Greatest Game EVER?
by DalaiLuke on Dec 5, 2007 9:53 PM CST
26 comments
I just heard Joe Theismann on ESPN radio talking about the prospect of a New England - Dallas Super Bowl. He said it would be the biggest game in NFL history, bar none. He was referring to the prospect of each of them winning out, so that it would be the 17-1 Dallas Cowboys facing the undefeated Patriots.
I should be letting KindaBlue provide the details of some of the games along the way that would be in contention for GREATEST EVER. He gave far better detail than my efforts on some of the best Cowboys games ever in a recent diary: Scroll to his Comments...
I think the games that stand out for me, being a homer, are the Ice Bowl, both Cowboys - Steelers classics, the CATCH, the 93 49ers-Cowboys NFC Championship epic, the Rams vs Tennessee Super-Bowl, the first New England (vs Rams) Super-Bowl... The Giants - Bills SuperBowl...
What other games come to mind? Would you agree with Theismann that the hype for this game could make it the biggest?
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Absolutely agree
Theismann is right here (for once). It would have to be the best game in NFL history in terms of the records involved, and it would be a rematch for the sole Cowboys loss. Whichever team won would go down as one of the greatest ever. The hype would be insane.
There have been a lot of great Super Bowls lately. If it came down to a late FG, like all the Pats SBs have, it would have to go down as one of the best ever.
....phew. Ok, now that I got that out of my system, I would settle to make it even if we finished 11-5. Plus I think the Pats are going to lose sooner rather than later. But I was actually thinking about this earlier today, and I think Joe Thees-man would be right about that one.
by grapejoos on Dec 5, 2007 10:25 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
This week vs. Steelers
The biggest shot for the Pats to lose in the regular season is definitely this week against the Steelers (although the Giants could also have a shot, if Eli doesn't lose it). The Steelers are much a better team than the Eagles or the Ravens, with the #1 defense overall and #1 against the pass, and a good running game on offense, which the Ravens showed to be a big weakness in the Pats' defense. I think the Steelers have a very real chance to beat them. We'll see, it should be a good game.
I wouldn't mind the Pats going into the SB 18-0, and the Boys 17-1 and beating them, but I also wouldn't mind both teams being 17-1, that would still be a match-up like few in recent memory.
by scottmaui on Dec 6, 2007 9:58 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
don't think the Steelers have enough offense
to beat the Pats, although I thought the same thing about the Ravens.
If Parker has a big game like McGahee did, then they have a shot, if not I don't see it happening.
by Terry on Dec 6, 2007 10:31 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
The Steelers can score plenty of points...
I'd have to check, but I believe that they're top five in scoring offense. If they aren't, they're not far from it. But you're right, they're not a "shootout" team like Dallas or Indy. They're much more of a methodical, possession-based offense. Look for NE to attack early and try to take a quick lead, forcing Pittsburgh to abandon the run sooner than they'd like.
One odd thing about this game is that Pittsburgh might be better constructed to win at Foxboro in December than the Pats are. New England has built a finesse offense for an open-air stadium in southern Canada. It'll be interesting to see how well the passing game works in those conditions leading up to the playoffs.
by Big D Bam Bam on Dec 6, 2007 11:33 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Pittsburgh's points this season
have all come against bad defenses or defenses that had severe injury problems. I think thats a decieving stat.
Pittsburgh's offensive line is their weak leak, which is surprising because its usually the strength of their team.
Also, Parker hasn't really run well this season, even though he's over 1,000 yds. Thats another decieving stat.
So to say they are bulit better for December weather might be a misnomer.
Pittsbrugh will need to put up at least 28-31 points to win this game and I don't think they can to do it.
by Terry on Dec 6, 2007 12:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Good offenses tend to score a lot...
Against bad defenses. And the Pats ain't exactly the '85 Bears here.
And what exactly makes you think that the Steelers O-Line isn't playing well? The fact that Big Ben has taken a lot of sacks? Ben has always done that. Go check his sacks per pass numbers for his career, they're somewhere along the lines of Drew Bledsoe's.
He holds the ball too long, he always has, but he's kept his total sacks low in the past by not throwing any more than he had to.
by Big D Bam Bam on Dec 6, 2007 2:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
believe me, Steelers O line sucks
I watch them play almost as much as the Cowboys since I live in western Pa, and their O line is by far and away the biggest weakness on the team, just ask any Steelers fan, they will confirm, even the homers acknowledge that.
Its the reason Pittsburgh's offense can't be considered great at all. Its decent, but very inconsistent.
by Terry on Dec 6, 2007 3:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I'll take your word for it...
I've only seen the Steelers a few times, and FO seems to agree with you. They have Pittsburgh ranked 24th in run blocking and dead last in pass protection.
Of course, I never actually said that they were great at all, just that they score a lot of points. 24.7 per game, sixth in the league. And that includes the three points they put up against Miami.
by Big D Bam Bam on Dec 6, 2007 3:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Pittsburgh has been a bad road team
While Pitt has the talent and ability to hang with the Pats (after all, they're better than the Ravens or Eagles, who did just that), they are overrated. They are 2-3 on the road, beating the Charlie Frye Browns and the Bengals. All 3 of their losses have come on the road, at Arizona, Denver, and the Jets. Parker seems to have hit a wall, and they just can't be counted upon in a road game. On top of that, the Steelers have really only beaten 2 quality teams: Seattle and Cleveland (they barely won a rematch with the Derek Anderson Browns at home). In terms of wins, they've feasted on weak teams, and better yet, the bad teams were especially bad when they played Pitt (Cleveland starting Frye, Buffalo in week 2, Ravens starting McNair, etc.
I think they will give NE a game because NE is struggling and because PIT will be really fired up, but Pittsburgh is an overrated team that tends to gag on the road. Last time they hit the road, they lost to the Jets. Need I say more?
by grapejoos on Dec 6, 2007 12:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
did you hear that Anthony Smith
Pittsburgh's starting FS guaranteed a win over the pats?
Now that is just plain stupid. I bet Tomlin was fumming.
by Terry on Dec 6, 2007 1:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Overrated for Pittsburgh...
Just means that they're the fifth or sixth best team in the NFL, rather than the second or third. Generally speaking, you have to be pretty decent before people start to overrate you. And it's not like they haven't won a Super Bowl within the last two calender years.
Listen, I'm not here to defend the Steelers or say that they're going to beat the Pats, I'm just passing along a few things I've noticed.
by Big D Bam Bam on Dec 6, 2007 2:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Pittsburgh is the 5th best team in the NFL
thats a very fair assessment of that team. If they're offense was more consistent and they had a better line, I think I would rank them higher.
by Terry on Dec 6, 2007 3:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
They take care of business at home
Bottom line is that this team is decent, and they beat bad teams at home. You can't control your schedule, but they have not played a top 5 team yet and they have a few very questionable road losses. They have hung in every game, but there is some inconsistency there. I'm not even docking them for that Miami game, since that wasn't really a test of football.
There aren't many good teams this year, so they are roughly the 5th-7th best team. But, personally, I would much rather play Pitt than Jacksonville.
by grapejoos on Dec 6, 2007 5:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, because the Jaguars...
Have never choked away a game they should have won... (cough)houstontwice(cough)
by Big D Bam Bam on Dec 7, 2007 2:00 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Pitt had some bad losses last year too
I'm talking about this season, and I think Jacksonville is a very strong team. They lost 2 games when Garrard was hurt and lost the other 2 by a combined 6 points to Tennessee and Indy. They are a really good 8-4 team, and they would beat Pittsburgh. They are a team that could beat the Pats...
...but I digress, this is off-topic. I'll be rooting for Pitt this weekend, but I'm not sure why everyone thinks they're that great.
by grapejoos on Dec 7, 2007 10:56 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
The hype would be huge...
But tarnished slightly by the fact that Dallas had already lost to the Pats.
by Big D Bam Bam on Dec 6, 2007 5:06 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
I think that increases the hype
The revenge storyline will be everywhere along with crayton's comments. I would love another shot at the Pats because I think we can beat them.
by bluewolf021 on Dec 6, 2007 8:31 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
It would add a different dimension...
But the tarnish would still be there. Texas vs USC in the national title game a couple of years ago was that much more intriguing because it was a chance to see two teams who's paths would normally never cross hook it up with everything on the line.
Cowboys-Pats would probably be the biggest Super Bowl in a very long time, certainly in the last ten years, but there will be those that say that Dallas had their shot already and came up short.
I don't necessarily agree with that, but the perception will be there.
by Big D Bam Bam on Dec 6, 2007 9:15 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
The question remains:
Which game in NFL history would rival this one?
Cowboys-Pats would probably be the biggest Super Bowl in a very long time, certainly in the last ten years
Certainly there would be no game even close with respect to the records each team would have. And the fact that the Cowboys lost to the Pats would in some ways make it even better - as in, the only way these two lose is to play each other.
Whatever you think will be the hype for this game... what other game in NFL history rivals it?
by DalaiLuke on Dec 6, 2007 9:41 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Well, the first one that popped in my head...
Was Packers/Broncos in '97, but on the other hand, I think that you can only truly appreciate the Farve/Elway matchup in the context of history.
I see your point.
by Big D Bam Bam on Dec 6, 2007 11:22 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
If Pats are undefeated going into the SB
the pressure to win is going to be 100 times greater for them than the Cowboys. Can you imagine going 18-0 and losing in the SB?
Thats one of the reasons why I've been rooting for the Pats to win out, plus if the Cowboys beat an 18-0 team in the SB, they would have to go down as one of the greatest teams ever.
by Terry on Dec 6, 2007 8:42 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
If Pats keep winning
they are going to be even more exhausted than they are now. As long as they are chasing the undefeated season, they cannot rest. Their team, especially the defense, is a much older team and as long as they are chasing 19-0 they won't rest anyone. Sets up well for both the Pats and Cowboys to end the year 18-1.
by swj010 on Dec 6, 2007 10:36 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Honestly...
The way the Pats look right now, I don't expect them to make it through the AFC playoffs. Maybe they're just in a rough patch, but it looks like teams have figured out what they need to take away on defense (bracket Moss and somehow cover Welker) and how they can move the ball on offense (crossing routes over the middle all day long). I am sure Belichick can make adjustments on defense, but they sure are looking old and tired right now. No disrespect, but if they can't get a credible running game going, they are going to be in big trouble if they get a rematch with Indy.
by grapejoos on Dec 6, 2007 10:53 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Most Exciting Game I Ever Saw
Thanks for the nice words, DalaiLuke. Get me talking about NFL history, and I don't know when to shut up.
Anyway, I think the most exciting NFL game I've seen was the 1981 AFC divisional playoffs between San Diego and Miami, played in Miami. A lot of the guys here list the year of the playoff games in the year they were played, not in the season it was from, which to me is greatly confusing; at any rate, this game was played in early January 1982. Highlights are almost too numerous to mention. The include San Diego jumping off to a stunning 24-0 lead in the first quarter, including a short SD kickoff they were able to recover; the legendary hook-and-lateral play that Miami ran at the end of the first half to pull within 24-17; Kellen Winslow's superhuman performance (13 catches for 166 yards and a TD, blocked a chip shot FG on the last play of regulation that would have won it for Miami, being so dehydrated at the end he was carried off the field); over 1000 yards of total offense; and almost five quarters of football. I don't think there's been a more NFL exciting game ever played.
It hurt like no other loss, but 1981 NFC Championship where San Francisco beat us 28-27 was an incredible game. Dallas had a great team that year, and I thought we were going to win it all. On the other hand, our victory over them 11 years later 30-20 in the NFC Championship in the same stadium, against the same team, was as sweet as it got.
It's been forgotten, but Oakland and Miami played one of the best games ever in the 1974 AFC divisional playoffs. Three touchdowns were scored in the final five minutes to cause lead changes, highlighted by Oakland RB Clarence Davis' TD catch with 24 seconds left to win the game 28-24. His catch was all the more remarkable because he was double-covered and had a reputation for bad hands.
Dallas scoring 17 points in the last six minutes of the game to beat San Francisco 30-28 in the 1972 NFC Divisional playoffs was our greatest come-from-behind win, with the 1980 NFC Divisional Playoffs against Atlanta (30-27) being a close second.
The two most exciting Super Bowls for me were XXIII and XXXVIII. The first, played after the 1988 season, was the only Super Bowl where a team scored a come-from-behind TD inside of two minutes to win, and was close the whole way. In the second, Carolina fell just short to New England. If John Fox had kept his cool and kicked extra points instead of going for two point conversions in the fourth quarter, Carolina could well have won.
Most exciting regular season games would be the Jets overtime win over Miami in 2000, where they overcame a 23-point deficit in the fourth quarter; Indianapolis overcoming a 21-point fourth quarter deficit against Tampa Bay in the last four minutes of regulation to win in overtime in a 2003 Monday night game; the 1979 final regular season game against Washington, where we scored two touchdowns in the last four minutes to win 35-24 and knock the Redskins out of the playoffs and win the division; the 1999 season opener against Washington, where we overcame a 35-14 fourth quarter deficit to win in overtime; and the 1974 Thanksgiving day game where Clint Longley led us to a come-from-behind victory over the Redskins.
No doubt I've missed a bunch of really good games, but these are the ones that come immediately to mind.
by kindablue on Dec 7, 2007 11:28 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Thanks, Miles
I knew this diary wouldn't be complete until you threw in your list...
Wow, great memories of all of those games. The Miami - SD game has to be one of the greatest. And I remember the Miami-Oakland playoff game. It seems there are countless NFC and AFC championship games that would qualify. It's almost always the case that the Championship weekend is more competitive and exciting than the super bowl.
by DalaiLuke on Dec 8, 2007 10:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
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