NFL Tournament of Champions: First Round, Second Group

The NFL Tournament of Champions first roun continues today, as the secon quarter of the bracket gets underway.

1948 Philaelphia Eagles 24, 1970 Baltimore Colts 7
At Shibe Park
Player of the Game: Steve Van Buren, PHI: 20 carries 91 yards 1 touchdown, 2 catches 80 yards, 1 touchdown

The two-way Eagles had a dominant second half, scoring 17 unanswere to break a 7-7 halftime score and defeat the Colts. Steve Van Buren scored two Eagle touchdowns, including a huge 62 yard touchdown catch from Tommy Thompson in the first quarter. Jack Ferrante caught the third Philly touchdown to ice the game in the fourth quarter.


1964 Cleveland Browns 52, 1960 Philadelphia Eagles 35
At Clevelan Municipal Stadium
Player of the Game: Jim Brown, CLE: 25 carries 202 yards two touchdowns, two catches 25 yards

In a high scoring battle by Lake Erie, the 1964 Browns rocked the '60 Eagles for 52 points in a win. The Eagles led 28-24 in the third before the Browns put up 20 unanswered to break away win a win. Jim Brown dominated with 227 total yards on the Cleveland side, while Ernie Green also ran for 100+ yards for the Browns and Frank Ryan three three touchdown passes.


1961 Green Bay Packers 17, 1955 Cleveland Browns 10
At Cleveland Municipal Stadium
Player of the Game: RB Jim Taylor GB: 22 carries 99 yards two touchdowns, two catches 25 yards

Two touchdowns from Jim Taylor were the difference as the powerful '61 Packers edged out the '55 Browns in Cleveland. The Bronws got most of their offense from Curly Morrison, who scored the lone touchdown and ran for 122 yards. Otto Graham struggled with just 86 yards passing and an interception. Taylor scored his second TD with 3:28 left for the winning score.


2001 New England Patriots 19, 1953 Detroit Lions 10
At Foxboro Stadium
Player of the Game: RB Antowain Smith NE: 22 carries 116 yards one touchdown

In a blustery Foxboro, the Patriots got a solid game from Antowain Smith and four Adam Vinatieri field goals to defeat the '53 Lions. RB Doak Walker score the only Detroit touchdown as both Bobby Layne and Tom Brady struggled to do anything in the air. Antowain Smith stole the show with 122 yards and the only Patriot touchdown.


1990 New York Giants 16, 2003 New England Patriots 7
At Giants Stadium
Player of the Game: RB Rodney Hampton NYG: 10 carries 70 yards one touchdown, three catches 30 yards

In a low scoring battle at the Meadowlands, the Giants got a late 50 yard touchdown run from Rodney Hampton to ice a win over the 2003 Patriots. Antowain Smith had the lone New England score as the Pats managed a measly 187 total yards of offense on the day. The Giants, by contrast, had just 292 yards but 19 first downs to New England's nine.


2009 New Orleans Saints 26, 1998 Denver Broncos 13
At Mile High Stadium
Player of the Game: QB Drew Brees NO: 21 for 29 314 yards two touchdowns

The reigning NFL champions, the 2009 Saints, won their opening round match, trouncing the Broncos. Drew Brees threw two touchdowns, one each to Robert Meachem and Jeremy Shockey, and the Saints led 26-6 entering the fourth quarter. Denver's lone touchdown came on a Howard Griffethh run late, as John Elway only had 96 yards passing against a stout Saints D.


1966 Green Bay Packers 6, 1971 Dallas Cowboys 3
At Texas Stadium
Player of the Game: RB Duane Thomas DAL: 21 carries 102 yards, two catches 24 yards

It was all defense in Dallas here as the '66 Packers outkicked the '71 Cowboys 6-3. Duane Thomas' 102 yards rushing helped the Cowboys get field position, but Mike Clark missed four field goals, killing Dallas' chances of winning. Dallas outgained Green Bay 271-168 in total offense, but Don Chandler's two first half field goals were good enough for the Pack.


1954 Cleveland Browns 31, 1947 Chicago Cardinals 3
At Comisky Park
Player of the Game: RB Ray Renfro: six carries 45 yards one touchdown, three catches 50 yards one touchdown

The tough '54 Browns embarrassed the '47 Cardinals in their home park, demolishing them 31-3. Ray Renfro had 97 total yards and two touchdowns for the Browns. Otto Granham had two touchdown passes and RB Mo Bassett also ran for a score. Meanwhile, Chicago only managed 153 total yards of offense, including just 28 rushing yards and a single field goal.


Group Two Second Round Match Previews


1948 Philadelphia Eagles at 1964 Cleveland Browns (Browns get home game based on more points scored)
The powerful  '64 Browns who scored 52 in the first round will host a '48 Philly team with a tough defense.

1961 Green Bay Packers at 2001 New England Patriots


A '61 Packer team with a solid defense and strong rushing game take on the Cinderella 2001 Patriots in a tough atmosphere at Foxboro.

1990 New York Giants at 2009 New Orleans Saints

The 2009 Saints proved they were the real deal in round one, they get a home game at the Superdome against the tough defense of the 1990 Giants.  

1966 Green Bay Packers at 1954 Cleveland Browns
Two teams that allowed just a field goal in their first round games face off in an anticipated battle between two of the argueably best pre-merger NFL teams at Cleveland.