Today in 1996 - Minnesota Vikings vs Oakland Raiders

Today in 1996, the Oakland Raiders hosted the Minnesota Vikings at Oakland-Alameda Stadium in a Week 12 game.

Minnesota got on the board in the first quarter on a 22 yard field goal by Scott Sisson.  The Vikings increased their lead on a big play, an 82 yard touchdown pass from Brad Johnson to Jake Reed. 

Oakland scored in the second quarter when Terry McDaniel picked off a Johnson pass and ran it 52 yards for a touchdown.  Minnesota led at halftime 10-7.

The Raiders tied the game in the third quarter on a 24 yard field goal by Cole Ford.  In the fourth quarter, Sisson kicked a 24 yard field goal to give the Vikings the lead, but Ford sent the game into overtime with a 41 yard field goal.

In the overtime period, Sisson kicked a 31 yard field goal and the Minnesota Vikings beat the Oakland Raiders 16-13.

For the Vikings, Brad Johnson passed 20-33 for 275 yards, with a touchdown and 2 interceptions.  Leroy Hoard had 20 rushes for 108 yards.  Jake Reed had 4 receptions for 134 yards and a touchdown, and Cris Carter had 6 catches for 56 yards.  John Randle had 2 sacks and Jason Fisk had a sack.  Jeff Brady and Martin Harrison each had half a sack.  Orlando Thomas had an interception.

For the Raiders, Jeff Hostetler passed 14-27 for 139 yards and an interception.  Napoleon Kaufman had 20 rushes for 63 yards.  Pat Swilling had a sack.  Lorenzo Lynch had an interception and Terry McDaniel had a Pick 6.

The Raiders went to 4-7 with the loss.  They finished the season at 7-9, fourth in the AFC West.  The Vikings went to 6-5 and finished the season at 9-7, second in the NFC Central.  They made the playoffs, but lost to the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card round.

Trivia

• There were 3 Hall of Famers present, all with Minnesota: Warren Moon, Randall McDaniel and John Randle.
  
• This was Mike White’s last season coaching the Raiders.  He only coached the team for two seasons.
  
• The offensive coordinator for the Raiders was Joe Bugel, who was the head coach of the Pheonix Cardinals from 1990-93.  He replaced White as head coach of the Raiders in 1997, but that was his only season.
  
• This was Dennis Green’s fifth season coaching the Vikings.  He coached the team from 1992-2001.  He was also the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals from 2004-06.
  
• Minnesota’s offensive coordinator was Brian Billick, who was the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens from 1999-2007.
  
• Vikings tight ends coach Mike Tice became the head coach of the team from 2002-05.  He played for the Seattle Seahawks from 1981-91 and the Vikings from 1992-95.

Here are some historical scores on this day for teams facing each other this week, on November 17,

1957 – New York Giants 13 – Philadelphia 0

1963 – New York Jets 14 – Denver 9

1963 – Kansas City 24 – Boston Patriots 24

1968 – New York Giants 7 – Philadelphia 6

1968 – Kansas City 31 - Boston Patriots 17

1968 – Dallas 44 – Washington 24

1974 – Miami 35 – Buffalo 28

1974 – Washington 28 – Dallas 21

1991 – San Francisco 14 – Phoenix Cardinals 10

1997 – Miami 30 – Buffalo 13

Game stats can be found on Pro-Football-Reference.com at Minnesota Vikings vs Oakland Raiders - November 17, 1996

Today in 1980 - New York Jets vs Denver Broncos

Today in 1980, the New York Jets went to Mile High Stadium to take on the Denver Broncos in a Week 11 contest.

Denver got things started with a 20 yard field goal by Fred Steinfort.  New York answered with a 36 yard touchdown pass from Richard Todd to Wesley Walker.  The Jets led at the end of the first quarter 7-3.

New York added to its lead with a Pat Leahy 23 yard field goal.  Then Todd threw a 31 yard touchdown pass to Johnny “Lam” Jones.  Denver responded with a 22 yard touchdown pass from Craig Morton to Riley Odoms.  New York led at halftime 17-10.

Dave Preston provided the only score in the third quarter with a 3 yard touchdown run and the game was tied.

In the fourth quarter, Denver took its first lead since the first quarter on a 1 yard touchdown run by Jon Keyworth.  The Jets tied the game again on a 1 yard touchdown run by Scott Dierking.  However, the Broncos took the lead for good on a 13 yard pass from Morton to Rick Upchurch.  The Denver Broncos beat the New York Jets 31-24.

For the Jets, Richard Todd passed 14-25 for 218 yards, with 2 touchdowns and an interception.  Lam Jones had 5 receptions for 103 yards and a touchdown.  Ken Schroy nabbed both Jets interceptions.

For the Broncos, Craig Morton passed 27-39 for 306 yards, with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.  Dave Preston had 10 rushes for 46 yards and a touchdown.  He also had 8 catches for 67 yards.  Haven Moses had 6 receptions for 90 yards.  Riley Odoms had 6 catches for 77 yards and a touchdown.  Steve Foley had an interception.

The Jets went to 2-9 with the loss.  They finished the season at 4-12, fifth in the AFC East.  The Broncos went to 6-5.  They finished the season at 8-8, third in the AFC West.

Trivia

• This was Walt Michaels fourth season coaching the Jets.  He coached the team from 1977-82.
  
• Michaels was a linebacker for the Green Bay Packers in 1951, the Cleveland Browns from 1952-61, and the New York Jets in 1963.
  
• This was Red Miller’s last season coaching the Broncos.  He coached the team from 1977-80.
  
• Denver’s assistant special teams coach/defensive assistant that season was Bill Belichick.
  
• Denver’s offensive coordinator Rod Dowhower was the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts from 1985-86.
  
• Denver’s defensive coordinator Joe Collier was the head coach of the Buffalo Bills from 1966-68.
  
• Jets guard Randy Rasmussen was the last member of the Super Bowl III champions still on the team.  He played for the Jets from 1967-81.
  
• Broncos’ quarterback Craig Morton, wide receiver Haven Moses, and defensive back Bill Thompson were the only three players who played before AFL/NFL merger in 1970.  Morton played for the Dallas Cowboys from 1965-74.  He played for the New York Giants from 1974-76, before going to Denver in 1977, where he played the remainder of his career in 1982.  Moses played for the Buffalo Bills from 1968-72, before he was traded to Denver. He spent the rest of his career with the Broncos from 1972-81. Thompson played his entire career for the Broncos, from 1969-81.
  
• Morton passed for over 300 yards for the first time since 1970, when he passed for 349 yards with the Cowboys, spanking the Houston Oilers 52-10.

Here are some historical scores on this day for teams facing each other this week, on November 15,

1969 – Buffalo 28 – Miami 3

1969 – Dallas 41 – Washington 28

1975 – Philadelphia 13 – New York Giants 10

1986 – Green Bay 31 – Tampa Bay 7

1986 – Miami 34 – Buffalo 24

1992 – Buffalo 26 – Miami 20

1997 – Dallas 17 - Washington 14

2003 – Oakland 28 – Minnesota 18

2003 – Green Bay 20 – Tampa Bay 13

2003 – Philadelphia 28 – New York Giants 10

2008 – Carolina 31 – Detroit 22

2008 – Dallas 14 – Washington 10

Game stats can be found on Pro-Football-Reference.com at New York Jets vs Denver Broncos - November 16, 1980.

Last Place Update

November 15, 2011 – As much as things change, they remain the same.  What’s the same?  Why it’s the 0-10 Colts, of course.  They lost to a struggling Jacksonville Jaguars 17-3 at home and the Colts continue their season long reign as Kings of the Cellar.  The Colts have a two and a half game lead over Minnesota, Carolina, St. Louis, and Miami, all 2-7.

What's different?  Miami's winning games.

By winning their second consecutive game over the 3-6 Washington Redskins, the Dolphins are off the Last Place radar for now.  However, because of Miami, Washington earns this week’s honorable mention.  The Skins lost five straight and face a resurgent Dallas Cowboys.

This week’s second honorable mention goes to the 4-5 San Diego Chargers, just beating out the 2-7 Carolina Panthers for the mention.  The Chargers were supposed to be the team to beat in the AFC West…well, they’re proving they can be beat, losing four straight.  This week, they go to the Windy City to face an improving Chicago Bears.

Next Loss

Here’s a guarantee.  The Indianapolis Colts will not lose this week.  Okay, they won’t lose because they have a bye.  They’ll face the Carolina Panthers next week in their quest for the first pick in the draft, the Andrew Luck sweepstakes.

Speaking of the Carolina Panthers, they will visit Ford Field to play the Detroit Lions.  Upset Special?  Nah.  Detroit will take their loss to Chicago out on the Panthers.

The Rams and Arizona Cardinals won last week.  St. Louis hosts the Seattle Seahawks and is my Upset Special.  The Rams will get their third win. The Cards will get torched at Candlestick by the San Francisco 49ers.

Here are some historical scores on this day for teams facing each other this week: November 15,

1964 – Denver 20 – New York Jets 16

1987 – New York Giants 20 – Philadelphia 17

Some BCS Top 10 Series Trivia

November 14, 2011 – Here is this week’s BCS Top 10 series trivia.

The #1 LSU Tigers go to Oxford to take on the Ole Miss Rebels.  LSU leads the series 56-39-4, including that famous Halloween night punt return by Billy Cannon in 1959 to give LSU the win.  However, LSU is 3-4 at Ole Miss since 1992.  The Tigers are also 12-7 against the Rebels during that same time.  The series began in 1894, which was an Ole Miss victory.  The last time Ole Miss shut out LSU was 32-0 in 1992.  The last time LSU shut out Ole Miss was 14-0 in 1985.  Their last tie game was 27-27 in 1981.

The Iowa State Cyclones host the #2 Oklahoma State Cowboys in Jack Trice Stadium.  Oklahoma State leads the series 25-17-3, but the Cowboys have a slim 7-6-2 lead over the Cyclones since 1989.  Since 2000, each game has been decided by 13 points or more.  The last close game, other than a tie, was a 28-27 Cowboys win in 1996.  The last time Iowa State shut out Oklahoma State was 54-0 in 1971.  The last time Oklahoma State shut out Iowa State was 35-0 in 1969.  Their last tie game was 31-31 in 1994.

The #3 Alabama Crimson Tide host the George Southern Eagles in Bryant-Denny Stadium.  This is their first ever meeting and should be an easy Tide win.

The USC Trojans invade Eugene to take on the #4 Oregon Ducks.  USC leads the series 37-18-2, but the series is tied 3-3 since 2002.  The Ducks won their first ever meeting in 1915, but didn’t beat the Trojans again until 1941, getting shut out seven times during that time.  The highest scoring game in the series was last season’s 53-32 Oregon victory.  The last time USC shut out Oregon was 53-0 in 1976.  The last time Oregon shut out USC was 25-0 in 1958.  Their last tie game was 7-7 in 1980.

The #22 Baylor Bears take on the #5 Oklahoma Sooners at home in Floyd Casey Stadium.  Oklahoma owns the series 10-0, but this Baylor team may surprise the Sooners and beat them for the first time.  The last game decided by a touchdown or less was 37-30 in 2005.  The only two shutouts in the series were 35-0 in 2004 and 17-0 in their first meeting in 1901.

The #6 Arkansas Razorbacks host the Mississippi State Bulldogs.  Arkansas leads the series 14-6-1 and is 14-2 against the Bulldogs since 1995.  The lone shutout of the series was a 19-0 Mississippi State win in 1939.  Their only tie game was 13-13 in 1993.

The #7 Clemson Tigers go to Raleigh to take on the North Carolina State Wolfpack.  Clemson dominates the series 51-27-1 and has won its last seven games against the Wolfpack.  North Carolina State’s best run against Clemson was a six game winning streak from 1971-76.  The last time North Carolina State shut out Clemson was 9-0 in 1964.  The last time Clemson shut out North Carolina State was 7-0 in 1962.  Their only tie game was 0-0 in 1906.

The North Carolina Tarheels visit Blacksburg to take on the #8 Virginia Tech Hokies in a Thursday night game.  Virginia Tech leads the series 18-10-6 and is 6-1 against the Tarheels since 1998.  They played with some regularity from 1895-1946 and then resumed the series in 1998.  The last time North Carolina shut out Virginia Tech was 14-0 in 1945.  The last time Virginia Tech shut out North Carolina was 26-0 in 1912, which was the last of a five game streak where the Hokies shut out the Tarheels.  Their last tie game was 14-14 in 1946.

The #9 Stanford Cardinal take on the California Bears at home in Stanford Stadium.  Stanford leads the series 52-44-10, but Cal is 7-2 against the Cardinal since 2002.  They first met in 1891 and it has become a series of win streaks by both teams.  The last time Stanford shut out Cal was 14-0 in 1971.  The last time Cal shut out Stanford was 26-0 in 1952.  Their last tie game was 19-19 in 1988.

The San Diego Aztecs host the #10 Boise State Broncos.  This is their first ever meeting.

Here are some historical scores for this week’s BCS Top 25 matchups played on November 14,

1903 – Stanford 6 – California 6

1931 – LSU 26 – Ole Miss 3

1942 – USC 40 – Oregon 0

1953 – Wisconsin 34 – Illinois 7

1959 – Illinois 9 – Wisconsin 6

1964 – Illinois 29 – Wisconsin 0

1970 – Wisconsin 29 – Illinois 17

1987 – Michigan State 27 – Indiana 3

1998 – Oklahoma 20 – Baylor 16

2009 – Clemson 43 – North Carolina State 23

Some Random Musings

November 11, 2011 - Just have some random thoughts:

• First of all, thank you veterans!!  Thank you for serving our country and for protecting our freedoms!!  You stepped up when others didn’t and we appreciate your sacrifices.
  
  
• The Tennessee Titans and Carolina Panthers are playing each other for only the fourth time ever.  Carolina won the first meeting in 1996, when Tennessee was still the Houston Oilers, but the Titans won the other two.  They last played each other in 2007.
  
  
• As with Tennessee and Carolina, the Baltimore Ravens play the Seattle Seahawks for the fourth time ever this week.  Baltimore also leads 2-1 and they last played each other in 2007.
  
  
• The Washington Redskins play the Miami Dolphins this week.  Miami leads the series 11-7, but the series is 3-3 since 1987.  They faced each other in two Super Bowls.  Miami won Super Bowl VII over the Skins 14-7 to cap off their perfect season.  Washington beat Miami ten years later in Super Bowl XVII 27-17.
  
  
• In another multiple Super Bowl rematch, the Dallas Cowboys host the Buffalo Bills.  Dallas leads the series 5-3 and hasn’t lost to the Bills since 1996. The Cowboys faced the Bills in two consecutive Super Bowls.  Dallas won Super Bowl XXVII over Buffalo 52-17 and Super Bowl XXVIII over the Bills 30-13.
  
  
• Since we’re talking about NFL Championship rematches, let’s go old school.  The team once from Cleveland, the St. Louis Rams go to the Dawg Pound to take on the Cleveland Browns.  Including the NFL Championship games, Cleveland leads the series 11-10.  Cleveland beat the Rams for the NFL Championship in 1950 and 1955.  The Rams beat the Browns for the NFL Championship in 1951.
  
  
• I haven’t talked about this in a while.  The Valparaiso Crusaders own NCAA Division I’s longest active losing streak.  They’ve lost 29 games in a row and go for number 30 this Saturday against the Campbell University Fighting Camels.  Valpo's last win came in their second game of the 2009 season when they beat Concordia University of Wisconsin 20-17.

Have a great weekend everybody!!

Today in 1985 - Los Angeles Raiders vs San Diego Chargers

Today in 1985, the San Diego Chargers hosted the Los Angeles Raiders at Jack Murphy Stadium in a Week 10 contest.

The Chargers scored first on a 10 yard pass from Dan Fouts to Wes Chandler.  The Raiders answered with a 35 yard touchdown run by Jessie Hester.  The score was 7-7 at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter started with a 34 yard field goal by Bob Thomas and San Diego took the lead.  Frank Hawkins scored for Los Angeles on 1 yard touchdown run, but the extra point attempt failed.  At halftime, the Raiders led 13-10.

In the third quarter, Thomas kicked a 23 yard field goal to tie the game, but the Raiders took the lead again on 1 yard Marcus Allen touchdown run.  San Diego tied the game again when Fouts threw a 34 yard touchdown pass to Lionel James.  In true Raider fashion, Marc Wilson threw a 54 yard touchdown pass to Jessie Hester.  Los Angeles led at the end of the third quarter 27-20.

The scoring wasn’t done yet.  Fouts threw a 21 yard touchdown pass to Gary Anderson to tie the game, but Wilson threw a 24 yard touchdown pass to Todd Christensen to give the Raiders the lead once again.  But San Diego would not be denied.  Fouts threw his fourth touchdown pass to Charlie Joiner to send the game to overtime tied 34-34.

In the overtime period, San Diego had the ball and James ran 17 yards for the winning touchdown.  The San Diego Chargers defeated the Los Angeles Raiders 40-34.

For the Raiders, Marc Wilson passed 18-32 for 297 yards with 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.  Marcus Allen had 28 rushes for 119 yards and a touchdown.  He also had 5 receptions for 30 yards.  Todd Christensen had 7 receptions for 112 yards and a touchdown.  Jessie Hester had 2 catches for 89 yards and 2 touchdowns.  Bill Pickel had a sack and Brad Van Pelt had an interception.

For the Chargers, Dan Fouts passed 26-41 for 436 yards with 4 touchdowns and an interception.  Lionel James had 7 rushes for 57 yards and a touchdown.  He also had 11 catches for 168 yards and a touchdown.  Gary Anderson had 4 receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown.  Wes Chandler had 4 receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown.  Lee Williams had a sack.  Carlos Bradley and Danny Walters each had an interception.

San Diego went to 5-5 and finished the season at 8-8, third in the AFC West.  Los Angeles went to 6-4 and didn’t lose again for the rest of the regular season. They finished at 12-4, AFC West Champions.  They lost to the New England Patriots 27-20 in a divisional playoff game.

Trivia

• There were 7 Hall of Famers present: Marcus Allen, Howie Long, Mike Haynes, and owner Al Davis for the Raiders, and Dan Fouts, Charlie Joiner, and Kellen Winslow for the Chargers.
• This was Tom Flores’ seventh season coaching the Raiders.  He coached the team form 1979-87.
• This was Don Coryell’s eighth season coaching the Chargers.  He coached the team from 1978-86.  He was also the head coach of the St. Louis Cardinals from 1973-77.
• Flores was a quarterback for the Raiders from 1960-66.
• The Raiders had two more overtime games that season.  Both were wins against the Denver Broncos.
• Future Atlanta Falcons head coach Jim Mora was San Diego’s defensive quality control coach in 1985.
• San Diego also had an overtime game against the Denver Broncos.  The Chargers lost.

Here are some historical scores on this day for teams facing each other this week, on November 10,

1940 – Detroit 17 – Chicago 14

1963 – Green Bay 28 – Minnesota 7

1968 – Minnesota 14 – Green Bay 10

1974 – Cincinnati 17 – Pittsburgh 10

1985 – Green Bay 27 – Minnesota 17

1985 – Chicago 24 – Detroit 3

1991 – Pittsburgh 33 – Cincinnati 27 OT

1996 – New England 31 – New York Jets 27

1996 – Cincinnati 34 – Pittsburgh 24

Game stats can be found on Pro-Football-Reference.com at Los Angeles Raiders vs San Diego Chargers - November 10, 1985.

Today in 2003 - Chicago Bears vs Detroit Lions

November 8, 2003 – Yes, we have another entry featuring the Chicago Bears.  Today in 2003, the Chicago Bears visited Ford Field to take on the Detroit Lions in a Week 10 divisional matchup.

The only scoring in the first quarter was a 24 yard field goal by Jason Hanson and Detroit led 3-0.  In the second quarter, the Bears got on the board with a Paul Edinger 43 yard field goal.  The Lions answered with a 25 yard field goal by Hanson.  Detroit led at halftime 6-3.

In the third quarter, Chicago took the lead on a 12 yard touchdown pass from Chris Chandler to Desmond Clark.  Detroit responded with Hanson’s third field goal of the day, this one from 30 yards.  At the end of the quarter, Chicago led 10-9.

Hanson kicked a 48 yard field goal, his fourth, and Detroit took the lead to stay.  The Detroit Lions beat the Chicago Bears 12-10.

For the Bears, Chris Chandler passed 16-28 for 149 yards, with a touchdown and an interception.  Desmond Clark had 4 receptions for 39 yards and a touchdown.  Alex Brown had a sack. 

For the Lions, Joey Harrington passed, 24-38 for 238 yards.  Scotty Anderson had 5 catches for 77 yards.  Kalimba Edwards had a sack.  Boss Bailey and Barrett Green each had half a sack.  Corey Harris had an interception.

Both teams went to 3-6.  The Bears finished the season at 7-9.  The Lions didn’t fare as well.  They finished the season at 5-11.

Trivia

• This was Steve Mariucci’s first season coaching the Lions.  He coached the team from 2003-05.  He was the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers from 1997-2002.
• This was Dick Jauron’s last season coaching the Bears.  He coached the team from 1999-2003.  He was the interim head coach for the Lions in 2005, when Mariucci was fired.
• Jauron played for the Lions from 1973-77.
• Bears assistant coach Todd Haley is now the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs.
• Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs, Charles Tillman, and Patrick Manelly are the only members of the 2003 Bears who are still with the team.
• Jeff Backus, Dominic Raiola, and Jason Hanson are the only members of the 2003 Lions who are still with the team.

Here are some historical scores on this day for teams facing each other this week, on November 9,

1952 – New York Giants 23 – San Francisco 14

1975 – St. Louis Cardinals 24 – Philadelphia 23

1981 – Dallas 27 – Buffalo 14

2003 – Jacksonville 28 – Indianapolis 23

2003 – Dallas 10 – Buffalo 6

2008 – Atlanta 34 – New Orleans 20

2008 – Minnesota 28 – Green Bay 27

Game stats can be found on Pro-Football-Reference.com at Chicago Bears vs Detroit Lions - November 9, 2003.