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Re: The Greatest Opening Week Game Ever?
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2025 4:15 pm
by 74_75_78_79_
More good responses!
Steelers at Dallas, MNF, 1982 is a candidate.
And how about Manning-vs-Manning 19 seasons ago?
But, so far, '76 Pit/Oak and '83 Dal/Wash are looking top-2 to me.
Re: The Greatest Opening Week Game Ever?
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2025 4:38 pm
by Retro Rider
1986 Broncos 38 Raiders 36 (at Denver). There was alot anticipation for this Week 1 match-up of AFC West heavyweights. The previous four games between these two clubs had each been decided by three points:
1984 Broncos 16 Raiders 13 (at Denver)
1984 Broncos 22 Raiders 19 OT (at Los Angeles)
1985 Raiders 31 Broncos 28 OT (at Los Angeles)
1985 Raiders 17 Broncos 14 OT (at Denver)
The 1986 season opener did not disappoint. John Elway threw for a pair of touchdowns and caught another on a 23 yard pass from running back Steve Sewell. Marc Wilson threw for 346 yards and three touchdowns for the Raiders. Marcus Allen had a game high 102 yards rushing and 102 yards receiving. The Broncos trailed 19-7 in the 2nd quarter but eventually battled back. Elway put the Broncos ahead to stay by with a 7 yard scoring pass to RB Gene Lang with just under 10 minutes left. With 12 seconds remaining and LA driving at the Denver 45, Wilson was sacked by Rulon Jones and fumbled to preserve the win for the eventual AFC Champion Broncos. Three lost fumbles proved costly for the Raiders.
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/ ... 070den.htm
https://youtu.be/MuMAoB2qceA?si=HQ4qHCdqzp4qkOrJ
Re: The Greatest Opening Week Game Ever?
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2025 5:01 pm
by 74_75_78_79_
Last night's Bills 41 Ravens 40 affair will sure be remembered! The ending a bit un-real like those very two divisional round Sunday games in 2021! The Ravens seemed like the more "Alpha" team throughout. Yet they find a way to lose anyway. And Buffalo, in allowing themselves to be down as they were most of it all, showed some weaknesses that make me not help but to see KC, despite being 0-1 courtesy of the Chargers, as still being above both of them. It still makes me continue to have that "until they lose their conference title" attitude. Both teams may beat them in the regular as I think they will. But what about the playoffs (even if KC loses at home to a Carter-less Philly this week, I'll still see them as true defending AFC-champs until)?
Gary Najman wrote: ↑Mon Sep 08, 2025 4:11 pm
1986 Giants at Cowboys (MNF): Herschel Walker first NFL game and scored the winning TD with less than 2 minutes to play in a 31-28 Dallas win.
Retro Rider wrote: ↑Mon Sep 08, 2025 4:38 pm
1986 Broncos 38 Raiders 36 (at Denver). There was alot anticipation for this Week 1 match-up of AFC West heavyweights. The previous four games between these two clubs had each been decided by three points:
1984 Broncos 16 Raiders 13 (at Denver)
1984 Broncos 22 Raiders 19 OT (at Los Angeles)
1985 Raiders 31 Broncos 28 OT (at Los Angeles)
1985 Raiders 17 Broncos 14 OT (at Denver)
The 1986 season opener did not disappoint. John Elway threw for a pair of touchdowns and caught another on a 23 yard pass from running back Steve Sewell. Marc Wilson threw for 346 yards and three touchdowns for the Raiders. Marcus Allen had a game high 102 yards rushing and 102 yards receiving. The Broncos trailed 19-7 in the 2nd quarter but eventually battled back. Elway put the Broncos ahead to stay by with a 7 yard scoring pass to RB Gene Lang with just under 10 minutes left. With 12 seconds remaining and LA driving at the Denver 45, Wilson was sacked by Rulon Jones and fumbled to preserve the win for the eventual AFC Champion Broncos. Three lost fumbles proved costly for the Raiders.
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/ ... 070den.htm
https://youtu.be/MuMAoB2qceA?si=HQ4qHCdqzp4qkOrJ
Two nice ones to at least mention...and both in the
same season! And '86 being the very season in which both these franchises' long, great runs - which both started in the late-'60s - came to an end. But at least after opening week, even with Raiders losing, looked to be a continuation of winning ways for both.
Re: The Greatest Opening Week Game Ever?
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2025 5:09 pm
by Brian wolf
Aaron Rodgers picked apart the Jets defense yesterday. Not a great defensive game on either side but a revenge win and exciting finish.
Re: The Greatest Opening Week Game Ever?
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2025 5:25 pm
by JeffreyMiller
New York Jets at Buffalo Bills, opening day 1967 .... Bills down by 17 in 4th quarter
https://www.facebook.com/10006367092838 ... 0091212811
Re: The Greatest Opening Week Game Ever?
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2025 5:26 pm
by 74_75_78_79_
Brian wolf wrote: ↑Mon Sep 08, 2025 5:09 pm
Aaron Rodgers picked apart the Jets defense yesterday. Not a great defensive game on either side but a revenge win and exciting finish.
I need to see the replay of it. Had it on the TV in the break room at work yesterday but didn't get a chance to see too much of it. Got out late and made it into a watering hole (if I would have driven all the way home, I would have missed the ending) to at least see the last few minutes leading up to that...Boswell 60-yard-field goal!
I'm not going to be optimistic, not going to be pessimistic either. Just going to see, or at least give a damn, about each and every game and see how "The Year That
Aaron Rodgers Played For the Steelers" turns out!
Tell you though...I am SO GLAD that those exact Klecko/Gastineau JETS unis are BACK! Man, they looked Great! Reminded me of Bradshaw's Final Stand as well! A 'Calvin' catching a Steelers TD in
each!
PS - another parallel of yesterday's match and that late-'83 game...Bradshaw had to "meet" some of his receivers, Garrity included (who he threw a TD to) and Sweeney as well (his other TD-target). Well, Aaron showing up late for camp, had to meet his targets as well.
Re: The Greatest Opening Week Game Ever?
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2025 10:41 pm
by Brian wolf
Was last night the biggest Bills 4th Qrt comeback in Rich Stadium?
Re: The Greatest Opening Week Game Ever?
Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2025 12:02 am
by JWL
Jets at 49ers 1998 has to be up there
Browns at Bears 1986 pretty good too
Re: The Greatest Opening Week Game Ever?
Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2025 7:49 pm
by JeffreyMiller
Brian wolf wrote: ↑Mon Sep 08, 2025 10:41 pm
Was last night the biggest Bills 4th Qrt comeback in Rich Stadium?
I believe so ...
Re: The Greatest Opening Week Game Ever?
Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2025 7:57 pm
by Mark
Redskins @ Eagles 1982 was a great game.