Let's say Cincinnati wins that famous snow game in late November, PIT ultimately falls short of the playoffs, and we get Bengals/Colts instead (rematch of a thrilling week 2 28-27 game).
Assuming Oakland/New England still plays out the same, is the AFC Title game any different?
The Raiders would play Cincy (who gave them fits 2x in 1975 and might have played that MNF game differently if PIT was already eliminated) or Baltimore (who did everything but beat them 1 year later)
And does that possibly effect SB 11?
1976 playoffs without the Steelers
Re: 1976 playoffs without the Steelers
In this scenario, I think the Raiders end up playing the Colts in the AFC Title Game, and I see them winning (that game and the Super Bowl). They weren't going to let this opportunity slip away after they got by the Patriots.
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74_75_78_79_
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Re: 1976 playoffs without the Steelers
A '70s playoff game between the Bengals & Colts?? As the case with Phi@NO in '92, "someone" would have to win and, to me, it would be Baltimore!
If anything, the Bengals play even worse at Oakland on MNF had Steelers already been eliminated. Going into that game, Cincy had to win-out to assure holding off the 'Burgh. The joke, at the time, was that the Raiders would purposely lose to Cincy to help the Steelers get eliminated. But of course Oakland's attitude was the sheer, "We won't lay down, bring on the Steelers if so be it!", thus they take care of biz, 35-20!
In either case, as already said, Colts did beat Cincy early on at home if however barely. But I think they do so again but this time by more than a point. Bengals dropped off from the year prior and Paul Brown no longer at HC a big notable in that; and if Cincy couldn't even bring-it in that must-win against that 11-1 Champ-to-be who was already in, then why expect anything special from them come post-season? I think the Raiders beat either of them decisively in the AFCCG thus still go to SBXI and win it big as they actually did! Raiders were a step down the following year which is why Baltimore brought them into 2OT in the first place. But keeping it close in '76 would not have been the case, IMO. If the Steelers blew them out in Baltimore, then Raiders definitely do so in Alameda!
If anything, the Bengals play even worse at Oakland on MNF had Steelers already been eliminated. Going into that game, Cincy had to win-out to assure holding off the 'Burgh. The joke, at the time, was that the Raiders would purposely lose to Cincy to help the Steelers get eliminated. But of course Oakland's attitude was the sheer, "We won't lay down, bring on the Steelers if so be it!", thus they take care of biz, 35-20!
In either case, as already said, Colts did beat Cincy early on at home if however barely. But I think they do so again but this time by more than a point. Bengals dropped off from the year prior and Paul Brown no longer at HC a big notable in that; and if Cincy couldn't even bring-it in that must-win against that 11-1 Champ-to-be who was already in, then why expect anything special from them come post-season? I think the Raiders beat either of them decisively in the AFCCG thus still go to SBXI and win it big as they actually did! Raiders were a step down the following year which is why Baltimore brought them into 2OT in the first place. But keeping it close in '76 would not have been the case, IMO. If the Steelers blew them out in Baltimore, then Raiders definitely do so in Alameda!
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Brian wolf
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Re: 1976 playoffs without the Steelers
Interesting scenario either way. The Colts could matchup better against Cincy or Oakland more than Pittsburgh but the Bengals were itching to finally get by the Steelers, which happened the next year, only to lose to the Oilers and give Pitts the division title.
We can easily assume that the Raiders would go all the way once they beat the Patriots but without the Steelers in the playoffs that year, would have been cool to see if Baltimore or Cincy could have won in Oakland? The Bengals gave the Raiders a game on MNF with unknown receiver John McDaniel having the game of his life, but turnovers did them in. Isaac Curtis had a great start to his career from 1973-76 but injuries in 1977 onward, thwarted a potential HOF career. Too bad, since the rules changes he helped start, couldnt really benefit him later. Could he have been a difference in the 1976 postseason?
We can easily assume that the Raiders would go all the way once they beat the Patriots but without the Steelers in the playoffs that year, would have been cool to see if Baltimore or Cincy could have won in Oakland? The Bengals gave the Raiders a game on MNF with unknown receiver John McDaniel having the game of his life, but turnovers did them in. Isaac Curtis had a great start to his career from 1973-76 but injuries in 1977 onward, thwarted a potential HOF career. Too bad, since the rules changes he helped start, couldnt really benefit him later. Could he have been a difference in the 1976 postseason?