@the-gipper said:

I also believe that Jack Tatum was one of the best safeties of all time. He isn't in the HOF simply because of the Darryl Stingley incident.

Agree... That and Jack's book, They Call Me Assassin, probably didn't help either.

The unfortunate thing is that it was Stingley ducking his head that doomed him to his wheelchair. Jack's blow was with his shoulder. It can be argued that Jack's hit was unnecessary, as the pass was overthrown, but in that day and age, the completion was assumed and his hit was part of the game.

(notice that some of these idjit Steeler fans keep complaining about anything that is mentioned about football that happened before 1970...here is their chance to choose between 2 pre 1970 teams.)

FYI, I will not accept votes on just one or two of these matchups. You must vote on all matchups.

1923 Canton Bulldogs

Went 11-0-1 with 9 shutouts. The most points scored on them was 10 points in a 46-10 route of the Cleveland Indians. The only blemish on the record was a 3-3 tie with Buffalo.

From 1921-1923 the Canton Bulldogs went undefeated in 25 straight games, still an NFL record (though the Browns went undefeated longer in the AAFC)

The Bears and Packers finished behind the Bulldogs that year.

They were coached by Hall of Famer Guy Chamberlain. They also had Hall of Fame players Pete Henry and William "Link" Lyman on that team.

1969 New York Jets

Went 11-3 in the regular season and defeated the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III, thus making the AFL-AFC/NFL-NFC matchup meaningful.

Best known of course for "The Guarantee" by QB Joe Namath

Namath was the flambouyant leader of that team.

It was coached by Hall of Famer Weeb Ewbank, but the only Hall of Famer players on that team were Namath and WR Don Maynard. RBs Matt Snell and Emerson Boozer shared the load.

Though the defense was outstanding in the Super Bowl, it is truly a 'no name' defense.

In fact, I challenge any of you to name one member of the Jets defense that year.

Nevertheless, they did their jobs.

@tour2ma said:

The '76 Raiders featured one of the best 3-4 D's ever...

DL also included a resurrected Oiler semi-bust, John Matuszak.

LB's included Willie Hall... a great, run-stopping ILB.

DB's included George Atkinson as well... but it was Willie Brown... not Packer great Willie Wood.

Side Note: Alex Karras' greatest MNF quip, "Otis Sistrunk, University of Mars."

Yes, I meant Willie Brown. Both he and Wood are in the HOF, I believe. I also believe that Jack Tatum was one of the best safeties of all time. He isn't in the HOF simply because of the Darryl Stingley incident.

@the-gipper said:

The '76 Raiders featured one of the best 3-4 D's ever...

DL also included a resurrected Oiler semi-bust, John Matuszak.

LB's included Willie Hall... a great, run-stopping ILB.

DB's included George Atkinson as well... but it was Willie Brown... not Packer great Willie Wood.

Side Note: Alex Karras' greatest MNF quip, "Otis Sistrunk, University of Mars."

@the-gipper said:

Round Two Matchup Highlights. Right now, the 1992 Cowboys and the 1976 Raiders are all tied up at 4 votes a piece. Here is some info on these two teams to help voters decide:

Raiders went 13-1. Back in those days, the AFC was loaded, & very entertaining. John Madden, Stabler, Branch, & Freddy Biletnikoff.

Nothing against those Cowboys, they were very tough. They got a huge assist from the Vikings in the Herschel Walker deal.

I'm going with the Raiders.

1976 Raiders, 13- regular season record. Only lost to Patriots, a loss they avenged in the first round of the playoffs. Then defeated defending champion Steelers on their way to victory in Super Bowl over Vikings.

Coach: John Madden

Players:

QB Ken Stabler, 194/291 for 2737 yds and 27 TDs (missed 2 games to injury)

These Raiders were the first real "Running back by Committee" team:

Mark Van Eaghen 1012 yards

Clarence Davis 510 yards

Pete Banaszak 400 yard. He ran the ball short yardage on goal line

WRs:

Cliff Branch 43 catches 1111 yds. 12 TDs

Dave Caspar 53 catches 700 yds 10 TDs

Fred Biletnikoff 43 catches 7 TDs

Ray Guy, greatest Punter ever

Defense included Otis Sistrunk DE, Dave Rowe NT, Ted Hendricks OLB, Phil Villapiano OLB, Jack Tatum and Willie Wood DBs.

1992 Cowboys 13-3 regular season. Defeate Bills in Super Bowl

Coach: Jimmy Johnson

Players:

QB: Troy Aikman 302/473 for 3445 yds 23 TDs

RB: Emmitt Smith 373 carries 1713 yards 18 TDs

WR: Michael Irvin 78 catches 1396yd 7 TDs

TE: Jay Novacek 6 TDs

OL included Nate Newton, Larry Allen, Mark Stepnoski

Defense included:

Russel Maryland and Tony Casillas DTs

Charles Haley and Tony Tolbert at DE

Ken Norton Jr. at MLB

Larry Brown and Darren Woodson DBs

@the-gipper said:

OK, the play in round is over. Now we are down to the Sweet 16. I am dividing this into 4 Regions. Here are the matchups in each region:

My own Choices:

NORTH REGION:

1985 Bears (15-1, won SB by 46-10) VS 1945 Rams

Your vote: 85 Bears

1992 Cowboys (13-3 won SB by 52-17) VS 1976 Raiders (13-1, won SB XI)

Your vote: 76 Raiders. One of the underrated teams in history

SOUTH REGION:

1923 Canton Bulldogs (11-0-1) VS 1968 Jets (won SB III)

Your vote: One of the tougher matchups. Jets

1955 Browns VS 1972 Dolphins (17-0 won SB VII)

Your vote: By a nose hair, Dolphins

EAST REGION:

1998 Broncos Vs. 1948 Browns (also went undefeated 15-0)

Your vote: Browns

1991 Redskins (14-2, won SB 26 37-21) VS 1966 Packers (12-2, won SB I 35-10)

Your vote: Packers. Best team of that dynasty. Gotta go with Starr over Rypien

WEST REGION:

1958 Colts (won "Greatest Game ever played") VS 1978 Steelers (their best team of that era)

Your vote: Steelers, best team of that dynasty

2007 Patriots VS. 1984 49ers (15-1, won SB 19 38-16 over Marino and Dolphins)

Your vote: 49ers. Also underrated in history.

There is your Sweet 16. Please vote for your choice.

@the-gipper said:

OK, the play in round is over. Now we are down to the Sweet 16. I am dividing this into 4 Regions. Here are the matchups in each region:

NORTH REGION:

1985 Bears (15-1, won SB by 46-10) VS 1945 Rams

Your vote: BEARS

1992 Cowboys (13-3 won SB by 52-17) VS 1976 Raiders (13-1, won SB XI)

Your vote: COWBOYS

SOUTH REGION:

1923 Canton Bulldogs (11-0-1) VS 1968 Jets (won SB III)

Your vote: JETS

1955 Browns VS 1972 Dolphins (17-0 won SB VII)

Your vote: BROWNS

EAST REGION:

1998 Broncos Vs. 1948 Browns (also went undefeated 15-0)

Your vote: BRONCOS

1991 Redskins (14-2, won SB 26 37-21) VS 1966 Packers (12-2, won SB I 35-10)

Your vote: PACKERS

WEST REGION:

1958 Colts (won "Greatest Game ever played") VS 1978 Steelers (their best team of that era)

Your vote: STEELERS

2007 Patriots VS. 1984 49ers (15-1, won SB 19 38-16 over Marino and Dolphins)

Your vote: 49ERS

There is your Sweet 16. Please vote for your choice.

1985 Bears (15-1, won SB by 46-10) VS 1945 Rams

'85 Bears... They made me $$$. I actually gave a co-worker NE +20...

He laughed and said he would have settled for 15...

I laughed and said I would have given 25...

1992 Cowboys (13-3 won SB by 52-17) VS 1976 Raiders (13-1, won SB XI)

I really want to take the '76 Raiders... so I will.

Really a close one, but since the Raiders beat the '76 Steelers twice, gotta give them the nod...

SOUTH REGION:

1923 Canton Bulldogs (11-0-1) VS 1968 Jets (won SB III)

Was the forward pass legal in 1923???

In spite of the 'Dogs impressive wins over the Hammond Pros, Dayton Triangles and Oorang Indians I gotta go with the '68 Jets... I guarantee it...

1955 Browns VS 1972 Dolphins (17-0 won SB VII)

'72 Dolphins... Dammit... Simply a more well rounded team with the No-Name giving them more ways to win...

I was at the '73 MNF game when the Fins beat our Browns. Sat in "the pound" before it was the pound...

EAST REGION:

1998 Broncos Vs. 1948 Browns (also went undefeated 15-0)

Even with secret weapon Ara Parseghian on the bench gotta go with the '98 Broncos... Double Dammit...

Paul Brown was miles ahead of his time in the 40's and 50's, but by the 90's??? Not so much...

1991 Redskins (14-2, won SB 26 37-21) VS 1966 Packers (12-2, won SB I 35-10)

'66 Packers... Rypien/ Gibbs vs. Starr/ Lombardi? It is to laugh...

WEST REGION:

1958 Colts (won "Greatest Game ever played") VS 1978 Steelers (their best team of that era)

'78 Steelers... probably the 2nd greatest team ever assembled...

2007 Patriots VS. 1984 49ers (15-1, won SB 19 38-16 over Marino and Dolphins)

'84 Niners... because they had a great hard-hitting D as well as the prototypical WCO...

Two words... Ronnie Lott

@the-gipper said:

OK, the play in round is over. Now we are down to the Sweet 16. I am dividing this into 4 Regions. Here are the matchups in each region:

NORTH REGION:

1985 Bears (15-1, won SB by 46-10) VS 1945 Rams

Your vote:Bears

1992 Cowboys (13-3 won SB by 52-17) VS 1976 Raiders (13-1, won SB XI)

Your vote:Boys

SOUTH REGION:

1923 Canton Bulldogs (11-0-1) VS 1968 Jets (won SB III)

Your vote:Bulldogs

1955 Browns VS 1972 Dolphins (17-0 won SB VII)

Your vote:Phins

EAST REGION:

1998 Broncos Vs. 1948 Browns (also went undefeated 15-0)

Your vote:Browns

1991 Redskins (14-2, won SB 26 37-21) VS 1966 Packers (12-2, won SB I 35-10)

Your vote:Packers

WEST REGION:

1958 Colts (won "Greatest Game ever played") VS 1978 Steelers (their best team of that era)

Your vote:Colts

2007 Patriots VS. 1984 49ers (15-1, won SB 19 38-16 over Marino and Dolphins)

Your vote:49ers

There is your Sweet 16. Please vote for your choice.

@the-gipper said:

OK, the play in round is over. Now we are down to the Sweet 16. I am dividing this into 4 Regions. Here are the matchups in each region:

NORTH REGION:

1985 Bears (15-1, won SB by 46-10) VS 1945 Rams

Your vote: RAMS

1992 Cowboys (13-3 won SB by 52-17) VS 1976 Raiders (13-1, won SB XI)

Your vote: COWBOYS

SOUTH REGION:

1923 Canton Bulldogs (11-0-1) VS 1968 Jets (won SB III)

Your vote: JETS

1955 Browns VS 1972 Dolphins (17-0 won SB VII)

Your vote: DOLPHINS

EAST REGION:

1998 Broncos Vs. 1948 Browns (also went undefeated 15-0)

Your vote: BROWNS

1991 Redskins (14-2, won SB 26 37-21) VS 1966 Packers (12-2, won SB I 35-10)

Your vote: PACKERS

WEST REGION:

1958 Colts (won "Greatest Game ever played") VS 1978 Steelers (their best team of that era)

Your vote: COLTS

2007 Patriots VS. 1984 49ers (15-1, won SB 19 38-16 over Marino and Dolphins)

Your vote: 49ers

There is your Sweet 16. Please vote for your choice.

@the-gipper said:

OK, the play in round is over. Now we are down to the Sweet 16. I am dividing this into 4 Regions. Here are the matchups in each region:

NORTH REGION:

1985 Bears (15-1, won SB by 46-10) VS 1945 Rams

Your vote: The Bears

1992 Cowboys (13-3 won SB by 52-17) VS 1976 Raiders (13-1, won SB XI)

Your vote:Raiders

SOUTH REGION:

1923 Canton Bulldogs (11-0-1) VS 1968 Jets (won SB III)

Your vote:Canton

1955 Browns VS 1972 Dolphins (17-0 won SB VII)Browns Browns s had 72 Dolphins beat 14-13 in 4th Q...Cockroft's punt got blocked, we lost

Your vote:

EAST REGION:

1998 Broncos Vs. 1948 Browns (also went undefeated 15-0)Browns

Your vote:

1991 Redskins (14-2, won SB 26 37-21) VS 1966 Packers (12-2, won SB I 35-10)Redskins

Your vote:

WEST REGION:

1958 Colts (won "Greatest Game ever played") VS 1978 Steelers (their best team of that era)

Your vote:Steelers...hate to write that; but their 1974 team was better, IMHO

2007 Patriots VS. 1984 49ers (15-1, won SB 19 38-16 over Marino and Dolphins)

Your vote:49ers

There is your Sweet 16. Please vote for your choice.

1985 Bears (15-1, won SB by 46-10) VS 1945 Rams

Your vote: 85 Bears

1992 Cowboys (13-3 won SB by 52-17) VS 1976 Raiders (13-1, won SB XI)

Your vote: 92 Cowboys

SOUTH REGION:

1923 Canton Bulldogs (11-0-1) VS 1968 Jets (won SB III)

Your vote: Bulldogs

1955 Browns VS 1972 Dolphins (17-0 won SB VII)

Your vote: 55 Browns

EAST REGION:

1998 Broncos Vs. 1948 Browns (also went undefeated 15-0)

Your vote: 48 Browns

1991 Redskins (14-2, won SB 26 37-21) VS 1966 Packers (12-2, won SB I 35-10)

Your vote: 66 Packers

WEST REGION:

1958 Colts (won "Greatest Game ever played") VS 1978 Steelers (their best team of that era)

Your vote: 78 Steelers

2007 Patriots VS. 1984 49ers (15-1, won SB 19 38-16 over Marino and Dolphins)

Your vote: 84 49ers

@the-gipper said:

OK, the play in round is over. Now we are down to the Sweet 16. I am dividing this into 4 Regions. Here are the matchups in each region:

NORTH REGION:

1985 Bears (15-1, won SB by 46-10) VS 1945 Rams

Your vote: Da Bears

1992 Cowboys (13-3 won SB by 52-17) VS 1976 Raiders (13-1, won SB XI)

Your vote:Raiders

SOUTH REGION:

1923 Canton Bulldogs (11-0-1) VS 1968 Jets (won SB III)

Your vote: Bulldogs

1955 Browns VS 1972 Dolphins (17-0 won SB VII)

Your vote: Phins

EAST REGION:

1998 Broncos Vs. 1948 Browns (also went undefeated 15-0)

Your vote: Browns

1991 Redskins (14-2, won SB 26 37-21) VS 1966 Packers (12-2, won SB I 35-10)

Your vote: Pack

WEST REGION:

1958 Colts (won "Greatest Game ever played") VS 1978 Steelers (their best team of that era)

Your vote: colts

2007 Patriots VS. 1984 49ers (15-1, won SB 19 38-16 over Marino and Dolphins)

Your vote:9ers

There is your Sweet 16. Please vote for your choice.