23 definitions by Sports Info
In 1932, the NFL arrived in Boston with the forming of the Redskins, but after a 1936 championship game loss, the team jumped ship for the nation's capital. In the early days in Washington, they were dominant, with titles in 1937 and 1941 and championship game apperances in 1940, 1943, and 1945. The 1940 loss was the most lopsided in NFL history at 73-0. After a decade and a half of struggles, the team returned to glory in the early 1970s with 5 playoff berths in 6 years from 1971-76. This team was made up of old veterans such as reciever Charley Taylor and quarterback Billy Klimer. Their success, however, did not translate to a Super Bowl win, as they lost in their first apperance in 1972. In the 1980s, the team was revived again under coach Joe Gibbs with 5 playoff berths and 3 Super Bowl apperances. They won the championship in 1982's Super Bowl XVII and 1987's Super Bowl XXII, while the lost a lopsided battle in 1983. They achieved 3 more playoff berths in the early 1990s and another championship in Super Bowl XXVI. However, the team struggled for many years afterward, with just one playoff berth, a 1999 division crown, between 1993-2004. In 2005, the team turned it around and returned to the postseason. The Redskins appear to have a solid core for the future.
"And although Denver scored first, it was the Washington Redskins day out their today. They win in a dominating performance to take the Super Bowl XXII victory and the Lombardi Trophy."
by Sports Info July 9, 2006
Formed in 1960 as the Houston Oilers, they were one of the original members of the AFL, winning the league's first 2 championships in 1960 and 1961. After being good throughout the '60s, struggled until the late 1970s when Earl Campbell began to tear it up at runningback. In 1978 and 1979, they made the playoffs as a wild card team, advanced to the AFC title game, and were dismantled by the champion Steelers. Aquired Warren Moon to play quarterback and rattled off 7 straight playoff berths from 1987-93. However, interest in the Oilers was waning in Houston, especially after a dismal 1994. After the 1996 season, owner Bud Adams moved the team to Tennessee, first for a temporary year in Memphis (while a new stadium was under construction), and then to the permanent home of Nashville. Made the playoffs 4 out of 5 years from 1999-2003, losing the Super Bowl in 1999. In this game, the Titans were stopped inches short of the goal line on the last play of the game as they tried to tie the score. Have not made the playoffs since 2003 and are currently rebuilding.
"Time running out here in Super Bowl XXXIV. McNair drops back, the rush is coming, throws it across the middle to Dyson. Dyson is grabbed from behind, lunges to the goal line, but he is.....stopped short! He stretches but he will not cross the plain! And the Rams have won the championship! The Tennessee Titans come within 2 inches of a Super Bowl but cannot pull it off!"
by Sports Info July 7, 2006
The 49ers were established in 1950 as the Bay Area's NFL franchise, but struggled for their 1st 20 years of existance, with just 1 playoff berth. The team had a few good runs with 3 playoff berths in the early 1970s, but did not become the outstanding franchise that fans remember until the early 1980s. In 1981, with Joe Montana in his first year at starting quarterback and receiver Dwight Clark having an amazing year that would culminate in a game winning catch in the AFC title game, the 49ers made the playoffs and their 1st Super Bowl. The Niners win Super Bowl XVI in a 4th quarter comeback against the Bengals. After a poor season the next year, San Francisco went on a streak of 8 straight playoff berths from 1983-90. During that time, the team's powerful offense, now with excellent receiver Jerry Rice, won 3 more Super Bowls. They dominated the Dolphins to win Super Bowl XIX in 1984 and then won back to back crowns in 1988 and 1989, in what were 2 totally different championship games. The Super Bowl XXIII win was in a thriller against the Bengals, while the Super Bowl XXIV title was an easy victory. After just missing the playoffs in 1991, they went on another postseason streak from 1992-98. Now with Steve Young under center, they won their 5th Super Bowl in 1994, a blowout to take SB XXIX. The team was dismantled after 1998, but with a new cast, they returned to dominance a few years later, with playoff berths in 2001 and 2002. However, since then, the team has been struggling and were the league's second worst team in 2005.
"And Joe Montana does it for a second time! He pulls off a fourth quarter rally that brings a championship to the 49ers! The Cincinatti Bengals go down again, as the San Francisco 49ers win their fourth title."
by Sports Info July 7, 2006
Established in 1960 in the old AFL, the Broncos started off their existance as a poor franchise. They did not gain their first playoff berth until 1977, a year in which they had a miraculous run to the Super Bowl, a game that they lost handily. Since that time, the Broncos have been a very competitive franchise. They followed up their first playoff berth with 2 more, and then turned the corner after drafting quarterback John Elway in 1983. In Elway's career, which lasted until 1998, the team achieved 10 playoff berths. In the 1980s, the Broncos were known for their dominance of the Browns and their poor performance in Super Bowls. In 1986, 1987, and 1989, they beat Cleveland for the AFC title, including a famous sequence of events known as The Drive during the first run. In all 3 of their '80s Super Bowl apperances, Denver was crushed by their opponents. In the 1990s, under coach Mike Shanahan, the Broncos developed a hard nosed team and in 1997, made it to the Super Bowl for a 5th time. This time, they were finally victorious, winning a close one in Super Bowl XXXII. They followed it up with another title in Super Bowl XXXIII, with Elway having a dominant performance. Currently, the Broncos have been solid, although unspectacular, with 3 straight playoff berths.
"And John Elway had finally pulled it off! The Denver Broncos have won the Super Bowl, briging a title home to the rabid fans in Denver."
by Sports Info July 5, 2006
The NFL's perenial last place team, the Cardinals are a team with a long history, and one that unfortunately includes mostly losing. Established in 1920 as the Chicago Cardinals, they always played second fiddle to the crosstown Bears in the league's early days. The Cardinals generally struggled in their early years, except for a surprising championship in 1925. The team won an NFL championship in 1947 against the Eagles for their only title. They lost the rematch in the 1948 title game, in a low scoring 7-0 matchup. In 1960, the team moved to St. Louis, which did little to change their fortunes. The team had its best years in franchise history in the mid-70s with Jim Hart under center, achieving 3 straight playoff berths from 1974-76. The team also had a playoff berth in the strike shortened 1982 season. However, with the team still a poor franchise and, with St. Louis refusing to pay for a new stadium, the team moved to Phoenix for the 1988 season, first calling themselves the Phoenix Cardinals, then switching to the name Arizona Cardinals in 1994. The team failed to post a .500 season from 1985-97, but finally broke through with a playoff berth in 1998, their most recent postseason apperance. That year, the team went 9-7 and pulled off a 1st round upset of the Cowboys. Since then, the team has returned to its losing ways. However, they are currently building a good offense and their might be hope on the horizon for this team.
"The Arizona Cardinals have pulled up a gigantic playoff upset! In their first postseason apperance in 16 years, the defeat Dallas and are moving on to the next round."
by Sports Info July 7, 2006
Formed in 1950, they were named for their legendary coach Paul Brown. They won their title in their first year of existance, taking 2 more crowns in 1954 and 1955 and making the playoffs 9 times during the 1950s. They contined to play good football in the 1960s and early 1970s but could not make it to another championship game. The 1980s were filled with disappointment. The team had 7 playoffs during the decade but could not reach the Super Bowl, losing the AFC Championship game, each time to the Denver Broncos, in 1986, 1987, and 1989. The 1986 game featured the famous Denver comeback known as The Drive, which crushed the hopes of Bernie Kosar and the Browns. After a 1994 playoff berth, team owner Art Modell relocated the team to Baltimore following the 1995 season after a dispute with the city over the building of a stadium. Angered fans saw a new incarnation of the team, the expansion Browns, return in 1999. Since then, they have 1 playoff berth, in 2002.
"And John Elway has orchistrated an amazing comeback, and he will head to the Super Bowl. It's all over, the Broncos have broken the hearts of the Cleveland Browns in one of the great collapsed in NFL history."
by Sports Info July 3, 2006
Founded in 1960 as a member of the AFL and calling themselves the Boston Patriots until 1970, the Patriots were initially a mediocore team. Made the playoffs just twice in the 1970s and 3 times in the 1980s. However, 1985 featured a miraculous run in which they made the Super Bowl (as a wild card) after winning 3 straight road playoff games. However, they were crushed by the Bears in the title game (the Steelers became the first team to win a Super Bowl after 3 straight road playoff victories this year). Became a decent franchise in the 1990s with eccentric coach Bill Parcells and quarterback Drew Bledsoe with 4 playoff berths and a loss in the Super Bowl in 1996. Established a dynasty in recent years with Tom Brady, a former 6th round draft pick, as a superstar quarterback. Have made the playoffs 4 times in the last 5 years, included 3 Super Bowl wins. Won their 3 titles by a combined 9 points- Super Bowls XXXVI and XXXVIII on last second Adam Vinatieri field goals and Super Bowl XXXIX after holding off an Eagles comeback.
"And with 3 seconds left, Adam Vinatieri sets up in a tie game, trying to win the Super Bowl for New England. That kick is on the way, it's long enough and good! The New England Patriots have shocked the Rams and have won the Super Bowl."
by Sports Info July 3, 2006