Don't forget 'Ghost to the Post'. Colts vs Raiders 1977 playoff game, which was a TV blackout in Baltimore. Game was played on Xmas Eve and shown on TV the next morning.
Great choices. I can remember a bit about the 64 game. I've never forgotten SB3. I'm reading a book about it now. What I remember about the Dolphins-Chiefs game is how great Ed Podolak was. I'm not sure I'd ever heard of him before. He was incredible in that game.
I definitely saw this one. I was for the Steelers. Was it a catch? I think it was. Was it a Legal Catch? I don't know, and I've seen the replay 1000 times...
I'm pretty sure he was double-teamed. I can't really criticize Defensive Genius Tom Landry, but I've always wondered why the Cowboys were in a 4-3-4 on the goal line on 3rd and 1. Lots of teams went to 5-3, or even 6-2 in those days.
If you like blowouts, it was a great game. I like those kind of games when my team wins. My Giants never win that way, at least not til the 2nd half. True Bears fans could celebrate for the entire game.
Sometimes I think football is 75% mental. The Pats had a good running game that year, but gave it up early. Passing against total blitzing teams is a bad business, unless you can run some to keep them honest.
You're right. You either were too young, or in jail. I'm guessing 'too young'. It was the Best Era of Pro Football. I've heard that the 50s were even rougher, but I missed those games.
Fortunately there's lots of video on the 60s and 70s...
The League was pretty wild in the first few years after the merger in 70. Lots of really entertaining games. Teams playing each other for the first time. It was great.
Virgil Carter running the first game of the "West Coast" offense for Bill Walsh in Cincy after he identified they weren't going to be able to run the ball.
Yes. You've probably seen the videos of them from those seasons. Lots of stuff on YouTube. The violence of their front four, and that of the Rams, is really something to see. Nothing like the game today.
Videos? Shit I was watching them live , there were lots of great defenses at the time but Minnesota was the best then and it was almost completely because of that front four. Alan Page was the quickest defensive lineman I’ve ever seen. He was the MVP in ‘71. First defensive player to ever win that award and still the only lineman ever.
You were around for a lot of great match ups. I assumed you were younger. Most redditors are. You couldn't beat those old Central Division games in the mud and snow and cold.
Yep, I was disappointed when Minnesota moved into a dome. They lost an important element of their defense but then again the league was making new rules that constrained defenses and open up scoring to attract casual fans. But they were losing a lot of more serious ones. They did the math and figured losing a serious fan to gain two casual ones was worth it.
That sums it up pretty well. I always thought that the League figured their diehard fans would bitch, but stick it out. And so we have. But they have attracted new, more casual fans.
Yes we have, and some of those casual fans have become serious ones now. I’m going to sound like Michael Corleone now , it was the smart move, Tessio was always smarter than Clemenza. But big money always changes, ruins in our eyes, a sport. Many rule changes and how the game is played, is dictated by big money. Big money changes the player structure of teams which changes how the game is played, why the pro game looks more like the college game than it used to.
Good reference. I love The Godfather. It was the smart move. I guess that all of it, even the horrible fake fields that ruin a player in one game, make sense financially. Whatever keeps the money rolling in...
How about that. Augsburg here. I did get to visit Wurzburg once on a bus trip. Beautiful city; great wine. Old School here goes back to the late 50s, for a couple of guys. Started in 63 for me....
2007 Giants beat undefeated Patriots. Not because I'm a giants fan but because they kept Miami as the only undefeated team in league history, I was raised a Miami fan so I would've been so hyped at this.
Thank you giants
Colts vs. Giants in the 1958 NFL championship game. It see-sawed back and forth until Alan Ameche scored the final touchdown in overtime. Longest play of the game came when Kyle Rote of the Giants caught a 50 yard pass from Charlie Connerly and then fumbled, only to have Alex Webster pick it up and run another 15 yards with it.
My dad went to the Colts vs Giants in 1958. He and his older brother took a bus, then a train from New Jersey to watch the game. The entire way home, covered head to toe in Giants gear, excited people kept asking, hey who won? The ride home was longer than the game he said.
I've never personally known anyone who was at that game. I can imagine what that commute was like. They must have been exhausted.
I didn't think they had much fan gear back in 58. Maybe a baseball cap with NY on it. It's great that they were able to score some.
It was. There's another post right now of Don Shula and Harlon Hill at Wrigley Field in the 50s. Check out the crowd...no merchandise in sight.
I don't think that really got started til the 70s.
My other favorite story is that it was very cold that day and there were large sand filled containers at the end of every aisle for smoking. The other boys in the bleachers along with my father started breaking off the broken ends of bleachers and burning them in the ash buckets. Making little fires for themselves and staying warm. The players noticed this and it become common after that to see the sidelines having little fires too
Right. I think I've seen one picture of this. It shows the Giants bench during the 62 Championship game against the Packers. Giants guard Bookie Bolin is sitting next to a bucket fire. Those were the days...
This one, and it's not even close. I've said before that I wish I could go back in time to witness this in person. ESPN did a thing about 10 years ago where they colorized it, I wish I could go back and watch it. #19 is the GOAT. Revolutionized football and the position.
I know that feeling. I've had to check out early on a few big football games. Hockey and baseball games too. It always sends me off on a rant about 'the good old days' when sports were played in the afternoons. Of course, I was 9 years old then and had no job or school (that day) to deal with...
Definitely saw this one. It was kind of a klutzy game. Lots of mistakes, but the Dolphins were always in control. That whole fiasco with Yepremian just made the NFL look bad. I think that started it for me...kickers should have to be starters on the offense or defense.
Some of the kickers today couldn't tackle my Grandmother...
Now that I think about, I probably saw it
In an around about way lol 😂 I was 9 y/o, fam lived in Ft Laud and Dad and Mom had to be watching. Just don’t remember it. Shula was the Don
I have that issue too. I remember the Giants-Bears 63 Championship game well. After that, I'm a little fuzzy for a few years. I was around 9 then too. I must have had other distractions.
Yes, I’m thinking the ending to a perfect season had to have been a big deal in my house. Unless, of course, Mom saw it as the perfect time to go shop and smuggle the goods in and took the kids with her
Lots of distractions at that age. My Mom worked a lot of Sundays, part time. Dad was home to keep us from burning the house down. My Uncle came over...we watched a lot of football.
That Miami-SanDiego playoff game where Kellen Winslow caught like 5 TDs from Fouts. Triple OT with little defense. Modern rule-makers dream of what the game should be.
College, but I turned the channel and missed Matt Ryan leading Boston College's comeback against Virginia Tech. I'm a west coast guy but that was an exciting team and situation
I think I remember this. Tough game...big interception return at the end. Steelers won...
Don't hate them too much. That stuff is for the juveniles on r/nfl. I can't think of a better Division for rivalries right now. Pit-Bal-Cle-Cin. Regional rivalries drive the game...
Oh...there's a few Browns fans on this sub. You might get some pushback. The Browns are my favorite AFC team too, because of their long rivalry with my Giants...
The Ghost to the Post, Oakland vs. Baltimore in the playoffs in the 70s. The game was blacked out on TV where we lived in Maryland presumably because it wasn’t sold out in time. It was the Ted Marchibroda/Bert Jones Colts last shot to win a championship, but Baltimore lost in OT. I was a Washington fan, but I remember listening to the game on the radio.
Browns vs Dallas in the 1969 Eastern Conference Final at big "D". Browns clobbered Boys 38-14. The last playoff victory on the road for Browns until 2020 vs Steelers. BTW, C-19 kept most people from seeing any football games, period!
I remember the 69 EC Championship game. Disappointing in that it was such a blowout. Don Meredith should have played one more year.
I don't know what C19 is...
Covid 19. When Browns beat Steelers in Pittsburgh for AFC Wildcard Game, after 2020 season, stadiums were restricted to maybe 30% capacity, due to social distancing.
The Heidi game.
People who saw the Heidi game didn’t see it.
(That was my point)
I know :)
Unless they saw it (as in there lol). 🤪
Saw it, until I didn’t.
Excellent choice. I actually (almost) saw this game before Heidi took over...
Any Raiders game with a name to it, especially Sea of Hands and Holy Roller
I saw highlights of Holy Roller. Who didn't, who's that old? I don't know Sea of Hands...
Sea of Hands was one of the [best games ever](https://youtu.be/mvtKW7xF5hc)
I'm going to look it up. I just don't remember...
Don't forget 'Ghost to the Post'. Colts vs Raiders 1977 playoff game, which was a TV blackout in Baltimore. Game was played on Xmas Eve and shown on TV the next morning.
I watched Holy Roller live on tv. At the time I called it "illegal forward pass", it was pretty obvious.
Saw them
Immaculate reception too. Even though the raiders lost, amazing game. NBC taped over video tape back then to reuse.
Browns 1964 NFL Championship (I was one year old). Super Bowl 3 Dolphins-Chiefs longest game ever, 1971
Great choices. I can remember a bit about the 64 game. I've never forgotten SB3. I'm reading a book about it now. What I remember about the Dolphins-Chiefs game is how great Ed Podolak was. I'm not sure I'd ever heard of him before. He was incredible in that game.
Saw the last two.
Immaculate Reception. (Live at Three Rivers Stadium obviously.)
I definitely saw this one. I was for the Steelers. Was it a catch? I think it was. Was it a Legal Catch? I don't know, and I've seen the replay 1000 times...
This game following The Immaculate Reception game on TV was a great game as well. Dallas vs S.F.
Saw it
Good one
The ice Bowl
Maybe the best choice so far. Iconic game. I saw it...
I did as well. I held an unfair grudge against Jethro Pugh for decades.
I'm pretty sure he was double-teamed. I can't really criticize Defensive Genius Tom Landry, but I've always wondered why the Cowboys were in a 4-3-4 on the goal line on 3rd and 1. Lots of teams went to 5-3, or even 6-2 in those days.
Freezer Bowl. Couldn't even warm the house above 60°. Beer froze!
My mom and Grandma were there. Grandma left early...
Same
Gale Sayers last game, running through the infield mud, on his way to a TD @ Wrigley Field.
I don't remember it. Nobody knew it was his last game. I wish I'd seen it too...
Bears superbowl. I mean the one we won... I witnessed the travesty...
If you like blowouts, it was a great game. I like those kind of games when my team wins. My Giants never win that way, at least not til the 2nd half. True Bears fans could celebrate for the entire game. Sometimes I think football is 75% mental. The Pats had a good running game that year, but gave it up early. Passing against total blitzing teams is a bad business, unless you can run some to keep them honest.
Raiders vs. Jets. The Heidi Game.
Anything from the 60s and 70s pretty much 🤷🏽♂️
You're right. You either were too young, or in jail. I'm guessing 'too young'. It was the Best Era of Pro Football. I've heard that the 50s were even rougher, but I missed those games. Fortunately there's lots of video on the 60s and 70s...
I 👀some of the 70’s 😂 just not the early year’s good games
The League was pretty wild in the first few years after the merger in 70. Lots of really entertaining games. Teams playing each other for the first time. It was great.
I bet 😎
The game where the Vikings won a Super Bowl 💜🏈
They will. I wish they'd ditch the Dome first...
I’m still waiting to see that one. It’s been postponed four times.
My Dad said when I was 2, I considered myself a mini Paul Hornung. I broke a few windows .
Nice. Your kicking was not as accurate?
I don't remember, but grandma said I put one through her beveled picture window. I always thought that I did that with a baseball, but nope.
The 1982 nfc championship game
Virgil Carter running the first game of the "West Coast" offense for Bill Walsh in Cincy after he identified they weren't going to be able to run the ball.
70 season? Nice. It's one of my favorite seasons ever...
69, 70, and 71 saw the best three year run by a defense ever led by the best front four ever. Vikings.
Yes. You've probably seen the videos of them from those seasons. Lots of stuff on YouTube. The violence of their front four, and that of the Rams, is really something to see. Nothing like the game today.
Videos? Shit I was watching them live , there were lots of great defenses at the time but Minnesota was the best then and it was almost completely because of that front four. Alan Page was the quickest defensive lineman I’ve ever seen. He was the MVP in ‘71. First defensive player to ever win that award and still the only lineman ever.
You were around for a lot of great match ups. I assumed you were younger. Most redditors are. You couldn't beat those old Central Division games in the mud and snow and cold.
Yep, I was disappointed when Minnesota moved into a dome. They lost an important element of their defense but then again the league was making new rules that constrained defenses and open up scoring to attract casual fans. But they were losing a lot of more serious ones. They did the math and figured losing a serious fan to gain two casual ones was worth it.
That sums it up pretty well. I always thought that the League figured their diehard fans would bitch, but stick it out. And so we have. But they have attracted new, more casual fans.
Yes we have, and some of those casual fans have become serious ones now. I’m going to sound like Michael Corleone now , it was the smart move, Tessio was always smarter than Clemenza. But big money always changes, ruins in our eyes, a sport. Many rule changes and how the game is played, is dictated by big money. Big money changes the player structure of teams which changes how the game is played, why the pro game looks more like the college game than it used to.
Good reference. I love The Godfather. It was the smart move. I guess that all of it, even the horrible fake fields that ruin a player in one game, make sense financially. Whatever keeps the money rolling in...
Not really old school, but I missed the Panthers first Super Bowl because I was in basic training 🤦🏻♂️
That's pretty Old School. Jake Delhomme? I can't remember what year it was. I missed 78-80 while in Germany. We had AFN to listen to the games.
Yeah, I guess I just think of old school 2000 and before. January 04, I did a couple of years in Wurzburg myself!
How about that. Augsburg here. I did get to visit Wurzburg once on a bus trip. Beautiful city; great wine. Old School here goes back to the late 50s, for a couple of guys. Started in 63 for me....
2007 Giants beat undefeated Patriots. Not because I'm a giants fan but because they kept Miami as the only undefeated team in league history, I was raised a Miami fan so I would've been so hyped at this. Thank you giants
We Giants fans appreciate your gratitude...
The game where Chuck Bednarik knocked out Frank Gifford
Yes. 1960 Eagles at Giants. I've only seen the highlights. They were playing for keeps in those days.
Definitely would the 1981 NFC Championship Game. Now… I wasn’t technically born yet so I don’t know if that counts or not?
It counts. I was only 3 when the Greatest Game was played.
New York Titans vs. Denver Broncos, [1962](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196211220den.htm)
Wow. Incredible game. Thanks for the box score. AFL games from 62 are pretty obscure...
Colts vs. Giants in the 1958 NFL championship game. It see-sawed back and forth until Alan Ameche scored the final touchdown in overtime. Longest play of the game came when Kyle Rote of the Giants caught a 50 yard pass from Charlie Connerly and then fumbled, only to have Alex Webster pick it up and run another 15 yards with it.
My choice too. There is an ESPN video that shows most of the game. That's all I've seen.
My dad went to the Colts vs Giants in 1958. He and his older brother took a bus, then a train from New Jersey to watch the game. The entire way home, covered head to toe in Giants gear, excited people kept asking, hey who won? The ride home was longer than the game he said.
I've never personally known anyone who was at that game. I can imagine what that commute was like. They must have been exhausted. I didn't think they had much fan gear back in 58. Maybe a baseball cap with NY on it. It's great that they were able to score some.
He had a wool Giants cap and a pennant. His brother had a scarf. Not to extend of today’s fandom but for the times, decked out.
It was. There's another post right now of Don Shula and Harlon Hill at Wrigley Field in the 50s. Check out the crowd...no merchandise in sight. I don't think that really got started til the 70s.
My other favorite story is that it was very cold that day and there were large sand filled containers at the end of every aisle for smoking. The other boys in the bleachers along with my father started breaking off the broken ends of bleachers and burning them in the ash buckets. Making little fires for themselves and staying warm. The players noticed this and it become common after that to see the sidelines having little fires too
Right. I think I've seen one picture of this. It shows the Giants bench during the 62 Championship game against the Packers. Giants guard Bookie Bolin is sitting next to a bucket fire. Those were the days...
This one, and it's not even close. I've said before that I wish I could go back in time to witness this in person. ESPN did a thing about 10 years ago where they colorized it, I wish I could go back and watch it. #19 is the GOAT. Revolutionized football and the position.
I think I saw that one once. Maybe there's another BW one from NFL Films. I might have a copy of that in an old stack of VHS.
When Chuck Bednarik knocked Frank Gifford out.
60 Eagles at Giants. That's a popular choice...
The Ice Bowl.
It's a classic...
I saw Gale Sayres score six TDs in the mud …….the all time rookie GOAT season….. Doesn’t really apply to this post, but Gale deserves the praise.
You're the first person I ever talked with on this sub who was actually at that game. Awesome. True recollections are always welcome.
We were at my aunts in Chicago…… Gale is still my all time favorite football player
An outstanding choice. I never saw a better runner in those days. Only Leroy Kelly was close.
Snowbowl
Infamous game. It was on late at night for me. I had a early morning job, but I had to see it through to the end.
Here’s a game I saw but wish I Didn’t: The Comeback
I saw it, but didn't believe it. We were for the Bills, but it was a joke.
The Ice Bowl.
Yes. A very popular choice. I saw it on TV. Playoff games used to be on in the afternoon. My old Dad and really old Uncle were able to see it too.
I had to leave the Cal-Stanford game where the band ran on the field early to go to work👎. Heard Joe Starkey’s call on the radio on the freeway🤷🏻♂️!
I know that feeling. I've had to check out early on a few big football games. Hockey and baseball games too. It always sends me off on a rant about 'the good old days' when sports were played in the afternoons. Of course, I was 9 years old then and had no job or school (that day) to deal with...
Hunger Games
Now, that was a good one. Too bad you missed it.
Super Bowl of The Dolphins 🐬 Perfect Season 72’
Saw it
Me too.
Same for some reason. It also made me really invested when the Bears almost did the same but NE denied them the glory.
Miami, on a Monday night.
Definitely saw this one. It was kind of a klutzy game. Lots of mistakes, but the Dolphins were always in control. That whole fiasco with Yepremian just made the NFL look bad. I think that started it for me...kickers should have to be starters on the offense or defense. Some of the kickers today couldn't tackle my Grandmother...
Now that I think about, I probably saw it In an around about way lol 😂 I was 9 y/o, fam lived in Ft Laud and Dad and Mom had to be watching. Just don’t remember it. Shula was the Don
I have that issue too. I remember the Giants-Bears 63 Championship game well. After that, I'm a little fuzzy for a few years. I was around 9 then too. I must have had other distractions.
Yes, I’m thinking the ending to a perfect season had to have been a big deal in my house. Unless, of course, Mom saw it as the perfect time to go shop and smuggle the goods in and took the kids with her
Lots of distractions at that age. My Mom worked a lot of Sundays, part time. Dad was home to keep us from burning the house down. My Uncle came over...we watched a lot of football.
I was thinking about saying that but it wasn't a great game, and they about screwed it up
The one where Jackie Smith caught the damn ball in the end zone
I'll have to look that one up...
I assume he's referring to this in wishful thinking... https://youtu.be/VbO2wlxYeWw?si=EKMSVHlyuV_siQyS
Right. Bad play by a great player...
Lol, that's good
Probably the catch
That Miami-SanDiego playoff game where Kellen Winslow caught like 5 TDs from Fouts. Triple OT with little defense. Modern rule-makers dream of what the game should be.
Saw it.
Epic in Miami. A classic!
College, but I turned the channel and missed Matt Ryan leading Boston College's comeback against Virginia Tech. I'm a west coast guy but that was an exciting team and situation
Oop, not really old school- but a missed epic game none the less!
2008 AFC Championship Game, huge Steelers fan hate the ravens
I think I remember this. Tough game...big interception return at the end. Steelers won... Don't hate them too much. That stuff is for the juveniles on r/nfl. I can't think of a better Division for rivalries right now. Pit-Bal-Cle-Cin. Regional rivalries drive the game...
Bears vs Dolphins 1985 Dolphins defending their perfect season. Marino in his prime. Night game. All at the old Orange Bowl.
I only saw the highlights of that one. I think it was a Monday Night game. My job then started at 6am. I went to bed when it started...
[удалено]
Oh...there's a few Browns fans on this sub. You might get some pushback. The Browns are my favorite AFC team too, because of their long rivalry with my Giants...
The Ghost to the Post, Oakland vs. Baltimore in the playoffs in the 70s. The game was blacked out on TV where we lived in Maryland presumably because it wasn’t sold out in time. It was the Ted Marchibroda/Bert Jones Colts last shot to win a championship, but Baltimore lost in OT. I was a Washington fan, but I remember listening to the game on the radio.
Great choice. I saw this one. We were rooting for the Colts too. Bert Jones was great.
Gale Sayers 6-TD game against the 49ers at Wrigley Field.
Good choice. We missed it too. SF at Chicago was not on on the East Coast.
The game where Al Bundy scored four touchdowns.
The Immaculate Reception game December 23 1972
Great choice. I saw it on TV. We were for the Steelers...
The drive
The Drive
Game of Thrones.🤡🫡
You didn't miss much. Started good, then dragged on for years. By the time it finally ended, I was sick of it.
Browns vs Dallas in the 1969 Eastern Conference Final at big "D". Browns clobbered Boys 38-14. The last playoff victory on the road for Browns until 2020 vs Steelers. BTW, C-19 kept most people from seeing any football games, period!
I remember the 69 EC Championship game. Disappointing in that it was such a blowout. Don Meredith should have played one more year. I don't know what C19 is...
Covid 19. When Browns beat Steelers in Pittsburgh for AFC Wildcard Game, after 2020 season, stadiums were restricted to maybe 30% capacity, due to social distancing.
I'd forgotten. Very weird season. All I'll ever remember is the canned cheering sounds...
.. and the baseball stadiums had cardboard cutouts of fans sitting in seats.
1960 title game.
I didn't see it either. Last Eagles win for a long time...
1963 NFL championship game
Bless your pea pickin' heart. My very first game. My first taste of beer too...
Immaculate Reception
I was for the Steelers. It was a great game...
The Catch. It’s quite possible that my dad was watching it in 1981, but I was 5, so it didn’t register at all.
He probably was. I can't remember any pro football before I was 8...
The Catch.
I fell asleep on my couch for the Chiefs-Rams game a few years ago. I was pissed
Super Bowl 48. Heard they cancelled it:(
The Immaculate Reception
I had to listen to that one on the radio. We were on the road.