What was it like in the 80s?

[BengalFanInNJ]

Let's not overlook the 1986 team. The one that went 10-6 and DID NOT make the playoffs. They had the #1 offense and the #20 defense (which isn't TOO bad). They ran over everybody. James Brooks averaged over 5 yards a carry. Only got the ball about 10-15 times a game. The running game was beastly that year. As a team they averaged just under 5 yards a carry. AS A TEAM without a very mobile quarterback.

They finished 10-6 with the Jets, Seahawks and Chiefs. They beat the Jets and Seahawks head to head and lost to the Chiefs. They had two bad losses to the 5-11 Oilers and the 6-10 Steelers. Had they one just one of those easily winnable games, they would have made the playoffs.