Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

I agree, 7Dn, the Raiders would have beaten the 'Burgh as well. Every season is different from the year before or after, but I'm thinking Oakland wins in the same way they did at Pittsburgh in Wk#2 the following year. However, I don't think they play the Rams as close as you think. IMO its StL by double-digits even if its exactly by ten or maybe 13, 14 pts.

If the Rams win, Warner's legacy (and the GSOT) is much improved. Are they still in St. Louis today? It depends, but maybe another SB title improves the odds of that.

Also, Gruden would be with the Raiders, and not in Tampa (maybe we would see another Rams-Raiders SB because I think the Rams' 02 season is vastly different if they win).

What if the 1981 Giants lose at home on the final Saturday at Dallas?

And this isn't even about the 49ers having to win at New Orleans for homefield.

As it turned out, with the Packers/Lions both losing on Sunday, that would have meant............... WASHINGTON after the 0-5 start would have been win-and-in at Anaheim!

Do the Eagles fare any differently vs the Skins than NY (remember Philly lost a crippling December game at RFK on a pick 6)? If not, what if Washington with Gibbs in year one goes from 0-5 to a playoff win and going to ironically Candlestick

CSKreager wrote: ↑Fri Jun 13, 2025 7:16 pm What if the 1981 Giants lose at home on the final Saturday at Dallas?

And this isn't even about the 49ers having to win at New Orleans for homefield.

As it turned out, with the Packers/Lions both losing on Sunday, that would have meant............... WASHINGTON after the 0-5 start would have been win-and-in at Anaheim!

Do the Eagles fare any differently vs the Skins than NY (remember Philly lost a crippling December game at RFK on a pick 6)? If not, what if Washington with Gibbs in year one goes from 0-5 to a playoff win and going to ironically Candlestick

Here's another angle: Atlanta was 7-8 going into their final game against Cincinnati. They only lost by two, and Bartkowski only played in a part of that game. If they would have had something to play for, and defeated the Bengals, you would have had the Giants, Redskins, Lions, Packers, and Falcons all at 8-8. What a mess.

Also, Cincy would have been knocked down to the 2-seed, but nothing much would have changed unless Andra Franklin doesn't fumble the ball late in the game against the Chargers. Then, they have to go to Miami for the AFC Title Game.

How about a what-if, involving the Redskins, in the three seasons leading up to 1981?

George Allen staying in DC thru the '80 campaign.

Do they collapse In '78? Do they get the top-seed in '79? Do they still suffer a losing season the following year?

74_75_78_79_ wrote: ↑Mon Jul 07, 2025 2:45 pm How about a what-if, involving the Redskins, in the three seasons leading up to 1981?

George Allen staying in DC thru the '80 campaign.

Do they collapse In '78? Do they get the top-seed in '79? Do they still suffer a losing season the following year?

The biggest consideration I can think of is what veterans are on their team when Gibbs finally gets there.

Consider that a few of the players from the 1982 team were taken in the draft in rounds high enough that George Allen would've probably traded the pick away.

Allen was finally comfortable with Theismann at QB, so I believe the Skins dont have the meltdowns in 78 and 79, with him as coach. That doesnt mean Pardee didnt do a good job. The Skins with Allen probably dont start 6-0 in 1978 but probably finish the season better. Could he have gotten another productive player in a trade in that time-frame till 1980? Could he have pleaded Cooke to sign Riggins in 1980? Maybe without Gibbs joining the team, he gets Dean from SD in 1981 or Hacksaw from the Rams?

Also, since Allen stays in Washington past 1977, Bill Walsh would have been hired as Rams coach. They were ready to hire him when Allen became available in OTL (our timeline).

One thing I’ve been thinking of lately that is “what-if” related:

No offense to Randy Moss, but I think the what-if of him being drafted by Dallas is the most overrated “what-if” in NFL history.

I don’t think they would’ve won another title with him on their roster. Though had he stayed to 2006 and 07, Moss and TO on their roster same team could’ve been interesting.

SeahawkFever wrote: ↑Mon Sep 01, 2025 4:38 pm One thing I’ve been thinking of lately that is “what-if” related:

No offense to Randy Moss, but I think the what-if of him being drafted by Dallas is the most overrated “what-if” in NFL history.

I don’t think they would’ve won another title with him on their roster. Though had he stayed to 2006 and 07, Moss and TO on their roster same team could’ve been interesting.

Sure enough Minny in ’98 go quite a few wins shy of 15-1 with the Pats nine years later quite a few shy of unbeaten.

Big D, 13-3 top-seed IRL, 2007?? How can that NOT give them a couple extra ‘W’s?? And all-due-respect to an otherwise great defensive mind who was their HC IRL, keep Tuna at helm for another year and it’s all-but a Slam-Dunk Lombardi, I’d think!

74_75_78_79_ wrote: ↑Mon Sep 01, 2025 6:49 pm

SeahawkFever wrote: ↑Mon Sep 01, 2025 4:38 pm One thing I’ve been thinking of lately that is “what-if” related:

No offense to Randy Moss, but I think the what-if of him being drafted by Dallas is the most overrated “what-if” in NFL history.

I don’t think they would’ve won another title with him on their roster. Though had he stayed to 2006 and 07, Moss and TO on their roster same team could’ve been interesting.

Sure enough Minny in ’98 go quite a few wins shy of 15-1 with the Pats nine years later quite a few shy of unbeaten.

Big D, 13-3 top-seed IRL, 2007?? How can that NOT give them a couple extra ‘W’s?? And all-due-respect to an otherwise great defensive mind who was their HC IRL, keep Tuna at helm for another year and it’s all-but a Slam-Dunk Lombardi, I’d think!

I suppose I revise my statement there: It’s more interesting than I thought.

But not for the reason that people typically talk about (people sometimes act like that extends the Triplet Cowboy dynasty, and that they win a chip in 98).

As for the 07 squad, they could’ve gotten a chip perhaps. Certainly at least made the Super Bowl.

As for Minnesota I would expect 98 to be probably an 11 win team that makes the second round. Certainly a less talked about non-champion but I’d still say they’d probably be one of the better teams in the league.

The other Vikings NFC Championship Game team with Moss 2000 however I think wouldn’t have been far worse as they essentially got there on offense alone from the looks of it, and he wouldn’t be there. I remember the 2000 Vikings coming out as the worst run defense to get as far as they did on a side note.