Best losses in franchise history

[7DnBrnc53]

Every week, teams try to win. However, sometimes a loss is the best thing that happened to a team.

One example is the 1979 Week 16 game between the Redskins and the Cowboys. If the Skins win, and make the playoffs, maybe John Riggins doesn't miss the whole 1980 season, they do better, and Joe Gibbs isn't hired in 1981 as their HC.

[74_75_78_79_]

'Miracle at the Meadowlands'? If Giants win, no Ray Perkins era which was basically the 'gateway' to Parcells.

[JeffreyMiller]

Bills getting clobbered by Houston in the final game of the 1968 season. Bill send up with worst record in pro football and earn the right to draft OJ Simpson #1 ...

[slats7]

Dallas losing to the Eagles in the final game of 1988.

[JWL]

'Miracle at the Meadowlands'? If Giants win, no Ray Perkins era which was basically the 'gateway' to Parcells.

No. That was and still is too embarrassing of a game to say it was a "good loss."

[74_75_78_79_]

Could 6-6 Eagles blowing that 20-0 lead to Vikings in 4th Q in '85 be an example? Perhaps that heartbreaker triggered they losing the next two games which led to Campbell's firing and ushering in Buddy Ryan. Even if last three games play-out the way it went anyway, Eagles finish 8-8 (not a losing season) and maybe (maybe not) its just enough for Braman to keep Swamp Fox for at least one more year.

[7DnBrnc53]

Could 6-6 Eagles blowing that 20-0 lead to Vikings in 4th Q in '85 be an example? Perhaps that heartbreaker triggered they losing the next two games which led to Campbell's firing and ushering in Buddy Ryan. Even if last three games play-out the way it went anyway, Eagles finish 8-8 (not a losing season) and maybe (maybe not) its just enough for Braman to keep Swamp Fox for at least one more year.

I don't know. Buddy did lead them to the playoffs, but they didn't win a game (although, if there is no fog in Chicago, and K-Jack doesn't drop a TD, they probably get out of there with a W). And, his firing led to Rich Kotite.

If they had a bad 86, and fire Campbell, maybe they could get a better HC that could have helped Cunningham develop better.

[Todd Pence]

New England Patriots losing to the Seahawks in '92. It gave them Drew Bledsoe.

[Todd Pence]

Baltimore Colts losing to Detroit in 1977.

[JuggernautJ]

Baltimore Colts losing to Detroit in 1977.

Why?

How about the 49ers blowout loss in 1994 to the Eagles?
George Seifert pulled Steve Young early (3rd quarter) which nearly precipitated a fight between the two men and lit a fire under Young that remained blazing until the super bowl win that year (when he famously "got the monkey" off his back).

I doubt it's the "best loss" in 49ers history but probably is for the Steve Young era.

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/ ... 020sfo.htm