NFL 100: A Spotlight
On Sunday, the Browns visit Foxboro to take on the Patriots. What if I told you that Bill Belichek, Vinny Testaverde, Bill Parcells, Willie McGinest, and Drew Bledsoe had one thing in common. They were in a playoff game with the same two teams. I'll explain.
On January 1st, 1995, the 10-6 New England Patriots visited the 11-5 Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Municipal Stadium. The Patriots are entering their first playoff game since 1986. The Browns are returning to the playoffs since 1989. Little did both teams know that the aftermath of the game would set things in motion that still echo to this day.
The Patriots head coach, Bill Parcells, was entering his 2nd season at the helm of the Patriots. Just two years earlier, the team contemplated moving to St. Louis. Ultimately the team was bought by local businessman Robert Kraft in 1993. Parcells was lured out of a cushy TV job at NBC to coach the team. In the 1993 draft, the Patriots drafted Drew Bledsoe and Troy Brown. In the 1994 draft, Parcells selected Willie McGinest and with that the foundation of the Patriots success for the next decade was set.
The Browns hired Bill Belichek after the 1990 season. He set about rebuilding the defense and keeping Bernie Kosar as quarterback. While the Browns had three losing seasons, Belichek would let Kosar go as a free agent. Kosar would eventually help Dallas to win Super Bowls. Vinny Testaverde would start the playoff game against the Patriots.
Cleveland Municipal Stadium, which was opened on 1931, was crumbling. Hopes that Browns owner, Art Modell, would get a new stadium deal was crumbling as well. After the 1993 season, the Cleveland Indians would move into Jacobs Field to start play in the 1994 season. The new ballpark was designated as a baseball-only park.
The game itself was a competitive one as Browns kicker Matt Stover hit a field goal to give the Browns a 3-0 lead. The lead wouldn't last long as Drew Bledsoe found Leroy Thompson for a touchdown, 7-3 Patriots. Cleveland answered back with Vinny Testaverde would hit Mark Carner for a 5-yard touchdown, 10-7 Browns. Patriots kicker Matt Bahr would hit a field goal before halftime to tie the game 10-10. Leroy Hoard would run it in for a touchdown to start scoring after halftime, 17-10 Browns. Matt Stover would hit a field goal to give the Browns a 20-10 cushion. Matt Bahr would give the Patriots some more points with a field goal with a 20-13 game. Ultimately the score would end with a 20-13 Browns win.
For the Browns, it would be their last playoff win (as of the 2018 NFL regular season) and it would be Bill Belichek's first playoff win as a head coach, besting his mentor Bill Parcells. A year after the playoff game, the Browns would move to Baltimore to become the Ravens after negotiations between the city and Art Modell fell through. Vinny Testaverde would play for Bill Parcells as the Jets starter in the 1998 AFC Championship game. He would join Parcells in Dallas in 2005, his backup was Tony Romo. Bill Belichek would return to the assistant coaching ranks with Parcells in 1996 and moved with him to the Jets. When Parcells announced his resignation, Belicheck at first took the coaching job but would ultimately decline, becoming the Patriots head coach. The rest, as they say is history.
For the Patriots, they would post a 6-10 record in 1995 but would make their 2nd Super Bowl appearance in 1996. Bill Parcells would leave the job after Super Bowl XXXI to coach the Jets. In 2005, he became the head coach of the Cowboys. His quarterbacks were Vinny Testaverde, Drew Bledsoe, and Tony Romo. Drew Bledsoe remained a Patriot until the 2001 season when he became injured in a game against the New York Jets. His backup was Tom Brady. Brady along with McGinest, and Troy Brown would win three Super Bowls in four years. Bledsoe was dealt to the Buffalo Bills and then joined the Cowboys where another injury would put his backup into action, Tony Romo.
Essentially NFL history was made in this AFC Wild Card game in 1995. Both teams had no idea what kind of rammifications would happen years later. Such rammifications like Tom Brady or Tony Romo ultimately becoming starting quarterbacks. Talk about mind-blowing, eh?
Week 8 Picks!
Week 8 of the National Football League regular season starts in Minneapolis, Minnesota and ends in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. There are 15 games on the week slate. The Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys are on bye this week. FOX will have the single, regional game and CBS will have the double-header. There will be a Thursday night game, nine early games, three late games, a Sunday night game, and a Monday night game. Let's get to the picks!
Washington (1-6) @ Minnesota (5-2) (FOX/NFL Network): TW: Vikings; CV: Vikings
The Redskins lost to the 49ers and the Vikings beat the Lions last week. The week kicks off with a weak game as the Redskins aren't that good on either side of the ball. Unless Kirk Cousins shits the bed, I think the Vikings will take a win.
NY Jets (1-5) @ Jacksonville (3-4) (CBS): TW: Jaguars; CV: Jaguars
The Jets lost to the Patriots and the Jaguars beat the Bengals last week. The matchup seems a bit more in favor to the Jaguars as they do have a better offense. Defense seems a bit more leaning towards the Jaguars but I can't sleep on the Jets defense either. I think Leonard Fournette will have a good game which means bad news for the Jets defense trying to get stops.
NY Giants (2-5) @ Detroit (2-3-1) (FOX): TW: Lions; CV: Lions
Both teams lost last week as the Giants lost to the Cardinals and the Lions lost to the Vikings. Saquon Barkley is questionable for this game and Kerryon Johnson is questionable to start as well. I feel the Lions will win based on their better defense than the Giants. Please Detroit, don't fuck this up.
Philadelphia (3-4) @ Buffalo (5-1) (FOX): TW: Eagles; CV: Bills
The Eagles lost to the Cowboys and the Bills beat the Dolphins. Philadelphia looked awful last week and they need a win in hostile environment. Carson Wentz has a tough challenge and his receivers and defense needs to play better, and limit the turnovers. Tough sledding for Philly but I'll take them.
Seattle (5-2) @ Atlanta (1-6) (FOX): TW: Seahawks; CV: Seahawks
Both teams lost last week as the Seahawks lost to the Ravens and the Falcons lost to the Rams. Matt Schaub will start for Atlanta and I don't trust him to overcome this good Seahawks team. Russell Wilson had an off day but should get back to normal against an awful Falcons defense.
Tampa Bay (2-4) @ Tennessee (3-4) (FOX): TW: Buccaneers; CV: Buccaneers
The Buccaneers were on a bye and the Titans beat the Chargers last week. Ryan Tannehill played well in his first start of the season. Tampa has the #1 ranked rush defense and the gameplan should center on trying to make Ryan Tannehill beat you with a one-dimensional offense. I could be off as Jameis Winston could throw six interceptions in the game but I like the rested Bucs in this one.
LA Chargers (2-5) @ Chicago (3-3) (FOX): TW: Chargers; CV: Chargers
Both teams lost last week as the Chargers lost to the Titans and the Bears lost to the Saints. Chicago played awful last week against the Saints. The Bears offense in particular was not that good and while they do play against an average Chargers defense. I trust Philip Rivers to get back on track and get a win but if Rivers gets sacked a lot, I might regret taking the Chargers in this one. Let's just hope not.
Denver (2-5) @ Indianapolis (4-2) (CBS): TW: Colts; CV: Colts
The Broncos lost to the Chiefs and the Colts beat the Texans last week. Indianapolis is quietly becoming a good team in a wide open AFC. Denver let Emmanuel Sanders go via trade so I don't expect the Broncos offense to get a lot going as their pass protection is not great either. I'll take Indy with their 5th win of the season.
Cincinnati (0-7) @ LA Rams (4-3) (CBS): TW: Rams; CV: Rams
The Bengals lost to the Jaguars and the Rams beat the Falcons last week. The game will be in London. Jared Goff and the Rams offense should do well in this matchup as both sides of the ball for Cincinnati is pretty much trash. Andy Dalton could have a long day.
Arizona (3-3-1) @ New Orleans (6-1) (CBS): TW: Saints; CV: Saints
Both teams got wins last week as the Cardinals beat the Giants and the Saints beat the Bears. I don't trust the Cardinals defense to keep the hot Teddy Bridgewater and the Saints offense out of their element. The SuperDome will be loud and when it comes to young quarterbacks, the noise will effect their communication. Unless the Saints defense breaks down and the Cardinals offense can get the crowd out of the game, they have a shot to win.
Carolina (4-2) @ San Francisco (6-0) (FOX): TW: 49ers; CV: Panthers
The Panthers were on a bye and the 49ers beat the Redskins last week. San Francisco got better on pass offense with the addition of Emmanuel Sanders via trade from Denver. I think the addition adds another weapon to a fairly average receiving corp. The game will be somewhat high scoring but I think the victor will be the one who can put up 30+ and can keep Christian McCaffrey out of his element.
Cleveland (2-4) @ New England (7-0) (CBS): TW: Patriots; CV: Patriots
The Browns were on a bye and the Patriots beat the Jets last week. The marquee game this week. The game looked pretty nice on paper when the schedule came out but not so much now. The Browns have been somewhat of a disappointment this season (probably as to be expected) while the Patriots have been somewhat vulnerable. Perhaps the addition of Mohamed Sanu will give Tom Brady some versatility in the passing attack. I don't trust Cleveland to get a win in a hostile environment.
Oakland (3-3) @ Houston (4-3) (CBS): TW: Texans; CV: Texans
Both teams took losses last week as the Raiders lost to the Packers and the Texans lost to the Colts. I really hate myself for doing this but I'm sadly taking Houston in this game. The Texans rush defense is pretty good and the Raiders pride themselves on using Josh Jacobs to get them yardage. So please Houston, win this game so that I can keep my sanity with you.
Green Bay (6-1) @ Kansas City (5-2) (NBC): TW: Packers; CV: Chiefs
Both teams got wins last week as the Packers beat the Raiders and the Chiefs beat the Broncos. Matt Moore will start for the Chiefs most likely in this game but the Packers should be prepared to play against Patrick Mahomes. If the latter starts, this game will be a pretty good one as both teams have pretty good quarterbacks. The Chiefs have the edge in terms of wide receivers but I like the Packers defense over the Chiefs.
Miami (0-6) @ Pittsburgh (2-4) (ESPN): TW: Steelers; CV: Steelers
The Dolphins lost to the Bills and the Steelers were on a bye last week. Week 8 finishes up with a doozy of a game for ESPN. I expect the Steelers to win pretty handily as the Dolphins are pretty terrible on either side of the ball. Quite honestly, Yinzer Nation will riot the streets if the Steelers lose to a hapless Dolphins team.
Local TV Schedule (courtesy of 506sports.com, subject to change):
CBS Early:
Denver @ Indianapolis
Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts
CBS Late:
Cleveland @ New England
Jim Nantz, Tony Romo
FOX Single:
Philadelphia @ Buffalo
Chris Myers, Daryl Johnston
For more information on which game is being shown in your area, check out: NFL 2019: Week 8 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
Week 7: 10-4
Overall: 64-41-1
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
Week 7: 7-7
Overall: 62-43-1
See you guys on Monday night for the Week 8 recap post!
-Tom
No comments:
Post a Comment