As John Belushi asked in “Animal House,” was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? No. And it’s not over yet for the Washington Redskins. Consider the following left-for-dead charges to the NFL playoffs. 5. Jaguars (1996) » After a 4-7 start, Mark Brunell led Jacksonville to five straight wins, none coming by more than seven points, as the Jaguars captured the final wild-card berth. Brunell propelled the Redskins to a similar run in 2005, when Washington won its final five after a 5-6 start.
4. Steelers (1976) » After a 1-4 start, Terry Bradshaw and the defending Super Bowl champs revved it up for nine straight wins to capture the AFC Central on a tiebreaker over the Bengals, whom they beat twice during the run.
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3. Chargers (2008) » After a 4-8 start, San Diego won its last four to become the first team to win a division without ever being over .500. The Chargers have authored several such runs, winning their last five after a 4-7 start in 1995.
2. Colts (1975) » After a 2-12 record in 1974 and a 1-4 start in 1975, Baltimore won nine straight, including a pair over the Dolphins to win the AFC East via a tiebreaker over Miami. Quarterback Bert Jones and running back Lydell Mitchell orchestrated the “Miracle on 33rd Street.”
1. Bengals (1970) » Cincinnati stood at 1-6 before winning its last seven to edge the Browns for the AFC Central title. Quarterback Virgil Carter, the preseason replacement for injured Greg Cook, and cornerback Lemar Parrish were the catalysts.
– Kevin Dunleavy
