Continuing a meme...
ATL @ NO: The 1991 NFC wild card game meant more, but this game sure would've been fun to watch.
CIN @ TEN: The Bengals' last playoff win came against the former Houston Oilers in 1990. They split blowout regular-season games that year, the Oilers winning at home, 48-17, but losing at Cincy, 40-20. I'm giving this one to the 61-7 game in 1989, if only because my opinion of Jerry Glanville is no higher than Sam Wyche's was.
JAX @ PIT: A Steeler fan probably wouldn't even need to look this up. I'd have thought they had some better earlier games than I was able to find, though their last meeting is plenty good enough.
MIN @ CHI: Another set of division rivals with exactly one playoff matchup (1994 wild card game, 35-18 Bears). Their first meeting in 2001 was significant as a "statement" game (Bears finally winning after all the blowouts and taunting) but their November 1994 game was better (overtime, C. Carter catching the winning TD) and probably better than the ensuing playoff game.
WAS @ KC: Chiefs have dominated this very sporadic series (5-1), which doesn't have a single worthwhile game.
CAR @ DET: Mmm, cat vs. cat. (Just like Cincy-Jax a few days ago.) They've met three times. This game takes it by default.
CLE @ BAL: For obvious emotional reasons every time they meet is an occasion, yet it hasn't translated to classic games. Maybe this one?
MIA @ TB: Another surprisingly sporadic series. Last time they met, Jay Fiedler fumbled deep his own territory late in the fourth quarter of a tie game.
NYG @ DAL: I dunno, the 30-29 Sunday night game in 1985?
NYJ @ BUF: Is there a better one than the 1981 wild card?
NE @ DEN: I'm partial to Tom Brady's first four pro interceptions or the 1996 "call in the National Guard!" game or even the 1986 divisional playoff, though an actual unbiased observer might opt instead ofr the last time they met.
SD @ OAK: Everyone knows this one. Anyone who cares enough to read this far actually knows more about it than I do.
HOU @ SEA: They've never met.
STL @ IND: The "Marshall Faulk series"? For all these years they've both been offensive powerhouses, their only meeting that whole stretch was late in 2001, the Colts' lost season, and a blowout win for the Rams. I dunno, Chad a little help?
Posted by Matt Bruce at October 13, 2005 03:18 PMNYG @ DAL: Without a doubt, the best game I ever saw them play was 1/2/94, the last game of the regular season, when the NFC East title was on the line. Emmitt Smith separated his shoulder in the second quarter but refused to come out of the game, rushing for 168 yards in a 16-13 overtime thriller.
Posted by: Dave at October 14, 2005 06:11 AMFor a Jags fan it's probably either the '95 game, the first time they beat us, their second win ever, or the '96 opener. On the Steelers side, last year's game was probably a contender for best game, despite not having Tom Coughlin to explode on the sideline.
Posted by: DEK at October 14, 2005 08:00 AMAnother memorable NYG/DAL clash -- December 1981 at the Meadowlands, Giants beat the then 12-3 Cowboys, 13-10 in OT to clinch their first playoff berth since 1963.
The Giants had a talented defense that year (featuring some rookie named Lawrence Taylor), but the offense was beyond pitiful. Phil Simms was out for the year with an injury, so Scott "41% completion rate" Brunner was the starting QB for this game.
The winning kick was made by Joe Danelo, who was 24/38 goals that year, and missed a game-winner earlier in OT.
Oh those were the days :)
Posted by: James Dinan at October 14, 2005 09:29 AMYet another memorable DAL/NYG game was their 35-32 (OT) MNF game in 2003.
Posted by: Dave at October 14, 2005 01:41 PMMy most memorable Jets-Bills game was December 1998. Not because the game was spectacular, but because the Jets were down the stretch on their way to their first division title in my lifetime. It's a pivotal end of the season divisional game. The networks CUT AWAY from the game, to show up Dick Gephardt's silly little walkout to protest the Clinton impeachment vote. Gaah!!!
Posted by: Corwyn at October 14, 2005 05:35 PM