About bboyd31573

I'm a resident of Mission, SD, which is in the south-central part of the state along the Nebraska border. I am a literature teacher at my hometown high school. I just retired from 25 years a very successful coaching career - basketball and football. I have two children. My daughter is a physical therapist living in Phoenix, AZ, and my son recently graduated from Notre Dame and is working in Wisconsin in the political arena. I am an owner of the Green Bay Packers, and I am a huge LA Lakers fan. I have a beautiful husky dog named Oakley. I have been playing APBA football since I was 13 and my first set was the 1985 NFL season.

1997 Game 139 (Week 11) Detroit at Washington

Posted on February 20, 2024 by bboyd31573

Redskins take down the red-hot Lions

One of the premiere showdowns of week 11 was a matchup between the red-hot Detroit Lions, who have won four in a row including a huge upset of the World Champion Packers at Lambeau Field, and the NFC East leading Washington Redskins.

Redskins’ head coach Norv Turner had an outstanding gameplan to keep Barry Sanders and the high-flying Lions’ offense off the field…ball possession. Until late in the 4^th quarter, the Redskins dominated the time of possession with an effective running attack and an efficient play action passing game. In fact, the Redskins rushed the ball 42 times on Sunday. RB Terry Allen was back in action and carried the ball 27 times for 97 yards.

Redskins’ QB Gus Frerotte threw for 215 yards on 15 of 28 passing with a TD. 13 of his completions were to tight ends and running backs. In fact, Leslie Shepherd was the only wide receiver to catch a ball for the Skins with 2 receptions for 45 yards.

On the defensive side of things, the Redskins held all-world running back Barry Sanders in check as Sanders only rushed the ball 13 times in the game. Sanders is on pace to rush for over two thousand yards, but the Redskins held Sanders to only 81 yards until late in the 4^th quarter. Sanders ripped off a 29-yard draw play and that put him to 110 yards on 13 carries on the day. Sanders is on pace to rush for nearly 2,300 yards. He has 1,428 yards through 10 games with 11 TDs.

The worst thing that happened to the Lions was that QB Scott Mitchell came out with a concussion. He was 8 of 14 for 127 yards and a TD when he left the game in the 2^nd quarter. Frank Reich replaced Mitchell and he struggled. He went 12 of 35 for 112 yards with an interception. He was also sacked three times.

The Redskins are atop of the NFC East standings at 7-3. They have a great opportunity next Sunday to knock off the Cowboys at Texas Stadium and really damage the Cowboys’ chances at making the playoffs.

The Lions’ loss hurt their chances at catching the Packers atop the NFC Central standings. They are now 7-3 and two games back of the Packers. Next week, the Lions host division-rival the Minnesota Vikings.

1997 Game 139 Stats

1997 Game 138 (Week 11) Cincinnati at Indianapolis

Posted on February 17, 2024 by bboyd31573

Bengals are in the playoff mix

After starting the season 1-3, the Cincinnati Bengals have reeled off 5 victories in their last six games and are currently in the middle of the playoff mix in the AFC. The Bengals took down the Indianapolis Colts, 21-13, in the RCA Dome on Sunday to improve to 6-4. They are still in the hunt for the Central division crown.

The Bengals finally got some production from their star receiver Carl Pickens. He came into the game with only 24 catches on the season, but he finally got things cooking when he caught 7 passes for 122 yards and a TD.

Jeff Blake started the game, but left do to injury. Veteran QB Boomer Esiason replaced him and went 8 of 16 passing for 106 yards with a TD and an INT. Blake was 10 of 15 for 106 yards and a TD.

For the Colts, Paul Justin replaced injured QB Jim Harbaugh for another week. Justin threw for 273 yards on 28 of 44 passing with a TD and an INT. The Colts were only able to muster up 60 yards on the ground as they fell behind the Bengals 21-3 at halftime.

The Bengals defense punished Justin sacking him six times on the afternoon. They held the Colts to only 289 total offense.

The Bengals have a huge showdown with AFC Central Division leader Pittsburgh next Sunday at Three Rivers Stadium. The Colts won three straight coming into this week and sit at 4-6 on the season. They will host the World Champion Packers at the RCA Dome next Sunday.

1997 Game 138 Stats

1997 Game 137 (Week 11) Chicago at Minnesota

Posted on February 16, 2024 by bboyd31573

Bears miss FG as time expires

The Chicago Bears nearly had their second win of the season, but a 50-yard field goal from kicker Jeff Jaeger went wide-right as time expired giving the Minnesota Vikings a 17-16 win on Sunday in the Metrodome.

The Vikings seemed in total control of the game late in the third quarter when they got a pair of 3^rd quarter TD rushes from Moe Williams giving the Vikings a 17-10 lead. The Bears got two field goals from Jaeger in the 4^th to inch the Bears within a point. After a Viking punt, QB Eric Kramer led the Bears into field goal range, but Jaeger missed the 50-yarder sealing the Vikings win.

The Vikings were without starting RB Robert Smith and their running game suffered. They rushed 33 times but could only manage 96 yards. QB Brad Johnson threw for 163 yards on 19 of 28 passing. WR Chris Carter caught 9 passes for 71 yards.

The Bears’ only TD of the game came late in the 1^st quarter when Kramer connected with WR Ricky Proehl, who raced 70 yards for a TD. Running back Raymont Harris rushed for 104 yards on 18 carries. Kramer threw for 143 yards on 12 of 29 passing with a TD and an INT.

The Vikings are now 5-5 despite starting the season 0-4 and are now in the NFC Wildcard hunt. They will travel to Detroit next week to take on the red-hot Lions. The Bears are 1-9 and will host the Jets next Sunday.

1997 Game 137 Stats

1997 Game 136 (Week 11) Arizona at Dallas

Posted on February 15, 2024 by bboyd31573

Cowboys win in OT! Get a rare safety

The Dallas Cowboys lost five consecutive games coming into Sunday’s tilt with Arizona at Texas Stadium. They nearly lost a sixth, but they got a rare safety in overtime to beat the Cardinals, 18-16, to snap the losing streak.

With the game tied at 16 in overtime, Cowboy punter Toby Gowin booted a 43-yarder, which was downed at the Cardinal 4-yard line. Two plays later, Cowboy DTs Tony Casillas and Chad Hennings collapsed the Cardinals’ pocket and they sacked QB Kent Graham in the end zone for a safety giving the Cowboys a much-needed 18-16 victory at the 10:15 mark! The safety was the second walk-off overtime safety in NFL history when the Vikings did it to the Rams on April 6, 1989.

The Cowboys finally got their offense going in this game as they racked up 447 total yards on the day. The Triplets were outstanding. Emitt Smith had 122 yards rushing on 23 carries with a TD. Michael Irvin caught 12 passes for 133 yards. Troy Aikman threw for 313 yards on 27 of 49 passing with 1 INT.

The Cardinals’ offense hit the skids when Jake Plummer went down in the 3^rd quarter with a concussion. Before he left, he threw for 161 yards. Graham came in and could only manage 21 yards on 4 of 8 passing. The Cardinals got one of their best rushing games of the season as they racked up 112 yards on the ground, 48 coming from Ronald Moore and 38 from Leland McElroy.

With the win, the Cowboys improved to 4-6 and are back in the Wildcard hunt. They will host the Redskins next Sunday and then travel to Lambeau in 2 weeks. As for the Cardinals, their dismal season continued. They are now 1-9 and will continue on the road next week at the Giants and then the Ravens after that.

1997 Game 136 Stats

1997 Replay Week 10 Standings and Leaders

Posted on February 14, 2024 by bboyd31573

Below are some links to my 1997 replay for standings, leaders, etc.

1997 Week 10 Standings

1997 AFC Stats Week 10

1997 NFC Stats Week 10

1997 Game 135 (Week 10) Pittsburgh at Kansas City

Posted on February 13, 2024 by bboyd31573

Chiefs route Steelers on Prime Time!

In the highly anticipated matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Arrowhead Stadium on Monday Night, the Chiefs showed that they are indeed the top team in the AFC with a 35-7 blowout win over the Steelers.

The Steelers got going early as they showed their big-play potential as QB Kordell Stewart hooked up with WR Yancy Thigpen for a 40-yard touchdown pass on the game’s opening drive. Then, the Chiefs took control. They went on an opening drive of their own when Marcus Allen capped it off with a 3-yard run to tie the game.

On the next Steeler drive, Stewart had the Steelers deep in Chiefs’ territory, but he was picked off by DB Mark McMillan, who raced 87 yards for a interception return touchdown to give the Chiefs a 14-7 lead. After a punt, the Chiefs began to drive again. On the final play of the first quarter, QB Elvis Grbac hit RB Kimble Anders over the middle, and he raced 45 yards for a TD giving the Chiefs a commanding 21-7 lead after one quarter.

The two defenses finally settled the game down in the second quarter, but the Chiefs basically put the nail in the Steelers’ coffin late in the half when RB Greg Hill plunged into the end zone from a yard out giving the Chiefs a 28-7 lead at halftime. The Chiefs scored in the 3^rd quarter when Marcus Allen threw a TD pass to Tamarick Vanover for 13 yards on a halfback pass to give the Chiefs the 35-7 win.

For the Chiefs, they racked up 184 yards rushing on the Steelers’ defense, who coming into the game only give up 73 yards per game. Allen led the Chiefs in rushing with 66 yards and a TD. Greg Hill had 36 yards on 13 carries with a TD.

On one negative note for the Chiefs, QB Elvis Grbac left the game with an apparent broken collarbone and will be out of action for several weeks as the Chiefs try to keep this undefeated streak going. Before he left, Grbac was 9 of 20 for 140 yards and a TD. WR Andre Rison led the Chiefs with six catches for 80 yards.

The Steelers didn’t do too well against that Chiefs’ defense. Kordell Stewart was 12 of 27 for 219 yards and a TD but threw 3 interceptions. He was also held to -1 yards rushing on 2 carries, which is a season low. RB Jerome Bettis was held in check as well. He rushed for 67 yards on 20 carries.

WR Yancy Thigpen continues his historic season. He caught eight passes for 157 yards and a TD. He now has 62 catches for 1224 yards and 9 TDs on the season. He’s on pace for 110 catches, 2176 yards and 16 TDS, which would be all Steeler records. No player in NFL history has ever gained over 2,000 yards on a season and Thigpen is on pace for that.

The Chiefs will try to stay undefeated next week as they travel to Jacksonville, while the Steelers (7-2) try to get back on track as they host Baltimore on Sunday Night Football.

1997 Game 135 Stats

1997 Game 134 (Week 10) Detroit at Green Bay

Posted on February 12, 2024 by bboyd31573

Lions shock the Packers in OT

The Detroit Lions have proved that they one of the top contenders in the NFL as they shocked the World Champion Green Bay Packers and beat them at Lambeau Field in an instant classic, 38-35 in overtime.

The Lions are now just one game back from the Packers in the NFC Central standings. The Packers are now 8-1 and the Lions are 7-2. The Lions have now won four in a row as the possess one of the top offenses in the NFL with superstars like Barry Sanders, Herman Moore and Scott Mitchell. The Lions ripped up one of the top defenses in the NFL as they racked up 528 total yards on Sunday Night Football.

The Lions shocked the Packers early as they took a 21-7 lead at halftime. Then Brett Favre got hot. The two-time MVP and Lions’ QB Scott Mitchell got into a shootout. With the Lions up 28-14 going into the 4^th quarter, Favre brough the Packers back scoring 21 straight points to take a 35-28 lead as it looked like the Packers would stay undefeated.

The Packers could have sealed the game, but Favre’s pass to Antonio Freeman was batted away and the Packers had to punt. Taking over at their own 7-yard line and a 1:15 left, the Lions were in dire straits; however, they got a big play by Glynn Milburn, who caught a 37-yard pass from Mitchell. Then on the play, the Packers were flagged for unnecessary roughing and in one play the Lions were in Packers’ territory.

After a 4-yd gain, the Packers were flagged for a 25-yard defensive pass interference that put the ball at the Packers 10-yard line. From there, TE David Sloan caught a pass from Mitchell and dove into the end zone to tie the game, which sent it to overtime.

Both teams had multiple possessions and that’s when Barry Sanders took over. On a third and 15, Mitchell called a draw play and Sanders broke through the Packers line and got the first down on a 20-yard gain. Later in the drive, Sanders busted loose for 14 yards and 20 yards again to put the ball deep in Packer territory. On the night, Sanders rushed for 207 yards on 28 carries.

Kicker Jason Hanson missed two field goals earlier in the night, so the 29-yarder was not automatic. After a Packer timeout, Hanson didn’t flinch and drilled the 29-yarder to give the Lions the victory and sent the Packers to their first defeat of the season.

Sanders has now rushed for 1,318 yards in 9 games this season. He is on pace to rush for over 2,300 yards. He also has 11 TDs on the season.

Brett Favre had a big night as he threw for 322 yards and 4 TDs. He now has 19 TD passes on the season as Sanders and Favre are battling for the league’s MVP award.

Next week, the Lions will try to keep things rolling as they travel to Washington to take on the Redskins. The Packers will stay home and face the St. Louis Rams.

1997 Game 134 Stats

1997 Game 133 (Week 10) Seattle at Denver

Posted on February 8, 2024 by bboyd31573

Orange Crush the Seahawks!

In the 1970s, the Denver Broncos’ defense was dominant and were nicknamed the “Orange Crush.” On Sunday, the Broncos’ defense dominated the Seattle Seahawks as the Broncos won their 8^th consecutive game and are now 8-1 with a 16-9 victory at Mile High Stadium on Sunday.

The Broncos defense held the Seahawks to just 9 points on the day and they were responsible for 10 of the Broncos’ 16 points. LB John Mobley picked off Seahawks’ QB Warren Moon midway through the 3^rd quarter and raced 75 yards for the only TD of the day to give the Broncos a 13-3 lead.

The Broncos defense held the Seahawks to just 246 total yards and three field goals. They picked off Warren Moon twice and recovered a fumble on a field goal attempt.

Offensively, the Broncos were out of sync all day long as they could only muster up 123 total offensive yards. QB John Elway completed just 10 of 28 passes for 106 yards and he was sacked and picked off twice. RB Terrell Davis was on pace for a possible 2,000 yard rushing season, but the Seahawks held him to just 42 yards on 17 carries.

Next week, the Broncos (8-1) will host the Carolina Panthers, while the Seahawks (5-4) will try to bounce back as they travel to San Diego next Sunday.

1997 Game 133 Stats

1997 Game 132 (Week 10) Philadelphia at Arizona

Posted on February 7, 2024 by bboyd31573

Eagles soar past the Cardinals

Two weeks ago, the Arizona Cardinals shocked the Philadelphia Eagles to pick up their first win of the season. On Sunday, the Eagles got their revenge, but this time, it was in Sun Devil Stadium.

Eagles’ QB Ty Detmer had his best game of the season as he torched the Cardinals in the desert with 238 yards passing and 3 TDs. The Cardinals took away Detmer’s top target in Irving Fryar, who was held to one catch, but he spread the ball around to his tight ends and running backs. Detmer hit TD passes to TE Jimmy Johnson and running backs Ricky Watters and Deuce Staley.

Defensively, the Eagles produced their best pass rushing day of the season. They sacked Cardinal QBs eight times and held the Cardinals to just 144 passing yards on the day and 194 total yards in the 27-13 victory.

The Eagles have now won two in a row and are now 4-5 on the season and are back in the NFC East race. Next week, they will host the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football. As for the Cardinas (1-8), they will travel to take on the struggling Dallas Cowboys.

1997 Game 132 Stats

1997 Game 131 (Week 10) Jacksonville at Tennessee

Posted on February 5, 2024 by bboyd31573

Special Teams Blunders Doom the Oilers

Despite dominating the game offensively, the Tennessee Oilers had two devastating special teams’ blunders that caused them to lose to the Jacksonville Jaguars, 27-20, in front of their home fans at the Liberty Bowl.

With the game tied at 13 mid-way through the 4^th quarter, the Oilers lined up for a 36-yard field goal by Al Del Greco. When the snap came back, the holder bobbled it and then lost it. In a mad scramble for the ball, it squirted out of the pile and Jaguar DB Chris Hudson picked it up and raced 74 yards for a TD to give the Jaguars the lead.

On the ensuing kickoff, Oilers’ kick returner Derrick Mason mishandled the ball. He picked it up, but the Jaguar kickoff unit was all over him. They knocked the ball loose from Mason and it squirted into the endzone. Jaguar Ty Hallock jumped on it, and within 15 seconds of game play, the Jaguars took a 27-13 lead that they never relinquished because of two costly special teams’ blunders.

The Oilers racked up 393 total yards compared to the Jaguars’ 207. In fact, the Oilers rushed for 180 yards with 102 of it coming from RB Eddie George and 54 from QB Steve McNair. They also got 216 yards passing from McNair and 2 TD passes despite the loss.

The Jaguars QB Mark Brunell threw for 192 yards on 14 of 30 passing with an interception. Jimmy Smith caught five passes for 73 yards. The Jaguars could only muster up 37 yards on the ground despite the return of RB Natrone Means.

The Jaguars have stiff competition next week as they host the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs, while the Oilers try to get back on track when they take on the NY Giants at the Liberty Bowl. In two weeks, these two teams face off again. This time in Jacksonville.

1997 Game 131 Stats

Oguard62

In pursuit of the perfect replay

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