Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

Do you consider these postseason games as upsets/failures on a HOF coach resume?

Vince Lombardi
1960 v. Eagles

Bud Grant
1969 v. Chiefs
1975 v. Cowboys

Chuck Noll
1977 v. Broncos

Paul Brown
1951 v. Rams
1953 v. Lions

John Madden
1968 v. Jets
1969 v. Chiefs
1970 v. Colts
1977 v. Broncos

Tom Landry
1968 v. Browns
1969 v. Browns
1970 v. Colts
1979 v. Rams
1983 v. Rams

Sid Gillman
1961 v. Oilers
1965 v. Bills

Don Shula
1964 v. Browns
1968 v. Jets
1983 v. Seahawks
1985 v. Patriots

Bryan wrote:Do you consider these postseason games as upsets/failures on a HOF coach resume?

Vince Lombardi
1960 v. Eagles

Chuck Noll
1977 v. Broncos

John Madden
1970 v. Colts

Tom Landry
1969 v. Browns
1970 v. Colts

I wouldn't consider any of the above failures, since all but the Landry 1969 game vs. the Browns took place away from home. In that home game, the Cowboys were only a four-point favorite and had gotten blown out by the Browns during the regular season. In the Super Bowl, Dallas was a very slight underdog--some had it basically a pick 'em game.

Bryan wrote:Do you consider these postseason games as upsets/failures on a HOF coach resume?

Vince Lombardi
1960 v. Eagles

Considering that this was just two years after a 1-10-1 record, I think it's a gold star on Lombardi's resume that the Packers were even in the championship game.

Considering that this was just two years after a 1-10-1 record, I think it's a gold star on Lombardi's resume that the Packers were even in the championship game.

I was going to say something to that effect. Also I'm sure he NEVER let them forget about that loss. Hence their undefeated record in playoff games the rest of his tenure.

rhickok1109 wrote:

Bryan wrote:Do you consider these postseason games as upsets/failures on a HOF coach resume?

Vince Lombardi
1960 v. Eagles

Considering that this was just two years after a 1-10-1 record, I think it's a gold star on Lombardi's resume that the Packers were even in the championship game.

Eagles were 2-9-1 in 1958, with the Packers lone win that year being against...the Eagles.

ChrisBabcock wrote:

Considering that this was just two years after a 1-10-1 record, I think it's a gold star on Lombardi's resume that the Packers were even in the championship game.

I was going to say something to that effect. Also I'm sure he NEVER let them forget about that loss. Hence their undefeated record in playoff games the rest of his tenure.

Lombardi has been quoted as saying he vowed never to lose never to lose a playoff game. It's a good story, anyway

Does anybody have any idea what the point spread was on that 1960 game? I doubt that it was considered an upset at the time. Eagles were 10-2, Packers were only 8-4 going in.

rhickok1109 wrote:Does anybody have any idea what the point spread was on that 1960 game? I doubt that it was considered an upset at the time. Eagles were 10-2, Packers were only 8-4 going in.

My recollection is the Eagle win was no surprise. I think they were favored. The Eagles had Norm Van Brocklin at QB, were playing at home, and had the better W-L record for the year as you noted.

rhickok1109 wrote:Does anybody have any idea what the point spread was on that 1960 game? I doubt that it was considered an upset at the time. Eagles were 10-2, Packers were only 8-4 going in.

I have a database of playoff point spreads, compiled from newspapers the day before the game, and have the Packers listed as a two-point favorite.

Maybe it's because I was still a newborn when the Steelers played the Broncos in the 77 playoffs but how were they favored in that game? They were an unspectacular 9-5 team going into Mile High where the Broncos were practically unbeatable. Especially that season.