Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

I would go with 1987 or 1982 because of the strike interruptions.

If we're just talking regular season, I will go with those. 1982 did have one of the most iconic SB plays, though. It was neat that a kicker was MVP. But missing several weeks of football with the only option being the CFL (sorry, I don't dislike the CFL but I pick NFL over it every day.)

1987 was the replacement players. I couldn't watch those games - just not interesting enough from me. I can't totally discount that season on a personal level because it was the only time that I got to see John Elway in person - my dad took me to Broncos / Packers in Milwaukee. Thankfully they played the game before the strike. It was a rare NFL tie. But overall, that regular season ended up the one I would pick because teams with the better replacements were luckier than those whose replacements ended up losing each game. It skewed the playoffs. So, overall, I'd pick 87 over 82 I think.

Actually the best team other than the Niners in 1989 were the Vikings but Montana disposed of them. Though the Steelers should have beaten the Broncos in postseason, I felt the Broncos could have stayed with the Giants or Rams. Depends on how Elway's sickness might have played out. Without Bavaro the Giants werent as good as 1990 and I never felt Chris Everett, er ... Jim, could win it all despite his passing ability. The Browns were tired after fighting for their division but managed to hold off a Bills team that had talent but could lose focus with team distractions.