NFL 2016-17 II: Playoffs, Super Bowl, and Offseason

[dxmnkd316]

Re: NFL 2016-17 II: Playoffs, Super Bowl, and Offseason

What would happen if the Vikings didn't trade for Herschel Walker?

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: NFL 2016-17 II: Playoffs, Super Bowl, and Offseason

What if Harry Connick Jr hadn't stolen Thurman Thomas's helmet?

Buffalo would have beaten Washington 41-17 behind Thomas' 150 yard, 3 TD performance. They would have failed to make the playoffs the following year, and Dan Marino's Dolphins would have knocked off the Cowboys in Super Bowl XXVII. The Bills would have returned to the Super Bowl the following season, and trounced Dallas 38-7 in Super Bowl XXVIII, and nobody would have ever heard from Jimmy Johnson ever again.

What would happen if the Vikings didn't trade for Herschel Walker?

The Vikings would have made 8 Super Bowl appearances in the 1990s, finally winning on their twelfth try in Super Bowl XXXIV against Tennessee. People relieved that Y2K did not result in Armageddon are abhorred to see that minutes after the Vikings hoist the Lombardi Trophy the Earth splits open revealing an iced-over Hell. Brett Favre leads the Green Bay/Hell Packers to 7 consecutive Super Bowls playing on the frozen tundra of Hell's replica of Lambeau Field.

[Kepler]

Re: NFL 2016-17 II: Playoffs, Super Bowl, and Offseason

The Vikings would have made 8 Super Bowl appearances in the 1990s, finally winning on their twelfth try in Super Bowl XXXIV against Tennessee. People relieved that Y2K did not result in Armageddon are abhorred to see that minutes after the Vikings hoist the Lombardi Trophy the Earth splits open revealing an iced-over Hell. Brett Favre leads the Green Bay/Hell Packers to 7 consecutive Super Bowls playing on the frozen tundra of Hell's replica of Lambeau Field.

But what happens to Nancy Kerrigan in this scenario?

[MissThundercat]

But what happens to Nancy Kerrigan in this scenario?

Her knee doesn't get smashed in, and her and Tonya Harding go on to win gold and silver at the 92 games.

[dxmnkd316]

Re: NFL 2016-17 II: Playoffs, Super Bowl, and Offseason

The Vikings would have made 8 Super Bowl appearances in the 1990s, finally winning on their twelfth try in Super Bowl XXXIV against Tennessee. People relieved that Y2K did not result in Armageddon are abhorred to see that minutes after the Vikings hoist the Lombardi Trophy the Earth splits open revealing an iced-over Hell. Brett Favre leads the Green Bay/Hell Packers to 7 consecutive Super Bowls playing on the frozen tundra of Hell's replica of Lambeau Field.

That's a hell of a spreadsheet.

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: NFL 2016-17 II: Playoffs, Super Bowl, and Offseason

#18 - Baltimore Ravens
Points: 96.1919
Super Bowl Championships: 2 (XXXV, XLVII)
NFL Championships: 2 (2000, 2012)
Playoff Appearances: 10 (15-8 (0.652))

The Baltimore Ravens come in at #18 on this list. The Ravens "joined" the NFL following the 1995 season when the Cleveland Browns moved to Baltimore. While the Browns history remained in Cleveland, the Ravens quickly made their own. The Ravens would largely struggle in their first four seasons, but the franchise has since been the poster child of success. Since 2000, Baltimore has made 10 trips to the postseason (winning at least 1 game in 8 of their 10 trips), won 4 division titles, played in 4 AFC Championship games, and won Super Bowls XXXV (34-7 over the New York Giants) and XLVII (34-31 over the San Francisco 49ers). The Ravens have put together several impressive stats in their 21 seasons in the league, including having the highest postseason winning percentage in NFL history, being the only franchise to have won multiple Super Bowls without a loss (and account for the Giants and 49ers only Super Bowl losses), and having 80% of their postseason wins have come either on the road or at a neutral site. Indeed, the Ravens have only played 5 of their 23 postseason games at home. The Ravens went 8-8 in 2016, and they will look to get back to their winning ways in the near future. If they can do so, look for Baltimore to continue their rapid ascent up these rankings.

#18 - Baltimore Ravens: 96.1919 Points
#19 - Buffalo Bills: 95.567 Points
#20 - Seattle Seahawks: 87.379 Points
#21 - Detroit Lions: 82.3896 Points
#22 - Tennessee Titans: 78.9047 Points
#23 - Los Angeles Chargers: 68.583 Points
#24 - New York Jets: 57.2376 Points
#25 - New Orleans Saints: 51.8186 Points
#26 - Arizona Cardinals: 49.1015 Points
#27 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 44.2051 Points
#28 - Cincinnati Bengals: 42.3729 Points
#29 - Atlanta Falcons: 40.6032 Points
#30 - Carolina Panthers: 38.3619 Points
#31 - Jacksonville Jaguars: 9.9472 Points
#32 - Houston Texans: 9.4392 Points

[icehawk]

Re: NFL 2016-17 II: Playoffs, Super Bowl, and Offseason

Shocking
http://dailysnark.com/update-ezekiel...aken-hospital/

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: NFL 2016-17 II: Playoffs, Super Bowl, and Offseason

#17 - Philadelphia Eagles
Points: 105.0247
Super Bowl Championships: 0
NFL Championships: 3 (1948, 1949, 1960)
Playoff Appearances: 24 (19-21 (0.475))

The Philadelphia Eagles top the bottom half of this list, coming in at #17. The Eagles joined the NFL following the 1932 season after taking over the bankrupt Frankford Yellow Jackets franchise* and adopting the Eagles nickname. Philadelphia struggled early, failing to post a winning record until joining with the Pittsburgh Steelers as the Steagles in the 1943 NFL season. The Eagles continued their success after separating from Pittsburgh, and the franchise would see arguably their best stretch of football between 1944-1949, posting a 48-16-3 record, advancing to 3 NFL Championship games, and winning back-to-back NFL titles in 1948-1949. However, the Eagles would largely struggle over most of the next three decades. The lone bright spot was the 1960 season when Philadelphia went 10-2 and defeated Green Bay for the NFL Championship. The Eagles got back to the winning side of the column in the late 1970s, making 4 consecutive playoff appearances from 1978-1981, and advancing to Super Bowl XV following the 1980 season. Philadelphia would make the occasional playoff appearance throughout the 1980s and 1990s, but never advanced any further than the Divisional Round. However, as the 21st century dawned, the Eagles began to reappear as a league power. From 2000-2010, Philadelphia made 9 trips to the postseason, won 6 of their 13 division titles, appeared in 5 NFC Championship Games, and advanced to Super Bowl XXXIX following the 2004 season. Unfortunately for the Eagles, they were unable to win a Lombardi Trophy during this era, and since 2010 the Eagles have been largely mediocre, going 46-50-0 and winning 1 division title in 2013. If Philadelphia can get back to making regular playoff appearances and perhaps finally capturing a Super Bowl title, they will likely fly up into the top half of these rankings.

#17 - Philadelphia Eagles: 105.0247 Points
#18 - Baltimore Ravens: 96.1919 Points
#19 - Buffalo Bills: 95.567 Points
#20 - Seattle Seahawks: 87.379 Points
#21 - Detroit Lions: 82.3896 Points
#22 - Tennessee Titans: 78.9047 Points
#23 - Los Angeles Chargers: 68.583 Points
#24 - New York Jets: 57.2376 Points
#25 - New Orleans Saints: 51.8186 Points
#26 - Arizona Cardinals: 49.1015 Points
#27 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 44.2051 Points
#28 - Cincinnati Bengals: 42.3729 Points
#29 - Atlanta Falcons: 40.6032 Points
#30 - Carolina Panthers: 38.3619 Points
#31 - Jacksonville Jaguars: 9.9472 Points
#32 - Houston Texans: 9.4392 Points

*The Yellow Jackets ceased operations midway through the 1931 NFL season, and neither the NFL nor the Eagles consider the Eagles as the successor franchise of the Yellow Jackets. Accordingly, the Yellow Jackets records and history do not count towards Philadelphia's point totals in this ranking.

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: NFL 2016-17 II: Playoffs, Super Bowl, and Offseason

#16 - Minnesota Vikings
Points: 105.6669
Super Bowl Championships: 0
NFL Championships: 1* (1969)
Playoff Appearances: 28 (19-28 (0.404))

The Minnesota Vikings squeak into the top half of this list, coming in at #16. The Vikings initially agreed to be an original franchise of the American Football League, but ultimately joined the NFL following the 1960 season. The Vikings struggled in its infancy, having only 1 winning season in its first 7 seasons (the franchise's longest postseason drought), but sprang to life under the leadership of Bud Grant. From 1968-1980, the Vikings sustained tremendous success, going 128-58-2, making 11 postseason appearances, winning 11 division titles, and appearing in 4 Super Bowls. Minnesota would have moderate success the rest of the 1980s, advancing to the NFC Conference Championship game in 1987 (falling to eventual Super Bowl Champion Washington 17-10), won a division title in 1989, and made 4 total playoff appearances from 1981-1989. The Vikings would find more success in the follow decade. From 1992-2000, Minnesota made 8 trips to the playoffs, won 4 division titles, and made 2 trips to the NFC Championship game. Since 2000, the Vikings have been in a bit of a funk, only making 5 trips to the playoffs, winning 3 division titles, and making 1 trip to the NFC Championship game. While the Purple and Gold have been largely successful, they have failed to shine when it truly matters most. The Vikings have the most Super Bowl Appearances without a title (tied with Buffalo), the most Playoff Appearances without a Super Bowl (tied with Cleveland), the highest winning percentage without a Super Bowl (9th overall, and better than franchises like the Oakland Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Washington Redskins), the most Playoff wins without a Super Bowl title (tied with Philadelphia), and an NFL record 28 playoff losses. The only outstanding accomplishment for Minnesota is a Lombardi Trophy. If they can find a way to lift that, they will likely move up this list.

#16 - Minnesota Vikings: 105.6669 Points
#17 - Philadelphia Eagles: 105.0247 Points
#18 - Baltimore Ravens: 96.1919 Points
#19 - Buffalo Bills: 95.567 Points
#20 - Seattle Seahawks: 87.379 Points
#21 - Detroit Lions: 82.3896 Points
#22 - Tennessee Titans: 78.9047 Points
#23 - Los Angeles Chargers: 68.583 Points
#24 - New York Jets: 57.2376 Points
#25 - New Orleans Saints: 51.8186 Points
#26 - Arizona Cardinals: 49.1015 Points
#27 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 44.2051 Points
#28 - Cincinnati Bengals: 42.3729 Points
#29 - Atlanta Falcons: 40.6032 Points
#30 - Carolina Panthers: 38.3619 Points
#31 - Jacksonville Jaguars: 9.9472 Points
#32 - Houston Texans: 9.4392 Points

*The Vikings won the final NFL Championship before the NFL-AFL merger in 1970, but lost to Kansas City in Super Bowl IV.

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: NFL 2016-17 II: Playoffs, Super Bowl, and Offseason

#15 - Kansas City Chiefs
Points: 110.0519
Super Bowl Championships: 1 (IV)
NFL Championships: 0*
Playoff Appearances: 19 (9-17 (0.346))

The Kansas City Chiefs come in at #15 on this list. The franchise began as the Dallas Texans in the AFL and won the 1962 AFL Championship over the Houston Oilers before relocating to Kansas City and becoming the Chiefs. The Chiefs continued their success in Kansas City, winning another AFL Championship in 1966 before falling to Green Bay in Super Bowl I, and winning their only Super Bowl in the final season before the AFL-NFL merger in 1969 defeating the Vikings in Super Bowl IV. However, post-merger life for Kansas City was difficult, as the Chiefs made only 2 playoff appearances between 1970-1989, losing both games (including in 2OT to the undefeated Miami Dolphins in 1971). The Chiefs would reemerge as a contender in the 1990s. Between 1990-1997, Kansas City made 7 postseason trips, won 3 of the franchise's 10 division titles, and made their first (and, to date, only) trip to the AFC Championship Game. The Chiefs have struggled to put together that type of sustained run since, but may have turned the corner. Kansas City has made the playoffs 3 times in the past 4 season, and won a division title last season. The Chiefs have the fewest playoff appearances, playoff wins, and division titles of any team in the top half of these rankings. However, if they can convert their current form into more hardware, and perhaps lift the Lombardi Trophy for the first time in nearly 50 years, they will likely move up this list.

#15 - Kansas City Chiefs: 110.0519 Points
#16 - Minnesota Vikings: 105.6669 Points
#17 - Philadelphia Eagles: 105.0247 Points
#18 - Baltimore Ravens: 96.1919 Points
#19 - Buffalo Bills: 95.567 Points
#20 - Seattle Seahawks: 87.379 Points
#21 - Detroit Lions: 82.3896 Points
#22 - Tennessee Titans: 78.9047 Points
#23 - Los Angeles Chargers: 68.583 Points
#24 - New York Jets: 57.2376 Points
#25 - New Orleans Saints: 51.8186 Points
#26 - Arizona Cardinals: 49.1015 Points
#27 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 44.2051 Points
#28 - Cincinnati Bengals: 42.3729 Points
#29 - Atlanta Falcons: 40.6032 Points
#30 - Carolina Panthers: 38.3619 Points
#31 - Jacksonville Jaguars: 9.9472 Points
#32 - Houston Texans: 9.4392 Points

*The Kansas City Chiefs won 3 AFL Championships (1962, 1966, 1969) before the AFL-NFL merger.

[Kepler]

Re: NFL 2016-17 II: Playoffs, Super Bowl, and Offseason

Could go in any sports thread or Nice Planet, but a rundown of the worst sports media peacocks in the most loathsome city in America. Back in the day, that field was packed with blowhards like Will McDonough, Dan Shaughnessy, and Bob Ryan who took themselves and their crappy little burg so flatulently seriously that even Peter Gammons seemed dignified by comparison. It appears their radio successors are even worse and more representative of the simian fanbase.

[mookie1995]

Re: NFL 2016-17 II: Playoffs, Super Bowl, and Offseason

Could go in any sports thread or Nice Planet, but a rundown of the worst sports media peacocks in the most loathsome city in America. Back in the day, that field was packed with blowhards like Will McDonough, Dan Shaughnessy, and Bob Ryan who took themselves and their crappy little burg so flatulently seriously that even Peter Gammons seemed dignified by comparison. It appears their radio successors are even worse and more representative of the simian fanbase.

mookie went to high school with 'zo', or as he was known there - "buckethead". one year at a christmas party he got sick and was given a bucket to use in case he had to hurl again. well the handle got stuck and, yup......

[Rover]

Re: NFL 2016-17 II: Playoffs, Super Bowl, and Offseason

Could go in any sports thread or Nice Planet, but a rundown of the worst sports media peacocks in the most loathsome city in America. Back in the day, that field was packed with blowhards like Will McDonough, Dan Shaughnessy, and Bob Ryan who took themselves and their crappy little burg so flatulently seriously that even Peter Gammons seemed dignified by comparison. It appears their radio successors are even worse and more representative of the simian fanbase.

That was awesome and pretty accurate although they should have included Bill Simmons in there. IMHO they all get their cues from the late, not so great Will "the Shill" McDonaugh, a guy so willing to sell out for access he was for years the only reporter that universally loathed Bruins owner Jeremy Monty Burns Jacobs would grant interviews to, and there were more soft balls tossed during them than a Trump interview with Sean Hannity.

PS - Bob Ryan is actually a good writer who legitimately cares about the sports he's covering unlike say Shuannessey who doesn't know what to do with himself these last 15 years since the local sports teams starting winning titles, thus ruining his "woe is us" schtick.

[Kepler]

Re: NFL 2016-17 II: Playoffs, Super Bowl, and Offseason

mookie went to high school with 'zo', or as he was known there - "buckethead". one year at a christmas party he got sick and was given a bucket to use in case he had to hurl again. well the handle got stuck and, yup......

Thou shalt not take the Lord's name in vain.

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: NFL 2016-17 II: Playoffs, Super Bowl, and Offseason

#14 - Cleveland Browns
Points: 130.1904
Super Bowl Championships: 0*
NFL Championships: 4** (1950, 1954, 1955, 1964)
Playoff Appearances: 28 (16-20 (0.444))

The Cleveland Browns come in at #14 on this list, the highest of any team to have never won a Super Bowl (let alone appear in one). The Browns joined the upstart All-America Football Conference in the closing days of World War II, and quickly established themselves as a powerhouse, winning all 4 AAFC Championships between 1946-1949. After merging with the NFL following the 1949 season, Cleveland showed that it was truly the best team in professional football, winning the 1950 NFL Championship. The Browns would dominate their new league, advancing to 6 consecutive NFL Championship games between 1950-1955, including back-to-back titles in 1954 and 1955. Cleveland made 5 more trips to the NFL Championship game in the 1950s and 1960s, and won their fourth (and, to date, last) NFL Championship in 1964. Indeed, from 1946-1972, there was perhaps no better franchise in professional football than the Browns. During that stretch, Cleveland had only 1 losing season, went 253-91-10 (0.729),won 18 division titles, appeared in 15 AAFC or NFL Championship Games, and won 8 league titles. Cleveland did not have near the same success in the rest of the 1970s, but rebounded in the 1980s winning 5 more division titles, and advancing to 3 AFC Championship Games in 7 playoff appearances. Unfortunately for the Browns, they were unable to sustain that success into the 1990s, advancing to the playoffs only once before being "deactivated" following the 1995 season.*** Since "reactivating" the franchise in 1999, the Browns have largely struggled. Cleveland has had only 2 winning seasons, and 1 trip to the playoffs, to go along with 14 double-digit loss campaigns. The Browns significant history in the 25 years or so following World War II has them ranked as high as they are, but without a significant turnaround in the years to come, Cleveland will likely struggle to maintain its ranking on this list.

#14 - Cleveland Browns: 130.1904 Points
#15 - Kansas City Chiefs: 110.0519 Points
#16 - Minnesota Vikings: 105.6669 Points
#17 - Philadelphia Eagles: 105.0247 Points
#18 - Baltimore Ravens: 96.1919 Points
#19 - Buffalo Bills: 95.567 Points
#20 - Seattle Seahawks: 87.379 Points
#21 - Detroit Lions: 82.3896 Points
#22 - Tennessee Titans: 78.9047 Points
#23 - Los Angeles Chargers: 68.583 Points
#24 - New York Jets: 57.2376 Points
#25 - New Orleans Saints: 51.8186 Points
#26 - Arizona Cardinals: 49.1015 Points
#27 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 44.2051 Points
#28 - Cincinnati Bengals: 42.3729 Points
#29 - Atlanta Falcons: 40.6032 Points
#30 - Carolina Panthers: 38.3619 Points
#31 - Jacksonville Jaguars: 9.9472 Points
#32 - Houston Texans: 9.4392 Points

*The Cleveland Browns defeated the reigning NFL Champion Philadelphia Eagles 35-10 to begin the 1950 NFL Season in what was dubbed "The World Series of Pro Football" and an early precursor to the Super Bowl.
**The Cleveland Browns won 4 AAFC Championships (1946, 1947, 1948, 1949).
***The NFL considers Art Modell's move of the Browns to Baltimore to be a deactivation of the Cleveland franchise and Baltimore being a new franchise.