It’s also why we have the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Lakers despite Utah not being known for jazz and LA not having any lakes.
Sports What Ifs.
- Thread starter Dave
- Start date
True.It’s also why we have the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Lakers despite Utah not being known for jazz and LA not having any lakes.
If Gazza plays in the final then England probably win. 1990 Argentina was one of the worst teams to make a World Cup final and England will be hungry for revenge. 1-0 with Lineker scoring the winner.
On Page 18 of the Dec. 26, 1970 Sporting News, Dave Eisenberg wrote a column called "Beware of Cheese Champions". In it, he said that the NFL should expand to 28 teams with four seven-team divisions (like baseball was at the time), and only have the division winners make the playoffs. That was the year that the Bengals won the AFC Central with an 8-6 record after a 1-6 start, and he didn't feel like they deserved to be in the playoffs.
He used the NHL (he wrote something about how people laughed at them when they had four of their six teams make the playoffs). He also said that the best teams don't always survive expanded playoffs in the NHL and NBA (that would be the truth in the NHL as the years went by, not as much in the NBA, though).
What if the NFL did something like that, though: Here is how it may have looked:
AFC EAST: Bills, Colts, Dolphins, Jets, Patriots, Steelers, Browns
AFC WEST: Bengals, Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs, Oilers, Raiders
NFC EAST: Bears, Eagles, Giants, Lions, Packers, Redskins, Vikings
NFC WEST: Cardinals, Cowboys, 49ers, Falcons, Rams, Saints
By 1976, the Bucs would go in the AFC West, and the Seahawks in the NFC West.
He used the NHL (he wrote something about how people laughed at them when they had four of their six teams make the playoffs). He also said that the best teams don't always survive expanded playoffs in the NHL and NBA (that would be the truth in the NHL as the years went by, not as much in the NBA, though).
What if the NFL did something like that, though: Here is how it may have looked:
AFC EAST: Bills, Colts, Dolphins, Jets, Patriots, Steelers, Browns
AFC WEST: Bengals, Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs, Oilers, Raiders
NFC EAST: Bears, Eagles, Giants, Lions, Packers, Redskins, Vikings
NFC WEST: Cardinals, Cowboys, 49ers, Falcons, Rams, Saints
By 1976, the Bucs would go in the AFC West, and the Seahawks in the NFC West.
Interesting concept. I could see having champs and runners ups go to the playoffs though. Also one issue I see is historic rivalries. Dallas has always considered NY, Philly and Washington as rivals. Maybe instead of geographic divisions, have ones based on rivalries.
Actually, Dallas was placed with the Giants, Philadelphia, and Washington because of Gil Brandt's friendship with Pete Rozelle.
Right now, I am doing a timeline based on how the 1989 draft could have been different. It evolves around GB losing their season finale, and a trade that the Cardinals would make with the Lions to get Deion Sanders.
Here is another way: The Jets played two games against the Chiefs that year (they both finished last in 1987). The first one finished in a tie (in Week 5. The Jets blew a 17-3 lead in the fourth quarter). The second matchup was a 38-34 Chiefs win (in Week 14. The Jets blew a 10-point fourth quarter lead in that one).
If the Jets win both, they are 10-6. I will get to them in a second.
For the Chiefs, they end up 2-14 instead of 4-11-1, and get the #1 pick (and the opportunity to take Aikman). Their decades-long quest for a long-term franchise QB would have ended about three decades sooner, and they probably make a SB (or two) in the 90's. Also, maybe Marty doesn't quit after the 98 season, and maybe Derrick Thomas doesn't die in 2000.
If the Jets win both, they make the playoffs after their win over the Giants (they beat the Oilers and Browns that year), and they would have hosted Cleveland that year. I can see the Jets winning, but losing at Cincy in the divisional round.
With another playoff appearance, that may buy Joe Walton a few more years (and, he doesn't go to Pittsburgh in 1990 and turn their offense into a mess). Also, maybe you don't see the Coslet and Kotite errors.
Here is another way: The Jets played two games against the Chiefs that year (they both finished last in 1987). The first one finished in a tie (in Week 5. The Jets blew a 17-3 lead in the fourth quarter). The second matchup was a 38-34 Chiefs win (in Week 14. The Jets blew a 10-point fourth quarter lead in that one).
If the Jets win both, they are 10-6. I will get to them in a second.
For the Chiefs, they end up 2-14 instead of 4-11-1, and get the #1 pick (and the opportunity to take Aikman). Their decades-long quest for a long-term franchise QB would have ended about three decades sooner, and they probably make a SB (or two) in the 90's. Also, maybe Marty doesn't quit after the 98 season, and maybe Derrick Thomas doesn't die in 2000.
If the Jets win both, they make the playoffs after their win over the Giants (they beat the Oilers and Browns that year), and they would have hosted Cleveland that year. I can see the Jets winning, but losing at Cincy in the divisional round.
With another playoff appearance, that may buy Joe Walton a few more years (and, he doesn't go to Pittsburgh in 1990 and turn their offense into a mess). Also, maybe you don't see the Coslet and Kotite errors.
I did something like that in my TLIAD about the NFL stagnating and not quite achieving all it could. Eventually I figure they go to 2 wild cards, then 4, but not necessarily the 2nd place team in each conference. I think the problem is that for 14-16 games, you can still get a bad 1st place team in a division once you get that many teams. And, without as many division races, unless you have some wild cards you're going to get a lot of fans who lose some interest.
However, it is possible. I think it would have to come before 1970, though - I have teh AFL not quite making it and merging a la ahte AAFc with several teams joining the NFL.
Today, Chicago Bears quarterback Josh McCown announced his retirement, ending a 19-season career with the team.
From being a third-round pick in the 2002 NFL draft, McCown took over as the team's starting quarterback the next season. His tenure included winning Super Bowls 40, 41, 45, 48, and 53, although he was never MVP. In an era where Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, and Pat Mahomes were posting gaudy numbers, McCown never topped 4,000 yards passing, and he only threw for more than 30 touchdowns three times.
Yet it was McCown in 2018 who led the Bears to a 19-0 record, the NFL's first perfect season since the 1972 Dolphins. Only Tom Brady has exceeded McCown's Super Bowl ring total among modern quarterbacks.
In 2003, after taking over for Kordell Stewart, he started nine games, passed for 1,974 yards and 9 touchdowns. The Bears wouldn't make the playoffs.
He was the team's starter throughout 2004, passing for 19 touchdowns and 2,986 yards, even as the Bears missed the playoffs.
In 2005, the team took a step up, winning their first Super Bowl. McCown passed for 2,613 yards and 17 touchdowns. In Super Bowl 40, the Bears beat the Steelers, 19-17, on a last-minute field goal by Paul Edinger. McCown passed for a quiet 217 yards, and the team's only touchdown was when Thomas Jones scored on a 6-yard run. Brian Uracher would be the Super Bowl MVP.
The 2006 team took a step up, as the Bears had drafted wide receiver Brandon Marshall in the third round. By the end of the season, Marshall, Mushin Muhammed and Bernard Berrian had become a devastating trio of receivers, often opening up the running game - but they were overshadowed by the debut season of Devin Hester, the NFL's greatest return specialist of all time. The Bears would beat the Colts in Super Bowl 46, 38-22. Hester, who returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, and who sealed the game with a 4th-quarter punt return, would be the MVP.
In 2007, the Bears made the playoffs, and McCown had another solid season, as Marshall and Berrian became excellent receivers, while Hester added becoming a devastating threat in the slot to his return magic.
In 2008, the last piece of the puzzle would come when the Bears drafted Matt Forte. While they fell short of the Super Bowl, Forte became the mainstay of the ground game. The next year, the team would also fail to reach the Super Bowl.
In 2010, McCown would have what was arguably his signature game, leading the Bears to a 21-14 comeback win over the Packers, capping it off with a nine-yard touchdown run. In Super Bowl 45, the Bears would defeat the Steelers by a 31-16 score, with Forte setting a Super Bowl record by rushing for 223 yards and three touchdowns, adding another 74 yards in the air.
The Bears made the playoffs in 2011 and 2012, and fell short of the Super Bowl, but McCown again posted solid seasons.
In 2013, with the addition of offensive coordinator Marc Trestman, McCown would have his two best seasons. In 2013, he would pass for 3,978 yards and 34 touchdowns, earning his only league MVP honor. The Bears would go on to win Super Bowl 48 against the Peyton Manning-led Broncos by a 46-6 score, with Forte again earning MVP honors by scoring five touchdowns (four rushing, one receiving) and rushing for 211 yards, while catching ten passes for 103 more, setting a Super Bowl record for combined yards in a game.
In 2014, he would again pass for over 30 touchdowns, and 3,681 yards, but the Bears would not reach the Super Bowl as the defense aged.
In 2015, 2016, and 2017, McCown posted solid numbers while the Bears missed the playoffs.
In 2018, McCown would pass for 3,422 yards and 32 touchdowns, leading the Bears to a 16-0 regular season record. They would then beat the Patriots by a 28-13 score, with Super Bowl MVP Eddie Jackson almost single-handedly thwarting Brady's efforts to lead the Patriots to a comeback, including with a game-sealing fourth-quarter interception return for a touchdown.
The Bears would miss the playoffs in 2019, and had their latest run come up short in the 2020 wild card game, McCown's last.
Overall, McCown has set the career marks for passing yards (39,134), touchdowns (271), and he also has 4,377 yards and 57 touchdowns rushing, placing him in the top ten in the career lists for the team in those categories. As a full-season starter, the Bears never finished worse than 7-9. During his 17 seasons as a full-time starter, he made the playoffs 13 times. He won all five of his Super Bowl appearances, tying him with Brady. He beat Peyton Manning twice, and also beat Ben Roethlisberger twice.
He is said to be considered a candidate for the Hall of Fame, and the Bears have announced his #12 jersey will be retired. One thing for sure, the Chicago Bears will be having a new starter at quarterback - whether it is 2020 first-round pick Jalen Hurts, backup Taysom Hill, or a free agent - and he will have some huge shoes to fill.
From being a third-round pick in the 2002 NFL draft, McCown took over as the team's starting quarterback the next season. His tenure included winning Super Bowls 40, 41, 45, 48, and 53, although he was never MVP. In an era where Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, and Pat Mahomes were posting gaudy numbers, McCown never topped 4,000 yards passing, and he only threw for more than 30 touchdowns three times.
Yet it was McCown in 2018 who led the Bears to a 19-0 record, the NFL's first perfect season since the 1972 Dolphins. Only Tom Brady has exceeded McCown's Super Bowl ring total among modern quarterbacks.
In 2003, after taking over for Kordell Stewart, he started nine games, passed for 1,974 yards and 9 touchdowns. The Bears wouldn't make the playoffs.
He was the team's starter throughout 2004, passing for 19 touchdowns and 2,986 yards, even as the Bears missed the playoffs.
In 2005, the team took a step up, winning their first Super Bowl. McCown passed for 2,613 yards and 17 touchdowns. In Super Bowl 40, the Bears beat the Steelers, 19-17, on a last-minute field goal by Paul Edinger. McCown passed for a quiet 217 yards, and the team's only touchdown was when Thomas Jones scored on a 6-yard run. Brian Uracher would be the Super Bowl MVP.
The 2006 team took a step up, as the Bears had drafted wide receiver Brandon Marshall in the third round. By the end of the season, Marshall, Mushin Muhammed and Bernard Berrian had become a devastating trio of receivers, often opening up the running game - but they were overshadowed by the debut season of Devin Hester, the NFL's greatest return specialist of all time. The Bears would beat the Colts in Super Bowl 46, 38-22. Hester, who returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, and who sealed the game with a 4th-quarter punt return, would be the MVP.
In 2007, the Bears made the playoffs, and McCown had another solid season, as Marshall and Berrian became excellent receivers, while Hester added becoming a devastating threat in the slot to his return magic.
In 2008, the last piece of the puzzle would come when the Bears drafted Matt Forte. While they fell short of the Super Bowl, Forte became the mainstay of the ground game. The next year, the team would also fail to reach the Super Bowl.
In 2010, McCown would have what was arguably his signature game, leading the Bears to a 21-14 comeback win over the Packers, capping it off with a nine-yard touchdown run. In Super Bowl 45, the Bears would defeat the Steelers by a 31-16 score, with Forte setting a Super Bowl record by rushing for 223 yards and three touchdowns, adding another 74 yards in the air.
The Bears made the playoffs in 2011 and 2012, and fell short of the Super Bowl, but McCown again posted solid seasons.
In 2013, with the addition of offensive coordinator Marc Trestman, McCown would have his two best seasons. In 2013, he would pass for 3,978 yards and 34 touchdowns, earning his only league MVP honor. The Bears would go on to win Super Bowl 48 against the Peyton Manning-led Broncos by a 46-6 score, with Forte again earning MVP honors by scoring five touchdowns (four rushing, one receiving) and rushing for 211 yards, while catching ten passes for 103 more, setting a Super Bowl record for combined yards in a game.
In 2014, he would again pass for over 30 touchdowns, and 3,681 yards, but the Bears would not reach the Super Bowl as the defense aged.
In 2015, 2016, and 2017, McCown posted solid numbers while the Bears missed the playoffs.
In 2018, McCown would pass for 3,422 yards and 32 touchdowns, leading the Bears to a 16-0 regular season record. They would then beat the Patriots by a 28-13 score, with Super Bowl MVP Eddie Jackson almost single-handedly thwarting Brady's efforts to lead the Patriots to a comeback, including with a game-sealing fourth-quarter interception return for a touchdown.
The Bears would miss the playoffs in 2019, and had their latest run come up short in the 2020 wild card game, McCown's last.
Overall, McCown has set the career marks for passing yards (39,134), touchdowns (271), and he also has 4,377 yards and 57 touchdowns rushing, placing him in the top ten in the career lists for the team in those categories. As a full-season starter, the Bears never finished worse than 7-9. During his 17 seasons as a full-time starter, he made the playoffs 13 times. He won all five of his Super Bowl appearances, tying him with Brady. He beat Peyton Manning twice, and also beat Ben Roethlisberger twice.
He is said to be considered a candidate for the Hall of Fame, and the Bears have announced his #12 jersey will be retired. One thing for sure, the Chicago Bears will be having a new starter at quarterback - whether it is 2020 first-round pick Jalen Hurts, backup Taysom Hill, or a free agent - and he will have some huge shoes to fill.
That means that Darrent Williams doesn't die. It was Marshall's cousins (from what I understand) that provoked the people into shooting at that limo (they thought they were shooting at B-Marsh, but it was Darrent Williams instead).
It is an interesting butterfly.
Another one is the fact that the Bears end up NOT trading for Jay Cutler - they may deal backup Kyle Orton, but it would be for a couple of draft picks. Where does Rex Grossman end up, for instance, since the Bears won't draft him in the 2003 draft? Where does Mitch Trubisky go in the 2017 draft?
Where does McCown ultimately rank when compared to other top QBs, like Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, Ben Roethlisberger, Drew Brees, Philip Rivers, and Matt Stafford?
I imagine that Brady's legacy would probably be largely unaffected - the only change being he loses to the 2018 Bears, who had that perfect 19-0 season. Rodgers is clearly seen as a guy who posted big numbers but never won the big games. Peyton takes a big hit, as he loses two more Super Bowls (never gets to hoist the Lombardi Trophy) and is seen as second-fiddle to Eli in that department.
I think Brady is seen as a cut above the other QBs, but the next 5-6 are often jumbled. McCown's five rings (and undefeated record in the Super Bowl) probably give him a big edge in some minds... but others argue he was carried more by the Bears' running backs, defense, and special teams.
Chris Webber is one of the biggest "what if" players in sports history, and with good reason:
If he doesn't blow out his knee in the 2003 playoffs, the Kings would have had a great shot at getting to a final that year and winning one. Then, in 2004, they got off to a great start without him. If that team has a healthy Webber, they have a good chance at beating LA (and maybe Detroit).
I want to talk about another team from 2003 though: The Blazers. They fell down 0-3 in the first round to Dallas before falling short, four games to three.
Game 7 was close, however, until Dallas pulled away in the final few minutes to win 107-95.
What if the Blazers won that game, though? And, what if Webber still gets hurt against them like he did against the Mavs?
In this scenario, I can see Portland getting to the Western Conference Final before losing to San Antonio in six games. An unexpected run like that could have altered the course of the franchise. For starters, GM Trader Bob Whitsitt probably doesn't get fired, and he probably makes more moves to try and make the team a contender. That probably means that Rasheed Wallace never goes to the Pistons (which prevents them from winning it all that year).
This could have huge butterflies:
1. The Pistons may not even make the ECF in 2004. That means that the Pacers go to the Finals against the Lakers (and maybe beat them).
2. Without a budding Pacers-Pistons rivalry, that butterflies away the Malice in the Palace, and Indiana probably goes back to the Finals that year.
3. If the Blazers stay competitive the next few years, that butterflies away the Frail Blazers era, and Oden and Roy get hurt for someone else.
If he doesn't blow out his knee in the 2003 playoffs, the Kings would have had a great shot at getting to a final that year and winning one. Then, in 2004, they got off to a great start without him. If that team has a healthy Webber, they have a good chance at beating LA (and maybe Detroit).
I want to talk about another team from 2003 though: The Blazers. They fell down 0-3 in the first round to Dallas before falling short, four games to three.
Game 7 was close, however, until Dallas pulled away in the final few minutes to win 107-95.
What if the Blazers won that game, though? And, what if Webber still gets hurt against them like he did against the Mavs?
In this scenario, I can see Portland getting to the Western Conference Final before losing to San Antonio in six games. An unexpected run like that could have altered the course of the franchise. For starters, GM Trader Bob Whitsitt probably doesn't get fired, and he probably makes more moves to try and make the team a contender. That probably means that Rasheed Wallace never goes to the Pistons (which prevents them from winning it all that year).
This could have huge butterflies:
1. The Pistons may not even make the ECF in 2004. That means that the Pacers go to the Finals against the Lakers (and maybe beat them).
2. Without a budding Pacers-Pistons rivalry, that butterflies away the Malice in the Palace, and Indiana probably goes back to the Finals that year.
3. If the Blazers stay competitive the next few years, that butterflies away the Frail Blazers era, and Oden and Roy get hurt for someone else.
From MLB.com interesting timeline where the Brown move to LA in 1942 due to a delayed Pearl Harbor, creating an event chain that completely changes the cities of half the teams in baseball. https://www.mlb.com/news/featured/the-story-of-the-los-angeles-browns-changed-baseball-forever
Alonso becomes the king of the V8 era at McLaren, winning 2007, 2008, 2010, and 2012.
Thanks, I'm anxious to read and see how it compares to the timeline I wrote on here. https://www.alternatehistory.com/fo...oung-team-–-browns-move-to-l-a-in-‘41.127555/
Brady would have been a catcher in the major leagues. He even said that he was a much better baseball player than he was at football.
