QB Earl Morrall and the NY Giants came up with an opening day draw, 27-27, with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the start of the 1966 season.

1966 NFL Season: 

CURRENTLY UNPLAYED - Week 1:  
1 Baltimore @ Green Bay 
1 Chicago @ Detroit 
1 Cleveland @ Washington 
1 Minnesota @ San Francisco 
1 Philadelphia @ St. Louis


Week 1Recap:

1 New York 27 @ Pittsburgh 27
(by Karl Schindl) IN an exciting back and forth game, Pittsburgh rallied back from a 17-7 deficit to take a 24-17 lead late in the 3rd quarter on a 20 yard pass from Smith to Hilton. Earl Morrall led the Giants back on their next possession driving them 82 yards in 15 plays as Morrall connected with Bob Crespino in the end zone from 7 yards out. Asbury picked up two big first downs on the next possession for Pittsburgh before Smith misfired on three straight passes and Mike Clark came on for a 39 yard field goal. Clark’s kick was good and Pittsburgh held a slim 27-24 lead. After a 23 yard completion to Jones to midfield, Morrall went for it all but his pass to Jones was picked off by Woodson. Pittsburgh was unable to run out the clock however and punted with 1:54 left.

Morrall quickly moved hitting Thomas on a 27 yard pass to the Pittsburgh 36. An 11 yard pass from Morrall to Koy put the Giants in striking distance of a win at the Steeler 25. Morrall then dropped back and hit Bob Crespino in stride at the 15, but Clendon Thomas made a game saving tackle at the 9. On first and goal with 40 seconds left Morrall dropped back to pass and had Jones open over the middle but Chuck Hinton had other plans sacking Morrall for a 12 yard loss back to the 21. Morrall then hit Morrison on a quick out to the 13. On third and goal, Morrall’s pass to Jones was off his finger tips and Gogolak came in to tie the game. His kick was dead on and the Giants had tied the game 27-27. The Steelers had one more chance as Smith’s long pass to Ballman was complete but he was tackled on the Giant 15 as the gun sounded.

Morrall was 14-22 for 234 yards 1 TD and 2 INT and Smith was 11-22 for 218 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT. Willie Asbury also had a nice day for Pittsburgh gaining 118 yards on 14 carries.

1 Los Angeles 37 @ Atlanta 3
(by John Danenhauer) Rams spoil Atlanta home debut......

Clem Daniels and the Oakland Raiders hand the expansion Miami Dolphins their first career loss, 13-10.

1966 AFL Season: 

CURRENTLY UNPLAYED - Week 1:  
1 Denver @ Houston 
1 Buffalo @ San Diego

Week 1Recap: 

1 Oakland 13 @ Miami 10
(by Chad Weyenberg) The Oakland Raiders survive a scare from the expansion Miami Dolphins, 13-10, in a light rain at the Orange Bowl.  The Dolphins used a punishing running attack to pound out 122 rushing yards on the day and keep the game at a 10-10 tie in the 4th quarter.  But a 29 yard FG by Mike Eischeid, early in the 4th period of play, would give Oakland the final scoring blow and the victory.  RB Clem Daniels rushed for 50 yards and caught 4 passes for 64 yards (1TD) to earn game MVP honors.  QB Tom Flores had a mentionable game throwing for 219 yards and 1 TD.  

Commish Chad Weyenberg:  cweyenberg@comcast.net