The NFC was a more interesting conference. The defending champion Lions had all kinds of problems. Barry Sanders missed almost 6 games in the regular season. Mel Gray also had two tours of duty on the IR. It was so bad that Aubrey Matthews was at tailback for a game and a half. Brian #2 still managed to improve on last years regular season record and won the division at 11-5.
The Saint just came alive in the West. They had a 14-2 regular season. The defense just came alive. DE Frank Warren had two interceptions brought back for touchdowns. And nose guard Mike Goff also had a pick for them (we're still trying to figure that out).
The East was defiantly the weakest division in the League this year. That's not to say it was a walk in the park. Mike's Cowboys came out with a 13-3 record. Troy Aikman managed to miss as many wide open receivers as he hit. That did not sit well going in to the playoffs.
Before we knew it the playoffs were upon us. The opening round featured a rematch of Buffalo and Pittsburgh. Andrew suffered a heart breaking defeat at the hands of the Steelers earlier in the year. The way it started it seemed as if Barry Foster was going to cost Andrew another game. It also did not look good when Thurman went down for the season on the first play of the second quarter. Andrew went on to win 13-7 (he missed an extra point as per his M.O.)
The NFC wild card round placed the defending champion Lions (who never lost in the playoffs) against the Falcons. We were all looking for Andre Rison to have a big game, which he did. However the Sanders-less Lions came up and won the game. Mel Gray had it when it counted in the backfield.
In the first AFC divisional game Jason just beat the hell out of the Chargers. That game was such an ass kicking that no more details will be given as not to sicken the weak of stomach.
In the other AFC divisional game we saw an AFC East rivalry renewed between the Bills and the Dolphins. As with Jason's Dolphins last year, this year's version also collapsed in the playoffs. We'll just say that Dan Marino did not have one of his better games. Mark Ingram (a converted WR, now starting tail back) got hurt early on a first quarter dive.
The Saints advance over the Packers in their divisional game, although it was a costly win because Dalton Hilliard was out for the year.
Now in the other Divisional game controversy abounds. It took four tries before a game was completed. The game kept getting locked up/reset because of excessive bouncing and shaking of the system, this mainly was due to mike's reactions. In the second game it appeared as if Brian would have him. He was up 10-0 with about 2 min in the first half (he would get the second half kick off.) Pat swilling came through with a hell of a sack to set up a fourth and goal from about the 25. Mike started jumping up and down, the system locked. On the fourth try Barry Sanders came out of the hospital and that was a bigger liability than an asset. He had two fumbles at critical times. It can be argued that cost Brian #2 the game and that the resets cost Brian a spot in the conference title game)
The AFC title game was a rematch from week 17. The undefeated and untied Oilers who have just left absolute carnage in their path, against a team that struggled and then limped in to the playoffs. Thurman Thomas was also still on the IR. Buffalo's defense did what few others had done. Moon was having a good day (he ended with over 400 yards) but the Oilers were not able to finish the drives. On a critical third and three White had a fumble that did not help. In another play that will remain a point of controversy for years to come Christie missed a 25 yard field goal that would have given the Bills the tie with approximately 1:50 to play. The arrow was right in the middle, but it sailed wide left. Andrew was cursed by this last year as it cost him a playoff birth. Moon had plenty of time left and most likely wold have gotten at least enough yards for a filed goal, but we'll never know. Cody Carlson came in to kill the clock.
The NFC title game was going to be a struggle. It was a defensive struggle. The Saints tied it at 7 with a great TD catch by TE Brad Muster. This was in response to an unbelievable diving catch by Emmitt Smith in the end zone for the Cowboys TD. All Day Aikman was missing wide open receivers. The Saints came up with a 17 point 4Th quarter to win the came. Both running back, MacAfee and Dunbar had great days combing for almost 200 yards. Vaughan Johnson ended any hope of running the ball. Early in the second half Johnson put a hell of a hit on Smith which sent him to the sidelines. The cowboys were still in it with 3 minutes to play, down by only 7. Emmitt's replacement tried to run a draw, got hammered, fumbled and Wayne Martin ran it in to seal the game.
The Super Bowl started out bad for the Oilers. Dunbar had a 90+ yard dash on the Saints second play. After that the defense tightened up and they never scored again. Ray Childress was voted Super Bowl MVP. It was a close race. Jefferies got the other votes. He had a 10 catch 136 yard game. The Saints were covering everything deep, Jefferies kept coming up with the big plays across the middle. Childress single handedly shut the Saints down and thus got the nod for MVP.
That capped and unprecedented 19-0 season for the Oilers.
Cumulative records (thought season 2) Player W/L/T Winning % ------------------------------------------- Jason 33-3 91.67% Mike 28-8 77.77% Brian #2 26-12 68.42% Andrew 21-13-1 61.76%