The topic of the best NFL teams has been a constant source of debate among the fans. But have you ever considered the criteria defining the best teams and setting them apart from their competitors? Is winning Super Bowls a sole element to consider? Like any other sport, defining greatness in a sport is a multi-faceted concept. From the strategic brilliance to the winning titles, we have dug into the annals of NFL history and have curated a list of teams that have risen above the rest.
Also Read: Top 10 NFL Teams With The Most Super Bowl Wins
Top 10 Most Popular NFL Teams Of All Times:
Championships are important but becoming dominant on both sides of the ball is vital too. The legacy, the priceless moments, the tactics used and the perseverance of the team players are often more important than just the wins and numbers.
In this blog, we have curated the top 10 NFL teams by evaluating these teams based on their offensive and defensive prowess. The list includes teams from the Super Bowl and the modern era of the NFL.
1. 1989 San Francisco 49ers
Legends of the 1989 Team
San Francisco 49ers players like Joe Montana, Roger Craig, Steve Young, Jerry Rice, and Ronnie Lott were some exceptional team players who played an important role in this team’s rich history. Their legacy continues to inspire and serve as a benchmark for greatness in the ever-evolving landscape of the National Football League.
Recognitions
- First-team All-Pro recognition was given to Montana, Rice, and Lott.
- James Joseph Harbaugh was honoured as NFL Coach of the Year in 2011.
Offensive dominance
- They amassed 442 points with their ability to advance the ball down the field.
- With Steve Young’s statistical brilliance record of averaging over 333 passing yards per game, the rise of prominent QuarterBack was clear.
Defensive dominance
- They led the league in quarterback sacks with 51, and Charles Haley notched an impressive 10.5 sacks.
- They made a turnover margin of +20 and forced 41 turnovers while only giving away the ball 21 times.
Contemporary affairs
Beginning with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who left the 49ers after six seasons to join the Las Vegas Raiders, the team would lose 14 players to free agency.
2. 1972 Miami Dolphins
Legends of the 1972 Team
In the hallowed halls of NFL history, the 1972 Miami Dolphins stand as a testament to perfection, leaving an indelible mark with their undefeated season. QB Dan Marino, RB Larry Csonka, Don Shula, the coach and Jason Taylor were associated with Miami and led them to the status of the best NFL teams.
Recognitions
- They won nine games, primarily with backup quarterback Earl Morrall at the helm.
- Earl Morrall won the first team of All-Pro.
Offensive dominance
- Twilley contributed with 28 receptions for 495 yards at an average of 17.7 yards per catch.
- Griese threw for 1,422 yards, and 62.7% of his passes were completed during the 1972 regular season. His passer rating of 94.8 reflects his ability to take the reins of the game.
Defensive dominance
- They had a perfect record throughout the regular season (14-0), and they carried that success into the postseason, winning the Super Bowl IN 1972.
- In 1972, they were named the “No-Name Defense” by legendary Dallas Cowboys head coach Tom Landry because the offence garnered media attention while the defence quietly dominated.
Contemporary affairs
On August 20, 2013, four decades later, President Obama invited the group to the White House. According to Obama, the group never got their White House visit. Larry Csonka responded that he did not feel abandoned since President Richard Nixon had not called the team in 1973 because it had not been a frequent event at the time.
3. 1968 Baltimore Colts
Legends of the 1968 Team
The 1968 Baltimore Colts boasted rosters like Johnny Unitas, the SQ, Lenny Moore, and Raymond Berry, leading the way to the team’s success. The team was a testament to the power of unity on the field, where each player played a crucial role in the team’s success.
Recognitions
- Raymond Berry won the NFL twice and was chosen for the Pro Bowl six times.
- Moore won the NFL MVP award in 1964 and was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection.
Offensive Dominance
- The Colts were a difficult opponent in 1964 due to their accurate passing ability.
- They finished the regular season with a total of 402 points.
Defensive Dominance
- The strength of their defence is demonstrated by the fact that they allowed only 144 points.
- They forced opponents to make futile conversion tries. They made defensive stops, which gave their offence the ball back, displaying their strong defensive prowess.
Contemporary Affairs
Colts owner Jim Irsay hosted a reunion in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium for the 1975 AFC East champion Baltimore Colts. The ceremony was attended by 39 of the team’s 53 members,
4. 1991 Washington Redskins
Legends of the 1991 Team
Numerous Hall of Fame players played for the Washington Redskins in 1991 and led this franchise to achieve the best NFL teams titles. Mark Rypien at quarterback, Earnest Byner at running back, Art Monk at wide receiver, and Charles Mann at defensive lineman were the legends behind the team’s success.
Recognitions
- Dexter Manley, with a total of 97.5 career sacks, leads the Redskins and also won the Super Bowl.
- The Super Bowl XXVI victory was the Washington Redskins’ most notable accomplishment in 1991. They outscored the Buffalo Bills 37-24 to win.
Offensive Dominance
- On November 4, 1990, the Redskins defeated Detroit in overtime, completing 43 passes-the second-most ever.
- The 1983 Redskins season saw them score 541 points, which ranks as the sixth-highest season total ever.
Defensive Dominance
- On October 25, 1976, the Redskins forced eight turnovers from the St. Louis Cardinals, a record for one game.
- In 1937, the Redskins gave up 82 first downs, which ranks third all-time.
Contemporary Affairs
The Redskins started a new tradition of recognizing legendary Redskins players via the “Ring of Fame,” a group of signs on the upper-level facade of FedExField, when the team left RFK Stadium in 1996, and the signs honouring the Washington Hall of Stars were left behind. The Ring of Fame only recognizes Redskins greats.
Also Read: Chasing Super Bowl Dreams: 11 NFL Teams That Never Won A Superbowl
5. 1978 Pittsburgh Steelers
Legends of the 1978 Team
Led by the “Steel Curtain” defence, like Mean Joe Greene, Jack Lambert, and Mel Blount, this 1978 team stands as a formidable force, that firmly etched its name as one of the top 10 NFL teams of the Super Bowl era.
Recognitions
- The above trio also received the All-Pros honour.
- Terry Bradshaw won the MVP title for the season.
Offensive Dominance
- The Steelers scored 373 points in all during the regular season in 1975.
- Terry Bradshaw, the team’s starting quarterback and leader, dominated the passing offence in the regular season, tossing for 2,055 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Defensive Dominance
- The Steelers’ defence was still ranked second.
- The defence intercepted 27 passes while only allowing nine passing touchdowns.
Contemporary Affairs
Ever since Matt Canada’s promotion from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator in 2021, there has been a growing desire among Pittsburgh Steelers supporters to see a change. Many fans believe that Byron Leftwich, the former Steelers quarterback, could be a fitting replacement for Canada.
6. 1971 Dallas Cowboys
Legends of the 1971 Team
Defensive lineman Bob Lilly, wide receiver Bob Hayes, running back Duane Thomas, and quarterback Roger Staubach are the icons that had a long-lasting influence and helped this franchise to become the most popular NFL teams of all time.
Recognitions
- Establish themselves as a Premier League by winning the Super Bowl VI.
- Jimmy Johnson, its head coach, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020.
Offensive Dominance
- Thomas and Garrison combined for 793 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground during the regular season by implementing the mix of passing and running.
- Staubach’s 1,882 yards and 15 touchdown passes during the 1971 regular season showcase his ability to direct the passing assault effectively.
Defensive Dominance
- Their impressive ability to read and respond to opposing quarterbacks by intercepting 21 passes throughout the regular season speaks for itself.
- The recovery of 18 fumbles from their rivals proved their capacity to generate turnovers.
Contemporary Affairs
Running back Marion Barber III passed away at the age of 38 in 2022. Barber spent the first six seasons of his seven-year NFL career with the Cowboys.
7. 2001 St. Louis Rams
Legends of the 2001 Team
Quarterback Kurt Warner, Running back Marshall Faulk, Isaac Bruce, Torry Holt, and defensive lineman Kevin Carter left an enduring impact on this franchise, creating a formidable barrier that stifled their opponents.
Recognitions
- NFL MVP honours were given to Kurt Warner in 1999 and 2001.
- In 2001, Marshall Faulk won the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award.
Offensive Dominance
- Due to their ability to constantly find the end zone, they scored points during the regular season.
- With their High-OctanePassing attacks, they scored 42 points, with Kurt Warner passing for 275 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Defensive Dominance
- They intercepted Saints thrice and recovered two fumbles, which led to the 34-21 triumph.
- They got 7 sacks on Jeff Garcia, the opponent QB, showcasing their unparalleled rushing skills.
Contemporary Affairs
After the Rams relocated from St. Louis to Los Angeles in 2016, city officials in St. Louis demanded $1 billion in damages.
8. 1969 Minnesota Vikings
Legends of the 1969 Team
It is one of the best NFL teams despite not winning the Super Bowl, led by Quarterback Fran Tarkenton, running back Bill Brown, and defensive tackle Alan Page.
Recognitions
- The Pro Football Hall of Fame inducted Steve Hutchinson in 2020.
- Matt Blair, a linebacker, was honoured by being inducted into the Minnesota Vikings Ring of Honor on October 25, 2012.
Offensive Dominance
- Fran Tarkenton passed for 270 yards and 3 touchdowns, and the rushing attack provided 142 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns as they scored 38 points in the game in 1969.
- They became the league’s top scorers with an impressive 379 in the regular season.
Defensive Dominance
- Their defence play was the best in the league in 1969, allowing just 15.1 points per game on average.
- They made a record of 38 turnovers, with interceptions and fumble recoveries.
Contemporary Affairs
Kirk Cousins, the quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings, is a prominent trade possibility, but a no-trade clause in his contract gives him the last word on any potential move.
Also Read: NFL: Ten Reasons For Its Enduring Popularity Among Fans
9. 1986 New York Giants
Legends of the 1986 Team
Led by players like Lawrence Taylor, Phil Simms, and Bill Parcells, the 1986 New York Giants etched their place in NFL history as an indomitable force, their legendary status cemented by a season of sheer dominance.
Recognitions
- The Giants have 29 inducted members, the second-most in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
- By renaming a sports facility in Frankfurt, Germany, after Al Blozis, one of the team players, the United States Army paid tribute to him.
Offensive Dominance
- Phil Simms led the team’s passing attack, throwing for over 4,000 yards.
- Running back Joe Morris made the strong running game and carried for more than 1,500 yards.
Defensive Dominance
- Their defence was dubbed a “sacking machine”, with a record of the most sacks(66) in a single season in NFL history.
- Throughout the regular season in 1986, the Giants intercepted a total of 27 passes.
Contemporary Affairs
The New York Giants may need to hit the reset button after a difficult start to the 2023 campaign. General manager Joe Schoen decided to re-sign star running back Saquon Barkley for a single season after the team’s first postseason appearance since 2016.
10. 2007 New England Patriots
Legends of the 2007 Team
Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, and Rob Gronkowski are well-known best players with ties to the Patriots’ past and have contributed to the team’s reputation as the best NFL Team.
Recognitions
- The Patriots finished the regular season with a perfect 16-0 record, a rare feat.
- NFL record for most games with 30+ points scored in a season.
Offensive Dominance
- Tom Brady surpassed the league record for touchdown passes in a single season.
- Randy Moss broke the previous record for the most touchdown receptions in a single season.
Defensive Dominance
- The Patriots intercepted 19 passes and excelled at creating turnovers.
- Their defence had 47 sacks, which helped them pressure quarterbacks plays.
Contemporary Affairs
J.C. Jackson, a cornerback, was returned to the New England Patriots by the Chargers in exchange for 2025 draft selections in the late rounds. This action follows Jackson’s difficult time with the Chargers, as he was benched and had a difficult 2023 campaign.
Conclusion:
While legendary teams like the San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t capture the Super Bowl, their season shall be an evergreen testament to the excitement they brought to the field and the memorable experience they offered their fans. From the legendary Minnesota Vikings of the 1969s to the high-flying Patriots of the 21st century, each era has its own appeal, champions, and monumental moments. In the end, what defines the grandeur of the NFL is its love of the game and the myriad moments it has given us.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Question 1: Which NFL team has the most Super Bowl wins?
The New England Patriots have won the Super Bowl six times in total, with their most recent triumph occurring in Super Bowl LIII in February 2019. The Pittsburgh Steelers, who have won six championships overall, are ranked above them and joined them there in 2009.
Question 2: Which NFL team is undefeated?
Under the direction of head coach Mike Tomlin for 14 years, The Pittsburgh Steelers has won 149 games overall and remain undefeated.
Question 3: Who is the greatest NFL team of all time?
The 1972 Miami Dolphins, who won 17-0 and also the Super Bowl, is considered the greatest NFL team of all time.
Question 4: Who is the number 1 best NFL player?
Throughout the history of the NFL, it has produced innumerable legends, like Jerry Rice, Jim Brown, Tom Brady, Lawrence Taylor, and many others. The criteria and personal preferences of football fans play a significant role in how the best NFL players of all time is ultimately determined.
