Franchises that overachieved for a period of time

[SeahawkFever]

I can't help but ask given the last thread, but what are some teams where they probably punched above their weight.

Two that potentially stick out to me are the Patriots in the mid 1980's, and the Chargers in the early to mid 90's. I frequently see both the 1994 Chargers and 1985 Patriots on lists of the worst teams to ever play in a Super Bowl.

Is that deserved given what their rosters were?

[7DnBrnc53]

Two that potentially stick out to me are the Patriots in the mid 1980's, and the Chargers in the early to mid 90's. I frequently see both the 1994 Chargers and 1985 Patriots on lists of the worst teams to ever play in a Super Bowl.

The 1985 Patriots had eight Pro Bowlers. They just were shaky at QB.

The 1994 Chargers fit the bill, however. They only had three Pro Bowlers. Their leading receivers only had 58 catches (Ronnie Harmon and Mark Seay). Also, they were 14th in yards allowed.

Another team that overachieved was the 1981-85 Dolphins (except for 1983). They only had 19 Pro Bowlers combined throughout those five seasons.

[SeahawkFever]

Two that potentially stick out to me are the Patriots in the mid 1980's, and the Chargers in the early to mid 90's. I frequently see both the 1994 Chargers and 1985 Patriots on lists of the worst teams to ever play in a Super Bowl.

The 1985 Patriots had eight Pro Bowlers. They just were shaky at QB.

The 1994 Chargers fit the bill, however. They only had three Pro Bowlers. Their leading receivers only had 58 catches (Ronnie Harmon and Mark Seay). Also, they were 14th in yards allowed.

Another team that overachieved was the 1981-85 Dolphins (except for 1983). They only had 19 Pro Bowlers combined throughout those five seasons.

That begs one question now that you mention the Dolphins of the early 80’s:

How good were the Killer B’s? Aside from a Defensive Player of the Year from Doug Betters in 1983, and five pro bowls from Bob Baumhower, I don’t think the rest of that group received any individual recognition.

That said if you look it up, from 1979-1984, their defense was top ten six straight seasons, and top five four times, so they performed fairly well.

Interestingly when I look at their stats in 1984, they defended the pass better than the run, which isn’t necessarily what I’d expect when a nose tackle is the player getting the most accolades. Must’ve lacked tackling beyond the defensive line then.

[CSKreager]

The entire Dan Reeves era has in Denver

[SeahawkFever]

The entire Dan Reeves era has in Denver

I’ve seen people describe that team as John Elway, a good defense, and not much else. Definitely a great candidate for overachieving.

This might be a Hot take of mine, but I think if you put Dan Reeves on the 80’s Rams I think he’d be on a team that better fit the way he thought about the game.

Not saying Reeves makes three Super Bowls in the 80’s with the Rams, as he wouldn’t have had a quarterback near Elway’s caliber and been in the NFC, but people talk about him like he wanted to run first to set up the pass, and the Rams would’ve had Eric Dickerson, and I believe a pretty good offensive line too.

A far better running back than anyone he worked with in Denver. At least on offense I think he would’ve fit a team with an elite running back better than one with an elite quarterback.

[PaulPFHOF]

Cowboys 1980-1982, not as talented as 1970s team but with Danny White at QB they still went to three consecutive NFCC games

[7DnBrnc53]

I’ve seen people describe that team as John Elway, a good defense, and not much else. Definitely a great candidate for overachieving.

They didn't always have a good defense. I think the best defenses they had in the Reeves era were in 1991 and 92. In the mid-to-late-80's, the Broncos seemed to be successful when they forced a lot of turnovers (those defenses usually were undersized).

Also, someone in the underachieving thread mentioned the 80's Bears, and included 1990 and 91. I think those last two teams overachieved.

[Brian wolf]

Denver in the 80s did somewhat overachieve, despite talent on defense. Very pedestrian offense though the receivers could catch Elway's bullet passes at the right time.

The Oilers from the late 70s overachieved as well. Pastorini was average but only had weapons in Burrough and Campbell. Some talent on defense but alot of no-names other than Culp, Bethea, both who were past their prime and Brazille.

The 2000s Eagles had talent on defense but no heralded players other than Dawkins, Vincent and for a brief period, Trotter and Douglas. Other than Westbrook and Owens for one season, an okay but never astounding group of runners and receivers. Reid liked different TEs catching the ball.

[SeahawkFever]

How about the 2008 Cardinals?

[Brian wolf]

1995 Colts ... nearly went to the SB without Faulk. Marchibroda did such a great job that the team didnt extend him.

1970 Bengals ... only won the division because the Browns had a tough year without Paul Warfield.

1967 Oilers ... dealt George Blanda to the Raiders, then won the AFL eastern division with Buffalo having a tough season and the Jets losing their running backs to knee injuries.