Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

CSKreager wrote: ↑Thu Oct 30, 2025 1:13 am 1991 had TWO teams of destiny- the Too Legit to Quit Falcons and Thumbs Up Lions- who alas ran into the one year wonder that was the 1991 Redskins

Did you think either one were going all the way if you were around to see them?

The 1990 Vikings - I thought that with Herschel Walker playing the full season and acquiring Cris Carter, the Vikings could get to the NFC Championship game. They had an 6-10 record, even that Walker and Cris Carter played all 16 games, and Anthony Carter gained morev than 1,000 yards receiving.

SeahawkFever wrote: ↑Thu Oct 30, 2025 2:46 am

CSKreager wrote: ↑Thu Oct 30, 2025 1:13 am 1991 had TWO teams of destiny- the Too Legit to Quit Falcons and Thumbs Up Lions- who alas ran into the one year wonder that was the 1991 Redskins

Did you think either one were going all the way if you were around to see them?

Yes. Because I just couldn’t take a team seriously when Mark Rypien was their QB.

CSKreager wrote: ↑Sun Nov 09, 2025 1:08 am

SeahawkFever wrote: ↑Thu Oct 30, 2025 2:46 am

CSKreager wrote: ↑Thu Oct 30, 2025 1:13 am 1991 had TWO teams of destiny- the Too Legit to Quit Falcons and Thumbs Up Lions- who alas ran into the one year wonder that was the 1991 Redskins

Did you think either one were going all the way if you were around to see them?

Yes. Because I just couldn’t take a team seriously when Mark Rypien was their QB.

I could see that. That said, sometimes a quarterback isn't that amazing individually but was in a system that fit what he could do very well, and Rypien in 1991 is a textbook example of that.

Out of curiosity, how good were Chris Miller and Erik Kramer?

Though its hard to bet against Mahomes, I didnt think the Chiefs would three-peat. I felt the 49ers with Montana would in 1990. They faced the Redskins in the playoffs and there were times Rypien would play well but it was tough against that defense. Like I stated before, Montana put on a show with the crowd buzzing, thinking they would go all the way. The Giants ended that.

With pass protection, Chris Miller of the Falcons had a strong arm and could through the ball. The 1991 offense had a good year but the defense even with Primetime, could be loose and sloppy. Miller could get sacked alot, and had concussions which ended his career.

Both dome teams, the Falcons and Lions, had run-and-shoot type offenses. Kramer for the Lions was smart and got the ball out quickly, though limited athletically. The team responded to him better than Andre Ware or Rodney Peete. With Sanders and Herman Moore, it was easier for any QB. Kramer was in and out of the Detroit line-up but still has the Bears record for passing yards in a season.

Did you think either one were going all the way if you were around to see them?

Maybe the Lions, but the Falcons were an undisciplined clown show who only got as far as they did because the 49ers had an "off year" and the Saints choked in the playoffs again (common theme in the Mora era).

This may appear to be an odd choice (since they made it to the Super Bowl) but I was very disappointed to see the 2007 Patriots lose that Super Bowl.
Up until that game they certainly seemed like a team of destiny.
I'd waited my entire adult life (I was 13 in 1972) to see an undefeated champion and was sure that New England team would pull it off.

I was very surprised and disappointed when they failed to do so (as was Randy Moss, et al, I'm sure).
Not so much from a fan's perspective but from a historian's.
I would've liked to have seen an undefeated champion during my lifetime and with each passing season that seems less and less likely.

7DnBrnc53 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 09, 2025 7:14 pm

Did you think either one were going all the way if you were around to see them?

Maybe the Lions, but the Falcons were an undisciplined clown show who only got as far as they did because the 49ers had an "off year" and the Saints choked in the playoffs again (common theme in the Mora era).

Had New Orleans won that playoff game against Atlanta in 91, we would’ve seen the number one offense and number one defense face off.

That could’ve been interesting. In particular because the Saints and Redskins faced off in 1990 and 1992 with Washington winning the former and New Orleans the latter.

SeahawkFever wrote: ↑Sat Nov 15, 2025 3:13 pm

7DnBrnc53 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 09, 2025 7:14 pm

Did you think either one were going all the way if you were around to see them?

Maybe the Lions, but the Falcons were an undisciplined clown show who only got as far as they did because the 49ers had an "off year" and the Saints choked in the playoffs again (common theme in the Mora era).

Had New Orleans won that playoff game against Atlanta in 91, we would’ve seen the number one offense and number one defense face off.

That could’ve been interesting. In particular because the Saints and Redskins faced off in 1990 and 1992 with Washington winning the former and New Orleans the latter.

Actually had the Saints beat Atlanta it would have been New Orleans at Detroit and………. Dallas at Washington