In the NFL It's 1976 All Over Again

 

If you want to get a good idea of what Dan Campbell is trying to build in Detroit, then look no further than the 1976 Oakland Raiders.  A balanced passing attack with a downfield threat, possession receiver, and great catching tight end.  A solid and consistent running game that can take over when needed.  A quarterback who is efficient but also willing to take shots.  And a mauling offensive line.  You pair this with a hard playing, opportunistic defense and you have the 1976 Raiders and the 2024 Lions.  

I think there is more to this than just an interesting comparison.  One could argue that what the Raiders had built in the 70's is what all great teams have, balance.  But I think there is something happening in football currently that harkens back to those days long past and the game we see today is reminding me more and more of the game I grew up watching.  

Those offenses that dominated the 70's would phase out and be replace by offenses base on the West Coast system in the 80's and 90's.  Offenses that were designed to take advantage of the defenses that had come along to stifle those 70's style offenses.  The thing is we've kind of come all the way back around to offense looking much like it did in the 70's, especially this time in 1976 when the best offenses could put up a lot of points.  They did it through a powerful running game and an explosive passing game.  

In the 80's and 90's this would transition to more pass heavy teams with less power running and more efficient passing.  This all seemed to peak in 2018 when the Rams made their run into the Super Bowl built off of these 80's and 90's concepts.  

That year though brought a change in defense.  By the time the Rams returned to the Super Bowl in 2022, they not only had a new quarterback but were running a very different offense.  An offense that was based more on explosive pass plays and a power running game.  In fact, the team they faced in that Super Bowl was running the same style of offense.  Sound familiar?  It should.  

If you are my age, then you've seen this offensive style before.  Nowadays people may call it Air Coryell as much of it is based off of passing concepts Don Coryell developed in the 70's.  Maybe that's why Don Coryell got elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2023.  

My suggestion is to enjoy this time of the NFL.  This style of football is to me the best I've seen and I'm glad to see it back.