Of note: Jerry Rice, who had seen passes intended for him randomly sail away or stop dead, quoted after the game: “We need a dome.” One play later, Karlis kicked a 22-yarder to win. What followed: Steve Young threw interceptions on both possessions, the second of which was returned by Steve Wilson to the 49ers’ 5. This wasn’t a day to hit a golf ball or kick a football.” I thought I hit it good, but it took off. Said Karlis, “I aimed for the middle, and that was my mistake. What had happened: Rich Karlis missed a 34-yard FG with two seconds left in regulation. I’ve never seen wind like that in the 10 years I’ve been here.” The wind was so unpredictable that at one point in the third quarter, the teams combined to run on 29 straight plays (18 by San Francisco and 11 by Denver). Said Bill Walsh, “It looked like a beautiful day, and then all hell broke loose. Of note: Eagles punter John Teltschik set an NFL record (since broken) by punting 15 times in the game. After a 36-yard Simms to Bavaro pass, Allegre would hit from 28 for the win. Seth Joyner blocked a 50-yard Raul Allegre FG, but the Eagles would go 3-and-out yet again. Possession by possession, the Giants gained field position, with a 59-yard Sean Landeta punt pinning the Eagles at their own 4, followed by an Eagles punt returned by Phil McConkey to the Eagles’ 33. What followed: The Eagles were completely ineffective in overtime, running 18 plays for a total of negative 3 yards. What had happened: The Eagles came back from a 20-6 deficit with two long TD passes (36 and 40) in the last 3:32. 7 of 8 scores during regulation were scored by the team with the wind, with the exception coming 2 plays into the 4th quarter. Mark Moseley, in his first game with the Browns, would kick a 29-yard FG to win the game 9 plays later. After another Oilers defensive stop and a punt to the Oilers’ 34, Minnifield intercepted Luck again, returning it to the Oilers’ 37. After driving the Oilers to the Browns’ 35, Luck was intercepted by Frank Minnifield at the Browns’ 21. What followed: Houston forced a punt, taking possession on its own 39. What had happened: Oliver Luck replaced an injured Warren Moon (5 of 23, 68 yards, 4 interceptions) and led the Oilers to the tying TD with 50 seconds left, throwing an 11-yard pass to Ray Wallace. Said Duerson, “I think the refs wanted to talk us out of it.” 4. Of note: According to Bears safety Dave Duerson, the referees were confused when the Bears decided to kick rather than receive. After a 29-yard pass from Mike Tomczak to Keith Ortego on the Bears’ first play, Kevin Butler kicked a 42-yard FG to win. Chicago returned the Steelers punt to its 49. Mark Malone threw 2 passes described as “wounded ducks” by Ditka. What followed: After a touchback, the Steelers went 3 and out, gaining 0 yards. Why: 17 mph wind, one of the best defenses in NFL history, Jim McMahon out for the season Danelo made a 35-yard FG three plays later to win. Dallas would turn the ball over three plays later, Byron Hunt intercepting Danny White and returning it to the Dallas 24. After a 23-yard bootleg by Scott Brunner, the Giants were in good position to win, but Danelo’s 33-yard FG hit the right upright. Two plays later, Lawrence Taylor recovered a botched pitch to Tony Dorsett, giving the Giants the ball at the Dallas 40. What followed: The Giants went nowhere on their first drive, punting to the Dallas 40. What had happened: Danelo made a 40-yard FG with the wind to tie the game with 30 seconds left. He also missed a 32-yarder, but it was nullified by a penalty. Giants kicker Joe Danelo had missed from 21 and 27 against the wind in regulation, after not missing from inside 36 all season (12 of 12). Why: 15 mph wind with gusts to 23, bitter cold. In the second overtime, with the Texans now having the wind at their back, Tommy Brooker made a 25-yard FG, giving the Texans the 1962 AFL Championship. What followed: The Dallas defense stopped the Oilers three times, forcing a punt and picking off George Blanda twice. The toss: After winning the toss, Abner Haynes, Dallas captain, told referee Harold Bourne that “We’ll kick to the clock.” Unfortunately for the Texans, he could not choose both options, and by starting with “We’ll kick,” Haynes committed the Texans to kicking off. What had happened: Houston rallied from down 17-0 to tie. Why: strong wind, blowing in the direction of the south-end zone clock. Dallas Texans 20, Houston Oilers 17 (2OT) AFL CHAMPIONSHIP So, how many times has a coach chosen the wind instead of the ball? Why did he do so? What were the results? 1. In 2002, Detroit Lions coach Marty Mornhinweg was roundly criticized for choosing to take the wind after winning the coin toss in overtime against the Bears, and it was cited in his firing at the end of the season (a 5-27 record didn’t help much).
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