NFL playoffs, 1990-91
Encyclopedia
The NFL playoffs
following the 1990 NFL season
led up to Super Bowl XXV
.
The league expanded its playoff system from a 10-team to a 12-team tournament. With these changes, three wild card teams (those non-division champions with the conference's best won-lost-tied percentages) qualified, up from two the year before.
The format consisted of the following:
The 3 and 6 seeds played each other in one game and the 4 and 5 in a second game, both making up what was dubbed the "Wild Card Round". The 1 and the 2 seeds from each conference do not participate in this round, earning an automatic berth in the following week's "Divisional Playoff" games, where they face the Wild Card survivors. The 1 seeded team plays against the lowest remaining seed while the 2 seed plays the other remaining team. In a given game, whoever has the higher seed gets the home field advantage. In addition, a rule stating that teams from the same division could not play against each other in the divisional round was abolished .
These changes forced the division winner with the worst record in each conference to play during the first round, eliminating an advantage for the top-seeded wild card where the top wild card received a home game. However, it guaranteed that division winner a home game, unlike in the previous format where the highest seeded wild-card team earned a playoff game while the lowest-seeded division winner was forced to play at the #2 seed in the Divisional Playoffs (or at the #1 seed if the wild-card game winner was in that team's division) despite earning a bye.
This system was later modified before the 2002-2003 playoffs
after the league realigned the teams into eight divisions (four per conference).
. And they also had a defense fumble return touchdown overturned by instant replay. However, the Redskins dominated from that point on. Washington quarterback Mark Rypien
threw two touchdown passes: a 16-yarder to wide receiver Art Monk
and a 3-yard completion to Gary Clark
. Redskins kicker Chip Lohmiller
also made two field goals.
's winning 12-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Mark Clayton. However, the Chiefs dominated most of the game, and took an early first quarter lead with kicker Nick Lowery
's 27-yard field goal. In the second quarter, kicker Pete Stoyanovich
made an NFL playoff record 58-yard field goal to tie the game. But Kansas City quarterback Steve DeBerg
completed a 26-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Stephone Paige (who finished the game with 8 catches for 142 yards), and Lowery added two more field goals to give the Chiefs a 16-3 lead going into the fourth quarter. In the final period, Marino led the Dolphins to the comeback by throwing two touchdown passes: a 1-yarder to running back Tony Paige
and Clayton's winning score. The Chiefs had a chance to win the game on Lowery's 52-yard field goal attempt with 49 seconds left, but his kick was just short.
Marino finished the game with 19 of 30 completions for 221 yards and two touchdowns.
recorded a 1-yard rushing touchdown, while running back Eric Ball scored on 3-yard one. Kicker Jim Breech
made two field goals: a 27-yarder and a 30-yarder. Quarterback Boomer Esiason
completed 14 of 20 passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns: a 2-yarder to running back Harold Green and a 9-yarder to tight end Eric Kattus. Esiason also rushed for 57 yards and another touchdown on a 10-yard run. Houston wide receiver Ernest Givins
caught two touchdown passes from backup quarterback Cody Carlson
to prevent a shutout.
Cincinnati's most lopsided playoff win in franchise history was the result of a team effort. The Bengals racked up 187 yards on the ground even though no player rushed for more than 57 yards, and added another 162 yards through the air, though no one caught more than 2 passes. Overall, the Bengals gained 349 yards while holding Houston to 227, with just 69 rushing yards. Ironically, Houston had helped get Cincinnati into the playoffs by defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers
in their final game of the season, causing the Bengals to win the AFC Central based on tiebreaker rules.
compiled 166 rushing yards, 42 receiving yards, and threw a 22-yard halfback option pass. Chicago kicker Kevin Butler
made 3 field goals, and quarterback Mike Tomczak
completed an 18-yard touchdown pass to tight end James Thornton. New Orleans' only scores were two field goals by kicker Morten Andersen
.
's 40-yard touchdown reception. Then after Buffalo jumped to a 20-3 lead in the second quarter with running back Thurman Thomas' 5-yard touchdown, Miami quarterback Dan Marino cut the Bills' lead to 20-10 with a 64-yard touchdown completion to wide receiver Mark Duper
. Before halftime, Bills quarterback Jim Kelly
threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver James Lofton
, and Marino scored on a 2-yard touchdown run. The teams exchanged field goals again the in third period. During the final quarter, Roy Foster
, an offensive lineman who played in an eligible receiver position, caught a 2-yard touchdown pass to cut the Dolphins deficit to 30-27. But the Bills countered with Thomas' 5-yard touchdown run. Miami then fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Kelly capitalized with a 26-yard touchdown pass to Reed to clinch the game. Marino's 8-yard touchdown to wide receiver Tony Martin closed out the scoring.
Kelly, who returned to start for the Bills after missing the last 2 games of the season with a knee injury, passed for 339 yards and 3 touchdowns, while also rushing for 37 yards. Reed was also a big factor, recording 123 receiving yards and a pair of touchdown catches. Lofton caught 7 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown. Thomas led the Bills ground attack with 32 carries for 117 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns, while also catching 3 passes for 38 yards. Marino threw for 323 yards and 3 touchdowns, but was intercepted twice. Duper caught 3 passes for 113 yards and a touchdown. Running back Sammie Smith
rushed for 99 yards and caught a 9 yard reception.
passed for 200 yards and 2 touchdowns in the first half to lead the 49ers to a 21-10 score by halftime. Redskins receiver Art Monk
had a superb performance, recording 10 receptions for 163 yards, including a 31-yard touchdown catch from Mark Rypien
to give his team a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. San Francisco tied the game with running back Tom Rathman
's 1-yard rushing touchdown, but Washington took the lead again with kicker Chip Lohmiller's 44-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Montana then took control of the game by throwing two touchdowns: a 10-yarder to wide receiver Jerry Rice
and an 8-yarder to wide receiver Mike Sherrard. San Francisco dominated Washington's offense for the rest of the game, intercepting Rypien 3 times with linebacker Michael Carter returning one of them 61-yards for a touchdown
, playing because starter Phil Simms
suffered a season-ending injury, completed 10 out of 17 passes for 122 yards. He also threw 2 touchdown passes: a 21-yard completion to wide receiver Stephen Baker and a 3-yarder to tight end Howard Cross
. Hostetler also ran for 43 yards, including a 3-yard rushing touchdown. Giants kicker Matt Bahr
made a 46-yard field goal and running back Maurice Carthon
scored a 1-yard touchdown.
), while holding the Bengals to just 182 total yards and sacking Boomer Esiason
four times (Three by lineman Greg Townsend
), but still had to score 10 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to clinch the victory. The Bengals scored first during the second period with kicker Jim Breech's 27-yard field goal. But Los Angeles quarterback Jay Schroeder
threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Mervyn Fernandez to give the Raiders a 7-3 lead before halftime. Los Angeles kicker Jeff Jaeger
made a 49-field goal in the third quarter, but Cincinnati tied the game early in the fourth period with running back Stanford Jennings' 8-yard touchdown reception from Esiason. However, a 41-yard touchdown pass from Schroeder to tight end Ethan Horton and Jaeger's 25-yard field goal clinched the victory.
This was Raiders running back Bo Jackson
's final NFL game, having injured his left hip during the third quarter while being tackled from behind by Bengals linebacker Kevin Walker
. The injury was later revealed to have caused a degenerative bone condition in Jackson's hip called, avascular necrosis
. Before being knocked out of the game, he rushed 6 times for 77 yards. Some Bengals fans theorize that this injury to one of the greatest athletes ever placed a curse on the Bengals franchise (sometimes called "the curse of Bo Jackson"), and that this curse is partially responsible for the Bengals' notorious failure to field a competitive football team for most of the next decade and half.
This game is also notable for being Marcus Allen's last 100-plus yard rushing performance with the Raiders, as well as the last postseason game the Bengals would play in until the 2005 season. To this day the Bengals have not won another playoff game. Their winless playoff streak is the longest among all 32 NFL teams.
became the first African-American coach to take his team to a conference championship game, but the results were not in his favor.
The Bills shredded the Raiders, limiting quarterback Jay Schroeder
to 13 of 31 completions for 150 yards and intercepting him 5 times, while also holding running back Marcus Allen
to just 26 yards on 10 carries. On offense, the Bills amassed 502 total yards, including 202 yards on the ground. Running back Thurman Thomas rushed for 138 and a touchdown while also catching 5 passes for 61 yards, while running back Kenneth Davis tied an AFC playoff record with 3 rushing touchdowns. Buffalo also set an NFL playoff record by scoring 41 points in the first half. Bills quarterback Jim Kelly threw for 300 yards and two touchdown passes to wide receiver James Lofton
, who finished the game with 5 receptions for 113 yards. Thomas recorded a 12-yard touchdown run, while Davis scored from 1 yard, 3 yards, and 1 yard out. Linebacker Darryl Talley
returned one of his two interceptions 27 yards for a touchdown.
On Buffalo's opening drive, Kelly completed six consecutive passes, the last one a 13-yard touchdown throw to Lofton after he recovered a fumbled snap in shotgun formation. The Raiders responded with a 41-yard field goal from Jeff Jaeger
, but Buffalo stormed back with another touchdown just four plays after the ensuing kickoff, set up by Kelly's 41-yard completion to Lofton. After a punt, Los Angeles defensive back Gary Lewis intercepted a pass from Kelly. But two plays later, Talley intercepted a pass from Schroeder and returned it for a touchdown. The Raiders were forced to punt on their next possession, and Buffalo stormed down the field again, scoring with a 1-yard touchdown run by Davis on fourth down and goal. An interception by Nate Odomes
set up Davis' second touchdown less than a minute later, and before the half ended, Lofton caught his second touchdown pass to give the Bills a 41-3 first half lead.
Buffalo increased their lead to 48-3 with Davis' third touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter. Later on, Scott Norwood
closed out the scoring with a 39-yard field goal.
Buffalo recorded a total of six interceptions, the third highest total ever in a single NFL game. Defensive back Mark Kelso
recorded his fourth career postseason interception in the game, a Bills' record.
's 42-yard game-winning field goal as time ran out. Bahr was New York's only scorer, as he made 5 out of 6 field goals. Although the Giants outrushed the 49ers, 152 yards to 49, the game was tied 6–6 at halftime. During the first half, Dave Meggett on a halfback option rolled out and delivered a strike to fullback Maurice Carthon. Carthon dropped the ball in the back of the end zone. It was the closest the Giants would get to scoring a touchdown. In the third quarter, a 61-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Joe Montana to wide receiver John Taylor
gave San Francisco the lead, 13-6. Bahr then made a 46-yard field goal that cut the lead, 13-9.
In the fourth quarter, Giants quarterback Jeff Hostetler
was hit at the knees by 49ers defensive tackle Jim Burt. Hostetler was injured on the play, but managed to walk off the field under his own power. Giants linebacker Carl Banks
later recalled that the defense was infuriated by the play and looked to strike back. "It was unspoken...that if you hurt one of our guys, we knew who to go after," Banks said.
On the 49ers' next drive, Montana called a pass play on third down. With the New York defense covering all of his receivers, Montana was forced to move outside the pocket to make a play. Although Lawrence Taylor
took a swipe at Montana and missed, Leonard Marshall came from behind Montana and hit him hard in the back, causing a fumble. Montana, whose back was already injured, was slow to get up and was taken out of the game with a severe concussion and a broken finger. San Francisco managed to retain possession, however, as lineman Steve Wallace fell on the ball after New York cornerback Mark Collins could not hold onto it.
Hostetler returned for the next drive but could not manage a first down. A fake punt, however, caught the 49ers off guard and linebacker Gary Reasons
ran for thirty yards. Hostetler then drove New York to the opposing 21-yard line, but could get no further and nearly threw an interception on a third down pass toward the end zone. Bahr kicked his fourth field goal of the game with 5:47 left to bring the score to 13-12.
Steve Young
came in to replace Montana on the next drive, and the 49ers tried to run as much time as they could off the clock. On the second play off the drive Brent Jones
got behind the Giants defense and Young hit him for a twenty-five yard gain, and two plays later Craig picked up a first down with a six yard gain. On the very next play, Young handed the ball off to Craig again, but Erik Howard
stopped him behind the line of scrimmage and forced a fumble that fell right into Taylor's arms. This was the only turnover of the game.
With 2:36 left and with all three timeouts, Hostetler and the Giants began driving again. He hit Mark Bavaro
for nineteen yards on the first play and later hit Stephen Baker for thirteen more on a second down to set up a short run by Ottis Anderson
for two yards and a first down. New York called two running plays to get the ball to the middle of the field, and with four seconds left Bahr was called on to try to win the game. His kick went through the uprights as time ran out and the Giants won the game.
The game was featured in the NFL's Greatest Games
TV series, titled End of a Dynasty.
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 1990 NFL 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...
led up to Super Bowl XXV
Super Bowl XXV
Super Bowl XXV was an American football game played on January 27, 1991 at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, Florida to decide the National Football League champion following the 1990 regular season. The National Football Conference Champion New York Giants defeated the American Football Conference ...
.
The league expanded its playoff system from a 10-team to a 12-team tournament. With these changes, three wild card teams (those non-division champions with the conference's best won-lost-tied percentages) qualified, up from two the year before.
The format consisted of the following:
- The three division champions from each conference are seeded 1 through 3 based on their regular season won-lost-tied record.
- Three wild card qualifiers are seeded 4, 5 and 6 within the conference.
The 3 and 6 seeds played each other in one game and the 4 and 5 in a second game, both making up what was dubbed the "Wild Card Round". The 1 and the 2 seeds from each conference do not participate in this round, earning an automatic berth in the following week's "Divisional Playoff" games, where they face the Wild Card survivors. The 1 seeded team plays against the lowest remaining seed while the 2 seed plays the other remaining team. In a given game, whoever has the higher seed gets the home field advantage. In addition, a rule stating that teams from the same division could not play against each other in the divisional round was abolished .
These changes forced the division winner with the worst record in each conference to play during the first round, eliminating an advantage for the top-seeded wild card where the top wild card received a home game. However, it guaranteed that division winner a home game, unlike in the previous format where the highest seeded wild-card team earned a playoff game while the lowest-seeded division winner was forced to play at the #2 seed in the Divisional Playoffs (or at the #1 seed if the wild-card game winner was in that team's division) despite earning a bye.
This system was later modified before the 2002-2003 playoffs
NFL playoffs, 2002-03
The 2002-03 NFL playoffs followed the 2002 NFL season and concluded with Super Bowl XXXVII.Prior to the 2002-03 season, the league realigned its teams into eight divisions . Thus, the 12-team playoff format was modified...
after the league realigned the teams into eight divisions (four per conference).
Bracket
NFC: Washington Redskins 20, Philadelphia Eagles 6
The Redskins overcame losing two turnovers and a 6-0 deficit to score 20 unanswered points. The Eagles had a chance to capitalize early with Washington's mistakes, but could only score two field goals from kicker Roger RuzekRoger Ruzek
Roger Brian Ruzek is a former professional American football placekicker in the National Football League for seven seasons for the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles. Previously he played with the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League....
. And they also had a defense fumble return touchdown overturned by instant replay. However, the Redskins dominated from that point on. Washington quarterback Mark Rypien
Mark Rypien
Mark Robert Rypien is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League. He is the first Canadian-born quarterback to start in the NFL.-Biography:...
threw two touchdown passes: a 16-yarder to wide receiver Art Monk
Art 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...
and a 3-yard completion to Gary Clark
Gary Clark
Gary C. Clark is a former professional American football wide receiver in the National Football League who played for the Washington Redskins , Phoenix Cardinals and Miami Dolphins .-Early life:...
. Redskins kicker Chip Lohmiller
Chip Lohmiller
John McLeod "Chip" Lohmiller is a former professional American football placekicker in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints, and the St. Louis Rams...
also made two field goals.
AFC: Miami Dolphins 17, Kansas City Chiefs 16
With 2:28 left in the game, the Dolphins capped an 85-yard drive with quarterback Dan MarinoDan Marino
Daniel Constantine "Dan" Marino, Jr. is a retired American football quarterback who played for the Miami Dolphins in the National Football League...
's winning 12-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Mark Clayton. However, the Chiefs dominated most of the game, and took an early first quarter lead with kicker Nick Lowery
Nick Lowery
Dominic Gerald Lowery , nicknamed Nick the Kick, is a former American football placekicker for the New England Patriots , the Kansas City Chiefs , and New York Jets . Lowery was selected to the Pro Bowl three times and when he retired was ranked first in field goal percentage and also had the most...
's 27-yard field goal. In the second quarter, kicker Pete Stoyanovich
Pete Stoyanovich
Peter Stoyanovich and is an American football placekicker of Macedonian descent who played with the Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs and briefly the St. Louis Rams in the NFL. He attended college at Indiana University.A first-team all-pro in 1992, Stoyanovich finished his career in the top 35 in...
made an NFL playoff record 58-yard field goal to tie the game. But Kansas City quarterback Steve DeBerg
Steve DeBerg
Steven Leroy DeBerg had a long career as an American Football quarterback. His career spanned 21 years over 3 decades. Despite the fact that large portions of his career were spent as a backup, DeBerg ultimately accumulated some impressive NFL statistics, particularly during the early 1990s, when...
completed a 26-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Stephone Paige (who finished the game with 8 catches for 142 yards), and Lowery added two more field goals to give the Chiefs a 16-3 lead going into the fourth quarter. In the final period, Marino led the Dolphins to the comeback by throwing two touchdown passes: a 1-yarder to running back Tony Paige
Tony Paige
Anthony Ricardo Paige is a former professional American football player who played running back for nine seasons for the New York Jets, Detroit Lions, and Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. Paige went professional in 1984 as a sixth round selection of the New York Jets. He led the...
and Clayton's winning score. The Chiefs had a chance to win the game on Lowery's 52-yard field goal attempt with 49 seconds left, but his kick was just short.
Marino finished the game with 19 of 30 completions for 221 yards and two touchdowns.
AFC: Cincinnati Bengals 41, Houston Oilers 14
The Bengals crushed the Oilers by jumping 34-0 lead in the third quarter and holding the ball for 39:45. Running back Ickey WoodsIckey Woods
Elbert L. "Ickey" Woods is a former American football fullback who played his entire NFL career with the Cincinnati Bengals. He played college football at UNLV...
recorded a 1-yard rushing touchdown, while running back Eric Ball scored on 3-yard one. Kicker Jim Breech
Jim Breech
James Thomas Breech is a former American football kicker in the National Football League, who played for Oakland Raiders in 1979 and Cincinnati Bengals from 1980-1992. Before his NFL career, Breech played for the University of California and Sacramento High School...
made two field goals: a 27-yarder and a 30-yarder. Quarterback Boomer Esiason
Boomer Esiason
Norman Julius "Boomer" Esiason is a former American football quarterback and current network color commentator. He played for the National Football League's Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets, and Arizona Cardinals before working as an analyst for ABC and HBO...
completed 14 of 20 passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns: a 2-yarder to running back Harold Green and a 9-yarder to tight end Eric Kattus. Esiason also rushed for 57 yards and another touchdown on a 10-yard run. Houston wide receiver Ernest Givins
Ernest Givins
Ernest Pastell Givins, Jr. , was a former professional American football player who was selected by the Houston Oilers in the 2nd round of the 1986 NFL Draft. A 5'9", 175 lbs. wide receiver from the University of Louisville, Givins played in 10 NFL seasons from 1986-1995...
caught two touchdown passes from backup quarterback Cody Carlson
Cody Carlson
Matthew Cody Carlson is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Houston Oilers in the 3rd round of the 1987 NFL Draft. A 6'3", 203-lb...
to prevent a shutout.
Cincinnati's most lopsided playoff win in franchise history was the result of a team effort. The Bengals racked up 187 yards on the ground even though no player rushed for more than 57 yards, and added another 162 yards through the air, though no one caught more than 2 passes. Overall, the Bengals gained 349 yards while holding Houston to 227, with just 69 rushing yards. Ironically, Houston had helped get Cincinnati into the playoffs by defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
in their final game of the season, causing the Bengals to win the AFC Central based on tiebreaker rules.
NFC: Chicago Bears 16, New Orleans Saints 6
The Bears defense held the Saints to 65 rushing yards, 6 first downs, and two field goals. Chicago also recorded 365 yards of total offense. Bears running back Neal AndersonNeal Anderson
Charles Neal Anderson is a former American college and professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League for eight seasons in the 1980s and 1990s...
compiled 166 rushing yards, 42 receiving yards, and threw a 22-yard halfback option pass. Chicago 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...
made 3 field goals, and quarterback Mike Tomczak
Mike Tomczak
Michael John "Mike" Tomczak is a former American football player. Tomczak played quarterback for several NFL teams including the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers....
completed an 18-yard touchdown pass to tight end James Thornton. New Orleans' only scores were two field goals by kicker Morten Andersen
Morten Andersen
Morten Andersen , nicknamed "The Great Dane", is a former National Football League kicker. He holds the distinction of being the all-time leading scorer in NFL history, as well as being the all-time leading scorer for two different teams; the New Orleans Saints, with whom he spent 13 seasons, and...
.
Byes
- AFC: Buffalo BillsBuffalo BillsThe Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Los Angeles Raiders - NFC: San Francisco 49ersSan Francisco 49ersThe San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
, New York GiantsNew York GiantsThe New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
AFC: Buffalo Bills 44, Miami Dolphins 34
In a shootout, the Bills jumped to a 13-3 lead in the first quarter, and kept pace with the Dolphins as the two teams matched each other score for score for the rest of the game. The Bills scored first with wide receiver Andre ReedAndre Reed
Andre Darnell Reed is a former professional American football player. He played wide receiver in the National Football League for 16 seasons, 15 with the Buffalo Bills and one with the Washington Redskins .Reed ranks tenth in NFL history in total career receptions with 951.-Football career:Reed...
's 40-yard touchdown reception. Then after Buffalo jumped to a 20-3 lead in the second quarter with running back Thurman Thomas' 5-yard touchdown, Miami quarterback Dan Marino cut the Bills' lead to 20-10 with a 64-yard touchdown completion to wide receiver Mark Duper
Mark Duper
Mark Super Duper is a former American football wide receiver who played for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League from 1982 to 1992. He played collegiately at Northwestern State University and was selected by the Dolphins in the 2nd round of the 1982 NFL Draft...
. Before halftime, Bills quarterback Jim Kelly
Jim Kelly
James Edward Kelly is a former American football quarterback in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills and the USFL's Houston Gamblers....
threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver James Lofton
James Lofton
James David Lofton is a former American football player and coach. He is a former American football coach for the San Diego Chargers but is best known for his years in the National Football League as a wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers , Los Angeles Raiders , the Buffalo Bills...
, and Marino scored on a 2-yard touchdown run. The teams exchanged field goals again the in third period. During the final quarter, Roy Foster
Roy Foster (football player)
Roy Allen Foster is a former professional American football offensive lineman.-High school career:...
, an offensive lineman who played in an eligible receiver position, caught a 2-yard touchdown pass to cut the Dolphins deficit to 30-27. But the Bills countered with Thomas' 5-yard touchdown run. Miami then fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Kelly capitalized with a 26-yard touchdown pass to Reed to clinch the game. Marino's 8-yard touchdown to wide receiver Tony Martin closed out the scoring.
Kelly, who returned to start for the Bills after missing the last 2 games of the season with a knee injury, passed for 339 yards and 3 touchdowns, while also rushing for 37 yards. Reed was also a big factor, recording 123 receiving yards and a pair of touchdown catches. Lofton caught 7 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown. Thomas led the Bills ground attack with 32 carries for 117 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns, while also catching 3 passes for 38 yards. Marino threw for 323 yards and 3 touchdowns, but was intercepted twice. Duper caught 3 passes for 113 yards and a touchdown. Running back Sammie Smith
Sammie Smith
Sammie Lee Smith , is a former American football player who was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the 1st round of the 1989 NFL Draft. A 6'2", 226-lb...
rushed for 99 yards and caught a 9 yard reception.
NFC: San Francisco 49ers 28, Washington Redskins 10
Quarterback Joe MontanaJoe 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...
passed for 200 yards and 2 touchdowns in the first half to lead the 49ers to a 21-10 score by halftime. Redskins receiver Art Monk
Art 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...
had a superb performance, recording 10 receptions for 163 yards, including a 31-yard touchdown catch from Mark Rypien
Mark Rypien
Mark Robert Rypien is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League. He is the first Canadian-born quarterback to start in the NFL.-Biography:...
to give his team a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. San Francisco tied the game with running back Tom Rathman
Tom Rathman
Thomas Dean Rathman is a former American football fullback who played for the San Francisco 49ers and the Oakland Raiders . He is currently the running backs coach for the 49ers.-High school:...
's 1-yard rushing touchdown, but Washington took the lead again with kicker Chip Lohmiller's 44-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Montana then took control of the game by throwing two touchdowns: a 10-yarder to 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...
and an 8-yarder to wide receiver Mike Sherrard. San Francisco dominated Washington's offense for the rest of the game, intercepting Rypien 3 times with linebacker Michael Carter returning one of them 61-yards for a touchdown
NFC: New York Giants 31, Chicago Bears 3
The Giants defense dominated the game by allowing only 27 rushing yards and 3 points. New York quarterback Jeff HostetlerJeff Hostetler
William Jeffrey Hostetler is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League for the New York Giants, Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders, and Washington Redskins. His nickname is "Hoss".-Penn State:...
, playing because starter Phil Simms
Phil 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...
suffered a season-ending injury, completed 10 out of 17 passes for 122 yards. He also threw 2 touchdown passes: a 21-yard completion to wide receiver Stephen Baker and a 3-yarder to tight end Howard Cross
Howard Cross
Howard Edward Cross, Jr. is a former professional American football tight end in the National Football League. Cross was drafted out of the University of Alabama in the 1989 NFL Draft by the New York Giants in the sixth round...
. Hostetler also ran for 43 yards, including a 3-yard rushing touchdown. Giants kicker 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...
made a 46-yard field goal and running back Maurice Carthon
Maurice Carthon
Maurice Carthon is a National Football League coach as well as a former professional football running back.Carthon is currently an assistant head coach for the Kansas City Chiefs...
scored a 1-yard touchdown.
AFC: Los Angeles Raiders 20, Cincinnati Bengals 10
The Raiders recorded 235 rushing yards (with 140 of them coming from running back Marcus AllenMarcus Allen
Marcus LeMarr Allen is a former American football player and, until recently, was affiliated with CBS as a game analyst. As a professional, Allen ran for 12,243 yards and caught 587 passes for 5,412 yards during his career for both the Los Angeles Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs from 1982 to 1997...
), while holding the Bengals to just 182 total yards and sacking Boomer Esiason
Boomer Esiason
Norman Julius "Boomer" Esiason is a former American football quarterback and current network color commentator. He played for the National Football League's Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets, and Arizona Cardinals before working as an analyst for ABC and HBO...
four times (Three by lineman Greg Townsend
Greg Townsend
Gregory Townsend is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Raiders in the fourth round of the 1983 NFL Draft...
), but still had to score 10 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to clinch the victory. The Bengals scored first during the second period with kicker Jim Breech's 27-yard field goal. But Los Angeles 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 13-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Mervyn Fernandez to give the Raiders a 7-3 lead before halftime. Los Angeles kicker Jeff Jaeger
Jeff Jaeger
Jeff Todd Jaeger , is a former American football placekicker who played in 12 National Football League seasons and was an All-American kicker at the University of Washington. In the NFL Jaeger played for the Cleveland Browns, the Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders, and the Chicago Bears...
made a 49-field goal in the third quarter, but Cincinnati tied the game early in the fourth period with running back Stanford Jennings' 8-yard touchdown reception from Esiason. However, a 41-yard touchdown pass from Schroeder to tight end Ethan Horton and Jaeger's 25-yard field goal clinched the victory.
This was Raiders running back Bo Jackson
Bo Jackson
Vincent Edward "Bo" Jackson is a former American baseball and football player. He was the first athlete to be named an All-Star in two major American sports, and also won the Heisman Trophy in 1985....
's final NFL game, having injured his left hip during the third quarter while being tackled from behind by Bengals linebacker Kevin Walker
Kevin Walker (football player)
Kevin Walker who went to West Milford High School in West Milford, New Jersey was an American football linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League...
. The injury was later revealed to have caused a degenerative bone condition in Jackson's hip called, avascular necrosis
Avascular necrosis
Avascular necrosis is a disease where there is cellular death of bone components due to interruption of the blood supply. Without blood, the bone tissue dies and the bone collapses...
. Before being knocked out of the game, he rushed 6 times for 77 yards. Some Bengals fans theorize that this injury to one of the greatest athletes ever placed a curse on the Bengals franchise (sometimes called "the curse of Bo Jackson"), and that this curse is partially responsible for the Bengals' notorious failure to field a competitive football team for most of the next decade and half.
This game is also notable for being Marcus Allen's last 100-plus yard rushing performance with the Raiders, as well as the last postseason game the Bengals would play in until the 2005 season. To this day the Bengals have not won another playoff game. Their winless playoff streak is the longest among all 32 NFL teams.
AFC Championship: Buffalo Bills 51, Los Angeles Raiders 3
Raiders head coach Art ShellArt Shell
Arthur "Art" Shell is an American former collegiate and professional football player in the American Football League and later in the NFL, a Hall of Fame offensive tackle, and a two-time former head coach of the Oakland Raiders...
became the first African-American coach to take his team to a conference championship game, but the results were not in his favor.
The Bills shredded the Raiders, limiting 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...
to 13 of 31 completions for 150 yards and intercepting him 5 times, while also holding running back Marcus Allen
Marcus Allen
Marcus LeMarr Allen is a former American football player and, until recently, was affiliated with CBS as a game analyst. As a professional, Allen ran for 12,243 yards and caught 587 passes for 5,412 yards during his career for both the Los Angeles Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs from 1982 to 1997...
to just 26 yards on 10 carries. On offense, the Bills amassed 502 total yards, including 202 yards on the ground. Running back Thurman Thomas rushed for 138 and a touchdown while also catching 5 passes for 61 yards, while running back Kenneth Davis tied an AFC playoff record with 3 rushing touchdowns. Buffalo also set an NFL playoff record by scoring 41 points in the first half. Bills quarterback Jim Kelly threw for 300 yards and two touchdown passes to wide receiver James Lofton
James Lofton
James David Lofton is a former American football player and coach. He is a former American football coach for the San Diego Chargers but is best known for his years in the National Football League as a wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers , Los Angeles Raiders , the Buffalo Bills...
, who finished the game with 5 receptions for 113 yards. Thomas recorded a 12-yard touchdown run, while Davis scored from 1 yard, 3 yards, and 1 yard out. Linebacker Darryl Talley
Darryl Talley
Darryl Victor Talley is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 1983 NFL Draft. He played college football at West Virginia....
returned one of his two interceptions 27 yards for a touchdown.
On Buffalo's opening drive, Kelly completed six consecutive passes, the last one a 13-yard touchdown throw to Lofton after he recovered a fumbled snap in shotgun formation. The Raiders responded with a 41-yard field goal from Jeff Jaeger
Jeff Jaeger
Jeff Todd Jaeger , is a former American football placekicker who played in 12 National Football League seasons and was an All-American kicker at the University of Washington. In the NFL Jaeger played for the Cleveland Browns, the Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders, and the Chicago Bears...
, but Buffalo stormed back with another touchdown just four plays after the ensuing kickoff, set up by Kelly's 41-yard completion to Lofton. After a punt, Los Angeles defensive back Gary Lewis intercepted a pass from Kelly. But two plays later, Talley intercepted a pass from Schroeder and returned it for a touchdown. The Raiders were forced to punt on their next possession, and Buffalo stormed down the field again, scoring with a 1-yard touchdown run by Davis on fourth down and goal. An interception by Nate Odomes
Nate Odomes
Nathaniel Bernard Odomes is a former professional American football defensive back who played for the Buffalo Bills , Seattle Seahawks , and the Atlanta Falcons...
set up Davis' second touchdown less than a minute later, and before the half ended, Lofton caught his second touchdown pass to give the Bills a 41-3 first half lead.
Buffalo increased their lead to 48-3 with Davis' third touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter. Later on, Scott Norwood
Scott Norwood
Scott Allan Norwood is a former American football placekicker in the NFL who played for the Buffalo Bills. Norwood was an integral part of its offense during the late 1980s and early 1990s, and kicked in Buffalo's first two Super Bowl appearances...
closed out the scoring with a 39-yard field goal.
Buffalo recorded a total of six interceptions, the third highest total ever in a single NFL game. Defensive back Mark Kelso
Mark Kelso
Mark Alan Kelso is a former American football player who was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the tenth round of the 1985 NFL Draft. A 5'11", 177 lbs. safety from North Hills High School and the College of William & Mary, Kelso played in eight NFL seasons and his entire career with the...
recorded his fourth career postseason interception in the game, a Bills' record.
NFC Championship: New York Giants 15, San Francisco 49ers 13
In a mostly defensive battle, 49ers running back Roger Craig's fumble with 2:36 left in the game led to Giants kicker Matt BahrMatt 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...
's 42-yard game-winning field goal as time ran out. Bahr was New York's only scorer, as he made 5 out of 6 field goals. Although the Giants outrushed the 49ers, 152 yards to 49, the game was tied 6–6 at halftime. During the first half, Dave Meggett on a halfback option rolled out and delivered a strike to fullback Maurice Carthon. Carthon dropped the ball in the back of the end zone. It was the closest the Giants would get to scoring a touchdown. In the third quarter, a 61-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Joe Montana to wide receiver John Taylor
John Taylor (American football player)
John Gregory Taylor is a former American football wide receiver with the San Francisco 49ers. Taylor attended Pennsauken High School and was one of six NFL players to come from PHS during the 1980s. Taylor attended Delaware State College and was a member of their football team, the Hornets...
gave San Francisco the lead, 13-6. Bahr then made a 46-yard field goal that cut the lead, 13-9.
In the fourth quarter, Giants quarterback Jeff Hostetler
Jeff Hostetler
William Jeffrey Hostetler is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League for the New York Giants, Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders, and Washington Redskins. His nickname is "Hoss".-Penn State:...
was hit at the knees by 49ers defensive tackle Jim Burt. Hostetler was injured on the play, but managed to walk off the field under his own power. Giants linebacker Carl Banks
Carl Banks
Carl E. Banks is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League from 1984 to 1995 for the New York Giants, the Washington Redskins and the Cleveland Browns. He made the Pro Bowl in 1987, had 39.5 career quarterback sacks, and was a member of the NFL's 1980's All-Decade Team...
later recalled that the defense was infuriated by the play and looked to strike back. "It was unspoken...that if you hurt one of our guys, we knew who to go after," Banks said.
On the 49ers' next drive, Montana called a pass play on third down. With the New York defense covering all of his receivers, Montana was forced to move outside the pocket to make a play. Although 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...
took a swipe at Montana and missed, Leonard Marshall came from behind Montana and hit him hard in the back, causing a fumble. Montana, whose back was already injured, was slow to get up and was taken out of the game with a severe concussion and a broken finger. San Francisco managed to retain possession, however, as lineman Steve Wallace fell on the ball after New York cornerback Mark Collins could not hold onto it.
Hostetler returned for the next drive but could not manage a first down. A fake punt, however, caught the 49ers off guard and linebacker Gary Reasons
Gary Reasons
Gary Phillip Reasons is a former American football linebacker for the New York Giants of the National Football League, winning Super Bowl XXI and Super Bowl XXV as a member of the team.-Biography:...
ran for thirty yards. Hostetler then drove New York to the opposing 21-yard line, but could get no further and nearly threw an interception on a third down pass toward the end zone. Bahr kicked his fourth field goal of the game with 5:47 left to bring the score to 13-12.
Steve Young
Steve Young (athlete)
Jon Steven "Steve" Young is a former American football quarterback, best known for his time with the NFL's San Francisco 49ers. He also played for the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Los Angeles Express of the United States Football League...
came in to replace Montana on the next drive, and the 49ers tried to run as much time as they could off the clock. On the second play off the drive Brent Jones
Brent Jones
Brent Michael Jones is a former American Football tight end who played almost his entire career with the San Francisco 49ers from 1987 to 1997. He was selected in the 5th round by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1986 NFL Draft...
got behind the Giants defense and Young hit him for a twenty-five yard gain, and two plays later Craig picked up a first down with a six yard gain. On the very next play, Young handed the ball off to Craig again, but Erik Howard
Erik Howard
Erik Matthew Howard is a former professional American football defensive tackle who played eleven seasons in the National Football League...
stopped him behind the line of scrimmage and forced a fumble that fell right into Taylor's arms. This was the only turnover of the game.
With 2:36 left and with all three timeouts, Hostetler and the Giants began driving again. He hit 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...
for nineteen yards on the first play and later hit Stephen Baker for thirteen more on a second down to set up a short run by Ottis Anderson
Ottis Anderson
Ottis Jerome "O.J." Anderson is a former American football running back. He was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1979, and the MVP of Super Bowl XXV in 1991 when playing with the New York Giants...
for two yards and a first down. New York called two running plays to get the ball to the middle of the field, and with four seconds left Bahr was called on to try to win the game. His kick went through the uprights as time ran out and the Giants won the game.
The game was featured in 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...
TV series, titled End of a Dynasty.