Marino's Best Shot Since '84?

[Brian wolf]

True for the above, but Mia/Hous/Pitts/SD also couldnt win in Buffalo ... people forget though, that Buffalo led Dallas in both SBs. I will always wonder what Frank Reich might have done had he started?

[ShinobiMusashi]

How about 94? They were beating San Diego by a significant margin going into the half in that divisional round game. Had they held on I got to believe they had a shot against Pittsburgh. Maybe not so much against San Fran but I'm sure he could have at least done better than Humphries.

[7DnBrnc53]

How about 94? They were beating San Diego by a significant margin going into the half in that divisional round game. Had they held on I got to believe they had a shot against Pittsburgh. Maybe not so much against San Fran but I'm sure he could have at least done better than Humphries.

If they would have defeated the Chargers, it would have been tough to figure out who to root for. On one hand, the Steelers were my second-favorite team behind Denver, but I also loved Marino as a player, and it would have been great to see him get back to the big one. I remember telling my friend at the time (who was a big Steeler fan) that I am thinking about rooting for Marino, and he was disappointed.

[74_75_78_79_]

Dallas, in '92 and the following years, had such the team-speed! And, of course, the coaching led by Jimmy. With no running game, Dan wouldn't have had much less problems against that Dallas D than he did vs San Fran eight years prior. Big D may have not beaten Mia/Pit/Hou/SD by a score of 59-17 (which is what the final score should have been in the real SB vs Bills), but it still would have been lopsided and not a memorable game. Their D may have not forced 9 turnovers, but likely multiple ones just the same thus a convincing victory.

Steelers were in their first year under Cowher, more improvement to come, and even in those more-improved years shortly after, they simply couldn't solve that team now under Switzer. With Jimmy (Wanny & Norv) at helm, Dallas does win convincingly over the 'Burgh in SBXXVII. Oilers defense was not all-that; needed Buddy the following year though he'd kill the locker room. Pardee & Co so outmatched in a SB event against them as well. San Diego? Ross an underrated HC, but still not JImmy nor was his staff to his staff. Nothing against Stan, but you don't think he throws INTs as well against that high-speed swagger-some Dallas D?

No AFC team gives Dallas a challenge in SBXXVII in my opinion. And I hated that team in real time! They being that superior (owning my Steelers) being the reason.

[Brian wolf]

Since these teams couldnt beat Buffalo, they would probably lose to Dallas but all of them would give them a better game. As long as they ran the ball and didnt turn it over. The Colts also in 1995.

[74_75_78_79_]

Since these teams couldnt beat Buffalo, they would probably lose to Dallas but all of them would give them a better game. As long as they ran the ball and didnt turn it over. The Colts also in 1995.

Well I gave my opinion already on the Colts likely giving Dallas hell in SBXXX. But that was '95, not '92.

[Brian wolf]

You have to wonder what Marino could have done in the 94/95-95/96 playoffs had they survived SD and Buffalo? In 94, they lost a 21-6 lead against the Chargers. Could Marino have beaten the Steelers in the AFC Championship? With Webb blocking Lloyd and Fryar on the team, anything is possible but I doubt they challenge the Kings of free agency, SF in the SB. Beating the Steelers would have been fitting for the QB who they let get away ...

Had they gotten by Buffalo in 1995, they might have played the Steelers team again. They beat them and Buffalo that year. Even Gary Clark had a good year; a small receiver who had a great career ... Oh my, the drama?

[ShinobiMusashi]

What about 93 with the injury? They were a top team before losing him and still won a few without him if I remember right, finished 9-7, but I think it's reasonable that they could have been a top 3 team in the AFC with him healthy that year. And that changes the whole entire landscape of those 93 playoffs.

[Brian wolf]

In 1993, The Dolphins were 8-2 heading into their matchup against Dallas with Mitchell/DeBerg replacing Marino, who had been 4-1 before injury. The Dolphins beat the Cowboys on the dumb Leon Lett play, but the Cowboys physically imposed their will on them, like other teams at that time, as Miami didnt win another game that year.