Founded in 1966 as a member of the AFL, the Dolphins established themselves as a great franchise by hiring Don Shula as coach in 1970- he would lead the team until 1995! Miami had 7 playoff berths in the 1970s, making the Super Bowl 3 straight times from 1971-73. They won 2 of these titles, taking Super Bowls VI and VII. On their way to the Super Bowl VI crown, Miami became the only team in NFL history to go undefeated at 17-0. An urban legend is that members of the '72 Dolphins celebrate a toast each year when the last undefeated team loses. Lost the Super Bowl in 1982 and picked up the legendary Dan Marino as quarterback the next season. Marino led the Dolphins to a loss in the Super Bowl in 1984 and to 10 playoff berths in his career which lasted until 1999. However, the league's all time leading passer never won a championship. Have not made the playoffs since 2001, just barely missing them in 2002 and 2003.
"The Miami Dolphins win a low scoring game against Washington. They are 17-0 and champions of the National Football League."
by Sports Info July 03, 2006
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 09, 2006
Super Bowl XL Champions! The Steelers were established as the Pittsburgh Pirates (like the baseball team) in 1933 by Art Rooney. Rooney invested his winning from amateur boxing and betting on horse racing into what would became the league's most legendary team. Changing their name to Steelers in 1941, the team struggled mightily for most of the their first 40 years of existance, despite having some hall of fame players like John Henry Johnson and Bobby Layne. Everything turned around in 1972. Pittsburgh shocked everyone by making the playoffs, but they appered to be destined to an early exit, trailing 7-6 to the Raiders with time running out. But a miracle happened. Hall of fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw threw an errant pass. Runningback Frenchy Fuqua collided with Raiders' cornerback Jack Tatum, the ball bounced up, and landed in the hands of hall of fame runningback Franco Harris. Touchdown. The Immaculate Reception was born. The winning ways would continue with 8 straight playoff berths and 4 Super Bowl championships- Super Bowls IX, X, XIII, and XIV belonged to Pittsburgh. The 1970s teams are considered perhaps the greatest in history with hall of famers like Bradshaw, Harris, receivers John Stallworth and Lynn Swann, defensiveback Mel Blount, linebackers Jack Lambert and Jack Ham, among others. Were up and down in the 1980s with 4 playoff berths, but turned it around when Bill Cowher became coach in 1992, ratling off 6 straight playoff berths, but unfortunatly losing the Super Bowl in 1995. Have made the playoffs 4 times in the last 5 years. Last season, they embarked on an incredible run, winning Super Bowl XL after winning 3 straight road playoff games. This gave young quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, Cowher, and legendary runningback Jerome Bettis their first titles. Pittsburgh's 5 Super Bowls have tied San Francisco and Dallas for the most all time. The Steelers are known for having amazing fans, who often travel to watch their team's road games.
"And in his hometown of Detroit, Jerome Bettis gets to celebrate. There's going to be a party on the streets of Pittsburgh tonight, as the Pittsburgh Steelers have won Super XL for their 5th title!"
by Sports Info July 03, 2006
An expansion team in 1995, the Jaguars quickly became a dominant team behind quarterback Mark Brunell, receiver Jimmy Smith, and a great defense. From 1996-99, the team had 4 straight playoff berths, going 14-2 with the league's best record in in '99. However, during that season, they lost both of their games to the Tennessee Titans, and again lost to the Titans in the playoffs, costing Jacksonville a trip to the Super Bowl. After some poor seasons, the Jaguars again built a hard nosed team and made the playoffs in 2005.
"The Jacksonville Jaguars have defeated the Dolphins 62-7, the most lopsided victory in playoff history."
by Sports Info July 06, 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 06, 2006
The Rams were founded in 1937 as Cleveland's NFL franchise. Struggling early in their existance, they rose to glory behind quarterback Sammy Baugh in 1945 and won a close battle to claim the NFL title. However, following the season, the team moved to Los Angeles. They played for the NFL championship each year from 1949-51, winning the crown in 1951. In 1950, the Rams faced their replacement from Cleveland, the Browns. The faced them for the title again in 1955, and came up losers for a 2nd time. After sparse playoff berths in the 1960s, they became a force in the 1970s, with consecutive playoff apperances from 1973-80. However, they always seemed to be overshadowed and made the Super Bowl just one time, a loss to the Steelers in 1979. Were again impressive with 6 playoff berths in 7 years from 1983-89, but were once again unable to beat out the competition for a conference title. The team struggled in years afterward and moved to St. Louis for the 1995 season. It took the team several years, but they built up a powerhouse offense that took the team to Super Bowl XXXIV in 1999. In that game, the beat the Titans on a goal line stand for their first Super Bowl win and first title since 1951. This began a run of 5 playoff berths in 6 years, including another Super Bowl apperance- a heartbreaking loss to the Patriots in 2001 on a last second field goal. In 2005, though, the team struggled mightily and the once powerful offense began to fade.
"Dyson lunges for the goal line, he reaches but he's stopped short! The defense holds and time runs out! The St. Louis Rams have won Super Bowl XXIV!"
by Sports Info July 06, 2006
The Colts were established in 1953 as Baltimore's NFL franchise. The quickly established themselves as contenders after signed quarterback Johnny Unitas, one of the greatest in the history of the game. With Johnny U, they won the NFL championship in back to back years in 1958-59 and lost in the title game in 1964. The Colts continued their dominance in the late 1960s and early 1970s. In 1968, they headed to the Super Bowl and were heavy favorites to win the title. However, they choked under pressure and lost to the Jets in stunning fashion. The Colts made up for their shortcomings in Super Bowl V. In Unitas's last year as a starter, the Colts beat Dallas for the title on a last second Jim O'Brien field goal. Up and down throughout the next decade, the Colts moved to Indianapolis in 1984, to the shock of players and fans alike. Owner Robert Irsay secretly made the relocation deal, and information of the move didn't leak to the media until the day after the franchise had moved. Playoff berths were sparse in Indianapolis until quarterback Peyton Manning and receiver Marvin Harrison joined forces in the late 1990s, becoming an amazing duo and leading a high powered offense. While offense has led the team into the playoffs 6 times in the last 7 years, defense has consistantly been a problem. Also, Manning's performance seems to slip in the postseason, and this proficient passer has yet to reach football's title game. In 2005, after having the best record in football, the Colts were bounced in the division round in an odd game against the champion Steelers.
"Vanderjagt for the tie. That kick is up, it has the distance, but it's no good. And it is over. The Pittsburgh Steelers are moving on, and the Indianapolis Colts see their season come to an end. Mike Vanderjagt, the game's most accurte kicker, chokes on the big stage."
by Sports Info July 06, 2006