Mostly because I didn't want to take a chance on one decade being over-represented and crowding out great teams from other decades(which incidentally also explains why I left out the 1999 Titans,1985 Patriots,and 2003 Panthers).And on that note,let's get to the recaps of yesterday's action:
BRACKET A--1972 Dolphins vs. 1966 Packers at Pro Player Stadium
At first it looked like this game would be a walk for Vince Lombardi's crew as they ran up a 10-0 lead on Miami;however,Garo Yepremian changed that by nailing a 33-yard field goal with just twelve seconds to go in the first half.After that,the Dolphins fought back relentlessly throughout the second half until Earl Morall was able to tie the game on a 5-yard touchdown pass to Marlin Briscoe with just 1:52 to go in regulation.A 3-yard TD by Jim Kiick in overtime finally clinched the win for Miami.
Final:Dolphins 19,Packers 13(OT)
BRACKET B--1985 Bears vs. 1974 Steelers at Soldier Field
Think you know who won this one?Think again.Despite driving rain,a VERY hostile crowd,and an early encroachment penalty on the Steelers defense,Pittsburgh held tough against the Monsters of the Midway;after falling behind 13-10 late in the second half,they snatched victory from the jaws of defeat courtesy of an 18-yard fourth quarter touchdown run by Franco Harris.In the game's final seconds,the Steelers' D-line shut down Jim McMahon's pass attack to clinch the upset victory.
Final:Steelers 17,Bears 13
BRACKET C--1996 Packers vs. 1987 Redskins at Lambeau Field
While Bart Starr's Packers might not have fared too well in the opening phase of the RKMBs.com Super Bowl Anniversary Virtual Tournament,their Brett Favre-led cousins appear to be off to a mighty good start;a 6-yard TD scramble by Favre and an 11-yard TD catch by Antonio Freeman,both in the first quarter,were all the '96 Pack needed to move on to the next round as Green Bay's defense stopped Jay Schroeder cold on just about every possession,intercepting him on Washington's final possession of the game.A second-quarter field goal was just about all the 'Skins offense could manage the entire day.
Final:Packers 14,Redskins 3
BRACKET D--2004 Patriots vs. 1997 Broncos at Gillette Stadium
It started out looking like Denver would take this one by a huge margin,but thanks to a pair of second-quarter rushing scores by Corey Dillon and a 9-yard TD catch by David Givens in the third quarter,New England took the wind out of John Elway's sails.A third Dillon touchdown just before the two-minute warning in the fourth quarter put the icing on the cake for the Pats,who now advance to the second round to take on the winner of the 2002 Buccaneers-1999 Rams matchup.
Final:Patriots 28,Broncos 10
