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There are few moments as brutal as these two. Both easily won in the first round and I honestly can't say which I think will fare better in this one. The Nate Kaeding game against the Jets has recency on its side, but the 1980 AFC Championship Game has the Raiders. You really can't go wrong. These were both horrible.
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What happened?
(2) Poor Nate Kaeding. He's the most accurate kicker in NFL history for most of his career (he might even still be, but that's not important here) and yet he'll be remembered almost exclusively for his playoff misses. I suppose that's life. This game on January 17, 2010 was just incredibly tough to watch. Despite not allowing a first down in the first quarter, the Chargers were unable to take a lead thanks to a missed Kaeding field goal. The offense would manage 7 points in the second quarter and even give Kaeding a chance at 57-yard field goal at the end of the half that he would miss. The defense would let New York on the board with a field goal on their first drive of the half. They would then allow a touchdown when a Rivers interception gave the Jets great field position and finally they would.
(3) The San Diego Chargers finished the 1980 regular season at 11-5, winners of the AFC West and had split their two games with the Oakland Raiders. They won in the divisional round against the Buffalo Bills and then played host to the Raiders in the AFC Championship Game on January 11, 1981. The first quarter was the Jim Plunkett show as he would throw for two scores and run for another. The Chargers were lucky to only be down 14 points as they changed sides of the field. Fouts and co. would outscore the Raiders 20-13 the rest of the way, but that initial lead built by Plunkett proved insurmountable. The Raiders would go on to blow out the Eagles in Super Bowl XV two weeks later.
Which was worse?
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