ChrisBabcock wrote:that'll complete all of the 20th Century post-merger (except '82, that is).
Why not do a 1982?
No, we can. Just meant that it would still be the exception after we do '96 next. I still think it would be a good one to do; strictly judging by what 9-week sample there was (and that many may not place 'out-of-nowhere' Wash at #1 due to their many close-wins by kicking a lot of FGs vs not-so-great competition; seasoned Dallas winning at RFK, 24-10). Don't worry, we'll do it.
Anyways...first-things-first. Here are my PRs for the regular-season nine years prior to '82...
1) Dolphins, of course!
2a) Vikings
2b) Rams
4) Cowboys
5) Bengals
6) Steelers
7) Raiders
8) Falcons
I won't actually place Rams above Vikings (despite Minn beating them head-to-head) as you yourself did, Chris; but in also considering LA's body-of-work otherwise, I'll at least not place Vikings a
full spot above them either. '73 a quite different '70s year for these two, each having quality-wins on their plate.
Rams bury Atl in their win over them, beat Dallas as well ('Boys rallying just to make it a 37-31 final score), and that finale over Cleveland does indeed 'count'! As that game was going on in the Coliseum, Clev at 7-4-1 needed to win along with needing 9-4 Steelers, just up north, to lose to SF. Cincy already had division wrapped.
As for Vikes, in addition to beating Rams, would wallop Browns the very next week along with beating Oakland in the opener. Yes, getting crushed at Cincy hurts them but it's also the Rams being #1 in both O & D yardage-wise (and #1 in many other D categories in '73) and losing their two Wk7 & 8 games by a combined...3 PTS!! Yes, Rams get '2b' with Vikes getting 'a' if only because of their actual win vs them; and they owning Rams in seasons leading-up. Not sure what you all, who were around for it, thought leading up to SBVIII; but I'm thinking I'd be assuming that Bud's troops at least give the defending-Champs somewhat of a game, especially after winning at Big D, 27-10. Same thing had Rams got there.
Steelers...that remarkable defense-stat which I pointed out OP, eight PBers, their three-straight wins over Bengals, Wash (MNF), and
at Raiders to make it 8-1, they almost coming back at Miami which would have cut it at just a two-game skid, and finally trouncing their last two opponents albeit weak ones almost earned them #4 with me. Both they and Dolphins finish at 11-3 had Steelers completed the comeback; but due to the current 'rotation', I'm guessing it still would have been Miami's 'turn' for home-field. Not that it matters anyway, Raiders were better between they and the 'Burgh in '73 when it mattered most as well as Miami being
even better - also winning their CC by a 27-10 score.
Because Dallas buried Cincy Wk8, and because they have been such a regular at deep-playoff-runs last so many years, and also beating the 'Burgh a year earlier, I have to place them at #4 instead. Cincy also gets nod over the 'Burgh due to that 6-0 finish which included them beating Bills on the road and stomping both Vikings then 7-3-2 Browns the following week, and also beating two other winners, Steelers themselves and KC, earlier on.
Had Steelers actually beat Miami, a different story (they're at
#3 or even
better, Dolphins...#4!) but "almost" shouldn't count at the expense of the team that actually
did hold off the comeback hence actually
win the game! Also goes for the team that actually DID win the division; a team that may very well go down as Paul Brown's best-ever Bengal squad. Steelers were
just about there in '73 but not yet (still needed next year's draft). Maybe they should be 5
b; we'll see.
Leaving Washington out may be unpopular. But beating Dallas early is all they got to their credit as far as QWs are concerned. That and Falcons looking
quite dangerous! I can't help but to
NOT hold it against Atlanta - those Wk12 & 13 home-losses to Buf then getting blown-out by a not-yet-good (not even mediocre) StL team.
62-7 opening day at Tulane
!! Putting up three additional 40+ outputs in later weeks, and beating
both Rams & Vikings! Yes, just can't help but to include them in this.
However, the Raiders truly did
earn their (three above-500-teams) West division title hence a playoff berth hence a higher spot than that at-the-time, so-far best Falcon team. First, Oakland crushes KC penultimate week thus eliminating them, and then in the finale they, at 8-4-1, beat the 7-4-2 Broncos to finish things off in-style! Yes, after another look, '73 seemed to be a fine regular-season; and with a suspenseful, playoff-implications-filled final week to boot! As is the case with hockey - there's
nothing wrong with TIES!