“How ‘bout them Cowboys?” In the early 1990s Dallas had a dynasty built by masterminds Jimmy Johnson and Jerry Jones. Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith & Co. won consecutive Super Bowls, but before they could even say “three-peat” Johnson and Jones parted ways, rocking the NFL. The Cowboys managed to win another Super Bowl two years later, but haven’t even gotten past the Divisional Playoffs since. But what would have happened if Jimmy Johnson had stayed with the Cowboys? How many more Super Bowl wins would he have? Which other teams’ Hall of Famers might have worn the star instead? Which Florida legend would go pro to replace the NFL’s all-time winningest coach? And why isn’t there a hair out of place in the entire state of Texas? Find out on Alternate Routes.

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One of the few drawbacks of winning the Super Bowl is that you get the worst draft position - a tradeoff every team would make any day. But in the 2018 draft, the “Philly Special” Eagles had the opportunity to select Lamar Jackson at No. 32, but chose to trade the pick to the Baltimore Ravens for a package of lower picks. Since then, the Ravens have been elite, Jackson has won two MVPs, while the Eagles bottomed out in 2020, changed coaching staffs and underwent a major roster overhaul before bouncing back the past two seasons. But what would’ve happened if that trade never happened and the Eagles used their pick on Lamar? Could Jackson have ever beaten out Carson Wentz in Philly? What former Eagles great would he forever be compared to? Who would the Ravens find as a replacement for Joe Flacco? And what does this all have to do with Tecmo Bowl? Find out on Alternate Routes.

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For the past two decades, the road to the college football National Championship has passed through the SEC. With Texas and Oklahoma joining the party, it doesn’t look like that’s changing anytime soon. This current dominance began in 2006 when The Florida Gators won two titles in a three year span under coach Urban Meyer. Those Florida teams were so stacked with talent, they began their 2008 championship season with reigning Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow at QB1 and an athletic sophomore named Cam Newton at QB2. But injuries and off-field issues led to Newton’s departure from Gainesville. He eventually landed in Auburn where he led the Tigers to the 2010 National Championship, won a Heisman of his own, became the top pick in the 2011 NFL Draft and was named NFL MVP in 2015. But what would’ve happened had Newton stayed with the Gators? Could he and Tim Tebow co-exist? Why would the Buckeyes be out of luck? What Hall of Famers team up in the desert? And how does this all relate to Snoop Dogg and an iconic southern clothing designer? Find out on Alternate Routes.

Listen to Alternate Routes on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to episodes early and ad-free on Wondery+ now. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/alternate-routes now.

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