Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

They didn't make it to the CCG as the case with both '79 & '99, but I think the answer to this is 2021 by noticeable-enough margin. I have given kudos to this team before. Going into the season, I had them repeating. I was looking at them like the '98 Broncos in that I thought that instead of being a WC team, they'd be top-seed this time.

I also remember it being said that they were the first defending-Champ since the '77 Raiders to have all their starters be intact from the year before. I did correctly predict beforehand that the Rams would be their first loss of the season (and also correctly predicted that the TB@NE game would live up to the hype), but didn't think the Rams would actually eliminate them in January as they did. I guess the actual Champs-to-be had their # at the immediate time. Weird how Rams put up such a big lead over them, and then the almost-fictional comeback that actually almost happened! I never say "fixed" but it sure felt like it (same with the following game; the team I had winning the AFC, Buffalo, losing in that weird fashion at KC).

I'm assuming that most of you will agree its '21 as well while, perhaps, actually placing them above 2020. Or maybe not.

Thoughts?

PS - man I sure hope Carolina wins today! If only for the sake of a division-winner at least finishing above-500. I actually DID have them making the playoffs prior to last season (yeah, real bold guess). Yeah, not too bad a pick considering this year already, But I think they could have been better, more consistent, instead of they now having to be in this position instead of already being in/resting their starters.

Not a bad idea for debate is what's worse, 2022 Bucs (Brady's last stand, 8-9 finish but wins division) or this year's installment?

2021 Bucs were a paper tiger

Their record was inflated by a soft schedule.

Only 3 wins against teams that finished above .500

Only 2 wins against playoff teams (BUF, DAL)

They were 2011 Packers 2.0: defending SB Champs that had an abysmal pass defense

I never believed they were true contenders and their defensive gaffe against LA proved it. You make that huge comeback, you’re looking at a home game against jittery Jimmy G, and you allow THAT long bomb?

That 2021/22 playoff game against the Rams was strange indeed, but I am biased ... I hold onto the tin-foil crazy idea that the Rams were "scripted" to win it all that season. Especially after the Chiefs layed down in the second half against Cincy in the AFC Championship game.

At least if the Rams won it all this year, it would seem more legitimate to me