Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

Another one we, surprisingly, haven't done yet. Are the Titans a shoo-in with everyone here? In their split with Ravens, their loss to them - at Adelphia - came later than their win vs them; and Ravens got that very strong 7-0 to their credit. G-men finished 5-0, plastering Pittsburgh during that run, 30-10. Having played against both defenses, Bettis would go on to say that the Giants-D was better than Ravens; or at least game-plan-wise, Balt having better players.

Every 10-6 team made the playoffs while all the 9-7s did not. Steelers with their 9-4 finish look like a possible 'break-in' candidate, but how about Detroit? Lions played against eleven above-500 teams in 2000, winning five of them, one of them at NYG down-stretch. How do defending-Champ Rams fare? Dangerous squad going into playoffs with their 'Greatest Show', also beat G-men on road and convincingly, but that 5-6 finish and very subject D (and no more Vermeil) could hurt. However, I at the time didn't see Haslett's Saints beating them that first-round (NO's first ever playoff win). I also feel had Rams returned to SB, Ravens would not have had themselves a fun time at all.

Does 11-5 Denver (Anderson instead of TD) get nod over Gruden's 12-4 Raiders due to sweep? How much do Vikes' 0-3 finish drop 'em? Could Bucs place ahead of them? They finished 7-2 which started with they drubbing them, 41-13, along with wins against three other winners, classic penultimate Monday Nighter vs Rams amongst them!

I am also surprised we haven't covered this one yet. Another one of my favorite seasons along with 1980 and 1990. (hmmm, I'm sensing a pattern here.) Before the season, I don't think anyone saw Ravens/Giants coming. I predicted a Titans/Rams rematch and the Rams had that dynasty look about them... until their D fell apart.

1. Ravens... yeah, their offense sucked, but still.
2. Titans... would be #1 in practically any other year. Allowed 3, 0 and 0 in their last 3 games.
3. Buccaneers... beating the Rams at their own game in that aforementioned late season Monday nighter helps them get this spot.
4. Broncos... 7-1 finish and swept the Raiders.
5. Raiders
6. Giants... won their last 5.
7. Eagles... swept by the Giants
8. Rams... combined points scored and allowed: 1011 I wonder if this is a record.
9. Saints... definitely a more balanced and overall better team than the Rams but I have to rank them below because of week 17 loss. Pass rush had 3 players with double digit sacks and 66 overall.
10. Dolphins
11. Colts
12. Vikings... I remember being actually surprised they beat the Saints in the divisional round.

1a) Titans
1b) Ravens
3) Giants
4) Buccaneers
5) Broncos
6) Packers - heckuva (7-3) finish beating quite a few winners; swept Vikes!
7) Rams
8) Raiders
9) Vikings
10) Colts
11) Lions - you can't look away from 11 games vs winners; and no more #20 along with Bobby Ross not finishing regular season, mind you! Could this possibly be better than any '90s Lions team (not that it says too much)?
12) Dolphins


Honorable mention - Eagles; they beat both the Saints (only quality-win was vs Rams, Week #13) & Steelers (if only Kordell was named starter from the beginning).

11) Lions - you can't look away from 11 games vs winners; and no more #20 along with Bobby Ross not finishing regular season, mind you! Could this possibly be better than any '90s Lions team (not that it says too much)?

Certainly not better than 1991 or 1995. Have we done a 1995 PR yet? I'd be curious where I'd put those 7 game winning streak Lions if I thought about it.