1989 Week 16 MNF - Bengals vs Vikings

leads to a victory tonight there is a wild card if they lose Pittsburgh Steelers watching tonight in Pittsburgh the final wild-card spot yesterday the NFC Central Division picture was clarified down in Dallas Green Bay and west to beat the Cowboys tonight and his teammates are in Green Bay with a vested interest in tonight's game if the Minnesota Vikings lose the Packers win the division if the Vikings win they're in the playoffs and Green Bay is out tonight the bengals must-win to make the playoffs the playoffs two teams their playoff lives on the line tonight Cincinnati bingo feed the Minnesota Vikings on ABC's Andy [Music] the trick play this room here for 20 years [Music] night football's come in home tonight [Music] [Applause] [Music] rowdy friends are hell for Monday night everybody [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] ABC's Monday Night Football brought to you by Budweiser beechwood aged that clean crisp taste this Bud's for you bye forward in your Ford dealer have you driven a Ford lately by IBM whatever your size whatever you need iBM is working to bring you the best solution and by ITT building businesses into leaders from the Metrodome in Minneapolis on Christmas night the final game of the 1989 regular season the Cincinnati Bengals and the Minnesota Vikings and tonight for both teams is sudden-death the win tonight and it's on to the playoffs a loss Andy it is all over and let's take a look at the two scenarios that could take place tonight if Cincinnati wins Houston will be at Cincinnati in an AFC wild wild card game Green Bay clinches the NFC Central championship Pittsburgh is out of the playoffs Minnesota out of the playoffs now if Minnesota should win tonight Pittsburgh will be at Houston in the AFC wild card game that game next Sunday Minnesota clinches the NFC central championship Cincinnati how do the playoffs Green Bay out of the playoffs and there it is hello again everyone I'm Frank Gifford we're delighted you're with us merry christmas happy holiday and again what a pleasure to bring you this final game of the 1989 regular season Cincinnati coming into tonight with an 8 and 7 record they came within inches of course of winning at all and a Joe Montana miracle took it away from in the final seconds in Super Bowl 23 but they come in a very confident football team off a 61 to seven victory over Houston and a team you get the sense that they plan on other games for this season meanwhile the Minnesota Vikings a trouble team there are nine and six on the year and they have the number one defense in the entire National Football League but when they get that points they give up those points at the wrong time they have an offense that when they acquired Herschel Walker was said to be the final spoke in the wheel if I take them to the Super Bowl and now Michaels if I could die could quote a former colleague of mine that has not eventuated I think I remember that colleague it hasn't eventuated and and one reason the Vikings have had problems offensively this year is that Walker has not become the dominant force they had hoped that he would Anthony Carter has been bothered by injuries but most importantly they have gotten very very inconsistent play from their Florida backs and protected Oh Wade Wilson who left last week's game against Cleveland with a knee injury in the fourth quarter Tommy Cramer finished up they lost in overtime Wilson though is fine tonight and will start tonight's game the most important of his career as Minnesota tries to extend his season but they do have two things going do the Vikings as Frank mentioned the number one defense in the league and this team has not lost the game at home this year they are seven and O in the dome in 1989 and going back to last season counting their playoff victory against the Rams the Vikings have won their last 12 home games tonight then they face the Bengals and there's no question if the Bengals play the way they did against Houston last week they will be playing at riverfront on Sunday and nice tie Santa I like you very much the kids struck again at miss also have Santa Claus on my socks you know there's the rub al and use the word inconsistent when you talked about the Viking quarterback situation inconsistent has to describe this entire Bengal ballclub twice this year they've had games where they've scored in the 50s and in the 40s followed it up the next week with games where they only scored seven points Sam Weiss has implored his ball club guys we can't have another offensive lapse we've reached the playoffs now that's what tonight's ballgame is a playoff game one offensive lapse we're out of if you like life in the pits folks it doesn't get any better than what you're going to see tonight the Bengal offensive line against the Viking defensive line in particular rhymers and Munoz on the left side of the Bengal line against Maillard and dolmen grade-a stuff and here we go as the 1989 regular season comes to an end to wildcard games to be played Sunday for certain one of them at veteran's stadium in Philadelphia the Rams against the Eagles the other either at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati if the Bengals win tonight or at the Astrodome in Houston where the Oilers would host Pittsburgh if Minnesota wins tonight Lee Johnston to kick go off for Cincinnati and Anthony Porter goes back to return kickoffs tonight along with versus Walker and Alford Anderson and that's a different twist from Jerry burns harder in past years has returned punts but here he is on the kickoff team and Johnson's line drive is dropped by Anderson picked up by Carter at the 4 and Anthony Carter gets thrown out of bounds up at about the 23 yard line by Ricky Dixon so the Vikings will take over at that point Wade Wilson and his numbers not good at all 7 touchdowns and 12 interceptions and he's well down the list averaging under 7 yards per pass attempt offensively Herschel Walker and Rick penny are the running backs Carter and Hassan Jones the wide outs Steve Jordan along with Keith Jackson to Phil they going to the Pro Bowl Zimmerman named McDaniel are both going to the Pro Bowl allowed him up the center with Kahless and Tim erlin from the 23 Wilson to throw to set up the screen hit spinning has two blockers in front and inauspicious beginning exposure [Applause] so a little scream perfectly executed to Ric Finney and a 28-yard picked up for the Vikings on their first play break all team is fired up they are smoking down there tonight you get the big pass watch the screen passes designed to let them come in let them take advantage of the rush and a good move by finding good blocks out in front lot of milk was there McDaniel the crow bowler thinnies longest play of the year what a time to get it first in ten Minnesota from the 48 yard line it is Walker and Walker starting right going left and that didn't fool anybody loss of two McClendon Crum Rye and Buck who made the last tackle the three up front white Zander Kelly and Willis be Reggie Williams last game ever number 57 Phillips and Thomas of the corners Fulcher and Dixon of the safeties Reggie Williams has already announced his retirement number 57 elected recently to the Cincinnati City Council will his season be extended at least one more week it depends on the [Music] second and 12 bangles showing corner blitz and here they come they'd love to do that they pick up the corner and Wilson his partner for a first down at the 37 yard line so that first down smoking crazy and Dixon in on the tackle 17 yard game there is AC Anthony Carter his 59th catch of the season a simple turn in the ball is a little bit high from Wilson but look at the good hands Carter protecting the ball with his body goes up and make no doubt about it if the Vikings are going to make any noise offensively tonight the big guy probably won't be Herschel Walker it'll be Anthony Carter they need one or the other to have a big night and as motion Gary Zimmerman number 65 was moving and our first flag of the night Pat Haggerty is the referee ball start 65 is against the man his li going to the protests Barry Zimmerman out of Oregon in his fourth year he and McDaniel who line up side-by-side we'll both be playing in Hawaii in February quite a feat al for Randal McDaniel who plays next to Gary Zimmerman I mean only a second year in the league and to achieve that kind of notoriety number 64 right there from his peers and coaches around the NFC that's that's tough to do in a shorter period of time as Randall McDaniel has done and they are 2 of 7 Vikings who go to the Pro Bowl first and 15 through the middle Herschel Walker taken down at the 38 yard line by skip McClendon number 72 McClendon third year out of Arizona State Jere burns the tough year forum all things considered for a team that is nine and six so much was expected of this team I think more magazine more supposed experts pick the Vikings to win it all than any other team than preseason I can only assume by saying supposed experts oh you weren't one of them no definitely not no way to bail out on that way none of the three of us second and tan as Rick penny takes it across the 35 to the 33-yard line everybody's a supposed expert at this time of year [Music] Boomer Esiason keeping that valuable right arm I want to hear you get out of this yeah you're right look this I was gonna say it's sort of strange to see boomer trying to keep the right elbow wolfram keepin it let's put it this way under wraps boomers Hannibal the third down and six well that's what I mean by supposing expert from the 33 out of the shotgun [Music] Wilson [Applause] the Vikings who were soaking it offensively last week for the most part against Cleveland come out shredding the Cincinnati defense initially tonight let's take a look at it's not a pic exactly but it's a little cross and then Anthony Carter breaks it back out going against Eric Thomas and the key thing Wade Wilson right on target Wade Wilson went out of last week's game against Cleveland bruised knee has been puffy all week but he has now picked out two receivers are connected on two key plays and gets the first down again they Anthony Carter this is what they need a big knife from Carter to give them the explosive offense they know they've got they just haven't been getting it from the 19 off the fake to Walker going back the other way deep into where the open Steve Jordan [Applause] he'd gotten free and that's the first time that Wilson has misfired the 90s three four four the beaten Reggie Williams at Jordan when you talk to a lot of coaches around the league in a game of this magnitude I think they'll tell you that they don't mind at all starting the game defensively they don't mind throwing their defensive team out there because a lot of times you're a little tight offensively and it's tough to make things happen but to watch Minnesota and the way that they're operating here on their initial offensive possession of the ball game well that's certainly not the scenario tonight they've opened this series like they've been playing like this is the middle of the third quarter second and ten from the 19 yard line Wilson throws it's deflected and out of the hands of Rickey Dixon who can't believe it it was almost too easy for him and the crowds booing they want a penalty I think the crowd would like an interference penalty but Rickey Dixon and Al he's gone to the endzone gone if Dickson holds on to it but again you hear the reaction of the crowd they're reacting to the scoreboard replay waiting for interference you be the judge here's Anthony Carter working against Lewis Phillips that's a good defensive play by Billups from that angle looks like there was some contact before the ball got there but he timed it pretty well third and 10 this is the ninth play of the opening drive crusher Finney vulture is able to drag him down by his ankles at the 14 and the Minnesota field goal unit with rich scarless will come in so the Bengals stiffened after Minnesota had picked up three successive first downs the ball is at the 13 yard line so upcoming will be about a 31 yard attempt for Carles the longtime Bronco couldn't come to terms with Denver for what a year he's having he was at home for a couple of weeks at the outset of the season signed with Minnesota nice to leave Denver and kick in the woods for a while look he's made the most of it and pharmacists it is perfect from 31 so on the opening drive the Vikings control the ball for the first 5:30 if the opening period 3-nothing Minnesota [Music] holiday greetings from Budweiser [Applause] the people who bring you Budweiser wish you and yours the very best of everything this holiday season announcing the biggest sale ever from Ford now Ford gives you a thousand dollar cash bonus on the number one selling cars and trucks in America a thousand dollar cash bonus from Ford on Taurus Thunderbird probe tempo Mustang and Festiva a thousand dollar cash bonus on the press selling Ford Escort and Ford Ranger Plus Franco an arrow star or choose four point eight percent financing for 48 months on Taurus and arrow star it's the biggest sale ever from Ford with a thousand dollar cash bonus on many of America's best-selling cars and trucks see your Ford dealer today ok kids today we're gonna demonstrate a discovery that could change our lives it's the Nobel prize-winning discovery by IBM scientists of a more practical superconductor that carries electricity with no resistance and mix magnetic objects gravity this discovery is fascinating not only scientists but future scientists advances and superconductivity IBM technology at work Christmas night in Minneapolis and by the way outside not that bad all things considered got up into the 30s today though it's cooling off again tonight going down into the I think five to seven range they said contest here tonight for the best Santa Claus or the best Christmas wardrobe [Music] they're Vikings lead three nothing again the winners to the playoff the losers home Karlis to kick off its on Hollifield and Richard Carey deep for the Bengals carry from the eighth [Applause] set the Cincinnati offense the offense that erupted exploded 461 last week against the Oilers led by Boomer Esiason this year again averaging close to eight yards per pass attempt and as you can see better than a three to one touchdown to interception ratio Brooks and Eric ball a UCLA rookie or the running backs McGee having a terrific season and whiteouts Holman goes to the Pro Bowl munos weimer's kazursky Montoya and Walter up front Munoz of course has always to the four ball Montoya eyes and welcome from the twenty Esiason throws and the catch is made by Eddie Brown out at about the 28 yard line a couple of yards short of the first down Minnesota tops in the league in defense that means they've allowed the fewest yards in the league and it's Noga Thomas Maillard and Dolman that fearsome foursome up front deuce pabich spells Mike Merriweather who's inactive tonight he's hurt Studwell and Barry are the other backers of those four go to the Pro Bowl second down in the 28 the massive audibly boomer changing everything second into the fake two ball and Esiason lost it to Brooks and brushes out of bounds after picking up a first down to the 40-yard line run out of bounds there by Reggie Rutland number 48 and here you hear the expression all the time frank about it this guy plays big I don't know of a player in the league that applies to more than James Brooks here's a guy that even on that last play when he's by the sidelines rather than just dance out of bounds lowers the shoulder and takes on Reggie Rutland this is a guy that plays 20 pounds heavier than he really is JB James Brooks Bengals change he once again and take great communication underlined [Applause] for boomers [Applause] a short coddled Minnesota tries to change personnel though snap the ball first and ten from the 40 Esiason with time and throws incomplete intended for Rodney folding over the middle and Henry Thomas put the pressure on number 97 where the Christmas greeting for a sizing and Joey browner was right there covering Rodney Holmen decison had to get rid of it under pressure and there's that little huddle as we look at the replay once again now Esiason with Holmen covered at this point by browner just has to fire it incomplete second and ten from the 40 here's Brooks what moves to the outside breaks a tackle and picks up five Bullington in on the play it'll be third in about five one of the best matchups tonight might not be actually by the guys with helmets on I think a lot of people would acknowledge it Sam Weiss is one of the great offensive lines in the game but tonight he's matching wits with Floyd meters the defensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings so might be the best defensive coordinator in the game of football is white goose are ranked number one and it's a little test game going on right now between those two third and a short five from the 45 three nothing Minnesota each 25 to go on the opening quarter they send Brooks and motion Esiason looks the other way and fairly short [Music] funds to the Minnesota gene now the D can take the credit but that was just under thrown by a sayest and McGee at the defender beat me at the first down yardage in Esiason just under through Leo Lewis back to receive Lee Johnson's kick Lewis standing at his own 12 yard line [Applause] hi floating kick Louis at the throw and runs it back to the 20 there's an eight yard return and braiding makes the tackle and with 806 to play in the first quarter at the Metrodome its Minnesota three Cincinnati [Music] [Applause] they say that by a certain age you fall into a predictable pattern of statistics one spouse 2.5 children one three-bedroom home and a typical four-door sedan but what do they know 20 horsepower 24-valve ford taurus sh o just when they thought they had you all figured out now get four point eight financing for up to 48 months or a thousand dollar cash bonus on Ford Taurus [Music] the premium champagne the product the proving grounds the results STP gas treatment is the age it was like cooperation in a heart absolutely and so heartless [Music] when I called my sister it's wonderful they say year-end salute accounts champions of 89 join Jack Whitaker for a look back up a championships of the USGA Saturday on ABC Sports [Music] some of you may know this by now but we are terribly saddened to report the death of Billy Martin in a one-car accident in upstate New York the town of Fenton New York Martin living there a one car accident in his pickup truck skidding down an icy road about four hours ago the former manager of the New York Yankees dead on Christmas night in a one-car accident his personal Walker picks up five on first on Sam Martin the longtime and several time Yankee manager also managed the Tigers and the A's and the Rangers for a while right here with the Minnesota Twins dead at the age of 61 and out on mad at the problems he had over the years want to think clearly truly great people a fiery competitor we shared Yankee Stadium during my playing days I saw him about four weeks ago we were March of Dimes he was happy love the circumstances up there and a truly sad situation second down and five for Minnesota from the 25-yard line as Rick petty fights his lay for what might be a first down as he had to get to the 30-yard line and that is where he is and lucky perhaps bring in the sticks as continuity six man tells us first down at the 30 yard line [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Jerry Burns one time the head coach at the University of Iowa longtime NFL assistant from the 30-yard line Finney picks up about six is he the 36 yard line and it's funny no pun intended Finney is the guy who even after Walker came over in the trade from Dallas has seen more and more action and is playing more and more a part of this Minnesota offensive scheme and a guy who really just cracks the line up here in Minnesota as a short yardage back he sees over 230 pounds and really just broke in carrying the ball down near the goal line or whenever they needed a tough yard but 25 receptions on the year over 500 yards rushing a good all-around back second and four here's Walker [Applause] from the penny and Walker so on this drive the Vikings by the way or minus one running back DJ Dozier is hurt and he is on the inactive list tonight along with the linebacker Mike Merriweather difference between a Fenian a walker if they ever popped through their Walker you know is gone penny is turning possibly turn it into a 10 12 15 yard game but Walker can break it all the waist his body his office he wasn't here in training camp is not the type of offense that you would design for Herschel Walker if you had him right through 10 41 often play fake that buys Wilson a lot of time well you touched on it about buying a lot of time when you can take a tight end and running towards the sideline and then take him all the way around the corner Leon White a linebacker is not going to be able to stay with a tight end who's got the swiftness of Steve Jordan you cannot give him that much time good work by Wade Wilson to Danny looked off to receivers before he found Jordan 32 yard pickup and here's Finney taking it to the 25 yard line a minimal gain well in Pittsburgh tonight at the home of Dwayne Woodruff is mr. Woodroof himself along with Keith Willis I'm surprised you guys aren't dressed in full Viking regalia at this point well I know you got to be happy about the way things are going to this moment definitely this is the closest we could get to a Viking purple but it looks like the guns are on the press or not I'll talk for us to read left I don't know if you heard that either but I know the Steelers to a man in Pittsburgh obviously rooting on the Vikings so they can keep their season alive [Applause] and about three yards short of the first down where's Tim from Roy number 69 makes the tackle it Brady put the pressure that time on and what a story Crum Ryan has become you'll all recall the severely fractured leg in the Super Bowl and he vowed to be back on opening day back he was and he's still not back to you know the type of player that he was before but the key thing for Tim crumb Roy is he's better every week than he was the week before I see no reason and coaches that next year by the beginning of the season it shouldn't be the old Tim from Ron the undisputed leader that defensive team third and along to and David Fulcher has limped off the field and it's Anthony Carter who has it busted up by Eric Thomas with perfect timing crowd launched a penalty but there's no laundry on the field fourth down when you get down there close this is the kind of coverage you have to put on an Anthony Carter it's dangerous because of Carter speed but look at Thomas he's played well for Cincinnati this year doesn't have the big numbers doesn't have the interceptions but he has given Sam White's that kind of play and that was superb defensive play on a tough wide receiver Anthony Carter the flag looked like he had his left hand up on his neck before the ball was there very very close close call 37 yard attempt by carless and this one is good goodbye plenty no laundry it's a beauty two field goals by Carlos 347 to go in the first quarter 6-nothing bikes [Music] it began as a game turned into a battle now it's out of control [Music] but bold - coming January 28th the facts speak for themselves [Music] [Music] from personal to advanced full-color America's most popular copier is Canon call toll-free 1-800-789-7895 into America our warmest wishes during the holiday season have a happy and healthy New Year back in the Metrodome on Christmas night hope it's been a great holiday for you maybe you're kicking back right now and take it in the final game of the 1989 season a beauty when you're in lose your home simple as that the playoffs have begun a week early for both of these clubs now would you like to be a Steeler or Green Bay Packer at this moment Minnesota leading six to nothing crimeless is kick coming down [Music] [Applause] by Richard Carey as well Kari and Hollifield were back there and looking at each other and saying I thought you were gonna take it no I thought you were gonna take it somebody back there is supposed to be the holler man obviously nobody was or somebody didn't hear it and it just about bingos to turn over because it is deeper no territory good thing Kerry got down there on you've got a rookie fairy in the first year man Hollifield and now we've got major crowd noise Cincinnati from the 14 yard line here's Brooks behind ball cuts in off a ball block picks up the first down and James Brooks having another sensational year is out of bounds at the 31 and a flag down on joey browner well after the whistle and out-of-bounds 17-yard game and even more to be tacked on now well that's one way to get the crowd to sit back in their seats alone for like conduct number 47 it out loud so here you have Cincinnati making what could have been a catastrophic mistake on the kickoff return and how quickly it turns around look at the blocks to open it up ball with the beauty James Brooks Ihnen way out of bounds joy browner unnecessarily throwing James Brooks to the ground it doesn't look like a whole lot but browner knew where he was watch how far out of bounds he is and he finishes it off but there's one thing they've enforced this year is that we've seen it almost every game they are really watching that sideline and look what happens you don't want to take that chance this kind of game that really hurts the ballclub now they split Brooks to the right on first down from the 46 yard line the play clock is down to five seconds down to three seconds and they just do get it off and they give it to Erick ball and he has stopped after a minimal that is made by Marsh news Bubba cat round logo made the initial contact news pabich is the man out of Minnesota the University of Minnesota spelling the injured Mike Merryweather and I think how we probably would be seeing Stanford Jennings in there if he were able to go tonight Drew's back he is on the field and in uniform but Gary ball to Ricky for UCLA open tonight Jennings ordinarily would line up from the two back several days Brooks second and eight pressure is on from Goldman but he gets the pass away to Brooks another first down there's a flag down he takes it to the 35 yard line of Minnesota there's a flag down back at the Cincinnati 42 thrown by the line judge coming back so negate the game by Brooks what would have been an 18-yard pickup [Applause] the original line of scrimmage was the 47 tripping that's a Bruce rhymers who is among the Bengals who is fighting the flu tonight Sam White's telling us before the game he'd keep a close eye on rhymers well he's not only fighting the flu but he's fighting teeth Maillard as well he'll give you the flu yeah if you weren't sick before the game started he'll make heel and her puts it back to the 37 yard line makes his second down and 19 is a science and life feels one of us busted up and fended for Magee and reaching around was and there's a flag down in McGhee protesting because of rutland reached around but he also had his other arm on the back of Majeed he really upset another penalty coming up against Cincinnati tripping another tripping first let's take a look at Rutland covering Magee watch the right arm as he reaches around and uses the momentum of Magee to knock the ball away what would appear that the officials as far as the secondary is concerned are going to let them play but nothing is going to go on an unannounced or undetected on the offensive line that time was Bryan gledos getting home for the trip back to back tripping call the only time I've seen that is in the National Hockey League third down and 19 from the 37 yard line no two minutes in the box here no and the Vikings in here they found where they his maillard flinched and I think he got rhymers to come out of his stance well 75 and Sam Weiss told us down on the field that he got hit with the flu bug last night and Bruce trimers was one of worth C maillard goes first but he causes the rocking forward in the fledging by rhymers and boy it's terribly unfair for an offensive lineman that guy across from you could jump Frank but you've got to stay still yeah and then you know to Millar he is so quick off the ball primers has been watching films of Mardin just absolutely times it out beautifully the large fish that time he went so here's the Lord all the way outside on moon third and twenty-four they have to get to the Minnesota 44 for a first down Brooks escapes it's at pants to 30 and Brooks to the 39 yard line James Brooks turns absolutely nothing into a minimal game anyway as the escape gram at first Noga almost had him in the backfield and then James Brooks was able to finally get him back to the 39 yard line about a job Brooks has done this year they lost ickey woods the thousand yard rusher from a year ago they're leading right there and Brooks has taken up the slack and that's just a great athlete performing for you turns a loss at 6 or 7 yards into a big pickup a Cincinnati will at least be able to putt from better field position Lee Johnson to booted Leo Lewis back to accept that it's a low line drive could be a decent run back as Lewis at the 22 exploited by bringing it out to the 39 pick results in a 17-yard return that's a great play by Lewis even if he doesn't return it anywhere just handle the ball don't let it go towards your own goal line 140 to play first quarter [Music] grab a bucket and mop scrub the bottom and top there is nothing so clean that's my burger machine wassup bro man up guys Corrine and a broader rush [Music] what a shine on the floor when we made it one dad and McDonald is [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] Soldier Field Chicago over 300 dead batteries and one diehard battery our most powerful ever jump starts everyone diehard more power when you need it most have you ever wondered what a baggage handler might take on vacation what everyone should take Samsonite's a glutton for punishment the Syracuse Orangemen have georgia on their minds they head down to Atlanta to tangle with a ferocious Bulldog defense in the Peach Bowl Saturday on ABC [Music] [Applause] [Music] left to right in Green Bay a live picture Don Makowski the great quarterback John Spagnola Chuck Cecil and Brian Noble they've congregated at Brian nobles house Brian do you have any message for Boomer Esiason yeah you guys you guys got to beat the Minnesota Vikings don't beat yourself just keep on plugging away and things will turn out alright we got coffee between you guys Brian whichever way it goes congratulations on a great year the pack is definitely back thank you very much we appreciate it all right we'll be back in contact with the guys in Green Bay and the Steelers as well in Pittsburgh from the 39 yard line pollution hits fire a first down at the 50 yard pick up Eric Thomas with the coverage and the Vikings are at midfield in the waning moments of the first quarter talk about a burglar making the catch and getting out of the way as quickly as you can Anthony Carter knows there's nothing but bad news at the end of this catch it get down disappear that's that's like a guy who has his hand into the jewel-case and grabs a necklace and is gone and about an eighth of a second kept it and get out somewhere hovering back there is a guy named David poacher all 237 pounds of him and it doesn't look as though Anthony Carter comes off limping and he has had a lot of hamstring problems this season from the 49 yard line here is Finney and he can't turn inside Herschel Walker block and his stop after a short pickup at roughly the 48 yard line there is car to me while Fulcher is also shaken up and he is on a cincinnati sideline at the moment and barney bussy is ins telling him at strong safety hard to have a better year the david Folgers having for the bengals eight interceptions four fumble recoveries leads the league with 12 takeaways and deservedly going to Hawaii to the Pro Bowl a big man in the secondary knit three Goff Houston last week second and nine Wilson offer role throws and catchy my son Joe a first he's earned outside Luis Billups and brought it in with 14 ticks remaining on the clock in the first quarter this offensive team from Minnesota starting with their coordinator Bob schnell Curran through their quarterback Wade Wilson spilling over to Herschel Walker and everyone involved it's taken a lot of criticism this year part of it comes from the fact that their defensive team has been so dominating but if anything has been the blame here in Minnesota it has been their lack of offensive production but you would never guess that the way they've played so far in the first quarter first and ten from the 35 yard line and here's Walker piling forward for four on what will be the final play of the opening quarter Crum rye and McClendon converge on the tackle so Wilson goes over to talk it over with burns and snooker and the first quarter is gone Christmas night in Minneapolis with a score Minnesota sick Cincinnati nothing ABC's Monday Night Football will return after this message and a word from our ABC stations with MCI primetime this 25-minute call at 9:00 p.m. Boston to Philadelphia cost 26% less than 80 tees regular evening rate in primetime let you save no matter how long you talk so the choice this right is the choice on the right especially if you really like talking on the phone MCI primetime real savings 24 hours a day call now get one month free it began as a game turned into a battle now it's out of control [Music] - coming January 28th this is ABC [Music] [Music] Idaho quarterback John priest puts on quite a show today highlights after the game ABC's Monday Night Football brought to you by the Chrysler Corporation introducing our 1990 cars minivans and trucks Metrodome Minneapolis Al Michaels Frank Gifford Dan Dierdorf on Christmas night we start the second quarter and on second and seven for Minnesota its Rick penny fighting his way forward for a first down of the 21 firk Loudermilk Minnesota dominating and dominating in time of possession and validating in the first quarter as you take a look at them we know a lot of times the numbers like this don't really tell the story you look at the difference there in time of possession and ain't met a difference but they are telling us one thing right now and that is right now the Vikings are controlling the line of scrimmage and Cincinnati is going to have to compensate somehow somehow there's going to have to be more run support more pressure on the quarterback if that involves bringing up at eight to man they're going to have to do it and look right there a lot of people close to the line first in San for the 21 yard line penny makes the catch and gets spun down by Xavier after a pickup of one to the 20 but it's a blitz by Reggie Williams they're in Cincinnati making an adjustment they're going to have to flood the line of scrimmage Reggie came on the Blitz forces Wilson to maybe get it out there half second before he wants to and disrupt the timing of the play the Bengals are in a position on the field now where they're going to have to take some chances with a great performer over the years down in his 14th season this could be his final game is 260 regular season games [Applause] [Music] second and eight from the 19 yard line bikes on top six to nothing [Applause] the goal line for Hassan Jones and Lewis Billups for the little salute after breaking the play up I don't know who he thinks he's saluting because art is right in his throat for the moment I mean that that was just just barely getting there take a look once again Hassan Jones who is the good move man doesn't have the speed of Anthony Carter now watch Phillips he has to get back into this play he just does get there in the crowd watching the replay thought that he got there a little early but he did save it well they've been the crowd has had a little justification but that's that's just a great play by Phillips close to interference third down and eight from the 19 yard line that's Leo Lewis in motion stays in the block and they get to walk and that's very close to a first down cut off a flock by rainbow and very close to a first we're just talking about [Applause] I mean this is a situation where the guys in the purple jerseys are just erratic Kahless the right guard makes a fine block see Kayla's number 69 as he blocks down on David Grant pins him to the inside Zimmerman comes around makes a block on Skyland why what a nice-looking hole up the middle in the lead block for Jesse klaris is just a dominating effort by the Vikings up front they appear to be short of the first down they've already sent in three tight ends they are that much shy of the first almost a full yard at the 11 yard line you lead six to nothing they gonna go for it Cincinnati came into tonight game 27th in the league against arrest the numbers of yards that they've given up this is not lost on the offensive coordinator of Bob snuper so up they come in the eye not been good at stopping teams when they get down close either and they give it to the upside with a lots of stairs taking it to the even shutting up the first and goal but if you're going to go on fourth and short and you've got a couple of Pro Bowlers to the left side and Randall McDaniel and Gary Zimmerman why not follow them and this is again it's you love to give credit to the backs but look what happens up front look how they are blown out Zimmerman 65 McDaniel 64 Novosel speak coming in motion I mean this is just a case where Cincinnati is getting run out of the ballpark on their defensive line what would you love to give credit to the backside let's go back over there why not when you don't get hit until you've got where you're supposed to be first and goal and Wilson lines up on his back under severe pressure led by Carl Zander and dumps it off incomplete [Applause] I mean this is a game story right now Frank because this is not a real big defensive wall for Cincinnati even guys like Zander aren't all that big at 230 pounds watch Carl Zander number 91 is he loops to the outside he's the guy that forces Wilson into throwing a ball that rolls right off his fingers and Wilson and the Vikings got very lucky that's a ball that just hung up there if there's a bagel anywhere near there that's an interception 11th play of this Drive coming up second down and goal from the 8 12 33 to play in the half Herschel Walker just inside the 5 it will be third and goal Ricky Dixon comes up to make the tackle Walker this season there it is averaging 3.7 yards of rush the league average is exactly 4 by contrast to take a look at James Brooks on the other side he's averaging five point six so Walker that's classic Walker though he's a pecker and a looker he's not a just a bull er he's looking for somewhere to go and can you get down that close [Applause] the gap you put your head down try to make a bigger hole they come up fight on third and goal and send Nowakowski in motion and Wilson throws it halfway to a Dyna tenzin I suppose for Daryl Ingram who was the closest Viking but he was about 12 yards away when look at Wade Wilson that until he's yelling over to the bench I don't know if he's yelling at one of the coaches or whatever but Wade Wilson incensed about fight of the rout run and that's Bob snooker his offensive coordinator he goes right to there's milker ain't looking all that happy with Wade Wilson either and that's the scene we've seen repeated a few times and we saw that repeated a couple years ago and all of sudden Wilson was sitting down this is a pressure cooker here in Minnesota as I told you earlier this offensive team's been getting a lot of gas 22 yards field goal attempts is just inside the upright but pilus is three to three and he has despite missing the first two games this season 112 points in 1989 and that's a career high for the longtime Denver Bronco he's the difference on the scoreboard it's nine to nothing [Music] when I played football I crunched quarterbacks but now I crunch these JB's pigskins the new pork rinds still going nothing outlasts the Energizer they keep going and going there's never been an offer like this before the guaranteed rebate now you can get $1,000 in a 1990 Plymouth Voyager Plymouth laser Chrysler LeBaron convertible or in New York or Fifth Avenue even in imperial if the rebate goes up during this model year we'll pay you the difference the guaranteed rebate from Chrysler Plymouth no other car company has ever done that offer ends soon you ever run up against a tough sinus code as tough as it gets maximum strength Dristan is tougher to sweep away congestion pressure and pain and it will make you drowsy when you can't call in sick call on Dristan [Music] still going nothing outlasts the Energizer they keep going and going we have four children and our last two children we actually scheduled their birth around Monday night football so we would go to the hospital and we the doctor and I were listening to the monday night football game as my wife was laboring in pains but about the liver our third and our fourth children and I can still remember at the birth of our fourth child Kramer that was actually the bronchus for their first touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football [Music] [Applause] our twentieth anniversary season winding up tight in Minneapolis and certainly Steve Largent through those 20 seasons has provided more than his share of thrills what memories he's given us 9 to nothing Minnesota is Carles puts it in the air and the kick comes down to the 4 yard line and it's Richard Carey running now through the 20 and a flag goes down at the end of the play you know who one of the happiest guys in this ball park is so right now it's Sam Weiss because he's looked at his club not play well at all he's seen Minnesota go up and down this field and all they have on the scoreboard is nine points and now he has seen another penalty to be assessed against his club as well that's Jim Riggs but how many times have we seen it over the years where you have those opportunities early you don't capitalize on on them and look what happens later in a ball game and there is no way you can say the Vikings have capitalized for how well they have moved the ball first and 10 Cincinnati from the 10-yard line that's sort of sums it up on the Minnesota sideline they've had the ball almost the entire game and yet they settle for only three field goals it'll dump off pass the ball [Applause] back at the 8-yard line after the Walker trade it gave Barry who is no relation to the New England coach a chance to start and he has really made the most of it Jesse Sullivan of course going on to Dallas a Perry was a backup at middle linebacker moving out to the right side and he's become an ethical part of that defense the best in the league second and 11 from the 911 minutes to play in the half 9 nothing Minnesota Vikings win they go to the playoffs Green Bay's they go to the playoffs Pittsburgh would be out play clock is down to four and Esiason trips for yard line Chris Dolman will get credit he's earned his share he got some help right there but nonetheless for dolmen that will be number 18 you never know when the center quarterback comes away from the center like that whether or not he was stepped on as he pulls back looked like his right foot was caught could have been stepped on and the Bengals without a huddle now going right to the air and Esaias in with a flag being thrown has it broken up at the 50-yard line intended for McGee but there's a flag well away from the play itself on the near side [Applause] Bengals that time going without a huddle trying to catch Minnesota changing [Applause] and they'll discuss it Pat Haggerty will tell us again the penalty was away from where the play eventually wound up at midfield [Applause] [Music] what's the whole theory of this offense is to catch the defensive team in a change from then on the field they did defense huh that's exactly what happened the Bengals by going without the huddle and that's a penalty that the the Bengal opponents have made time and time and time again this season [Applause] the rule is hard and fast to have 12 men out on that field even if they're near the sidelines if they're stepping off the field there's still 12 men on the field well the smart thing the bangles head though is they knew the hand of free play why not go ahead and go deep go for the home run you know the worst that's going to happen is you'll pick up your 5 yards again other way third and fall of 12 from the EGR line and there's boomer calling the play Boston motions and a science and under pressure throws into double coverage a Fulmer tried to force one in between two defenders and the result is a Minnesota interception well he's got Elmo go number 99 coming towards him but the ball looked like it fluttered off of boomers hand it looks somehow that Boomer didn't get anything on that ball at all I mean he wasn't hit when he threw it now watch nova number 99 the bottom of your screen working against plato's suspend to the inside plato's tries to trip him again but still boomer wasn't hit when he threw but yet the ball really floated off his hand and the coverage was great there was nothing there the ball at the 37 yard line here's Wilson going right to the air finds partner in the scene Carter [Applause] by Hassan Joel see Jordan very wise he pulled up where he but a Pro Bowler Steve Hassan Jones you got that right Frank Great Lord Oh big block [Applause] Anthony Carter goes over a thousand our second consecutive year again no bangle anywhere near Wayne Wilson the crossing pattern and this is just all Fayette city card until right there there's Jordan there's Jones and its first down from the 11 a deep drop in a sleeve is set up and the catch is made by [Applause] and they are the Steelers Keith Lewis they're thinking about going to Houston err economist the quarterback had the chance to make the play a slim one it was he took a shot at him and now we know why Penny's in there good strong running once he got inside the 5-yard line founded a story of the bengal season in microcosm last week 61 to 7 and right now Oh 16 I touched on it at the top of the show al they scored 56 points during the season came back and scored seven they scored in the 40s another week came back and scored seven the following week and lost both those games and they're off to another horrible start as Rick penny develops continues to develop into an all-around back and some sad faces in Packer land [Music] [Applause] a rebate is a rebate is a rebate right wrong now for the first time Chrysler Plymouth Dodge Jeep and evil offered the guaranteed rebate on the world's best-selling 1990 minivans convertibles and Jeep Cherokees if the rebate goes up this model year will pay you the difference no other car company has ever done that the guaranteed rebate from Chrysler offer ends soon I've never been that much of a cereal eater or even breakfast for that matter but then I read two or three different articles about oat bran and I thought to myself why would you not eat this stuff medical reports have shown oat bran can be important to your good health Kellogg's common-sense oat bran has more oat bran than any leading ready-to-eat cereal you know I get out fifteen minutes early just so I can do this common-sense oat bran a sensible thing to do [Music] the good times roll with the clean fresh taste of Bud Light we'll fill you up down [Music] the pageantry look people all part of America's new use Day celebration the 101st 20 min ago sees parade live next Monday on ABC [Music] Sam whites and the Bengals have watched Minnesota control the ball for four drives resulting in three field goals and a touchdown meanwhile the Bengals can't get anything going it's 16 to nothing with 10 minutes in the hand Richard Carey from the two yard line takes it back thirteen kick off the turns tonight Vikings again do an outstanding job and covered Brett Nowakowski leads the charge into the year Championships of the USGA we'll review it for you Saturday Curtis Strange winning US Opens back to back and we'll highlight that show too Eastern one central three Pacific we've got the Peach Bowl Georgia against Syracuse coming your way that's this Saturday at 2:30 Eastern eleven three and Pacific from the 14 yard line ball is the main motion and on a draw here's brought out to about the 17 yard line Chris Dolman makes the tackle along with some help from Henry Thomas Dorman now with 18 sacks they've got a good individual race going Dolman as a teen maillard has 18 and Tim Harris of the Green Bay Packers is sitting in Green Bay tonight wondering if his lead will hold up he has 19 in the half this season number one in the NFL second and seven it's brown and motion Samson pressured Sachs at the core by Henry we also get many of those this is just a remarkable front floor you know Nova's in double digits with eleven and a half sacks that's number eight for Henry Thomas and again what could be sweeter than to be a defensive lineman and play for Floyd Peters everywhere this man has coached his front floors have led the league and sacks and again regardless of who they lineup it seems the system works there's Floyd and this guy is going to be a head coach in his league before much longer third down and 19 from the five-yard line and look at the role in finding is same for you they can't even give through p4 leading fired up the charged up biking front and this crowd going wild because they're Vikings lead 62 thoroughly dominating a game right now from where I come from frankness is called a good old-fashioned butt whipping right here there kick around I think Maillard of course reading the fact that they probably not going to put it in the air 20 figures is going to be the draw he books on that whoa leejohn see from the back of the end zone Leo Lewis near midfield and contact made up front [Music] in close hunt defense and that will give Johnson some extra rule that won't come close to giving them a first down is fourth and 20 at least he'll be able to go back to its owner pretend that he couldn't do from where he was a moment ago Cincinnati is still going to say I'm tight with the confirmation that's poor David Huffman a guard has to play on the punt return team he said come on [Music] get near the coverage from that formation high snap Johnson comes down with it and it's a good deep tick Leo Lewis at his own 40-yard line the bangl 40 chillin you know it was only a week ago that Cincinnati was doing this to Houston oh how long a week must say that's Luis now he takes us straight up ordinarily you'd think that he's going to take it straight up get the most he can get out of it but he sees something to the outside now watch him pick up the picket line the blue jerseys go flashing by and Leo Luis down the sideline very heady return on the part of Luis 51-yard kick but a 45-yard return first and ten at the 15-yard line Walker can't get on track stop at the line of scrimmage the Packers of course in Green Bay can only sit and watch and hope sensational season for Green Bay but here's a team that winds up ten and six and could be home next Sunday Green Bay needs this game to get that halftime I mean Sam why she has to go into work some serious magic at halftime for the Cincinnati ballclub and I don't mean Don Makowski second and 10 from the 15-yard line [Applause] Walker when he's taken down by Williams and there's a penalty marker down Frank it's against Minnesota you've been a ball carrier in this league for a long time am I wrong when Herschel Walker is going parallel to the line of scrimmage the defense is already one well they do I mean he is not a cutback runner whatsoever you have to give him a rebound from tackle the tackle I mean great side he will not bring it back to priciple get him all the time if you're gonna use him that way you got to protect his backside you had to do it yourself as an offensive tackle you get it back to just doesn't have that cutback ability he does not happen he has great talent but that's not one of them he just does not have the ability to plant that outside foot and break break it up field accelerate it just doesn't happen Pangos in their history have never won a road game since coming into the league 22 years ago when trailing by 15 or more points then ominous note when they're down by 16 a second and 20 and Wilson throws to the far side intended is covered on the play you know a funny thing the local paper made a big issue out of the fact that the Vikings have folded in the fourth quarter of this season that was the lead story today and when you look ahead the Vikings have had a lot of leads and one promising note for the Bengals would be the fact the Vikings in the fourth quarter this season have been outscored 106 to 43 the way it's going is going to be a lot of creases in this folder yeah better watch your step aller you win a hypo or we've all won a few of those third down and 20 from the 25-yard line whether we wanted to or not yeah whoa tip and incomplete intended for Carter and Lewis Billups decked Wilson and Phillips is shaken up on the play just a game of numbers and the Vikings with all the receivers and the patterns just did not have the blockers to pick up Phillips he had a straight shot at Wilson and it is Phillips who is slow getting up yeah he comes on a corner blitz and he's unaccounted for he'll come from the top watch Louisville ups clear the crowd and boy he puts a good one on Wade Wilson a yet I think maybe he underestimates the size of Wade Wilson Wade 6-3 and close to 215 pounds and Louisville ups fights to get up around 180 and looks like he's working that right leg a little gingerly so Billups comes off Carles meanwhile comes on and you recall Carlists kick seven field goals in the game against the rams this season he is 29 at the moment he missed the first three games this year prior to signing with Minnesota and yet he's tied with San Francisco's Mike Cofer and Washington's chip Lowell Miller for the league lead and if he keeps this up he may get a dozen tonight let me go for that award too but again Cincinnati dodging another bullet they had a first down at the 15 yard line now they're going to have to settle for a long field goal attempt even down 16 and nothing this thing could have been blown totally out of here by now and then viking team record is 30 by fred so farlis tries to tie that mark and he Cincinnati may have avoided the bullet to the heart but right now they're sure bleeding from a lot of open wounds if they get the Fife and drum out 642 to go in the first half it's 19 - nothing Minnesota volcano erupts in South Carolina classroom now let's go inside BM is helping teachers teach and bring subjects to life with courseware that helps children learn English math science and more but it's called courseware that complements the teachers curriculum from kindergarten through high school a very good Avalanche hits Florida elementary school this is really something you know you should stick around for the moonwalk hmm there's never been an offer like this before the guaranteed rebate now you can get $1,000 in a 1990 Plymouth Voyager flemeth laser Chrysler LeBaron convertible or in New York or Fifth Avenue even in imperial if the rebate goes up during this model year we'll pay you the difference the guaranteed rebate from Chrysler Plymouth no other car company has ever done that offer ends soon you don't have to be crazy about home projects to buy a black & decker cordless screwdriver or cordless screwdriver plus you just have to have a scroll O's [Music] bangle and - cleaning up reddit are now playing at a theater near you the longest game in the history of the National Football League was played Christmas Day 1971 82 minutes 40 seconds in the second overtime Gero your premium kicked that 37-yard field goal swirling and otherwise unbelievable individual performance he said Podolak is the Miami Dolphins beat the cheese 27 to 24 that was an AFC playoff game what people forget there was an AFC playoff game that very same day Christmas 71 here when the Vikings were playing in Bloomington it old Metropolitan Stadium against Dallas and it's the last time the NFL played a game on a Christmas Day Richard Carey returning this Wireless check back out to the 23 yard line and meanwhile in Green Bay not very happy right now in the home of Brian noble Don Makowski what can you say about this one so far [Music] got a whole second half to play and hopefully since they will come back and Green Bay fashion and be a second half to they have the weapons don't they they do going though all right we'll find out what happens here on this Drive from the 23 yard line is Esiason dumps going off for Eric Candice the tight end and he's bumped out of bounds by Ray Barry out at the 39 yard line so they begin with about a 14 yard pickup it's good news and bad news for Cincinnati 1 they're used to playing this hurry-up style of offense it's almost their regular offense the bad news is because there's such a strong running game the best part of their passing game is play action passing and that's something right now that Minnesota can afford to disregard they can sit back and play the pass and not come up and bite play action first and 10 Cincinnati from the 39 yard line inside handoff Brooks escapes takes it back to the 46 I just love watching James Brooks play here's a guy over a thousand yards and again we mentioned before 5.6 yards per carry he's been terrific through the years first San Diego and there he is he's the only player in this decade twice going over a thousand yards rushing with a 5 plus average and the 5 plus average is the key I mean those are Jim Brown type averages when you get over 5 yards per carry second and 3 that was a 7 yard game and going for brown and he's blanketed Carly staying right with him it'll be third down and three well next Monday the beginning of the new year in the new decade January 1st 1919 we have a bowl fest for you Illinois Virginia starts it at 1:30 Eastern Time that's the Florida Citrus Bowl then Pasadena Bo Schembechler wrapping up career Michigan against USD in the Rose Bowl our gang will be down in New Orleans to the USF fizzy sugar bowl that night Alabama against Miami third down and three pressure on a science him but he gets it away finds the open man that's Eddie Brown for a first down he gets wrestled down and the flag goes down Travis Curtis and berry and berry may have grabbed a facemask no they're gonna call it against Cincinnati Nikki can't believe it we may have number 85 on the road if it's Tim McGee he's right in front of the play to help Eddie Brown out McGee's going to be number 85 let's watch him he's working man coverage against Reggie Rutland right now right about now he's looking back and he sees that Eddie Brown makes the catch and they're calling the push from behind whoa that's that's calling it pretty tight that's coughing hit pretty tight and I think Tim McGee has a right to be a little upset about that man that is a that's a call that I don't see it I just don't see it [Applause] unless something happened before our cameras were on it but I watched Magee all the way down the field and that had to be it Bengals still picked up the first down his first encyclical 44 the play clock is down to the play clock 2-1 as a science and gets it off protection breaks down he dumps it into the I'll know before Spanish ooh and the closest receiver was Neil Darrell so very close to being in the grasp of mega crowd wanted the call yoga wanted the call but an important drive for Cincinnati five minutes remaining here in the second quarter that they can go in with something on the scoreboard they're an explosive team that has been totally dominated thus far but if they can put something up there we've watched them before you know how quickly they can score those outside guys at4 out Tim McGee Brooks makes a catch then gets bumped out of bounds by Travis furnace and Brooks looking at Curtis as if to say huh some hit their memory stand up you go down description he plays big plays big he only goes about 180 pounds yeah you too yeah you tell that to Travis Curtis great leverage great timing and everything he does [Applause] five minutes to play in the Minnesota to stand for Jennings and Jennings slipping a tackle and fighting to the 34 and might have a first down Carly makes the tackle and Jennings who will be used very sparingly tonight need in the kidney last week against Houston and he was very questionable coming into the game tonight that's a superb play by boomer I mean no offensive line on a screen pass they have two roles one is to hit the defensive lineman hard enough to stop his rush then you move out to block on that one right there I mean the Viking defensive line is on boomer before he has any idea what's going on and completing the pass to Jennings fine work by Boomer Esiason and then a nice effort by Jennings by himself to get the first down and the way he completed it right in stride to Jennings and that probably gave ginning the Jennings a impetus to get that first down which he did to be in his face that quickly the next to go looking ahead the bangles with all of its IMAX the ball is at the 34-yard line first and 10 moving on the right side but the Vikings get back play clock down to three and Esiason to Holman over the middle that leads in the bit too much Rodney had sprung free momentarily with Joey browner providing the coverage second and 10 would have had to been dead perfect that's a good defensive play by both Joey browner and Travis Curtis coming back from the free safety spot [Music] on his way to another Pro Bowl of course setting off a lot of controversy as a holdout early in the year here here's what I like to watch here's Anthony muñoz Chris Dolman - Pro Bowlers watch his spin back to the inside by Coleman his face perfect protection by the night to see the offensive linemen 7:10 here's ball and he can't get out of the backfield as the tackle is made by Kim Clark number 71 one of the reserve defensive linemen you talked about dwelling and anonymity a reserve defensive lineman for Minnesota does just that with their foursome well Kenny Clark had a lot of great years with the Philadelphia Eagles a lot of good years there and justice kept himself in good shape and Floyd Peters again a coach that likes a veteran player third and Tim Esiason going deep for Brandel makes the catch touchdown exactly what the Bengals needed Brown had gotten by Carly they celebrate in Green Bay as the Bengals get on the board here a 34 yard touchdown pass from Esiason to brown all you have to say it again that was so important to the Cincinnati Bengals they had been mauled thus far you knew they had the potential to break loose and this is Eddie Brown who had a ordinary year for Eddie Brown this season a great year a year ago but he beats a Pro Bowl corner in Carly at the corner of the endzone actually Frank he did beat Lee but Lee gave him the inside and expecting some help from Travis Curtis and Curtis was late getting there that's late support from the safety to the inside that allowed Betty Brown to make that catch Jim breech sends it through the uh price the extra point with 331 remaining in the first half those three field goals do not look that big at this point sixth touchdown reception of the season for Eddie Brown watch the right side you see Curtis number 49 he's just a little late getting over there not able to break in on that play and Cincinnati as they can do as easily as a team in the league scores quickly Eddie Brown out of that class of 1985 Jerry Rice altoon first round draft picks all of them this year only 46 receptions in two tonight this great year a year ago with eight 100-yard games he'd only had one this season that was last week and keep in mind that came on a third and ten a key third in ten in a situation like this that would be a very key play third and tenth with three and a half to go on you're down by nine that's exactly what Cincinnati needed dan touched on something very important to Cincinnati that is they have not been able to get the running game going and so much of their passing game does come off the play action if you can't run they don't pay attention to the run it's hard to make it work well Cincinnati's going to have to do something haven't done all night and that's hold their ground at the line of scrimmage when the Vikings have the ball the Viking offensive line and their running game has really been controlling it lead Johnston to put it in the air Hershel Walker takes it about 3 yards deep and he'll settle for bringing it on to the 20-yard line from there we'll the Vikings begin their next drive and they have all of their timeouts left in the first half bring back to Herschel for a moment this man can do so many great things for you he's a tremendous receiver either inside or outside he came here when the Vikings offense was set and it was designed for Alfred Anderson it was designed for BJ Dozier and that is quick cutting plays nothing from the deep eye formation which Herschel Walker's bury at home at very tough little bit because he grew up on it has always played it but he has made the most out of what he's been able to do in the Minnesota Vikings offense he's just not the sweep back from the 20 on first and 10 going deep and final quarter out at the 43 yard three yards picked up on first down we talk about respect [Applause] they really give Anthony Carter the room they were laying off four five six yards watch Carter now lined up against Lewis Phillips Phillips will have help on the inside from Ricky Dixon but again Billups looking for the deep root five yards beyond Carter he comes down with it before Dixon can get back into it still though Billups so late to react when Anthony makes his move back to the inside Anthony has the body control to stop Billups kept going first and ten here's Wilson going deep tended for Jordan and that time the coverage on the play for number 27 Barney bussy saying with him step for step second down and ten Jordan will be going to the Pro Bowl as the six other Vikings will be a backup will Jordan to Keith Jackson of the Philadelphia Eagles or he gets Provo respect - he gets the coverage from the back not the linebacker Cincinnati has yet to stop Minnesota from scoring on each of five drives for Carla's field goals and a touchdown 19 to 7 second and 10 from the 43 [Applause] and Wilson gets dumped back at the 32 yard line Reggie Williams and that's what Cincinnati has to do they have got to pressure the front they've got to blitz they have to make something happen this time it's Reggie Williams look at Reggie gets down in his stance this is the understanding up but Reggie gets down playing the role of a defensive lineman and what happens is up front they let him go they're counting on a back penny comes up and chops him but Reggie Williams with a good hustle gets back up and makes the play Reggie had only a sack and a half all season coming into the game two and a half now and this is final year and look what he has to do to get it line up a defensive tackle maybe it'll keep going for another 14 we think retirement third and 19 and the catcher's made at the 49 yard line somehow someway by Hassan Jones and the Bengals are saying it should be no cats well the ball is 25 yards down the field and the hands of Solomon will cuts if it stands it is still short of the first down by four [Applause] ball came loose after he hit the ground too many notification tool in a notification meanwhile we come to the two-minute warning well maybe we'll call it too two-minute notification let's let's take a look at Hassan Jones there is the ball he goes down and the ball does not come out until clearly he's made contact with the ground good call by the officials when we come back it is fourth in four [Music] how do you get real pretty well in a moment we're going to show you that last play before the two-minute warning with a different look and we thought for a moment they'd hold up play but the play stands the white games to kick Scribner's kick will bounce into the end zone and the bengals will begin their next drive from the 20 but what about that catch or no catch but Ison Jones yeah I said what a good call it was we're going to show you here that he clearly loses the ball before he hits the ground there's the ball see the ball right there on its way out I mean now that's a look that we discovered during the commercial break Kenny Wolf Craig Jana feed it up to us now they saw that in the replay booth and yet they opted not to do anything with it it appeared clear to me that the Det ball was coming out before he hit the ground the call would have been either a fumble or possibly incomplete there's an odd circumstance the only reason they had the extra time was because of the two-minute warning were it not for that it definitely would have stood correct from the 20-yard line here's Woolmer Esiason throwing to the far side and incomplete intended for Tenma bengals have all of their timeouts left 148 to go and a half Reggie Rutland covering on a play will be second down and 10 from the 20 yard line [Applause] season began with a science elfin question there's not been a problem for him he's at a good year seems almost hard to believe with two touchdowns we give Cincinnati the lead second and ten here's Brooks and he gets taken out of bounds by Ray Barry when a photographer really hits it and that is a young lady if I see smiling though that was a real shot that she's smiling how's my hair the natural bot well these auctions he's lucky her hair is still on her head watch how hard she gets hit by James Brooks Lao climbing net so that's a violent collision she did not see that coming at all I hope she's alright prepare the courage award tonight just to stay there third down long six here's a science in and he has the first down as he fires over the middle to Tim McGee out to the 31 clock still ticking 133 the arctic up and as we said earlier the hurry-up office goes the Cincinnati that is their office most of their offensive game that's not very quick and they're having to call a timeout boomer did not have the personnel to match the play and was forced to use a timeout and in the interim wasted about 15 seconds to boot so we talked about the hurry-up offense being an advantage for Cincinnati it certainly was not there they really Swan dird both the timeout and some valuable time off the clock 1:22 remaining two timeouts left you know one of the things the Bengals did this week to try to prepare themselves for the crowd noise here at the Metrodome was to work out indoors at the University of Cincinnati they turned up the loudspeakers and played crowd noise all week long at as Sam said it's been kind of an enjoyable week for the players because they haven't heard from us the coaching staff all week because we just let them go in practice because we had to simulate game conditions as well as we could coming up at half-time Lynn Swann will talk with University of Miami head coach Dennis Erickson his hurricanes take on Alabama and the Sugar Bowl next week and we will give you the up-to-the-minute situation in regard to the playoffs [Applause] [Music] first and ten from the 32 the science and the Brooksie has room to roam and gets out to the 41 yard line to pick up nine yards I know Tammy's trying to make something happen but he should have gone to the sidelines he got out of bounds he made a decision to pick up another first down trying to make more out of it or step out of bounds until it meanwhile the seconds tick off second in one and this time Brooks his help out of bounds by Barrie stopping the clock with 60 seconds to play in the half Pangos with two timeouts remaining Sam white hopefully taking his team to another Super Bowl they got there last year and came up a little short first things first I need to win tonight that would put him in the playoffs an excuse to next Sunday down by 12 first in town at the 44 sighs and change again at the line of scrimmage again Brown gets open and that's a first down at the 44 yard line tackled by a trio of Vikings and white says give me a timeout again so the bengals now have one remaining with 51 ticks of the clock left in the first half Danny Brown does not spring to life he's still down on the ground as if he really is favoring one of his legs Rosetti kind of hobbling back to the Cincinnati huddle so now the Bengals with one timeout remaining at the wave by Eddie Brown was to Joey browner who's in on the tackle make a lot of friends when you travel to Pro Bowls well Don Makowski and the Packers are still at Ryan Nobles house up in Green Bay watching this game Don wants to play quarterback a little bit here you're on the 44 yard line and what would you like here what would you run I don't know this is doing pretty pretty well with the back come out of the backfield on as long as the outside take too much at once just build sort to the back and at least get a physical others drive and they'll be fine you got one timeout remaining does that to preclude going down the middle that'd be the easy place to go but can you afford to do it here [Music] [Applause] you'll take the three first and ten Cincinnati at the 43-yard line that's Brooks in motion here comes the Blitz but it's picked up and the throw is incomplete intended for McGee Ken Magee the closest Bengal receiver and he wasn't that close second down and ten well what happened is two of the Bengal receivers ran into one another boy what a squandered opportunity because they picked up the Blitz beautifully I mean that was a big gamble that time by Minnesota coming up the middle and the Bengal line and backs picked it up and because of a confusion downfield two of the receivers running into one another boomer couldn't capitalize on it definitely when you see a blitz like that picked up and you figure with Cincinnati's receivers somebody's going to spring break the big boy second and ten from the 44 46 seconds left one timeout remaining for the Bengals son roll up psyches there comes Barry and Barry is the man who forced that incomplete so the outside factor came flying through nobody picked him up and Esiason just had to dump it off third down [Applause] now that's just a signal from Sam Weiss we can only assume that the four means for wide receivers that's it Hillary comes in Kendall Smith is there Tim McGee and any ground where's ray berry number 50 totally untouched unaccounted for that just happens he's called hot he's the quarterback's read the quarterback has to look right at him when he sees incoming us and dump it off third and ten there touchdown game on a third and 10 the science and fires in it the way by Reggie Rutland so the Bengals can't even get into field goal range 39 seconds remaining Frank there's why I wouldn't want to play quarterback Reggie Rutland is getting a nice hand but he Gamble's if he doesn't get this ball this might be a touchdown here's an interesting right we'll take a look at the replay first see look at the break if he doesn't get that ball if it somehow gets through his hands and gets the Magee that's a touchdown well here's a very interesting call now it's 4th down and 10 and they're going to go for it at the 44 yard line it's too long to kick a field goal Minnesota has three timeouts very risky call from this position on the field science and chase throws [Applause] yes son well he picks up ten yards throwing the interception now there is a guy that makes a great sacrifice yep I mean he did he saved his team ten yards but throwing it the Sunwell going out about now that said I doubt he did it on purpose good IMT but he moved the Minnesota Vikings back about 12 yards on it and it was too much I guess a stun well had the presence of mind to drop it at that point yes I think he's keeping stats also they're not thinking that out there at the moment well now we'll see what happens with Sam Weiss move now points out three timeouts and the hands of the Minnesota Vikings because the Minnesota field goal at this point is a very big field goal it takes you from 12 up to 15 up watch for number 81 [Applause] here's Wilson and the cash is made and then Jim Gustafson getting out of bounds at the 47 yard line so the Vikings trying to turn a 12-point cushion into more than a two touchdown cushion going into the half 26 seconds left [Applause] if Minnesota should score if they should pay at this nineteen to seven lead a risky risky call by Sam Weiss we'll have blown up right in his face [Applause] that was not fourth in one or fourth and two fourth and ten at 4:24 that's a tough pickup [Applause] the shotgun is Wilson under pressure blitz is on going beep nice adjustment made that time by Jones Billups wants offensive interference but there's no flag Wolcott clear out upon foot nice adjustment what an understatement alright nice adjust you don't want to make too much of a fuss about something that's out of bounds but pretty good athleticism there by Hassan Jones and I like that inflection in your voice rise to the kids here more of that 20 seconds remaining second and 10 at the 47 three receivers to the right Wilson out of the gun he's spending in the block pressure I and Wilson gets sacked at the 43 yard line not due to a toggle or the rookie out of California was right there number 96 along with McClendon [Applause] and the clock is now stopped by the Vikings with 13 seconds remaining Karlis leads the Vikings to pick up about 25 yards for him to begin to think about another field goal attempt career long 51 for Rich now what is the deal he is Kirk loudermilk's brother-in-law that's correct Kirk Loudermilk to starting center for the Minnesota Vikings and they had a little deal earlier this year I guess something was said criticizing the Vikings offensive linemen in the way they dress and so they strung up old rich Carlos from the crossbar on the goalpost and left him a hang there for a while I guess it was actually Rich's wife that said something about the offensive line improved that they've got thin skin and when it comes to their wardrobe this one you've got to go way up field on here's your time out try to get carlos with a field goal range third and 15 and three receivers are all down there [Applause] huge Hail Mary reception against the land holds one down with four seconds we made a miraculous catch a few moments ago out of bounds you saw that this one he just went up top side came down with it well this is a textbook now watch number 84 timing Frank look at the timing of his leap right in the middle Phillips is their number 24 up he goes and down he comes four seconds remaining on the clock we just timed it perfectly when he left the ground [Applause] and right now Sam Weiss is again looking back at his fourth and 10 decision saying oh no how could this be happening yep and again you going from a 12 point lead to a 15 point lead and it's real simple when you think of the mathematics it means the Bengals need more than two touchdowns and here comes Carlos for number five zip shot for him he kicks seven in the Rams game this was from 25 yards it is good and what a big field goal because now two touchdowns by Cincinnati still has some trailing three touchdowns before would have first Santa's gone under the door a refreshes completely by Nissan the human race and by the travel you're better off under the umbrella [Applause] and back we come on Christmas night hope you're enjoying the holiday here in Minnesota some 60-thousand have enjoyed the first half immensely as their Vikings try to stay alive trying to advance to the playoffs they lead by 15 rich Primus who had five field goals in the first half inside the tan the Bengals can take over at the 35 yard line afternoon here in Minneapolis dan and myself we visit a bunch of homeless kids a couple of hundred of them at the 410 incorporated Learning Center a favor project of Vikings players and their wives at the push Mike Glen the executive president hear of Carol the Chipmunks Christmas Carol I think it was appreciated I think we were all moved by great project by the Vikings first in 10 Cincinnati from the 35 and Esiason begins the second half with an errant pass intended for Tim McGee it'll be second and 10 if you're wondering why they didn't kick again remember the couple of years ago the league changed the rule to speed up the game if the kick goes out of bounds you can take the option of having the ball at your own 35 yard line that's what the Bengals opted to do and set up shop there especially the way they've been running back hits tonight yeah second down and ten at the 35-yard line Messiah looked first toward Aniki and then over the middle for Holmen and he gets wrapped up and the play is broken up by Scott Studwell third down and ten [Applause] and he talked about locking on to someone sudden Studwell that time all over Rodney Holman I mean he just doesn't get any more than maybe a yard or two separation right there in the middle of your screen at the top Coleman doesn't complain about it no just good defense and look at the movement by Studwell going right for the right arm and bringing it down so home third and ten Esiason stepping up throws on the run and wide open down the far sideline is Rodney Holden and Rodney Holman who just dropped the least pass goes all the way for a touchdown and Joey browner has egg his face bucket came off the bench Joey browner is locked up on Rodney Hillman and when Boomer Esiason starts to scramble browner moves off of Holman comes towards Esiason and Rodney Holman is long gone rather I don't think good it even have dreamed about getting back into that play could be that he thought Samson was going to be sacked science Grambling around easy one of the great scramblers that he moves around in the pocket as good as anyone and there you saw 47 he was with him all the way until Messiah started the scramble Jim reaches extra point is good in the crowd has been silenced he goes in the first 25 seconds of the third quarter cincinnati has shaved the Minnesota lead to eat Rodney Holman he'll be going to the Pro Bowl again he'll be the AFC starter his first pitch of the night that's all made possible by the scramble of Esiason Browner's over reaction to that scramble and Rodney Holman staying alive breaking off his route going down the sidelines and presenting a target to his quarterback and guess who this makes very happy yep you guessed it right the Green Bay Packers celebrate a Cincinnati touchdown [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] if I had a C it'll be silver black racetrack drivers cross country that's all that [Music] germán that'll be the flat on the other too bad you can't drive to your [Music] financial serenity it takes confidence control the travelers has been delivering on this promise a financial peace of mind for 125 years with carefully controlled investments with insurance protection you can trust the travelers you're better off under the umbrella it's Bo Schembechler is final game Michigan sets their sights on a national title when any pac-10 Jeff USC in the Rose Bowl New Year's Day on ABC Sports [Music] zowie brown or angry with himself with the coverage that resulted in Coleman's touchdown it's 22 to 14 and Johnson's kick is down in the end zone by Walker and let's go back and have another peek at the TV yeah let's look at exactly what happened back in the secondary key mine 235 is a here's Rodney Holman right here here's joy brown but the key figure is boomer when boomer moves up watch browner come off he'll come back to the inside Holman stays alive and goes down the sideline here's boomer making his move and there's Joey browner he commits to leave Holman gets caught in no man's land Holman stays alive and there's the Bengal touchdown an all-pro safety joy Brown are making a move there [Applause] not befitting his position on the Provo Pro Bowl team getting beaten by a Pro Bowl performer City [Applause] [Music] to the 25-yard line and here are the numbers through the first half with Minnesota clearly dominating total possession [Music] sensitivities and converted were converted quickly into and also it's interesting to note Cincinnati with only it's rushing in the first half and they are number one in the NFL in rushing offense coming in of course they're going against the Vikings on second and five we just happened to be the NFL's number one defense then he picks up a couple to be third down and three Rodney Holman on the sidelines crashed into the end zone back if you were with us early you know that it was Minnesota mall in Cincinnati throughout the months of the first but Minnesota moving down the field forced to settle for five field goals reflection of the scoreboard third and three from the 27 alfred anderson is in the game as the so set back here was four receivers and they give it to him and he gets knocked down short of the 30-yard line so with four receivers they give it to Anderson his first carry of the night and it's David Grant number 98 who stops him and you hear the they're booing a little bit Bob Snickers play-calling here in Minneapolis has become a very sensitive issue to the fans there it is take a look at it up front good penetration and then the slide over by grant to make the tackle and the crowd wanting something a little flashier I think in an attempt to pick up a first down that's not always the right thing to do here's Bucky Scribner a wobbly end-over-end kick and a fair catch is called for at the 34 yard line carry playing it very safe that time because he had [Applause] [Music] 37-yard fool the place you'd normally see a fair catch here right 15 yards about the question he had [Music] sometimes I imagine my movie sedan is the new one take it shopping in Monte Carlo not for life one of the local pulled up my kids are yelling I think I will [Music] where you wanna put the angel of Monty [Music] when you gather round for the holidays there's no better beer to have around than Michelob look for our tree at your store and have a happy holiday hello little Karen is your daddy halt to calls at 7:00 p.m. from LA to San Francisco no I don't want to speak to your doll sweetie I want to speak to your daddy with MCI primetime this 15-minute call cost 31% less than 80 and T's regular evening rate well daddy on the phone in primetime let you say no matter how long you talk to the choice that's right just put the phone down sweetie is the choice on the right MCI primetime real savings 24 hours a day call now get one month free [Music] under the teflon-coated fiberglass here in Minneapolis there's there you go back to your structural engineer I'm just repeating what's is some structural engineer once Toby under the dome in Minneapolis and the Bengals are trying to to do it all as they were down by 15 and mad Dan by eight and Brooks breaks one and takes it back to the 49 yard line a 15 yard pickup and the momentum has completely shifted in this one is Joey browner makes the tackle and joined Bronner's he's hurt boy what a brilliant open field tackle by browner on Brooks if James is unable to dance to the inside and get away from Joey browner he might not be caught Joey browner is playing with very sore ribs ended whether or not that's it or not but he [Applause] [Music] we all right in tonight the Sedaris or is that a Dita do an open field tackle against one of the more shifty running backs in the league is Brooks brakes him back he's left to go against the grain no way he's going to take that out to the outside takes it back inside of the right-hander browner [Applause] the game at the 51st and 10:00 Esiason go indeed fan incomplete McGhee and he was working with Reggie Rutland that's five coverage by Reggie Rutland and he gets up kind of holding his leg a little bit Reggie's not exactly sprinting back to the Minnesota huddle nice fade pattern down the sideline and this is this is just beautiful courage by Rutland he's screening McGee from the football [Applause] hopefully just a ricochet shot or somehow a miracle [Music] [Applause] [Music] second and ten here's books written down at the 47 after a pickup of three stocks Studwell completing his 13th season in the league makes the tackle s Scott before the ballgame tonight whether or not he was going to come back and play next year and he kind of gave me that shrug and if you know Scott's done a stud well you know that that shrug is yeah I'd like to come back and play as long as I can be productive as long as I don't embarrass myself ways away from doing 37 from the 47 that's full mini motion fake to ball Esiason after a stumble throws under pressure and has its it's incomplete batted by Joey browner oh and they're gonna rule it a sin Chris Coleman the sack Pat Haggerty comes over and credits Tolman with grass and control and that would be his second sack of the game back at the 46 yard line there are some defensive ends that Boomer Esiason is going to outrun back there are a lot of defensive ends Chris Coleman is not one of them fact I don't know there's a quarterback in the league that could outrun Chris Coleman his outside linebacker when he came into this league and spent a couple of seasons as an outside linebacker he's got some I've been to Cosby's I've been too tough lately I'm not gonna say it yeah I'll say it I mean well that's the sack are we talking about Johnson's kick is fielded by Lewis at the 5-yard line and he gets taken down at the 50 yard line baillio Barker I'm sure that's what Tim Harris is saying is he's trying to protect his league-leading 19 and a half sag he's going what in the world was that but they give doorman a sack and that's 19 for dolmen the phrase is grass and control I saw the grass I'm not so sure about the control I'm not even sure I saw the greatest well he was merely he was hanging on to his legs I don't think anyone was more surprised at Dolman he had he didn't complain about it yeah it goes Esiason he throws the football hardly control oh no he's not even looking for the sack he just gets up starts to go back to his position may let him know what he does a little celebration dance okay I can't help myself that's a horrible call I tried I really humming I tried first complete intended for Carter by the way in Goldman's tire sack the official score has ruled that a campus EXO he has won in an an tonight I think Henry Thomas was the other guy who was there with him on this one and it gives him a teen camp now he's one when you get a guy who's already just without you [Applause] second and ten Folsom meanwhile is still out is the song safety for Cincinnati the first second and 10 Wilson pressures sack back at the 7 yard line skip McClendon and Reggie Williams was able to flush it out Tennyson no more we see what's inside every one of sand washes decision on fourth and ten inside the last minute of the first half to go for it he did not get it Minnesota comes back with a long pass to Hassan Jones and Carlos adds field goal number two to seven ball that wouldn't have happened if it would have been a 1914 game of Bengal touchdown would give them the lead third down and 18 from the seven [Music] [Applause] yes to send the intended receiver and Jason buckaroos Willson down and so the Vikings will be forced to kick and the Bengals should wind up with pretty good field position almost like the two teams have changed uniforms the first quarter to the third now as Cincinnati they should get the ball back in a real find field position Wayne Wilson LastPass was mad at himself because that was clearly an overthrow that would have been a fairly easy completion [Applause] Scribner out of the engine very close for a fair cast he's not taking any chances at the so Cincinnati hazard in Minnesota Territory [Music] to go to the third winner to the playoffs loser [Music] goes with Frank Gifford and Dan Dierdorf the regular season coming to a conclusion [Applause] nathless wear the black [Music] the Bengals have it first and 10 at the Minnesota 45 yard line and Eric Paul the UCLA rookie picks up 13 takes it to the 32 Brad Edwards and Joey browner converge on the tackle first in town [Applause] Paul who was injured often at UCLA the question about ball coming in he was the number well he was their first draft choice oh he came in the second round durable enough because when he's healthy he's terrific in the two key blocks at I'm Anthony Muno how about James Brooks from the 32 Brooks somehow burrows his way through that pile and picks up close to six this is what Cincinnati came into the game and rushing the football Minnesota shut them down in every phase of the game that particularly in the running game early is starting to do the ball on the ground there it is tonight books it's 20 yards per carry now Brooks comes back to five yards second and five from the 25 here is Brooks following ball and he's wrestled down after a pickup of a couple mark Deus Babak at the 25-yard line and upcoming will be a third and three though we see Cincinnati just run run run the ball a great play action team here on third and three a situation San Weis [Music] both of it sucks downside on third down [Applause] the interior line when they get the count they get to play and they pass it out to the play clock is down to five and Brooks spins his way to a first down and a lot more as he takes it to the 11 yard line Reggie Rutland makes the tackle and every time I watch James Brooks I can't believe he's in his ninth year in the league playing like a young Colt that time Minnesota was coming with the Blitz and they've jet straightaway blocking out Cincinnati quick with the hurry-up offense without a huddle on first and 10 from the 11 and Esiason in the crazy sex with the by Goldman perhaps community so dolmen Paris for the league lead in his second down and 23 Keith Maillard has been thought the defense essential is on a sideline replaced by Thomas Struthers and this is a lot of socratis vignette play clock two three two one and they just get the play off and the bonus [Applause] his right hand and is right back to him like a yo-yo watch Henry Thomas he'll come in from the left side of your screen to the left to boomer he just slaps it down and one hop right back up it's tough to make a football bounce like that and max Montoya heads up with the tackle at the 44-yard line first down as fini picks up about four by Reggie Williams so the Bengals had a first and 10 at the 11 and the next thing you know it's Minnesota ball near midfield halfway through the third quarter the word that comes to mind when you describe this Minnesota defensive scheme is disruptive I mean its penetration it is chaos that they try to create and the other teams side of the ball and they have certainly succeeded tonight in doing so to the Bengals second and six Vikings with five sacks tonight off the play fake here's a Cincinnati sack as Reggie Williams who had one and a half sacks all season long has two in what might be the final game of his career and that's the crowd you hear [Music] they're booing Wade Wilson for [Applause] Wilson was trying to get the ball to Anthony Carter and once again Carter top of your screen was covered well by Eric Thomas he wanted to deliver the ball right there the carnival Thomas was all over Carter this give Carter or Eric Thomas a part of that sack great coverage on Carter Williams comes out on third and 14 four receivers under the shotgun Wilson fires too long Gustavsson what kind of a call is that when you need 14 ESO at about six yards upfield well you had a blitz adjustment now they had no choice since it comes with the Blitz Louisville ups will come off the near side it's the call is is that Minnesota didn't give themselves an option the Blitz forces a shorter route by the receiver he reads blitz [Applause] there was not a stellar offensive series by the Vikings after the big by Thomas EP Scribner to kick [Applause] and this is a beauty the is it's not only deep but it's handled [Applause] roughing the kicker penalty John Holyfield came in there and and dropped Scribner there's no doubt about that but Pat Haggerty the official there rules that he was blocked in watch this I think we'll see this right up in the middle Holyfield continues on through a knock Scribner down we've seen that called manslaughter and a few weeks I'm not saying it [Music] [Applause] IBM presents you make the call Lionel James of a Chargers fields a punt takes a few steps forward and then passes backward toward a teammate the teammate in the Cleveland players simultaneously knock the ball out of bounds now you make the call where do you spot the ball you got to juggle [Music] well what call did you make a backward pass is considered a free ball no matter who touched it last it belongs to the team blast in possession at the spot where it went out of bounds if I had a Nissan 240sx it'd be a red coupe what no flag lastly take another look here he thinks he's gonna draw a flag well he should have drawn a flag watch the whole authority this takes out watch Hollifield Cincinnati has 12 yard line first and 10 626 to play in the disrupt the science here's bull this crowd isn't helping anybody with Cincinnati this is where the crowd becomes almost as disruptive as a Minnesota defense [Applause] this is our life on the road in the National Football League is tough force over Cincinnati when you say damn did they do so much at the line of scrimmage they change sometimes somebody might 80% of the time and they have to change the count they have to get the word out to the wide receivers and they do more verbal communication with the line of scrimmage in most teams in the league or there's Brad Edwards flying in there [Applause] second and eight comes up from the corner to extend his holiday with you well there's a good look while Carly's going to the Pro Bowl and a bad played app call when they're in his own formation Lee had rolled up over the left side he was right in the face see this huh this was nothing more than substitute here's a little variation or what they call the sugar huddle hey Minnesota tried to substitute that turn around and snap the ball while the play clock is down to six and this place is shaken Esiason fires to the far side and the catch is made by Magee inbounds and a first down Carly providing the coverage he was right there but McGee having a terrific year makes a clutch catch again with the good speed gives it the look about breaks it out into science and it's already delivered the ball on that break Oh do not attempt this pass look at that throw by boomer [Applause] we biceps do not throw that [Applause] [Music] from the 24th up line straight ahead after the 27 goes to Kingsbrook for a gain of about 4 maybe you could maybe you could throw a few years of Archie you're doing GMA next week ranch at Good Morning America this week Wednesday Thursday and Friday watch you interview Franken be thinking about it maybe a nice touch we're not busy the rest of the week don't call us we'll call you [Applause] Friday good job I'll think about you guys section the 28-yard line as a science in play fake freezes the defense and then lost one to Eddie Brown and a first down at the 40 he beats Carla [Music] six points for Eddie Brown the speedster wide open but let them we talked about the play action of the Bengals and watch decison hide this ball ball with a good fake doesn't give up that fake bangs right into a linebacker in Brown is wide open Josiah puts it in there ball is carrying out that fake right into the arms of the linebacker at the 45-yard line here's Paul going busting the play up there's Markku Sabich the ball comes loose they say it's a fumble on just foot around and looked at the ball taking us down dolmen recovers after two soppec dislodges it it is again that ball is that's my loose that's a hollow away and resolutely this Babak cleans it out with his foot I think Chris Dolan just fell on that because of instinct that's the way they're coached anytime you see a ball on the field you get on it don't wait to listen for a whistle not bad for Dolman time for the league lead in sax time for the league lead in fumble recovery bullying straight ahead his Herschel Walker for about five to the 33 yard line where are they happy they're happy in the Steel City Pittsburgh Pennsylvania [Music] Pittsburgh Steeler [Music] although Sunday wine over the 9 of 17 [Music] [Applause] friends in Pittsburgh Chris [Music] [Applause] Herschel Walker doing what he can do so well he just carried the pile about five yards [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Vikings none [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] until Hershel Walker gets to about the 27 yard line and that is enough for a first down 3:17 to play in the third floor the Metrodome the Vikings would not post a playoff game unless they got to the NFC Championship game and it would only be against a wild-card team the [Music] Walker 327 gets taken down just about of the line of scrimmage and Brady number 58 and virtually every system he's played has played in a system that has been designed around him for the first time here in Minnesota he's having to fit into a system a system that's not designed just for 34 and 34 alone and he's not really doing it all that well and look at her so right here actually losing the ball before he goes down that's a fumble that is a fumble all the way by Hershel Walker Minnesota gets lucky [Music] Wilson is able to get escape the sack and bang I just didn't get there a middle screen to Herschel Walker he got there so quickly that Wilson did not have a chance to let it develop you'll see it the little screen is and touch Sunbury you've got to at least touch those defensive linemen you got to check their charge initially or your quarterback will never get it off grounded [Music] [Applause] the Super Bowl last year third and 10 twenty-seven [Applause] me by [Applause] Larry Thomas is going to our up out of bounds Tomasz pudding there that's gonna be a catch Gerald is really shaken up Harry Thomas back and airy Thompson's played a fine football game he gets back into it and he just yeah it's awesome Jones Epping at the air and I don't know what more you can ask of either the receiver or the the defender on the play ultimate sacrifice [Applause] some area work by Hassan Jones getting up we want him to get up it's good call by the official though he rules and he would have come down inbounds repeated replays of course anytime you see a player come down on the back of his head in deck we're seeing the hands the arms everything moved and Eric Thomas saying good deal he's alright at least he tough game Eric Thomas doing his job nothing intended whatsoever this plays a good tough corner maybe a bit in the shadow of David Fulcher and Lewis Phillips that has had a great season we watched him perform a grand style here tonight he I think is quite obviously concerned about the condition of us on Jones when play resumes the ball is at the 15-yard line Cincinnati and Carter begins to pack because Jones rises to his feet and in a class move there's Harry Thomas all right class move iron collar I think we can go back and save her a great effort by Wilson and Hassan Jones I think John was looking up at the board he wants to see the replay of that he doesn't realize it's already been played five or six times they should give him a private screening though they better wait a while I don't think it would be recorded for the moment looks a little shaky there it is again on the board here [Applause] well you can see where his head is the first thing that hits its earth no wonder he's a little loose first and ten Minnesota at the 15-yard line here is spinning picks up a battle yard gets wrestled down loose-ball cincinnati ball and the Vikings their first turnover of the day McClendon was the first guy in there that disrupted the play [Music] and Jason but recovers it [Music] [Applause] take a look at it again Carl Zander 91 [Music] walk down there at the that is feed around the ankles and the ball comes right to it everybody wants to see themselves on the big board yeah that's right Jason said yeah that's all right that'll work it works for me [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] their time for Cincinnati with Minnesota Heath and bangla territory flag goes down after ball gets dropped by Maillard who had been shaken up and spent the last series on the bench well they're gonna get holding against the Bengals Bruce rhymers number 75 was the man pleading his case I think probably his responsibility to block Millar to begin with that could be the double whammy a play for a loss plus a hold holding over 75 [Music] has been playing the past few weeks will a separated shoulder [Applause] you go to the sidelines and you rest for a few moments and you usually can come back we've seen the lard do just that there's a match up right here watch Maillard take the big move to the outside big rush to the outside it results in [Applause] to this instance first and 17 and the catch is made by Brown and his forward progress should knit him the first down there's the marker and he has it out at the 25-yard line you know that was a change by esaias and with the line of scrimmage and he gave a hand signal to Eddie Brown as to the pass route that he wanted him to run we've got someone hurt all the way back down at the goal line that's Anthony Munoz I believe number 78 on what oh what a staggering blow this would be to the Bengals if there's something seriously wrong for this guy the man who in my opinion the offensive lineman of the decade for the 80s and I mean one of the great offensive tackles of all time I mean we're talking in the top two or three and they're looking at the right shoulder this guy is so good he's so big he's six six to 85 and looks bigger you know he does a lot of speaking to young kids around the Cincinnati areas matter fact he's their travelers man of the year of course that is for getting out into the community and working and this man certainly has done that here's Anthony munos this is Chris Dolman here's Munoz let's see if we can see what happens Anthony works out of the two points Stan's Dolman takes the upfield he rides him out of the play and look how smart he is look at how he got the arms up in the air to say to the official hey I'm not holding this guy I'm just riding him down to the ground he has all the nuances doesn't well you ready to say that he does go he goes out and talks to kids in school he's very anti-drug oriented and the kids listen to him he better listen to it I mean do you realize what presence of mind that was to get his hand he realized that his guys going down to the ground and he doesn't want there to be any appearance from any angle of the field that he's riding him into the ground with his arms throwing him in there to get the hold and call back in second heat robos out for him that's it nine in a row [Applause] lados who hasn't a spot on the other the lion and white Elmo's animal noises five with Walter in the game on a sweet books and nothing develops is excited to follow Bruce rhymers Kim Clark and Joey browner converge on the tackle and we're down to a minute to play in the third quarter with Munoz on the sidelines wouldn't you say Dan the offensive scheme of things well that becomes academic because here comes Munoz back into the game but you're right they're very left oriented team when it's crunch time they they go left and why not the Raiders went left behind art shale and Gene Upshaw down to 26 yard line is Bruce rhymers the left guard so the whole left side of the line back-to-back plays the left tackle left guard as I grant another that's what they were how they would treat the cramp at the leg and when you see them stretch them out like that there [Music] there's a lot of times there's a problem late in the season with cramps because it's cold outside back home you don't get the good work outside there's Bruce rhymers number 75 right on the 25-yard line pulling comes out makes his block on Scott stud well I'll check that that's deuce bobbing 59 but you don't get that good work back home you don't get the good sweat you don't get the heavy work that you get during the earlier part of the season and you'll see that a lot you'll get cramps late in the year especially here in a dome where it's warmer than what you're used to it you can see them working on the left calf with me it all surprised to it he might be on antibiotics PAP onyx because he was suffering from the flu coming into the game or you can see Bruce right there grabs on the right leg first then the left leg yeah we're having dual malfunction sir and you know what are these you can't move at all that look he's afraid to take a step [Music] time to sit down we have that you know you know when you put your toe out for your toe down that doesn't work either way fifty-two seconds remaining we're in the third quarter at the Metrodome 22 to 14 Minnesota this enables a song Lucinda converse with Sam white prior to a second down and eight situation Wayne Woodruff is a serving as the host tonight for the neighborhood showing up Dwayne yep so you guys what do you guys think at this point well it looks pretty good we're just hoping Minnesota can come in there and score a few more points for us hey we I have to ask I mean here's your team let's talk about you guys for a second you get obliterated the first two weeks of the season you look like you're gonna go all-in 16 you got a chance to wind up in the playoffs how you know we just had 45 guys had a lot of character and belief in themselves and you know we just hung in there pretty well we didn't have anybody else to turn to but ourselves and they paid off well force people it would be an understatement Dwayne it was a great turnaround and I think the team that is on the upswing once again well I think so you know we you know have a little rough going there early in the season but as the season went on we have a lot of young guys that came in and do a good job and in our defense gelled force and offense was going to quite a few points and consequent when we start winning a lot of ballgames and we're sitting here on Monday night hope from it the Minnesota wins one force Minnesota started to build up the points and your whole neighborhood showed up on Wayne okay freezing outside we'll check back with you shortly [Music] his own power goes to the sideline in Cincinnati now resumes on second down and eight from the 27 yard line Esiason fires its tip [Applause] marek juice popping native Minnesotan starting tonight only because of the injury to Mike Meriwether the first of his career and like Meriwether a good athlete he was recruited to the University of Minnesota as a basketball player that was his first fort he is very quick he moves around very well and when we talked to Jerry Birds about the fact that Meriwether couldn't go tonight he didn't seem all that concerned because of this man Mark goose Bobby one of the big pluses for deuce Babak as we look at the play really being made up front though by Carl Lee Karlie's play on the ball was loose Bobby to come in late so Minnesota from the 42 as Finney takes it to the 30 - iesson his drone interceptions tonight in Cincinnati has [Music] three times in this quarter against the league's top defense and it's amazing they're that close turning it over five times against Minnesota accepting some congratulations there he made that all possible while the third quarter is now over 15 minutes to go the Vikings go into the fourth quarter seeking a play first leading the Cincinnati thing baby and make it third down and eight as we begin the fourth quarter where the Minnesota Viking is leading the Cincinnati Bengals 22 to 14 our man Richie West line this is the same guy is it regular and the dog pound instant and Cleveland's brunettes a Cincinnati er Sam why she'll yell at me too Richi a man for all seasons third down and eight from the 40 [Applause] juggled snack when Wilson makes the most of it Dixon takes him down at the 35 they're sure the first down by 3 at the 35 so you're looking at about a 52 yard [Applause] Sandeen Karlis that was going to be an underneath handoff to fini brick fini was supposed to take that ball and run it underneath and good presence of mind by Wayne Wilson to make the best as outset of a bad situation so you're looking at a fish - yar - ten different [Music] the longest field goal of Carlos's career 51 keep in mind if they could draw Cincinnati offsides it will be a first down Scribner to hold [Applause] this kick it hit the override hit the upright it had the distance but hit the upright and bounces back and now Cincinnati will take over at the line of scrimmage which is out of the 35 yard line so they have good field position following the missed field goal but Byrnes trying to play a hot hand or hot foot I suppose because Carla's have been bullying them through tonight and this time in the distance but not the accuracy [Music] where you want to put these the angel of [Music] when you gather round for the holidays there's no better beer to have around than Michelob look for our tree at your store and have a happy holiday my dream car would be a Nissan Hardbody [Music] make that the mountainous nobody around cept my girl and a pizza I'm not boss somebody's got to wash the truck [Music] over the years much has changed about the game today the best in the business fly and the airline that takes over 300 colleagues and proteins to their chosen field is United come fly the friendly skies number 2 Miami takes their shot for the national championship when they need SEC Camp Alabama the uff ng Sugar Bowl New Year's night on ABC we touched on this before look at the Vikings a tremendous advantage over the opposition in the first second and third quarters but on the negative side by plenty in the floor [Applause] the two-yard pickup by Brooks just to digest it a little further here as you can see when you look at its core by quarters the Vikings have been building up some big leaves this year there it is again and look at that in the second quarter in particular the tremendous disparity but they've given up a hundred six points scored only 43 on bust 143 - 3 - 63 [Applause] second down and seven Esiason dumps it over the middle it's Brooks Brooks seeking the first down passive takes it to the 49 yard line first and ten Scott Studwell makes the tackle [Applause] [Music] 22 to 40 Karlis field goals [Music] [Applause] all assuming Brookes cutting to the outside playing off an ice block and taking it to the 45-yard line made by Eric wool on rain bury it help spring him he talked about the injuries he had a UCLA now but he was also one of the strongest players they ever had a UCLA said all kinds of strength records and that time he put a crushing back on James Brooks [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] err over his own people second along [Applause] believe me easy for crystal wannabe buddy goomar almost got out of it [Applause] it goes fast Tim Harris another big night for dolmen that's actually Eric catice a tight end who's responsible for running Dolman out of the picture and that's a good call by the official you saw the knee of Esiason on the ground third and 15 look at the notice from the backside the pace over the middle committee and a first down at the 39 yard line and the Bengals tonight staying in the game because of their third down proficiency they scored twice on third and 10 here a key third and 15 to keep this drive going did you see al no go al Noga got close to a siphon and stopped I mean he he looked like he might have been able to close in at the last second and really pulled up why shouldn't over to the sidelines like he's having some sort of a [Applause] first and ten at the 30 yard [Applause] for Jennings of the running backs here's Jennings slipping inside and Jennings taking it down to the 32 yard picked up up close to seven Tim Clark making the tackle [Applause] six sacks now for the bike one short record 72 cents back in 1984 [Applause] Minnesota was 72 years ago the Bears was 70 a dozen tonight [Applause] to play Taylor and Jennings of the running backs Jennings spun down at the 28-yard line that should be enough for a first down Scott Studwell makes the tackle Jennings who told you early on last week's game against Houston Anita's custom upcoming in dinner I don't think it gives you an idea look to Cincinnati Bengals are thinking there's no tomorrow if we don't get this one tonight Jenny's ordinary [Music] stop the clock right now looks like they've given a timeout to the Vikings is Vegas got stun well is shaken up he came off the field that has been over Floyd Peters discharge to the Vikings that's their first they have two remaining the clock stops with 941 remaining in the fourth quarter he goes 100% all the time always has now in his 13th year he's not very big they've got a 16-game you have worn down a little bit when you look at Scott and you see him early in this season by that you're right it starts to look like a hockey player about this time of the year the face gets a little drawn you get he struggles to hold on to the way right back arrives to doesn't pull [Music] but Senate again now the Bengals win they host a wild-card game against Houston at riverfront Sunday if they lose Pittsburgh is in the playoffs they are a Houston Vikings win they're in the playoffs they lose they are out Green Bay is in Minnesota ahead 20 to 14 forced intention tonight at the 28 yard line Craig Taylor is the sole setback he gets the ball Taylor running into the official and getting it down to the 18 yard line close to a first down ray Barry gets credit for the tackle and he will come up about a half a yard short of the first have you noticed the difference in what's happening in this game in the first half Cincinnati virtually ignores the running game and now in the second half when they're attempting to gain they're using the ground moving it right moving it left and getting some pretty good chunks when they do so second and one and going with a new pair of running backs here and Taylor and Jennings after ball and Brooke so played much of the game and there's play action one second in short and underneath and wide open and making the catch is tailor busting a tickle getting the clocks down prey tailor a rookie out of West Virginia 6th round draft pick of Sam White said we may seem he likes him fresh legs and has made a big difference here in the fourth quarter [Music] Raymond Dairyland for the moment really I don't even know why I repeat again again a reminder play-action is worthless unless you're effectively moving the ball on the ground but look at the script by Craig Taylor fights off to spa bukh there's ray Barry with a shot and still he doesn't hit the ground till he gets the ball across the plane what an effort that was I understand that sandwich was talking about [Applause] well how huge does that play at the end of the first half look now when the Bengals opted to go for a 4th and 10 came up short Vikings were able to move it down into field goal range cashed in for 3 and right now it's a one-point ballgame sighs and looked quickly into the end zone for Holmen checked it off and goes out to Taylor watch this effort bounces right off does violet pabich somehow controls it and gets the football across the and this is the reactions of dairy burners to become a leader the result Jam resistant radios for our armed forces great service insured in hotels inns and resorts the finest quality in our digital electronic components and one of the largest personal loan companies in the financial services industry the challenge was to build our nine businesses into leaders today we are leaders igt today more people than ever are getting a kick out of this hot job Interstate Batteries hit the road back with all the cranking power and reserve energy you need for even the worst curves in the weather at Interstate has twice as many dealers than any other battery company in America so you are never left strength for interstate battery dealer near you [Music] yep [Music] the people who bring you Budweiser wish you and yours a safe and happy holiday season and please remember no way to save will put a luggage cart in a suitcase and what do you get Samsonite's piggyback it's particularly handy on long trips like the one from your car to the ticket counter at one point tonight if you joined us late Minnesota lead in this game 19 to nothing right now it is Minnesota 20 to Cincinnati 21 the Vikings have scored one touchdown tonight the bengals have scored three Karlis has ticked five field goals Minnesota leads I appoint winner to the playoffs losers season is over Herschel Walker's back to receive we have 49 remaining in the fourth quarter lead Johnson to kick off with the Bengals [Music] [Applause] at the 43-yard line [Applause] the flag is pretty well up field [Music] [Applause] and back it will come from that spot a one-point ballgame and Jerry Burns thought he saw a big play coming his way number 86 on the return a few months ago he wants we should not have been a toast back up tight end who got flagged for that but most of the run back counts because 10 yards in the spot so comes back to the 33 yard line as at first and ten again the Vikings this season has scored only 43 points in the fourth quarter is made [Applause] [Music] barring Thomas who has been really playing extremely well tonight has been all over the field [Applause] guy in the face without expecting to draw the flag and Eric you to look at that screen all you want it's not going to change again loss is the fact of wait Wilson and Anthony Carter were in perfect sync well Thomaston like the fact that Anthony Carter didn't just jump out of bounds but there's the problem is is that his hands were up in the face you know if he just pushes him in the chest I don't think it's going to draw the flag it gave the impression to the official that he hit him in the head c.carter doesn't step out of bounds he's going to take him on and Anthony even throws a little formatting but that's legal but that's it gave me impression he hit him in the face when in reality that deep talk going deeper fire and all those fought by Anthony as Eric Thomas batted in and then Carter was almost there to grab the deflection in completely we almost made it easy for the highlight film people they could have spliced that one right into the end of the Vikings highlight reel I think it was probably why Bob schnell Kirk all that play come right back at Eric Thomas he's all upset putting man for man and whatever formation you can against Carter who gives you a little move to the inside Thomas run around but he is Blake feet gets back into it goes up on me got it in the end zone to go for the 20 somehow someway by Anthony Carter along with sideline [Applause] Anthony Carter then adjust is coming back to what he was a year ago for these Vikings last week big game against Cleveland the little out again Wilson under throws a little bit that Carter saves him that's as good as it gets as good as it gets [Music] look at this catch I don't know that's I don't know what's better the cats are the camera work that looks like Georgie's work great job guys his seven tax of the night then he takes it for a gain of about five the 19 yard line I got it let's look at that again I mean water how does he keep this ball off the ground I mean you talk about laying out oh that's just fabulous pink bows prof that's just fabulous Bohdan are induced but he is proud of it no pulses how does he do that hey I'm proud of it too anybody likes his games gotta like that second and three at the 19-yard line so people in Green Bay [Applause] to the 13 Rick fini not just another short yardage ball carrier the outed receiver a guy who's been digging for some tough yards tonight and has made some big plays for the Viking he has scored Minnesota thanks perceptions first and 10 Vikings at the 13 yard line they Anderson and Penny of the running back it's tumbled by Fenny he picks it up back to the 22 and Ricky Dixon is there to make the tackle at the 20-yard line ball comes loose Xander thought the play was still alive and Haggard he says no sir but let's take a peek well right we always say we'll always see those had been he made a great effort instead of falling on the ball which she probably should have done he was able to handle the ball get it back into his hands and turn it around get four or five yards out of it what happens the ball is still tucked away she'll tuck oh ho looks like it might have come out early that's a fumble looks like skip McClendon got his right arm in there but they don't review it and in 16 and Wilson's going to the [Music] Philips all over Hassan Jones and Phillips is going to get another one if he doesn't get on the officials face [Applause] in contact past the five yards Philip Sidney be complaining about this singles we've had back-to-back bonehead plays by the Bengal corners first Eric Thomas and now Lewis Phillips that's contact way beyond the five yard area real question about the call but then to come back and verbally in cost and official I mean you know you're going to get it you know you're going to get it this is not professional wrestling where you throw them out of the ring [Applause] Louis bulbs to penalties [Music] [Applause] [Music] the seven yard line [Applause] one Minnesota bump isn't a killer you know that's only a five it's the unsportsmanlike [Applause] Gamze you've got to keep your pressure situations good ballplayers to be smart Bengals have been penalized 27-yard takes it to the three it'll be second and goal to lose for incision Annie has the football the original signal is Cincinnati now he's seen Minnesota yeah hey sir did the ball to Cincinnati and Nolan from Cincinnati even argue so they must have never even had the ball he just came up and got disoriented they pulled a Jim Marshall and went the wrong way with him this is letters the Walker can do for you just take this stack put it down with 230 pounds and just drive people back clearly a fumble it's also where he works best between the tackles it's also where he fumbled [Music] [Applause] Russell backbite plum ride third and goal third and goal at the one you know I you know I'm speechless here a little bit which is the lighting so everyone listen was that not a fumble I mean did he not that Herschel Walker and I dropped the ball it was clearly a fumble but recovered by Minnesota somehow a Viking came up with a football who did lose it so he Viking somehow got to the bottom of the pond go no Phineas stop at the one-yard line so it's fourth [Applause] go for what would be a chips at field goal when you have point lead when you have the league's number one defensive unit you can't get beat by a field goal when kicking a field goal gives you a four point lead you have got to force the other team to score a touchdown to beat you my philosophy Phi was a the flipside of that year on defense if you don't make it you shouldn't be able to make it if you don't make it you leave him down at the one-yard line well what they did is they let as much time run off the clock as they could the play clock went down to two they now take a timeout with 422 remaining the Vikings are down to their final timeout now they have one remaining that's a tough call either way I mean you could you can't heavily criticize it either way but it's easier to make a decision when you've got the number one defense in the league I'm gonna check in with Pittsburgh and Green Bay up without a layup some thoughts I agree I think he had the number one defense you got to say hey guys it's up to you we're gonna give you a four-point lead you hold them you just don't let him in the end zone exactly but we don't any chocolate coming up but I mean the other side if they stuff it in you know now we got a 29:21 ballgame and a touchdown doesn't even beat you so the Cincinnati defense on third and short yardage and this of course same situation you play your short yardage defense they have done very poorly the statistics very heavily weighted against them perhaps that factoring in to some degree on [Applause] well if you go for it isn't this why he trade for Herschel Walker I mean it's real simple they've been here before in this hips up he has not been the one that they've been giving it to and they've given it to him on a couple of occasions but he has they have three tight ends in the game they'll come up on a tight set go come up there with Fenny as the full-back and Walker setting up at the 7-yard line fourth down they fake it to Walker and walk it into the end [Applause] give me a break Big Bob smoker who call that play is fresh thinking he's moving honest it doesn't work and it's popular in Pittsburgh three Nowakowski Wayne Wilson put that ball in the air guys I think over Celski was going to be able to get to it well he has not had a whole lot of so they're strictly the block here's the play-action a little bit of a tourist Walker look at this effort has wide reciever all the way and that is an absolutely perfect throw by Wayne Wilson Novosel skis second touchdown [Applause] Nowakowski started the season with green bay picked up on waivers by minnesota and may have just put Green Bay out of the playoffs long time to go [Applause] 4:17 to play I go back to the so dad struggled trying to get it in Walker they've been using pity this time a little bit of a play-action great call but a great catch by Nowakowski the former [Music] [Applause] [Music] sometimes I dream I'm in Italy driving this incredible sports car my boss is there he says here's where it gets weird the sports car has four doors I mean there's no such thing as a four-door sports car it's just a dream right it was Dean winters personal philosophy of success we have a sacred trust to protect our adjusters but its impact was thought on California Street maintained conservative policies on Lincoln Street and they called streets to put the interest of our clients first lien would have put principles before profit people before portfolios there are many ways to measure success on Wall Street we measure success one investor at a time Dean Witter a member of the Sears Financial Network [Applause] toss the premium champagne the product the proving grounds the recipes STP gas frequent is the age [Music] Brent Novosel ste plays sparingly he's the number three tight end and of course when you play behind somebody like Steve Jordan you will play sparingly definite guy's got four catches on the year into her touchdown so they're not afraid to go to I'm in this [Applause] Richard Kari ones back [Applause] was almost as spectacular as the call was well this might be called a tale of four cities because not only are these two teams affect it but watch what the catch by Brett NOAA Celski does in other places first how about a look at the call in Pittsburgh and of course you can imagine the reaction and repented not nearly as jubilant as the Steeler faithful [Applause] the Dickensian pronouncement for city I like that big hit in Green Bay there's the play that's rich Moran and that hurts [Applause] meanwhile hope that wasn't a proverbial towel being thrown in factors us a lot of time left here far away [Applause] [Music] three timeouts left the injured Bengal on the kickoff return Leon looked as if he might have been seriously shaken up initially but fortunately able to get up and fight off as the Bengals take over there [Applause] he is out of bounds at the 37 yard line [Applause] second and ten didn't get both feet inbounds [Music] [Applause] [Applause] expect in terms of the crowd part of the scene books to the runningback movement as Holmen comes across the line boy wait till the crowd gets a little whiff of the fact that they caused that confusion louder this time around any to Almond jumping he's trying to give this brown one last Christmas present lay off they go next week off as well [Applause] sighs and fires incomplete intended for Eddie Brown it'll be third down and 15 just good coverage on the part of the Vikings Esiason had no place to put it again if the Vikings win this game they win the Central Division crown they would play on the road the weekend of January 6th to 7th either at New York or at San Francisco the new twist here the crowd whistling it is disrupting everything passed along thing my for holding so it's fourth and 15 they're down by a for the moment anyway the Bengals are sending in the punting unit they really don't have a choice one or two maybe you got to think about it as a as a big gamble but on your own 20-yard line you have no choice but to punt it away not even a consideration now punt it away and take your time outs on defense says Leo Lewis is back at his old 40-yard line [Music] [Applause] Melissa 2:45 see territory [Applause] trying to take [Music] defense for a 36-yard punt in an e-card return next Monday January 1st 1990 tripleheader Bowl fest lay me on a busy Illinois against Virginia begins things at 1:30 Eastern 10:30 in the morning Pacific that's the Florida Citrus Bowl Bo Schembechler SH final game number three ranked Michigan against the Trojans of Southern Cal from Pasadena will be in New Orleans for the u.s. F&G Sugar Bowl second ranked Miami's seventh ranked Alabama to wrap it up at 8:30 Eastern next [Applause] fighting his way to about five and cincinnati has to spend the time out of course the key now is protecting the ball if you're one of the backs with it you cover it up on both sides interesting to Dan that Herschel Walker is on the sidelines we talked about difficult to disc to come into an office particularly when you were back like Herschel Walker that was born and bred in the I formation knee well white is angry because you can see the clock ticking down a couple of more seconds after they had call timeout or attempted to get the officials to to stop the clock and that's exactly what white is saying [Music] you look Hershel Walker and his contributions to this Viking team just strictly in terms of what's happened up to this point 1989 look at that Trey doesn't really I'm not saying I can't become that Herschel Walker may run for 2,000 yards next year but to this point in time he's not as productive as I think everyone thought he was going to this existed look he does it'll be the different offense they put three seconds back on the clock get outside takes it to the 42 yard line it's going to be third and four they take a timeout meanwhile you when you talk about acquisitions how about the acquisition of Carlos and there's white saying look guys I'm telling a timeout stop the clock it was still running went three or four more seconds he's got a good point it did continue to run for another three or four seconds and they ought it they ought to put some time back on the clock I think they're discussing that at the moment nice t-shirt there behind ya [Applause] and Pat Haggerty wisely puts the time back on the clock not appreciated Cincinnati 322 remaining Sam white I'd say one thing about whites you gotta love him he's very outspoken he's very candid but he is sincerely candid and outspoken and last week of course he he poured it on against Houston he said I don't take back what I said I'm just sorry that it became such a cause celeb you know whatever I liked him because you know there are coaches in this league who attempt to be candid but they attempt to manipulate the media in the guise of candor we made a good at lying white he said I I'm not sorry for what I said I feel bad because I did I'd attract it from from Reggie Williams last game sorry that I kind of stole the show that time what I intend there pierced any stock by addiction [Music] [Applause] a flask houston there was coming sunny but [Applause] [Music] [Applause] to get my drift by the way on the attempted media manipulators there's seen nothing in which I do not drift along with you I think there was were you referring to someone to protect you on the visioning sidelines maybe last week in New Orleans visiting sideline I'm honored the ramifications tonight this first Green Bay you think about this game having started way back in July to a days and how much the legs hurt baked and [Music] of us talked on the phone back in April when the leap schedule came out and we looked at this game and we knew that this might have a shakedown effect all the way down to conferences the AFC in the NFC and boy how prophetic that was lucky Scribner aimed a kick each point [Music] get it back without a timeout that is close to perfect as you can get under the lay on the top [Applause] won't do much for the grouse hunting average only 34 yards but no but my Clin about that a contract on it will help out the gross salary yes playoff check appears to be coming Minnesota's way although 306 to play the Bengals have firepower enough to score quickly timeouts remaining [Applause] first in ten years dumps it to Brooks he gets wrestled down by Barry [Applause] [Music] [Applause] the 11 [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] second floor Brooks takes it up to the 17 yard line Barry makes the tackle and that's a first down that's not the way they're going to get it done though unfortunately another gamble by Brooks that he could get big yardage inside instead of sprinting to the sidelines to stop the clock first and ten and that's all the Vikings are given I'm the underneath stuff here's home and after the 31 and that takes us to the two-minute warning so this is the offensive line now this defensive line of many of Minnesota I mean they are exhausted and we've got a player down on the field thanks we got two players out on the field with Henry Thomas and Munoz again [Applause] and we come to the two-minute warning as they attend to muñoz and Thomas a beautiful [Music] I had an epod 240 out there I get a red coat no summer fast apart [Music] heck why not chin wall yeah me and Ken and myself know ready for tf-x driving into the sunset you only start talking now what we're looking for here is value we're an aircraft management company we want to associate with companies that share our same standards companies that do business the way we do companies of quality here's somebody we've obviously done business with that you are kind of what you surround yourself with and see I don't know how to sell computers I know how to buy them though and I guess that's the significant thing is this the way you ordinarily do commercials just the headache feels like a rubber band going around my head I have pain I heard today Darnell Moore is trying extra-strength Tylenol dill caps for pain like is why take aspirin or ibuprofen when nothing works better than Tylenol gelcaps no problem no headache and definitely no rubber bands I'm going to go with the gel cap gel caps work title all gel caps only from tylenol for everyday pain nothing works better and pure cold this winter now try tylenol cold medication [Music] Henry Thomas and Anthony Munoz have both left the field there's Henry Thomas number 97 he comes in and you can see his left knee gets caught hyper-extended as keep Maillard goes down you see him immediately clutching his left knee Anthony Munoz went off and didn't was very difficult for us to ascertain what was wrong with Munoz first and ten from the 31 yard line the Kennishes made or is it no Kendall Smith didn't have control of it but does one official come in and overrule the other the only thing apparently so the only thing I want to pass along about Anthony munos is if it didn't appear to be anything with his legs no one fell on his leg no one collapsed a knee or anything like that for us so for those of you that are his family friends relatives it doesn't appear to be anything calamitous with a leg and we did seem earlier the game go out with what appeared to be a sore shoulder it's fitting that the year ends with a zebra conference you know well let's face it we've gotten on these guys all the announcer's have the writers this year the whole thing it's a tough tough job there's no question about it well that we're in it's the feet we're in it appeared to me that possession of the ball was made with the feet inbounds and it's look at it again you can does he handle the ball and saw the possession on the other angle no question about the feet dragging the left foot looked like a church to me now you know your point is right you hate to whip on these guys too much it's a job that nobody wants it's our job [Applause] [Music] that's a good job there the system works beating up on these guys because that's not really our intent it's just what are we going to do you see him call you disagree with theirs we don't beat up by the time you've flogged him they're on their knees I hate to inflict pain but it's getting it's getting tougher and tougher is whether the mouse year after year from the 41 yard line here's a sizing back to past and close to Brooks and play is over at the 46 yard line down on contact with 47 Joey browner gets credit for the tackle again the bang there's got to pick big play here soon get a big chunk of it lofted to Holmen and he's got a first down taking it to the 47 Barry and Studwell nyan on the tackle again on Sunday Rams will be at Philadelphia unless something incredibly dramatic happens here Pittsburgh will be at Houston here's Eric all and they keep him in bounds [Applause] and the Viking players on to cylon are imploring the crowd to get up they noise leave us help [Music] [Applause] Esiason throws and there's Brooks and he goes out of bounds a little short of the first down let's not let it pass if Pittsburgh goes to the playoffs I got to tell you a lot of amazing things happen this year but if somebody would have told you the Pittsburgh Steelers would go to the playoffs after the first two weekends of the year you would have had him committed Chuck though our hats off to you tremendous job indeed and what he was confronted with for the past couple of years sliced up diced up desert we're also aided by a you know a lesser record in the air nonetheless - all right put agree more into the playoffs they go third down and two from the 39 Esiason throws a massive complete ninety one to ten this ninety two to ten were the composite scores in the Steelers first two games this season they were rounded on opening day by Cleveland they were routed by Cincinnati [Applause] they've rebounded and wind up winning nine of the last 14 and they're making the plane reservations for Houston right now over three the kudos around about a few for Green Bay to they came back under Lindy and Patty need they keep your eye on them next year for us and two and Esiason keeps the bengals alive mcgee goes out of bounds at the 23 yard line and that's a first down and Deus Babak is shaken up and holding his ankle I think realistically that I yep did they get it in the end zone hockey stop - 28 seconds guys I think I'll take this opportunity to say hey this is our final Monday night game of the year in the NFL we moved to college next Monday night with the Sugar Bowl but this is our last go-around this year thanks again for another great year this is finished in number three for me number four for you Alan number thanks for the ride guys for another move put it that way what a pleasure we've had some great games I'd like to just thank some of the players uh all the players that have performed for us it's been one of the best years I can recall in terms of just the actual games Frank the next time we see you you'll be a little weary bleary-eyed from all of those two o'clock feedings before my Manny will have a Manny also tell you Alec you will see me want to get on a top-rated show next what next three days just walk down the street from Good Morning America Joanne Regis and Kathie Lee live you've done Good Morning America before with the deal wake up to do it or you do it at the end of your day just say yes both ways I think the first one works better just stay up roll with it [Applause] wonderful later you'll be joining the we start by thanking Kenny wolf our producer and Greg Jan off our director and all the way down the line in the truck you are the very best we will roll the products at the end as we wrap up the year number 20 in Cincinnati meanwhile ice to keep this going on first down and into the what by Darrell Bullington well that would have written a complete finish to this one instead 22 seconds remain boomer tonight is 30 and a 51 and that's why this game is over three and a half hours long and not what they came in to do number one of the league in rushing the Cincinnati Bengals and they put the ball up in the air that many times that's not what they're about no but I think it's also a to the defensive team of the Vikings they take a lot of things away from you the front four of the Vikings tonight has been just sensational [Music] Masaya sees throw is short 18 seconds [Applause] [Music] I'd be very surprised if Floyd Peters the defensive coordinator of the Vikings isn't one of those guys that gets a long look there's boy gets a long look at some of the coaching vacancies that are out there now and almost surely will crop up again in the next couple of weeks a yearly ritual this guy is ready sergeant Rock his flair [Music] illegals wherever he's gone the past rush has tamed for medical third and 10 and his books who gets bumped out of bounds that stops the clock with 13 seconds but fourth down coming up McMillan covering on the play so the Bengals to the Super Bowl last year and right now on the verge of being the only team in the AFC Central not going to the playoffs Samwise you think to training camp you think back to that final drive by Joe Montana taking the Super Bowl away from the Bengals 2016 celebration continues Lag is down and it's caught by brown for what would be a touchdown and we'll see about the flag Keith Maillard got manhandled at the line of scrimmage it was a tripping or a hold or whatever yeah they're going to call tripping yep if you hear the Lord is going to come out of there more does he get a big time leg whip the celebrating in Pittsburgh and I think on that last call they're celebrating well handsome Vegas is celebrating the other half is crumpyj here comes some alarm as he then taco separated shoulder having to leave almost 15 for three times a game with the steam look to the right look to the right watch Bart try to come out ooh and here's the trip that's an unidentified bangle on the ground [Applause] bombur's has had a tough goal he's playing there she's got the flu and Keith Maillard is and it nullifies a bengal touchdown [Applause] we're wisely calls up and hits Eddie Brown in the endzone [Applause] [Music] with four seconds left barring a defensive penalty this would be the final play of the game who we're going to have a defensive penalty because the Vikings are jump Esiason just throws it up for grabs the pass is incomplete but if the call is against the Vikings there's still a play to go [Applause] [Music] outside defense one more play still in kinks interest around the big screens at every sports book in Vegas racin it's amazing on the rise how many people have remained to here you're right the Vikings were I believe five and a half to six points a bangle store right now [Applause] Vikings are armed with the Gatorade that could mean only one thing watch out Jerry that's the 25-yard line a good guy Jerry Burns we'll be a genius last play of the season into the end zone and into the playoffs go to Vikings and burns got it and the Vikings unbeaten at home this year they go 8 no under the dome and 13 consecutive wins all intents and purposes so ends the first round of the playoffs Vikings get a week off Bengals get about seven months off dealers they go right back to work tomorrow happily [Music] Green Bay great season for the Packers but unfortunately ten and six just doesn't do it in the NFC Central no but we're looking at a team right there the next year I fully expect the challenge of Vikings for that ground clearly an up-and-coming ballclub there's your final score Minnesota wins it 29 the 21 meanwhile let's take a look now at the NFC and the complete and clarified playoff picture for you Rams race Philadelphia early game Sunday divisional playoffs now the following weekend if the Rams win that game the Rams would go to the Meadowlands to face the Giants and Minnesota would go to Candlestick to play the Niners if Philadelphia wins the wild-card game Minnesota goes to the Meadowlands regardless of what happens in that game Minnesota plays on the road if Philadelphia wins Philadelphia goes to Candlestick in the divisional playoffs the weekend of the sixth and seven the AFC quite clear wild-card game is Sunday at the Astrodome Pittsburgh against Houston on New Year's Eve buffalo meets Cleveland the following weekend whether it's Saturday or Sunday has yet to be determined Denver is at home that weekend be it Saturday or Sunday they will meet the winner of the Pittsburgh Houston game at Mile High Stadium home field advantage belongs to Denver throughout in the AFC to San Francisco throughout in the NFC with a Super Bowl January 28th at the Superdome in New Orleans and we've been checking in all night Wayne Woodruff has been hosting a major party at his home in Pittsburgh and congratulations sir as you guys are on your way to Houston sheriff some thoughts will explain this burg and you were great to be in the playoffs and looking forward to going down there in ballon Houston so you guys will be down there in the late game now on Sunday and I mean be honest with me when you you get outscored 90 to 210 through the first two weeks of the season I mean that you couldn't have even dreamed about this well you know we still had a lot of confidence in our football team you know we didn't play like we were that good the first two ballgames but we knew we weren't that bad we regrouped and 45 guys came together and it's paying off for us now some people said Chuck Noll may have lost his magic I think Chuck is still a pretty good magician isn't he well he pulled off a good trick for us this year but you know he's got 45 good players and some other good coaches that are making things happen and we're playing playing very good now your thoughts about Houston right well obviously you know they beat us twice this year broke down down there and also in Pittsburgh but you know it's a different situation now bring a little bit more heat than we have the past two times all right Thank You Dwayne and thank you for having us in your home on this Christmas night and we hope it's been a very happy holiday for all of you and our thanks to the Green Bay Packers we're letting us into the home of Bryan Noble tonight sheriffy Birkins and that's exactly the way he had hoped this night would end with a celebratory dousing as we end our celebration of 20 years of Monday Night Football at the Metrodome in Minneapolis with a reminder that Saturday ABC Sports will be taking a look back at some of the year's great moments in golf championships of the USGA beginning at 2:00 Eastern one central and three Pacific anis college football bowl game excitement is Georgia meets Syracuse in the Peach Bowl that fly from 11:30 a.m. Pacific now except on the west coast we'd like you to most of these ABC stations but guys it's been a sensational year as we spend a moment now taking a look at some of the people who helped make all of this happen on Monday Night Football and it doesn't happen in the vacuum Jeffrey Masson our executive producer and there's none better than our man hello wolf man our illustrious producer and Craig jenoff was sensational at the console alongside Joey Chavo and Harvey and woody fryer and rabies and all the people who make it happen week after week the maestro Steve hurt himself George Helen Kelly days up here in the booth and fifth the great one Billy Edwards on roles they are the very very best you have no idea how easy they make our jobs like a traveling show we're somewhere else every week close when you work the kinds of games that we have this past year very competitive there are some MVPs right there folks Monday Night Football so they came tonight great shots tonight [Applause] and a special I guess my solo as they would say in Hawaii to a lot of these people because it's Christmas it's Christmas around the country but a lot of these folks away from home and wanting us to extend through then there are very best wishes to their families on this very special night which ends with the Minnesota Vikings advancing to the playoffs [Music] [Applause] a 20th season monday night football and the games this season are they competitive almost week after week it was a great schedule and it turned out to just a month alone turned out better than we could even possibly dream in terms of how many games we had that went down to the last play of the game and of course in memory of our two fallen comrades gentlemen thank you ABC's Monday Night Football has been brought to you by Nissan built for the human race by Budweiser the king of beers remember know when to stay wet by MC is primetime plan real sailors let us show you and buy the good time great taste of your holiday place McDonald's this has been a presentation of ABC Sports recognized around the world as the leader in sports television a promotional fee has been paid to ABC by United Airlines rededicated to giving you the service you deserve come fly the friendly skies this is ABC good evening Ontario I love southwestern Idaho and Eastern Oregon this is Newswatch 6 nightcast' renewed fighting in Panama tonight as the Vatican embassy refused to release Manuel Noriega then fog is making Treasure Valley roads hazardous for those traveling tonight baseball legend Billy Martin died tonight and on HealthWatch health experts making sure you get the best emergency heart care newswatch six nightcast is just ahead NAPA Auto Parts has teamed up with the National Football League to bring you fantastic savings on quality NAPA Auto Parts and official NFL premium wearables get your 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Channel: 80s Football Cards

Views: 10,464

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Id: xuB_f3XDa1Q

Length: 211min 59sec (12719 seconds)

Published: Fri Sep 21 2018