1989 Week 16 - Denver at San Diego (1st Half)

good afternoon everybody and welcome to Jack Murphy Stadium here in San Diego where the Chargers will be hosting the Denver Broncos this game is meaningless as far as the playoffs are concerned but there are a lot of other games that mean a lot of things today they are Charlie uh Broncos already in the playoffs they've clinched home field in the AFC but around the league as we go to the scoreboard you're going to see that there are a lot of battles left to be decided some have already been decided but some still hanging up for grabs and will be until tomorrow night and interesting as you take a look first at the Raiders and the Giants Giants win the division and the Raiders are out at Phoenix and Philadelphia game in the fourth quarter Philadelphia winning and of course if Philadelphia wins they are a wild card team Miami now and Kansas City are out of it that's meaningless that is it New Orleans wins Indianapolis loses so the Colts are out the Colts are gone now Pittsburgh's still very much alive although they need a loss by Cincinnati Green Bay is still very much in it and so many things still to be decided Today on NBC foreign for the Denver Broncos they were strange figures these ghosts of Christmas Past Super Bowl 21 and the Specter of the New York Giants Super Bowl 22 haunted by painful visions of the Washington Redskins then the Ghost of Christmas presents Spirit conducting me where you will let me profit by the gift of the new Denver defense and that's not humbug that's Humphrey and in the solemn Phantom draped and hooded can the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come deliver the Denver Broncos to Super Bowl 24. Sports presents the National Football League today it's the Denver Broncos versus the San Diego Chargers good afternoon everybody and welcome to Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego the temperature well we're having a heat wave on this Christmas Eve the temperature today in the mid 80s well it's low right now but it promises to climb even higher the temperature in Denver well it's not too bad it's 44 degrees hello everybody I'm Charlie Jones this is Merlin Olson we have nine rookies starting for these two teams and of the nine who has the most pressure Charlie I think that's very simple it would be Billy Joe Toliver always the most pressure on the field focused on the quarterback Billy Joe also matched up against John Elway today one of the great quarterbacks in the NFL but he's learning he's trying to earn a job humble young man they said have you really had an impact so far Billy Joe said very simply hey I'm one and four I don't think so he always counts the bottom line the numbers of the victories and the defeats Charlie I think Dan Reeves is going to treat this game much as he would the final preseason game of the year so much to lose here today injuries momentum not a lot to prove they already have the home field advantage they're already in the playoffs so they don't want to do anything that would damage their playoff hopes Anthony Miller and Jamie Hollander deep as David Treadwell will be kicking off for the Denver Broncos you can look for Anthony Miller to be returning it he needs a couple of good ones 25 yards or more to take over the lead and kickoff returns to the National Football League that one is 24 so it's right in the neighborhood now let's take a look at the San Diego Chargers and first of course we will take a look at their offense an offensive line that is coming off of an excellent game against Kansas City their backs and receivers they'll feature the running of Marion butts and compliment him with an HVAC and two tight ends on passing Downs butts the HVAC and one tight end will come out Darren Nelson comes into the backfield Wayne Walker and Quinn early will come in as the wide receivers [Music] expected Marion butts opens on the ground let's take a look at Denver's defense the defense set is loud an NFL low of 207 points when they faced the pass the nose tackle and two left side linebackers will come out and they are replaced by three defensive backs now normally that would give you seven in the secondary however rookie free safety Steve Atwater moves up to linebacker where he has been very effective everybody [Applause] [Music] it'll play action fake by Billy Joe drops it off to Arthur Cox Cox to the 40. Cox to the 50 and into Denver territory what I see Arthur Cox run it reminds me of some of the dreams I had as a young man of a tackle carrying the football the Cox has hurt you see him limping as he heads for the sideline but he looks like a tackle or a guard rumbling let's see what happens may have been hit right at the end coming from his h-back position just stares the back off quick throw into the flat and now he uses those smelt hips to get downfield looks like he jammed that knee or an ankle perhaps as he was tackled zvelt hips swivel hips he's a tight end to stand 6-2 277 pounds first down at the 48 after the gain of 20. quick out Far Side is complete to Anthony Miller I think he might be lying about 270 Charlie I think he is when he looked at him yesterday in practice he's either the 300 mark Wade Phillips told us yesterday that he worried most about the quick throws into the flat Toliver has shown the ability to unload the ball quickly there has not yet mastered those downfield and Deep Roots but so far he's been able to throw short successfully against this defense and they're off to a good drive second down and five that's the remaining back biker is in motion and here's butts to the outside he's got nine yards to the 34 and he picks it the first down [Applause] here the last of the pack 27th in the NFL in 1988. look what they've done in 89. as they have improved their defense tremendously not just against the run but overall as well in San Diego with the opening drive and and Merlin I think you could say that San Diego is a bit more at stake in this game not a lot but a little bit more than Denver because San Diego wants to win on I know it's been a very disappointing season play action fake right side and he overthrows the intended receiver who is Wayne Walker it'll be second down in town Toliver is a side armor Charlie and if he has had a pattern over the four games he started it's been his overthrowing of receivers and I think that's typical for a Young quarterback who who fired out gets a little too much on it let's watch the motion here see if he does unload this ball sidearm yeah three quarters of the way across not pure sidearm ball tended to float a little bit him on that pass second and ten [Music] [Applause] walkers in motion Toliver to throw it's off to butson right through his hands and a little more velocity than Billy Joe Toliver needed on that one very much only has seven receptions on the year that's an area that they want to work on in the off season and from a San Diego standpoint a lot of the offensive players are going to stay in the area and work out in the off season well they want to get Billy jolliver some more work but Jim McMahon is not out of the picture yet and of course they're still looking to get Mark Vlasic back Classic on physically unable to perform but McMahon said yesterday hey he said if they'll sign me to a contract I'll come back and compete for the job I don't care I'll take my chances with the training camp next year third and ten Nelson is into the offensive set Tolliver goes deep and he overthrows everybody he was out of time and he was throwing it away and it will be fourth down [Applause] but with Toliver and McMahon assuming that McMahon is signed to a contract he has no option on his contract that's a question that maybe Bobby beathard is going to have to answer if he has expected ends up being the general manager all the sources that we talked to here have strongly indicated that Bobby beathard is it is an imminent signing right well Steve ortmeyer being fired this week by Alex Spanos it certainly would seem like a very sure bet at this point this is a 52-yard field goal attempt too many men on the field Patton coming off 52 yards away is going to come short so a frustrating start for San Diego Chris Barr in his 14th year just didn't have enough pop on this football pretty good hold but it never got there 11 48 time remaining we're in the first quarter and we have no score between Denver and San Diego now here [Music] are you the one to put these away this is it ready one two three when you gather round for the holidays there's no better beer to have around than Michelob look for our tree at your store and have a happy holiday another Pontiac first is ready for delivery the first four-door version of Grand Prix style and performance the new Grand Prix sport sedan you 've gotta drive it the exciting new four-door Grand Prix you've gotta check it out [Music] now again 4.8 financing on every new Grand Prix during Pontiac solid excitement closeout something Mr Spirits loves the new stuffing in the five-piece holiday meal deal from Kentucky Fried Chicken with five pieces of the Colonel's chicken and two Buttermilk Biscuits all for only 4.99 perfect for the two of us hide the stuffing we brought the 10-piece holiday meal with four Biscuits and More stuffing just 9.99 I like the way you sing ratchet yes the five or ten piece holiday meal deal at Kentucky Fried Chicken members offense this year the Broncos feature a revamped and much more physical offensive linebacks and receivers a pair of rookies Bobby Humphrey and Mel Bratton starting his running backs on passing Downs now they will come out and Steve Sewell comes into the backfield Michael Young comes in as a wide receiver then the tight end Clarence K will go out and another tight end Orson Mobley comes in but he'll come in as the fourth wide receiver Denver first opportunity from their own 34-yard line and Mel Bratton has a couple of yards it'll be second down and eight and let's check the 10-minute ticker giants still winning big Philadelphia over there into the playoffs Kansas City defeats Miami and that's meaningless as far as the playoffs with everything else is going on New Orleans Indianapolis is out oh lost the game they could have put him in the playoffs he wanted his finish is strong Pittsburgh this man they're still alive for the playoffs Green Bay defeating Dallas and Green Bay of course still alive for the playoffs the Rams come from behind to defeat New England now that puts another complicates that complicates that mix doesn't it [Music] and he is taken out of bounds by the toast Elvis Patterson let's look at the defense of San Diego San Diego's defense has been the strength of the team this year in passing situations the nose tackle and two inside linebackers will come out George Hinkle joins the defensive front on Elliott Smith and Roy Bennett join a secondary that is upset this week because cornerback Gilbert was not selected for the Pro Bowl they felt Berlin he really deserved it Helen I know the folks up in Denver looking at the paltry Pickens so to speak for the Pro Bowl very upset and it's been a couple of years since they have been properly recognized with Pro Bowl selections the ball at the 38 here is Elway he fires the passes incomplete it'll be fourth down Gilbert had the coverage Vance Johnson the intended receiver and by the way for Denver Ricky natiel bothered by that kneecap again and so he is sitting out this game and we certainly hope that he is ready in a couple of weeks for the playoffs here is a note handed to me the Rams clinch the wild card with a win today so the Rams are in well in Green Bay must wait now their chance would be if Minnesota loses tomorrow night they'd win the division and they would be in so that one's still hanging but their chance at the Wild Card apparently would be gone in fact is gone Charlie Mike Horan kicking very high but not too deep makaki with a fair catch at the 34-yard line so we've got a timeout 10 50 time remaining in the first period and we have no score [Music] moving quick and with purpose that's the whole idea behind pontiac's newest Grand Prix introducing the first Grand Prix ever with four doors the new Grand Prix sport sedan man [Music] get 4.8 financing on every new Grand Prix during Pontiac sellout excitement closeout long ago when an American car here in Switzerland would make people look up in Surprise not anymore oh I wouldn't say they're all over the place but GM sells a lot of cars over here these days good cars at good value I should know this is my dealership right here GM exports more cars around the world from North America than any other car manufacturer [Music] foreign [Music] it's 32 degrees and Jan Trumpeter is learning all about her antifreeze the hard way why is this happening to me don't push your luck guarantee it with Advanced formula Prestone NBC Sports coverage of the National Football League is brought to you by new Keystone and Keystone life bottled beer taste in a can wouldn't that be great by GMAC the financial services people from General Motors and by Pontiac and your local Pontiac dealer we build excitement [Music] welcome back to a very warm and very pleasant Christmas Eve here in San Diego we have no score between the Chargers and the Broncos those qualified the playoff picture we'll come right back to that and we'll it's uh beginning to sort itself out but there's still some sorting to go on not as much as there was yesterday that's right and butts has bet he's going to lose a couple of yards [Applause] Denver Bronco defense doing what you have to do with a big back Charlie you've turned him to the sideline you get those shoulders turned to the sideline he can't use that power on you buttsu is about 250 pounds has a 40-yard run and a 50-yard run first game of the season against the Raiders in Los Angeles so he can Rumble for a big man second down and 12. coming up on you Anthony throw over the middle through the hands of butts incomplete so butts is over two as a receiver Mark Munford had the coverage on him but something that Oliver has been struggling with that is on a short pass is taking it off and throwing with a touch he's still got too much velocity typical of a young strong armed quarterback and he'll have that problem Elway himself Charlie in his rookie year had real trouble overthrowing the football just putting too much Steam on it put it right through the hands of his intended receivers Darren Nelson checks into the offensive set third down and 12. in the secondary for the Broncos and Walker goes in motion collaber over the middle and it is broken up Walker the intended receiver noise Nelson the antenna receiver and Dennis Smith was there Smith one of those Broncos identified for the Pro Bowl and pleased about it had his best year since 1984. big plays all season long and he's taking a few well-deserved bows along with Greg Kragen and the the putter or not the punter but the kicker David Treadwell who was ecstatic at being able to go to the Pro Bowl oh he is thrilled hey kalistic to kick and Ken Bell is the Return Man Bell will will be turning all of the punts and back on the kickoffs today as Dan Reeves wants him to regain some of that confidence Here Comes pressure he's bobbled a few this season this when he stays away from and it'll go out of bounds 9 55 left to go we're in the first quarter a 46-yard kick can we have no score wouldn't it be [Music] cruising who gets the cover and wouldn't it be great if the models brought beer really great beer like Keystone the fresh cold filtered beer in a can that tastes like beer in a bottle because of Keystone's specially lined can and wouldn't it be graded later that day you all went bowling introducing Keystone and Keystone Light bottled beer taste in a can wouldn't that be great foreign excitement closeout now with our longest term 4.8 Finance rate ever on Grand Prix that's right now every new Grand Prix is available with long-term 4.8 financing or get your share of millions in cash back on Grand Prix and almost every other new 1990 Pontiac in stock but hurry your Pontiac dealer is closing out the year with big cash back or 4.8 financing on Grand Prix it won't last long see your Pontiac excitement either now [Music] if you choose to finance or lease your new GM vehicle someplace other than GMAC you might find yourself waiting in line [Music] instead about hugging one GMAC nobody wants to get you into your new GM car or truck faster New Year's Day come home to the best in college football kick off your day with a Hall of Fame Bowl the Southeast Conference co-champion Auburn Tigers the giant Killers battle the high-scoring Buckeyes of Ohio State New Year's day the best bowls are on NBC Sports Championship Monday on NBC January the first now look at these teams Auburn Ohio State Nebraska Florida State Colorado Notre Dame if if there was a college playoff system conceivably any two of those teams could be in the finals those teams are all that good and they'll all be on NBC on January the 1st Denver from the 20. Bobby Humphrey I'm free to the 27. and speaking of the bowl games our fabulous foursome will be at the orange upper right hand corner Bobby beathard well there's that color blue in the San Diego uniform but he may have an SD instead of an NBC on his pocket very soon we'll also have uh reports for you from uh from the Rose Bowl Land from the Sugar Bowl so uh stay with us on January the 1st second and four Elway fires and a flag is down clearance K on the receiving end Billy Ray Smith was there and this this is the referee his name is Tom white normally he is the headlinesman but Bob mcelwee is sick Tom white has replaced him and Jim Poole who lives in San Diego is now the headlines for this game and this is his first his first appearance as a referee so he has a little pressure on him he's a little nervous still has the HL on the back I guess he got his life but he has put on the white hat that's right but anyway well the shirt fits that's an interesting responsibility it is that'll be fun for him though his first announcement it is here it is Holy 44 stage fright down there of course he did he should we get a recording of that and we'll send it to him we ought to do that instead of his recording of your first announcement this crowd booed him but it wasn't because he didn't do a good job they just didn't like the call they didn't like the call it's the first down at the 32. [Music] [Applause] [Music] dropped at the 25. Leslie O'Neal he's going to the Pro Bowl he now has 11 and a half sacks last week the San Diego defense was just vicious as they attacked the quarterback and they get after Elway Elway what Advance Johnson and had he had just a second longer Gilbert who was locked up and will be all day on Johnson had fallen down but Elway ran out of time as Leslie O'Neal closed the Noose on him Pro Bowl selections Mecklenburg Smith Craig and Treadwell and this Mecklenburg a moment ago not a good thing to do Williams O'Neill and Miller [Applause] second in 17. passes complete Far Side to Orson Mobley Mobley a tight end in the four wide receivers comes in as a wideout Bayless with the tackle Sharon I mentioned a pressure on Elway last week de Berg in Kansas City knocked down 28 times by this defense of San Diego the victors today in white the Rams winning Philadelphia winning they will be the two wild card teams Rams at Philadelphia in the NFC the Giants ran in San Francisco is in the two remaining teams Minnesota and Green Bay Minnesota wins tomorrow night they're in if they lose Green Bay is in much simpler now we're down and eight Elway has a man open him soon and he can't hang on to it and he had the first down by a yard it'll be fourth down Elliott Smith had the coverage to watch Elway in action this pass should have been caught Charlie right there right in the hands of Sewell who had it and then lost it fourth down and eight Haram to punt McConkey is the Return Man had a rumor earlier in the week farquette said he was going to run for the senate in the state of New York he said I think that's a that's a bit of premature no score back in a moment [Music] I'm 30 miles from the action but I'm responsible for a digital communication link between headquarters and Brigade the data isn't programmed right 5 000 troops could be cut off again [Music] if you feel life's more interesting when you make a splash it's the right here now if you feel a great beer starts with great water it's the right beer now because you're the kind of person who likes to get to the bottom of things call for the Silver Bullet the one that won't slow you down [Music] Coors Light it's the right fear now NBC Sports serves your need to know all week long dial 1-900-454-3500 for NBC scores plus 24 hours a day seven days a week anywhere in the USA yesterday we visited with the Chargers in the Broncos and we now share with you Saturday snapshots for the second straight week the Chargers took Wednesday off but they made up for it in yesterday's practice Merlin's brother Phil former Denver Bronco who now broadcast for Utah state is here with us this weekend that's offensive guard Broderick Thompson's Red Cap I promise to get it on television oh by the way that's quarterback Billy Joe Toliver with me watch out for your teammates the Chargers put defensive back Lester Lyle's car on blocks took the tires and left it overlooking the practice field Denver came to town and rookies Bobby Humphrey and Mel Bratton dropped by for a visit Bobby Humphrey has the Golden Touch but he told us he did leave room for a Super Bowl ring coordinator Wade Phillips said his entire defense has contributed to its success and head coach Dan Reeves wished everyone a Merry Christmas Saturday snapshots had a chance to visit with both team that's always fun that's one of the better parts of our job are visiting with the players and the coaches no score here San Diego with a first down at Their Own 30-yard Line butts is the remaining back and Donovan will come out during this is a screen and it is dropped and that is the third opportunity that butts has had as a receiver and he's yet to hold on to the Football Marion butts coming off his all-time performance carried the ball 39 times for 176 yards last week and how big is that for him how big is that well I'll tell you you watch him he's going to drop this pass Charlie in his senior year at Florida State he carried the ball 29 times for 133 yards all year so Florida State not utilizing the talents of this young man when he was there an idea of the depth they had he was a blocker for Sammy Smith last year when he was there Tolliver is two for eight is a thrower but he is has six consecutive incompletions so they go back to the brown to the ground Marion bus carries and character makes the tackle the youngest Center in the league just 21 years old Courtney Hall a starter all year long working on Greg Kragen nose toe nose tackle who is going to the Pro Bowl they get a good block inside David Richards working on him but carricker and Denison number 55 and Brooks number 56 showing you why this Denver defense is so tough against the Run and San Diego faces a third down and 11. Nelson comes in Walker comes in he's the motion man that's coming from the left side followers steps forward juggle in the drop Anthony Miller with the sure hands and he had the first down a strange play as Toliver showed some good maturity felt the pressure simply took a couple of steps forward and sidearmed a real rifle shot in there it certainly looked as if Anthony Miller had plenty of time to control that football just watch the end of the play Toliver looking to his left comes back inside and finds the man open can't can't see anything any reason to drop that football Charlie Chargers have dropped by us today in the first quarter tank kalistic will kick and Ken Bell is the Return Man Denver has a return on not that good a kick and Bell runs past it and it goes to the 21-yard line three on the year and had pretty good hands but early in the year got into trouble fumbling on the punts in fact fumbled twice against Philadelphia did not make a call didn't warn one of the other backs the ball hit him they lost another football he came back they they cut him they brought him back and they've given him a chance to return but today he just doesn't want any part of that football and there's a late flag drop to the 37-yard line he just is staying away and Dan Reams told us he wanted him there to regain his confidence wants it to help him get his confidence back because they feel they might need him for the playoffs that was a perfect ball to return because it was low and the coverage wasn't there yet twice he's run out from underneath it today on sportsmanlike conduct on the part of the receivers he blocked after having signals penalty is 15 yards but the dead ball spot is farther back we'll leave it there first down and that is a call against Ken Bell because once you go up with the fair catch once you give that you cannot block a man coming down now before they changed it they'd set up Savannah and really nail him there you see Kenny Bell number 35 having given a fair catch signal a lot allowed he thought that ball might get into the end zone just a bad bad choice there is the block right there and of course they'll lose yardage as a result of it the block though is at the 37-15 yards would take it back to the 22 the ball rolled to the 21 so they leave it there and Bobby Humphrey carries that was the the long explanation of the long explanation of the referee Merlin let's check out the scores that's not like Harry Potter as we mentioned most of the spots now decided Raiders out Giants in Philadelphia in Kansas City and Miami are out Indianapolis out as is New Orleans Pittsburgh well they're still still hoping they're still hoping they're a possibility the Rams are in good old Rams good old Ram back door but they're in any way it doesn't make any difference Bobby Humphrey couple of yards to the 27. it'll be third down and four Figaro makes the tackle along with Bert Grossman so in the AFC Buffalo will be at Cleveland and the wild card will play at Denver and the wild card Houston is in as a wild card they will play either Pittsburgh or Cincinnati depending on whether Cincinnati wins or loses tomorrow night the Giants are in San Francisco in the Rams at Philadelphia in the wild card game and the other Champion will be either Minnesota or Green Bay Elway they're going to ruin the grass one of the things that we do not expect to see today is a lot of John Elway Dan Reeves told us early he may only give Elway one quarter Lee Williams number 99. boy that's a fine inside move on the rookie Doug whitel and he's got a good grasp on him that's good call but Elway who is so strong physically pulls away but they'll give Lee Williams a sack my Quran will be kicking has pressure he gets a good one off McConkey fair catch at the last moment at the 34-yard line oh 45 yards on the kick and guess who was down staring into the eyes it was Ken Bell NBC Sports kicks off its college bowl lineup next Saturday afternoon with the freedom bow the Washington Huskies take on the Florida Gators the freedom all next Saturday afternoon at two o'clock Eastern time the best bowls are here on NBC no score between San Diego and Denver and we have just over five minutes to go in the first quarter and Merlin I have an impression that both both teams are slow to get started well it's more understandable on the part of the Denver Broncos I I'm surprised we haven't seen him more emotional San Diego team Tolliver goes deep this may be the emotion McEwen the HVAC has the reception 29 yards at Water saves the touchdown McEwen who had played for Dan Henning in Washington they brought him in to give him a chance and with Cox out of the ball game they're kind of swimming some new people into this lineup he's a passed down specialist at 220 pounds not a great blocker but he is very quick downfield and runs excellent patterns was at the right end of that pass by Billy Joe Toliver [Applause] butts is the running back [Applause] uh looping timing Banner that Miller went inside and could not get outside in time Tyrone Braxton was there for the defense it'll be second now talking to Dan Reeves yesterday and he was I think amazed as everyone was that this defense could make such huge improvements under a new coordinator Wade Phillips in a single year this defense had really been the Achilles heel for the last few years of this Denver Bronco team and now the strength of this Denver Bronco team a real turnaround second and ten [Music] play action [Applause] Layman Henderson with the interception 22 yards on the return and Quinn early makes a tackle for San Diego and he played it oh just like the Playbook says but question about Charlie watch the pressure right here on Toliver Simon Fletcher 73 right there forces the bad pass that ball is hung up for grabs there it's a pressure sack situation the ball being thrown too early and Toliver can't get it off with any strength on it right here he's leaning back feeling the heat right there for one of the League's leading sackers we've got two of them here today and not only Fletcher but Lee Williams who got a sack just a moment ago and Denver with a turnover at their own 43-yard line and they've been putting points on the board this year after turnovers football San Diego has it back now that's something you really hate to do when your defense gets the football for you Billy Ray gonna give it right back Billy Ray Smith jars it loose and Plummer recovers it I think he just lost it no he did you're right Lee Williams who's leaning in it's Billy Ray on the bottom no it's Plummer Gary Plummer number 50. Lee Williams was reaching in there's the turnover ratio a plus seven for the Broncos and a healthy plus six for the Chargers but here's something you've got to look at what do they do with those turnovers when they get a chance to get them the Broncos have picked up 123 points have only given up 71 a plus 52. look at the Chargers a minus 17. they have not been able to take advantage of their opportunities on the turnover nor stop their opponents when they've given the ball away they have an opportunity here and Marion butts picks up two to the Denver 45. we have no score we're moving on the four minute Mark time remaining in the first quarter and with an exchange of turnovers as Craig and Fletcher make the tackle maybe both teams will start getting more involved a little more physical does it take a little while this time of the year to get to get the juices going Charlie I think it's simply that there's not that much at stake in this game we haven't seen the emotional level out of either of these teams that we would expect of NFL teams who are at the end of their season Parker's the motion man and here is bus to the 43. it'll be third down and sixth a reminder to our viewers that will be selecting the Budweiser Most Valuable Player for today's game at the conclusion of the game Michael Brooks making that last tackle for Denver several of the additions that have really helped this Denver defense Alfonso carricker a plan B free agent out of Green Bay and Ron Holmes a trade out of Tampa Bay two of the very big people up front who have helped this offensive or defensive line the other thing I really think has helped him Charlie Michael Brooks playing so well and Mecklenburg returning to form and Simon Fletcher that's made that front seven so much tougher Tolliver has pressure throws it in rookie mistake it's interceptive he went into triple coverage and the hanky number 68 getting some heat on him they call him Sergeant Carter after the character on Gomer Pyle they made him an honorary Marine last week he's number 68 he'll come from the top of your screen right there he was the man pressuring on that last play and twice in a row we've seen Toliver cop it up to interceptions under the heat from the Denver defense and the rookie Darren Carrington is the man who has his first interception of the season and Denver has the ball at their own 37-yard line [Applause] and Bobby Humphrey has hit at the line and scrimmage by Gary Plummer he may get a yard it'll be second down I asked John Elway if he would mind stepping aside today and allowing his counterpart Gary Kubiak who's come in to sub for him a couple of times and well once this year when he was down with the flu against Washington Redskins he said no he said but the one thing I was sympathizing with with Gary said I didn't have a chance to warm up in practice we gave him more snaps this week second and nine whoa Elway of miscommunication with Vance Johnson Johnson red to break to the inside Elway read that he would break to the outside well Charlie it's kind of hard to make a decision when you got Joe Phillips bearing down on you but let's watch and see what Vance Johnson does I mentioned a matchup Gilbert will be on him all day and bird number 22 having as good a year this year as any defensive back in the league very tight coverage there from Gary Plummer as well number 50 from his linebacking position Elway threw that one away third down and nine [Applause] gun pass is incomplete Johnson the intended Receiver right at the first down marker but it's no good Gilbert had the coverage and it'll be fourth down and Denver will be kicking again so we've seen about seven catchable balls dropped by these two teams here in the early going and the putters getting a workout here in the first quarter neither team able to generate any kind of an offense Mike Horan the punter Phil McConkey The Return Man [Applause] looking for a block it's not going to be there and he will be brought down to the 28-yard line 35 yards of the kick a yard returns Simon Fletcher makes the tackle let's go to the to the 10-minute ticker and once again as you look at the to see how your favorite team did in the AFC Buffalo Cleveland and Denver in the playoffs Houston is in the playoffs as a wild card they'll be playing either Pittsburgh or Cincinnati that will be decided tomorrow night the Cincinnati Minnesota game and the NFC the Giants are in San Francisco also in Rams and Philadelphia that's the wild card game the other team is either Minnesota if they win if they lose it'll be Green Bay in that Cincinnati Minnesota game tomorrow night San Diego throwing 28-yard line first down [Applause] and he's all over the park today Miller the closest receiver Wyman Henderson had the coverage I'm wondering why San Diego doesn't go back to the running attack that was so effective against Kansas City because Toliver is having a terrible afternoon well they're not able to run it comfortably and I mentioned earlier that Toliver had overthrown a number of his passes during his first four starts watch how far over the head of an open Anthony Miller this pass is you're going to complete that pass you throw it down around his feet let him die for it we have just under two minutes to go in the first period Toliver has thrown 14 passes only three completions and he has two interceptions and some of those weren't close either he has had a number of drops that's a drop he's had four drops here's the scream and it is incomplete Dara Nelson the intended receiver Randy Robin did the coverage with the Broncos defenses saturated the Stream and there is Jim McMahon he's going to stay in town the rest of the week for the Holiday Bowl because his alma mater BYU will be playing against Penn State all says I want to get in a little golf before I head back to Chicago where it's too cold to play this time of the year get much golf in there I don't know that we will see McMahon today that's a question tolliver's the man they want to look at not much percentage in putting McMahon back into this ball game but if I guess if Toliver gets bad enough you might see Henning do that [Applause] [Music] thank you oh Tyler is passes complete a flag is down if it stands up it's Anthony Miller Braxton with a tackle he has the first down Charlie I don't know if we can see it but Carl Mecklenburg just leveled Michael Brooks's own teammate he went up to get a hit on the receiver and Brooks was bumping him and he just knocked him right on his back left side of the play WoW and the penalty is going to go against the Chargers they'll bring it back again the referee is Tom white scheduled to be the headlinesman for this game but due to the sickness of Bob mcelwee he's the Headmaster interference number 83 offense 10 yards third down Anthony Miller gets the call that used to be a few years ago also a loss of down they said that was just too much 10 yards is enough until they get the down over be third and 20. Pro Bowl receiver outstanding year and third down conversions look at those donuts Broncos right up near the top of the league in that category just a fraction behind Miami coming to this game for the AFC lead [Applause] third and 20. Oliver has time goes down field he's got the first down quit early with the reception they'll mark it at the 39 close to the 40. he he got 22. he needed 20. [Applause] Quinn early who missed a lot of ball games Charlie as you mentioned with knee problem glad to be back in the action of course they're matching him up against the receivers who are are against the defensive backs who have done so well during this year for the Denver Broncos [Music] they just had a fine year Nelson is in motion a first down at the 40. but San Diego has decided to live or die by the pass this is a 37-yard line of Denver [Applause] 24 yards so back to back 22 and 24 yard completions for the rookie quarterback back-to-back confidence builders for Toliver who has thrown some real stinkers in this first half comes back with a couple of nice passes and has a drive underway the end of the first quarter is history and we have no score score Heineken amstell lights this is much better than others a delicious nothing compares to this refreshing the richness or the characters to it Heineken is America's number one selling imported beer Amstel Light is America's number one selling imported light beer why just ask the people who drink them I can't say enough about it it's a light no matter how many bridges foreign [Music] the freedom to say and think what we believe is insured by this document join us in supporting the National Archive celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Bill of Rights listen to what they're saying about the Hyundai Sonata the Hyundai Sonata is one of the most powerful cars in its class Road and track interior room and trunk space are outstanding Motor Trend the Sonata has a lot to recommend it car and driver power room value no one of the competitions Green With Envy the Hyundai Sonata we're making more sense than ever right now Factory to Dealer incentives can save you hundreds on a new 1990 Sonata New Year's Day come home to the best in college football and a rematch of a thrilling 1988 sun-kissed Fiesta Bowl the fifth ranked Florida State Seminoles battled the Cornhuskers of number six Nebraska the sun-kissed Fiesta Bowl New Year's Day the best bowls are on NBC Sports [Music] interesting numbers the statistics reflecting exactly what we saw in the first 50 minutes of Play Rather pathetic rather pathetic and uh not great defense just unemotional offense Smithy is out with a groin's brain [Applause] Nelson has four yards to the 33 it'll be second down and six monthford with the tackle you talked earlier about the young Senator Courtney Hall of San Diego for 53 working on 71. we mentioned Craig and going to the Pro Bowl Courtney Hall good hands and good strength there should be a penalty on that one as craigan goes to the face mask that's the kind of infighting that the offensive and defensive linemen go through on every play Courtney Hollis had a fine year really maturing as the leader of this offensive line even though he's the youngest member of this team youngest rookie in the NFL play action fake passes complete Anthony Miller pulls it in Braxton it was Quinn early his number 87 Quinn early the receiver this game is important because we want to go into the playoffs with momentum and positive thoughts well that's the first quarter I don't think the Denver has either one well certainly not the kind of quarter you want to put under your highlight film Charlie and Reeves not a happy man on the sideline I mentioned he has other priorities more important than winning this game but he definitely doesn't want his team to get sloppy here today [Applause] first down at the 26. Walker's in motion [Music] Nelson carries he comes inside maybe a yard that's going to be all it'll be second down and nine Mecklenburg with the tackle along with Simon Fletcher showing some emotion on the sideline not the kind of coach who gives a lot of pep talks Charlie in fact uh has told us over the years that if he has to motivate his players with a pep talk they better go somewhere else he expects his players to motivate themselves but he is animated on the sideline and he will let people know how he feels on the sideline I have a feeling he's going to do some motivation at the halftime we've got a whistle [Applause] [Music] they may want to reset the clock we're checking the 32nd clock youngest head coaches Art Shell at 43. Sam white 44 Dan Reeves at 45. look at the years experience nine years as a head coach 26 years old he was already a player coach for the Dallas Cowboys at 36 years old he took the head job at Denver and has really put together an amazing record only one losing season among those nine and for many years rumored to replace Tom Landry I think he's realized he has a much better situation here than you can find anywhere in the National Football League second and nine knocked away Ron Holmes Holmes who came from Tampa Bay thrilled to be looking at the playoffs hadn't seen one in a long time watch number 90 has really become a dominant Force he's got nine sacks in the last nine games look how quickly is inside Nelson gets a push on him but Holmes goes up that looks like volleyball there this SWAT one of those stops right at the line third down and nine camera work is excellent today we've got a great crew with us we're ready on Christmas Eve we'll celebrate tomorrow third and nine dollar for Far Side he's got Walker and he is out just shy of the first down marker or is that Darren Nelson it was Darren Nelson and Randy Robbins makes a tackle that's the second time that I've misplaced it well as numbers those zeros look alike watch this play Toliver showing you some of the arm strength we mentioned earlier this is the kind of play that Elway makes with regularity the defensive back Randy Robbins figured he was close enough to close the door on Dara Nelson but Toliver with great arm strength got the ball there before Robbins could even move fourth down and one this is the kind of ball game you go for Chargers motivation to end the season with a victory and his butts he's got him [Applause] he had the first down of second effort gave him an extra yard and a half this crowd responds with Arthur Cox out of the game they've had to go to using Tim Spencer at the HVAC position Spencer not nearly as big as Cox who's a an extra tackle or guard in there and not as experienced in the blocking patterns that will hurt San Diego's Run game today Charlie Spencer goes off to the Left Flank and it's the first down at the 15. what's the remaining back this is now in motion he becomes the lead blocker and a couple of yard for butts to the 13. second down and eight Mark Munford with the tackle what does that do because suspicious Reed doesn't that work that much as an h-man well he's had to practice the position he knows the responsibilities but you're spotting quite a bit of weight on that situation 233 for Spencer not a small back but Cox is up around 280. well that's about 50 pounds difference one of the game going on along with ours in the National Football League this afternoon and the 49ers and the early lead there here we have no score 10 57 and Counting time remaining in the first half [Music] [Applause] the Mellow [Applause] he is out just shy about a foot away from the goal line 12 yards one of the ways to attack a good defense Charlie is to attack their strength this Denver defense very quick at reacting they get them to key to the sweep and then hit them with the reverse right there good blocking on the outside Simon Fletcher nailed inside the rookie Atwater gets over there along with Mumford and I think it was Mumford finally that knocked him out you see the Defenders going to their left and there's the opening to the outside Spencer number fifth 43 with the final block right there on Atwater to get him close to the goal line now they are reviewing the end of the play and we do not have an angle that's going to be decisive here watch Mumford he'll be the man who knocks Miller out coming in right there and it's of course as you know Braxton that's Braxton not that's 34. I thought it was 51. to nine seconds thank you they're looking at as everybody knows by now it's the position of the ball if he breaks the plane of the goal but we really don't have you know an angle that's going to show that yeah we gave them as much as we had Tom Kelleher the replay official yes Mumford was there along with Braxton but they have that ball bumped up against the goal line and Denver's defense with their feet and San Diego takes the time out that stops the clock 10-43 left to go we're in the second quarter we have no score between Denver and San Diego a gorgeous Christmas Eve we have a heat wave the the weather yesterday was a an all-time record high and I think today will be a record high I think it's going to reach to the mid 80s Charlie knowing that this broadcast is going out to some parts of the country where the weather has not only been freezing places like Denver for example last Friday seven o'clock in the morning 18 degrees below zero don't pack your cars and come out folks it's not always this pretty here and sometimes we have earthquakes out here too we better pass that log that's in Northern California here it is always like this yeah we certainly we almost feel guilty seeing the temperatures at the other game sites today and being here enjoying the beauty of this San Diego day and now they're resetting to the 32nd clock and we're going to have a little bit of a miscommunication today one of the reasons we have the rookie referee Tom white when uh when he came to the ballpark he thought he was going to be the headlinesman but due to uh Bob mcelwee uh the referee is sick and so the the change there gym Poole placed him at the headlinesman position now a lot of people replacing other people on the field today including the referee [Applause] foreign [Applause] Michael Brooks number 56 one of the tacklers there 58 along with him that's Scotty Curtis at the bottom watch this great defensive play they get Butts turned sideways good surge inside you'll see 56 Brooks right there he has a hole of him from the backside and Curtis had his legs he was going nowhere Mecklenburg also there losing about a yard and a half on that play they're further away than they started moments ago this drive starting at the San Diego 28. and here is bus diving and he is turned away again it'll be third down and goal to go 61 Townsend I think the first man to hit him there Charlie but again lots of white shirted Denver Broncos this is I think the area in which this Denver defense has improved most the physical nature of their defensive play and look at that cost from a 97 there along with Townsend number 61 and Brooks again Brooks again Brooks having a great year this year very important in the performance of this defense not so much the scheme they just line up and come out Tokyo third down go to go they'll stop him again [Applause] Dan Reeves wants some very positive things to look at in this game he's got one here in that goal line stand big play Spencer trying to lead the blocking again for the 250 pound Marion butts but look at that swarm of white shirted Defenders it was first and goal at the one second and goal at the two third and goal at the one fourth and goal at the fourth they're going the wrong way Charlie 22-yard field goal attempt second of the day he missed an early one thank you [Applause] [Music] and it is good the cannon makes it official and the Chargers lead it three it's another announcing a new generation of owner satisfaction we're so sure you'll love your new Oldsmobile we'll let you return it within 30 days or 1500 miles if you don't who else does that unlike some Oddities Oldsmobiles covers just one part this is the part Oldsmobile now offers roadside assistance Around the Clock even in places where there aren't any clocks the Oldsmobile Edge there's nothing else like it that's some more Park ing less than the Full Tilt Taste of extra gold hey this is one tough beer another tip never shoot pool with a guy that brings his own stick a nice shot thanks happy holidays from all of us at Angel Soft and Georgia Pacific [Music] interstate battery power starts up strong and keeps on going to find an interstate battery dealer near you [Music] the city government is being run by bugs who leave murder in their past don't worry I'll handle that you're being pursued by an Alien Nation and the only way to go is down don't worry I'll handle that you've got to save America's future and we're giving you two gorgeous girls to do it with don't worry communion is coming Friday roll 36 . this is Charlie Jones and Merlin Olson in the sunshine in San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium and the Chargers work on this and they use this kickoff formation now they'll use it for an onsides kick they show it a lot early so they can go either way on it great guy to want the return team to think about things [Applause] and he returns to the 27-yard line let's go back to that defensive stand Charlie good goal line defense his penetration watch the way this Denver defense will knock the offensive line back and then watch the linebackers penetrating to make the play as they sort their way through first The Surge by the blue helmets and you see them knocking San Diego's offensive line back now watch the linebackers quickly penetrating 56 Brooks the first to get there along with 58 Scotty Curtis again and Brooks continues to play a brilliant game in the goal line situations anyway I'd hesitate to say brilliant about anybody here today Elway the little shuttle pass back underneath to Bobby Humphrey Dan Reeves told us he was going to make a decision on the John Elway at the end of the first quarter he obviously made the decision he wants to play some of the seconds well I think he's so unhappy with the performance of this offense in the first quarter that he's going to keep Elway on the field and hoping that this offense will ignite get things going a little bit he said he didn't have it hard and fast that Elway would only play a quarter but he wanted to get him out of the game as soon as possible second down and six Mel Bratton and Bobby Humphrey are the running backs like Elway has all the time in the world the past complete to Vance Johnson they'll mark it to the 40-yard line Vance Johnson one of those that deserved at least an opportunity at that Pro Bowl he's had 71 passes coming into this game on the season catches a beautiful shot here a mentioned again working one-on-one on Gil Byrd the best of the Defenders for this San Diego secondary and he had beaten bird cleanly on that little comeback pattern [Music] reporting [Music] three jumps to the outside and goes to the 48-yard line it'll be second down and two Vincy Glenn with a tackle great running backs just have a way of knowing where the opportunities are and then taking advantage very quickly Humphrey has good eyes and good acceleration just jumps out into the open there and picks up about eight yards before they bring him down police reports of security no way to throw it is low to the right side to Humphrey it's incomplete [Applause] it'll be third down and two you know something else that Denver is going to do today and that is they're going to show a few wrinkles a few things because the next team that plays him in two weeks this is the game they're going to come back and look at so they're going to give a couple things just to let them think about it coaches love to do that say well they got to spend 30 minutes on this and 30 minutes on that this will Buck them a little so we'll put it in and make sure that we run it to be a little bit embarrassing to have people looking at numbers like that for Elway in this Bronco offense here in the first part of this ball game [Applause] the pass is complete Clarence K as the first down 14 yards Elway is not the Sprinter he was as a rookie but he is still a very mobile quarterback a little naked role there and even though he's got pressure from the outside he just flips that ball downfield and Clarence K does a good job of getting extra yardage he already had the first down when he caught the ball and Les Miller makes it tackle at the 38-yard line San Diego leading it here by a score of three to nothing and right now for a news update let's go to NBC news in New York City we interrupt this program for an NBC News special report here is Mary Alice Williams NBC News has just learned that Panamanian dictator General Manuel Noriega has been found just a few minutes ago we received reports that Noriega who'd been on the Run since the U.S invaded late Wednesday night has turned himself into the papal nuncio in Panama that is the equivalent of the Vatican Embassy Noriega apparently asking for political Asylum there here is General Maxwell Thurman head of the U.S Southern command uh a few minutes ago we received a report that Mr Noriega had presented himself at the papal noon sieriat and turned himself in for political Asylum now you know all I know so do you believe this report I have the report and I'm acting on the basis that it is true [Music] that's all I'm going to say is what I said yes could you tell me what is the Paper Moon cereal the papal nuncio is of course Pope John Paul II representative in Panama the annunciariat uh the equivalent of an embassy from the Vatican to the government of Panama NBC News will keep you posted on this very important development one of the the top strategies and goals of the U.S invasion in Panama as soon as more information comes in I'm Mary Alice Williams this has been an NBC News special report we now rejoin the program already in progress and while you are away the Denver Broncos have just taken the lead from 12 yards out a little shuttle pass to this man Bobby Humphrey will show that to you right after the extra point attempt by David Treadwell [Applause] [Music] and Denver goes up by a score of 7-3 cloud quick little shuttle pass right here underhanded flick right there to Humphrey who has no trouble getting in but the most interesting part of this play which we'll show you in a few moments was Elway's confrontation with our referee we'll come back after this commercial and we'll give you a look at that if you don't want to slow down on your way to the top because you know to make a beer as refreshing as a mountain stream you gotta start with a mountain stream [Music] when a night on the town might last all night call for The Taste perverted better night spots the Silver Bullet the one that won't slow you down it's the right fear now you wanna deal well here comes the bill now get low 4.8 APR financing for up to 48 months on all new Cutlass Supremes [Music] it's oldsmobile's new generation celebration we've made it possible for our Gamers to pass along millions of dollars to their customers on all other models hurry these deals won't last forever [Music] made up my mind I'm gonna do it why shouldn't I I'm the one who has to look at myself in the mirror every morning so before I lose another hair I'm going to the doctor I know doctors have treatment programs that have proven to work more guys are trying them every day I'm not bad now but I wouldn't mind looking better your doctor can really do something about hair loss so see your doctor or call this toll-free number 72 yards on the scoring Drive in eight plays and it took only 223. for Denver to take the lead 7-3 now with 5 56 time remaining in the first half and David Treadwell will be kicking off Jamie Holland and Anthony Miller are the two Return Man and we look for number 83 Anthony Miller to be the return man we mentioned earlier he needs two returns to qualify for the leadership and kickoff returns in the league he needs to average around 25 yards of return he got 24 the first time out and when head coach Dan Henning told us about this yesterday we said any chance that Jamie Holland will return He said not the first two you can count on that you better believe it foreign yes he will Holland hands it off to him but he wishes he hadn't given him that one that's going to be a very short return let's go back Charlie to that last play you're going to see Leslie O'Neal 91 come in and knock Elway right on his back now watch the play turn it loose and watch O'Neal coming in from the right hand side of your screen the ball is gone one two clearly a late hit now watch Elway he's going to jump up keep her rolling keep it rolling what shall we jumps up and he's right in the face of Tom white he continued that confrontation on for quite a while toward the sideline furious with the new referee for not calling roughness on that play and Charlie he's right he is right The Return by the way for Anthony Miller was 15 yards [Music] and Tolliver comes out throwing in it's interception Randy Robbins Billy Joe Toliver had five touchdowns and only four interceptions coming into the day that's his third interception of this afternoon one more he'll have equaled his four from the four games in which he has started this is just a bad pass and a good Jump by Randy Robbins and I'm sure Charlie the rookie is looking at his receiver all away which is deadly when you play against a good defensive backfield and Gary Kubiak is now the quarterback for Denver so as soon as Elway took the Broncos on that touchdown Drive Reeves made the change he said he wanted Kubiak to get some more time when the game was still on [Applause] the law and Mel goes to about the 38-yard line back to that John Elway play and I want to say I want a word or two as the council for the defense of the referee the end of the play and we're concerned about 91 less O'Neill you see O'Neill one one and a half two generally watch y'all wait out El way up absolutely Furious well he's right with Tom white oh he's right he's absolutely right and it should have been caught Charlie I have a word for the defense not a not a big word it's a little word Mel Bratton close to the first down and while they checked that out you have a referee who is a headlinesman and as a headlinesman has specific responsibilities looking in specific areas he is not used to first time he's ever been a river he's not used to looking for that now he will be aware of it he wasn't aware of it now he will be aware of it that's that's fair he was wrong that's fair you know but in his defense very fair he'll remember it yes but but my client Still Still loses much like the learning that young quarterbacks do much like the learning that Billy Joe Toliver is doing today it's painful yes third down and one [Applause] and Denver has the first down and at this point we we feel that we're going to see you that was Bobby Humphrey caring we'll start seeing a mix of running backs we expect to see Sammy Winder we expect to see Jeff Alexander working in and out of there all the time plumber and Phillips making the last tackle and it's the first down to the 34-yard line [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] oh three is going to lose a couple [Applause] Bert Grossman and Leslie O'Neal were waiting for them check out all the scores in case you joined us late here is another reminder in the playoffs in the AFC Buffalo Cleveland and Denver Houston is in as a wild card they will play either Pittsburgh or Cincinnati depending on the outcome of the game tomorrow night Cincinnati at Minnesota in the NFC the Giants are in San Francisco also in Rams at Philadelphia in the wild card and the other Division champion will be either Minnesota or Green Bay depending upon the outcome of the game tomorrow night Bonnie Smith in for Jim jurga left guard Charlie throw second down rolls throws the receiver Michael Young had to come back and is not going to have the first down he had it at about the 24 yard line but came back to help out the quarterback and is going to be about a yard shy of the first down Gilbert at the coverage one of the blocks that Dan Reeves has used to help rebuild this offense and Michael Young a plan B acquisition from the Rams has been much more effective as a Bronco than he ever was as a ram he's caught 21 passes but a lot of those have been very big plays he seems to have increased his speed here and he loves catching the ball from Elway of course he's catching him from Kubiak he likes that too Charlie third down and one at the 25. [Applause] Vermeil Bratton and his Gary Plummer the leading tackler for San Diego along with pro bowler Leslie O'Neal Charlie we showed that car up on blocks earlier that car that belonged to Lester Lyles it was Gary Plummer Lyles had hidden plumber's car early in the year so Plummer got even he got he got Lyle's keys they took his car out by the practice field they took the wheels off put it up on blocks they said they were going to put the four wheels back where the car was originally that was too mean but football players are a little bit cruel that was Gary Plummer's way of getting even with Lester Lyles and we'll take the countdown to the two minute warning the score is Denver 7 and San Diego three will be back in a moment I got a phone call this morning from one of our oldest customers he fired us after 20 years he fired us said he didn't know us anymore I think I know why we used to do business with a handshake face to face now it's a phone call and a fax get back to you later with another facts probably well folks something's got to change that's why we're gonna set out our little face-to-face chat with every customer we have but Ben that's got to be over 200 cities I don't care if you're the kind of business that still believes personal service deserves a lot more than lip service welcome to United Larry Lewis that's the way we've been doing business for over 60 years Ben where are you going to visit that old friend who fired us this morning United come fly the friendly Skies [Music] once there were a few proud men men of Adventure men of Courage men who knew the meaning of Honor there still are the Marines we're looking for a Few Good Men well for all of those on Christmas Eve that face the same problem that I always face we didn't get our cards out in time Earl and I were going to send one to each of you but we figure we'd save a little money and we have our Christmas card here a very lovely Christmas card and not only does it look pretty you love it Christmas greetings everyone 43-yard field goal attempt by David Treadwell [Applause] and it is no good it is off to the side so the score remains Denver seven all right hold it hold it hold it hold it there's a flag I thought we were going away and it's against San Diego it will give Denver a first down they'll have the opportunity to continue this drive personal foul and Dan Henning can't believe it Gunter Cunningham is defensive line coach in front of him there are they saying it was on Leslie O'Neill well we know Leslie O'Neill is not happy he's not happy we know that and we will receive the official word personal foul on the play personal foul defense Hands To The Head after the kick post possession half the distance to the goal line first down San Diego it is a post-possession foul that is after the kick so possession had already changed and San Diego had possession and so San Diego's offense will come out on the field no no Charlie no they're giving it back well yes they are you're right Denver's offense was still out on the field well we had it would appear that it might be Grossman number 92 working inside on Monty Smith number 65 but that may be unfair to Grossman since the referee didn't call it maybe we better not do that but you're right Charlie if it's post possession the ball has been given up and they've got to let San Diego have the ball the officials meeting on the sideline to make sure that they are all in sync on that decision to buy Leslie O'Neill class of 46 row 41 is sent to 22. we have a personal foul post possession fighter receivers they were entitled to the ball at the 26th half the distance puts it on the third 13th first down the reason of course you know is you follow pro football is that they had given up the ball on the field goal attempts what's he kick it and so after that it's called post possession so that our possession had changed but it was interesting because at one time we had both offenses out on the field both ready to snap the ball that would have been an interesting matchup there early Dan Reeves is discussing this and meanwhile we'll take a timeout 156 left to go first half Denver leads it seven to three announcing a new generation of owner satisfaction we're so sure you'll love your new Oldsmobile we'll let you return it within 30 days or 1500 miles if you don't who else does that unlike some Oddities Oldsmobiles covers just one part this is the part Oldsmobile now offers roadside assistance Around the Clock even in places where there aren't any clocks the Oldsmobile Edge there's nothing else like it the network it's the most powerful tool in business today at GTE we can put that power in your hands the power of a personalized Communications Network designed for the success of your business alone growth of your business the prosperity of your business we've done it for others we'll do it for you because at GTE the power is on this December things are really heating up heating up at every GM division each dealer is out to make December hotter than ever before deals like 4.8 APR GMAC financing for 48 months or cash back up to 750 on the roomy new Sedan and Sport coupe the Chevrolet Lumina yes this December is incredibly hot at every GM division it's GM's hot December come feel the heat come home to the best in college football as Auburn battles Ohio State in the Hall of Fame Bowl then number five Florida State takes on sixth ranked Nebraska at the Fiesta Bowl and a game that will determine the national championship as number one Colorado battles fourth ranked Notre Dame at the Orange Bowl New Year's Day the best bowls are on NBC San Diego's ball first down at their own 13-yard line 156 time remaining in the first half and this is Dara Nelson coming to the outside Toliver to throw he goes deep to Miller it is incomplete Kip Corrington broke it up [Applause] [Music] we've been told that it was not Bert Grossman on that penalty but Joe Phillips instead and here's Phillips number 75 let's watch him on that attempted field goal he drives into his man number 65 Bonnie Coleman and drives that's weidel I think 67 and he's got the hands right in the face you see him with the hands to the face they're saying that that was after the ball was kicked so Phillips who's about 300 pounds driving on the rookie and just put the hands up to the face of Doug whitel thank you polymer incomplete caliber now in the first half seven of 23 113 yards and three interceptions and seven overthrows and about four drops and a partridge in a pear tree Charlie I don't think it's the first half that he's gonna mark down as his favorite time and there's somebody who will help him to remember some of the rough spots because Dan Henning wanting very much to see this young rookie with all of his strength his leadership capabilities reminds a lot of people of Sonny Jurgensen young Sonny Jurgensen but uh Sunny threw the ball a little better than Billy's throwing it today third down [Music] has the first down Anthony Miller pulls it in Carrington with the tackle 14 yards first down they'll come out quickly and they'll go right back to the line no huddle two minute offense 127 and Counting Denver leads it 7-3 caliber goes deep far side and he overthrows eighth overthrow Anthony Miller the attended receiver your Pro Bowl receiver and you feature him as much as you can and Dan Henning I'm sure eager to see his season finish properly they played a very fine game last week against Kansas City many felt and I think we were certainly among that group that Kansas City playing some of the best football in the league in the last part of the season I thought they were headed for the playoffs they certainly looked to be that way but they went back last week and Henning's Chargers just really carved them up really carved them up offensively and defense even more impressive San Diego warm weather team against Kansas City a cold weather team and it was a cold day reverse Miller at the square block the same play that they came close to scoring on and Anthony Miller showing some excellent running ability the play designed to go left there were just too many defensive bodies there and Anthony Miller will bring it all the way back across the field watch this number 83 right there no room outside he goes back against the grain and Toliver gets a good block on the far side that was Nelson that picked one up too all right Toliver got a block himself so the rookie quarterback getting his licks in on the day for the Chargers 12 games have been decided by seven points or less and they won only three of those 12. now they have had an extremely disappointing season I'll tell you Charlie they're much better than the the five and ten record that they support right now 25 yards in their last play to the Denver 45 and this pass is complete to McEwen and Randy Robbins makes the tackle 38. we've got a timeout we have exactly one minute left to go in the first half Denver seven San Diego three the Chargers on the move and let's check in and see what's going to happen at halftime well of course it'll be NFL live O.J and Bob Costas and the headlines of NFL live Al Davis his Raiders need an intimate stadium has a home for the 90s 90 000 is a nice intimate number and I've just made that up Sam white just he's 61-7 win over Houston orders last week affected the Oilers last night Bobby beathard Cowboys will disbandal scouting system Jimmy Johnson responsible and there they are O.J Bob the first and fourth of the Insiders and Bob and O.J scores and highlights Tom Brokaw with the latest update on what is going on worldwide dramatic times for us Charlie they point to the insignificance of our trivial battles on this Green carpet in front of us don't they they really do you you're absolutely right [Applause] at the 38 [Music] Oliver now he's on target Anthony Miller hurry up offense again first down 15 more yards again a power pass you can almost visualize Elway locking on the receiver and rifling that ball [Applause] Iver looks bumps hasn't had all the load ever thrown here experience Billy Joe you need to temper it down and just locked it over the top good fake here watch the long arm think that's what sets up the play the second move breaks the receiver open the defender clearly beaten but you just got to drop that ball in there Billy Joe will watch that one many times and he'll say come on now come on now gotta make that play Nelson was wide open his ninth overthrow in the first half 35 seconds left to go in the first half Denver seven San Diego three typo picking up a little bit after a very sluggish first quarter Toliver getting into a better rhythm in that particular drive too needs to finish it up and too much time no he just stops the clock he didn't like what he saw or was it too much time the reset on the clock Charlie down below and Toliver just stepped away he just puts the ball on the ground he was out of time and decided that's the best thing to do and then a quick regroup he's only got 35 seconds left that's the 30 second clock that you're looking at there the game clock is 35 35 seconds so we've got enough time for a couple of plays has pressure Carl Mecklenburg big number 77 right on tolliver's Heels Mecklenburg going back to the Pro Bowl again 77. well I tell you those sevens have been lucky for Denver there are two of them on Carl mecklenburg's back and Elway where's the other one Mecklenburg and Elway playing in their 100th games today for these Broncos he's been running a bit this heat I'll tell you the heat hurts a team that practices in the cold even though they've been working inside in their Dome it's cold there and your conditioning tends to fail you a little bit late in the year Chris Barr 42-yard field goal attempt and he has it [Applause] so he has hit from 22 and 42 and missed from 52 and San Diego has pulled within one with 25 seconds left to go in the first half and on Saturday January the 13th Sports World takes you to beautiful Honolulu Hawaii you and I are going to be there tell me about it we'll be doing The Telecast but you played in the hula Bowl tell me how that game is Charlie I played in the hula bowl back in 1962 and a chance to play in the old stadium there not as nice as the new one and they had a storm that night it got sore that afternoon it got so wet that we were all covered with this thick gooey mud you couldn't recognize the guys on your own team I knocked down one of my own teammates on an interception I thought he was coming and I was going to block him he said hey I'm on your side but I'm looking forward to going back and I loved playing in that game it was going to be that way I don't want to go with you no it's I won't knock my teammates down I promise Charlie an exciting time for these college seniors getting a chance to play against the best [Applause] to the 20. as a nice return out across the 30-yard line and be sure to be with us on Championship money we'll start off with the Hall of Fame Bowl Auburn Ohio State Merlin I will be at the Fiesta Bowl along with Jimmy cefalo in Nebraska Florida State the Orange Bowl Colorado and Notre Dame oh those are three great ball games All-Stars January 1st coverage beginning at 1 pm eastern time and Bob and O.J and the Insiders will all be hosting it from the site of the Orange Bowl I know that a lot of people listening us to us today uh Bluffs fans for those the whole state of Colorado is ready to go Gotta believe that they are excited their team already in Miami to try and practice in some of that warm weather and I'm excited for them I think it's a great and I think it's just great for the for the school in the state just a final ad it's cold in Miami right now they're having a cold wave down there snowed in Tallahassee I wonder Florida State to down there probably saying what in the world is going down Colorado is bringing their own weather with us brought it with them and there is the official countdown it is halftime sluggage first quarter some action in the second period the Denver Broncos seven and Elway to Humphrey 12-yard pass and a pair of field goals for San Diego Denver seven San Diego six it is halftime on Christmas Eve hi I'm Joe Morris you know one of the most exciting things to see is Young athletes with real talent [Music] oh one hurts you how do you tell a kid that he's going blind how do you tell a kid that he's got to trade in his football and his playbook for Braille lessons in a cane how do you tell a kid that he's inherited RP and there's no cure yet what are you telling that people he doesn't even know are helping people like you [Music] [Applause] support the RP Foundation support it as if your eyesight depended on it yeah call the RP Foundation fighting blindness at 800-638-2300 the preceding message furnished by the National Football League stay tuned for NFL live after these messages from your local station [Music] Tuesday is it magic or is it murder nothing is as it seems only Matlock the great can find the key to a shocking mystery at some tricks a magical Matlock then a sex scandal and a deadly Intruder put tids on trial you have nothing concrete In The Heat Of The Line followed by midnight caller Tuesday we get the Toyota Camry because we both need a car with a lot of room this is Martino has like about 10 Styles and suitcases full of junk she packs in their comfort trips when we travel Pat and I both have a lot of stuff but it's never a problem loading the Camry Mr Martino has like about one suitcase this big but he gets to drive [Music] when they see you buffaloes bring home the Orange Bowl be with your Buffalo station since 1984. news 4's Ron zappolo Bob Palmer Bill Stewart Peter wilgotten Mark McIntosh bring you daily direct from Team headquarters from the practice field to the parade to the 1989 Orange Bowl only one station has it all News 4 your official Orange Bowl station season greetings from the Denver Broncos and channel 4. welcome back to our NFL live studios in New York Bob Costas along with O.J Simpson Merry Christmas once again everybody Denver leading San Diego in the game you're watching 7-6 at halftime the Broncos trying to finish it 12-4 which would be three more victories than anybody else in the conference yeah well the interesting thing about Denver is that by winning and having the best record they may get the toughest game their first game in the playoffs they could very well end up playing Houston a team that Bobby beathard thinks can beat him or Cincinnati a team that we know has a talent to beat anybody all right quickly through all the scores here beginning with that Denver score of 7-6 over San Diego Chicago is playing at San Francisco 49ers will have the best record in all of football they're trying to finish up at 14-2 Joe Montana throws a 29-yard touchdown pass to Jerry Rice for Rice his 17th TD of the Year Dalton Hilliard leads the NFL he has 18 for New Orleans 16-nothing San Francisco at halftime the Bears in Jeopardy of closing the year with six consecutive defeats now these are all finals from earlier today the Giants clinched the NFC east and eliminate the Raiders from Wild Card consideration 34-17 at The Meadowlands this was a big play the rookie kick returner Dave Megan who is going to the Pro Bowl takes the Raiders first punt of the game early in the first quarter breaks tackles slips tackles and there he goes 76 yards for the TD the Raiders fought back tied it at 17 at halftime but the Giants dominated in the second half and won it and with it they took the title in the NFC East leaving Philadelphia to settle for a wild card which they claim by beating Phoenix 31-14 in Philadelphia the Eagles go 11-5 Phoenix 5-11 lost their last sixth straight including the last five after they fired Gene Stallings Kansas City beat Miami twice this year Head to Head neither team going to the playoffs 27-24 is the final there 98 yards on the ground for Christian Okoye who finishes with 1480 and that leads the national football League 10 yards better than Barry Sanders the great rookie for the Detroit Lions we'll tell you about Sanders in just a minute Indianapolis could have been a wild card they didn't need any help all they had to do was win at New Orleans today it didn't happen not by a long shot it was close at the half 10-6 but the Saints romp in the second half 41-6 neither team going to the playoffs Pittsburgh with a shot at making it to the playoffs after that disastrous start when they were outscored 92-10 in their first two defeats they finished the year at nine and seven they win today at Tampa Bay 31-22 Green Bay is 10-6 Dallas 1 and 15 for the year 20-10 the final score today in Dallas the lone victory for Jimmy Johnson's team this year deprives the Washington Redskins of a trip to the playoffs the LA Rams clinch a wild card they go 11-5 they had to sweat at New England Greg Bell rushed for over 200 yards including a three-yard run in the waning seconds to give them the lead at 24-20 but Steve Grogan brought the Patriots down the field got them first and goal at the five with nine seconds to go the first two pass is fell incomplete now this one as time expires back in the end zone no good double zeros on the clock this is the Packer locker room in Dallas they were hoping for a ram loss which would have given them another Avenue to the playoffs as it is now they can't be a wild card their only chance is to be the champions of the NFC Central if the Vikings lose tomorrow night at home against the Bengals Detroit and Atlanta Detroit wins this one 31-24 before a crowd of 7792 smallest in Falcon history Atlanta finishes 3-13 they will get the first pick upcoming in the college draft Barry Sanders had 158 yards on the ground today and three touchdowns the Heisman Trophy winner in his rookie season rushes for 1470 yards just 10 back of Christian Okoye for the league rushing title now to the playoff picture we start with the AFC these teams have clinched the Broncos the bills and the Browns as division Champions the Oilers though they lost their last two get a wild card at nine and seven they clinched it when the Colts lost at New Orleans today who will the other wild card team be it'll be the Bengals if they beat the Vikings tomorrow night at the Metrodome if the Bengals lose then the Steelers of the wild card if the Steelers get in they play at Houston in the wild card game if the Bengals get in what a match up to savor Glanville and weish renewing acquaintances just two weeks after the 61-7 demolition at Riverfront the Oilers would come back to Cincinnati now to the NFC we go these teams have clinched the 49ers and the Giants as champions of the West and the East respectively the Eagles and the Rams are the Wild Card teams the only thing left to decide is the champion of the NFC Central the team that finishes second here cannot be a wild card the second place finisher will be eliminated the Vikings get the title if they beat Cincinnati tomorrow night if however they stumble then the Packers move into the playoffs as champions of the NFC Central we will see you next Sunday we don't know the starting time yet for the AFC wild card game OJ will join me along with the Insiders Bobby beathard and Ralph Wiley it's either Pittsburgh at Houston or Houston at Cincinnati I'm going to take a station break here when we come back and turn it over to Tom Brokaw of NBC News there are new developments in the situation in Panama and we'll get to that following these messages from your local stations [Music]