NFL 100: A Spotlight
When it comes to gaffes in NFL history, you have The Butt Fumble in 2012, Garo Ypremian's attempted pass in Super Bowl VII, or Leon Lett's attempt to recover the ball in the 1993 Thanksgiving game against the Dolphins. None of them can really compare to Jim Marshall's Wrong Way Play.
On October 25th, 1964, the 3-3 Minnesota Vikings traveled to Kezar Stadium in San Francisco to take on the 2-4 San Francisco 49ers. The Vikings are entering their 4th season in existence since they became an expansion team in 1961. The 49ers had a decent quarterback in John Brodie who was entering into his 8th season as a quarterback.
The game started out well for the 49ers with San Fran striking first with a Brodie 2-yard run to give the 49ers a 7-0 lead. Vikings kicker Fred Cox got the Vikings on the board with a field goal, 7-3 49ers. John Brodie would hit Dave Parker for a 80-yard touchdown, Brodie's only touchdown pass on the day, 14-3 49ers. Running back Tommy Mason ran it into the endzone on a 7-yard play for the Vikings, reducing the lead to 14-10. Tommy Davis of the 49ers hit a field goal to give the 49ers a 17-10 lead going into halftime. Fred Cox was called in to hit a field goal again for the Vikings, he hits it, reducing the lead to 17-13 in favor of San Francisco. Minnesota would finally get on the board with an 8-yard run from quarterback Fran Tarkenton, 20-17 Vikings. Jim Marshall's linemate, Carl Eller, would get a touchdown from a fumble, 27-17 Vikings.
The play itself was a pass play that John Brodie would throw to running back Billy Kilmer. Kilmer was stripped and in the chaos Jim Marshall would grab the ball in the direction that Kilmer was heading, towards the endzone that was in Vikings territory. Marshall had thought he had scored a touchdown but it ended up being a safety due to the fact he was running the wrong way. Reducing the Viking lead to 27-19.
The Vikings would ultimately win the game 27-22 but the game and play would live on in NFL lore as one of the biggest gaffes in NFL history. What stands out to me is that Marshall would go on to play the game until 1979, nearly 20 years in the NFL. Sadly his team would go onto four Super Bowls and losing all four. Here's a clip of the play:
At the end of the season the Vikings would post their first winning record in franchise history. They wouldn't win a division title until 1968 and they would win their first and only NFL championship in 1969. For the 49ers in 1964 it would be their third straight losing season but they would post a 7-6-1 record in 1965. They wouldn't make the playoffs until 1970 and they won't win their first Super Bowl until Super Bowl XVI
Week 3 Picks!
Week 3 of the NFL regular season starts in Jacksonville, Florida and ends in Landover, Maryland. There will be a Thursday night game, eight early games, five late games, a Sunday night game, and a Monday night game. No teams are on a bye week. FOX will have the single game while CBS will have the double-header. Let's get to the picks!
Note: TW is me, CV is Cardinal Viking, my roommate
Tennessee (1-1) @ Jacksonville (0-2) (NFL Network): TW: Jaguars; CV: Titans
Both teams lost last week as the Titans lost to the Colts and the Jaguars lost to the Texans. The game is a tough one to pick, both teams haven't shown real flashes of spectacular play. Gardner Minshew has been a bright spot for the Jaguars since Nick Foles got injured in Week 1. If the Jaguars want to win they need Leonard Fournette to have a good game and have the defense continue its play. I'm willing to give the Jags a chance.
Denver (0-2) @ Green Bay (2-0) (FOX): TW: Packers; CV: Broncos
Last week the Broncos lost to the Bears and the Packers beat the Vikings. The big matchup is going to be Aaron Rodgers vs the Broncos defensive front. Denver's secondary isn't that great so I certainly expect the Packers offense continue to gel in Matt LeFleur's offense. I give the Packers defense the edge over the Broncos defense in this game. Denver is not a slouch I'll give them that.
Cincinnati (0-2) @ Buffalo (2-0) (CBS): TW: Bills; CV: Bills
The Bengals lost to the 49ers and the Bills beat the Giants last week. Josh Allen has been an underrated quarterback in the league and the Bills are a surprising 2-0 so far this season. The Bengals offense feels somewhat limited with AJ Green not in the lineup, so I feel the Bills defense has an edge in that department. Josh Allen needs to continue to play well and have their running game do well against a 30th ranked rush defense. I'll take the Bills.
Detroit (1-0-1) @ Philadelphia (1-1) (FOX): TW: Eagles; CV: Eagles
The Lions got a win against the Chargers and the Eagles lost to the Falcons last week. Philly has some injuries and the Lions have a huge test to prove just how well they can play against a quality opponent. The Eagles pass defense needs to play better against the 7th ranked pass offense in the Lions. I feel Wentz and company find a way to get it done.
NY Jets (0-2) @ New England (2-0) (CBS): TW: Patriots; CV: Patriots
The Jets lost to the Browns and the Patriots beat the Dolphins last week. Luke Falk didn't show much on Monday night and I can't expect the Jets offense to get a lot on the Patriots. Tom Brady would have to have a bad game to give the Jets an edge in the game, which doesn't happen a lot. I don't trust the Jets but I trust fellow Tom to get it done.
Oakland (1-1) @ Minnesota (1-1) (FOX): TW: Vikings; CV: Vikings
Both teams took losses last week as the Raiders lost to the Chiefs and the Vikings lost to the Packers. Kirk Cousins hasn't done a lot to prove that he is a good quarterback as his running game has carried the load. I feel it'll change in this game but I won't hold my breath if he throws an interception early in the game. The Vikings defense will keep the Raiders offense in check.
Baltimore (2-0) @ Kansas City (2-0) (CBS): TW: Chiefs; CV: Chiefs
Both teams got wins last week as the Ravens beat the Cardinals and the Chiefs beat the Raiders. This game somehow isn't on the late slate as its probably the best game of the week. I expect a shootout in the game as both teams have great offenses. While I do feel the Ravens defense is better than the Chiefs defense, the quarterback matchup certainly leans towards the Chiefs.
Miami (0-2) @ Dallas (2-0) (FOX): TW: Cowboys; CV: Cowboys
The Dolphins lost to the Patriots and the Cowboys beat the Redskins. I feel another blowout loss is in order for the Dolphins, not that I hate the Dolphins but reality hurts.
Atlanta (1-1) @ Indianapolis (1-1) (CBS): TW: Colts; CV: Falcons
Both teams got wins last week as the Falcons beat the Eagles and the Colts beat the Titans. Jacoby Brissett vs the Falcons pass defense is going to be the big matchup in the game. I feel it will also depend on which running game gets going. Tough game to call but I will go with the home team in their home opener.
Carolina (0-2) @ Arizona (0-2) (FOX): TW: Cardinals; CV: Panthers
Both teams took losses last week as the Panthers lost to the Buccaneers and the Cardinals lost to the Ravens. The game will depend on the health of Cam Newton, if he's in the Panthers have a good shot to win, if he's not it could be a Cardinals win. I'm leaning towards Cam Newton not playing so I'll take the Cardinals. Kyle Allen could have a stellar day against the Cards defense but the Panthers offense didn't get a lot of yardage last week.
NY Giants (0-2) @ Tampa Bay (1-1) (FOX): TW: Buccaneers; CV: Buccaneers
The Giants lost to the Bills and the Buccaneers won against the Panthers last week. Daniel Jones era begins in earnest in New York. Tampa's defense has been doing well so far on the year, I'll take a chance on the Buccaneers. I still don't trust Jameis Winston to guide this team to good things.
Houston (1-1) @ LA Chargers (1-1) (CBS): TW: Chargers; CV: Texans
The Texans beat the Jaguars and the Chargers lost to the Lions last week. Houston's offense hasn't been spectacular so far on the year and the Chargers have a top-10 pass defense so I would expect the Chargers to send some defenders to DeShaun Watson via blitzing. The Chargers had a fluke loss last week and I feel they have a good chance to win this game but it'll be close.
New Orleans (1-1) @ Seattle (2-0) (CBS): TW: Seahawks; CV: Seahawks
The Saints lost to the Rams and the Seahawks beat the Steelers last week. Had Drew Brees not gotten injured last week, this game could be a good one but Teddy Bridgewater is starting in place of Brees. Sadly this is the marquee game of the week and unless Teddy Bridgewater plays like Drew Brees, I feel the Seahawks will win by 10 or more.
Pittsburgh (0-2) @ San Francisco (2-0) (CBS): TW: 49ers; CV: 49ers
The Steelers lost to the Seahawks and the 49ers beat the Bengals last week. Mason Rudolph will make his first start and he is up for a huge test against an improved 49ers defense that is ranked 9th in total defense. If Ben Roethlisberger was in the game the game could be more evenly matched but I can't trust Rudolph enough to give Pittsburgh its first win of the season.
LA Rams (2-0) @ Cleveland (1-1) (NBC): TW: Rams; CV: Rams
Both teams got wins last week as the Rams beat the Saints and the Browns beat the Jets. Cleveland got back into winning form last week against a below average Jets team, The Rams however, have been doing well so far in the season. The pressure is on Baker Mayfield and the Browns offense to beat a pretty good Rams defense. The game will be close but I feel in big game matchups, I feel the Rams will have an edge.
Chicago (1-1) @ Washington (0-2) (ESPN): TW: Bears; CV: Bears
The Bears won against the Broncos and the Redskins lost to the Cowboys last week. The week finishes off with an okay matchup on Monday Night Football. If there was a week where Mitch Trubisky finally gets off on the right foot, it would be this game. Washington's total offense is ranked 30th so far this season. They have a tough division and they need to get all the wins they can get.
Local TV Schedule (courtesy of 506sports.com; subject to change:
FOX Single:
Oakland @ Minnesota
Dick Stockton, Mark Schlereth
CBS Early:
Baltimore @ Kansas City
Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts
CBS Late:
New Orleans @ Seattle
Jim Nantz, Tony Romo
For more information on which game is played in your area, check out: NFL Week 3 Maps
Cardinal Viking:
2017: 167-89
2018: 156-98-2
2019:
Week 1: 11-4-1
Week 2: 10-6
Overall: 21-10-1
My record:
2012: 164-90-2
2013: 162-92-1
2014: 172-83-1
2017: 164-92
2018: 156-98-2
2019:
Week 1: 12-3-1
Week 2: 10-6
Overall: 22-3-1
See you guys on Monday for the Week 3 recap!
-Tom
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