Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

George Blanda's exciting play in 1970 did not end with his famous five game streak.  There were three other games with the AFC Championship Game having both ups and downs.

Week 11.  Thanksgiving Day at Detroit

The 6-2-2 Raiders were trailing the Lions in the fourth quarter  21 to 14.    Oakland had done nothing after two first period touchdowns.  Enter Blanda  and the Raiders quickly got a first down at the 50.  George dropped back and completed a 46 yard pass to Raymond Chester at the Lions' five.  A six straight pullout for Blanda.  Not quite.  The officials flagged Chester for a quick jump.  Detroit won 28 to 14.

Week 12.  Oakland at New York Jets.

George Blanda relieved Daryl Lamonica briefly late in the third period.  The Jets were leading 13 to 0 when Blanda threw a 13 yard touchdown pass to Warren Wells.  Lamonica returned and, on the game's last play, completed a 38 yard touchdown pass to Fred Biletnikoff.  Final Oakland 14 Jets 13.  A last minutes pass gave Oakland the victory.

AFC Championship Game at Baltimore.

The Colts were leading 10 to 0 when Lamonica hurt his hand against a pass rush.  Enter Blanda with a 48 yard field goal.  Halftime, Colts 10 Raiders 3.  Oakland moved the ball in the third period and Blanda fired a 38 yard touchdown pass to Fred Biletnikoff to tie the game.  Nevertheless, the Raiders could not stop Johnny Unitas.  With the Raiders trailing 20 10 to in the fourth quarter, Blanda capped a drive with 13 yard touchdown pass to Warren Wells.  Colts 20 Raiders 17.  All hope was temporary as Unitas fired a 68 yard touchdown pass to Ray Perkins.

The Colts advanced to the Super Bowl.  George Blanda completed 17 of 32 passes for 271 yards and two touchdowns.  Even so, he was always coming from behind.  The Colts sacked Blanda five times for 46 yards and intercepted three passes.    Interceptions happen when a team is always facing a deficit.   Final Baltimore 27 Oakland 17

The hand injury to Lamonica was inflicted by the Chiefs. Vs the Colts it was his groin.

Warren Wells beat the Jets on the throw from Lamonica ... One of the best catches in NFL history because he reached between two defenders and tipped the ball back to himself. Its on Youtube Leonard ...

Winning two out of the first three AFL Championships helped put Blanda in the HOF but his gunslinger nature in these biggest games produced 15 interceptions, starting with the Bears in 1956 ...

Brian wolf wrote:Warren Wells beat the Jets on the throw from Lamonica ... One of the best catches in NFL history because he reached between two defenders and tipped the ball back to himself. Its on Youtube Leonard ...

To me it appeared as though ball was floating right into the breadbasket of Earlie Thomas while Wells was trying to cut into him and make some kind of play on it. WK Hicks coming from behind swats at the ball, misses, and falls

Thought the ball bounced mostly off of Thomas, who fell backwards, while Wells turned and saw the ball right in front of his face. Curious if there is another angle of the play that better shows him tipping it

The most insane, flukiest of plays. Of course it happens to the Jets.




Jim Turners 3 missed field goals (2 of 5 on the day) were a huge factor as well. The Jets were souring on Turner at the time as his kickoffs had been poor & his field goal percentage had dipped into the bottom third of the league. He was traded to Denver where he immediately reversed the trajectory of his career and would go on to kick for 9 more solid season.

At the time he wrote his first book, John Madden thought it was the best catch he ever saw and needed the Raider highlight film to understand what Wells did ...