It’s that time again! Time to recognize the worst choke artist of the NFL. Four team this year started off with amazing records and stats only to go onto lengthy losing streaks. Some team’s defense was to blame while others offense was at fault; the only thing for certain is that fan’s beginning season hopes were crushed in some of the most heart breaking collapses in the NFL.
Dallas Cowboys (9-7) — Dallas entered December at 8-4. With a giant win against the Steelers seemingly in the bag, it looked like the Cowboys would coast into the playoffs as a favorite. But after a thrilling fourth quarter drive by Pittsburgh tied the score, Romo threw a crippling interception that was returned for a touchdown and the Cowboys collapse had begun. They lost three of the final four to finish the year 9-7.
Denver Broncos (8-8) — Denver held a seemingly-insurmountable four-game lead over the Chargers on December 3. The only way the Broncos could lose the division is if the team lost four straight while San Diego won four straight. We all know what happened. Two men literally ran over the broncos defense like they were a junior league team.
New York Jets (9-7) — Brett Favre and the Jets were 8-3 and finished the season with five winnable games, three of which should have been gimmies: Denver, San Francisco, and Seattle. The Jets lost all three of those games, barely winning against Buffalo. As dawn rose with her shinning fingers on Sunday’s game, they were eliminated from playoff competition.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7) – Tampa bay were 9-3 before losing three games to drop to 9-6 headed into Sunday’s game. Everyone said the Bucs were never as good as their 9-3 record suggest, so that 9-6 record seemed to even things out. Still, all Tampa had to do in the final week was beat the Oakland Raiders at home. Instead, they lost to the Oakland Raiders capping the year with four consecutive defeats. In their defense Oakland surprisingly beat a lot of teams this year.
Washington Redskins (8-8) — Washington’s choke isn’t in the forefront of most people’s minds, as the Redskins were essentially eliminated from playoff competition in week 15. It doesn’t make the collapse during final week and less painful for fans. At 6-2 the ‘Skins looked more then able to make a run for the playoffs. They were in the top-five on many power rankings and Jim Zorn was a candidate for Coach of the Year. During the season’s second half, though, Washington flips the record, winning two and losing six to finished the season with an 8-8 record after two bad losses to Cincinnati and San Francisco.
