Rolf Benirschke ended up hosting Wheel of Fortune for a short time while Pat Sajak had a talk show. I've heard many claim the weather and the Miami epic as the reason the Chargers lost, but Cincinnati went into San Diego earlier and thumped the Chargers 40-17. These were the only two teams to regularly run 4 WR/1 RB sets or 2WR/2TE/1RB. The Redskins started doing more regularly the next year in former Chargers assistant Joe Gibb's 2nd seasons after getting the right personnel and went on to win the Super Bowl, copying the Bengals hybrid of spread and power running. Ken Anderson also used a primitive form of what would now be known as RPO. The Skins also used this with Theismann.
This was a forgotten gem and yes I agree, the worst field goal decision ever. Ironic that Don Cockroft had the longest kick in cold weather. His misses were the reason the Browns went for it on the doomed Red Right 88 play. That game was 4 degrees in Cleveland.
And 25 years later, the New Orleans Saints would learn NOTHING from this and send Billy Cundiff out to attempt a hopeless 47 yard attempt in quite shitty Chicago weather, in the 2006 NFC Championship. And their chances of winning the game basically died there.
You mentioned the wind. This FG attempt was the first play of the 4th quarter. The Chargers let the clock run out on the previous play so they could switch sides and have the wind at their backs.
Kicking a football that day was probably like kicking a cinder block. That said, that kick didn't make or break the Chargers. They got their asses handed to them that day.
3:53 WRONG: That kick had the distance; it missed wide, but not short. Watch the replay and you can see the ball hit the netting behind the end zone. Don Criqui and John Brodie, calling the game, both agreed it had the distance. (th-cam.com/video/Y06M_BxQBDE/w-d-xo.htmlsi=z2pxDL4QX0Y6AvgY)
In freezing conditions, the pressure a gas exerts on a container will decreases. So, the kickers were basically kicking a rock hard football that has lower air pressure. #Physics
Chuck Knox sending John Kasay out for a FG down 19-3 against the Chiefs in the fourth quarter at the Kingdome in 1991, if only cause it totally caused the Behrings to misread the booing as 'WE WANT CHANGE!' (and thus Knox was gone after the season, leading to.........yeah) Not like it was a bad call, this is still a couple years out from the two point conversion, so it's still a three score game. I just can't think of a father and son as ill-fitted to run an NFL team (before the Khans anyway) so don't give them a reason to get involved
I grew up in Cincinnati and remember watching this game. What I remember vividly was seeing the Ohio River with all the steam coming off of it with all the clear blue sky and city skyline above and beyond. I also remember that there were a number of Bengals fans who were decorated in body paint, and little else, who were on camera a few times during the game. I didn't know about Forrest Gregg ordering them doors to be opened to let more air rush through the field. I did very much enjoy seeing Cincinnati advance to their first Super Bowl two weeks later which they lost to San Francisco, 26-21.
Most kickers were right about the same level as Benirschke was 40 years ago. We think of a 50-yard field goal as nothing now, but in 1981 it was an accomplishment. He was actually the Chargers' kicker for a decade, made a Pro Bowl, and is on the Chargers' all-time team. With that said, there was no effin way anyone was making a 50-yard field goal under those conditions. I wouldn't bet on Justin Tucker to make that kick. Benirschke didn't have a chance in hell.
Chargers players and fans complain about the weather and claim that they would have won had the game been played in San Diego. Meanwhile, the Bengals played those Chargers in the regular season in San Diego and blew the pants off them in a game which would decide who had home field. In truth, had the game been played in San Diego, the Bengals likely would have embarrassed them a second time. The weather is why it was close.
@@Jelperman - The 82 49ers didn't even make the playoffs, so what's your point? Teams change from year to year. The Chargers lost in the Divisional round in 82, so, again, what is your point? The 81 Chargers got smacked around at home and gave up their chance to host the title game.
@@PaulGaither Back then, teams' rosters mostly remained the same. This was before free agency. So the two teams, with all their starters had a rematch and the Bengals got thrashed. The moral to the story is don't place too much emphasis on a single game.
@@Jelperman - Players get drafted. Players retire. Players improve. Players decline. Football is a weak link sport, and even though free agency was still a thing for role players and depth players. Teams are not the same from one year to the next.
I’ve kicked football in the cold. The thing is a ROCK! Rolf was a good kicker. But against the wind? I’m surprised the rock didn’t freeze to the frozen tundra.
At one time the missed field goals were placed at the 20 yard line no matter where it was kicked from. Was this kicked during that time? I remember reading a story about Jan Stenerud attempting an 80 yarder in college but because he missed, the ball was placed at the 20. The punter was either injured or had a weak leg.
Ever try kicking a frozen rock. When i was a kid i went out in the backyard when it was like 20 degrees (windchill about 0) and thought I broke all my toes in one shot
Wasn't the Tynes GW FG in the '07 NFC title game on the list? It was from 47 yards and game temp at Lambeau was right around 0 (second coldest game at Lambeau behind the Ice Bowl).
1. Who would think you'd get to (as of when I comment on 9-11-24) 150 Dumb Decisions videos. At this point, I've memorized the intro and outlook to DD. 2. Now if the Chargers had gone for it and failed, then it would've been an In Defense Of
Having lived in Cincy for 4 years as a kid, I think the worst decision was to play the game in those conditions rather than petitioning the NFL to move it to San Diego. I'm sure the Bengals' players and coaching staff would have been happy to trade home field advantage for getting away from that level of cold!
More than any other playoff game, THIS GAME showed how important home field advantage can be.......Cincy won this game because of the bitter cold conditions because if they had played this game with warm temps, Dan Fouts and that Chargers offense would have picked Cincy apart.
-59 degrees and they thought they could kick a 50 yard feild goal!!?? Thats just ridiculously dumb cuz being that cold the football will be like kicking a rock!!? The ball wont compress when kicked cuz the ball will basically be frozen solid so theres NO WAY IN HELL he could make it!? Hed have probably been luck to make a 20-25 yard feild goal in those conditions!!?? U get into single digits and negative temperatures any chance of kicking a football, or any ball really, and having it go right pretty much goes right out the window!!??
Before the goalposts were moved behind the endzone you could have eight and nine yard field goals (the lining up was generally a standard seven yards behind the LOS)
Rolf Benirschke ended up hosting Wheel of Fortune for a short time while Pat Sajak had a talk show.
I've heard many claim the weather and the Miami epic as the reason the Chargers lost, but Cincinnati went into San Diego earlier and thumped the Chargers 40-17.
These were the only two teams to regularly run 4 WR/1 RB sets or 2WR/2TE/1RB. The Redskins started doing more regularly the next year in former Chargers assistant Joe Gibb's 2nd seasons after getting the right personnel and went on to win the Super Bowl, copying the Bengals hybrid of spread and power running. Ken Anderson also used a primitive form of what would now be known as RPO. The Skins also used this with Theismann.
This was a forgotten gem and yes I agree, the worst field goal decision ever. Ironic that Don Cockroft had the longest kick in cold weather. His misses were the reason the Browns went for it on the doomed Red Right 88 play. That game was 4 degrees in Cleveland.
Still remember watching that game in my parents living room at 5 years old and my father screaming in horror as Sipe threw that pick.
And 25 years later, the New Orleans Saints would learn NOTHING from this and send Billy Cundiff out to attempt a hopeless 47 yard attempt in quite shitty Chicago weather, in the 2006 NFC Championship. And their chances of winning the game basically died there.
Oh yeah Billy Cundiff. The guy who got ran out of Baltimore for his missed kick in the afc championship
You mentioned the wind. This FG attempt was the first play of the 4th quarter. The Chargers let the clock run out on the previous play so they could switch sides and have the wind at their backs.
Yeah I was actually wondering that also
In his eagerness to inflate his arguments, he tends to get stuff wrong.
Kicking a football that day was probably like kicking a cinder block. That said, that kick didn't make or break the Chargers. They got their asses handed to them that day.
I like this format. keep em coming!
This series is how I found the channel. Great series
Knowing what I do about hypothermia and frostbite, the 13k who stayed home were the only folks not making dumb decisions.
Excellent piece. Incidentally, Don Cockroff's 50-yard field goal against the Cardinals barely cleared the crossbar, not the upright.
The episode that started it all! Who's here in December 2024?
Nice first Dumb Decisions video!
3:53 WRONG: That kick had the distance; it missed wide, but not short. Watch the replay and you can see the ball hit the netting behind the end zone. Don Criqui and John Brodie, calling the game, both agreed it had the distance. (th-cam.com/video/Y06M_BxQBDE/w-d-xo.htmlsi=z2pxDL4QX0Y6AvgY)
Love this show, keep it coming
Close second to the Dan Quinn call. That field goal hurt the Falcons' chances when it went in.
In freezing conditions, the pressure a gas exerts on a container will decreases. So, the kickers were basically kicking a rock hard football that has lower air pressure. #Physics
Can't get enough of this channel bro.
Plus factor in that 50+ FG'S weren't commonly made by anyone in those days.
"Worst FG ever"
*The Green Bay Packers have entered the chat*
Got you covered: th-cam.com/video/LwjetlzE6s8/w-d-xo.html
Chuck Knox sending John Kasay out for a FG down 19-3 against the Chiefs in the fourth quarter at the Kingdome in 1991, if only cause it totally caused the Behrings to misread the booing as 'WE WANT CHANGE!' (and thus Knox was gone after the season, leading to.........yeah)
Not like it was a bad call, this is still a couple years out from the two point conversion, so it's still a three score game. I just can't think of a father and son as ill-fitted to run an NFL team (before the Khans anyway) so don't give them a reason to get involved
Long before the shame that was the "double doink" by the Chicago Bears' kicker Cody Parkey in 2018.
I grew up in Cincinnati and remember watching this game. What I remember vividly was seeing the Ohio River with all the steam coming off of it with all the clear blue sky and city skyline above and beyond. I also remember that there were a number of Bengals fans who were decorated in body paint, and little else, who were on camera a few times during the game. I didn't know about Forrest Gregg ordering them doors to be opened to let more air rush through the field. I did very much enjoy seeing Cincinnati advance to their first Super Bowl two weeks later which they lost to San Francisco, 26-21.
Even if Forrest Gregg didn't have those doors opened, Benirschke wasn't making that field goal. He had trouble making long FGs in GOOD weather!
Whenever I wonder what Jaggator9 looks like, I cannot help but picture Brian Stelter... GOD I hope I'm wrong.
Most kickers were right about the same level as Benirschke was 40 years ago. We think of a 50-yard field goal as nothing now, but in 1981 it was an accomplishment. He was actually the Chargers' kicker for a decade, made a Pro Bowl, and is on the Chargers' all-time team.
With that said, there was no effin way anyone was making a 50-yard field goal under those conditions. I wouldn't bet on Justin Tucker to make that kick. Benirschke didn't have a chance in hell.
Chargers players and fans complain about the weather and claim that they would have won had the game been played in San Diego.
Meanwhile, the Bengals played those Chargers in the regular season in San Diego and blew the pants off them in a game which would decide who had home field.
In truth, had the game been played in San Diego, the Bengals likely would have embarrassed them a second time. The weather is why it was close.
The following season the Chargers scored 50 against the same Bengals.
@@Jelperman - The 82 49ers didn't even make the playoffs, so what's your point? Teams change from year to year. The Chargers lost in the Divisional round in 82, so, again, what is your point?
The 81 Chargers got smacked around at home and gave up their chance to host the title game.
@@PaulGaither Back then, teams' rosters mostly remained the same. This was before free agency. So the two teams, with all their starters had a rematch and the Bengals got thrashed. The moral to the story is don't place too much emphasis on a single game.
@@Jelperman - Players get drafted.
Players retire.
Players improve.
Players decline.
Football is a weak link sport, and even though free agency was still a thing for role players and depth players.
Teams are not the same from one year to the next.
We gonna act like there wasn't an eight week strike in there that totally screwed everything up?
76 is too warm to be labeled perfect weather for a football game. Players like it 15-20 degrees lower.
The weather in Miami started off pleasant enough but it got warmer and more humid by the 2nd quarter.
Ordinary players maybe but the warmer air benefits kickers, even when the temperature isn't subzero.
I’ve kicked football in the cold. The thing is a ROCK! Rolf was a good kicker. But against the wind? I’m surprised the rock didn’t freeze to the frozen tundra.
At one time the missed field goals were placed at the 20 yard line no matter where it was kicked from. Was this kicked during that time? I remember reading a story about Jan Stenerud attempting an 80 yarder in college but because he missed, the ball was placed at the 20. The punter was either injured or had a weak leg.
You need to do a video on Kirk Cousins kneeling the ball instead of spiking it at the end of the half against the Eagles
5 a or Derek Carr throwing the ball away on 4th down
That's a brainlock, not really a dumb decision in the sense of this series. Like when you grab a jug of water to pour on your cereal.
Parcells used to pull that opening the gate at the Meadowlands,which was a perpetual wind tunnel in any weather
Somewhere out there Lin Elliott is watching and feeling vindicated.
Ever try kicking a frozen rock. When i was a kid i went out in the backyard when it was like 20 degrees (windchill about 0) and thought I broke all my toes in one shot
To be fair, that kick wouldn't have scored from 2 yards :D
Wasn't the Tynes GW FG in the '07 NFC title game on the list? It was from 47 yards and game temp at Lambeau was right around 0 (second coldest game at Lambeau behind the Ice Bowl).
Nice love it
That wouldn't have been good from 20 yards.
The Bengals didn't even attempt to block it LMAO
1. Who would think you'd get to (as of when I comment on 9-11-24) 150 Dumb Decisions videos. At this point, I've memorized the intro and outlook to DD.
2. Now if the Chargers had gone for it and failed, then it would've been an In Defense Of
I wonder how people can avoid frostbite when the weather is that cold let alone anything else.
Only a decade later the Chargers would get their chance to lose to the Niners in a SB.
Who's responsible for this and how dare you defensive teams are gonna pay for this
The ball probably felt like it broke his foot on that kick in this weather.
Having lived in Cincy for 4 years as a kid, I think the worst decision was to play the game in those conditions rather than petitioning the NFL to move it to San Diego. I'm sure the Bengals' players and coaching staff would have been happy to trade home field advantage for getting away from that level of cold!
The chargers tried to petition the nfl to move the game to san diego. Paul Brown said not no but hell no.
Will the Pats not kicking the field goal in today's game against the Giants be a dumb decisions?
Thanks for showing intelligent decisions..
More than any other playoff game, THIS GAME showed how important home field advantage can be.......Cincy won this game because of the bitter cold conditions because if they had played this game with warm temps, Dan Fouts and that Chargers offense would have picked Cincy apart.
Not necessarily. Cincy destroyed the Chargers in San Diego 41-17 in the regular season that same year.
Video suggestion. Making oj try on the glove
It was just as ugly watching it on tv. Fouts did not have a good game from what I remember
No worse than Anderson. Turnovers killed the Chargers that game.
Worst field goal until the packers this year
-59 degrees and they thought they could kick a 50 yard feild goal!!?? Thats just ridiculously dumb cuz being that cold the football will be like kicking a rock!!? The ball wont compress when kicked cuz the ball will basically be frozen solid so theres NO WAY IN HELL he could make it!? Hed have probably been luck to make a 20-25 yard feild goal in those conditions!!?? U get into single digits and negative temperatures any chance of kicking a football, or any ball really, and having it go right pretty much goes right out the window!!??
The only kicker in NFL history I would trust to possibly make it in those conditions would be Sebastian Janikowski.
It was -59 wind chill not -37 wind chill.
-37 under today’s formula, -59 based on the formula they used back then
@@OfficialJaguarGator9 So which formula is the right one and what was the flaw in the one that's not being used?
@@SarahDigsHockey The internet is a great resource for you to find that out on your own.
@@SarahDigsHockey Personally I'd go with the -37 one. There's a reason they changed the formula.
This is where it all started
Not sure I understand your graph. Am I seeing field goals under 17 yards, what do the dots to the left of 20 yards mean?
Before the goalposts were moved behind the endzone you could have eight and nine yard field goals (the lining up was generally a standard seven yards behind the LOS)
the announced wind chill at game time was -61 F
Seriously, how can you pronounce Rolf’s name flawlessly, but mess up names like Jim Covert or Gaston Green? WTF?
Do a video on the Ice Bowl
Does anybody knows about chemistry and games cold gas contracts and heat expands it
They should have been using plastic whistles.
Hey, at least the kick was right down the middle.
Well done & good on ya, mate!
It took you a bit too long (like 3 minutes) to get to the point tho. Cheers!
🦘🇦🇺🍻
Justin Tucker could probably make a 50-yarder under those conditions...
Not a commie , Stacey!
Start using maths... I'm gone.
Tucker would of made that kick.