1977
The Minnesota Vikings at 6-3 were on the road in Chicago to play the 4-5 Bears. Walter Payton set an NFL rushing record for one game with 275 yards in 40 carries. His longest run was 58 yards and he scored a touchdown. The Bears defense pitched a shut out. The only Viking score was a great effort from Minnesota’s Matt Blair. He blocked a Bears punt and fell on the ball in the End Zone. Minnesota also turned the ball over four times.
However, the Bears passed for just 33 yards. Fran Tarkenton for Vikings was injured the previous week. Both clubs were playing for field position; but the Bears had the big weapon. Chicago 10 Minnesota 7
1963.
The Cleveland Browns came in Pitt Stadium at 7-1 to the Steelers 4-3-1. Pittsburgh had 23 first downs to just 11 for Cleveland. Total yards also went to Pittsburgh 382 to 272. The Browns passed for only 93 yards. The Steelers John Henry Johnson gained 129 yards to 99 for Jim Brown. Brown gained only five yards in the second half. With Steelers down 7 t0 0 in the third quarter, punter Ed Brown kicked a beauty out at the Cleveland three. Linebacker Bob Schimtz tackled Jimmy Brown in the End Zone. The Steelers broke the ice now trailing 7 to 2.
Cleveland was making Steelers fans nervous going on a drive in the fourth quarter. Halfback Ernie Green fumbled and Brady Keys recovered at the Pittsburgh 22. The Steelers went on a 78 yard drive culminating with a ten yard touchdown pass from Ed Brown to Gary Ballman. Pittsburgh won a thriller 9 to 7. It should have been a blowout. The Steelers
–Place Kicker Lou Micheals missed five field goals;
–Ed Brown overthrew a wide open Buddy Dial on what should have been a 40 yard touchdown;
–were stopped on downs from the Browns one.
On those days, the Pittsburgh had way a making it difficult on themselves. Steelers 9 Browns 7.