Best Team that DIDN'T go all the way

VivaKnievel · Half A Man

Best Team that DIDN'T go all the way

Christopher Wallace · Head Dick

VivaKnievel wrote:

Best teams of the modern era that didn't advance to the Super Bowl, but probably should have? I think the single biggest choke artist was without doubt: 1998 Vikings (15-1) I hated this team at the time, but face it - they absolutely rolled over everybody in the regular season. Set an all-time record for most points scored by an offense in a single season (556) and with the exception of the one loss to Tampa Bay (a game they could have easily won), nobody even came close to beating them. If Gary Anderson hits a chip shot FG late in the fourth quarter in the NFC Championship game, they would have gone up by ten and surely went on to play Denver in what probably would have been a great Super Bowl. Instead, the inferior Falcons squirmed their way into the big game and got toasted by the Broncos. What a colossal choke. A close second, I would say, would have to be: 2005 Colts (14-2) Other than the loss to San Diego, they decidedly beat everybody on the schedule when they were playing for something - that late season loss to Seattle with the scrub team in meant nothing. Their loss to Pittsburgh in the playoffs, at home no less, makes absolutely no sense. If they would have played Pittsburgh ten times that season I'm convinced they would have beaten them eight or nine times. If Vanderdrunk hits that field goal the momentum swing would have too much for Pittsburgh to overtake. If Nick Harper doesn't cut back to the inside after scooping up Fat Boy's fumble. If... if... if... Some others off the top of my head: 1997 49ers (13-3) 1990 49ers (14-2) 1999 Jaguars (14-2) 1996 Broncos (13-3) 1985 Dolphins (12-4) 1994 Steelers (12-4) 1992 49ers (14-2) Any others?

Hold up for a second. I think you need to watch that game again before you make that statement. Pittsburgh absolutley dominated that game for 3 quarters. Consider this:

Beginning of 4th quarter score is 21-3 and Manning waves off punt team in his territory on 4th down. If they don't convert that....

Later on same posession in the long pass to Dallas Clark for 6.

Then came the worst call in NFL history; Pete Morelli reversing the obvious Polomalu pick.

And of course Jeromes fumble on the goal line with the game sealed.

And Coach Conservative content with the lead and not throwing the ball even though Ben tore them up in the first half.

You take those plays out the equation and Indy straight up got their a$$ kicked, at home. You make it out like Indy outplayed the Steelers, and it was clearly the opposite. I don't think Pittsburgh was better than Indy or Indy was better than Pittsburgh. I do know that the first game Indy was hot and the Steelers weren't, and it was vice versa the second go round.

lost in iowa · Head Dick

Yeah.....I got one....the 86 Bears!....the D was better than the one that won the SuperBowl. McMahon was injured by that way bullsh1t hit by Charles Martin, and Flutie was started in the playoff game against washington and struggled. 14-2 after going 15-1 without the starter at QB for most of the season....

JetBlackNinja · Head Dick

04' Steelers went 15-1, Ben was undefeated coming into the AFC title game....

Patriots sat on their heads, and crapped 42 points on them.

They won it 1 year later, but Deion Branch waving to the secondary on his way into the end zone will forever be my favorite "Steelers Memory".

VivaKnievel · Half A Man

"...Indy straight up got their a$$ kicked, at home. You make it out like Indy outplayed the Steelers, and it was clearly the opposite."

I agree with you. Indianapolis clearly got worked. Pittsburgh outplayed the Colts in every facet of the game. That's exactly my point. On paper they should've smoked the Steelers, just like they did on Monday Night earlier in the season. The entire point of the post was to look at teams that "should" have gone all the way, but for whatever reason didn't. All of the stars were aligned perfectly for the Colts in 2005. It was Manning's chance to get his ring. But he pulled a Marino and choked. And, unlike Marino, it was he, Peyton himself, who should shoulder most of the blame. Obviously the pass protection sucked (he told us that himself, of course) but he played like sh*t, face it. He choked. That was my point. And I still think if the Colts and Steelers play each other sixteen times last year, the Colts go 12-4. I'm not a Colts fanboy. Truth be told, I can't stand them. And I hate the Steelers even more. But the bottom line is the Steelers weren't the best team in the league last year. Not even close if you ask me. They got hot (and lucky - e.g., Carson Palmer getting throbbed by Kimo) at the right time and won it all. But still... the Colts choked. Big time.

Still don't think they choked as bad as the '98 Vikings, and now that I really think about it, probably not as bad as the 1997 49ers either, but still, they choked. And I'm glad. And I don't think Peyton is ever going to get a ring. At least I hope he doesn't. And somebody should do something about his forehead.

Vanni9283 · Head Dick

Yip, VivaKnievel, I certainly agree. And I just saw my man, Ron Jaworski on Comcast SportsNet just now here in Philly saying he still believes that Indy is the team to beat! After seeing what Peyton Manning and this team has done in the playoffs year after year??? hmmmmm......I think last year aught to tell you something!

JetBlackNinja · Head Dick

VivaKnievel wrote:

"All of the stars were aligned perfectly for the Colts in 2005. It was Manning's chance to get his ring. But he pulled a Marino and choked.

I think 2005 was Mannings one chance without having Belichick there to personally escort him out of the playoffs.

Manning's career has been amazing, but unless he gets that ring his biggest contribution to the NFL will be the TD record, and the "fluffing" of Belichick's legend.

Burgh1979 · Head Dick

JetBlackNinja wrote:

04' Steelers went 15-1, Ben was undefeated coming into the AFC title game.... Patriots sat on their heads, and crapped 42 points on them. They won it 1 year later, but Deion Branch waving to the secondary on his way into the end zone will forever be my favorite "Steelers Memory".

The category is best teams that didnt go all the way...the steelers had a great defense and a rookie at QB, I dont think that classifies them as a team that should have made the SB...And my favorite Patsies memory was Champ Bailey picking off Brady in the endzone and running it back inside the 5 yard line...

JetBlackNinja · Head Dick

Burgh1979 wrote:

And my favorite Patsies memory was Champ Bailey picking off Brady in the endzone and running it back inside the 5 yard line...

One of mine as well. You saw an ugly play, I saw Ben Watson run the long way across the field and knock that ball through the end zone for a touchback.

The call went against us, but Watson showed one of those "sparks" that lead me to think he can be an "all-time great" at TE.

Can't win them all, and I never expected to even get to the playoffs with the team we fielded last year.

If you want to poke at a sore spot, look no further than Super Bowl 31. I hated Farve for about 5 years after that.

Kliquid · Half A Man

I STILL can't believe that the 1998 Vikings didn't make it all the way...

GoBearsGalason · Head Dick

Hate to be a Bears shill here, but what about the 86 Bears.

lost in iowa · Head Dick

I can believe it.....In the NFC championship game Moss threw a fit because his posse couldn't get on the field pre-game with him.....he sulked and ended up catching something like 2 passes for 12 yards....he phuckin quit on his team in the championship game......and people wondered why they traded Moss

Vanni9283 · Head Dick

That team has had a HISTORY of playing like quitters when things aren't going well for them!

twanne · Kick Asser

new to the post and already got a bone to pick! agree, 1998 vikes. agree, 2005 colts. BUT!!! Manning did not pull a Marino, Manning pulled a Manning!!! Marino never had a running back or dominant defense to help him i.e. elway (terrell davis) dilfer (top 10 in history defense) Manning had a top 10 level running back who was part of the afc's answer to the greatest show on turf which allowed dungy's defense to play downhill. (think about those rams teams) and he still chokes!! Marino did not choke, he never had enough help. Manning has been choking since college!!!

JetBlackNinja · Head Dick

twanne wrote:

new to the post and already got a bone to pick! agree, 1998 vikes. agree, 2005 colts. BUT!!! Manning did not pull a Marino, Manning pulled a Manning!!! Marino never had a running back or dominant defense to help him i.e. elway (terrell davis) dilfer (top 10 in history defense) Manning had a top 10 level running back who was part of the afc's answer to the greatest show on turf which allowed dungy's defense to play downhill. (think about those rams teams) and he still chokes!! Marino did not choke, he never had enough help. Manning has been choking since college!!!

There you go!

Anyone who hates Payton Manning is a friend of mine.

Vanni9283 · Head Dick

Yes, I concur with you both! AMEN! HALLELUJAH!

BillsPWN · Half A Man

91 Bills that lost to the Giants in the SB.....OH THE PAIN

hark44 · Kick Asser

"You suck, Scott Norwood! ya ****kin jerk."

Vanni9283 · Head Dick

Well, that Bills team at LEAST got to the BIG game!

hark44 · Kick Asser

best robot chicken sketch ever... these three douschebags are talking and one puts a kick me sign on anothers back... out of nowhere some dude in full bills uniform sprints over to kick the guy in the ass, wipes out and misses... looking over the fallen place kicker, the d-bag that adhered the sign points and screams.. "YOU SUCK SCOTT NORWOOD!!!" and turns around mumbling, "ya fukkin jerk." hilarious... wide right people... wide right...