Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

Kind of a weird question, but out of curiosity, are there any teams that looked like they could've gone on a miraculous run that you bought into, but that let you down in the end?

Me personally, I didn't expect them to win it all, but I kinda got that vibe out of Cincinnati in 2021.

The 2003 Packers definitely had that look, starting with the memorable win at Oakland after Favre's dad died. Then came the Nate Poole miracle in Arizona that gave them the division, then the Al Harris pick-six to win the wild card playoff against Seattle. All that was dashed on the rocks thanks to the 4th-and-26 debacle in Philadelphia. I believe this year, more than 1997 or 2007, was the Lombardi Trophy that got away for the Favre-led Packers.

Citizen wrote: ↑Sat Oct 25, 2025 7:16 am The 2003 Packers definitely had that look, starting with the memorable win at Oakland after Favre's dad died. Then came the Nate Poole miracle in Arizona that gave them the division, then the Al Harris pick-six to win the wild card playoff against Seattle. All that was dashed on the rocks thanks to the 4th-and-26 debacle in Philadelphia. I believe this year, more than 1997 or 2007, was the Lombardi Trophy that got away for the Favre-led Packers.

I never even thought about those '03 Packers..."what-if' they get by Philly? Thing is, an even bigger 'team of Destiny' would have awaited them the following week, and at their home-field in Charlotte. Really not sure they get past them yet alone top NE in SBXXXVIII. Eliminating the Eagles, I think, would have been as good as it'd get for what I feel was only ever a 'good' Packer team under Mike Sherman. They simply didn't have that SB-DNA during that time; loss at home to Atlanta the year before, perhaps, the prime example.

I bet that some people may have gotten that vibe from the 2001 Steelers after they beat the Ravens in December and in the Divisional round, but destiny crumbled in the AFC Title Game against the Patriots.

Many believed the 49ers were in 1987 and 1992, but Walsh admitted he pushed the younger team too hard at the end of the 1987 season. The Cowboys grew up in a hurry in the 1992/93 playoffs, shocking the 49ers at home. Did SF underestimate Dallas?

I know this sounds strange, but I actually felt the Seahawks with rookie Russell Wilson, would go all the way in 2012. Many definitely felt they would repeat in 2014. I was also thoroughly shocked that Carolina went up 31-0 on them in the 2015/16 playoffs. Looking at their smackdown of Seattle and Arizona in the playoffs, alot of people felt the Panthers may go all the way, but then came Denver.

I remember in school in 1981, every football fan thought Dallas would go all the way. When the Niners beat them, several of us were so shocked, we admitted crying afterward ... haha

Brian wolf wrote: ↑Sat Oct 25, 2025 2:32 pm I remember in school in 1981, every football fan thought Dallas would go all the way. When the Niners beat them, several of us were so shocked, we admitted crying afterward ... haha

Growing up in North Carolina at the time it seemed like the Cowboys OWNED the 4PM slot, I'm honestly not sure if I'd seen the 9'ers play a single game until that NFC Championship game. When the Cowboys got the ball back after The Catch I was certain they'd go down and get a Field Goal to win.

Of course, here in Philly there's the infamous 2011 Dream Team, that ended quite poorly.

NWebster wrote: ↑Sat Oct 25, 2025 3:24 pm

Brian wolf wrote: ↑Sat Oct 25, 2025 2:32 pm I remember in school in 1981, every football fan thought Dallas would go all the way. When the Niners beat them, several of us were so shocked, we admitted crying afterward ... haha

Growing up in North Carolina at the time it seemed like the Cowboys OWNED the 4PM slot, I'm honestly not sure if I'd seen the 9'ers play a single game until that NFC Championship game. When the Cowboys got the ball back after The Catch I was certain they'd go down and get a Field Goal to win.

Of course, here in Philly there's the infamous 2011 Dream Team, that ended quite poorly.

Funny, but despite it being relatively recently ago, I don't remember any 'hype' over the Eagles going into 2011.

The 'Cinderella' Super Bowl...just imagine betting a nice wager in the off-season that 6-10 San Fran & 4-12 Cincy would appear in Pontiac!! I'd guess that the '2nd' biggest Cinderella SB would be Panthers & ("2001 was a fluke") Pats, 2003; this especially after NE got blown/shut-out in that opener in Buffalo!

League Championship Games of that variety? Packers/Eagles, 1960? Eagles/Cards, '47?

2004 - despite what happened on Halloween Sunday and the following Sunday, and they still only being at one loss, as the season wore on I wasn't thinking the Steelers were 'the best' team. I was thinking the Pats, especially with all that humble-pie they were eating/saying publicly that the 'Burgh were the best because they beat them and that they have the best record in the league never mind they themselves being defending-Champs.

But after that lucky-as-heck win over the Jets, I couldn't help but to feel that just, maybe, they could beat NE after all. A Pennsylvania Super Bowl, I was now thinking. I called the Steelers under rookie Big Ben a 'team of Destiny' going into CC week only for a coworker to rebuttal, "There's no such thing as destiny!"

74_75_78_79_ wrote: ↑Sat Oct 25, 2025 10:20 am

Citizen wrote: ↑Sat Oct 25, 2025 7:16 am The 2003 Packers definitely had that look, starting with the memorable win at Oakland after Favre's dad died. Then came the Nate Poole miracle in Arizona that gave them the division, then the Al Harris pick-six to win the wild card playoff against Seattle. All that was dashed on the rocks thanks to the 4th-and-26 debacle in Philadelphia. I believe this year, more than 1997 or 2007, was the Lombardi Trophy that got away for the Favre-led Packers.

I never even thought about those '03 Packers..."what-if' they get by Philly? Thing is, an even bigger 'team of Destiny' would have awaited them the following week, and at their home-field in Charlotte. Really not sure they get past them yet alone top NE in SBXXXVIII. Eliminating the Eagles, I think, would have been as good as it'd get for what I feel was only ever a 'good' Packer team under Mike Sherman. They simply didn't have that SB-DNA during that time; loss at home to Atlanta the year before, perhaps, the prime example.

I was around that 2003 Packers team in a work capacity. They did play well down the stretch, but they were fragile. They would have had to go to Carolina. Maybe they win, but most likely they don’t.

And for all of the attention understandably given to 4th and 26, the wounded duck interception Favre threw in OT might have been the worst of all of the many picks he threw in crucial situations.

Favre, by then, was letting his ego and entitlement make bad decisions. Sherman had nowhere near the influence over him as Holmgren did when Favre was at his best.