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The 25 Greatest Teams in NFL History

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25 Greatest Teams to Ever Play in the NFL

Super Bowl Trophy — Who is the greatest team in NFL history? It is a question that is often asked but one that never has a single answer. My definition of great means winning the Super Bowl, so that is why the 2007 Patriots and 1998 Vikings will not appear on this list. Here now are my the 25 greatest teams in NFL history.

Who is the greatest team in NFL history? It is a question that is often asked but one that never has a single answer. My definition of great means winning the Super Bowl, so that is why the 2007 Patriots and 1998 Vikings will not appear on this list. Here now are my the 25 greatest teams in NFL history.

25. 2003 New England Patriots (Super Bowl XXXVIII)

25. 2003 New England Patriots (Super Bowl XXXVIII)

Super Bowl XXXVIII: Panthers v Patriots — After a shaky 2-2 start, the 2003 New England Patriots ran off 12 consecutive wins in the regular season to finish 14-2. In the AFC Championship Game against Indianapolis, Ty Law picked off Peyton Manning three times as the Patriots won 24-14, entering Super Bowl XXXVIII. Against the Carolina Panthers, the two teams were tied at 29 late in the game before Tom Brady marched the Pats down the field as Adam Vinatieri made a game-winning field goal.

After a shaky 2-2 start, the 2003 New England Patriots ran off 12 consecutive wins in the regular season to finish 14-2. In the AFC Championship Game against Indianapolis, Ty Law picked off Peyton Manning three times as the Patriots won 24-14, entering Super Bowl XXXVIII. Against the Carolina Panthers, the two teams were tied at 29 late in the game before Tom Brady marched the Pats down the field as Adam Vinatieri made a game-winning field goal.

24. 1979 Pittsburgh Steelers (Super Bowl XIV)

24. 1979 Pittsburgh Steelers (Super Bowl XIV)

The 1979 Pittsburgh Steelers completed their dynasty in the 1970s, but this team was not as dominant as the prior two Super Bowl champion teams. The Steelers committed the most turnovers in the NFL but still posted a 12-4 record. Pittsburgh defeated both Miami and Houston as they entered Super Bowl XIV. Against a 9-7 Los Angeles Rams team, the Steelers trailed 19-17 in the third quarter before pulling away in the fourth, winning 31-19.

23. 2009 New Orleans Saints (Super Bowl XLIV)

23. 2009 New Orleans Saints (Super Bowl XLIV)

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and the Saints. But three seasons later, the Saints finally became Super Bowl champions. New Orleans started 13-0 before dropping their final three games. In the playoffs, the Saints defeated quarterback legends Kurt Warner, Brett Favre and Peyton Manning in three straight games. In Super Bowl XLIV against Indianapolis, the Saints used a pick-six late in the game to pull away and win 31-17.

22. 1999 St. Louis Rams (Super Bowl XXXIV)

22. 1999 St. Louis Rams (Super Bowl XXXIV)

The St. Louis Rams went from 3-13 in 1998 to 13-3 and Super Bowl XXXIV champions in 1999. The main reasons for their turnaround were unheralded quarterback Kurt Warner who led the Rams after Trent Green was injured in the postseason, and Mike Martz who guided one of the most potent offenses in NFL history. Against the Tennessee Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV, the Rams defeated the Titans 23-16 as Mike Jones prevented a game-tying touchdown.

21. 1998 Denver Broncos (Super Bowl XXXIII)

21. 1998 Denver Broncos (Super Bowl XXXIII)

The 1997 Denver Broncos were a good team, but the 1998 Broncos were a great team. Going 14-2, the Broncos relied on Terrell Davis, who rushed for 2,008 yards in the regular season. In the playoffs, Denver won all three of their games by at least 13 points. In Super Bowl XXXIV against the Atlanta Falcons, the Broncos picked up an efficient 34-19 win as John Elway threw for 336 yards and won his final NFL game.

20. 1973 Miami Dolphins (Super Bowl VIII)

20. 1973 Miami Dolphins (Super Bowl VIII)

Coming off their undefeated season from the year prior, the 1973 Miami Dolphins finished 12-2 in the regular season, but the 1973 team was better overall than the 17-0 team in 1972. In the playoffs, Miami coasted against both Cincinnati and Oakland as they entered Super Bowl VIII. Against the Minnesota Vikings, the Dolphins easily dominated Minnesota 24-7 as Larry Csonka ran for 145 yards and two touchdowns.

19. 1983 Los Angeles Raiders (Super Bowl XVIII)

19. 1983 Los Angeles Raiders (Super Bowl XVIII)

Led by Jim Plunkett and Marcus Allen, the 1983 Los Angeles Raiders gave the city of Los Angeles their first and only Super Bowl team. The Raiders struggled in the regular season, giving up 30 points five times, but defeated both of their AFC Playoff opponents by more than two touchdowns. Against Washington in Super Bowl XVIII, the Raiders dominated the Redskins 38-9 behind Allen's 191 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

18. 1971 Dallas Cowboys (Super Bowl VI)

18. 1971 Dallas Cowboys (Super Bowl VI)

The 1971 Dallas Cowboys underachieved early in the season, starting 4-3, but when Tom Landry named Roger Staubach as his permanent starter, the Cowboys dominated the rest of the season. In the NFC Playoffs, Dallas' defense dominated, giving up just 12 points to the Vikings and three to the 49ers. Against Miami in Super Bowl VI, the Cowboys won easily 24-3, becoming the only team to not allow a touchdown in a Super Bowl.

17. 1996 Green Bay Packers (Super Bowl XXXI)

17. 1996 Green Bay Packers (Super Bowl XXXI)

The 1996 Green Bay Packers became just the second team postmerger to lead the NFL in both points scored and points allowed as they won their first Super Bowl since 1967. The Packers went 13-3 in the regular season and won all three of their playoff games by at least two touchdowns. Against New England in Super Bowl XXXI, the Packers used a Desmond Howard kick return touchdown to pull away from the Pats in the third quarter, winning 35-21.

16. 1969 Kansas City Chiefs (Super Bowl IV)

16. 1969 Kansas City Chiefs (Super Bowl IV)

The 1969 Kansas City Chiefs did not win their division, but they were one of the more underappreciated teams in NFL history. In the postseason, the Chiefs defeated the defending Super Bowl champion New York Jets 13-6 in New York and defeated the Raiders in Oakland after losing to them twice in the regular season. In Super Bowl IV against Minnesota, the Chiefs collected five turnovers from the Vikings to win 23-7.

15. 1977 Dallas Cowboys (Super Bowl XII)

15. 1977 Dallas Cowboys (Super Bowl XII)

In 1977, the Dallas Cowboys finished with the most yards and fewest yards allowed in the NFL as they finished with a 12-2 regular season record. In the postseason, Dallas won by an average of 21.8 points per game. In Super Bowl XII against Denver, the Cowboys harassed former Dallas QB Craig Morton and collected eight turnovers in a 27-10 victory. The Dallas defense held Denver to just 35 net passing yards.

14. 2013 Seattle Seahawks (Super Bowl XLVIII)

14. 2013 Seattle Seahawks (Super Bowl XLVIII)

The most recent Super Bowl champion, the 2013 Seattle Seahawks won 13 games in the regular season behind a suffocating defense and an efficient offense. In the NFC Playoffs, Seattle defeated Drew Brees and the Saints and Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers to advance to Super Bowl XLVIII. Against Denver, the Seahawks held the league's highest scoring team in NFL history to just eight points in a 43-8 rout.

13. 1991 Washington Redskins (Super Bowl XXVI)

13. 1991 Washington Redskins (Super Bowl XXVI)

The 1991 Washington Redskins were the best team in Washington's history and did it in one of the most dominating ways possible. The Redskins outscored their opponents 485-224, the second-highest point differential since the NFL went to a 16-game season. Washington won each of their playoff games by more than 13 points, and in Super Bowl XXVI against Buffalo, the Redskins won 37-24 in a game that they dominated from start to finish.

12. 1975 Pittsburgh Steelers (Super Bowl X)

12. 1975 Pittsburgh Steelers (Super Bowl X)

The Steelers won the Super Bowl for the first time in 1975 as a team that was both an offensive and defensive juggernaut. They managed to beat a very experienced Vikings squad, cementing themselves as a truly great team.

11. 1976 Oakland Raiders (Super Bowl XI)

11. 1976 Oakland Raiders (Super Bowl XI)

After three consecutive AFC Championship Game losses, the 1976 Oakland Raiders finally broke through by winning Super Bowl XI. The Raiders finished 13-1 in the regular season and avenged two straight AFC Championship game losses to Pittsburgh by routing them in the AFC Championship game 24-7 in Oakland. Against Minnesota in the Super Bowl, Oakland dominated throughout, winning easily 32-14 behind Pete Banaszak's two rushing touchdowns.

10. 1994 San Francisco 49ers (Super Bowl XXIX)

10. 1994 San Francisco 49ers (Super Bowl XXIX)

The 1994 San Francisco 49ers had one of the best offenses in NFL history and avenged two previous playoff defeats to Dallas as they entered Super Bowl XXIX. Against the Cowboys in the NFC Championship Game, the 49ers built a 21-0 first quarter lead and won 38-28. Against the overmatched San Diego Chargers in the Super Bowl, San Francisco scored on their third offensive play of the game and proceeded to blow out the Chargers 49-26.

9. 2004 New England Patriots (Super Bowl XXXIX)

9. 2004 New England Patriots (Super Bowl XXXIX)

The 2004 Patriots were the third Pats team to win it all in a span of four seasons. That team also won 14 games just like the 2003 squad. Against Peyton Manning and the Colts, New England dominated, winning 20-3. The Patriots next avenged a loss to Pittsburgh by routing them 41-27. In Super Bowl XXXIX against Philadelphia, the Patriots became an official dynasty after winning 24-21.

8. 1966 Green Bay Packers (Super Bowl I)

8. 1966 Green Bay Packers (Super Bowl I)

The first team to win the Super Bowl, the 1966 Green Bay Packers are still the greatest team in Packers history. Green Bay finished 12-2 in the regular season, losing those games by a combined four points. In the NFL Championship game, Green Bay defeated the Dallas Cowboys 34-27 in the Cotton Bowl. In Super Bowl I against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Packers easily won 35-10 as reserve receiver Max McGee caught two touchdown passes.

7. 1986 New York Giants (Super Bowl XXI)

7. 1986 New York Giants (Super Bowl XXI)

A full 30 years after winning their most recent NFL Championship, the 1986 New York Giants finished 14-2, losing their two games by a combined eight points, and won their first Super Bowl championship in franchise history. In the postseason, the Giants dominated San Francisco 51-3 and shut out Washington 17-0 to advance to Super Bowl XXI. Against Denver, New York scored 30 second-half points as the Giants routed the Broncos 39-20.

6. 1992 Dallas Cowboys (Super Bowl XXVII)

6. 1992 Dallas Cowboys (Super Bowl XXVII)

Jimmy Johnson and Jerry Jones' first championship team in Dallas was also the best in Cowboys history. Dallas went 13-3 in the regular season, finishing in the top five in points scored, points allowed, yards gained and yards allowed. In the NFC Championship Game, Dallas defeated the San Francisco 49ers, who went 14-2, in Candlestick Park 31-20. In Super Bowl XXVII against the Buffalo Bills, Dallas forced nine turnovers in a 52-17 rout.

5. 1978 Pittsburgh Steelers (Super Bowl XIII)

5. 1978 Pittsburgh Steelers (Super Bowl XIII)

The best Pittsburgh team during the 1970s was the 1978 Steelers and it wasn't even close. Pittsburgh finished 14-2 in the regular season, losing by a total of 10 points and going 7-2 against .500 teams or better. In the playoffs, the Steelers defeated Denver and Houston by a combined score of 67-15 to advance to Super Bowl XIII. Against Dallas, Pittsburgh led the Cowboys 35-17 in the fourth quarter before holding on to win 35-31.

4. 1984 San Francisco 49ers (Super Bowl XIX)

4. 1984 San Francisco 49ers (Super Bowl XIX)

The 1984 San Francisco 49ers became the first team in NFL history to win 15 regular season games and were three points away from completing a perfect season. In the playoffs, the 49ers would defeat the next two Super Bowl champions (Chicago and the New York Giants) by scores of 23-0 and 21-10, respectively. In Super Bowl XIX against the Miami Dolphins, the 49ers held Dan Marino's potent offense to just 16 points in a 38-16 rout.

3. 1972 Miami Dolphins (Super Bowl VII)

3. 1972 Miami Dolphins (Super Bowl VII)

The only undefeated team in the modern era, the 1972 Miami Dolphins had the top ranked offense and the top ranked defense in 1972 but had one of the easiest schedules of any Super Bowl champion. All three of Miami's postseason games were decided by seven points or fewer. In Super Bowl VII against the Washington Redskins, Miami won 14-7 in a game that Miami dominated throughout, although the score doesn't show it.

2. 1985 Chicago Bears (Super Bowl XX)

2. 1985 Chicago Bears (Super Bowl XX)

The 1985 season is still Chicago's only Super Bowl championship team, but it is also one of the best teams ever. Led by a suffocating defense, the Bears finished 15-1, losing only to Dan Marino's Miami Dolphins. In the NFC Playoffs, Chicago did not allow a point, outscoring both of their opponents 45-0. In Super Bowl XX, Chicago easily dominated the overmatched New England Patriots 46-10, holding the Pats to 123 total yards.

1. 1989 San Francisco 49ers (Super Bowl XXIV)

1. 1989 San Francisco 49ers (Super Bowl XXIV)

In George Seifert's first season as head coach, the 1989 San Francisco 49ers had the greatest team ever assembled. The 49ers went 14-2, losing those two games by a combined five points. San Francisco won 13 games by double-digits, won all eight of their road games and won each of their playoff games by more than 27 points. In Super Bowl XXIV, the 49ers defeated Denver 55-10, scoring the most points ever in the game's history.

Brian Kalchik is a Houston Texans writer and featured writer for www.RantSports.com. He also covers the NBA, College Basketball, Fantasy Sports, Clubhouse and College Football for the site. Follow him on Twitter, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google+.

Brian Kalchik is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.

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