Author: kI8Qp6HX0lW42b4RCh1I (Page 12 of 19)

Few teams have had more success during the regular season since the AFL-NFL merger than the Minnesota Vikings. However, the Vikings are one of the teams still looking to hoist the Lombardi Trophy for the first time. Before glancing at this year’s Vikings schedule, here’s a look back at the team’s past.

Vikings Schedule: Past and Present

Minnesota was originally awarded an expansion franchise in the American Football League in 1959, but eventually ended up getting an NFL franchise in January 1960. In September of that year, the name “Vikings” was adopted.

The Vikings opened their first-ever season with a 37-13 victory over the Chicago Bears in 1961. Minnesota, however, stumbled to a 3-11 mark in its inaugural year. The Vikes made their first playoff appearance in 1968, but lost in the Divisional Round to the Baltimore Colts. The following year, the Vikings defeated the Cleveland Browns to capture their first NFL championship. Minnesota would go on to suffer a 23-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl IV.

The Vikings had a great deal of success after the merger throughout the 1970s. Led by head coach Bud Grant, quarterback Fran Tarkenton and the “Purple People Eaters” defense, the Vikings reached the Super Bowl three times during the decade. However, Minnesota lost all three times; to the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VII, the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl IX and the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XI.

The Vikings would continue to have regular season success, making the playoffs 15 times from 1978-2000. The Vikings went 15-1 and were the favorite to win the Super Bowl in 1998, but the suffered a shocking 30-27 overtime loss to the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC title game.

Before the start of the 2009 season, the Vikings signed former Packers quarterback Brett Favre. Minnesota went 12-4 and reached the conference title game once again, but came up short in a 31-28 overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints.

Little was expected of the Vikings in 2012, but behind Adrian Peterson’s 2,075 rushing yards they earned a Wild Card spot by going 10-6 and beating the Packers in the final game of the season. However, the Packers had the last laugh as they cruised to a 24-10 in the opening round.

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Much of the history of the Tennessee Titans occurred when the team was located in Houston and known as the Oilers. However, the Titans have accomplished plenty of notable things in their own right during their brief time in Tennessee. Before visiting the upcoming Titans scheduled, here’s a look at the team’s past.

Titans Schedule: Past and Present

The history of the Titans begins in 1960 when the Houston Oilers were one of the original members of the American Football League. The Oilers called Houston home from 1960-96 and they won the AFL title in ’60 and ’61. After merging with the NFL in 1970, the Oilers advanced to the playoffs 10 times, but they were never able to get to the Super Bowl.

The Oilers announced they would be leaving Houston for Tennessee after the 1996 season, even though their new stadium wouldn’t be ready until 1999. The Oilers kept their name for their first two years in their new state, but became the Titans to coincide with moving into their new facility.

In their first season with their new name, head coach Jeff Fisher and quarterback Steve McNair helped lead the Titans to a 13-3 record and a spot in the AFC playoffs. The Titans opened the playoffs with a win over the Buffalo Bills thanks to the play that is forever known as the “Music City Miracle.”

Tennessee went on to pound the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC title game to reach the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history. However, Tennessee suffered a heartbreaking 23-16 loss to the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV when wide receiver Kevin Dyson was tackled one-yard short of the end zone as time expired.

In 2008, the Titans began the year 10-0 and earned a bye in the first round of the playoffs. However, they were upended by the Baltimore Ravens in the divisional round. Entering 2013, the Titans haven’t been to the playoffs since.

Tennessee hasn’t finished above .500 since ’08.

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Entering 2013, the Houston Texans are the youngest franchise in the NFL. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of football history in the city. Before taking a look at the upcoming Texans schedule, here’s a look at the history of football in the city of Houston.

Texans Schedule: Past and Present

The city of Houston was first home to a team when the Oilers were an inaugural member of the American Football League. The Oilers called Houston home until owner Bud Adams uprooted the team and moved it to Tennessee in 1997.

In October 1999, it was announced that Houston would receive an expansion franchise to replace the since departed Oilers. In September 200, owner Bob McNair announced the new franchise would be called the Texans. The first head coach of the team was Dom Capers, who was also the first head coach in the history of the Carolina Panthers.

The Texans opened play in 2002 and their first regular season game was at home against the Dallas Cowboys. The Texans stunned the Cowboys, 19-10, in their opener behind rookie quarterback and top overall pick David Carr. The celebration would be short-lived as the Texans would go on to finish their inaugural season with a record of 4-12.

The Texans floundered during Capers’ tenure, which culminated with a 2-14 finish in 2005, Capers was canned and Gary Kubiak was brought in. After finishing 6-10 in 2006, Houston went 8-8, 8-8 and 9-7 the next three years. After stumbling to a 6-10 mark in 2010, the Texans finally won the AFC South division title with a mark of 6-10.

Houston notched a 31-10 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in its first-ever playoff game, but suffered a 20-13 loss to the Baltimore Ravens the following week. Houston again won the division title and beat the Bengals in the opening round of the playoffs in 2012, but couldn’t get past the New England Patriots in the Divisional Round.

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Few franchises in all of sports are more respected and revered than the Pittsburgh Steelers. Since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970, the Steelers have perennially been a force to be reckoned with. Some of the greatest players in league history have also suited up in black and gold. Before taking a look at the new Steelers schedule, here’s a look at their storied past.

Steelers Schedule: Past and Present

The Steelers were born as the Pittsburgh Pirates in July 1933. In addition to being one of the oldest franchises in the NFL, the Steelers are the oldest team in the AFC. After failing to reach the playoffs in each of their first seven seasons, the team became the Steelers in 1940. Due to World War II, the Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles merged to become the “Steagles” for one year in 1943. They then merged with the Cardinals in 1944 before resuming play as the Steelers the following year.

The Steelers made the playoffs for the first time in 1947, but would fail to do so again until 1962. Things began to change for the franchise after the hiring of head coach Chuck Noll in 1969. After the addition of future Hall of Famers Terry Bradshaw, “Mean” Joe Greene, Jack Ham and Franco Harris, a dynasty would soon be born.

The Steelers captured the first of their four Super Bowl titles in the 1970s when they defeated Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IX. Pittsburgh then beat the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl X and Super Bowl XII before dismantling the Los Angeles Rams in XIV in 1979.

Knoll’s run with Pittsburgh ended when he retired in 1992. He was replaced by Bill Cowher. The Steelers didn’t return to the championship game until facing the Cowboys again in 1995. Dallas would avenge its previous losses with a 27-17 victory in Super Bowl XXX.

In 2005, Cowher, running back Jerome Bettis and young quarterback Ben Roethlisberger led the Steelers to a 21-10 win over the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL. In 2007, Mike Tomlin took over as head coach after Cowher decided to resign. Tomlin, Roethlisberger and the Steelers went on to edge the Arizona Cardinals, 27-23, in Super Bowl XLIII.

The duo also helped lead the Steelers to a spot in Super Bowl XLV, but they suffered a 31-25 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Still, entering the 2014 Steelers schedule, Pittsburgh’s six Super Bowl titles are the most in NFL history.

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The Seattle Seahawks are the only franchise in NFL history to switch conference twice after the NFL-AFL merger in 1970. After three non-descript decades, the Seahawks have emerged as a perennial contender in the NFC. Before looking forward to the new Seahawks schedule, let’s take a look at the franchise’s history.

Seahawks Schedule: Past and Present

The Seahawks were formed when Seattle was granted an expansion franchise in 1974. Originally, the new team was going to be called the Kings, but the Seahawks moniker was selected after a naming contest. The Seahawks began play in 1976 in the NFC and went 2-12 in their inaugural season. Seattle moved to the AFC the following year.

The Seahawks reached the postseason for the first time in 1983 and advanced all the way to the AFC Championship Game, but suffered a 30-14 loss to the Los Angeles Raiders. Seattle again reached the postseason in 1984, ’87 and ’88, but never advanced past the Divisional Round.

The team had only one other playoff appearance from 1989-2002 and the ‘Hawks moved back to the NFC following the ’02 season. With Mike Holmgren as head coach and Matt Hasselbeck at quarterback, the Seahawks also moved into the brand new Seahawks Stadium in ’02.

The Seahawks suffered back-to-back first-round losses in 2003 and 2004, but 2005 would prove to be their finest year. On the legs of running back and NFL MVP Shaun Alexander, the Seahawks went 13-3, won the NFC West title and knocked off the Carolina Panthers to advance to the Super Bowl for the first time in team history. However, The Seahawks were unable to complete the storybook season, as they suffered a 21-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XL.

The new era of the Seahawks is led by head coach Pete Carroll and young quarterback Russell Wilson. The Seahawks selected Wilson in the third round of the 2012 draft. After surprisingly being named the starter prior to the start of the season, Wilson led the ‘Hawks to an 11-5 record and a Wild Card berth

Seattle enters the 2014 season as defending champions after demolishing the Denver Broncos, 43-8, in Super Bowl XLVIII.

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The New Orleans Saints and their fans endured decades of suffering on the football field. However, a national tragedy brought a city and a team together. It also eventually brought a champion. Before looking ahead at the upcoming Saints schedule, let’s take a look back at the history of the franchise.

Saints Schedule: Past and Present

New Orleans was granted an NFL franchise in a deal between Congressman Hale Boggs, Senator Russell Long and then NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle. Boggs headed a congressional committee that was overseeing the NFL-AFL merger. Rozelle announced the city had been awarded a team on “All Saints’ Day” in November 1966. Boggs’ committee later approved the merger.

The Saints schedule began in 1967. John Gilliam returned the first opening kickoff of the team’s first-ever game 94 yards for a touchdown. The Saints, however, would lose the game as part of a 3-11 inaugural season. The record was a sign of things to come, as the Saints failed to make the playoffs from 1967-86.

New Orleans captured its first-ever playoff appearance in 1987, but suffered a 44-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in the Wild Card round. The Saints also reached the playoffs in 1990, ’91 and ’92, but were bounced in the first round every season.

It wasn’t until 2000 that the Saints captured their first playoff victory in franchise history. After winning the NFC West, the Saints knocked off the St. Louis Rams in the opening round, 31-28. The Saints lost to the Vikings.

The 2005 season was greatly impacted by the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The team was forced to play its first “home game” at Giants Stadium. The Saints also “home” games in San Antonio and Baton Rouge. New Orleans went just 3-13, but it was the beginning of big things to come.

The team made Sean Payton their new head coach and signed quarterback Drew Brees before the 2006 season. In their first year back in New Orleans, the Saints would go on to win the NFC South title and appear in the conference championship game for the first time in franchise history.

In 2009, the Saints went 13-3, won the NFC South title and knocked off the Vikings in overtime in the conference title game to reach the Super Bowl. Brees then led the Saints to a 31-17 win over Peyton Manning and Colts in Super Bowl XLIV.

The history of the Saints would be incomplete without the bounty scandal involving players and coaches. Several players and coaches, including Payton, were hit with lengthy suspensions for the “pay for performance” program. The NFL concluded that the program rewarded players for injuring other players.

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The Washington Redskins are among the older and most decorated franchises in NFL history. However, there has been plenty of controversy surrounding the franchise. Before looking at this year’s Redskins schedule, let’s go back and look at the team’s past.

Redskins Schedule: Past and Present

The franchise was originally founded as the Boston Braves in 1932. The team became the Boston Redskins in 1933 and played at Fenway Park until 1936. The franchise moved to the nation’s capital and became the Washington Redskins 1937. They defeated the Chicago Bears in the NFL Championship Game in their first season in their new home.

The ‘Skins beat the Bears again in the 1942 championship game, but did not have a single playoff appearance from 1946-70. During this run of futility, the Redskins were the last American football team to integrate in 1962.

Led by NFL Most Valuable Player Larry Brown, the Redskins went to their first Super Bowl in 1972. However, they were unable to overcome the undefeated Miami Dolphins and suffered a 14-7 loss.

Led by head coach Joe Gibbs, quarterback Joe Theismann and running back John Riggins, the Redskins defeated the Dolphins, 27-17, to capture their first title since ’42. The ‘Skins returned to the big game the following year, but suffered a 38-9 loss to the Los Angeles Raiders.

Washington would again win the NFC crown and trounce the Denver Broncos, 42-10, in Super Bowl XXII. Just four seasons later, quarterback Mark Rypien guided the Redskins to a 37-25 victory over the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXVI. Entering 2013, the victory marked the last time the ‘Skins hoisted the Lombardi Trophy.

Since the Super Bowl win in 1992, the Redskins have only appeared in the playoffs five times. However, they were led to the postseason in 2012 by quarterback Robert Griffin III, who the Redskins traded up to take with the second overall pick in the ’12 draft. “RG3” headlines a young core that includes running back Alfred Morris and wide receiver Pierre Garcon.

Throughout the years, many people and groups have taken exception with the name “Redskins” because of its racial connotation. However, several attempts to get the franchise or the league to change the name have all failed.

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Though their history may be brief, the Baltimore Ravens have already collected a pair of Super Bowl rings. The reason Baltimore’s history is so brief is because in order to look to the future, it was forced to leave its past behind. Before glancing at this year’s Ravens schedule, let’s take a look at how they got to Baltimore.

Ravens Schedule: Past and Present

The history of the Ravens schedule began when owner Art Modell uprooted the Browns from Cleveland in 1996. There were a few caveats attached to the move. First, the NFL promised Cleveland that a team would be back in the city no later than 1999. In addition, Modell was not permitted to use the Browns’ name, likeness or franchise records. In essence, the Ravens would become a new team.

In their first draft as the Ravens, the team selected offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden and linebacker Ray Lewis in the first round. These two players would become the backbone of the team for the next decade and beyond.

After three straight losing seasons to begin their stay in Baltimore, the Ravens fired head coach Ted Marchibroda and replaced him with Brian Billick. Led by one of the fiercest defenses in NFL history, the Ravens clobbered the New York Giants, 34-7, in Super Bowl XXXV. Lewis was named the game’s MVP.

Billick’s tenure would last until he was fired after the 2007 season and was replaced by John Harbaugh. The same year, the Ravens selected quarterback Joe Flacco in the first round of the draft. The Ravens advanced to the AFC title game in ’08, but suffered a 23-14 loss to the rival Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Ravens reached the playoffs the next three years, but never made it past the conference title game. In September 2012, Modell, who sold his controlling stake in the team in 2004, passed away. The Ravens raced out to a 9-1 start and would eventually win the AFC North. Prior to the start of the playoffs, Lewis announced that he was retiring at the end of the year.

After downing the Colts in the opening round, the Ravens pulled off a 38-35 upset double-overtime win over the Broncos in Denver. The Ravens went on to trounce the New England Patriots in the AFC title game to secure a spot in Super Bowl XLVII, where Harbaugh, Flacco and Lewis led the team to a 34-31 win over the San Francisco 49ers.

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The Rams have taken a long and rather circuitous road to end up in St. Louis. Despite all the changes of scenery, the Rams have fielded some of the more memorable teams in NFL history. Before looking ahead to this year’s Rams schedule, let’s take a look back at the history of the franchise.

Rams Schedule: Past and Present

The history of the Rams schedule began when they were born as the Cleveland Rams in 1936. The moniker was chose to pay homage to Fordham University, which also uses a ram as its mascot. After spending one year in the second American Football League, the Rams joined the NFL.

After failing to post a winning season in each of their first six years in the NFL, the Rams suspended operations for World War II in 1943. The Rams were back in 1944 and went on to win the NFL championship in 1945.

After the title win, the Rams packed up and moved to Los Angeles. After the move, the Rams had the distinction of signing the first two African-American players to play in the league after the war. In 1948, halfback Fred Gehrke painted the now famous horns on the team’s helmets. The horns marked the first modern helmet log in professional football.

The Rams beat the Cleveland Browns for the NFL title in 1951, but they would fail to win another playoff game until after the merger in 1974. Beginning in ’74, the Rams reached the playoffs seven straight years, but they never hoisted the Lombardi Trophy. Los Angeles appeared in the Super Bowl only once during the stretch, suffering a 31-19 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Led by running back Eric Dickerson and later quarterback Jim Everett, the Rams enjoyed a great deal of success throughout the 1980s. However, the Rams, who by this point were based in Anaheim, again were not able to get over the hump. The never advanced to the Super Bowl and were beaten a combined 54-3 in their two NFC Championship game appearances.

After the 1994 season, the Rams packed up the moving trucks again and landed in St. Louis. In 1999, former Arena League quarterback Kurt Warner and running back Marshall Faulk led the Rams to a 23-16 win over the Tennessee Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV. The Rams returned to the big game in 2001 and were heavily favored to beat the New England Patriots, but suffered a shocking 20-17 loss.

Entering the 2014 season, the Rams have only one playoff win and have appeared in the postseason only twice since 2002.

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There is arguably no more notorious franchise in NFL history than the Oakland Raiders. For decades, few teams in all of sports have embodied their moniker more than the Raiders. Before glancing at this year’s Raiders schedule, let’s take a look back at the Silver and Black.

Raiders Schedule: Past and Present

The Oakland Raiders were founded in 1960 as an original member of the American Football League. Following the 1962 season, Al Davis was named head coach and general manager. Davis left briefly in 1966 to become the AFL Commissioner, but returned to the team as a general partner after the league merged with the NFL.

After acquiring quarterback Daryle Lamonica, the Raiders knocked off the Houston Oilers in the 1967 AFC title game. The Raiders secured a spot in Super Bowl II with the win, but suffered a 33-14 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

In 1969, John Madden would become the team’s new head coach. The Raiders reached the AFL title game in his first season, but lost to the Chiefs. During Madden’s run from 1969-78, the Raiders never had a losing season. Oakland won its division six times and beat the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XI.

Under new coach Tom Flores, the Raiders returned to the title bout in 1980. Led by quarterback Jim Plunkett and cornerback Kenny King, the Raiders hammered the Eagles, 27-10, in Super Bowl XV.

Following the 1981 season, the Raiders left Oakland for Los Angeles. Just two seasons later, Marcus Allen led the now L.A. Raiders in a 38-9 rout of the Redskins in 1983. The win marks the last time the team hoisted the Lombardi Trophy.

The Raiders stayed in Los Angeles before moving back to Oakland after the 1994 season. The Raiders won three straight AFC West titles from 2000-2002, with the run culminated by an AFC championship in 2002. The celebration wouldn’t last long, as the Raiders were embarrassed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 48-21, in Super Bowl XXXVII. The Bucs were coach by Jon Gruden, who the Raiders sent to the Bucs for a compensation package prior to the start of the season.

The Super Bowl loss sent the Raiders into a tailspin they haven’t gotten out of. Since the loss, the Raiders have yet to post a record above .500 in any season.

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