1989 Packers schedule

[Crazy Packers Fan]

I apologize for talking about old stuff with the Packers, I just have such a great interest in football history. Anyway, I noticed the 1989 Packers schedule - http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/results.nsf/Teams/1989-gb - includes two games between the Packers and Cowboys. Does anyone know why the Packers played the Cowboys twice in 1989? They weren't in the same division, so I can't understand why they played them twice. Anyone have an idea why this happened?

 

[Poppa San]

I recall it just being a quirk in the scheduling. Back then there wasn't a formula to follow as there is now.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

I apologize for talking about old stuff with the Packers, I just have such a great interest in football history. Anyway, I noticed the 1989 Packers schedule - http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/results.nsf/Teams/1989-gb - includes two games between the Packers and Cowboys. Does anyone know why the Packers played the Cowboys twice in 1989? They weren't in the same division, so I can't understand why they played them twice. Anyone have an idea why this happened?

It was actually part of the NFL’s scheduling formula back then. With a 28-team league, two divisions in each conference had five teams, and one division in each had four. If a team finished in fifth place, it played the other fifth-place team in its own conference twice and the two fifth-place teams in the other conference once each.

 

[Crazy Packers Fan]

It was actually part of the NFL’s scheduling formula back then. With a 28-team league, two divisions in each conference had five teams, and one division in each had four. If a team finished in fifth place, it played the other fifth-place team in its own conference twice and the two fifth-place teams in the other conference once each.

Thanks thanks thanks! I should have known this. I actually remember reading this in the past, but it totally slipped my mind.

On a side note, I have a 2000 NFL Record & Fact Book where the book explains the scheduling procedures for the then-31-team NFL. Boy those are convoluted!

 

[lambeaulambo]

Name that qb...The Majik Man and Randy Wrong! Blair Keil anyone?