Definitions by Sports Info
St. Louis Rams
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!"
St. Louis Rams by Sports Info July 6, 2006
San Francisco 49ers
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."
San Francisco 49ers by Sports Info July 6, 2006
Indianapolis Colts
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."
Indianapolis Colts by Sports Info July 6, 2006
Jacksonville Jaguars
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."
Jacksonville Jaguars by Sports Info July 6, 2006
San Diego Chargers
Originally established as the Los Angeles Chargers in 1960, they were dominant in the old AFL, winning the title in 1963 and 1964. After having 14 straight seasons of missing the playoffs, the finally returned to the postseason behind long time quarterback Dan Fouts, with 4 straight berths from 1979-82. After another 10 poor years, the Chargers had 3 playoff berths in the mid-90s, having their best ever season in 1994, when the lost in the Super Bowl. The Chargers were hindered by poor teams, despite having good players, for many years afterwards. They picked perhaps the biggest bust in NFL history when Ryan Leaf was selected number 1 overall at quarterback. Finally turned it around in 2004, with their only playoff berth in recent years, behind incredible runningback LaDainian Tomlinson.
"The San Diego Chargers see their dream run come to an end. They are dismantled by San Francisco in the Super Bowl."
San Diego Chargers by Sports Info July 6, 2006
Tennessee Titans
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!"
Tennessee Titans by Sports Info July 6, 2006
Denver Broncos
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."
Denver Broncos by Sports Info July 5, 2006