Gryphon
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sf4d9erfan1's SportingBlog
May 10, 2007 01:12 PM
In recent years everyone has been whispering the word dynasty again and again in relation to the New England Patriots. However, their fallout in this past season’s championship game burst that balloon but according to history bursting balloons have been numerous among the NFL elite. However, unlike the Patriots, there have been some teams that could be considered the finest losers in the game. Now, before I start, I just want to say that the teams I have chosen are time specific and do not reflect the clubs entire history just the periods diagnosed for the purposes of this entry. (God only knows the feedback I would have to endure if fans thought otherwise). The time frame is from 1980 to Present. (This is because I know very little about teams before this era)
The first and probably most notorious of this bunch is the Buffalo Bills which from 1991-1994 couldn’t seem to win a Super Bowl even if the other team had missed the plane. This team was no doubt one of histories paramount clubs. Unfortunately for Bill fans they were also the best at losing the Super Bowl. Even with weapons like Kelly, Reed, Smith (who I met last weekend), Talley, Thomas, Reich, Beebe, Bennett, and Lofton the Bills couldn’t find a way to show up in the Super Bowl. Now, some will argue that the Cowboy’s team they faced in two of their Super Bowl appearances was simply the best Super Bowl talent ever to play. Even if this were true it still didn’t explain their inability to play defense. During the regular seasons of those years the Bills had a very high ranking defense with superior speed and horribly scary pass rushing. So, they top our list at 0-4 in the Super Bowl and a 4-0 in the championship game!
The second and probably most unnoticed of this elite bunch is the Philadelphia Eagles. The only reason why the Eagles are not number one on my list is simply because they weren’t in 4 straight Super Bowls. Why are the Eagles even on this list? True, most don’t consider this club a dynasty according to the modern interpretation of the word. However, did the Eagles not lose three straight NFC Championship games from 2001 to 2003 before beating Atlanta 27-10 to move to the Super Bowl in 2005? Furthermore, even after advancing this team lost to the Patriots 24-21. Oh yeah, what about the Super Bowl loss in 1981? Sorry Eagle fans but Andy Reid is a great coach who hasn’t been able to push these teams over the injury hump long enough to get consecutive Super Bowl appearances. Despite this fact the Eagles have clearly demonstrated their ability to show up big over multiple seasons and isn’t that the true mark of a dynasty? Consistency is the key but to many people’s dismay Philadelphia just can’t seem to find the right lock. Even more disappointing is that McNabb hasn’t had the man power to show his team can be anything but a failed dynasty. So, they are 2nd with a 2-3 Championship record and a 0-2 Super Bowl record. 0-3 from ’01-’03 and that is what got them on this list!
The third is the Cleveland Browns. No, I’m not crazy! I am not talking about today’s expansion Browns; I’m referring to the 1986, 1987, and 1989 Browns. This was also a tough decision, not because I don’t think they belong but because I was unsure as to where to seed them. I finally decided on third because they have never been to the Super Bowl so they haven’t been able to lose it. This Browns team was not full of Superman talent but Kosar, Dean Perry, Slaughter, and Metcalf continued to prove year after year that they could win enough to get into the playoffs. The problem with this Browns team was the Denver Broncos, which proved to be their Achilles Heal in all three Championship games. As a child I would wonder why my Uncle, an avid Browns fan, would shut off the TV every time the Broncos played. Looking back, I don’t blame him!! So, they are 3rd with a 0-3 record in Championship Games and 0-0 in the Super Bowl.
The 4th spot on this list belongs to the Dallas Cowboys. No, please don’t turn off your computer, I’m serious! I know that it is hard to imagine America’s team and one of the NFL’s Super Bowl powerhouse teams on this list but they do belong. From 1980 to 1982 the Boys graced the Championship game only to find themselves losing a series of heart breakers to Washington, San Francisco, and Philly. Talk about championship rivalries!!! Although, there talent levels here were nowhere near the quality of the 90s, they still had a pro bowl staff consisting of Dorsett, Donovan, White, and Carano. (Carano not actually a pro bowler) They used skill positions very effectively to move past more talented teams but couldn’t seem to squeak into the Super Bowl although; they came close in 1981 as they lost to the 49ers 28-27. For this time period 0-3 in championship games definitely constitutes a dynasty presence but unfortunately for Dallas just not a winning one! So, they are 4th with an 8-6 championship record and a 5-3 Super Bowl record.
Another surprising addition to this elite team of awesome losers is the San Francisco 49ers. Yes, fellow faithful you are reading this correctly! In fact, the 49ers from 1990 -1994 probably demonstrated the largest span of disappointments in NFL history. True, this club is the only franchise to also be considered one of the best winning dynasties in history, but definitely not during the early 90s. During this period of time the 49ers successfully lost the Giants once and the Cowboys twice in championship games. For all you wondering, this is where my pure hatred for the Cowboys all started and why to this day I throw ample numbers of stress bean bags at Jimmy Johnson every time his face shows up on TV. Ahhhh . . . I digress! The fact of the matter is simple. In the years prior to their 1995 Championship team the 49ers couldn’t seem to get past the NFC Championship road block. The worst part, at least for me, was they weren’t lacking in talent. In comparison to the Bills of the same era their talent was equal if not better. Their offense was dominate and their defense young and quick to attack. Young maintained the highest passer rating ever seen in the league before and it still wasn’t enough. Is this because the Cowboys/Giants were better? I would like to say no but the Boys during this time period just had a stronger running game which would pound out gaps in the 9ers defensive strategy. In turn, Aikman would be free to complete passes over the middle thus continuously tiring out the secondary. Simply put, as much as it pains me, the Cowboys just out played the 9ers. Frankly, these championship games made better Super Bowls then the Super Bowls did. Unfortunately, that is a tradition which has not ceased since. (One exception was the ST. Louis vs. New England Game) It’s ok Faithful, we still have a 5-0 record in Super Bowls, so when we do get there we don’t disappoint!!! So, they are 5th with a 5-7 Championship game record and a 5-0 Super Bowl Record. The 0-3 championship record from ’90-’93 is why they are on this list.
To clarify: One must remember when looking at the dates that the Super Bowl is not during the same year as the championship game for that season. It caused me a little confusion when trying to process all this information.
Further Clarity: Teams that can should be on this list but are before my time are the L.A. Rams from ’74-’78 & the Oakland Raiders from ’70-’75.
May 10, 2007 01:12 PM
In recent years everyone has been whispering the word dynasty again and again in relation to the New England Patriots. However, their fallout in this past season’s championship game burst that balloon but according to history bursting balloons have been numerous among the NFL elite. However, unlike the Patriots, there have been some teams that could be considered the finest losers in the game. Now, before I start, I just want to say that the teams I have chosen are time specific and do not reflect the clubs entire history just the periods diagnosed for the purposes of this entry. (God only knows the feedback I would have to endure if fans thought otherwise). The time frame is from 1980 to Present. (This is because I know very little about teams before this era)
The first and probably most notorious of this bunch is the Buffalo Bills which from 1991-1994 couldn’t seem to win a Super Bowl even if the other team had missed the plane. This team was no doubt one of histories paramount clubs. Unfortunately for Bill fans they were also the best at losing the Super Bowl. Even with weapons like Kelly, Reed, Smith (who I met last weekend), Talley, Thomas, Reich, Beebe, Bennett, and Lofton the Bills couldn’t find a way to show up in the Super Bowl. Now, some will argue that the Cowboy’s team they faced in two of their Super Bowl appearances was simply the best Super Bowl talent ever to play. Even if this were true it still didn’t explain their inability to play defense. During the regular seasons of those years the Bills had a very high ranking defense with superior speed and horribly scary pass rushing. So, they top our list at 0-4 in the Super Bowl and a 4-0 in the championship game!
The second and probably most unnoticed of this elite bunch is the Philadelphia Eagles. The only reason why the Eagles are not number one on my list is simply because they weren’t in 4 straight Super Bowls. Why are the Eagles even on this list? True, most don’t consider this club a dynasty according to the modern interpretation of the word. However, did the Eagles not lose three straight NFC Championship games from 2001 to 2003 before beating Atlanta 27-10 to move to the Super Bowl in 2005? Furthermore, even after advancing this team lost to the Patriots 24-21. Oh yeah, what about the Super Bowl loss in 1981? Sorry Eagle fans but Andy Reid is a great coach who hasn’t been able to push these teams over the injury hump long enough to get consecutive Super Bowl appearances. Despite this fact the Eagles have clearly demonstrated their ability to show up big over multiple seasons and isn’t that the true mark of a dynasty? Consistency is the key but to many people’s dismay Philadelphia just can’t seem to find the right lock. Even more disappointing is that McNabb hasn’t had the man power to show his team can be anything but a failed dynasty. So, they are 2nd with a 2-3 Championship record and a 0-2 Super Bowl record. 0-3 from ’01-’03 and that is what got them on this list!
The third is the Cleveland Browns. No, I’m not crazy! I am not talking about today’s expansion Browns; I’m referring to the 1986, 1987, and 1989 Browns. This was also a tough decision, not because I don’t think they belong but because I was unsure as to where to seed them. I finally decided on third because they have never been to the Super Bowl so they haven’t been able to lose it. This Browns team was not full of Superman talent but Kosar, Dean Perry, Slaughter, and Metcalf continued to prove year after year that they could win enough to get into the playoffs. The problem with this Browns team was the Denver Broncos, which proved to be their Achilles Heal in all three Championship games. As a child I would wonder why my Uncle, an avid Browns fan, would shut off the TV every time the Broncos played. Looking back, I don’t blame him!! So, they are 3rd with a 0-3 record in Championship Games and 0-0 in the Super Bowl.
The 4th spot on this list belongs to the Dallas Cowboys. No, please don’t turn off your computer, I’m serious! I know that it is hard to imagine America’s team and one of the NFL’s Super Bowl powerhouse teams on this list but they do belong. From 1980 to 1982 the Boys graced the Championship game only to find themselves losing a series of heart breakers to Washington, San Francisco, and Philly. Talk about championship rivalries!!! Although, there talent levels here were nowhere near the quality of the 90s, they still had a pro bowl staff consisting of Dorsett, Donovan, White, and Carano. (Carano not actually a pro bowler) They used skill positions very effectively to move past more talented teams but couldn’t seem to squeak into the Super Bowl although; they came close in 1981 as they lost to the 49ers 28-27. For this time period 0-3 in championship games definitely constitutes a dynasty presence but unfortunately for Dallas just not a winning one! So, they are 4th with an 8-6 championship record and a 5-3 Super Bowl record.
Another surprising addition to this elite team of awesome losers is the San Francisco 49ers. Yes, fellow faithful you are reading this correctly! In fact, the 49ers from 1990 -1994 probably demonstrated the largest span of disappointments in NFL history. True, this club is the only franchise to also be considered one of the best winning dynasties in history, but definitely not during the early 90s. During this period of time the 49ers successfully lost the Giants once and the Cowboys twice in championship games. For all you wondering, this is where my pure hatred for the Cowboys all started and why to this day I throw ample numbers of stress bean bags at Jimmy Johnson every time his face shows up on TV. Ahhhh . . . I digress! The fact of the matter is simple. In the years prior to their 1995 Championship team the 49ers couldn’t seem to get past the NFC Championship road block. The worst part, at least for me, was they weren’t lacking in talent. In comparison to the Bills of the same era their talent was equal if not better. Their offense was dominate and their defense young and quick to attack. Young maintained the highest passer rating ever seen in the league before and it still wasn’t enough. Is this because the Cowboys/Giants were better? I would like to say no but the Boys during this time period just had a stronger running game which would pound out gaps in the 9ers defensive strategy. In turn, Aikman would be free to complete passes over the middle thus continuously tiring out the secondary. Simply put, as much as it pains me, the Cowboys just out played the 9ers. Frankly, these championship games made better Super Bowls then the Super Bowls did. Unfortunately, that is a tradition which has not ceased since. (One exception was the ST. Louis vs. New England Game) It’s ok Faithful, we still have a 5-0 record in Super Bowls, so when we do get there we don’t disappoint!!! So, they are 5th with a 5-7 Championship game record and a 5-0 Super Bowl Record. The 0-3 championship record from ’90-’93 is why they are on this list.
To clarify: One must remember when looking at the dates that the Super Bowl is not during the same year as the championship game for that season. It caused me a little confusion when trying to process all this information.
Further Clarity: Teams that can should be on this list but are before my time are the L.A. Rams from ’74-’78 & the Oakland Raiders from ’70-’75.
