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Were the '87 49ers the BEST ONE-AND-DONE playoff team ever?
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2026 10:46 am
by saturdaysarebetter
Getting the idea from the Worst one-and-done playoff teams post, which teams were the best one-and-done playoff teams? The '87 49ers come to mind. They had a 13-2 record and led the NFL in scoring, and they lost to the 8-7 Minnesota Vikings at home in Candlestick Park with Anthony Carter having a game for the ages.
Which other teams are in contention for the best one-and-done playoff team?
Re: Were the '87 49ers the BEST ONE-AND-DONE playoff team ever?
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2026 1:17 pm
by CSKreager
2006 Chargers
Re: Were the '87 49ers the BEST ONE-AND-DONE playoff team ever?
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2026 2:11 pm
by 7DnBrnc53
1996 Broncos
1976 Patriots
1971 Chiefs
Re: Were the '87 49ers the BEST ONE-AND-DONE playoff team ever?
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2026 3:27 pm
by Brian wolf
In terms of wins in a season ... 2011 Packers.*
My pick would be either the 1967 Rams or 1987 49ers. 2006 Chargers, 1996 Broncos, 2010 Patriots were other contenders.
Good call on the 1971 Chiefs and 1976 Patriots, 7D. Both teams should have won their divisionals.
*Revised ... The 1942 Bears were 11-0 before being upset in the NFL Championship game by Washington.
Re: Were the '87 49ers the BEST ONE-AND-DONE playoff team ever?
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2026 5:17 pm
by readjack
Brian wolf wrote: ↑Thu Jul 23, 2026 3:27 pm
*Revised ... The 1942 Bears were 11-0 before being upset in the NFL Championship game by Washington.
Sadly, we were also undefeated in '34 and lost the title. 13-0. Sneakers Game #1.
https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2022/ ... -from-1934
Re: Were the '87 49ers the BEST ONE-AND-DONE playoff team ever?
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2026 6:24 pm
by Brian wolf
Yep ... though I was trying to look at that Bears team from 1940 to 1942 that went what, 31-4 before that loss? Since the modern T-Formation as well.
Other teams to consider:
1964 Colts
2005 Colts -- werent they the first 14-2 team to go one and done?
Re: Were the '87 49ers the BEST ONE-AND-DONE playoff team ever?
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2026 6:47 pm
by readjack
Brian wolf wrote: ↑Thu Jul 23, 2026 6:24 pm
Yep ... though I was trying to look at that Bears team from 1940 to 1942 that went what, 31-4 before that loss? Since the modern T-Formation as well.
Other teams to consider:
1964 Colts
2005 Colts -- werent they the first 14-2 team to go one and done?
Yeah, looking just in the SB era when the playoffs became more relevant, the '05 Colts were truly shocking. They had obviously been kicking around for seven years, and '05 seemed like THE year. 14-2, 2nd ranked offense but more crucially, 2nd ranked defense. New England was dipping a bit. The Colts losing in the divisional, and then how they lost, that combo — just stunning.
I was living in Indy at the time and you could feel the dismay after that game. (Same day that my Bears also lost at home, so I was upset for different reasons. But in terms of just feeling the vibe in a city, that loss to Pittsburgh was massive.)
Re: Were the '87 49ers the BEST ONE-AND-DONE playoff team ever?
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2026 7:02 pm
by readjack
CSKreager wrote: ↑Thu Jul 23, 2026 1:17 pm2006 Chargers
Absolutely. 14-2. Tomlinson MVP. Gates AP1. Merriman 3rd in DPOY — 17 sacks in 12 games! (PED suspension). Rivers really solid in first year as a starter. Losses to the 13-3 Ravens and 9-7 KC. 1st in points, 7th in points allowed. Dominant as a team and had true game-breakers.
Not as shocking as the Colts the year before, since the Colts had been around longer and the Chargers lost to the Pats. But shocking.
'96 Broncos to me was the big one. Losing, and the opponent, and how it happened. All three. Stunning.
Re: Were the '87 49ers the BEST ONE-AND-DONE playoff team ever?
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2026 8:06 pm
by Brian wolf
The 1996 Broncos and 1987 49ers seemed similar in that both teams just peaked too soon. The Niners had won their last six in a row but those games were decided by halftime. Not much challenge from their opponents. Denver made the mistake of letting Elway sit two out of their last three games since the division was locked up. Like the 49ers, they just couldnt get up for their playoff games and may have looked ahead. Especially the 49ers, where some players felt they were going to face the Bears again.
I remember watching the Jets upset the Patriots after the 2010 season and you could hear a pin drop in Foxboro stadium. Total shock as this was their best team since 2007. Despite letting go of Moss, Brady was on a roll that season and nobody felt the Jets with Sanchez would win that day.
Re: Were the '87 49ers the BEST ONE-AND-DONE playoff team ever?
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2026 9:07 pm
by CSKreager
Brian wolf wrote: ↑Thu Jul 23, 2026 8:06 pm
The 1996 Broncos and 1987 49ers seemed similar in that both teams just peaked too soon. The Niners had won their last six in a row but those games were decided by halftime. Not much challenge from their opponents. Denver made the mistake of letting Elway sit two out of their last three games since the division was locked up. Like the 49ers, they just couldnt get up for their playoff games and may have looked ahead. Especially the 49ers, where some players felt they were going to face the Bears again.
I remember watching the Jets upset the Patriots after the 2010 season and you could hear a pin drop in Foxboro stadium. Total shock as this was their best team since 2007. Despite letting go of Moss, Brady was on a roll that season and nobody felt the Jets with Sanchez would win that day.
The 87 Vikings didn’t exactly peak late. They lost 3 times in December and literally backed into the playoffs because of St. Louis losing at Dallas, fell behind 7-0 at New Orleans off a fumble before Wade Wilson randomly and inexplicably had the only 2 good games of his otherwise mediocre career