Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Last Place Update


November 22, 2011 – Although the 0-10 Indianapolis Colts had a bye this week, they’re still Kings of the Cellar and have a two game lead over the 2-8 Carolina Panthers, St. Louis Rams, and Minnesota Vikings for the first pick in the draft.

This week’s honorable mention once again goes to the 3-7 Washington Redskins for losing six straight and snatching defeat from the jaws of victory against the Dallas Cowboys in overtime.  They Skins go cross-country to face the Seattle Seahawks.

This week’s second honorable mention goes, not to San Diego, who lost its fifth straight game, but to the Carolina Panthers, for blowing a 24-7 lead, scoring 35 points, and still losing by two touchdowns to the Detroit Lions.  The Panthers proved once again a quarterback does not a team make.


Next Loss


The Colts host the Carolina Panthers.  Upset Special?  Doubt it.  Detroit is a much better team than the Colts, so Cam Newton ought to have fun with the Indy defense and get the Panthers their first road win.  Indy will at least maintain their lead for the coveted first pick in the 2012 draft.

The 3-7 Arizona Cardinals visit the St. Louis Rams.  The Cards won the last game, but this will be my Upset Special.  The Rams should get their third win if they play Arizona like they played the New Orleans Saints.

The Minnesota Vikings go to the Georgia Dome to take on the Atlanta Falcons.  Upset special?  Only if Matty Ice has a meltdown.  The Vikings will get their ninth loss.


Here are some historical scores on this day for teams facing each other this week: November 22,

1951 – Detroit 52 – Green Bay 35
1956 – Green Bay 24 – Detroit 20
1962 – Detroit 26 – Green Bay 14
1973 – Miami 14 – Dallas 7

1984 – Detroit 34 – Green Bay 28
1987 – Miami 20 – Dallas 14
1987 – New Orleans 23 – New York Giants 14
1987 – Buffalo 17 – New York Jets 14
1987 – Minnesota 24 – Atlanta 13

2009 – Arizona 21 – St. Louis 13
2009 – San Diego 32 – Denver 3
2009 – Kansas City 27 – Pittsburgh 24 OT

Monday, November 21, 2011

Some BCS Top 10 Series Trivia


November 21, 2011 – Here’s this week’s BCS Top 10 college football series trivia, the last top 10 entry for the 2011 season.

The #1 LSU Tigers host the #3 Arkansas Razorbacks in an anticipated Battle For the Golden Boot on Friday.  The winner goes to the SEC Championship game.  LSU leads the series 34-20-2, but Arkansas is 3-1 against LSU since 2007.  The Tigers are 11-9 against the Razorbacks since the series resumed in 1992.  Both teams have scored above 20 points every year over the past five years.  The last time LSU shut out Arkansas was 28-0 in 1995.  Other than a tie, the last time Arkansas shut out LSU was 32-0 in 1929, the last in a three year streak of shutouts against the Tigers.  Their last tie game was 0-0 in the 1947 Cotton Bowl.

The #2 Alabama Crimson Tide go the Jordan-Hare Stadium to take on the #24 Auburn Tigers in the Iron Bowl.  This is one of those games where you throw the won-loss records out.  The series began in 1893 and Auburn won 32-22.  Alabama leads the series 40-34-1, but Auburn is 8-3 against the Tide since 2000, including last year’s Cam Newton led comeback victory for the Tigers.  Auburn is 7-3 against Alabama at home since 1989.  Their games have been decided by 7 points or less five of the last eight games.  The last time Alabama shut out Auburn was 36-0 in 2008.  The last time Auburn shut out Alabama was 9-0 in 2000.  Their only tie game was 6-6 in 1907.

The #4 Oklahoma State Cowboys have a bye this week.  They face the Oklahoma Sooners next week in the Oklahoma Bedlam Football Game.

The #5 Virginia Tech Hokies invade Scott Stadium to take on the Virginia Cavaliers in the Commonwealth Challenge.  Virginia Tech leads the series 50-37-5 and is 11-1 against Virginia since 1999.  The Hokies are 15-9 against the Cavaliers in the Frank Beamer era, starting in 1987.  The last time Virginia Tech shut out Virginia was 17-0 in 2006.  The last time Virginia shut out Virginia Tech was 38-0 in 1991.  Their last tie game was 14-14 in 1977.

The #6 Stanford Cardinal host the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in their quest for the Legends Trophy.  Notre Dame leads the series 17-8, but Stanford has won their last two meetings.  That was the first time Stanford won two straight against Notre Dame and Stanford is in a position to win its third straight.  The only shutout in the series was a 27-0 Notre Dame victory in 1942.

The #7 Boise State Broncos take on the Wyoming Cowboys on the blue tundra of Bronco Stadium.  Boise State owns the series 5-0 and will probably win its sixth against the Cowboys.  There are no shutouts or ties in the series.

The Tulsa Golden Hurricane hosts the undefeated #8 Houston Cougars in Chapman Stadium.  Houston leads the series 19-17, but the series is tied 4-4 since 1992.  Houston scored 70 points or more twice against Tulsa.  The first was in 1966, when Houston won 73-14 and the second was in 2008, the highest scoring game in the series when Houston won 70-30.  The last time Houston shut out Tulsa was 21-0 in 1972.  The last time Tulsa shut out Houston was 14-0 in 1965.

The #9 Oklahoma Sooners host the Iowa State Cyclones, fresh off their upset of Oklahoma State.  Oklahoma owns the series 68-5-2, winning the last 12 games.  Iowa State last beat Oklahoma in 1990.  The Cyclones only won two games in a row once, in 1960 and 1961.  The last time Oklahoma shut out Iowa State was 52-0 last season.  The only time Iowa State shut out Oklahoma was in their first ever series meeting.  The Cyclones won 13-0 in 1928.  Their last tie game was 7-7 in 1981.

The Oregon State Beavers invade Eugene in the Civil War, to take on the #10 Oregon Ducks for the Platypus Trophy.  Oregon leads the series 58-46-10 and the Ducks have won the last three.  The Ducks are also 7-6 against the Beavers since 1998.  The series began in 1894, a 16-0 victory by Oregon State.  They tied two years in a row, both 0-0 in 1920 and 1921.  In fact, they tied 0-0 six times, in 1902, 1906, 1920, 1921, 1931, and 1983.  They tied 13-13 twice, in 1956 and 1960.  The last time Oregon shut out Oregon State was 7-0 in 1992.  Other than a tie, the last time Oregon State shut out Oregon was 7-0 in 1953.  Their last tie game was 0-0 in 1983.


Here are some historical scores for this week’s BCS Top 25 matchups played on November 21,

1903 – Oregon 5 – Oregon State 0
1908 – Oregon 8 – Oregon State 0
1914 – Nebraska 16 – Iowa 7
1914 – Oregon 3 – Oregon State 3

1936 – Ohio State 21 – Michigan 0
1936 – Oregon State 18 – Oregon 0
1942 – Ohio State 21 – Michigan 7
1942 – Oregon State 39 – Oregon 2

1953 – Oregon State 7 – Oregon 0
1953 – Michigan 20 – Ohio State 0
1953 – LSU 9 – Arkansas 8
1959 – Michigan 23 – Ohio State 14
1959 – Oregon State 15 – Oregon 7
1959 – Oklahoma 35 – Iowa State 12

1964 – South Carolina 7 – Clemson 3
1964 – Michigan 10 – Ohio State 0
1964 – Oregon State 7 – Oregon 6
1970 – Northwestern 23 – Michigan State 20
1970 - Ohio State 20 – Michigan 8
1970 – South Carolina 38 – Clemson 32
1970 – Oregon State 24 – Oregon 9

1981 – Clemson 29 – South Carolina 13
1981 – Ohio State 14 – Michigan 9
1981 – Oregon 47 – Oregon State 17
1987 – South Carolina 20 – Clemson 7
1987 – Ohio State 23 – Michigan 20
1987 – Oregon 44 – Oregon State 0

1992 – South Carolina 24 – Clemson 13
1992 – Michigan 13 – Ohio State 13
1992 – Oregon 7 – Oregon State 0
1992 – Virginia 41 – Virginia Tech 38
1998 – Ohio State 31 – Michigan 16
1998 – Clemson 28 – South Carolina 19
1998 – Wisconsin 24 – Penn State 3
1998 – Oregon State 44 – Oregon 41
1998 – Alabama 31 – Auburn 17
2009 – Ohio State 21 – Michigan 10

Friday, November 18, 2011

Some Lagniappe NFL Series Trivia


Here’s some random NFL trivia…

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers go to Lambeau Field to take on their former NFC Central rival Green Bay Packers.  Although Green Bay’s expected to win, Tampa Bay is 8-4 against the Packers since 1998.  They have gone to overtime five times in the series, the last time in 2003, when Green Bay won 17-14.  The last time Green Bay shut out Tampa Bay was 27-0 in 1991.  Tampa Bay has never shut out Green Bay.  Their only tie game was 14-14 in 1980.

The Carolina Panthers face the Detroit Lions for only the sixth time ever.  Detroit leads the series 4-1.  Carolina won their first ever meeting in 1999 and Detroit won the rest.  They last met in 2008.

The Oakland Raiders play the Minnesota Vikings for the 15th time, including Super Bowl XI.  Oakland leads the series 10-4, but is 4-3 against the Vikings since 1987.  They last played in 2007, which Minnesota won.  Neither team has ever shut out the other.

The Washington Redskins host the Dallas Cowboys.  This is one of those rivalry games where you throw the records out the window, but Dallas is 21-7 against Washington since 1997.  They’ve gone to overtime twice, the last time in 1999.  Dallas last shut out Washington 17-0 in 2009.  Washington has never shut out Dallas.  Their last tie game was 35-35 in 1962.

The Buffalo Bills go to Miami to face the Dolphins.  This is another one of those “throw the records out” games.  In this case, they are 17-17 since 1995.  They’ve gone to overtime twice, the last time in 1987.  The last time Buffalo shut out Miami was 21-0 in 2006.  The last time Miami shut out Buffalo was 28-0 in 1985.  Their last tie game was 14-14 in 1968.

The Atlanta Falcons lead their series with the Tennessee Titans 7-5, winning their last five games in the series.  The Titans have never beaten the Falcons under the Tennessee name.  The last time they beat Atlanta was in 1993, when they were the Houston Oilers.

The Philadelphia Eagles/New York Giants rivalry is one of the older rivalries.  They’re meeting for the 146th time.  They first played each other in 1940, but Philly is 6-2 against the Giants since 2008.  They’ve gone to overtime seven times, the last time in 2006.  The last time the Giants shut out the Eagles was 20-0 in 1998.  The last time the Eagles shut out the Giants was 24-0 in 1996.  Their last tie game was 23-23 in 1973.

On the college football front, the Valparaiso Crusaders got their first win since 2009, beating the Campbell Fighting Camels 34-31.  Congrats for breaking the longest active college football losing streak, Valpo!!

Here are some historical NFL scores on this day for teams facing each other this week, on November 18,

1951 – Chicago Cardinals 27 – San Francisco 21

1960 – Boston Patriots 42 – Dallas Texans (Chiefs) 14

1962 – New York Giants 19 – Philadelphia 14

1973 – Miami 17 – Buffalo 0

1979 – Washington 34 – Dallas 20

1991 – Buffalo 41 – Miami 27

2007 – Dallas 28 – Washington 23

2007 – Minnesota 29 – Oakland 22


Have a great weekend!!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

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

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

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

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

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