Wins that began/started an era

[CSKreager]

Since 7DnBrnc53 had a thread on losses that ended an era, we might as well do the opposite- after all, an era has to begin before it ends.

I'll start with the Mike Shanahan Broncos and their 1995 MNF shutout of the Raiders at Mile High. Prior to this, the Broncos won a grand total of one game against the Raiders under Art Shell from 1989-1994.

It turned around the rivalry- Oakland won only one time against them until the 2002 sweep- and was the first signature win for that version of the Broncos (with Terrell Davis) that IMHO was the start of their run to Super Bowl glory.

Another one- the Dolphins beating Dallas in 1978. That began the Miami renaissaince that lasted through 1985 IMO.

[7DnBrnc53]

For the 1987 Saints, their opening day win against Cleveland kick-started their 1987-92 era where they had five winning seasons, four playoff berths, and one NFC West Title.

[ChrisBabcock]

I mentioned this is some other thread... I consider the 1980 comeback win over the Saints the official beginning of the 49er 80s/early 90s dynasty.

[BD Sullivan]

While they made the playoffs in '85, the Browns' short-lived run of success (86-89) didn't really begin until Week 15 of the '86 season. Yes, they were 10-4 at that point, but six of the wins were by four points or less and another other game was won on a TD in OT. Plus, they had an embarrassing Week 7 loss at home to the 0-6 Packers. However, that Week 15 win was a blowout 34-3 victory in Cincy that they dominated from start to finish. They followed that up with a blowout of the Chargers.

[Todd Pence]

I think Seattle's current run of success came in 2012 with the week 2 dominance of Dallas. Although Pete Carroll had taken the team to a dubious playoff spot two years earlier, this game, as well as the win over the Patriots early in the season, marked the beginning of Seattle's entry into the elite level.

[slats7]

As far as the Jimmy Johnson Cowboys, it was probably the victory over the Skins on Thanksgiving in 1990 (big individual games for the Triplets), or perhaps besting the undefeated Redskins at RFK a year later.

[74_75_78_79_]

Tuna's Giants? Well first you had their big 28-7 win at home against Dallas to start 2-0 in '84. Would even-out by midseason to 4-4 but then comes another convincer at the Meadowlands, this time vs Washington, and then completing the sweep on Dallas in Big D the following week, 19-7. That had to tell you what was to come, Giants going right back to what Perkins started in '81 then taking it much further.

Reed's Eagles? Well, of course, Opening Day in Dallas 2000. Recovering that onside kick opening kickoff en route to a 41-14 bashing in the heat, also ushering-in the Campo era in Big D.

Luv Ya Blue? Yes there was Bum going 10-4 in his first season in '75, the 4-1 start the following year along with another winning record in '77 (beating Steelers at least once to boot), but what had to tell you that Houston would be an actual playoff team, and be one the next few years as well as being able to at least split with Steelers, was of course their Week #8 MNF triumph at Three Rivers, handing the Champs-to-be their first loss of '78. Back-to-back wins the following month over Pats at Schaefer and then Dolphins at home would further tighten that assertion.

Glanville/Pardee-era Oilers? Overcame a 0-13 deficit on Opening Day '87 to comeback vs the Rams, but LA would end up not being a playoff team as they were the four seasons prior. After that opener, outside scab games, who did Oilers really beat besides a now-down-to-Earth Chargers team and the just-above-average Steelers twice? Beating Seattle wild card round had to start telling you something. Walloping Redskins and then beating Browns the following year in Weeks #9 & #10 respectively - along with pummeling Cards in a battle of 7-4s - had to assure, once and for all, that Oilers would be a playoff-regular for the foreseeable future.

Holmgren/Favre/Reggie Era in GB? Week #4, 1992, Brett's first full game as a starter, beating Steelers 17-3.

[MatthewToy]

I think when the Steelers shut out the Browns 30-0 at home in 1972 that gave them the confidence they needed to keep moving up into the upper echelon of teams in the league.

[74_75_78_79_]

I think when the Steelers shut out the Browns 30-0 at home in 1972 that gave them the confidence they needed to keep moving up into the upper echelon of teams in the league.

Good example (beating Raiders in the opener and Vikes the week before perhaps 'set-ups'). Yeah, still being in the divisional race late-season at 500-ish in both '70 & '71 really didn't say all that much.

[BD Sullivan]

I think when the Steelers shut out the Browns 30-0 at home in 1972 that gave them the confidence they needed to keep moving up into the upper echelon of teams in the league.

Two weeks earlier in Cleveland, they blew a shot at winning: Don Cockroft shanked a gimme FG with two minutes left and the Browns trailing by a point, 24-23. However, the Steeler offense couldn't run the clock out, punted and Cockroft redeemed himself with a FG with eight seconds left. What made it more painful was that the Steelers had come back from a 20-3 deficit.