Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

Not to be confused with 'worst team to win a SB'. Examples, both the '07 & '11 Giants did play great once the playoffs began. So both would have to be off the schnide. We're talking teams who may have just barely won numerous playoffs games, and/or were beaten statistically a couple games or so en route to all-the-marbles.

As bizarre as this is, the ‘72 Dolphins might be in the running for this. They squeaked by the Browns 20-14 and the Steelers 21-17. They did pick off Mike Phipps 5 times though.

I’ll give the 2001 Patriots an honorable mention. Needed the tuck rule to get by the Raiders and played a fairly close AFCCG vs. the Steelers

Was thinking 2007 Giants too, even though they didn't dominate a 18-0 team, they did beat it. They're sort of a special case. Won't include them

ChrisBabcock wrote:As bizarre as this is, the ‘72 Dolphins might be in the running for this. They squeaked by the Browns 20-14 and the Steelers 21-17. They did pick off Mike Phipps 5 times though.

I’ll give the 2001 Patriots an honorable mention. Needed the tuck rule to get by the Raiders and played a fairly close AFCCG vs. the Steelers

Both good ones.

But '80 Raiders may end up being my pick. All three of their AFC playoff wins, even 27-7 WCG win over Houston, they were outgained yardage-wise.

Yes, Bengals famously outgained SF in yardage SBXVI ('81) as they also did in their regular season affair at Riverfront, but SF outgaining both G-men and a SB-caliber Dallas team in 'The Catch' should keep them far enough away.

74_75_78_79_ wrote:But '80 Raiders may end up being my pick. All three of their AFC playoff wins, even 27-7 WCG win over Houston, they were outgained yardage-wise.

I have to disagree. In the Houston game, the Raiders were home and they were familiar with Stabler, but held Earl Campbell to 91 yards on 27 carries. Beating the Browns in Cleveland under some of the worst weather conditions imaginable was an accomplishment; Steve Sabol said it was colder in Cleveland that day than it was for the Ice Bowl. The Browns players had familiarity to a degree with the elements, but the Raiders did not. The next week, going into San Diego and beating Dan Fouts, and then taking out the Eagles from the word go, and the Super Bowl was over before halftime.

ChrisBabcock wrote:As bizarre as this is, the ‘72 Dolphins might be in the running for this. They squeaked by the Browns 20-14 and the Steelers 21-17. They did pick off Mike Phipps 5 times though.

I’ll give the 2001 Patriots an honorable mention. Needed the tuck rule to get by the Raiders and played a fairly close AFCCG vs. the Steelers

The fact that they were an 11-5 bye team is lucky enough in itself

Rupert Patrick wrote:

74_75_78_79_ wrote:I have to disagree. In the Houston game, the Raiders were home and they were familiar with Stabler, but held Earl Campbell to 91 yards on 27 carries. Beating the Browns in Cleveland under some of the worst weather conditions imaginable was an accomplishment; Steve Sabol said it was colder in Cleveland that day than it was for the Ice Bowl. The Browns players had familiarity to a degree with the elements, but the Raiders did not. The next week, going into San Diego and beating Dan Fouts, and then taking out the Eagles from the word go, and the Super Bowl was over before halftime.

Yes, there is no way the 1980 Raiders should be in the discussion.

What about Peyton Manning and the 2015 Broncos?

The 1970 Colts. Of course no team in that season was dominant anyway. The Super Bowl no, and divisional game was against a very weak 8-6 Bengals team. The Colts did dominate the game, I suppose.

1972 Dolphins futzed around a lot, not too dominant for a 14-0 team.

Rupert, Bryan, you’re both right about the ’80 Raiders. Those three AFC playoff games, they being outgained yardage-wise, were at least worth a mention but ‘27-7’ is ‘27-7’ and they did beat Eagles convincingly while also outgaining them in total yards. Beat Kardiac Kids in bitter cold and Air Coryell both on the road also good points.

I guess that does leave us with the ’01 Pats as the team to win each game close. But beating a solid Gruden Raider team, winning at the ’Burgh, then stopping the Greatest Show must be mentioned; and in that win over Steelers, they seemed like they were in control that whole game, score ending up closer than actual game itself.

’15 Broncos? Yes, barely beat an AB-less Steeler team at home but beating the Pats (leading by more than a TD on two occasions) then beating favored 17-1 Panthers convincing-enough should get them off schnide.

’70 Colts? Yes, I figured they’d be mentioned. Maybe it’s them.

’72 Dolphins? Definitely the case AFC playoffs, but beating Wash in perhaps the most-lopsided 7-pt-game ever (skin of a hair from being 17-0 instead of the 14-7 final that it was) just may exclude them.

Jay Z wrote:The 1970 Colts. Of course no team in that season was dominant anyway. The Super Bowl no, and divisional game was against a very weak 8-6 Bengals team. The Colts did dominate the game, I suppose.

1972 Dolphins futzed around a lot, not too dominant for a 14-0 team.

The Dolphins led the NFL in points scored and fewest points allowed...but looking at their game scores you'd figure to see more dominant performances for such a historic team