Well, there were quite a few shocks, but none as big as number three seed and 12-3 team in real life, the 1987 Saints. They lost to the 30th seed and oldest still undefeated team, 1969.
As if that wasn't enough, #5 2013, the most recent team was upended by #28 1998, and it wasn't a close one either. The final score ended up being 33-16 in favor of the 98ers in a game that featured old Billy Joe Tolliver completing 13 of his attempted 19 passes for a total of 241 yards and three touchdowns. In the end, it was the defense that proved to be the achilles heel for 2013 as they gave up a number of big plays, most notably a 63 yard bomb to Cam Cleeland.
To be honest, one of the best things about this hypothetical tournament is seeing all these old names pop up that bring back so many happy memories of brilliant Saints teams. I hope it does the same for some of you!
Tomorrow brings us the first elimination games as 30 teams have their tournament lives on the line. Sixteen teams are safe in the winner's bracket, the lowest rated of all being the #30 seed 1969. Three of four of the top seeds are safe, with #3 1987 being the only one to visit the loser's bracket where they'll meet 1967 tomorrow. Find out how it all plays out here and on my personal twitter: @josephstern!
UPDATE: After the first elimination round, 15 teams are sent to Davy Jones Locker, and 16 (one had a bye) live to fight another day in the second elimination round. The teams that manage to survive that round will go on to face the losers of the third round of the Winner's Bracket. Those matches will take place Thursday, and the double dose of double eliminations will happen tomorrow, but until then, let's cue up some Sarah McLachlan for the dearly departed:
In Memoriam:
- 1967
- 1968
- 1970
- 1972
- 1973
- 1974
- 1975
- 1976
- 1977
- 1980
- 1981
- 1982
- 1985
- 1990
- 1993
UPDATE 2: Well, the second elimination round was quite the surprise as we saw #5 Seed and the most recent Saints team go out in OT against a tough 1989 team. The final death knell was a 64 yard bomb to Eric Martin, only after a 58 yard Morten Andersen kick to keep '89 in the game.
Elsewhere 1983 played a scintillating comeback to win at the last second against 1971, but let's let the gamelog speak for itself:
NE2 13:12 FG Charlie Durkee 49 yds. 3-0 NEW 10:08 FG Morten Andersen 37 yds. 3-3 NE2 6:53 FG Charlie Durkee 29 yds. 6-3 2nd Quarter NE2 8:36 FG Charlie Durkee 42 yds. 9-3 NE2 1:56 FG Charlie Durkee 39 yds. 12-3 NE2 0:59 TD Danny Abramowicz 11 yd. pass from Hargett (Durkee kick) 19-3 4th Quarter NEW 8:51 TD Lindsay Scott 70 yd. pass from Stabler (Rogers 2-PT conversion) 19-11 NEW 2:13 TD Eugene Goodlow 3 yd. pass from Stabler (2-PT conversion failed) 19-17 NE2 1:42 FG Charlie Durkee 41 yds. 22-17 NEW 0:00 TD Kenny Duckett 13 yd. pass from Wilson 22-23
And the winning drive went like this:
1983 New Orleans (NEW) at 1:37 1:37 1/10 own 31 22 - 17 221 Wilson overthrows Groth and the pass is incomplete.
1:30 2/10 own 31 22 - 17 221 Wilson picks his way to the sidelines for 2 yards. Wilson runs out of bounds.
1:26 3/8 own 33 22 - 17 131 Wilson overthrows Brenner and the pass is incomplete.
1:20 4/8 own 33 22 - 17 140 Wilson completes the pass to Rogers. Tackled immediately for a 14 yd gain.
0:59 1/10 own 47 22 - 17 221 Wilson gets 8 yards on a pitch right.
0:38 2/2 45 22 - 17 131 Rogers picks up 6 yards off tackle left, and is run out of bounds.
0:34 1/10 39 22 - 17 041 Wilson's pass is just out of reach of Brenner. Incomplete pass.
PENALTY on NE2: Defensive Holding, 5 yards enforced on the NE2 39 - NO PLAY. Automatic First Down.0:28 1/10 34 22 - 17 041 Wilson hits Scott who makes the catch and attempts to stretch forward, but loses the ball.
1983 New Orleans (NEW) recovers the ball on the NE2 26.
0:20 2/2 26 22 - 17 041 *** 1983 New Orleans (NEW) CALLS A TIMEOUT ***
0:20 2/2 26 22 - 17 041 Wilson's pass is to Scott who holds on to the the ball and runs for a 13 yd gain before getting out of bounds.
0:13 1/10 13 22 - 17 140 Wilson overthrows Groth in the endzone and the pass is incomplete.
0:07 2/10 13 22 - 17 131 Wilson hits Duckett in the endzone.
1983 New Orleans scores a touchdown!
Drive Summary: 10 plays, 67 yds, 1:32
End of 4th Quarter ... 1971 New Orleans: 22 1983 New Orleans: 23
24 total teams remain, and today we said goodbye to these vintage squads: '96, '84, '01, '71, '13, '97, '05 (13-3!), '94
Here's the bracket: