Peter King Top 20 Games of All Time c. 1997

[Shipley]

I just picked up a copy of a Sports Illustrated book called "Football: A History of the Professional Game" written by Peter King. It came out in 1997, so it omits nearly 20 years of recent history (in other words, perfect for this audience!). It includes his list of the top 20 games of all time (again, pre-1997), and I'll use it as an opportunity to throw some chum off the back of the boat!

1) Colts 23 - Giants 17 (12/28/58)
2) Jets 16 - Colts 7 (1/12/69)
3) Bears 9 - Spartans 0 (12/18/32)
4) Packers 21 - Cowboys 17 (12/31/67)
5) Chargers 41 - Dolphins 38 (1/2/82)
6) Bills 41 - Oilers 38 (1/3/93
7) Steelers 13 - Raiders 7 (12/23/72)
8) Packers 35 - Chiefs 10 (1/15/67)
9) Giants 20 - Bills 19 (1/27/91)
10) Bears 19 - Giants 7 (12/6/25)
11) Cowboys 17 - Vikings 14 (12/28/75)
12) Raiders 43 - Jets 32 (11/17/68)
13) 49ers 20 - Bengals 16 (1/22/89)
14) Dolphins 27 - Chiefs 24 (12/25/71)
15) Browns 35 - Eagles 10 (9/16/50)
16) Bears 73 - Redskins 0 (12/8/40)
17) Bears 23 - Giants 21 (12/17/33)
18) Bears 61 - 49ers 20 (12/12/65)
19) Steelers 35 - Cowboys 31 (1/21/79)
20) Broncos 23 - Browns 20 (1/11/87)

I think it's a pretty good list, and I like how he includes games from all eras. At the same time, what's fun about is arguing over who made the list and didn't deserve it, as well as who was left off and shouldn't have been. I'll say I find some of the picks from the early years to be curious, but maybe others smarter than me can educate me about why those games warrant making the list. As far as potential glaring omissions that occurred to me right off the bat, how about the 1950 Browns-Rams championship game, and three memorable Monday night games (1983 Packers-Redskins 48-47, 1979 Cowboys-Redskins 35-34 and 1980 Oilers-Dolphins 35-34). Discuss.

[Shipley]

Another candidate: 1969 Vikings-Rams 23-21 playoff game.

[BD Sullivan]

As memorable as the Immaculate Reception is, the game wasn't all that great. Until Stabler ran for a touchdown with 1:13 left, the only scoring had been two Roy Gerela field goals.

King's list looks more like a collection of the Most Memorable Moments: Namath's guarantee, First Super Bowl, Hail Mary, Heidi Game, Sayers Six Touchdowns, The Drive.

[Reaser]

King's list looks more like a collection of the Most Memorable Moments: Namath's guarantee, First Super Bowl, Hail Mary, Heidi Game, Sayers Six Touchdowns, The Drive.

Yup, memorable moments, milestones, mixed with arguably the most important games (like #1 and #2 on the list) ... not really a greatest games list.

Though some of them would certainly fit if it was, SD-MIA for one example.

[Wendell02]

If I had to include a MNF game, it would be 1978 Oilers-Dolphins 35-30. Rookie Earl Campbell ran for 199 yards, scored 4 TDs and clinched the game with an 81-yard TD run in the fourth quarter, out running the Miami secondary down the sideline.

[ChrisBabcock]

Yup, memorable moments, milestones, mixed with arguably the most important games (like #1 and #2 on the list) ... not really a greatest games list.

Though some of them would certainly fit if it was, SD-MIA for one example.

My first thought also looking at his list is that the list doesn't have an accurate title. I think he's going for "historically significant" games here rather than greatest games. I don't think SB1 should be on a "greatest" games list.

[JohnH19]

The 1966 NFL and 1968 AFL Championship games

[John Maxymuk]

The 1966 NFL and 1968 AFL Championship games

Yes, absolutely. I fondly recall watching both of those games when I was a kid.

[JohnH19]

Another candidate: 1969 Vikings-Rams 23-21 playoff game.

It was actually 23-20 but, yes, it was an absolute classic.

[Retro Rider]

Another candidate: 1969 Vikings-Rams 23-21 playoff game.

One of the best games for sure, but for some reason it doesn't always get mentioned in various "Greatest Games" discussions (not the case in this forum where it's been recognized numerous times). I think King's list is missing a few other classics:

1950 NFL Championship: Los Angeles 28 @ Cleveland 30 (a no-brainer that was listed in the initial post)
1974 AFC Divisional Playoff: Miami 26 @ Oakland 28 (Sea of Hands)
1977 AFC Divisional Playoff: Oakland 37 @ Baltimore 31 2 OT's (Ghost to the Post)
1981 NFL Championship: Dallas 27 @ San Francisco 28 (The Catch)
1982 San Diego 41 @ San Francisco 37 (Fouts - Montana shootout)
1986 AFC Divisional Playoff: New York Jets 20 @ Cleveland 23 2 OT's

There are certainly more games that deserve consideration. A couple other good books on this subject which list games in chronological order are:

"Pro Football's Greatest Moments," by Jack Clary (1977) - updated versions in 1985 & 1989

"NFL Top 40," by Shelby Strother (1988) - includes boxscores