jim jividen

Simulated Super Bowl 25 (1990 Playoffs)

Saturday, August 16, 2025

1989

Actual Result: New York Giants 20 Buffalo Bills 19, the 49ers miss their chance at a three peat, the Bills miss a game winning FG and the Giants win their second title.

Simulation: The 49ers will be at home throughout the playoffs, driving to become the first team to win 4 straight Super Bowls and the second to win 6 overall. Will the AFC ever win the Super Bowl again?

NFC DIVISIONAL ROUND

Jan 12, 1991

Washington Redskins (10-6) at San Francisco 49ers (14-2)

51 degrees

Niners -8

Niners 28 Redskins 10

REDSKINS 16 49ERS 13

The end of the 80s means the end of the run for the 49ers - there will not be an unprecedented 4-peat as they lose in the divisional round in a game likely marking the end of Joe Montana's starting QB career with San Francisco.

1st: Jerry Rice 3 yd reception (Montana SF 7-0)

2nd: Chip Lohmiller 37 yd FG (7-3)

Chip Lohmiller 20 yd FG (7-6)

Mike Cofer 48 yd FG (10-6)

3rd: Chip Lohmiller 25 yd FG (10-9)

Mike Cofer 44 yd FG (13-9)

4th: Jimmie Johnson 8 yd reception (Rypien, Wash 16-13)

MVP: Wilber Marshall 2 sacks, forced fumble

AFC DIVISIONAL ROUND

Jan 12, 1991

Miami Dolphins (12-4) at Buffalo Bills (13-3)

31 degrees

Bills -7

Bills 44 Dolphins 34

BILLS 24 DOLPHINS 17

The Bills lost last year's SB - but the 3 time champion Niners have been sent home and the road to a possible AFC winner has not been this clear in years, the Bills host the AFC Championship next week.

1st: Pete Stoyanovich 29 yd FG (Mia 3-0)

2nd: Thurman Thomas 26 yd run (Buff 7-3)

James Pruitt 43 yd reception (Marino Mia 10-7)

Andre Reed 11 yd reception (Kelly Buff 14-10)

3rd: Scott Norwood 25 yd FG (17-10)

Sammie Smith 5 yd run (17-17)

4th: Jamie Mueller 3 yd run (Buff 24-17)

MVP: Bruce Smith 2 sacks, forced fumble

NFC DIVISIONAL ROUND

Jan 13, 1991

Chicago Bears (11-5) at NY Giants (13-3)

34 degrees

Giants -7

Giants 31 Bears 3

BEARS 9 GIANTS 3

The real world champs are gone - this FG battle of the last two SB champs who aren't the Niners goes to Chicago; the Bears will host the Redskins next week in the NFC Championship.

2nd: Kevin Butler 33 yd FG (Chi 3-0)

Kevin Butler 44 yd FG (6-0)

Raul Alledge 33 yd FG (6-3)

4th: Kevin Butler 40 yd FG (9-3)

MVP: Richard Dent, 3 sacks

AFC DIVISIONAL ROUND

Jan 13, 1991

Cincinnati Bengals (9-7) at LA Raiders (12-4)

60 degrees

Raiders -6

Raiders 20 Bengals 10

RAIDERS 38 BENGALS 10

The AFC matches the real world result, the Raiders will go to Buffalo to play the Bills in the AFC Championship, the Raiders are 1-3 in SBs, the Bills 0-2.

1st: Willie Gault 9 yd reception (Schroeder LA 7-0)

Marcus Allen 17 yd run (14-0)

2nd: Mervyn Fernandez 8 yd run (21-0)

Steve Smith 1 yd run (28-0)

Jim Breech 45 yd FG (28-3)

3rd: Tim Brown 8 yd reception (Schroeder, 35-3)

Ickey Woods 4 yd reception (Esiason 35-10)

4th: Jeff Jaeger 22 yd FG (38-10)

MVP: Bo Jackson 15 carries, 120 yds

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP

Jan 20, 1991

LA Raiders at Buffalo Bills

39 degrees

Bills -7

Bills 51 Raiders 3

BILLS 23 RAIDERS 20 (OT)

The Bills win back to back AFC Titles and head to the SB for the third time, looking for their first win.

1st: Scott Norwood 39 yd FG (Buff 3-0)

2nd: Willie Gault 19 yd reception (Schroeder LA 7-3)

Jeff Jaeger 45 yd FG (10-3)

Scott Norwood 39 yd FG (10-6)

3rd: Thurman Thomas 21 yd reception (Buff 13-10)

Bo Jackson 54 yd run (LA 17-13)

4th: Kenneth Davis 2 yd run (Buff 20-17)

Jeff Jaeger 29 yd FG (20-20)

OT: Scott Norwood 41 yd FG (Buff 23-20)

MVP: Bruce Smith 3 sacks

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP

Jan 20, 1991

Washington Redskins at Chicago Bears

BEARS 19 REDSKINS 7

5 years after SB20, the Chicago Bears win the NFC Championship and will take on the Bills in SB25.

1st: Kevin Butler 39 yd FG (Chi 3-0)

2nd: Kevin Butler 30 yd FG (6-0)

Neal Anderson 33 yd run (13-0)

3rd: Neal Anderson 31 yd run (missed 2 pt covnersion 19-0)

4th: Gerald Riggs 13 yd run (19-7)

MVP: Neal Anderson 21 carries, 195 yds 2 TDs

SUPER BOWL XXV

Jan 27, 1991

Chicago Bears v. Buffalo Bills

Tampa

62 degrees

BILLS 17 BEARS 14

11 years after the Steelers won SB14, the AFC gets back into the win column, the Bills become the first AFC team other than the Steelers to win the SB post merger. Scott Norwood hits a game winner with :00 on the clock.

1st: Pete Metzelaars 14 yd reception (Kelly Buff 7-0)

2nd: Don Beebe 7 yd reception (Kelly 14-0)

Kevin Butler 22 yd FG (14-3)

Kevin Butler 43 yd FG (14-6)

4th: Brad Muster 3 yd run, 2 pt conversion (14-14)

as the clock strikes :00

Scott Norwood 33 yd FG (Buff 17-14)

MVP Bruce Smith 3 sacks

25 years down. All SB team

QB-J Montana, R,Staubach - only two 4 time winners with an MVP

RB- T.Dorsett, F.Harris, R.Craig - multiple wins and an MVP, Franco, I think, is the top SB performer of the first 25 years

WR-J. Rice, D. Pearson, I think the only receivers with both multiple and TDs in multiple SBs

TE B.J Dupree, easily the most productive SB TE

DL: A.Page, LC Greenwood, H.Martin, B.Smith

LB: J.Ham, C.Haley

DB: R.Lott, those all the defensive MVPs, except for Smith, who is still playing, all have multiple titles

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

SB19: 49ERS 24 SEAHAWKS 6 MVP: R.Lott QB-Montana HC-Walsh

SB20: BEARS 51 RAIDERS 13 MVP: W.Payton QB-McMahon HC-Ditka

SB21: GIANTS 19 BRONCOS 6 MVP: J.Morris QB-Simms HC-Parcells

SB22: 49ERS 27 BROWNS 9 MVP: R.Craig QB-Montana HC-Walsh

SB23: 49ERS 24 BENGALS 10 MVP: C.Haley QB-Montana HC-Walsh

SB24: 49ERS 34 BILLS 14 MVP: J.Montana QB-Montana HC-Seifert

SB25: BILLS 17 BEARS 14 MVP: B.Smith QB-Kelly HC-Levy

Simulated Super Bowl 24 (1989 Playoffs)

Friday, August 15, 2025

1988

Actual Result: San Francisco 49ers 55 Denver Broncos 10, the biggest margin of victory in SB history and the 4th SB for the 49ers.

Simulation: The Cowboys won SB 11,12,13 - the Niners will have home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs in their attempt to match that threepeat.

NFC DIVISIONAL ROUND

Jan 6, 1990

Minnesota Vikings (10-6) at San Francisco 49ers (14-2)

49 degrees

Niners -7.5

San Francisco 41 Minnesota 13

49ERS 27 VIKINGS 11

As happened in the actual game, the Niners roll through this one and get to stay home for next week's NFC Championship

1st: Rich Karlis 33 yd FG (Minn 3-0)

2nd: Terrence Flagler 2 yd reception (Montana SF 7-3)

Mike Cofer 43 yd FG (10-3)

Jerry Rice 49 yd reception (Montana 17-3)

3rd: Roger Craig 9 yd run (24-3)

Mike Cofer 40 yd FG (27-3)

4th: Antony Carter 28 yd reception (Wilson, 2 pt conversion 27-11)

MVP: Jerry Rice 6 catches, 123 yds TD

AFC DIVISIONAL ROUND

Jan 6, 1990

Buffalo Bills (9-7) at Cleveland Browns (9-6-1)

28 degrees

Browns -3.5

Cleveland 34 Buffalo 30

BILLS 22 BROWNS 21

The Buffalo Bills arrive early, reaching the AFC Championship, where they will face the winner of Broncos/Steelers.

1st: Scott Norwood 33 yd FG (Buff 3-0)

Larry Kinnebrew 10 yd run (10-0)

2nd: Ozzie Newsome 5 yd reception (Kosar 10-7)

Scott Norwood 22 yd FG (13-7)

3rd: Ozzie Newsome 77 yd reception (Kosar Cle 14-13)

Scott Norwood 33 yd FG (Buff 16-14)

4th: Eric Metcalf 4 yd run (Cle 21-16)

Scott Norwood 37 yd FG (21-19)

...as the clock hit :00

Scott Norwood 51 yd FG (22-21)

MVP: Scott Norwood 5 FGs including a game winner.

AFC DIVISIONAL ROUND

Jan 7, 1990

Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) at Denver Broncos (11-5)

37 degrees

Denver -10

Denver 24 Pittsburgh 23

STEELERS 13 BRONCOS 6

The Steelers last SB appearance was a decade prior, they upset Denver and will play in Buffalo next week in the AFC Championship.

2nd: David Treadwell 49 yd FG (Den 3-0)

Merill Hoge 2 yd run (Pit 7-3)

Gary Anderson 31 yd FG (10-3)

3rd: David Treadwell 22 yd FG (10-6)

4th: Gary Anderson 33 yd FG (13-6)

MVP: Rod Woodson, 2 INT

NFC DIVISIONAL ROUND

Jan 7, 1990

LA Rams (11-5) at NY Giants (12-4)

37 degrees

NY -3

Rams 19 Giants 13

RAMS 28 GIANTS 23

As happened in the actual game, the Rams upset the Giants and we get a battle of NFC West rivals next week when they head to San Francisco to play the two time defending champs.

1st: Flipper Anderson 34 yd reception (Everett LA 7-0)

Raul Allegre 41 yd FG (7-3)

Robert Delpino 11 yd run (14-3)

2nd: Raul Allegre 34 yd FG (14-6)

Zeke Mowatt 11 yd reception (Simms 14-13)

Raul Allegre 29 yd FG (NY 16-14)

3rd: Greg Bell 7 yd reception (Everett LA 21-16)

Odessa Turner 13 yd reception (Simms NY 23-21)

4th: ...under 2 minutes..

Greg Bell 10 yd reception (Everett LA 28-23)

MVP: Greg Bell 17 carries, 137 yards, 2 TDs

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP

Jan 14, 1990

LA Rams at San Francisco 49ers

52 degrees

Niners -7

Niners 30 Rams 3

49ERS 39 RAMS 36

It takes 18 unanswered 4th qtr points - but the Niners win their third consecutive NFC Championship and will face the winner of Steelers/Bills in SB24 as they attempt to win their 5th Super Bowl.

1st: Mike Lansford 33 yd FG (LA 3-0)

2nd: Roger Craig 33 yd run (SF 7-3)

Greg Bell 1 yd run (LA 10-7)

Brent Jones 3 yd reception (Montana SF 14-10)

Mike Lansford 30 yd FG (14-13)

3rd: Mike Lansford 40 yd FG (LA 16-14)

Mike Lansford 50 yd FG (19-14)

Tom Rathman 1 yd run (SF 21-19)

Flipper Anderson 77 yd reception (Everett LA 26-21)

4th: Damone Johnson 44 yd reception (Everett 33-21)

Mike Lansford 30 yd FG (36-21)

Mike Cofer 50 yd FG (36-24)

Roger Craig 1 yd run (36-31)

under 30 second left..

John Taylor 12 yd reception (Montana 2 pt conversion, 39-36)

MVP: Joe Montana 18-22, 332 yds 2 TDs

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP

Jan 14, 1989

Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills

BILLS 41 STEELERS 3

The Buffalo Bills lost the very first SB - 23 years later they return to the big game, blowing out the Steelers to win their first AFC Championship.

1st: Thurman Thomas 16 yd run (Buff 7-0)

Thurman Thomas 42 yd run (14-0)

2nd: Scott Norwood 33 yd FG (17-0)

Gary Anderson 39 yd FG (17-3)

James Lofton 9 yd reception (Kelly 24-3)

3rd: Larry Kinnebrew 11 yd run (31-3)

4th: Chris Burkett 11 yd reception (Kelly 38-3)

Scott Norwood 29 yd FG (41-3)

MVP: Jim Kelly 18-24 243 yds 2 TDs

SUPER BOWL XXIV

Jan 28, 1990

Buffalo Bills v. San Francisco 49ers

New Orleans

49ERS 34 BILLS 14

The Niners win their fifth Super Bowl, trailing only Dallas - and they equal the Cowboy mark of winning 3 straight. The 1980s end with the 49ers having won half of the Super Bowls in the decade.

1st: Jerry Rice 18 yd reception (SF 7-0)

2nd: Mike Cofer 48 yd FG (10-0)

Ronnie Harmon 33 yard reception (Kelly 10-7)

Roger Craig 7 yd run (17-7)

3rd: Keith Mckeller 4 yd reception (Kelly 17-14)

4th: Mike Cofer 39 yd FG (20-14)

Joe Montana 1 yd run (27-14)

John Taylor 29 yd reception (34-14)

MVP: Joe Montana 17-23 253 yds 2 TD, TD rushing - Montana becomes the first 5 time SB winning QB and the first 2 time MVP.