Late'60s Browns VS late-'60s Rams
Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2016 7:19 pm
'67-thru-'69, that is; the '4Cs' era. Collier VS Allen! Two great teams that just couldn't get themselves into the Super Bowl. The first of these three seasons offered ('67), both win their division but both get bounced by 'Ice Bowl'-participants-to-be. Rams would have to get the 'nod' for '67 being that they did finish a remarkable 11-1-2 regular season. Playoff Bowl should not be used as an indicator IMO but Rams did bury Browns in that anyway, 30-6.
Browns win division again in '68 whereas Rams don't (hence not make playoffs) but Rams had a better record (10-3-1 to 10-4); just one problem...some 13-1 league-juggernaut just so happened to be in their division - and it wasn't the 21st century. Browns, however, did make it to the League Championship Game. Get buried at home, 34-0, but at least they beat the Colts during regular season - handing them that only loss - whereas Rams didn't beat them at all in either game.
In '69, Rams win back their division and once again best Browns by a half game. Each of these three years Rams had a better regular-season record, and beat them in their lone meaningful head-to-head (no, I'm not counting '67 Playoff Bowl). Browns made it to the League Championship Game yet again in '69 making it two appearances so, for that, I'm going to say Cleveland. Two playoff victories to one. Yes, that's right. To me, George Allen's playoff wins are not confined to his '72 Redskins campaign. Beating Shula's undefeated (yet twice tied) Colts in that '67 finale is a playoff win in my book.
Pretty close debate between both these great three-season teams just the same, I'd imagine. Agreements? Disagreements?
Browns win division again in '68 whereas Rams don't (hence not make playoffs) but Rams had a better record (10-3-1 to 10-4); just one problem...some 13-1 league-juggernaut just so happened to be in their division - and it wasn't the 21st century. Browns, however, did make it to the League Championship Game. Get buried at home, 34-0, but at least they beat the Colts during regular season - handing them that only loss - whereas Rams didn't beat them at all in either game.
In '69, Rams win back their division and once again best Browns by a half game. Each of these three years Rams had a better regular-season record, and beat them in their lone meaningful head-to-head (no, I'm not counting '67 Playoff Bowl). Browns made it to the League Championship Game yet again in '69 making it two appearances so, for that, I'm going to say Cleveland. Two playoff victories to one. Yes, that's right. To me, George Allen's playoff wins are not confined to his '72 Redskins campaign. Beating Shula's undefeated (yet twice tied) Colts in that '67 finale is a playoff win in my book.
Pretty close debate between both these great three-season teams just the same, I'd imagine. Agreements? Disagreements?