The Best NFL Teams

These Football Squads Showed The Game At Its Finest

While debating if the Kansas City Chiefs are the new New England Patriots, take a look back at some of the greatest individual teams and dynasties throughout NFL history. Almost all of these earned the label of “America’s team” at some point.

1983 Los Angeles Raiders

The Raiders football franchise has a chaotic history, to say the very least. After all, they began in Oakland, moved to Los Angeles in 1982, back to the bright side of the bay in 1995, and then to Las Vegas in 2020.

 Focus On Sport, Getty Images

1983 Los Angeles Raiders

One of the best times in franchise history, though, was their 1983 team, whose season concluded with them triumphantly winning the Super Bowl 38-9 against the team now referred to as the Washington Commanders. Their key feature was a dominant offense led by running back Marcus Allen who broke the record for rushing yards. 

 Getty Images, Getty Images

1999 St Louis Rams

Former Rams quarterback Kurt Warner’s meteoric rise to fame was dramatized in a Christian-themed film called American Underdog from a few years ago. This is an indication as to what a big deal the Rams’ 1999 season, where Warner led them to a Super Bowl victory, was.

 Sean Daly, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

1999 St Louis Rams

Warner’s quarterback skills weren’t the only thing that made the Rams such a great team, as they were also aided by running back Marshall Faulk as well as wide receivers Isaac Bruce and Tory Holt. Even with the great offensive skill, the Super Bowl game ended up coming down to one play, which depended on the defensive skill of linebacker Mike Jones. 

 Baer Tirkel, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

1971 Dallas Cowboys

The first of the Dallas Cowboys franchise’s five Super Bowl victories was from the 1971 squad. The shift for the team seems to be thanks to the quarterback Roger Staubach, who became the team’s starter around the half-point of the season. 

 here, Wikimedia Commons

1971 Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys’ dominance that year was thanks to an equally strong offense and defense. In what will become a running theme of the list, the latter even earned the nickname of the “doomsday” defense. 

 Focus On Sport, Getty Images

2006 Indianapolis Colts

The height of quarterback Peyton Manning’s fame was undeniable in 2006 when he led the Indianapolis Colts to their first Super Bowl victory since the early 1970s. The victory lap was getting to host Saturday Night Live months later, where he received praise for being one of the best athletes to do the gig. 

 Andy Lyons, Getty Images

2006 Indianapolis Colts

Another member of the 2006 Colts who earned a spot in the hall of fame was wide receiver Marvin Harrison, who provided essential offensive finesse. The team has still never been as good since, as no more Super Bowl wins occurred in the following years. 

 Djmunden, CC BY-SA 2.5, Wikimedia Commons

1975 Pittsburgh Steelers

Before he was doing goofy mugging faces on Fox NFL Sunday or as Matthew McConaughey’s father in Hollywood romcoms, quarterback Terry Bradshaw was one of America’s favorite football players. After all, he was the face of the 1970s Pittsburgh Steelers dynasty. 

 Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

1975 Pittsburgh Steelers

In 1975, one of four Super Bowl victories for the team during the 1970s, it helped that their winning game against the Dallas Cowboys was such an exciting affair. Wide receiver Lynn Swann was the game MVP for his 61-yard touchdown score which helped the Steelers win at the very end. 

 Malcolm Emmons, Wikimedia Commons

1996 Green Bay Packers

Would Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre have been asked to cameo in There’s Something About Mary as himself were it not for the Green Bay Packers’ impressive 1996 season? Named MVP of the league that year, it was undeniably his peak as a player.

 David Wilson, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

1996 Green Bay Packers

The Packers also boasted the league’s best defense that year, with pass rusher Reggie White and safety LeRoy Butler providing essential support. Return specialist Desmond Howard stole the actual Super Bowl for the team, though, especially his 99-yard touchdown run which cemented the team’s win. 

 David Wilson, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

1989 San Francisco 49ers

The last of the four Super Bowls won by the 80s San Francisco 49ers, the 1989 squad bore a special distinction for blowing out the Denver Broncos 55-10 during the championship game. You may even remember a joke about it in a Simpsons episode.

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1989 San Francisco 49ers

As for why this 49ers squad was so particularly good, look no further than its star players. The face of the team was certainly wide receiver Jerry Rice who scored 17 touchdowns that season, eclipsing the fame of even quarterback Joe Montana. 

 Otto Greule Jr, Getty Images

1973 Miami Dolphins

Beyond the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Miami Dolphins were the team to embody the 1970s image of the NFL best. Though, looking at the Super Bowl victories the team achieved, it articulates a certain philosophy of football which is maybe out of fashion nowadays. 

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1973 Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins’ approach to football time was not necessarily favoring a high-scoring offense but rather an extremely formidable defense. During the Super Bowl that year, quarterback Bob Griese set the record fewest pass attempts by a starter, emphasizing that the team was about players that weren’t heavy on flash.

 Bettmann, Getty Images

2019 Kansas City Chiefs

Remember wide receiver Travis Kelce before they cut to Taylor Swift at every game? The beginning of the Kansas City Chiefs dynasty may have seen them at their very best, even if many of the same players still remain, like quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

 All-Pro Reels, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

2019 Kansas City Chiefs

A great reason why this Chief season sticks out so much was the triumphant comeback they pulled in the Super Bowl game when they scored three touchdowns within the span of five minutes to take back the lead. 

 All-Pro Reels, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

1986 New York Giants

There’s been a lot of focus so far on quarterbacks, wide receivers, and running backs, but in the case of the 1986 New York Giants, you’ve got to highlight the head coach. Coach Bill Parcells belongs in the Hall of Fame for his strong leadership and philosophy to football. 

 US Air Force, Wikimedia Commons

1986 New York Giants

While it wasn’t a Super Bowl game, many point out the strength of the 1986 Giants in how they gave the dynasty of the 80s, the 49ers, a 49-3 whooping in a playoff game. They then shut out their next playoff opponent, Washington, showing just how strong their defense was. 

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1966 Green Bay Packers

Speaking of influential coaches, you really can’t discuss the image of professional football without referencing Vince Lombardi. The Packers coach led the team to victories in the first two Super Bowl games ever played.

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1966 Green Bay Packers

Quarterback Bart Starr certainly served as the face of the 1966 Packers team alongside Lombardi, but the defense was likely what made this such a legendary squad. After all, they allowed only an average of 11.6 points per game to be scored against them. 

 here, Wikimedia Commons

2016 New England Patriots

Finally, the list arrives at the highly divisive New England Patriots who, without a doubt, were the dynasty of 21st-century football with six Super Bowl rings to their name. The 2016 squad saw their penultimate victory under the guidance of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.

 Alexander Jonesi, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

2016 New England Patriots

The Super Bowl won by the 2016 Patriots squad was notable for taking place amidst a highly contested political atmosphere where they were seen as the team sympathetic to newly elected President Donald Trump. The second notable element was the comeback victory they pulled after being down a whole 20 points going into halftime.

 SAB0TEUR, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

1998 Denver Broncos

The 1998 season was, without a doubt, bittersweet for the Denver Broncos. While it concluded with their second consecutive Super Bowl victory, it also marked the last season for veteran quarterback John Elway, who had been the team's face for 15 seasons.

 Tech. Sgt. Scott M. Ash, Wikimedia Commons

1998 Denver Broncos

Elway was appropriately given the MVP distinction of his very last game, as he threw two touchdowns and passed 336 yards. The defense met him at his level in that championship game, forcing four turnovers against the Atlanta Falcons. 

 Jonathan Ferrey, Getty Images

1976 Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders were always on the verge of Super Bowl glory throughout the mid-1970s, but coach John Madden’s squad hit their stride during the 1976 season. The team pulled off a triumphant victory against the Minnesota Vikings to finally claim Super Bowl victory.

 Unknown author, Wikimedia Commons

1976 Oakland Raiders

The Raiders’ Super Bowl performance was extra impressive considering how well their offense played against the Vikings’ defensive line, which had intimidatingly been deemed the “Purple People Eater” by fans and media. The Raiders’ offense went about rushing 266 yards against the behemoth. 

 Focus On Sport, Getty Images

1992 Dallas Cowboys

Winning three Super Bowls in the 1990s, the Cowboys had sped past an 80s fallow period to reclaim the glory of their 70s heyday. Yet it was likely the first title they won that saw the team at their peak.

 Erik Daniel Drost, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

1992 Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys at the time were all about the extremely impressive offense they had accumulated. The team was led by quarterback Troy Aikman, running back Emmitt Smith, and wide receiver Michael Irvin.

 Ron St. Angelo, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

1984 San Francisco 49ers

Logging a highly impressive regular season going into Super Bowl XIX, the San Francisco 49ers were still considered the underdog when up against Dan Marino and the Miami Dolphins. Yet, winning 38-16, they showed that they deserved to be taken just as seriously.

 George Gojkovich, Getty Images

1984 San Francisco 49ers

As for what made the 1984 San Francisco 49ers squad so formidable, the defense played a large role. They even shut out two of their opponents, the Chicago Bears and the New York Giants, during that year’s playoff run. 

 Ryan Schreiber, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

1985 Chicago Bears

Super Bowl XX was one of the most humiliating defeats in history, with the New England Patriots falling 46-10 against the Chicago Bears. It was a sign of just how much of a juggernaut the Windy City’s team was at the time.

 Jeno's, Wikimedia Commons

1985 Chicago Bears

The 1985 Bears’ defense is generally considered one of the very best in NFL history. Defensive end Richard Dent, in particular, was seen as the team’s leader, racking up a highly impressive number of tackles and sacks. 

 Detroit Lions/Oscar Mayer/Claussen, Wikimedia Commons

1978 Pittsburgh Steelers

The peak of the 70s Steelers dynasty had to be their 1978 squad, which saw a high level of unity between the offense and defense. The defense in particular had earned the nickname of “The Steel Curtain”.

 George Gojkovich, Getty Images

1978 Pittsburgh Steelers

The offense, led by star quarterback Terry Bradshaw, was known to score around an average of 30 points per game. The team wasn’t just an excellently rounded squad, but also, frankly, fun to watch for fans and haters alike. 

 George Gojkovich, Getty Images

1972 Miami Dolphins

Not losing a single game during the regular season or in the playoffs, the 1972 Miami Dolphins are easily considered the best NFL team of all time. Some chalk it up to not just an excellent roster of players and coaching staff, but the motivation the team felt going into the season after a humiliating Super Bowl defeat to the Dallas Cowboys the year earlier.

 Pete Souza, Wikimedia Commons

1972 Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins squad, in fact, would’ve had a perfect reversal of the past year’s Super Bowl if not for one turnover after halftime. Regardless, the Dolphins still saw a triumphant Super Bowl victory by the end of the game. 

 Ross Lewis, Getty Images

2007 New England Patriots

The Patriots’ narrow loss to the New York Giants at Super Bowl XLII was an especially difficult one because the team that had played during the regular season was likely at the height of its powers as a squad. The Patriots, in fact, were undefeated during the 2007 season with a 16-0 record.

 jmwests, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

2007 New England Patriots

Yet some see the 2007 Patriots’ Super Bowl loss as karma for a considerable scandal that occurred during the regular season. The scandal deemed “Spygate” alleged that the Patriots had cheated throughout the season by videotaping the defensive coach’s signals from rival teams during games.

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Sources: 1

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