January 5, 2026 • 22 mins
Centers on the Wild Card win over the Jets, the Patriots’ first playoff victory since the AFL era. Revisits the regular-season matchups and showcases the dominant performance that launched their postseason run.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
What do you remember about the nineteen eighty five Patriots
forty years later? We're going back to tell the story
of the first Patriots team to make it to a
Super Bowl, the special team that blazed a pathway that
we much traveled over the next four decades. Here from
the players and coaches, as well as the sounds from
television and radio that defined the season, as we uncover
what made this a Patriots team to remember even if
(00:20):
they didn't win a Super Bowl championship. He annihilating might
be a better word.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Right, good sixty five yard?
Speaker 3 (00:33):
Hey, wait, we put more push out?
Speaker 4 (00:36):
Doing what the chief coy Murger's back. We're gonna throw
a fire.
Speaker 5 (00:40):
This one come fire.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Cut down on marg Uts gown.
Speaker 5 (00:51):
Pair hurbing player running it all way poor.
Speaker 4 (00:53):
Cutdown eighty five yards curbing prior Nason rolling out to
the right side, avoiding the presser.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
On the running Brooklyn Duffin in the end film six
point Patriots shut down, Aprian, Tony Cullinanvali.
Speaker 6 (01:12):
I might do so.
Speaker 1 (01:12):
And this is a Patriots Super Bowl Sound Odyssey nineteen
eighty five, Episode six, The Breakthrough.
Speaker 7 (01:18):
Well next week, get on invas Sports. The Journey to
the Super Bowl begains with the AFC wild Card playoff,
it'll be the New England Patriots at Giant Stadium to
tangle with the New York Jets.
Speaker 1 (01:32):
The Patriots were back in the playoffs after finishing eleven
and five, third in the AFC East and the final
wild card in the playoff field. Any trip to the
Super Bowl would require three road victories, a feat to
that point never atteamed in the NFL as a franchise.
The Patriots had made the playoffs just three times since
the NFL merger in nineteen seventy six. The Raiders stole
a controversial win, came it over.
Speaker 8 (01:56):
The carny No England.
Speaker 1 (02:01):
Patriot by Rott nineteen seventy eight, in the midst of
a coaching change.
Speaker 6 (02:05):
The Oilers never gave them a chance.
Speaker 3 (02:07):
It is hot d bro whoa well scored Dambo breaks it,
Tamble to the fifty table. Finally Bush that of hell Tamble.
Speaker 5 (02:18):
He got it, he got it, But it.
Speaker 4 (02:21):
Is a quarter of tamble.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
Miami knocked them out in nineteen eighty two, but Dolphins
played five.
Speaker 7 (02:26):
And a half quarters of football against the Patriots before
they ever got on the board against them. But Now
they've scored touchdowns on their last two.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
Possessions, leading the franchise without an NFL postseason victory.
Speaker 6 (02:35):
Now they had another crack at it.
Speaker 4 (02:37):
We're welcome you at a Giant stadium. A Jersey medal
lands on a hold clear day. In fact, other conditions
could be up factor later on, as we get set
for the New York Jets of the New England Patriots
meeting of those AFC wild card games.
Speaker 1 (02:52):
The Patriots had faced the Jets twice in nineteen eighty five.
They split the series, a seven point win in Foxborough
and a gut wrenching overtime loss at John Stadium. Now
in the wildcard round, they were headed back to New
York for a winner takes all rubber match.
Speaker 4 (03:06):
That's the third time this season about these two clubs
are eating, which is most unusual when you come to
playoff time. Of what the previous two.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
The Patriots were ready as their head coach got them
locked in GM. Patrick Sullivan took note of Berry's focus well.
Craig James and Steve Nelson said the team had plenty
of confidence and that was the way Raymond.
Speaker 6 (03:26):
Raymond talked to the guys about it.
Speaker 9 (03:27):
It's just, you know, we're we're in the hunt and
we have an opportunity, but we got to focus on
what's in front of us. And you know, the Jets
were in a kind of a similar situation where they
you know, they hadn't had a lot of success, so
their fan base was absolutely nuts that day. I mean
they were screaming at us, throwing bottles and snowball well
they were in snowballs, but bottles and pizza, and it
(03:52):
was just it was awful.
Speaker 10 (03:53):
And he was really big on focus. We have one
game this week. We're going to go play the New
York Jets.
Speaker 11 (03:59):
That's it. We're gonna go play the New York Jets.
Speaker 10 (04:02):
And a lot of coaches preach this stuff and say
these things they but they don't live this thing. Raymond
Berry was focused on the center of the bullsie and
so therefore it was contagious amongst the players. And then
we had that confidence because we had a great defense,
we had great special teams, and we had a great offense.
We could run the football, so we had everything that
was needed for the team to do really well.
Speaker 12 (04:24):
Well, it was a sack exchange and all that good
stuff going on. I think they were, and it's got
to be a little different playing in New York City
than it does other places. But I think we had
total confidence we're going to beat them. I mean, I
just thought we matched up really well with them.
Speaker 1 (04:39):
Berry's preparation included practicing in the winter conditions, As Ronnie
the Pet highlighted.
Speaker 11 (04:43):
We practiced outside. I think it was five below.
Speaker 13 (04:48):
We was outside, man, and but when we got down
to them, it was called and they were freezing, and
we're like, man, this is great, and tender greens is
and we came out with, you know, none of that
stuff on when we played them.
Speaker 11 (05:05):
We played well.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
December twenty eighth, nineteen eighty five, Giants Stadium. The Patriots
hadn't won a playoff game since the AFL days. The
Jets were favored, but the Patriots were on a mission omar.
Speaker 14 (05:15):
What happens is you know what the other team likes
to do, you know the physical talents of the player
across from you. It's like playing your neighbor. The one
thing you can say about this game, though, it is
going to be a very physical ballgame.
Speaker 1 (05:26):
The two rivals felt each other out early on, with
just one first down collected as each team ran through
their first two possessions. Andre Tippett would pick up an
early sack as New England continued their season long trend
of harassing opposing quarterbacks as a third and.
Speaker 4 (05:39):
Five and trouble and by goes. Let's see, let's hold
no from O'Bryan, who has been sacked sixty two times
coming in a National Football League record. It is just
down by the master of the sacks of the Patriots.
Speaker 11 (05:57):
No very zippy again.
Speaker 15 (05:59):
You know you just gotta not take them lightly. You
gotta play hard. And there was a real, real rivalry,
uh with us with them, but that going into that game,
you know you must up everything that you need to
do to make it personal. I always make it personal
(06:20):
with any of the New York teams because.
Speaker 11 (06:22):
They didn't draft me. I'm from Jersey.
Speaker 15 (06:23):
You let a homeboy from Jersey and you didn't want
to even draft me on your team.
Speaker 11 (06:27):
I'm gonna make you pay for it.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
On New England's third possession, they'd start to move the ball,
aided by a fifteen yard face mask penalty to start
the drive.
Speaker 4 (06:33):
First quarter has been a fueling out process to this point,
pay for its whole score because of its AFC Wild
Card Game basis at the time that has another first
fou Tony Collins picks up eleven yards on the play.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
It was enough for the Patriots to open the scoring
with a thirty three yard Tony Franklin field goal to
make it three zero late in the first quarter.
Speaker 4 (06:54):
Frank with twenty four of thirty promo season. He's hit
six of the last seven.
Speaker 14 (07:01):
A thirty three yards per tent.
Speaker 4 (07:04):
He said, we'll put it down. Added as good Charlie
Fison from thirty three yards away.
Speaker 1 (07:10):
The Jets answered on their next possession, with Jets quarterback
Ken O'Brien overcoming a Garon Veras sack and connecting on
big throws to Mickey Schuler and Altoon all Right.
Speaker 4 (07:18):
The Jets on the move as we open up the
second quarter. They have a first and goal from Hotel
play action oh Brian for the Ads off hotch Don
Johnny Hett.
Speaker 1 (07:33):
The Jets took a seven to three lead, but the
Patriots stayed hot and put together a second straight scoring drive.
Tony Collins found some room on the ground and then
Ethan hit Irving Friar for a thirty nine yard game
and the Pats were back in Jets territory heard down.
Speaker 4 (07:46):
Three for thirty nine and he said lofting one feet
for fire. Urving fire stopped by Johnny Lynn and Fire
shaken up a thirty nine pass play.
Speaker 1 (08:02):
But the drive stalled out, forcing the Patriots to settle
for a second field goal that made it seven to six.
Speaker 6 (08:07):
Jets.
Speaker 4 (08:08):
The barefoot kicker out of six at eight a m
from forty one yards away and he hits it. So
Corkland has connected from thirty three and from forty one
and he has killed the Jets this season. That is
his sixth field goal against the Jets, and the Patriots
now trail by one, the Jets seven and the Patriots six.
(08:33):
The last three possessions have seen field goal, touchdown, and
field goal.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
That's when the Patriots defense stepped up and did what
they'd done all season long. Forced turnovers. First came a
Don Blackman force fumble that Roland James recovered.
Speaker 4 (08:48):
Here's McNeil Harry fumble the Patriots field.
Speaker 16 (08:53):
They have it.
Speaker 4 (08:54):
It is New England ball. The Patriots have recovered. Saw
Freeman McNeil awsome up and Roland James the strong safety.
Speaker 14 (09:05):
On the recovery to Patriots are number two in the
entire National Football League in cauling trumble.
Speaker 1 (09:11):
But Ethan and the offense couldn't translate the takeaway into points,
hunting the ball back to the Jets. Then the Patriots
d made it back to back takeaways when Fred Brian
grabbed a Ken O'Brien deep ball like Gert.
Speaker 4 (09:22):
O'Bryan with much time had put off by Borrow. What
fi a pretty safety on the interception.
Speaker 5 (09:31):
This may have been the key play of the game.
O'Brien had thrown ten completions in a row Jets lead
seven to six. O'Brien for Wesley Walker intercepted by Fred Marion.
The ten completions in a row would mean nothing for
this interception. What's set up the game winning play this time?
Eason made the Jets pay at Ethan.
Speaker 4 (09:49):
Putting it out with him touts out family Morgan leader
for White quarterback russall Catter of forty six shots stop playing.
Speaker 5 (10:03):
Well.
Speaker 14 (10:04):
The Jets got burned.
Speaker 10 (10:05):
Mark.
Speaker 16 (10:06):
You know, we went down there and played a really
good game against the Jets. Was pretty much mistake free.
I think we got a couple of turnovers as to
your point, we had sixteen altogether. But you know, we
we were just clicking really well and went down there
and beat the Jets in the night game, and it
was great.
Speaker 11 (10:24):
It was a great win.
Speaker 1 (10:26):
Eastan's bomb gave New England their first lead of the
day at thirteen to seven. Leave they take into the
locker room, but not before Andre Tippet laid another huge
hit on Ken O'Brien, a hit that would eventually knock
the Jets quarterback out of the game.
Speaker 4 (10:38):
Ryan ass in complete set up for Mickey Schulers. I'm great,
Tippet all the rush and O'Brian is shaken up.
Speaker 14 (10:49):
He was wallach too, and it was an option screen.
It was supposed to be a pass maybe five steps
and throw out to the left, but.
Speaker 4 (10:56):
It was covered.
Speaker 14 (10:57):
Obrian looking downfield, held the ball a little bit too long.
Speaker 4 (11:00):
Obrian usher off the fi. He doesn't want to go.
Speaker 14 (11:04):
Well, you have to go out. After the medical team
comes out.
Speaker 4 (11:07):
Old Brian is being guided off the field and has
refused to leave.
Speaker 14 (11:11):
All the people have stopped blocking because they think it's
a screen and tipp it number fifty six just DEXI
tip it the unfair of black belt in karate Russian quarterbacks.
I don't know if kid knows where he is. It
looks like he's all right.
Speaker 15 (11:26):
So specifically, whenever we played the Jets, I tried to
knock everybody out.
Speaker 11 (11:31):
I tried to knock the quarterback out.
Speaker 17 (11:33):
I feel fine, Andre Tippet's a good player and that's
what he gets paid for to play.
Speaker 11 (11:36):
And he did, and you know you just got to
find ways to stop.
Speaker 12 (11:40):
Him and try to How did you feel you take
other things they give you.
Speaker 18 (11:43):
I think to O'Brien has had some some serious nightmares
about Tip because I remember seeing some video and Tip
literally took some wrettling moves and dunked him on his
head so many times. And you know, now that was
a big thing we'd love get being quarterbacks, whether the
tip and I you know, putting pressure on the quarterback.
Speaker 5 (12:02):
I'm great Tippic knocked Ken O'Brien out with his devastating hit.
O'Brien left the game with a concussion.
Speaker 17 (12:08):
You can't let that guy sit back there and hold
on to the ball, hold on to the ball, and
you know he'd kill us. We knew we had to
put the pressure on there, and you know, we did
what we had to.
Speaker 11 (12:16):
Do it and I'm leaving.
Speaker 15 (12:18):
Katie bought the doors and lock up the children because
we're coming back to the meadowlands.
Speaker 11 (12:22):
My people gonna be there.
Speaker 15 (12:24):
I'd have to usually get about thirty tickets for friends
and family, and I tried to put on a show,
and we put on a show that game.
Speaker 4 (12:32):
I'm time running out and this first samp so a
go Pensiver here first fam at Giant Stadio's leading for
Jets on the score fourteen till seven.
Speaker 1 (12:47):
At halftime, the TV broadcast interviewed former Patriot Mike Haynes,
now a member of the Raiders and waiting to face
the winner. Haynes, a key part of the team's playoff
appearances in nineteen seventy six and nineteen seventy eight, was
still rooting for his former team, but didn't realize you
should be careful what he wished for.
Speaker 14 (13:02):
Mike Haynes, as you watch this game, do you have
any special feeling for your former teammates on the Patriots.
Speaker 19 (13:07):
Well, you know, this is a situation The Pagers have
been in, I guess four times in the last ten
years in the playoff situation and usually come out a loser.
But this is really I think the first time in
the history of the ball club they've been in the
lead at the half, so you know, I feel like,
you know, these guys, they have the people to do it.
I'd like to see him have some good fortune today.
Speaker 11 (13:28):
They deserve it.
Speaker 1 (13:28):
In the third quarter, Ken O'Brian tried to give it
a go, but missed his only pass attempt and the
Jets punted the ball away. O'Brien took a seat on
the bench that he keep for the rest of the game,
with backup Pat Ryan taking over bye, why.
Speaker 4 (13:40):
I'll stick it over quarterback for kenl' bryan.
Speaker 1 (13:43):
The Patriots, up by a score thirteen to seven, put
together the game's most critical sequence.
Speaker 4 (13:48):
Nice play, I said, guess without the crank Kames that
tames down. That's a take hard line humped down by
Kirk Spring Springers and Craybole, stopping James four yard pass play.
Speaker 1 (14:02):
First, another field goal made at sixteen to seven Patriots,
followed by an ensuing kickoff that encapsulated the Patriots' special season.
The defense had already come through with two takeaways and
multiple sacks that knocked the opponent's starting quarterback out of
the game. Now was the special team's turn to get
in on the action.
Speaker 4 (14:18):
Had Gotti Hector amit kickoff return with covered the bubble
by Hector, a penalty flag code and the Patriots have
recovered and have run it in play continuing Shottie Rembert
backup linebacker racing it in. Let's see what the penalty
call is. Hector on the return puffed it up and
(14:42):
it looked like the Jugs just killing the black during
the return number eighty.
Speaker 19 (14:46):
One, Savaty Hyde here.
Speaker 4 (14:54):
Totally called on backup tight end Billy Griggs. It is
a touchdown on a fuffle recovery fight Johnnie Refert for
three year pro Adam Clempson have a Patriots Oh Brock
by the score of twenty two to seven.
Speaker 1 (15:13):
Johnny Rembert special teams touchdown made at twenty three to seven.
It was a total team effort as New England inch
toward their first NFL playoff win. Jets back up pat
Ryan put together a scoring drive in response, but it
would be their last points scored.
Speaker 16 (15:26):
Well.
Speaker 4 (15:26):
I don't know if this is a change because of
the hard hit utle Bryant took earlier.
Speaker 14 (15:32):
I see O'Brien standing on the sideline.
Speaker 4 (15:34):
He's got his warm gloves on.
Speaker 19 (15:36):
He's standing there like you know what what's going on.
Speaker 14 (15:38):
To Mark, Sometimes when you get banged around, you hit
your head on the ground. Sometimes they can crush you.
It's a delayed reaction and sometimes the long you vote,
the problem you get. I don't know if that's the
problem you're not.
Speaker 1 (15:49):
As the game entered the fourth quarter, New England's defense
took over, led by rookie garn Faris. Veris picked up
another sack on a fourth down to end one Jets possession.
Speaker 4 (15:59):
A vote at this point out here you could have
the defense has been playing well the last couple of
series pork down and four off the forty three again
top sell emotion, Whyan off the road in Tuble and
Dolly goals a big play for the Patriots, who will
take over right there, Sirs and Tippett combining and that
(16:21):
will go down as sack cover pool for New England.
Speaker 1 (16:25):
Then after a miss Tony Franklin field goal, Veris added
an interception on their next possession.
Speaker 4 (16:30):
Pat Ryan has come on, replacing Ken O'Brien or Toil
a couple of part hits. The report we received from
the sideline was a mild concussion but quite be able
to return of the Ryan Kin start and he's made
in the get us to tuck in on intersets furs
and he couples and the text for cover. Well, they
(16:51):
got it to the hatreds. The roll is loose part
it is New England, all the recovery.
Speaker 11 (17:00):
Well, but they were, you know, a big rival.
Speaker 18 (17:03):
I mean it was always a nose to nose, you knockdown,
drag out fight against them, and we knew going into
the Meadowlands that it was going to be that same way.
Speaker 11 (17:13):
But I think we came with a more of a
punch that day.
Speaker 18 (17:17):
Special teams we got some big plays and I was
able to get an interception. I that's one of my highlights,
my only interception I ever got. And here I can
remember getting the interception. I was following a short pass
play bounce back to me. I turned around and head
head to the end zone and like a like, I
felt like I was a running back at that time.
(17:38):
That tucked the ball away and I made the mistake
of cutting back against the grain and it got blasted
by I think Jim Sweeney of the Giant of the
Jets and I fumbled. So I had two plays that
I had. Only things that happened in my career. I
got an interception and I got a fumble on the
same play. So but I was fortunate that Nelly rec
(18:00):
over to fumble for me and save my butt from embarrassment.
Speaker 6 (18:03):
That set the Patriots up with a final field goal
to seal the win.
Speaker 4 (18:07):
So Franklin, who missed from forty one just moow moments ago,
three out of four on the day, isn't it too
cold to be kicking barefoot for me?
Speaker 14 (18:16):
I look at the Jet coaches, They've got those big
boots on that Tony was.
Speaker 11 (18:20):
Doing all right well.
Speaker 1 (18:21):
Verus hadded one more sack to complete the best game
of his impressive rookie season.
Speaker 4 (18:26):
Right bumbles, he was able to shut off the first
tackler had it's covered up. Jeremy Sweetye the left guard
covering up, and Garon Veris once again was the force.
Speaker 1 (18:42):
Eathan had come full circle two months after returning and
coming up short against the Jets.
Speaker 6 (18:47):
He was the game's offensive MVP.
Speaker 4 (18:49):
And our select committee has come up with the Buttweiser
most Viable player of the game. It was close between
Garret Verus, who had two sacks and a standing effort,
and Tony Easton and up the quarterback GiB I think
Easton the way he played today. Vers had a great
day and certainly benefits from the fact that he's playing
next to Tippatt, who gets a lot of attention.
Speaker 14 (19:10):
Easton came into this ball game needing a solid performance.
The offensive line did their job by dominating the offensive
line the lion of scrimmage owding Kleco and Gasano out
of there, and Eaton came through. He was steady when
he needed to be. He hit the Morgan on a
long touchdown pass. He saw the blit's coming and checked
off when he had to, and directed the.
Speaker 4 (19:32):
Offensive running game.
Speaker 1 (19:34):
The Patriots had their first playoff win, twenty six to fourteen,
upsetting the Jets and avenging one of their regular season losses,
a loss that ended the six game win streak and
cost them Steve Grogan. It was an opportunity that Tony
Easton didn't squander, completing twelve to sixteen passes for one
hundred and seventy nine yards with a touchdown and most importantly,
no turnovers. Meanwhile, the defense's four takeaways were the difference,
(19:56):
directly leading to seventeen of the twenty six points scored.
Speaker 4 (20:00):
Very happy day for the President of the New England Patriots,
Billy Sullivan, who has been shaking hands along the Patriots sideline.
Billy Sullivan one of the more personable owners in the
National Football League and he is certainly enjoying it as
the fuck works down.
Speaker 1 (20:16):
For Patriots GM Patrick Sullivan, the son of team founder
Billy Sullivan. It was a special day and one that
marked a turning point in franchise history.
Speaker 4 (20:23):
It was a great win.
Speaker 9 (20:24):
And you know, there's a big difference between riding home
from a road game when you win in a big
difference when you lose, and when you win a playoff game.
Speaker 6 (20:32):
It's even bigger twenty three years.
Speaker 14 (20:35):
Ago today, Marvel. On December twenty eighth, nineteen sixty three,
the Patriots played the first playoff game in their history
against the Bills in Buffalo. Patriots won that playoff game
twenty six to eight. A week later they took they
lost the AFC Championship game to San Diego fifty one
to ten, and certainly they hope their fortunes this year
(20:56):
will be much better than the nineteen sixty three year.
Speaker 4 (21:00):
So this only the second Patriot playoff game victory, joining
it and a wild card against lot of you aren't Jets.
Speaker 1 (21:08):
It was also special for veterans like Pete Rock, who
had tasted the playoffs in the seventies and early eighties
but never made it past the first round.
Speaker 8 (21:15):
So yeah, I mean that it was a pretty big
deal to be a man to beat the Jets, right, everybody, Yeah,
you become a Patriot, you hate the Jets and it
becomes part of your DNA, And I'm pretty sure it's
the same way down there. But we had a lot
of respect for that team because, say, you know, we
always battled hard with them, So that was.
Speaker 11 (21:35):
A big game.
Speaker 4 (21:36):
They would advance to face the Raiders next week.
Speaker 14 (21:38):
And all the players point to Raymond Berry. He was
the solidifying force that came in.
Speaker 1 (21:44):
The Patriots had their first NFL playoff win and would
need no extra motivation against a Raiders team that had
beaten New England in Foxborough earlier that season, A Raiders
team with plenty of history and bad blood on and
off the field, A Raiders team that would require the
Patriots best game yet.
Speaker 5 (22:00):
Well, it's bitter disappointment for the Jets. It's on to
Los Angeles and a rematch with the Raiders for Raymond
Berry and the Patriots.
Speaker 4 (22:08):
Is this real?
Speaker 6 (22:09):
Somebody paintable?
Speaker 11 (22:13):
But we feel like we're over at HEMP now.
Speaker 17 (22:14):
You know, it's you know, in the past, pages haven't
been known, you know, for a team that you know,
have made it through the first playoff game, and you know,
we've kind of changed a lot of things around here,
and you know, basically, you know, this is the start
of it.
Speaker 1 (22:26):
Next time on the Patriots Super Bowl sound out to
see nineteen eighty five, the revenge Game. The Patriots had
to Los Angeles to face the Raiders, the team that
haunted them in nineteen seventy six, beat them in Week
four and now stood.
Speaker 6 (22:38):
Between them and the AFC Championship.
Speaker 4 (22:40):
They play that tough, aggressive, chief whatever you want to call.
Speaker 11 (22:43):
It Raider ball, that's their nature.
Speaker 8 (22:44):
We're gonna have to go in for their tour tour,
go take it away.
What do you remember about the nineteen eighty five Patriots
forty years later? We're going back to tell the story
of the first Patriots team to make it to a
Super Bowl, the special team that blazed a pathway that
we much traveled over the next four decades. Here from
the players and coaches, as well as the sounds from
television and radio that defined the season, as we uncover
what made this a Patriots team to remember even if
(00:20):
they didn't win a Super Bowl championship. He annihilating might
be a better word.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Right, good sixty five yard?
Speaker 3 (00:33):
Hey, wait, we put more push out?
Speaker 4 (00:36):
Doing what the chief coy Murger's back. We're gonna throw
a fire.
Speaker 5 (00:40):
This one come fire.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Cut down on marg Uts gown.
Speaker 5 (00:51):
Pair hurbing player running it all way poor.
Speaker 4 (00:53):
Cutdown eighty five yards curbing prior Nason rolling out to
the right side, avoiding the presser.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
On the running Brooklyn Duffin in the end film six
point Patriots shut down, Aprian, Tony Cullinanvali.
Speaker 6 (01:12):
I might do so.
Speaker 1 (01:12):
And this is a Patriots Super Bowl Sound Odyssey nineteen
eighty five, Episode six, The Breakthrough.
Speaker 7 (01:18):
Well next week, get on invas Sports. The Journey to
the Super Bowl begains with the AFC wild Card playoff,
it'll be the New England Patriots at Giant Stadium to
tangle with the New York Jets.
Speaker 1 (01:32):
The Patriots were back in the playoffs after finishing eleven
and five, third in the AFC East and the final
wild card in the playoff field. Any trip to the
Super Bowl would require three road victories, a feat to
that point never atteamed in the NFL as a franchise.
The Patriots had made the playoffs just three times since
the NFL merger in nineteen seventy six. The Raiders stole
a controversial win, came it over.
Speaker 8 (01:56):
The carny No England.
Speaker 1 (02:01):
Patriot by Rott nineteen seventy eight, in the midst of
a coaching change.
Speaker 6 (02:05):
The Oilers never gave them a chance.
Speaker 3 (02:07):
It is hot d bro whoa well scored Dambo breaks it,
Tamble to the fifty table. Finally Bush that of hell Tamble.
Speaker 5 (02:18):
He got it, he got it, But it.
Speaker 4 (02:21):
Is a quarter of tamble.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
Miami knocked them out in nineteen eighty two, but Dolphins
played five.
Speaker 7 (02:26):
And a half quarters of football against the Patriots before
they ever got on the board against them. But Now
they've scored touchdowns on their last two.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
Possessions, leading the franchise without an NFL postseason victory.
Speaker 6 (02:35):
Now they had another crack at it.
Speaker 4 (02:37):
We're welcome you at a Giant stadium. A Jersey medal
lands on a hold clear day. In fact, other conditions
could be up factor later on, as we get set
for the New York Jets of the New England Patriots
meeting of those AFC wild card games.
Speaker 1 (02:52):
The Patriots had faced the Jets twice in nineteen eighty five.
They split the series, a seven point win in Foxborough
and a gut wrenching overtime loss at John Stadium. Now
in the wildcard round, they were headed back to New
York for a winner takes all rubber match.
Speaker 4 (03:06):
That's the third time this season about these two clubs
are eating, which is most unusual when you come to
playoff time. Of what the previous two.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
The Patriots were ready as their head coach got them
locked in GM. Patrick Sullivan took note of Berry's focus well.
Craig James and Steve Nelson said the team had plenty
of confidence and that was the way Raymond.
Speaker 6 (03:26):
Raymond talked to the guys about it.
Speaker 9 (03:27):
It's just, you know, we're we're in the hunt and
we have an opportunity, but we got to focus on
what's in front of us. And you know, the Jets
were in a kind of a similar situation where they
you know, they hadn't had a lot of success, so
their fan base was absolutely nuts that day. I mean
they were screaming at us, throwing bottles and snowball well
they were in snowballs, but bottles and pizza, and it
(03:52):
was just it was awful.
Speaker 10 (03:53):
And he was really big on focus. We have one
game this week. We're going to go play the New
York Jets.
Speaker 11 (03:59):
That's it. We're gonna go play the New York Jets.
Speaker 10 (04:02):
And a lot of coaches preach this stuff and say
these things they but they don't live this thing. Raymond
Berry was focused on the center of the bullsie and
so therefore it was contagious amongst the players. And then
we had that confidence because we had a great defense,
we had great special teams, and we had a great offense.
We could run the football, so we had everything that
was needed for the team to do really well.
Speaker 12 (04:24):
Well, it was a sack exchange and all that good
stuff going on. I think they were, and it's got
to be a little different playing in New York City
than it does other places. But I think we had
total confidence we're going to beat them. I mean, I
just thought we matched up really well with them.
Speaker 1 (04:39):
Berry's preparation included practicing in the winter conditions, As Ronnie
the Pet highlighted.
Speaker 11 (04:43):
We practiced outside. I think it was five below.
Speaker 13 (04:48):
We was outside, man, and but when we got down
to them, it was called and they were freezing, and
we're like, man, this is great, and tender greens is
and we came out with, you know, none of that
stuff on when we played them.
Speaker 11 (05:05):
We played well.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
December twenty eighth, nineteen eighty five, Giants Stadium. The Patriots
hadn't won a playoff game since the AFL days. The
Jets were favored, but the Patriots were on a mission omar.
Speaker 14 (05:15):
What happens is you know what the other team likes
to do, you know the physical talents of the player
across from you. It's like playing your neighbor. The one
thing you can say about this game, though, it is
going to be a very physical ballgame.
Speaker 1 (05:26):
The two rivals felt each other out early on, with
just one first down collected as each team ran through
their first two possessions. Andre Tippett would pick up an
early sack as New England continued their season long trend
of harassing opposing quarterbacks as a third and.
Speaker 4 (05:39):
Five and trouble and by goes. Let's see, let's hold
no from O'Bryan, who has been sacked sixty two times
coming in a National Football League record. It is just
down by the master of the sacks of the Patriots.
Speaker 11 (05:57):
No very zippy again.
Speaker 15 (05:59):
You know you just gotta not take them lightly. You
gotta play hard. And there was a real, real rivalry,
uh with us with them, but that going into that game,
you know you must up everything that you need to
do to make it personal. I always make it personal
(06:20):
with any of the New York teams because.
Speaker 11 (06:22):
They didn't draft me. I'm from Jersey.
Speaker 15 (06:23):
You let a homeboy from Jersey and you didn't want
to even draft me on your team.
Speaker 11 (06:27):
I'm gonna make you pay for it.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
On New England's third possession, they'd start to move the ball,
aided by a fifteen yard face mask penalty to start
the drive.
Speaker 4 (06:33):
First quarter has been a fueling out process to this point,
pay for its whole score because of its AFC Wild
Card Game basis at the time that has another first
fou Tony Collins picks up eleven yards on the play.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
It was enough for the Patriots to open the scoring
with a thirty three yard Tony Franklin field goal to
make it three zero late in the first quarter.
Speaker 4 (06:54):
Frank with twenty four of thirty promo season. He's hit
six of the last seven.
Speaker 14 (07:01):
A thirty three yards per tent.
Speaker 4 (07:04):
He said, we'll put it down. Added as good Charlie
Fison from thirty three yards away.
Speaker 1 (07:10):
The Jets answered on their next possession, with Jets quarterback
Ken O'Brien overcoming a Garon Veras sack and connecting on
big throws to Mickey Schuler and Altoon all Right.
Speaker 4 (07:18):
The Jets on the move as we open up the
second quarter. They have a first and goal from Hotel
play action oh Brian for the Ads off hotch Don
Johnny Hett.
Speaker 1 (07:33):
The Jets took a seven to three lead, but the
Patriots stayed hot and put together a second straight scoring drive.
Tony Collins found some room on the ground and then
Ethan hit Irving Friar for a thirty nine yard game
and the Pats were back in Jets territory heard down.
Speaker 4 (07:46):
Three for thirty nine and he said lofting one feet
for fire. Urving fire stopped by Johnny Lynn and Fire
shaken up a thirty nine pass play.
Speaker 1 (08:02):
But the drive stalled out, forcing the Patriots to settle
for a second field goal that made it seven to six.
Speaker 6 (08:07):
Jets.
Speaker 4 (08:08):
The barefoot kicker out of six at eight a m
from forty one yards away and he hits it. So
Corkland has connected from thirty three and from forty one
and he has killed the Jets this season. That is
his sixth field goal against the Jets, and the Patriots
now trail by one, the Jets seven and the Patriots six.
(08:33):
The last three possessions have seen field goal, touchdown, and
field goal.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
That's when the Patriots defense stepped up and did what
they'd done all season long. Forced turnovers. First came a
Don Blackman force fumble that Roland James recovered.
Speaker 4 (08:48):
Here's McNeil Harry fumble the Patriots field.
Speaker 16 (08:53):
They have it.
Speaker 4 (08:54):
It is New England ball. The Patriots have recovered. Saw
Freeman McNeil awsome up and Roland James the strong safety.
Speaker 14 (09:05):
On the recovery to Patriots are number two in the
entire National Football League in cauling trumble.
Speaker 1 (09:11):
But Ethan and the offense couldn't translate the takeaway into points,
hunting the ball back to the Jets. Then the Patriots
d made it back to back takeaways when Fred Brian
grabbed a Ken O'Brien deep ball like Gert.
Speaker 4 (09:22):
O'Bryan with much time had put off by Borrow. What
fi a pretty safety on the interception.
Speaker 5 (09:31):
This may have been the key play of the game.
O'Brien had thrown ten completions in a row Jets lead
seven to six. O'Brien for Wesley Walker intercepted by Fred Marion.
The ten completions in a row would mean nothing for
this interception. What's set up the game winning play this time?
Eason made the Jets pay at Ethan.
Speaker 4 (09:49):
Putting it out with him touts out family Morgan leader
for White quarterback russall Catter of forty six shots stop playing.
Speaker 5 (10:03):
Well.
Speaker 14 (10:04):
The Jets got burned.
Speaker 10 (10:05):
Mark.
Speaker 16 (10:06):
You know, we went down there and played a really
good game against the Jets. Was pretty much mistake free.
I think we got a couple of turnovers as to
your point, we had sixteen altogether. But you know, we
we were just clicking really well and went down there
and beat the Jets in the night game, and it
was great.
Speaker 11 (10:24):
It was a great win.
Speaker 1 (10:26):
Eastan's bomb gave New England their first lead of the
day at thirteen to seven. Leave they take into the
locker room, but not before Andre Tippet laid another huge
hit on Ken O'Brien, a hit that would eventually knock
the Jets quarterback out of the game.
Speaker 4 (10:38):
Ryan ass in complete set up for Mickey Schulers. I'm great,
Tippet all the rush and O'Brian is shaken up.
Speaker 14 (10:49):
He was wallach too, and it was an option screen.
It was supposed to be a pass maybe five steps
and throw out to the left, but.
Speaker 4 (10:56):
It was covered.
Speaker 14 (10:57):
Obrian looking downfield, held the ball a little bit too long.
Speaker 4 (11:00):
Obrian usher off the fi. He doesn't want to go.
Speaker 14 (11:04):
Well, you have to go out. After the medical team
comes out.
Speaker 4 (11:07):
Old Brian is being guided off the field and has
refused to leave.
Speaker 14 (11:11):
All the people have stopped blocking because they think it's
a screen and tipp it number fifty six just DEXI
tip it the unfair of black belt in karate Russian quarterbacks.
I don't know if kid knows where he is. It
looks like he's all right.
Speaker 15 (11:26):
So specifically, whenever we played the Jets, I tried to
knock everybody out.
Speaker 11 (11:31):
I tried to knock the quarterback out.
Speaker 17 (11:33):
I feel fine, Andre Tippet's a good player and that's
what he gets paid for to play.
Speaker 11 (11:36):
And he did, and you know you just got to
find ways to stop.
Speaker 12 (11:40):
Him and try to How did you feel you take
other things they give you.
Speaker 18 (11:43):
I think to O'Brien has had some some serious nightmares
about Tip because I remember seeing some video and Tip
literally took some wrettling moves and dunked him on his
head so many times. And you know, now that was
a big thing we'd love get being quarterbacks, whether the
tip and I you know, putting pressure on the quarterback.
Speaker 5 (12:02):
I'm great Tippic knocked Ken O'Brien out with his devastating hit.
O'Brien left the game with a concussion.
Speaker 17 (12:08):
You can't let that guy sit back there and hold
on to the ball, hold on to the ball, and
you know he'd kill us. We knew we had to
put the pressure on there, and you know, we did
what we had to.
Speaker 11 (12:16):
Do it and I'm leaving.
Speaker 15 (12:18):
Katie bought the doors and lock up the children because
we're coming back to the meadowlands.
Speaker 11 (12:22):
My people gonna be there.
Speaker 15 (12:24):
I'd have to usually get about thirty tickets for friends
and family, and I tried to put on a show,
and we put on a show that game.
Speaker 4 (12:32):
I'm time running out and this first samp so a
go Pensiver here first fam at Giant Stadio's leading for
Jets on the score fourteen till seven.
Speaker 1 (12:47):
At halftime, the TV broadcast interviewed former Patriot Mike Haynes,
now a member of the Raiders and waiting to face
the winner. Haynes, a key part of the team's playoff
appearances in nineteen seventy six and nineteen seventy eight, was
still rooting for his former team, but didn't realize you
should be careful what he wished for.
Speaker 14 (13:02):
Mike Haynes, as you watch this game, do you have
any special feeling for your former teammates on the Patriots.
Speaker 19 (13:07):
Well, you know, this is a situation The Pagers have
been in, I guess four times in the last ten
years in the playoff situation and usually come out a loser.
But this is really I think the first time in
the history of the ball club they've been in the
lead at the half, so you know, I feel like,
you know, these guys, they have the people to do it.
I'd like to see him have some good fortune today.
Speaker 11 (13:28):
They deserve it.
Speaker 1 (13:28):
In the third quarter, Ken O'Brian tried to give it
a go, but missed his only pass attempt and the
Jets punted the ball away. O'Brien took a seat on
the bench that he keep for the rest of the game,
with backup Pat Ryan taking over bye, why.
Speaker 4 (13:40):
I'll stick it over quarterback for kenl' bryan.
Speaker 1 (13:43):
The Patriots, up by a score thirteen to seven, put
together the game's most critical sequence.
Speaker 4 (13:48):
Nice play, I said, guess without the crank Kames that
tames down. That's a take hard line humped down by
Kirk Spring Springers and Craybole, stopping James four yard pass play.
Speaker 1 (14:02):
First, another field goal made at sixteen to seven Patriots,
followed by an ensuing kickoff that encapsulated the Patriots' special season.
The defense had already come through with two takeaways and
multiple sacks that knocked the opponent's starting quarterback out of
the game. Now was the special team's turn to get
in on the action.
Speaker 4 (14:18):
Had Gotti Hector amit kickoff return with covered the bubble
by Hector, a penalty flag code and the Patriots have
recovered and have run it in play continuing Shottie Rembert
backup linebacker racing it in. Let's see what the penalty
call is. Hector on the return puffed it up and
(14:42):
it looked like the Jugs just killing the black during
the return number eighty.
Speaker 19 (14:46):
One, Savaty Hyde here.
Speaker 4 (14:54):
Totally called on backup tight end Billy Griggs. It is
a touchdown on a fuffle recovery fight Johnnie Refert for
three year pro Adam Clempson have a Patriots Oh Brock
by the score of twenty two to seven.
Speaker 1 (15:13):
Johnny Rembert special teams touchdown made at twenty three to seven.
It was a total team effort as New England inch
toward their first NFL playoff win. Jets back up pat
Ryan put together a scoring drive in response, but it
would be their last points scored.
Speaker 16 (15:26):
Well.
Speaker 4 (15:26):
I don't know if this is a change because of
the hard hit utle Bryant took earlier.
Speaker 14 (15:32):
I see O'Brien standing on the sideline.
Speaker 4 (15:34):
He's got his warm gloves on.
Speaker 19 (15:36):
He's standing there like you know what what's going on.
Speaker 14 (15:38):
To Mark, Sometimes when you get banged around, you hit
your head on the ground. Sometimes they can crush you.
It's a delayed reaction and sometimes the long you vote,
the problem you get. I don't know if that's the
problem you're not.
Speaker 1 (15:49):
As the game entered the fourth quarter, New England's defense
took over, led by rookie garn Faris. Veris picked up
another sack on a fourth down to end one Jets possession.
Speaker 4 (15:59):
A vote at this point out here you could have
the defense has been playing well the last couple of
series pork down and four off the forty three again
top sell emotion, Whyan off the road in Tuble and
Dolly goals a big play for the Patriots, who will
take over right there, Sirs and Tippett combining and that
(16:21):
will go down as sack cover pool for New England.
Speaker 1 (16:25):
Then after a miss Tony Franklin field goal, Veris added
an interception on their next possession.
Speaker 4 (16:30):
Pat Ryan has come on, replacing Ken O'Brien or Toil
a couple of part hits. The report we received from
the sideline was a mild concussion but quite be able
to return of the Ryan Kin start and he's made
in the get us to tuck in on intersets furs
and he couples and the text for cover. Well, they
(16:51):
got it to the hatreds. The roll is loose part
it is New England, all the recovery.
Speaker 11 (17:00):
Well, but they were, you know, a big rival.
Speaker 18 (17:03):
I mean it was always a nose to nose, you knockdown,
drag out fight against them, and we knew going into
the Meadowlands that it was going to be that same way.
Speaker 11 (17:13):
But I think we came with a more of a
punch that day.
Speaker 18 (17:17):
Special teams we got some big plays and I was
able to get an interception. I that's one of my highlights,
my only interception I ever got. And here I can
remember getting the interception. I was following a short pass
play bounce back to me. I turned around and head
head to the end zone and like a like, I
felt like I was a running back at that time.
(17:38):
That tucked the ball away and I made the mistake
of cutting back against the grain and it got blasted
by I think Jim Sweeney of the Giant of the
Jets and I fumbled. So I had two plays that
I had. Only things that happened in my career. I
got an interception and I got a fumble on the
same play. So but I was fortunate that Nelly rec
(18:00):
over to fumble for me and save my butt from embarrassment.
Speaker 6 (18:03):
That set the Patriots up with a final field goal
to seal the win.
Speaker 4 (18:07):
So Franklin, who missed from forty one just moow moments ago,
three out of four on the day, isn't it too
cold to be kicking barefoot for me?
Speaker 14 (18:16):
I look at the Jet coaches, They've got those big
boots on that Tony was.
Speaker 11 (18:20):
Doing all right well.
Speaker 1 (18:21):
Verus hadded one more sack to complete the best game
of his impressive rookie season.
Speaker 4 (18:26):
Right bumbles, he was able to shut off the first
tackler had it's covered up. Jeremy Sweetye the left guard
covering up, and Garon Veris once again was the force.
Speaker 1 (18:42):
Eathan had come full circle two months after returning and
coming up short against the Jets.
Speaker 6 (18:47):
He was the game's offensive MVP.
Speaker 4 (18:49):
And our select committee has come up with the Buttweiser
most Viable player of the game. It was close between
Garret Verus, who had two sacks and a standing effort,
and Tony Easton and up the quarterback GiB I think
Easton the way he played today. Vers had a great
day and certainly benefits from the fact that he's playing
next to Tippatt, who gets a lot of attention.
Speaker 14 (19:10):
Easton came into this ball game needing a solid performance.
The offensive line did their job by dominating the offensive
line the lion of scrimmage owding Kleco and Gasano out
of there, and Eaton came through. He was steady when
he needed to be. He hit the Morgan on a
long touchdown pass. He saw the blit's coming and checked
off when he had to, and directed the.
Speaker 4 (19:32):
Offensive running game.
Speaker 1 (19:34):
The Patriots had their first playoff win, twenty six to fourteen,
upsetting the Jets and avenging one of their regular season losses,
a loss that ended the six game win streak and
cost them Steve Grogan. It was an opportunity that Tony
Easton didn't squander, completing twelve to sixteen passes for one
hundred and seventy nine yards with a touchdown and most importantly,
no turnovers. Meanwhile, the defense's four takeaways were the difference,
(19:56):
directly leading to seventeen of the twenty six points scored.
Speaker 4 (20:00):
Very happy day for the President of the New England Patriots,
Billy Sullivan, who has been shaking hands along the Patriots sideline.
Billy Sullivan one of the more personable owners in the
National Football League and he is certainly enjoying it as
the fuck works down.
Speaker 1 (20:16):
For Patriots GM Patrick Sullivan, the son of team founder
Billy Sullivan. It was a special day and one that
marked a turning point in franchise history.
Speaker 4 (20:23):
It was a great win.
Speaker 9 (20:24):
And you know, there's a big difference between riding home
from a road game when you win in a big
difference when you lose, and when you win a playoff game.
Speaker 6 (20:32):
It's even bigger twenty three years.
Speaker 14 (20:35):
Ago today, Marvel. On December twenty eighth, nineteen sixty three,
the Patriots played the first playoff game in their history
against the Bills in Buffalo. Patriots won that playoff game
twenty six to eight. A week later they took they
lost the AFC Championship game to San Diego fifty one
to ten, and certainly they hope their fortunes this year
(20:56):
will be much better than the nineteen sixty three year.
Speaker 4 (21:00):
So this only the second Patriot playoff game victory, joining
it and a wild card against lot of you aren't Jets.
Speaker 1 (21:08):
It was also special for veterans like Pete Rock, who
had tasted the playoffs in the seventies and early eighties
but never made it past the first round.
Speaker 8 (21:15):
So yeah, I mean that it was a pretty big
deal to be a man to beat the Jets, right, everybody, Yeah,
you become a Patriot, you hate the Jets and it
becomes part of your DNA, And I'm pretty sure it's
the same way down there. But we had a lot
of respect for that team because, say, you know, we
always battled hard with them, So that was.
Speaker 11 (21:35):
A big game.
Speaker 4 (21:36):
They would advance to face the Raiders next week.
Speaker 14 (21:38):
And all the players point to Raymond Berry. He was
the solidifying force that came in.
Speaker 1 (21:44):
The Patriots had their first NFL playoff win and would
need no extra motivation against a Raiders team that had
beaten New England in Foxborough earlier that season, A Raiders
team with plenty of history and bad blood on and
off the field, A Raiders team that would require the
Patriots best game yet.
Speaker 5 (22:00):
Well, it's bitter disappointment for the Jets. It's on to
Los Angeles and a rematch with the Raiders for Raymond
Berry and the Patriots.
Speaker 4 (22:08):
Is this real?
Speaker 6 (22:09):
Somebody paintable?
Speaker 11 (22:13):
But we feel like we're over at HEMP now.
Speaker 17 (22:14):
You know, it's you know, in the past, pages haven't
been known, you know, for a team that you know,
have made it through the first playoff game, and you know,
we've kind of changed a lot of things around here,
and you know, basically, you know, this is the start
of it.
Speaker 1 (22:26):
Next time on the Patriots Super Bowl sound out to
see nineteen eighty five, the revenge Game. The Patriots had
to Los Angeles to face the Raiders, the team that
haunted them in nineteen seventy six, beat them in Week
four and now stood.
Speaker 6 (22:38):
Between them and the AFC Championship.
Speaker 4 (22:40):
They play that tough, aggressive, chief whatever you want to call.
Speaker 11 (22:43):
It Raider ball, that's their nature.
Speaker 8 (22:44):
We're gonna have to go in for their tour tour,
go take it away.
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