Tournament XIII Championship - The Best Non-Super Bowl Team of the Last Ten Years
T-Fo's Las Vegas-style Show said 01/28, 05:09 PM
Ok, by non-Super Bowl team, I'm assuming a team that did not get to go at all. Give teams first, then arguments later. I choose:
The 1998 Minnesota Vikings
rstowe - The NMI Emperor said 01/29, 06:50 AM
The 2006 San Diego Chargers
T-Fo's Las Vegas-style Show said 01/29, 10:22 PM
Sorry for the delay, I'm blocked at work now...
Ok, Lets look at the '98 Vikings....
you know that regular season scoring record the Pats broke this year? That record belonged to the '98 Vikes. With an offense led by the resurgent Randall Cunningham, Robert Smith (no not of The Cure) at RB, and wide receivers Cris Carter and some rookie phenom named Randy Moss (17 TD's as a rookie!), they took the NFL by storm. They racked up 556 regular season points on the way to a 15-1 season.
And boy did they win. Their only regular season loss was at Tampa Bay by 3 points. They scored 24 points or more in EVERY game, and of their 15 wins, 12 were by 10 points or more.
It all came down to the biggest non-Scott Norwood FG attempt in history. Gary Anderson, who had not missed ALL SEASON, hooked a 38 yarder that would have sent the Vikings to the Super Bowl where they belonged. The best team in the last ten years to not get there.
rstowe - The NMI Emperor said 01/30, 07:09 AM
The 2006 Chargers also had the #1 Offense during their season. They scored 20+ in all games except their one loss to Baltimore. The 2006 Chargers D was also very good - allowed more than 21 only 5 times (the 98 vikes allowed more than 21 8).
Their 2 regular season losses were to Baltimore and KC both by 3 points (both playoff teams unlike the Vikes loss to Tampa).
The Chargers also had a great D and LT on offense.
How did they lose to the Pats in the playoffs? Because of an interception that was fumbled during the return.
T-Fo's Las Vegas-style Show said 01/30, 11:07 PM
The 2006 Chargers were a good team no doubt...but they were not even considered the best team for the year let alone for a decade. The Colts were far and away the favorites last year, and proved it by winning the Super Bowl...and no one was counting out the Patriots either - for good reason.
By contrast, the Vikings were prohibitive favorites to, at the very least, go to the Super Bowl. This was a team that not only had the record for scoring, but also had the record for biggest net point differential as well. There defense was no slouch, featuring John Randel in his prime. The 1998 Vikings sent TEN players to the Pro Bowl.
This was a truly dominant team who fate chose not to shine on. I can hear the announcer's call like it was yesterday..."...and here comes Gary Anderson to put the game on ice, Anderson, of course, hasn't missed a field goal this year, so this should be automatic..." Talk about a jinx.
rstowe - The NMI Emperor said 01/31, 06:59 AM
The 2006 Chargers also sent 10 players to the Pro Bowl.
The Colts were 12-4 while the Chargers were 14-2 and the #1 seed. So you can't say the Colts were the favorites (remember going into the playoffs, the Colts didn't really have a D until the playoffs started). The Chargers had the best offense in the league, led by LT and a top 7 D.
The 98 Vikes were very good but they played in a divsion where 2nd place was 8-8. No teams in the NFC North really had a Defense so the Vikes were able to score at will against those teams.
The 98 Vikes only loss came to the Bucs - a team that didn't make the playoffs while the Chargers 2 losses came to 2 playoff teams.
I still remember that INT against New England - everyone thought the game was over until the fumble. After that,, everyone knew the Pats would drive for the winning FG because the fumble took the life out of the D.
Consecutive Playoff Streaks
Terms under which this service is provided to you. Read our privacy guidelines.
© 2008 STATS LLC
Comments (19)
Good luck rstowe...figured it would wind up being you here!
T-Fo's Las Vegas-style Show | 01/28/08, 05:10 PM
Report Offensive Commentoooo, good choice
ROYALw/CHEESE* BS CB MS 2179 | 01/28/08, 05:17 PM
Report Offensive CommentHad they won that NFC Title game, I think they would of made a games outta the Super Bowl that year.
ROYALw/CHEESE* BS CB MS 2179 | 01/28/08, 05:18 PM
Report Offensive Comment2006 New England Ppatriots!
Broken Record | 01/28/08, 05:46 PM
Report Offensive CommentGood luck TFo!
rstowe - The NMI Emperor | 01/29/08, 06:50 AM
Report Offensive CommentI just thought of something. This is my first tourney championship....and it is against one of my biggest nemesis (nemesi whatever).
rstowe - The NMI Emperor | 01/29/08, 07:58 AM
Report Offensive Comment1998 Vikings has to be #1. However, the 2001 Rams aren't far behind. Nobody gave the Pats a shot during that Super Bowl.
TradeAngelos | 01/29/08, 09:39 AM
Report Offensive CommentSorry for the delay, I'm blocked at work now...
If I ever say that- I'm SCREW ED here.
NCshvDavid Throwndowns: 1000 | 01/31/08, 07:32 AM
Report Offensive CommentNew Blood for the Tourney Championship!
NCshvDavid Throwndowns: 1000 | 01/31/08, 07:33 AM
Report Offensive CommentGood TD TFo-
rstowe - The NMI Emperor | 01/31/08, 07:39 AM
Report Offensive CommentI'm wearing face black to work tomorrow in honor of John Randle.
Porkins | 01/31/08, 07:41 AM
Report Offensive CommentThis is really tough. Good teams on both sides. But the Vikes were 3 points away from an undefeated regular season and were by far the most dominant offense that year. By the slimmest of margins I have to go left...
Porkins | 01/31/08, 08:13 AM
Report Offensive CommentRstowe... the term for plural "nemesis" is "nemeses"...
Bigalke | 01/31/08, 09:45 AM
Report Offensive CommentGood debate, both of you... in the end, the Vikings (even as a Packer fan sickened to say so) were the better non-SB team...
Bigalke | 01/31/08, 09:46 AM
Report Offensive CommentThanks biga. I didn't bother looking it up. Figured it wouldn't be nemesisisisies.
rstowe - The NMI Emperor | 01/31/08, 09:57 AM
Report Offensive CommentIt's sad that nobody is voting on this.
rstowe - The NMI Emperor | 01/31/08, 11:31 AM
Report Offensive CommentYeah gotta go with them Vikings. I hate them so much.
FaVre <3's Mr. Rodgers | 01/31/08, 01:55 PM
Report Offensive CommentCongrats TFo. Wish more people voted though.
rstowe - The NMI Emperor | 02/01/08, 09:21 AM
Report Offensive Commentyeah, I agree. good job rich
T-Fo's Las Vegas-style Show | 02/01/08, 11:35 PM
Report Offensive CommentAdd a comment
Remember to keep it clean. Bad words will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed. More Guidelines