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00:00:00I, yeah, I think they can. You know, especially with Osiason out now, they got that thing, they're probably settled down now, they'll come out in the second half, but it's an uphill battle.
00:00:11Alright, the NFL Today will continue on CBS after these messages from your local stations.
00:00:15Welcome back to Sullivan Stadium here in Foxborough, Massachusetts, where the New England Patriots have a 17-3 lead over the Detroit Lions here at halftime.
00:00:36And hello again, everybody. I'm Jim Hill, along with John Dockery. And, John, I'm wondering your comments, because you grew up in this area, and this is like old home weight to you.
00:00:44It certainly is, Jim. I think it's the Patriots just being alive and excited about the possibility of a playoff. They believe in their team. They have an outstanding defensive club.
00:00:52They have Tony Eason back at quarterback, and you can feel him getting some of his confidence back. He had a good first half, and a good first half running the ball and mixing their offense with a balanced attack.
00:01:03And speaking of Tony Eason, it was his scramble in the first quarter that led him to the first touchdown.
00:01:07You know, Jim, you and I both know that you cannot play offense in the NFL these days in 1985 unless you have mobility, agility.
00:01:15Tony Eason shows it here. He's looking downfield. He can't find anybody, so he tucks it away and takes it in for a 16-yard touchdown. Patriots led 7-0.
00:01:24That, Jim, after Mark Nichols' fumble helped to give the Bats the ball.
00:01:28Not only is Eason doing a fine job of running the ball, he's also doing a great job of passing the ball.
00:01:3310 of 14 for 102 yards, one touchdown pass. That went a 6-yarder to Derek Ramsey.
00:01:38You know, he likes the tight end. It's the kind of offensive man that he wants. Take a look at it here, left side of your screen.
00:01:43You'll see Derek Ramsey, good fake on Frizzell, come inside, touchdown. That's 14-0 Patriots on top.
00:01:51Kind of strange, the first touchdown reception by a New England Patriots tight end so far this year.
00:01:55It certainly is. And you know what, Jim, it's consistent with the Lions.
00:01:59They've had trouble keeping their hands on the ball all year long. They've been under in time of possession.
00:02:04This afternoon, the Patriots have the ball about twice as much as the Lions, so when you don't have the ball, you can't score.
00:02:10And plus, they don't have a big play offense.
00:02:12Now, there's a full house here this afternoon. Let's talk about what the Lions and the Patriots will and should do this afternoon in the second half.
00:02:19Well, I think the Lions have to open up their offense. Certainly, Hipple has to step back and throw the ball.
00:02:24They can't rely on James Jones. He has to try to get the ball downfield to Leonard Thompson and Mark Nichols.
00:02:29If he doesn't do that, they're going to be in deep trouble.
00:02:31So as we get ready to begin the second half, it is the New England Patriots leading the Detroit Lions 17-3.
00:02:36You stay with us. We'll be right back in just a moment.
00:02:41John Augustine.
00:02:54CBS Sports coverage of the National Football League is sponsored by the New Chrysler Corporation.
00:03:01We don't want to be the biggest. We just want to be the best.
00:03:06And by Light Beer from Miller. Everything you've always wanted in a beer and less.
00:03:13As we begin the second half of play, Jim Hill along with John Dockery on a beautiful fall afternoon here in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
00:03:23John, I want to thank you as we've come here for arranging this weather.
00:03:27I ordered it for us. It is a perfect afternoon. So really, no one has excuses.
00:03:31Of course, the Lions would prefer to be at the Silverdome in those ideal indoor conditions because they are outstanding there.
00:03:37They've had problems on the road all year long.
00:03:40And it's really psychological. And they're having problems here this afternoon as you look at the halftime stats.
00:03:45Look at the total yards. Only 111 for the Lions.
00:03:48Twice as much. Almost twice as much for the Patriots.
00:03:51And the time of possession. We mentioned that the Patriots have held on to the ball.
00:03:55The Lions have not done anything. They haven't gotten any consistency in their drive.
00:03:59Look at the time of possession. They are the worst in the NFL.
00:04:02But remember, they've managed to put seven wins on the board and only six losses.
00:04:08So the Lions have done it with A, opportunistic offense, and B, a defense that will bend but won't break.
00:04:15Well, that defense of the Lions will be put to the test immediately here as we begin the second half.
00:04:22And Stephon Starring gets the ball. He fumbles it at the two-yard line for New England.
00:04:26Stephon Starring. There's a flag on the play. Two flags are thrown down as Starring gets to about the 11-yard line.
00:04:33And that's where the Patriots will take over first and 10.
00:04:36John Bostic making the tackle.
00:04:43Illegal block in the back.
00:04:45Half the distance to the goal line.
00:04:47So now, John, at the beginning of the second half, the Lions have a break on the opening kickoff.
00:04:53Even though they don't have the ball, the Patriots have the ball deep in their own territory.
00:04:57And it's up to that opportunistic Lion defense that you talked about to come through and hold now.
00:05:02And to put pressure on Tony Eason. The book on Eason is that he doesn't like the pressure.
00:05:06He doesn't like the pressure. He doesn't like the pressure.
00:05:09That means Jimmy Williams and company have to get in his face and make something happen.
00:05:13Because he had a good first half.
00:05:15The Patriots have the ball at their own five-yard line.
00:05:18Tony Collins and Craig James in the backfield now for New England.
00:05:23And it is James who gets the ball.
00:05:25James over the 10. James over the 15 to the 16-yard line.
00:05:28Tackle made by Curtis Green and Williams.
00:05:31And it is James who gets the ball.
00:05:33James over the 10. James over the 15 to the 16-yard line.
00:05:36Tackle made by Curtis Green and Williams.
00:05:39And that's just an example of Craig James, the style of runner he is.
00:05:42He has that great cutting ability.
00:05:44He follows and sets up his blockers.
00:05:46He makes people miss. Watch him right here.
00:05:48Cut back against the green. Takes it upfield.
00:05:50Wraps those arms around the ball. Not to cough it up.
00:05:52Because he knows he's deep in his own territory.
00:05:5657 yards this afternoon for James.
00:05:59Getting close to that 1,000 yards.
00:06:01He needed 88 going into this afternoon's ballgame.
00:06:05He picked up enough yardage for the first down.
00:06:09And he has it again.
00:06:11James bouncing around through about the 19 or 20-yard line.
00:06:14Keith Ferguson making the tackle.
00:06:16And that's where most people have had success running against the Lions.
00:06:19Right up from there.
00:06:20They certainly have. They've had success across the board.
00:06:22I mean, the Lions on an average are giving up over 150 yards rushing on the ground.
00:06:27That's one of the worst in the NFL.
00:06:29You know, John, we see here in the second half already the Lions have made a defensive switch.
00:06:33William Gay, who started at the left end, is now at the right end.
00:06:36Keith Ferguson is now at the left defensive end.
00:06:38They're trying just about anything they can.
00:06:41Second down now for New England.
00:06:43And he sends back the pass.
00:06:47James almost makes a one-handed grab as he's covered there by Jimmy Williams out of the backfield.
00:06:52Well, you mentioned that change on defense.
00:06:54William Gay had been on the left side.
00:06:55He's better over there.
00:06:56And they moved him because of Ferguson.
00:06:58Now they're switching him back.
00:06:59They need to do something on defense.
00:07:01Maybe a four-man rush.
00:07:02Come with the linebackers on the blitz.
00:07:04Make something happen on the Patriots.
00:07:05They'll just, you know, run down, run down, and come away with a victory.
00:07:10And there's big William Gay.
00:07:11I was shocked when we talked to him last night.
00:07:13And he mentioned the term, you know, I don't think I'll be in Detroit next year.
00:07:17And I might even be released.
00:07:19I was flabbergasted as a starter talking about possibly being released.
00:07:23Certainly wasn't.
00:07:24Then again, he said they may go into a youth movement next year.
00:07:26But out of the shotgun, here's Eason.
00:07:28Throws across the middle.
00:07:30Complete.
00:07:31Lynn Dawson.
00:07:33Lynn Dawson, the tight end.
00:07:35Tackled by William Frizzell.
00:07:41And they're moving the chains.
00:07:43It is enough yardage for the first down.
00:07:46And look at here.
00:07:47You see Gay on the outside.
00:07:48He's being blocked.
00:07:49He's not getting to Eason.
00:07:50And Eason just stands in the pocket and completes it to Dawson.
00:07:53For the first down.
00:07:55As long as Tony Eason has time.
00:07:58He is awesome.
00:08:02A good passing game comes with good pass protection.
00:08:05Raymond Berry knows that.
00:08:06So does Tony Eason.
00:08:08Instead of passing, they run.
00:08:09Here's James again.
00:08:11James over the 35-yard line.
00:08:13Curtis Green making the tackle.
00:08:15And were you surprised yesterday when we talked to Lyon defensive coordinator, Wayne Fonts?
00:08:19He says, we're going to drop our linebackers off.
00:08:21In passing situations.
00:08:22And we're just going to let them run.
00:08:24I was a little bit surprised because you never hear a coach say, we're going to let them run.
00:08:28Because they have a fine offensive line.
00:08:30The Patriots do.
00:08:31And the Lyons are definitely hurting on that defensive line.
00:08:34With Doug English gone.
00:08:36His replacement, Eric Williams, is hurt.
00:08:38They bring in a guy like Keith Ferguson.
00:08:40Who they get off the wires.
00:08:41And Craig James continues to run.
00:08:43And get closer to that 1,000-yard line.
00:08:45And Dan Burns now comes in for the Lyons.
00:08:48But it's James trying to get to the outside.
00:08:50Good block by Tony Collins.
00:08:52James over the 45 to the 47-yard line.
00:08:55He's tackled there by Bruce McNorton, number 29.
00:09:02And take a look.
00:09:03Tony Collins.
00:09:04You see him.
00:09:05He's looking back.
00:09:06Right there.
00:09:07You see the good block by Collins.
00:09:08He goes low.
00:09:09A wise choice.
00:09:10Because Collins is not that big a back.
00:09:12He's only 5'11", about 207 pounds.
00:09:15So it's wise to go low on those big defensive players.
00:09:19James now needs only 3 yards to reach 1,000.
00:09:22He's on the sidelines now.
00:09:23But you can be sure he'll be back in a moment.
00:09:25Mosey Tatupu now in the backfield with Tony Collins.
00:09:29And Tatupu gets the ball.
00:09:31Mosey up the middle.
00:09:32Into Detroit Lions territory.
00:09:34And as far as the Lyons defensive game plan.
00:09:36Letting them run.
00:09:37That's exactly what they're doing.
00:09:39Yeah, but while they're running, they're also using that clock.
00:09:41And keeping the ball away from your offense.
00:09:43You're down 17 to 3.
00:09:45I think you have to abandon your game plan before long.
00:09:48Or this game might just get out of reach.
00:09:51Mosey Tatupu.
00:09:52One of the more popular guys on this New England Patriot ball club.
00:09:58But James just standing.
00:09:59I wonder if the thoughts of 1,000 yards are going through his mind right now.
00:10:03He's only 3 yards away.
00:10:04They have to be.
00:10:06There's a handoff to Collins.
00:10:08Collins with some running room.
00:10:10Collins to the 42-yard line of the Lyons.
00:10:12Bruce McNorton again in on the tackle.
00:10:16And as long as the Patriots continue to do this.
00:10:20The Lyons are just.
00:10:21They're just probably saying, oh no.
00:10:23Here we go again.
00:10:24Here we go again.
00:10:25The Lyons, as I said, have to make it happen.
00:10:27I mean, Tony Collins having a good afternoon also.
00:10:29He is one of those 1,000-yard rushers that the Patriots have had.
00:10:33They've only had three.
00:10:35Sam Navam Cunningham.
00:10:36Jim Nance.
00:10:37Tony Collins.
00:10:38And soon to be, Ray James.
00:10:41Next time he gets the ball, he gets 3 yards.
00:10:43But the 2-3's in the backfield with Collins.
00:10:45Here's a pass now.
00:10:46Eason.
00:10:48Goes deep.
00:10:49Intercepted.
00:10:51Bobby Watkins comes up with the interception for the Lyons.
00:10:53You mentioned they had to come up with a break, and there it is.
00:10:55And the reason that happened is that Jimmy Williams whacked Tony Eason.
00:10:59And he's still on the ground.
00:11:01And we all know that Steve Brogan is out with a broken leg.
00:11:04So this could be a devastating blow for the Patriots.
00:11:07Now Tom Ramsey is the backup quarterback for the Patriots.
00:11:12And Eason looks like he's in real pain.
00:11:15First, the interception, John.
00:11:16You'll watch the ball float.
00:11:17That's because the quarterback, Eason, is being hit.
00:11:20The ball floats.
00:11:21And then a good move right there by Watkins comes in front to make the interception.
00:11:26And give the Lions some spark.
00:11:28Take a look at that.
00:11:2959.
00:11:30Williams coming in.
00:11:31Lays a hit right on Eason.
00:11:33Takes him down to the carpet.
00:11:35And looked like he might have been on his left shoulder.
00:11:37He's still on the ground.
00:11:38We'll be back in a moment, folks.
00:11:42So Tony Eason is walking off the field on his own power.
00:11:45And, you know, he's been criticized here, John, about, you know,
00:11:48they question his courage saying that he won't stand in the pocket
00:11:51until the last possible moment and take a lick.
00:11:53He did then.
00:11:54Well, I would submit this replay as an answer to that question.
00:11:57Take a look at Eason.
00:11:58He sees Williams.
00:11:59He feels him.
00:12:00Yet he stands in and throws the ball.
00:12:03And Tom Ramsey is warming up on the sidelines right now talking to Eason.
00:12:07But the Lions have the ball.
00:12:09Hipple is back to pass.
00:12:10He throws.
00:12:11Complete.
00:12:12This is David Lewis.
00:12:13Lewis to the 43-yard line.
00:12:15Tackle there made by Roland James and Donnie Blackmon.
00:12:18And if Stephen Nelson has a weakness and he's a fine linebacker,
00:12:21a pro bowler, 12 years, it's covering.
00:12:24Out of covering receivers.
00:12:25That time he was on Lewis, 57 was.
00:12:27Lewis spun away from him.
00:12:29The ball was well thrown by Hipple on the outside.
00:12:31And it's good for a first down.
00:12:34So the Lions come up with one of the few things they've had to cheer about
00:12:38this afternoon.
00:12:39They have the ball.
00:12:41First team's hand.
00:12:43Play action pass by Hipple.
00:12:45Throws.
00:12:46The ball was intended for Leonard Thompson.
00:12:48And it is out of his hands.
00:12:49Covered there by Ronnie Lippitt.
00:12:51Ronnie Lippitt did a good job.
00:12:52But you also saw in that play,
00:12:53illustrated how the play action held both those inside linebackers.
00:12:57Larry McGrew, Steve Nelson.
00:12:59Both held in there because they have to respect James Jones.
00:13:02See him right there?
00:13:03See Nelson, 57.
00:13:05He's held.
00:13:06Then Jones out of the backfield.
00:13:08Ball is just thrown a little out of the reach of Leonard Thompson.
00:13:16So the Patriot defense,
00:13:17which many people have been calling the best they've ever had here,
00:13:20needs to hold on.
00:13:22Because the Lions think that they can change the momentum of this contest.
00:13:26Even though they're still 17-3.
00:13:28Hipple back.
00:13:29Throws.
00:13:30Complete out in the flat.
00:13:32Listen to James Jones.
00:13:38And Andre Tippett says no, no.
00:13:43Lester Williams comes up with the ball.
00:13:45But it was ruled dead.
00:13:50Take a look at it right here.
00:13:52Hipple trying a high percentage pass out to the flat.
00:13:58But right here, no dice.
00:13:59Those fine linebackers.
00:14:00All of them.
00:14:01Outstanding.
00:14:04You know, with Tippett making the tackle,
00:14:06he has a karate school here in the New England area.
00:14:09And I'm sure he used those techniques to take down the back end.
00:14:12You know, he talked about the karate training,
00:14:14hands, leverage, balance that you get from the martial arts.
00:14:17There he showed it all.
00:14:19And strength.
00:14:20Tom Ranjin warming up for the Patriots.
00:14:22But now Eric Hipple is trying to warm up for the Lions.
00:14:25Inside handoff to James Jones.
00:14:27Jones gets into New England territory to the 45-yard line.
00:14:31The ball comes loose, but it's already ruled dead.
00:14:34And now we're starting to see where tempers are beginning to flare
00:14:37just a little bit.
00:14:38Well, the tempo is picking up in this game.
00:14:40Exactly right.
00:14:41The Lions have an opportunity.
00:14:43This is why Steve Nelson compared James Jones to Sam Nabam.
00:14:47Watch this extra effort at the end.
00:14:49The strength in the 235-pound fullback to get that first down.
00:14:53That was extra effort.
00:14:55And they're going to need more effort like that,
00:14:57not only from Jones, but from the rest of the offensive unit of the Lions.
00:15:02They're down by two touchdowns.
00:15:05But they have a first down at the 45-yard line of the Patriots.
00:15:09Hipple throws.
00:15:11Leonard Thompson, and it is ruled complete.
00:15:14And you get a sense the rhythm, the momentum of this game is changing.
00:15:17The Patriots, a veteran defense,
00:15:19should be able to deal with the disappointment of, A,
00:15:21having their quarterback go down,
00:15:23and, B, having an interception and having to hold an offense.
00:15:26But you get a sense that Hipple's finding his rhythm.
00:15:29And when he does, he can be dangerous.
00:15:31We mentioned him being a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde type of quarterback.
00:15:35At times, he looks great.
00:15:36Other times, you wonder why he's doing it when you don't know.
00:15:39Well, the doctor is trying to operate right now
00:15:41and hope that the Hyde does not come out anymore this afternoon.
00:15:45Here's a handoff to Jones.
00:15:47Jones to the 33-yard line.
00:15:49Andre Tippett making the tackle for the Patriots.
00:15:51We're told that Tony Eason, who was shaken up on the play, will return.
00:15:57It's going to be a lift for the Patriots.
00:15:59I mean, you think about the year they've had at quarterback.
00:16:03You look at Eason on the sidelines, on the bench.
00:16:05Steve Grogan comes in for an injured Tony Eason.
00:16:09The team is 2-3.
00:16:10They're trailing 3-0 to Buffalo.
00:16:12Grogan takes them to six in a row.
00:16:14He gets hurt.
00:16:15Eason comes back.
00:16:16Wins last week.
00:16:17They're leading here today.
00:16:20The first time the Patriots have been home in a month.
00:16:23They want a victory, but the Lions want to come back.
00:16:25Here's a screen pass to Alvin Moore.
00:16:27Moore inside the 30-yard line.
00:16:29Andre Tippett, again, in on the tackle along with Garon Veras.
00:16:36Here's some scores.
00:16:37How about this?
00:16:38Up in Green Bay, the Dolphins leading the Packers 20-10.
00:16:41Must not be a snowstorm up there, John.
00:16:44Kansas City, really big over Atlanta, 31-10 in the second half.
00:16:50And here in Foxboro, it's the Patriots leading the Detroit Lions 17-3.
00:16:55Less than seven minutes to go in the third quarter.
00:16:57The Lions on the move behind Eric Hipple.
00:17:00Second down.
00:17:03Hand off to Jones.
00:17:05Jones inside the 25-yard line.
00:17:07Steve Nelson making the tackle.
00:17:09That offensive line now for the Lions starting to move out a little bit
00:17:13and really taking advantage of a defensive unit for the Patriots
00:17:16that is, well, very inexperienced on one side and very old at the other.
00:17:21Exactly right.
00:17:22Julius Adams is being forced to play the entire game.
00:17:25Kenneth Sims, of course, hurt last week.
00:17:28Has a broken leg.
00:17:29He's out.
00:17:30He was having a terrific year.
00:17:31So up front, the Patriots have their problems.
00:17:33At linebacker, they're terrific.
00:17:35In the secondary, they're solid.
00:17:38Short yardage formation.
00:17:40This is Jones.
00:17:42Jones appears to have enough yardage for the first down, and he does.
00:17:46The surge of that offensive line.
00:17:48Darrell Rogers talked about the offensive line.
00:17:50Shuffles.
00:17:51Keith Dorning starting at guard for the third week in a row.
00:17:55And I thought it was interesting when we talked to Dorning
00:17:58that he was getting much more comfortable at guard
00:18:00and thought maybe he even wouldn't mind staying there
00:18:03if it were for the good of the team.
00:18:05An all-pro tackle going to guard and saying,
00:18:08you know, well, whatever it takes for the team to be successful,
00:18:11that's what I'll do.
00:18:12We did it then, and the Lions have a first down.
00:18:17Playoffs and pass.
00:18:19Where is everyone?
00:18:21The pass is ruled complete.
00:18:23Leonard Thompson again.
00:18:25So the old man, Leonard Thompson, 11 years, who was injured a little earlier,
00:18:29comes back and makes some great catches now.
00:18:31Teams will tell you the defensive back you want to pick on
00:18:34against the Patriots is Lippitt.
00:18:36Here, Thompson, good fake.
00:18:37You see him looking upfield like it's a takeoff.
00:18:39He stops.
00:18:40He comes back.
00:18:41Lippitt has trouble with the footing, thus the completion.
00:18:44But Lippitt is the man they'll go after.
00:18:46There's Raymond Claiborne on the other side.
00:18:49Thompson, two big receptions this afternoon.
00:18:51First and goal for the Lions at the nine-yard line.
00:18:57Here's a handoff to James Jones.
00:19:00Jones using that stiff arm but can't get away from Roland James.
00:19:03There is a flag on the plate.
00:19:08The preliminary ball holding against the Lions.
00:19:13And this has been a balanced drive for the Lions.
00:19:15The first one of the afternoon, they've been throwing the ball well.
00:19:18They've been getting some yardage from James Jones.
00:19:25That was on Keith Dornan.
00:19:26The man we were just talking about at his new position, right guard.
00:19:35But that can short-circuit a drive.
00:19:37Now it makes it first and about 20 yards to go
00:19:39rather than having decent position down closer to the goal line.
00:19:46The Lions now with three wide receivers.
00:19:50James Jones is the lone setback.
00:19:53Play action pass.
00:19:54Hipple rolling out.
00:19:55Throws back.
00:19:56The ball is tipped into and out of the hands of David Lewis.
00:20:08Hipple got time here because number 72, see him pulling out there,
00:20:11peels back and gives him time.
00:20:13But the ball is tipped right there.
00:20:15And Lewis had a chance for a moment, but he's hit by Steve Nelson
00:20:20and the ball pops loose.
00:20:22Garon Veras was the gentleman, number 60, who tipped the ball.
00:20:27And that was the big reason for it being an incompleted pass.
00:20:31Of course, Veras, number 60, is the rookie out of Stanford
00:20:34who they're very, very high on.
00:20:37Hipple has completed 12 of 24 for 111 yards.
00:20:41With 4.43 to go in the third quarter,
00:20:43Hipple back to pass again.
00:20:44Throws across the middle.
00:20:45Hits the line of springers.
00:20:47Donnie Blackman knocking the ball down.
00:20:55There is a flag on the play, but John, you mentioned earlier,
00:20:58the strength of this New England Patriot defense
00:21:01is their linebacking core, and they've been playing marvelously.
00:21:07And that's one of them, Blackman, with a good play.
00:21:10There was no interference on the play.
00:21:12The ball was tipped, and the pass is in.
00:21:16And that's one of the advantages of having a linebacker who's 6'4".
00:21:21Watch Blackman here.
00:21:22The ball is thrown a little bit low.
00:21:24Hipple back.
00:21:25He's looking for his tight end crossing over the middle,
00:21:27but see right there, Blackman gets his hands up, tips the ball away.
00:21:30And as soon as the ball was tipped, that nullified the flag.
00:21:34And Darryl Rogers knows that he needs something right here.
00:21:37He needs a score from his opportunistic offense.
00:21:40He hasn't gotten any consistent offensively yet.
00:21:46The reason for the cheer here, they just put up on the scoreboard
00:21:48that Miami is leading Green Bay, but they're cheering
00:21:53because they want their defense to come through, and they do.
00:22:03Raymond Claiborne knocking the ball away from Pete Manley.
00:22:09Great athletic ability, great ball reaction by Claiborne.
00:22:12The ball may have been thrown a little bit late.
00:22:14Watch it right here.
00:22:15Claiborne comes back, gets his left hand in, and knocks the ball away.
00:22:22So Eddie Murray now in to attempt a field goal.
00:22:24The ball will be spotted at the 27.
00:22:26This will be a 37-yard field goal attempt.
00:22:32And it is good.
00:22:33So Darryl Rogers is cheering on the sidelines.
00:22:36He got three more points.
00:22:37It's now 17 to 6.
00:22:38You stay with us.
00:22:39We'll be back in just a moment.
00:22:42It appears that Tony Eason will return when the New England Patriots get the ball.
00:22:46You remember he was injured earlier on a blitzing tackle by Jimmy Williams.
00:22:51He's not having a bad day at all.
00:22:53And I tell you what, they talk about his courage.
00:22:56He's shown us a great deal of intestinal fortitude this afternoon.
00:23:01Eddie Murray now kicking off now for the Lions.
00:23:06This is Stephanie Starling at the 10-yard line.
00:23:10Starling, first contact is made by Pete Manley at the 22-yard line of the Detroit Lions.
00:23:16So the crowd here in New England cheering a little while ago
00:23:19because Green Bay scored against Miami.
00:23:22But look at this score.
00:23:23Cincinnati 36-3 over the Dallas Cowboys.
00:23:27Oh, you know the Giants are cheering that score.
00:23:30Whoa.
00:23:31Absolutely amazing.
00:23:32Here's what the crowd here was cheering about.
00:23:34The Packers are coming back against the Dolphins,
00:23:36and the crowd really went wild here when they heard that.
00:23:40Chicago 10-3 over the Indianapolis Colts.
00:23:43That also in the second half.
00:23:46Tony Eason back in the lineup for the Patriots.
00:23:52Hand off to Craig James.
00:23:53He needs three yards to get 1,000, but he doesn't get it.
00:23:56William Gay making the tackle for the Lions.
00:24:01And Tony Eason, the report was that he was just shaken up.
00:24:04There was actually no injury.
00:24:05He was just shaken up on that hit by Jimmy Williams.
00:24:09Now it appears that Bill Gay is hurt for the Lions.
00:24:14Looks like he's holding his left side.
00:24:21He's been moved around so much this afternoon.
00:24:24Started out as a left defensive end,
00:24:27moved back to the right defensive end here in the second half.
00:24:30Now he's coming out of the ballgame.
00:24:32Surprised John and I both yesterday with a statement that said
00:24:35he may not even be with the Lions next year.
00:24:37That he expected he might be traded or even released.
00:24:39Of course, earlier in the year, Bill Gay had a very, very many poor game.
00:24:43He started to pick up last week when he had three sacks against the Jets.
00:24:46Martin Moss from UCLA comes in to replace Gay.
00:24:50Second down now for the Patriots.
00:24:54A pass into and out of the hands of Irving Fryer.
00:24:58And the Lions doing a great job then trying to cover the ball,
00:25:01thinking that the referees might rule it a lateral, but it was not.
00:25:09Irving Fryer, who has returned to punt this afternoon of 47 yards.
00:25:14And remember Irving Fryer, I mean, shoulder separation in 84.
00:25:17He had some ribs this year and hates that label of being injury-prone.
00:25:22Considers himself to be a tough guy.
00:25:24There was an article written about him, said he was injury-prone.
00:25:26He had that article xeroxed off and put it up in every room of his home
00:25:30just to remind him of that because he wants to get rid of that.
00:25:33And he absolutely hates it.
00:25:36Irving Gay is back into the lineup.
00:25:38Low snap from center.
00:25:42Fryer finally makes the catch.
00:25:48Great concentration by Irving Fryer running across and patting.
00:25:52He bobbles the ball, but then he hangs on to it.
00:25:56And maybe that notebook that he keeps is doing some good here.
00:25:59Remember that notebook he had out on all the defensive players
00:26:02from the Detroit Lions?
00:26:03Here he tips the ball.
00:26:04Irving Williams actually got a hand on it, tipped it.
00:26:06But Fryer kept his concentration and came up with a catch.
00:26:09Remember he was studying his notebook and said,
00:26:11well, I think he can run this on Watkins and this on McNorton.
00:26:14Shows just how scientific this game really is.
00:26:19It is first down now for the Patriots.
00:26:22Hand off to Collins.
00:26:24This is Craig James.
00:26:26Craig James right up the middle.
00:26:28Tackle there is made by Steve Buck.
00:26:31You talk to Craig James and you talk to him about the offense
00:26:34and his buddy, Tony Collins,
00:26:35and the type of back that they would like to be considered.
00:26:38And they compare themselves to San Francisco,
00:26:41to the Wendell Tyler and the Roger Craig.
00:26:44And Craig James is getting into that elite company,
00:26:47and that's what he wants to be recognized as nationally,
00:26:50as a guy who can get 1,000 yards.
00:26:52Well, he's only two yards away from it right now.
00:26:56And he's in the backfield.
00:26:58He's in back to pass, however.
00:27:00Throws across the middle.
00:27:02Intercepted.
00:27:03Demetrius Johnson.
00:27:04There is a flag on the play.
00:27:05And Demetrius Johnson, even though there's a flag,
00:27:07Johnson will score for the Lions.
00:27:10Johnson goes in for the score.
00:27:14Now there is a flag on the play,
00:27:16but Demetrius Johnson, who Wayne Fonz says has been such a pleasant addition
00:27:22to the Lions secondary, returns it 41 yards for the score.
00:27:26But let's see what Gene Barth and the rest of his official crew comes up with.
00:27:44Wayne Fonz is furious.
00:27:47And he knows that his defense, he can only come up with so many big plays.
00:27:52They're not a dominant defense that forces an offense into mistakes.
00:27:55That time, Tony Eason just threw the ball poorly.
00:27:58He had Tony Collins out in the flat, wide open on the outlet.
00:28:02Instead, he threw over the middle.
00:28:03It was intercepted.
00:28:05Fortunately, he gets a reprieve on the penalty.
00:28:08It's fortunate for the Patriots, that is.
00:28:10It certainly is, because that would have been the second interception
00:28:13for the Lions this afternoon.
00:28:15Instead, the Patriots have the ball.
00:28:18Maintain possession.
00:28:19First and 10.
00:28:21Eason is going to throw again.
00:28:25Pass to the near sidelines, complete to Stephan Starring.
00:28:28A measure of Eason's confidence and growth as maturity as a quarterback,
00:28:31that he throws an interception.
00:28:33It's returned for a touchdown.
00:28:34He gets the benefit of a penalty.
00:28:36But what does he do on the very next play?
00:28:38He comes out and throws the ball.
00:28:41Eason now 13 of 20 for 130 yards.
00:28:45And as you mentioned, great confidence on his part, though.
00:28:49It's a wise pass.
00:28:50It's a simple pass.
00:28:51He's reading the defense.
00:28:52It was in his zone.
00:28:53Simple out pattern to Starring.
00:28:56With the holding penalty on the interception against the Lions,
00:28:59hopes the Patriots to hang on to the ball.
00:29:01And here's Greg James looking for two yards to get 1,000.
00:29:03He's got it and more.
00:29:07One out of bounds by Jimmy Williams.
00:29:11And did you see the block by Tony Collins on McNorton?
00:29:15He just sliced him off his feet.
00:29:18And 1,000 yards.
00:29:20The fans know it.
00:29:38A standing ovation for Greg James,
00:29:41who has 94 yards rushing this afternoon.
00:29:43That puts him over the 1,000-yard mark for the year.
00:29:47And it's James again trying to add on to that 1,000 yards.
00:29:51James gets to the 40-yard line,
00:29:54and tempers are really beginning to flare up out on the field.
00:29:58Brian Holloway getting into it with William Graham downfield.
00:30:02Maybe Graham should think twice.
00:30:05Graham 5'11", 190 pounds.
00:30:07Holloway 6'7", 290 pounds.
00:30:11I don't think he has to think twice about that.
00:30:13Just one time is enough.
00:30:15But you talk about Greg James getting that 1,000 yards,
00:30:18and how special it is as he leaves the field.
00:30:20Remember after the Raider game,
00:30:22fourth game of the year that they lost,
00:30:24he went to Raymond Berry and said,
00:30:25you know, I want the ball more.
00:30:27I think I can help this offense.
00:30:29Well, he certainly has since then.
00:30:31But now James is out to Tupou,
00:30:33and this is Tony Collins who has the ball.
00:30:35Collins shits through the line of swimmers.
00:30:38Tackle made by Bruce McNorton,
00:30:40but not before he gets down to the 31-yard line.
00:30:44The defensive line doing a good job,
00:30:46but watch the acceleration by Tony Collins.
00:30:48He leaves his blockers behind and just zips up right there.
00:30:52You see he runs by Ron Wooten, number 61,
00:30:54before he can get a block and just picks up some good yards
00:30:57for the first down.
00:30:58He found that little alley.
00:30:59Remember when you hear Vince Lombardi talking about
00:31:02running the Packers sweep.
00:31:03They like to find that little alley and sprint right through it,
00:31:05and he certainly has.
00:31:07We talked about James having a fine afternoon.
00:31:09Well, Collins certainly has that one also running with the ball.
00:31:15On the first down.
00:31:19Here's Collins again.
00:31:21Runs into his own man in the backfield.
00:31:23But still manages to get back to the line of scrimmage
00:31:27and maybe pick up a yard before William Gay
00:31:29and William Graham make the tackle.
00:31:31And you get the sense talking to Tony Collins
00:31:33and watching him there making something out of nothing.
00:31:36He was talking yesterday about feeling more wanted,
00:31:39more needed after a forgotten year under Ron Meyer last year.
00:31:43Remember they went to the one-back offense.
00:31:45Tony didn't get anything.
00:31:46Tony Collins, that is.
00:31:47And, boy, he just felt left out, not wanted.
00:31:50This year a totally different story.
00:31:52And he had a nice conversation with Raymond Berry,
00:31:54and Raymond explained his particular role to him.
00:31:58And once you know what your role is,
00:31:59that's when you start to have fun and get successful.
00:32:03Collins has been successful blocking and running this afternoon.
00:32:06A toss back to Mosley to Tupou.
00:32:08To Tupou inside the 25-yard line to the 23.
00:32:11Alvin Hall making the tackle.
00:32:12And Raymond Berry making it very clear to each of his players what that role is.
00:32:16Mosley to Tupou knows that he's a substitute for James
00:32:20and there's a penalty on the flag as tempers are getting hot.
00:32:26But I was just saying Mosley knows where he belongs.
00:32:28Collins, you mentioned his role, that of a blocker,
00:32:31part-time runner, and the pass receiver.
00:32:40Unsportsmanlike conduct.
00:32:42Number 75 offense.
00:32:44And he's ejected from the game for pushing an official.
00:32:49That's the center, Guy Morris.
00:32:55Unsportsmanlike conduct.
00:32:57He's been kicked out of the ballgame for pushing an official.
00:33:02And his replacement is Pete Brock.
00:33:07Brock from Colorado.
00:33:09This is his tenth year in the league.
00:33:11He's the backup center to Guy Morris.
00:33:14Now you wonder, John, what kind of an effect will this have?
00:33:20You talk about dejected.
00:33:21What kind of effect will this have on Tony Eason now?
00:33:23Eason's been injured this afternoon.
00:33:25He's lost his starting center.
00:33:27He has to be replaced now.
00:33:29We'll see what happens when we return.
00:33:34Pete Brock is in its center now for Guy Morris,
00:33:36who has just been ejected from the game.
00:33:39Brock is a young man who has had multiple knee injuries.
00:33:42He's in there now under the gun.
00:33:44From the shotgun, he gets the ball back to Eason.
00:33:46Eason fires.
00:33:48The pass is complete.
00:33:49That's Stephan Starring.
00:33:53You know, you talk about Pete Brock.
00:33:55I mean, he's a guy you talk about performing under pressure now.
00:33:58He is.
00:33:59He didn't have much time.
00:34:00It was wise for them to call a timeout to get themselves together.
00:34:02They are together.
00:34:03They lead 17 to 6.
00:34:04The Patriots do.
00:34:05We'll be back.
00:34:10Back at Sullivan Stadium here in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
00:34:13Tony Franklin now is in to attempt a field goal
00:34:16after the pass was completed to Lynn Dawson.
00:34:20That was Lynn Dawson making the reception,
00:34:22so the ball will be spotted at the 40-yard line.
00:34:28Franklin's perfect from this distance so far this year.
00:34:30He's only had one.
00:34:31He's about to get his second.
00:34:32This one from 50 yards away.
00:34:36Eason will hold.
00:34:52Well, the crowd tells you it's good.
00:34:5420 to 6, and we'll return after this message from your local station.
00:35:00On location with Bob Hope, Monday at 730.
00:35:03CBS Sports coverage of the National Football League
00:35:06is sponsored by light beer from Miller,
00:35:09everything you've always wanted in a beer and less,
00:35:13and by A.C. Delco, the smart parts.
00:35:22So, John, the 50-yard field goal by Tony Franklin
00:35:25equals his best as a Patriot.
00:35:29And, boy, are both Tonys happy.
00:35:32Take a look at it right here.
00:35:33Yes, Eason knows right now.
00:35:35Franklin's waiting a moment.
00:35:37Yes, give me a hug.
00:35:39He probably says, way to kick it, big fella.
00:35:42Help me out.
00:35:43Yeah, okay, here's Franklin, all set to kick off now.
00:35:46Patriots with a 20 to 6 lead over the Lions.
00:35:48The Lions in big trouble.
00:35:50This is Alvin Hall at the 14-yard line.
00:35:54Alvin Hall gets to the 26-yard line.
00:35:57That's where the Lions will take over after the tackle there was made by Brian Ingram.
00:36:05Feisty.
00:36:06Both teams, frisky and feisty here in the fourth quarter.
00:36:09Maybe that has something to do with the attitude of their coaches.
00:36:12They want their players to be fresh and loose.
00:36:16Both coaches told us.
00:36:18And as Raymond Berry told us yesterday,
00:36:20he wants his team to have a full tank of gas in the fourth quarter.
00:36:24Good game here, but next Sunday here on CBS,
00:36:27the Giants going against the Cowboys, Green Bay and Detroit,
00:36:30St. Louis and the Los Angeles Rams.
00:36:35But the Lions really have their backs up against the wall.
00:36:38Here's James Jones.
00:36:41Jones run out of bounds at the 31-yard line by Roland James
00:36:44with 14 minutes and 39 seconds left to go.
00:36:47You mentioned running games.
00:36:48We talked about James Jones all afternoon as being the entire running game
00:36:53for the Lions.
00:36:54Well, the Giants have also found a running game.
00:36:56Joe Morris about to go over 1,000 yards from the first runner in over a decade
00:37:01since Ron Johnson did it,
00:37:02and he'll be up against Tony Dorsett next week right here on CBS.
00:37:0614 touchdowns, Joe Morris.
00:37:08Giants lead the NFL coming into today.
00:37:10That will certainly be a good ballgame.
00:37:12HHS have played a great ballgame this afternoon,
00:37:15but the Lions better get going in a hurry.
00:37:18Inside handoff to Alvin Moore.
00:37:22Now, John, even though they had a nice little run there,
00:37:25they're down 14 points.
00:37:27I mean, we have almost 14 minutes left to go.
00:37:31You think they should be starting to put the ball up in the air a little more?
00:37:33I think they have to, but they don't have that kind of an offense.
00:37:35They don't have a real drop-back passing game that can do those kinds of things.
00:37:39They really, that passing game comes off their run game,
00:37:42and they're afraid to depart from that.
00:37:46Well, I think they better get rid of that fear,
00:37:48because if they don't, they'll go home with another road loss.
00:37:52It'll be another long ride back, third and short.
00:37:55Handoff to Jones.
00:38:00Jones is hit right at the line of scrimmage by Don Blackman.
00:38:04You mentioned road loss, as tempers are still hot down there.
00:38:08Oh, look at that.
00:38:09Reece McCall, number 81.
00:38:12Well, that's the kind of thing that can get you kicked out of a ball game also.
00:38:20But you mentioned a road loss.
00:38:21It's a shame.
00:38:22You talked to the Lions, and they were saying, well,
00:38:24we wish the Silver Dome were portable so we could bring it with us.
00:38:28I'm telling you.
00:38:35And it is enough yardage for the first down.
00:38:386-0 at home, 1-6 on the road, the Lions.
00:38:41But, you know, when you talk about their road loss,
00:38:43Dale Rogers said yesterday, he thinks that that record is blown out of proportion.
00:38:48There are only two teams in the NFL this year that have a winning record on the road,
00:38:53Chicago and the San Francisco 49ers.
00:38:57For the first down, handoff to Alvin Moore up the middle.
00:39:02That are unbeaten on the road.
00:39:03But for some reason, the Lions, since 1975 in the Silver Dome,
00:39:08they won close to 65% of their games,
00:39:11while on the road they've only won about 25% of the game.
00:39:15That's inordinate.
00:39:16We all know that the home field means something.
00:39:18You're in a comfort zone, you have people behind you,
00:39:21and they're giving you that extra little motivational lift.
00:39:23But it shouldn't mean this much.
00:39:27As Dale Rogers said yesterday, the people in the stands don't play the game.
00:39:30It's played out on the field.
00:39:33Right now, the Lions haven't been doing much playing.
00:39:35They better do something to get it started.
00:39:39The pass is complete to Mark Nichols.
00:39:41He laterals back to David Lewis.
00:39:46So Eric Hippel completes a pass to Mark Nichols,
00:39:49who laterals off to David Lewis, and now Nichols comes up limping.
00:39:54They are already short at wide receiver.
00:39:56We've talked about the loss of Jeff Chadwick,
00:39:59and now Nichols comes up limping,
00:40:01former number one draft judge who has played so well recently for the Lions.
00:40:07He's walking just a little bit better on the field right now,
00:40:10but still being attended to.
00:40:12He made a good catch here, Jim.
00:40:13His aggressiveness as a receiver, catching it in his hands.
00:40:16He takes it away from Raymond Claiborne, who's all over him right there,
00:40:19and then he tries to lateral.
00:40:21I don't know if that's wise.
00:40:23David Lewis says, what?
00:40:24Where am I going to go with this ball?
00:40:27Nichols is coming off the field with a little assistance.
00:40:30He's walking a little bit better than he did when he first got up.
00:40:34Carl Bland, number 80, is now replacing Nichols.
00:40:40Bland at the top of the screen, first down now for Detroit,
00:40:43as Hippel is back to pass.
00:40:46It's intercepted by Ronnie Lippitt.
00:40:48Oh, it pulled incomplete.
00:40:51The pass was intended for Leonard Thompson,
00:40:54and it sure looked like Ronnie Lippitt, number 42, had it.
00:40:57Take a look at it right here.
00:40:58It's a one-on-one confrontation.
00:41:01Leonard Thompson, not much of a move, just squares out.
00:41:03He didn't get Lippitt out of his back pedal.
00:41:06That allowed Lippitt to react on the ball
00:41:08and almost come up with an interception.
00:41:10He didn't force him, Jim.
00:41:11He just stayed with the cushion in his back pedal.
00:41:13He was reading the quarterback, made a good break on the ball,
00:41:16just couldn't hold on to it.
00:41:18Ronnie Lippitt has been challenged many times this afternoon.
00:41:21Now Paul Bland is over on Lippitt.
00:41:24Second and ten.
00:41:30Across the middle, complete to Leonard Thompson.
00:41:33Thompson tackled by Raymond Claiborne.
00:41:36Do it any way you can.
00:41:37That time, Hippel did it any way he could.
00:41:39That was his second wide receiver that he was looking at.
00:41:42Take a look at Leonard Thompson.
00:41:44See him use those arms to get away from Claiborne.
00:41:46Then he just breaks inside.
00:41:48Hippel throws his ball sidearm underneath a rusher
00:41:52and completes it to Leonard Thompson.
00:41:54Now Mark Nichols has come back into the ballgame.
00:41:56That's good news for Detroit Lions fans.
00:41:59Leonard Thompson has three receptions this afternoon.
00:42:03He had three touchdown receptions against the New York Jets on Thanksgiving.
00:42:08He'd love to get one into the end zone now.
00:42:11Hippel appears to be calling an audible at the line of scrimmage.
00:42:15As the Patriots are faking the glitch, but they come out of it.
00:42:19Hippel starts to run.
00:42:22He's smothered as he gets to the 23-yard line.
00:42:25Steve Nelson and Andre Tippett in on the tackle.
00:42:29Hippel looks like he's hurt now.
00:42:32The Bears leading the Indianapolis Colts 10-3 in the final period.
00:42:37This is something that would really be devastating to the Lions.
00:42:40We talked about Eason's situation.
00:42:43Eric Hippel beat out Joe Ferguson in training camp for the job.
00:42:48Darrell Rogers just said he put more points on the board.
00:42:50He moved the team better.
00:42:52But, I mean, Hippel's had such an up-and-down career in Detroit.
00:42:55Last year he was the fourth-string quarterback.
00:42:59He was a fourth-string quarterback behind Danielson, Maturek, Wachowski.
00:43:03This year he's playing well, having the best year of his career.
00:43:06Here he decides to run.
00:43:08I don't know why he didn't throw it to Leonard Thompson, who did a hook.
00:43:11He could have delivered it, but he didn't, so he's banged up.
00:43:17Now they brought out a stretcher, a little mini-stretcher, to try and put Eric Hippel on.
00:43:22And you talk about devastating.
00:43:25I saw him stretching his left knee, Jim.
00:43:27He came into this game, and he's been banged up for the last month.
00:43:30He's had ribs. He's had knee problems.
00:43:32And there he went down when he ran the ball.
00:43:35And now they're taking him off on the stretcher chair.
00:43:39Take a look at it again. He could have actually thrown this ball.
00:43:41There was an open receiver.
00:43:43The blitz was on. He read it. He audibled.
00:43:45And then he sees the big opening up the middle.
00:43:47The temptation is too great for him to resist.
00:43:50He takes off, and he spins around there.
00:43:52And it seems like he did something to his knee.
00:43:55It appears to be his left knee now.
00:43:57They're taking him off as a precaution.
00:43:59But now the quarterback duties for the Lions fall on the shoulders of Joe Ferguson,
00:44:04who came to the Lions from the Buffalo Bills.
00:44:06And, of course, he is a quarterback that Darryl Rogers has a great deal of confidence in.
00:44:10No doubt. This is a situation where your starting quarterback gets hurt.
00:44:13You want the veteran who's been around for 13 years to come in and be comfortable taking over your team.
00:44:19He's in a large order here.
00:44:21They're down 20 to 6 with 11 minutes left.
00:44:24So Hipple leaves the ballgame after completing 14 of 29 for 144 yards.
00:44:29But the Lions are down 20 to 6.
00:44:31Joe Ferguson is in the quarterback, second and four, 10 minutes and 48 seconds left to go in the ballgame.
00:44:37And the Lions have got to get on the board.
00:44:39Ferguson, into and out of the hands of Alvin Moore.
00:44:43The adrenaline was flowing.
00:44:45There might have been a little too much zip on that ball.
00:44:47It got to Alvin Moore so fast, he didn't have time to react and make the catch.
00:44:51And when you talk about Joe Ferguson,
00:44:54he's a man who has gone through all kinds of controversy throughout his career at Buffalo
00:44:59and here with the Detroit Lions.
00:45:02And Daryl Rodgers told us that he's the perfect man he wants for his backup.
00:45:06And there are a lot of times when decisions are made on the sidelines,
00:45:09when Hipple is in, Ferguson has a great deal to do with those decisions.
00:45:12It really is decision by committee.
00:45:14It'll be Ferguson, it'll be Rodgers, Baker and Hipple.
00:45:17Three wide receivers in now for the Lions.
00:45:23As Ferguson goes back to pass.
00:45:26Intercepted.
00:45:27This is Ronnie Lippitt.
00:45:29Lippitt down the far sidelines and he's caught from behind.
00:45:32Ronnie Lippitt caught from behind by Mark Nichols.
00:45:43Interception returned by Lippitt of 35 yards.
00:45:46Take a look at it right here.
00:45:48The reason is that Ferris got pressure on the quarterback.
00:45:52Hit him just as he was throwing and the ball is poorly thrown.
00:45:57Lippitt comes up and but for a good play right there by Nichols,
00:46:01Lippitt had some open field in front of him.
00:46:03But take a look at the pressure.
00:46:05That's the reason.
00:46:06Here it is.
00:46:07Watch Ferris and company.
00:46:08See the backside?
00:46:09Ferris gets his hand on Ferguson's arm
00:46:11and that's really the thing that caused the interception.
00:46:14Second interception of the season for Lippitt.
00:46:17But here's the ball that is thrown back to Greg James.
00:46:20James spinning, looking for that hole,
00:46:22picking up about 4 or 5 yards before he's tackled by Demetrius Johnson.
00:46:28A tough beginning for Joe Ferguson throwing an interception.
00:46:31A tough spot to come in in a game where you're behind
00:46:33against a good defensive team.
00:46:35Coming in cold, the adrenaline starts to flow
00:46:38and you get hit with some pressure right away.
00:46:40So Patriots are in good position right now.
00:46:4220 to 6, 10 minutes left.
00:46:45And they have the ball.
00:46:47And they have been doing exceptionally well running the ball this afternoon.
00:46:52Greg James has rushed for over 100 yards.
00:46:55Give him over 1,000 for the year.
00:46:57This time it's Tony Collins with the ball.
00:47:00Collins run out of bounds by Jimmy Williams.
00:47:04One of the problems that the Lions have had all year long, Jim,
00:47:07is runners going over 100 yards.
00:47:09I believe 9 runners and now 10 runners have gone over 100 yards
00:47:13against the Detroit Lions.
00:47:15And their defense is just not that strong.
00:47:19Now Hipple, when you look at this,
00:47:21the first thing that may come to your mind
00:47:23is some kind of hyper-extension.
00:47:25Because when you see them there working the knee
00:47:27and trying to put some kind of pressure on it,
00:47:30you think of a hyper-extension.
00:47:32But you know they're going to take every precaution
00:47:34before they let him go back into the game.
00:47:38Third and six.
00:47:41Eason from the shotgun.
00:47:43Throws.
00:47:45Lynn Dawson out of the backfield, and it is incomplete.
00:47:48Tony Eason knows that he didn't set up.
00:47:50He knows he threw off balance with his arm.
00:47:52Yeah, he's saying, I should have set up.
00:47:54It would have been an easy completion, but I didn't.
00:47:56I threw back and up.
00:47:57I just used my arm.
00:47:58The result, I threw it away.
00:48:00We're told that Hipple has a sprained left knee.
00:48:03And it is questionable if he will come back.
00:48:06But knowing Eric,
00:48:08Hipple, as you and I both do,
00:48:10if there's any way possible,
00:48:11he's going to try and get back in there.
00:48:13He's one tough cookie as a quarterback.
00:48:15And remember, Jim,
00:48:17they're seven and six.
00:48:18They're trying to stay in the playoff hunt.
00:48:20They don't have much to wait for.
00:48:22They've got to win this afternoon
00:48:23to stay in the playoff picture.
00:48:25Rich Camarillo now hunting for a new win.
00:48:30This is Pete Manley.
00:48:31He drops the ball at the six-yard line.
00:48:34Pete Manley dropping the ball at the six-yard line.
00:48:37That's where the Lions will take over first and ten
00:48:39when we return.
00:48:44Well, Joe Ferguson is going to have to use
00:48:46all of his 13 years of experience
00:48:49to take the Detroit Lions 97 yards
00:48:53as Eric Hipple now leaves the field.
00:48:56And this has been a year
00:48:57when we've had a lot of great players
00:48:59Eric Hipple now leaves the field.
00:49:01And this has been a year
00:49:02when we've had a lot of quarterbacks injured.
00:49:05They certainly have right here in our situation.
00:49:07Steve Grogan now with a broken leg.
00:49:09And of course, we all remember Joe Theismann.
00:49:11Plunkett's been out.
00:49:12McMahon, a tough year on quarterback.
00:49:15And a tough situation now
00:49:16for the backup quarterback of the Lions,
00:49:18Joe Ferguson.
00:49:23Hands off to James Jones.
00:49:25Jones trying to give the Lions
00:49:28a little room to maneuver him.
00:49:30Look at this.
00:49:31Scores in other games this afternoon.
00:49:32Chicago over the Colts, 17 to 10 in the fourth quarter.
00:49:35That's a close one.
00:49:37Kansas City, really big over Atlanta, 38 to 10.
00:49:41Miami over Green Bay, 20 to 17.
00:49:46St. Louis leading New Orleans, 28 to 9 in the final period.
00:49:51The Jets, John, your former team,
00:49:52over Buffalo, 21 to 7.
00:49:54Well, the three teams tied.
00:49:56The Jets, the Dolphins, and the Patriots here.
00:50:04Eight minutes, 50 seconds left to go.
00:50:06The ball intended for Alvin Moore.
00:50:08It's knocked out of his hands
00:50:09and ruled incomplete by Steve Nelson.
00:50:12Incomplete.
00:50:14And how about this, John?
00:50:1550 to 10, Cincinnati over the Dallas Cowboys.
00:50:18Boomer Esiason with three touchdown passes.
00:50:20Are you sure that's not a mistake?
00:50:22That's incredible.
00:50:23And Dallas, of course,
00:50:24trying to stay up there with the Giants,
00:50:26who if the Giants win today when they're playing Houston,
00:50:29they'll be tied with Dallas
00:50:30and it will be showdown time.
00:50:32Next week, right here on CBS,
00:50:33as the Cowboys take on the Giants.
00:50:35And here's the standings.
00:50:37NFC Eastern Division, Dallas and the Giants.
00:50:40I'm telling you, that will be, as you mentioned,
00:50:43the showdown.
00:50:45Joe Ferguson at quarterback.
00:50:47On third down.
00:50:53Tries to throw the swing pass,
00:50:54and Andre Tippett is right there.
00:50:56There's a flag on the play,
00:50:57but Andre Tippett is right there.
00:50:59Sensational play by the outside linebacker.
00:51:02Andre Tippett defensively.
00:51:04He is the guts of their defense.
00:51:06Personal foul.
00:51:07Roughing the passer.
00:51:08Number six lead defense.
00:51:0910 and a half.
00:51:1115 yards in the first half.
00:51:13Aaron Veras.
00:51:16Aaron Veras may have gotten a little too frisky.
00:51:19Joe Ferguson throws this ball.
00:51:21Watch Veras.
00:51:22He comes.
00:51:23He hits.
00:51:25You have to wonder whether they were just protecting the quarterback
00:51:27a little too much on that hit.
00:51:29Veras was in motion,
00:51:31had launched himself,
00:51:32and couldn't stop,
00:51:33and they called a penalty.
00:51:34Veras is starting this afternoon
00:51:36for Kenneth Sims,
00:51:37who's out with a fractured left leg.
00:51:40And that reshuffled defensive line for the Patriots,
00:51:43with Kenneth Sims hurt.
00:51:45Julius Adams has to play the whole game.
00:51:47Veras coming in the young man from Stanford
00:51:50in their top draft jersey is playing a good game.
00:51:52So the penalty gives the Lions a little breathing room.
00:51:55First and 10 at their own 23-yard line.
00:51:58Three wide receivers in now for Detroit.
00:52:01Ferguson sets up quick to throw.
00:52:03Intended for Alvin Moore,
00:52:04and Moore wasn't even looking for the ball.
00:52:06Well, Ferguson saw the blitz,
00:52:07and he's saying,
00:52:08Alvin, come on, read the blitz.
00:52:09Make the cut.
00:52:10I'm going to get it to you in a hurry.
00:52:12I mean, that's the thing these days.
00:52:14A receiver has to read the coverages
00:52:16as well as the quarterback.
00:52:18You can see Ferguson there.
00:52:19He's throwing up his hands, looking at Alvin,
00:52:20and saying, can't you see the blitz?
00:52:21Come on, let's get this thing going now.
00:52:23You know I'm not going to have time
00:52:24to call the original play we had,
00:52:26which would have taken longer.
00:52:27I must get rid of the ball sooner.
00:52:29Alvin didn't read it.
00:52:30That's incomplete.
00:52:32It's now second down.
00:52:34Eight minutes and 34 seconds left to go in the ballgame.
00:52:36Again, three wide receivers for the Lions.
00:52:43The drop play to James Jones.
00:52:46Jones over the 30-yard line to the 32.
00:52:48He's tackled by Ronnie Lippitt.
00:52:54And they continue to run the ball,
00:52:56and James Jones continues to be the workhorse.
00:53:00The Lions coaches have asked him to do this.
00:53:02He was a little hesitant to turn into a Billy Sims,
00:53:04you know, the guy who would carry the entire load,
00:53:06but they have no alternative.
00:53:08James Jones is really their only legitimate big-time running back.
00:53:12And he's had a pretty good afternoon rushing himself.
00:53:17Eight minutes left to go in the ballgame.
00:53:20As Joe Ferguson is in at quarterback for the injured Eric Hippel.
00:53:24And it's Jones again.
00:53:25Jones to the 35-yard line.
00:53:27Donnie Blackman in on the tackle for the Patriots.
00:53:32Now they've got to start throwing the ball a little bit more,
00:53:34don't you think?
00:53:35They just defeat his type of philosophy right now.
00:53:37You see the clock winding down.
00:53:39They're trailing by two touchdowns.
00:53:41They need a touchdown in a hurry.
00:53:42They need to get the ball back and put another one up.
00:53:47The reason for that is that the Patriots have been controlling the ball
00:53:50on offense running.
00:53:52So, you know, when they get it back, what their philosophy will be.
00:53:56The Patriots now faking the blitz.
00:53:59And they come through with it, but good protection for Ferguson.
00:54:01He throws into and out of the arms of Alvin Moore.
00:54:06Donnie Blackman and Andre Tippett defending for the Patriots.
00:54:09I'm going to make a statement about Andre Tippett.
00:54:17The loud cheer you hear, the Packers are now leading Miami.
00:54:19That's why the crowd is going in and up for now.
00:54:22They didn't care much about that incompletion.
00:54:24They want to know that the Packers have come back against the Dolphins
00:54:27and have taken the lead.
00:54:31The Patriots have scored 24 to 20.
00:54:40Second down for the Lions.
00:54:44Ferguson back to pass.
00:54:45The blitz is on.
00:54:46Here comes Tippett.
00:54:48The ball is knocked loose.
00:54:50And Julius Adams comes up with it.
00:54:52And the Patriots have the ball.
00:55:01The Patriots have the ball and the Lions are becoming more frustrated
00:55:03as the game gets closer to the end.
00:55:06You just saw Lomas Brown, number 75, fighting.
00:55:08But there's number 85, Julius Adams, who says this will be his last year.
00:55:12He will.
00:55:13Number 85 is gone in 85.
00:55:1537 years young.
00:55:17Forced to play the entire game for the Patriots.
00:55:27Julius Adams, who has taken marvelous care of himself throughout his career.
00:55:32Qualification.
00:55:34Number 75 Detroit, number 57 New England.
00:55:38Both players are disqualified.
00:55:40We're hearing continuous action.
00:55:43It's New England ball, first down on a 13-yard line.
00:55:47So Lomas Brown, the rookie from Florida, and Steve Nelson, the veteran,
00:55:51have been kicked out of the game.
00:55:53The third player to be kicked out this afternoon.
00:55:55On this side of your screen, that's Andre Tippett, folks.
00:55:58And to me, he is the best linebacker playing in the NFL at this moment.
00:56:03Julius Adams picks up the fumble.
00:56:05And I say that because he is better than Lawrence Taylor.
00:56:10Lomas Brown, then kicked out of the ballgame.
00:56:15Steve Nelson, the second Patriot to be kicked out of the ballgame.
00:56:23Guy Morris was kicked out of the game, the fine center for the Patriots.
00:56:26Now Steve Nelson, the trusty veteran, has been ejected.
00:56:30But the Patriots hang on to the ball.
00:56:33They have it first and 10, a little more than seven minutes to go.
00:56:36And the crowd here is in a frenzy because the Green Bay Packers have come from
00:56:40behind to lead the Miami Dolphins.
00:56:42We have Green Bay holds on to win.
00:56:44And the Patriots hold on to win.
00:56:48It really makes it a good ballgame for next Monday in Miami.
00:56:51Oh, yes.
00:56:52Of course, the Jets are winning in Buffalo, so New England would be tied with the Jets.
00:56:56This is Craig James.
00:56:58James down to the five-yard line.
00:57:01And the Patriots are all fired up.
00:57:03They know they can put the icing on the cake if they get a touchdown now.
00:57:07William Graham making the tackle for Detroit.
00:57:09And you get a feeling of excitement around this town.
00:57:11Every place you go, people are talking about it.
00:57:13I was in the hospital yesterday with my little friend Joey O'Donnell.
00:57:18The entire ward was talking about the Patriots and how good they are
00:57:21and how they're going to the playoffs.
00:57:23I mean, this town is turned on, and they believe in Raymond Berry.
00:57:27Well, they should be.
00:57:29He's done a marvelous job in his first year here.
00:57:32Tony Eason, the quarterback, the handoff to Craig James.
00:57:36James hit at the line of scrimmage by Keith Ferguson.
00:57:40And you know what's all important to the Patriots and Tony Eason?
00:57:44How do we gain the confidence of this veteran team?
00:57:47The truth of the situation, the leader of the New England Patriots is on the bench.
00:57:52Steve Grogan with a broken leg.
00:57:54Eason has to prove that he can do it when the going gets tough.
00:57:57He did it last week.
00:57:59Grogan did it for six weeks in a row and brought this team out of the doldrums.
00:58:03They were 2-3 when this man came in with six straight wins,
00:58:07took them back to the point where they are now,
00:58:09and now Tony Eason must continue and carry on.
00:58:12And it is amazing how Eason goes to Grogan and talks to him about different things.
00:58:16But now, here's the handoff to James.
00:58:21James, tackled by Jimmy Williams.
00:58:24You remember how...
00:58:27You think they'll go for it here?
00:58:29I think they'll probably just go for the field goals that will require three scores to beat them.
00:58:37Now see, here's where you have to be real smart about things.
00:58:41And I get the impression here that Raymond Berry is doing the smart thing.
00:58:45No doubt about it, Jim.
00:58:46Look, it's 20-6, two touchdowns would tie this game for the Lions.
00:58:50Now that's a long shot, but three scores just about puts it out of reach
00:58:54when you have five minutes left in the ballgame.
00:58:56And you have someone in like a Tony Franklin,
00:58:59who can kick from great distances.
00:59:01From this distance, he's four of six.
00:59:03He has not had one block this year.
00:59:06This will be a 22-yard field goal attempt.
00:59:12And it is good.
00:59:14So the Patriots extend their lead by three.
00:59:164.48 to go in the ballgame.
00:59:18We'll be back in just a moment.
00:59:22So Tony Franklin, who just booted a 22-yard field goal,
00:59:26is getting ready to kick off for New England.
00:59:34And as we talk about the crowd so much this afternoon,
00:59:39giving their club a standing ovation.
00:59:41Alvin Hall is deep for the Lions.
00:59:52This is A.J. Jones at the 7-yard line.
00:59:56A.J. Jones gets over the 30- to the 32-yard line,
00:59:59tackled by Mosi Tutupu.
01:00:01Now, John, at the beginning of the year, Raymond Berry told us that
01:00:04his squad had been sailing around the harbor in training camp
01:00:07and now they were heading out to sea.
01:00:09And we asked him yesterday, we said,
01:00:10how has your voyage been?
01:00:12Yeah, you know, and he said, we hit some headwinds,
01:00:14but, you know, we're on a steady course.
01:00:16And we had a good midseason navigator in Steve Grogan.
01:00:19That's right.
01:00:21But there is the captain of the ship.
01:00:23He's the captain of the ship, and I think he's also satisfied
01:00:25with the new navigator, Tony Eason.
01:00:28And the remaining schedule is tough next week at Miami,
01:00:31Monday night game.
01:00:33Then finishing up at home against Cincinnati.
01:00:38Joe Ferguson in the quarterback.
01:00:39Play action pass.
01:00:40Throws.
01:00:41The pass is intended for Leonard Thompson,
01:00:43and it's knocked down there by Ronnie Lippert.
01:00:45And you look at Miami next week on the Patriots' schedule,
01:00:48but you also look at Cincinnati,
01:00:50and they are still in the playoff hunt.
01:00:52And after what they did to Dallas today,
01:00:54they're going to be feeling their oats.
01:00:56So it's not easy sledding for the Patriots.
01:00:58I mean, today was actually an easy game for them.
01:01:00The Lions came in.
01:01:01They're away from home.
01:01:02They're terrible on the road.
01:01:03They don't have good statistics.
01:01:05So the Patriots got on top early and didn't let up.
01:01:08But next week, it'll be a little tougher against Miami,
01:01:11and then they have Cincinnati.
01:01:12So the playoff is not wrapped up by any stretch of the imagination.
01:01:24There is another flag on the play.
01:01:26Now Keith Dorney is getting into it.
01:01:29Keith Dorney, along with Doran Veras.
01:01:34The frustrations continue to show.
01:01:41Personal foul.
01:01:42Number 70 offense.
01:01:44After the play was good, good and continuous action.
01:01:47The down count plus 15 yards.
01:01:52So Keith Dorney is the individual who the penalty was given.
01:01:56So Keith Dorney is the individual who the penalty was called against.
01:02:01He was all smiles and laughing and joking when we talked to him yesterday,
01:02:04but those smiles have turned to frowns this afternoon.
01:02:10Our final this afternoon, the Bears beating Indianapolis by 7 points.
01:02:1617 to 10.
01:02:17Chicago continues to roll on.
01:02:19You have to sense Chicago was a little down after losing to Miami last week,
01:02:22but you can bet they will not be down when they go to the Big Apple next week.
01:02:26They better not be.
01:02:27Take out the Jets next Saturday.
01:02:28Whoa.
01:02:29Right here.
01:02:30Jets need a victory.
01:02:31They have to stay in the playoff.
01:02:32Right here on CBS at 12 noon.
01:02:34Walter Payton scoring in the ballgame this afternoon for the Bears.
01:02:38Third down now for Detroit.
01:02:40With Joe Ferguson in quarterback.
01:02:45Ferguson throws.
01:02:46Look out.
01:02:47Pete Manley catches the ball and he catches a helmet right in the back of his head
01:02:50by Roland James.
01:02:58I thought for a shot here for a while that the Patriots had a shot at intercepting.
01:03:02Ferguson's had a rough afternoon since he replaced Hipple,
01:03:05who left with a sprained knee.
01:03:07That's his first completion of the afternoon.
01:03:11You know, Daryl Rogers was kidding us about putting chips of the old dome roof
01:03:15that fell in last March in the helmets of the Lions.
01:03:18Maybe he should have done that.
01:03:19It might have brought him some luck.
01:03:21And maybe they should have executed a little bit better this afternoon too.
01:03:24That certainly would have helped.
01:03:26But that's been one of the reasons.
01:03:28Bad execution on the part of the Lions.
01:03:30Great execution on the part of the Patriots.
01:03:33Play action pass.
01:03:37Ferguson throws.
01:03:39And it is incomplete.
01:03:40A.J. Jam Jones was the nearest Lion receiver.
01:03:44And he wasn't even looking for the ball in.
01:03:46And neither was Alvin Moore, who was blocking the defensive back downfield.
01:03:50So no one gave Ferguson much of an outlet to throw that ball.
01:03:55We have a little more than three minutes left to go in the ball game.
01:03:59As the New England Patriots have a 23-6 lead over the Detroit Lions
01:04:03in really a must-ball game for both clubs.
01:04:06A must-ball club.
01:04:07And neither coach was dodging the fact that it was a must-ball game.
01:04:10When you look at these Lions, they really are a bunch of overachievers.
01:04:13They're not really that talented a team, yet they beat the Cowboys,
01:04:16the Dolphins, the 49ers, and the Jets.
01:04:22We all know, as you heard here, the Dolphins have gone back on top of the Green Bay Packers.
01:04:27Robert Weathers making the carry here for the New England Patriots.
01:04:31Number 24 is tackled by Keith Ferguson.
01:04:34And the good teams do not fold up.
01:04:36Miami leading 27-24, going back on top of Green Bay.
01:04:40The Jets are in the lead today.
01:04:42The Patriots are doing it to the Lions today.
01:04:44If that remains, it'll be a three-way tie in that AFC East.
01:04:48It's going to go right down to the wire.
01:04:50And as soon as that score went up on the scoreboard here,
01:04:52people just started to say, oh, no.
01:04:56Don Shula has a way of doing it, doesn't he?
01:04:58I mean, to beat Chicago last Monday night, I never believed they'd do it.
01:05:03Second down for New England.
01:05:05The tossback goes to Robert Weathers.
01:05:07Weathers to the 20, gets to about the 34-yard line.
01:05:11But, Jim, you know, talking about some of the good teams, the tough teams,
01:05:14to be a good team these days, you have to be physical.
01:05:17You have to have some tough guys on that club.
01:05:19The Patriots have those kinds of guys.
01:05:21The Hannahs, the Tippetts, the Nelsons, the tough guys who can set the tone for your team.
01:05:27And the tone has been set for the whole ballgame this afternoon,
01:05:30as far as New England is concerned.
01:05:31That's the two-minute warning.
01:05:34Well, John, the Patriots have the ball,
01:05:36and they've done just about what they wanted to this afternoon.
01:05:38And you can see how they are really starting to build that momentum
01:05:42towards the playoffs with a big game next week.
01:05:44And building the confidence of Tony Eason.
01:05:47That balanced attack is executed well.
01:05:49You see his numbers on the screen.
01:05:53It's Greg James.
01:05:54He's got the ball.
01:05:55He's got the ball.
01:05:56He's got the ball.
01:05:57He's got the ball.
01:05:58He's got the ball.
01:05:59He's got the ball.
01:06:00He's got the ball.
01:06:01He's got the ball.
01:06:02It's Greg James with the ball.
01:06:05James inside the 30-yard line,
01:06:07down to, as he's tackled by Demetrius Johnson,
01:06:10down to about the 28-yard line.
01:06:12When you talk about the good teams in the NFL,
01:06:14the Chicago's, the San Francisco's,
01:06:16they have a good defense.
01:06:18The Patriots have an outstanding defense,
01:06:20even though they're thin on the defensive line.
01:06:22They have outstanding linebackers.
01:06:23They also have offensive firepower.
01:06:26They have it in Fryer and Stanley Morgan.
01:06:28They have the runners, too, Jim.
01:06:30The question I have is Eason.
01:06:32Can he pick up the slack and the leadership
01:06:34that Steve Grogan gave this team
01:06:36for the last month and a half?
01:06:38And the big question mark surrounding Eason
01:06:40is going up against a good, solid defense.
01:06:44Which he will face as Miami is starting to grow
01:06:47on defense they're getting better.
01:06:49We just saw Greg James leaving the ballgame.
01:06:51Robert Weathers and Mosey Tatupu in the backfield now
01:06:53for the Patriots.
01:06:55One of Eason's mains of quarterback
01:06:57is Robert Weathers.
01:06:59Weathers inside the 20 to the 17-yard line.
01:07:02He's tackled there by William Graham.
01:07:05These last two games will be all important
01:07:07for Eason because they've been against
01:07:09relatively inferior competition, the Colts.
01:07:12And this afternoon, the Lions,
01:07:13even though they were 7-6,
01:07:15they were doing it with some luck and some mirrors.
01:07:17He's had a good day.
01:07:18He's gotten his feet wet, two wins,
01:07:20and now next week he's going to be called upon
01:07:22to do it against a good club.
01:07:24And the taking-it-one-game philosophy at a time
01:07:27for Raymond Berry has started to pay off more and more.
01:07:30Yesterday he told us,
01:07:32there's one thing that really aggravates me to no end.
01:07:35It's that if we start to look past one team
01:07:38getting to another.
01:07:39And Raymond Berry's philosophy is to have his team ready
01:07:42late in the season, that full tank of gas,
01:07:44and certainly today, the Patriots had a full tank of gas
01:07:47and they put it to the Lions.
01:07:49Well, the New England Patriots have done a marvelous job
01:07:52not only throughout the course of the year
01:07:54but especially this afternoon
01:07:55in a must-win situation as the clock runs down.
01:07:59And you see Darrell Rogers,
01:08:01the head coach of the Detroit Lions, coming out.
01:08:03There's Joe Ferguson talking with Steve Grogan.
01:08:06The New England Patriots defeat the Detroit Lions 23-6
01:08:11behind a marvelous effort by quarterback Tony Eason
01:08:15who not only ran well, he scored the first touchdown,
01:08:18but he threw some great passes.
01:08:20He certainly did, and he also got some help from Craig James
01:08:23who went over the 1,000-yard mark today
01:08:25for the New England Patriots.
01:08:27So he has an attack that's balanced, something,
01:08:29and it's a new offense, something that Raymond Berry wanted
01:08:32when he came in this year.
01:08:33He changed the offense dramatically.
01:08:35He said, I want that balanced San Francisco-like attack,
01:08:39and he's starting to get it with his young quarterback,
01:08:41Tony Eason, back at the helm.
01:08:43Eason has shown great maturity, and we're going to have him.
01:08:47Eason has shown, as I mentioned, great maturity this afternoon.
01:08:50He was a little crusty when we talked to him a couple of days ago,
01:08:53but I think that's the kind of attitude that you have to have
01:08:56in order to have a good, solid quarterback.
01:08:58Now, don't forget, coming up next, NFL Today postgame show
01:09:02with all the scores and highlights from around the league,
01:09:05and there's been some marvelous action this afternoon.
01:09:08Once again, here from Sullivan Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts,
01:09:13it is the New England Patriots with a great day
01:09:16defeating the Detroit Lions by a score of 23-6.
01:09:21We'll be back with the postgame show in just a moment.
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