NFL 100: A Spotlight
There have been many hits throughout the history of the NFL. Like Lawrence Taylor's hit on Joe Theisman in 1985, Vontaze Burfict's hit on Antonio Brown in 2015, or George Atkinson's hit on Lynn Swan in 1975. I don't think any other hit can match the one that sent the victim out cold, and wouldn't play a snap two seasons later. The hit Chuck "Concrete Charlie" Bednarik put on Frank Gifford.
By 1960, Chuck Bednarik was the stuff of legends. He had arguably the greatest nickname in NFL history with "Concrete Charlie" based off his offseason job as a concrete salesman. He played both center and linebacker and by the time he retired in 1962, he would be the last player in NFL history to play two positions throughout his entire career. He was the last of the "Sixty Minute Men."
In week 9 of the 1960 season, The 7-1 Eagles traveled to the Bronx to take on the 5-2-1 Giants. It was in Yankee Stadium on November 20th, the temperature around kickoff was 49 degrees Farenheit. The rivalry was certainly there between the two teams.
The Giants started George Shaw at quarterback who would finish the game with 196 yards with an interception. Frank Gifford would throw a pass for 13 yards (probably a sign of foreshadowing with that 13). Gifford would get only 24 yards rushing for the G-men. Pat Summerall would hit only one of four field goals in the game.
The Eagles started Norm Van Brocklin, superstar in the 1950's who led the Rams to success now was with the Eagles in his final season. Brocklin would finish the day with 236 yards passing with a touchdown. Ted Dean would finish the game with 34 yards rushing.
Joe Morrison of the Giants would get the only scoring touchdown for the Giants on a 1-yard rush. It was the only scoring in the first quarter, 7-0 Giants. Pat Summerall would hit a 26-yard field goal in the 2nd quarter to give the Giants a 10-0 lead. By the 3rd quarter, Tommy McDonald would catch a pass from Norm Van Brocklin for a 35-yard touchdown, 10-7 Giants. In the 4th quarter, both teams would get scores. Bobby Walston would hit a 12-yard field goal to tie the game at 10-10. Jimmy Carr of the Eagles would recover a fumble to return it to the endzone for a 35-yard touchdown to give the Eagles a 17-10 lead.
With not much time left, the Giants had to move the ball quickly to possibly get a touchdown and a game-tying point after attempt. George Shaw would find Frank Gifford in the middle of the field. Gifford was attempting to get out of bounds. Chuck Bednarik had other plans.
It is quite possibly the only play where the force of Bednarik's body could muster that much force to drive Gifford to the ground. Gifford's neck snapped upon contact with the ground. The Eagles would recover the ball and the famous photo of Bednarik hovering over Gifford's body lives in NFL history.
In the end, Gifford would recover from the injury but wouldn't play football again until 1962. The Giants wouldn't recover and finished the season with a 6-4-2 record. The Eagles would go on to to finish the season with a 10-2 record and win the NFL Championship against the Green Bay Packers. That game would be the only loss in the postseason career of head coach Vince Lombardi. The Eagles wouldn't win another championship until Super Bowl LII when they beat the Patriots.
The Picks!
Week 7 of the the NFL regular season starts in Denver, Colorado and ends in East Rutherford, New Jersey. There will be four teams on a bye: Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. There will be a Thursday night game, eight early games, three late games, a Sunday night game, and a Monday night game. FOX will have the double-header while CBS will have the single, regional game. Let's get started!
Kansas City (4-2) @ Denver (2-4) (FOX/NFL Network): TW: Chiefs; CV: Chiefs
The Chiefs lost to the Texans and the Broncos beat the Titans last week. Kansas City's defense will need to put a stop to the Broncos running game and Joe Flacco if they have a shot to win this. Time of possession hasn't been in the Chiefs favor. I don't trust Joe Flacco to get it done while Patrick Mahomes should get back on track to his former self.
Miami (0-5) @ Buffalo (4-1) (CBS): TW: Bills; CV: Bills
The Dolphins lost to the Redskins and the Bills were on a bye last week. Miami had their best shot to get a win last week now they go on the road against an underrated Bills team. Buffalo's defense is legit and I like their running game. Miami could keep it interesting but I can't trust Ryan Fitzpatrick to get it done.
LA Rams (3-3) @ Atlanta (1-5) (FOX): TW: Rams; CV: Rams
Both teams lost last week as the Rams lost to the 49ers and the Falcons lost to the Cardinals. The Rams got a boost to their secondary with Jalen Ramsey so certainly I can expect the Rams to rebound well with a good performance on defense. Jared Goff has been suspect so far this season but I feel the Rams will get it done on the road against a terrible defense in Atlanta.
Minnesota (4-2) @ Detroit (2-2-1) (FOX): TW: Vikings; CV: Vikings
The Vikings beat the Eagles while the Lions lost to the Packers last week. The Lions look certainly hungry after that horrible officiated game on Monday night. This game will be close but I think the Vikings will pull it off with a balance on offense with Dalvin Cook on the ground and Kirk Cousins in the air.
Oakland (3-2) @ Green Bay (5-1) (CBS): TW: Packers; CV: Packers
The Raiders were on a bye and the Packers beat the Lions last week. Cardinal Viking is picking the Packers for the first time this week. Oakland has played some steady football so far this season. The limited weapons for Aaron Rodgers could play into effect for this game but I think the Raiders will need to respect their running game. Overall I trust Green Bay's defense over the Raiders, especially their linebackers.
San Francisco (5-0) @ Washington (1-5) (FOX): TW: 49ers; CV: 49ers
Both teams got wins as the 49ers beat the Rams and the Redskins beat the Dolphins. Jet lag could be a factor for San Francisco but they have weapons on both sides of the ball and I can't trust the Redskins enough to give them the dub. San Francisco's defense is legit and they can keep up with the limited weapons of Case Keenum.
Jacksonville (2-4) @ Cincinnati (0-6) (CBS): TW: Bengals; CV: Jaguars
Both teams lost last week as the Jaguars lost to the Saints and the Bengals lost to the Ravens. The Bengals looked promising against the Ravens last week and the loss of Jalen Ramsey for the Jaguars could be a factor in me picking Cincy this week. I mean they're bad but they can't be possibly Miami Dolphins bad. Could be an upset win. If Joe Mixon can get it going, the Bengals have a decent shot to win as the Jaguars run defense is 25th this season.
Houston (4-2) @ Indianapolis (3-2) (CBS): TW: Texans; CV: Texans
The Texans beat the Chiefs and the Colts were on a bye last week. Rest could be a factor in the game as the Colts come off from a bye. Both teams have good offenses, I'm taking the Texans based off of their defense. Houston's offensive line and defense has been suspect for quite a while but I think it'll be Houston that comes out of it. It will be a close game as Vegas has the Colts as a 1-point favorite.
Arizona (2-3-1) @ NY Giants (2-4) (FOX): TW: Giants; CV: Cardinals
The Cardinals won against the Falcons and the Giants lost to the Patriots last week. Both teams have solid offenses with two young quarterbacks. Saquon Barkley is expected to return and if he can return to his former self, I like the Giants chances in this game to win. This game could come down to whoever is on their last drive with less than two minutes left. I'll take the Giants at home.
LA Chargers (2-4) @ Tennessee (2-4) (CBS): TW: Chargers; CV: Chargers
Both teams lost last week as the Chargers lost to the Steelers and the Titans lost to the Broncos. Ryan Tannehill will start for the Titans in this game and it could be a factor in a possible win for them. The Chargers need to get back into winning form as their pass protection broke down against Pittsburgh. I think they'll get it done with Melvin Gordon on the ground.
Baltimore (4-2) @ Seattle (5-1) (FOX): TW: Seahawks; CV: Ravens
Both teams got wins last week as the Ravens beat the Bengals and the Seahawks beat the Browns. The best game of the week. Both teams have really great offenses, both of them are top-5 in total offense. The game will come down to stops and turnovers. Whoever can take opportunities will come out on top. Wouldn't be surprised if both quarterbacks stretch their legs and go for big rushes.
New Orleans (5-1) @ Chicago (3-2) (FOX): TW: Bears; CV: Bears
The Saints beat the Jaguars and the Bears were on a bye last week. Whoever starts at quarterback for the Bears could be a factor in the game. Chase Daniel has done okay in his stead of Mitchell Trubisky who could return in this game. I like the Bears defense in their matchup against the Saints offense. I'll take the Monsters of The Midway.
Philadelphia (3-3) @ Dallas (3-3) (NBC): TW: Eagles; CV: Eagles
Both teams lost last week as the Eagles lost to the Vikings and the Cowboys lost to the Jets. The game is a real toss-up. Both teams have shown no signs of being good on both sides of the ball. I would take the Cowboys normally but I don't trust Jason Garrett to make any choices if this game is close. Philadelphia seems a bit more stable but they need their running game to be back to stride. Carson Wentz and their defense will need all the help they can get.
New England (6-0) @ NY Jets (1-4) (ESPN): TW: Patriots; CV: Patriots
Both teams got wins last week as the Patriots beat the Giants and the Jets beat the Cowboys. Jets looked better with Sam Darnold last week but I don't trust them to put up 20-30 points against this Patriots team who looked meager on offense. I'll take the Pats based on past history against the Jets and Brady should have a good game against them.
Local TV Schedule (courtesy of 506sports.com, subject to change):
CBS Single:
Oakland @ Green Bay
Jim Nantz, Tony Romo
FOX Early:
Minnesota @ Detroit
Brandon Gaudin, Chris Spielman
FOX Late:
New Orleans @ Chicago
Thom Brennaman, Troy Aikman
For more information on which game is being shown in your area, check out: NFL 2019: Week 7 Maps
The Records (By Week & Year):
Cardinal Viking:
2017: 167-89
2018: 156-98-2
2019:
Week 1: 11-4-1
Week 2: 10-6
Week 3: 10-6
Week 4: 7-8
Week 5: 9-6
Week 6: 7-7
Overall: 54-37-1
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
Week 3: 11-5
Week 4: 8-7
Week 5: 5-10
Week 6: 9-5
Overall: 55-36-1
See you guys on Monday night for the Week 7 recap! Enjoy the games!
-Tom
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