Sandwich year teams

[CSKreager]

My recent topic on the 1985 Seahawks reminded me of other teams that were in their position:

this about teams that had a letdown season in the middle surrounded by good years before/after.

In other words, the sandwich year team, an in-between season.

Examples:

1993 Chargers. In between division titles/playoff seasons (historic rally from an 0-4 start in 1992, the franchise's only Super Bowl season in 1994, the late rally to get into the 95 playoffs), Bobby Ross' Lightning Bolts had a 1993 in which they struggled to score touchdowns, particularly at home. Until a late season offensive explosion vs Miami, they scored 6 touchdowns in their first 7 home games.

1998 Buccaneers: In a 6 year stretch from 1997-2002, this was the only year they missed the playoffs. Went 8-8 and were consistently inconsistent (only team to beat 15-1 MIN, beat GB on a MNF...... but got swept by DET and had an inexplicable late season loss at Washington)

[Brian wolf]

The ultimate sandwich disappointment was the Vikings in 1972. Going 7-7 in Tarkentons' return, just refueled speculation about his inability to get a team into the playoffs, after a four season postseason run. That's why the Vikings 1973 season was so huge. They got back on top but once the Dolphins burst their bubble, expectations to go all the way, quantified ...

[Crazy Packers Fan]

2003 Steelers. The Steelers went 9-7 in 2000, then won their division in 2001 and 2002. In 2003, it all came apart, but it worked out when they got to draft Ben in 2004. Then, they went 15-1 in 2004 and won the Super Bowl in 2005.