NFL playoffs, 1991-92
Encyclopedia
The NFL playoffs
following the 1991 NFL season
led up to Super Bowl XXVI
.
completed a play-action 11-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Fred Jones in the second quarter, which was the difference in K.C.'s narrow 10-6 win over long-time rival Los Angeles. K.C. Running back Barry Word
was arguably the Chiefs' most effective offensive weapon, rushing for 133 yards.
The Raiders started rookie quarterback Todd Marinovich
over veteran Jay Schroeder
. Marinovich, who performed well in a loss to Kansas City the week before, instead threw 4 interceptions in the wild card rematch, including the one to Kansas City defensive back Deron Cherry
that set up DeBerg's touchdown.
The Raiders defense gave up huge rushing yardage to Word, but kept the game close by limiting the Chiefs to field goal tries after DeBerg's touchdown throw. Usually reliable Kansas City kicker Nick Lowery missed two field goals that could have given the Chiefs breathing room. The Raiders drove deep into Kansas City territroy on several occasions, but came away with only 6 points from Jeff Jaeger
field goals.
Marinovich, who was rattled in the first half, found a rhythm in the second half, completing key passes to Raiders wideout Tim Brown that moved Los Angeles into scoring position. But a fumble by Raiders running back Marcus Allen gave the Chiefs the ball again. Four plays later, Lowery redeemed himself with an 18-yard score in the fourth period that put the Chiefs up 10-6.
Los Angeles advanced to the Kansas City 24-yard line in the closing minutes. But the offense self-destructed with almost a dozen successive penalties in the drive that moved the ball back behind mid-field. Chiefs linebacker Lonnie Marts
sealed the victory for the Chiefs with an interception of Marinovich.
The game was also significant in that it featured what was at the time the oldest starting player in the NFL (DeBerg)and the second-youngest player to start at QB in a play-off game in Todd Marniovich (Cleveland's Bernie Kosar being the youngest).
with 2:41 left in the contest. Miller completed 18 out of 30 passes for 291 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Saints jumped to a 10-0 with quarterback Bobby Hebert
's 26-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Floyd Turner
and kicker Morten Andersen
's 45-yard field goal. But the Atlanta tied the game with wide receiver Andre Rison
's 24-yard touchdown reception from Miller and a 44-yard field goal by Norm Johnson
. The score was later tied 20-20 late in the final period as the teams traded scores: Andersen and Johnson each added another field goal, Miller threw a 20-yard touchdown to Haynes, and New Orleans running back Dalton Hilliard
rushed for a 1-yard touchdown. After Haynes scored the winning touchdown for the Falcons, the Saints reached the Atlanta 35-yard line before Hebert threw an interception to Falcons defensive back Tim McKyer
to clinch the victory.
, who finished the game with 105 rushing yards. Bears kicker Kevin Butler
kicked two field goals to cut the score 10-6 by the third period. However, Dallas responded by marching 75 yards to score on quarterback Steve Beuerlein
's 3-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jay Novacek
. With 2:42 left in the game, Chicago wide receiver Tom Waddle scored on a 6-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Jim Harbaugh
, but the Bears could not score again.
threw two touchdowns in the first half, both to Ernest Givins
for 5 and 20 yards. For New York, wide receiver Al Toon
recorded a 10-yard touchdown reception from Ken O'Brien
and kicker Raul Allegre
made a 33-yard field goal. The Jets then took the opening kickoff of the second half and marched to the Houston 8-yard line, but O'Brien threw an interception to Oilers defensive back Bubba McDowell
. Then after Oilers kicker Al Del Greco
made a 53-yard field goal, New York faced fourth down and inches at the Houston 3-yard line. Rather than attempt a field goal, running back Freeman McNeil
tried to advance the ball but was tackled for no gain. Late in the game, the Jets has another chance to score after recovering a fumble by Moon at the Houston 26-yard line, but turned it over on downs again.
throwing for 446 yards and 6 touchdowns. Atlanta starting QB Chris Miller
and CB/KR Deion Sanders
missed that initial meeting however. In this game the score was closer, but the result was still the same.
Under rainy and muddy conditions, the Falcons' pass-happy run-and-shoot offense turned the ball over 6 times, with Chris Miller, who had problems all game with his footing, throwing 4 INTs. The Redskins held the ball for over 36 minutes, scoring two touchdowns in a span of 3:11 in the second quarter. Washington scored first by driving 81-yards to score on running back Ricky Ervins
' 17-yard rushing touchdown. Then, Redskins defensive lineman James "Jumpy" Geathers
recovered a fumble to set up running back Gerald Riggs
' 2-yard touchdown. The Falcons mounted a long drive to draw within 7 at halftime on a 1-yard Tracy Johnson TD run. Washington's Chip Lohmiller
missed 3 field goals in the first half which could have widened the lead.
In the second half, Lohmiller scored a 24-yard field goal to make the game 17-7, while Atlanta's Norm Johnson missed a critical field goal on the ensuing possession. Following another Atlanta fumble at midfield in the 4th quarter, Riggs added a clinching 1-yard touchdown run, prompting the fans in attendance to shower the field with the yellow seat cushions that were given out before the game.http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/redskins/longterm/1997/history/allart/92falcons.htm
led the Broncos from their own 2-yard line to the winning 28-yard field goal by David Treadwell
with 16 seconds remaining. On the drive, he converted on two fourth downs. On fourth down and 6 from the Denver 28, he rushed for 7 yards. Then on fourth down and 10, he completed a 44-yard pass to wide receiver Vance Johnson
.
The Oilers jumped to a 14-0 lead with quarterback Warren Moon
's two touchdown passes to wide receivers Haywood Jeffires
and Drew Hill for 15 and 9 yards, respectively. Elway then completed a 10-yard touchdown to Johnson, but kicker Treadwell missed the extra point. Moon responded by throwing a 6-yard touchdown to wide receiver Curtis Duncan to give Houston a 21-6 lead, but Denver running back Greg Lewis scored a 1-yard touchdown before halftime. In the second half, the Oilers were limited to only a 25-yard field goal by kicker Al Del Greco, which gave Houston a 24-16 lead in the fourth quarter. The Broncos then marched 80 yards to score on Lewis' 1-yard touchdown run to cut the deficit to 24-23.
Moon finished the game with 27 of 36 completions for 325 yards and three touchdowns, with one interception.
threw 3 touchdown passes: a 25-yarder to wide receiver Andre Reed
, a 53-yard one to Reed, and a 10-yarder to wide receiver James Lofton
. Bills kicker Scott Norwood
added 3 field goals, running back Kenneth Davis scored a touchdown on a 5-yard run, Reed finished with 4 receptions for 100 yards and 2 touchdowns, and running back Thurman Thomas recorded 100 rushing yards. Meanwhile, Chiefs starting quarterback Steve DeBerg was knocked out of the game in the second period with a sprained thumb, and backup quarterback Mark Vlasic
threw 4 interceptions. Although Kansas City running back Barry Word
scored on a 3-yard touchdown, he was held to 50 rushing yards. The Chiefs only other score was Vlasic's 10-yard touchdown completion to wide receiver Fred Jones.
This was Thomas' fourth consecutive postseason game with at least 100 rushing yards, the second longest streak in NFL history (behind John Riggins
' 6)
led the Lions to their first and only postseason victory since 1957 by completing 29 out of 38 passes for 341 yards and 3 touchdowns. Kramer completed a 31-yard score to wide receiver Willie Green, a 6-yarder to Green, and a 7-yarder to wide receiver Herman Moore
. Detroit defensive back Melvin Jenkins
returned an interception 41-yard for a touchdown, kicker Eddie Murray added a 36-yard field goal, and running back Barry Sanders
rushed for a 47-yard touchdown. The Cowboys' only scores were two 28-yard field goals by kicker Ken Willis. Dallas quarterback Steve Beuerlein
was held to just 7 of 13 completions for 91 yards, with 1 interception.
Although the score was 0-0 at the half, Denver advanced into Buffalo territory on all five of their first half possessions. However, Broncos kicker David Treadwell
missed 3 field goals (hitting the uprights twice and driving the other attempt wide right).
Early in the third quarter, Denver QB John Elway
(who was sacked 3 times) suffered a deep thigh bruise that limited his mobility. Meanwhile, Buffalo QB Jim Kelly
(who was sacked once and intercepted twice) and the Buffalo offense were kept at bay by the Broncos' hard-hitting defense.
Late in the third quarter, the Broncos faced second down and 10 at their own 19-yard line. Elway attempted a middle screen pass to running back Steve Sewell
(which had been Denver's most effective play), but it was tipped by Bills defensive lineman Jeff Wright
into the arms of linebacker Carlton Bailey
. Bailey broke an Elway tackle and returned the ball 11 yards for what would be Buffalo's only touchdown of the game.
Elway's injury worsened to the point of his being replaced by backup Gary Kubiak
in the 4th quarter. After Denver turned the ball over on downs, the Buffalo offense got on track with a pivotal third down completion by Jim Kelly to tight end Keith McKellar. Hobbled Buffalo running back Thurman Thomas carried the Bills to within field goal range. And with 4:18 left in the game, Buffalo kicker Scott Norwood
made a 44-yard field goal to increase the lead to 10-0.
Kubiak, who was playing in his last NFL game before retiring, led the Broncos 85 yards in eight frantic plays and scored a 3-yard touchdown run on a quarterback draw play with 1:43 left. Denver then recovered the ensuing onside kick
, but the Bills clinched the victory after defensive back Kirby Jackson
forced and recovered a fumble from running back Steve Sewell
.
Denver finished the game leading in almost every statistical category, except for rushing. Broncos receiver Vance Johnson
finished the game with 8 receptions for 104 yards. Kubiak completed 11 of 12 passes for 136 yards and rushed for 22, outscoring and out-passing Jim Kelly and John Elway. The Broncos defense held the high-powered Bills offense to 13 catches (most completed to tight ends and running backs) and 3 offensive points.
, who had missed their first meeting with an injury, but it didn't help.
The Redskins crushed the Lions, 41-10, as quarterback Mark Rypien
completed 12 out of 17 passes for 228 yards and 2 touchdowns. Detroit quarterback Erik Kramer was sacked 5 times, three of them by Washington linebacker Wilber Marshall. Sanders, who rushed for 1,548 yards during the season, was held to just 44 yards on 11 carries.
The Redskins forced 2 turnovers on the Lions' first two possessions, and jumped to a 10-0 lead with just 4:02 into the game. On Detroit's first play of the game, Washington defensive lineman Charles Mann
forced Kramer to fumble, setting up running back Gerald Riggs
' 2-yard touchdown. Then Redskins kicker Chip Lohmiller made a 20-yard field goal after linebacker Kurt Gouveia
intercepted a pass and returned it 38 yards to the Detroit 10-yard line. In the second period, Kramer completed an 18-yard touchdown to wide receiver Willie Green
, but it was countered by Riggs' 3-yard touchdown. Lions kicker Eddie Murray then made a 30-yard field goal and the Redskins only led 17-10 at halftime.
However, Washington scored 24 unanswered points in the second half. Lohmiller scored his second field goal of the game, a 28-yarder. Rypien threw a pair of touchdown passes to wide receivers Gary Clark
and Art Monk
for 45 and 21 yards, respectively. Cornerback Darrell Green
also returned an interception 32 yards for a touchdown.
After the game, the Redskins dedicated their win to WUSA
sports anchor Glenn Brenner
, who died from a brain tumor
later that week.
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 1991 NFL season
1991 NFL season
The 1991 NFL season was the 72nd regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XXVI when the Washington Redskins defeated the Buffalo Bills....
led up to Super Bowl XXVI
Super Bowl XXVI
Super Bowl XXVI was an American football game played on January 26, 1992 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota to decide the National Football League champion following the 1991 regular season...
.
Bracket
AFC: Kansas City Chiefs 10, Los Angeles Raiders 6
Chiefs Quarterback Steve DeBergSteve 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 play-action 11-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Fred Jones in the second quarter, which was the difference in K.C.'s narrow 10-6 win over long-time rival Los Angeles. K.C. Running back Barry Word
Barry Word
Barry Quentin Word is a former American football running back for the National Football League.-College:...
was arguably the Chiefs' most effective offensive weapon, rushing for 133 yards.
The Raiders started rookie quarterback Todd Marinovich
Todd Marinovich
Todd Marvin Marinovich is a former American and Canadian football quarterback. He played for the Los Angeles Raiders of the National Football League, and also in the Canadian Football League and Arena Football League...
over veteran 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...
. Marinovich, who performed well in a loss to Kansas City the week before, instead threw 4 interceptions in the wild card rematch, including the one to Kansas City defensive back Deron Cherry
Deron Cherry
Deron Leigh Cherry is a retired professional American football strong safety who played for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1981 to 1991. Deron was a free safety and punter at Rutgers University. In 1979, he was named the team’s MVP. In 1979 and 1980, Cherry earned AP All-East honors...
that set up DeBerg's touchdown.
The Raiders defense gave up huge rushing yardage to Word, but kept the game close by limiting the Chiefs to field goal tries after DeBerg's touchdown throw. Usually reliable Kansas City kicker Nick Lowery missed two field goals that could have given the Chiefs breathing room. The Raiders drove deep into Kansas City territroy on several occasions, but came away with only 6 points 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...
field goals.
Marinovich, who was rattled in the first half, found a rhythm in the second half, completing key passes to Raiders wideout Tim Brown that moved Los Angeles into scoring position. But a fumble by Raiders running back Marcus Allen gave the Chiefs the ball again. Four plays later, Lowery redeemed himself with an 18-yard score in the fourth period that put the Chiefs up 10-6.
Los Angeles advanced to the Kansas City 24-yard line in the closing minutes. But the offense self-destructed with almost a dozen successive penalties in the drive that moved the ball back behind mid-field. Chiefs linebacker Lonnie Marts
Lonnie Marts
Lonnie Marts is a former American Football linebacker who played ten seasons in the National Football League. He currently resides in Jacksonville, Florida and coaches future NFL hopefuls with his athletic training company...
sealed the victory for the Chiefs with an interception of Marinovich.
The game was also significant in that it featured what was at the time the oldest starting player in the NFL (DeBerg)and the second-youngest player to start at QB in a play-off game in Todd Marniovich (Cleveland's Bernie Kosar being the youngest).
NFC: Atlanta Falcons 27, New Orleans Saints 20
Falcons quarterback Chris Miller completed the game-winning 61-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Michael HaynesMichael Haynes (wide receiver)
Michael David Haynes is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the seventh round of the 1988 NFL Draft. He played college football at Northern Arizona.Haynes also played for the New Orleans Saints....
with 2:41 left in the contest. Miller completed 18 out of 30 passes for 291 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Saints jumped to a 10-0 with quarterback Bobby Hebert
Bobby Hebert
Bobby Joseph Hebert Jr., is an American sportscaster who is best known as a retired Pro bowl American football quarterback of the New Orleans Saints. He played professionally in the USFL and NFL from 1983 to 1996 for the Michigan Panthers, Oakland Invaders, New Orleans Saints, and Atlanta Falcons...
's 26-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Floyd Turner
Floyd Turner
Floyd Turner, Jr. is a former professional American football wide receiver in the National Football League. He played nine seasons for New Orleans Saints , the Indianapolis Colts , and the Baltimore Ravens...
and 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...
's 45-yard field goal. But the Atlanta tied the game with wide receiver Andre Rison
Andre Rison
Andre Previn Rison is a retired American football wide receiver who played professionally for the National Football League's Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, and the Canadian Football League's...
's 24-yard touchdown reception from Miller and a 44-yard field goal by Norm Johnson
Norm Johnson
Norman Douglas "Norm" Johnson is a former professional American football placekicker who played for 18 seasons in the National Football League. During that time, he played for the Seattle Seahawks , Atlanta Falcons , Pittsburgh Steelers , and the Philadelphia Eagles...
. The score was later tied 20-20 late in the final period as the teams traded scores: Andersen and Johnson each added another field goal, Miller threw a 20-yard touchdown to Haynes, and New Orleans running back Dalton Hilliard
Dalton Hilliard
Dalton Hilliard is a former professional American football running back for the New Orleans Saints from 1986-1993. He played his entire NFL career for the Saints and was a Pro Bowl selection in 1989...
rushed for a 1-yard touchdown. After Haynes scored the winning touchdown for the Falcons, the Saints reached the Atlanta 35-yard line before Hebert threw an interception to Falcons defensive back Tim McKyer
Tim McKyer
Timothy Bernard McKyer is a former professional American football player who was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 1986 NFL Draft. A 6'0", 174-lb. cornerback from the University of Texas at Arlington, McKyer played in 12 NFL seasons for 7 different teams from 1986 to 1997...
to clinch the victory.
NFC: Dallas Cowboys 17, Chicago Bears 13
The Cowboys jumped to a 10-0 first quarter lead and held on to win their first playoff game in six years. Dallas' first score was a 27-yard field goal by Ken Willis. Then Cowboys linebacker Darrick Brownlow blocked a punt that was recovered by linebacker Ken Norton Jr., setting up a 1-yard touchdown by running back Emmitt SmithEmmitt Smith
Emmitt James Smith, III is a retired American football player who was a running back in the National Football League for fifteen seasons during the 1990s and 2000s. Smith played college football for the University of Florida, where he was an All-American; thereafter, he played professionally for...
, who finished the game with 105 rushing yards. Bears kicker Kevin Butler
Kevin Butler (American football)
Kevin Gregory Butler is a former professional American football placekicker. He played college football for the University of Georgia Bulldogs, and then played professionally for the Chicago Bears and the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League...
kicked two field goals to cut the score 10-6 by the third period. However, Dallas responded by marching 75 yards to score on quarterback Steve Beuerlein
Steve Beuerlein
Stephen Taylor "Steve" Beuerlein is a former football quarterback, and currently is an NFL and college football analyst for CBS.-Education:...
's 3-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jay Novacek
Jay Novacek
Jay McKinley Novacek is a former American football tight end in the National Football League who played for the St. Louis/Phoenix Cardinals and the Dallas Cowboys . Novacek was a five-time Pro Bowler, who was selected to play each year from 1991 through 1995...
. With 2:42 left in the game, Chicago wide receiver Tom Waddle scored on a 6-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Jim Harbaugh
Jim Harbaugh
James Joseph "Jim" Harbaugh is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. Harbaugh agreed to a five-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers on January 7, 2011. Previously, he was the head coach at...
, but the Bears could not score again.
AFC: Houston Oilers 17, New York Jets 10
After leading 14-10 at halftime, the Oilers stopped the Jets twice inside the 5-yard line in the second half to preserve the victory. Houston quarterback Warren MoonWarren Moon
Harold Warren Moon is a former American professional gridiron football quarterback who played for the Canadian Football League's Edmonton Eskimos and the National Football League's Houston Oilers, Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs...
threw two touchdowns in the first half, both to 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...
for 5 and 20 yards. For New York, wide receiver Al Toon
Al Toon
Albert Lee Toon, Jr. is a former professional American football player. He was selected by the New York Jets in the 1st round of the 1985 NFL Draft...
recorded a 10-yard touchdown reception from Ken O'Brien
Ken O'Brien
Kenneth John O'Brien is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for the New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles. When he retired he was the only Jets quarterback to have ever been the top ranked passer in a season. He held the team record for most...
and kicker Raul Allegre
Raul Allegre
Raul Enrique Allegre is a former football placekicker in the National Football League. In his career he kicked for the Baltimore Colts, Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants, and the New York Jets. Although he was not known for a having a strong leg, he was a clutch kicker for the Giants from...
made a 33-yard field goal. The Jets then took the opening kickoff of the second half and marched to the Houston 8-yard line, but O'Brien threw an interception to Oilers defensive back Bubba McDowell
Bubba McDowell
Bubba McDowell was an American football safety who played seven seasons in the National Football League for the Houston Oilers and Carolina Panthers. He played college football at the University of Miami. He is currently a defensive backs coach at Prairie View A&M University....
. Then after Oilers kicker Al Del Greco
Al Del Greco
Albert Louis Del Greco is a former American football placekicker and a current sports radio personality and high school coach in Birmingham, Alabama.-Biography:...
made a 53-yard field goal, New York faced fourth down and inches at the Houston 3-yard line. Rather than attempt a field goal, running back Freeman McNeil
Freeman McNeil
Freeman McNeil is a former professional American football player who was selected by the New York Jets in the 1st round of the 1981 NFL Draft....
tried to advance the ball but was tackled for no gain. Late in the game, the Jets has another chance to score after recovering a fumble by Moon at the Houston 26-yard line, but turned it over on downs again.
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...
, Denver BroncosDenver BroncosThe Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - NFC: Washington RedskinsWashington RedskinsThe Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
, Detroit LionsDetroit LionsThe Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
NFC: Washington Redskins 24, Atlanta Falcons 7
During their regular season meeting, Washington defeated Atlanta 56-17, with quarterback Mark RypienMark 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:...
throwing for 446 yards and 6 touchdowns. Atlanta starting QB Chris Miller
Chris Miller
Chris Miller is the name of:* Chris Miller , quarterback with the Oregon Ducks and the Atlanta Falcons* Chris Miller , American director of Shrek the Third...
and CB/KR Deion Sanders
Deion Sanders
Deion Luwynn Sanders , nicknamed "Prime Time" and "Neon Deion", is a former National Football League cornerback and Major League Baseball outfielder who currently works as an NFL Network analyst...
missed that initial meeting however. In this game the score was closer, but the result was still the same.
Under rainy and muddy conditions, the Falcons' pass-happy run-and-shoot offense turned the ball over 6 times, with Chris Miller, who had problems all game with his footing, throwing 4 INTs. The Redskins held the ball for over 36 minutes, scoring two touchdowns in a span of 3:11 in the second quarter. Washington scored first by driving 81-yards to score on running back Ricky Ervins
Ricky Ervins
Richard Ervins is a former American football running back in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and San Francisco 49ers...
' 17-yard rushing touchdown. Then, Redskins defensive lineman James "Jumpy" Geathers
Jumpy Geathers
James Allen "Jumpy" Geathers is a former American football defensive lineman. He played defensive tackle for Willie Jeffries at Wichita State University, and then for thirteen seasons in the National Football League...
recovered a fumble to set up running back Gerald Riggs
Gerald Riggs
Gerald Antonio Riggs is a former American football running back in the National Football League for the Atlanta Falcons from 1982-1988 and the Washington Redskins from 1989-1991....
' 2-yard touchdown. The Falcons mounted a long drive to draw within 7 at halftime on a 1-yard Tracy Johnson TD run. Washington's 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...
missed 3 field goals in the first half which could have widened the lead.
In the second half, Lohmiller scored a 24-yard field goal to make the game 17-7, while Atlanta's Norm Johnson missed a critical field goal on the ensuing possession. Following another Atlanta fumble at midfield in the 4th quarter, Riggs added a clinching 1-yard touchdown run, prompting the fans in attendance to shower the field with the yellow seat cushions that were given out before the game.http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/redskins/longterm/1997/history/allart/92falcons.htm
AFC: Denver Broncos 26, Houston Oilers 24
Trailing 24-23 with 2:07 left in the game, quarterback John ElwayJohn Elway
John Albert Elway, Jr. is a former American football quarterback and currently is the executive vice president of football operations for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League . He played college football at Stanford and his entire professional career with the Denver Broncos...
led the Broncos from their own 2-yard line to the winning 28-yard field goal by David Treadwell
David Treadwell
David Mark Treadwell is a former American football placekicker in the National Football League for the Denver Broncos and the New York Giants . He played college football for the Clemson Tigers from 1984 to 1987, where he graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering...
with 16 seconds remaining. On the drive, he converted on two fourth downs. On fourth down and 6 from the Denver 28, he rushed for 7 yards. Then on fourth down and 10, he completed a 44-yard pass to wide receiver Vance Johnson
Vance Johnson
Vance Edward Johnson , is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 1985 NFL Draft. A 5'11", 174 lb...
.
The Oilers jumped to a 14-0 lead with quarterback Warren Moon
Warren Moon
Harold Warren Moon is a former American professional gridiron football quarterback who played for the Canadian Football League's Edmonton Eskimos and the National Football League's Houston Oilers, Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs...
's two touchdown passes to wide receivers Haywood Jeffires
Haywood Jeffires
Haywood Franklin Jeffires is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Houston Oilers in the 1st round of the 1987 NFL Draft out of North Carolina State. A 6'2", . wide receiver, Jeffires played in 10 NFL seasons from 1987-1996...
and Drew Hill for 15 and 9 yards, respectively. Elway then completed a 10-yard touchdown to Johnson, but kicker Treadwell missed the extra point. Moon responded by throwing a 6-yard touchdown to wide receiver Curtis Duncan to give Houston a 21-6 lead, but Denver running back Greg Lewis scored a 1-yard touchdown before halftime. In the second half, the Oilers were limited to only a 25-yard field goal by kicker Al Del Greco, which gave Houston a 24-16 lead in the fourth quarter. The Broncos then marched 80 yards to score on Lewis' 1-yard touchdown run to cut the deficit to 24-23.
Moon finished the game with 27 of 36 completions for 325 yards and three touchdowns, with one interception.
AFC: Buffalo Bills 37, Kansas City Chiefs 14
Buffalo avenged their 33-6 loss to Kansas City during the regular season by eliminating them from the playoffs with a dominating 37-14 win. The Bills crushed the Chiefs by jumping to a 24-0 lead in the third quarter. Buffalo quarterback Jim KellyJim Kelly
James Edward Kelly is a former American football quarterback in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills and the USFL's Houston Gamblers....
threw 3 touchdown passes: a 25-yarder to wide receiver Andre Reed
Andre 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...
, a 53-yard one to Reed, and a 10-yarder 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...
. Bills kicker 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...
added 3 field goals, running back Kenneth Davis scored a touchdown on a 5-yard run, Reed finished with 4 receptions for 100 yards and 2 touchdowns, and running back Thurman Thomas recorded 100 rushing yards. Meanwhile, Chiefs starting quarterback Steve DeBerg was knocked out of the game in the second period with a sprained thumb, and backup quarterback Mark Vlasic
Mark Vlasic
Mark Richard Vlasic is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for six seasons. During this time, he played for the San Diego Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers...
threw 4 interceptions. Although Kansas City running back Barry Word
Barry Word
Barry Quentin Word is a former American football running back for the National Football League.-College:...
scored on a 3-yard touchdown, he was held to 50 rushing yards. The Chiefs only other score was Vlasic's 10-yard touchdown completion to wide receiver Fred Jones.
This was Thomas' fourth consecutive postseason game with at least 100 rushing yards, the second longest streak in NFL history (behind John Riggins
John Riggins
Robert John Riggins, nicknamed "The Diesel", is a former American football running back in the National Football League for the New York Jets and Washington Redskins. Riggins was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992....
' 6)
NFC: Detroit Lions 38, Dallas Cowboys 6
Quarterback Erik KramerErik Kramer
William Erik Kramer , is a former American football quarterback. He attended John Burroughs High School in Burbank, CA. After attending Los Angeles Pierce College and playing as their quarterback, Kramer transferred to North Carolina State University where he finished a successful college football...
led the Lions to their first and only postseason victory since 1957 by completing 29 out of 38 passes for 341 yards and 3 touchdowns. Kramer completed a 31-yard score to wide receiver Willie Green, a 6-yarder to Green, and a 7-yarder to wide receiver Herman Moore
Herman Moore
Herman Joseph Moore is a former American National Football League wide receiver. At George Washington High School in Danville he played mostly as a kicker and also as a tight end. He went to the University of Virginia, where he was a 2-sport athlete...
. Detroit defensive back Melvin Jenkins
Melvin Jenkins
Melvin Jenkins is a former professional American football player who played cornerback for seven seasons for the Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions, and Atlanta Falcons....
returned an interception 41-yard for a touchdown, kicker Eddie Murray added a 36-yard field goal, and running back Barry Sanders
Barry Sanders
Barry Sanders is a former American football running back who spent all of his professional career with the Detroit Lions in the NFL. Sanders left the game just short of the all-time rushing record...
rushed for a 47-yard touchdown. The Cowboys' only scores were two 28-yard field goals by kicker Ken Willis. Dallas quarterback Steve Beuerlein
Steve Beuerlein
Stephen Taylor "Steve" Beuerlein is a former football quarterback, and currently is an NFL and college football analyst for CBS.-Education:...
was held to just 7 of 13 completions for 91 yards, with 1 interception.
AFC Championship: Buffalo Bills 10, Denver Broncos 7
Buffalo relied on missed field goals by Denver and some key plays from their defense to edge the Broncos 10-7, in what was a knock-down, drag-out defensive drama that featured devastating pass rushes that limited both offenses to meager, hard-fought-for yardage throughout the game.Although the score was 0-0 at the half, Denver advanced into Buffalo territory on all five of their first half possessions. However, Broncos kicker David Treadwell
David Treadwell
David Mark Treadwell is a former American football placekicker in the National Football League for the Denver Broncos and the New York Giants . He played college football for the Clemson Tigers from 1984 to 1987, where he graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering...
missed 3 field goals (hitting the uprights twice and driving the other attempt wide right).
Early in the third quarter, Denver QB John Elway
John Elway
John Albert Elway, Jr. is a former American football quarterback and currently is the executive vice president of football operations for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League . He played college football at Stanford and his entire professional career with the Denver Broncos...
(who was sacked 3 times) suffered a deep thigh bruise that limited his mobility. Meanwhile, Buffalo QB 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....
(who was sacked once and intercepted twice) and the Buffalo offense were kept at bay by the Broncos' hard-hitting defense.
Late in the third quarter, the Broncos faced second down and 10 at their own 19-yard line. Elway attempted a middle screen pass to running back Steve Sewell
Steve Sewell
Steven Edward Sewell , is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Denver Broncos in the 1st round of the 1985 NFL Draft. A 6'3", 210-lb. running back from the University of Oklahoma, Sewell played his entire NFL career for the Broncos from 1985 to 1991...
(which had been Denver's most effective play), but it was tipped by Bills defensive lineman Jeff Wright
Jeff Wright (defensive tackle)
Jeffrey Dee Wright is a former American football nose tackle who had a seven-year career in the National Football League with the Buffalo Bills. He played in four Super Bowls for the Bills, all losing efforts...
into the arms of linebacker Carlton Bailey
Carlton Bailey
Carlton Wilson Bailey is a former professional American football player who played linebacker in the National Football League for the Buffalo Bills, New York Giants, and Carolina Panthers...
. Bailey broke an Elway tackle and returned the ball 11 yards for what would be Buffalo's only touchdown of the game.
Elway's injury worsened to the point of his being replaced by backup Gary Kubiak
Gary Kubiak
Gary Wayne Kubiak is the head coach for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. Kubiak has participated in six Super Bowls, losing three as a player with the Denver Broncos and winning three as an assistant coach with Denver and the San Francisco 49ers.-High school:Kubiak passed for a...
in the 4th quarter. After Denver turned the ball over on downs, the Buffalo offense got on track with a pivotal third down completion by Jim Kelly to tight end Keith McKellar. Hobbled Buffalo running back Thurman Thomas carried the Bills to within field goal range. And with 4:18 left in the game, Buffalo kicker 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...
made a 44-yard field goal to increase the lead to 10-0.
Kubiak, who was playing in his last NFL game before retiring, led the Broncos 85 yards in eight frantic plays and scored a 3-yard touchdown run on a quarterback draw play with 1:43 left. Denver then recovered the ensuing onside kick
Onside kick
In American and Canadian football, an onside kick is a type of kick used at a kickoff or other free kick, or scrimmage kick or other kick during play, in which the ball is kicked favorably for the kicking team to avoid giving away the ball...
, but the Bills clinched the victory after defensive back Kirby Jackson
Kirby Jackson
Kirby Jackson is a former professional American football defensive back who played for the Los Angeles Rams and the Buffalo Bills . Before his NFL career, he played for Mississippi State University and was selected by the New York Jets in the fifth round of the 1987 NFL Draft....
forced and recovered a fumble from running back Steve Sewell
Steve Sewell
Steven Edward Sewell , is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Denver Broncos in the 1st round of the 1985 NFL Draft. A 6'3", 210-lb. running back from the University of Oklahoma, Sewell played his entire NFL career for the Broncos from 1985 to 1991...
.
Denver finished the game leading in almost every statistical category, except for rushing. Broncos receiver Vance Johnson
Vance Johnson
Vance Edward Johnson , is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 1985 NFL Draft. A 5'11", 174 lb...
finished the game with 8 receptions for 104 yards. Kubiak completed 11 of 12 passes for 136 yards and rushed for 22, outscoring and out-passing Jim Kelly and John Elway. The Broncos defense held the high-powered Bills offense to 13 catches (most completed to tight ends and running backs) and 3 offensive points.
NFC Championship: Washington Redskins 41, Detroit Lions 10
In their season opening game, Washington beat the Lions 45-0. The Lions now had hall of fame running back Barry SandersBarry Sanders
Barry Sanders is a former American football running back who spent all of his professional career with the Detroit Lions in the NFL. Sanders left the game just short of the all-time rushing record...
, who had missed their first meeting with an injury, but it didn't help.
The Redskins crushed the Lions, 41-10, as 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:...
completed 12 out of 17 passes for 228 yards and 2 touchdowns. Detroit quarterback Erik Kramer was sacked 5 times, three of them by Washington linebacker Wilber Marshall. Sanders, who rushed for 1,548 yards during the season, was held to just 44 yards on 11 carries.
The Redskins forced 2 turnovers on the Lions' first two possessions, and jumped to a 10-0 lead with just 4:02 into the game. On Detroit's first play of the game, Washington defensive lineman Charles Mann
Charles Mann (football player)
Charles Andre Mann now a business man, is American football defensive end in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and San Francisco 49ers...
forced Kramer to fumble, setting up running back Gerald Riggs
Gerald Riggs
Gerald Antonio Riggs is a former American football running back in the National Football League for the Atlanta Falcons from 1982-1988 and the Washington Redskins from 1989-1991....
' 2-yard touchdown. Then Redskins kicker Chip Lohmiller made a 20-yard field goal after linebacker Kurt Gouveia
Kurt Gouveia
Kurt Keola Gouveia is a former professional American football linebacker who played 13 seasons in the National Football League and one season in the XFL. During his career, he played for the Washington Redskins & , the Philadelphia Eagles , and the San Diego Chargers...
intercepted a pass and returned it 38 yards to the Detroit 10-yard line. In the second period, Kramer completed an 18-yard touchdown to wide receiver Willie Green
Willie Green (American football)
Willie Aaron Green is a former professional American football wide receiver who played for the Detroit Lions, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Carolina Panthers, and the Denver Broncos in the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Mississippi....
, but it was countered by Riggs' 3-yard touchdown. Lions kicker Eddie Murray then made a 30-yard field goal and the Redskins only led 17-10 at halftime.
However, Washington scored 24 unanswered points in the second half. Lohmiller scored his second field goal of the game, a 28-yarder. Rypien threw a pair of touchdown passes to wide receivers 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:...
and 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...
for 45 and 21 yards, respectively. Cornerback Darrell Green
Darrell Green
Darrell Ray Green is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League who played for the Washington Redskins from 1983 to 2002. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest cornerbacks to ever play football...
also returned an interception 32 yards for a touchdown.
After the game, the Redskins dedicated their win to WUSA
WUSA (TV)
WUSA is a television station broadcasting on channel 9 in Washington, D.C.. Owned by the Gannett Company, WUSA is an affiliate of the CBS television network, and the longest-tenured affiliate of that network...
sports anchor Glenn Brenner
Glenn Brenner
Glenn Brenner was a sportscaster best known for his tenure as the sports anchor for WUSA-TV from 1976 until his death in 1992 from a brain tumor. He had also been employed at KYW-TV earlier in his career....
, who died from a brain tumor
Brain tumor
A brain tumor is an intracranial solid neoplasm, a tumor within the brain or the central spinal canal.Brain tumors include all tumors inside the cranium or in the central spinal canal...
later that week.