Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

I know about Gregg, but the defense got worse under Wyche. After a 10 win season in 1986, the season was a disaster in 1987, with the team allowing the Niners to beat them on the last play of the game, after failing to punt. Wyche was nearly fired after that season.

Like I said, a top offense underachieved with chances to win the division in 85, 86 and 89. They only won the division in 1990 because Houston beat Pitts on the final weekend, though the Bengals beat the Oilers twice at the end.

Yes, a great season in 1988 ... but that was it ... if Esiason doesnt have the bad arm, maybe a different SB? Losing Wilson for the game didnt help. If Billups just catches Montana's interception, the disappointment of those years from 1985-87 are wiped out ...

The big one that always stuck out on paper to me was Jack Pardee winning over the Buccaneers coach that took them to NFCCG in 1979 just 2 years after they were the worst team in NFL history. And I don't think that Pardee Redskins team even went to the playoffs that year. It was before my time and I'm assuming just something that you had to live through to understand.

ShinobiMusashi wrote: ↑Sun Mar 22, 2026 12:44 pm The big one that always stuck out on paper to me was Jack Pardee winning over the Buccaneers coach that took them to NFCCG in 1979 just 2 years after they were the worst team in NFL history. And I don't think that Pardee Redskins team even went to the playoffs that year. It was before my time and I'm assuming just something that you had to live through to understand.

I was not around for that one, but the Skins did not make the playoffs in 1979. They were (at least on the NFC side), the best team that missed the playoffs, and had been 8-8 in 1978 I believe; so an improvement of a couple games.

ShinobiMusashi wrote: ↑Sun Mar 22, 2026 12:44 pm The big one that always stuck out on paper to me was Jack Pardee winning over the Buccaneers coach that took them to NFCCG in 1979 just 2 years after they were the worst team in NFL history. And I don't think that Pardee Redskins team even went to the playoffs that year. It was before my time and I'm assuming just something that you had to live through to understand.

Ironically I think Pardee should have won COY in 1993. All that Houston turmoil and he kept them afloat as long as humanly possible

Brian wolf wrote: ↑Sun Mar 22, 2026 12:59 am

7DnBrnc53 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 20, 2026 9:17 pm

1988- It should have been Marv Levy instead of Mike Ditka

Actually, it should have been Sam Wyche. He took a team that had turmoil a year before and guided them to within seconds of a SB win.

I disagree ... the Bengals should have been a SB contender going back to 1985. They even had a top defense in 1983. Wyche and Esiason underachieved from 1985-1987 and sucked in 89 and 90 as well, though they made the playoffs in 1990. Had another team gone instead of them, Bo Jackson's football career might have continued.

The Bengals couldnt beat Kosar and the Browns ...

The Browns only sweep of Wyche and Cincinnati came in 1987 which included a scab game

Cleveland was far less talented yet somehow Marty Schottenheimer’s regular season smoke and mirrors fooled everyone into thinking they were alleged SB contenders

Ironically I think Pardee should have won COY in 1993. All that Houston turmoil and he kept them afloat as long as humanly possible

Pardee didn't really seem like he was in charge to me. It seemed like Buddy Ryan was more in control there.

I think that Pardee may have been a lazy hire by Bud Adams after he fired Glanville. He wasn't that great of a head coach during his previous NFL stops. I think that Pardee should have been fired (along with the whole staff) after that 1992 WC debacle in Buffalo.