NFL what ifs

[Dave]

What if the KC Chiefs upset the Packers in SuperBowl I?

What if the AFL folded?

What if the Denver Broncos decided not to kick the ball to the most dangerous return man in the history of football in 2003 at Arrowhead?

[Xen]

What if the Indianapolis Colts owner got his wish and traded Art Modell franchises in 1995 keeping the Browns in Cleveland and allowing Modell to take the Colts to Baltimore, where they belong?

What if the Seahawks didnt move back to Seattle after days of being Los Angeles?

What if Los Angeles built a brand new football only stadium for the Raiders in 1994?

What if the Jets stayed in Shea Stadium?

[Amerigo Vespucci]

No, Xen, no. The Colts stay.

[Xen]

No, Xen, no. The Colts stay.


*LOL* sorry but the Colts should never have left Baltimore, they had good fans there, even when they were waning in the early 80s it was more than alot of teams (like the Buccaneers and Cardinals) had. The owner got greedy and skipped town in the middle of the night for a new stadium.

Thats why I hate it when people say Modell was greedy, at least he had the decency to let Clevelanders know they were losing their team. People in Baltimore went to bed with a football team and woke up without one. They were then promised the next expansion team if one doesnt relocate there first. 10 years later several teams threaten to move there but dont, and the NFL expands to Charlotte and Jacksonville, both places are now struggling NFL cities (well Charlotte rebounded this year).

Another intresting what ifs,

What if after 1995 the Colts team got to stay in Indianapolis, but the name Colts and the history up to 1983 had to go back to Baltimore, or at least the teams history? You still have your NFL franchise and Baltimore has its football history back. (Who thinks of Johnny Unitis and thinks of Indianapolis anyway?)

or

The Bills owner sells the team to an Indianapolis business man (or just flat out moves the team) to Indianapolis in 1982 (this nearly happened, the owner looked at the Hooser dome with intrest)

Another one yet, What if the NFL allowed the Eagles to move to Phoenix in 1984/85? Would the Cardinals stay in St Louis? Would Phoenix have more intrest in football? Who would move to Philadelphia?

[JoeDonut]

Hi im new to the board, its my first post, What if the Cleveland Browns had won one or more of the AFC Championship games the they lost to the Broncos in the 1986,87, and 89 seasons. Without making the Drive and 3 early career Super Bowl apperences does John Elway become as highly touted as he is? Does a Super Bowl apperence or three add enough success to the franchise so that Art Modell gets the stadium he wanted?

[PM Nixon]

Have you guys seen the Playoff commercials about NFL what ifs? Like, what if San Fran lost to Dallas in 1982, and the Bengals win the SB that year? It is complete with a #87 Jerry Rice jersey when he played with Cincy in this ATL.

Anyway, what about these PODs?

Dallas defeats Pittsburgh in SB X or SB XIII?

Cincy holds on against the 49ers and prevent one of Joe Montana's comebacks?

Raiders win in the snow in New England?

Titans tie up Super Bowl Thirty Four against the Rams?

San Fran defeats New York in the 1990 NFC Championship, and faces the Bills?

[wakie]

1) KC upsets Green Bay in Super Bowl I --- The AFL is accepted as a viable league sooner. The Lombardi trophy acquires a different name.

2) AFL folds --- The NFL is a smaller, less popular league in the long run. Football in general is less popular.

3) Don Shula puts in Unitas earlier in Super Bowl III --- The Colts go on to beat the Jets. This is a final nail in the coffin of the AFL. The Colts refuse to move over to the substandard AFL and the league collapses. Some of the teams are folded into the NFL, but in the long run the NFL is a much smaller, less popular league. Football in general is less popular.

4) Franco Harris never makes the immaculate reception and Oakland beats Pittsburgh in '72 --- The Raiders go on to lose in the AFC championship to the undefeated Miami Dolphins. Years of Madden whining is prevented.

5) Pittsburgh drafts Dan Marino in 1984 --- Instead of passing on Marino as they did, the Steelers pick up the hometown star. He leads Pittsburgh, instead of Miami, to the Super Bowl XIX (which the lose to San Francisco). Don Shula retires sooner. Marino doesn't set nearly as many passing records in the "run-first" Chuck Knoll offense. Marino leads the Steelers to 3 more Super Bowls late in his career. XXIX in which they lose again to San Francisco. XXX in which they defeat Dallas. XXXII in which they defeat Green Bay.

6) San Francisco beats the NY Giants in the 1990 NFC Championship game --- The Bills beat the 49ers. Bill Parcells is not regarded as nearly as great of a coach.

7) Buffalo beats Tennessee, preventing a Music City Miracle --- Jacksonville eventually wins the AFC to face St Louis in the Super Bowl. The Rams still win.

8) Tom Brady's infamous "tuck" is ruled a fumble and Oakland beats New England 2 years ago --- The Raiders go on to lose to the Steelers in the AFC championship. The Steelers beat the Rams in the Super Bowl based on the logic that great defense beats great offense.

[HelloLegend]

What if about two years later, I posted a sports what if regarding baseball instead of football, and many got mad because the POD was Sept 11th, 2001?

[Max Sinister]

@HelloLegend, are you bumping all the old threads now?

[HelloLegend]

I am causing a butterfly effect on the new community I have just joined.
I posted a question in your famous mongol thread... regarding how Mongols might have affected Manchurian politics
I respectfully request an answer when you have the time.

[Max Sinister]

Since I had the new post for the Chaos TL ready today, I answered your question too... it's in the thread, just look it up.

[Tom Veil]

If the Indy Colts move to Baltimore what team will wear purple and field a starting lineup entirely of convicted felons? Well, I guess we'd still have the Bengals...

[Xen]

If the Indy Colts move to Baltimore what team will wear purple and field a starting lineup entirely of convicted felons? Well, I guess we'd still have the Bengals...


Ever hear of a team called the Cowboys? The star on the side of their helmet doesnt mean lone star state, it stands for the Dallas Police Department.

Besides if the Colts left Indy to go back to Baltimore (where the name, colors and pre 1984 history belong) then the expansion club that became the new Browns would probably be located in LA.

[The Abyss]

WI the saints did go to LA during Hurrican Katrina?

[Shope]

If the Bills had won the AFL champoinship that year (they lost 31-7), they'd've faced the Packers in SBI. The Bills stacked-up much better against the Packers: KC was the AFL's best offensive team (about 90 more points scored than Buffalo), but Buffalo's defense was head and shoulders above KC's.

Superbowl I: When Jack Kemp gets injured in the first quarter, his backup, Darryl Lamonica, comes in to lead the Bills to victory with his fourth-quarter bomb to Elbert Dubenion.

[Rmered]

What if Scott Norwood kicked the FG in the XXV Super Bowl?

Is Bill Parcells still regarded as a genius coach?
Would he be coaching in Dallas today?
Does the confidence push Buffalo on to win further SB's?
Is Jim Kelly regarded as one of the great QB's?

[Weapon M]

What if Barry Sanders didn't quit early?

[Shope]

What if Scott Norwood kicked the FG in the XXV Super Bowl?

Is Bill Parcells still regarded as a genius coach?
Would he be coaching in Dallas today?
Does the confidence push Buffalo on to win further SB's?
Is Jim Kelly regarded as one of the great QB's?

Norwood makes that kick and the Bills don't see another Superbowl. I think Kelly is actually better off being 0-4 in the SB than he would be 1-0. Afterall, I notice that you didn't mention Jeff Hostetler--the winning QB of that game.

Parcells would still be regarded as a genius just for keeping the Giants in that game--everyone saw the Bills as being the better team.

He might still be in NY--because he doesn't get as full of himself

Buffalo kept going to those Superbowls because they didn't win them. One win would've sated Ralph Wilson's lust and he wouldn't've paid--of course, it would've made the Bills more competitive today, since they wouldn't've gotten in salary cap trouble from paying all those Superbowl players. Plus, if the Bills had won one of them, Wilson mightn't've fired Bill Pollian . . . What kind of team would the Colts be today in that case?

[Amerigo Vespucci]

What kind of team would the Colts be today in that case?

Ryan Leaf. blargh

[edvader]

err-people.The pre1984 history with memorabilia of Baltimore Colts was returned to Baltimore.Also Paul Tagliabooboo-intentional did everything to keep Baltimore from getting a team.Alright-WI the name and colors returns to Baltimore and the team stays in Indianapolis?What about the name?Name them after Irsay-The Fighting Boozehounds! I don't think the AFL would fall apart after SuperBowl 3 and Colt's victory as the merger was done before that!

[edvader]

Forgot-the Colts played the Packers in 1965 at GreenBay when Don Chandler kicked a "field goal" that many people swear was wide.WI the Colts with Tom Matte won the game and went to the Championship game.Where goes the NFL hence?BTW I think the game for the championship was with the Cowboys.

[Xen]

err-people.The pre1984 history with memorabilia of Baltimore Colts was returned to Baltimore.Also Paul Tagliabooboo-intentional did everything to keep Baltimore from getting a team.Alright-WI the name and colors returns to Baltimore and the team stays in Indianapolis?What about the name?Name them after Irsay-The Fighting Boozehounds! I don't think the AFL would fall apart after SuperBowl 3 and Colt's victory as the merger was done before that!

When did that happen? According to the Ravens history, the franchise began in 1996, so the pre-1984 history is still in Indy. Which means Johnny Unitas is considered a Colt not a Raven, though he would have disputed that, after the move he hated the Colts for the way they did Baltimore. Its one thing to move a beloved franchise, like Art Moddell did with the Browns, but to do so in middle of the night, and not give the city or its fans any warning, thats lower than low. Irsay is possibly the worst human being to own a sports franchise in American history, if not the worst, hes certainly in that company.

I thought about what you suggested to. What if after 1995, when the former Browns leaves Cleveland for Baltimore, a deal is worked out between Irsay and Modell, that allows the name, colors and pre-1984 history of the Colts to go with him to Baltimore, while the history of the Colts from 1984 forward stays with Indianapolis, and they create a new name, perhaps something like the Renegades or something really cheezy like the Bulldogs or Americans.

[Torqumada]

What if I cared about professional sports? Nahhh that is just too out there, in ASB land. ;)

Torqumada

[Weapon M]

What if the XFL, with its fine-ass cheerleaders, survived long enough to merge its eight teams or so with the NFL?

[edvader]

OK-Xen:what happened about the history, etc pre 1984 was that the city got back the memorabilia from the pre Indy era only!The marching band the Irsays couldn't take as I believe it was volunteers and not officially connected to the team.When the Ravens started a few years later the team was disbanded and changed to marching Ravens.

[edvader]

You forgot about the owner of the Arizona Cardinals.That team has not had a winning season in at least 10 or more years.They are building an inclosed stadium for the losers to play with luxury boxes for the suckers-er fans!

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Irsay is possibly the worst human being to own a sports franchise in American history, if not the worst, hes certainly in that company.


I like him. :P

[Unknown]

1. Houston beats Buffalo instead of blowing a 32-point lead in 1993--Houston beats Pittsburgh, but lose to Miami in the title game (and still moves as per OTL). Miami, in turn, loses to Dallas in the Super Bowl, though with Marino it's not a blowout.

2. The Dolphins don't have as many turnovers against the Patriots in the 1986 AFC championship game--The Dolphins beat the Patriots (the Dolphins were the only team to beat the Bears in the 1985 season), but lose as Chicago takes its revenge for losing to Miami (IMO, no one could beat Chicago that year in the Super Bowl).

3. The Pittsburgh Steelers don't release Johnny Unitas before the 1955 season--Like Dan Marino, Unitas was from Pittsburgh, but played for another team. The Steelers probably win a couple of NFL championships and still win the Super Bowls in the 1970s. Baltimore fans aren't as angry about the Colts leaving as they were OTL.

4. Denver beats Jacksonville in the AFC divisional playoff in 1996--Denver advances to the AFC title game and beats New England. However, they lose Super Bowl XXXI to the Green Bay Packers (the Packers were the better team, IMO) in one of the better Super Bowl contests. They get their revenge the next year when they beat the Packers.

5. Minnesota kicker Gary Anderson doesn't miss a field goal in the NFC title game in 1998--The Vikings win the NFC title game and go on to face Denver. It is a high scoring game (both teams have good offense) and the Vikings finally win their first Super Bowl.

[The Abyss]

heres a big one:

NO FOOTBALL! *shudders*

[Chris Oakley]

Try this on for size...

The final seconds of Super Bowl 36. The Patriots line up for a field goal attempt against the Rams, and the Rams line up to block it. The ball is snapped to New England center Damien Woody, and it looks like your typical field goal attempt-- until Woody suddenly springs to his feet and lobs a short pass to tight end Jermaine Wiggins, who darts into the St. Louis end zone for a TD that gives New England a 24-17 victory and makes Woody the unlikely MVP of the game.

[HelloLegend]

Then HelloLegend would be da bandwagon.

[HelloLegend]

heres a big one:

NO FOOTBALL! *shudders*

FALL 1987... The scabs are coming! The scabs are coming... Paul Revere rides on.

[AltSptHst]

If the Bills had won the AFL champoinship that year (they lost 31-7), they'd've faced the Packers in SBI. The Bills stacked-up much better against the Packers: KC was the AFL's best offensive team (about 90 more points scored than Buffalo), but Buffalo's defense was head and shoulders above KC's.

Superbowl I: When Jack Kemp gets injured in the first quarter, his backup, Darryl Lamonica, comes in to lead the Bills to victory with his fourth-quarter bomb to Elbert Dubenion.

If that would have happened, Lamonica doesn't get traded to the Faders the next year, and maybe the Willie Brown trade gets butterflied away that year as well. Then, Willie goes into the HOF as a Bronco, if he goes in at all(since the HOF voters are so anti-Denver).

Here are some more:

1. Houston beats Buffalo instead of blowing a 32-point lead in 1993--Houston beats Pittsburgh, but lose to Miami in the title game (and still moves as per OTL). Miami, in turn, loses to Dallas in the Super Bowl, though with Marino it's not a blowout.

I think that Houston would have went all the way if they didn't lose to Buffalo. They could have beat Dallas that year. Then, the Oilers go back the next year, and Dallas beats them this time. However, the Oilers end up staying in Houston, they don't break up the team, and Moon retires as an Oiler.

2. The Dolphins don't have as many turnovers against the Patriots in the 1986 AFC championship game--The Dolphins beat the Patriots (the Dolphins were the only team to beat the Bears in the 1985 season), but lose as Chicago takes its revenge for losing to Miami (IMO, no one could beat Chicago that year in the Super Bowl).

That loss by Miami wasn't an upset. The Fins deficiencies(running game, defense) caught up with them that day.

3. The Pittsburgh Steelers don't release Johnny Unitas before the 1955 season--Like Dan Marino, Unitas was from Pittsburgh, but played for another team. The Steelers probably win a couple of NFL championships and still win the Super Bowls in the 1970s. Baltimore fans aren't as angry about the Colts leaving as they were OTL.

I agree about the Steelers possibly winning championships in the 50's, but I don't know if they would have had the dynasty that they had in the 70's. It depends on if they still get Chuck Noll in that alternate reality. Noll made it happen. No Noll, no 4 SB's in the 70's, no Terrible Towel, no "Here We Go".

4. Denver beats Jacksonville in the AFC divisional playoff in 1996--Denver advances to the AFC title game and beats New England. However, they lose Super Bowl XXXI to the Green Bay Packers (the Packers were the better team, IMO) in one of the better Super Bowl contests. They get their revenge the next year when they beat the Packers.

If we would have lost to the Pack in 96, I think it would have been a close loss. Then, Elway and the Broncos come back with resolve, and beat the Pack in SD in 97.

5. Minnesota kicker Gary Anderson doesn't miss a field goal in the NFC title game in 1998--The Vikings win the NFC title game and go on to face Denver. It is a high scoring game (both teams have good offense) and the Vikings finally win their first Super Bowl.

This is a continuation of the previous question. If Minny wins and goes to the SB in 98, the Broncos win because they would have pounded the rock against an average Minnesota D. TD wins his second straight MVP, and, because Elway lost two years previous, he comes back in 99, and the Broncos win again over the Rams. He then retires, and gets inducted into the Hall in 05 with Marino, Steve Young, and Barry Sanders. It is considered the best HOF class of all-time. Meanwhile, it butterflies away TD's 99 injury, he goes on to play until 04 or 05, amasses 12,000 career yards, and is a HOF lock in 09 or 10.

[Dave]

You cannot simply butterfly away TDs injuries. His body just couldn't take it. He was an average back with a great line. You put Barry Sanders behind that line and he would have averaged 75 yards a carry. That's right. I said "carry".

[Kevin Renner]

What if the KC Chiefs upset the Packers in SuperBowl I?

Read my post in the other thread.

[AltSptHst]

You cannot simply butterfly away TDs injuries. His body just couldn't take it. He was an average back with a great line. You put Barry Sanders behind that line and he would have averaged 75 yards a carry. That's right. I said "carry".

I agree, although he wasn't just an average back. I considered him, like Emmitt Smith, to be a good back that benefitted from a great line, or a step down from the Bo Jacksons and Paytons and Sanders of the world. I also agree about Sanders. He would have been dynamite on our team.

But, I don't agree that Davis gets hurt when he did. That was a freak injury against the Jets. With Elway still there, Davis has another 1,500 yard season in 99. Then, in 00, after Elway retires, Terrell gets hurt but it isn't as serious. Shanny notices the tread is starting to get thin, so he drafts Deuce McAlister or LaMont Jordan in the first round of the 01 Draft to help TD. Then, he is allowed to recover faster, play more games, get over 11,000 career yards, retire by 03 or 04, and be a HOFer for sure.

[Chromosome 19]

-The Chiefs don't fire Marv Levy following the 1982 season and they draft Jim Kelly instead of Todd Blackledge

-Derrick Thomas sacks Dave Krieg for his eigth sack of the game on the last play of the game against Seattle.

-The Browns win the 1986, 1987 and 1989 AFC Championship games

-The 49ers win the 1970 and 1971 NFC Championship games.

-Dallas Cowboys don't pass on drafting Randy Moss

-Arizona and Indianapolis get expansion teams

[AltSptHst]

-The Chiefs don't fire Marv Levy following the 1982 season and they draft Jim Kelly instead of Todd Blackledge.

Or, after having him in for a pre-draft workout, they are impressed with Dan Marino's competitive fire instead of being turned off by the way he berates receivers(that actually happened). They know they can get him later because of the drug rumors. Buffalo wants Kelly, and the Chiefs make a deal. They trade their pick in the top-10 for Buffalo's first rounders(picks 12 and 13 in the 83 Draft). KC takes Marino and TE Tony Hunter. Dan ends up leading KC to 2 SB appearances in the mid-late 80's, and him and Elway have a great rivalry in the AFC West. The two duels a year between the two become legendary.

-The Browns win the 1986, 1987 and 1989 AFC Championship games

Yeah, right. No way that would have happened. They shouldn't have even been in the playoffs in 89. The Browns should have went 6-10 that year. They might have had a better chance going in 80, if it wasn't for Red Right 88, or 1985, when they blew a 21-3 lead in Miami. If they hold that lead, they would have had the Patriots in Cleveland for the Championship the next week, and could have won. They would have been destroyed by Chicago, however.

-The 49ers win the 1970 and 1971 NFC Championship games.

The Niners beat the Colts in 70. Then, they beat Miami in 71 because the Fins didn't have the proper focus on the game, and it was their first time. After that, who knows what would have happened. Brodie was getting older, and Steve Spurrier wasn't the man to replace him at QB. You have to believe 2 SB wins would have changed the vibe on that team, however, and they might not have hit rock bottom by 78 and 79.

-Dallas Cowboys don't pass on drafting Randy Moss

They go to the SB in 98, and lose to Denver. Maybe, somehow, he butterflies away Aikman's retirement in 00 because of concussions, Irvin's career-ending injury in 99, and Emmitt's signing with Arizona.

-Arizona and Indianapolis get expansion teams

When?

[Chromosome 19]

I agree on most of your points about the Browns, except 86 and 87. Take away Byner's goal line fumble and Elways "Drive"(where he converted two fourth downs) and things look a little different (still get handled by the Giants and Redskins)

I think if the NFL had expanded right after the Raiders left for LA (which really wasn't that bad of a move) a lot of other movements don't happen. Place expansion in Phoenix and Indianapolis and that hamstrings the Cardinals and Colts (both needed new stadiums, but hijacking fans isn't ideal)

[AltSptHst]

I agree on most of your points about the Browns, except 86 and 87. Take away Byner's goal line fumble and Elways "Drive"(where he converted two fourth downs) and things look a little different (still get handled by the Giants and Redskins)

Well, they probably should have won in 86 at home, and I think they would have had a good chance against that overrated Giant team. But, even if Byner ties the game in 87 in Denver, Elway had about a minute to take his team down for a game winning FG.

By the way, here is another thought: What if Mark Gastineau doesn't get that roughing the passer call late in the fourth quarter in the 86 AFC Playoffs with the Jets up by 10? They are in Denver the next week.

I think if the NFL had expanded right after the Raiders left for LA (which really wasn't that bad of a move) a lot of other movements don't happen. Place expansion in Phoenix and Indianapolis and that hamstrings the Cardinals and Colts (both needed new stadiums, but hijacking fans isn't ideal)

That would have been interesting. If they would have done that around 83-84, I know who the Phoenix owner would have been. It would have been Bart Starr. He had an ownership group in place for a Phoenix expansion team. They were going to call the team the Firebirds. I think that they filed a lawsuit against the Cards when they moved there four years later. As for Indy, I don't know who their owner would have been, or what they would have named their team. Maybe Racers would have been a good choice.

[pacific_knight]

1. Greg Cook doesn't get hurt during his spectacular rookie season and plays fourteen years for the Bengals.

2. Joe Roth doesn't die of malignant melanoma before the 1977 season and plays 12 years in the NFL.

[Orville_third]

WI Brian Piccolo decides to go into baseball instead of football? (He was under consideration by the MLB...)

[AltSptHst]

2. Joe Roth doesn't die of malignant melanoma before the 1977 season and plays 12 years in the NFL.

I did a "what if" scenario with him on a site called Pigskinfever.com. I was on a website called www.joeroth12.com (http://www.joeroth12.com), and they had quotes from NFL executives on the site about Roth. The Seattle GM, John Thompson(the team who traded their #1 pick to Dallas that year so they could get Dorsett) said that, if Roth was in the Draft, he would have gotten more and more substatial overtures for that pick.

I looked at the draft that year, and I saw that Cincinnati had two picks in the first 10 selections. I said that Paul Brown would have seen the second coming of Greg Cook in this guy, and it would be a chance to regain what he lost when Cook ruined his rotator cuff. So, I had the Bengals trading both of those #1's and a 77 #2 to the Seahawks for the right to take Roth:

http://www.pigskin-fever.com/showthread.php?t=4950

Here are some other "What if" possibilities:
1. What if the Chargers decided to take a flier on Randy Moss in 98 after realizing that Mr. Ryan "crybaby" Leaf is too immature to take at that spot?
2. What if the Patriots didn't get cheated by the officials in the 76 AFC Divisional Playoff?
3. What if the Buffalo Bills would have taken Jerry Rice with their second #1 pick in 1985? They made the right choice taking Bruce Smith #1 overall, but they could have had Jerry twice.
4. What if all the NFL teams would have listened to Mel Kiper in 1990 about Jeff George when he had him graded out of the first round? Kiper had him as the fourth or fifth-best QB in that draft.

[Chris Oakley]

WI Brian Piccolo decides to go into baseball instead of football? (He was under consideration by the MLB...)

For starters, the script for "Brian's Song" would have needed a major rewrite. :D

[Dilvish]

You cannot simply butterfly away TDs injuries. His body just couldn't take it. He was an average back with a great line. You put Barry Sanders behind that line and he would have averaged 75 yards a carry. That's right. I said "carry".

Ah, Barry Sanders. I was at Oklahoma State at the same time as Barry. His retirement was the first time I really realized I was getting older.
There we were in 1987, with Barry Sanders as Thurman Thomas's backup. <sniff, sniff> 1988 was a great year for OSU. If it wasn't for that one horrible 1st quarter against Nebraska, and the OU game's infamous personal foul, and the missed pass after that, OSU could have played for the championship.

Sigh, I'm fantasizing again about having Thurman Thomas and Barry Sanders as twin backs. :)

dilvish

[AltSptHst]

Ah, Barry Sanders. I was at Oklahoma State at the same time as Barry. His retirement was the first time I really realized I was getting older.
There we were in 1987, with Barry Sanders as Thurman Thomas's backup. <sniff, sniff> 1988 was a great year for OSU. If it wasn't for that one horrible 1st quarter against Nebraska, and the OU game's infamous personal foul, and the missed pass after that, OSU could have played for the championship.

Sigh, I'm fantasizing again about having Thurman Thomas and Barry Sanders as twin backs. :)

dilvish

And, if it wasn't for Barry Switzer and his lies, Troy Aikman would have been the Cowboy starting QB instead of going to OU and eventually UCLA. I heard that Troy was all set to go to OSU, then Switzer lied to him and said that they would run more pro-style plays and less option. That was a total lie, and Aikman ended up getting hurt and transferring to UCLA.

[AltSptHst]

Here is another one: What if Jack Tatum would have went for the INT instead of the big hit in the Immaculate Reception game in 1972?

[Some Guy From Mars]

2. What if the Patriots didn't get cheated by the officials in the 76 AFC Divisional Playoff?Interesting thought. The Pats were up 21 - 10 heading into the fourth quarter. A terrible "roughing the passer" call against Ray Hamilton on Oakland quarterback Ken Stabler on a third down incomplete pass placed the ball deep in New England territory. This set up the Raiders game winning touchdown.

So lets butterfly away the roughing the passer penalty. On 4th and 10 Stabler faces a heavy rush and lofts an off balance pass to tight end Dave Casper, which bounces off his fingertips. The Patriots hold on for a 21 - 17 victory.

The only problem, however, is that New England would be facing the Steelers in the AFC Championship game in Pittsburgh (the Pats were a wild card team that year).

At this point you have to favor New England in that Pittsburgh, winning of the last two Super Bowls, was without running backs Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier (both sidelined by injuries). Plus New England had already beaten Pittsburgh earlier in the year.

This sets up a Super Bowl showdown with the Minnesota Vikings. Am I out of line to suggest that a veteran Vikings team, lead by Fran Tarkenton and Alan Page, might have been able to pull this off?

[Some Guy From Mars]

What if Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier did not have to sit out the 1976 AFC Championship game against Oakland due to injuries?

I say the Steelers take this 21 - 13. The Raiders had a great offense that year but a defense that was above average at best (Oakland struggled mightily against New England in the first round of the playoffs the previous week- and giving up 164 yards on the ground in the process). With a pair of healthy running backs (and an all time great defense that gave up just 138 points all year), the Steelers keep the high scoring Raiders offense off the field and grind out the victory.

The Steelers move on to the Super Bowl and soundly defeat an aging Minnesota Vikings team 31 - 10.

[AltSptHst]

In 1976, it should have been Pats-Rams in Pasadena. The Rams were jobbed by the officials in the NFC Championship against Minnesota when Ron Jessie scored a TD in the first quarter and the officials marked him down at the 1-inch line. Then, Chuck Knox calls a FG on fourth down that is blocked and returned for a TD by Bobby Bryant. If they get a TD there, or, at the very least, get stopped on 4th and 1, I think that they end up winning that game because they wouldn't have fallen into that 17-0 hole.

That would have set up a Ram-Patriot SB. The Rams technically had home field, but the Patriots were awfully good that year, and the Rams would have found some way to gag. Patriots 28, Rams 17.

Here is what that would mean:
1. The Raiders of the late-60's and 70's are remembered as the best team never to win a ring. Denver would have still dethroned them the next year, and then would have beaten New England in the championship game before losing to Dallas.
2. The Steelers, after still struggling in 77 because of holdouts and injuries, still bounce back in 78 and 79 to win the SB. However, they beat the Pats in the 78 AFC Championship, and they beat the Oilers for the 79 AFC Championship.
3. Chuck Fairbanks doesn't leave the Pats at the end of the 78 season, and they win another ring in 1980.
4. I am not sure, but there is a possibility that Chuck Knox stays on after 1977, the Rams have more faith in QB Pat Haden, and they don't make that stupid trade the next year for Namath.

Speaking of more NFL "what if's", these are inspired by the Missing Rings episode on the 81 Chargers:

1. What if the Chargers keep HOF DE Fred Dean in 1981 and sign him long-term instead of trading him to SF?
2. What if the Chargers do the same thing with WR John Jefferson that same year instead of trading him to Green Bay?
3. What if it was a normal cold day in Cincinnati instead of the freezer that they played in for the 81 AFC Championship?

[Some Guy From Mars]

What if the Chargers do the same thing with WR John Jefferson that same year instead of trading him to Green Bay?

Actually, the Chargers might have been better off without Jefferson (over the long term) in that JJ's numbers steadily declined following the trade. And Jefferson's replacement, Wes Chandler, while not quite the same player, put up similar if not like numbers (in terms of receptions, yards per catch and touchdowns). It was ultimately the defense which did the "Air Coryell" era Chargers in. Which leads to my next point...

What if the Chargers keep HOF DE Fred Dean in 1981 and sign him long-term instead of trading him to SF?

What if it was a normal cold day in Cincinnati instead of the freezer that they played in for the 81 AFC Championship?

These two kind of go "hand in hand". Would the presence of Fred Dean had been enough to put the Chargers over the top in 1981 (at least from a defensive standpoint)?

Best case scenario: The weather for the 81 AFC Championship game is a bit more "temperate" with the end result being a closer and more tightly contested game. Without the 59 below wind chill factor and tundra-like field, Dan Fouts and company have more room to work on offense. As a result, the game is tied 20 a piece late in the fourth quarter when Dean, rushing in from defensive end on a key third and long, strips the ball from Bengals quarterback Ken Anderson. "Big Hands" Louie Kelcher pounces on it. This sets up the game winning field goal for the Chargers: 23 to 20.

As for the eventually Super Bowl showdown with the Joe Montana led 49ers? Well, the Chargers might have had their hands full (even with Dean on defense) in that San Francisco, IMHO, might have been the better team.

[Some Guy From Mars]

Here is another one: What if Jack Tatum would have went for the INT instead of the big hit in the Immaculate Reception game in 1972?

Tatum steps in front of Steelers running back Frenchy Fuqua and intercepts the pass in question, butterflying away the controversial "immaculate reception". Game over. Raiders in the 1972 AFC Championship game.

The only problem, however, is that Tatum and company would have won themselves a date with the undefeated Dolphins (led by Csonka, Griese, Morris, Kiick, Warfield, etc). This, IMHO, only would have delayed their demise in that Miami, in all likelihood, simply had the better all around team.

In terms of overall impact, Tatum's interception might have taken off some of the edge of the Steelers - Raiders rivaly at the time but probably would not have made a significant impact on NFL history. For example, I would still favor the Dolphins to win the Super Bown in 73 and the Steelers the same in 74 and 75.

[AltSptHst]

Actually, the Chargers might have been better off without Jefferson (over the long term) in that JJ's numbers steadily declined following the trade. And Jefferson's replacement, Wes Chandler, while not quite the same player, put up similar if not like numbers (in terms of receptions, yards per catch and touchdowns). It was ultimately the defense which did the "Air Coryell" era Chargers in. Which leads to my next point...



These two kind of go "hand in hand". Would the presence of Fred Dean had been enough to put the Chargers over the top in 1981 (at least from a defensive standpoint)?

Best case scenario: The weather for the 81 AFC Championship game is a bit more "temperate" with the end result being a closer and more tightly contested game. Without the 59 below wind chill factor and tundra-like field, Dan Fouts and company have more room to work on offense. As a result, the game is tied 20 a piece late in the fourth quarter when Dean, rushing in from defensive end on a key third and long, strips the ball from Bengals quarterback Ken Anderson. "Big Hands" Louie Kelcher pounces on it. This sets up the game winning field goal for the Chargers: 23 to 20.

As for the eventually Super Bowl showdown with the Joe Montana led 49ers? Well, the Chargers might have had their hands full (even with Dean on defense) in that San Francisco, IMHO, might have been the better team.

If Dean didn't go to SF, the Niners may not have went to the SB. Dean really supercharged their pass rush, and it helped them over the top. If SD kept Dean, you might have had a SD-Dallas Super Bowl, with the Chargers winning. John Jefferson(in this alternate reality, he isn't traded) is the SB MVP after catching 12 passes for 158 yards, including the game winner from Dan Fouts with 42 seconds left.

[Some Guy From Mars]

If Dean didn't go to SF, the Niners may not have went to the SB. Dean really supercharged their pass rush, and it helped them over the top. If SD kept Dean, you might have had a SD-Dallas Super Bowl, with the Chargers winning. John Jefferson(in this alternate reality, he isn't traded) is the SB MVP after catching 12 passes for 158 yards, including the game winner from Dan Fouts with 42 seconds left.

OK. I get the point. But let's take this butterfly one step further...

The 49ers continue to be hindered without Dean's presence on defense throughout the decade, particularly 1984 (when, in OTL, they went 15-1 on their way to their second Super Bowl victory of the decade). We'll have them go 12-4 instead while displaying some vulnerabilities on pass defense as a result of Dean missing at DE. This does not come to hurt SF until the first round of the NFC playoffs (against the NY Giants) when the 49ers are unable to overcome Joe Montana's three interceptions. Giants quarterback Phil Simms, without Dean breathing down his neck, leads two fourth quarter drives on the way to a 24-21 victory.

In the NFC Championship again the Bears, however, the Giants are stymied by the "46" defense. We'll have Chicago take it 16-3, which sets up a Super Bowl showdown with Dan Marinos' Miami Dolphins.

The Bears-Dolphins Super Bowl pretty much plays out the same manner as the regular season contest between the two a year later: The Bears are just a step slow in getting to Marino, who has a huge day in throwing for over 300 yards and 3 TD's in a 35-21 victory.

Joe Montana, on the other hand, ends up placed in the same category as Fran Tarkenton and Jim Kelly: very good quarterbacks on very good teams that could not quite manage to win the big one.

[AltSptHst]

That is good, but here is a thought about 1984: The Broncos got upset by the Steelers in the AFC Playoffs because Elway hurt his groin and because of some questionable play calls by Dan Reeves. If they win that game, I think that they would have beaten Miami in the AFC Championship. They matched up better with the Dolphins then the Steelers did. Then, Chicago beats Denver in SB XIX(They already beat them 27-0 that year and matched up well with them).

Here are some other "what ifs"
1. What if Joe Paterno would have taken the Steeler HC job in 1969? He was their first choice, not Noll.
2. What if John Kasay doesn't put the kickoff out of bounds with less than a minute remaining in the fourth quarter of SB 37 against New England with the game tied, putting the Pats at the 40?
3. What if Mike Renfro's TD would have stood up at the end of the third quarter of the 79 AFC Championship game against the Steelers, and it would have been 17-17 going into the fourth quarter?

[pacific_knight]

Fred Dean wasn't a big part of the 49er success in '84. He sat out most of the season in a contract dispute and only tallied three sacks.

The 49ers were way better than Miami that year. It wasn't even close, in truth. Even w/o Dean they win that game and the preceeding playoffs without too much trouble.

[marl_d]

What if in the 98 NFC Wild Card Game Green Bay pulls out the victory when Jerry Rice's fumble is recovered by LeRoy Butler.

Green Bay goes on to Beat Atlanta the following week, then to their Rivals the Vikings in the NFC Championship game.

this has some interesting changes, First Green Bay has a chance to go to their 3rd SB in a row. Second, Hearst doesn't break his leg and Young doesn't get hurt, Both are able to play/better the following year and SF has a better record. Third if GB goes to the SB Reggie White retires after the game and stays retired.

quite a few others but i'm tried and can't think right now :D

[RCAF Brat]

WI Baltimore never got their replacement NFL team? What if they kept the (CFL) Stallions instead? Have this rather than them getting the Ravens and packing said Stallions off to Montreal.

[Some Guy From Mars]

What if Mike Renfro's TD would have stood up at the end of the third quarter of the 79 AFC Championship game against the Steelers, and it would have been 17-17 going into the fourth quarter?

Let's say that the NFL instituted instant replay at the start of the 1979 season. Mike Renfo's juggling catch is initially ruled incomplete. So Oilers coach "Bum" Phillips, wisely, tosses the red flag onto the field.

After an unexpected lengthy period of time, the referee trots onto the field and announced "After reviewing the play, the receiver maintained possession while keeping both toes down. Touchdown."

Three Rivers stadium erupts in a cascade of boos. Chuck Noll throws up his hands in disgust. Jack Lambert goes nuts on the sidelines. Terry Bradshaw shrugs his shoulders and says "Aw-shucks".

But will the reversal of the call ultimately alter the outcome of the game? I am convinced the game would have ended in a score of 27-17 as opposed to 27-13. Yeah, it might have fired up the Oilers a bit but it would have fired up the Steelers even more, particularly on defense. And when anaylizing the Oilers performance on defense that day, they did not prove themselves capable of stopping the Steelers offense, which, IMHO, ultimately determined the outcome of the game.

[AltSptHst]

WI Baltimore never got their replacement NFL team? What if they kept the (CFL) Stallions instead? Have this rather than them getting the Ravens and packing said Stallions off to Montreal.

That would have been good. The league should have made Modell, who was a lousy businessman, sell the Browns to someone who would keep them in Cleveland. That move was an outrage. However, I think that they would have gotten a team eventually.

Here is another Baltimore NFL WI: What if Carroll Rosenbloom would have been allowed to move the Colts to Tampa in 1972?

He tried to because he was having stadium issues, but Pete Rozelle wouldn't let him, and Irsay ended up getting the Colts in a franchise swap.

[AltSptHst]

Let's say that the NFL instituted instant replay at the start of the 1979 season. Mike Renfo's juggling catch is initially ruled incomplete. So Oilers coach "Bum" Phillips, wisely, tosses the red flag onto the field.

After an unexpected lengthy period of time, the referee trots onto the field and announced "After reviewing the play, the receiver maintained possession while keeping both toes down. Touchdown."

Three Rivers stadium erupts in a cascade of boos. Chuck Noll throws up his hands in disgust. Jack Lambert goes nuts on the sidelines. Terry Bradshaw shrugs his shoulders and says "Aw-shucks".

But will the reversal of the call ultimately alter the outcome of the game? I am convinced the game would have ended in a score of 27-17 as opposed to 27-13. Yeah, it might have fired up the Oilers a bit but it would have fired up the Steelers even more, particularly on defense. And when anaylizing the Oilers performance on defense that day, they did not prove themselves capable of stopping the Steelers offense, which, IMHO, ultimately determined the outcome of the game.

I don't know about that. The Oilers weren't playing that bad in this game. The Steelers only were up 17-10 because Mike Renfro fumbled the ball at the end of the first half when they were driving, and the Steelers went down and scored a TD.

Also, I am not sure that Renfro was bobbling the ball. I have this game on DVD, and I thought that it should have been a TD. If it would have been tied going into the fourth quarter, Houston would have had a great shot to win. You may have seen it go into OT.

[T3h_shammy]

What if Ernie Davis didn't die? Jim Brown and Ernie Davis in the same backfield. I shudder to think what would happen.

[classichost]

Here's a little repositioning for you

- Baltimore does score early in the 3rd in the 1958 title game and goes on to blowout the Giants 28-10. No 'greatest game ever played'. Therefore the buzz the game created never happens and the game does not grow quite as fast. This actually would be a huge POD.

- Jim Taylor breaks free from Chuck Bednarik in the 1960 title game getting out of bounds to give the Packers one more play and before a stunned Franklin Field crowd Starr connects with Hourning on the final play to pull out a 20-17 win setting up three straight NFL titles, But after 1962 Lombardi never sees another championship contest.

-1963 YA Tittle does not get hurt against the Bears and Ahab finally gets his whale as the Giants bump off the Bears 24-10.

- 1965 Chandler's FG in the western playoff is called No Good and the Colts hold on 10-7. But in the title game a Tom Matte led team is no match for the defending champion Browns who bulldoze their way to another blowout win, this time 31-3.

- Bob Hayes does not mysteriously get put in on the goal line in the waning moments of the 1966 NFL title game. Instead of a procedure call which put Dallas on the 6, Walt Garrison scores on a one yard plunge to send it to overtime. The Cowboys go on to win 37-34 on a 11yd Danny Villinueva FG. But in SB I the upstarts from Dallas get their comeuppance at the hands of the Chiefs who pull out a thrilling 31-28 win on a late Mike Garrison TD. That 'other' league can play after all!

- Lombardi decides to go for the FG at the end of the ice bowl and a mishandled snap seals a 17-14 Dallas win and the Cowboys go on to salvage the NFL's pride against the Raiders with a 34-17 thrashing.

- The late lateral in the 1968 AFL title game is called incomplete. Lamonica throws a late TD pass to break the Jets heart but the Raiders again are sacraficial lambs in a 38-13 Colts laugher. Earl Morrall throws for over 300yds a 4TD's. Johnny Who? Says SI the next week.

- The Raiders defend their title in the AFL's last year before the merger. But the NFL means business and the Vikes and Joe Kapp roll to a 27-10 win

- The old man does the deed as George Blanda throws for 210yds and 2 TD's along with kicking the winning FG as his 47 yarder as time expires leads the Raiders to a 20-17 win over the Niners in what some still consider the best SB ever played.

- Early in the 3rd quarter of a conference semi final contest the Skins kick a FG to extend the lead to 13-3 (instead of failing on 4th in OTL) and go on to dethrone the defending NFC champion Niners 27-17. In the NFC title game George Allen cajoles another upset out of the over the hill gang as a 17-10 win over Dallas puts the Skins in the Super Bowl facing the Cheifs who used the momentum of their epic win on Christmas Day against the Dolphins to propel them back to the Bowl for the first time since the original. In the title tilt, Charlie Taylor scores on a play now known as the 'Nixon reverse' Larry Brown runs for 124 yards and Sonny Jurgensen came off the bench to throw a pair of TD passes as the Skins scalped the Cheifs 28-17.

- Garo Yepremian would become famous for perhaps the biggest gaffe in the history of sport. After storming to a 14-0 halftime lead the undefeated Dolphins we wearing under the surge of the defending champion Redskins. A Curt Knight FG and a Kilmer to Smith TD pass cut the deficit to 14-10. But the Dolphins drove late and looked for Garo to provide some insurance when our time line takes over and Mike Bass runs into history as the Skins celebrate a wild win.

[AltSptHst]

Quote " The Raiders defend their title in the AFL's last year before the merger. But the NFL means business and the Vikes and Joe Kapp roll to a 27-10 win" Quote

If the Vikes win SB IV, I believe that Kapp doesn't go to Boston. Then, he leads them to a late win over SF in the 70 playoffs, and then a showdown at the Cotton Bowl for the NFC Championship. However, Dallas picks off a late Kapp pass and heads to SB V, where they still lose to Baltimore. In 71, the Vikes still have the same season with Kapp, but Dallas beats them in Minnesota as in OTL. The next year, Kapp is traded to the Giants for Tarkenton.

On the last day of the 72 season, the Giants head to Texas Stadium for the last NFC playoff spot. The Giants and Cowboys have identical 9-4 records. The Cowboys take a 21-10 lead going into the fourth quarter, but Kapp leads a determined drive to cut it to four. Then, with 5 minutes left, Spider Lockhart intercepts Roger Staubach at the Giant 30. Kapp leads a gritty drive with his passing and Ron Johnson runs, and the Giants come from behind to win and go to San Francisco. There, they come up short as 3 Brodie to Washington TD's spell doom for the Giants, 24-10. Following the season, Kapp retires from football.

Here is another one I thought about watching the Missing Rings episode about the 90 Bills. Buffalo started the 1990 season with a win over the Colts, but were throttled 30-7 in Miami in week 2. For a team that was already in dissension, this loss could have been the beginning of the end. Darryl Talley and Bruce Smith were mad for being taken out early. They did go on to beat the Jets in Week 3, however, before playing the three most critical games in the 1990 season and in the 90's.

In Week 4, Denver had a 21-9 lead in the fourth quarter, then all heck broke loose. Buffalo returned a FG for a TD, and then an INT, and won 30-21. In Week 5, the Raiders had a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter before Buffalo blocked a punt and returned it for a TD and went on to win. Then, in Week 6, they beat the Jets at home on a TD pass with 19 seconds to play. Those wins had the Bills at 5-1, and they found their winning chemistry.

However, say they lose all those games, and start 2-4, I think that they may not have seen one SB, let alone four. This team was known at the time as "The Bickering Bills", and their locker room would have been more divided after a bad start. I think that they may have ended up 8-8 that year and missed the playoffs. That year, the Raiders would beat Miami in the AFC Championship and the Giants in the SB behind Bo Jackson's 200 yards rushing(his injury is butterflied away).

As for the Bills, 1991 is seen as the last chance for this team to get it together as Owner Ralph Wilson gives the team an ultimatum: Go to Minneapolis for SB XXVI or be torn apart. First, they fire the defensive coordinator and switch to a 4-3 front with more of a premium on size. Then, they trade Cornelius Bennett to the Cowboys for the 17th overall pick in the 91 NFL Draft and the 37th overall pick in the second round. Next, they take DT Ted Washington and S Henry Jones in Round 1. After that, they trade disgruntled CB Nate Odomes and NT Jeff Wright to Denver for their second round pick. With three second-round picks, they take CB Daryll Lewis, DT James Jones, and DE Phil Hansen. Then, they take LB William Thomas in Round 3 and DT Rhett Hall in Round 5.

With a revamped defense with more size and four rookie starters, the Bills finally get it together. They beat the defending AFC East champion Dolphins 21-7 in the season opener, and go on to a 14-2 season record. Then, they beat the Raiders in the Divisional playoffs and the Broncos in the AFC Championship game, and go on to win SB 26, beating the Redskins. In 92, they go back to the SB, but lose to Dallas.

[AltSptHst]

In the 1980 season opener, the Oilers played the Steelers in a big rivalry game. They wanted to prove to the Steelers that they could finally overtake them. They were down 17-0 at the half, and then came back and tied it. Late in the third quarter, Bum Phillips decided to punt on a fourth and one on the Steeler 42. The Steelers ended up winning the game 31-17.

But what if Bum went for it?

If he gets it, the Oilers go on to win, 24-20. They end up 14-2 instead of 11-5 as in OTL. They get the home field for the AFC Playoffs. They beat the Raiders in the Divisional Playoffs, the Bills for the AFC Championship, and they have a showdown with Philadelphia for the Super Bowl.

All week long, Dick Vermeil is taking shots at Oiler QB Kenny Stabler for having too much fun on Bourbon Street and not being focused enough on the game. But, Vermeil's curfews and uptightness set a bad tone for his team, and the Oilers go on to win the game, 24-14. Ken Stabler is recognized as the SB MVP.

What would happen next?
1. Bum Phillips isn't fired. He coaches the Oilers until 1985 before retiring. He leads them to the playoffs the next two seasons, but by 1983 the team starts to get old. Stabler retires after the 83 season, and Earl Campbell retires in 1985. Buddy Ryan takes over as coach in 1986.
2. Vermeil still retires in 1983 as in OTL.
3. Ken Stabler goes to the HOF.
4. Warren Moon still goes to the Oilers in 1984, and with Buddy Ryan bringing a defensive presence, Moon eventually wins a ring by the early 90's.
5. The Oilers never leave Houston.

[Colonel Zoidberg]

Hmph...NFL what-ifs. As a frustrated Dolphins fan, I always wondered...

What if, in 1993, Dan Marino doesn't get hort playing against the Browns?

The Dolphins won the game, but with Marino's injury, the team was forced to start Scott Mitchell (who also got injured and was out for the season.) Toward the end of the year, they lost three close games, including a 33-27 loss at the end of the year in OT to the Pats.

With a healthy Marino, I'll give them that win and a win over Pittsburgh, raising them to 11-5, dropping Pittsburgh out of the playoffs, and giving Miami and opening-round game against the Raiders, a likely win for Miami.

Buffalo only beat the Raiders in the divisional round by six, and the Dolphins with Marino are easily a better team with a lot to prove, having failed against the Bills in the playoffs two of the past three years. Buoyed by a big win against the Raiders, they upset the Bills and dismantle Kansas City in the AFC championship.

I'll still give the Super Bowl to Dallas, but Miami keeps it closer a little longer before Dallas pulls away at the end.

Also, another scenario...negating the Music City Miracle.

Let's say that the refs get a pair of eyeglasses and correctly call one of the passes a forward pass on the final play, or if you think it was a lateral, let's say it was dropped. Any number of things could defeat the play - and let' ssay one does. The Bills go on to win, 16-15.

Let's be honest - the Bills probably aren't beating the Colts. The Titans might have been something of a team of destiny, and a 13-3 wild card could beat a 13-3 division champ. The Bills? Probably going to lose. So the Colts go to play the Jaguars, who might have gone 16-0 if not for those damn Titans.

Outside the dome, the Colts flounder, and the Jaguars advance to the Super Bowl to play the Rams. As close as it was, the Jaguars might have pulled it off - all for want of a lateral pass.

[AltSptHst]

With a healthy Marino in 93, I think they also would have beaten Buffalo at home in December, giving them a 12-4 record, the AFC East, and home field advantage. Then, the Dolphins would have beaten Buffalo at home again in the Div. Playoffs, and then the Chiefs and Montana in the AFC Championship before losing to Dallas.

[Colonel Zoidberg]

If the Dolphins managed a defeat of the Bills in Week 16, the Bills would know the 'Fins owned them, but from the looks of that game, th eBills dominated. Part of that was that the Dolphins were already unraveling, so...yeah, I think you have a good point; the 'Fins probably eke out a close win against Buffalo, fall the following week to the Chargers in less humiliating fashion, and stuff the bottom-feeding Pats to bump off the Bills for the division title.

However, one small quirk - in OTL, Buffalo got home-field advantage based on beating the Oilers in the regular season. The Oilers didn't play the Dolphins, and the Oilers' conference record was better than what the Dolphins' would have been - so Houston gets the top spot in Miami's place.

The Raiders, based on a win over the Bills in the regular season, gets home-field advantage for the opening round - and the Bills are defeated, while the Chiefs defeat th eBroncos and go to Miami, where they are dismantled.

The Oilers, however, get the Raiders, who don't pull the same upset the Chiefs did; as such, the Oilers host the Dolphins - and the wheels finally come off for Houston, as the Dolphins reach the Super Bowl with a healthy Marino.

[AltSptHst]

1. Greg Cook doesn't get hurt during his spectacular rookie season and plays fourteen years for the Bengals.

If Greg Cook would have stayed healthy, Bill Walsh's offensive philosophy would have been extremely different. Walsh was the Bengal Offensive Coordinator from the late-60's until 1975, and he had a downfield attack with Cook. But, when Cook wasn't available in 1970, he had to rely on QB Virgil Carter, who didn't have the same arm strength. So, he devised a ball control short passing offense that would go on to be his staple in San Fransisco.

However, if Cook was healthy, that doesn't happen, and the results would have had a big impact on football history. Now, obviously, Cook would have brought some SB championships to Cincy, even though the big, tough Steelers would still have stood in their way more often than not.

But, having Cook may have meant that Walsh could have been given the HC job in 1975 when Paul Brown retired. And that would have butterflied away the Niner dynasty of the 80's and 90's, which means that Joe Montana wouldn't exist today as we know him.

[Some Guy From Mars]

However, if Cook was healthy, that doesn't happen, and the results would have had a big impact on football history. Now, obviously, Cook would have brought some SB championships to Cincy, even though the big, tough Steelers would still have stood in their way more often than not.

I have never seen Greg Cook play so do not know how good he is or how good he could have become. That said, the Steelers would have still stood in the way during the 70's, but keep in mind Cincy already had a very good quarterback during the time in Ken Anderson- and still could not get by the Steelers.

Cincy's best chance for a Super Bowl under Greg Cook, IMO, would have come when the Steelers were starting to fade (beginning with the 1980 season). Let's take the 1981 Super Bowl team (which lost to the 49ers) and replace Ken Anderson with Greg Cook.

A lot of things are going to be butterflied away here. First, Bill Walsh will be coaching the Bengals and not the 49ers, so more than like Cincy will be facing the Cowboys in the Super Bowl.

But what about Joe Montana? Obviously, Walsh in Cincy will not need a quarterback and won't be drafting him. Perhaps the Steelers draft him in the 4th round and maintain the Steel Curtain dynasty into the 80's...

[AltSptHst]

I have never seen Greg Cook play so do not know how good he is or how good he could have become. That said, the Steelers would have still stood in the way during the 70's, but keep in mind Cincy already had a very good quarterback during the time in Ken Anderson- and still could not get by the Steelers.

Cincy's best chance for a Super Bowl under Greg Cook, IMO, would have come when the Steelers were starting to fade (beginning with the 1980 season). Let's take the 1981 Super Bowl team (which lost to the 49ers) and replace Ken Anderson with Greg Cook.

A lot of things are going to be butterflied away here. First, Bill Walsh will be coaching the Bengals and not the 49ers, so more than like Cincy will be facing the Cowboys in the Super Bowl.

But what about Joe Montana? Obviously, Walsh in Cincy will not need a quarterback and won't be drafting him. Perhaps the Steelers draft him in the 4th round and maintain the Steel Curtain dynasty into the 80's...

The Bengals drafted Cook in 1969, two years before they got Anderson. I don't think they take Ken if Cook doesn't have his problems.

I have seen highlights of Cook, and he would have been regarded as the best QB in team history, and one of the best of all-time. I know that the Steelers would have stood in the way, but I think that Cook could have mustered up two championships in the 70's(maybe 73 and 77, down years for the Steelers). I also think that they may have won it all in 81, and maybe 82.

As for the Steelers drafting Montana, I don't think that would have happened. I read this book called The Super 70's, and the author was interviewing Art Rooney, Jr. He asked him what he thought of Montana when he came out, and Art said that they weren't too impressed. Also, I don't think that drafting Montana would have guaranteed that their dynasty would go on. He had to play for Walsh to be great.

Maybe the Bengals take a flier on him, and groom him to take over for Cook by the early 80's, but, by that time, since Walsh would have been more into strong-armed QB's, I don't know if he would have been as into Montana in this alternate world.

Also, here is another thing that Walsh's presence would have butterflied away: The Air Coryell Chargers. Walsh was a coach with them after Paul Brown wouldn't promote him in 1975. Walsh was instrumental in turning Dan Fouts into a great QB. If he never goes to SD, Fouts may have struggled his whole career.

[Some Guy From Mars]

The Bengals drafted Cook in 1969, two years before they got Anderson. I don't think they take Ken if Cook doesn't have his problems.

I have seen highlights of Cook, and he would have been regarded as the best QB in team history, and one of the best of all-time. I know that the Steelers would have stood in the way, but I think that Cook could have mustered up two championships in the 70's(maybe 73 and 77, down years for the Steelers). I also think that they may have won it all in 81, and maybe 82.

As for the Steelers drafting Montana, I don't think that would have happened. I read this book called The Super 70's, and the author was interviewing Art Rooney, Jr. He asked him what he thought of Montana when he came out, and Art said that they weren't too impressed. Also, I don't think that drafting Montana would have guaranteed that their dynasty would go on. He had to play for Walsh to be great.

Maybe the Bengals take a flier on him, and groom him to take over for Cook by the early 80's, but, by that time, since Walsh would have been more into strong-armed QB's, I don't know if he would have been as into Montana in this alternate world.

http://alternatehistory.com/discussion/images/buttons/quote.gif (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=2472583)

I agree that 73 and 77 were down years for the Steelers, but in 73 the Bengals would have had to go through the Dolphins, which would have been a tough nut to crack (the 1973 Dolphins, IMO, rank with the finest teams of the era).

1977 might have been more realistic. In 77 the Steelers were struggling while the Raiders were starting to fade. The only thing standing in their way would have been a very good but one dimensional "Orange crush era" Broncos team (great defense but not so great offense). But they still would have had to face the Cowboys in the Super Bowl, a team loaded with Hall of Famers that, IMO, matches up well with any of the era.

Also, here is another thing that Walsh's presence would have butterflied away: The Air Coryell Chargers. Walsh was a coach with them after Paul Brown wouldn't promote him in 1975. Walsh was instrumental in turning Dan Fouts into a great QB. If he never goes to SD, Fouts may have struggled his whole career. http://alternatehistory.com/discussion/images/buttons/quote.gif (http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=2472583)

I have to disagree here. Because even without Bill Walsh's presence, Fouts would have still had a LOT of talent around him: John Jefferson (later Wes Chandler), Charlie Joiner, Kellen Winslow, Chuck Muncie and a solid offensive line. Also, Don Coryell was a pretty good offensive mind himself. Remember his work with the Cardinals in the mid-seventies? He made the most out of Jim Hart, Terry Metcalf, Jim Otis, Mel Gray and Dan Dierford.

[AltSptHst]

I agree about Coryell, but here's the thing: Fouts said that Walsh completely made him over as a QB from the ground up. If Fouts doesn't get Walsh's teachings, who knows if he would have been the QB on that team. Someone else may have been the QB for Air Coryell.

[Bearcat]

I agree about Coryell, but here's the thing: Fouts said that Walsh completely made him over as a QB from the ground up. If Fouts doesn't get Walsh's teachings, who knows if he would have been the QB on that team. Someone else may have been the QB for Air Coryell.

LOL, Ken Anderson maybe?

Montana would have gone to the Cowboys in round four - they had him first on their board in the third, only taking Doug Cosbie because they felt set with Staubach, White and Hogeboom. Montana didn't appeal to most teams, so Dallas would have had another crack in the 4th. They would have traded Hogeboom for a future pick. When White comes up short in the early 80s, a skinny kid with no arm - Montana - takes his job. With montana, the Cowboys win one super bowl before their other issues tear them apart. But the Cowboys' future is butterflied away, and they never get Aikman, or win any super bowls in the 90s.

[Bearcat]

The 49ers pick up reject, washed-up Dan Fouts in 1979. Forrest Gregg coaches them to the 1981 super bowl, which they lose to Cook's Bengals, 38-17.

[AltSptHst]

LOL, Ken Anderson maybe?

Montana would have gone to the Cowboys in round four - they had him first on their board in the third, only taking Doug Cosbie because they felt set with Staubach, White and Hogeboom. Montana didn't appeal to most teams, so Dallas would have had another crack in the 4th. They would have traded Hogeboom for a future pick. When White comes up short in the early 80s, a skinny kid with no arm - Montana - takes his job. With montana, the Cowboys win one super bowl before their other issues tear them apart. But the Cowboys' future is butterflied away, and they never get Aikman, or win any super bowls in the 90s.

What about this: Allegedly, there was a scout or staff member in the Packer organization that was crazy about Montana. This guy was beside himself when they didn't draft him in the third round. At the end of the third, he sees that nobody drafted Joe, and pushes Bart Starr and the Packers to trade into the top of Round 4 to get him.

So, the Packers trade their sixth and seventh round picks that year, plus QB David Whitehurst to the Bills for the first pick of round 4, and they select Montana. Joe sits behind Lynn Dickey for two and a half years before a Dickey injury in the middle of the 1981 season sidelines him for the rest of the year. Montana leads the Packers to the Central title, but they lose in the first playoff game.

Joe goes on to have a good career in Green Bay, but, without Walsh and without playing for the Niners, he is not remembered the same way he is today.

[AltSptHst]

Here are some Super Bowl WI's:

1. Super Bowl XII: Denver punted the ball to Dallas in the first quarter. Dallas punt returner Tony Hill misplayed it at their own 1, and Bronco Bernard Jackson had it go through his hands before the Cowboys recovered. What if the Broncos get the ball and score to go up 7-0?
2. Super Bowl XXIII: At the end of the third quarter, Joe Montana threw a pass in the end zone that Bengal CB Lewis Billups had in his hands and dropped. On the next play, Montana hit Rice for a TD. What if Billups held on to that pick?
3. Super Bowl XIII: What if Jackie Smith holds on to the pass that he dropped and tied the score at 21 in the third quarter?
4. Super Bowl II: Late in the second quarter, the Raiders were down 13-7 after a Lamonica to Miller TD. They had two good chances. First, Rodger Bird returned a punt to the Packer 40, but they couldn't get anything, and Blanda missed a FG. Then, the Pack had to punt again, and Bird fumbled it, setting up a Packer FG and a 16-7 halftime lead. What if the Raiders would have scored on one or both of those possessions?