengals 6-yard line as time expired in the first half. 

The Vikings took the second half kickoff looking to kill some clock and extend their lead. Neither happened, as they went four and out. Here came the Bengals again as Esiason connected on three straight passes, culminating in a 38 yard TD Bomb to Eddie Brown. Vikings 24-14. 

Now things got crazy. On the next drive, David Fulcher picked off Wade Wilson's pass on the Vikes 34 yard line. Two plays later, Esiason fumbled the ball back to the Vikings. Two plays later, Darrin Nelson fumbled the ball back to the Bengals. This time the Bengals hung on to the ball and got a Jim Breech field goal for their efforts. Vikings 24-17. 

Vikings went nowhere on their next drive, and punter Bucky Scribner fumbled the snap on the punt attempt. Bengals ball on the Vikings 22. Any guesses what happened next? Bengals got 2 consecutive offensive penalties followed by a Chris Doleman sack of Boomer, leaving them with a 3rd and 36 at about midfield. Vikings narrow lead looked like it might hold up. But wait, Bengals weren't done yet. With the Vikings looking for the deep ball, Boomer's bomb attempt fell incomplete. No matter, as Chris Doleman was called for roughing the passer- automatic first down! On the next play, Viking safety Reggie Rutland was called for pass interference for a 30 yard Bengals gain. Somewhere, Bud Grant doubled over liked he'd been kicked by a mule, Fran Tarkenton uttered an arrogant, self-serving remark about how his Vikings teams would never have choked like that, and legions of inebriated Bengals fans broke out in spontaneous shouts of "WHO-DEY." The capacity crowd at Joe Robbie was treated to that immortal example of Astaire-like footwork known as the Ickey Shuffle, as Elbert Woods plunged into the end zone to tie the game at 24-24. And there was still an entire quarter to go. 

The Vikings then drove 83 yards in 6:37 to regain the lead as Wade Wilson and Anthony Carter hooked up for their 3rd TD of the game. Vikings 31-24. 

Bengals then executed their own long drive, going 67 yards in 4:42 as Esiason found Tim McGee in the end zone to tie the game again at 31-31. 

Vikings got a 35 yard kick off return from David Harris and took over on their own 38 with 3:25 to go. After a couple short runs, Wade Wilson caught the Bengals looking run and hit Anthony Carter for a 53 yard bomb and his 4th touchdown reception of the game. Vikings 38-31. 

The Vikings had been kicking away from Bengals return man Stanford Jennings all game, but Coach Schneider elected to gamble on pinning the bengals deep with only 2:25 left in the game. Not a good call, as Jennings returned the ball to the Vikings 45 yard line. In a rapid fire sequence, Boomer was sacked, hit McGee for 18 yards, scrambled for 8 more, then hit McGee again for another 20 to advance to the Viking 8 yard line with 31 seconds to go. Esiason missed an attempted hookup with McGee in the end zone, then found James Brooks on a short route for an 8 yard TD pass. It was looking like overtime, as Bengals now trailed 38-37 and lined up for the extra point. 

Here is where 8 inches decided the game. Bengals 5'6" kicker Jim Breech strode into the ball just before 6'2" Viking DT Henry Thomas extended his arms to his max reach and blocked the extra point attempt! Vikings recovered the obligatory onside kick, and one of the most thrilling Super Bowls in simulated NFL history was over. 

Great game called by Joey, capping off a great season. 

I apologize for the ridiculously long write up, but I thought such an exciting game shouldn't be lost to history. See you all in 1995!

Bill

NFC Conference Championship: Minnesota 38 San Francisco 34

Minnesota Tops San Francisco in Wild NFC Championship Game

This game figured to be a tight one, as San Francisco sported a 15-2 record and Minnesota a 17-0 record entering the game. Both teams had won handily in the first round of the playoffs. The 2 teams had matched up in the regular season as well, a game that the Vikings had won largely because of a rare off day for Joe Montana.

In this game, the 49ers struck first. On the game’s first play from scrimmage, Montana hit Rice on a 31-yard bomb. SF drove down the field, seemingly stalling out on a 4th and 3 from the Minnesota 15. However, Viking S Joey Browner was called for pass interference. The 49ers capitalized, as Tom Rathman scored from the 1 to make it 7-0 49ers.

The Vikings answered, as Wade Wilson completed 3 consecutive passes to 3 different receivers, culminating in a Steve Jordan touchdown reception. 7-7.

Wade Wilson

49ers punted on next drive, and then the Vikings fumbled the ball on the 49er 49 yard line. 7 plays later Montana hit Rice for a 24 yard TD. 49ers 14-7.

Vikings answered again, as a mixture of passes and runs culminated in an Alfred Anderson TD plunge from 1 yard out. 14-14.

49ers drove for a field goal in their next possession for a 17-14 lead. Vikings punted on their next drive, then Montana connected with John Taylor for a 54-yard TD strike that gave the Niners a 24-14 lead with :41 left in the 2nd Quarter.

Wade Wilson hit on 3 straight passes to put the Vikings in long field goal range, and the Chris Nelson boot was good with 2 seconds left in the half. Niners 24-17.

After another Vikings 4 and out to start the 3rd Quarter, the 49ers drove down to the Vikings 10 yard line before settling for another Mike Cofer FG. 27-17. The Vikings, with their season slipping away, went on an 80-yard, 8:37 minute drive capped by a Wilson to Darrin Nelson TD pass. Niners led at this point 27-24.

The 2 teams then exchanged punts, but on the Vikings punt John Taylor returned it for a TD. Boom, Niners 34-24.

Vikings took over on their own 13 with 9:05 left in the game. The Vikes saddled up the running game to advance near mid field, but faced a 4th and 11 with only 5:50 left in the game. Wade Wilson rose to the occasion with a 15 yard pass to Hassan Jones, and the Vikings still had a chance. Wilson drove the Vikes to the Niner 1 yard line, when another Alfred Anderson TD run narrowed the Niner lead to 34-31 with 4:18 left.

The Vikings recovered the ensuing kickoff, and drove down to the 49er 1 yard line with 1:22 left. Alfred Anderson ran it in for his 3rd TD of the game, and the Vikings took the lead for the first time at 38-34.That is how the game would end, as a Baker sack of Montana essentially put the game out of reach.

Congratulations to Bob on a great season.  

AFC Conference Championship Game: Cincinnati 45 LA Raiders 21

Boomer Esiason

Boomer Esiason passes for over 240 yards and 5 touchdowns as the Bengals advance to Super Bowl. Bengal offense was outgained 435 to 418.

NFC Divisional Playoffs: San Francisco 20 NY Giants 3

Charles Haley

Roger Craig rushed for 101 yards and Joe Montana completed 16 of 23 passes for 170, yards, 1 TD,  to
aid the Niners in a 20-3 victory over the Giants.  The San Francisco defense was relentless, aided by 3 sacks from Charles Haley, holding the G-men to just 176 total net offensive yards. San Fran will travel to Minnesota to take on the Vikings in the NFC Championship Game.

AFC Divisional Playoff: LA Raiders 45 Indianapolis 0

Marcus Allen

The Raiders move on in the 88 playoffs with a road thrashing of the Colts who where not ready for the moment . After a scoreless 1st period the floodgates opened for the Raiders scoring 17 in the 2nd , 21 points in the 3rd to leave no doubt who was moving on . Steve Beuerlein had a great game tossing 3 tds and having a 141 rating Marcus Allen ran for 2 TDs  and their defensive turned the Colts over 3 times . A critical turnover was when the Raiders lead was 3-0 and the Colts look like they where starting to resemble a drive to answer the score  . Chandler connected with Brooks over the middle for 14 yards however he was stripped of the ball by Fellows and L.A recovered promptly drove the 40 yards needed to take a 10-0 lead  on a Marcus Allen  1 yard dive .

Raider Nation celebrates  making it to the  AFC Champions game and a chance to move on to the Super Bowl . Their opponent will be either the Bengals or the Dolphins 

NFC Divisional Playoffs: Minnesota 28 LA Rams 14

First Quarter was back and forth, as Rams punted on their first 3 drives and first 2 Viking drives stopped

Anthony Carter

in LA territory on unsuccessful 4th down plays. Vikings finally broke the deadlock as time expired in the First Quarter on a Wade Wilson to Anthony Carter TD pass (the first of 3 times they would connect for a TD on the day).

The teams exchanged TDs in the 2nd Quarter, as Carter and Wilson hooked up again and the Rams’ Greg Bell pounded it in from 4 yards out (part of his 96 yard rushing effort). The first half ended with the Vikes on top 14-7.

Wilson was sharp to start the 3rd Quarter as he went 4 for 4 on the opening drive, setting up Alfred Anderson for a 13-yard TD run to make the score Minnesota 21-7. The Rams promptly went to work, driving all the way to the Viking 26 before stalling out. Mike (Do’t Call Me Carney) Lansford missed a 43-yard field goal that would have narrowed the gap. After Vikings went 4 and out, the Rams drove all the way to the Viking 24 yard line, and it looked like the game was about to get even more tense. However, Jim Everett was picked off. After the INT return, the Vikings got the 3rd Wilson to Carter TD and the Rams were facing a pretty steep hill. The Rams did score another TD in only 2 minutes, as Everett hooked up with the immortal Damone Johnson to close the gap to 28-14. That is where the score would end, as the Vikings were able to kill the last 4 minutes after recovering the Rams onside kick.

Congratulations to James on a great season. This game was an exciting one.

AFC Divisional Playoffs: Cincinnati 57 Miami 42

Boomer Esiason

Craziest game of the year. About 1000 yards in total offense and 99 points scored combined!!!  Boomer threw for 342 yards and 4 TDs to earn game MVP honors.  Counterpart Dan Marino tossed 4 TDs as well including 450 passing yards.  The Bengals move on to the AFC Conference Championship game.

AFC Wild Card Game: Miami 28 Buffalo 13

Dan Marino

Dan Marino throws for 292 yards and 2 TDs to take game MVP honors as Miami downs Buffalo 28-13.
 The Dolphins move on to face top seeded Cincinnati in the Divisional Playoff Round.

NFC Wild Card Game: LA Rams 28 New Orleans 21

Rams raced off to an early 21-zip lead, but New Orleans

Jim Everrett

tied game with 13:31 left in the game, but a 50 yard bomb from Everett to Ellard sealed the deal. Saints drove to the Rams 20 with less than a minute but Herbert's pass was picked off in the end zone. L.A. advances to the next round. Great game called by James. Good Night from Tinsel Town

1988 Playoff Bracket

Playoff Brackets:

Playoff seeds
Seed	AFC	NFC
1	Cincinnati Bengals (Central winner)	Minnesota Vikings (Central winner)
2	Indianapolis Colts (East winner)	San Francisco 49ers (West winner)
3	LA Raiders (West winner)	NY Giants (East winner)
4	Buffalo Bills	Los Angeles Rams
5	Miami Dolphins	New Orleans Saints

*Note: Two teams from the same division were not allowed to play against each other in the Divisional playoff round.
						Divisional Playoffs
						January 1 - Hoosier Dome
	AFC Wild Card Game										AFC Championship
						3	LA Raiders	0
	December 24 - Rich Stdm										January 8 - ???  Stadium
						2	Indianapolis	0
	5	Miami	0								2		0
						December 31 - Riverfront Stadium
	4	Buffalo	0								1		0			Super Bowl XXIII
								0
																January 22 - Joe Robbie Stadium
						1	Cincinnati	0
																A1		0
						January 1 - Candlestick Park
	NFC Wild Card Game										NFC Championship					N2		0
						3	NY Giants	0
	December 26 - Anaheim Stdm.										January 8 - ??? Stadium
						2*	San Francisco	0
	5	New Orleans	0								2		0
						December 31 - Metrodome
	4	LA Rams	0								1		0
						4
						1*	Minnesota	0

Chicago 28, Dallas 21

CHICAGO – Mike Tomczak (12-21-161), came on for the injured Jim McMahon and fired 3 touchdown passes to lead Chicago to a 28-21 win over Dallas at Soldier Field.

            Tomczak opened the scoring less than 5 minutes in with a 21-yard TD pass to Ron Morris.

            The Cowboys responded on their next drive when QB Steve Pelluer called his own number and plunged in from 2 yards out to cap an 80-yard drive. It was 7-7 at the quarter break.

            Chicago (5-2) exploded for 21 points in the 2^nd frame beginning on the second play in when Neal Anderson (22-134-1TD) scampered across the line for a 7-yard TD. Vestee Jackson picked off Pelluer on the next Big D possession and Tomczak immediately connected with Dennis Gentry for a 45-yard strike.

            Dallas (3-4) put together a massive 14-play, 79-yard drive that took 8:20 off the clock and culminated with a 1-yard Herschel Walker (29-119-2TD) dive over the top. It was 21-14 with 2:58 left in the half.

            The Bears had one more scoring drive left in them and went up 28-14 with just 29 ticks left when Tomczak hit TE Jim Thornton over the middle.

            The second half was mostly a punt-fest, except for when David Tate, Dave Duerson and Mike Richardson picked Pelleur passes to end the Boys drives. Turnovers were the biggest difference in the game with the Midway Monsters winning the battle 4-1. Dallas actually out-gained Chicago 403-336 in net offense.

            The Cowboys put their final points on the board with 37 seconds left as Walker banged in for another 1-yard TD.

The ARAIG 88 season reaches its halfway point next week when Dallas goes to Philadelphia and the Bears host the 49ers. 

Cincinnati 28 New England 21

New England keeps it close all game, but late 4th Q TD by Cincy proves to be too much to overcome. Quarterback play was the huge difference in the game as Esiason goes 18 for 27 for 280 yards with 3 TD's and 2 Int, while new England's Flutie and grogan combine for a very pedestrian 12 for 25 for 93 yards and 2 Int! For the Patriots Stephens continues to run hard gaining 119 yards on 23 carries. For Cincy mcgee was the star catching 6 balls for 108 yards and 2 TD's. 

Cleveland 28 Seattle 20

The Cleveland Browns held off the Seattle Seahawks to win in Municipal Stadium 28 - 20.

Game MVP Cleveland QB Bernie Kosar completed 17 of 23 passes for 220 yards 2 TDs and 1 Int.

The Seahawks lost not only the game but QB Dave Krieg for 4 weeks. Next week the Browns play the Eagles at home and the Seahawks play the Saints at home.

Houston 31 Kansas City 21

Warren Moon

Moon earned his MVP as he passed for a 138 rate Game was 21-7 oilers at half time and made it 31-7 with two min. remaining KC staged a furious come back by stripping the Oliers ball carriers twice and almost scored twice on fumble returns in the last min. of play Berg hower coughed up an int to put raging fire out. Good game        Oliers 31   KC  21

New England 27 Green Bay 6

New England claws back to 500 with a big road win at Lambeau Field.  New England

Stanley Morgan

was able to pass effectively throwing only 11 completions but for 150 yards and 2 TD passes, he did throw 2 picks too.  John Stephens continued his bull like effort rushing 20 times for 80 yards and a TD. They also played solid defense holding the Majik man to 19 of 41 while picking him off 3 times and sacking him another 3 times (qb rtg of 38). Still Green Bay made it close late in the 3rd when they picked off Flutie at mid field then  on 4th down Majik man hit a double covered Sharpe from 28 yards out for a TD (xtra pt. missed).  Flutie on the following drive redeemed himself with completions to Fryar of 10 and 14 yards and to Morgan for 22 , 17 and a 10 yard TD toss.  That drive accounted for almost 50% of their passing yards for game and salted away the game. 

New Orleans 28 San Diego 14

Bobby Hebert

New Orleans strolls into San Diego and escapes with a hard fought 28-14 victory. the Saints outgained their hosts 353-303. The star of the game was the Saints Bob Hebert 18-26 231 4 TD's. Gary Anderson led the home team rushing 29 for 149. Saints travel to Seattle, while the Chargers head for South Beach. Good Night from sunny California

Philadelphia 35 Houston 23

MVP Cuningham  was hot with a 112 rating and 66 yards  on the ground  lead his entire team Moon was cold and rated only a 49 rate   Game started with oilers scoring first and then falling behind 21-7. They closed the gap before the half to 21-20 and both teams fought to a 3rd quarter stand still. In the 4th Philly hit for two unanswered TDs and just played great all night   job well done for Dennis  for steping in at last min.

Denver 20 San Diego 10

Charger QB Mark Malone tossed his third INT with 7:25 left to play, it lead to a TD toss by Denver QB John Elway. The Denver TD put the game out of reach. The final Denver 20 - San Diego 10. Next week the Chargers play the Saints at home and the Broncos face the 5 and 0 49ers in San Francisco.

Seattle 37 Atlanta 7

The Seahawks come in to Atlanta with starter Dave Kreig still out due to injury to face a Falcons team with 8 injured players unavailable. The turning point came at the end of the first half. Seattle, who was dominated in yardage and time posession, held a narrow 6-0 lead due to timely turn overs and Falcon penalties. With Atlanta drive ending up at the Seahawks 38 yard line with 7 seconds left. A Greg Davis 55 yard field goal was on line but short and Bobby Joe Edmonds took the field goal attempt 109 yards back for the score and a 13-0 half time lead and earning him MVP honors. Despite being out gained and 7 minutes less in time possession, the Seahawks take advantage and win 37-7.

NY Jets 27 Kansas City 17

Jets win this one 27-17 against the KC Chiefs.   [MVP] Ken O'Brien guided the JETS with 214 yds and three TD passes. Freeman MAC-Neil gained 166yds on the ground and a score.  Al Toon caught a pair of close-in tosses by his QB.  Marty Lyons was relentless with three sacks.

Steve DeBerg was on-and-off, tossing a pair of TD passes, but getting sacked 4 times and tossing 3 INTs.   Piage caught a 75-yd TD BOMB from Deberg, and Harry added a TD catch.

Next up for the 3-2 JETS are a trip to Central Division leading Cincy Bengals. KC travels to Houston.

New Orleans 27 Dallas 24

Morten Anderson

New Orleans holds serve tripping up the Boys 27 to 24. The game was tied than Peuller threw his second pick of the day and the Saints ran the clock down and Morton Anderson kicked a 32 yard field goal for the win. H. Walker was unstoppable running for 128 yards and 2 TD'S. Good Night from Bourbon Street

New England 28 Indianapolis 7

Doug Flutie

New England in survival mode ride their stingy hard hitting defense into a much needed victory.  After holding Indy to 3 an out, Irving Fryar returns a punt 18 yards to the indy 38. 2 plays later Flutie, who was extremely efficient all game hit Stanley morgan on a deep seam and an early 7-0 lead. later in the 1st new England strips Dickerson of the ball and recovers on the NE 48 (this was the 1st of 5 Indy turnovers). NE again used the short field and Flutie hit Fryar from 4 yards out and a 14-0 halftime lead. new England took the 2nd half kick off and built their lead to 21 , the big plays a Flutie to Fryar 60 yard slant, and then on 4th and 4 a Flutie to Fryar hookup for 22 and a TD. Hogeboom replaced Chandler for Indy and had some success, throwing a 13 yard TD pass to Boyer early in 4th quarter. New England would strip sack Hogeboom late in 4th quarter and Raymond Claiborne returned it 32 yards for the final TD and 28-7 victory. the key to the game was easily Indy turning the ball over 5X, while New England for the first time did not commit a turnover.

San Francisco 33 Detroit 7

The Lions recover a 1st quarter fumble and march for the opening score to lead 7 - 0. After that it was basically the Roger Craig show as he scores two TD's and leads the 49ers to a 33 - 7 win at home. The weirdest play was when Mike Cofer set up for a short FG and when the snap was botched the holder (Punter Barry Helton) somehow finds a hole and dives over for the TD???? Just goes to show you never know what may happen.

Los Angeles Raiders Crushed by Cincinnati Bengals 44-7

In their first game of the season without starter Jay Schroeder, the Los Angeles Raiders were crushed by the visiting Cincinnati Bengals 44-7. Both teams came into the contest 4-0 but the Raiders proved to be no match for the Bengals who were able to move the ball at will on the Raider defense. Any chance that the Raiders had to get into the ball game were quickly nullified by missed tackles and costly penalties on offense, as well as turnovers caused by a relentless Bengals defense which held the Raiders' Steve Beuerlein in check (16-43-249, 1TD 2 INT) and the Raiders as a whole to 308 total yards, while keeping them out of the redzone for the entire game. Cincinnati had 420 yards of total offense over all and were led by game MVP and league passing yardage leader Boomer Esiason who had 231 yards through the air on 17 of 25 attempts. Week 6 will see the Raiders attempt to bounce back at home against Dan Marino and the Miami Dolphins, while the Bengals will return to Cincinnati to face Ken O'Brien and New York Jet aerial attack.

Bears Bump Bills

CHICAGO – Neal Anderson ran for 149 yards and Jim McMahon threw 3 touchdown passes to lead Chicago to an exciting 31-24 win over Buffalo at Soldier Field.

            Chicago (3-2) put up 14 points in the 1^st quarter on McMahon’s 9-yard scoring pass to Dennis McKinnon and a 3-yard TD toss to Dennis Gentry. Buffalo (2-3) tied it in the 2^nd frame when Jim Kelly connected with Andre Reed and Pete Metzelaars for TD passes of 45 and 12 yards, respectively.

The Bears weren’t done though in the half. They put up 10 points in the final 2:33 when McMahon found Gentry again from 37 yards. Kevin Butler made it 24-14 at the break with a 34-yard field goal as time expired.

The Bills would battle back with a 34-yard Scott Norwood FG at 10:00 of the 3^rd quarter and another 45-yard Kelly to Reed bomb, leaving it tied at 24-24 with 14:00 left in the game.

Starting from their own 8 yard line, the Bears drove 92 yards on 11 plays and took 6:37 off the clock. Anderson finished off with 6 yards up the middle to close the scoring, but not the action.

The Bills began their final drive at the Buffalo 38 with 2:21 left. They used the 2-minute warning and all 3 timeouts, but ran out of time on the Bears 4-yard line.

Next week the Bills host the Colts. Chicago heads to the dome in Detroit.

Fun Game! Thanks to Jim Upchurch for a spirited game.

Indianapolis 28 Miami 24

What a game from the Hoosier dome between division rivals . The Dolphins strike first as they recover a Dickerson fumble on the Colts 36 yards line on the opening drive of the game . Marino connects with Staford on a screen pass from 13 yards away to take a 7-0 lead. On the Colts next possession they drive right down the field putting together a 13 play 80 yard drive as Dickerson redeems his fumble and scores from 5 yards away to even the game at 7. On the next 2 possessions Marino throws a pick and Chandler matches him a pick. Dolphins kicker Reveiz misses a 45 yard field goal with 12 minutes left in the half . Then Chandler throws his second pick of the game incredibly Marino gives it right back with his 2nd pick of the game as the teams just trade turnovers . The Colts take a 14-7 lead into the half as they go on a 9 play 80 yard drive capped off with Dickerson scoring his 2nd TD from 7 yards out . 

The Dolphins tie the score at 14 taking their opening possession of the second half 9 plays 80 yards capped off by Hamptons 2 yard TD Run . On the Colts opening possession Chandler is picked off for the 3rd time in the game on his own 41 yard the defense allow a 40 yard field goal attempt which is again missed by Reveiz and the score stays notted at 14. As the game approached the end of the 3rd Chandler was picked off for the 4th time this time on his own 31 yard line Marino wasted no time connecting Clayton from 31 yards out giving the Dolphins a 21-14 lead going into the 4th. QB Change time for the Colts as Gary Hogaboom replaced the ineffective rookie . Hogaboom connects on 3 passes and Dickerson finishes off the drive with a 3 yard TD run tying the game at 21 with 10.36left. Marino take the next possession right down to the colts 23 ydl b/f the drive stalled out trotted old reliable Reveiz this time however he connects from yards out to give the Dolphins a  3 point lead with 5:18 to go. Hogaboom leads the Colts back going 4-5 on the drive good for 46 yards this time Bentley caps the drive from 7 yards out to give the Colts the game 28-24 with just 38 seconds left Marino could not pull off the miracle . They did however play a great game as the Colts came into the game as 13 point favorites but where lucky to escape with a win . Dickerson garners game MVP with 133 yards on 28 carries and 3 TD 

next week Miami host the Vikings and the Colts travel to New England 

New Orleans 31 Tampa Bay 17

New Orleans wins a tight one, due to 2 Tampa Bay turnovers and a holding penalty  on a made field goal. Home town call is suspected by the Bucs. For the game Saints outgained the visitors 356 to 355, it was that close, but the story was 2 interceptions that was the difference. 

Washington 34 Phoenix 7

The Cardinals fail to show up on either side of the ball and get routed, by Washington 34-7.  Doug Williams competed 21 of 31 for 221yds and 2 tds and Kelvin Bryant rushed for 82yds and 2 tds for the winners.  Neil Lomax could only muster a 26.5 QB rating against the injury riddled Redskin secondary.  Next week, Washington returns home to face the Giants and the Cards go on the road to play the Rams.

Anderson, Bears Fold Packers

GREEN BAY – Neal Anderson carried 22 times for 118 yards and two touchdowns as the Bears topped their rivals in Lambeau Field, 24-13.

            Kevin Butler (37 yds) for Chicago and Max Zendejas (43 yds) for Green Bay exchanged field goals over the first 15:08 of the contest. Black and Blue was an apt description of the early going.

            Then with 6:01 left in the half, Bears QB Mike Tomczak hit Dennis McKinnon on a short route and “Silk” did the rest for a 30-yard TD. Chicago took a 10-3 lead to the locker room.

            The Bears (2-2) took the opening drive of the 2^nd half 75 yards and opened the largest lead of the game, 17-3 when Anderson burst in from 6 yards out. The drive was kept alive early on when Tomczak went over the top to Dennis Gentry for 36 yards on a 3^rd and 18 from the Chicago 28.

            Green Bay (0-4) would close the gap to 17-13 before the end of the 3^rd quarter. Larry Mason crashed in from a yard out at the 4:12 mark. LB Johnny Holland picked off Tomczak on the next possession leading to a 29-yard Zendejas FG at 2:25.

            The lone score in the 4^th quarter followed a Vestee Jackson interception of Don Majkowski and a return to the GB 21. Five plays later, Anderson followed big Keith Van Horne in from 6.

            Next week will be the Battle of the Bays as Green Bay flies to Tampa Bay. The Bears will host Buffalo.

San Diego 23 Kansas City 10

Gary Anderson

The San Diego Chargers Win their First Game of the Season 23 - 10 over the Kansas City Chiefs in Arrowhead Stadium.

Game MVP Charger RB Gary Anderson ran for 116 yards on 19 carries and 1 TD, his best game of the season so far. But it was the San Diego Defense that won the game by holding the powerful Kansas City running game to only 142 yards, forcing a fumble which the Chargers returned 44 yards for a TD and by keeping the Chiefs out of the Charger endzone, until late in the 4th quarter. Next week the Chargers play the Broncos at home and the Chiefs face the Jets in New York.

LA Raiders 31 Denver 10

This game was OWNED by the Raiders. They jumped out to a 21-0 1st qtr score, and never looked back. As well-coached a game as I have been up against in awile. Cudo's to Mohammed .........Most Excellent game.

NY Giants 24 LA Rams 17

Leonard Marshall

NYG 24-LAN 17

WITH 10 MINUTES LEFT IN THE 4TH QUARTER, THE GIANTS WERE LEADING 24-7 AND HAD THE BALL ON THE LAN 17 YARD LINE. L.ROUSON THEN FUMBLED. SAFTEY J.JOHNSON SCOOPED IT UP AND RAN 83 YARDS FOR A TD.  M. LANSFORD ALSO KICKED A 52 YARD FG. LA WAS THREATENING AT THE END BUT THE GIANTS WERE ABLE TO HOLD ON FOR A 24-17 VICTORY.

NY OUT GAINED THE RAMS 347 YARDS TO 137 YARDS. MVP L. MARSHALL HAD 8 TACKLES, 3 SACKS, A STUFF AND A HURRIED. THANKS TO JIM FOR THE GAME

MARC 

San Francisco 31 Seattle 27

Seattle managed to put up 27 points with Kelly Stouffer running the offense for the injured Dave Kreig but it was not enough as the 49'ers defeat the Seahawks in the Kingdome 31-27. MVP Joe Montana went 13-16 for 214 yards and 1 TD to lead the 49'ers aided by the 115 rushing yards by Roger Craig. Good game called by Bob Parrish

Houston 23 New England 6

Oilers 23 Pats 6---- Game was closer then score indicates. Moon started out 0 for 5 in passing but found Harris for a 44 yard hitch and Pinkett for a 34 yard med pass down the side line to finish his day on a very winning note. Zendeyes hit for 3 FGs one for 51 yards. New England played very well by clock control with 35  min of possession but was hurt by  9 pen. for 70 yards total Except for the score N. E. controled the stats battle.

Kansas City 30 Denver 14

Herman Heard rushed for 107 yards and 1 td as Kansas City ground out a 30-14 win over the visiting Denver Broncos.  Heard led a quartet of runners that totaled 272 yards rushing and helped the Chiefs jump out to a 21-0 advantage in the 2nd quarter.  Denver scored two quick touchdowns to cut the lead to 7, but were not able to get any closer.  Next week, Denver returns home to play the undefeated Raiders while Kansas City hosts San Diego.

Vikings Pillage Game from Bears

CHICAGO – One of the city’s biggest heroes in 1985 became a goat today.

With the scored tied 21-21 with 13 seconds remaining in regulation, the Bears took over on their own 23 yard line. Time to kill the clock and head to overtime, right?!? Jim McMahon is given instructions to “PASS SAFE”. Why were they passing in the first place? Because they have a knucklehead for a head coach (Bruce Thomas, not Mike Ditka). At any rate, McMahon proceeds to throw a perfect spiral into the hands of Vikings DB Joey Browner. Browner falls safely to the ground. Chuck Nelson comes on and boots a 43-yard field goal. Minnesota wins 24-21 to remain undefeated at 3-0.

The ending obscured (in the eyes of the home town fans) what was a magnificent battle between these two NFC Central rivals.

Chicago (1-2) dented the scoreboard on its first drive when Neal Anderson (20-97) bolted in from 5 yards out. The big play of the drive was a McMahon to Anderson hitch route that Anderson whirled and turned into a 44-yard gain.

The Vikings tied the game toward the end of the first quarter when Wade Wilson (16-27-212-3TD) found TE Steve Jordan from 8 yards out. Wilson and Jordan had hooked up for 22 on the previous play.

The Bears respond with a 12-play, 68-yard drive culminating in a Calvin Thomas 1-yard plunge into the endzone.

With 3:35 left in the half Wilson again connects with Jordan, this time for a 23-yard scoring strike.

It looks like we’ll be tied 14-14 heading into the locker rooms until Minnesota fails to convert a 4^th and 1 from their own 45 with 17 ticks left. McMahon hits Dennis McKinnon on a short slant and the WR takes into 45 yards to the house and a 21-14 Chicago lead at the break.

Midway through the 3^rd frame, the Vikings tie it again when Wilson hit WR Cris Carter with a 13-yard TD toss.

The two clubs continued to battle as the clock wound down to what looked like to be certain overtime. Then the improbable happened . . .

Great play calling today by Bill Scheider. Next week his Vikings host the Philadelphia Eagles. The Bears head north to face their nemesis in Lambeau Field.

Phoenix 14 Tampa Bay 3

Phoenix dominate time of possession and stop the Buccs passing attack with a well coached defense and able to dominate with there talented backs Phoenix never looked like losing a very enjoyable game well  coached by Brandon thanks m8

New Orleans 20 Detroit 17

In a very evenly played game that appeared going into overtime, the famous Chuck Long launched a pass into a Saints hands that was returned 37 yards to the Lions 13 where the winning Field goal was kicked with time running out. Lions total yards 287 Saints 279 but Lions had 3 turnover to 2 for the Saints. Great game called by Robert, but the Lions mystique did him in the end. Fun game to play

LA Raiders 24 LA Rams 13

Greg Townsend

Rookie Tim Brown earns MVP honors for the third week in a row with 2 touchdown catches as the Los Angeles Raiders upset the Los Angeles Rams 24-13 in the Battle for Los Angeles. While Tim Brown (4 catches 85 yards, 21.3 yards per catch) makes a strong run for rookie of the year honors, the key difference in the game could arguably be said to have been made by the Raider defense which forced a total of 4 turnovers in the game, including 3 Jim Everett (33 attempts 16 completions 195 yards) interceptions and a Greg Townsend fumble return of 99 yards for a touchdown, his second fumble recovery for a touchdown in as many weeks. Pro Bowl caliber receiver, Henry Ellard, was held to under 100 yards for the first time this season and Bo Jackson (13 attempts 93 yards 7.2 average) led a very effective Raider running attack with 93 yards on the ground.

Seattle 21 San Diego 17

Steve Largent

San Diego controlled the first half taking a 14-0 lead into the half on a Mark Malone to Bernstein 10 yard pass and a 17 yard Mark Malone run. Seattle finally scored on a Dave Kreig to Paul Skansi 12 yard TD pass on 3rd and 10 to cut the lead in half. A field goal on the first play of the 4th quarter extended the lead for the Chargers to 10 but a 3 play 65 yard TD drive ending with a 55 yard TD pass to Steve Largent put Seattle down by 3 with a little over 13 minutes left in the game. With a little over 7 minutes left, Kreig teams up with Largent on a 43 yard TD pass to take the lead. San Diego tried to come back but went 2-5 on 4th down and came up short. Seattle wins 21-17.  Great game played by Keith White.

Indianapolis 34 Cleveland 14

Cleveland took the opening kickoff and marches 80 yards in 17 play to score on a 5 yard pass from Bernie Kosar to FB Tim Manoa. Then the Browns gave up 34 points to loss 34 to 14 in Municipal Stadium. Next week the Brown play the Bengals in Cincinnati and the Colts play the Dolphins at home. a great defensive game played by Al.

New England 28 Buffalo 27

John Stephens

The Bills come to town in another early season rivalry game. either team does much on their opening drives, and New England thanks to a bad punt begins their 2nd drive on the Buffalo 48. They drive to the 22 but then a holding penalty gives them a 1st and 20 and Flutie then throws a horrible int that Buffalo returns to the NE 45, but the Bills can only get to the 25 and settle for a Norwood FG and an early 3-0 lead. The Patriots then drive the field on large runs by Stephens and Perryman before Stephens takes the rock 9 yards and a rare Patriot lead 7-3 after 1 Q. in the 2nd the new England turnovers continue as Fryar fumbles the ball away for the 3rd time in 3 games on punt returns! Buffalo quickly converts in 2 plays as Kelly hits Metzelaars from 17 yards out and Buffalo takes a 10-7 lead into the locker room. 
Buffalo takes the 2nd half kick off and methodically drive to the 9 yard line but once again the patriot D stiffens and only allows a FG, Buffalo 13-7.  Then finally New England produces on special teams as martin takes the KO 95 yards to the house and NE has a slim 14-13 lead.  Then things get even odder as Kelly on 4th and 1 (according to the game play by play) is chased by Rembert falling backwards tosses the ball 71+ yards to Andre Reed waiting for the ball in the end zone!!  Yes about an 80+ yard pass while backpedaling and on target!!  Buffalo goes back up 20-14.  The fans in new England go quiet, and then begin to bow to the amazing kelly!! A fired up Doug Flutie rallies the Patriots again and hits Cedric jones for 23  yard TD , and the see saw battle continues. The Bills drive again but Thomas fumbles and the pats recover. Sensing blood Flutie again engineers a TD drive hitting Craig James for a 14 yard TD and an 8 point lead with 9 minutes remaining. Buffalo does not panic and drive the field to pull within 1 point with just under 3 minutes to play.  buffalo surprises NE and kicks deep.  NE is able to get 1 1st down and burn up Buffalo's timeouts, but give buffalo the ball back on the Buffalo 18 with 1:42 to play.  buffalo gets a 1st down on 2 plays but use up over a minute. NE decides to blitz the next play and with Tippett in Kelly's face he tosses the ball up but Raymond Claiborne picks it off and NE has it's 1st win of the season. john Stephens earns player of the game with 137 yards and 1 TD on 24 carries and getting 8 1st downs. 

Cincinnati 37 Pittsburgh 3

Boomer Esiason completed 13 of 17 passes for 314 yards and 3 touchdowns and Cincy rolled up over 200 yards on the ground for a total of 517 yards as they improved to 3-0.

Minnesota 20 New England 10

Alfred Anderson

Minnesota opened the scoring in first 5 minutes with a FG after NE muffed a punt on their own 21. Neither team could do much remainder of quarter. In 2nd quarter, a Doug Flutie fumble was returned for a TD to give the Vikes a 10-0 lead as NE continued to dig themselves a hole. The Patriots weren’t ready to quit, though, as they battled back to a 10-7 score after a 79 yard, 7+ minute drive capped by a John Stephens 3-yard TD plunge. NE tied the game at 10 with a Staurovsky FG to open the 3rd quarter.

Score stayed knotted at 10 until the 4th quarter, when the Vikes drove 82 yards highlighted by Alred Anderson’s 14 yard TD run. A Flutie INT on NE’s next drive gave the Vikes a 20-10 lead they would not relinquish.

Good game called by Brian.