Trap/Letdown Games

[CSKreager]

We see it a lot in the NFL- Team either has a gimme game before/after a big game against a team they should beat. Or a team has a big-time hangover after a big win/loss.

These are trap/letdown games, and there have been many of them through the years. It doesn't have to be losses, just games that have that look around the time of a big showdown or stretch of games.

What are the ones you remember/

Here are some I examples:

Dolphins/Jets November 1978- Miami was just six days removed from that epic MNF game with Earl Campbell running wild at the Astrodome. They didn't seem up for it against the Jets here, dropping a 24-13 decision at home.

1994 49ers- After their huge win over Dallas in mid-November, they barely edged the then-LA Rams in their final battle of California before the move on an old ESPN Sunday Night Football game.

1981 Bengals- Following a resounding 34-7 win over Pittsburgh, they were held down 17-7 by the New Orleans Saints (Worth noting they did finish strongly after that)

[BD Sullivan]

1968: The Colts put together a perfect gameplan and shut out the Browns 34-0 in the NFL title game. Two weeks later, they lose to the Jets in SB III.

1969: The Browns blow out previously undefeated Dallas, 42-10, then travel to Minnesota the next week and get destroyed, 51-3.

1973: The 8-1 Steelers, coming off a 17-9 road win over the Raiders (in the first meeting after the Immaculate Reception) and facing a road matchup against the rival Browns, lose to the 4-3-2 Broncos AT HOME, 23-13.

1974: The 7-2 Vikings, coming off a MNF road win against the 7-1 Cardinals and looking at a big road game against NFC West leader L.A., lose to the 4-5 Packers AT HOME, 19-7.

1974: The Raiders win what everybody assumed was the "real" Super Bowl when they defeat Miami in the playoffs. The next week, they lose to Pittsburgh in the AFC title game.

1977: The Bengals defeat the Steelers in Week 13 to seemingly clinch the AFC Central, then lose and get knocked out the following week in a loss to the Oilers.

[CSKreager]

Thread bump.

How about the 1985 Dolphins struggling with the woeful Packers in freezing Lambeau Field 6 days after their iconic MNF victory over the Bears? Fell behind in the 4th quarter at one point before pulling away late 34-24.

[74_75_78_79_]

1993: After Steelers looking to have truly "arrived", pounding 7-1 Buffalo on MNF, mimicking that of an NFC power, they go to mediocre 5-4 Denver the following week and get bombed, 37-13, en route to 9-7. Maybe next year.

[BD Sullivan]

1968: The Rams are a half-game behind the Colts in Week 13, with a home game against them the following week. Facing the 6-6 Bears (who lost Sayers a month earlier), they lose at home, 17-16.

[Saban1]

1968: The Colts put together a perfect gameplan and shut out the Browns 34-0 in the NFL title game. Two weeks later, they lose to the Jets in SB III.

1969: The Browns blow out previously undefeated Dallas, 42-10, then travel to Minnesota the next week and get destroyed, 51-3.

1973: The 8-1 Steelers, coming off a 17-9 road win over the Raiders (in the first meeting after the Immaculate Reception) and facing a road matchup against the rival Browns, lose to the 4-3-2 Broncos AT HOME, 23-13.

1974: The 7-2 Vikings, coming off a MNF road win against the 7-1 Cardinals and looking at a big road game against NFC West leader L.A., lose to the 4-5 Packers AT HOME, 19-7.

1974: The Raiders win what everybody assumed was the "real" Super Bowl when they defeat Miami in the playoffs. The next week, they lose to Pittsburgh in t the Jets.

1977: The Bengals defeat the Steelers in Week 13 to seemingly clinch the AFC Central, then lose and get knocked out the following week in a loss to the Oilers.

The Browns were sky high against Dallas in the 1968 Eastern Conference playoff game, winning 31 to 14, then crashed down to earth in that 34 to 0 white washing against the Colts. Baltimore was then very flat in their next game against the Jets in Super Bowl III.

I think that I mentioned that the Cleveland Browns used to suffer let downs after their games with Dallas around 1966-69. I guess that this was true even after some of their losses to Dallas. In 1966, they almost lost to the 1-12-1 Giants after their Thanksgiving day loss to the Cowboys.

After their 21 to 14 opening day loss against Dallas in 1967, Cleveland lost to the 5-7-2 Detroit Lions, 31 to 14, after leading 14 to 3.

After being blown out by the Cowboys, 52 to 14, in the 1967 playoffs, the Browns lost to the Rams, 30 to 6, in the old runner up (playoff) bowl. Of course, the playoff bowl was just a glorified exhibition game (a hinky dinky game in a hinky dinky town between hinky dinky teams).

Cleveland also lost to the Rams, 24 to 6, in 1968 after losing to Dallas, 28 to 7. A short time after that game, Bill Nelson replaced Frank Ryan at quarterback for the Browns.