2023 - and 2021 - more 1980 than 1980??

[74_75_78_79_]

Here we are, thirteen games-in, and the best-record in the league is tied between four teams each at 10-3! And just two teams at 9-4...and then...

In 2021, no one was better than 10-3 either - not even GB and TB.

At least in 'even-Steven' 1980, the Eagles were 11-2 (just coming off a loss at the Murph) as the two other NFC 'stalwarts' who'd end up also finishing 12-4, Big D & Atl, each had three losses to their credit.

And forever-ESTEEMED San Fran in 1989 were at least 11-2 as well after thirteen.

Lazy-enough for just now, at least, to roll up sleeves and deep-dive, what other seasons had best-records late-enough into the season that weren't typical of best-records?

10-3 is great, but normally not usually 'best-record' material after thrirteen games-in.

Thanks in-advance!

[Citizen]

Nobody was better than 10-3 at this point in 1979 (Hou., Pitt., S.D.), 1993 (NYG), 2002 (Phil., G.B., T.B.), or 2014 (N.E., Den., G.B., Ariz.).

[74_75_78_79_]

Damn! Good one, Citizen! Right under my nose, '79. A much esteemed season with me. You'd think I would have known that!

And Dan Reeves' unspectacular G-men (LT's last, Strahan's rookie) all by themselves at 10-3 in '93??

Funny thing is...(as I've said here prior) I regard the '79 Steelers and the '93 Cowboys as the top-two 12-4 teams ever.

EDIT - and how can I forget, 1981! Both ‘Catch’-participants-to-be and Cincy were at 10-3 as the Eagles, having lost their last two, were now in free-fall mode at 9-4.

[74_75_78_79_]

1952 also should have been mentioned!

With just three weeks to go in that 12-game season, SEVEN teams were tied for the 'best' at...6-3-0!!

In the American, it was Cleveland, NYG, and the Eagles tied up at that very record!

In the National...Lions, Rams, Forty Niners, and even Green Bay who despite losing-out from there, FWIW already clinched their first of just two non-losing campaigns in the eleven season drought which led up to Vince (the other 6-6 finish was in '55)!

After Week #9, things had to reek of a repeat of 1950 with both conferences needing a tiebreaker game or - even better - what almost happened five years later!

But just a Rams/Lions tiebreaker at Briggs is what we got being that the 7-4 Eagles failed to take advantage of the 'gift' the G-men offered them in their finale, dropping Cleveland to 8-4. Instead, the Birds lost to their 3-8 opponent at Griffith.

[ChrisBabcock]

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/ ... &year=1952

[Brian wolf]

Despite losing to the better teams to end their season in 1952, Billy Howton for GB not only should have been named All-Pro over Gordie Soltau of SF but should have gotten MVP consideration as well.