Cincinnati Bengals vs San Diego Chargers 12/20/82 MNF

[@steveparish4209]

This is one of my favorite all time games. I was 11 years old and was a Chargers fan from Ohio. That night it was blizzard conditions in Ohio, they had already called off school for the next day. Dad made me shovel the driveway before I could watch the game, lol. I came in from the cold, curled up on the couch and watched the whole thing. It was the greatest night of my life, so far.

[@joearroyo482]

Remember this Monday night classic game. One of the best on ABC. Exciting to watch. Both offenses just rolled up the yardage and points. Tremendous comeback from Fouts and Co. Unfortunate that both teams got routed in the playoffs. Bengals by the Jets in the first round, Chargers by the Dolphins in the second.

[@muffs55mercury61]

This game was a lot WARMER than when they met 11 months earlier in the Freezer Bowl. Kenny Anderson reportedly still has some effects from frostbite today. Gosh I miss this era as well as 60s & 70s football.

[@tonyarceneaux286]

Bengals had a lot of help from Mother Nature in that game.

[@dantheman5745]

I vividly remember watching this game. So hopeful that Cincinnati could handle Fouts and the Chargers, especially after jumping out to a 17-7 lead. And then watching as Fouts & Co. absolutely shredded the Bengals' defense. Still, so nostalgic re-watching this game. But so sad that Frank, Howard & Dandy Don are all gone now, along with a number of the players....Dan Ross, Chuck Muncie, Turk Schonert, Wilson Whitley...along with HCs Forrest Gregg and Don Coryell.

[@scottmartin6612]

Wow,I still remember watching this game as a kid.Thanks for letting me relive the memory!

[@johnjaramillo7663]

Most exciting offense ever!! Fouts was unbelievable and a ton of talent around him, unstoppable!!

[@rodneysmith247]

Air Coryell

[@familyguyfreemoviedownload8314]

as someone who was born in 1997 i like finding old games online to watch the teams i missed. 3 teams stand out as the most entertaining to watch: the jim kelly bills, the warren moon oilers, and the dan fouts chargers

[@gutted3638]

@@familyguyfreemoviedownload8314 Check out Miami from 1983 onward with Marino

[@r3tr0actiongamer24]

Unstoppable? Ask the Bengals about that lol I loved those Fouts chargers teams. Should have signed Fred Dean and John Jefferson when they held out

[@graciemaemarie11jones16]

anderson was just as good

[@willmack5909]

These old videos make me feel cozy and safe. Makes it feel like Christmas. This was played the day after my 16th birthday...oh so long ago :(

[@gutted3638]

Love this. Great football atmosphere at night at ol Jack Murphy Stadium. electric. The NFL was at its best during this era. And the chemistry among Dandy Don, Howard, and Gifford was remarkable. This game had this big heavyweight title fight feel to it, only it was 2 big high octane offenses of the day going at it

[@marvinnewbill6470]

The late Howard Cosell and Frank Gilford and Don Meredith Miss these guys

[@1burnman]

So do I that was a good announce team

[@marvinnewbill6470]

@@1burnman absolutely

[@tonyarceneaux286]

Cosell should be respected.

[@tonyarceneaux286]

Both Frank Gilford & "Dandy" Don Meredith played for two teams in the same division ➗ NFC East ➡️.

[@user619tlsdca5]

Dan Fouts was an extremly great passer. His passes was always in the bucket zone of a WRs chest area. He could throw every type of pass including the most simple ones in the screen of having the right touch on ball. He was also hard to beat up or being intimidated by rushers as his best trait of being prototypical OLD SCHOOL QB. I even remember how he loved the game wo much, he played thru the Strike. His last game he took an elbow to his chin from the Union players as a payback for not striking along. Geniune Class Act and a hell of a QB in NFL.

[@rankinnwc]

In back to back games against the previous season's Super Bowl teams the Chargers scored a total of 91 points and gained a total of 1199 yards .of total offense .

[@CJinsoo]

Incredible, did the leagues schedule it this way after the 81/82 Superbowl?

[@ViceCoin]

The 90s Chargers had great defense, but mediocre offensive players.

[@graciemaemarie11jones16]

miami waxed them in the playoffs.

[@EdsterIII]

The San Diego Chargers had one of the best offenses in the early 80's. Dan Fouts, Charlie Joiner, John Jefferson, Kellen Winslow, Wes Chandler, Chuck Muncie, and a few others were LETHAL WEAPONS! This was the earliest "prototype" of the big air offense! And they were EXCITING TO WATCH! I may have been a Packers fan, but I also loved good football games and the Chargers were my #2 favorite team!

[@tonyarceneaux286]

But no Super Bowl 🍜 appearances.

[@Chairman7w]

Man, James Brooks was GREAT. If memory serves, he played for the Bengals later, and was awesome there, too.

[@brianbachmeier34]

Chairman7w He was my favorite player growing up. There was nothing he couldn't do. He played for the Chargers from 1981-1983. He was then traded to the Bengals for Pete Johnson #46 and played from 1984-1991.

[@caponsacchi]

So why did the Chargers trade him to the Bengals? And why wasn't he a factor in their '88 Super Bowl? (Montana out-passed Boomer for 4 quarters).

[@usnva5638]

@@caponsacchi A sports car gives exceptional performance under 50,000 miles. It's still pretty good under 100,000 miles. Brooks was over the 100,000 mile mark when traded. He was good with the Bengals, but it wasn't like the early 80's.

[@Jelperman]

@@caponsacchi Two reasons: 1) He was rather small and missed a good part of the 1983 season due to injury. The shelf life of scatbacks is about 3-4 years. 2) The Chargers were pretty loaded at halfback: Chuck Muncie, Earnest Jackson and Lionel James, who they had just drafted. What they needed was a fullback (John Capaletti had retired), which is why they traded Brooks for Pete Johnson and traded for Jewerl Thomas. This went haywire when Muncie washed out for cocaine (the Chargers tried to unload him on the Dolphins, but he failed a drug test so the Dolphins got Johnson instead) and Thomas blew out a knee. In spite of that, Jackson had a Pro Bowl season. But the ownership traded him to the Eagles right before the 1985 season WITHOUT TELLING DON CORYELL! Coryell found out Jackson was traded when he called the RB to chew him out for missing practice. It was Jackson who had to tell the coach he had been shipped off to Philadelphia.

[@edscottable]

He used to shred my Oilers

[@chadgagnon4018]

These games are such a treat to watch!

[@marvinnewbill6470]

You are so right I agree

[@MarshalLucky1]

RIP Don, Frank and Howard.

[@CJinsoo]

The Best MNF Booth Lineup!

[@turtle19dad]

And Jack Murphy Stadium. Goodbye old friend. #SanDiegoSuperChargers #SpanosStillSucks

[@grxracer-1606]

+@@turtle19dad Eugene Klein really sucked 1979-82.

[@turtle19dad]

@@grxracer-1606 yeah those teams should've at least made one SB.

[@samson9535]

As a Charger fan of this era, their defense caused me to age 10 years every time I watch them play. Agonizing as hell! If they had just a good, average defense they would have won at least two super bowls in the 80's.

[@marcamerine7941]

Is it Me or was this the best Monday night announcing crew ever in history of Monday night football.!??? (and Thursday night special back then it was Thursday night special football games.)

[@markiefufu]

This is the game that really got me watching all NFL games. Previously, I only watched Cowboy games. Became an instant fan of Dan Fouts.

[@ViceCoin]

I preferred to watch the Chargers lose a shootout, than a boring championship game.

[@EdsterIII]

@@ViceCoin Honesty a don't mind a good defensive battle. Sacks, good hits causing fumbles, or even an interception? One of the craziest and hardest fought games can be a 6-3, 7-6, 10-7, 9-6, 14-3, etc type game. Now if you love wild shootouts, there's a MNF game between the Green Bay Packers and the Washington Redskins from the early 80's if I remember correctly. They together set a record for total points scored. I don't want to spoil the game for you but the teams almost hit 100 points total. It was a wild game! Now THAT was a shootout that was as entertaining as it gets!

[@markiefufu]

​@@EdsterIIIseeing your comment a year later. Lol. After I watch this game again, I'm gonna search for the other game that you mentioned. In a way that I won't spoil the end for myself. I'm sure I saw it, but don't remember it at all.

[@brianbachmeier34]

Reggie Williams #57 of the Cincinnati Bengals. During his career he recorded 16 interceptions and 23 fumble recoveries and 62.5 sacks. In his final two seasons with Cincinnati, he was appointed to an open seat on the Cincinnati City Council in 1988 and was elected for a second term in 1989 on the Charter Party ticket. Although he was a starter for 14 seasons, Williams played most of his career on a bad right knee. He has had 24 knee surgeries since his career ended. He had the first surgery in 1979, plus knee replacements as well as multiple infections. He played in super bowls 16 and 23 NFL Players Association's Byron R. (Whizzer) White Humanitarian Award in 1985 NFL Man of the Year for 1986 Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year 1987

[@survivor5044]

Amazing that Reggie Williams had that kind of career with a bad right knee. He played for the love of the game. Thank you for sharing the info on him. #57ReggieWilliams

[@brianbachmeier34]

@@survivor5044 You are welcome Richard. He has a story that needs to be told. Here is a link to video about him. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6q4oWmnod5rb80

[@lboskeezi5796]

I remember he came talk to us at a junior achievement meeting at Aiken High school back in 89. 1st time I seen a football player in person.

[@williampowell3378]

Amazing

[@tonyarceneaux286]

@@survivor5044 The reason why the Chargers most in their home 🏠 games wore white was because of the heat right ▶️?

[@jonathanprice2839]

Classic game. Wes had a great game. Absolutely super quality game. Any more games like this

[@ronhoover5516]

Great game with 2 great teams. WTH happened to pro football? I'm tingling watching this game 40 years later. Howard and the crew, the stadium, the fans, the unifrms. It all worked to perfection.

[@garthornspike3648]

What happened to pro football? Mega TV contracts and free agency is what happened.

[@lrod1158]

I remember watching this game. It was a great game. Watching Fouts come back from behind was awesome!!!!

[@allenstewart1985]

Love this old games my era

[@BrotherApexx]

Ah, when the Bengals and Chargers were good. These QBs would tear up the league today the way it coddles QB's. And some beautiful uniforms, too.

[@adamthornberry8475]

BEST Bengals uniforms. The "Browns" one's were an unimaginative bore & rip off of Cleveland, & the ones since these beauties have been an ADD shit-show... San Diego's were great from 1979 - until they sold-out to the almost black shade of deep navy... A disturbing trend with many teams starting in the late 1980s.

[@ROCK35377]

A classic 80's shoot out! Interesting side note: the Coors Light commercial just before the start of the second half stars a young Bryan Cranston.

[@quincee3376]

Nice!

[@adamthornberry8475]

"Whatley..!" 🤔🦷🤣

[@randymccluskey1551]

Coryell; Fouts, Chandler, Winslow, Jointer... Incredible!! Love this team. One of the most entertaining games of all time. Plus Frank, Don and Howard adding their character to this MNF game put it over the top. Thank you for posting this game.👍🏼

[@2008israelramos]

I was a huge Charger fan during this period and I remember this game very fondly especially after the previous week's win against San Fran.

[@caponsacchi]

Good question. If I may give a hint, this game set a new record in combined passing yards by the two teams. (I remember the game well.) If only KZbin could make more of these games from the 1970s and early -80s available--I for one would be happy to pay for the subscription version of KZbin. I've been looking forever to find at least two of the games I remember watching with my son: the first a 1974 game with the Bengals at Pittsburgh, when Ken Anderson completes 20 in a row (I remember holding my breath with each pass), end with Anderson running across the field to make a game-saving tackle; the 2nd a complete game, 11-17-75, when Buffalo is in Cincinnati on a Monday Night, in what becomes a duel between the passing of Ken Anderson (relatively unknown in a Division in which Bradshaw, even before playing a down, was the game's most celebrated QB) vs. the running of O.J. Simpson. Anderson's 447 yds not only won the game but overshadowed O.J.'s 197 yds rushing and gave the nation a glimpse. of the future of Pro-Football--more passing, more completions, more scoring--all for a more exciting, enjoyable game (notice how "giddy" Cosell and company become with each new score--by either team). After 1975, Bill Walsh--who had devised his new "West Coast Offense" in Cincinnati, using his discovery Ken Anderson as his "model"---packed his videotapes of Anderson running the Offense and accepted the job as QB coach for Dan Fouts and the Chargers, who by the end of the '70s, had surpassed the Bengals' record passing yardage set in 1975. So here in 1982 we see the prime examples of the new, more open, more "Aerial-Dynamic Game" that would replace the old game represented in the '70s by "Mean" Joe Greene's "Steel Curtain" and in the '80s by "Iron Mike's" intimidating Bears. The 49ers, moreover, had gone into a temporary "swoon" after their '81 "Super Bowl" season under Walsh. Thus the scene was set for an offensive shoot-out between the game's top two offensive forces. Ken Anderson, with the AFC's 1st-place team and with the addition of Pro-bowlers Collinsworth (to help out with the receiving) and Munoz (to protect the QB's blind side), had come off an '81 season with two lop-sided wins vs. Fouts--first on the Chargers' home field and, 2nd, in the now legendary -59F "Freezer Bowl" in Cincinnati. If anyone was anxious for vengeance, it was Fouts and the Chargers, who throughout the first half appear headed for a 3rd straight defeat against the upstart Bengals. Besides the two quarterbacks, this complete game serves as a showcase for the talents of the extraordinary James Brooks. A Charger fan might be forgiven for questioning the trade that, not long after this game, sent Brooks to the Bengals, where he would vie with Boomer Esiason as the city's favorite new sports idol. After five All-Pro seasons, Brooks would retain his popularity, despite a trial for non-support that coincidentally revealed that Brooks--while setting all-time rushing records in high school and then again at Auburn University--had graduated from both schools unable to read or write. ( diverseeducation.com/article/10/ ) Even so, no Charger or Bengal fan would believe that James Brooks lacked the ability to read the complicated routes drawn up for him by NFL offensive coaches!

[@zenoftupac9096]

I enjoyed your post. I had never heard that about James Brooks.

[@joeyrincones9308]

Caponsacchi..Do you have that 1975 Bengals vs Bills game? Complete?

[@yurolson]

Love it - a football fan of my era. Just to set my stage - I was at this game field section 41 row 15 seat 7-8. Actually the Chargers bengals had quite a back and forth through the 70's. By 79 and 80 Sd beat them in Cinci in 2 hard fought games. Then in 81 - well Breeden went 100 yards on a pick that made that score a little more lopsided. Plus Wes had just come to replace JJ so that the Chargers were little off balance still. I think Fred Dean had been sent to SF by the time of that 40-17 affair. But Cinci almost lost to the Bills in playoffs - I think that game was 20-13. So the stage was set for the Ice Bowl. That game should never have been played. The ball bounced right for the Bengals and the weather really did shut down the game. SD Turnovers on the kickoff set up Cinci for a quick score. The door of the stadium was open to allow the air to hold up Rolfs kicks, I guess I'm still bitter about that day. But the year before was worse with the Raiders beating the Chargers at home 34-27 on a tipped pass to Chester - he went 75 yards for the first TD. It just wasn't to be. I think we all can weep a little when we think of the players and coaches that have passed on. Even the game itself, the ways its played, bears little resemblance to what is shown here. Certainly San Diego deserves a team. and an ownership that cares.I love the history - the connections. Ken Anderson was a great Qb and Cinci built a well balanced team. but even for them the 80's are a decade of heart break. Air Coryell faded too. Don deserves to in the Hall of fame. what a night it was.

[@MerkinMuffly]

Wes Chandler still holds the record for most yards by a Charger in one game.

[@part6133]

Traded defense for too much offense.

[@robertarevalo7776]

Chandler turned out to be a better receiver then JJ.

[@peetti3608]

Love it.. LOVE the Muncie to Chandler trick TD. Awesome. I also love all the old-school uniforms..even the Bengals ones.

[@Jelperman]

Cris Collinsworth said that in this game the referees and chain gangs had to take more breaks and longer time outs because they were exhausted trying to keep up.

[@jimirwin5623]

One of the best games ever on MNF. San Diego Chargers 50, Cincinnati Bengals 34

[@mkrupp2011]

Classic stuff Richard thanks for posting! Mon night Dec 20 82. A young, 2nd-year WR Cris Collinsworth takes a big hit during the game. This is one for the ages!

[@craigjohnson5590]

I was a Navy corpsman stationed @ NRMC-Balboa and attended this game with my wife. Even as a lifelong Cowboy and Chiefs fan, I came to love the Air Coryell attack (he was a genius). It's sad however that the team never reached SB glory because of their CHEAP ASS ownership!!! Had they a defense to go with their O machine, imagine the possibilities...And sadly Kenny Anderson should be in the H.O.F.!!! Sidebar: I used to pack down my afro to pass/beat the navy hair regulations, then rake it out when off duty. Well at THIS game a voice behind us says "nice fro", I turn to the voice and it's my station Master Chief! stating, "we'll be seeing your ears with a 4-O haircut 2mrw morning at muster? Right?" Yes Master Chief....busted, lol

[@craigjohnson5590]

Thank you sir. Until your response I'd not visited your site and haven't viewed any, save this one but...Wow! 👏. You've a great selection, I'm looking forward to watching my Boys⭐. Are you familiar with the "Full Color Football" documentary?imho with your channel obviously "hittin it", in it's quality and viewing numbers, this could be a good addition to your channel, a nice throwback...only a suggestion and thanks again for this great video! God bless you sir.

[@yurolson]

Awesome man - just awesome - as a small Italian kid I envied the 'fro!!! that and long hippie hair guitar players used to have all Duane Allman!! I was at this game as well. Can you imagine that the tickets cost about $14 and parking was $2. Great days indeed.

[@alwaysbeclosing66]

Fantastic game, still remember it from my youth. What I loved about football back then was gunslinger attitude of quarterbacks. Throwing an interception wasn't end of world.

[@2008israelramos]

The Chargers only had 7 points with 5 minutes to go in the 2nd quarter and finished with 50+

[@johnogrady696]

The last good season of the old late 70s,early 80s San Diego. They had a good year in 1982. If I recall finished 6-3,won a playoff game in Pittsburgh,then went into Miami for the second year in a row and this time losing.

[@steveeisenhowereisenhower7130]

Kenny Anderson was a very good qb

[@deputay]

Thank you so much not only for your generosity but the posting of so many hidden gems! Us football fans learn a lot watching these forgotten classics!

[@jesusneverexisted300]

Air Coryell, Dan Fouts and the gang were an arial attack in the 80's.

[@mckman6700]

When you see Anderson play with the combination of mobility and accuracy like he did it reminds me of Russell Wilson today although Kenny was bigger at 6"2 and ran 4.6 as does Wilson. It's a shame Anderson's not in the Hall of Fame

[@graciemaemarie11jones16]

anderson was a great passer

[@jasonnolan9697]

Being in the same division as the Steelers probably hurt his stats the first 7-8 years of his career.

[@bloqk16]

This is *fabulous!* I recall missing part of this game on TV that night. Great to see the replay of it. Seeing the attitude of how the game was played back then, make me wish there was the second coming of the likes of Commissioner Pete Rozelle again to run the NFL. TV coverage of the NFL back then was nice in its simplicity. There was a straightforward team of announcers, without a clutter of studio talking-heads; a de-emphasis of on-screen graphics; and the broadcast was about the game, and not the spectacle of the TV show. It's nice to see the NFL has loosened its copyright grip of posting its games. I got hit with a YT copyright strike years ago when a 32 second NFL locker room segment was detected by the NFL in a local TV newscast I posted on YT; where that 32 second segment was buried 25 minutes into that video post.

[@MadAngel209]

Even though I'm from Cincinnati, I am not, let me reiterate, I am not a Cincinnati Bengals fan, but Ken Anderson was one of the most accurate Quarterbacks in NFL History. He had won 2 scoring titles in 2 different decades. Why is this man not in The H.O.F. I'll never know.

[@cjs83172]

In fact, when Ken Stabler finally got into the Hall of Fame a couple of years ago (another grievous oversight on the part of the voters), that made Anderson, in my estimation, the greatest eligible QB not in the Hall of Fame. He won four passing titles and the NFL's MVP in 1981, the year he led the Bengals to the Super Bowl. His biggest crime was playing the majority of his career in the same division as the Steel Curtain-era Steelers, a team I rate as the greatest in the history of the sport. That, more than anything else, is why it took him as long as it did to get to where he could play for a championship. But from 1973-'75, he may have been the best QB in the NFL not named Stabler, Staubach, or Tarkenton. Problem was that he had the Steel Curtain to deal with inside his own division, and in the two playoff games he did participate in during the 70s, he had the No-Name Defense at it's peak to deal with in '73 (he fared better against them than either Stabler or Tarkenton did in that year's post-season), and then in '75, had Stabler and the Raiders at nearly the peak of their offensive prowess, and fell just short in Oakland.

[@frasierthebichon7422]

Gone Ballistik .....he won 2 scoring titles ? Please explain?

[@quincee3376]

Agreed.

[@22_cincatt]

Politics and complete bullshit why KA is not in the hall!

[@graciemaemarie11jones16]

anderson as good, if not better than stabler. as good, if not better than staubach. as good,if not better than tarkenton. as yes, anderson was flat out better than bradshaw.

[@DoktorStrangelove]

We watched this the night it aired. Wildly entertaining game. And just six days before my first game at Arrowhead and the beginning of my Chiefs fandom.

[@franklinwaddell5945]

Stationed in San Diego in the Navy in the 70s...loved going to "the Murphy"...sitting in the cheap seats... North endzone with friends! Drinkin cold ones and watchin Fouts air it out....good times!

[@ferrumsox]

Sounds like Howard , Meridith, Frank were all hitting Jack quite a bit. Not sluring but struggling to finish sentences without pauses. It's like they went to the NWA David Crockett school of description.

[@Jelperman]

2:04:45 Fouts was a badass, going with the draw play when he knew he was going to get decked.

[@shawnyoung8752]

James Brooks was the 2nd of auburn backs. Let me think. Joe Cribbs. WilliM Andrews. Brooks. Lionel james. Agee. Fullwood. Im missing 2or3 then bo.

[@Jelperman]

@@shawnyoung8752 Auburn ran the wishbone, which required backs to block and catch the ball (on pitches rather than passes), so backs that came from that school were ready for the NFL, even though wishbone teams seldom threw the ball.

[@johnsimmons9960]

The only thing strange looking about this game as compared to today's game is the lack of shotgun formations in obvious passing downs.

[@MerkinMuffly]

I don't think Fouts ever got into a shotgun.

[@davanmani556]

Gene Klein wanted Elway in ‘83 because of Fouts holding out for more money. However, Elway used a shotgun formation and Coryell refused to change the offense. Thereby, Fouts got signed to the chagrin of Klein.

[@williamhicks7736]

I remember this game well. A devastating loss. Bengals defense never recovered. Lost big against the Jets in playoffs, 44-17 I think... Didn’t make it back to the playoffs until 1988. Broke my heart. For a season and half, they were probably the best team in the NFL. Were better than the 49ers in 1981. Shoulda beaten them in SB XVI.. Oh well... Ken Anderson was a marvelous quarterback!

[@graciemaemarie11jones16]

anderson wasa great qb. great

[@timashwell5005]

Dan Fouts and the Chargers of the greatest offense of all time Brady has no answer for him

[@steven2212]

Did San Diego spend any money on defense? Dan Fouts must have been infuriated by having to spot his opponents so many points. What a game. The booth crew! So entertaining. Godspeed to all.

[@Shabba6884]

Just after the Collinsworth TD in the second quarter, you hear Meredith say this would probably be the football of the future. Indeed it would be. Interesting former Saint-former-Saint TD connection to start the game as Muncie hit Chandler. The Charger D stiffened just enough in the second half to give the offense some chances to get back ahead. Chargers had good defensive players in spots during the Coryell years, but just weren't stout enough in big playoff games to push through to a Super Bowl. Great, great game to watch overall!

[@SingleTax]

It was actually the football of the present -- and had been for a couple years. What's interesting about the Bengals, Chargers and 49ers of that era is that none of them used the shotgun formation. That's practically unheard of in today's league.

[@quincee3376]

Letting Fred Dean go to the 49ers was a huge mistake. Should have paid him . Dean won 1 maybe 2 SB's with the 49ers and made the HOF . Chargers let Gary " Big Hands " Johnson go too and he signed with the 49ers.

[@capricorndepression]

thanks richard, all the classics

[@marvinnewbill6470]

Damn these were good games And exciting I remember thid game as well. Chargers

[@marvinnewbill6470]

Love this upload Chargers all day

[@steven2212]

So much talent on both teams.

[@SingleTax]

Ken Anderson was an excellent quarterback. That said, a high school quarterback could have picked apart San Diego's secondary. When the Charger offense scored a touchdown in those days, it was almost as if their defense was thinking: "How quickly can we give those points back to the other team without making it obvious that that's what we're doing?"

[@davanmani556]

Fred Dean was gone.

[@tonyarceneaux286]

Ken Anderson should be in the NFL Hall of Fame.

[@thefrase7884]

Remind me which team put up 50?

[@thefrase7884]

@@tonyarceneaux286 …..nah…..borderline at best

[@tonyarceneaux286]

@@thefrase7884 There was borderline football 🏈 players that went to the NFL Hall of Fame 😨.

[@gootchie]

It's too bad that Kenny Anderson didn't have the team around him in his earlier years that he had in '81 and '82, he'd be an HOF'er. Anderson was a greatly underrated QB that played most of his younger years on shaky Bengal teams. Once he was surrounded by quality players Anderson might've been the best, even better than a still developing Montana at that point in his career. Unfortunately after '82 age and injuries started catching up to Anderson, and the rest of the team declined, at least until the Boomer Esiason days.

[@roypiper581]

Sure is under rated. Walsh used video of Kenny to teach Montana how to throw. And when I see Rodgers, I see Anderson.

[@cjs83172]

In fact, those Bengals teams in the mid 70s were elite teams. Their biggest problem was the fact that the greatest team of all-time (the Steelers of the 1970s) played in the same division, and they even snatched an AFC Central title away from the Steelers in '73. In fact, it can be argued that the Bengals were the second or third-best team in the NFL in 1975, losing a close game in the playoffs in Oakland. They also had chances in 1976 and '77, but as usual, couldn't get past the Steelers in '76, and then in '77, they finally did beat the Steelers when it counted, but with the AFC Central title in their grasp, they couldn't beat the Oilers, and that, plus questionable decisions regarding the head coaching position, sent the Bengals into a tailspin for a few years before Forest Gregg came aboard and led them to the AFC Championship in 1981.

[@caponsacchi]

Indeed, he BELONGS in the HOF. Anderson led the Bengals to a title in his 2nd year as starting QB (1983). In both '84 and '85 he was the #1-rated QB and #1 Passer in the NFL. His 447 yds vs. O.J. Simpson's 200 rushing yds. in '85 gave the nation a glimpse of pro-football's future--and the Bengals set a new record as a team, with the most passing yards in the NFL. He made Isaac Curtis All-Pro in each of his first 4 seasons. But the Steel Curtain ruled--1974--1979--4 SuperBowl wins. Until Anderson launched the next decade of the '80s, without the QB Coach who had trained him (Bill Walsh, now with the Chargers), by sweeping the Steelers in '80 and '81 and regaining his form as #1 Passer and Best QB in 81 and '82 and receiving the MVP award. This time he makes Cris Collinsworth ALL-Pro for each of his first 3 seasons. -- Anderson didn't "wear out." It was Sam Wyche (whom Anderson had displaced on the Bengal roster in 1971), Boomer Esiason and the new no-huddle offense that made Anderson, Curtis, eventually Collinsworth dispensable. But Ken Anderson deserves Hall of Fame more than half the guys who are there (incl. Fouts and Moon). He changed the game! First, the "Curtis Rule" stopped all the mugging of receivers; 2nd, the brutal face-mask tackle of Kenny in 1983, seen on nationwide TV, led to the rules against passer interference. No more hands on the QB's head, neck, face or view! -- But Boomer had a horrible Super Bowl and ended his career with a losing record. Fouts and Moon retired no better than .500. Anderson retired a winning QB, against the toughest defensive team--the Steelers--in the NFL!

[@TheTicktockman321]

As a Steeler fan, I can tell you that the Steelers from those 70's teams had immense respect for Anderson. He and Staubach were very highly respected.

[@Jelperman]

12:54 Muncie with the bomb!

[@oluhamilton2121]

Muncie was only back could run for 60 yards and then fumble the ball......

[@Skannerz]

Back then, the *Chargers* defense *never* got off of the bus.

[@MTXSHO9732vV8SHO]

I was at this game. What sticks out in my mind is just how big Bengals FB, Pete Johnson appeared to be from the Mezzanine behind the West End Zone. Oh snap!!! Mar 2nd, it's his Birthday. Happy Birthday Big Man.

[@SingleTax]

1:18:20 - You know you have a Swiss cheese defense if the opposing quarterback completes 27-35 for 258 yards in the *first half.*

[@frasierthebichon7422]

SingleTax .....not much though in the second half

[@bafa7353]

Ken Anderson should be in the HOF.

[@rickjohnson1266]

If the Chargers had the '95 Defense they would have won multiple Super Bowls.

[@leogetz3570]

Been looking for this game for a while. Thanks!!!

[@crilenx7055]

The Hall of Fame case for Kenny Anderson! Great game.

[@ScorpioBornIn69]

39:30 Yikes, who ever would thought back then O.J. being a murderer 12 years later??

[@donwilcox728]

Both team's uniforms in this game are fantastic. Today both team's uniforms suck. The NFL in the 70s and 80s was fantastic. Today the NFL sucks.

[@Marquisprodicalson]

OMG my friend, where do you get these games from I love it commercials and all please let me know so I can them to my library

[@2008israelramos]

Cincinnati had whooped SD twice the previous year including the Championship. It was nice to see my Chargers get some sweet revenge.

[@ginobee3585]

Fouts and Anderson both taking shots that would be 15 yard penalties today...

[@2008israelramos]

The Chargers were at full offensive power against the 2 previous years SB teams (San Fran/Cincy). Dan had back to back 400+ yards and they scored 41 & 50 points against them. Sadly, It was another disappointing Playoff loss. I'm not sure how Miami was able to stop their offense.

[@cjs83172]

Which is similar to what happened in 1979, when they crushed both teams that played in that year's Super Bowl, the Rams and Steelers, by the combined score of 75-23, but then lost in the playoffs to an Oilers team that was without Dan Pastorini and Earl Campbell, and had half their defense hurt. Many believe that they would have beaten the Steelers, who would have had to go back to San Diego for the AFC Championship Game to play a Chargers team they matched up poorly against.

[@johnconnell4503]

Killer Bs baby

[@Jelperman]

Winslow got hurt the previous week against the Steelers and couldn't run. The Dolphins defense figured this out and doubled Joiner and Chandler. When your best offensive player who caught 13 passes and blocked a FG can only catch one pass, you're kinda screwed. Oh, and fumbling back-to-back kickoffs and giving the Dolphins a 24-point lead hurt like hell, too.

[@rjpg]

Defense, u don't need no stinking defense....OMFG, this game was insane. I think a year later, Brooks went to Cinci, and we got Pete Johnson.

[@CJinsoo]

Love Don’s comment about Coryell: “Not sure if he is aware he is in San Diego” I have seen other video on Air Coryell where the players explained how the coach would have tunnel vision on seemingly crazy things, e.g., we must get popsicles for practice and that became the highest priority. Strange and genius all in the same package.

[@jayzachary9709]

I wish the Bengals would go back to these uniforms.

[@BTLAGS]

They practically could they could even bring them out for throwback games the helmet is the same the uniform is the only difference. They should bring out these uniforms to celebrate that 81 or 88 team the fan base would love to see this also bring out the Paul brown ones with just the word Bengals

[@kidmack1121]

@@BTLAGS They wouldn't look the same. There's no sleeves anymore for the "TV #"s" and stripes.

[@anthonywright7957]

I still say the Air Coryell offense was one of the best in history! Long overdue Coryell getting into the hall of fame. Would've had a couple of rings if it wasn't for the terrible defenses they had!

[@furnitureconsortium]

Kenny Anderson should be in the NFL Hall Of Fame....it's the biggest oversight in league history. Dude's already in the Batavia (IL) Hall Of Fame with his high school buddies Dan Issel and Craig Sager (RIP)

[@matta3968]

Coryell always looked really pissed off.

[@quincee3376]

Totally .. but he was actually anice guy .

[@214-g4t]

NFL glory years. When every game was actually entertaining and watchable... unlike todays garbage. Broadcast crews back then actually complimented the games. Crews today are awful and actually make games worse. Miss real football...

[@jorgeadal01]

Spanos took our team, but can't take our memories.

[@raydeen1]

Yep...that's all San Diego has now. Until the Raiders or Jags move there.

[@LuigiLaker]

X out the Raiders now..

[@muffs55mercury61]

yeah now they're talking about moving to London--why can't they just move back to San Diego??

[@bigchicotv7776]

Mark B Fensler I predict if it doesn’t work out in LA, they will come back to SD.

[@Ohionortheast]

Fouts,marino and payton manning all have that almost robotic style they read the defenses so fast and rocket arms my favorite types of Qbs

[@readyfreddy4630]

How the chargers never even got to a super bowl let alone win one is nuts they were fun to watch and I think what the NFL is all about and makes kids like me dream of playing in the NFL

[@robertsheetz6067]

Ken Anderson was an underrated QB .... Who didn't always have the greatest talent , but seemed when healthy, to keep Cincinnati relevant.... And at times a playoff,or SB contender.... And a Bill Walsh guy.... He could have been Joe Montana before Joe Montana ,if he had a better team around him.... Injuries was also a problem.... But without a doubt, one of the most underrated QBS of all time....The most important thing was , they didn't have that head coach , to put this team over the top.... But most incredible thing was Walsh , Joe Gibbs got their start with with Cincinnati, and Gibbs under Coryell of San Diego....

[@ciesaro]

I was of drinking age when this game was played. And I was a proud Bengals fan living in beautiful Cincinnati. When Cosell was rubbing salt in the Bengals wounds I threw a rock through the TV set.

[@survivor5044]

I'm sure quite a few people threw things at their TV sets, when it came to the things Cosell said on MNF. Howard was a guy who wasn't afraid to say, what he thought of a team or player.

[@frasierthebichon7422]

ciesaro ......and throwing a brick threw your TV set accomplished what? And I’m pretty sure you didn’t"

[@romelovesdan]

Game of the year!

[@timashwell5005]

Fouts and his offense can compete in any decade today yesterday any decade

[@brianevans6328]

I remember watching this when I was 8 years old.

[@kirktoe]

Great game. Too bad the Chargers never won a SB.

[@donaldpennington7646]

John Baldwin. San Diego was an explosive passing team! But that's not enough to win the super bowl. Not enough balance especially with a weak defense. They traded their best defensive players to the 49ers. That's a big reason. Pass first football teams don't usually win championships! Looks good during the regular season but usually ends in the playoffs. The quicker you score the faster you put the other teams offense on the field. Balance attack with good defense is usually the recipe

[@SingleTax]

If they had merely had a mediocre defense, they probably would have won at least two Super Bowls. Unfortunately their defense was one of the worst ever. That this is so can be gauged by the fact that no team in NFL history has -- over a six year period -- lost as many games as the Chargers did between 1980-1985 *despite* scoring 24 or more points.

[@paulkelcher824]

If they held on to Fred Dean, they might have.

[@RadicalCaveman]

@@donaldpennington7646 In their best years - e.g., 1980 - their defense was actually quite good. But it wasn't championship level.

[@donaldpennington7646]

@@RadicalCaveman that's pretty much what I said.

[@acitoneroyal6002]

I remember this one very well.

[@SuperDetroit9]

I'm FIFTY years-old since August the 6th,and I REMEMBER Muncie launching the ball to Chandler for the "QUICK-six"!! I was JUMPING up and down in my living-roomYELLING with glee,when my mother came out of her room,asking me,had I LOST my mind or something!! OH,the GLORY-days of my youth!!

[@crawford371]

RIP Jack Murphy Stadium

[@akimmalik1329]

San Diego was a powerful offense team. The secondary was the weakness on defense that is why they never made it to the Superbowl.

[@BTLAGS]

What's crazy was they had a great front four with the Hall of Famer Fred Dean on there

[@rodjulius2745]

I remember watching this game

[@RadicalCaveman]

What were the Bengals doing calling time outs at the end? 16 points was three scores back then - no 2-point conversions.

[@ironlion144]

PERFECTOR - The Missing Rings - The San Diego Chargers had one of the most dominant offenses in NFL History. How they never made it to the Super Bowl remains a mystery.

[@Northunderland]

Monday night football really felt like a party with these commentators.

[@christopherjones8517]

Dandy Don love you miss you!

[@chriswright2250]

I would rather watch repeats on you tube than today's game.

[@johnrowley5136]

Great memories and game.

[@jasonnolan9697]

So much more fun and interesting to listen to these announcers than guys like Joe Buck. You feel like you could simply buy these guys a drink and have a great conversation; not sterile prefab personalities.

[@leftykoufax7084]

The days when MNF was a must watch.

[@gutted3638]

All of America would stop what they were doing and watch the game. Back before you could watch any game at any time anywhere. It was more special, the NFL was not yet oversaturated