What is your NFL team's most heartbreaking loss? From '28-3' to the 'Ice Bowl' to 'The Drive'
Some NFL losses are so legendary that people refer to them by a simple phrase.
The Ice Bowl. The Drive. The Miracle in the Meadowlands. The Immaculate Reception.
Or even, simply, 28-3.
That got us thinking: What is the most heartbreaking loss for each NFL franchise?
Find your team: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/32643640/what-your-nfl-team-most-heartbreaking-loss-28-3-ice-bowl-drive
Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns vs. Denver Broncos
Jan. 11, 1987, AFC Championship Game
Cleveland Municipal Stadium
In Cleveland, it's still referred to as "The Drive." The Browns held a 20-13 lead and seemed destined to go to their first Super Bowl. Denver had the ball at its own 2-yard line with 5:32 to play in the game. But that's when John Elway methodically guided the Broncos down the field. Then, in the waning seconds, he found Mark Jackson for a game-tying, 5-yard touchdown. The Broncos went on to win in overtime. Compounding the heartbreak, the following year, Cleveland's season again ended in the AFC Championship Game to Denver. This time because of "The Fumble," as Earnest Byner's turnover in front of the Denver goal line late in the fourth quarter kept the Browns out of the Super Bowl. -- Jake Trotter
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It wasn't Elway. It was Marty Schottenheimer and his prevent defense. There was no pass rush -- Elway just dinked and dunked his way down field for the score. After the game someone asked defensive tackle Bob Golic, "What happened?" Golic replied, "Don't ask me ... I wasn't on the field."
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San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers vs. New York Giants
Jan. 20, 1991, NFC Championship Game
Candlestick Park, San Francisco
Clinging to a one-point lead with under three minutes to play, running back Roger Craig coughed up a fumble that Lawrence Taylor recovered, and the Giants kicked their fifth field goal of the game as time expired to send the Niners home. The game was the unofficial end of the 49ers' late '80s dynasty, denying them a shot at their third straight Lombardi Trophy, and the beginning of the end of legendary quarterback Joe Montana's time with the team. Montana took a brutal hit from Giants defensive end Leonard Marshall that left him with a bruised sternum and stomach, cracked ribs and a broken hand that cost him the second half. Montana suffered an elbow injury the following August and played only one more half with the team before he was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs after the 1992 season. The Niners did not return to the Super Bowl until after the 1994 season.
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This still stings. Montana took a beating because tackle Bubba Paris had one of his worst games of his career (IMO). I don't know if he just wore down or ... what? Bill Walsh constantly berated Paris about his weight, then well-over 300 pounds (standard today, but not in the late 80's when the 49ers employed an undersized, athletic O-line). Whatever. Paris got beat. Joe got clobbered.
So forum ... what about your team(s)?
= new reply since forum marked as read
last week's last play loss to the falcons is still fresh. this weeks 2 point loss to the ritans is heartbreaking.
but, the famous recent playoff losses to minnesota ( "the minnesota miracle"
and the obvious pass interference that was not called against the rams still hurt.
Kansas City Chiefs, No. 1 AFC seed, lose to the $%@*#% Indianapolis-freakin'-COLTS, 10-7! STILL burns me!!
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lose 14-17 in Super Bowl to Giants..you beat Jags in Div. game, you beat Chargers in AFC Championship, and then lose the Super Bowl in 2007...who does that????!!!!
When you wait so long to get to the big kahuna and then get humiliated, it takes a while to recover your pride. All better now. 
