NFL playoffs, 1987-88
Encyclopedia
The NFL playoffs
following the 1987 NFL season
led up to Super Bowl XXII
.
's fumble on a bad snap led to Saints quarterback Bobby Hebert
's 10-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Eric Martin. Kramer then had to leave the game midway through the first quarter after reaggravating a pinched nerve in his neck that bothered him throughout the entire season. However, Minnesota took control of the contest from that point on. Backup quarterback Wade Wilson threw two touchdown passes, running back D. J. Dozier
rushed for an 18-yard touchdown, and kicker Chuck Nelson
made 3 field goals. Wide receiver Anthony Carter recorded an NFL playoff record 84-yard punt return for a touchdown, and finished the game with a postseason record 143 total punt return yards. Carter also scored a touchdown on a 10-yard halfback option pass from Allen Rice
. New Orleans' only other score in the game was a 40-yard field goal by Morten Andersen
. Wilson finished the game with 11 of 20 completions for 189 yards and 2 touchdown.
won the game with a 42-yard field goal 8:05 into overtime. Although Houston outgained Seattle with 427 total offensive yards to 250, the game remained close until the very end. The Seahawks scored first on wide receiver Steve Largent
's 20-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Dave Krieg
. The Oilers then scored 13 unanswered points with two field goals by Zendejas and running back Mike Rozier
's 1-yard rushing touchdown. However, Seattle tied the game in the third quarter after kicker Norm Johnson
made his second field goal of the game. Later in the third period, Houston quarterback Warren Moon
threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to Willie Drewrey
to give his team a 20-13 lead. With only 1:47 left in regulation, Krieg threw his second touchdown pass to Largent, a 12-yarder, to tie the game. Largent finished the game with 7 receptions for 132 yards and 2 touchdowns.
interception deep inside his own territory sparked his team to score 17 unanswered points.
Cleveland started off the game with an impressive 15-play, 86-yard drive, converting five third downs on the way to Bernie Kosar
's 15-yard touchdown pass to Earnest Byner
. The Colts stormed right back, as quarterback Jack Trudeau
threw completions for gains of 18 and 21 yards before finishing the drive with a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Pat Beach
. Cleveland responded by driving from their own 35 to the Indianapolis 2-yard line, but on third down and goal, Colts safety Freddie Robinson intercepted Kosar's pass in the end zone. After an exchange of punts, the Browns took a 14-7 lead on Kosar's 39-yard scoring strike to Reggie Langhorne
with 1:51 left in the second quarter. Once again, the Colts responded with a touchdown drive of their own, moving the ball 59 yards in seven plays and tying the score on Trudeau's 19-yard touchdown pass to Eric Dickerson
with 40 second left in the half
Indianapolis took the second half kickoff and stormed down the field, overcoming some blown plays along the way. During the drive, Trudeau was sacked for an 11-yard loss on second down and 11, but a defensive holding penalty negated the play and gave the Colts a first down. Later on, Dickerson fumbled the ball, but Trudeau picked it up and threw a 15-yard first down completion to Bill Brooks
. Eventually, Indianapolis reached the Browns 20-yard line, but blitzing linebacker Eddie Johnson hit Trudeau as he threw a pass, causing the ball to go straight up in the air where it was intercepted by Wright at the 14.
After the interception, Kosar completed 5 of 7 passes for 65 yards while Byner rushed six times for 20 and capped off the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run, putting the Browns back in the lead, 21-14. Then after forcing a punt, Matt Bahr
's 22-yard field goal gave the Browns a 10-point lead with just over 11 minutes left in the game. Following another punt, Byner fumbled the ball on a 25-yard run, but running back Herman Fontenot recovered the ball at the Colts 6-yard line, turning the play into a 41-yard gain. Three plays later, Kosar's 2-yard touchdown pass to receiver Brian Brennan
made the score 31-14 with 3:44 left.
However, the Colts were not quite out of the game. With 1:07 remaining in regulation, Albert Bentley
's 1-yard touchdown run cut the score to 31-21. Then Indianapolis recovered an onside kick
on their own 41-yard line. But on the first play after that, Browns defensive end Al Baker
sacked Trudeau for a 9-yard loss, knocking him out of the game. One play later, backup quarterback Sean Salisbury
's pass was intercepted by Frank Minnifield
, who returned the ball 48 yards for a touchdown to put the game away.
Byner finished the game with 122 rushing yards, 4 receptions for 36 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Kosar completed 20 of 31 passes for 229 yards and 3 touchdowns, with 1 interception.
's 23-yard field goal and defensive back Najee Mustafaa
a.k.a. Reggie Rutland's 45-yard interception return for a touchdown. In the third period, San Francisco defensive back Jeff Fuller returned an interception 48 yard for a touchdown, but it was countered with Wilson's 5-yard touchdown pass to Hassan Jones
. 49ers backup quarterback Steve Young
, who replaced starter Joe Montana
midway through the game, scored a rushing touchdown and threw another. But it was not enough as Nelson made 3 more field goals in the second half to put the game out of reach.
Until 2008, this was the last time the #1 seed in the NFC did not advance to the NFC Championship game.
then threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Ron Morris
. However, Washington tied the game before halftime with George Rogers
's 3-yard touchdown run and quarterback Doug Williams' 18-yard touchdown pass to tight end Clint Didier
. In the third quarter, Redskins cornerback Darrell Green
scored on a 52-yard punt return for a touchdown, a play made even more memorable when Green injured his ribs hurdling over a Chicago defender en route to the end zone. Chicago responded with kicker Kevin Butler
's 25-yard field goal, but were shut down for the rest of the game. This was the final game in the Hall-of-Fame career of Bears running back Walter Payton
, who rushed for 85 yards and caught 3 passes for 20 yards.
by Oilers quarterback Warren Moon at the Houston 1-yard line, setting up Gene Lang's 1-yard rushing touchdown. Then on the Oilers next drive, linebacker Karl Mecklenburg intercepted a pass, and Broncos quarterback John Elway
completed a 27-yard touchdown pass to tight end Clarence Kay. Both teams exchanged field goals in the second period before Elway threw a 1-yard touchdown to Kay. In the fourth quarter, Moon completed a 19-yard touchdown to wide receiver Ernest Givins, but it was countered with Elway's 3-yard touchdown run.
Broncos receiver Vance Johnson
caught 4 passes for 105 yards, but was injured in the game and had to miss the rest of the postseason.
's 42-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Doug Williams. However, Minnesota tied the game before halftime with quarterback Wade Wilson's 23-yard touchdown pass to Leo Lewis
. In the third quarter, Redskins linebacker Mel Kaufman returned an interception 10 yards to the Minnesota 17-yard line to set up kicker Ali Haji-Sheikh
's 28-yard field goal. In the final period, Vikings kicker Chuck Nelson
made an 18-yard field goal to tie the game, 10-10. The Redskins then marched 70 yards to score on Williams' 7-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Gary Clark
to take the lead, 17-10, with 5:06 remaining in the game. Minnesota then advanced to the Washington 6-yard line, but Wilson's fourth down pass, intended for running back Darrin Nelson
was dropped. With 52 seconds remaining, the Redskins ran out the clock.
when Browns running back Earnest Byner
fumbled at the Broncos' 3-yard line with 65 seconds remaining. Also, these two teams were scheduled to meet during the regular season, however, the game happened to be scheduled during the week of games that was canceled (they were to meet on Monday Night Football
).
Several early Cleveland miscues helped the Broncos jump to an early 14-0 lead. First, Cleveland kick returner Gerald McNeil
was tackled by Tony Boddie on his own 12-yard line. Then after a sack by Denver lineman Simon Fletcher, Bernie Kosar
threw a pass that went through the arms of Webster Slaughter
and into the hands of linebacker Freddie Gilbert on the Browns 17, setting up John Elway
's 8-yard touchdown pass to Ricky Nattiel
. On Cleveland's next drive, FB Kevin Mack
lost a fumble while being tackled by Tony Lilly. One play later, Gene Lang's 42-yard run (easily surpassing the team's longest run of the season; 29 yards) gave Denver a first and goal situation. Elway eventually threw an incomplete pass on third and goal from the Browns 3-yard line, but a defensive holding penalty on Frank Minnifield
gave Denver a first down at the 1, and running back Steve Sewell
scored a touchdown on the next play.
After the ensuing kickoff, Kosar completed a 25-yard pass to tight end Ozzie Newsome
and a 19-yarder to Clarance Weathers on 3rd down and 17 on the way to a 29-yard field goal by Matt Bahr
two minutes into the second quarter. But Denver stormed right back on an 80-yard drive that ended with a 1-yard touchodown run by Lang, making the score 21-3. A sack by Denver's Rulon Jones
helped force the Browns to a three and out. This time all the Broncos could manage was a missed field goal by Rich Karlis
. But once again Cleveland could not move the ball and turned it over with a fumble from receiver Brian Brennan
that was recovered by cornerback Randy Robbins. This time the Browns defense stepped up, sacking Elway twice and forcing Denver's first punt of the game. After that, Kosar's 24-yard comepletion to Slaughter set up a 45-yard field goal attempt by Bahr, but he sent it wide right as time expired in the half.
Four plays into the second half, Browns defensive back Felix Wright
intercepted a pass from Elway, setting up Kosar's 18-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Langhorne
. But less than a minute and a half later, Elway threw a short pass to receiver Mark Jackson, who broke a tackle from Mark Harper
and evaded a tackle attempt from Wright on the way to an 80-yard touchdown reception (the longest play in Denver postseason history), giving the Broncos a 28-10 lead. Cleveland responded with two consecutive touchdowns. First Kosar threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to Byner. Then Broncos returner Ken Bell muffed the kickoff and was downed inside his own 10-yard line. Following a three and out, McNeil returned their punt to the Broncos 42. Kosar then completed four consecutive passes en route to a 4-yard touchdown run by Byner, making the score 28-24 with less than four minutes left in the third quarter. Denver struck back with a 38-yard field goal from Karlis to give them a seven point lead going into the final period.
In the fourth quarter, the Browns drove 87 yards and tied the score with Kosar's 4-yard touchdown pass to Webster Slaughter
, but it was countered by Elway's 20-yard touchdown pass to running back Sammy Winder
with 4 minutes left in the game.
After the ensuing kickoff, the Browns got the ball on their own 25-yard line. Byner started out the drive with a 16-yard burst and a 2-yard run, and then Kosar completed two passes to Brennan for 33 total yards. Following an encroachment flag on defensive lineman Andre Townsend
and 6-yard run by Byner, an offsides penalty on Denver linebacker Karl Mecklenburg
moved the ball to the Broncos 8-yard line with 1:12 remaining in regulation. The Browns had moved 67 yards in just six plays covering 2:41. On the next play, Byner took a handoff and appeared to be on his way to score the game-tying touchdown
. But he was stripped of the ball by Broncos defensive back Jeremiah Castille
, and fumble
d at the 3-yard line. The Broncos recovered the fumble (Castille made the recovery), gave the Browns an intentional safety, and went on to win 38-33.
Byner's fumble ruined an otherwise superb performance, as he finished the game with 67 rushing yards, 7 receptions for 120 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Elway finished the game with 14 of 26 completions for 281 yards and 3 touchdowns with 1 interception, and also rushed for 36 yards. His top target was receiver Mark Jackson, who caught 4 passes for 134 yards and a touchdown. Nattiel added 5 receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown.
This game was later featured on NFL's Greatest Games
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 1987 NFL season
1987 NFL season
The 1987 NFL season was the 68th regular season of the National Football League. A 24-day players' strike reduced the 16-game season to 15. The games that were scheduled for the third week of the season were canceled, but the games for weeks 4–6 were played with replacement players...
led up to Super Bowl XXII
Super Bowl XXII
Super Bowl XXII was an American football game played on January 31, 1988 at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California to decide the National Football League champion following the 1987 regular season...
.
NFC: Minnesota Vikings 44, New Orleans Saints 10
In the Saints' first playoff game in history, the Vikings dominated the game by recording 2 sacks, forcing 4 turnovers, and allowing only 149 yards. New Orleans scored first after Vikings quarterback Tommy KramerTommy Kramer
Thomas Francis Kramer is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the NFL from 1977 to 1990...
's fumble on a bad snap led to Saints 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 10-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Eric Martin. Kramer then had to leave the game midway through the first quarter after reaggravating a pinched nerve in his neck that bothered him throughout the entire season. However, Minnesota took control of the contest from that point on. Backup quarterback Wade Wilson threw two touchdown passes, running back D. J. Dozier
D. J. Dozier
William Henry "D.J." Dozier Jr. is a retired American National Football League running back and Major League Baseball outfielder. He played five seasons with the NFL's Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions from 1987 to 1991, and played one season with the MLB's New York Mets in 1992...
rushed for an 18-yard touchdown, and kicker Chuck Nelson
Chuck Nelson
Charles LaVerne Nelson is a former professional American football placekicker for five seasons for the Los Angeles Rams, Buffalo Bills, and the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Washington...
made 3 field goals. Wide receiver Anthony Carter recorded an NFL playoff record 84-yard punt return for a touchdown, and finished the game with a postseason record 143 total punt return yards. Carter also scored a touchdown on a 10-yard halfback option pass from Allen Rice
Allen Rice
Allen Troy Rice is a former professional American football player who played running back for eight seasons for the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers....
. New Orleans' only other score in the game was a 40-yard field goal by 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...
. Wilson finished the game with 11 of 20 completions for 189 yards and 2 touchdown.
AFC: Houston Oilers 23, Seattle Seahawks 20 (OT)
Oilers kicker Tony ZendejasTony Zendejas
Tony Zendejas is a retired Mexican professional athlete. He was a placekicker in American football, playing for the Los Angeles Express, Houston Oilers, the Los Angeles Rams, the Atlanta Falcons and the San Francisco 49ers.-Early life:...
won the game with a 42-yard field goal 8:05 into overtime. Although Houston outgained Seattle with 427 total offensive yards to 250, the game remained close until the very end. The Seahawks scored first on 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...
's 20-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Dave Krieg
Dave 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...
. The Oilers then scored 13 unanswered points with two field goals by Zendejas and running back Mike Rozier
Mike Rozier
Michael Rozier is a former American collegiate and professional football running back who won the Heisman Trophy in 1983. He was born in Camden, New Jersey. Mike and his wife, Rochelle, an attorney, reside in South Jersey and together they have one son. Mike has two other children who reside in...
's 1-yard rushing touchdown. However, Seattle tied the game in the third quarter after kicker 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...
made his second field goal of the game. Later in the third period, Houston 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...
threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to Willie Drewrey
Willie Drewrey
Willie Drewrey is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver for nine seasons for the Houston Oilers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers....
to give his team a 20-13 lead. With only 1:47 left in regulation, Krieg threw his second touchdown pass to Largent, a 12-yarder, to tie the game. Largent finished the game with 7 receptions for 132 yards and 2 touchdowns.
AFC: Cleveland Browns 38, Indianapolis Colts 21
Browns defensive back Felix Wright'sFelix Wright
Felix Carl Wright , is a former professional American football player who played safety from 1985-1992 for the Cleveland Browns and Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League....
interception deep inside his own territory sparked his team to score 17 unanswered points.
Cleveland started off the game with an impressive 15-play, 86-yard drive, converting five third downs on the way to Bernie Kosar
Bernie Kosar
Bernard Joseph "Bernie" Kosar, Jr. is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League. Kosar played for the Cleveland Browns from 1985 to 1993 and then finished his career with the Dallas Cowboys and the Miami Dolphins.-Early life and high school career:A Hungarian-American...
's 15-yard touchdown pass to Earnest Byner
Earnest Byner
Earnest Alexander Byner is a former American football running back in the National Football League and is currently a running backs coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars...
. The Colts stormed right back, as quarterback Jack Trudeau
Jack Trudeau
Jack Francis Trudeau is a former professional American football player and current morning show co-host on Fox Sports Radio. He was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2nd round of the 1986 NFL Draft. A 6'3",...
threw completions for gains of 18 and 21 yards before finishing the drive with a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Pat Beach
Pat Beach
Patrick Jesse Beach was a professional American football tight end in the National Football League for eleven seasons for the Baltimore Colts, Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles, and Phoenix Cardinals. He played college football at Washington State University and was drafted in the sixth...
. Cleveland responded by driving from their own 35 to the Indianapolis 2-yard line, but on third down and goal, Colts safety Freddie Robinson intercepted Kosar's pass in the end zone. After an exchange of punts, the Browns took a 14-7 lead on Kosar's 39-yard scoring strike to Reggie Langhorne
Reggie Langhorne
Reginald "Reggie" Devan Langhorne , is a former professional American football player. He played in the NFL for 9 seasons from 1985 to 1993, playing for the Cleveland Browns and the Indianapolis Colts during that time....
with 1:51 left in the second quarter. Once again, the Colts responded with a touchdown drive of their own, moving the ball 59 yards in seven plays and tying the score on Trudeau's 19-yard touchdown pass to 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:...
with 40 second left in the half
Indianapolis took the second half kickoff and stormed down the field, overcoming some blown plays along the way. During the drive, Trudeau was sacked for an 11-yard loss on second down and 11, but a defensive holding penalty negated the play and gave the Colts a first down. Later on, Dickerson fumbled the ball, but Trudeau picked it up and threw a 15-yard first down completion to Bill Brooks
Bill Brooks (American football)
William T. Brooks, Jr. is a former American football wide receiver who was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth round of the 1986 NFL Draft. A 6'1",...
. Eventually, Indianapolis reached the Browns 20-yard line, but blitzing linebacker Eddie Johnson hit Trudeau as he threw a pass, causing the ball to go straight up in the air where it was intercepted by Wright at the 14.
After the interception, Kosar completed 5 of 7 passes for 65 yards while Byner rushed six times for 20 and capped off the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run, putting the Browns back in the lead, 21-14. Then after forcing a punt, Matt Bahr
Matt Bahr
Matthew David Bahr is a former professional American football placekicker in the National Football League. He attended Neshaminy High School in Langhorne, Pennsylvania where he excelled in both football and soccer...
's 22-yard field goal gave the Browns a 10-point lead with just over 11 minutes left in the game. Following another punt, Byner fumbled the ball on a 25-yard run, but running back Herman Fontenot recovered the ball at the Colts 6-yard line, turning the play into a 41-yard gain. Three plays later, Kosar's 2-yard touchdown pass to receiver Brian Brennan
Brian Brennan
Brian Michael Brennan is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round of the 1984 NFL Draft...
made the score 31-14 with 3:44 left.
However, the Colts were not quite out of the game. With 1:07 remaining in regulation, Albert Bentley
Albert Bentley
Albert Timothy Bentley is a former professional American football player who played running back for eight seasons for the Indianapolis Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers. He also played in the USFL for the Michigan Panthers and the Oakland Invaders. He played high school football at Immokalee High...
's 1-yard touchdown run cut the score to 31-21. Then Indianapolis recovered an 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...
on their own 41-yard line. But on the first play after that, Browns defensive end Al Baker
Al Baker
Al "Bubba" Baker is a former professional American football defensive lineman in the NFL. He went to three Pro Bowls during his career. He was named 1978 Defensive Rookie of the Year....
sacked Trudeau for a 9-yard loss, knocking him out of the game. One play later, backup quarterback Sean Salisbury
Sean Salisbury
Richard Sean Salisbury is an American football analyst, former NFL and CFL quarterback, and actor.-Early life:Salisbury attended Orange Glen High School in Escondido, California...
's pass was intercepted by Frank Minnifield
Frank Minnifield
Frank Minnifield is a former American football player who played defensive back for the Cleveland Browns from 1984-92.Minnifield attended Henry Clay High School in Lexington...
, who returned the ball 48 yards for a touchdown to put the game away.
Byner finished the game with 122 rushing yards, 4 receptions for 36 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Kosar completed 20 of 31 passes for 229 yards and 3 touchdowns, with 1 interception.
NFC: Minnesota Vikings 36, San Francisco 49ers 24
Aided by wide receiver Anthony Carter's 10 receptions for an NFL playoff record 227 receiving yards, the Vikings upset the top seeded 49ers, who had earned the league's best record during the regular season at 13-2. After the teams traded field goals in the first quarter, quarterback Wade Wilson completed a 7-yard touchdown pass to tight end Carl Hilton. Minnesota then jumped to a 20-3 lead before halftime with Chuck NelsonChuck Nelson
Charles LaVerne Nelson is a former professional American football placekicker for five seasons for the Los Angeles Rams, Buffalo Bills, and the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Washington...
's 23-yard field goal and defensive back Najee Mustafaa
Najee Mustafaa
Najee Mustafaa, birth name Reggie Rutland, is a former professional American football player who played safety for seven seasons for the Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, and Oakland Raiders. He played collegiately for the Georgia Tech football team. On October 10, 1993 - he set the club record...
a.k.a. Reggie Rutland's 45-yard interception return for a touchdown. In the third period, San Francisco defensive back Jeff Fuller returned an interception 48 yard for a touchdown, but it was countered with Wilson's 5-yard touchdown pass to Hassan Jones
Hassan Jones
Hassan Ameer Jones , he played for the Clearwater High School Tornadoes, and is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the 5th round of the 1986 NFL Draft . A 6'0", 195-lb. wide receiver from Florida State, Jones played in 8 NFL seasons from 1986...
. 49ers backup quarterback Steve Young
Steve Young (athlete)
Jon Steven "Steve" Young is a former American football quarterback, best known for his time with the NFL's San Francisco 49ers. He also played for the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Los Angeles Express of the United States Football League...
, who replaced starter 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...
midway through the game, scored a rushing touchdown and threw another. But it was not enough as Nelson made 3 more field goals in the second half to put the game out of reach.
Until 2008, this was the last time the #1 seed in the NFC did not advance to the NFC Championship game.
NFC: Washington Redskins 21, Chicago Bears 17
The Redskins overcame a 14-0 Bears lead by scoring three touchdowns. Chicago's first score was running back Calvin Thomas' 2-yard rushing touchdown. Bears quarterback Jim McMahonJim McMahon
James Robert "Jim" McMahon, Jr. is a former American football player. He played college football at Brigham Young University, where he was a two-time All-American and later in the professional ranks with the Chicago Bears, San Diego Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona...
then threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Ron Morris
Ron Morris (American football)
Ronald Wayne "Ron" Morris is a former professional American football wide receiver in the National Football League. He played six seasons for the Chicago Bears...
. However, Washington tied the game before halftime with George Rogers
George Rogers (American football)
George Washington Rogers is a former American football player who achieved distinction in both the college and professional ranks as a running back...
's 3-yard touchdown run and quarterback Doug Williams' 18-yard touchdown pass 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...
. In the third quarter, Redskins 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...
scored on a 52-yard punt return for a touchdown, a play made even more memorable when Green injured his ribs hurdling over a Chicago defender en route to the end zone. Chicago responded with 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...
's 25-yard field goal, but were shut down for the rest of the game. This was the final game in the Hall-of-Fame career of Bears running back Walter Payton
Walter Payton
Walter Jerry Payton was an American football running back who played for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League for thirteen seasons. Walter Payton was known around the NFL as "Sweetness". He is remembered as one of the most prolific running backs in the history of American football...
, who rushed for 85 yards and caught 3 passes for 20 yards.
AFC: Denver Broncos 34, Houston Oilers 10
The Broncos jumped to a 14-0 early lead by converting two turnovers into two touchdowns. Denver defensive back Steve Wilson recovered a lateral passLateral pass
In American football, a lateral pass or lateral, officially backward pass , occurs when the ball carrier throws the football to any teammate behind him or directly next to him...
by Oilers quarterback Warren Moon at the Houston 1-yard line, setting up Gene Lang's 1-yard rushing touchdown. Then on the Oilers next drive, linebacker Karl Mecklenburg intercepted a pass, and Broncos quarterback 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...
completed a 27-yard touchdown pass to tight end Clarence Kay. Both teams exchanged field goals in the second period before Elway threw a 1-yard touchdown to Kay. In the fourth quarter, Moon completed a 19-yard touchdown to wide receiver Ernest Givins, but it was countered with Elway's 3-yard touchdown run.
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...
caught 4 passes for 105 yards, but was injured in the game and had to miss the rest of the postseason.
NFC Championship: Washington Redskins 17, Minnesota Vikings 10
In a defensive battle, the Redskins played a little better by limiting the Vikings to only 76 rushing yards and forcing 8 sacks. Washington scored first on a 98-yard drive that was capped by running back Kelvin BryantKelvin Bryant
Kelvin LeRoy Bryant is a former American football running back in the National Football League and the United States Football League.-College career:...
's 42-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Doug Williams. However, Minnesota tied the game before halftime with quarterback Wade Wilson's 23-yard touchdown pass to Leo Lewis
Leo Lewis (American football)
Leo Lewis is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver for eleven seasons for the Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns. He is the son of College Football Hall of Fame and Canadian Football Hall of Fame running back Leo Lewis.Dr...
. In the third quarter, Redskins linebacker Mel Kaufman returned an interception 10 yards to the Minnesota 17-yard line to set up kicker Ali Haji-Sheikh
Ali Haji-Sheikh
Ali S. Haji-Sheikh is a former American football placekicker for the University of Michigan and for three National Football League teams. Haji-Sheikh spent three seasons playing for the New York Giants. He had a superb rookie season, kicking 35 of 42 field goals and setting a then NFL record...
's 28-yard field goal. In the final period, Vikings kicker Chuck Nelson
Chuck Nelson
Charles LaVerne Nelson is a former professional American football placekicker for five seasons for the Los Angeles Rams, Buffalo Bills, and the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Washington...
made an 18-yard field goal to tie the game, 10-10. The Redskins then marched 70 yards to score on Williams' 7-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver 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:...
to take the lead, 17-10, with 5:06 remaining in the game. Minnesota then advanced to the Washington 6-yard line, but Wilson's fourth down pass, intended for running back Darrin Nelson
Darrin Nelson
Darren Milo Nelson is a former professional American football player in the National Football League....
was dropped. With 52 seconds remaining, the Redskins ran out the clock.
AFC Championship: Denver Broncos 38, Cleveland Browns 33
This game is best remembered for The FumbleThe Fumble
In American football, The Fumble refers to a specific incident in the AFC Championship Game between the Cleveland Browns and the Denver Broncos on January 17, 1988 at Mile High Stadium...
when Browns running back Earnest Byner
Earnest Byner
Earnest Alexander Byner is a former American football running back in the National Football League and is currently a running backs coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars...
fumbled at the Broncos' 3-yard line with 65 seconds remaining. Also, these two teams were scheduled to meet during the regular season, however, the game happened to be scheduled during the week of games that was canceled (they were to meet on Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football is a live broadcast of the National Football League on ESPN. From to it aired on ABC. Monday Night Football was, along with Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Walt Disney anthology television series, one of the longest running prime time commercial network television series...
).
Several early Cleveland miscues helped the Broncos jump to an early 14-0 lead. First, Cleveland kick returner Gerald McNeil
Gerald McNeil
Gerald McNeil is a former professional American football player. He was a wide receiver who often returned punts and kickoffs...
was tackled by Tony Boddie on his own 12-yard line. Then after a sack by Denver lineman Simon Fletcher, Bernie Kosar
Bernie Kosar
Bernard Joseph "Bernie" Kosar, Jr. is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League. Kosar played for the Cleveland Browns from 1985 to 1993 and then finished his career with the Dallas Cowboys and the Miami Dolphins.-Early life and high school career:A Hungarian-American...
threw a pass that went through the arms of Webster Slaughter
Webster Slaughter
Webster Melvin Slaughter is a former American football wide receiver who played in the National Football League from 1986 to 1998....
and into the hands of linebacker Freddie Gilbert on the Browns 17, setting up 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...
's 8-yard touchdown pass to Ricky Nattiel
Ricky Nattiel
Richard Rennard "Ricky" Nattiel is a former American college and professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League for six seasons during the 1980s and 1990s...
. On Cleveland's next drive, FB Kevin Mack
Kevin Mack
James Kevin Mack is a former professional American football player who played running back.-Early life:Mack was born in Kings Mountain, North Carolina...
lost a fumble while being tackled by Tony Lilly. One play later, Gene Lang's 42-yard run (easily surpassing the team's longest run of the season; 29 yards) gave Denver a first and goal situation. Elway eventually threw an incomplete pass on third and goal from the Browns 3-yard line, but a defensive holding penalty on Frank Minnifield
Frank Minnifield
Frank Minnifield is a former American football player who played defensive back for the Cleveland Browns from 1984-92.Minnifield attended Henry Clay High School in Lexington...
gave Denver a first down at the 1, and 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...
scored a touchdown on the next play.
After the ensuing kickoff, Kosar completed a 25-yard pass to tight end Ozzie Newsome
Ozzie Newsome
Ozzie Newsome Jr. and a 1974 graduate of Colbert County High School in Leighton, Alabama, is a former American football tight end for the Cleveland Browns, an inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the current General Manager of the Baltimore Ravens.-College career:Before his NFL career,...
and a 19-yarder to Clarance Weathers on 3rd down and 17 on the way to a 29-yard field goal by Matt Bahr
Matt Bahr
Matthew David Bahr is a former professional American football placekicker in the National Football League. He attended Neshaminy High School in Langhorne, Pennsylvania where he excelled in both football and soccer...
two minutes into the second quarter. But Denver stormed right back on an 80-yard drive that ended with a 1-yard touchodown run by Lang, making the score 21-3. A sack by Denver's Rulon Jones
Rulon Jones
Rulon Jones is a retired American football defensive lineman.Jones was drafted out of the Utah State University in the 1980 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. He played his entire career in Denver. During his career, Jones played in 129 games and recorded 52.5 official quarterback sacks...
helped force the Browns to a three and out. This time all the Broncos could manage was a missed field goal by Rich Karlis
Rich Karlis
Richard John Karlis is a former American Football placekicker who played nine seasons for the Denver Broncos, the Minnesota Vikings, and the Detroit Lions in the National Football League from 1982 to 1990...
. But once again Cleveland could not move the ball and turned it over with a fumble from receiver Brian Brennan
Brian Brennan
Brian Michael Brennan is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round of the 1984 NFL Draft...
that was recovered by cornerback Randy Robbins. This time the Browns defense stepped up, sacking Elway twice and forcing Denver's first punt of the game. After that, Kosar's 24-yard comepletion to Slaughter set up a 45-yard field goal attempt by Bahr, but he sent it wide right as time expired in the half.
Four plays into the second half, Browns defensive back Felix Wright
Felix Wright
Felix Carl Wright , is a former professional American football player who played safety from 1985-1992 for the Cleveland Browns and Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League....
intercepted a pass from Elway, setting up Kosar's 18-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Langhorne
Reggie Langhorne
Reginald "Reggie" Devan Langhorne , is a former professional American football player. He played in the NFL for 9 seasons from 1985 to 1993, playing for the Cleveland Browns and the Indianapolis Colts during that time....
. But less than a minute and a half later, Elway threw a short pass to receiver Mark Jackson, who broke a tackle from Mark Harper
Mark Harper
Mark James Harper British politician and self-employed accountant . He is the Conservative Member of Parliament for Forest of Dean and is currently the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Cabinet Office, with ministerial responsibility for Political and Constitutional Reform.-Early life...
and evaded a tackle attempt from Wright on the way to an 80-yard touchdown reception (the longest play in Denver postseason history), giving the Broncos a 28-10 lead. Cleveland responded with two consecutive touchdowns. First Kosar threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to Byner. Then Broncos returner Ken Bell muffed the kickoff and was downed inside his own 10-yard line. Following a three and out, McNeil returned their punt to the Broncos 42. Kosar then completed four consecutive passes en route to a 4-yard touchdown run by Byner, making the score 28-24 with less than four minutes left in the third quarter. Denver struck back with a 38-yard field goal from Karlis to give them a seven point lead going into the final period.
In the fourth quarter, the Browns drove 87 yards and tied the score with Kosar's 4-yard touchdown pass to Webster Slaughter
Webster Slaughter
Webster Melvin Slaughter is a former American football wide receiver who played in the National Football League from 1986 to 1998....
, but it was countered by Elway's 20-yard touchdown pass to running back Sammy Winder
Sammy Winder
Sammy Winder is a former professional American football running back who spent his entire professional career playing for the Denver Broncos, from 1982 to 1990....
with 4 minutes left in the game.
After the ensuing kickoff, the Browns got the ball on their own 25-yard line. Byner started out the drive with a 16-yard burst and a 2-yard run, and then Kosar completed two passes to Brennan for 33 total yards. Following an encroachment flag on defensive lineman Andre Townsend
Andre Townsend
Andre Townsend is a former defensive end who played 7 seasons for the Denver Broncos in the National Football League. He started in Super Bowl XXI and Super Bowl XXII....
and 6-yard run by Byner, an offsides penalty on Denver linebacker Karl Mecklenburg
Karl Mecklenburg
Karl Mecklenburg is a former American football player for the Denver Broncos in the National Football League.-National Football League:...
moved the ball to the Broncos 8-yard line with 1:12 remaining in regulation. The Browns had moved 67 yards in just six plays covering 2:41. On the next play, Byner took a handoff and appeared to be on his way to score the game-tying touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
. But he was stripped of the ball by Broncos defensive back Jeremiah Castille
Jeremiah Castille
Jeremiah Castille is an American professional football player. A 5'10", 175-lb. defensive back from the University of Alabama, Castille was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of the 1983 NFL Draft. He played in six seasons in the NFL from 1983–1988 for the Buccaneers and...
, and fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
d at the 3-yard line. The Broncos recovered the fumble (Castille made the recovery), gave the Browns an intentional safety, and went on to win 38-33.
Byner's fumble ruined an otherwise superb performance, as he finished the game with 67 rushing yards, 7 receptions for 120 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Elway finished the game with 14 of 26 completions for 281 yards and 3 touchdowns with 1 interception, and also rushed for 36 yards. His top target was receiver Mark Jackson, who caught 4 passes for 134 yards and a touchdown. Nattiel added 5 receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown.
This game was later featured on 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...