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For no matter motive, some Tremendous Bowl champions are remembered greater than others. Groups just like the ’66 Packers, ’78 Steelers, ’72 Dolphins, ’85 Bears, and ’99 Rams proceed to be celebrated and chronicled by followers and media members alike. Heck, even the 2007 Patriots, who didn’t convey house the Vince Lombardi Trophy, proceed to earn point out among the many NFL‘s all-time nice groups.
Conversely, there have been various groups that haven’t obtained sufficient fanfare. Whether or not it was their perceived lack of character, star energy or on-field dramatics, these groups are seldom talked about among the many best groups of all time. With that in thoughts, we determined to present a few of the Tremendous Bowl‘s less-heralded championship groups some fanfare whereas rating the six most neglected Tremendous Bowl champions.
- Remaining report: 14-3
- Roster included eight Corridor of Fame gamers
- Defeated the earlier two AFL champions and the reigning NFL champion within the postseason
The ’68 Jets dwell in infamy as the primary AFL staff to defeat the NFL within the Tremendous Bowl. However the Chiefs’ 23-7 victory over the mighty Vikings in Tremendous Bowl IV (the ultimate sport earlier than the 2 leagues merged) was equally spectacular. After dethroning Broadway Joe and the remainder of the Jets within the playoffs, the Chiefs edged John Madden’s Raiders to seize their second AFL title in 4 years. In opposition to the NFL champion Vikings, Kansas Metropolis compelled 5 turnovers whereas holding Minnesota to simply 239 yards. Mike Garrett and Frank Pitts led a Chiefs dashing assault that churned out 151 yards on a muddy monitor, whereas Len Dawson’s 46-yard landing move to Otis Taylor put the Chiefs’ first Tremendous Bowl win on ice.
Along with proprietor Lamar Hunt and coach Hank Stram, the ’69 Chiefs boasted eight different Corridor of Famers in Dawson, linebackers Willie Lanier and Bobby Bell, defensive tackles Buck Buchanan and Curley Culp, cornerback Emmitt Thomas, security Johnny Robinson and kicker Jan Stenerud. Kansas Metropolis’s star-studded protection allowed simply 19 factors in three playoff video games after permitting a mean of lower than 13 factors per sport through the common season.
5. 1982 Washington Soccer Crew
- Remaining report: 12-1
- Outscored their 4 playoff opponents 110-48
- Featured HOF RB John Riggins and league MVP Mark Moseley
Washington overcame a 57-day gamers’ strike to convey house the franchise’s first Tremendous Bowl win. The Soccer Crew received their closing eight video games that included 4 wins within the NFL’s expanded 16-team playoff. After rolling previous the Lions and Vikings within the first two rounds, Washington defeated the rival Cowboys (the one staff that defeated them through the common season) within the NFC Championship Recreation. After struggling to shake freed from the Dolphins through the first three quarters of Tremendous Bowl XVII, Riggins’ 42-yard landing run on a key fourth-and-1 play allowed Washington to drag away for a 27-17 victory. Riggins rushed for a then-Tremendous Bowl report 166 yards, whereas Washington’s protection didn’t enable a move completion through the second half.
Together with Riggins (who amazingly ran for extra yards within the playoffs than within the common season), Washington’s ’82 staff was led by quarterback Joe Theismann and Moseley, the primary and solely kicker to win league MVP. The roster additionally featured “The Hogs” offensive line, led by Russ Grimm, Joe Jacoby, Jeff Bostic, Mark Might and George Starke. Corridor of Fame receiver Artwork Monk headlined a formidable receiving corps that additionally included Charlie Brown and Joe Washington, one of the versatile working backs of his period. Washington’s protection was anchored by defensive linemen Dexter Manley and Dave Butz together with defensive backs Tony Peters and Mark Murphy.
Why are they neglected? The abbreviated season doubtless took a few of the shine off of Washington’s first championship. Together with the truth that simply three of Washington’s 22 starters have been named to the Professional Bowl.
- Remaining report: 14-3
- Featured 9 Corridor of Famers
- Allowed the Dolphins to attain simply three factors in Tremendous Bowl VI
Whereas the ’92 Cowboys may need one thing to say about it, the franchise’s first championship staff nonetheless is perhaps its finest. They went an ideal 10-0 with Roger Staubach as their starter, as Dallas received their closing 10 video games that included a 24-3 win over the Dolphins in Tremendous Bowl VI. Staubach capped off his first 12 months because the Cowboys’ beginning quarterback with an MVP efficiency in opposition to a Dolphins staff that will win the following two Tremendous Bowls. Staubach threw landing passes to fellow Corridor of Famers Mike Ditka and Lance Alworth, whereas working backs Duane Thomas and Walt Garrison mixed to run for 169 yards. Tremendous Bowl V MVP Chuck Howley’s interception arrange the Cowboys’ closing rating, whereas Corridor of Fame defensive sort out Bob Lilly sacked Bob Griese for a Tremendous Bowl report 29-yard loss earlier within the sport.
Dallas’ ’71 roster was loaded with expertise. Together with Staubach, Ditka and Alworth, the Cowboys offense featured a number of different Corridor of Famers in receiver “Bullet” Bob Hayes and lineman Rayfield Wright. The Cowboys protection, appropriately nicknamed “Doomsday,” featured Corridor of Famers Lilly, cornerbacks Herb Adderley and Mel Renfro, and security Cliff Harris.
Why are they neglected? The ’71 Cowboys are considerably overshadowed by their ’77 championship staff that featured Corridor Famers Drew Pearson, Tony Dorsett, and Randy White. That staff additionally featured Ed “Too Tall” Jones and a colourful linebacker named Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson. The ’71 Cowboys’ sluggish begin (they went 1-3 with Craig Morton as their beginning quarterback) has contributed to them typically being unnoticed of the dialogue as one of many Tremendous Bowl’s best champions.
- Remaining report: 17-2
- Featured league MVP and HOF RB Terrell Davis and HOF QB John Elway
- Outscored their three playoff opponents 95-32
Denver received its second consecutive Tremendous Bowl with little resistance. After a 13-0 begin (that included 4 wins with out an injured Elway), Denver misplaced two video games late within the ’98 season earlier than rebounding with a Week 17 win over Seattle. In that sport, Davis turned the fourth participant in league historical past to hurry for greater than 2,000 yards in a season. Within the playoffs, Denver dismantled the Dolphins (who had given them their second lack of the season) 38-3 behind Davis’ 199 dashing yards and two touchdowns. After defeating the Jets within the AFC Championship Recreation, the Broncos dominated the Falcons in Tremendous Bowl XXXIII on the energy of Elway’s 336 passing yards and a protection that compelled 4 turnovers and allowed a single landing in rubbish time.
Together with Elway and Davis, the Broncos offense showcased Corridor of Fame tight finish Shannon Sharpe, 1,000-yard receivers Rod Smith and Ed McCaffrey, and three Professional Bowl linemen in Tony Jones, Mark Schlereth and Tom Nalen. Denver’s protection featured Corridor of Fame security Steve Atwater, Professional Bowl linebacker Invoice Romanowski and perennial Professional Bowl move rusher Neil Smith. The unit allowed a mere two touchdowns in three playoff video games.
Why are they neglected? There wasn’t a lot drama related to the Broncos’ title protection. To no fault of their very own, the Broncos did not get the possibility to face the Vikings, the staff many thought of to be Denver’s solely worthy challenger. Minnesota, nonetheless, didn’t fulfill its finish of the discount following a 15-1 season, as Dennis Inexperienced’s Vikings have been upset by the Falcons within the NFC Championship Recreation. The Broncos’ second championship run could be higher remembered had it ended with a win over Randy Moss and relaxation the Vikings.
2. 1984 49ers
- Remaining report: 18-1
- Boasted the league’s top-ranked offense and second-ranked protection
- Defeated their three playoff opponents by a mixed rating of 82-26
A 12 months earlier than the Bears went 18-1, the 49ers turned the primary staff to win 18 video games in a season. The 49ers have been really a controversial pass-interference name away from changing into the NFL’s first 19-0 staff. Led by quarterback Joe Montana and his mastery of Invoice Walsh’s revolutionary West Coast offense, the 49ers scored at the very least 30 factors 10 occasions through the common season. San Francisco’s equally dominant protection allowed the fewest factors within the NFL through the common season. The 49ers protection featured 5 Professional Bowlers in linebacker Keena Turner and defensive backs Ronnie Lott, Eric Wright, Carlton Williamson and Dwight Hicks. The unit additionally included Corridor of Fame move rusher Fred Dean and veteran linebacker Jack “Hacksaw” Reynolds.
Within the playoffs, the 49ers defeated the Giants and Bears — the following two Tremendous Bowl champions — by a mixed rating of 44-10. They noticed the Dolphins an early 10-7 lead in Tremendous Bowl XIX earlier than scoring 28 of the sport’s closing 34 factors. Montana set then-Tremendous Bowl information for passing yards (333) and dashing yards (59) by a quarterback, whereas working backs Roger Craig and Wendell Tyler mixed to realize 270 all-purpose yards with Craig changing into the primary participant to attain three Tremendous Bowl touchdowns. The 49ers protection shut out Miami’s record-setting offense within the second half whereas sacking Dan Marino 4 occasions and intercepting him twice.
Why are they neglected? The early ’80s 49ers have been just like the early 2000s Patriots in that they did not have the most important names and thus didn’t generate many nationwide headlines. The ’84 49ers are additionally a sufferer of the franchise’s success, as they’re typically misplaced within the shuffle of the 49ers’ 4 different championship groups.
- Remaining File: 16-1
- Defeated the defending two-time champion Steelers in AFC title sport
- Rushed for a then-record 266 yards in Tremendous Bowl XI
After years of heartbreak, John Madden’s Raiders wouldn’t be denied in 1976. After stubbing their toe in opposition to the Patriots in Week 4, the Raiders would win their closing 13 video games. Within the playoffs, Oakland edged New England within the divisional spherical earlier than ousting the rival Steelers within the AFC Championship Recreation. Taking part in of their first Tremendous Bowl, the Raiders outclassed the Vikings, 32-14. The Raiders’ highly effective offensive line overwhelmed Minnesota’s famed “Purple Folks Eaters” protection, whereas Oakland’s protection compelled three turnovers that included Willie Brown’s 75-yard choose six that put the sport on ice.
Oakland’s high-scoring offense showcased 5 Corridor of Fame gamers in quarterback Ken Stabler, receiver Fred Biletnikoff, tight finish Dave Casper and linemen Artwork Shell and Gene Upshaw. The Raiders offense additionally featured receiver Cliff Department, one of many league’s best gamers who continues to be not in Canton, Ohio. The Raiders’ intimidating protection was led by Corridor of Fame linebacker Ted Hendricks, defensive finish John Matuszak, linebacker Phil Villapiano, and a nasty secondary that was anchored by Brown, Jack “The Murderer” Tatum, Skip “Dr. Dying” Thomas and George Atkinson.
Why are they neglected? The ’70s Raiders have been beloved by their followers however loathed by the remainder of the NFL. The ’76 staff led the league in penalties. Their controversial playoff wins over New England (aided by Sugar Bear Hamilton’s shaky roughing the passer penalty) and Pittsburgh (the Steelers performed with out 1,000-yard rushers Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier) may be why the ’76 Raiders do not get extra love.
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