Greats from same era who hardly crossed paths

[74_75_78_79_]

Rupert stated in the 'Manning retirement' thread about how the frequency of Peyton-vs-Brady was like no other (just imagine if Colts & Pats stayed in same division, almost doubling the amount of showdowns) and it was the 'Marino/Montana' rivalry that never was. 'Marino/Elway' that never was another good example, especially considering both were in the same conference. Meeting in that '98 playoff is hardly as memorable as if they would have met in the '84 AFCC like they were "supposed" to. Stabler-vs-Staubach is much more-so an example of two greats hardly ever squaring off. I believe, correct me if wrong, the '74 finale is their only showdown - and a meaningless one to boot. Any other examples you can think of? Coaching matchups (perhaps a pro equivalent of Schembechler never meeting Paterno)?

[Jay Z]

You are right on Stabler vs. Staubach. The 1974 game was the last game of that season, and the Raiders had already clinched. Home field was still on a rotation basis, and the Cowboys were already out of the playoffs.

There were 169 possible interconference matchups starting in 1970, and Raiders vs. Cowboys was the very last one of those to take place. Six different times (not always with Staubach and Stabler) both teams were in the conference championships in the same year, and a Super Bowl never happened.

The teams did play frequently in the preseason, including a 1969 rookie game that was the first professional game for both. Eldridge Dickey also played QB for the Raiders in that game.

I think most of the other 70s greats not only played against each other more, but also played each other in the playoffs. Let's see:

Stabler vs. Bradshaw: multiple playoffs
Stabler vs. Griese: multiple playoffs
Stabler vs. Tarkenton: super bowl

Stabler also played Ken Anderson, Steve Grogan, Bert Jones, and Craig Morton in the playoffs.

Bradshaw vs. Griese: playoffs
Bradshaw vs. Tarkenton: Super Bowl
Bradshaw vs. Staubach: Super Bowl
Griese vs. Staubach: Super Bowl
Griese vs. Tarkenton: Super Bowl
Tarkenton vs. Staubach: Multiple playoffs

[JWL]

Anthony Munoz and Reggie White only faced each other two times.

[Gary Najman]

Anthony Munoz and Reggie White only faced each other two times.

Also Harold Carmichael vs. Mel Blount (the tallest WR and CB of their era) only two games (in 1974 and 1979) although they were active at the same time for 13 seasons, and Carmichael only caught one pass in each game.

[Gary Najman]

Another QB matchup who only was played once was between Dan Fouts and Joe Montana in a Saturday in the 1982 strike-shortened season. San Diego won 41-37, with 5 Fouts' TD passes (Montana threw for 3 and ran for another), and I believe it was one if the most exciting games of the 80's. Montana and Fouts shared 9 seasons, from 1979-1987.

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/b ... 110sfo.htm

In 1979 Fouts beat the 49ers in Montana's rookie season, but Steve DeBerg was the QB for San Francisco in that game.