It ain’t over until it’s over. It’s not over until the fat lady sings…
Yes, those are some popular sports clichés that have obviously held up over time. And they were a reality when it came to NFL 2020, where three teams got off to strong starts and faded late and also failed to win a postseason game.
The eventual AFC North champion Pittsburgh Steelers were 11-0, dropped four of their last five contests and were humbled at home in the wild card round by the Cleveland Browns.
The Tennessee Titans were 5-0, finished 11-5 and managed to win the AFC South. But they were ousted at home by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round.
The Seattle Seahawks were 5-0 and there was MVP talk surrounding quarterback Russell Wilson. Despite an NFC West title and a 12-4 record, they hosted the division-rival Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Wild Card Playoffs and saw their season end.
- Ep. 197: Fields to Pittsburgh, Still Available Free Agentsby Full Press Coverage on March 18, 2024 at 8:00 pm
After six weeks of play this past season, the Steelers, Titans and Seahawks sat atop their divisions with 5-0 ledgers. As for the other five top spots, the Buffalo Bills (4-2), Kansas City Chiefs (5-1), Dallas Cowboys (2-4), Chicago Bears (5-1) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-2). Now it’s worth noting that the eventual NFC North champion Packers had played one less game (4-1) as did the eventual NFC South champion Saints (3-2) after six weeks. It’s also worth noting that the Washington Football Team was 1-5 after six weeks before winning six of their final 10 contests on the way to capturing the NFC East.
Latest NFL News
- The Chicago Bears Make Two Picks On Day 3 Of Draft
- Chicago Bears Add To Offense Again With 75th Pick
- 2024 NFL Draft: First Round Talent Falls to Day Two
- Chicago Bears Give Williams More Help With Odunze At Nine
- Speed Demon Secured: Chiefs Pick WR Xavier Worthy In Round 1
Speaking of the Bucs, Bruce Arians’ squad dropped three out of four games during the second half of 2020 and owned a 7-5 record with four weeks to play. Their playoff chances were far from a guarantee. But Tom Brady and that aggressive defense keyed eight consecutive wins and a Super Bowl title.
In 2021, the National Football League will embark on its 102nd season and its first with 17 regular-season games. History tells us that it is how you finish and not how you start. So when someone utters that dreaded phrase “if the season ended today” followed by a playoff explanation, an eye-roll would be an appropriate response.