AFC- Birmingham 23 Portland 21 Recap and Pics

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Today in the NJLMFL- Where The Legends Play

AFC Wildcard Game 2

Portland Bobcats at Birmingham Bulls

Recap- This looked like a real sleeper game on the schedule but turned out to be a great game. Birmingham had a strong running game led by Stephen Davis and LeShawn McCoy. Davis had a 30 yd TD run midway through the 1st quarter and the Bulls led 7-0 after 1 quarter. In the second quarter Portland scored on a 50 yd pass from QB Phillip Rivers to WR Nat Moore to tie the game. Birmingham struck right back as Davis ran 42 yds for his second TD. A bad snap led to a missed extra point so Birmingham led 13-7 with 9:03 to the half. Portland scored late in the first half when the red hot Rivers hit Nat Moore again on a 38 yd TD pass and a 14-13 lead. The Bulls then drove deep into Portland territory and on 3rd and 4 from the Portland 11 with 18 seconds left and no timeouts Birmingham went for one last pass play before trying a field goal. Portland sacked QB Mark Brunell and time expired before the Bulls could get set up for the field goal. Halftime Portland 14 Birmingham 13.

2nd Half- Birmingham took the ball to start the second half and slowly marched down the field with their run game. Portland was playing the run much better and held on a 3rd and 3 stopping Davis short of a first down on the Bobcats 34. The Bulls went for it on 4th and 1 and Davis was stopped by the Portland defense and the Bulls were turned away again. The third quarter ended scoreless and Portland retained their 14-13 lead. With 6:44 left in the game Rivers was intercepted by Marlon McRee and he returned it to the Portland 42. Brunnell then hit Jeremy Maclin down the right sideline and it looked like a sure TD but Portland LB Michael Barrow made a great tackle stopping Maclin just short of the endzone which was held up by a video review. Portland the made a great goal line stand. Birmingham needed only inches to score and the Bobcats stopped Davis twice for no gain. On 3rd down the Bull gave it to McCoy but he was hit for a 2 yard loss. No gamble this time. Birmingham K Josh Brown booted a 19 yd FG to give the Bulls back the lead 16-14 with 4:11 to go. Portland got the ball back and Rivers completed 2 passes out to the Portland 43. Rivers who was so hot in the first half then threw his second interception. Shawnte Spencer picked off Rivers and returned it to the Portland 26. After Davis gained 1 yard Brunnell handed off to LeShawn McCoy who made a great run around left end for a 25 yd TD giving Birmingham a 23-14 lead with 2:12 left in the game. Portland got a good kick return to their own 47 at the 2 minute warning. After a 13 yd run by Darrin McFadden got the ball to the Birmingham 40 Phillip Rivers found TE Anthony Fasano open and hit him for a 40 yd TD to cut the lead to 23-21 with 1:07 left in the game. Portland the recovered an onsides kick at their own 43 with :58 left but no time outs. Rivers found McFadden who got the ball to midfield but was tackled in bounds. Rivers got the snap off with :07 left and hit Nat Moore in the flat with running room. Birmingham was in a deep prevent defense so 4 guys had a shot at Moore. The speedy end eluded the first 2 defenders and another was not close. DB Marlon McRee was the only chaser left and he made an outstanding game saving tackle on the 26 yd line as time ran out. Birmingham held on for an exciting 23-21 victory and will now move on to play the Hartford Renegades in the next round.

Scoring

Portland 0-14-0-7……….21
Birmingham 7-6-0-10……….23

1st QTR
BIR- Davis 30 yd run (Brown kick)…………………………………….7-0 6:39

2nd QRT
POR- Moore 50 yd pass from Rivers (Nedney kick)………….7-7 11:01
BIR- Davis 42 yd run (kick NG)………………………………………..13-7 9:03
POR- Moore 38 yd pass from Rivers (Nedney kick)…………14-13 3:52

3rd QTR
No Scoring

4th QTR
BIR- Brown 19 yd FG…………………………………………………………16-14 4:11
BIR- McCoy 25 yd run (Brown kick)…………………………………23-14 2:12
POR- Fasano 40 yd pass from Rivers (Nedney kick)………23-21 1:07