A reader who routinely sends us thoughts and ideas regarding various NFL story lines has pointed out that, regardless of what happens when the Eagles go to Arizona next week, a nine-win team will qualify for the Super Bowl. The Eagles finished 9-6-1, and the Cardinals went 9-7. It’ll be the first time in a non-strike year that a nine-win team made it to the NFL title game since 1979, when the 9-7 Rams shut out the 10-6 Bucs with three field goals to earn a crack at the Steelers. The only team to ever win the Super Bowl with nine victories for the season was the 1967 Packers, who went 9-4-1 and beat the 13-1 Raiders in Super Bowl II. In January 1983, after seven games were lost to a work stoppage, the 8-1 Redskins beat the 7-2 Dolphins to cap a 16-team playoff. Another eight-win team could have a crack at winning it all this year, if the Chargers beat the Steelers today and the Ravens next weekend.
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up