NFL 100: A Spotlight
It seems almost imperative to talk about another football league that helped change the football landscape forever. A league that centered on innovation, entertainment and of course good football. I am talking about, of course, the American Football League.
By 1960, the NFL had grown to surpass Major League Baseball as the #1 sports league in the U.S., encompassing even college football. Teams enjoyed lucrative tv contracts, the invent of television, and drama that baseball failed to capitalize on. However, the Chicago Cardinals of the NFL was declining.
Cardinals owner, the Bidwell family, opened up to investors to help finance the team to move out of Chicago, one such investor was Lamar Hunt, son of oil tycoon H.L. Hunt, and approached the Bidwells to move the Cardinals to Dallas. The Bidwells declined as they didn't want to move the team to a place that had an NFL team (the Dallas Texans were a team in 1952). Hunt, along with Bob Howsam and Max Winter approached NFL commissioner Bert Bell with the possibility of expansion. Bell declined that as well. Hunt never gave up on owning a football team and decided to create a new league with Howsam and Winter. Winter would back out of the deal later on and became the owner of the Minnesota Vikings in 1961.
Lamar Hunt had work to do, he had to find a commissioner for his new league, he had to find owners to help produce teams for his new league. He would hire Joe Foss, a former Marine pilot and governor of South Dakota, to be the league's first commissioner. On August 14th, 1959, Hunt and a bunch of owners like Bud Adams met for the first time. On August 22, the new league was named American Football League, with the famous "Eagle On Football" logo. The league agreed to have teams play in New York, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Minneapolis-Saint Paul, and Los Angeles. When the ownership group of Winter backed out, Barron Hilton, owner of the Los Angeles team, suggested that a 2nd team in California to be founded, to lower operation costs as well as form an in-state rivalry. That team would be based in Oakland.
Ralph Wilson, part owner of the Detroit Lions, agreed to form a franchise in Miami. Wilson's plans backfired as the city declined to put a football team there. The franchise would base themselves in Buffalo, New York and call themselves the Buffalo Bills. On November 22nd, a 10-man ownership group in Boston was awarded a franchise, giving the American Football League their 8th franchise. The new league would start play in the 1960 season with the Boston Patriots, New York Titans, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers, Oakland Raiders, Buffalo Bills, Dallas Texans, and Houston Oilers.
The new league found some success as teams did well financially, with the exception to the Oakland Raiders and New York Titans (teams that were battling with an NFL team in their metro area). The league's first dynasty was the Houston Oilers who would win the league championship in 1960 and 1961. Their quarterback was Billy Cannon, a player that was originally drafted by the NFL's Los Angeles Rams, but was lured away with money to play for the Oilers. They had a contract with ABC to broadcast their games. The money helped keep the league afloat.
The game that helped put the league on the map was the 1962 AFL Championship Game. It featured the Houston Oilers and the Dallas Texans. The game became a classic as the Texans would beat the the two-time defending champion Oilers 20-17 in a two-overtime thriller, becoming the longest football game played at the time.
The Raiders would struggle but kept going despite poor results on the field. In 1963, Sonny Werblin bought the New York Titans from Harry Wismer, and renamed the team the Jets due to the fact that Shea Stadium was next to airports and the Jets would fly over the stadium. The move helped reverse the course for the franchise. In 1961. Barron Hilton would move the Chargers to San Diego due to the fact that they couldn't compete with the NFL's Rams.
The league championships in 1963, 1964 and 1965 saw different philosophies for the league. In 1963, the Chargers would win their only league championship (as of the 2018 season) beating the Boston Patriots 51-10 in San Diego. In 1964 and 1965 the league saw its 2nd dynasty in the Buffalo Bills. The Bills would beat the Chargers both times 20-7 and 23-0 respectively.
The year 1965 was a huge year for the league for two reasons: Joe Namath and NBC. The draft in 1965 was a competitive one as both the NFL and AFL sought out talent. The NFL's St. Louis Cardinals drafted Joe Namath of Alabama, but bolted to sign with the New York Jets. The league would get even when the Kansas City Chiefs drafted Gale Sayers but ended up signing with the NFL's Chicago Bears. The AFL had won itself a victory and Sonny Werblin knew it, signing Namath to a lucrative contract of $427,000. NBC paid a $36 million deal to show its games in 1965. The deal meant that the league was there to stay, and NFL owners were scared. Pittsburgh Steelers owner, Art Rooney, commented to NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle with "They don't have to call us Mister, anymore."
On April 7th, 1966 AFL commissioner Joe Foss resigned. Raiders owner, Al Davis, picked up where Foss left off and began a more, aggressive strategy towards the NFL. Davis looked to lure NFL players away from their teams to AFL ones. Such players included Mike Ditka, Roman Gabriel and John Brodie.
A month after Davis was named commissioner, Tex Schramm, general manager of the Dallas Cowboys, and a bunch of owners approached Lamar Hunt to discuss the possiblity of merging. The merger was headlined by Hunt, NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle, and Tex Schramm. On June 8th, 1966 the war was finally over as the merger agreement was signed.
The merger deal included: a common draft, players from NFL teams that signed to an AFL team to return to their original team, an expanded league, and a championship game between the two leagues (later would become the Super Bowl). The AFL's teams would form the American Football Conference and the NFL's teams would form the National Football Conference. In 1966, the AFL expanded to nine teams with the addition of the Miami Dolphins under the ownership group of Joe Robbie and Danny Thomas. The NFL would expand as well with the inclusion of the Atlanta Falcons. The two leagues would agreed to continue expansion to have 26 teams by the merger's effective date in 1970.
The news of a merger outraged Al Davis and promptly resigned from commissioner in June 1966. The reason why Davis resigned was that Rozelle would retain commissioner as part of the merger deal, rather to see the completion of the merger fulfilled. Milt Woodard would be hired as President of the AFL for the duration of the league's existence.
In a period of seven years, the AFL had gone from being a league for washups and has been's to a legitimate league that had won its battles against the NFL off the field. The NFL's war with their brother league was only beginning as the AFL hadn't won the battle on the field, and the Super Bowl would ultimately prove which league was superior. That will be a story for another time.
NFL Week 8 Recap
Washington 9, Minnesota 19: TW: Vikings; CV: Vikings
The game was closer than most imagined but the Vikings held the Redskins to zero touchdowns. Case Keenum started the game but threw for 130 yards for zero touchdowns. Once Keenum left the game with a concussion, the Redskins put Dwayne Haskins to play, throwing the ball for only 33 yards with an interception. Former Viking, Adrian Peterson, ran the ball for 76 yards, getting a standing ovation when he made a milestone in rushing yards. Kirk Cousins threw the ball for 285 yards with zero touchdowns. Dalvin Cook would get the only offensive touchdown in the game while compiling 98 rushing yards. Washington's defense isn't too bad, I will say.
All-time series: Vikings lead series 14-13
Next week: Washington: @ Buffalo; Minnesota: @ Kansas City
TW: 1-0; CV: 1-0
NY Jets 15, Jacksonville 29: TW: Jaguars; CV: Jaguars
Sam Darnold would see a few less ghosts but it didn't help that he threw three interceptions. Darnold threw the ball for 218 yards while throwing two touchdowns. Le'Veon Bell could only get 23 yards rushing from 11 carries, not helping the offensive cause much. Gardner Minshew of the Jaguars threw the ball for 279 yards with three touchdowns. Leonard Fournette had a good game with his 76 yards rushing while not scoring a rushing touchdown in the game. Sam Darnold is a mess and the Jets broke him, sadly.
All-time series: Jaguars lead series 8-7
Next week: NY Jets: @ Miami; Jacksonville: vs Houston (London)
TW: 2-0; CV: 2-0
NY Giants 26, Detroit 31: TW: Lions; CV: Lions
The Giants really came to play in this game. Daniel Jones threw the ball for 322 yards with four touchdowns, giving him a pretty good day from the air. Saquon Barkley ran the ball for 64 yards, respectable numbers for sure. Matthew Stafford would finish the day with 342 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. The Lions leading rusher was Tra Carson with 34 yards from the ground.
All-time series: Lions lead series 24-21-1
Next week: NY Giants: vs Dallas; Detroit: @ Oakland
TW: 3-0; CV: 3-0
Philadelphia 31, Buffalo 13: TW: Eagles; CV: Bills
A week after the Eagles got destroyed by Dallas, they rebounded and got a huge win. Carson Wentz threw the ball for 172 yards with a touchdown but it would be the ground where the Eagles got their win. Jordan Howard, Miles Sanders and Boston Scott would score rushing touchdowns while getting 96, 74 and 6 rushing yards respectively. Josh Allen continued his good play with his arm and leg, throwing the ball for 169 yards with two touchdowns while running the ball for 45 yards. Frank Gore could only get 34 yards from the ground.
All-time series: Eagles lead series 8-6
Next week: Philadelphia: vs Chicago; Buffalo: vs Washington
TW: 4-0; CV: 3-1
Seattle 27, Atlanta 20: TW: Seahawks; CV: Seahawks
Seattle hung 24 on Atlanta by halftime but the Falcons wouldn't go quietly. Russell Wilson threw the ball for 182 yards with two touchdowns while rushing for four yards. Chris Carson would have leading rusher honors with his 90 yards and a touchdown to go along with it. Matt Schaub still proved that he can still sling a football with his 460 yards passing with a touchdown and an interception. Brian Hill would get a rushing touchdown but it would be Devonta Freeman with 39 yards rushing. At least it wasn't another blowout for the Falcons defense.
All-time series: Seahawks lead series 11-8
Next week: Seattle: vs Tampa Bay; Atlanta: Bye
TW: 5-0; CV: 4-1
Tampa Bay 23, Tennessee 27: TW: Buccaneers; CV: Buccaneers
The game should've been a more wider margin as the Titans caused four Buccaneer turnovers. Jameis Winston threw the ball for 301 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Winston was the leading rusher for Tampa with 53 yards. Ryan Tannehill for the Titans threw the ball for 193 yards with three touchdowns. Derrick Henry got a solid day with his 75 yards rushing.
All-time series: Titans lead series 10-2
Next week: Tampa Bay: @ Seattle; Tennessee: @ Carolina
TW: 5-1; 4-2
LA Chargers 17, Chicago 16: TW: Chargers; CV: Chargers
New year, same old shit for Bears kickers. Phillip Rivers threw the ball for 201 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Melvin Gordon would get 31 yards with a touchdown. Mitchell Trubisky threw the ball for 253 yards with an interception. David Montgomery ran the ball over the Chargers defense, getting 135 yards rushing with a touchdown. Eddy Pineiro of the Bears had a chance to give Chicago the win with a 41-yard field goal but failed. At some point, you have to not blame the kicker and blame the offense to put up enough points so that you don't have to call on your own kicker to save your ass. Just saying.
All-time series: Bears lead series 7-6
Next week: LA Chargers: vs Green Bay; Chicago: @ Philadelphia
TW: 6-1; CV: 5-2
Denver 13, Indianapolis 15: TW: Colts; CV: Colts
It wasn't a pretty game and Adam Vinatieri had missed a few kicks in the game, but the Colts came with a win. Joe Flacco started for the Broncos, throwing for 174 yards with zero touchdowns. Royce Freeman ran the ball for 40 yards with a touchdown but his teammate Philip Lindsay would get leading rusher honors with 59 yards. Jacoby Brissett would throw the ball for 202 yards with zero touchdowns and a fumble. Marlon Mack had a great day on the ground with 76 yards rushing with a touchdown, the only Colts touchdown of the game. Adam Vinatieri would redeem himself from his misses, hitting a 51-yard field goal.
All-time series: Series tied at 14-14
Next week: Denver: vs Cleveland; Indianapolis: @ Pittsburgh
TW: 7-1; CV: 6-2
Cincinnati 10, LA Rams 24: TW: Rams; CV: Rams
For the 10th time in franchise history, the Cincinnati Bengals start 0-8. Andy Dalton threw for 329 yards with a touchdown while getting sacked five times. Joe Mixon had a better game than most with 66 yards rushing but zero touchdowns. Jared Goff threw for 372 yards with two touchdowns, Cooper Kupp had 220 of those yards. Darrell Henderson ran the ball for 49 yards with 11 carries but Todd Gurley ran the ball for 44 yards and a touchdown. Fortunately for the Bengals, they have a bye week next week.
All-time series: Bengals lead series 8-6
Next week: Cincinnati: Bye; LA Rams: Bye
TW: 8-1; CV: 7-2
Arizona 9, New Orleans 31: TW: Saints; CV: Saints
Wasn't expecting Drew Brees to return after getting injured six weeks ago. Kyler Murray would throw the ball for 220 yards with zero touchdowns. The Cardinals leading rusher was Christian Kirk who got 19 yards on 1 carry. Drew Brees returned to form with his 373 yards passing with three touchdowns and an interception. Latavius Murray continues his stellar play with 102 yards from the ground and a touchdown.
All-time series: Saints lead series 16-15
Next week: Arizona: vs San Francisco; New Orleans: Bye
TW: 9-1; CV: 8-2
Carolina 13, San Francisco 51: TW: 49ers; CV: Panthers
Kyle Allen fell down to earth while the 49ers improve to 7-0 with a win. Kyle Allen threw the ball for 158 yards with three interceptions. Christian McCaffrey carried the load with his 117 yards rushing with a touchdown, while compiling 38 receiving yards. Jimmy Garoppolo threw the ball for 175 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. It would be the 49ers running game that would dominate the game as Tevin Coleman scored three touchdown while Raheem Mostert and Deebo Samuel ran it in for a touchdown each. Just sheer domination.
All-time series: Panthers lead series 13-9
Next week: Carolina: vs Tennessee; San Francisco: @ Arizona
TW: 10-1; CV: 8-3
Cleveland 13, New England 27: TW: Patriots; CV: Patriots
In 1991, Browns head coach Bill Belichek got his first win as head coach against... the New England Patriots. On Sunday he got his 300th win as Patriots head coach against... the Browns. Mind blown right? Baker Mayfield threw the ball for 194 yards with a touchdown and an interception while getting 18 yards on the ground. Nick Chubb did the ground work with 131 yards rushing with zero touchdowns. Tom Brady had a good game with his 259 yards passing with two touchdowns. Sony Michel was the leading rusher for the Pats with 74 from the ground. Poor Cleveland.
All-time series: Browns lead series 13-12
Next week: Cleveland: @ Denver; New England: @ Baltimore
TW: 11-1; CV: 9-3
Oakland 24, Houston 27: TW: Texans; CV: Texans
Houston finally got a win when I picked them! Derek Carr had a good game in this one with 285 yards passing with three touchdowns. Josh Jacobs had a fine day on the ground with 66 yards rushing. DeShaun Watson had a good day on the field with his 279 yards for three touchdowns, one was on a play where a cleat hit his left eye and threw it somewhat blindly into the endzone for a score. Carlos Hyde kept the running game honest with his 83 yards rushing. The win however proved costly as JJ Watt was injured, later on it became a season-ending injury.
All-time series: Texans lead series 8-4
Next week: Oakland: vs Detroit; Houston: @ Jacksonville (London)
TW: 12-1; CV: 10-3
Green Bay 31, Kansas City 24: TW: Packers; CV: Chiefs
The Chiefs did well with Matt Moore but couldn't stop the Aaron Jones train. Aaron Rodgers threw the ball for 305 yards with three touchdowns, 159 of those yards were to Aaron Jones who ran it in for two scores. Aaron Jones did well enough to get 67 yards rushing. Jamaal Williams got a rushing touchdown on a 1-yard play. Matt Moore threw the ball fine for the Chiefs with 267 yards and two touchdowns. LeSean McCoy was the leading rusher for KC with 40 yards but Damien Williams got 30 yards with a touchdown. Overall nice game without Mahomes even though they lost.
All-time series: Chiefs lead series 7-5-1
Next week: Green Bay: @ LA Chargers; Kansas City: vs Minnesota
TW: 13-1; CV: 10-4
Miami 14, Pittsburgh 27: TW: Steelers; CV: Steelers
The game was a story of two parts: the 14 unanswered points by Miami, and the 27 unanswered points by Pittsburgh. Ryan Fitzpatrick started off good but finished well not so good. He threw the ball for 190 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Mark Walton had 11 carries for 35 yards rushing in the game. Mason Rudolph started for Pittsburgh and finished with 251 yards passing with two touchdowns and an interception. James Conner had quite a game with his 145 yards rushing with a touchdown. Yinzer Nation won't riot tonight, they can sleep well tonight.
All-time series: Steelers lead 15-13
Next week: Miami: vs NY Jets; Pittsburgh: vs Indianapolis
TW: 14-1; CV: 11-4
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
Week 8: 11-4
Overall: 75-45-1
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
Week 8: 14-1
Overall: 76-44-1
See you guys on Wednesday for the Week 9 picks post!
-Tom
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