Good interconf games missed due to '5th place schedule'

[74_75_78_79_]

Thinking about the '88 Giants. Not one of Parcells' best, but still playoff-caliber. Because of their 5th place finish the (strike) year before, we missed out on seeing them square off against Cincy, Cleveland, and Houston - three teams which all made the playoffs. Really would have liked to see those matchups, especially G-men vs SB-participant-to-be Bengals. Then you have the following year...Maj's Pack not playing Browns, Oilers, and...last but not least...Steelers (nor the dangerous Bengals for that matter). '80 Lions avoiding AFC Central also comes to mind (Simms vs Campbell). Any other good teams, 5th place the year prior, who we didn't get to see play against other good teams across conference?

[Gary Najman]

1983 Denver Broncos vs. the NFC East it would've been my choice. Imagine them instead of the Chiefs playing at Dallas and Washington.

[7DnBrnc53]

1983 Denver Broncos vs. the NFC East it would've been my choice. Imagine them instead of the Chiefs playing at Dallas and Washington.

Yeah, they probably go 7-9 or 6-10 if they traded schedules with KC (by beating them at home in December). I don't know if KC goes to the playoffs instead of Denver, though. You may have seen the 9-7 Browns go to Seattle instead.

Also, another interesting year involving Denver would have been 1991. They could have played San Fran, Atlanta, and NO instead of the Vikings, Cards, and an extra game with the Patriots.

[BD Sullivan]

Some considerations:

1979: Tampa Bay vs. Miami
1981: Jets vs. Dallas
1986: Chiefs vs. Giants
1991: Denver vs. Atlanta
1992: San Diego vs. Dallas

[74_75_78_79_]

Good ones! Forgot about a few of them, especially '91 Broncos missing out on NFC West. Jets vs Dallas (and Philly) in '81? Same can be said for Giants that year missing out on Dolphins and Bills. Remember, Giants & Jets did play each other that year, but it was due to the both of them being 5th place previous year. While we're on '81, the almost-playoff Pack vs AFC West would have been fun, especially they vs Chargers.

Yes, I specifically remember saying to myself during that '81 season, especially after that big win over Miami in Shea, "Imagine if Jets played against Dallas."

[CSKreager]

1980 Lions vs. Browns (Billy Sims vs. the Kardiac Kids)

1990 Cowboys vs. Buffalo/Miami (Would have been interesting to see those young developing Cowboys against a pair of big-time AFC teams)

1989 Chiefs vs. Giants/Eagles (Schottenheimer's first year in KC)

1991 Broncos vs. Saints (Mentioned already, but still- Elway against the Dome Patrol)

[CSKreager]

1985- San Diego vs. San Francisco

[CSKreager]

1990 Giants/Jets- Granted, not an epic game, but it's the only time we didn't get a Battle of New York since '81 when both East Divisions played each other.

[Gary Najman]

1983 - Chicago Bears vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

[CSKreager]

1993 Lions vs Chiefs