Re: 5 best, and 5 worst, defending-SB champs
Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2018 1:18 pm
Good point and mention about ’82 SF, and that reminder that the finale was a must-win to get into the ‘tournament’. However, in addition to Rams always playing them tougher at the Stick no matter what, I just can’t help but to think what they do if ’82 played out all 16 games. I know a loss is a loss but some close ones SF suffered just the same (e.g. - the often forgotten classic vs SD). Yes, definitely a ‘hangover’ from the year before but one which may have ironed itself out down the stretch in a full campaign even if just a 9-7 non-playoff finish. This team did return right on back to the NFCC the following year, almost winning it, then hoisted their 2nd Lombardi in ’84.
When looking at all defending-SB champs who failed to post a winning record, just about all weren’t actually that bad. Not counting the ’87 Giants who, to me, were really 6-6 (lost all scab games), the ’99 Broncos (6-10) and ’82 Forty Niners (3-6) were the only ones more than a game below-500. That year-after-Elway/TD-injured Bronco team would have to be my clear worst. As for everyone else, all pretty interchangeable average or just below average teams. I forgot that the ’91 Giants actually finished 8-8, and were 7-5 at one time. ’68 Packers, ’81 Raiders, ’88 Redskins, ’03 Bucs, ’06 Steelers and all mentioned this paragraph can take turns rounding-out the remaining bottom-5.
As for the best defenders that didn’t repeat? In chronological order - ’76 Steelers (#1), ’78 Cowboys, ’90 Forty Niners, ’94 Cowboys, and for my 5th spot? I’m torn between ’97 Packers & ’14 Seahawks! Yes, ’90 SF fell off a bit in the run-game, but their D was still stellar along with Montana/Rice at their collective peak. ’94 Boys? A bit sloppy in the year after Jimmy, but with that immense talent, they could ‘turn it on’ when needed. It’s just that the ’94 Forty Niners were the wrong team to shoot themselves in the feet (1st Q) against. But they almost rallied anyway; they were better than their ’95 installment.
Just missing consideration are the ’83 Redskins and ’86 Bears for reasons I’m sure most of us can agree on.
Side question - in regards to the ’94 Cowboys, why did the NFL ‘fashion-police’ allow them to wear their 2-star-unis for the playoffs but not allow Chargers to wear their ‘good luck’ road-throwbacks? Not that they needed them, obviously, for the AFCC and not that it would have made a difference in SBXXIX, but still.
When looking at all defending-SB champs who failed to post a winning record, just about all weren’t actually that bad. Not counting the ’87 Giants who, to me, were really 6-6 (lost all scab games), the ’99 Broncos (6-10) and ’82 Forty Niners (3-6) were the only ones more than a game below-500. That year-after-Elway/TD-injured Bronco team would have to be my clear worst. As for everyone else, all pretty interchangeable average or just below average teams. I forgot that the ’91 Giants actually finished 8-8, and were 7-5 at one time. ’68 Packers, ’81 Raiders, ’88 Redskins, ’03 Bucs, ’06 Steelers and all mentioned this paragraph can take turns rounding-out the remaining bottom-5.
As for the best defenders that didn’t repeat? In chronological order - ’76 Steelers (#1), ’78 Cowboys, ’90 Forty Niners, ’94 Cowboys, and for my 5th spot? I’m torn between ’97 Packers & ’14 Seahawks! Yes, ’90 SF fell off a bit in the run-game, but their D was still stellar along with Montana/Rice at their collective peak. ’94 Boys? A bit sloppy in the year after Jimmy, but with that immense talent, they could ‘turn it on’ when needed. It’s just that the ’94 Forty Niners were the wrong team to shoot themselves in the feet (1st Q) against. But they almost rallied anyway; they were better than their ’95 installment.
Just missing consideration are the ’83 Redskins and ’86 Bears for reasons I’m sure most of us can agree on.
Side question - in regards to the ’94 Cowboys, why did the NFL ‘fashion-police’ allow them to wear their 2-star-unis for the playoffs but not allow Chargers to wear their ‘good luck’ road-throwbacks? Not that they needed them, obviously, for the AFCC and not that it would have made a difference in SBXXIX, but still.