Lopsided games that "could've been" close

[74_75_78_79_]

Or, perhaps, the losing team may ended up actually winning if not for a particular play or chain-reaction of events. "Coulda-wouda-shoulda", I know. A lopsided loss is a lopsided loss is a lopsided loss, but two particular games come to mind FWIW; both games already mentioned on these boards by 97Den.

First one involves my Steelers in their 7-27 loss to SF in '90. I looked forward to that game actually expecting an upset, as was the case 5 years earlier at the Stick. Without checking PF Reference, I believe Rod Woodson INTed Montana early on in SF territory leading to a Steeler TD and early lead. Foster made that mess-up on the kickoff and you just can't give that Niner team any breaks w/out paying dearly.

SBXXII...actually watched the entire first half very recently and Denver could have easily built up on that 10-0 first Q lead which may (or may not) have changed the entire tone of the game, making some - especially Denver fans - think that Denver not only may have won, but win handily.

Again, it's all speculation, 'wouda-couda-shouda' stuff (and once again, a lopsided loss IS a lopsided loss), but any other examples you all can think of?

[ChrisBabcock]

SBXXII...actually watched the entire first half very recently and Denver could have easily built up on that 10-0 first Q lead which may (or may not) have changed the entire tone of the game, making some - especially Denver fans - think that Denver not only may have won, but win handily.

I agree completely with this one. I think Denver was the better team going into that game. The Redskins 2nd quarter onslought took the wind out of their sails completely. The Broncos abandoned the run and tried to play catchup through the air while the Redskins bled the clock with Timmy Smith. It was a similar script as many other SBs from this era.

[Gary Najman]

I know that nobody will be thinking like me, but I vividly remember the 1985 Chicago-Dallas contest at Texas Stadium. The Bears had a 10-0 record and the Cowboys were at 7-3. The Las Vegas line was Even (Pick) IIRC, and the game was tied at 0-0 apiece late in the first quarter. Bears punter Maury Buford had a great punt that put Dallas deep in their territory. Danny White's pass was tipped at the goal line and intercepted by Richard Dent for an 1-yard TD. From then it was a rout, as the Bears returned another interception for a TD in the 2nd quarter. Interestingly, Dallas rebounded with 2 wins against Philadelphia and St. Louis, but the following week after those two games they were thrashed at Cincinnati, with a safety on White in the first series of the game (something strange for a Tom Landry coached team). Evenm with a disparing season, the Cowboys managed to win the NFC East with a JIm Jeffcoat 65-yard interception return for a TD in week 15 against the Giants.

[Todd Pence]

1978 NFC title game. Rams and Cowboys played each other even in a scoreless first half, but Pat Haden threw two bad picks which set up Dallas' first two TDs. LA also failed to convert on a fourth and inches in the Dallas red zone, and Haden threw a pick-six late to Hollywood Henderson.

[slats7]

but the following week after those two games they were thrashed at Cincinnati, with a safety on White in the first series of the game (something strange for a Tom Landry coached team).

I'm a Dallas fan. I knew we were in trouble when one of our players referred to Tim Krumrie as Tim Crummy. That's all the motivation Cincy needed.

[MatthewToy]

1996 AFC Divisional Playoff.
New England 28, Pittsburgh 3.

The week before the Steelers crushed the Colts 42-14. They had a full week to prepare for the Pats. But they just came out flat as hell. I think Bettis had a nagging injury but that's not enough to come out as flat as they did. That game was a head scratcher.

[Andrew McKillop]

This thread reminds me of an infamous quote by Sammy Baugh after the 1940 NFL Championship Game. He was asked if a dropped TD in the first quarter would've changed the game. He reportedly said something along the lines of, "Yeah. It would have made it 73-7".

[BD Sullivan]

In 1969, the Cowboys were seven-point favorites for their playoff game against the Browns at the Cotton Bowl--even though the Browns had routed them 42-10 to drop them from the ranks of the unbeaten in Week 7. The whole idea of revenge, etc. was pushed, yet the Browns led 17-0 at the half and ended up winning easily, 38-14.

[CSKreager]

Buffalo/Pittsburgh in the 1992 playoffs. Steelers had a dropped pick-six that would've given them a lead, Buffalo scored later and that was effectively the game.

[74_75_78_79_]

1996 AFC Divisional Playoff.
New England 28, Pittsburgh 3.

The week before the Steelers crushed the Colts 42-14. They had a full week to prepare for the Pats. But they just came out flat as hell. I think Bettis had a nagging injury but that's not enough to come out as flat as they did. That game was a head scratcher.

That was a weird one, and a semi-'Fog Bowl II' to boot. When Jags toppled Denver the day before, I got a little way too ahead of myself; was thinking Steelers win hence return trip to the Bowl - hopefully in a 'revenge'-match vs Dallas who also got eliminated (@Car) later that day. On my way to a friend's to see the game I was listening to pre-game on the radio. Hank Stram, and I believe the other commentator with him, picked Steelers to win. Without looking up details, what I remember was that Parcells pretty much scripted the first 20 plays of the game (and his work for the day was obviously done after that). Steelers didn't start properly attacking Bledsoe until it was too late (2nd half). Frustrating one to watch. Got their revenge over NE (now coached by Carroll) the following year: @NE regular-season's end and then in the divisionals, 7-6, a game that I attended - the last playoff win for Steelers at Three Rivers.