Throughout our decades of watching football, the sport has been defined by legendary rivalries from way back when whether in division (Cowboys/Redskins, Bears/Packers) or two teams in the same conference (Raiders/Steelers, Giants/49ers).
But sprinkled throughout an NFL season are AFC vs NFC games. Not the Super Bowl, but rather those games where teams venture out of conference and actually have to play such teams on their turf.
Before 1978, there were instances when such games were rare. Heck, the 1975 Cowboys played only 2 games vs AFC teams (Chiefs, Patriots) before SB 10 vs Pittsburgh
What are some of the notable games you can recall from the regular season between teams from different conferences?
Examples:
2005 Chiefs/Cowboys. An exciting back and forth game with huge playoff ramifications, the last great games for Trent Green and Drew Bledsoe, a 34-31 thriller
1995 Bears/Steelers. This game basically was a crossroads as 6-2 Chicago with a rare high scoring offense scored 34 points, but 4-4 Pittsburgh (who was essentially on the brink after some rough early season setbacks) found a way to score 37 themselves and prevail in OT for their first ever win at Solder Field. The Bears were never the same under Wannstedt (18-38 the rest of his tenure) while that launched a Super Bowl run for Pittsburgh and they ended up with 3 more division titles in the 3 Rivers era for Cowher
1994 Vikings/Patriots. 7-2 Minnesota had a 20-0 lead at Foxboro, but 3-6 New England behind a 45-70 performance from Drew Bledsoe comes all the way back for an OT win. This launched a 7 game winning streak and an unexpected playoff berth
Memorable interconference games in the regular season
Re: Memorable interconference games in the regular season
The 2013 matchup between Minnesota and Baltimore featured five lead changes in the last 2:05 of the game. Final, 29-26 Ravens after it had been 12-7 Vikings only moments before.
-
- Posts: 1826
- Joined: Sat Oct 11, 2014 3:36 pm
- Location: Tonawanda, NY
Re: Memorable interconference games in the regular season
If you like the modern video game offense....
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/ ... 190ram.htm

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/ ... 190ram.htm
-
- Posts: 280
- Joined: Wed Apr 05, 2017 2:12 pm
Re: Memorable interconference games in the regular season
Tough to top 1982 SD Chargers at SF 49ers, Montana vs Fouts. Over 1,000 yards of total offense (no, not a misprint!). Imagine if his had been the SB XVI match up!
- GameBeforeTheMoney
- Posts: 727
- Joined: Thu Jan 28, 2021 3:21 pm
- Location: Texas
- Contact:
Re: Memorable interconference games in the regular season
Oilers at Cowboys on Thanksgiving in 1979.
Oakland at Washington in 1983.
Oakland at Washington in 1983.
Podcast: https://Podcast.TheGameBeforeTheMoney.com
Website/Blog: https://TheGameBeforeTheMoney.com
Author's Name: Jackson Michael
Website/Blog: https://TheGameBeforeTheMoney.com
Author's Name: Jackson Michael