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One-half or sixteen of the pro NFL football teams are used in the puzzle below. The other half is in puzzle number one. Note that the clues in this sports puzzle were updated October 2, 2010. NFL records were current at that time.
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The Carolina Panthers are one of the newer franchises in the National Football League (NFL), joining the organization in 1995, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Even though Charlotte, North Carolina was chosen as the site for the Panthers' stadium, the franchise more or less represents two states, both North and South Carolina.
Dom Capers, who had prior as an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers, was hired as the Panthers' first coach. In their inaugural season the franchise set an NFL record for most wins (7) by an expansion team in the first season. In 1996, the team won 12 games and the NFC Western Division title. In the playoffs, the Panthers won their first game but lost in the NFC Championship Game to the Green Bay Packers. (The Packers would go on to win the Super Bowl.)
Following the 2003 season, the Panthers earned their way into Super Bowl XXXVIII where they faced the New England Patriots in a close one. Kicker Adam Vinatieri made a 41-yard field goal with four seconds remaining to give the Patriots the victory.
In the 2010 draft, the Panthers chose quarterback Jimmy Clausen from Notre Dame in the second round; wide receivers Brandon LaFell of Louisiana State and Armanti Edwards of Appalachian State in round two; and Eric Norwood, defensive end from South Carolina in the fourth round, among others.
The Chicago Bears football franchise has been in existence since 1919, having been formed as the Decatur Staleys. The team officially moved to Wrigley Field, (known then as Chicago's Cubs Park) in 1921 and became known as the Bears.
One of only two original charter members of the NFL still in existence, (the other being the Cardinals), the Chicago Bears have a rich and storied history. Reviewing the names of Pro Football Hall of Fame members, (the Bears have the most of any team) there are 26 Chicago Bears: Doug Atkins, George Blanda, Dick Butkus, George Connor, Mike Ditka, Paddy Driscoll, Jim Finks, Danny Fortmann, Bill George, Harold Grange, George Halas, Dan Hampton, Ed Healey, Bill Hewitt, Stan Jones, Sid Luckman, Link Lyman, George McAfee, George Musso, Bronko Nagurski, Walter Payton, Gale Sayers, Mike Singletary, Joe Stydahar, Clyde Turner, and George Trafton.
The Bears franchise holds nine league championship titles and has played in the post-season 25 times. The team has appeared in two Super Bowls, defeating New England in Super Bowl XX and losing to Indianapolis in Super Bowl XLI.
Among their 2010 draft picks are: defensive back Major Wright from the University of Florida; Corey Wootton, defensive end from Northwestern; Joshua Moore, defensive back from Kansas State; and quarterback Dan LeFevour of Central Michigan.
The Bears are part of the North Division of the NFC, along with the Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, and Minnesota Vikings.
The Cincinnati Bengals franchise was formed in 1968 and joined the National Football League (NFL) as part of the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. The Bengals are currently part of the North Division of the American Football Conference (AFC), and play their home games in Paul Brown Stadium, named for the famed coach and general manager who played an instrumental role in the origin of the franchise. Paul Brown coached the team for the first eight seasons of its existence and served as general manager of the organization until his death in 1991.
In the Bengals' first season in the NFL, the team won their division, but lost in the playoffs. Led by quarterback Ken Anderson, Cincinnati made its first trip to the Super Bowl, losing to the San Francisco 49ers, 26-21. The Bengals would return to the Super Bowl again in 1989, and again lose to San Francisco in another close one, 20-16.
Under coach Marvin Lewis in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Bengals chose Jermaine Gresham, tight end from Oklahoma in the first round; Carlos Dunlap, defensive end from Florida in the second round; wide receiver Jordan Shipley from the University of Texas, and cornerback Brandon Ghee from Wake Forest in the third round, among others.
The Cleveland Browns football franchise was founded in 1946 and became part of the NFL in 1950. The legendary Paul Brown was the team's first coach and general manager. Upon joining the NFL, the franchise promptly won their division for six consecutive seasons. In addition, their first year in the NFL, the Browns won the league's championship. NFL records indicate that the Browns suspended participation from 1996-1998. This was during the time when the Cleveland team was moved to Baltimore and renamed the Ravens. When a team did resume playing in the city, it was heralded as a continuation of the old Browns franchise.
Throughout their history the Cleveland Browns have been home to a number of outstanding players. To date, there are twenty-one members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame that at one time were associated with the Cleveland Browns. They are: defensive linemen Doug Atkins, Willie Davis, Len Ford, Henry Jordan, and Bill Willis; fullbacks Jim Brown and Marion Motley; offensive linemen Joe DeLamielleure, Frank Gatski, Lou Groza (also a placekicker), Gene Hickerson, and Mike McCormack; quarterbacks Len Dawson and Otto Graham; wide receivers Dante Lavelli, Tommy McDonald, Bobby Mitchell, and Paul Warfield; running back Leroy Kelly; tight end Ozzie Newsome; and head coach Paul Brown.
The Browns have not played in the NFL championship game since it took the name of "Super Bowl" but did win eight of their league's championship titles prior to that time.
Among the players chosen by the Browns in the 2010 NFL Draft are first round pick, Joe Haden, defensive back from Florida; defensive back T. J. Ward from Oregon and running back Montario Hardesty from the University of Tennessee in the second round; quarterback Colt McCoy from Texas and guard Shawn Lauvao from Arizona State in the third round.