[SplitPersonality1]

Week One – Around the League

D1962: 1975 Dallas Cowboys (10-4)* at 1962 Green Bay Packers (13-1)**
Staubach vs. Starr. America’s Team vs. the Titans of Titletown. This was quite a game. Statistically, it was a dead heat. First Downs 18-17 DAL. Rushing Yards 161 to 117 GB. Passing Yards 166 to 142 DAL. Both teams had 2 penalties and no turnovers. Time of Possession differed by just 32 seconds.

This was reflected in the final score as Dallas clipped the Pack 21-20 on POG Roger Staubach’s 4-yard rushing td late in the fourth quarter.

D1973: 1992 Minnesota Vikings (11-5) at 2011 Green Bay Packers (15-1)
In RL, both of these division winnings teams bowed out of the playoffs early; the Vikings lost to the Redskins in the Wildcard round and the Pack did not win a playoff game, losing to the Giants in the Divisional Game.

This game was never close. QB Rich Gannon and the Vikings scored early and often, and had a 28-10 lead at halftime. The Pack cut the lead to 8 on a RB Brandon Saine td and a Mason Crosby field goal. However, the Vikings were just too tough winning with a final score of 49-27.

D1973: 1986 Denver Broncos (11-5)* at 1973 Miami Dolphins (12-2)**
Many consider the 1973 Dolphins to be an even better team than the perfect 1972 squad. They show that it might be the case here by defeating the Super Bowl XXI runner-up Broncos rather easily. RB Mercury Morris Had 140 yards and 2 touchdowns. RB Larry Csonka also had a td. QB John Elway was not very good, throwing 1 td but 3 interceptions. Final score: MIA 27 – DEN 10.

D1997: 2004 St. Louis Rams (8-8) at 1997 Kansas City Chiefs (13-3)
D1997: 1946 New York Giant (7-3-1)* at 1997 Denver Broncos (12-4)**
In RL, the 1997 Chiefs and their division rival 1997 Broncos split their two games in the regular season, and met in the divisional round of the playoffs. The Broncos won a close one (14-10) and went on to win Super Bowl XXXII. I will be keeping an eye on this division to see who prevails in the Ultimate League.

Both teams win Week One. KC 27 – STL 24. DEN 23 – NYG 10.

D2001: 1987 Indianapolis Colts (9-6) at 2014 Dallas Cowboys (12-4)
In RL, The Colts won their division and returned to the playoffs after a ten-year absence. They were crushed by the Browns 31-21. After a rough start, the Cowboys came together and made the playoff for the first time in five years. They beat the Lions in the Wildcard round, but were defeated by the Packers 26-21 in the Divisional game.

The UL, it seems like both of these teams are out to prove that they belong with the big dogs. The two teams combined for eleven touchdowns and 975 yards of total offense. After three quarters, the Colts had a 35-34 advantage over the Cowboys. Romo hit Dez Bryant with a 19-yard pass with 5:02 remaining. The Cowboys get the 2-point conversion and lead 42-35.

The Colts answer back by marching down the field to tie it up with an Albert Bentley run from 3 yards out. 1:26 left on the clock.

On the first play from scrimmage, Dallas Walker of the Cowboys has a 6-yard run before fumbling the ball. Colts recover. They gain just two yards, but it it gets them close enough to kick to go ahead field goal. Romo and the Cowboys do nothing in the next series and the clock runs out. IND 45 – DAL 42. Great game.

Game of the Week
D1999: 1942 Chicago Bears (11-0)* at 1999 St. Louis Rams (13-3)**
It’s the “Monsters of the Midway” versus “The Greatest Show on Turf”.
The 1942 Bears were "the single most dominant team in the history of the NFL," according to Cold Hard Football Facts. "The 1942 Bears went 11–0, scored 376 points and surrendered just 84 points. Of course, that dominant team, like the dominant undefeated 2007 Patriots, was upset in the NFL championship game."

The Rams scored 30+ points twelve times in 1999; this includes a 49-37 drubbing of the Minnesota Vikings in the playoffs. On defense, they returned seven interceptions for touchdowns. This Super Bowl winning team definitely earned their nickname.

The UL game opened with both teams trading field goals. Kurt Warner hits Hakim with a 27-yard strike with 2:02 left in the first half. Sid Luckman throws an interception with 45 seconds left, but on the very next play, Kurt Warner throws one as well, but this one is returned 72 yards for a touchdown. The Rams get a taste of their own medicine and go into half tied up at 10.

The Bears get a td in the third and the Rams tie it back up early in the fourth with another Kurt Warner td. This see-saw game finally ends with a field goal from K Frank Maznicki and the Bears win 20-17.

Surprises of the Week
D1978: 1992 Buffalo Bills (11-5)* at 1978 Pittsburgh Steelers (14-2)**
D1986: 1995 Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5)* at 1986 New York Giants (14-2)**
A pair of 14-2 Super Bowl winners not only lose, but get shutout. This is the Ultimate League and anything can happen, but these were ugly losses.

QB Terry Bradshaw was very bad (8 for 18, 103 yards & 2int). RB Franco Harris was shut down (42 yards) and the Steel Curtain was more like tissue paper as the Bills got 19 first downs. POG RB Thurman Thomas had a great game (92 yards rushing & 76 yards receiving with a td). Final: BUF 26 – PIT 0.

In the other surprise game, the Giants had no answer for Neil O’Donnell. The ’95 Steelers QB went 15 for 18, 216 yards and three touchdowns. Final: PIT 30 – NYG 0.

Blowout of the Week
D2005: 1972 San Francisco 49ers (8-5-1) at 1958 Cleveland Browns (9-3)
San Francisco could not stop the run. Cleveland rushed for 344 yards and five touchdowns, including 243 and 2 tds from POG Jim Brown. Final Score: CLV 52 - SF 0.