Hello readers! This post is about a "What-if?" scenario where rather teams that played in the Super Bowl in real life, the teams that were the runner-ups in the league/conference championship games, play the big game. For example, this past February's Super Bowl would've been Lions vs Ravens. I will be doing a what if scenario and I would predict who would've won those matchups. Let's have some fun!
Super Bowl I: Buffalo Bills vs Dallas Cowboys
Joe Collier's Bills take on Tom Landry's Cowboys in the first Super Bowl. The Bills that year were 9-4-1 while the Cowboys had a 10-3-1 record. The Bills gave up 18.2 points per game in 1966, a bit more than their 1965 team that won the AFL championship. Dallas' offense in the late 1960's was a beauty with various offensive dazzle and a defense that could hit people. I think the Cowboys take care of business in this one with a 30-20 win.
Super Bowl II: Dallas Cowboys vs Houston Oilers
Tom Landry's Cowboys return to the big game for the 2nd straight year while next door neighbor Houston Oilers get a crack in football's biggest stage. Landry's offense wasn't quite as good as they were in 1966 as well as their defense. Houston is lead by head coach Wally Lemm with a 9-4-1 record. The game is a defensive contest as neither team puts up a lot of points. The Oilers defense holds the Cowboys to 17 points but their offense doesn't put up enough to win. The Cowboys win 17-14 to give the NFL superiority over the AFL.
Super Bowl III: Oakland Raiders vs Cleveland Browns
Two new teams in the Super Bowl. Blanton Collier's Browns take on John Rauch's Raiders. Collier's offense was solid but its the defense that lacked enough superstars. The Raiders offense and defense were ranked in the top-2 in 1968. It was their best shot at winning a title in the late 1960's. The AFL gets its first win in the Super Bowl as the Raiders defense causes havoc on the Browns running attack and cause two turnovers on the Browns. The Raiders win 28-10.
Super Bowl IV: Cleveland Browns vs Oakland Raiders
Same two teams again for the last game before the 1970 NFL-AFL Merger. Blanton Collier's Browns make a return while the Raiders have a new guy by the name of John Madden coaching for them. Just go with it. The Raiders in 1969 were just as better as they were in 1968. The Browns had similar offensive numbers as last year but lesser great defense. The game is a bit more closer than the previous year but the Raiders are repeat champions by the score of 27-20.
Super Bowl V: Oakland Raiders vs San Francisco 49ers
John Madden's Raiders reach their 3rd straight Super Bowl while Dick Nolan's 49ers reach the Super Bowl 11 years early, before Bill Walsh ever did. Madden's Raiders were not as good as the past two seasons while the 49ers namesake under Nolan was defense. The 49ers defense in 1970 wasn't quite as good as they would in later years as they gave up 19.1 points/game. Turnovers were a plenty in this game like the real life Super Bowl V. San Francisco beats their cross-town rivals with a 49ers game-winning kick from Bruce Gossett with a 20-17 win. There is no three-peat for the Raiders.
Super Bowl VI: San Francisco 49ers vs Baltimore Colts
Dick Nolan's 49ers reach the Super Bowl again while Don McCafferty's Colts reach it after a disappointing 1970 season. The 49ers offense wasn't as good but the defense was better. Johnny Unitas finally gets his crack at a Super Bowl. The great quarterback has his finest hour as he helps the Colts win their first championship since 1959. The Colts win 24-20. The great quarterback rides off to the sunset and retires.
Super Bowl VII: Pittsburgh Steelers vs Dallas Cowboys
Chuck Noll's Steelers reach the Super Bowl for the first time and the Cowboys get back to the Super Bowl for the first time since January 1968. The Steelers in 1972 had the start of a great defense in the 1970's. The Cowboys offense wasn't quite as good either. The Steelers defense holds down the fort as their offense comes through with a 13-7 win over Dallas and give the Steelers their first championship in their 40th season.
Super Bowl VIII: Dallas Cowboys vs Oakland Raiders
The 'Boys meet up against the Silver and Black. Both teams already have two Super Bowls to their name. Such a tough call as they really were good in 1973. I think the Cowboys at that time had the better running game than the Raiders. I think the Cowboys win by a field goal.
Super Bowl IX: Oakland Raiders vs Los Angeles Rams
The Raiders return to New Orleans against the Rams. Oakland finishes the regular season with a 12-2 record, their best season since 1969. The Rams venture out of the basement in 1973 but would finish with a 10-4 record in 1974. Los Angeles gets to the Super Bowl on the strength of a great defense but an offense that finished 13th in scoring that year. I think the Raiders take the cake in this one.
Super Bowl X: Los Angeles Rams vs Oakland Raiders
The same two teams meet again a year later. The Rams get slightly better on offense finishing 11th and have the best defense in the league. Oakland finished with a 11-3 record in 1975 but finish with 4th in points scored and 7th in points against. The Raiders seeking their 4th Super Bowl. Such a tough call. I think the Rams finally sneak past the Raiders in this one and win their 1st Super Bowl.
Super Bowl XI: Pittsburgh Steelers vs Los Angeles Rams
The vaunted 1976 Steelers defense against the defending champion Los Angeles Rams. I feel this game will be a defensive struggle as both teams that year possessed great defenses. Suffice to say I think Terry Bradshaw will guide the Steelers to a win.
Super Bowl XII: Minnesota Vikings vs Oakland Raiders
The Vikings of the 1970's finally gets to the Super Bowl but the team of the 1970's will be in their way in the Oakland Raiders. Minnesota's best chance to win a Super Bowl would be in this one in the SuperDome. I think the Raiders take care of business and win their 5th Super Bowl as the Vikings in 1977 were a team that was good but not quite good enough.
Super Bowl XIII: Houston Oilers vs Los Angeles Rams
Rookie Earl Campbell's Houston Oilers against Pat Haden's Rams. The issue with the Oilers glory years in the 70's was that they never had a great receiving target and their defense was somewhat suspect at times. The experienced Rams take down the Oilers.
Super Bowl XIV: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Houston Oilers
The 1979 Buccaneers shock some folks and make it to the big game. Earl Campbell is looking to revenge last year's loss. The weakness for the Buccaneers in the first few years of their existence was their offense. Doug Williams tried but eventually the LeeRoy Selmon led defense bends to the Oilers and gives Houston their first Super Bowl win.
Super Bowl XV: San Diego Chargers vs Dallas Cowboys
San Diego makes it to the Super Bowl for the first time while the Cowboys are back at it again. The 1980 Chargers team was overall a better team than the 1981 team. They had playmakers on offense and defense (Fred Dean really put the Chargers team on his back on defense). Cowboys will have Danny White at quarterback for this one. I think the Chargers team will be good enough to win by a field goal for their first Super Bowl win.
Super Bowl XVI: Dallas Cowboys vs San Diego Chargers
Same two teams return to the big game. The 1981 Chargers would lose a lot of players during the season. Despite a dramatic win over the Miami Dolphins and pulling off a win in the Freezer Bowl. I think the Chargers would fall short of a repeat. The Cowboys looking to revenge for last year's loss. People kind of forget that the Cowboys had the chance to win the 1981 NFC championship game after "The Catch." They had time.
Super Bowl XVII: New York Jets vs Dallas Cowboys
The New York Sack Exchange vs the Doomsday Defense. Richard Todd would have the best season of his career in the strike-shortened 1982. The Cowboys had a great defense despite losing some key pieces during their 1970's teams. Safe to say the Jets offense while playing really good football would be a bit too much as the Cowboys offense would balance themselves out while holding the Sack Exchange to a few sacks. Cowboys repeat. Safe to say it'll be a while until they make it to a Super Bowl.
Super Bowl XVIII: San Francisco 49ers vs Seattle Seahawks
Bill Walsh's 49ers finally make it to a Super Bowl while the upcoming Seahawks make an appearance. The 49ers in those early years in Walsh's tenure really trended as a passing team than a running team. Walsh did utilize his running game but only sparingly. Rookie Roger Craig would be the exception as he scored eight touchdowns in 1983. The Seahawks went 9-7 in 1983 on the back of their offense. The Dave Krieg-Jim Zorn duo was somewhat lethal while Steve Largent was in his prime. Curt Warner for the Seahawks had 1,449 rushing yards in 1983. I think the 49ers stifle the Seahawks offense and run rampant against their 24th ranked Seahawks defense.
Super Bowl XIX: Pittsburgh Steelers vs Chicago Bears
Chuck Noll's Steelers make an appearance while the '85 (or in this case '84) Bears make it to the big dance. Most of the key players on the 70's Steelers teams have left but still have John Stallworth, Mike Webster and Bennie Cunningham. A lot of the game centers around the health of Jim McMahon who didn't play in the NFC Championship game that year. I think the punky quarterback makes a start of it but isn't well enough to play. Steve Fuller steps in and does enough for the Bears to win, just barely.
Super Bowl XX: Miami Dolphins vs Los Angeles Rams
Dan Marino's Dolphins and Eric Dickerson face off in a classic Super Bowl. The Dolphins had arguably a better team than the 1984 team as they did beat the Chicago Bears (who in real life won Super Bowl XX with that stellar defense). It will be Danny's best shot to win a Super Bowl and he would make the most of it. Outside of Eric Dickerson, the Rams offense wasn't that great. Dieter Brock was the leading passer for Los Angeles with 2,658 yards with 16 touchdowns. Miami had one of the best defenses in the 80's arguably with the Killer B's. I think the Dolphins win it by two touchdowns and gives Dan Marino his Super Bowl.
Super Bowl XXI: Washington Redskins vs Cleveland Browns
Joe Gibbs' Redskins make it to the Big Dance while the Brownies return. A lot of talk around the health of Jay Schroeder and whether or not Doug Williams would play. Joe Gibbs would name Doug Williams his starting quarterback as he has his "epiphany that Williams would help lead Washington to victory." Cleveland would make things tough as his offense was stacked finishing with 24.4 points/game. The Redskins in the 80's were a tough team to out as I think they take the win and get their first Super Bowl.
Super Bowl XXII: Cleveland Browns vs Minnesota Vikings
The Redemption Browns try again against the dark horse Vikings. The 1987 Browns were top 3 in both points scored and points against. A pretty good team given when they actually didn't shoot themselves in the foot. Minnesota in 1987 were the outside shot that won a playoff game in New Orleans, also upset the heavily favored 49ers (which had a 13-2 record in the strike shortened season) and really were one catch away from going to the big game. I think the Cinderella season ends for the Vikings as the Browns were way too good.
Super Bowl XXIII: Chicago Bears vs Buffalo Bills
The Bears of the 80's return to the big game while the young and upcoming Bills make it to the big game. Chicago in 1988 weren't as good as they were in 1985 as their offense finished 18th in points scored. The defense was #1 however. Like Chicago, the Buffalo Bills in 1988 weren't as good on offense but did finish 14th in points scored. Buffalo finished 3rd in defense. The game feels like a copy of Super Bowl XXV as I think both teams would score points at a limited basis. I think the Bears take it.
Super Bowl XXIV: Cleveland Browns vs Los Angeles Rams
The Browns make it back while the Rams look to play spoiler. Cleveland didn't play as well on offense than they did in 1987 but they were more of a defensive team that would carry them to the big game. The Rams had the 2nd best offense in 1989 (just behind the mighty 49ers). They had Jim Everett who threw for 29 touchdowns and Greg Bell rushing for 1,137 yards while getting Henry Ellard to 1,382 receiving yards. I think the Rams take it.
Super Bowl XXV: San Francisco 49ers vs Los Angeles Raiders
It is a San Francisco vs Los Angeles Super Bowl. The talk of the game is the health of Joe Montana and Bo Jackson. Steve Young would get the start as Joe's health was in question. He would prove to be the right choice as the 49ers would play well enough to put points on the board. The Raiders offense with Jay Schroeder was alright but not great. The defense was the one that would guide the Silver and Black to this game. I think the 49ers are too much for them.
Super Bowl XXVI: Denver Broncos vs Detroit Lions
John Elway vs Barry Sanders in the big game! The Broncos during the Elway era was known for their offense but in 1991, they didn't have a top-5 offense. It was the Broncos defense with Steve Atwater and Dennis Smith leading the charge with five interceptions each in 1991. The Lions make it to the big game while beating the Beasts of the East in the Cowboys and Redskins. Barry Sanders had 1,548 rushing yards in 1991. The quarterback situation was somewhat of a mess as Erik Kramer had 1,635 passing yards with 11 touchdowns and 8 interceptions while Rodney Peete had 1,339 passing yards with five touchdowns and nine interceptions. Safe to say, I think the Broncos take the game and give Elway his ring early.
Super Bowl XXVII: San Francisco 49ers vs Miami Dolphins
Steve Young vs Dan Marino in an epic Super Bowl. San Francisco in 1992 was probably one of their best teams that didn't win a Super Bowl. They had to deal with the Cowboys that season. Miami wasn't a slouch either but they did finish with a 11-5 record in 1992. They manage to get past the Chargers and then the rival Bills to get here. I feel the outcome of the real Super Bowl XXVII and this game is pretty much the same as the 49ers rough up the Fish. Joe Montana takes his last snap with the Red & Gold.
Super Bowl XXVIII: Kansas City Chiefs vs San Francisco 49ers
We finally get the Joe Montana vs Steve Young Super Bowl. San Francisco in 1993 weren't as good defensively as they were in 1992. They finished 16th in points against. Kansas City in Joe's first season wasn't his best season (at least to his standards) with 2,144 yards passing with 13 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. You have to keep in mind that this Chiefs team also had Marcus Allen. San Francisco would win this game outright but the Chiefs almost came back and won it and help end the comparisons in the Young vs Montana debate.
Super Bowl XXIX: Dallas Cowboys vs Pittsburgh Steelers
Barry Switzer's Cowboys vs Bill Cowher's Steelers a year early. The Cowboys in 1994 didn't miss a beat than they did in the Jimmy Johnson years. The Trio was right there in 1994 and then some while retaining the players that they had in 1989 to 1993. Pittsburgh gets into the game with a defense that made Steelers fans reminisce over the 1970's Steelers teams. Their offense screamed anything but 1970's teams as Neil O'Donnell (much like in real life) was no Terry Bradshaw. I think the game was a carbon copy of the the actual Super Bowl XXX but maybe Charles Haley gets Super Bowl MVP or something. Enjoy this one Cowboys fans, you won't be making it back here for the rest of the post.
Super Bowl XXX: Indianapolis Colts vs Green Bay Packers
Jim Harbaugh vs Brett Favre in the desert! The Colts in 1995 were a dark horse (get it... horse... I'll stop) as they went 9-7 and proceed to beat the Chargers, Chiefs and then beat the Steelers in Three Rivers. Jim Harbaugh threw 2,575 yards with 17 touchdowns and five interceptions. Marshall Faulk was the juggernaut for the Colts with 1,078 rushing yards with 11 rushing touchdowns. Green Bay in the 1990's were a juggernaut overall as a team. They had MVP Brett Favre, Edgar Bennet with a 1,067 yard rushing season while Robert Brooks had 1,497 receiving yards. A stacked offense but a defense that was just as good with the Minister of Defense Reggie White with LeRoy Butler captaining the secondary. I think the Cinderella season ends for the Colts as the Packers win.
Super Bowl XXXI: Carolina Panthers vs Jacksonville Jaguars
You are reading that right, two 2nd-year expansion franchises making it to the Super Bowl. Carolina was a solid team in 1996 with a 12-4 record with 7th in points scored and 2nd in points against (they did have Sam Mills, Kevin Greene and Lamar Lathon on that defensive unit). Their road in getting here was the Cowboys and Packers (in cold Lambeau Field). The Jaguars in 1996 weren't as solid but they squeaked into the Super Bowl by beating the Bills, Broncos and Patriots. Certainly they had a chip on their shoulder. Jacksonville had a 9-7 record, 14th in points scored and 19th in points against. I think Carolina takes the cake.
Super Bowl XXXII: Pittsburgh Steelers vs San Francisco 49ers
Bill Cowher's 2nd Super Bowl while it is Steve Mariucci's first Super Bowl. The 49ers in 1997 were a pretty good team. They were 5th in points scored and 3rd in points against. They had Steve Young who was still a solid quarterback with a rookie Terrell Owens and Jerry Rice. Going up against them is the Steelers who finished 11-5 with a 7th ranked scoring offense and an 11th ranked scoring defense. Kordell Stewart at the helm who had a good season with 21 touchdown passes while throwing for 3,020 yards but also threw 17 interceptions. The Steelers had Jerome Bettis who had a bounceback season in his 2nd year in the Steel City. He had 1,665 yards rushing for seven touchdowns. I think this is a toughie as both teams had really storied history. While I do think the 49ers were the better team, I'm going to go with Pittsburgh with the upset.
Super Bowl XXXIII: Minnesota Vikings vs New York Jets
The 1998 Vikings vs the Cinderella Jets. The Vikings in 1998 were no joke when it came to offense. They scored 556 points (which was the NFL record until the 2007 Patriots did that) which was the #1 offense. Their achilles heel was their defense which was ranked 6th. The Vikes had Randall Cunningham in the twilight of his career with Cris Carter, Randy Moss and Robert Smtih. The team standing in their way was the upstart 12-4 Jets with Bill Parcells running the ship. Two years prior they were 1-15. In 1998, they were 12-4. Guiding the offense was journeyman Vinny Testaverde with Curtis Martin, Keyshawn Johnson and Wayne Chrebet. The Jets finished with the 2nd ranked defense in 1998. The game plays out like the real life Super Bowl XXXIV (Titans vs Rams) with the Vikings up by a huge margin and then the Jets start to comeback but fall just short in the end. Vikings fans, your team won a Super Bowl! Go celebrate!
Super Bowl XXXIV: Jacksonville Jaguars vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Battle of Florida! The 1999 Jaguars were a better team than the iteration that went to the game in 1996. They have an offense that could compete with anyone. People forget that this Jaguars squad sent Dan Marino packing in his last game. The Jaguars finished with a 14-2 record with the 6th ranked offense and the #1 defense. Standing in their way was the Big Bad Buccaneers with the awesome defense. Tony Dungy lead this squad to their first Super Bowl. Their defense had names similar to the 2002 squad that in real life won Super Bowl XXXVII. Such names like Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks, Ronde Barber and John Lynch. The big concern in this one is the Buccaneers offense which finished with the 27th best scoring offense. Trent Dilfer gets to go to a Super Bowl a year early as well. The Buccaneers keep it close but the Jaguars offense would wear the Buccaneers out as they win their first Super Bowl.
Super Bowl XXXV: Minnesota Vikings vs Oakland Raiders
The Vikings make a return to the big game and the Raiders under Jon Gruden make it to the big game. Minnesota in 2000 weren't quite as good as they were in 1998 but they still had an offense that could put up points. Their defense in 2000 was the main concern as they were ranked 24th in scoring defense. They finished with an 11-5 record. Dante Culpepper threw 33 touchdowns and nearly threw for 4,000 yards in just his 2nd year. The Raiders make it back to the big game after a decade. They finished 2000 with a 12-4 record and had the 3rd ranked offense and 9th ranked defense. They were headlined with Rich Gannon throwing for 3,430 yards with 28 touchdowns. Tyrone Wheatley rushed for 1,046 yards with nine touchdowns and Tim Brown lead the team with 1,128 receiving yards. The defense had such names like Greg Biekert, Charles Woodson, William Thomas and Eric Allen who returned interceptions for touchdowns. Sorry Vikings fans, I think the Raiders were the better team and their defense will smother the Vikings.
Super Bowl XXXVI: Pittsburgh Steelers vs Philadelphia Eagles
The Battle of Pennsylvania! The Steelers come into this one with a 13-3 record with the 7th best offense and 3rd best defense. The Eagles come with a 11-5 record and the 9th best offense and the 2nd best defense. Kordell Stewart would have an alright year in 2001 but not quite compared to 1997. His offense would be lead by Jerome Bettis who earned another 1,000 yard season in 2001. Plaxico Burress is on this team as well. Philly would be lead by Donovan McNabb in his 3rd year. The name Duce Staley echoes throughout this season. Todd Pinkston and James Thrash were the leading targets for McNabb. It feels like a low-scoring affair but I think the Eagles win a Super Bowl.
Super Bowl XXXVII: Philadelphia Eagles vs Tennessee Titans
Andy Reid and Jeff Fisher go at it as the Eagles look to repeat and the Titans look to play spoiler. The Eagles in 2002 were arguably better than the 2001 team as they finished 12-4 with the 4th best offense and 2nd best defense. The Titans weren't as good with a 13th best offense with a 11th ranked defense but finished with a 11-5 record. In truth, the Titans in 2002 were kind of lucky. They started 1-4 (including a 52-25 loss to Oakland) and then went on a 10-1 finish to end the regular season. Steve McNair was still quarterback of the team with 22 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Eddie George had a good year with 1,165 yards rushing with 12 touchdowns. Unfortunately, I think the Eagles handle business and repeat.
Super Bowl XXXVIII: Indianapolis Colts vs Philadelphia Eagles
Tony Dungy and Peyton Manning finally make it to the Super Bowl. The Eagles look to three-peat. Indy in 2003 had the 2nd best offense but had the 20th best defense with a 12-4 record. Philly in 2003 were not as great of a team but did finish with a 12-4 record with the 11th best offense and the 7th best defense. Donovan McNabb threw for 3,216 yards with 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Certainly not his greatest season. Peyton Manning had the better season with 4,267 yards with 29 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He was also MVP as well. I think the Colts pull off the upset and win the big game as the pressure of the three-peat is too much for Philly.
Super Bowl XXXIX: Atlanta Falcons vs Pittsburgh Steelers
Michael Vick the veteran vs Ben Roethlisberger the rookie. Atlanta in 2004 finished with a 11-5 record and had the 16th best offense and 14th best defense. Vick threw for 2,313 yards with 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions and his legs rushed for 902 yards with three touchdown runs. The team had Warrick Dunn, Alge Crumpler and Peerless Price in that offense. Not too shabby. The Steelers had the best season in their history in 2004 with a 15-1 record with the 11th best offense and the #1 defense. The team only lost to the Ravens that year (in a game where Roethlisberger didn't even start). Jerome Bettis was still playing and had a stacked wide receiver group with Antwaan Randle El, Hines Ward and Plaxico Burress. The Steelers will take this one.
Super Bowl XL: Denver Broncos vs Carolina Panthers
The Battle of the Jake's as Jake Plummer of the Broncos take on Jake Delhomme of the Panthers. The Broncos make it after finishing with a 13-3 record with the 7th best offense and 3rd best defense. Mike Anderson lead the team in rushing yards with 1,014 yards with 12 touchdowns. The veteran Rod Smith was still playing with 1,105 receiving yards with six touchdowns while Jake Plummer threw for 3,366 yards with 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Carolina had a 11-5 record in 2005 with the 8th best offense and the 5th best defense. Jake Delhomme had 3,421 yards passing with 24 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. DeShaun Foster lead the team in rushing with 879 yards and two touchdowns but Stephen Davis was the big scorer with 12 touchdowns with 549 yards rushing. Steve Smith Sr. was the star for the Panthers offense with 1,563 yards with 12 touchdowns on the year. Both teams are really similar and the game I feel is a back-and-forth affair but I think the Broncos win by a field goal.
Super Bowl XLI: New Orleans Saints vs New England Patriots
Tom Brady finally makes it to a Super Bowl! The 2006 Saints were kind of a Cinderella team. Hurricane Katrina happened the year before, the team was forced to play elsewhere, then the team revitalized the spirit of the city with the big Monday night win against the Falcons. The Saints went 10-6 with the 5th best offense and the 13th best defense. Drew Brees had a good year in his 1st year as the Saints quarterback with 4,418 yards with 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Deuce McAllister was the top guy in the backfield with 1,057 yards with 10 touchdowns while rookie Reggie Bush had 565 yards with six touchdowns. Marques Colston lead the team in receiving with 1,038 yards with eight touchdowns. New England in 2006 weren't quite as good as their 2003 and 2004 teams but they finished 12-4 with the 7th best offense and 2nd best defense. Brady threw 3,529 yards with 24 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Corey Dillon rushed for 812 yards with 13 touchdowns. Reche Caldwell was the leading receiver with 760 receiving yards with 4 touchdowns. The crux of the 2006 Saints was their defense, something that the 2009 team (that won Super Bowl XLIV in real life) would do better at. Tom Brady finally wins his Super Bowl!
Super Bowl XLII: San Diego Chargers vs Green Bay Packers
Phillip Rivers and Brett Favre go at it in Favre's last game as a Packer. Number 4 had a solid season as he hit 4,155 yards with 28 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Green Bay had a 13-3 record with the 4th ranked offense and the 6th ranked defense. Essentially their best team in the 2000's. Ryan Grant was the leading rusher with 956 yards with eight touchdowns. Donald Driver had a great season with 1,048 yards with two touchdowns. Greg Jennings was the leading scorer on the team as he got 920 receiving yards with 12 touchdowns. San Diego (weird even saying that) finished with a 11-5 record in 2007 with the 5th ranked offense and defense. Phillip Rivers did alright that season with 3,152 yards with 21 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. The juggernaut of the team was LaDainian Tomlinson who had 1,474 rushing yards with 15 touchdowns. Keep in mind, he was the MVP in 2006 with 1,815 yards and 28 touchdowns. Antonio Gates was the leading receiver with 984 yards with nine touchdowns. Safe to say, despite the Chargers beating the undefeated Patriots, the Packers take this one.
Super Bowl XLIII: Philadelphia Eagles vs Baltimore Ravens
The Eagles are back at it again. Rookie Joe Flacco and John Harbaugh make it to the big game. Philly finished with a 9-6-1 record with a 6th ranked offense and 4th ranked defense. Donovan McNabb hit 3,916 yards with 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in his 2nd to last year in Philadelphia. Brian Westbrook lead the charge with 936 yards rushing with nine touchdowns. DeSean Jackson had 912 yards receiving with two touchdowns. A new era began in Baltimore as John Harbaugh and Joe Flacco began their 1st years with the Ravens. Baltimore finished with a 11-5 record with a 11th ranked offense and 3rd ranked defense. Certainly helps when you have Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. Le'Ron McClain lead the team with 902 yards rushing with 10 touchdowns while Willis McGahee rushed for 671 yards with seven touchdowns. Derrick Mason was the leading receiver with 1,037 yards and scored five touchdowns. I think this game will be like the real-life Super Bowl XLIII but I think the Eagles take it.
Super Bowl XLIV: New York Jets vs Minnesota Vikings
An interesting matchup as Brett Favre takes on his former team the New York Jets. The Jets were a surprise team in 2009 as they went 9-7 and made a run that probably no one saw coming. They had a 17th ranked offense and the #1 ranked defense. The team went 4-6 after Week 11 and went on to a 5-1 run to get into the Wild Card. The team had Thomas Jones who had a respectable 1,402 rushing yards with 14 touchdowns. Jerricho Cotchery had 821 receiving yards with three touchdowns. Mark Sanchez would have a rough year as a rookie as he hit 2,444 yards with 12 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. I'd say probably the worst statline for a quarterback in this post. Minnesota had a dominating year on offense as they finished with a 12-4 record with the 2nd ranked offense and 10th ranked defense. Brett Favre in his first year with the Purple People Eaters was great. He hit 4,202 yards with 33 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. Adrian Peterson had a great year as he rushed for 1,383 yards with 18 touchdowns. Sidney Rice lead the team in receiving with 1,312 yards with eight touchdowns. Visanthe Shiancoe caught 566 yards with 11 touchdowns. I think the Vikings take it but the Jets defense keep it from being a blowout.
Super Bowl XLV: Chicago Bears vs New York Jets
Mark Sanchez and Rex Ryan get another crack at a championship while Lovie Smith and Jay Cutler hope to win the big game. Chicago in 2010 had a 11-5 record with the 21st ranked offense and 4th ranked defense. Jay Cutler had 3,274 yards with 23 touchdowns with 16 interceptions. He did better this year than in 2009, his first year with the team. Matt Forte had 1,069 rushing yards with six touchdowns. Johnny Knox was the leading receiver with 960 yards with five touchdowns. The ever dangerous Devin Hester was on this team as well. New York had a 11-5 record as well and improved on offense with a 13th ranked offense while dropping a bit with a 6th ranked defense. Mark Sanchez hit 3,291 yards with 17 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. LaDainian Tomlinson almost had a 1,000 yard season at age 31 but he had a 914 yard, six touchdown season on the ground. Braylon Edwards was the leading receiver with 904 yards with seven touchdowns. Santonio Holmes had 746 yards with six touchdowns. I think the game will be a bit of an ugly one as turnovers are abound but I think the Jets win a Super Bowl.
Super Bowl XLVI: Baltimore Ravens vs San Francisco 49ers
The Harbaugh Bowl comes a year early. The 2011 Ravens were a better team than the 2008 team. They finished 12-4 on the year with the 12th ranked offense and 3rd ranked defense. At least they were better on record. Joe Flacco hit 3,610 yards with 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. It was a breakout season for Ray Rice as he rushed for 1,364 yards and scored 12 touchdowns. Two Ravens sported identical receiving numbers as Torrey Smith had 841 yards with seven touchdowns and Anquan Boldin had 887 yards with three touchdowns. The 49ers in 2011 had a reenergized year with first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh. They finished 13-3 with the 11th ranked offense and 2nd ranked defense. Alex Smith was the #1 thrower as he hit 3,144 yards with 17 touchdowns and just threw five interceptions. Frank Gore (at age 28) had 1,211 yards rushing with eight touchdowns. Vernon Davis had a good year with 792 receiving yards and scored six touchdowns. Michael Crabtree lead the team in receiving yards with 874 and four touchdowns. Probably the biggest crux for the 49ers was that they turned the ball over quite a bit and they let teams hung around. I think the Ravens take advantage of the turnovers and John Harbaugh takes it over brother Jim Harbaugh.
Super Bowl XLVII: Atlanta Falcons vs New England Patriots
Falcons-Patriots comes four years early. The Falcons in 2012 finished with a 13-3 record with the 7th ranked offense and 5th ranked defense. Matt Ryan threw for 4,719 yards with 32 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Michael Turner lead the team with 800 rushing yards and scored 10 touchdowns. Roddy White lead the team in receiving with 1,351 yards with seven touchdowns. Julio Jones was also on this team and he scored 10 touchdowns with 1,198 yards. Tony Gonzalez was still playing as well. New England finished with a 12-4 record with the #1 ranked offense and had the 9th best defense. Tom Brady that year had 4,827 yards with 34 passing touchdowns and just eight interceptions. Pretty normal year for him. Stevan Ridley lead the team in rushing with 1,263 yards with 12 touchdowns. Wes Welker lead the team in receiving with 1,354 yards and scored six touchdowns. Rob Gronkowski had 790 yards receiving with 11 touchdowns. I think the game will be more of a shootout than the Super Bowl LI 28-3 extravaganza. That's fortunately the good news for the Falcons, the bad news is that the Patriots still win as they can't stop Rob Gronkowski.
Super Bowl XLVIII: New England Patriots vs San Francisco 49ers
Tom Brady vs Colin Kaepernick. The 2013 49ers finished with a 12-4 record with the 11th best offense and 3rd ranked defense. Colin Kaepernick threw for 3,197 yards with 21 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Frank Gore didn't quite have the same numbers he did in 2011 but he did put up a respectable 1,128 yards rushing with nine touchdowns scored. Kaepernick to his own scored four rushing touchdowns with 524 yards. Anquan Boldin joined the Niners that season and put up 1,179 yards receiving with seven touchdowns. The big man Vernon Davis scored 13 touchdowns with 850 receiving yards. New England had a 12-4 record with the 3rd ranked offense and 10th ranked defense. Stevan Ridley rushed for 773 yards with seven touchdowns. Falling one yard short of him was LeGarrette Blount with 772 yards with seven touchdowns. Julian Edelman had a breakout year as the wide out had 1,056 yards receiving with six touchdowns. Rob Gronkowski had 592 yards with four touchdowns. I think it'll be a good game in New York but I think the warm weather 49ers pull it off for the upset.
Super Bowl XLIX: Green Bay Packers vs Indianapolis Colts
Aaron Rodgers vs Andrew Luck. Indianapolis in 2014 finished with a 11-5 record with the 6th best offense and 19th best defense. Safe to say, Andrew Luck carried this team to a Super Bowl. You have to remember that he was the losing quarterback to the Patriots in the AFC Championship game when they lost 45-7. Andrew Luck hit 4,761 yards with 40 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. Trent Richardson would only muster a 519 yard, three touchdown rushing campaign in 2014. T.Y. Hilton lead the team with 1,345 yards receiving with seven touchdowns. Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen had eight touchdowns receiving. Green Bay had a 12-4 record with the #1 ranked offense with the 13th best defense. Aaron Rodgers hit 4,381 yards with 38 touchdowns and five interceptions. Eddy Lacy had one of his best seasons in his short career with 1,139 yards with nine touchdowns. Granted his production fell of a cliff after 2014. Jordy Nelson had 1,519 yards receiving with 13 touchdowns. Randall Cobb had 1,287 yards with 12 touchdowns. I think the Cinderella season ends for the Colts as the Packers trample over the Colts.
Super Bowl 50: New England Patriots vs Arizona Cardinals
Tom Brady and Larry Fitzgerald meet in the big game. New England in 2015 finished with a 12-4 record with the 3rd best offense and the 10th best defense. Another typical Tom Brady season with 4,770 yards with 36 touchdowns and seven interceptions. LeGarrette Blount had 703 yards rushing with six touchdowns. Rob Gronkowski was a beast in 2015 with 1,176 yards receiving with 11 touchdowns. Arizona makes it to the big game with a 13-3 record with the 2nd best offense and the 7th best defense. Carson Palmer had similar numbers to Brady with 4,671 yards with 35 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Chris Johnson was still in the league and had 814 yards rushing yards with three touchdowns. David Johnson had 581 yards rushing with eight touchdowns. Larry Fitzgerald was still playing at a high level with 1,215 yard, nine touchdown statline in 2015. John Brown had 1,003 yards receiving with seven touchdowns scored. The Patriots win this one as Brady collects ring #3.
Super Bowl LI: Green Bay Packers vs Pittsburgh Steelers
Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger face off six years later. The Steelers in 2016 finished with a 11-5 record with the 10th ranked offense and defense. Ben Roethlisberger hit 3,819 yards with 29 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Le'Veon Bell had 1,268 yards on the season with seven touchdowns from the ground. Antonio Brown with a hallmark season with 1,284 yards receiving with 12 touchdowns. Green Bay had a 10-6 campaign in the "Run the Table" finish. Aaron Rodgers had 4,428 yards with 40 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2016. Ty Montgomery had 457 yards rushing with three touchdowns. Rodgers lead the team in rushing touchdowns with four. Jordy Nelson put up another solid season with 1,257 yards receiving with 14 touchdowns. Davante Adams had 997 yards with 12 touchdowns. The game is kind of a shootout but the Steelers take the Super Bowl as they ravage the Packers defense.
Super Bowl LII: Jacksonville Jaguars vs Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings get to be in a Super Bowl in their own stadium. Minnesota in 2017 finished with a 13-3 record with the 10th best offense and the #1 defense. Case Keenum was the leading passer for the Vikes, getting 3,547 yards with 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions. People forget that this was supposed to be Sam Bradford's team but the quarterback was dealt with an injury early in the season. Latavius Murray was the leading rusher for the Purple Gang with 842 yards with eight touchdowns. Adam Thielen had 1,276 yards receiving with four touchdowns. Stefon Diggs and Kyle Rudolph lead the Vikings in receiving touchdowns with eight to their name. Standing in their way to glory is the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars finished with a 10-6 record with the 5th best offense and the 2nd best defense. Blake Bortles had 3,687 yards with 21 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Leonard Fournette had 1,040 yards rushing with nine touchdowns. Keelan Cole lead the team in receiving with 748 yards with three touchdowns. Marcedes Lewis lead the team in receiving touchdowns with five. I think the game will be a tightly contested one as the Vikings let the Jaguars hang around and eventually take a lead. Like the Minneapolis Miracle, the Vikings pull off a miracle out of their ass and win it.
Super Bowl LIII: New Orleans Saints vs Kansas City Chiefs
Drew Brees and Patrick Mahomes go at it. The Saints in 2018 had a 13-3 record with the 3rd ranked offense and 14th ranked defense. Drew Brees had 3,992 yards passing with 32 touchdowns with five interceptions. Alvin Kamara lead the Saints in rushing with 883 yards with 14 touchdowns. Michael Thomas had a solid year catching the ball with 1,405 yards and scored nine touchdowns. The Chiefs in 2018 had a 12-4 record with the #1 ranked offense and the 24th ranked defense. Patrick Mahomes in his first year as a starter had a stellar season with 5,097 yards with 50 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Kareem Hunt was the leading rusher for the Chiefs with 824 yards with seven touchdowns. Tyreek Hill had 1,479 yards receiving and scored 12 touchdowns. Travis Kelce had 1,336 yards with 10 touchdowns. Kind of a toss up as both teams are really similar. Ah what the heck, the Chiefs take it.
Super Bowl LIV: Tennessee Titans vs Green Bay Packers
The Titans and Packers face off in a Super Bowl. Tennessee went 9-7 in 2019 with a 10th ranked offense and the 12th ranked defense. Ryan Tannehill threw for 2,742 yards with 22 touchdowns with six interceptions. Tannehill started 10 of the games before Marcus Mariota got injured. Derrick Henry had 1,540 yards rushing with 16 touchdowns. A.J. Brown had 1,051 yards receiving with eight touchdowns. The Packers in 2019 had a new head coach in Matt LaFleur and didn't miss a beat as they went 13-3 that year. The Packers had the 15th ranked offense and the 9th ranked defense. Aaron Rodgers hit 4,002 yards with 26 touchdowns and four interceptions. Aaron Jones had 1,084 yards rushing and scored 16 rushing touchdowns. Davante Adams was the leading receiver with 997 yards and scored five touchdowns. The Titans get dismantled by the Packers as they create a gameplan to force Ryan Tannehill to throw the ball more as they stuff Derrick Henry.
Super Bowl LV: Green Bay Packers vs Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen vs Aaron Rodgers. The COVID season would bring forth two teams with the top-2 offenses. The Packers in 2020 had a 13-3 record with the #1 offense and the 13th ranked defense. Aaron Rodgers had 4,299 yards with 48 touchdowns and five interceptions. Aaron Jones had 1,104 yards rushing with nine rushing touchdowns. Davante Adams had 1,374 yards receiving and scored 18 touchdowns. Robert Tonyan scored 11 touchdowns as a tight end. Buffalo also went 13-3 in 2020 as they had the 2nd ranked offense and 16th ranked defense. Josh Allen hit 4,544 yards with 37 touchdowns with 10 interceptions. Devin Singletary lead the team in rushing as he had 687 yards with two touchdowns scored. For running backs, Zack Moss scored the most rushing touchdowns with four. Josh Allen racked up 421 yards and scored eight touchdowns. Stefon Diggs put the yardage in this season with 1,535 yards with eight touchdowns. Gabriel Davis scored seven touchdowns with 599 yards. The Packers are trying to for the repeat but I'm going to go against that as the Bills pull it off.
Super Bowl LVI: Kansas City Chiefs vs San Francisco 49ers
Patrick Mahomes vs Jimmy Garoppolo a few years later. The Chiefs in 2021 finished with a 12-5 record with the 4th ranked offense and 8th ranked defense. Patrick Mahomes hit 4,839 yards with 37 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Darrel Williams had 558 yards with six touchdowns, giving him Chiefs leading rushing honors. Not far from him was Clyde Edwards-Helaire with 517 yards rushing with four touchdowns. Tyreek Hill had 1,239 yards receiving with nine touchdowns. Travis Kelce had nine touchdowns and had 1,125 yards. San Francisco limped its way to the Super Bowl. They finished with a 10-7 record. Jimmy Garoppolo had 3,810 yards with 20 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. Elijah Mitchell lead the Niners in rushing with 963 yards with five touchdowns. Deebo Samuel lead the Niners in rushing touchdowns with eight. Samuel lead the team with receiving yards with 1,405 yards with six touchdowns. George Kittle had 910 yards with six touchdowns. Much like the real life Super Bowl LIV and LVIII, the Chiefs face a deficit and then overcome it by taking advantage of 49ers turnovers.
Super Bowl LVII: San Francisco 49ers vs Cincinnati Bengals
The 49ers and Bengals face off. San Francisco in 2022 finished with a 13-4 record with the 6th ranked offense and 1st ranked defense. Jimmy Garoppolo was the leading passer for the Niners despite not playing in the NFC championship game. Garoppolo hit 2,437 yards with 16 touchdowns and four interceptions. Brock Purdy would lead the Niners to the NFC championship game with 1,374 yards with 13 touchdowns and four interceptions. Going into this game I'm going under the assumption that Josh Johnson would be the quarterback that would start for the 49ers. Christian McCaffrey was the leading rusher for the 49ers in the partial season he played for them (remember he was traded from Carolina) with 746 yards with six touchdowns. Brandon Aiyuk had 1,015 yards with eight touchdowns in 2022. Cincinnati finished with a 12-4 record with the 7th best offense and 6th best defense. Joe Burrow hit 4,475 yards with 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The Bengals had Joe Mixon leading the ground with 814 yards with seven touchdowns. Ja'Marr Chase had 1,046 yards receiving while scoring nine touchdowns. Tee Higgins wasn't too far behind with 1,029 yards with seven touchdowns. Despite the lack of talent in quarterback, I think the Niners carry the weight and survive the Bengals highly versatile offense as their defense keeps them in it to win it.
Super Bowl LVIII: Baltimore Ravens vs Detroit Lions
The Ravens and Lions get to meet in a Super Bowl. Baltimore finished with a 13-4 record and put up a 4th ranked offense and the #1 ranked defense. Lamar Jackson had 3,678 yards with 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions on the year. Jackson was also the leading rushing yards with 821 yards and five touchdowns. Gus Edwards had 810 yards rushing with 13 touchdowns. Zay Flowers was the leading receiver with 858 yards and five touchdowns. Mark Andrews lead the Ravens in receiving touchdowns with six. The Lions in 2023 went on a 12-5 record with the 5th ranked offense and the 23rd ranked defense. Jared Goff had 4,575 yards with 30 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. David Montgomery had 1,015 yards rushing with 13 touchdowns. Jahmyr Gibbs had 945 yards rushing with 10 touchdowns. Amon-Ra St. Brown lead the Lions in receiving yards with 1,515 yards with 10 touchdowns. He joins Sam LaPorta with 10 touchdowns as well with 889 yards receiving. Ultimately, I think the Super Bowl matchup that I had wanted was this game as I felt that the Ravens were at least better than the Chiefs on paper. The Lions could've made it an interesting Super Bowl had they not in real life, gambled a bit too much and ultimately lost the game in the 2nd half. For this game, I think the Ravens take care of business and win it.
Super Bowl Winners:
Dallas Cowboys: 6
Oakland Raiders: 5
San Francisco 49ers: 7
Pittsburgh Steelers: 5
Green Bay Packers: 4
Philadelphia Eagles: 3
New England Patriots: 3
Baltimore Ravens: 2
Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts: 2
Washington Redskins: 1
Kansas City Chiefs 2
Minnesota Vikings: 3
Miami Dolphins: 1
Carolina Panthers: 1
New York Jets: 1
Denver Broncos: 2
Chicago Bears: 2
Jacksonville Jaguars: 1
Buffalo Bills: 1
Los Angeles Rams: 3
San Diego Chargers: 1
Cleveland Browns: 1
Houston Oilers: 1
Surprises:
Overall this was an interesting post to do. The research that I did for this was done on Football Reference and I judged the games based on the rankings and who I thought was the overall better team. Suffice to say there were some surprises. Here's the biggest ones:
1. The New York Giants did not appear in any of the Super Bowl games. They've lost a Super Bowl but they have never lost a conference championship in real life.
2. The fact that in 1996 we were close to getting two expansion teams in a Super Bowl in real life really was telling how helpful the expansion drafts and overall team composure of both the Jacksonville Jaguars and Carolina Panthers.
3. Bill Walsh's 49ers only making it to just one Super Bowl in the 1980's when in real life they were the team of the 80's. They had more success in the 1990's and beyond in this post than they did in the 1980's.
4. The Steelers in the 1970's making it to just two Super Bowls when they went to four of them in the 1970's.
5. That the Lombardi Trophy might be called something totally different. Perhaps the Landry Trophy.
Thanks for reading the post everyone. Got a few posts lined up to do for this month as I need to do a Offseason Thoughts post and a Predictions post for the 2024 season. Really excited to get started as Football is just around the corner.
Until next time,
Tom
