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January 15, 2009
Your turn: Name other upset postseason blowouts
In reflecting on the Panthers' stunningly convincing loss to Arizona last Saturday in the playoffs (favored by 9 1/2 points, lost by 20), I've tried to think of similarily surprising and disappointing defeats for favored sports teams in a season-ending postseason game.
The one that came quickest to mind was North Carolina's blowout loss to Kansas last year in the Final Four.
For those of you who are both Panthers and Tar Heels fans, which defeat was worse for you to bear?
And for those of you who have other allegiances, what's the worst loss you can remember that fit these descriptions -- the team was favored to win a postseason game; it's one of your favorite teams; that team lost big to end its season and dash its championship hopes?
-- Charles Chandler
Posted by Observer Sports on January 15, 2009 at 08:30 AM | Permalink
Comments
Ha ha ha
NCSU 44 - UNC 10 (Yes, this is a FOOTBALL score!)
I think UNC was favored by 10 to 14 points.
Go Wolfpack!!!
Posted by: Ben | Jan 15, 2009 9:06:16 AM
I am going to say the UNC blown lead to Georgetown. At least in the Kansas game we knew there was little chance of reaching the pinnacle after being down so much.
And for me personally I think this past Saturday's debacle was worse because I truly believed that we had a chance at a ring. In regards to The Heels last year, college basketball is so crazy and that Kansas team was really good all season so I knew it was going to be a big hurdle - just maybe not the one it turned out to be.
Posted by: Chris | Jan 15, 2009 9:14:48 AM
ok. this is way off topic but I need to say this. First of all I have been a panther fan and tarheel fan since they were founded and a tarheel fan since I was born. Is peppers serious???? He doesnt want to cripple us and says it is not about the money right? ok, so then take a pay cut and it will not be about the money and you wont cripple us. Thats that. He just doesnt want to be here. he grew up here, went to carolina, plays in charlotte and at home games the crowd is by far the loudest when he is introduced. I have always liked him but I am to the point were if he signs a long term deal here and wants to be here fine, but if he wants to leave then start packin buddy. Franchise him and trade him if he wants to leave. what do you think??
Posted by: tj | Jan 15, 2009 10:09:08 AM
off topic but need to say this, first of all I am a big panther and tarheel fan. Is peppers serious?? He doesnt want to cripple us and says it is not about the money right?? ok then take a pay cut and it will nor be about the money and you wont cripple us. Thats that. he grew up here played at carolina and at home games the crowd is by far the loudest when he is introduced. I have always like pep but he just doesnt want to be here so I am to the point were if he does sing an long term deal and wants to be here then fine but if he doesnt he should start packin. if he wants to leave then franchise and trade him. what do you think?
Posted by: tj | Jan 15, 2009 10:20:51 AM
Im a young guy but I heard that Joe Montana once lost in the divisional round of the playoffs like 44-10 after throwing 2 int's.
I bet the 49'r fans felt like us panther fans do now.
Funny though, they went on to win the next 2 Super Bowls.
.02
Posted by: Joe | Jan 15, 2009 12:28:47 PM
Nothing gets worse than the 2007 New England Patriots. 18-1. The ultimate superbowl losers of all time for a single season.
Posted by: Knuckle Head | Jan 15, 2009 1:00:35 PM
I think every Panther fan should read the following article:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/ross_tucker/12/22/takes/index.html
This might explain alot about this team. Another disappearing act in the playoffs just like Seattle in 05. I don't think its just the players either. Obviously Fox and Trgovac didn't deem it important enough to come up with a game plan to stop Larry Fitzgerald. I think Fox and Co are just milking this gig as long as they can. I don't know if you ever listen to The Herd on ESPN radio but Colin has one of the best sayings I've ever heard with respect for sports "You(the fans)care more than they(the players,coachs)do"
Posted by: jeff | Jan 15, 2009 2:12:57 PM
Simple: Super Bowl XXXVII - Tampa Bay vs. Oakland. The Raiders were favored by 4 but ended up losing by 27. That's a 31 point swing, a whopping 1 point different than the Panthers/Cards game. What make this one worse is the Raiders were in the Super Bowl, not a Divisional round game, and they were playing their old coach (who just so happened to know all their plays.)
And while people are quick to pile on Jake after his performance last weekend, remember that NFL MVP from 2002 Rich Gannon threw 5 interceptions and had 3 of them returned for touchdowns. I mean, wow. Granted it wasn't completely his fault, the lack of adjustments after Gruden left was a big part of it. Much like "Panthers/Cards" (as it will be known to me) wasn't all Jake's fault. Everyone has a bad day. Ask Rich, Peyton, Eli, M. Ryan...
Posted by: Forest | Jan 15, 2009 3:17:38 PM
the Giants whooping of that vaunted vikings offense in 2001 in the NFC championship 41-0
Posted by: Peter Fulton | Jan 15, 2009 5:31:57 PM
In my wildest dreams:
This is what the Panthers do over the off-season. Put the franchise tag on Julius Peppers then trade him for a first and third round pick in the draft. Use the extra money to give Donovan McNabb a new home, and use the extra draft picks to shore up the defense.
1) Peppers is no longer happy here, and will never play 100% for us, and not be worth the ridiculous money. It was the same with Kris Jenkins. The last year he was here he wasn't happy and had an ok year. He goes to the Jets and becomes one of the most dominant defensive tackles in the league again.
2) Good quarterbacks don't choke in big games. I hope to God Jake Delhomme is gonna have to earn his spot as a starter this year. McNabb wants out of Philly. I don't know how teams would stop us with a mobile, consistent, accurate passer. McNabb makes magic without star receivers on a regular basis, and the one year he did have a break-out wr (T.O.) he went to the Super Bowl. Imagine the the McNabb to Smith connection. Even Jarrett might get better numbers.
Anyway, that's my dream. Let me know what you think...
Posted by: stephencjames | Jan 15, 2009 5:46:26 PM
I think the fans do care more than John Fox and company. Some of the players were heard talking about their Bahama plans.
Peppers had his usual grin on his face before the game ended. Fox thinks that a 12-4 record against a weak schedule with a few hell mary passes from his boy Jake to Smith for wins is good enough.
Fox probably feels he is safe for a while now that Mr. Richardson is sick.
Fox and staff need to go while we still have a team capable of winning.
If any of you have ever listened to Fox talk to Pat and Tim on sirius radio you will notice that he talks to them like they are his equal. When he talks to the carolina media and panther fans he talks down to them like he is so superior.
San Diego fired a coach who went 14-2 a couple of years ago. Everyone thought that was crazy but they have made the playoffs, won in the playoffs and are in the conference championship this week. So why can't we fire him and change the environment here?
Posted by: kevin | Jan 15, 2009 9:04:37 PM
Huh? I must be in a time warp if San Diego is playing in the conference champioship this weekend. All the media I've seen is reporting Baltimore vs Pittsburgh.
Posted by: LostInSpace | Jan 16, 2009 10:57:22 AM
Kevin, I do like your points about Fox, but the Chargers got wiped off the map last week (so no conference championship game) and they squeezed into the playoffs because their crappy division leader blew it down the stretch.
Stephencjames, only in a perfect world my friend. I like the idea of McNabb, but, with the exception of this year, his health has been a huge liability. His receivers may not be stars but he has the most underrated player in the league playing runningback and his defense is in the top five just about every year. If we could get that kind of D (via getting rid of Trgovac) then he would be a perfect fit.
Posted by: Chris | Jan 16, 2009 10:57:35 AM
StephenCJames,
You said a) good qbs do not choke in big games, and b) you want Donovan McNabb. So I am thinking you believe he's a good qb? Well, your memory must be short, but I remember Mr. McNabb tossing 3 or 4 picks in the NFC Championship Game not so long ago, while his heavily favored Eagles were being upset at home. I can't seem to remember who the other team's qb was that day, maybe you can refresh my memory?
Posted by: t | Jan 16, 2009 11:38:01 AM
the last 2 playoff games jakes been in hes had like 9 turnovers. he was horrible in the seattle game in 05 too. next years schedule is a killer.im not even going to bother watching next year unless.
1. fire trdo
2. cut lucas
3. let peppers go.
4. have a legit q.b competition in training camp.
5. fire fox, cause nothing is going to change till fox is gone. i truly believe this is the most talent laden team in the n.f.c. yet they layed down like dogs in their own house.outrageous!
with the peppers money you can keep gross,and get a good cornerback and def end.
Posted by: ray | Jan 16, 2009 11:55:40 AM
Getting back to the topic ...
Green Bay's 27-17 upset of San Francisco in the January 1996 divisional round. Not sure what the line was, but the 49ers were favored as the defending Super Bowl champions. So it was a shock when the Packers jumped out to a 21-0 lead and all but sealed the game.
It was the first of three straight San Fran playoff losses to those GD cheeseheads. And I think it turned out to be the only time in the 1990s that an NFC team won a divisional playoff game on the road. Damnit.
Posted by: mikbarrett | Jan 16, 2009 11:56:13 AM
Nicknames, happy talk, inflated expectations, the Vegas point spread are all a bunch of crap, it all doesn't matter unless a team wins the Superbowl. There should be no reason teams get happy until after the confetti falls at the big game. The Panthers just kept reading their own press reports and got distracted. I like Fox, but he needs to have more the mood and demeanor of a Bellichick. No happy crap until you win the big game - stay focused.
Posted by: Ben | Jan 16, 2009 12:05:49 PM
LOL @ Peter Fulton. You want to trade and get Donovan McNabb because good QB's don't choke in big games????? Did you just start watching the NFL last week?????
Posted by: Falcons Fanatic | Jan 16, 2009 7:30:19 PM
I can't focus on NFL football after last week, but what about upsets:
'83 Pack over Houston or
'91 Devils over UNLV?
Posted by: fctileman | Jan 17, 2009 12:44:30 AM
A)Giants 41-0 over Vikes
B)The wild card 85 Patriots beating the Jets, Raiders, and Dolphins. Most people remember them more for their blowout loss to Chicago but they won all 3 on the road. The last game 31-14.
Posted by: Gmac | Jan 17, 2009 6:41:07 AM
Steelers heckle...
Posted by: Lane | Jan 17, 2009 1:25:15 PM
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