Category Archives: 1997 NFL Replay (B. Boyd)

1997 Game 205 (Week 15) Atlanta at San Diego

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Chandler brings the Falcons back!

Atlanta Falcon quarterback Chris Chandler proved Sunday that he could be a big-time quarterback. His Falcons were on the verge of an embarrassing loss to the one-win San Diego Chargers on Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium, but Chandler led a fierce 4th quarter comeback and the Falcons escaped with a 29-24 victory.

With 6:30 minutes to play in the game, the Charger faithful exploded and had some hope for a victory when backup QB Craig Whelihan hooked up with WR Tony Martin for a 33-yard touchdown to give the Chargers a 24-16 lead.

Chandler and the Falcons began to heat up in the very next drive. To cap the drive off, Chandler connected with RB Jamal Anderson on a six-yard scoring strike to cut the lead; however, the Falcons failed on the two-point conversion to tie the game, so they were behind 24-22.

The Falcon defense stepped up and shut down the Chargers offense forcing a punt. On the Falcons’ first play of the drive, Chandler hit WR Bert Emanuel down the field for a 38-yard gain setting the Falcons up at the Charger 29-yard line. On the next play, Chandler found WR Terrence Mathis down the right sideline for the 29-yard touchdown to take the lead, 29-24. Then to close the game out on the ensuing Charger drive, defensive back Michael Booker picked off a Whelihan pass to end the game.

Chandler finished 25 of 41 passing with 306 yards with three touchdowns. He did throw a pick to DB Paul Bradford, who returned it 91 yards for a touchdown. Emanuel caught eight passes for 113 yards. Mathis caught nine passes for 160 yards and two TDs.

The Falcons are now 6-8 on the season and will face the Eagles on Sunday, while the Chargers are now 1-13 and will face the Chiefs.

1997 Game 205 Stats

1997 Game 204 (Week 15) Seattle at Baltimore

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Moon goes down and so do the Seahawks!

The Seattle Seahawks came into the weekend as the #5 seed in the AFC playoff race with a 9-4 record. The Seahawks have won 7 of their last 8 games as they are one of the hottest teams in the NFL. They took on the Baltimore Ravens, who are 5-8 on the season. Why would anyone think the Hawks would lose to the Ravens? And that’s why we play the games!

Seahawk QB Warren Moon went down in the third quarter with bruised ribs leading 13-9 and that was all she wrote. Backup QB John Kitna came in and tossed the game away as he threw two crucial interceptions as the Ravens came back to win 18-13.

Trailing 13-12 late in the fourth quarter, punt returner Ronnie Harris fumbled and the Ravens recovered.  Ravens’ backup QB Eric Zeier took advantage of the situation and hit TE Eric Green on an 11-yard TD pass to give the Ravens a 18-13 lead with 2:30 left. However, Kitna threw his second pick to linebacker Cornell Brown to seal the game.

When Moon went out, he was 12 of 21 for 173 yards and a touchdown. Kitna came in and was 5 of 11 for 46 yards and two interceptions.

Zeier had a pretty good start as he was 22 of 36 for 272 yards and a touchdown. Derrick Alexander caught seven passes for 130 yards in the game.

The Seahawks will try to get things back on track next Sunday when they travel out to the Bay Area to take on the Raiders. Then they will finish the season at home against San Francisco on Sunday Night Football. The 6-8 Ravens will host Tennessee next weekend.

1997 Game 204 Stats

1997 Game 203 St. Louis at New Orleans

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Saints make a case for a playoff spot!

The Superdome was rocking Sunday afternoon as the New Orleans Saints defeated the St. Louis Rams, 27-10, to keep pace with the NFC playoff teams with two games to play in the regular season.

The Saints finally got an efficient offensive game as they scored 27 points, racked up 337 yards, and didn’t turn the ball over. The New Orleans’ defense forced three Ram turnovers, sacked the QB four times and intercepted him once.

Saints’ QB Bobby Jo Hobert threw for 232 yards on 13 of 23 passing with two touchdowns. He threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to TE John Farquhar, and then a bomb to Eric Guliford on a 41-yard bomb.

The Saints also got their running game going as they pounded out 112 yards on 35 carries. RB Ray Zellars rushed for 86 yards on 22 carries.

As for the Rams, QB Tony Banks threw for 287 yards on 24 of 45 passing with a touchdown and an interception. RB Amp Lee caught 9 passes for 101 yards, while WR Isaac Bruce caught four passes for 35 yards and a touchdown.

The Saints are now 9-5 and are clutching on to the final playoff spot in the NFC. They will host the Arizona Cardinals at the Superdome next Sunday and then will travel to Kansas City on the final weekend of the season. The Rams are now 3-11 and will host the Bears next weekend on Sunday Night Football.

1997 Game 203 Stats

1997 Game 202 (Week 15) Oakland at Kansas City

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Raiders shock the Chiefs

A few weeks ago, the Kansas City Chiefs had dreams of an undefeated season. After a shocking 31-28 loss to the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, the Chiefs are now in a fight just to hold onto their lead in the AFC West.

Raiders’ QB Jeff George has had an awesome season despite the Raiders’ 4-10 record. On Sunday, he dissected the vaunted Chiefs’ defense that has dominated all the QBs they have played this season. George threw for 301 yards on Sunday on 24 of 36 passing with two touchdowns and no interceptions. On the season, George has a 105.1 QB Rating as he has completed 58.2% of his passes for 3,916 yards with 31 TDs and only three INTs.

Another key to the Raiders’ victory was their run defense. They came into the game with the worst run defense in the league, but they held the Chiefs’ potent run offense to just 56 yards on the ground. They forced Chiefs’ QB Rich Gannon to beat them, but he couldn’t do it. Gannon had a nice game with 300 yards on 23 of 34 passing with a touchdown but threw a crucial interception that turned away a Chief scoring opportunity.

WR Tim Brown continued to riddle defenses as he caught ten passes for 167 yards and a touchdown. On the season, Brown leads the league with 110 catches for 1,588 yards and now seven touchdown receptions.

The Chiefs have lost two of their last three games and will travel to San Diego next Sunday. If they win, they are the AFC West Champions. If they lose, they open the door for the Broncos to take the division away from them. As for the 4-10 Raiders, they host a red-hot Seattle team next Sunday in the Black Hole.

1997 Game 202 Stats

1997 Game 201 (Week 15) New York Giants at Philadelphia

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Giants ground the Eagles

Veteran’s Stadium got a little rowdy Sunday afternoon as the Philadelphia Eagles laid an egg against their division rival the New York Jets. The Eagle fans were very frustrated as their offense generated 199 yards and three points in their 17-3 loss to the Giants.

With this win, the Giants are trying to keep pace with the Washington Redskins, who are the current leaders in the NFC East. The Giants are 8-6 now with two games to play and their defense is what is going to propel them if they can make a playoff run.

Eagle QB Bobby Hoying felt the wrath of the Giant defense as they pummeled him the entire day. Hoying was sacked four times and intercepted twice by cornerback Jason Sehorn. He was only able to complete 38% of his 28 attempts and had the entire stadium booing him in the 4th quarter.

Offensively, the Giants pounded the ball on the ground as they racked up 139 yards. Rookie RB Tiki Barber had a sensational day. He rushed 21 times for 98 yards with a touchdown, but he also caught three passes for 27 yards and a touchdown.

The Giants are awaiting the Redskins game, who play in Arizona later in the day. The Giants are now 8-6 on the season. They are hoping the Cardinals can spring the upset and set up a gigantic Monday Night clash next week as the Giants host the Redskins for control of the division lead. As for the Eagles, they are out of the playoffs at 5-9 and travel to Atlanta next Sunday.

1997 Game 201 Stats

1997 Game 200 (Week 15) New England at Jacksonville

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Patriots take down the Jags in overtime

In a rematch of last year’s AFC Championship game, the New England Patriots and the Jacksonville Jaguars had to battle into overtime to decide a winner.

With the Patriots leading 23-20 with 15 seconds to go in regulation, the Jaguars miraculously blocked Tom Tupa’s punt and got the ball at the Patriot 25-yard line. After a completion, the Jaguars settled for a game-tying 30-yard Mike Hollis field goal to send the game into overtime.

On the first offensive play of overtime, Patriot DE Mark Wheeler sacked Jaguar QB Mark Brunell and caused him to fumble. LB Todd Collins hopped on the ball at the Jaguar 18-yard line! After a couple of running plays, Adam Vinatieri lined up and banged home a game-winning 37-yard field goal. The Patriots escaped with a 26-23 victory.

The Patriots were without their top running back Curtis Martin, and it showed. The Patriots rushed for just 28 yards on the day and had to rely on the arm of QB Drew Bledsoe, who finished 19 of 34 passing with 292 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Bledsoe connected on a 42-yard Keith Byars touchdown and a 25-yarder to WR Shawn Jefferson.

As for the Jaguars, they got a huge game from QB Brunell. He threw for 371 yards on 26 of 41 passing with two touchdowns and an interception. He threw both touchdowns to Jimmie Smith, who caught 14 passes for 201 yards. WR Keenan McCardell had eight receptions for 138 yards on the day.

The Patriots are now 11-3 and have the lead in the AFC East. If the Jets lose later in the day, the Patriots will win the division. If they win any of their next two games against the Steelers and the Dolphins, then they will win the division. As for the Jaguars, their disappointing season continues as they are now 5-9. They will finish the season on the road in their final two games against Buffalo and Oakland.

1997 Game 200 Stats

1997 Game 199 (Week 15) Green Bay at Tampa Bay

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Packers sweep the Buccaneers

The World Champion Green Bay Packers flexed their muscles Sunday afternoon in Houlihan Stadium as they swept the season series with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 24-9, and are now one win away from their third consecutive NFC Central crown.

The Packers’ defense abused the Bucs and held them to just 147 total yards on the day. All-Pro defensive end Reggie White sacked Buccaneer QB Trent Dilfer and knocked him out of the game early in the third quarter. Then Steve Walsh came in the game, and he immediately intercepted by rookie FS Darren Sharper, who returned the interception 79 yards for the game-clinching touchdown.

Brett Favre and the Packers offense rolled up 388 yards of total offense but struggled doing it. Favre threw for 244 yards on 22 of 36 passing with two touchdowns but was intercepted twice.  WR Antonio Freeman caught seven passes for 87 yards and two touchdowns.

Dorsey Levens had a big day against the tough Buccaneer defense. He rushed for 104 yards on 27 carries. Altogether, the Packers rushed for 148 yards on the day.

The Packers (13-1) will try to win the NFC North crown next Sunday in Carolina, while the Buccaneers (9-5) will travel to the Big Apple to take on the Jets.

1997 Game 199 Stats

1997 Game 198 (Week 15) Denver at Pittsburgh

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Defenses dominate the day in Broncos/Steelers matchup

With talent like John Elway, Kordell Stewart, Jerome Bettis, Terrell Davis, Rod Smith and Yancy Thigpen on the field on Sunday at Three Rivers Stadium, many predicted a high-scoring game as the 11-2 Denver Broncos took on the 9-4 Pittsburgh Steelers; however, that wasn’t the story. The two defenses showed up and the Game of the Day turned into a defensive war with the Steelers winning 13-3.

The top two running backs in the AFC coming into the game were Terrell Davis and Jerome Bettis. With the defenses focusing on the superstars, they both had their lowest outputs of the season. Davis was held to just 30 yards rushing on 16 carries. Bettis didn’t fare any better as he was held to 21 yards on 16 carries.

The backup running backs proved to be the difference in the game. Steeler running back George Jones had 51 yards on 10 carries, while Fred McAfee had the only TD in the game on the 4-yard plunge.

Bronco QB John Elway was pummeled all day long. He was sacked twice but the constant pressure forced him to throw three interceptions. One of the interceptions was costly as it occurred deep in Steeler territory. Elway was limited to just 183 yards on 14 of 38 passing.

The Steelers did get some big plays from QB Kordell Stewart who threw for 217 yards, but he was sacked four times, had a fumbled lost and intercepted once. Yancy Thigpen did have five catches for 110 yards to continue his awesome season.

The Broncos are now 11-3 on the season and travel to San Francisco next Monday to take on the 49ers in another heavyweight fight. The Steelers retook the AFC Central lead as the Bengals lost on Thursday night. The Steelers are now 10-4 and will travel to New England for a big-time showdown with the Patriots.

1997 Game 198 Stats

1997 Game 197 (Week 15) Buffalo at Chicago

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Bears finally get in the win column

The Chicago Bears was in the midst of their worst stretch in their franchise as they lost 11 straight games this season. On Sunday at Soldier Field, the Bears snapped that 11-game losing streak with a 29-13 victory over the Buffalo Bills.

Running back Raymont Harris had his best game of the season as he rushed for 115 yards on 28 carries and scored the Bears’ lone two touchdowns. Harris got hurt on the last carry of the game and is unlikely to finish out the rest of the season. He finished with 931 yards this season with five touchdowns.

Bears’ quarterback Eric Kramer threw for 179 yards on 18 of 30 passing. Kramer didn’t have any mistakes in the game as he didn’t have an interception. WR Ricky Proehl caught seven passes for 69 yards.

Defensively, the Bears harassed Bills’ QB Todd Collins all day. They sacked him seven times and forced a fumble. Collins also threw two interceptions to DB Walt Harris. The Bills could only muster 279 total yards.

The Bears will try to make it two in a row as they travel to St. Louis next weekend. The Bills are now 4-10 on the season and will host Jacksonville next weekend.

1997 Game 197 Stats

1997 Game 196 (Week 15) Tennessee at Cincinnati

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Bengals blow their opportunity on Thursday Night

The Cincinnati Bengals have shocked the NFL so far in 1997 and had the AFC Central Division lead going into their Thursday night tilt against the Tennessee Oilers with three games to play in the regular season. With a flat performance from their offense, the Bengals blew their opportunity to keep the division lead and lost to the Oilers, 20-13, at Cinergy Field.

The Bengals’ offense had a poor showing. The Bengals scored 13 points but only six of it came from their offense. The Oilers held the Bengals to just 286 total yards and only 54 on the ground. The only Bengal touchdown came when DE John Copeland picked up a Rodney Thomas fumble and raced 48 yards for a TD.

On the Oilers’ side, they rushed the ball for 181 yards. RB Eddie George rushed for 82 yards on 23 carries and two touchdowns. QB Steve McNair scrambled for 40 yards and threw for 179 yards on 18 of 31 passing.

The Bengals hope the Steelers lose Sunday against the Broncos to keep the division lead. If not, the Bengals will try to get the lead back next Sunday when they host the Dallas Cowboys. The Oilers are now 6-8 on the season and they will travel to Baltimore.

1997 Game 196