The best Super Bowls never played

DEDHAM — Sometimes, the Super Bowl matchup we're dealt ends up being a far cry from the game we could have had. Looking back over the years, I dug up some games we almost saw - teams that advanced to the conference championship game only to lose.

Below are some of the best matchups that never happened:

Pick a Year – Oakland vs. Dallas

This matchup of two powerhouses from the 70s never came to be, though we were one game away from it possibly happening five times from 1970 through 1980 (V, VIII, X, XII, XV). In each of those years, both the Raiders and Cowboys advanced to the NFL’s final four, but a Super Bowl matchup between the two teams never transpired. The Raiders and Cowboys combined for five Super Bowl appearances and three championships in that 11-season span.

Super Bowl XI – Oakland vs. Los Angeles Rams

Before they shared a city, the Raiders and Rams almost squared off in the Rose Bowl after the 1976 season. LA lost the NFC Championship Game to the Vikings, who had earned home field advantage and defeated the Rams in frigid conditions.  Minnesota and Dallas were the Rams’ kryptonite in the 70s.  LA was a strong team that only played in one Super Bowl, which they lost to the Steelers in 1980.

Super Bowl XII - Minnesota vs. Oakland

We were one game away from a rematch of Super Bowl XI, but Denver held off the Raiders at Mile High Stadium and the Cowboys sent the Vikings packing in the NFC title game. As it turns out, 1977 was the Cowboys best season ever and they were destined to win.  The Cowboys appeared in Super Bowls X, XII and XIII.

Super Bowl XV – San Diego vs. Philadelphia

The 1980 season showcased San Diego at its best, with Dan Fouts slinging to Charlie Joiner, Kellen Winslow and John Jefferson. Chuck Muncie provided punch on the ground. The Chargers had dealt the Eagles a one-point loss in November and a rematch in New Orleans would have been hotly contested. Alas, the wild card Raiders were loaded with confidence after beating a Ken Stabler-led Oilers team in Oakland and a favored Browns team on the road in the playoffs. The Raiders’ familiarity with San Diego helped them win the AFC Championship Game on the road. Oakland then upset Philadelphia in Super Bowl XV thanks to three interceptions from linebacker Rod Martin.

Super Bowl XIX – Pittsburgh vs. San Francisco

The right matchup came to fruition as Dan Marino and the Dolphins beat the 9-7 Steelers in the AFC Championship Game, but it was Pittsburgh who dealt the 49ers their only loss of the 1984 season. The Montana/Marino matchup was better on paper, but it’s worth mentioning the Niners, who crushed Miami 38-16 in Palo Alto, were a Steelers upset win in Miami away from the opportunity for revenge.

Super Bowl XX – Miami vs. Chicago

Dan Marino in his prime. The Marks brothers. The only team to beat Chicago in 1985. It would have been an epically-hyped rematch in New Orleans, but an improbable run by New England kept the Dolphins out of the Super Bowl. Chicago crushed the Pats 46-10 and very well would have done the same thing to Miami, but it would have been fun to see.

Super Bowls XXV, XXVII, XXVIII – Buffalo vs. San Francisco

While the Bills take heat for losing four straight Super Bowls from 1990-93, the 49ers dropped three of four NFC Championship Games in that same span. The 1990 team was led by Joe Montana. The 1992 and 1993 squads were led by Steve Young. It would have been fun to watch a Super Bowl matchup between the Bills and Niners, but the NFC East blocked San Fran’s path until 1994, when they finally broke through to win the franchise’s fifth world title.

Super Bowl XXIX – Pittsburgh vs. San Francisco

Junior Seau inspired the Chargers to the franchise’s only Super Bowl appearance, but the 1994 Steelers were the AFC’s elite throughout the season, winning 12 games. However, San Diego beat Pittsburgh twice that year – once in the regular season finale and once in the AFC Championship Game, so they earned the right to be crushed by San Fran in the Super Bowl. A Steelers/49ers Super Bowl would have been a head-to-head battle to see which franchise would win “one for the thumb” first. Pittsburgh and San Francisco could have matched up the next year, as well, but it was the Super Bowl XXIX matchup between the Chargers and 49ers that left people longing.

Super Bowl XXXIII – Minnesota vs. New York Jets

John Elway capped off his career with a second straight championship, but the matchup between the Vikings and Jets would have been one of the most anticipated battles in Super Bowl history. The game was played in Miami, 30 years after Joe Namath’s guarantee. Bill Parcells was the coach of the Jets, which would have been the third franchise he led to the Super Bowl. Minnesota’s 1998 team was among the greatest all-time NOT to win a conference championship.

Super Bowl XXXIII – Minnesota vs. Denver

While we’re at it, seeing the explosive Vikings, with Randall Cunningham, Randy Moss, Cris Carter and Robert Smith against the defending Super Bowl champion Broncos, who had started the season 12-0, would have been pretty sweet, too. Damn dirty birds! Atlanta upset the Vikes when Gary Anderson missed a field goal in the NFC Championship Game and delivered a stinker in the Super Bowl, losing 34-19.

Super Bowl XXXVI – Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh

It turned out to be one of the best Super Bowls ever played, so you can’t complain about the Patriots upset of the Rams, but we were one game away from a battle of Pennsylvania after the 2001 season.  The Eagles came up short on the road against St. Louis and the Steelers lost when Drew Bledsoe led the Patriots to victory in the AFC Championship Game.

Super Bowl XLIII – Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia

In my opinion, the NFC Championship Game in 2008-09 was a Hall of Fame play-in for Kurt Warner and Donovan McNabb. I believed, going in, whoever won the game would seal his selection in the Hall of Fame. It would have been McNabb’s second Super Bowl appearance after five trips to the NFC title game. It turned out to be Warner’s third Super Bowl appearance and first with the traditionally moribund Cardinals. McNabb will likely be on the outside looking in when eligible for the Hall. Warner won’t. Another chance for a PA Super Bowl unfulfilled, and Super Bowl XLIII ended up being one of the most exciting ever played, with Santonio Holmes snagging the game-winning TD in the final minute.

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