NFL Game of the Week

Washington was a team together in 1982. Dick Vermeil's Eagles were unraveling. But Philly played the Redskins tough. It took Mark Moseley's field goals to send the game into overtime and win it for the Redskins, 37-34.

Pittsburgh, fresh off an opening-day win at Dallas, was a rebuilding team in 1982. Their task would be measured in this game against the Bengals on Sept. 19.

It's back to business for the NFL and the Chicago Bears in particular. Mike Ditka is coaching only his third game, and against a Lions team that some thought would finish on top, the Bears are in the right position to win.

The defending Super Bowl champions had a difficult time defending in 1982. San Francisco won two games going into this game. It's a measure of an NFL axiom: no matter how many yards you throw for, and Joe Montana threw for over 400, the central goal is to win the game. Dan Fouts, the gawdy QB of San Diego, torched the Niners 41-37.

Pride and poise remained on the Raiders in their first season in Los Angeles. Their ""honored"" guests would be the L.A. Coliseum's former home team, the Rams. Both shades of 1982 L.A. football were demonstrated in this game: the Raiders would storm back to win late, forcing the Rams to swallow a hard loss.

New England's first home game since ""The Snowplow Caper"" was a battle for survival. The winner of this January 2, 1983 showdown would go on to the expanded NFL playoff tournament. Thus New England seized the day and the game, 30-19.