Notes on a Scorecard - Jan. 15, 1996

Now that was entertainment. . . .

Often there is one competitive game on conference championship day in the NFL, but rarely two. . . .

The only time both the NFC and AFC title games have been decided by seven or fewer points was in 1987, when Denver beat Cleveland, 38-33, and Washington beat Minnesota, 17-10. . . .

Until midway through the fourth quarter at Irving, Texas, on Sunday, it appeared that both games this year would go down to the wire. . . .

But Dallas pulled away from Green Bay because the Cowboys are more versatile. They can run and pass. With Emmitt Smith and that awesome offensive line, they wear down defenses. . . .

The Packers can pass, but can’t run much. The Cowboys were thinking pass when Larry Brown picked off a Brett Favre toss and set up the touchdown that sealed the victory. . . .

Has a Hail Mary pass ever failed by fewer inches than the one attempted by Indianapolis against Pittsburgh? . . .

Many AFC championship games have been more artistic, but few have been fought harder. . . .

Michael Irvin might be the next Keyshawn Johnson. . . .

Erik Williams has brought back the head slap, which is supposed to be illegal. . . .

Remember when everyone thought Leon Lett was a clown? . . .

Barry Switzer has handled all the criticism much better than most coaches would. . . .

Among the best defensive plays of the day was Pittsburgh cornerback Chris Oldham’s deflection of a pass intended for a wide-open Floyd Turner in the end zone in the second quarter. . . .

Zack Crockett, the hero of Indianapolis’ first-round victory over San Diego, rushed only once for two yards, but made a key block on the play when Jim Harbaugh threw a 47-yard, go-ahead touchdown pass to Turner in the fourth quarter. . . .

A 16-13 Colts’ victory would have been their most important by that score since Super Bowl V over the Cowboys. . . .

Our best wishes for a quick recovery to Gil Haskell, the Green Bay assistant coach who suffered a head injury and was taken to the hospital after being hit on the sidelines. Haskell was very popular with his players and the media in Southern California during his years as an assistant to John Robinson with USC and the Rams. . . .

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I would love to have a copy of Kris Johnson’s diet. . . .

Overshadowed by Johnson’s 36-point performance in UCLA’s 93-73 victory over California was another great defensive job by the Bruins. . . .

They are particularly adept at stopping perimeter shooters. . . .

Last week at Pauley Pavilion, the Cal and Stanford guards were 19 for 61 on field-goal attempts. . . .

Tickets to the Bruin-Bear game Saturday afternoon were among the hottest ever at Pauley. The attendance was a capacity 12,881, but it is estimated that 20,000 seats could have been sold. . . .

The lopsided victory and electric atmosphere must have impressed the many high school recruits who were in attendance. This is supposed to be the most talented junior class in years in Southern California. . . .

It’s nice that the Clippers have advanced to the stage where they don’t consider it a moral victory when they slice the NBA champion Houston Rockets’ lead from 22 points to one point before losing by 11. . . .

Maybe the Clippers should have traded for Charles Barkley the last time they had the opportunity, but not now. . . .

Sorry, Pat Riley, but there is no excuse for the Miami Heat losing to the Vancouver Grizzlies, 69-65. . . .

The HBO announcing crew blasted referee Ed Zimmer for stopping the Roy Jones-Merqui Sosa fight in the second round Friday night at Madison Square Garden, but I thought Zimmer’s timing was perfect. . . .

After Sosa got up from a knockdown, the heavy-hitting Jones threw 24 unanswered punches before Zimmer called a halt. Sure, Sosa blocked some of those, but he was taking a severe beating. . . .

NHL upset of the year: San Jose’s 10-8 victory at Pittsburgh on Saturday. . . .

The wide margins of victory given Bill Mott over Wayne Lukas for best trainer and Jerry Bailey over Gary Stevens for best jockey in the Eclipse Award balloting were absurd. . . .

Super Bowl prediction: Dallas 38, Pittsburgh 20.