What Could Have Been...

We all have opinions on what are the greatest teams of all time. We also can site what we think are the greatest seasons of all time: when a team had a miraculous comeback to win the championship, or perhaps, an unrivaled dominance for an entire season. But then there are the “what could have been" seasons: if tragedy wouldn’t have struck what could have happened. There are plays that have defined a season, not just the game, but transcend the game to define the entire course of the rest of a season.

This idea started with me thinking about my beloved Bengal’s: the second play of this year's wildcard game against the now Super Bowl champion Steeler’s. Carson Palmer injured his knee, cripling their very potent offense, which resulted in a 2-touchdown loss for Cinci’.

Here are some more examples:

Bostonians will never forget Bill Buckner. Game 6 of the World Series against the Mets, who were down 3 games to 2 in the series, defined what curses are made of. That ball trickling through his hobbled legs lost Boston yet another series: the final game was arbitrary.

Washington Redskins and anyone who has watched televised sports will remember that infamous 1985 Monday Night Game where Joe Theisman’s leg was snapped like a toothpick by Lawrence Taylor. Jay Schroeder came in to replace Joe, and connected on a play with Art Monk to give the Redskins the victory, keeping their playoff hopes alive. Schroeder performed admirably, but their loss to the 49er’s 2 games later ended their playoff hopes.

Yet another Bengal Story: In 1989, when they were in the Super Bowl, their nose tack Tim Krumrie broke both bones in his leg on a routine tackle. This was probably the 2nd most watch injury of all time (Theisman’s being the first). The two-time pro-bowler's monumental task was to stop one of the NFL's top runners in Roger Craig. Craig ended up running for over 100 yards and had 2 critical 1st-down pickup in the 49er's winning drive (both up the middle where Krumrie would have been).

What are some of your stories?