NFL Bracket

[Rangers]

Giants: 1956, 1986

[Astros]

Wow ... I have friends who are Lions fans but I didn't realize just how mediocre (in a good season)/poor (in general) this franchise has been for a long time. The Lions have won four NFL championships. However, their last was in 1957, which gives the club the second-longest NFL championship drought behind the Arizona Cardinals (who last won in 1947). They are one of four current teams and the only NFC team to have not yet played in the Super Bowl. They are also the only franchise to have been in operation for all 54 seasons of the Super Bowl era without having appeared in one (the Cleveland Browns were not in operation for the 1996 to 1998 seasons).

That being said we'll roll with the 1935 Lions - their first Championship Team. In 1935, Dutch Clark led the NFL with 55 points, while Ernie Caddel led the league with 621 yards as they carried the Lions to a 7–3–2 record, which was first in the Western Division. As a result, they advanced to the 1935 NFL Championship Game against the New York Giants. The game was played on December 15, 1935 in front of 15,000 fans in Detroit. The Lions won the game 26–7 to secure the franchise's first World Championship, which was also a part of Detroit's City of Champions for the 1935–36 sports season. The Detroit Tigers won the 1935 World Series, while the Detroit Red Wings captured the 1936 Stanley Cup.

Then we'll roll with their last or most recent Championship team, the 1957 Lions. During the 1957 preseason, Buddy Parker stunned the football world by announcing his resignation from the organization. George Wilson would take over as head coach. Despite the turmoil, the Lions finished 8–4, tied with the San Francisco 49ers for first in the Western Conference. As a result, the two teams faced each other in a playoff game in San Francisco. During the game, the 49ers took a 24–7 lead into halftime behind three touchdown passes from Y. A. Tittle. During halftime, the 49ers, who assumed they had the game locked up, celebrated in their locker room. Because the walls in Kezar Stadium were so thin and the locker rooms were right next to each other, the Lions could hear it. George Wilson stood up and said, "I was going to say something, but that's what they think of you". On the first play of the second half, 49ers running back Hugh McElhenny broke off a 71-yard run to the Detroit 9 yard line, but the Lions held the 49ers to a field goal, which was San Francisco's last points of the day. Bobby Layne had been lost to injury three weeks prior, but Lions backup quarterback Tobin Rote led the team to 24 unanswered points and a 31–27 come from behind win. The next week, in the NFL Championship Game, Rote threw for four touchdowns and ran in another as the Lions routed the Browns 59–14, claiming their third championship in six years. To date, this is the last championship they have won.

As a postlude for this fine franchise ... In 1958, the Lions traded Bobby Layne to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for Earl Morrall and two future draft picks. According to legend, as he was leaving for Pittsburgh, Layne said that the Lions wouldn't win another championship for 50 years. Since this time, the Lions haven't won another championship and the franchise's subsequent years of (mostly) futility has been labeled "The Curse of Bobby Layne." Without Layne, the Lions finished with a 4–7–1 record.

P.S. Most of the above is attributed to Wiki ...

Hey Jim turns out the site only goes back to 1941 so can you pick another Lions team?

[Padres]

Okay ... 1991 Detroit Lions. The team finished 12–4, won the NFC Central Division, and appeared in the playoffs for the first time since 1983; it also marked the team's first winning season since 1983. The Lions finished the season undefeated in the Pontiac Silverdome, including playoffs, and the team did not lose a game at an indoor facility the entire season, having made trips to Indianapolis and Minnesota during the year with the QB duties split between Eric Kramer and Rodney Peete. Barry Saunders rushed for 1,548 yards and Mel Gray averaged 25.8 yards per kickoff return. The Lions earned a bye into the divisional round where they once again faced the Cowboys, who had beaten the Bears the week before to get their first playoff win since 1982. The two teams met in the postseason for the first time since 1970 when Dallas won 5-0.

Although the Cowboys held Lions' star running back Barry Sanders in check for most of the game, Kramer threw for 341 yards and three touchdowns and Sanders closed the scoring with an electrifying 47-yard touchdown run for a 38–6 victory. It was the Lions' first—and, to date, only—postseason victory since they won their last league championship in 1957.

The win earned the Lions a return trip to Washington for the NFC Championship Game and a chance to avenge the 45–0 defeat in the season opener. The Redskins jumped to an early 10–0 lead when Kramer was sacked and fumbled on the Lions' first possession, then was intercepted on the second. The Lions fought back with a touchdown pass to receiver Willie Green and a field goal by kicker Eddie Murray in the second quarter to stay within one score at the half. The Lions trailed 17–10 at the break, but failed to score again as Washington scored 24 points in the second half to put the game away. Ware replaced Kramer as quarterback in the fourth quarter. He promptly threw an interception which was returned by Darrell Green for the game's final touchdown. The 1991 Lions' season thus ended the way it started, with a loss to the Redskins at RFK Stadium; getting outscored 86-10 in the two games.

[WhiteSox]

Defending greatest MLB champ here!

Let’s go with the 1962 Packers and because this tournament needs some Brett Favre lets to with the 1996 Packers.

Go time!

[RedSox]

54 & 64 Browns

[Athletics]

1977 and 1992 Cowboys

[Mets]

Eagles:
2017
2004

Really want to pick the 1992 Eagles with Cunningham and Hershel but gotta go with the Super Bowl teams.

[Dodgers]

Bears
1985
1963

[Astros]

Here is the tournament bracket. I choose teams for those that hadn't picked yet, teams were paired randomly. I'll start it up tomorrow, one quadrant per day for the first 2 rounds, then each round per day after, so should fill some time for another couple weeks.

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[Astros]

First Round Region 1

Terrell Davis rushes for 238 yards as the 98 Broncos roll the 06 Seahawks 52-10. John Elway had 5 touchdown passes, 2 to Ed McCaffrey and the Denver defense made Shaun Alexander look like Trent Richardson, holding him to 48 yards on 25 carries.

Leonard Fournette's 4 yard touchdown run gave the 17 Jags a 12-7 lead over Tom Landry's 77 Cowboys late in the 3rd quarter. A methodical 17 play drive by Dallas ended in a field goal to make it 12-10. With 9 minutes left facing 4th and 3 at the Cowboys 40, Jacksonville punted. Roger Staubach led the Cowboys on an 11 play drive that resulted in a Robert Newhouse touchdown run to make it 17-12. The Jags turned it over on downs in 4 plays deep in their own territory and the Cowboys put the game away on a Preston Pearson touchdown run, 24-12.

It was the Barry Sanders show at the Silverdome, as the Heisman winner scored four total touchdowns and rushed for 120 yards in a comeback win for the 91 Lions over the 2016 Falcons. The Lions took a 30-17 lead late in the 3rd quarter on Sanders fourth touchdown of the game, but the Falcons rallied. Matt Ryan found Julio Jones for a one yard score and Mohammad Sanu for a seven yard touchdown pass with 3 minutes to go to put the Falcons up by a point. Rodney Peete led the Lions into field goal range and Eddie Murray connected on a 37 yard try to give the Lions a 33-31 lead with barely over a minute to go. The Lions D stopped the Falcons and forced a turnover on downs and added another field goal to win it 36-31.

You don't expect a shootout with the Baltimore Ravens involved, but that's what happened as the 2012 squad beat the 2005 Colts 42-35. Edgerrin James rushed for 165 yards and 5 touchdowns for the Colts, but fumbled the ball twice deep in Indy territory in the 4th quarter to allow the Ravens to take the lead. Peyton went 21 of 30 for 296 yards before anyone runs their mouth. Ray Rice had 167 yards and 3 touchdowns and did not punch out his wife after the game.

Junior Seau and the Chargers defense shut down the Madison Avenue Giants as Stan Humpries leads the Bolts to a 20-3 win over the 56 NY squad. Natrone Means put the game away with a 4 yard touchdown run with 3 minutes remaining.

The 85 Bears pound Doug Flutie and the 99 Bills, 27-6. Flutie goes 10/27 for 159 yards, the Bills running game was bottled up and Kevin Butler made 4 field goals. Matt Suhey iced the game with a 4th quarter touchdown.

The 91 Redskins survive a scare from Jake Delhomme and the 03 Panthers 20-10. A Mushin Muhammad touchdown catch put Carolina up 10-6 midway through the third. Washington retook the lead on a 16 yard touchdown catch by Ricky Sanders. John Kasey missed a tying field goal attempt in the 4th and Earnest Byner put the game away with a 16 yard run in the 4th.

Joe Namath does it again! The 68 Jets upset the undefeated 2007 Patriots 41-31! (screenshot included just to prove I didn't rig it). The Jets defense intercepted Brady twice and stripped Randy Moss at the two yard line in the 4th quarter to kill any chance of a New England comeback, along with sacking Brady 3 times. Namath threw for 3 touchdowns, two to George Sauer.

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[Astros]

Technically it is Saturday, so going to do a double dose of games and do one region now and one when I wake up in the morning.

The Greatest Show on Turf goes up against the Patrick Mahomes led Chiefs. Kurt Warner hit Isaac Bruce for a pair of first half touchdowns to give the Rams a 14-10 halftime lead. The teams traded field goals in the third quarter to make it 17-13. A 20 yard touchdown run by Marshall Faulk put the Rams up by 11 and a Jeff Wilkins field goal with 5:38 to go gave the Rams a two touchdown lead. Then Mahomes got going, hitting Tyreek Hill for a 68 yard touchdown on the first play of the drive. After forcing the Rams to punt, Mahomes connected with Darrel Williams for a 40 yard touchdown to tie the score with 1:34 to go. That left too much time on the clock, as Kurt Warner and Marshall Faulk marched the Rams down the field. Faulk got the Rams in position for a long field goal, then Ricky Proehl got loose for a 22 yard catch to get the ball to the 8. Marshall Faulk then broke a couple tackles and scored the winning touchdown with 4 seconds left for a 34-27 win

The 76 Vikings and 99 Titans clashed for a chance to face the Rams. The Vikings had no trouble with the Titans, rolling to a 34-7 win. Chuck Foreman ran for 158 yards and 2 scores for the Vikings while Jeff Fisher stuck with the run game while getting blown out, only having Steve McNair throw 12 passes the entire game. Side note, I was looking earlier today, Eddie George had 2 seasons in his career where he averaged more than 4 YPC. Is he the most overrated NFL player of all time?

The Saints hold Jim Plunkett to a 12/35 day with 2 INT and win 20-10. Drew Brees only goes 13/23 for 201 yards but it is enough as the Saints defense carries them past Los Angeles.

Carson Wentz shreds the Texas for 287 yards and 2 touchdowns as the Eagles beat Houston 27-17. Jay Ajayi had a 44 yard touchdown run to ice the game.

The 2002 Bucs have an argument to be the greatest defense of all time. The 2007 Steelers had a great offense. Defense wins the day in this 6-3 overtime win for Tampa. Big Ben goes 8/18 for 61 yards and 2 INT and Tampa forces Willie Parker to fumble deep in Pittsburgh territory to set up the winning field goal in OT. America's dads fall asleep in their recliners for half the game and miss nothing.

The 81 Bengals get a measure of revenge, knocking out the 94 49ers 24-13. Trailing entering the 4th, the Bengals took the lead on a Ken Anderson 10 yard pass to Cris Collinsworth on the first play of the 4th and added insurance with a rushing touchdown with 9 minutes to go. The 49ers had 2 drives stall in Bengals territory and turned it over on downs both times.

The Packers hold Jim Brown to 72 yards, allow 96 passing yards and survive a pair of Brett Favre interceptions to beat the 64 Browns 31-13. Green Bay scored 17 second half points and shut out the Browns.

The 2019 Miami Dolphins win the same number of games as the 2007 Patriots, ZERO! Big Red scores two touchdowns in the 4th to rally for a 28-21 win with Jim Hart and Terry Metcalfe leading the way

[Astros]

Region 3

In a battle of two great defenses, the 2000 Ravens beat the 1986 Giants 13-10. Lawrence Taylor had 3 sacks but the Ravens completely shut down the Giants, who only went 4/13 on 3rd down and averaged 2 yards per carry.

The K Gun outduels the Run and Shoot as the 1990 Bills beat the 93 Oilers 34-21. Buffalo jumped out to a 24-7 halftime lead thanks to 2 touchdowns from Thurman Thomas and a screen pass to Kenneth Davis that went for a 79 yard touchdown. Jim Kelly threw for 323 yards and 3 touchdowns and Bruce Smith sacked Warren Moon 3 times.

The 2015 Panthers get 4 field goals from Graham Gano and that's enough to get by the 1992 Saints, 12-10. New Orleans didn't cross midfield in the 4th quarter.

The 1954 Browns get a pair of rushing touchdowns and Otto Graham tosses another as they blow out the 1976 Raiders 30-6. Kenny Stabler was awful, going 10/26 for 80 yards and a pick and the Raiders run game was held to 2.6 YPC as Cleveland held the ball for 40 minutes.

2013 Peyton beats 2009 Peyton as the Broncos advance 41-31. The Colts were up 4 and driving deep in Denver territory when Donald Brown fumbled (Pat you know that killed me), and the Broncos drove for the go ahead score. Montee Ball iced the game with a 6 yard run with a minute to go.

Mark Brunell tossed 4 touchdown passes as the 99 Jags beat the 04 Eagles 28-23. The Eagles rallied for 10 points in the 4th quarter, but Donovan McNabb's hail mary on the last play of the game was batted down as the Jags remain undefeated against anyone that's not the 99 Titans.

Washington misses 2 field goals as the Lombardi Packers win 17-14. Sammy Baugh threw for 286 yards but the Packers defense holds them to a pair of touchdowns and Green Bay ekes out enough to move on.

The Chicago Cardinals took a 13-3 lead into the 4th quarter, when Bobby Layne got over his hangover and the Lions scored 21 unanswered points to win 24-13. Layne threw for touchdowns of 70 and 67 yards on back to back drives to give the Lions the lead and John Henry Johnson put the game away with a 12 yard touchdown run right after the two minute warning

[Astros]

A 14 yard touchdown pass from Russell Wilson to Doug Baldwin was all the scoring Seattle would get, and all they would need as the 1979 Bucs missed 2 field goals and lost 7-3.

Mike Haynes shut down Randy Moss, holding him to two catches as the 76 Patriots beat the 98 Vikings 23-17. Three third quarter rushing touchdowns put the Pats up 13. The Vikes got a 49 yard touchdown run from Robert Smith with 9 minutes left, but went 3 and out on their next possession and the Pats chewed the clock down to about 30 seconds before Minnesota got the ball back.

The 18 Rams shut out the 63 Bears 20-0. Two field goals from Greg the Leg, a Gurley touchdown run and a pick 6 were more than enough.

The 69 Chiefs intercepted Joe Montana twice in the 4th quarter, returning one for the game winning score as the 89 49ers were upset 30-27. Roger Craig rushed for 119 yards, Jerry Rice had 105 receiving yards but the Niners couldn't overcome Montana's 4th quarter mistakes.

Franco Harris caught a touchdown and rushed for one as the Steel Curtain intercepted Chris Chandler twice and plucked the dirty bird Falcons 23-13.

The 88 Bengals beat the 06 Chargers 23-20 in overtime. A Tomlinson touchdown run with 5 minutes to go put San Diego up, but a 48 yard Cris Collinsworth catch set up the Bengals to tie it just before the two minute warning and a field goal won it in OT. Ickey Woods and James Brooks both rushed for 100 yards.

The 2010 Jets gave the 72 Dolphins a game but ultimately fall 28-20. Earl Morrall threw 3 touchdown passes for the Dolphins. The Jets had the ball inside the 10 with a minute go to but couldn't get in the end zone on 4 tries.

The 92 Cowboys shut down Derrick Henry and shut out the Titans 30-0. Cody Parkey missed 4 field goals so this is a pretty accurate simulation

[Astros]

Roger Staubach almost pulls off a miracle, but the 98 Broncos hang on 21 -16. Howard Griffith broke through for a 20 yard touchdown run with 9 minutes left to give Denver a 21-7 lead. Staubach led the Cowboys to a field goal, then threw a touchdown to Preston Pearson with 1:50 remaining. The Doomsday Defense forced a 3 and out and Roger drove Dallas to the Denver 25 before being sacked on the last play of the game.

The Lions jumped out to a 21-7 halftime lead over the 2012 Ravens, getting an 83 yard punt return on the last play of the half. Joe Flacco rallied the Ravens from a 10 point deficit in the 4th, with Ray Rice scoring on a 6 yard run and Justin Tucker kicking a 43 yard field goal as time expired to send it to OT. The Lions won the toss and Eddie Murray kicked a 44 yard field goal to win it.

The 85 Bears crush the 94 Chargers 30-3.Walter Payton rushed for 136 yards and a touchdown, Willie Gault caught an 8 yard touchdown from Jim McMahon and the defense easily shuts down Stan Humphries and Natrone Means.

The Jets defense carries the day, Matt Snell rushes for a 12 yard touchdown midway through the 3rd quarter to win it 10-3 over the 91 Redskins. Mark Rypien goes 10/25 with a pick and the Jets don't allow Washington to enter Jets territory in the 2nd half.

[Astros]

The 1976 Vikings beat the Greatest Show on Turf 24-17. The Purple People Eaters held Marshall Faulk to 70 total yards, Nate Wright picked off Kurt Warner late in the 4th to stop a potential tying touchdown drive and Chuck Foreman caught 2 touchdown passes.

The 2017 Eagles faced a 21-6 halftime deficit against the 09 Saints. Carson Wentz scored on a QB sneak in the 3rd, then the Eagles blocked a punt for a safety and Corey Clement scored on a 10 yard run to put the Eagles up by a point with 10 minutes left. Doug Pederson punted from the Saints 40 with 6 minutes to go and Brees drove the Saints down the field and hit Reggie Bush for his third touchdown pass of the day with 55 seconds left for a 29-22 win.

The 02 Bucs held Kenny Anderson to 50 yards passing while Brad Johnson ran for a 10 yard score and went 14 of 18 with a touchdown pass to Keyshawn Johnson in a 20-3 win.

Brett Favre's Packers use their ground game to beat the 74 Cardinals 23-6. Favre thew a 44 yard screen pass to Dorsey Levens while Edgar Bennett and William Henderson had touchdown runs for the Pack.

[Astros]

Site was down earlier today so I'll just knock today and tomorrow out now and we'll be on to the Sweet 16

Tony Banks throws 3 touchdown passes and the Ravens shut down Jim Kelly and the Bills 21-3. The Bills are held to 1.6 YPC and Jim Kelly is ineffective while Jamal Lewis runs for 120 yards

For the second straight game, the 2015 Panthers get 4 Graham Gano field goals and advance, beating the 1954 Browns 12-7. Cleveland scored with 4 minutes left and got the ball to the Carolina 15, but Otto Graham's final 2 passes were incomplete in the end zone, allowing Carolina to advance. Stephen A. Smith yells that America is racist for pointing out Cam Newton has yet to lead the Panthers on a touchdown drive through 2 games.

Peyton Manning tosses 4 touchdowns as the 13 Broncos rout the 99 Jags 48-10.

Jim Taylor runs for 124 yards and 2 touchdowns as the 62 Packers dispatch the 57 Lions 27-6.Willie Wood and Herb Adderly intercept 2 Lions passes in a game that was never close.

The Legion of Boom hold Steve Grogan to 85 yards passing and Russell Wilson gets all the credit for the win after going 8/10 for 136 yards in a 20-13 win. Beast Mode put the Seahawks up for good with an 11 yard touchdown run early in the 3rd.

Robert Holmes rushes for 3 Chiefs touchdowns and Otis Taylor catches 2 more as the 69 Chiefs blow out the 18 Rams 45-17.

Terry Bradshaw tosses 2 touchdowns and Rocky Bleier rushes for 101 yards and another score as the Steel Curtain beat the 88 Bengals 26-14

Emmitt Smith goes for 141 yards and 3 touchdowns as the 92 Cowboys blow out the 72 Dolphins 31-6. Jim Jeffcoat had 3 sacks and the Cowboys picked off Earl Morrall twice

[Astros]

Denver jumps out to a 17-0 lead and cruises to a 26-14 win over the 91 Lions. Barry Sanders had two touchdowns in a losing effort, while Terrell Davis went over 100 yards on the ground and caught a touchdown pass.

The 85 Bears continue their dominance as Steve McMichael sacks Joe Namath twice, Walter Payton rushes for two scores and the Bears win 23-6.

Drew Brees hits Jeremy Shockey for the only touchdown of the game in the second quarter and the 09 Saints knock out the 76 Vikings 10-3. Minnesota missed 2 field goals and Fran Tarkenton was held to 81 yards passing and picked twice.

Favre throws 3 picks as the 02 Bucs beat the 96 Packers in Lambeau 26-7. Green Bay managed 6 first downs the entire game and Brad Johnson tossed 2 touchdowns.

The Panthers offense finally wakes up, Cam Newton throws 3 touchdowns and Ray Lewis can go back to getting away with murder as the 2000 Ravens fall 24-17. Jared Allen sealed the game with a pick of Tony Banks with a minute to go as the Ravens rallied to make it a game after falling behind 24-3 at halftime.

Peyton Manning goes 21/15 for 303 yards and 3 touchdowns as the 13 Broncos knock out the 62 Packers 24-14. Peyton hit Demaryius Thomas for a 41 yard touchdown on the last play of the first half to make it 14-10 and Julius Thomas and Montee Ball caught the go ahead and put away scores in the second half.

The 69 Chiefs lay the smackdown on the Legion of Boom, holding the Seahawks to 9 points in a 20-9 win. Mike Garrett iced the game with a 3 yard touchdown run with 1:40 to go.

HOW BOUT DEM COWBOYS?!!Emmitt Smith runs for 166 yards and 2 scores in a 37-10 win over the 75 Steelers.

[DBacks]

This is why an Aaron Rodgers team might have fared better. Peak Rodgers is like peak Favre w/o the interceptions. But at least his gunslingin' got the 96 Packers to the final 16.

[WhiteSox]

Probably right, but I wanted to enter a Favre team.
RIP Packers squads...

[Astros]

The 98 Broncos get by the 85 Bears 13-9. A 46 yard Kevin Butler field goal gave the Bears a 9-6 lead with 12 minutes to go, but John Elway led another patented 4th quarter comeback, hitting Ed McCaffrey for a 26 yard touchdown with 8 minutes left. Otis Wilson picked off Elway just before the 2 minute warning and returned the ball to the Denver 13 before being chased down by Terrell Davis. The Bears got the ball inside the 10, but Jim McMahon's 4th down throw to the end zone was broken up by Ray Crockett.

The 2009 Saints implode in the 4th quarter, blowing a 10 point lead in the final 3 minutes to lose 24-17. Pierre Thomas scored on a one yard plunge with 4:46 to go to make it 17-7, with Tampa's only points coming on an 88 yard first quarter punt return. A quick touchdown drive ended with a pass to Ken Dilger to make it 17-14 with 3 minutes to go. The Saints went 3 and out and the Bucs blocked their punt, recovering at the Saints 39. A quick six play drive ended with an 11 yard Mike Alstott touchdown run to put TB up 21-17 with just over a minute to go, plenty of time for Brees except his first pass was intercepted by Brian Kelly. Tampa added a field goal to go up 7 and Drew Brees was sacked on his final attempt at a hail mary to end things.

Peyton throws for 3 touchdowns as the 13 Broncos destroy the 15 Panthers 40-14.

Len Dawson is picked 5 times, 3 by Kenneth Gant, Emmitt Smith scores 2 touchdowns and rushes for 137 yards as the Cowboys beat KC 20-13. Jan Stenerud cut it to a touchdown game with 3 minutes to go but Dallas got the ball back and ran out the clock.

[Astros]

The Bucs special teams play a big role in another win. Leading 14-13 with 3 minutes to go in a battle of field position, Tampa gets an 81 yard punt return touchdown to go up 21-13. The Broncos turned it over on downs quickly and with a short field, Brad Johnson hit Keyshawn Johnson for a touchdown to put the game away, 28-13.

The 13 Broncos intercept Troy Aikman 3 times and keep Emmitt Smith out of the end zone en route to a 20-10 win. Ronnie Hillman broke free for a 28 yard touchdown run at the end of the first half to give Denver a 13-10 lead and Montee Ball's 1 yard touchdown catch with 4 minutes left put the game on ice.

[Astros]

Peyton goes 16/19 for 183 yards and hits Demaryius Thomas for a touchdown with 3 minutes to go in the third to lead Denver for a 17-14 win over the 02 Bucs, who rallied for 11 points in the 4th but ran out of time. Denver sacked Brad Johnson 6 times