is intense match was David Tyree’s iconic catch – clutching the ball to his helmet in the midst of a fall. This dramatic game was branded as one of the top Super Bowls, even if it dashed the Patriots’ dream of a seamless season.
San Francisco 49ers (1984)
The 1984 San Francisco 49ers had a great year, much like Chicago did in 1985. They finished the regular season with a striking 15-1 win-loss ratio and went on to clinch victory in the Super Bowl. During Super Bowl XIX, 49ers’ quarterback Joe Montana traded blows with Dan Marino, the quarterback for the Miami Dolphins, who boasted 48 regular season touchdowns. Yet, Montana shone brighter. He had a total of 331 yards in passes, scored three touchdowns and led his team in rushing with 59 yards and another touchdown, marking his Super Bowl performance as one of the very best.
In ’84, the 49ers set a first. They won 15 regular season games, following the NFL’s decision to increase the game count to 16. Despite their offense getting attention, their defense was the strongest – having given up the fewest points that season. However, not everything went perfect. The Pittsburgh Steelers delivered the only sting during Week 7. Thanks to Gary Anderson’s game-winning kick, the Steelers bagged a 20-17 victory.
Pittsburgh Steelers (1978)
The ’78 Pittsburgh Steelers are unique. They lost twice, but with a bold 14-2 record, they ruled the NFL. Quarterback Terry Bradshaw led them. Their defense, remembered as the ‘Steel Curtain’, was impressive in the 70s. The Denver Broncos: a grudge match, but a win in the playoffs. The year before, a heavy loss. Next: the Houston Oilers. They were a breeze in the AFC Championship. The final hurdle: a Super Bowl face-off with champions, the Dallas Cowboys.
Top NFL Teams of All Time
Winning the Super Bowl is tough. So tough that 12 out of 32 NFL teams have not done it yet. Even more, the Browns, Lions, Texans and Jaguars have not ever competed in one. Naturally, most of the top NFL teams have taken home a Super Bowl trophy in their best season. But there is an exception. There are several great teams that are not included on this list, honorable mentions must go to the 1992 Dallas Cowboys, 1989 San Francisco 49ers, 1976 Oakland Raiders, 2023 Kansas City Chiefs, and 1999 St Louis Rams. Arguments can be made for many others, but here are five of the greatest teams of all time.
Miami Dolphins (1972)
The 1972 Miami Dolphins may hold the title as the best team in NFL history during their time. Their impressive run in ’72 left them undefeated, with a 14-0 record in the regular season. Following this, they triumphed over the Browns, Steelers, and Redskins to take home the Super Bowl VII trophy. To date, they are the sole team to achieve a perfect season, even while many others have come close.
Adding to this exceptional season, they achieved all this while their main quarterback Bob Griese was benched due to a broken ankle. The ’72 Dolphins shone with back-up quarterback Earl Morrall leading nine games. They topped the league in total offense, scoring offense, total defense and scoring defense, making them the only team to rule all four charts within one season.
Chicago Bears (1985)
Back in 1985, the Chicago Bears had an amazing NFL season, ending up victorious in Super Bowl XX. They began with twelve consecutive wins, but they did face a single loss against the Miami Dolphins. This Dolphins’ win kept it the only team with a pristine NFL season. The ’85 Bears are most remembered for two things – their phenomenal defense, allowing mere 198 opposite team points for the entire season, and the stellar performances of Walter Payton, one of the top-ranking running backs ever.
The Bears ended their season with a strong 15-1 record, proving their might. They kept their sheet clean in playoff rounds against the New York Giants (21-0) and the NFC Championship game opposite the Los Angeles Rams (24-0). Their prowess showed in Super Bowl XX, where they had a 45-10 victory over the New England Patriots. This impressive win notched the second largest gap in Super Bowl scores, a testament to their triumph in the season.
New England Patriots (2007)
There exists one team from 2007 who did not clinch a Super Bowl title, the New England Patriots. That season, the ’07 Patriots lead an unbeatable 16-0 run during the regular matches. They reached this milestone, the first to do so since the NFL moved to the 16-game format. Throughout this period, the Patriots met little opposition, with triumphant tallies like 56-10, 52-7, 49-28 and two at 38-14. Their scoring sprees amassed a whopping total of 589 points, setting a new regular-season record. By the 11th week, they held the AFC East title. Wins against the Jacksonville Jaguars and San Diego Chargers positioned them as strong contenders for Super Bowl XLII against the New York Giants.
Under three minutes were left, and still, the Patriots had the lead 14-10. It seemed apparent they would ace the season flawlessly. However, the Giants did not follow this prediction and surged towards victory. Their triumphant touchdown turned out to be the game-changer. A remarkable moment in th
The exciting Super Bowl XIII set new standards with thrilling moments. The Steelers emerged as victors, outscoring the Cowboys 35-31. This win marked their third Super Bowl trophy, a first for any team. In that season, Kansas city chiefs jackets made it to the Pro Bowl lineup. Standout player, Bradshaw became both the NFL MVP and Super Bowl MVP after showcasing exceptional play.
Conclusion
The NFL is full of teams both strong and consistent. However, that does not mean that there are some ups and downs within the years. These 5 teams are known to be the absolute best, as they have managed to achieve something no other team ever has.
