NFL playoffs, 1983-84
Encyclopedia
The NFL playoffs
following the 1983 NFL season
led up to Super Bowl XVIII
.
Due to Christmas
, the two wild card playoff games were played in a span of three days.
Note: As per the rules of the NFL playoffs prior to the 1990 season
(notwithstanding the strike-shortened 1982 season
), the Los Angeles Raiders (the AFC 1 seed) did not play the Seattle Seahawks (the 4 seed) in the Divisional playoff round because both teams were in the same division.
's 200 passing yards and 3 touchdowns. They also got a big performance out of rookie running back Curt Warner
, who rushed for 99 yards and caught 3 passes for 22 yards. Seattle scored first with Krieg's 17-yard pass to wide receiver Steve Largent
, but the Broncos responded before the end of the first quarter with Jesse Myles' 13-yard touchdown reception from Steve DeBerg
. The Seahawks then controlled the rest of the game by scoring 24 unanswered points. Tight end Pete Metzelaars
recorded a 5-yard touchdown reception to end a 73-yard drive in the third quarter. In the fourth period, wide receiver Paul Johns caught an 18-yard touchdown and running back David Hughes
, scored on a 2-yard run.
's 18-yard touchdown pass to Drew Hill
after an 85-yard drive. The Cowboys then tied the game just before halftime after quarterback Danny White
capped a 70-yard drive with a 14-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Tony Hill
. Dallas then took the lead in the third period with Rafael Septien
's 41-yard field goal. But then the Rams took advantage of the Cowboys' turnovers. Los Angeles' Mike Wilcher
recovered a muffed punt at the Dallas 16-yard line, setting up wide receiver Preston Dennard
's 16-yard touchdown reception. Then linebacker Jim Collins
' interception set up Ferragamo's 8 yard pass to wide receiver George Farmer
. Finally, defensive back LeRoy Irvin
's 94-yard interception return set up Mike Lansford
's 20-yard field goal. By the time White threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Doug Cosbie
, the game was out of reach.
rushed for 113 yards and 2 touchdowns. Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino
threw two touchdown passes in the second quarter: A 19-yard pass to tight end Dan Johnson and a 32-yard pass to wide receiver Mark Duper
. Seattle's only score in the first half was quarterback Dave Krieg's 6-yard touchdown pass to running back Cullen Bryant
. In the third quarter, a fumble led to Warner's 1-yard touchdown. A fourth quarter interception from Marino then led to Norm Johnson
's 27-yard field goal to give Seattle a 17-13 lead. After the Dolphins regained the lead off of running back Woody Bennett
's 3-yard touchdown, Seattle responded with Warner's 2-yard touchdown. On the ensuing kickoff, Miami returner Fulton Walker fumbled, setting up Norm Johnson's 37-yard field goal.
threw two interceptions that led to two touchdowns by the 49ers: a 1-yard score from running back Roger Craig and a 2-yarder from running back Wendell Tyler
. Murray then scored two more field goals in the second quarter, a 21- and a 54-yarder, before San Francisco kicker Ray Wersching
made a 19-yard filed goal in the third period. In the fourth quarter, running back Billy Sims
scored two touchdowns to give the Lions a 23-17 lead with five minutes left to play. But then 49ers quarterback Joe Montana
completed 6 consecutive passes, including a 14-yard touchdown pass to Freddie Solomon
to retake the lead. Danielson then completed 4 passes to set up Murray's 43-yard field goal attempt with 5 seconds remaining, but the kicker missed and San Francisco escaped with the win.
rushing six times for 23 yards and scoring with a 3-yard touchdown run. Five minutes later, quarterback Joe Theismann
threw a 40-yard touchdown to receiver Art Monk
. An interception by Anthony Washington then set up kicker Mark Moseley
's 42-yard field goal with less than a minute left in the first quarter. Then early in the second period, Nick Giaquinto
returned a punt 48 yards to set up a one-yard touchdown run by Riggins to give the Redskins a 24-0 lead with nearly 14 minutes left until halftime. Moseley's two field goals were the only scoring in the third quarter. Then in the fourth quarter, defensive back Darrell Green
intercepted Rams quarterback Vince Ferragamo's pass after it bounced off running back Eric Dickerson
and returned it 72 yards for a touchdown.
Riggins recorded 119 yards and three touchdowns. Theismann completed 18 out of 23 passes for 302 and two touchdowns with no interceptions. Washington receiver Charlie Brown caught 6 passes for 171 yards. Meanwhile, Ferragamo was limited to just 20 of 43 completions for 175 yards and a touchdown, with 3 interceptions. And Dickerson, who led the league in rushing during the regular season, was limited to only 16 yards on 10 carries, and 9 yards on 6 receptions.
returned an interception 18 yards for a touchdown. A 4-yard touchdown by running back Marcus Allen
and a 45-yard field goal gave the Raiders a 17-3 lead. The Raiders then scored three touchdowns in the third period, including Allen's 49-yard run. Allen finished the game with 121 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns on just 13 carries, while also catching 5 passes for 38 yards. The Steelers' lone score in the second half was wide receiver John Stallworth
's 58-yard touchdown reception.
overcoming an awful day and kicking the winning field goal.
The first quarter was scoreless. The closest either team came was Washington's drive inside the 49ers 30-yard line that ended when Joe Washington
lost a fumble that was recovered by San Francisco lineman Lawrence Pillers
. In the second quarter, Washington managed to fool the 49ers with a trick play when punt returner Nick Giaquinto
threw the ball across the field to Darrell Green
who took it all the way to the end zone, but Giaquinto inadvertently threw a forward pass rather than a lateral and the score was called back. The Redskins still managed to drive into 49ers territory, but ended up with no points when Moseley drove a 45-yard field goal attempt wide right.
After forcing a punt, Joe Theismann
's 46-yard completion to tight end Clint Didier
moved the ball to the 49ers 18-yard line, setting up a 4-yard touchdown run by fullback John Riggins
with 6:16 left in the half. Later in the quarter, the Redskins drove deep into San Francisco territory, featuring a first down run by Jeff Hayes
on a fake punt, but once again Moseley sent a field goal wide right, this time from 35 yards, and the score remained 7-0 at the end of the half.
San Francisco started the second half with a drive into Washington territory, aided by a controversial ruling in which running back Wendell Tyler
dropped the ball just a second after catching it and then dove on it. Officials ruled the play a fumble and recovery for the 49ers rather than an incompletion. But kicker Ray Wersching
later slipped on the muddy field while attempting a 50-yard field goal and it fell well short. On Washington's next drive, they ran another trick play, this time a pass from Riggins, who threw a 36-yard completion to Charlie Brown inside the 49ers 15-yard line. But all that led to was Moseley's third missed field goal of the day, this one from 38 yards, that he once again sent wide right.
Midway through the third quarter, San Francisco receiver Freddie Solomon
lost a fumble while being tackled by Green that linebacker Rich Milot recovered on the 49ers 36-yard line. A few plays later, a pass interference penalty on defensive back Ronnie Lott
moved the ball to the 6-yard line, and Riggins took it the final six yards to the end zone with two more runs, making the score 14-0. Then on their next drive, Theismann completed a 70-yard touchdown pass to Brown, giving Washington a 21-0 lead with just over a minute left until the final period.
But with 14:37 left in the game, 49ers quarterback Joe Montana
completed a 5-yard touchdown pass to Mike Wilson
. San Francisco subsequently forced a punt, but returner Dana McLemore
fumbled the ball and Washington's Mark Murphy
recovered it. Still, the Redskins were unable to capitalize, failing to get a first down and once again coming up empty when Moseley missed his fourth field goal of the day, a 41 yarder. On the next play, Solomon scored a 76-yard touchdown reception from Montana. Later with 7:08 remaining, Wilson tied the game, 21-21 with a 12-yard touchdown reception.
The Redskins then marched on a 13-play, 78-yard drive that took 6:12 off the clock and set up Moseley's 25-yard field goal with 40 seconds left in the game. This possession was aided by two controversial penalties:
The 49ers got the ball back one last time, but Montana was intercepted by Vernon Dean
on the final play of the game, sealing Washington's victory.
Brown finished the game with 5 receptions for 137 yards and a touchdown, while Riggins rushed for 123 yards and 2 scores. In addition, his 36-yard completion to Brown was the only completion he would ever throw during his 14-season career. This was the only postseason meeting between Hall of Fame coaches Bill Walsh and Joe Gibbs
, two of the most successful coaches of the 1980s.
The game was featured as part of the NFL's Greatest Games
, known as The Forgotten Classic.
The Raiders jumped to a 20-0 halftime lead en route to a 30-14 victory. The Seahawks were held to 65 rushing yards while Raiders Running back Marcus Allen
ran for 154 yards, caught 7 passes for 62 yards, and scored 2 touchdowns. Lester Hayes
' interception on Seattle's first drive of the game set up a 20-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Raiders running back Frank Hawkins
then scored two touchdowns. In the second half, Seahawks starting quarterback Dave Krieg was benched and replaced by Jim Zorn
. Zorn threw two touchdown passes, but it was not enough as Allen's 3-yard touchdown reception and another Raiders field goal put the game away. Seahawks running back Curt Warner
, the AFC's leading rusher during the regular season, was held to just 26 yards on 11 carries.
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 1983 NFL season
1983 NFL season
The 1983 NFL season was the 64th regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XVIII when the Los Angeles Raiders defeated the Washington Redskins.-Major rule changes:...
led up to Super Bowl XVIII
Super Bowl XVIII
Super Bowl XVIII was an American football game played on January 22, 1984, at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, Florida, deciding the National Football League champion following the 1983 regular season. The American Football Conference champion Los Angeles Raiders defeated the National Football Conference...
.
Due to Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
, the two wild card playoff games were played in a span of three days.
Note: As per the rules of the NFL playoffs prior to the 1990 season
1990 NFL season
The 1990 NFL season was the 71st regular season of the National Football League. To increase revenue, the league changed the regular season so that all NFL teams would play their 16-game schedule over a 17-week period...
(notwithstanding the strike-shortened 1982 season
1982 NFL season
The 1982 NFL season was the 63rd regular season of the National Football League. A 57-day long players' strike reduced the 1982 season from a 16-game schedule per team to an abbreviated nine game schedule...
), the Los Angeles Raiders (the AFC 1 seed) did not play the Seattle Seahawks (the 4 seed) in the Divisional playoff round because both teams were in the same division.
AFC: Seattle Seahawks 31, Denver Broncos 7
The Seahawks won their first playoff game in team history with quarterback Dave KriegDave Krieg
David Michael Krieg is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League. He attended Milton College and made the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent...
's 200 passing yards and 3 touchdowns. They also got a big performance out of rookie running back Curt Warner
Curt Warner
Curtis Edward Warner is a former professional American football running back. A two-time All-American at Penn State University, Warner was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft...
, who rushed for 99 yards and caught 3 passes for 22 yards. Seattle scored first with Krieg's 17-yard pass to wide receiver Steve Largent
Steve Largent
Steven Michael "Steve" Largent is a retired American football player, enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and a former U.S. Congressman, having served in the U.S. House of Representatives for Oklahoma from 1994 until 2002...
, but the Broncos responded before the end of the first quarter with Jesse Myles' 13-yard touchdown reception from Steve DeBerg
Steve 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...
. The Seahawks then controlled the rest of the game by scoring 24 unanswered points. Tight end Pete Metzelaars
Pete Metzelaars
Peter Henry Metzelaars is a former American football tight end who played for the Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, and Detroit Lions in a sixteen-year career in the National Football League...
recorded a 5-yard touchdown reception to end a 73-yard drive in the third quarter. In the fourth period, wide receiver Paul Johns caught an 18-yard touchdown and running back David Hughes
David Hughes (American football)
David Augustus Hughes III is a former professional American football player from Kailua. He played six seasons in the National Football League, the first five with the Seattle Seahawks and the final one with the Pittsburgh Steelers...
, scored on a 2-yard run.
NFC: Los Angeles Rams 24, Dallas Cowboys 17
The Rams converted 3 turnovers in the second half into 17 points to upset the heavily favored Cowboys in Texas. Los Angeles scored first in the first quarter on quarterback Vince FerragamoVince Ferragamo
Vince Anthony Ferragamo is a former professional football player, a quarterback in the National Football League and Canadian Football League.-College career:...
's 18-yard touchdown pass to Drew Hill
Drew Hill
Andrew Hill was a former professional American football player who was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the 12th round of the 1979 NFL Draft....
after an 85-yard drive. The Cowboys then tied the game just before halftime after quarterback Danny White
Danny White
Wilford Daniel "Danny" White is a former quarterback and punter for the Dallas Cowboys, an American football coach in the Arena Football League and also occasionally appears as an analyst on broadcasts of college football games. He was named the head coach of the Arena Football League expansion...
capped a 70-yard drive with a 14-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Tony Hill
Tony Hill (American football)
Leroy Anthony Hill, Jr. is a former professional American football wide receiver who played ten seasons in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys from 1977 to 1986...
. Dallas then took the lead in the third period with Rafael Septien
Rafael Septien
Jose Rafael Septien was a Mexican placekicker in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys from 1978 through 1986. He was the leading scorer for the Cowboys those nine years...
's 41-yard field goal. But then the Rams took advantage of the Cowboys' turnovers. Los Angeles' Mike Wilcher
Mike Wilcher
Michael Wilcher was a former NFL linebacker. He is a graduate from the University of North Carolina who played pro football from 1983–1990 for the Los Angeles Rams and San Diego Chargers....
recovered a muffed punt at the Dallas 16-yard line, setting up wide receiver Preston Dennard
Preston Dennard
Preston Jackson Dennard is a former professional American football wide receiver in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams, the Buffalo Bills and the Green Bay Packers. He played college football at the University of New Mexico....
's 16-yard touchdown reception. Then linebacker Jim Collins
Jim Collins (football player)
James Brian Collins is a former American football linebacker and National Football League Pro Bowler....
' interception set up Ferragamo's 8 yard pass to wide receiver George Farmer
George Farmer III
George Farmer III is a former professional American football wide receiver in the National Football League. He played four seasons for the Los Angeles Rams and the Miami Dolphins ....
. Finally, defensive back LeRoy Irvin
Leroy Irvin
Leroy Irvin was a member of the Los Angeles Rams from 1980 to 1989. He played cornerback. He played in the Pro Bowl in 1985 and 1986. He currently holds the record for most punt return yards in a single game against the Atlanta Falcons in 1981. Irvin is one of only a few players in NFL history...
's 94-yard interception return set up Mike Lansford
Mike Lansford
Mike Lansford is a former National Football League placekicker from 1982-1990 for the Los Angeles Rams. In 1989, he led the league with 51 extra points. He is one of seven barefooted kickers in NFL history...
's 20-yard field goal. By the time White threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Doug Cosbie
Doug Cosbie
Douglas Durant Cosbie is a former professional American football player in the National Football League who was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round of the 1979 NFL Draft. A 6'6", 236-lb. tight end from Santa Clara University, Cosbie played his entire NFL career for the Cowboys from...
, the game was out of reach.
AFC: Seattle Seahawks 27, Miami Dolphins 20
The Seahawks converted three turnovers in the second half into 13 points, while running back Curt WarnerCurt Warner
Curtis Edward Warner is a former professional American football running back. A two-time All-American at Penn State University, Warner was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft...
rushed for 113 yards and 2 touchdowns. Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino
Dan Marino
Daniel Constantine "Dan" Marino, Jr. is a retired American football quarterback who played for the Miami Dolphins in the National Football League...
threw two touchdown passes in the second quarter: A 19-yard pass to tight end Dan Johnson and a 32-yard pass to wide receiver Mark Duper
Mark Duper
Mark Super Duper is a former American football wide receiver who played for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League from 1982 to 1992. He played collegiately at Northwestern State University and was selected by the Dolphins in the 2nd round of the 1982 NFL Draft...
. Seattle's only score in the first half was quarterback Dave Krieg's 6-yard touchdown pass to running back Cullen Bryant
Cullen Bryant
William Cullen Bryant was a professional American football player who spent thirteen seasons in the National Football League as a running back and return specialist for the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks...
. In the third quarter, a fumble led to Warner's 1-yard touchdown. A fourth quarter interception from Marino then led to 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...
's 27-yard field goal to give Seattle a 17-13 lead. After the Dolphins regained the lead off of running back Woody Bennett
Woody Bennett
Woodrow Bennett, Jr. Woodrow Bennett, Jr. Woodrow Bennett, Jr. (born March 24, 1956 in York, Pennsylvania is a former professional American football player who played running back for ten seasons for the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins.----About Woody Bennett NOW Spiritual Life Coach:...
's 3-yard touchdown, Seattle responded with Warner's 2-yard touchdown. On the ensuing kickoff, Miami returner Fulton Walker fumbled, setting up Norm Johnson's 37-yard field goal.
NFC: San Francisco 49ers 24, Detroit Lions 23
Lions kicker Eddie Murray made 3 field goals but missed the winning 43-yard attempt with 5 seconds left in the game. Murray put the Lions in the lead first with a 37-yard kick, but then Detroit quarterback Gary DanielsonGary Danielson
Gary Danielson is a former professional football player, a quarterback in the National Football League . He played for the Detroit Lions from 1976 to 1984 and for the Cleveland Browns in 1985, 1987, and 1988...
threw two interceptions that led to two touchdowns by the 49ers: a 1-yard score from running back Roger Craig and a 2-yarder from running back Wendell Tyler
Wendell Tyler
Wendell Avery Tyler , is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the 3rd round of the 1977 NFL Draft. A 5'10", 198 lbs...
. Murray then scored two more field goals in the second quarter, a 21- and a 54-yarder, before San Francisco kicker Ray Wersching
Ray Wersching
Raimund "Ray" Wersching is an Austrian former placekicker in the National Football League . He played in the NFL for a span of 15 years, stretching from 1973 through 1987.-NFL career:...
made a 19-yard filed goal in the third period. In the fourth quarter, running back Billy Sims
Billy Sims
Billy Sims is a former college football and NFL running back. He won the Heisman Trophy in 1978.-Early years:...
scored two touchdowns to give the Lions a 23-17 lead with five minutes left to play. But then 49ers quarterback Joe Montana
Joe Montana
Joseph Clifford "Joe" Montana, Jr. , nicknamed Joe Cool, Golden Joe, The Golden Great and Comeback Joe, is a retired American football player. Montana started his NFL career in 1979 with the San Francisco 49ers, where he played quarterback for the next 14 seasons...
completed 6 consecutive passes, including a 14-yard touchdown pass to Freddie Solomon
Freddie Solomon
.Freddie Solomon , is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the 2nd round of the 1975 NFL Draft. A 5'11", 184-lb. wide receiver from the University of Tampa, Solomon played in 11 NFL seasons for the Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers from 1975 to 1985...
to retake the lead. Danielson then completed 4 passes to set up Murray's 43-yard field goal attempt with 5 seconds remaining, but the kicker missed and San Francisco escaped with the win.
NFC: Washington Redskins 51, Los Angeles Rams 7
The Redskins crushed the Rams by scoring on their first five possessions to build a 51-7 win, the largest margin of victory in any game in their team history. Washington drove 65 yards in eight plays on their opening possession, with Running back John RigginsJohn 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....
rushing six times for 23 yards and scoring with a 3-yard touchdown run. Five minutes later, quarterback Joe Theismann
Joe Theismann
Joseph Robert "Joe" Theismann is a former quarterback in the National Football League and Canadian Football League . He achieved his most enduring fame in his 12 seasons playing for the Washington Redskins, where he was a two-time Pro Bowler and quarterback of the winning team in Super Bowl XVII...
threw a 40-yard touchdown to receiver 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...
. An interception by Anthony Washington then set up kicker Mark Moseley
Mark Moseley
Mark DeWayne Moseley is a former professional American football placekicker in the National Football League who played for the Philadelphia Eagles , the Houston Oilers , the Washington Redskins , and the Cleveland Browns . He won the Most Valuable Player Award during the strike-shortened 1982 season...
's 42-yard field goal with less than a minute left in the first quarter. Then early in the second period, Nick Giaquinto
Nick Giaquinto
Nicholas Albert Giaquinto is a former American football running back in the National Football League for the Miami Dolphins and the Washington Redskins. Giaquinto played in the 1982 and 1983 Super Bowls with the Redskins and retired after the 1983 season, ending his four-year NFL career...
returned a punt 48 yards to set up a one-yard touchdown run by Riggins to give the Redskins a 24-0 lead with nearly 14 minutes left until halftime. Moseley's two field goals were the only scoring in the third quarter. Then in the fourth quarter, defensive back 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...
intercepted Rams quarterback Vince Ferragamo's pass after it bounced off running back Eric Dickerson
Eric Dickerson
Eric Demetric Dickerson is a former professional running back in the National Football League who in his career played for the Los Angeles Rams, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Raiders, and Atlanta Falcons.-College career:...
and returned it 72 yards for a touchdown.
Riggins recorded 119 yards and three touchdowns. Theismann completed 18 out of 23 passes for 302 and two touchdowns with no interceptions. Washington receiver Charlie Brown caught 6 passes for 171 yards. Meanwhile, Ferragamo was limited to just 20 of 43 completions for 175 yards and a touchdown, with 3 interceptions. And Dickerson, who led the league in rushing during the regular season, was limited to only 16 yards on 10 carries, and 9 yards on 6 receptions.
AFC: Los Angeles Raiders 38, Pittsburgh Steelers 10
The Raiders scored 3 touchdowns in the third quarter en route to a 38-10 win over the Steelers. In the first quarter, Pittsburgh advanced on a 78-yard drive, but when faced with fourth down and inches near the goal line, they opted for kicker Gary Anderson's 17-yard field goal. But the Raiders controlled the rest of the game, as Lester HayesLester Hayes
Lester Hayes is a former professional American football player for the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders of the National Football League....
returned an interception 18 yards for a touchdown. A 4-yard touchdown by running back Marcus Allen
Marcus Allen
Marcus LeMarr Allen is a former American football player and, until recently, was affiliated with CBS as a game analyst. As a professional, Allen ran for 12,243 yards and caught 587 passes for 5,412 yards during his career for both the Los Angeles Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs from 1982 to 1997...
and a 45-yard field goal gave the Raiders a 17-3 lead. The Raiders then scored three touchdowns in the third period, including Allen's 49-yard run. Allen finished the game with 121 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns on just 13 carries, while also catching 5 passes for 38 yards. The Steelers' lone score in the second half was wide receiver John Stallworth
John Stallworth
Johnny Lee Stallworth is a former American football wide receiver who played fourteen seasons in the National Football League for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played college football at Alabama A&M, and was the Steelers' fourth-round draft pick in 1974. Stallworth played in six AFC championships,...
's 58-yard touchdown reception.
NFC Championship: Washington Redskins 24, San Francisco 49ers 21
After the 49ers overcame a 21-0 deficit in the fourth quarter, two controversial penalties against San Francisco led to the Redskins' kicker Mark MoseleyMark Moseley
Mark DeWayne Moseley is a former professional American football placekicker in the National Football League who played for the Philadelphia Eagles , the Houston Oilers , the Washington Redskins , and the Cleveland Browns . He won the Most Valuable Player Award during the strike-shortened 1982 season...
overcoming an awful day and kicking the winning field goal.
The first quarter was scoreless. The closest either team came was Washington's drive inside the 49ers 30-yard line that ended when Joe Washington
Joe Washington
Joe Dan Washington, Jr is a former American football running back in the National Football League for the San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Colts, Washington Redskins, and Atlanta Falcons.-Early career:...
lost a fumble that was recovered by San Francisco lineman Lawrence Pillers
Lawrence Pillers
Lawrence Pillers is a former American football defensive end who played for the New York Jets, the San Francisco 49ers and the Atlanta Falcons in a ten year career that lasted from 1976 to 1985 in the National Football League.Pillers played college football at Alcorn State University and was...
. In the second quarter, Washington managed to fool the 49ers with a trick play when punt returner Nick Giaquinto
Nick Giaquinto
Nicholas Albert Giaquinto is a former American football running back in the National Football League for the Miami Dolphins and the Washington Redskins. Giaquinto played in the 1982 and 1983 Super Bowls with the Redskins and retired after the 1983 season, ending his four-year NFL career...
threw the ball across the field to 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...
who took it all the way to the end zone, but Giaquinto inadvertently threw a forward pass rather than a lateral and the score was called back. The Redskins still managed to drive into 49ers territory, but ended up with no points when Moseley drove a 45-yard field goal attempt wide right.
After forcing a punt, Joe Theismann
Joe Theismann
Joseph Robert "Joe" Theismann is a former quarterback in the National Football League and Canadian Football League . He achieved his most enduring fame in his 12 seasons playing for the Washington Redskins, where he was a two-time Pro Bowler and quarterback of the winning team in Super Bowl XVII...
's 46-yard completion to tight end Clint Didier
Clint Didier
Clint Bradley Didier is a former professional American football player. He was a tight end in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins from 1982 to 1987 and for the Green Bay Packers from 1988 to 1989...
moved the ball to the 49ers 18-yard line, setting up a 4-yard touchdown run by fullback 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....
with 6:16 left in the half. Later in the quarter, the Redskins drove deep into San Francisco territory, featuring a first down run by Jeff Hayes
Jeff Hayes
Jeffrey Clyde Hayes is a former American football punter in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, Cincinnati Bengals, and the Miami Dolphins. He played in Super Bowl XVII and XVIII for the Washington Redskins. Hayes played college football at the University of North Carolina...
on a fake punt, but once again Moseley sent a field goal wide right, this time from 35 yards, and the score remained 7-0 at the end of the half.
San Francisco started the second half with a drive into Washington territory, aided by a controversial ruling in which running back Wendell Tyler
Wendell Tyler
Wendell Avery Tyler , is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the 3rd round of the 1977 NFL Draft. A 5'10", 198 lbs...
dropped the ball just a second after catching it and then dove on it. Officials ruled the play a fumble and recovery for the 49ers rather than an incompletion. But kicker Ray Wersching
Ray Wersching
Raimund "Ray" Wersching is an Austrian former placekicker in the National Football League . He played in the NFL for a span of 15 years, stretching from 1973 through 1987.-NFL career:...
later slipped on the muddy field while attempting a 50-yard field goal and it fell well short. On Washington's next drive, they ran another trick play, this time a pass from Riggins, who threw a 36-yard completion to Charlie Brown inside the 49ers 15-yard line. But all that led to was Moseley's third missed field goal of the day, this one from 38 yards, that he once again sent wide right.
Midway through the third quarter, San Francisco receiver Freddie Solomon
Freddie Solomon
.Freddie Solomon , is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the 2nd round of the 1975 NFL Draft. A 5'11", 184-lb. wide receiver from the University of Tampa, Solomon played in 11 NFL seasons for the Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers from 1975 to 1985...
lost a fumble while being tackled by Green that linebacker Rich Milot recovered on the 49ers 36-yard line. A few plays later, a pass interference penalty on defensive back Ronnie Lott
Ronnie Lott
Ronald Mandel "Ronnie" Lott is a former American football player who starred as a cornerback, free safety, and strong safety in college football and the NFL. He is most well known for his crushing hits on opposing players...
moved the ball to the 6-yard line, and Riggins took it the final six yards to the end zone with two more runs, making the score 14-0. Then on their next drive, Theismann completed a 70-yard touchdown pass to Brown, giving Washington a 21-0 lead with just over a minute left until the final period.
But with 14:37 left in the game, 49ers quarterback Joe Montana
Joe Montana
Joseph Clifford "Joe" Montana, Jr. , nicknamed Joe Cool, Golden Joe, The Golden Great and Comeback Joe, is a retired American football player. Montana started his NFL career in 1979 with the San Francisco 49ers, where he played quarterback for the next 14 seasons...
completed a 5-yard touchdown pass to Mike Wilson
Mike Wilson (wide receiver)
Michael Ruben Wilson is a former professional American football wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers from 1981 to 1990. He played football collegiately at Washington State University and was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 9th round of the 1981 NFL Draft...
. San Francisco subsequently forced a punt, but returner Dana McLemore
Dana McLemore
Dana McLemore is a former professional American football cornerback in the National Football League for the San Francisco 49ers and the New Orleans Saints. He played his high school football at Venice High School and college football at the University of Hawaii....
fumbled the ball and Washington's Mark Murphy
Mark Murphy
Mark Murphy may refer to:*Mark Murphy , American ice hockey player who plays for the DEG Metro Stars *Mark Murphy , retired American football player, now President and CEO of the Green Bay Packers...
recovered it. Still, the Redskins were unable to capitalize, failing to get a first down and once again coming up empty when Moseley missed his fourth field goal of the day, a 41 yarder. On the next play, Solomon scored a 76-yard touchdown reception from Montana. Later with 7:08 remaining, Wilson tied the game, 21-21 with a 12-yard touchdown reception.
The Redskins then marched on a 13-play, 78-yard drive that took 6:12 off the clock and set up Moseley's 25-yard field goal with 40 seconds left in the game. This possession was aided by two controversial penalties:
- On second down and 10 on the San Francisco 45-yard line, Theismann threw a long incompletion intended for wide receiver Art MonkArt MonkJames 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...
, but cornerback Eric Wright was called for pass interference at the 18-yard line. It seemed that nobody had a reasonable chance to catch the ball, which, under the rule, would have nullified any pass interference penalty. - On third down and 5 from the San Francisco 13-yard line, cornerback Ronnie LottRonnie LottRonald Mandel "Ronnie" Lott is a former American football player who starred as a cornerback, free safety, and strong safety in college football and the NFL. He is most well known for his crushing hits on opposing players...
was called for holding on what seemed to be a harmless act with Brown far away from where the pass fell incomplete.
The 49ers got the ball back one last time, but Montana was intercepted by Vernon Dean
Vernon Dean
Wellington Vernon Dean is a former professional American football cornerback in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and Seattle Seahawks...
on the final play of the game, sealing Washington's victory.
Brown finished the game with 5 receptions for 137 yards and a touchdown, while Riggins rushed for 123 yards and 2 scores. In addition, his 36-yard completion to Brown was the only completion he would ever throw during his 14-season career. This was the only postseason meeting between Hall of Fame coaches Bill Walsh and Joe Gibbs
Joe Gibbs
Joe Jackson Gibbs is a former American football coach, NASCAR Championship team owner, and two time NHRA Pro Stock team owner. He was the 20th and 26th head coach in the history of the Washington Redskins...
, two of the most successful coaches of the 1980s.
The game was featured as part of the NFL's Greatest Games
NFL's Greatest Games
NFL's Greatest Games is a series of 90-minute television programs that air on NFL Network, ESPN and related networks. They are condensed versions of some of the most famous games in the history of the National Football League, using footage and sound captured by NFL Films, as well as original...
, known as The Forgotten Classic.
AFC Championship: Los Angeles Raiders 30, Seattle Seahawks 14
Seattle had defeated Los Angeles twice during the regular season, but this game had a very different outcome.The Raiders jumped to a 20-0 halftime lead en route to a 30-14 victory. The Seahawks were held to 65 rushing yards while Raiders Running back Marcus Allen
Marcus Allen
Marcus LeMarr Allen is a former American football player and, until recently, was affiliated with CBS as a game analyst. As a professional, Allen ran for 12,243 yards and caught 587 passes for 5,412 yards during his career for both the Los Angeles Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs from 1982 to 1997...
ran for 154 yards, caught 7 passes for 62 yards, and scored 2 touchdowns. Lester Hayes
Lester Hayes
Lester Hayes is a former professional American football player for the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders of the National Football League....
' interception on Seattle's first drive of the game set up a 20-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Raiders running back Frank Hawkins
Frank Hawkins
Frank Hawkins, Jr. is a former professional football player, a running back who played seven seasons in the NFL with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, from 1981 to 1987.-Football career:...
then scored two touchdowns. In the second half, Seahawks starting quarterback Dave Krieg was benched and replaced by Jim Zorn
Jim Zorn
James Arthur "Jim" Zorn is an American quarterbacks coach in the National Football League. He was formerly the quarterbacks coach for the Baltimore Ravens and now holds that same position with the Kansas City Chiefs...
. Zorn threw two touchdown passes, but it was not enough as Allen's 3-yard touchdown reception and another Raiders field goal put the game away. Seahawks running back Curt Warner
Curt Warner
Curtis Edward Warner is a former professional American football running back. A two-time All-American at Penn State University, Warner was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft...
, the AFC's leading rusher during the regular season, was held to just 26 yards on 11 carries.