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Hurkman · 02-08-2008, 12:19 AM

NFC Wild Card Playoffs

Philadelphia Eagles (10-6) vs. New York Giants (9-7)
Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia, PA

For the first time since 1963 and the days of Y.A. Tittle, the New York Giants had made the NFC playoffs. With a young, hungry defense, led by linebackers Harry Carson and Lawrence Taylor, the Giants had given up just 257 points on the season, which was enough to survive the loss of their starting quarterback, Phil Simms, midway through the season. Backup Scott Brunner had performed well, as halfback Rob Carpenter had stepped up his performance to provide Brunner with support. Facing New York would be the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles, who, despite a down season from quarterback Ron Jaworski, rode into the playoffs on the strength of one of the best defenses in the NFL.

From the start of the game, it became clear what the Giants' plan was to stop the Eagles. Halfback Wilbert Montgomery had rushed for over 1,400 yards during the regular season, and was seen as the spark plug of the Philadelphia offense. What New York decided to do was stop Montgomery, and make Jaworski beat them. Early on, the plan worked to perfection. Montgomery was surrounded every time he touched the ball, and Jaworski was unable to find open receivers. However, the Giants were also unable to move the football, as Brunner and Carpenter found themselves bogged down by the least scored upon defense in football. Late in the first quarter, the Eagles finally got moving, as Jaworski found the rhythm that he had been lacking. Charlie Smith came down with a Jaworski 10 yard touchdown early in the second quarter, and the Eagles had the lead. New York still could not get moving, only crossing the 50 yard line once in the first half. However, that drive ended in points, as kicker Joe Danelo amazingly nailed a 58 yard field goal as time ran out in the first half, cutting the Philadelphia lead to four points.

Throughout the third quarter, both teams again found themselves struggling to find any sort of offensive groove. Montgomery still could not get himself going for Philadelphia, while Brunner and Carpenter seemed to be buckling under the pressure of the playoffs. After a scoreless third quarter, Jaworski and the Eagles took over deep in their own territory, as the game had become a battle of punts and field position. This time, however, Jaworski was able to break free of the New York defense, first hitting Keith Krepfle for 21 yards, then nailing the finishing blow: a 60 yard touchdown to backup halfback Hubie Oliver that accounted for more receiving yards than he had during the entire regular season. However, with a larger lead, the Eagle defense began to sag, and the Giants were finally able to mount a drive deep into Philadelphia territory. With just five and half minutes to go, Brunner hit Johnny Perkins on a quick two yard touchdown pass to put New York back into the game.

The only problem was that the Giants had to give the ball back to Philadelphia. Once the Eagles got the ball back, they would not give it up again, as Montgomery earned the toughest of his yards running out the clock against a strong New York defense. Jaworski needed to throw just one more pass, and it was enough for the final first down. The Eagles were able to run out the clock, while New York was left to sit and think about next season.

Final Score: Philadelphia-14 New York Giants-10

Real Life Score: New York Giants-27 Philadelphia-21

NFC Divisional Playoffs

Dallas Cowboys (12-4) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7)
Texas Stadium, Irving, TX

Just two seasons after being shocked and embarassed at home by the Buccaneers, the Dallas Cowboys had a shot at revenge. Led once again by a solid defense and the potent combination of Danny White, Tony Dorsett and Tony Hill on offense, the Cowboys were again one of the best teams in the NFC. Meanwhile, the Bucs had stumbled since reaching the Super Bowl, but quarterback Doug Williams bounced back in 1981 with 3,500 yards and 19 touchdowns, while Jerry Eckwood rushed for over 700 yards to fill the hole that the mysteriously injured Ricky Bell had left.

In the first half, much like the first half of their NFC Championship matchup, defense ruled the day. After Williams was intercepted on Tampa's first drive, Dallas marched down to the four yard line, only to have Ron Springs fumble the ball back to the Bucs. From there, the first half turned into a battle for field postion, as the Tampa defense showed why it was one of the best in the NFL, and Dallas showed why they weren't that far back, either. Neither quarterback could find anyone to throw the football to, and every halfback that was brought out onto the field was stuffed by defenders. As the first quarter ran down, the Bucs were the first team to catch a break, as Williams found Theo Bell open in the middle of the field. Bell, whose defender slipped, caught the pass and made it 38 yards before being brought down. From there, Williams was able to hit Jerry Eckwood in the end zone with a ten yard pass, putting Tampa ahead and making Dallas fans very uneasy. The Cowboys did little to settle their fans, as their offense could not move the football in the first half. White seemed incapable of passing the ball to receivers, while 1,600 yard rusher Tony Dorsett looked baffled behind a wall of defenders. The first half came to an end with Tampa still up by the same 7-0 score.

As the second half got underway, Dallas was looking for something to go their way, and on their second drive, they finally got it. Following a Tampa punt, the Cowboys started with the ball at their own 27 yard line. On the first play, White finally had time to scan the field and found slot receiver Butch Johnson open. Johnson caught the bullet pass and made it 39 yards into Tampa territory before being tackled. Although they only gained another five yards, the Cowboys were in field goal range, and kicker Rafael Septien did not disappoint, nailing the 46 yard kick to put Dallas on the board. On their next drive, the Cowboys, now armed with momentum, moved downfield quickly, as White and Dorsett were both finally able to get going on the same drive. As the fourth quarter began, White found Billy Joe Dupree with a pass. Dupree shook a tackle and would run for a 37 yard touchdown that gave Dallas the lead for the first time on the day. With the defense now holding Tampa in check, the Cowboys struck quickly on their next drive, as backup fullback Ron Springs was able to break loose for a 42 yard run, and finished the drive with a one yard touchdown. Though Tampa was able to score on their next drive, thanks to a James Wilder touchdown catch, Bill Capece missed the extra point, and the next time the Bucs got the ball, Dallas had added another Septien field goal, and there were just ten seconds remaining. Williams' desperate hail mary pass fell short, and Dallas had their revenge over Tampa Bay.

Final Score: Dallas-20 Tampa Bay-13

Real Life Score: Dallas-38 Tampa Bay-0

San Francisco 49ers (13-3) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)
Candlestick Park, San Francisco, CA

For the first time since Steve Spurrier was behind center, the San Francisco 49ers had made the playoffs. Head coach Bill Walsh had managed to turn a 2-14 team into a 13-3 team in just three seasons, thanks in large part to a disciplined defense and a solid young quarterback by the name of Joe Montana. In just his third season, and his first as a full time starter, Montana passed for over 3,500 yards and 19 touchdowns. He was supported by a solid halfback in Ricky Patton, as well as excellent receivers in Dwight Clark and Freddie Solomon, all of whom would have their hands full against the Philadelphia Eagles and their defense.

If San Francisco was nervous about their first playoff game in almost a decade, it certainly did not show in the first half. Following a Philadelphia punt on their opening possession, it took Montana just two plays for his first playoff touchdown, as Freddie Solomon broke loose for a 49 yard touchdown catch. The 49ers would score on their next drive as well, as kicker Ray Wersching knocked through a 31 yard field goal to put the 49ers up 10-0. Philadelphia still could not even get started on offense, as halfback Wilbert Montgomery had the same problems against San Francisco that he had against New York the week before. The second quarter was not much better for the Eagles, though they did at least add a Tony Franklin field goal early on to cut the lead to seven points. Unfortunately for them, San Francisco had no intention of cutting short their scoring quite yet. Following the Philadelphia field goal, Montana again moved the 49ers, this time finishing the drive with a 17 yard touchdown pass to Charle Young, putting San Francisco up by 14 points. Wersching would add his second field goal as time expired in the first half, giving the 49ers a 20-3 lead at the half.

In the second half, the 49ers were more than willing to let their talented defense do most of the work, and it did just that. Philadelphia was unable to move the ball at all throughout the half, with the Eagles managing just six plays inside San Francisco territory. Meanwhile, the San Francisco offense switched their focus from passing to running, as Ricky Patton and backup halfback Earl Cooper battered the Philadelphia front seven. When San Francisco was forced to pass, Montana was accurate, and he finished the day with just four incomplete passes. In the end, the 49ers almost doubled Philadelphia's time of possession, and while they did not score a point in the second half, there was no need to, as their defense dominated the Eagles, holding Ron Jaworski to 8/25 passing and allowing Wilbert Montgomery to gain just 53 yards on the ground. For the first time since the 1972 season, the 49ers were on their way to the NFC Championship.

Final Score: San Francisco-20 Philadelphia-3

Real Life Score: San Francisco-38 New York Giants-24

NFC Championship Game

Candlestick Park, San Francisco, CA

San Francisco 49ers (13-3) vs. Dallas Cowboys (12-4)

The two best teams in the NFC squared off in San Francisco to determine who would face San Diego in Super Bowl XVI. While the Dallas Cowboys had an amazing amount of playoff experience and skill, the 49ers had heart, an excellent defense, and a quarterback in Joe Montana that seemingly refused to buckle under the pressure. One way or another, this game looked like it was going to be one for the ages even before it began.

In the first half, it seemed like both defenses had adoped a bend, but don't break, system of thinking. Dallas got deep into San Francisco territory on their opening drive, with Tony Dorsett doing most of the damage. However, Danny White was unable to get the passing game moving, and the Cowboys had to settle for a Rafael Septien 43 yard field goal to open the scoring. San Francisco would not take long to counter, as Montana led the 49ers downfield on their opening drive, getting deep into Dallas territory before being stopped inside the five yard line. Ray Wersching kicked a 20 yard field goal, and the game was tied headed into the second quarter.

The second quarter was dominated by defense, as both teams clamped down on the opposing offense and their attacks. With the game now looking like a defensive struggle, it predictably turned into a battle for field postion, and it was Dallas that was able to take advantage of that. James Jones returned a 49er punt to the San Francisco 35 late in the second quarter, and from there, Dallas turned to their workhorse. Tony Dorsett carried the ball five times on an eight play drive, including an eight yard touchdown with just under a minute to go that gave the Cowboys the lead heading into halftime. Though they were trailing, San Francisco was not worried, especially with Joe Montana rallying the troops as they hit the locker room.

Sure enough, San Francisco came out in the second half and looked like a different team on offense. On their first possession of the half, Montana moved them right downfield, using shorter passes to set up the running game, then usung Ricky Patton to break through the Dallas defense for large gains. Though San Francisco had to settle for a second Wersching field goal, the now believed momentum was on their side. For the most part, they were right, as the Cowboys could not move the football for most of the second half. The only problem was that San Francisco's offense could not move either, and the fourth quarter began with the 49ers still down by four points to the Cowboys.

The fourth quarter looked a lot like the third quarter, at least from a defensive stand point. Neither team could move the ball much at all, with Dallas content to sit on their lead and the 49ers trying as hard as they could to score again. With just under six minutes to go, Montana got San Francsico moving once again, using the shorter passes that Bill Walsh taught him to get the 49ers downfield. Dwight Clark caught a 28 yard pass that brought San Francisco down to the Dallas seven yard line with just a minute and a half to go, and in the face of a ferocious Dallas pass rush, Montana stepped back and calmly delivered a touchdown pass to Charlie Young that put San Francisco ahead, 13-10. Facing defeat in the NFC Championship again, Dallas surged forward, thanks in large part to an excellent kick return. Starting at their own 41 yard line, the Cowboys moved just close enough to get into field goal range, thanks to a White 25 yard pass to Tony Hill, and as time expired, Septien nailed a 35 yard kick to tie the game and send the NFC Championship into overtime.

San Francisco knew if they were to get the ball in the overtime period that they would advance to the Super Bowl, so the Cowboys did everything in their power to ensure that would not happen. Dallas won the coin toss, giving them the ball to start the overtime period, and from there, they moved quickly, thanks in large part again to Danny White, who hit Butch Johnson with a 39 yard pass on the opening play of the period. From there, Dallas gave the ball to Dorsett five times in a row before sending Septien onto the field. Facing a short, 26 yard kick, he changed little to his normal warm-up, and the kick sailed through the uprights, sending Dallas to the Super Bowl for the first time since the 1976 season. On this day, there would be no miracle for San Francisco, though most people argued that they would be an excellent team for quite some time to come.

Final Score: Dallas-16 San Francisco-13/OT

Real Life Score: San Francisco-28 Dallas-27 (The Catch)

02-08-2008, 12:19 AM	#101
Hurkman All Star Reserve Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 762	1981 NFC Playoffs: Some new teams have joined the hunt. Who will take on the Chargers? NFC Wild Card Playoffs Philadelphia Eagles (10-6) vs. New York Giants (9-7) Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia, PA For the first time since 1963 and the days of Y.A. Tittle, the New York Giants had made the NFC playoffs. With a young, hungry defense, led by linebackers Harry Carson and Lawrence Taylor, the Giants had given up just 257 points on the season, which was enough to survive the loss of their starting quarterback, Phil Simms, midway through the season. Backup Scott Brunner had performed well, as halfback Rob Carpenter had stepped up his performance to provide Brunner with support. Facing New York would be the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles, who, despite a down season from quarterback Ron Jaworski, rode into the playoffs on the strength of one of the best defenses in the NFL. From the start of the game, it became clear what the Giants' plan was to stop the Eagles. Halfback Wilbert Montgomery had rushed for over 1,400 yards during the regular season, and was seen as the spark plug of the Philadelphia offense. What New York decided to do was stop Montgomery, and make Jaworski beat them. Early on, the plan worked to perfection. Montgomery was surrounded every time he touched the ball, and Jaworski was unable to find open receivers. However, the Giants were also unable to move the football, as Brunner and Carpenter found themselves bogged down by the least scored upon defense in football. Late in the first quarter, the Eagles finally got moving, as Jaworski found the rhythm that he had been lacking. Charlie Smith came down with a Jaworski 10 yard touchdown early in the second quarter, and the Eagles had the lead. New York still could not get moving, only crossing the 50 yard line once in the first half. However, that drive ended in points, as kicker Joe Danelo amazingly nailed a 58 yard field goal as time ran out in the first half, cutting the Philadelphia lead to four points. Throughout the third quarter, both teams again found themselves struggling to find any sort of offensive groove. Montgomery still could not get himself going for Philadelphia, while Brunner and Carpenter seemed to be buckling under the pressure of the playoffs. After a scoreless third quarter, Jaworski and the Eagles took over deep in their own territory, as the game had become a battle of punts and field position. This time, however, Jaworski was able to break free of the New York defense, first hitting Keith Krepfle for 21 yards, then nailing the finishing blow: a 60 yard touchdown to backup halfback Hubie Oliver that accounted for more receiving yards than he had during the entire regular season. However, with a larger lead, the Eagle defense began to sag, and the Giants were finally able to mount a drive deep into Philadelphia territory. With just five and half minutes to go, Brunner hit Johnny Perkins on a quick two yard touchdown pass to put New York back into the game. The only problem was that the Giants had to give the ball back to Philadelphia. Once the Eagles got the ball back, they would not give it up again, as Montgomery earned the toughest of his yards running out the clock against a strong New York defense. Jaworski needed to throw just one more pass, and it was enough for the final first down. The Eagles were able to run out the clock, while New York was left to sit and think about next season. Final Score: Philadelphia-14 New York Giants-10 Real Life Score: New York Giants-27 Philadelphia-21 NFC Divisional Playoffs Dallas Cowboys (12-4) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7) Texas Stadium, Irving, TX Just two seasons after being shocked and embarassed at home by the Buccaneers, the Dallas Cowboys had a shot at revenge. Led once again by a solid defense and the potent combination of Danny White, Tony Dorsett and Tony Hill on offense, the Cowboys were again one of the best teams in the NFC. Meanwhile, the Bucs had stumbled since reaching the Super Bowl, but quarterback Doug Williams bounced back in 1981 with 3,500 yards and 19 touchdowns, while Jerry Eckwood rushed for over 700 yards to fill the hole that the mysteriously injured Ricky Bell had left. In the first half, much like the first half of their NFC Championship matchup, defense ruled the day. After Williams was intercepted on Tampa's first drive, Dallas marched down to the four yard line, only to have Ron Springs fumble the ball back to the Bucs. From there, the first half turned into a battle for field postion, as the Tampa defense showed why it was one of the best in the NFL, and Dallas showed why they weren't that far back, either. Neither quarterback could find anyone to throw the football to, and every halfback that was brought out onto the field was stuffed by defenders. As the first quarter ran down, the Bucs were the first team to catch a break, as Williams found Theo Bell open in the middle of the field. Bell, whose defender slipped, caught the pass and made it 38 yards before being brought down. From there, Williams was able to hit Jerry Eckwood in the end zone with a ten yard pass, putting Tampa ahead and making Dallas fans very uneasy. The Cowboys did little to settle their fans, as their offense could not move the football in the first half. White seemed incapable of passing the ball to receivers, while 1,600 yard rusher Tony Dorsett looked baffled behind a wall of defenders. The first half came to an end with Tampa still up by the same 7-0 score. As the second half got underway, Dallas was looking for something to go their way, and on their second drive, they finally got it. Following a Tampa punt, the Cowboys started with the ball at their own 27 yard line. On the first play, White finally had time to scan the field and found slot receiver Butch Johnson open. Johnson caught the bullet pass and made it 39 yards into Tampa territory before being tackled. Although they only gained another five yards, the Cowboys were in field goal range, and kicker Rafael Septien did not disappoint, nailing the 46 yard kick to put Dallas on the board. On their next drive, the Cowboys, now armed with momentum, moved downfield quickly, as White and Dorsett were both finally able to get going on the same drive. As the fourth quarter began, White found Billy Joe Dupree with a pass. Dupree shook a tackle and would run for a 37 yard touchdown that gave Dallas the lead for the first time on the day. With the defense now holding Tampa in check, the Cowboys struck quickly on their next drive, as backup fullback Ron Springs was able to break loose for a 42 yard run, and finished the drive with a one yard touchdown. Though Tampa was able to score on their next drive, thanks to a James Wilder touchdown catch, Bill Capece missed the extra point, and the next time the Bucs got the ball, Dallas had added another Septien field goal, and there were just ten seconds remaining. Williams' desperate hail mary pass fell short, and Dallas had their revenge over Tampa Bay. Final Score: Dallas-20 Tampa Bay-13 Real Life Score: Dallas-38 Tampa Bay-0 San Francisco 49ers (13-3) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (10-6) Candlestick Park, San Francisco, CA For the first time since Steve Spurrier was behind center, the San Francisco 49ers had made the playoffs. Head coach Bill Walsh had managed to turn a 2-14 team into a 13-3 team in just three seasons, thanks in large part to a disciplined defense and a solid young quarterback by the name of Joe Montana. In just his third season, and his first as a full time starter, Montana passed for over 3,500 yards and 19 touchdowns. He was supported by a solid halfback in Ricky Patton, as well as excellent receivers in Dwight Clark and Freddie Solomon, all of whom would have their hands full against the Philadelphia Eagles and their defense. If San Francisco was nervous about their first playoff game in almost a decade, it certainly did not show in the first half. Following a Philadelphia punt on their opening possession, it took Montana just two plays for his first playoff touchdown, as Freddie Solomon broke loose for a 49 yard touchdown catch. The 49ers would score on their next drive as well, as kicker Ray Wersching knocked through a 31 yard field goal to put the 49ers up 10-0. Philadelphia still could not even get started on offense, as halfback Wilbert Montgomery had the same problems against San Francisco that he had against New York the week before. The second quarter was not much better for the Eagles, though they did at least add a Tony Franklin field goal early on to cut the lead to seven points. Unfortunately for them, San Francisco had no intention of cutting short their scoring quite yet. Following the Philadelphia field goal, Montana again moved the 49ers, this time finishing the drive with a 17 yard touchdown pass to Charle Young, putting San Francisco up by 14 points. Wersching would add his second field goal as time expired in the first half, giving the 49ers a 20-3 lead at the half. In the second half, the 49ers were more than willing to let their talented defense do most of the work, and it did just that. Philadelphia was unable to move the ball at all throughout the half, with the Eagles managing just six plays inside San Francisco territory. Meanwhile, the San Francisco offense switched their focus from passing to running, as Ricky Patton and backup halfback Earl Cooper battered the Philadelphia front seven. When San Francisco was forced to pass, Montana was accurate, and he finished the day with just four incomplete passes. In the end, the 49ers almost doubled Philadelphia's time of possession, and while they did not score a point in the second half, there was no need to, as their defense dominated the Eagles, holding Ron Jaworski to 8/25 passing and allowing Wilbert Montgomery to gain just 53 yards on the ground. For the first time since the 1972 season, the 49ers were on their way to the NFC Championship. Final Score: San Francisco-20 Philadelphia-3 Real Life Score: San Francisco-38 New York Giants-24 NFC Championship Game Candlestick Park, San Francisco, CA San Francisco 49ers (13-3) vs. Dallas Cowboys (12-4) The two best teams in the NFC squared off in San Francisco to determine who would face San Diego in Super Bowl XVI. While the Dallas Cowboys had an amazing amount of playoff experience and skill, the 49ers had heart, an excellent defense, and a quarterback in Joe Montana that seemingly refused to buckle under the pressure. One way or another, this game looked like it was going to be one for the ages even before it began. In the first half, it seemed like both defenses had adoped a bend, but don't break, system of thinking. Dallas got deep into San Francisco territory on their opening drive, with Tony Dorsett doing most of the damage. However, Danny White was unable to get the passing game moving, and the Cowboys had to settle for a Rafael Septien 43 yard field goal to open the scoring. San Francisco would not take long to counter, as Montana led the 49ers downfield on their opening drive, getting deep into Dallas territory before being stopped inside the five yard line. Ray Wersching kicked a 20 yard field goal, and the game was tied headed into the second quarter. The second quarter was dominated by defense, as both teams clamped down on the opposing offense and their attacks. With the game now looking like a defensive struggle, it predictably turned into a battle for field postion, and it was Dallas that was able to take advantage of that. James Jones returned a 49er punt to the San Francisco 35 late in the second quarter, and from there, Dallas turned to their workhorse. Tony Dorsett carried the ball five times on an eight play drive, including an eight yard touchdown with just under a minute to go that gave the Cowboys the lead heading into halftime. Though they were trailing, San Francisco was not worried, especially with Joe Montana rallying the troops as they hit the locker room. Sure enough, San Francisco came out in the second half and looked like a different team on offense. On their first possession of the half, Montana moved them right downfield, using shorter passes to set up the running game, then usung Ricky Patton to break through the Dallas defense for large gains. Though San Francisco had to settle for a second Wersching field goal, the now believed momentum was on their side. For the most part, they were right, as the Cowboys could not move the football for most of the second half. The only problem was that San Francisco's offense could not move either, and the fourth quarter began with the 49ers still down by four points to the Cowboys. The fourth quarter looked a lot like the third quarter, at least from a defensive stand point. Neither team could move the ball much at all, with Dallas content to sit on their lead and the 49ers trying as hard as they could to score again. With just under six minutes to go, Montana got San Francsico moving once again, using the shorter passes that Bill Walsh taught him to get the 49ers downfield. Dwight Clark caught a 28 yard pass that brought San Francisco down to the Dallas seven yard line with just a minute and a half to go, and in the face of a ferocious Dallas pass rush, Montana stepped back and calmly delivered a touchdown pass to Charlie Young that put San Francisco ahead, 13-10. Facing defeat in the NFC Championship again, Dallas surged forward, thanks in large part to an excellent kick return. Starting at their own 41 yard line, the Cowboys moved just close enough to get into field goal range, thanks to a White 25 yard pass to Tony Hill, and as time expired, Septien nailed a 35 yard kick to tie the game and send the NFC Championship into overtime. San Francisco knew if they were to get the ball in the overtime period that they would advance to the Super Bowl, so the Cowboys did everything in their power to ensure that would not happen. Dallas won the coin toss, giving them the ball to start the overtime period, and from there, they moved quickly, thanks in large part again to Danny White, who hit Butch Johnson with a 39 yard pass on the opening play of the period. From there, Dallas gave the ball to Dorsett five times in a row before sending Septien onto the field. Facing a short, 26 yard kick, he changed little to his normal warm-up, and the kick sailed through the uprights, sending Dallas to the Super Bowl for the first time since the 1976 season. On this day, there would be no miracle for San Francisco, though most people argued that they would be an excellent team for quite some time to come. Final Score: Dallas-16 San Francisco-13/OT Real Life Score: San Francisco-28 Dallas-27 (The Catch)