Front Page

UK

World

Business

Sci/Tech

Sport

Despatches

World Summary


On Air

Cantonese

Talking Point

Feedback

Low Graphics

Help

Site Map

Monday, January 12, 1998 Published at 05:54 GMT



Sport

Packers bounce back to Super Bowl

The Green Bay Packers are looking to clinch their second straight Super Bowl title after a 23-10 victory over San Francisco in the National Conference title game.


Todd Ant reports on the two games and looks ahead to Super Bowl 32 (0'48")
The Packers will try to win their fourth overall Super Bowl when they meet the Denver Broncos at San Diego on January 25.


[ image: Packers safety Eugene Robinson escapes the grasp of San Francisco 49ers tight end Brent Jones]
Packers safety Eugene Robinson escapes the grasp of San Francisco 49ers tight end Brent Jones
Brett Favre, who earned National Football League's Most Valuable Player honours for the third time this season, passed for 222 yards and a touchdown.

Dorsey Levens then rushed for 114 yards and a score as the Packers cancelled out the home team's running game to beat the 49ers at a rainy 3Com Park.

"We knew by watching the weather it was going to get tough in the second half," said Favre. "I just put the ball out there and my receivers did a great job."


[ image: 49ers running back Chuck Levy is brought down by Green Bay Packers Mike Prior]
49ers running back Chuck Levy is brought down by Green Bay Packers Mike Prior
Green Bay, who eliminated the 49ers from the play-offs for the third straight year, beat New England 35-21 in Super Bowl 31 last January.

The Packers last won consecutive National Football League championships when they captured Super Bowls 1 and 2 under legendary coach Vince Lombardi.

The last repeat NFL champion was the Dallas Cowboys, whose five Super Bowl titles included back-to-back wins after the 1992 and 1993 seasons.

Formidable lead

The Broncos are returning to the Super Bowl for the first time in eight years thanks to a 24-21 victory over Pittsburgh in the American Conference title game.

John Elway touched down twice in the final moments of the first half to help Denver build a 24-14 lead that the Steelers could not overcome.


[ image: Terrell Davis broke off a 19-yard run with under 50 seconds left to seal the Broncos' win]
Terrell Davis broke off a 19-yard run with under 50 seconds left to seal the Broncos' win
The Steelers were hosting the AFC title game for the third time in four years under coach Bill Cowher. Pittsburgh lost to San Diego 17-13 in the 1994 AFC title game, but defeated Indianapolis 20-16 to reach Super Bowl 30 two years ago.

This time Elway and the Broncos earned their first Super Bowl appearance since a 55-10 loss to San Francisco in Super Bowl 24 in January of 1990.

Elway, who has lost three Super Bowls, returns to the National Football League championship game at the age of 37 thanks to a strong running game led by AFC rushing champion Terrell Davis.


[ image: Denver Broncos fans embrace wide receiver Rod Smith after their team's win over Pittsburgh Steelers]
Denver Broncos fans embrace wide receiver Rod Smith after their team's win over Pittsburgh Steelers
The only score of the second half was a 15-yard touchdown pass from Pittsburgh quarterback Kordell Stewart to Charles Johnson that pulled the Steelers within 24-21 with a couple of minutes left in the fourth quarter.

Since Pittsburgh had all three time-outs left, Cowher opted not to attempt an on-side kick. But after the two-minute warning on a 3rd-and-6 play, Elway drilled an 18-yard pass to tight end Shannon Sharpe to the Denver 33.

Since the wild card system was instituted in 1970, only four wild card teams had advanced to the Super Bowl: the 1975 Dallas Cowboys, the 1980 Oakland Raiders, the 1985 New England Patriots and the 1992 Bills.The Raiders are the only wild card team to win the Super Bowl.


 





Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage

©

  Relevant Stories

05 Jan 98 | Sport
Green Bay send Tampa packing

04 Jan 98 | Sport
49ers and Steelers power on

 
  Internet Links

NFL.com

NFL Players Association


The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
 
In this section

Collins calls it a day for Scots

Quins fightback shocks Cardiff

Christie could get two-year ban

From Health
Footballers 'receive poor medical care'

Plucky England hang around

Derby double swoop fails

European Cup starts with a bang

Spain maintain narrow lead

From Special Report
Keegan accused over late night

The next Battle of Britain

McIlroy tipped for NI role

Saqlain stars in Aussie collapse

White Rose rivals meet again

Keane talks to resume

League to rule on Sky shares

From Special Report
We'll be back for World Cup - Brown

From Special Report
Cheers and tears for Scotland

From Special Report
Keegan insists England can triumph

Solanki breathes life into draw

From Special Report
I've rarely seen anything worse

From Special Report
An almost unbelievable turnaround

Milestone for McGrath against Pakistan

Faldo's caddie dumps her bag

Irish to appeal after brawl

British Rally route and maps





Sport Contents