HOUSTON (AP) — Houston dominated Texas during the regular season, winning nine of 13 matchups.

Now the Rangers get another chance at the Astros when they meet for the first time in the playoffs in a Texas-sized showdown with a trip to the World Series on the line starting Sunday night in Houston.

The Astros completed the regular season matchup against the Rangers with a three-game sweep at the beginning of September. Houston hit 16 homers to sweep that series by a combined score of 39-10.

But despite the lopsided results this season, both teams say they’ll start with a clean slate for the American League Championship Series.

“Regular season doesn’t mean anything anymore,” Houston Game 1 starter Justin Verlander said. “And I think it’s a different game. Playoffs is a different brand of baseball.”

That series in September was during the worst slump of the season for the Rangers, who were without third baseman Josh Jung and who lost Adolis García during the series.

Texas first baseman Nathaniel Lowe also noted that 21-year-old outfielder Evan Carter wasn’t even in the majors the last time the Rangers met the Astros.

“I think we were missing two or three bats, two or three starting bats. Evan was still in high school,” Lowe joked. “We had a couple pieces that weren’t fully, fully firing on all pistons.”

Houston’s success in the head-to-head matchup allowed the Astros to win the AL West while the Rangers had to play in the Wild Card Series after both teams finished with 90-72 records.

Now both teams are back to full strength and prepared to fight for the Lone Star state crown.

This isn’t the first time Houston manager Dusty Baker has experienced a high stakes, in-state postseason matchup.

As manager of the San Francisco Giants in 2002, he lost the World Series to the Anaheim Angels.

“In California we were in the World Series, two teams, us and the Angels, battling for bragging rights in California,” he said. “But everything is bigger in Texas. I’ve learned that since I’ve been here.”

Outfielder Robbie Grossman is in his first season with the Rangers but is well-acquainted with the rivalry, after going to high school in suburban Houston and spending his first three big league seasons with the Astros.

“It’s huge for baseball, but it’s even bigger for the state of Texas,” he said. “Just being a Texan, I know how much both these teams mean to the state.”

Verlander will face left-hander Jordan Montgomery on Sunday night.

Verlander, who returned to Houston in a July trade from the Mets, will make his 36th playoff start. The three-time Cy Young Award winner pitched six scoreless innings in the Division Series opener against Minnesota to extend his franchise record with his 10th postseason win.

This will be the fourth playoff start for Montgomery and third this season. Montgomery, acquired from St. Louis this summer, has had an up-and-down postseason after throwing seven shutout innings in the Wild Card Series before allowing four earned runs and nine hits in just four innings in Game 2 of the ALDS.

He talked about his struggles against the Orioles.

“Everything was a little un-synced up,” he said. “So just got to find my timing and execute more pitches.”

Houston’s Framber Valdez opposes Nathan Eovaldi in Game 2 on Monday.

MAD MAX BACK?

Texas starter Max Scherzer is expected to return for this series after being out since Sept. 12 because of a muscle strain in his shoulder.

The three-time Cy Young Award winner, also traded from the Mets this summer, said he was “ready to go” after throwing a bullpen session and doing fielding drills Friday.

Texas manager Bruce Bochy was asked if Scherzer would be included on the ALCS roster Saturday.

“Max is doing well,” Bochy said. “He’s done well. After workout today, we get together, we’ll get the staff, of course, (general manager) Chris Young and his staff, and we’ll talk about the roster. But he’s doing really well.”

Scherzer is 7-7 with a 3.58 ERA in 27 postseason games that include 22 starts. If he appears for Rangers, it would be the fifth team he has pitched for in the postseason after Detroit, Washington, the Dodgers and Mets.

ABREU’S STREAK

Houston reliever Bryan Abreu enters the ALCS with a 31-inning scoreless streak in his last 30 appearances. Abreu, who hasn’t allowed a run since July 18, hasn’t been scored on in the postseason in 14 2/3 innings, which spans 14 appearances dating back to last year.

Abreu, who normally pitches the eighth inning before handing things off to closer Ryan Pressly, has allowed two hits in 3 1/3 innings over three appearances this postseason.

“As a pitcher you just have to be calm and be ready to execute every single pitch and keep attacking the strike zone,” he said. “If you let everything outside go through your head … you’ll lose focus.”

FRIENDLY WAGER

Arlington Mayor Jim Ross proposed a wager to Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner that the loser of the series would have to wear the winner’s jersey to a city council meeting.

Turner quickly agreed and wrote on X: “Since I’ve been mayor, I’ve had the pleasure of seeing the Astros win the World Series… twice, so I accept.”

___

AP Baseball Writer Stephen Hawkins contributed to this report.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

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Mark SchlabachESPN Lead WriterMay 19, 2023 9:30 PM ET9 minute read

Rory gets his first birdie of the day with a long putt

Rory McIlroy sinks the long putt on the ninth hole for his first birdie of the day at the PGA Championship.

ROCHESTER, NY – At last year’s PGA Championships in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Michael Block finally found he belonged in the field.

Block played a few holes behind a large group that included Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas at Southern Hills Country Club and scored a 3-over-73 in the second round in front of hundreds of fans.

“Every hole I played was ten holes,” Block said. “I shot 73 with everyone there. My [general manager] even said, “That’s because you’re not a club professional anymore.” So it was a big moment for me. I’ve been making a living from it ever since.

Block, 46, is still a club pro at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club, a daily fee golf course in Mission Viejo, California. But Block proved in the first two rounds of the PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club that he’s also a great player.

While some of the best players in the world including Tom Kim, Cameron Young, Sungjae Im and Sam Burns are heading home after missing the cut, Block remains to play the final two rounds this weekend. He sits in 10th place on even par, having dealt 70 cards each in the first two rounds.

Reigning PGA of America Pro Player of the Year Michael Block is hoping to become the first PGA club pro to make the top 10 in 40 years. Getty Images

According to a study by ESPN Stats & Information, Block is only the second club pro to make the top 20 in the PGA Championship after playing 36 holes in the past 20 years.

“I feel extremely comfortable,” said Block. “A couple of my friends in Orange County, to be honest [California] are Beau Hossler and Patrick Cantlay. I’ve played a lot of golf with them now [and] They have become my friends. I understand where they stand in the world. I understand my game isn’t quite up to par with them, but I’m pretty damn close and I can keep up with them.”

On Friday, Block was pretty close to securing at least part of the lead. He made three of his first five holes and also #1, his tenth hole of the round, with a birdie to move to 3 under, just one shot behind the leaders. But then he had a bogey on the #4 and a very improper swing on the par 3 fifth. He made his tee shot and landed a double bogey 5.

“I don’t know,” Block said. “I had the same momentum as I had all week. It was a nice little 8 iron, front left pin. I love hitting the baby draw with my 8 iron. I’ve been doing well all week, overall. Suddenly we were all there, doing that, and we look up and I’m like, ‘Oh my God.’ The ball went straight up, kind of hit the tree, almost killed someone, and then he went off and landed in the deep rough. I was actually lucky enough to do a double bogey afterwards.”

Block has had an impressive career in smaller circles. He is the current PGA of America Professional Player of the Year. He placed second at the 2023 PGA Professional Championship, which earned him a spot at Oak Hill field. In 2019 he set a course record in Arroyo Trabuco at 59. On April 17, he won the Stroke Play Classic at his home court, taking home $1,600. He raised an additional $500 for second place in the Pro-Pro Scramble at the San Juan Hills Golf Club in California a week earlier.

Block says he rarely hits more than a bucket of balls a week. He spends most of his time teaching, for $125 for a 45 minute session and $500 for a 9 hour hour of play. Wherever Block finishes on Sunday, he can earn a nice payday.

It is his fifth appearance in the PGA Championship. He also played at the US Open in 2007 and 2018. He failed to make the cut in any of his previous starts in the majors. He had made four of 24 PGA Tour starts and made about $38,038.

Block’s form has been good this year. In January, he scored a 7-under 65 in the first round of American Express (he was fielding for the third time to win the PGA Section Championship in Southern California). The next week, Block beat both tour pros he was paired with in the first two rounds of the Farmers Insurance Open (he reached 74-73).

“I’ve gained that confidence from placings in the rounds where I’m like, ‘Why not?'” Block said. “Why don’t you come here and compete? Why not break through here at Oak Hill? To be honest, I’m not afraid of them anymore.”

The best result by a PGA club professional to make it to the PGA Professional Championship was an 11th-place tie between Lonnie Nielsen in 1986 and Tommy Aycock in 1974. Block may be the first in the last 40 years in the top 10.

“As strange as it may sound, I will be competing,” Block said. “I promise you that.”

As it says on his TaylorMade golf balls: why not?

foreign taste

Norway’s Viktor Hovland is tied at the top going into the third round with 5 under.Getty Images

The Americans have won each of the last seven PGA championships. The last non-American player to win it was Australian Jason Day in 2015. But after 36 holes, Oak Hill’s rankings have a distinctly foreign note.

Canadian Corey Conners and Norway’s Viktor Hovland are tied at the top with Scottie Scheffler at 5 under. England’s Callum Tarren is sixth with 2 unders and his compatriot Justin Rose is eighth with 1 unders. The Austrian Sepp Straka is in 10th place with the same odds.

No player in England has won the PGA Championship since Jim Barnes, who won the first two tournaments in 1916 and 1919.

“I think in the past I’ve usually won on more difficult golf courses, so I think it fits my profile from that perspective,” Rose said. “Yes, that’s at the top. It feels a bit like a hybrid PGA-US Open sort of thing this week. I’m looking forward to the test, I think.”

How far is too far back?

Jon Rahm rallied all the strength to make the breakthrough, but it may be too late for him to make a real run. Getty Images

During the stroke-play era of the PGA Championship since 1958, 63 of the 65 eventual champions were in the top 20 ranked after 36 holes, according to Elias Sports Bureau. The exceptions were Collin Morikawa, who won 2020 at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco (tied 25th place) and Padraig Harrington at Oakland Hills in Bloomfield Township, Michigan, 2008 (tied 26th place).

Each of the winners of the six major championships played at Oak Hill Country Club was in the top three after round two: Jason Dufner (first, 2013 PGA Championship), Shaun Micheel (tie first, 2003 PGA Championship), Curtis Strange (1st, US Open 1989), Jack Nicklaus (same runner-up, PGA Championship 1980), Lee Trevino (runner-up, US Open 1968) and Cary Middlecoff (same third, US Open 1956).

That could be bad news for some of the best players in the world including Adam Scott (tie 30th, 2 overs), Hideki Matsuyama (tie 35th, 3 overs), Max Homa (tie 35th, 3 overs) and Xander Schauffele (same 48th, 4 over), Cameron Smith (same 48th, 4 over), Jon Rahm (same 48th, 4 over), Tony Finau (same 59th, 5 over) and Justin Thomas (same 59th ., 4 over) 5 over).

“It was a blast again,” said Thomas, the defending champion. “It was a struggle. I just had a bad start.”

to be on the way home

Rickie Fowler was among the prominent names who missed the cut. Getty Images

Most of the big-name players in danger of missing the cut, including Thomas, Rahm and Jordan Spieth, rallied and moved across the finish line on Friday. There were a few notable exceptions including Rickie Fowler (over 6), Billy Horschel (over 6), Matt Fitzpatrick (over 6), Tom Kite (over 8), Jason Day (over 8), Cameron Young (over 9), Sungjae Im (over 13) and Sam Burns (over 14).

LIV Golf League star Talor Gooch finished the game with 10 overs and also missed the cut. He was ranked 63rd in the official golf world rankings this week. It took Gooch, a two-time LIV Golf League winner, a good week to finish in the top 60 by Monday or June 6 and qualify for the US Open.

Gooch secured a 2022 season-ending Tour Championship spot, which in the past would have been enough to put him in the US Open field. But the United States Golf Association changed the wording of that exception this year to include players who were both qualified and eligible for the Tour Championship. Gooch was ineligible to play after PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan suspended him for attending LIV golf events without a clearance. He doesn’t score points in LIV Golf League tournaments, so he’ll miss the field for next month’s US Open at the Los Angeles Country Club.

Oh Canada

Corey Conners is hoping to become the second Canadian to win a major. Getty Images

The drive from Rochester to Toronto takes about three hours, so there were a lot of Canadian fans in the galleries this week. There has been plenty of reason to celebrate so far. Not only is Conners tied at the top, but Taylor Pendrith is 1-under in eighth and Adam Svensson is 11th on par. Adam Hadwin is in 35th place with 3 overs.

According to ESPN Stats & Information, only three Canadian players have made the top 10 in the PGA Championship: Graham DeLaet (tie seventh place, 2017), Mike Weir (three times), and Nick Welock (tie ninth place, 1936). Weir is the only Canadian to win a major at the 2003 Masters.

“It’s been a very special week so far,” said Conners. “I think since I’m so close to Canada, there are a lot of Canadian fans out here. They cheer me on It definitely feels good.”

“Yeah, it’s pretty exciting. Both Taylor and Adam are very close.” [Svensson]. It’s fun to be part of the group of Canadian golfers at the moment. I think whether it’s me or one of them or the others, someone makes noise every week. It’s fun to be a part of.

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On Thursday, Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II came out against the idea of having neutral site AFC and NFC Championship games.

“I hate the idea,” Rooney said. “I don’t like that at all. My sense is that if you put that up for a vote it wouldn’t pass today, but who knows.”

Good. Let’s hope that’s the case. And let’s hope Rooney II keeps up that stance and vehemently argues against the idea if it does come up for a vote.

This whole conversation began when Atlanta was designated to host this year’s AFC Championship game if the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs had ended up being the two combatants.

That’s because the league canceled the Week 17 “Monday Night Football” game (due to the collapse of Buffalo defensive back Damar Hamlin) between the Bills and Cincinnati Bengals, thus leaving the two franchises with incomplete seasons and win totals that were askew from the rest of the conference.

That plan was averted because the Bengals won in Buffalo during last week’s divisional round. So they’ll simply travel to Kansas City as would normally be the case for a No. 3 seed versus a No. 1.

But because the NFL was pumping out information that advanced ticket sales were brisk for the game in case it happened (although that was largely based on the secondary market), many in the national media opined that those were signals to the country from the league to warm up to the idea of permanent neutral-site title games.

Perhaps as early as next year.

Sadly, I think those predictions are going to come true. Maybe not next year. But very soon. The financial windfall may be too much for Rooney’s peers to ignore.

So, in case Sunday’s games in K.C. and Philadelphia are the last two to ever be staged in home stadiums, I thought it’d be worthwhile to spend some time reliving all the moments of the 11 AFC Championship games hosted in Pittsburgh since 1972.

Steelers.com contributor and team historian Bob Labriola joined me for Friday’s “Breakfast With Benz” podcast. We discussed all the memories of the Steelers’ six AFC Championship game home wins and their five painful home title-game losses.

Labriola ranked the six victories in order of what he thinks were the best games. I ranked the five defeats in terms of what I deemed to be the most painful.

Ranking the Steelers’ 6 AFC Championship home wins

6. Steelers 27 Oilers 13 (Jan. 6, 1980 — Three Rivers Stadium): This Steelers win would propel the franchise to its fourth and final Super Bowl of the Chuck Noll era. Pittsburgh wouldn’t enjoy another home playoff victory until 1994.

The game is best remembered as the “Renfro Game” to those in Houston. Late in the third quarter, down 17-10, quarterback Dan Pastorini appeared to hit receiver Mike Renfro for a touchdown. But the play was ruled incomplete. The angst over the apparent blown call is widely perceived as an early argument for the advent of instant replay, which eventually was implemented in 1986. Replay was ditched after the 1991 season and brought back in 1999.

The Steelers scored the final 10 points of the game in the fourth quarter. Franco Harris had 136 yards from scrimmage. The Steel Curtain defense held Oilers star running back Earl Campbell to just 15 yards on 17 carries.

Labriola: “It was an AFC Championship game. A lot of Hall of Fame players. But with the exception of the one officiating controversy, there wasn’t anything all that compelling about it. Somebody had to be sixth. So 1979-80 is sixth.”

5. Steelers 24 New York Jets 19 (Jan. 23, 2011 — Heinz Field): The Steelers built a 24-3 lead before halftime. They gave up the next 16 points.

On third down and six with less than two minutes left, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger hit Antonio Brown for a crucial third-down conversion, and the Steelers ran out the clock.

Rashard Mendenhall rushed for 121 yards and a touchdown. The Steelers went on to face the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XLV. That game didn’t end as well.

Labriola: “The one thing about that game that, to me, was somewhat eye opening, was that it showcased what we were going to see over the next five or six years — the pairing of Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown.”

4. Steelers 20 Indianapolis Colts 16 (Jan.14, 1996 — Three Rivers Stadium): After having lost to the San Diego Chargers at home as a big favorite in the AFC title game the year before, the Steelers found themselves losing to a big underdog again in this game.

The Jim Harbaugh-led Colts built a 16-13 fourth quarter advantage. But Neil O’Donnell led a 67-yard touchdown drive that featured a dropped interception, a fourth-down conversion to Andre Hastings, a 37-yard connection to Ernie Mills and a Bam Morris touchdown.

So, down 20-16, the Colts advanced to the Steelers’ 29 with five seconds left. On the game’s final play, Harbaugh attempted a Hail Mary pass which came down into a crowd of players in the end zone. It momentarily looked like Colts receiver Aaron Bailey was going to be able to haul the ball in for a soul-crushing score. But it fell to the turf and the Steelers won.

The Steelers advanced to Super Bowl XXX before losing to the favored Dallas Cowboys.

Labriola: “I was seriously thinking that if the Steelers lose this game again, come this far to a championship game at home, and lose to a team that was a heavy underdog — two times in a row, back-to-back seasons — you’d probably have to blow the whole thing up and start over. Because I don’t know if you could’ve continued with that roster that had gone through that and then expect them to not have PTSD and go in the tank for a while.”

3. Steelers 16 Oakland Raiders 10 (Jan. 4, 1976 — Three Rivers Stadium): After having beaten the Raiders in Oakland for the AFC crown the previous season, the Steelers made it two in a row by winning a frigid, low-scoring game at Three Rivers.

This would come to be known as the “Frozen Sidelines” game. Oakland owner Al Davis and head coach John Madden accused the Steelers and Three Rivers Stadium grounds crew of allowing the artificial turf to ice over, in an effort to slow Oakland’s vertical passing attack — particularly down the sidelines.

Oakland quarterback Ken Stabler wound up 18 of 46 for 246 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He was sacked twice, and Steelers linebacker Jack Lambert recovered three fumbles.

Raiders defensive back George Atkinson concussed Lynn Swann during the game. But the second-year wide receiver would respond two weeks later to win Super Bowl X MVP.

Labriola: “The bitterness of the Steelers-Raiders rivalry — I won’t say it peaked (with that game) — but it was at its zenith in that era.”

2. Steelers 34 Oilers 5 (Jan. 7, 1979 — Three Rivers Stadium): A game played in 27-degree frozen rain, it proved to be an all-out coronation of the fabled 1978 Steelers, who went 14-2 during the regular season.

The defense allowed only 142 yards in total offense while forcing nine Houston turnovers and collecting three sacks while allowing just one field goal.

Meanwhile, Swann and quarterback Terry Bradshaw connected four times for 98 yards. Five different ball carriers combined for 179 rushing yards. Then the team went on to beat the Cowboys in Super Bowl XIII.

Labriola: “The Steelers had dominated so many of their regular-season opponents. They paid back the Broncos in the divisional round (33-10). The Broncos had eliminated the Steelers from the playoffs in ‘77. That was the rubber match against the Oilers, who, at that time, maybe (were) the second-best team in the NFL and just dominated them.”

1. Steelers 23 Ravens 14 (Jan. 18, 2009 — Heinz Field): After the Immaculate Reception playoff game versus Oakland in 1972, this is considered by many Pittsburghers to be the most memorable, hardest-hitting NFL game ever played in this city.

Limas Sweed’s block on Corey Ivy. Roethlisberger’s touchdown to Santonio Holmes. Ryan Clark knocking out Willis McGahee. And Tyrone Carter’s game-sealing interception.

Which wasn’t even close to the biggest interception of the day.

It’s #NationalHairDay, so it’s only right we drop a Troy Polamalu highlight.

Jan. 18, 2009: The @steelers safety sealed a Super Bowl berth with a pick-six in the fourth quarter of the AFC Championship Game. @tpolamalu pic.twitter.com/UqieIVvmz4

— NFL Legacy (@NFLLegacy) October 1, 2018

That pick-6 from Troy Polamalu; every NFL fan base deserves to have that kind of moment happen in their city at least once. That moment right there, as anyone who was at Heinz Field that day will tell you, is why any conference title game is better when it is in a home stadium.

Whether it’s Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Kansas City, Buffalo or Cincinnati, that kind of moment will never be as good in somebody else’s dome or on a warm-weather neutral field.

Labriola: “The Steelers had settled into some offensive doldrums at the time. They were leading 16-14. The Ravens had started to move the ball again. And I really had a bad feeling that it was going to be a field goal and a 17-16 loss. But Polamalu really made one of the great plays in his career and iced that game.”

So that’s how Labriola ranked the Steelers six home AFC Championship game wins. My rankings were a little different, but not at the top.

1. Steelers beat Ravens in ‘09

2. Steelers beat Colts in ‘96

3. Steelers beat Oilers 34-5 in ‘79

4. Steelers beat Oilers 27-13 in the Renfro Game in ‘80

5. Steelers beat Raiders in ‘76

6. Steelers beat the Jets in ‘11

The losses

As far as ranking the five home AFC Championship game defeats in terms of pure disappointment, here’s how I stacked them. For me, it was harder to sort through the negative emotions than it was to itemize the joy of the wins.

5. Miami Dolphins 21 Steelers 17 (Dec. 31, 1972 — Three Rivers Stadium): First of all, I was still two years from being born. So I can’t speak to the anguish of this one.

But the euphoria of the Immaculate Reception and the franchise’s first-ever playoff win still had to be hanging in the air at kickoff. The Steelers probably shouldn’t have hosted that game against the unbeaten Dolphins anyway, but annually rotating the AFC title games through the division winners was the rule at the time. Plus, the Steelers got goofed by Larry Seiple’s fake punt.

Hey, (stuff) happens. The next seven years went pretty well, though. Didn’t they?

4. Broncos 24 Steelers 21 (Jan. 11, 1998 — Three Rivers Stadium): Some may have this game higher because the Steelers strategically mangled a game that they were winning.

Agreed.

Jerome Bettis had 105 yards on 23 carries. Yet the Steelers shifted to the passing attack with Kordell Stewart making his first title-game start. He wound up throwing three interceptions — two in the end zone — and had a fumble. The Steelers ended up blowing an early lead as a result and losing what would turn out to be their last-ever playoff game at Three Rivers.

The truth is, though, the Broncos had a better record than the Steelers, they went on to win the Super Bowl twice in a row, and (at the time) the sense was Stewart was going to be really good for a while. So, the loss was a little easier to digest.

Hold that thought.

3. New England Patriots 24 Steelers 17 (Jan. 27, 2002 — Heinz Field): After three years of erratic play, Stewart and the Steelers had a great year in 2001, the first year at brand-new Heinz Field. They beat the hated Ravens in the divisional round despite missing an ailing Bettis.

The upstart Patriots came to town with some second-year punk quarterback named Tom Brady riding a magic carpet into the postseason.

The Steelers’ Lethon Flowers knocked him out in the second quarter. Drew Bledsoe came in to lead a touchdown drive anyway. The Patriots scored two touchdowns on special teams. Stewart threw three more picks, and Bettis walked away with eight yards on nine carries.

Because the Super Bowl was to be played the next week that year, I was told to have a bag packed and to be ready to leave early the next morning. I came home and a full suitcase was sitting there mocking me. I was convinced I’d never see the Steelers in a Super Bowl again. If, after a 13-3 season, they could lose to a bunch of no-names from New England who were obviously going to lose the Super Bowl the next week and be a total flash in the pan (right?), they were just never going to win an AFC Championship again.

2. Patriots 41 Steelers 27 (Jan. 23, 2005 — Heinz Field): Given that Roethlisberger had yet to lose a start during his fabulous rookie season, why would the AFC Championship game be any different?

And if the Steelers could beat the Patriots at home by two touchdowns as they did in October, why couldn’t they do it again in January with the Super Bowl on the line?

But Roethlisberger threw three interceptions, and Brady hit Deion Branch four times for 116 yards and a touchdown.

New England was one step ahead all game. It’s almost like they knew what plays were coming, or something.

1. Chargers 17 Steelers 13 (Jan. 15, 1995 — Three Rivers Stadium): This is the only game ever to make me physically ill. I felt great going into the stadium. I went to bed with a migraine and a chest cold.

When it was 59 degrees on Jan. 15 in Pittsburgh, to welcome a team from San Diego for an AFC title game, that was the first sign of disaster.

The last sign of disaster was Dennis Gibson batting away O’Donnell’s last-ditch, fourth-down pass to Barry Foster in the end zone.

4th and goal from the 3.
Dennis Gibson knocks down the pass and the #Chargers are headed to their first Super Bowl, winning in Pittsburgh 17-13. pic.twitter.com/9clNfgi79V

— Old Time Football (@Ol_TimeFootball) January 16, 2023

In between, Foster fumbled, Tony Martin caught a long touchdown, and Alfred Pupunu did his coconut TD celebration.

The Steelers were the AFC’s best team that year. The Chargers victory over Dan Marino and the Dolphins the week before was supposed to make a 15-year return trip to the Super Bowl all the easier.

Beating San Diego was supposed to be academic. Then it was supposed to be on to the Super Bowl for a third go-round with the Cowboys or a battle with the San Francisco 49ers to see which organization was going to be the first to claim a fifth ring.

I remember my father describing downtown Monday morning as having tumbleweeds rolling through the streets because the whole city was just like me. Too sick to go to work.

But you know what? You need to witness hurt like that in person to become a good fan as well. It’s not all about the good times. And none of those games would hurt as much if they are in a dome in Atlanta.

For the wins. For the losses. Keep the title games at home venues. We need Troy Polamalu. We need Dennis Gibson. And the NFL doesn’t need another measly billion dollars.

Listen: Tim Benz and Bob Labriola rank the Steelers’ AFC Championship games

Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or via Twitter. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.

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The San Francisco 49ers and the Cincinnati Bengals were both victorious in their division bouts when they each moved within a game of the Super Bowl (Godofredo A Vasquez/AP) (AP)

The San Francisco 49ers and the Cincinnati Bengals were both victorious in their divisional bouts and each moved within a game of the Super Bowl.

Seventh-round rookie quarterback Brock Purdy was the man to make it for the 49ers. The last pick of 2022 completed 19 of 29 passes for 214 yards as San Francisco went 19-12 against the Dallas Cowboys.

Purdy’s opponent Dak Prescott had similarly solid numbers in California, as he went for 180 yards on 20 of 31 passes and also scored a touchdown, though his poor decision-making continued.

Prescott posted an undesirable record and continued a streak of 13 picks in his last 9 games to end the season as he became the first Cowboys QB since Troy Aikman in the 1994 NFC Championship game to have two first-half interceptions in one playoff threw.

The win means the 49ers will travel east to Philadelphia, where they will be hosted by the Eagles for Sunday’s NFC Championship game.

The AFC Championship will be contested for the second straight season by the Kansas City Chiefs and the Bengals, who earlier Sunday beat the Buffalo Bills 27-10 in heavy snow in upstate New York.

The home side fell 0-14 in the first quarter and never recovered. Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow threw for 242 yards and two touchdowns as his team extended their winning streak to 10.

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Josh Johnson (17) comes by while running from Philadelphia Eagles defensive end during the first half of the NFC Championship NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, January 29, 2023 Tackle Javon Hargrave is attacked Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Seth Little)

PHILADELPHIA (KRON) — The San Francisco 49ers are flying back to the West Coast but not Arizona for Super Bowl LVII.

The 49ers will return to the Bay Area after a 7-31 loss to the Eagles in Sunday’s NFC Championship when their season ended in Philadelphia.

The visiting team was plagued by quarterback injuries.

Rookie starter Brock Purdy left the game at about 4:50 in the first quarter after injuring his right elbow. Fourth-string quarterback Josh Johnson suffered a concussion with about 12:30 in the third and did not return.

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Purdy returned under center for the remainder of the game but was visibly limited. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan primarily cited running plays.

Since returning from injury, Purdy has not completed a pass that went longer than 3 yards. He completed 4-for-4 passes for 23 yards and no touchdowns/interceptions. Purdy was fired once.

Trent Williams expelled

A fight broke out in the late fourth quarter of the NFC Championship in Philadelphia on Sunday. With the 49ers trailing 31-7 about four minutes into the game, frustrations on the road side were mounting.

49ers All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams was seen knocking down Eagles safety K’Von Wallace after the game was over. Williams was challenged for unnecessary harshness and kicked out of the game.

Both 49ers and Eagles players were involved in an altercation as members of the San Francisco touchline rushed onto the field.

Celebrities of the 49ers

• QB Josh Johnson: 7/13 passes, 74 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT, 2 sacks
• RB Christian McCaffrey: 14 carries, 78 yards, 1 TD
• WR Deebo Samuel: 3 catches, 33 yards

Eagle’s notables

• QB: Jalen Hurts: 15/25 passing, 121 yards; 11 rushes, 39 yards, 1 rush TD

The post 49ers’ season ends after NFC Championship loss to Eagles appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — The Philadelphia Eagles are battling it out with the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game.

The winner of the game will take on either the Chiefs or Bengals in Super Bowl LVII. Here are live updates from Lincoln Financial Field:

3:27pm Eagles win the challenge. Fumble recovery. Birds back on the field.

3:16:pm Miles Sanders 6 yrd. run for a TD. Eagles lead 7-0.

3:12 pm: Big catch by Devonta Smith to convert for a first down.

3:11 pm: Fans are packed into Xfinity Live

3:00 pm: Grammy Award winner Anita Baker kicks off the NFC Championship with the national anthem.

2:40pm: Kevin Hart, Joel Embiid, DeSean Jackson, Michael Rubin and Corey Clement on the field at the Linc before the game

Possible road closures

At the conclusion of Sunday’s game, temporary traffic closures may be put into place to maintain public safety at the Sports Complex District, and in the vicinity of City Hall and surrounding Center City streets between 8th and 20th Streets and Race and Lombard Streets.

Travel delays can be expected and motorists are advised to avoid the area by using alternate routes, and allow for extra driving time when traveling in the vicinity.

Please follow all posted signs, detours and traffic control devices.

Philadelphia Eagles fans prior to the NFC Divisional playoff game between the Eagles and the New York Giants on January 21, 2023 at Lincoln Financial Field.

Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

public transportation

For those attending the NFC Championship Game on Sunday, SEPTA will accommodate passengers traveling to the game with extra trains on the Broad Street Line. This Sports Express service will run every 10 minutes beginning at 11:10 am, with trips starting at Fern Rock Station and stopping at Olney, Erie, Girard, Spring Garden, Race-Vine, City Hall, and Walnut-Locust Stations before reaching NRG Station Unibet, a platform for online sports betting, bingo, and poker, will help Eagles fans get home safely after the NFC Championship Game by sponsoring free rides home from NRG Station on the Broad Street Line.

At the conclusion of Sunday’s game, temporary SEPTA route detours may be put into place and service is subject to change. Customers should refer to System Status regularly for updates to routing throughout the day.

For more information about SEPTA, including schedules and trip planning tools, visit www.septa.org, and follow @SEPTA for real-time travel updates.

Public Safety Information

Throughout the day, the City will provide law-enforcement support, traffic control, and emergency medical services at the Sports Complex District and other key locations for public safety.

In addition, the public should expect congestion in these areas. If you are attending the game, make a plan regarding driving, public transit, parking, and supervision of children. It is recommended that attendees wear comfortable, weather-appropriate attire.

Leave no bags or items unattended. In an emergency or to report a suspicious person, activity or item (a backpack, a package, a container), notify a police officer immediately or call 9-1-1. Do not try to open, move, cover or touch a suspicious item.

For tips and general information about being prepared and ready at special events, check out the Special Event Safety Guide.

Additional protocols for the upcoming game are being evaluated by the Philadelphia Police Department and our public safety partners. PPD will institute the practice of ‘greasing poles’ as a deterrent for climbing poles and light fixtures. Based on prior experience in these situations, and to control the flow of crowds, barricades have been put into place at key locations for public safety. General tips for business owners regarding public safety can be found online.

stay connected

Any information and updates will be published on the Office of Emergency Management (@Philaoem), City of Philadelphia (@PhiladelphiaGov), and Police (@PhillyPolice) Twitter pages.

Be sure to sign up for emergency and informational text messages from the Office of Emergency Management at www.phila.gov/ready or texting “READYPHILA” to 888-777.

Copyright © 2023 WPVI-TV. All rights reserved.

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Sports // Golden State Warriors

Charles Russo/SFGATE

June 20, 2022Updated: June 21, 2022 11:18 am

Having four parades in eight years hasn’t gotten any less exciting for the Golden State Warriors and their fans.

Before sunrise, Warriors fans were already lining up along Market Street in San Francisco to claim their spots for the NBA championship parade.

Klay Thompson waves from atop a bus during the Warriors victory parade on Market Street, on Monday June 20, 2022.

Charles Russo/SFGATE

Warriors star Andrew Wiggins leaves his bus to interact with fans on Market Street, during the victory parade on Monday, June 20, 2022.

Charles Russo/SFGATE

Stephen Curry leaves his bus during the Warriors victory parade to interact with fans on Market Street.

Charles Russo/SFGATE

Warriors star Jordan Poole crosses Market Street to shake hands with spectators as the parade route begins to swarm with fans who breached the barricades.

Charles Russo/SFGATE

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr opens a bottle of champagne from atop his bus during the team’s victory parade down Market Street, on Monday, June 20, 2022.

Charles Russo/SFGATE

Forward Jonathan Kuminga during the Golden State Warriors Championship parade on Market Street in San Francisco, Calif. on June 20, 2022.Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

Forward Gary Payton II poses for a photo holding a bottle of Moet champagne during the Golden State Warriors Championship parade on Market Street in San Francisco, Calif. on June 20, 2022.Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green holds a bottle of Lobos Tequila during the Golden State Warriors Championship parade on Market Street in San Francisco, Calif. on June 20, 2022.

Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

Otto Porter Jr., right, takes a drink of Moët champagne as he proceeds down Market Street with Klay Thompson, during the Warriors victory parade, on Monday June 20, 2022.

Charles Russo/SFGATE

Forward Juan Toscano-Anderson throws a signed rally towel to fans during the Golden State Warriors Championship parade on Market Street in San Francisco, Calif. on June 20, 2022.Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

The route started at Market and Main and extended down to 8th Street, and people were stacked a dozen deep trying to catch a glimpse of their favorite players.

Players were placed high on buses, but many jumped down during the course of the parade to interact with fans one-on-one.

Javier Caldera of Hayward brought his goat, Curry, to the Warriors victory parade on Market Street.

Charles Russo/SFGATE

Forward Gary Payton II poses with fans during the Golden State Warriors Championship parade on Market Street in San Francisco, Calif. on June 20, 2022.Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

Golden State Warriors fans line up along the Market Street route before the team’s victory parade on June 20, 2022 in San Francisco.

Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

Golden State Warriors fans line up along the Market Street route before the team’s victory parade on June 20, 2022 in San Francisco.

Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

Warriors fans hold signs during the Golden State Warriors Championship parade on Market Street in San Francisco, Calif. on June 20, 2022.Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

A couple of fans enjoy the “Poole Party” during the Golden State Warriors Championship parade on Market Street in San Francisco, Calif. on June 20, 2022.Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

A fan wears crocs adorned with Klay Thompson stickers during the Golden State Warriors Championship parade on Market Street in San Francisco, Calif. on June 20, 2022.

Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

A woman holds up four fingers for the four Golden State Warriors champions before the Golden State Warriors Championship parade on Market Street in San Francisco, Calif. on June 20, 2022.Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

San Francisco Mayor London Breed during the Golden State Warriors Championship parade on Market Street in San Francisco, Calif. on June 20, 2022.Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

A fan holds a Kay Thompson head cutout during the Golden State Warriors Championship parade on Market Street in San Francisco, Calif. on June 20, 2022.Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

A fan holds a Dub Nation flag during the Golden State Warriors Championship parade on Market Street in San Francisco, Calif. on June 20, 2022.Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

Fans hustle towards Market street to get a spot on the parade route, on Monday June 20, 2022.

Charles Russo/SFGATE

Warriors General Manager Bob Meyers hi-five fans during the Golden State Warriors Championship parade on Market Street in San Francisco, Calif. on June 20, 2022.Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

Center James Wiseman claps during the Golden State Warriors Championship parade on Market Street in San Francisco, Calif. on June 20, 2022.Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

A fan climbs a tree to watch the action during the Golden State Warriors Championship parade on Market Street in San Francisco, Calif. on June 20, 2022.Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE

Fans react to Stephen Curry as his bus passes them during the Warriors victory parade on Market Street.

Charles Russo/SFGATE

Stephen Curry shows off some championship hardware, during the Warriors victory parade, on Monday, June 20, 2022.

Charles Russo/SFGATE

Warriors fans celebrate as head coach Steve Kerr passes them on Market Street.

Charles Russo/SFGATE

Fans pack every inch of Market Street, during the Warriors victory parade, on Monday, June 20, 2022.

Charles Russo/SFGATE

Fans react to Klay Thompson as his bus passes them during the Warriors victory parade on Market Street.

Charles Russo/SFGATE

Fans react to Stephen Curry as his bus passes them during the Warriors victory parade on Market Street.

Charles Russo/SFGATE

Klay Thompson waves to the crowd during the Warriors victory parade on Market Street, as fans swarmed the throughfare around his bus, on Monday June 20, 2022.

Charles Russo/SFGATE

Katie Dowd is the SFGATE managing editor.

Charles Russo is the Senior Editor, Photography & Design for SFGATE. You can reach him at Charles.Russo@sfgate.com

Douglas Zimmerman is an Online Photo Editor and Photographer for SFGATE. He also oversees SFGATE’s Instagram and on occasion covers the SF Bay Area soccer scene. Zimmerman worked as a staff photographer for the LA Times Community Newspapers, photo editor for Fortune.com, and a photo producer for NYTimes.com. You can reach him via email at dzimmerman@sfgate.com

The post The very best images from the Warriors championship parade in San Francisco appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

The NFC championship game turned into a nightmare scenario for the 49ers. With their running game hampered and their defense struggling to get off the field, San Francisco had to turn to quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to salvage their season, and they failed.

This was always the issue when the 49ers settled on Garoppolo in 2021. It’s also why they traded three first-round picks to move up and take on Trey Lance in this year’s draft. When the 49ers’ winning formula didn’t work, they couldn’t lean on their quarterback.

It didn’t bode well on Sunday when Garoppolo’s first throw, a third and seven throws against George Kittle on the 49er’s first drive, sailed over Kittle’s head. A better throw might have resulted in a touchdown.

Overall, it wasn’t a bad first three quarters for the QB. He went 13-to-21 for 202 yards and 2 touchdowns in that span. However, the wheels came loose when the game was balanced.

Garoppolo went 3-for-9 in the fourth quarter for 30 yards and an interception, and the game turned at a point that exposed head coach Kyle Shanahan’s lack of confidence in Garoppolo to make a play.

Early in the fourth quarter, the Rams scored a touchdown to cut the 49ers’ lead to 17-14. San Francisco cruised, looking for a touchdown that could effectively end the game. A 9-yard run by running back Elijah Mitchell on a first down put the 49ers at the Rams’ 44-yard line.

On second-and-1, Mitchell was stuffed with a loss of 1.

On the third and second full-backs, Kyle Juszczyk was brought down without a win.

Then the 49ers punted.

They didn’t even pretend to put the ball in their quarterback’s hands. Not in second or third place and certainly not in fourth. The ultra-conservative trio of calls after Mitchell got the 49ers fourth might be a flaw in Shanahan’s game calling, but it’s hard to believe it had nothing to do with the quarterback.

After that punt by the 49ers, the Rams went for 63 yards in nine games and kicked a field goal to tie the game.

What happened next was perhaps the worst-case scenario for San Francisco. You throw the ball in the air three times. All three shots were incomplete with a game penalty delay interspersed on the second relegation. None of the throws were particularly tight.

Los Angeles went down and kicked the go-ahead field goal, leaving Garoppolo with 1:46 and a time-out to orchestrate a game-timing or go-ahead drive.

What followed was another disaster. There was another incompletion, then a completion for wide receiver Jauan Jennings for minus 3 yards, and then an interception on a shovel pass that sailed high for RB JaMycal Hasty. The game was over. Garoppolo went 1-on-6 for minus 3 yards and a pick on what might be his final plays as a 49er.

That was always the problem with Garoppolo. He’s not a “bad” player. He is limited. And those limitations are easy to hide when the defense is running light and the game in progress is messing up the defense (or the special teams are scoring touchdowns). Quarterback mattered on Sunday. The 49ers needed a playmaker, and Garoppolo isn’t.

Unfortunately for Garoppolo and the 49ers, consistent winning in the modern NFL requires the quarterback to make plays when all else fails. That’s why they’re moving on and any doubts as to why the 49ers would part ways with a quarterback that took them to the NFC Championship game have been removed.

At some point, every season in the NFL will end up in QB, and San Francisco just wasn’t good enough.

Observations from the 49ers’ loss to the Rams in the NFC Championship game

outlook
4 items

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