Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

Which of these 10+ win teams that didn't make the playoffs was better?

Which of these teams might have had a better shot of doing playoff damage?

Definitely the Broncos. The Redskins got to 10-6 in one of the most unconvincing ways possible. Theisman/Riggins were both 36 and being phased out for Schroeder/George Rogers. Passing offense was not that great. The D was solid though. #3 rank in yardage and and excellent pass rush from Manley/Mann***.The only team with a winning record they beat was the Giants and they had to come back in the 4th quarter to do it. Denver on the other hand, got boxed out of the playoffs because of conference opponent and common opponent tiebreakers with the Patriots and the Jets. (eliminate OT!) Depending on what you change to get Denver in the playoffs either the Jets or Patriots get kicked out. They were not invincible at home that year so its not out of the question that the Pats win a WC matchup at Mile High. If the Patriots do not get in, does that clear the path for the Broncos to go on the same run that the Patriots did? They lost in OT @ LA in the regular season and a close one to Miami (although at home) as well. Would they fare well in the playoffs in hypothetical playoff games vs. those two? Who know. If they did, it doesn't matter because they'd get pummeled by you know who in SBXX and they would have suffered 4 Super Bowl blowout losses over a span of 5 years.

*** side note. I drove Charles Mann to the downtown Buffalo Hyatt once. He got stiffed by a cab driver and I happened to be in the right place at the right time to lend my services.

I remember the Broncos being better than the Redskins in 1985.