Non-Playoff teams that ended the season hot

[sheajets]

2004 Buffalo Bills deserve to be mentioned. Started the season 1-5. Then they go 8-1 (only loss to N.E.) Not only did they go on a roll, they were outright destroying teams and their offense was a machine. Down the stretch they had games of scoring 38, 37, 38, 42, 37, 33, and 41. This after not even reaching 20 points in any of their first 4 games!

At 9-6 they had to win a home game against Pittsburgh and hope for a Jets loss to make the playoffs.

Steelers sat Bettis and rookie Roethlisberger. Not sure the status of most other starters. They stymied the Bills offense and won 29-24. Jets went into OT and once word spread that Buffalo lost Herm Edwards tried to get the game over with as fast as possible.

[Eagles One]

2011 Eagles. Were 4-8 on December 1 and won the last four games including two wins against divisional rivals Dallas and Washington. It saved Andy Reid's job for another season. They thought the momentum would carry over into the next season. Well it didn't.

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/ ... i/2011.htm

[sheajets]

The 1981 Redskins and 1999 Jets both finished their seasons going 7-2. The Jets had five wins against four playoff teams at the end of the season.

Parcells I believe said this was his best coaching job. He does lament though not going to Ray Lucas earlier instead of sticking with the inept and uninspiring Rick Mirer,

[JWL]

The 1981 Redskins and 1999 Jets both finished their seasons going 7-2. The Jets had five wins against four playoff teams at the end of the season.

Parcells I believe said this was his best coaching job. He does lament though not going to Ray Lucas earlier instead of sticking with the inept and uninspiring Rick Mirer,

I was stunned by how much rope he gave Mirer but I wasn't in practice and team meetings. Maybe Lucas wasn't ready to go until Parcells gave him the job. Lucas was actually good enough for the Jets to win with him, but he never really played good after that season. Maybe there was a game or two in Miami that he played well in, I don't know. Lucas was rotten when Vinny Testaverde had to be replaced at the beginning of a game against Pittsburgh in 2000. The Jets offensive display that day would remind you of a preseason Week 1 showing.

[conace21]

The Jets must not have had too much faith in Lucas. They drafted Chad Pennington in the first round of the 2000 draft.

Lucas started a few games for Miami in 2002, but was not very good. I recall he threw 4 INT's in a game against Buffalo, three to Nate Clements.

[sheajets]

The Jets must not have had too much faith in Lucas. They drafted Chad Pennington in the first round of the 2000 draft.

Lucas started a few games for Miami in 2002, but was not very good. I recall he threw 4 INT's in a game against Buffalo, three to Nate Clements.

No definitely not. It was understood that this was lightning in a bottle. Lucas was good at extending plays. Good scrambler. Not particularly good at reading defenses. Not a powerful arm

[sheajets]

2009 Cleveland Browns

Started the season 1-11. Their only win was a 6-3 mess out in windy Buffalo where Derek Anderson went 2-17 for 23 yards and 1int

Won their last 4 (including a big W vs Pittsburgh) Browns fans thought they had turned the corner. Mangini though could just never quite connect with his players. Always very distant and meticulous to the point of driving players insane

[CSKreager]

2004 Buffalo Bills deserve to be mentioned. Started the season 1-5. Then they go 8-1 (only loss to N.E.) Not only did they go on a roll, they were outright destroying teams and their offense was a machine. Down the stretch they had games of scoring 38, 37, 38, 42, 37, 33, and 41. This after not even reaching 20 points in any of their first 4 games!

At 9-6 they had to win a home game against Pittsburgh and hope for a Jets loss to make the playoffs.

Steelers sat Bettis and rookie Roethlisberger. Not sure the status of most other starters. They stymied the Bills offense and won 29-24. Jets went into OT and once word spread that Buffalo lost Herm Edwards tried to get the game over with as fast as possible.

Had Buffalo won and gotten in, I think they could have beaten San Diego- after all, it's if Marty and the playoffs, you always have a shot!

[7DnBrnc53]

Had Buffalo won and gotten in, I think they could have beaten San Diego- after all, it's if Marty and the playoffs, you always have a shot!

Wasn't Buffalo supposed to go to Indy if they won? Because I remember rooting for the Bills to win because I wanted Denver to go to SD, not Indy.

[CSKreager]

Had Buffalo won and gotten in, I think they could have beaten San Diego- after all, it's if Marty and the playoffs, you always have a shot!

Wasn't Buffalo supposed to go to Indy if they won? Because I remember rooting for the Bills to win because I wanted Denver to go to SD, not Indy.

Depends- if Buffalo wins that last game and they/Jets are both 10-6, who wins the tiebreaker?