The Lombardi Overtime Curse

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Jay Z
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Joined: Sun Oct 12, 2014 7:42 pm
Location: Madison WI

The Lombardi Overtime Curse

Post by Jay Z »

Did Vince Lombardi curse the Packers in overtime playoff games by refusing to kick a field goal in the Ice Bowl? Here is there total number of yards gained in overtime playoff games since the Ice Bowl:

2003 vs Sea - 3 plays, 5 yards (won on a Al Harris INT on the Seahawks' second possession)
2003 vs Phi - 1 play, 0 yards (Favre throws an INT on the Packers' first play, Eagles kick FG following on their second possession)
2007 vs NYG - 2 plays, 2 yards (Favre throws an INT on the Packers' second play, Giants kick FG following on their first possession)
2009 vs ARI - 3 plays, 4 yards (Rodgers fumbles after being hit and Arizona returns it for a TD)
2014 vs SEA - 0 plays, 0 yards (Seahawks win the toss and score TD)
2015 vs ARI - 0 plays, 0 yards (Cardinals win the toss and score TD)

Six overtime games, five straight losses, and zero first downs by the Packers' offense.
John Grasso
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Location: Guilford, NY

Re: The Lombardi Overtime Curse

Post by John Grasso »

At least they didn't win the toss and elect to kick.
BD Sullivan
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Re: The Lombardi Overtime Curse

Post by BD Sullivan »

Jay Z wrote:Did Vince Lombardi curse the Packers in overtime playoff games by refusing to kick a field goal in the Ice Bowl? Here is there total number of yards gained in overtime playoff games since the Ice Bowl:

2003 vs Sea - 3 plays, 5 yards (won on a Al Harris INT on the Seahawks' second possession)
2003 vs Phi - 1 play, 0 yards (Favre throws an INT on the Packers' first play, Eagles kick FG following on their second possession)
2007 vs NYG - 2 plays, 2 yards (Favre throws an INT on the Packers' second play, Giants kick FG following on their first possession)
2009 vs ARI - 3 plays, 4 yards (Rodgers fumbles after being hit and Arizona returns it for a TD)
2014 vs SEA - 0 plays, 0 yards (Seahawks win the toss and score TD)
2015 vs ARI - 0 plays, 0 yards (Cardinals win the toss and score TD)

Six overtime games, five straight losses, and zero first downs by the Packers' offense.
The only game where the weather even remotely came close to the Ice Bowl was 2007, which was played in ...Green Bay.
Jay Z
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Location: Madison WI

Re: The Lombardi Overtime Curse

Post by Jay Z »

There have been 32 overtime playoff games. Home teams are 18-14 despite losing 5 of the first 6.

The 10 which ended the fastest:
2001 Denver beats Pittsburgh (Tebow 80 yard TD pass on 1st play) 0:11
2015 Arizona beats Green Bay (3 play TD drive) 1:05
1989 Los Angeles Rams beats New York Giants (Flipper Anderson catch, Rams were already at 30 yard line) 1:06
2009 Arizona beats Green Bay (Rodgers fumble returned for TD) 1:18
2007 New York Giants beats Green Bay (Favre INT on 2nd GB play) 2:35
1992 Buffalo beats Houston (Moon throws INT on 3rd HOU play) 3:02
2002 Tennessee beats Pittsburgh (McNair makes 2 passes for 53 yards, field goal on 1st drive) 3:11
2014 Seattle beats Green Bay (TD drive on 1st possession) 3:19
1989 Pittsburgh beats Houston (Pitt 3 and out, Lorenzo White fumbles on 1st play for HOU, Pit FG) 3:26
2003 Green Bay beats Seattle (Al Harris INT return on Seattle's 2nd possession) 4:25

The game that caused a rule change, Saints over Vikings 2009, was only #11 in time of possession. #12 was 2003 Eagles over Packers.

Houston lost a couple on turnovers as Green Bay did. 4 TDs on the 1st possession and only one FG 1st possession makes the top 10.
JuggernautJ
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Re: The Lombardi Overtime Curse

Post by JuggernautJ »

I find it interesting that no one (NO ONE) has discussed the chance to go for the win rather than kicking for the tie.

Down by one with no time left on the clock the Packers could have tried for the two point conversion to win outright but instead played for the tie.

Tom Osborn, where are you when we need you??
BD Sullivan
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Re: The Lombardi Overtime Curse

Post by BD Sullivan »

JuggernautJ wrote:I find it interesting that no one (NO ONE) has discussed the chance to go for the win rather than kicking for the tie.

Down by one with no time left on the clock the Packers could have tried for the two point conversion to win outright but instead played for the tie.

Tom Osborn, where are you when we need you??
Because no coach who fails and wants to be employed the next day would even consider it.
Jay Z
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Joined: Sun Oct 12, 2014 7:42 pm
Location: Madison WI

Re: The Lombardi Overtime Curse

Post by Jay Z »

JuggernautJ wrote:I find it interesting that no one (NO ONE) has discussed the chance to go for the win rather than kicking for the tie.

Down by one with no time left on the clock the Packers could have tried for the two point conversion to win outright but instead played for the tie.

Tom Osborn, where are you when we need you??
With the inexperienced receiving corps, probably not great odds for the Packers. They'd already had a misfire at the goal line on miscommunication of what route to run.
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