1997 Lions @ Dolphins

[Music] Miami skyline on what could be a record-setting night in South Florida as the Miami Dolphins host the Detroit Lions in a game both clubs need to advance their playoff hopes hello everybody I'm Mike Patrick it's great to have you with us the liens come into this game on a three-game winning streak that has them right back in the wild-card picture in fact they control their own destiny the streak has been led by Barry Sanders the NFL's all-time number-two rusher in fact Sanders in his ninth year if anything is even more spectacular and he could write another page in the NFL record book tonight with a 100-yard game if he gets it it would be his 12th in a row nobody else has ever done that of course we say that a lot about Barry Sanders in the last three games the Lions are averaging 42 points a game Joe Theismann and 450 yards in total offense so if you're Jimmie Johnson the challenge has been made to your defense well there's no question about it Mike because Jimmy Johnson realizes that Barry Sanders is down on the field making plays Dan Marino is not now here's something that may play in the dolphin defense's favor last week they had a chance to go against the one guy who simulates a Barry Sanders type running back Oakland's Napoleon Kaufman they did a pretty good job against him but as far as that dolphin offense goes that's led by Dan Marino they had a pretty good outing last week as well they controlled the ball well hit some big plays probably had their most complete game to date so far but tonight I'd expect it to be just a little bit different Detroit starts to rookie corners and I'll guarantee a Dan Marino will find them dan Marino and Barry Sanders arguably the two best ever to play their positions we'll be back with a kickoff in just 30 seconds see East New England where the wind today gets a leg up Miami has to win to stay even and it would put them a game in front of the Jets the NFC wild-card race the Lions control their own destiny if they win out they would get at least the third wild card slot the coaches tonight a pair of Super Bowl veterans Jimmy Johnson with the Cowboys Bobby Ross with the San Diego Chargers [Applause] Jason Hansen to kick it off [Applause] done a good job in his kicks and that's urban spikes he's back with Jairus MacPhail taken by one of the up men on the ship putz then he barrels out to the 30 Miami's offense led by the legend Dan Marino number one all-time and just about everything he has now exceeded 3,000 yards passing for the 12th time Kareem abdul-jabbar has his shot at a second 1000 yard season in dolphins history only Larry Csonka has ever done that the offensive line is a work in progress senator Tim rut ease consistency and his durability have been a key he missed only one game in his cool [Applause] accident to throw on first down [Applause] my crease and the Dan Marino might come out and test those young corners of the Detroit Lions here he goes after Kevin Abrams a little bit of play-action pass and he get Brett Perriman working Abrams has an inside Perriman squares it off real nice winds up making the catch Abraham's starting tonight because of the injury to Raymond that's where Westbrook he bestia first one grab to us head of Texas there's Abraham's you think they test a baby's nose in the West Road Jaffar slashes across midfield gets to the 49 for Detroit's defense Luther Ellis has become a player to be accounted for on every play forth and tackles he has seven and a half sacks Reggie Brown is not only Detroit's fastest linebackers one of the fancy players on the team with an unlimited future and in the secondary mark carrier provides the leadership in the big place his four interceptions in the NFC's top ten and there is the sack later Robert O'Shea number three in the country for 12 developed in would cook defensive line Marino hit a sea fury tried to get it out to Stanley Pritchett and it was Porsche a right in the stomach and Mike that's really been the heart and soul of the Detroit Lions on defense they have been able to get a lot of pressure on quarterbacks with just the front for porche feeling more comfortable at the end position just flat beats James Brown inside you can't if you're blocking for Dan Marino you cannot allow people to beat you inside third and a long seven your name rush again to the 30 in this time he beat mark carrier actually might but carry or help beat himself on that one they've got the defense they want they've got the double zone and you want to try and run it inside the corner what happens as carrier moves up he slips and as he slips Pearman does a terrific job of turning and making a play on the ball gentlemen really enjoying the prospect of playing again former team the impressive opening drive so far through the Dolphins that go out of the [Applause] way action again by morning football let's look at him this time so pyramid is picking on everybody cheese Mike if you start to look he's in this league I wonder where a veteran like Dan Marino might want to go first two times he wants to go up in the air he goes against Abrams this time because Brian Westbrook is a much more aggressive corner they try a little double move and put Pearman on him watch the left side of your screen lower left side this ball is just out of his outstretched hands [Applause] Larry Pekka teller the defensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions is I was talking to him down on the field and he's cheetah's is great I got two rookie corners I'm going against Dan Marino what didn't I done a terrific job up in Detroit with that defense also Westbrook very aggressive corner he's got an incredible future for Detroit Jeff Bucky was ordered to decide one to remove something to his uniform some substance ago is this silicon that mr. Buckey [Applause] it's gonna pass drive was all and visits marina it was Mike a little bit of play-action fake but a good job by the offensive line we talked about that front floor the Lions having to put pressure they do a nice job of strolling them at the line of scrimmage Kareem double abdul-jabbar jumps in and Troy Drayton has really I think game Dan Marino's confidence that was his third touchdown reception of the year take the opening kickoff and on the strength of Dan Marino's arm of a seven nothing lead [Music] Sunday night NFL days brought to you by Isuzu builders of the completely reinvented 1998 Isuzu Rodeo Isuzu go farther by geek-boy 2000 direct personal computers & Bide filler life who reminds you that anything can happen at Miller tacks beautiful downtown Miami on a rather cool December II Cincinnati was for money this is comfortable evening at his law no Cincinnati was called this is cool mari to kick to Glenn Miller to the 21 till what happened on that touchdown why was he sold well it happens Mike is when you have two young guys when you have a two corners who've been being picked on there's Troy trading in the middle what happens is the Safety's going to run out and help out when that happens that you're trying to help those young corners you wind up with to having the tight end go right down the middle and of course Dan Marino is going to find the soft spot in the defense that's exactly what he did Westbrook and Evans to have a very fun [Music] [Applause] uh-huh Calvin Jackson made the tackle here's the Lions offense got mitts of the quarterback when he plays well Detroit almost always wins he's approaching his second three thousand yard season from the more having another all-pro year leading the NFL with 89 90 catches he needs 10 to tie Jerry Rice with three 100 cats years up front Kevin Glover led the offensive line to Bobby Ross at Maryland does it again here he started the last two Pro Bowls see this with his first kill tips for a couple and the crowd celebrates a two-yard game Jason Taylor the image of a Jimmie Johnson defense young fast and intense in three games he missed the team had only two sacks middle linebacker Zach Thomas has overcome a broken leg in preseason he's taken the team leading tackles with 111 the secondary improved when Calvin Johnson route from corner to free safety but because of injuries tonight he goes back to corner three wide receivers - Taylor look you out of Akron an excellent passer [Music] to cut back so he goes where they carry Sanders and join one of the things that's often overlooked you talk about his moves he's strong as an exact Lee Mike you are so strong the guy that he's straight armed was Gerald Gardner now garner Burgos 3:15 he manages to straight arm him right in the hole that's number 92 coming over he's got a shot at him but he can't bring him down that's the one thing that if you look at a guy on film you just can't gauge how strong he is then he ran right through George Teague little changing the fun with comes the book she amyloids Morten well this might be 4544 last team of the ball wins well member Scott Mitchell was Dan Marino's backup if you want to work behind a master Scott Mitchell certainly was tutored by one of the best Johnny Morton I think as having a Pro Bowl type gear Mike it's his first chance as a starter but he's a great complement to Herman Moore and Marc Trestman who's been coaching Scott Mitchell he's done a terrific job with him since the last time I saw him bet six of the first ten plays in this game with one from the 119 yards Sanders inside the ten to the eight George team made the tackle coming into this game Barry Sanders needed 128 yards to tie al Davis for the NFL rushing Lee Davis was 75 today giving him 17 22 he has 29 already we're counting we're down to 99 [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Sanders again luckly shoves him out of bounds Thomas got like that's a wonderful job by Terrell Buckley he comes up he gets buried even though it's in limited space one on one instead of trying to take a shot at him he just tries to get him to slow down a little bit toes friends can come over and make the play but Buckley 27 see how he just tries to mirror him a little bit he's one of the few people on the field that might have a chance to mirror Barry [Applause] save us off the right side it will be fourth in two Zack Thomas the middle linebacker over the big play Bobby Ross hesitates only momentarily [Applause] here comes the field day here anytime you can get buried for a short loss the tackles do a good job Tim Boeing's number 95 gets a push up the field by getting the push and hold in his water he doesn't allow Barry to come inside and forces him out to where his friends are waiting for him well this is about as close to automatic as you can find Jason Hanson was hit as we'll ask 23 the one he missed the first of the year 52 yarder to hit the upper [Music] [Applause] and if that Professor digging ginseng nothing will seven to three Barry Sanders and the Lions responded metaphor [Music] is wearing his second jersey of the night his first one was confiscated after they found some foreign substance on it and there's the Jersey now he's not gonna get that back some players try to get away with spring silicone on there so defensive linemen can't grab the glass sometimes also it's you wear it you pull it so tight that maybe the laundry the soap different things don't get washed out and I don't know what it's going to be but I can tell you they're gonna look at it real close and Barry Sanders is a look who the Vikings insisted we had so much fun on his Jersey because they couldn't tackle it was not silicon Spike's stumbles across the toy to the 24 on Monday tomorrow night at 7:30 Eastern Mike Tirico Sterling Sharpe and Ron Jaworski preview the Monday night game between the Panthers and the Cowboys live reports from Texas Stadium Chris Mortensen to the latest NFL news and Lesley Visser goes backstage with cowboy tackle Eric Williams tomorrow night prime Monday do certainly take me on some added significance even the teams that are struggling and chance to get back into it at least the winner does Miami with its second possession stars it's going free [Applause] - Barba - 32 Mike Jeff Bucky number 77 whom we've talked a little bit more off the field here about has really done a terrific job since he's come in at the left guard position he's number 77 right here he'll do a good job of firing up and allowing abdul-jabbar to just read his block there's a nice job firing up big hole for him to run through that's gonna be a big key if that offensive line of the Dolphins can control the fun of the Lions Detroit not that big barking but if they have to touch communities to go again finally trip them up no Brittany you look at Kareem abdul-jabbar the Kareem abdul-jabbar run you got to say to yourself well with the signing of Lawrence Phillips I think he's a little bit motivated tonight don't you Mike I mean here's a guy Jimmie Johnson has basically said we want to continue to bring in talent to try and upgrade the position and you know that's a message to Kareem hey if you don't get it done I'll find somebody he comes in eighth in the AFC in Russian but only three feet four yards of carry Marine overtime near miss protection that's text number 67 on the year from the deputies you'll notice the way this pattern is starting to go offensively as Dan Marino picks and chooses how he wants to throw the football and add wound it looks like he wants to throw the ball underneath to Kevin Abrams realizing he isn't his first to one of his early starts and he's going to be a little more protective now Brian Westbrook's been playing for a while he may take a few more chances [Applause] Arina changes the boy short set clothes being in a breakout game he had a sensational 5/10 performance last week this kid may have finally arrived as a teen talent and he you know it's taken him a long time to get where he's want where he wants to be first of all I was talking to him on Saturday he said the hardest thing really has been gaining Dan's confidence when you make catches like this and then one with the football after you get it you certainly will gain dance confidence Kevin hey Bros has been taken to school Maryna just poison in the [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] wide open Impe read the back up tight in will rise smile in the face of Dan Marino that was room service [Applause] edie Perry just swings out he's one on one on the linebacker excuse me the safety going carrier what they're doing is if you're gonna work on aprons bring him in as well and it the area void but you gotta catch the ball Jaffar you Joel at the middle Jaguar inside the 25-yard line Stephen Boyd God you know am I talking about Kevin Abrams they may have to confiscate his jersey and replace the one that he's gonna have a big bullseye on and take a look at it cuz that's what I think Moreno is looking at I think it's already got some bullet holes in it but this is the way you learn he's getting an opportunity maybe not in the best situation it'll be third and fuller and those about pots comes into the backfield [Applause] keep in mind also Cory Raymond's out man Malone is out this is a very beat up on troit Lyon secondary but hence you get the two youngsters starting first like we said Westbrook's been in quite a while Abrams is really getting his own baptism by fire hitters he certainly is a talented kid he was the second round draft choice out of Syracuse they traded up to get him in the second round of the draft [Applause] and there's the first pic that's Bryant Westbrook out of Texas I don't kill him yet nasty cuts against let's go short this time over the middle instantly Baird makes the tackle and to get the ball down in the 15-yard line and has got the title the philosophy that Jimmie Johnson has employed shook Gary Stevens his offensive coordinator this year has been one we want to run a balanced attack we'd like to be able to run the football tonight Jimmy's come out and put his best foot forward he's put the ball in Marino's hands and I've seen Dan sharp before but he is in such a rhythm right now he's 7 for 10 for 109 yards already they have not very well [Music] [Applause] slammed out-of-bounds at the 9 [Applause] last but not until it looks like a dirty look first down Roosevelt pots number 42 is one of seven backs that are actually seven running backs watch number 42 comes in does a good job out front there's the good block take Stephen Boyd out and get the first down when Jimmy Johnson signed him he says you want me grunt smashed linebackers right this is alright I'll go out smashed linebackers Stephen Boyd was the guy he smashed on that one Klotz got into trouble off the field with Indianapolis after a real big year of the Colts another talented player Northeast Louisiana Mike I think that Detroit defensively has to sort of make a decision here now I don't believe that they can allow Dan Marino to go back and just have four people rush him and let him pick and choose where he wants to go if you're going to put Abraham's on an island at least go after Marino and let him get out of get it out of his hands quickly another impressive drive this one over five minutes island sixty-six years [Applause] to the that time we will bring up second and nine did you hate this a quarterback to get a first down just inside the time line No well you can't get close no but I agree I know what you're saying you know and normally if you're gonna get it you'd like to get it around at 12 that would be if you're you know eleven eleven and a half in just inside hey you got to go anyway when you're that close because I guess this is touchdown or nothing that's right see I at John Riggins awesome well so if we got that close I felt real [Applause] [Music] George Jamison rates are low they're my call so Troy Drayton has really started to come along for being Moreno I think the tight end is such a valuable part of this offense especially down around the goal line for Dan Marino he's so used to having great ones here in Miami [Applause] together they'd like to give it down to here is Kareem abdul-jabbar with 14 touchdowns and now the Dolphins will stop the clock with a minute 52 to go first quarter were up 7 to 3 driving for more [Music] chats from the Goodyear blimp Stars & Stripes based in Pompano Beach Florida and the controller's captain Tim Maloney from Vienna Virginia my home that's right [Applause] now it would be fourth and inches Jimmie Johnson is so determined to give this team a one mindset they've done it so many times down in short garbage situation but a Marino used to go play action all the time but when you get down around the goal line what you're really looking at is you're looking at the play of your linebackers on beam thinks they've got to fill the voids in the holes quickly the defensive line takes the linemen linebackers have the tumor [Applause] here's 50 why she touchdown of the year he's just he's nifty there's what he is he has wonderful feet we talked about the linebackers before happened to fill number 57 Stephen Boyd he's going to jump but he's going to jump in the wrong spot he's a leaper once you get committed to the air there's nothing you can do nice eyes by Jepara good eyes seeing the opening on the backside the Dolphins have been chewing up a big Lions defense the Leyland 14/3 will be back to players in Miami in a moment Miami clearly Dan Marino is attacking the rookie Kevin Abrams he is playing much too soft on that corner as you'll see right here given the cushion protecting his responsibly the deep third of the field and once he turns his feet right there that opens up the inside route for Pearman much too soft now on the next play he knows he's got help deep well he doesn't get up there get physical DUP he's too soft too loose on Pearman let some release does not impede the route you see the catch right there made by pyramid playing much too soft and I played with Dan for two years I'll guarantee this Dan will attack the rookie Mike but he'll attack anybody jaws but this is a feast on the rookie Kevin Abrams [Applause] from the pool [Applause] great job on special teams by Miami cutting down to 17 Corey Harris back to jaws thanks Mike and you know we know that Abrams has been picked on and Dan has thrown at him four times he's completed all four of those pass with 54 yards three first downs and as I look at this he's a good quick guy Abrams but he's going to need some help from the linebackers underneath on their buzzer dams gonna continue to throw Adam and Josh I think the point to Joe made earlier they can't just rush for they've got to put a little pressure on the health Abrams to titanfall Schlag again I'll stop this place somebody left early how's Mike Compton number 77 the left guard both start prior to the snap number 72 ray Roberts was moving with him what happens is it's a stretch play to Barry and the offside ride ray Roberts number 72 the left tackle my Compton the left guard they're trying so hard to get the reach and cut off block that they got the camp so very good : one let's approach this way over the head of Berlin war Plus this man to it with towards T Jason Taylor has a bruised right quad from Miami whether he returns it not they don't know and that would be a big loss from the pass rush perspective he's coming off a fractured forearm the cost him a lot of time all the sudden who jumps in shame Burton number seventy five wins a plane that white defensive end position and Shane weighs about 60 pounds more than Jason Taylor put the string wait Zach Thomas's tackle gets up to the 21 yard line Corey Harris made the stop Zach Thomas is a short tackler he's 235 pounds of sinners ran right through it talking to Zach today this week Mike I mean you could hear the respect he just felt like you know he's got to get up there he's got to take his shot you can't match your feet with him you have to go get him but like I said the one thing that you can't appreciate looking at this battlefield is how strong heals [Applause] the Texas Tech [Applause] [Music] look like again after 33 good call by the official who came in late humming more made the catch and went down low this Miami Dolphins the players ruled down by contact first down that's the end of the first quarter this defense will really swarm and go Anthea Detroit will have a new set of downs when we come back from the second by thick Penan of horse by Kordell Stewart who just had a sensational time 30:10 alarms play-action nutsack even complaining that look like a catchable ball for Herman Moore and Calvin Jackson a half step behind thought it's a good throw by Scott Mitchell this one's thrown with a lot of confidence and puts it exactly where he wants you won't see Herman more touch money in that ketchup oh yeah that's a perfectly thrown ball that's just flat dropped Herman does not do that well those rare rare occasions you just had a chance to see I mean he's got great speed he can Lily but he's all set to work okay second intense and finds a scene takes up 8 forty-five yards rushing tonight so far for Barry Sanders this is only the second Lions possession you hear coaches talk about balance to 27 rushing to 27 passing nobody can complain about that one you mentioned it in the open by 42 points average per game 457 yards average per game this offense is really doing the things that has to do but when he can't heat a big play like Herrmann let the other way it doesn't help especially in a game where it looks like neither offense third and two let's lift short said Johnny Morton first down when you're right about it looking like you either offense can be stopped but you can tell why the weapons that these guys have and with both secondaries banged up they may not stop each other all night not and the thing is is the Lions have that x-factor in Barry Sanders you run Barry to three times it gives Scott Mitchell a chance to get on the edge with play-action and then he can make really good throw for Daniel [Applause] trying to cut back to the hairs Java stretching defense well time we'll pick up a couple tres Armstrong and George Teague made the stop nobody has these feet they belong to one person he starts he plants he slides he hops he moves down he moves up he moves over Trace Armstrong's just trying to grab one of them he's a wonder [Applause] [Music] [Applause] again has a/c drives forward to the forty about a half yards shy of a first down Bray Roberts with a good block on the court Mike we talked about the offensive line of the Miami Dolphins and what a good job they've done past protecting the offensive line of the Detroit Lions has been exceptional all year the wide receivers have blocked well in the running game but the offensive line continues to what coaches call finished plays you'll see him 5 10 15 20 yards down field making blocks for battery and with Sanders you have to sustain blocks because he goes back and forth in banking for Bardell and slash engine in to fullback so Mitchell quarterback keeper it looks like he has the first down at the Miami 39 the night and gridiron greats Thursday beginning at 7:30 with the Pro Bowl selection show joined Chris Berman in the gang to find out who goes to Hawaii then at 8:30 Christian Turkana the best in college football on the home depot college football awards show live for Walt Disney World and on Thursday night [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] some has things in bounds he's got a first down at the 27 whoever seems to be the perfect complement now for her me more on the other side he is just gained in confidence we did it within three or four lion games as he has become the starter and you see him just polishing his routes he's at that time he turns up the field and stays close to the out of bounds but doesn't go out of bound winds up picking up the first down I think this kid's got a future pole girl at least one or two of cleanest in his horizons women will just won't God Mitchell what's back the other way slowing the tourney slowing to the to cut down by here very well-designed quiet a nice soft touch by Mitchell this is what happens when you have Barry Sanders look at everybody flow towards him in the play-action Zack Thomas is completely fooled you bring the tight end across an avoided area where the linebackers come up to try and make the play and you got guys running wide open slow vii chest go back [Applause] they recovered for the Dolphins look like a mistake on the handoff between Mitchell and Schlessinger got a piece of it in the lion's was it den FL is brought to you by master cover there are some things in life money can't buy for everything else there's MasterCard buy the mercedes-benz m-class the first 4x4 that performs like a Mercedes and by Office Depot business is crazy but Office Depot makes sense South Beach Miami's hot spot most of the people are here tonight however in pro player Stadium to watch the dolphins and the Lions Miami takes over any summer since 5-yard line Bobby Ross that turnovers or what we've done [Applause] plus the 5 key about p8j let's go back to the fungal who made the mistake I think Scott Mitchell makes the mistake Mike I want to show you the the position of the ball when he goes to make the handoff see the ball right there the ball is too out too far it's got to be up in here in his body therefore he allows the fullback Corey Schlesinger to hit it on his shoulder that's that burden falls completely in my opinion on Scott Mitchell shoulder that drive 5 minutes 48 seconds 78 yards and they get nothing out of it and he's thrown we talked about how well Dan strolling the ball Scott Mitchell's throwing the heck out of the ball as well Shane Burton had the repentance lesson to turn explain what happened secular six Moreno floats it knocked away from Jordan a flag goes down that was Westbrook the rookie from Texas and we'll check the marker pasen appearance doesn't complete one there's a reason Brian Westbrook is the bigger of the two corners and he's going to be running just down stride for stride you see him they lock up you know I'm not a hundred percent convinced that's pass interference there I mean it's just two guys Muslim one another we can't see it but it looked to me like Charles Jordan might have pushed him a little bit you got to allow some snuggling I mean if I was a coordinator now I would just throw the ball deep all the time because ninety percent number 76 offense still first down let's change Brown the right tackle all marina was done so far for Jimmie Johnson who said 8 out of 11 117 yards and touchdown course we've seen this act before for 15 years year in and year out doesn't matter who the comp woman is around him either no too [Applause] [Music] born mcDuffie's Walker who got up from now that's a good job by Marc carrier the safety closing anytime you throw it down the middle you better make sure the Safety's got a little depth good job by the push up front making Dan hold it a little longer and then you see carrier coming in and finishing him off his dance pass chart you can see right down the middle three out of four down the middle has taken six over 15 yards they're trying to push him up the field and he's only mr. Wilder fifteen underneath fairs leveled by West Rock [Applause] Westbrook may miss a tackle every once in a while at corner but if he hits you he's going to flatten you well my East geeze 200 pounds I mean he'll bring a lot with you that time he does a good job is squaring up to make the play to me these can be big plays and Jairus macphails is the fastest of the back Gary Stevens calls him his home run hitter there's a hitter and a half-two in the backfield and building away the Lions have not collected [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] the girl hit the ground but Thomas downer over the two closest officials did not make an indication [Applause] he does a terrific job of extending himself absolutely the ball guard slip out of sand that's a nice job by the official and Moreno was on target again first punt of the ballgame with 834 to go in the half Millburn will go back to [Applause] you'll burn at the 23rd he's gonna work another fly these gets to the 41 yard line [Applause] Dwight Collier made the tactic for Miami we'll check the marker we already know what this means illegal block in the back doing the return number 82 of the receiving team first now never fails does it nope Detroit's ball when we come back Marino has been keen to three Barry Sanders probably got off to the slowest start of his career this year and then he exploded the first line is a hundred yards the second is 200 when they go over a hundred the heart rate really goes up for the defensive coordinators when you get over 200 he needed to simulate like easy for me to say is the 54 yards off a Starfire come with the black the football the sack by trace arms and he caused the fumble two thumpers well that time Mike if you're gonna short set as a quarterback you have to get the ball out because you can't put that much pressure on your offensive line when Scott Mitchell goes back to set you'll see it it's a 1-2-3 step he's got to get that ball out he's going to get that ball out and we talked about it before you can't allow the hands to come inside but you still got to try and get the ball out and then ray Roberts made a mistake instead of falling trying to pick it up they break to Miami great field position just outside the 10 mark carrier had to make you stop like this is one of those places where you have to let your young corners go one-on-one outside and try and get some pressure on Dan Marino Scott Mitchell tied with Tony banks - tonight will be credited to him one of the one-yard line one this possession second and three [Applause] to shoulders sideways and appeared to have the first down into seventh so much riding on this game for both ball clubs they each control their destiny if they went out there in the Dolphins in fact would win the NFC East at the ER the AFC East if they went out and it's always great to be in a position Mike where you know if you go out and take care of your job it controls your destiny instead of waiting for someone else to win Bobby Ross just hates mistakes you know had [Applause] splattered at the line of scrimmage one of the few times the Lions have really come up defensively well and well that's because there's not a lot of field to have to defend we talked about the fact that they rely an awful lot on that front floor to put pressure there their linebackers are fairly large Boyd in the middle is 250 you got Reggie Brown at 240 you've got the Antonio London at 2:30 in seven [Music] [Applause] saving tackle by Abrams the rookie came up picked that time good look for all the world like Jordan could get to the end zone that was a huge hit that was absolutely huge he docked him back all the way almost to the two yard line Marino gets it down in the flat and a heartbeat his Jordan turns up aprons does a nice job of reacting and drives him back he got a figure of a wide receiver one on one with the TV's going to make some yards that was a shot third and goal from the [Applause] [Music] intended for Perriman abrams was out there contact no flag so the rookie makes two big plays in a row after being burned early the big thing you got to remember Mike is that that five-yard bump rule extends in say three yards into the end zone here so as he makes contact alright he's there then he lets him go he does a very good job of knowing exactly when to get his hands off the receiver that's a great point Joe because it does extend five yards long tomorrow we'll try a 20-yard field goal and the Dolphins extended a 17-3 courtesy of another Detroit mistake and the reason it is in 21 to 3 rookie Kevin Abrams day [Music] but look he has to be feeling a little better after making to impact plays in a row but the Lions need some points down 17 3 no burn from the 1 and cut down again inside the 15-yard line Cory Harris with a second special teams tackle 521 to go in the half back to Miami the dolphin defense is designed to free up the middle linebacker to make tackles Zach Thomas has not been doing that thus far here you see Zach attacked the line of scrimmage getting himself in position to make a play coming off the block of Glover but right here he's got to wrap up and stay up wrap up and stay up on Barry Sanders he'll soon again once again attacked the line of scrimmage does a good job of getting in the hole there he is on Sanders but you got to wrap him up and stay up he stopped doing that Mike he's getting in a position to make plays but not finishing so that's the story of Barry Sanders Mitchell get the umpire right in the chops [Applause] got lucky [Applause] crush the umpires in there taking a look and see if anybody's doing any holding pressure by the dog the chickens Jason Taylor Scott Mitchell just trying to throw the ball it was intercepted it would have been an interception tell you what Jim Court should a at home he's the umpire he was wide open y'all play Sanders the Sounders fighting for the audience gets out to the 21 let's go back to Josh thanks Mike Barry Sanders a kind of guy that could make him miss tackles and Zach Thomas has struggled a bit in that area they've Rustad him seven times for 53 yards he has made four tackles two solos one of those were for no gain one was an 8 yard game but the 14 yard gains after the hit that's Barry Sanders and you know we talked to Zach Thomas yesterday and he said well I don't want to make one of those highlight films well bad news for you Zach you made the highlight film back to you Mike Josh that's what all the defensive players say remember Illinois butler's line either make the tackle at get out of the picture so you know how [Applause] [Music] Barry Sanders runs so low to the ground it is so difficult to put a big hit on him he drops his center of gravity so well well he started fighting and he's learning something new - he's learning how to handle somebody in front of him there's a block by Tommy var Dell on Zack Thomas he's learning how to run with someone in front of him and has done quite well away 11 carries 70 yards in the first half the Bailey singers going for 12 straight [Music] did a terrific job of coming back on this fall if Scott Mitchell had put it out Johnny Morton would have run away from it he comes back and goes up and gets the ball at its highest point he's number 87 the outside receiver little quick out nut move ball goes up a little late now watch him come back and make the play here he goes up at the highest point just like they teach Jerry Sullivan the wide receiver coach of the Detroit Lions got to be proud of that young man Charlie Morton [Applause] Falls at the 26 Michael you'd think that that is a play that they can run five or six times a half because the defense is flowing so hard to try and go after Barry Sanders but now keep in mind the backside end is not going to pursue up the field because in case Barry cuts back he has to be there so Mitchell has he won in Iowa what if one defender say earlier this year you never chased because he'd be back in a minute [Applause] [Music] NFL countdown now every Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 Eastern joined the distinguished Faculty of Bristol University for the best pregame show in the NFL then at 7:00 p.m. it's all the highlights on [Applause] and it's Sunday night NFL's the Bears take on the land [Music] whilst the 27 water line and we have reached the two-minute warning Ami's offenses Broca 17 [Music] three dolphins but the Lions are driving coming up at half-time Chris Berman will be along to the fastest 20 minutes in television especially to the Broncos from you students from Discovery with all well third and six lines two out of five the boys which one hangs in there forever inflate the Herman more just come back in the ballgame gets it to the 18 what an excellent job by the offensive line and the backs Barry Sanders we've talked about being a great runner but boy oh boy you can't get the ball off unless you have protection watch Barry Sanders there's bear watch this block he's going to stone him linebacker coming up Barry steps up there he is picks up Terrell Buckley whoa here he comes slides out just launches himself but that's a pancake [Music] the fact that in the Chicago game on Thanksgiving Day when they got down 17 to 3 he said this team did not lose confidence they did not lose composure they felt like they could do something on offense we're seeing it again here tonight this offensive they feel like they're unstoppable and the only way they've been stopped tonight themselves with the two fumbles [Applause] blow his tire that's it over stop go and now the Lions are going to have to use a timeout to reshoot Barry Sanders I'd say that's like trying to reach you secretary wouldn't it on one of the greatest horses of all time right there is one of the greatest horses if not the greatest Santa's of course chasing Terrell Davis for number one in the NFL rusty trailed by 128 yards coming in tonight but he's up to 16 69 so he leads 31 53 54 to take over the lead was quick Mike now Zack Thomas got his shoe but that's all he got biggest thing he's got to be concerned with is somebody stepping on it stepping on that toe [Music] second into the minutes 16 go again [Applause] fight through three tech was close to a first down that offensive line does a wonderful job Mike of really staying up and reaching and slide and that was Robert ray Roberts on the left tackle position that time he just reaches and stays and stays and stays in contact with the defense first to the goal for Detroit and we've got another timeout should be pointed out the number of people who have talked about Barry Sanders with the chance to get 2,000 with a chance to catch the other page Walter Payton had one of the great lines he said I wouldn't mind being second to Barry Sanders and Terrell Davis says watching him it just amazes me what he can do the greatest compliments a player can be paid or those from his peers his Terrell Davis I've always put Barry in the class by himself it's Barry and then there's everyone else you know and and that still hosts today that still holds true Barry's in the class of his own the things he do I just unbelievable I've been a fan of very even long before I was in the league so to actually get up in the league and actually have to compete against him on a stat level it's kind of it's kind of weird to me I'm trying to hold on but it's get to a point where I'm losing the race but that's fine [Music] [Applause] [Music] first and goal [Applause] again shakes a tackle [Applause] number 19 [Applause] legs hold on and all of a sudden he's gone it's like I got him I got him I don't got such power 15 carries 86 yards and London Moors down again and you know Mike we also seen Herrmann more down we talked about so many of the ones that Barry Sanders has had such long runs have been attributed to the ability of those wide receivers to stick their hand in and make blocks especially Herman Moore was his size and his willingness he is a devastating downfield blocker and he is an obvious pain right now [Music] let's say there's Tim bones he's gonna come in here and he's gonna grab Barry right there he makes the play Jeff Hardy's tries to block him he's got him he's got done he's got one shoot see he tightened his shoe this time budget he's going to actually get a shot at grabbing he has a real legit shot at him and Barry just out runs the defense and there you see hurlan Warren throwing the block like Calvin Jackson and a great job by the offensive line to sustain their blocks again and more see that that to me Pearlman gets in the system he swears up and squares up he looks back to see where Barry is I got a knee in a head a knee right in the side of the head for him and more [Music] just another typical night at the office for Sanders 86 yards in the first half and Herman wore up and able to jog off a good sign for Lions fan and I think the Lions you see a lot of them slipping remember they're an astroturf team they're out here on grass it's a cool night in Florida a little slick and we've seen Barry slip a couple of times we've seen home and slip down a few times they're gonna have to be careful with their footing as this game goes on another one being enhancing for the toilet so it's 1714 there's the lions fight their way back in it Mike I was thinking when Scott Mitchell called that second time out after he used the first one with Barry Sanders shook right the second time out he called when they had the first down I thought to myself you know you just don't want to score with too much time left on the clock and a half against Dan Marino because he maybe doesn't get he's not talked about like John Elway is but boy he can he can really put it down the field well you expect these guys to put up these kind of numbers first half Marino 126 yards Sanders 86 and I misspoke I said over 1714 obviously at 1710 but this is what you pay your money to see Marino and Sanders and all the weapons they have around us the best of professional football right here and these are two guys players would pay to come and see of course a lot of players are watching tonight because Thursday or I should say the first part of this week they'll be voting for the up Oh last chance for these guys to make an impression there's a guy that's cut certainly should be in consideration for it Jason Hanson so when the only field goal you exist all year is 52 yards off the upright and it was the first well [Music] MacPhail and spikes Margie spiteful [Applause] Spike's got shattered the 30 met Russell on special teams hope you begin this next Saturday at 7:30 the presentation one of the most prestigious awards in all of sports the Heisman Trophy Peyton Manning Charles Woodson will be there to see who wins this year's on it hope your joints Crystal Lake Corso Kirk Herbstreit Mike Adamle live from the downtown Athletic Club New York next Saturday at 7:30 you want me to put a T in front at Mike T in the front another end at the back and you got right I still wouldn't win it I think your eligibility is over I think there's gonna be I think it's gonna be a close race certainly Peyton Manning didn't terrific job yesterday for touch didn t go Oh [Applause] hit the Senate product or not I think that's the way you have to go after Dan Molina you just can't drop back in song it's a good call by Larry Pepitone I'm thinking in the back [Applause] Moreno again short to convey the you can't hear a first down at the 39 made the tackle but they've eaten up a lot of the clock for those to shore past Miami with 1 left tutor is used all of its time overhead shots tonight courtesy of the Goodyear blimp Stars & Stripes began their coverage in 1960 right here in South Florida at the Orange Bowl which we're at pro player Stadium formerly Joe Robbie Stadium Mike Dan's got to get some help from the from the guys that catch the ball whether they be the backs of the receivers they're gonna have to try and get out of bounds and save him a little more time that'll give him a shot at the middle of the field to be able to use a timeout and maybe give Marty a chance at a long field goal that would be the thinking that I would have in the huddle at this point Detroit doesn't have those two fumbles we have a 1717 [Applause] prior to the snap 66 offense still first down fall star : Everett McIver who have missed a couple of games with the knee injury John handle the young guys that Jimmy Johnson has the offensive line daddy Grier back there Keith Sims of course three-time Pro Bowler and a longtime fixture guard decided Richmond Webb's deactivated again tonight and you would have to think that Keith Sims days in Miami are number gentle notes more of a the attitude on glass to step up pyramid Athens missed katako material makes one at the 41 clock is running they stopped it at 12 that's the reception you want in the middle of the football field that's why you try in guard those timeouts so closely it gives you a chance to work the middle of the football field against a prevent defense this time Detroit wants to come after Dan a little bit Abrams just backing out there's a nice job protecting the sidelines now come up and make the tackle the dance steps up it fires it up the middle [Applause] my god in this particular play as well as Dan runs the quick Post in the short out what happens if you run two quick post by your outside receivers the ball gets too quickly you can get up you can ground it if you don't have that you can hit the tight end or the back heading out towards the flat and they can run out of Bounce [Applause] it's just a blown coverage by the Detroit secondary two guys just not communicating at all it happened in the Chicago game Ricky Proehl at the distance everybody backs up you got two guys right up front that's an excellent lead to sign drought yeah Gary Stevens the offensive coordinator the Dolphins did their job they get down in position for a field goal in the Lindo Mari comes through Moreno 187 yards in better than two-thirds completions and in the first half our score Miami 20 Detroit 10 to see the Lions take on the Dolphins playoff implications for both ball clubs and an offensive show in the first half 2210 of Miami over Detroit they have racked up between them 400 266 yards in total offense the big difference has been the to Detroit fumbles one of which came at the Miami one-yard line moire that kicked off him over from the two [Applause] stuff to see Jack to the 21 Sean wouldn't nice tackle Barry Sanders first half really not his typical performance usually he has several 0 or negative plays but tonight he came out hit the big one early and has 86 total yards but I think that has a lot to do with the job the offensive line has been doing up front as well they're not allowing any penetration by that Miami [Applause] [Music] [Applause] got him back at the 19-yard line trace am strong and jason taylor rogers was in there as well he did a nice job strengthen it out Derrick Rodgers when I talked to him said hey look you can't go after him and try and put a big hit there he is he's just going to stay outside and just get in a position where he doesn't allow Barry to make the play does a good job to take it on the block has long arms and just ice tries to corral those teams [Applause] that's two for the all-pro receiver and perfect rolls from Mitchell or you can go a light town without seeing Herman Wardrop - why he did only thing you can think is that he lost this somehow in the lights does an excellent job at the line of scrimmage and just runs by Jackson he's bigger he's stronger and this one just goes right through his hands again he can't believe it he looks his hand miss Mitchell been good today with protection and the content this one is tipped when it looked like same Burton vid number 75 got a hand so the Dolphins get a break on the first possession that dropped bass Mike I've been in games like this before we played a 48-47 game against the Green Bay Packers and what happens is when your offenses are going up and down the field like that it magnifies missed opportunities the Dolphins almost got there in fact it looked like they got a piece of it but the Lions get a break the dollar went in the pool only a 30-yard tick that it could have been worse [Applause] [Music] yeah yeah my 2130 impressive [Applause] Boyd was there let's go back to the pump of the parsonage block what happens is number 24 Jerry Wilson is going to come from the right side and jets going to have a shot at it there it is he's coming in from the right side as jet comes through you'll see it right here it's going to go right through his hands and be partially blocked he just gets a piece of it now jets not sure it went anywhere he starts poking around Stanley Pritchett pins in the back field like it's obvious this thing is becoming contagious on both sides of the ball abdul-jabbar here just decides he wants to excuse me jet MacPhail Baba looey mr. Bharat Jabbar just really decides he wants to take off the run before he actually gets the ball big key shaking his head he can't believe it either the only time the offenses virtually been stopped tonight is when they stop themselves [Applause] Perkins [Applause] [Music] [Applause] interception Oh Jane McDuffie with an uncharacteristic mistake mic that one just gets tipped me dan Marino is work in the middle of the football field trying to get it to OJ he puts a lot of heat on this one just manages to get tipped that I think's bouncing around rolling rolling nobody can hold on to it tonight so to talk to me oh snap [Applause] number 27 in the front as he was trying to avoid it the third Detroit turnover so the pork it turns into a break for the Dolphins my quest our special team come our biggest there's Kerry right there's this ball comes that's gonna hit him right in the foot now he sees it Millburn saying get away get away and it just bounces hits him in the right knee an alert job hojae Brigance with the recovery right position Jabar on the toss nothing there and chasing Bareilles [Applause] when the dot of the liens have been played well Bobby Ross points right to one thing and that's turnovers and the turnovers are killing him tonight and that would you know turning the ball over on offense is one thing when we turn on spell wrong specialty you take the ball out of the hands of your office tailback [Applause] put it to the 15-yard line Jiggs jamison made the ankle tackle see Dan Marino doesn't have the luxury of a real solid running game they run the ball adequately on offense the Dolphins dude so his play action has got to be real quick he doesn't have time to let receivers run big crossing routes and try and big a pickup big chunks ERT third and four [Applause] [Applause] berryhill's to first down yardage at the eight before Ron Weinstock [Applause] we talked about the reason why Jeff Buckley was taking Keith Sims jobs away he and Tim running the Center number 61 do a terrific job they create the double-team get the push he comes in behind see the space created rut he does a nice job abdul-jabbar good job of running right here protecting the ball spinning and picking up the extra yards first and goal Miami Jabar again cuddles and dropped by the rising star Reggie Brown Mike and I do believe that Dan Marino will take another shot at Kevin Abrams I don't think he's gonna let him off with one shot down there Abrams toasted early then made two to big plays a touchdown saving tackle and defended a pass in the end zone to the nearside this time No for threatening to it westbrook made the tackle and got some help as Reggie Brown tries to go out and cover him you see his feet just slide out from underneath him Detroit defensively has got to try and stop the dolphins here and just let him take a shot at a field Oh then it becomes a 13 point game you're still in it you know your offense can move berry sand is waiting for another opportunity [Applause] what a play by the rookie as he was all over Jordan I'll guarantee you Charles Jordan thought he had this one right in between the 88 Westbrook lets him get up on top but then he's looking and gets his hand around just in the nick of time now I would have to say if he hadn't had as many starts as he had I don't think he'd have been able to make that play good ball awareness moire will another shorter distance it from 20 and 34 tonight and the dog comes out of that another big break can only produce three points they leave in 20 football players use the word fear until you mentioned Barry Sanders didn't they used to actually there was one other that I could think of and when you get ready to defend Barry Sanders everybody says how do we go about doing it Lawrence Taylor was a guy that I think really fell into that category the only other player that I've referred all the players talked about you always have to account for where he was and that was the only other warm that I can honestly say really really put fear in a lot of people and I should have paid attention today yes you did personal experience is terrifying yes we open from the two [Applause] breaks the tackle gets their 225 while we were in commercial they were doing some work on the sidelines on humming Moore's hands it looks like they were giving us some new gloves or putting tape on them and use it when you see a guy doing that it means you as an injured pinky finger it does but it also means that it's going to it's going to close the grip down in other words his hands not so wide it shuts it down and almost becomes like a glove more like a glove than anything single setback [Applause] I swear he is faster this year Mike he is and that's the mistake what happens is Dwight Hall your number 50 jumped up on the line of scrimmage if you jump up on the line of scrimmage this offensive line creates a crease nobody's there to pursue Barry you see how you're come up on the left side number 50 he's up on the line metzelaars just turns him out there's no way higher is going to turn and chase him down but we've got a hand on 17 carries name Bucklin still on his feet gets it back to the 34 the first port row by scott mitchell there's a marker down Terrell Buckley said he was a guesser he said he was more patient also that time he just read the route and broke on it he used to be a guy who would go for the pick every play the Lions are applauding well there is a huge break for Detroit prior to the interception illegal hands to the face number 27 defense first down so buckley made the play but he made the mistake first how Detroit finally catches a break he's up on Johnny more Johnny starts him outside there's the left hand right on the face bass you just can't eat anybody in the head then he breaks on the ball good call Jimmy Johnson really upset had a chance maybe to salt the game away here if he gets that pick in a touchdown instead first down Detroit 31 Michell dumps it over the middle Sloane can't get it he's guarded by the middle linebacker Zach Thomas scout Michels just taken some real short drops the offensive line is doing a good job of creating the pocket for him and his receivers are having problems holding on to the football but you certainly can't lay any blame at the feet of Scott Mitchell I mean he's shown every throw tonight when what I'll tell you what happens in a quarterbacks mind Mike when guys start dropping the ball you almost start trying to throw the ball to perfect there's a new NFL record 12 straight 100-yard games 18 carries a hundred and eleven yards he needs 17 more to tied Terrell Davis for the league lead Mike I'm telling you he's got Dwight Hall you're out there chasing him like he's like rocky chased the chicken in the movie eat watches hire thinks he has him he turns around he's grabbing he's groping he's nowhere near him look at his chicken go that's unbelievable that first cut he doesn't lose any speed it's just a lady degree see ya Sanders again cut back straight up the middle still on his feet Thomas and Rogers combined for the tackle no celebration hands to football to the referee goes back he'll do it again very well straight games the last 12 of this year Marcus Allen had 11 but that was balanced over two seasons just a magnificent athlete a magnificent guy they're getting very short Luthor Bardell the full-back mountain of 32 tommy Bardell one of his rare carries a lot of people have heard the story but not everybody most people would say it Barry Sanders from Jim Brown the two best could ever play Jimmie Johnson said earlier this week the best pair of running back he ever saw Barry Sanders Sanders dad says no Jim Brown is number one my sons in the top four of the Jim Brown I saw Jim Brown Jim Brown is the two tight ends on first and ten [Applause] Sanders you lose a couple minor NFL countdown now every Saturday and Sunday at 11 joined the distinguished Faculty of Bristol University for the best pregame show in the NFL then at 7:00 p.m. it's all the highlights on [Applause] it's Sunday night NFL's the Bears take on the Rams [Music] there's going to be a reverse berry did a terrific job of pulling ball down and not trying to make a hand on second and 14 blah blah Sanders [Applause] still somehow he gets yah to jet him down to the 29 Zach Thomas again Darryl Gardner chasing the play as long as the offensive line Mike can keep a body on a body Barry will find a place to go this time he starts to press it right behind VAR Dale doing what he's supposed to now he breaks towards daylight and then there's that hop skip and a jump up the field quick play here third and seven one Wiggles [Music] Flags it down somebody moved on the Lions line at least that's the indication from the Dolphins boss start prior to the snap 86 often through the earlier game we saw with the Lions David Sloan was guilty of a couple bucks well you know what happens is when you go to check systems when a quarterback says check with me and that means I'm gonna call a play at the line of scrimmage with the noise going out here he has to look up read up and then he thinks he hears something so then he moves on movement ahead of him instead of listening to the quarterbacks game instead of 37 the comes the Blitz Michell for the endzone touchdown [Applause] by Corey Harrison the boat what a terrific job by Barry Sanders again Mike not carrying the ball but blocking this time and what a wonderful job staying with it watch number 20 watch number 20 he's gonna step up the Blitz is gonna come here he's going to make the block Mitchell gets time look at that block he just stays with it and stays with and look at Johnny Morton keep working great concentration I'm telling you this kid is a Pro Bowl receiver five carry five catches 118 yards in the touchdown [Applause] [Music] [Applause] to cut to leave the six bad snap late throwing complete it will be a seven point game extra points and field goals have not been automatic this year Scott Mitchell has been superb tonight Johnny Morton with another great catch 23:16 dolphins now lead for 52 to go third quarter there's this Center that ball came rolling back to the holder and I think I figured out why hey I'll tell you why I'll tell you why it happened Mike is it gets none what's Trace Armstrong focus right there and watch his hand come up and hit the ball he picks the center picks the ball up see his hand come up he actually hits it now sinners will pick the ball up and then fired back instead of bringing it just from the ground but jet still has an opportunity to get the ball down and now he tries to be a quarterback and forget that well you have to have quick hands to reach out and hit that ball yeah well if the center picks it up though Mike if the center picks it up it's pretty easy to do it you go on movement that's pretty heavy but I'm strong deep to receive [Music] from the eighth [Applause] after 16 Brian Stewart hustling down on special teams Moreno will try to improve on two out of six for ten yards in the third quarter when we come back although Herman Moore is struggling a bit tonight he is one of the game's premier receivers because he's physical and he can get off the line and he's smart he recent get off the line and here's his smartness right here he reads the man coverage and escapes from Calvin checks the physical part was pushing him off there against the ball with his hands here comes a physical Sparco part right here this is his attitude of getting after people and blocking two hands on him Jackson's on the ground the touchdown for Barry Sanders that's physical that's smart and that's patience Mike he is a terrific all right here are the numbers on Herman Moore they've thrown to him seven times he's had a couple drops he's caught three balls but really the most important thing that he has done is block downfield six times in the first one set the touchdown Mike all right Thank You Josh the Dolphins with their poor field position they picked up the fumble when Jabbar brings it out to you 21 marital Michael that dot of the Detroit defense really has done a pretty good job the last three scores have been field goals one was a blown coverage before the half and then the last two attempts were after turnovers but they've done a pretty good job on this dolphin offense so forth the difference in the game so when the shadow of Miami's dad [Applause] Jabar again boy down yard boy Shane Bonham had an absolute shot at him in the backfield and Kareem abdul-jabbar was looking like he's been watching a little bit of Barry Sanders just gives him a little moving gets up the field that'll make it third and four clock running 350 to go third quarter Mike Patrick joked Iseman Ron Jaworski our entire ESPN prove this has been fun tonight Sanders and marina [Applause] nice job by Kevin Abrams who was all over Oh Jane Macduff can I tell you a nice job by McDuffie becoming the defensive back Kevin Abrams starting to settle in a little bit we said he'd have to get out there and I'd he gives him a little bump turns around now look at the job by OJ McDuffie putting that one hand in and knocking the ball away from a possible interception well maybe that's why they're not throwing so much at Kevin Abrams anymore his own 32 [Applause] nice - fook it drives me open back [Music] [Applause] that's it up to the 33 yard line in the turn of five after a punt of 48 Abrams coming on strong back in a moment 23:16 the central brett farm to Dorsey Levens touchdown his 30th touchdown pass of the year and then fourth straight year that he's thrown 30 an NFL record besting Dan Marino Steve Bartkowski Dan Fouts and yelburton Abraham Ted OH [Applause] the last four years Mitchell goes to the k10 swamp about seven yards up to the 40 ABC's Monday Night Football tomorrow night 9:00 Eastern from Texas Stadium in Irving the Dallas Cowboys and the Carolina Panthers team that wins will stay in the race two wonderful losses presumably out although in the NFC s who knows downtown 40 nights of football [Applause] Nitz it with time and overthrows her more threw that one in the double coverage Mitchell 11 out of 18 198 yards tonight could have close to 300 if they hadn't dropped two bombs and unit is that that's a good call on second down in four when you've got the offense that the Lions have take a shot I think they have to try and get the ball back in the Herman's hands to try and get him a little more confidence back [Applause] team tonight we'll go with Barry on the ground hitting the back feeling drop Rogers with that great boy coming off the corner well that's a wonderful job - by George Hill the defensive coordinator he took a chance in he said I'm going to bring the safeties up and bring the guys on the outside where he comes on the outside to make the play steps up comes around runs around the block of Tommy varnel and Barry had nowhere to go Charles Jordan back to get the punt comes up to the 20 [Applause] nice return by Jordan near the 30-yard line eight yards after a 41-yard punt George Hill the defensive coordinator of the Miami Dolphins the defense is set up to stop big plays it's basically a gap defense but when you look at it what everybody wants to do the front seven has an assigned gap they play in somewhat of a triangle position the linebackers inside the ends the middle linebacker in the middle of the formation each one assigned to a certain gap now they have to play gap control if they don't it creates big voids but if you do it properly Barry Sanders has nowhere to go we saw it on that last play laughing from the truth some pressure this time drones McDuffie can't hold it good coverage by Kevin Abrams what a world of difference between the first quarter and the third quarter let me tell you what he did early in the game Mike you saw him giving a two or three yard cushion to the wide receivers now he's starting to gain a little more confidence he understands the receivers he knows what pyramids trying to do now you see him breaking on the ball a lot more they think the brakes a big difference - he was very tentative early and we talked about a pass rush - and this is something that the Lions wanted to do they wanted to hit Moreno with their big people [Applause] they feel a lot better having the big guy back in the lineup he came back to practice last week after knee surgery the seventh of September ah what he does by cos he gives Gary Stevens the offensive coordinator of the Dolphins a lot more flexibility he doesn't have to concern himself with who's in the game he can call plays knowing Pritchard is a good receiver as well as an excellent block well they were using Bernie Parmalee back there and pull back at 210 obviously you're not going to get his month blocking out of him as puts it at 235 thousand six familiar as completed Jordan Jordan at midfield is down Robert Bailey padam cover now Charles Jordan on Friday had pulled a muscle in practice pulled a little bit of a stomach muscle and I don't know if that's a recurrence or not he's the one in motion he comes up makes the turn inside and you see him almost grab right in the lower stomach area as he tried to break away the ball switch the temple braixen top one by the tailback Ron rice made the stop [Applause] Jordan being worked on on the sidelines Jabbar pretty good night for him not very sanders numbers but 18 through 63 Sanders like an NFL record 12th straight one on the drug [Music] rubbers surrounding South Florida there goes your Mike yeah the pink lady yeah that looks like fine hotel we'll all it's Christmas finery out [Music] 23:16 Miami we believed 15 minutes of football still coming from pro player Stadium [Applause] the Dolphins nearing field goal territory second to Hannah they lose yardage on this one that's a tough place to get negative yards yeah when you need a yard you've got to slam it up in you can't try and get cute and he knows it too [Applause] Lyons did a good job getting three guys to the point of attack George Jameson number 58 Stephen Boyd number 57 to a terrific job he'll fill and he'll fill and there's nowhere to go but he winds up getting knocked down right there Boyd comes in slide Jameson takes on Drayton right at the point of attack allowing Boyd to come in and make the tackle for the only in his second year Reggie Brown only in his second year pretty good young line by Calvin fool [Applause] excuse me it's oh boy [Applause] touchdown where he saw that one coming we thought Terrell Buckley make a break on one of Scott Mitchell's this time Brian Westbrook we talked about him being a war [Applause] year he reads the round and just great songs boy the receivers not even close here he is he just breaks right on the ball gets there long before the receiver does Lamar Thomas and now Dan's not going to catch him and now because of the missed point after earlier this is for the time [Music] [Applause] we're job I would having been a holder I can tell you it is your sole responsibility to put the ball on the ground Jason Hanson had made a hundred [Music] Sunday night NFL is brought to you by Cadillac and your Cadillac dealers by the irresistible taste that makes you say in somebody save McDonald's ad buy visa the official card of the NFL it's everywhere you want to be wwe.com [Music] on December 7th the Lions trailed by one because of two box we also had three turnovers in the parcel of block punt tonight still they were going to pull [Applause] in the first days [Music] what happened on this point after this John shut the whole way he drops it John jet dropped first of all he's got the spot right there that's where the spot is I wanted to show you where he winds up putting it down simple gets the ball but he just drops it right there okay now he's got to try and hit the spot he misses the spot therefore you don't get he answered a chance to hit it where he wants to and you wind up with a missed extra point I know it goes against the kicker but that one should be charged against the holder Mike Compton is normally the snapper he injured an arm so simple as him they'll kill him although that was a perfect yeah burrito flowing yeah - the 32-yard walk Mike I'd like to go back before the interception how critical abdul-jabbar on second down and one trying to make a play instead of picking up the first down now you forced a in to throw you wind up with a pick when somebody does something technically wrong it always results in a problem after it's his 1316 the goal of the game [Applause] and bullet just spit him up and drove in my clients defense is really come on daily and you're getting the sense right now that the momentum is starting to build you see it in Kevin Abrams you see the aggressiveness of the linebackers you see the weight you off the defensive line is coming off Robert por-shay just closes forces them inside so that Boyd can make the play if Detroit goes on to win this game tonight with the drop passes they've had all the other mistakes they will make it does it get you it'll be a game they look back at the end of the season Kotori he was covered pretty well by Jameson but he had a chance to get the first down and then also again I give Brian Peck atella the defensive coordinator so much credit because on third down and four you're not going to give Dan Marino a chance to drop back and look at his own we make him get rid of the ball quick and give them the either a tight end or a full back to throw it to in a hurry [Applause] so Miami asked a pun [Applause] kid gets it out of there driving fun building back to the 18 lost his footing goes down if it's gone in for six shot returned after a punt of 51 the tackle Barry Sanders and Japanese down by a point their season perhaps [Music] 3:22 dolphins over the Lions 12 14 to go Barry Sanders only one person left in the sights and that's Walter Payton his career average 99 for at that pace in the 16th game in the 1999 season he would surpass all the tonight he has 116 yards rushing Sanders again got away from a tackle and gained a yard and a half when he should have lost to Anthony Harris number 51 has got him actually held on to him for a long time till he broke away for a short game there Michael there's two ways you want to blitz you blitz to stop the pass or you blitz to stop the run he comes right up the middle along with Zach Thomas so they figured that the full-back can't block both of them but he still manages to break away second call of eight will go with three wide receivers quick after Haim or up to the 31 if you compare equal lengths of career between Barry Sanders and Walter Payton Payton fart or Sanders now well ahead in the pace to catch Walter pahnke to the same number of games and at the ends of the mic some guys would say hey is a small guy who'd wear down he gets stronger as the year goes on [Applause] [Music] it's true cool man rush quickly and then we'll check this one away from him the fourth turnover for the lion that time T buck just round up stepping right in front of Herman Moore we talked about the aggressive nature that he's played Herman Moore did a pretty good job on him when he was up in Green Bay so he felt like he had a little bit of payback and he picks one up in front of him more releases areas he just hangs looks back in the backfield makes the play Terrell Buckley with his second interception the decision [Music] [Applause] much may be back tomorrow in the scrimmage and than a half you are worried Antonio wanted well Miami Miami's defense did its job Scott Mitchell which is with his third turnover [Applause] he told us Mike he said sometimes I have a tendency to stare down receivers I think that was a case where he was looking right at her and more that's where he wanted to god and one of the few poor decision Scott Mitchell has had with otherwise brilliant link play action by marina under pressure porche again forcing him to throw before he was set [Applause] Robert Porche hasn't gotten the sack tonight but three times he's gotten the merino just as the unloaded very seldom does Dan Marino take a big hit like that poor Shay has got such wonderful hands Mike he's a quick guy you see him go on Brown see him moving his hands and then comes inside with the swim move we talked about it before you cannot get beat inside if you're attacking third and ten [Applause] [Music] this one's going to go against Richmond Webb the left tackle prior to the snap false start 78 offense still third down [Applause] since the first tree drives which were exceptional for Miami the last eight drives have produced a total of 132 yards but only seven first downs Mike and anything an awful lot of that credit has to go to Detroit Steve absolutely they really stepped up their game 13:15 now Christian got away from Porsche when he got mic the great ones find the happen down in 15 your secondary does a terrific job area is just working in the pocket keeps working steps up and just dump stuff now but failed knows where he has to go look at those feet of Dan's I'm telling you it's he has just wonderful pocket presence again Molina just passed career looking for more we talked about the dolphins Mike running just enough to keep a defense honest here's some play action - abdul-jabbar just to get Boyd to take a step it allows Drayton to get out in front of them that little step that boy took allowed Drayton to clear in front of them well no one is going to think there it is the propolis step no one is going to confuse him with grant active in as far as scrambling but his leg just earned in those two completions data science through the Goodyear blimp Stars & Stripes for all the beautiful overhead shots and tonight's telecast Scott Mitchell with a mistake and Dan Marino made him pay for it 30:22 Miami from the five [Applause] for a long time in Berlin into and Monday tomorrow night at 7:30 Eastern Mike Tirico Sterling Sharpe and Ron Jaworski preview the Monday night game between the Panthers and the Cowboys live reports in Texas Stadium Chris Mortensen the latest NFL news and lastly Bishop goes backstage with cowboy tackle Eric warriors tomorrow night Bobby Monday Lyons we'll start from the 2904 left in the game they're down by eight darrel gardeners good his ground made the tackle see Mike I don't think that Detroit can get out of their game plan I still think they're slowing to set up the run Scott Mitchell still has to go back make decisions with the football and just continue to use berry as you have eight and a half minutes to go in this ball game in time Sanders now with a hundred and twenty yards and another NFL record [Music] play-action Mitzvah knees nice Jim sent by buckling will go ahead and get away Terrell Buckley just continues to become a better and better corner in this lane does a good job of reading the quarterback this time he does a nice job of standing his ground as Johnny Horton tries to make the play Johnny goes down on his knees protects it now he gets up puts a little shake and bake on he bucks that by into the single-cell - Titans which I can't find anybody now the deeper but two picks by the corner Michael Scott Mitchell is just not playing this football game with his head he just tries to force this ball into Johnny Mitchell they've got a short route out to the left side you'll see him he looks left he doesn't have it alright come in and just throw it away just throwing away Johnny's trying to make a play on it and Terrell Buckley just staying with them that's a heck of a boy it is that time the official let him have a little contact to came into the game of one interception has to abdul-jabbar - two and a half [Applause] a lot at stake for both ball clubs the AFC East standings updated through today Miami with a win with time New England with a loss they could fall back into a tie with the Jets they have to play New England the last game of the season the NFC Detroit with three wins would be an automatic qualifier as a wild-card but if they lose they would fall back to seven and seven that builds a bar again more room this time and it'll bring up a third and a short to Michael that was a nice push again by the middle of that Miami line Tim ruddy in the middle the guy were on the right guard Bucky on the left they did a real nice job Jabar trying to get the first down and he'll be stopped short at the 41 well is this any time to gamble no I don't think so I think if you're Jimmie Johnson hey your defense has done a wonderful job the last couple of times out there making some plays you're going to make the Detroit Lions go an awful long way they'll wind up with you know five 40 or so to go in the game and you're up by eight points so it's got to be a score and a possible two-point conversion so this is the right call my life John kid to kick it away no burn is back to the 10 [Applause] the Dolphins have down and outside the three yard line fine boy and a good punt 38 yards stop Mitchell the Lions with another chance Hemi in the first half we focused on Kevin Haines from playing real soft in the corner and the second half he's really tighten it up he'll see here the cushion that he gives the wide receiver much too far off receiver and can't drive the route big cushion result a completion but he has tighten it up in the second half the Christian just isn't there that gave the first half here he sits drives around you see much left of the bushing drives the ball and knocks it down he's been much more aggressive the second half and much more effective Mike jaws the Lions start with their worst field position Sanders picks up five maybe six yards let's come back to Ron Mike the numbers on Abrams evident he's playing better in the second half he's been thrown at only three times in the second half the paradis six in the first but the opponent's receptions only one in the second half he's defended to pass in Mike as it's confidence has grown I'll tell you his game has really come on Ron you're absolutely right the sometimes that's the key for a young kid to just control him [Music] [Applause] a secondhand Sanders cuts back depth to the ten it's not gonna be about three four yards shy of the first down Mike that's a terrific individual effort by Tim Bowens number 95 the crease is there for Barry to try and accelerate through Bowens just closes it down before he gets a chance to get through it bunch number 95 right here it's going to go around and close this seam off right there the kid can one fart can't get to violence keeps coming to make the play huge play here to blitz Mitchell metzelaars wide open beat glimpse of ours who has played more games and tight in in history 233 than any other tight end picks up 13 yards it's a heck of a call by slide Crooms I mean he yeah what he does the offensive coordinator of the Lions he figures everybody's going to be chasing Barry and then just smooth got out and he also went to the left which is Scott's throwing arm so that he can make the flow against Jason Taylor [Applause] [Music] play action by Mitchell did he take off that time as soon as he had that ball he just exploded did you notice the decisiveness with which Scott Mitchell let that ball go it was a quick play-action fake asset and fire that's what he had not been doing in he'd been waiting for people now he's just cutting it loose some night for Johnny Morton seven catches a huh he's special Mike Sanders they're like when I've studied the film of the Miami Dolphins against the Oakland Raiders last week and they had Napoleon Compton to deal with the tackles Gardner Tanner and Bowens all did a terrific job of controlling the middle of the line of scrimmage and it really gives us a quick back like bearings for example know where to cut up into you forced him out to his outside out he has only gained eight guards in his last only a couple this time back to the courtyard now pushing and shoving between Harris and Clark [Applause] when Larry Tharp really upset like we talked about George Hills gap defense you see everybody come here here's the triangles right there right here and right here that's the trials everybody has the gap everybody stays home does their job [Applause] Flitz they pick it up oh gosh what a catch holy gentle wanna grab my morning Tim Jacobs number 34 is right on top of me watch this this is unbelievable totally extended hands out protects the ball to make the reception that's big-time gets one of Dan Marino's pay but Scott Mitchell might say it now there's no defense for a perfectly drove past and a great catch [Music] 20:22 dolphins coming up next sports on a damp after game Kenny main will be along they'll show you some great highlights new package from the Bucs big upset and college basketball a conversation with down let's all first content [Applause] [Music] Anthony Harris puttin it on the crush now that time Scott Mitchell played with his head he didn't try and force the ball anywhere he was first in ten here in four down territory right now anyway I believe so throw it away both teams have all their timeouts excellent job by the Dolphins secondary [Applause] a touchdown and a two-point conversion [Applause] [Music] [Applause] - well Davis did he get a first down he did at the 35 once again the leading rusher in the NFL and for the year has been 1700 and yards on his road to 2000 [Applause] great performances which Terrell Davis has the 49ers next week yeah inseparable Sanders will go against the Vikings Mitchell Johnny Morton putting on a formal show for a young wide receiver nine catches a hundred and 71 yards and they aren't easy he's putting on a show he was Jerry Rice you know this this is he does such a terrific job of adjusting to the ball and getting his feet down watch him get his feet down as he leaves the air he gets both his toes down just the sensation at that Mexico [Applause] Sanders in the flat wide-open whilst this balanced one with a few times he'll ever see that one of the few things that can tackle Barry Sanders to ground [Applause] but Barry Sanders having presence of mind got out of bounds he worth a little bit of again there's a career night for Johnny Morton 19 yards a reception sandesh his first catch on the night Sanders on the ground they're considering a brilliant that says two guys in the middle now you got Baron Tanner and Timbaland's right at the tackles doing a good job giving Barry nowhere to go he makes a defense play more under control you can't just go ripping up field where he goes ripping right past and I'll tell you it's a lot of credit to that Miami defense they've been very disciplined all night they only gave up the one big game early the 19 yarder and they really kept them under wraps 15 carries in the first half for 86 yards for Barry Sanders 15 carries in the second half for only 51 yards let's go back to the defensive coordinator - Barry buy carrots get that 19 that one a 15 in the second half [Applause] this lead to their territory before comes the Blitz material of course against Calvin Jackson [Applause] Bobby Ross says timeout was talking about the to point all the great wide receivers will try to get that little shove to give them separation this is definitely one that Herman Moore gets away with he's up against Calvin Jackson there is a height mismatch there's the one bump but there he just just pushes him a little bit you can't see it real well but believe me [Applause] there he just pushes counting backwards there's a better look at it there they are bumping that's legal well you know Calvin Jackson got it a little too you know hey the official did a good job there yep and Scott Mitchell comes through with a great drive inclusive sensational passes and Calvin Jackson is just beside himself Jimmie Johnson thinks that Calvin Jackson could well be the best corner best safety that he has hobbies [Applause] [Music] [Applause] because they use tennis Mitchell tomorrow he's got it the confidence has that porky start two copy just gonna reach out and snatch it he can out myself just about anybody his hands in the league Scott Mitchell does a wonderful job of being patient position so he can turn and make the play tell you what Joe let's walk watch what he does now he starts to move he just does contact he's really pitching on tired now that hanging on he just reaches out and snatches her punches and just helical doesn't let it get anywhere near his body outside it gives you bad decisions good Scott Mitchell made this [Applause] the guy that's really stood out to me besides Barry Sanders is the others is Johnny morning or two big huge keep that drive alive we are tied at 30 he runs 14 to go on again Miami has all its timeouts left and that's the problem we talked about it before the end of the half they scored with 58 seconds to go Marino got it in position for a field goal Loreena second all time to Elway with game-winning drives he has 33 Elway with a remarkable 40 warm Mike I want to bring up one thing here to keep in mind Marez longest field goal made this year is 42 yards and that's the only one that he's hit over 40 so Dan's got to get it fairly close if they want to shot it a lot better kick this time McHale two yards deep [Applause] [Music] [Applause] here is the bronze Thor on Sanders 137 yards rushing to regain the NFL Lee Dan Marino cracks the 55,000 yard barrier Detroit five turnovers to miss P 80s and a partially blocked punt and as I said before if they win this game after all those mistakes they will look back on this game as the one that made or broke their season now the defense has got to rise up one more time they dumped the entire second half Moreno person [Applause] take over the chicken take a timeout when oj McDuffie did their Micah's first he secures the ball and then he tries to make some plays the one thing that the Detroit Lions are going to have to do defensively is if they get a shot at a tackle they've got to lock up right here you got to make the tackle carrier doesn't even really get close enough good job by the offensive line see oh he hangs on to the ball now he becomes a runner but it's a quick move after the kick I'll tell you Oh Jay McDuffie and Tim Brown of the Raiders worked the middle of the football field so very well Moreno now approaching 300 yards 21 out of 36 two touchdowns in a pick Abrams has had a sensation a second half so the other will be Westbrook at an interception return [Applause] [Music] complete up to the 49-yard [Music] [Applause] flopper on it [Applause] 34 going from here would be 51 lads I don't think they want more kicking at that long no they don't Mike but that's a case where you get your linebackers dropping back too far Bernie Parmalee just comes swinging out of the backfield and he runs ten yards before anybody gets anywhere near him the biggest problem for Bobby Ross tonight besides the turnovers has been that there's been too much time on the clock allowing Dan Marino to make play watch Farley come out on the left part of your screen nobody near him he comes swinging out and makes 15 yards right in the middle of the football kiss yeah I think that's where you work with three timeouts a minute left you work the middle of the football field push you're matched up against mine back and they could no longer afford to get dick drops that deep for the nuns in little wide oh I think you have to go after Dan now I think I think that Larry Peck Otello has got to come after Dan and make them make the running backs become blockers and put the Hat on the corners to make plays the Dolphins have one timeout left there's 34 seconds left on the clock MacPhail gets to the 31 [Applause] like that Club No [Applause] burrito in the flat that's out of bounds at the 30 but that will be well shy of the first down it could be a 47-yard field goal drive from here for Olin dome on Mike here's a scenario for Dan Marino he has the whole field to work to because the Dolphins do have one more time outlet he doesn't have to get a lot of yards he only has to pick up about 10 to get moiré a legitimate shot I would look to the middle of the football field with either Parmalee or maybe Drayton third and six 11 seconds to go along the ocean inside the 25 four seconds to go [Applause] from here it is a 42-yard field though and that would match a lindomar as well I'm not a hundred percent convinced that at the distance that they were away I would have made those calls Dan Marino did an excellent job of picking up chunks of yards hitting receivers I think I don't let him throw at least one more time to the outside the quick hitter up the middle yo he only picked up eight yard nine yards with those three plays you want to timeout left Parmalee get out of bounds for you Olinda wired with one game-winning kick in his brief career berry Sam is hoping for another opportunity this will be from 42 yards away and of John she's told would go over town [Applause] what a terrific kick yeah [Applause] that game-winning why he hits this thing perfect it is sailing high and through you wouldn't believe that as long as before that was just 42 yards what a terrific job by Dan Marino get him into position and Scott Mitchell can only turn and walk away Mauri the hero 33:30 dolphins our final score coming up next SportsCenter game pad a big upset the college basketball in a conversation with the you

Channel: Bart Simpson

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Id: ALZWsdfFemY

Length: 131min 23sec (7883 seconds)

Published: Sat Oct 20 2018