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- Jun 20, 2010
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- Name
- The Dude
Willie Anderson -- Coming into twelfth week of the 1989 season, second-year wide receiver Willie "Flipper" Anderson's greatest performance had been a 112-yard output eight weeks earlier. That was all about to change in a big way as Anderson recorded one of the greatest offensive displays in NFL history during the Los Angeles Rams' overtime win against the New Orleans Saints.
With their leading receiver Henry Ellard on the sidelines, the Rams were relying on Anderson to have a heavier presence on offense. He responded by shattering the NFL record for receiving yards in a game. During the afternoon, he caught 15 passes for 336 yards and one touchdown.
Not surprisingly, it was Anderson who put the exclamation point on his amazing afternoon when he hauled in quarterback Jim Everett's pass for a 26-yard gain in overtime. His catch set up the game-winning field goal by kicker Mike Lansford at 6:38 of the sudden death period to give the Rams a 20-17 victory.
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Norm Van Brocklin -- One of the greatest opening day performances came in 1951 when Hall of Fame quarterback Norm Van Brocklin of the Los Angeles Rams threw for a record 554 yards. The mark still stands as the greatest single passing effort in National Football League history.
Van Brocklin received the start that day when veteran Bob Waterfield, also a member of the Hall, was injured. The two quarterbacks were entrenched in a fierce battle for the starting role. The "Dutchman," as Van Brocklin was nicknamed, made the most of his opportunity. He completed 27 of 41 passes and tossed five touchdowns - four of which went to fellow Hall of Famer Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch - en route to a easy 54-14 win over the New York Yanks.
