IF YOU BLINKED, READ THIS

By BILL PLASCHKE

Jan. 26, 1998 12 AM PT

Five key moments you may have missed:

1) Vaughn Hebron’s 32-yard kick return for the Broncos after the Packers scored on their first drive. The Broncos tied the score 10 plays later.

2) Neil Smith chasing Brett Favre around the backfield before Favre threw his first-quarter interception. Favre never seemed completely relaxed again.

3) Consecutive offsides penalties against Packer offensive lineman Adam Timmerman and Frank Winters on their first drive of the second half. Instead of turning Terrell Davis’ fumble into a touchdown, they had to settle for a field goal.

4) Favre overthrowing Robert Brooks on third down from the Packer 41 midway through the third quarter. The score was tied, the Packers had the momentum, yet suddenly lost it again.

5) Offsides and holding penalties against Packer tackle Russ Verba in a three-play span midway through the fourth quarter. The Iowa rookie panicked against veteran Alfred Williams as the Packers gained only one yard on what would be their last chance to break the 24-all tie.

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Bill Plaschke

Bill Plaschke, an L.A. Times sports columnist since 1996, is a member of the National Sports Media Hall of Fame and California Sports Hall of Fame. He has been named national Sports Columnist of the Year nine times by the Associated Press, and twice by the Society of Professional Journalists and National Headliner Awards. He is the author of six books, including a collection of his columns entitled “Plaschke: Good Sports, Spoilsports, Foul Balls and Oddballs.” Plaschke is also a panelist on the popular ESPN daily talk show, “Around the Horn.” He is in the national Big Brothers/Big Sisters Alumni Hall of Fame and has been named Man of the Year by the Los Angeles Big Brothers/Big Sisters as well as receiving a Pursuit of Justice Award from the California Women’s Law Center. Plaschke has appeared in a movie (“Ali”), a dramatic HBO series (“Luck”) and, in a crowning cultural moment he still does not quite understand, his name can be found in a rap song “Females Welcome” by Asher Roth.

IF YOU BLINKED, READ THIS

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