jim jividen

Simulated Super Bowl 18 (1983 Playoffs)

Friday, August 8, 2025

1982

Actual result: LA Raiders 38 Washington Redskins 9, to date the Raiders last SB win, their third in less than a decade.

Simulation: The Cowboys weren't dead after all, Danny White quarterbacks the best game in SB history and Dallas won their 6th Super Bowl last year. They will not defend that title, losing in the WC round to the Rams. The Steelers return to the divisional round, searching for their 5th SB.

NFC DIVISIONAL ROUND

Dec 31, 1983

Detroit Lions 9-7 at San Francisco 49ers 10-6

56 degrees

Niners -7.5

San Francisco 24 Detroit 23

49ERS 38 LIONS 24

The Niners won SB 16 (just as they did in the real world) and two years later they head back to the NFC Championship (again, mirroring the actual result).

1st: Jeff Chadwick 13 yd reception (Danielson Det 7-0)

Roger Craig 3 yd reception (Montana 7-7)

Wendell Tyler 27 yd run (SF 14-7)

2nd: Eddie Murray 40 yd FG (14-10)

Ray Wersching 49 yd FG (17-10)

Eddie Murray 39 yd FG (17-13)

3rd: Wendell Tyler 22 yd run (24-13)

Wendell Tyler 31 yd run (31-13)

4th: Eddie Murray 39 yd FG (31-16)

Bill Ring 7 yd run (38-16)

Billy Sims 2 yd run, 2 pt conversion (38-24)

MVP: Wendell Tyler 16 carries, 133 yds 3 TDs

AFC DIVISIONAL ROUND

Dec 31, 1983

Seattle Seahawks (9-7) at Miami Dolphins (12-4)

51 degrees

Miami -8

Seattle 27 Miami 20

DOLPHINS 24 SEAHAWKS 16

Dan Marino is a year ahead of his real world schedule, he and the Dolphins will host next week's AFC Championship against the winner of Raiders/Steelers.

1st: Curt Warner 16 yard reception (Krieg, Sea 7-0)

2nd: Bruce Hardy 14 yard reception (Marino 7-7)

3rd: Uwe Von Schamann 36 yd FG (Mia 10-7)

Norm Johnson 20 yd FG (10-10)

4th: Tony Nathan 26 yd reception (Marino Mia 17-10)

Nat Moore 10 yd reception (Marino 24-10)

Harold Jackson 66 yard reception (Krieg, missed XP 24-16)

MVP: Doug Betters 3 sacks

AFC DIVISIONAL ROUND

Jan 1, 1984

Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6) at LA Raiders (12-4)

61 degrees

Raiders -7

Raiders 38 Steelers 10

RAIDERS 17 STEELERS 13

The Steelers served as impenetrable barrier to the Raiders in the 70s, but on the first day of 1984, the Raiders beat Pittsburgh and head to Miami for the AFC Championship.

1st: Frank Pollard 10 yd run (Pitt 7-0)

2nd: Kenny King 2 yd run (7-7)

Chris Bahr 46 yd FG (Oak 10-7)

Gary Anderson 36 yd FG (10-10)

3rd: Gary Anderson 45 yd FG (Pitt 13-10)

4th: Cliff Branch 25 yard reception (Plunkett Oak 17-13)

MVP: Rod Martin 2 INT

NFC DIVISIONAL ROUND

Jan 1, 1984

LA Rams (9-7) at Washington Redskins (14-2)

28 degrees

Wash -9.5

Redskins 51 Rams 7

REDSKINS 24 RAMS 17

We'll see the matchup that actually happened in the '83 NFC Championship, the 49ers heading to Washington to face the 'Skins. Washington now a game away from their first SB appearance.

1st: Joe Washington 59 yd reception (Theismann Wash 7-0)

2nd: John Riggins 19 yd run (14-0)

George Famer 6 yd reception (Ferragamo 14-7)

Mark Moseley 40 yd FG (17-7)

3rd: Mike Lansford 47 yd FG (17-10)

Art Monk 17 yd reception (Theismann 24-10)

4th: Eric Dickerson 31 yd run (24-17)

MVP: Joe Theismann 13-20 193 yds 2 TDs

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP

Jan 8, 1984

San Francisco 49ers at Washington Redskins

32 degrees

Wash -10

Redskins 24 49ers 21

REDSKINS 31 49ERS 24

The last Washington title was 1942, they head to their first SB, winning the NFC just as they did in this actual contest.

1st: Roger Craig 12 yd run (SF 7-0)

2nd: Ray Wersching 43 yd FG (10-0)

Charlie Brown 22 yd reception (Theismann 10-7)

Mark Moseley 28 yd FG (10-10)

3rd: Renaldo Nehemiah 32 yd reception (Montana, SF 17-10)

Charlie Brown 17 yd reception (Theismann 17-17)

4th: Roger Craig 3 yd run (SF 24-17)

Joe Washington 5 yd run (24-24)

Joe Washington 22 yd run (Wash 31-24)

MVP: Joe Theismann 15-22 234 yds 2 TDs

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP

Jan 8, 1984

LA Raiders at Miami Dolphins

DOLPHINS 21 RAIDERS 13

Real world SB 17 was Redskins/Dolphins, neither made it to that game in the simulation, but both are here the following season. For Miami, it's particularly special as they lost their back to back SB championships in the simulation. This is the first SB appearance for both franchises - it's Don Shula's first SB since losing SB 3 with the Colts 15 years prior.

1st Chris Bahr 39 yd FG (LA 3-0)

2nd: Joe Rose 4 yd reception (Marino Mia 7-3)

Joe Rose 35 yd reception (Marino 14-3)

3rd: Frank Hawkins 23 yd run (14-10)

4th: Tony Nathan 2 yd run (21-10)

Chris Bahr (21-13)

MVP AJ Duhe, 2 sacks, INT

SUPER BOWL XVIII

Jan 22, 1984

Miami Dolphins v. Washington Redskins

Tampa

51 degrees

REDSKINS 30 DOLPHINS 29

Hail to the Redskins, Joe Washington scores 2 4th qtr TDs and the Redskins win their first ever SB.

1st: John Riggins 19 yd run (Wash 7-0)

2nd: Uwe Von Schamann 39 yd FG (7-3)

Mark Duper 3 yd reception (Marino, missed XP Miami 9-7)

Uwe Von Schamann 27 yd FG (12-7)

Joe Rose 9 yd reception (Marino, 19-7)

3rd: Mark Moseley 55 yard FG, SB record (23-10)

Andra Franklin 26 yd run (26-10)

Joe Washington 17 yd run (26-17)

4th: Uwe Von Schamann 28 yd FG (29-17)

Joe Washington 25 yd run (29-24)

under 1 minute to play..

Joe Washington 1 yd run, missed 2 pt conversion (Wash 30-29)

MVP: Joe Washington 3 TDs

NFC has won 7 of the last 8 SBs. Ready for this - the only AFC team to win the SB since the merger is the Steelers.

Super Bowl History

SB1: PACKERS 17 BILLS 10 MVP-J.Taylor QB-Starr HC-Lombardi

SB2: RAIDERS 28 COWBOYS 14 MVP-W.Wells QB-Lamonica HC-Rauch

SB3: CHIEFS 19 COLTS 16 MVP-R.Holmes QB-Dawson HC-Stram

SB4: COWBOYS 21 CHIEFS 13 MVP: L.Rentzel QB-Morton HC-Landry

SB5: VIKINGS 20 BENGALS 10 MVP: A.Page QB-Cuozzo HC-Grant

SB6: VIKINGS 27 CHIEFS 16 MVP G.Cuozzo QB-Cuozzo HC-Grant

SB7: STEELERS 20 COWBOYS 6 MVP J.Ham QB-Bradshaw HC-Noll

SB8: COWBOYS 33 BENGALS 27 (OT) MVP: C.Hill QB-Staubach HC-Landry

SB9: STEELERS 20 RAMS 10 MVP: L.McCutcheon QB-Bradshaw HC Noll

SB10: STEELERS 18 RAMS 0 MVP LC Greenwood QB-Bradshaw HC Noll

SB11: COWBOYS 33 PATRIOTS 7 MVP H.Martin QB-Staubach HC-Landry

SB12: COWBOYS 17 RAIDERS 10 MVP T.Dorsett QB-Staubach HC-Landry

SB13: COWBOYS 42 OILERS 21 MVP R.Staubach QB-Staubach HC Landry

SB14: STEELERS 24 EAGLES 7 MVP F.Harris QB-Bradshaw HC-Noll

SB15: FALCONS 24 RAIDERS 8 MVP:W.Andrews QB-Bartkowski HC-Bennett

SB16: 49ERS 39 BENGALS 19 MVP: J.Montana QB-Montana HC-Walsh

SB17: COWBOYS 30 CHARGERS 10 MVP: D.White QB-White HC-Landry

SB18: REDSKINS 30 DOLPHINS 29 MVP: J.Washington QB-Theismann HC-Gibbs

Simulated Super Bowl 17 (1982 Playoffs)

Thursday, August 7, 2025

1981

Actual Result: Washington Redskins 27 Miami Dolphins 17, strike shortened season.

Simulation: The 49ers won't get to defend their title, they didn't make the playoffs; the prior two SB champs, Atlanta and Pittsburgh, both got knocked out in the WC round.

AFC DIVISIONAL ROUND

Jan 15, 1983

New York Jets 6-3 at Los Angeles Raiders 8-1

66 degrees

Raiders -3.5

Jets 17 Raiders 14

RAIDERS 31 JETS 17

Its the first season for the Raiders since they moved to LA and they will be hosting the AFC Championship. The Raiders last SB win was 15 years prior.

1st: Chris Bahr 29 yd FG (LA 3-0)

2nd: Lam Jones 11 yd reception (Todd NY 7-3)

Cliff Branch 5 yd reception (Plunkett LA 10-7)

Chris Bahr 26 yd FG (13-7)

3rd: Pat Leahy 30 yd FG (13-10)

Marcus Allen 43 yd reception (Plunkett 20-10)

4th: Freeman McNeil 39 yd run (20-17)

Chris Bahr 45 yd FG (23-17)

Kenny King 7 yd run, 2 point conversion (31-17)

MVP: Jim Plunkett, 17-22 262 yds 2 TD

NFC DIVISIONAL ROUND

Jan 15, 1983

Minnesota Vikings 5-4 at Washington Redskins 8-1

40 degrees

Redskins -6

Washington 21 Minnesota 7

VIKINGS 17 REDSKINS 10

Washington will not win SB17, they fall in the divisional round, the Vikes who won back to back SBs in SB5 and SB6 return to the NFC Championship.

1st: Tony Galbreath 23 yd run (Minn 7-0)

2nd: Charlie Brown 4 yd reception (Thiesmann 7-7)

Joe Senser 38 yd reception (Kramer Minn 14-7)

3rd: Rick Danmeier 30 yd FG (17-7)

4th: Mark Moseley 30 yd FG (17-10)

MVP: Doug Martin, 2 sacks

NFC DIVISIONAL ROUND

Jan 16, 1983

Green Bay Packers 5-3 at Dallas Cowboys 6-3

38 degrees

Dallas -7

Dallas 37 Green Bay 26

COWBOYS 20 PACKERS 17

Its been 4 years since their 5th SB Championship, the Cowboys will host the NFC Championship, facing off against another WC team in Minnesota.

1st: Gerry Ellis 5 yd run (GB 7-0)

2nd: Jan Stenerud 44 yd FG (10-0)

Rafael Septien 40 yd FG (10-3)

Tony Hill 50 yd run (10-10)

4th: John Jefferson 12 yd reception (Dickey GB 17-10)

Rafael Septien 28 yd FG (17-13)

less than 1 minute left

Tony Dorsett 5 yd run (Dall 20-17)

MVP: Too Tall Jones, 3 sacks

AFC DIVISIONAL ROUND

Jan 16, 1983

San Diego Chargers 6-3 at Miami Dolphins 7-2

58 degrees

SD -1.5

Miami 34 SD 13

CHARGERS 27 DOLPHINS 22

Two years ago, the Raiders beat the Chargers in the AFC Championship - they will meet again this year, this time in the Raiders new home (the Chargers former and future home) Los Angeles.

1st: Chuck Muncie 5 yd run (SD 7-0)

Uwe Von Schamann 28 yd FG (7-3)

James Brooks 33 yd run (14-3)

2nd: Uwe Von Schamann 44 yd FG (14-6)

Uwe Von Schamann 41 yd FG (14-9)

Uwe Von Schamann 37 yd FG (14-12)

3rd: Charlie Joiner 14 yd reception (Fouts 21-12)

Uwe Von Schamann 33 yd FG (21-15)

Rolf Benirschke 37 yd FG (24-15)

4th: Rolf Benirschke 29 yd FG (27-15)

Andra Franklin 11 yd run (27-22)

MVP: James Brooks 12 carries, 183 yds TD

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP

Jan 22, 1983

Minnesota Vikings at Dallas Cowboys

COWBOYS 16 VIKINGS 10

The team of the 70s returns to the SB in 1982, Dallas will play in their 8th SB against the winners of the Chargers/Raiders AFC Title game, if it's the Raiders, that will be the third time those two franchises have met in the SB, the Raiders won SB2, the Cowboys won SB12.

1st: Rick Danmeier 46 yd FG (Minn 3-0)

2nd: Rafael Septien 38 yd FG (3-3)

Tony Dorsett 31 yd run (Dall 10-3)

4th: Rafael Septien 44 yd FG (13-3)

Sammy White 44 yd reception (Kramer, 13-10)

Rafael Septien 33 yd FG (16-10)

MVP: Tony Dorsett 23 carries, 117 yds, TD

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP

Jan 23, 1983

San Diego Chargers at Los Angeles Raiders

60 degrees

CHARGERS 52 RAIDERS 28

San Diego finally breaks through, they become the first team post-merger to score 50 in the postseason and they will head to the SB for the first time in franchise history, to face the 5 time champion Cowboys.

1st: Wes Chandler 20 yd reception (Fouts SD 7-0)

Chuck Muncie 20 yd run (14-0)

Wes Chandler 4 yd reception (Fouts 21-0)

2nd: Chuck Muncie 22 yard reception (Fouts 28-0)

Kellen Winslow 29 yard reception (Fouts 35-0)

3rd Marcus Allen 16 yard reception (Plunkett 35-7)

Scott Fitzkee 35 yard reception (Fouts 42-7)

4th: Rolf Benirschke 41 yd FG (45-7)

Cliff Branch 30 yd reception (Plunkett 45-14)

Marcus Allen 9 yd run (45-21)

Wes Chandler 19 yard reception (Fouts 52-21)

Cliff Branch 27 yard reception (Plunkett 52-28)

MVP: Dan Fouts 18-27, 392 yards, 6TDs, Fouts breaks the post merger playoff record for yards and TDs.

SUPER BOWL XVII

Jan 30, 1983

Dallas Cowboys v. San Diego Chargers

Los Angeles

54 degrees

COWBOYS 30 CHARGERS 10

They've won the Super Bowl 6 times, in three different decades, with 3 different coaches, the commonality being Tom Landry, now seen as the greatest coach in NFL history.

1st: Chuck Muncie 2 yd run (SD 7-0)

2nd: Ron Springs 20 yd reception (White 7-7)

Billy Joe Dupree 2 yd reception (White Dall 14-7)

Rafael Septien 46 yd FG (17-7)

3rd: Tony Hill 8 yd reception (White 24-7)

Rolf Benirschke 40 yd FG (24-10)

4th: Drew Pearson 18 yd reception (missed XP White 30-10)

MVP Danny White 16-22 309 yds 4 TDs, the greatest QB performance in SB history.

Super Bowl History

SB1: PACKERS 17 BILLS 10 MVP-J.Taylor QB-Starr HC-Lombardi

SB2: RAIDERS 28 COWBOYS 14 MVP-W.Wells QB-Lamonica HC-Rauch

SB3: CHIEFS 19 COLTS 16 MVP-R.Holmes QB-Dawson HC-Stram

SB4: COWBOYS 21 CHIEFS 13 MVP: L.Rentzel QB-Morton HC-Landry

SB5: VIKINGS 20 BENGALS 10 MVP: A.Page QB-Cuozzo HC-Grant

SB6: VIKINGS 27 CHIEFS 16 MVP G.Cuozzo QB-Cuozzo HC-Grant

SB7: STEELERS 20 COWBOYS 6 MVP J.Ham QB-Bradshaw HC-Noll

SB8: COWBOYS 33 BENGALS 27 (OT) MVP: C.Hill QB-Staubach HC-Landry

SB9: STEELERS 20 RAMS 10 MVP: L.McCutcheon QB-Bradshaw HC Noll

SB10: STEELERS 18 RAMS 0 MVP LC Greenwood QB-Bradshaw HC Noll

SB11: COWBOYS 33 PATRIOTS 7 MVP H.Martin QB-Staubach HC-Landry

SB12: COWBOYS 17 RAIDERS 10 MVP T.Dorsett QB-Staubach HC-Landry

SB13: COWBOYS 42 OILERS 21 MVP R.Staubach QB-Staubach HC Landry

SB14: STEELERS 24 EAGLES 7 MVP F.Harris QB-Bradshaw HC-Noll

SB15: FALCONS 24 RAIDERS 8 MVP:W.Andrews QB-Bartkowski HC-Bennett

SB16: 49ERS 39 BENGALS 19 MVP: J.Montana QB-Montana HC-Walsh

SB17: COWBOYS 30 CHARGERS 10 MVP: D.White QB-White HC-Landry

Simulated Super Bowl 16 (1981 Playoffs)

Wednesday, August 6, 2025

1980

Actual Result: San Francisco 49ers 26 Cincinnati Bengals 21, the beginning of the Niner dynasty

Simulation: The 70s died last year, the Atlanta Falcons becoming the first team in 9 years that wasn't Pittsburgh or Dallas to win the SB.

NFC DIVISIONAL ROUND

Jan 2, 1982

Tampa Bay Bucs (9-7) at Dallas Cowboys (12-4)

57 degrees

Dallas -8

Dallas 38 Tampa 0

BUCS 20 COWBOYS 16

Dallas will not be victims of "The Catch" in the '81 NFC Title game as Tampa will be taking their place.

1st: Jerry Eckwood 2 yd run (missed XP TB 6-0)

James Wilder 5 yd run (13-0)

2nd: Rafael Septien 21 yd FG (13-3)

Drew Pearson 7 yd reception (White 13-10)

3rd: Rafael Septien 23 yd FG (13-13)

4th: James Wilder 8 yd run (TB 20-13)

Rafael Septien 43 yd FG (20-16)

MVP: James Wilder 2 TD

AFC DIVISIONAL ROUND

Jan 2, 1982

San Diego Chargers (10-6) at Miami Dolphins (11-4-1)

76 degrees

SD -2.5

San Diego 41 Miami 381

DOLPHINS 23 CHARGERS 20 (OT)

As was the case in the actual game, this one ends in OT, the result is flipped; however, and its the Dolphins who head to the AFC Title game next week.

1st: Rolf Benirschke 24 yd FG (SD 3-0)

2nd: Rolf Benirschke 41 FG (6-0)

Charlie Joiner 33 yd reception (13-0)

Uwe Von Schamann 28 yd FG (13-3)

3rd: Uwe Von Schamann 32 yd FG (13-6)

Wes Chandler 5 yd reception (Fouts 20-6)

4th: Nat Moore 14 yd reception (Woodley 20-13)

Tony Nathan 12 yd reception (Woodley 20-20)

OT: Uwe Von Schamann 36 yd FG (Mia 23-20)

MVP: David Woodley, 19-27, 237 yds TDs

AFC DIVISIONAL ROUND

Jan 3, 1982

Buffalo Bills 10-6 at Cincinnati Bengals 12-4

45 degrees

Bengals -6

Bengals 28 Bills 21

BENGALS 20 BILLS 0

Cincinnati lost SBs 5 and 8 - 8 years after that last SB appearance they will host the AFC Championship against the Dolphins next week.

1st: Jim Breech 28 (Cin 3-0)

2nd: Steve Kreider 6 yd reception (Anderson, 10-0)

3rd: Jim Breech 38 yd FG (13-0)

4th: Pete Johnson 3 yd run (20-0)

MVP: Ken Riley 2 INT

NFC DIVISIONAL ROUND

Jan 3, 1982

New York Giants 9-7 at San Francisco 49ers 13-3

42 degrees

Niners -6

San Francisco 38 New York 24

49ERS 24 GIANTS 10

The 49ers will play in their first ever NFC Championship, hosting Tampa next week. We have 3 teams playing in the conference championships who have never won a SB.

1st: Joe Danelo 29 yd FG (NY 3-0)

Dwight Clark 12 yard reception (Montana, SF 7-3)

2nd: Freddie Solomon 15 yd reception (Montana 14-3)

Ricky Patton 2 yd run (21-3)

3rd: Johnny Perkins 19 yd reception (Simms 21-10)

4th: Ray Wersching 23 yd FG (24-10)

MVP: Ronnie Lott 2 INT

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP

Jan 10, 1982

Tampa Bay Bucs at San Francisco 49ers

43 degrees

49ERS 29 BUCS 24

San Francisco has never won an NFL Championship and, as was the case in the real world, they will head to Super Bowl 16.

1st: Dwight Clark 14 yd reception (Montana SF 7-0)

Bill Capece 32 yd FG (7-3)

2nd: Ray Wersching 30 yd FG (10-3)

Theo Bell 51 yd reception (Williams 10-10)

Jerry Eckwood 5 yd run (TB 17-10)

3rd: Ray Wersching 26 yd FG (17-13)

Ray Wersching 29 yd FG (17-16)

4th: Jerry Eckwood 13 yd run (24-16)

Freddie Solomon, 22 yd reception, 2 pt conversion failed (Montana 24-22)

under a minute to play

Ricky Patton 33 yd run, forever known as "the run" in 49er lore (SF 29-24)

MVP: Joe Montana 22-30, 280 yds, 2 TDs

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP

Jan 10, 1982

Miami Dolphins at Cincinnati Bengals

-9 degrees

BENGALS 24 DOLPHINS 14

We get the real world SB matchup, Niners/Bengals, the Bengals returning to the SB after losing SB5 and SB8, it's San Francisco's first SB appearance.

1st: Jim Breech 33 yd FG (Cin 3-0)

2nd: Dan Ross 11 yd reception (Anderson 10-0)

Jim Breech 48 yd FG (13-0)

3rd: Tony Nathan 38 yd run (13-7)

4th: Archie Griffin, 20 yd reception, 2 pt conversion (21-7)

Jimmy Cefalo 1 yd reception (Woodley 21-14)

Jim Breech 24 yd FG (24-14)

MVP: Dan Ross 6 catches, 77 yds TD

SUPER BOWL XVI

Jan 24, 1982

Cincinnati Bengals v. San Francisco 49ers

Detroit

Niners -1

49ers 26 Bengals 21

49ERS 39 BENGALS 19

Atlanta came out of nowhere to win SB15, the 49ers do the same this year, winning the first NFL Championship in franchise history and duplicating the real world result.

1st: Earl Cooper 1 yd run (SF 7-0)

Fred Dean, safety (9-0)

Ricky Patton 12 yd run (16-0)

2nd: Ray Wersching 26 yd FG (19-0)

Jim Breech 43 yd FG (19-3)

3rd: Cris Collinsworth 33 yd reception (Anderson, missed XP, 19-9)

Ricky Patton 12 yd run (26-9)

Paul Hofer, 9 yd reception (Montana, 33-9)

4th: Ray Wersching 35 yd FG (36-9)

Archie Griffin 12 yd run (36-16)

Jim Breech 41 yd FG (36-19)

Ray Wersching 31 yd FG (39-19)

MVP: Joe Montana 20-30 286 yds TD