The 10 Greatest NFL Teams of All Time: Who Takes the Crown?
What makes a team the greatest of all time? Is it winning the most championships? Having the best players, coaches, and staff?
Or is it something more intangible like loyalty, heart, or determination? Let’s take a look at some of the biggest NFL teams and debate which one deserves to be crowned the Greatest of All Time.
The Chicago Bears of 1985
In 1985, the Chicago Bears were the dominant force in the NFL. The team went 15-1 in the regular season. They then won Super Bowl XX 46-10 over the New England Patriots. The defence was especially dominant, giving up an NFL-low 198 points during the regular season.
They were widely considered to be among the greatest teams of all time. Their 15-1 record is the best in franchise history, and they are the only team to win with a perfect record. The team was loaded with talent on both sides of the ball, and their defence is considered to be among the best.
The 1989 San Francisco 49ers
The 1989 San Francisco 49ers were among the most dominant teams in NFL history. They had a 14-2 regular season record and outscored their opponents by an average of two touchdowns per game. In the playoffs, they beat the Rams 30 to 3 in the divisional round and then crushed the Denver Broncos 55-10.
The 1992 Dallas Cowboys
The 1992 Dallas Cowboys were among the most dominant teams in NFL history. The Cowboys won an incredible 15 games in a single season, en route to their third Super Bowl victory.
The ’92 Cowboys were an offensive juggernaut, averaging 28.2 points per game while allowing just 13.1 points per game on defence. They had a +169-point differential, which is the second-best mark in NFL history. The ’92 Cowboys are often known as among the best assembled, and it’s hard to argue with that logic.
The 1998 Denver Broncos
The 1998 Denver Broncos were also among the most dominant teams in NFL history. They won their division with a 13-3 record and went on to the Super Bowl and win, demolishing the Atlanta Falcons 34-19.
The Broncos had one of the top offensive lineups in the league, led by future Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway. They also had one of the best defences in the league, which was anchored by All-Pro linebacker Bill Romanowski. The Broncos were a complete team and are widely considered to be among the best teams ever.
The St. Louis Rams of 1999
There are a lot of great NFL teams, but the St. Louis Rams of 1999 have to be near the top of any list. That year, they won the Super Bowl, and they did it in style.
The Rams were led by their dynamic offense, which was among the most explosive in NFL history. They scored a then-record 526 points during the regular season. They then they followed that up with another 41 in the playoffs.
The 2001 New England Patriots
The New England Patriots have been among the most dominant teams for the past two decades. They have managed to win six Super Bowls, including three in the last five years. And they’ve done it with a style of play that is both exciting and efficient.
The 2001 Patriots are widely considered to be among the greatest teams in NFL history. And it’s hard to argue with that assessment.
The 2007 New York Giants
The 2007 New York Giants were counted as among the few dominant teams in NFL history. They went undefeated in the season, winning all 16 of their games. In the playoffs, they won three more games, including a dramatic victory over the New England Patriots.
The 2007 Giants were truly a team for the ages. They dominated their opponents all season long and then capped it off with a stunning upset victory during the Super Bowl. This team will always be among the best teams of all time.
The 2009 New Orleans Saints
In 2009, the New Orleans Saints were the undisputed best team in the NFL. In the regular season, they went 13-3, losing only to the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers.
In the playoffs, they beat the Arizona Cardinals and then the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship game. During the Super Bowl, they faced off against the Indianapolis Colts and won 31-17.
This was a special team because they did it all without their star quarterback Drew Brees. Brees had injured his shoulder in Week 11 and missed the rest of the season. Backup quarterback Mark Brunell stepped up and led the team to victory.
This was a team that was built from top to bottom and they proved it by winning the Super Bowl. They will always be remembered for their amazing run in 2009.
The 2010 Green Bay Packers
The 2010 Green Bay Packers were also considered to be among the top teams in NFL history. They finished the regular season with a record of 15-1, and their only loss came in Week 15 to the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants. Needless to say, they certainly deserve to be considered to be among the greatest of all time.
The 2013 Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks have been among the most dominant NFL teams over the past few years. They won the Super Bowl in 2013 and followed that up with a victory in the NFC Championship game back in 2014.
The Seahawks are a well-rounded team that can beat the other teams in many different ways. They have all the pieces necessary to be considered among the top teams of all time.