NFL playoffs, 1986-87
Encyclopedia
The NFL playoffs
following the 1986 NFL season
led up to Super Bowl XXI
.
Note: As per the rules of the NFL playoffs prior to the 1990 season
(notwithstanding the strike-shortened 1982 season
), the New York Giants (the NFC one seed) did not play the Washington Redskins (the four seed) in the Divisional playoff round because both teams were in the same division.
The last two weeks of the 1986 season was among the most dramatic in determining the participants in the AFC playoffs.
Quarterback Pat Ryan
led the Jets to a facile victory with three touchdown passes. The Chiefs scored first on a 67-yard drive capped by running back Jeff Smith, but Nick Lowery was unsuccessful with the following PAT. On their ensuing possession, the Jets faced fourth down and 6 on the Kansas City 33-yard line. Rather than attempt a long field goal, Ryan faked a handoff and rushed for a 24 yard gain. Two plays later, running back Freeman McNeil
scored on a 4-yard rushing touchdown. In the second period, Ryan completed two touchdown pass: a 1-yarder to McNeil and an 11-yarder to wide receiver Al Toon
. On the first play of the second half, Jets linebacker Kevin McArthur returned an interception 21 yards for a touchdown. Ryan later clinched the victory in the fourth period with a 6-yard touchdown pass to tight end Billy Griggs. The Chiefs' only scores in the second half was a blocked punt recovery in the end zone, and an intentional safety by the Jets in punt formation.
McNeil finished the game with 135 rushing yards, three receptions for 16 yards, and two touchdowns.
led to Washington kicker Jess Atkinson's 25-yard field goal. The Redskins then extended their lead, 10-0, after quarterback Jay Schroeder
threw a 14-yard touchdown to running back Kelvin Bryant
. In the second period, Rams tight end David Hill
's fumble set up Atkinson's 20-yard field goal. Atkinson made two more field in the second half. The Rams' lone score of the game was quarterback Jim Everett
's 12-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Kevin House during the final period set up by a long run by Eric Dickerson. It seemed that Dickerson was headed for the endzone but he was caught from behind by Redskin's CB Darrell Green.
In a final ode to a dominant Redskin afternoon, Darrell Green made a mind-boggling, open-field, caught-from-behind tackle of a full-throttled Eric Dickerson en route to a touchdown. Green dropped Dickerson at the 20-yard line and the "National Defense" ultimately pushed the Rams back out of even a field goal opportunity.
, a former Washington Redskin whom Cleveland had talked out of retirement in order to replace the injured Matt Bahr
less than two months earlier, made the game-winning 27-yard field goal after 2:02 elapsed of the second overtime period, making this the third longest game in NFL history.
The Jets scored first in the opening quarter after an 82-yard drive which was capped by quarterback Pat Ryan's 42-yard touchdown pass to former California Golden Bears
wide receiver Wesley Walker
on a flea flicker
play. Cleveland responded by marching 98 yards to score on running back Herman Fontenot
's 37-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Bernie Kosar
. In the second quarter, Ryan was knocked out of the game and replaced by Ken O'Brien
. Mosely kicked a field goal to give the Browns a 10-7 lead, but late in the quarter, O'Brien led the Jets on a last second field goal drive to tie the game, featuring his season-long 16-yard run on fourth down and four to keep the drive alive.
In the third quarter New York kicker Pat Leahy made a 37-yard field goal to break the tie. Early in the fourth quarter, the Browns drove all the way to the New York 3-yard line, only to come up empty when Russell Carter
intercepted a pass from Kosar in the end zone. Then after a punt, Kosar threw another interception, this time to Jerry Holmes
, which set up Freeman McNeil
's 25-yard touchdown run to give his team a 20-10 lead with 4:14 left in regulation. This led Jets announcer Charley Steiner
to prematurely declare, "The Jets are gonna win this football game!"
But the Browns then drove 68-yards to score on running back Kevin Mack
's 1-yard touchdown run, during a drive that was aided by a roughing the passer penalty on Mark Gastineau
of the Jets on second down and 24 from Cleveland's 18-yard line. After a failed onside kick attempt, the Browns stopped New York on two consecutive runs and then sacked O'Brien on a quarterback draw, which was a key play since it stopped the clock. Then they got another lucky break when a punt that would have pinned them inside their own 10-yard line was called back by a Jets penalty. Following a second punt, they got the ball on their own 32 with 51 seconds left and no timeouts. Following a 26-yard pass interference penalty on New York, Kosar completed a 37-yard pass to wide receiver Webster Slaughter
to set up Moseley's game-tying 27-yard field goal with seven seconds remaining in regulation.
In the first overtime period, Cleveland had a great chance to win after a drive landed them at the Jets 5-yard line. They attempted a field goal on first down, but Moseley missed the 23-yard attempt. In the second overtime period, Moseley got another chance at the Jets 9-yard line, again on a first down, and this time his kick was good to win the game.
Kosar set postseason records for completions (33), attempts (64), and passing yards (483), but threw only one touchdown pass and two interceptions. Browns tight end Ozzie Newsome
caught six passes for 114 yards.
The game was featured as one of the NFL's Greatest Games
as the Marathon by the Lake.
. Chicago countered in the second quarter with wide receiver Willie Gault
's 50-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Doug Flutie
. Bears kicker Kevin Butler
then made two field goals before halftime. However, the Redskins took the lead in the third period after a Flutie interception set up an Art Monk 23-yard touchdown reception. Chicago then advanced to the Washington 17-yard line, but running back Walter Payton
lost a fumble to the Redskins, who then marched 83 yards for a touchdown on a George Rogers
1-yard rush. Washington place kicker Jess Atkinson made two field goals in the final period to close out the scoring.
completed only nine of 19 passes for 134 yards, but threw 4 touchdown passes and no interceptions and sat out the fourth quarter while the New York defense allowed only 29 rushing yards and a field goal. On the 49ers' first drive of the game, wide receiver Jerry Rice
caught a very long pass from quarterback Joe Montana
and appeared to be on his way for a 50-yard touchdown; however, the future hall of famer inexplicably fumbled the football into the Giants end zone without being touched. (John Madden said during the telecast that the artificial turf at Giants Stadium may have been a factor.) The Giants recovered the football for a touchback. New York then drove 80 yards to score on Simms' 24-yard touchdown to tight end Mark Bavaro
. Simms would throw three more touchdowns: a 15-yarder to wide receiver Bobby Johnson, a 28-yarder to wide receiver Phil McConkey
, and a 29-yarder to tight end Zeke Mowatt. Running back Joe Morris
rushed for 159 yards and two touchdowns: a 45-yarder and a 2-yarder. Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor
also scored a touchdown on a 34-yard interception return. During that same play, Montana was knocked out of the game with a concussion after a very hard hit by Giant nose tackle Jim Burt. After the game when 49er head coach Bill Walsh was asked if Jerry Rice's fumble made a difference in the outcome of the game, Walsh replied sarcastically, "Yeah, [that play] did. If it weren't for the fumble, the final score would have been 49 to 10."
ran for a touchdown and passed for another one as he led Denver to a victory, while running back Sammy Winder
rushed for 102 yards and caught a pass for 16. Denver jumped to a 3-0 lead in the first quarter after kicker Rich Karlis
connected a 27-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Patriots took the lead when quarterback Tony Eason
completed a 19-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Stanley Morgan
to cap an 87-yard drive. However, the Broncos countered with an 82-yard drive to score on Elway's 22-yard touchdown run. After both teams exchanged field goals, Eason completed a 45-yard touchdown pass to Morgan to retake the lead, 17-13. But Elway then threw a 48-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Vance Johnson
for the go-ahead score. Denver defensive lineman Rulon Jones
then sacked Eason for a safety in the final period to close out the scoring and to beat the point spread of -4.5 points.
in Cleveland and Denver sports lore when the Broncos drove 98 yards to tie the game with 37 seconds left in regulation and Denver kicker Rich Karlis
kicked the game-winning 33-yard field goal 5:38 into overtime.
The Browns scored first when quarterback Bernie Kosar threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to running back Herman Fontenot at the end of an 86 yard drive. But then Cleveland turned the ball over on three consecutive drives. First Rickey Hunley intercepted Kosar's pass on the last play of the first quarter. Then after a punt, linebacker Jim Ryan
picked off a Kosar pass and returned it 21 yards to the Browns 9-yard line. Denver then drove to the 1-yard line, but were halted there and decided to settle for Rich Karlis
's 19-yard field goal. After the ensuing kickoff, running back Kevin Mack
lost a fumble that was recovered by Ken Woodard
on the Cleveland 37. On the next play, Denever QB John Elway
's 34-yard scramble moved the ball to the 4-yard line. Once again, they ended up facing fourth down on the 1-yard line, but this time they decided to go for the touchdown and Gerald Willhite
scored on a sweep right. Cleveland managed to respond with Kosar's 42-yard completion to receiver Clarence Weathers, setting up Mark Moseley
's 29-yard field goal to tie the score at 10 with less than a minute left in the half.
In the second half, Elway threw his first interception of the game, a pass that was picked off near the sidelines by rookie defensive back Mark Harper. But the Broncos defense rose to the occasion and managed to force a punt. Elway then led Denver inside the Browns 20-yard line where Karlis made a 26-yard field goal break the tie with 2:50 left in the third quarter.
Cleveland responded with a field goal of their own, a 24-yarder from Mosely to tie the game 13-13. Then after a punt, Kosar completed a 48-yard touchdown pass to Brian Brennan
, making the score 20-13 with 5:43 remaining in regulation. On the ensuing kickoff, returner Ken Bell
misplayed the kick and it hit the ground in front of him, bouncing to the 2-yard line before he managed to dive on the ball. Elway then led his team 98 yards to tie the game on wide receiver Mark Jackson's 5-yard touchdown reception with 37 seconds left in regulation. Jackson also made a big play earlier on the drive, catching a 20-yard pass from Elway on third down and 18 from the Browns 48-yard line with 1:47 to go.
After forcing Cleveland to punt on the opening drive of overtime, Elway led the Broncos 60 yards to set up Karlis' game winning 33-yard field goal. The key play of the drive was a 28-yard completion to Steve Watson
on third down and 12 at midfield. Two carries by Sammy Winder
then moved the ball to the 16-yard line where Karlis made his game winning kick, which barely made it inside the left upright.
Additional heart breaking Cleveland Sports lore: 1954: "The Catch", 1981: "Red Right 88
", 1987 "The Drive"; 1988 "The Fumble
"; 1989 "The Shot
"; 1993 "The Shot II"; 1995 "Art Modell
moves the Browns to Baltimore as a NFL expansion team
"; 1997 "Jose Mesa
in Game 7 of the World Series"; 1999 "the Indians blow a two games to none lead against the Boston Red Sox in a five game playoff series"; 2007 "the Indians blow a three games to one series lead against the Boston Red Sox
"; 2009 "Orlando Magic
"; 2010 "The Decision
".
This game was later featured on NFL's Greatest Games
.
(the Redskins would never kick off, as they chose to receive the second-half kickoff). After the Redskins were forced to punt on their opening possession, punter Steve Cox could only manage to kick the ball in the strong wind 23 yards to the Washington 47-yard line. Six plays later, the Giants scored on Raul Allegre
's 47-yard field goal. After the ensuing kickoff, the Redskins were forced to punt again and Cox managed to only punt the ball 27 yards to the Washington 38-yard line. From there, New York advanced to score on quarterback Phil Simms' 11-yard touchdown to Lionel Manuel
. Giants running back Joe Morris closed out the scoring in the second quarter after finishing off a 51-yard drive with a 1-yard rushing touchdown.
NFL playoffs
The National Football League playoffs are a single-elimination tournament held at the end of the regular season to determine the NFL champion. Six teams from each of the league's two conferences qualify for the playoffs based on regular season records, and a tie-breaking procedure exists in the...
following the 1986 NFL season
1986 NFL season
The 1986 NFL season was the 67th regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XXI when the New York Giants defeated the Denver Broncos to win their first league title in 30 years.-Major rule changes:...
led up to Super Bowl XXI
Super Bowl XXI
Super Bowl XXI was an American football game played on January 25, 1987 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California to decide the National Football League champion following the 1986 regular season. The National Football Conference champion New York Giants won their first Super Bowl by defeating...
.
Note: As per the rules of the NFL playoffs prior to the 1990 season
1990 NFL season
The 1990 NFL season was the 71st regular season of the National Football League. To increase revenue, the league changed the regular season so that all NFL teams would play their 16-game schedule over a 17-week period...
(notwithstanding the strike-shortened 1982 season
1982 NFL season
The 1982 NFL season was the 63rd regular season of the National Football League. A 57-day long players' strike reduced the 1982 season from a 16-game schedule per team to an abbreviated nine game schedule...
), the New York Giants (the NFC one seed) did not play the Washington Redskins (the four seed) in the Divisional playoff round because both teams were in the same division.
AFC: New York Jets 35, Kansas City Chiefs 15
After Week Eleven in the 1986 NFL season, the Jets possessed the NFL best 10-1 record. After a strangely difficult 31-16 home win against the then winless 0-10 Indianapolis Colts, the NY Jets proceeded to lose five straight blow out games, bookended with a 45-3 thumping by the then 5-6 Miami Dolphins on ABC Monday Night Football and a 52-21 loss by the then 9-6 Cincinnati Bengals. During this five game losing streak, the Jets were outscored by their opponents by aggregate point total of 183 to 61. To make the playoffs the Bengals needed a loss by the NE Patriots in Week Sixteen on ABC Monday Night Football against the Miami Dolphins in the final professional football game at the Miami Orange Bowl. Conversely, the hottest AFC team at the end of the season was the 10-6 Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks finished the season with an AFC best five game winning streak, but were left out of the playoffs because of a disastrous three game skid where the Seahawks were defeated by eventual playoff participants NY Jets 38-7, Kansas City Chiefs 34-7 and the fell short Cincinnati Bengals 34-7.The last two weeks of the 1986 season was among the most dramatic in determining the participants in the AFC playoffs.
Quarterback Pat Ryan
Pat Ryan (American football)
Patrick Lee Ryan is a former professional American football quarterback who played 14 seasons in the National Football League for the New York Jets and the Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football at the University of Tennessee and was drafted in the eleventh round of the 1978 NFL Draft...
led the Jets to a facile victory with three touchdown passes. The Chiefs scored first on a 67-yard drive capped by running back Jeff Smith, but Nick Lowery was unsuccessful with the following PAT. On their ensuing possession, the Jets faced fourth down and 6 on the Kansas City 33-yard line. Rather than attempt a long field goal, Ryan faked a handoff and rushed for a 24 yard gain. Two plays later, running back Freeman McNeil
Freeman McNeil
Freeman McNeil is a former professional American football player who was selected by the New York Jets in the 1st round of the 1981 NFL Draft....
scored on a 4-yard rushing touchdown. In the second period, Ryan completed two touchdown pass: a 1-yarder to McNeil and an 11-yarder to wide receiver Al Toon
Al Toon
Albert Lee Toon, Jr. is a former professional American football player. He was selected by the New York Jets in the 1st round of the 1985 NFL Draft...
. On the first play of the second half, Jets linebacker Kevin McArthur returned an interception 21 yards for a touchdown. Ryan later clinched the victory in the fourth period with a 6-yard touchdown pass to tight end Billy Griggs. The Chiefs' only scores in the second half was a blocked punt recovery in the end zone, and an intentional safety by the Jets in punt formation.
McNeil finished the game with 135 rushing yards, three receptions for 16 yards, and two touchdowns.
NFC: Washington Redskins 19, Los Angeles Rams 7
The Rams turned over the ball six times en route to a defeat against the Redskins. In the first quarter, a fumble lost by Los Angeles running back Eric DickersonEric Dickerson
Eric Demetric Dickerson is a former professional running back in the National Football League who in his career played for the Los Angeles Rams, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Raiders, and Atlanta Falcons.-College career:...
led to Washington kicker Jess Atkinson's 25-yard field goal. The Redskins then extended their lead, 10-0, after quarterback Jay Schroeder
Jay Schroeder
Jay Brian Schroeder is a former professional American football quarterback in the National Football League who played for the Washington Redskins , Los Angeles Raiders , Cincinnati Bengals and Arizona Cardinals .He attended Palisades High School and was a high school football teammate of actor...
threw a 14-yard touchdown to running back Kelvin Bryant
Kelvin Bryant
Kelvin LeRoy Bryant is a former American football running back in the National Football League and the United States Football League.-College career:...
. In the second period, Rams tight end David Hill
David Hill (tight end)
David Earl Hill is a former professional American football tight end in the National Football League. He played for twelve seasons for the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Rams. He was selected to two Pro Bowls while playing for the Lions...
's fumble set up Atkinson's 20-yard field goal. Atkinson made two more field in the second half. The Rams' lone score of the game was quarterback Jim Everett
Jim Everett
James Samuel Everett III is a retired professional American football quarterback who played for twelve seasons in the National Football League ....
's 12-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Kevin House during the final period set up by a long run by Eric Dickerson. It seemed that Dickerson was headed for the endzone but he was caught from behind by Redskin's CB Darrell Green.
In a final ode to a dominant Redskin afternoon, Darrell Green made a mind-boggling, open-field, caught-from-behind tackle of a full-throttled Eric Dickerson en route to a touchdown. Green dropped Dickerson at the 20-yard line and the "National Defense" ultimately pushed the Rams back out of even a field goal opportunity.
AFC: Cleveland Browns 23, New York Jets 20 (2OT)
Thirty-eight-year-old Browns kicker Mark MoseleyMark Moseley
Mark DeWayne Moseley is a former professional American football placekicker in the National Football League who played for the Philadelphia Eagles , the Houston Oilers , the Washington Redskins , and the Cleveland Browns . He won the Most Valuable Player Award during the strike-shortened 1982 season...
, a former Washington Redskin whom Cleveland had talked out of retirement in order to replace the injured Matt Bahr
Matt Bahr
Matthew David Bahr is a former professional American football placekicker in the National Football League. He attended Neshaminy High School in Langhorne, Pennsylvania where he excelled in both football and soccer...
less than two months earlier, made the game-winning 27-yard field goal after 2:02 elapsed of the second overtime period, making this the third longest game in NFL history.
The Jets scored first in the opening quarter after an 82-yard drive which was capped by quarterback Pat Ryan's 42-yard touchdown pass to former California Golden Bears
California Golden Bears
The California Golden Bears is the nickname used for 29 varsity athletic programs and various club teams of the University of California, Berkeley...
wide receiver Wesley Walker
Wesley Walker
Wesley Darcel Walker is a former professional American football wide receiver for the New York Jets in 1977 - 1989....
on a flea flicker
Flea flicker (American football)
A flea flicker is an unorthodox play in American football designed to fool the defensive team into thinking that a play is a run instead of a pass...
play. Cleveland responded by marching 98 yards to score on running back Herman Fontenot
Herman Fontenot
Herman J. Fontenot is a former professional American football player who played running back for six seasons for the Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers. Fontenot was raised by his Grandmother, growing up in the Neches Homes housing projects in Beaumont, Texas....
's 37-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Bernie Kosar
Bernie Kosar
Bernard Joseph "Bernie" Kosar, Jr. is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League. Kosar played for the Cleveland Browns from 1985 to 1993 and then finished his career with the Dallas Cowboys and the Miami Dolphins.-Early life and high school career:A Hungarian-American...
. In the second quarter, Ryan was knocked out of the game and replaced by Ken O'Brien
Ken O'Brien
Kenneth John O'Brien is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for the New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles. When he retired he was the only Jets quarterback to have ever been the top ranked passer in a season. He held the team record for most...
. Mosely kicked a field goal to give the Browns a 10-7 lead, but late in the quarter, O'Brien led the Jets on a last second field goal drive to tie the game, featuring his season-long 16-yard run on fourth down and four to keep the drive alive.
In the third quarter New York kicker Pat Leahy made a 37-yard field goal to break the tie. Early in the fourth quarter, the Browns drove all the way to the New York 3-yard line, only to come up empty when Russell Carter
Russell Carter
Russell Carter is a former professional American football player who played safety for six seasons for the New York Jets and the Los Angeles Raiders....
intercepted a pass from Kosar in the end zone. Then after a punt, Kosar threw another interception, this time to Jerry Holmes
Jerry Holmes
Jerry Holmes is an American football coach and former defensive back. He played ten seasons in the National Football League, mainly for New York Jets but also with the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers. He also played in the USFL for the New Jersey Generals and the Pittsburgh Maulers...
, which set up Freeman McNeil
Freeman McNeil
Freeman McNeil is a former professional American football player who was selected by the New York Jets in the 1st round of the 1981 NFL Draft....
's 25-yard touchdown run to give his team a 20-10 lead with 4:14 left in regulation. This led Jets announcer Charley Steiner
Charley Steiner
Charles Harris "Charley" Steiner is an American sportscaster and broadcast journalist. He is currently the main play-by-play voice for the Los Angeles Dodgers Radio Network, paired with Rick Monday.-Early career:...
to prematurely declare, "The Jets are gonna win this football game!"
But the Browns then drove 68-yards to score on running back Kevin Mack
Kevin Mack
James Kevin Mack is a former professional American football player who played running back.-Early life:Mack was born in Kings Mountain, North Carolina...
's 1-yard touchdown run, during a drive that was aided by a roughing the passer penalty on Mark Gastineau
Mark Gastineau
Marcus Dell Gastineau is a former American football player who was a leading defensive end for the New York Jets from 1979 to 1988. A five-time Pro Bowler, his 100½ quarterback sacks in only his first 100 starts in the NFL made him one of the quickest and most feared pass rushers of his generation...
of the Jets on second down and 24 from Cleveland's 18-yard line. After a failed onside kick attempt, the Browns stopped New York on two consecutive runs and then sacked O'Brien on a quarterback draw, which was a key play since it stopped the clock. Then they got another lucky break when a punt that would have pinned them inside their own 10-yard line was called back by a Jets penalty. Following a second punt, they got the ball on their own 32 with 51 seconds left and no timeouts. Following a 26-yard pass interference penalty on New York, Kosar completed a 37-yard pass to wide receiver Webster Slaughter
Webster Slaughter
Webster Melvin Slaughter is a former American football wide receiver who played in the National Football League from 1986 to 1998....
to set up Moseley's game-tying 27-yard field goal with seven seconds remaining in regulation.
In the first overtime period, Cleveland had a great chance to win after a drive landed them at the Jets 5-yard line. They attempted a field goal on first down, but Moseley missed the 23-yard attempt. In the second overtime period, Moseley got another chance at the Jets 9-yard line, again on a first down, and this time his kick was good to win the game.
Kosar set postseason records for completions (33), attempts (64), and passing yards (483), but threw only one touchdown pass and two interceptions. Browns tight end Ozzie Newsome
Ozzie Newsome
Ozzie Newsome Jr. and a 1974 graduate of Colbert County High School in Leighton, Alabama, is a former American football tight end for the Cleveland Browns, an inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the current General Manager of the Baltimore Ravens.-College career:Before his NFL career,...
caught six passes for 114 yards.
The game was featured as one of the NFL's Greatest Games
NFL's Greatest Games
NFL's Greatest Games is a series of 90-minute television programs that air on NFL Network, ESPN and related networks. They are condensed versions of some of the most famous games in the history of the National Football League, using footage and sound captured by NFL Films, as well as original...
as the Marathon by the Lake.
NFC: Washington Redskins 27, Chicago Bears 13
The Redskins converted two turnovers into two touchdowns in the second half to overcome the defending champion Bears' 13-7 halftime lead. Washington scored first after quarterback Jay Schroeder threw a 28-yard touchdown to wide receiver Art MonkArt Monk
James Arthur "Art" Monk is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, New York Jets, and the Philadelphia Eagles...
. Chicago countered in the second quarter with wide receiver Willie Gault
Willie Gault
Willie James Gault is a former American football wide receiver and Olympic athlete. Gault played in the National Football League for 11 seasons for the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Raiders. He was a member of the Bears team that won Super Bowl XX, and was also a member of the U.S. Olympic team...
's 50-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Doug Flutie
Doug Flutie
Douglas Richard "Doug" Flutie is a former American and Canadian football quarterback. Flutie played college football at Boston College, and played professionally in the National Football League, Canadian Football League, and United States Football League...
. Bears kicker Kevin Butler
Kevin Butler (American football)
Kevin Gregory Butler is a former professional American football placekicker. He played college football for the University of Georgia Bulldogs, and then played professionally for the Chicago Bears and the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League...
then made two field goals before halftime. However, the Redskins took the lead in the third period after a Flutie interception set up an Art Monk 23-yard touchdown reception. Chicago then advanced to the Washington 17-yard line, but running back Walter Payton
Walter Payton
Walter Jerry Payton was an American football running back who played for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League for thirteen seasons. Walter Payton was known around the NFL as "Sweetness". He is remembered as one of the most prolific running backs in the history of American football...
lost a fumble to the Redskins, who then marched 83 yards for a touchdown on a George Rogers
George Rogers (American football)
George Washington Rogers is a former American football player who achieved distinction in both the college and professional ranks as a running back...
1-yard rush. Washington place kicker Jess Atkinson made two field goals in the final period to close out the scoring.
NFC: New York Giants 49, San Francisco 49ers 3
NY Giants quarterback Phil SimmsPhil Simms
Phillip Martin "Phil" Simms is a former American football quarterback, and currently a television sportscaster for the CBS network. After a standout career at Morehead State University, Simms was drafted in the first round by the New York Giants of the National Football League with the number...
completed only nine of 19 passes for 134 yards, but threw 4 touchdown passes and no interceptions and sat out the fourth quarter while the New York defense allowed only 29 rushing yards and a field goal. On the 49ers' first drive of the game, wide receiver Jerry Rice
Jerry Rice
Jerry Lee Rice is a retired American football wide receiver. He is generally regarded as the greatest wide receiver of all time and one of the greatest players in National Football League history...
caught a very long pass from quarterback Joe Montana
Joe Montana
Joseph Clifford "Joe" Montana, Jr. , nicknamed Joe Cool, Golden Joe, The Golden Great and Comeback Joe, is a retired American football player. Montana started his NFL career in 1979 with the San Francisco 49ers, where he played quarterback for the next 14 seasons...
and appeared to be on his way for a 50-yard touchdown; however, the future hall of famer inexplicably fumbled the football into the Giants end zone without being touched. (John Madden said during the telecast that the artificial turf at Giants Stadium may have been a factor.) The Giants recovered the football for a touchback. New York then drove 80 yards to score on Simms' 24-yard touchdown to tight end Mark Bavaro
Mark Bavaro
Mark Bavaro is a former American football tight end who played for the New York Giants , Cleveland Browns , and Philadelphia Eagles in the National Football League...
. Simms would throw three more touchdowns: a 15-yarder to wide receiver Bobby Johnson, a 28-yarder to wide receiver Phil McConkey
Phil McConkey
Philip Joseph McConkey attended Canisius High School where he played wide receiver for the varsity football team and graduated in the class of 1975, is a former American football wide receiver who played for the New York Giants , Green Bay Packers , Phoenix Cardinals , and San Diego Chargers of...
, and a 29-yarder to tight end Zeke Mowatt. Running back Joe Morris
Joe Morris (American football)
Joseph Edward Morris is a former American football running back in the National Football League who played for the New York Giants from 1982 to 1988. Initially noted for his diminutive stature — 5' 7", Morris was a key member of the Giants team that won Super Bowl XXI in 1987...
rushed for 159 yards and two touchdowns: a 45-yarder and a 2-yarder. Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor
Lawrence Taylor
Lawrence Julius Taylor , nicknamed "L.T.", is a Hall of Fame former American football player. Taylor played his entire professional career as a linebacker for the New York Giants in the National Football League...
also scored a touchdown on a 34-yard interception return. During that same play, Montana was knocked out of the game with a concussion after a very hard hit by Giant nose tackle Jim Burt. After the game when 49er head coach Bill Walsh was asked if Jerry Rice's fumble made a difference in the outcome of the game, Walsh replied sarcastically, "Yeah, [that play] did. If it weren't for the fumble, the final score would have been 49 to 10."
AFC: Denver Broncos 22, New England Patriots 17
Broncos quarterback John ElwayJohn Elway
John Albert Elway, Jr. is a former American football quarterback and currently is the executive vice president of football operations for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League . He played college football at Stanford and his entire professional career with the Denver Broncos...
ran for a touchdown and passed for another one as he led Denver to a victory, while running back Sammy Winder
Sammy Winder
Sammy Winder is a former professional American football running back who spent his entire professional career playing for the Denver Broncos, from 1982 to 1990....
rushed for 102 yards and caught a pass for 16. Denver jumped to a 3-0 lead in the first quarter after kicker Rich Karlis
Rich Karlis
Richard John Karlis is a former American Football placekicker who played nine seasons for the Denver Broncos, the Minnesota Vikings, and the Detroit Lions in the National Football League from 1982 to 1990...
connected a 27-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Patriots took the lead when quarterback Tony Eason
Tony Eason
Charles Carroll "Tony" Eason, IV is a former quarterback. He played college football for the University of Illinois and professional football for the New England Patriots and New York Jets .-Early years:Eason grew up in Walnut Grove, California, and attended Delta High School in Clarksburg,...
completed a 19-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Stanley Morgan
Stanley Morgan
Stanley Douglas Morgan is a former NFL wide receiver who played for the New England Patriots. Morgan was selected out of the University of Tennessee in the first round of the 1977 NFL Draft . He also played one season for the Indianapolis Colts in 1990...
to cap an 87-yard drive. However, the Broncos countered with an 82-yard drive to score on Elway's 22-yard touchdown run. After both teams exchanged field goals, Eason completed a 45-yard touchdown pass to Morgan to retake the lead, 17-13. But Elway then threw a 48-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Vance Johnson
Vance Johnson
Vance Edward Johnson , is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 1985 NFL Draft. A 5'11", 174 lb...
for the go-ahead score. Denver defensive lineman Rulon Jones
Rulon Jones
Rulon Jones is a retired American football defensive lineman.Jones was drafted out of the Utah State University in the 1980 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. He played his entire career in Denver. During his career, Jones played in 129 games and recorded 52.5 official quarterback sacks...
then sacked Eason for a safety in the final period to close out the scoring and to beat the point spread of -4.5 points.
AFC Championship: Denver Broncos 23, Cleveland Browns 20 (OT)
This game is best remembered for The DriveThe Drive
The Drive refers to an offensive series in the fourth quarter of the AFC Championship Game played on January 11, 1987, between the Denver Broncos and the Cleveland Browns. Broncos quarterback John Elway, in a span of 5 minutes and 2 seconds, led his team 98 yards to tie the game with 37 seconds...
in Cleveland and Denver sports lore when the Broncos drove 98 yards to tie the game with 37 seconds left in regulation and Denver kicker Rich Karlis
Rich Karlis
Richard John Karlis is a former American Football placekicker who played nine seasons for the Denver Broncos, the Minnesota Vikings, and the Detroit Lions in the National Football League from 1982 to 1990...
kicked the game-winning 33-yard field goal 5:38 into overtime.
The Browns scored first when quarterback Bernie Kosar threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to running back Herman Fontenot at the end of an 86 yard drive. But then Cleveland turned the ball over on three consecutive drives. First Rickey Hunley intercepted Kosar's pass on the last play of the first quarter. Then after a punt, linebacker Jim Ryan
Jim Ryan
Jim Ryan may refer to:*Jim Ryan , former player for the Denver Broncos*Jim Ryan , president and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd*Jim Ryan , former Welsh football player...
picked off a Kosar pass and returned it 21 yards to the Browns 9-yard line. Denver then drove to the 1-yard line, but were halted there and decided to settle for Rich Karlis
Rich Karlis
Richard John Karlis is a former American Football placekicker who played nine seasons for the Denver Broncos, the Minnesota Vikings, and the Detroit Lions in the National Football League from 1982 to 1990...
's 19-yard field goal. After the ensuing kickoff, running back Kevin Mack
Kevin Mack
James Kevin Mack is a former professional American football player who played running back.-Early life:Mack was born in Kings Mountain, North Carolina...
lost a fumble that was recovered by Ken Woodard
Ken Woodard
Ken Woodard is a former linebacker who played eight seasons in the NFL....
on the Cleveland 37. On the next play, Denever QB John Elway
John Elway
John Albert Elway, Jr. is a former American football quarterback and currently is the executive vice president of football operations for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League . He played college football at Stanford and his entire professional career with the Denver Broncos...
's 34-yard scramble moved the ball to the 4-yard line. Once again, they ended up facing fourth down on the 1-yard line, but this time they decided to go for the touchdown and Gerald Willhite
Gerald Willhite
Gerald William Willhite is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Denver Broncos in the first round of the 1982 NFL Draft. A 5'10", 210-lb. running back from San José State University, Willhite played for the Broncos from 1982 to 1988...
scored on a sweep right. Cleveland managed to respond with Kosar's 42-yard completion to receiver Clarence Weathers, setting up Mark Moseley
Mark Moseley
Mark DeWayne Moseley is a former professional American football placekicker in the National Football League who played for the Philadelphia Eagles , the Houston Oilers , the Washington Redskins , and the Cleveland Browns . He won the Most Valuable Player Award during the strike-shortened 1982 season...
's 29-yard field goal to tie the score at 10 with less than a minute left in the half.
In the second half, Elway threw his first interception of the game, a pass that was picked off near the sidelines by rookie defensive back Mark Harper. But the Broncos defense rose to the occasion and managed to force a punt. Elway then led Denver inside the Browns 20-yard line where Karlis made a 26-yard field goal break the tie with 2:50 left in the third quarter.
Cleveland responded with a field goal of their own, a 24-yarder from Mosely to tie the game 13-13. Then after a punt, Kosar completed a 48-yard touchdown pass to Brian Brennan
Brian Brennan
Brian Michael Brennan is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round of the 1984 NFL Draft...
, making the score 20-13 with 5:43 remaining in regulation. On the ensuing kickoff, returner Ken Bell
Ken Bell
Ken Bell was a Canadian photographer who served with the Canadian armed forces during the Second World War. As a lieutenant in the Canadian Army Film and Photo Unit, he participated in the Normandy Landings, photographing and recording the liberation of France, Belgium and Holland, and finally...
misplayed the kick and it hit the ground in front of him, bouncing to the 2-yard line before he managed to dive on the ball. Elway then led his team 98 yards to tie the game on wide receiver Mark Jackson's 5-yard touchdown reception with 37 seconds left in regulation. Jackson also made a big play earlier on the drive, catching a 20-yard pass from Elway on third down and 18 from the Browns 48-yard line with 1:47 to go.
After forcing Cleveland to punt on the opening drive of overtime, Elway led the Broncos 60 yards to set up Karlis' game winning 33-yard field goal. The key play of the drive was a 28-yard completion to Steve Watson
Steve Watson
Steven Craig "Steve" Watson is a former English footballer, who retired after being released by Sheffield Wednesday on 15 May 2009. As of November 13, 2010, he is the Development Coach at Football League One side Huddersfield Town.-Playing career:Watson began his career with Newcastle United,...
on third down and 12 at midfield. Two carries by Sammy Winder
Sammy Winder
Sammy Winder is a former professional American football running back who spent his entire professional career playing for the Denver Broncos, from 1982 to 1990....
then moved the ball to the 16-yard line where Karlis made his game winning kick, which barely made it inside the left upright.
Additional heart breaking Cleveland Sports lore: 1954: "The Catch", 1981: "Red Right 88
Red Right 88
Red Right 88 was the designation of a Cleveland Browns passing play that was called during the January 4, 1981 American Football Conference divisional playoff game against the Oakland Raiders; in the years since, the term has been used to refer to the game itself and its ending.Trailing 14-12 with...
", 1987 "The Drive"; 1988 "The Fumble
The Fumble
In American football, The Fumble refers to a specific incident in the AFC Championship Game between the Cleveland Browns and the Denver Broncos on January 17, 1988 at Mile High Stadium...
"; 1989 "The Shot
The Shot
The Shot is the name of the series-winning basket made by Michael Jordan in the 5th game of the 1989 Eastern Conference First Round against the Cavs, in the Coliseum at Richfield...
"; 1993 "The Shot II"; 1995 "Art Modell
Art Modell
Arthur B. Modell is an American businessman, entrepreneur and former National Football League team owner. He owned the Cleveland Browns franchise from 1961–1995 and the Baltimore Ravens franchise from 1996–2004. Modell is the grandson of the late Morris Modell who founded the northeast...
moves the Browns to Baltimore as a NFL expansion team
Cleveland Browns relocation controversy
The Cleveland Browns relocation controversy was the decision by then Browns owner Art Modell to move the National Football League team from its longtime home of Cleveland, Ohio to Baltimore, Maryland for the 1996 NFL season...
"; 1997 "Jose Mesa
José Mesa
José Ramón Nova Mesa [MAY-sah] is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. His nickname was "Joe Table," the literal translation of his name in the English language....
in Game 7 of the World Series"; 1999 "the Indians blow a two games to none lead against the Boston Red Sox in a five game playoff series"; 2007 "the Indians blow a three games to one series lead against the Boston Red Sox
2007 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Friday, October 12, 2007 at Fenway Park in Boston, MassachusettsIn Game 1, the Cleveland Indians took the lead when Travis Hafner hit a home run to deep right field in the first inning against Josh Beckett. Beckett retired the next ten batters in a row, finishing by striking out seven while...
"; 2009 "Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
"; 2010 "The Decision
LeBron James
LeBron Raymone James is an American professional basketball player for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association . Nicknamed "King James", he was a three-time "Mr. Basketball" of Ohio in high school, and was highly promoted in the national media as a future NBA superstar while a...
".
This game was later featured on NFL's Greatest Games
NFL's Greatest Games
NFL's Greatest Games is a series of 90-minute television programs that air on NFL Network, ESPN and related networks. They are condensed versions of some of the most famous games in the history of the National Football League, using footage and sound captured by NFL Films, as well as original...
.
NFC Championship: New York Giants 17, Washington Redskins 0
The Giants shut out the Redskins, allowing only 150 passing yards and 40 rushing yards. New York won the coin toss but elected to kick off with the 32 mile-per-hour winds blowing through Giants StadiumGiants Stadium
Giants Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Maximum seating capacity was 80,242. The building itself was 230.5 m long, 180.5 m wide and 44 m high from service level to the top of the seating bowl and 54 m high to...
(the Redskins would never kick off, as they chose to receive the second-half kickoff). After the Redskins were forced to punt on their opening possession, punter Steve Cox could only manage to kick the ball in the strong wind 23 yards to the Washington 47-yard line. Six plays later, the Giants scored on Raul Allegre
Raul Allegre
Raul Enrique Allegre is a former football placekicker in the National Football League. In his career he kicked for the Baltimore Colts, Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants, and the New York Jets. Although he was not known for a having a strong leg, he was a clutch kicker for the Giants from...
's 47-yard field goal. After the ensuing kickoff, the Redskins were forced to punt again and Cox managed to only punt the ball 27 yards to the Washington 38-yard line. From there, New York advanced to score on quarterback Phil Simms' 11-yard touchdown to Lionel Manuel
Lionel Manuel
Lionel Manuel, Jr. is a former professional American football player who was selected by the New York Giants in the seventh round of the 1984 NFL Draft. A 5'11", 180-lb. wide receiver from the University of the Pacific, Manuel played in seven NFL seasons, and spent his entire career with the Giants...
. Giants running back Joe Morris closed out the scoring in the second quarter after finishing off a 51-yard drive with a 1-yard rushing touchdown.