Who Are Your Top 5 ?

[AR182]

I got into a discussion with Nolan in another thread about the top teams of all time in the NFL.I thought I would start a new thread so we can open it to everyone else.

So,What are your top 5 NFL teams of all time?

In no particular order,my top 5 teams are:

Green Bay Packers of the '60's.....This team won championships in 1961,1962,1965,1966,& 1967.They had IMO the greatest coach of all time.He took over a franchise that was terrible & in a short time instilled toughness.He taught them how to win.He believed in smash mouth football & used the powersweep as an effective weapon.

Pitts.Steelers of the '70's......From 1974-1979,this team won 4 superbowls.In addition to haveing the famed steel curtin on defense,their offense consisted of both power running(Harris)& fleet receivers(Swann& Stallworth).I think they had it all.

Cleveland Browns of the late '40's& '50's.......This team was before my time but from what I read about them,they were truly a great team.Before they entered the NFL,they completely dominated the old All-American Conference.In 1950 they joined the NFL & played in the championship games in 1950,1951,1952,1953,1954,19555,&1957.Winning 3,losing 4.They had the great Paul Brown as coach,the great Otto Graham at QB,The great Marion Motley at RB,& the great Dante Lavelli at WR.All are in the hall of fame.They had speed & power.

Miami Dolphins of the early '70's.....They played in 3 consecutive superbowls from 1972-1974,winning 2,losing 1.They had a perfect season in '72.They had great running(Csonka,Kiick,&Morris)by combing power & speed.They had Paul Warfield at WR & a very efficient QB,in Griese.They had the famous no-name defense & a great coach in Shula.

SF 49er's in the late 80's-to early 90's.....Most everyone here remembers this great team that won 3 superbowls.They had a great system that was able to plug in either Montana or Young at QB,& other players at different times.Their defense was under rated.They had a true innovator in Walsh who put this system in motion.

That's mine,who are yours?If you perfer write-ups are optional.

 

[Bluemound Freak]

1.New England Patriots 1985
2. Tennessee Titans 1999
3. Buffalo 1993
4. St. Louis 2001
5. Philly Eagles any year!

 

[ssiproop]

1. Redskins
2. Redskins
3. Redskins
4. Redskins
5. Redskins

 

[Nolan Dalla]

Wow, ARI!

I can't believe it, but it appears we pretty much are in total agreement (Note to self: Buy life insurance, world is slated to end).

I'll try to narrow it down a bit to best teams of all-time by year. I am not checking any sources, so I trust this will be reasonably close (post 1960).

1. 1962 Green Bay Packers -- Best team of all-time on the rise, and in their prime. Roster filled with Hall of Famers, led by the best coach of all time. Strong case could be made for the 1966 Packers, also.

2. 1978 Pittsburgh Steelers -- Awesome team, both offensively and defensively, which competed in the toughest era in NFL history, beating another awesome team (defending Super Bowl Champion Cowboys) in the championship. Ten Hall of Famers from this team.

3. 1985 San Francisco 49ers --Tough to chose the best team of the 49er era, but this team went 15-1, so they get the nod.

4. 1986 Chicago Bears -- Flash in the pan team, but arguably the best defense of all-time.

5. 1972 Miami Dolphins -- As stated in another post, played a patsy schedule (had to come back in 4th quarter versus Browns in playoffs and beat a mediocre Redskins team by just 7 points in the Super Bowl), but 17-0 should get them in the top 5.

6. 1993 Dallas Cowboys -- Powerhouse team in the midst of Jimmy Johnson's glory.

7. 1987 New York Giants -- NFC dominated this era...Giants competed against several great teams (Bears, 49ers, Redskins) and won with defense, and an offense that was underrated.

8. 1976 Oakland Raiders -- Great offense and solid defense, beat Steelers in playoffs and routed Vikings in Super Bowl.

9. 1968 Balimore Colts -- Best team on the list not to win championship.

10. 2002 St. Louis Rams -- Awesome offense, still one of the NFL's best teams which could revolutionize offensive schemes.


I'm sure I've missed some teams. In terms of pure personnel and football talent, I'll take the 1971 Dallas Cowboys over all of them. Consider this roster of players and coaches --
Tom Landry
Dan Reeves
Ernie Stautner
Mike Ditka
Roger Staubach
Craig Morton
Jerry Rhome
Herb Adderley
Mel Renfro
Bob Lilly
Jethro Pugh
Calvin Hill
Duane Thomas
Bob Hayes
Chuck Howley


I'd love to hear some other opinions on this. Thanks for bringing it up Ari.

ND

 

[fatdaddycool]

Nolan,
I disagree with the statement of the Bears being a flash in the pan team. They reached the conference championship in *4, Super Bowl in '85, went 14-2 and lost to Super bowl champ Redskins in '86, and then 13-3 in 87. I can hardly say a team that goes 42-6 is a flash in the pan. If you are judging on strictly Super Bowls than you need to take Miami off your list also as they were a true flash in the pan than.

top five:
1. 85 Bears..best single season of any team ever as far as NFL domination.....this team changed the way football was played on the field.
2. Steelers any year they won it, awesome display on both sides of the ball.
3. the last are in no particular order.......San Francisco
4. Green Bay
5. N.Y. jints/Giants

 

[BobbyBlueChip]

They reached the conference championship in *4, Super Bowl in '85, went 14-2 and lost to Super bowl champ Redskins in '86

. . . with Doug Flutie as the quarterback throwing jump passes. Without that gutless Packer (redundant) throwing McMahon down on his injured hip, the Bears would have won in 1986. Too many players were gone by 1987, though. But as good as that defense was, they used a new scheme to dominate. The 2001 Ravens did it with a straight 4-3.

 

[fatdaddycool]

what was that assholes name that threw McMahon down. I believe it re-injured his shoulder which was already quite tender. I remember he had a towel with a hit list on it. I remember going to the first two home games in 86 went to overtime with Philly and the Bears won the coin toss and Ditka decided to kickoff and put his defense on the field first, they went three and out and punted which was partially deflected bears recoverd at the 47 yard line went six plays to the 15 and Butler kicked the game winner. Second game was 41-31 win over Cincy, Fencik had his last career interception for a touchdown in the waning moments to pull out the win.
Baltimore may have done it with a four three but hardly a conventional one. They blitzed just as often as the Bears did.

 

[TheShrimp]

I know someone is probably out there just waiting to pounce on this, but I'd have the 2000-2001 Ravens in a Top Ten list.

161 (?) points allowed in 16 games. So far out ahead of any defensive performance by any other team on this list. If you want to put a team with a great offense but bad defense on this list (2002 Rams -- yes, a better team than the 2000 Rams) then you might put a team with a great defense and a mediocre offense on this list.

I think they're a better team than the late 80's Giants, with a better defense and a comparable offense. Look at Phil Simms Superbowl and playoff numbers compared to Dilfer's. Ravens had a better running back, a better tight end (Sharpe is better than Bavaro is many ways, worse in some), probably a better offensive line. And better special teams, a highly overlooked aspect of this team. A great punter (KR) who led the league in behind the 20 pins and nearly tops in average. A place kicker (MS)who rarely missed, great return man (JL), and good kick blocking (see the titans playoffs game).

People will bring up the competition they had to face, but keep in mind that Ravens squad won road games at Tennessee and Oakland as a 6 point dog in both. They had 4 losses, but after inserting Dilfer, they went 12-0 (or thereabouts).

One thing about that Ravens team was how the special teams and the offense knew exactly what their role was in supporting that defense. Don't make mistakes, win the field position battle, and be patient. This was a team so far away from the classic mold that I don't think people realize, yet, just how tough they were to beat.

They're still not getting props by some for that defense, but they had a line big in the middle, fast on the ends, 3 LB's who could rush, tackle and cover, a safety who could hit and intercept balls, and solid, but not great corners (McAlister may be great). Very similar and easily comparable to the 85 bears, probably better.

Before you think I'm a "homer", I'm a Pats fan, and a Baltimore transplant. I follow the Ravens but they're hardly my team. I just never watched a team in my life that made winning look so easy. And, though this is probably the case with a lot of the teams on this list, they led the league that year in margin of victory, out ahead of the offense-heavy Oakland and Tennessee teams.

TheShrimp

 

[fatdaddycool]

TheShrimp.........Dude.........pass that thing......you been hitting it way too hard:weed: :grins:

 

[BobbyBlueChip]

I think that the guys name was Charles Martin, but that's the same name as the guy who played for the Cowboy's doomsday, so I'm not positive. Plus the memory of that game has been regressed deep in my memory and it would be too painful to bring back and would probably take years of therapy

As much as I hate to say it, I agree wholeheartedly with The Shrimp. However, the defense and special teams role wasn't field position. They had to be downright offensive. Can't get the look of total exhaustion that Eddie George, one of the best conditioned players in the league, had in the 4th quarter of the playoff game.

 

[TheShrimp]

FWIW fatdaddy, my top 5 would have 85 bears as one of the top 2. A completely dominant team. For teams I've seen in my life, which puts 70's teams out of the running :

86 Bears
93-94 Cowboys
85 SF
01 ravens
87 Giants

Not really in any order. I suppose most people picking the best teams since 1980 would probably have similar lists too with the skins or rams taking the place of the Ravens. That 95 SF team were no slouches either, even though they faced one of the worst superbowl teams ever.

I think that for players on great teams I've seen in my life, I like Emmit Smith and Favre. Not the most talented guys out there, but two guys who simply know how to find the first down marker and the end zone. Emmit obviously doesn't have the talent that Sanders has, but I'd take him over Barry any day. Similarly Favre doesnt' have the talent that a Steve Young has, but for heart combined with talent, Smith and Sanders.

 

[JT]

1991 Redskins!
1983 Redskins!
1988 Redskins!

 

[bjfinste]

86

86

reached the conference championship in *4, Super Bowl in '85, went 14-2 and lost to Super bowl champ Redskins in '86, and then 13-3 in 87.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the Giants win the '86 Super Bowl, not Washington?

 

[BobbyBlueChip]

Re: 86

Re: 86

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the Giants win the '86 Super Bowl, not Washington?

Hey don't be coming into this forum spouting facts :nono:

Yes, it was the Giants who escaped from being embarrassed by the Bears due to the defeat by Washington.

 

[fatdaddycool]

thanks for the crutch Bobby...sorry bout that AND wasn't it the Tomczak led Bears that beat the defending Super Bowl Champion Giants first game of the season on monday night football in '87....or...? I drank alot back then get my dates wrong sometimes Mr. Know it all.......lol

 

[AR182]

Nolan wrote:"Note to self;Buy life insurance,world is slated to end"
Very funny!!....Maybe I can help you with the insurance,used to sell it(LOL)!!

Nolan its funny but I happen to agree with you on your top 5,maybe I would put the 1971 Dallas Cowboys somewhere in top 5.They were a pretty strong team ,both offensively & defensively(They had Bob Lilly on DL,IMO one of the greatest players of all time) & manhandled the Dolphins in the SB,the year before Miami went undefeated.

FatDaddy....While I agree that the '85 Bears were one of the best teams of all time for one year to win the SB,I have to agree with Nolan.With players like Payton,Singleton & their DL,they should have been in more SB's.Can't blame injuries,part of the game.The undefeated Dolphins played most of the year with their 2nd string QB.
Question for you,FDC....Could the tug of war for control of the team between Ditka & Buddy Ryan have played a role in this team only appearing in 1 SB?

The Shrimp....Are you saying that Dilfer's performance was comparable to Simms?IMO Simms had one of the best games any QB ever had in the SB.I don't remember Dilfer being as sharp.
I also think Bavarro was one of the most complete TE"s to ever play.He caught passes & blocked with the best of them.Unfortunately injuries killed his career.

According to Superbowl.com,the top 5 SB teams are:
1.1972 Dolphins
2.1999 Rams
3.1971 Cowboys
4.1967 Raiders.....How can that be?They lost to the Packers.
5.1978 Cowboys

IMf these 5,the '71 Cowboys was the best.

Other rankings by SB.com:

8.1985 Chicago Bears.

39.1967 GB Packers...The team they beat is #4.Does this make sense.

50.2000 Balt. Ravens

62.1986 NY Giants...I saw other posters here picked this team as one of the best.

Very interesting thread.

 

[bjfinste]

Bobby- Wasn't trying to sound cocky, just wanted to make sure that I wasn't confused.

 

[BobbyBlueChip]

I was just kidding. I don't think that me nor fatdaddy have one fact backing us up, it's just we're from Chicago and the '85 Bears are the best team ever. Case closed. I think it's our attitude that's cocky and that's what I think is funny. (Don't mean to speak for you, fatdaddy)

Welcome to the forum, I hoped you would know that I was kidding

 

[bjfinste]

I figured you were kidding, but just in case I didn't want to come off sounding like an ass on my first very first post.

For what it's worth, I think the '85 Bears are the best team ever as well... and that's coming from a Packers fan!

 

[djv]

I can agree with much that is here. Of course all the good things said about the Packers is 100% correct.
Now for the 71 Cowboys. They were ok but had lots of folks getting long in the saddle. Would not match up well withmany oher teams here. If I remember right J Rhome was soso. Herb Adderly was about done. Had best years with the Pack. Bob Hayes did not play well in the cold. They come north last two or three games of year and he was good for bunch of dropped balls.
Couple those Dallas Teams under Johnson I think were better.
S Fran had a heck of a run as well as Pitts in there better years.
Pitt was one tough out fit over 6 years. Reminded me of the run Packers had from 60 to 67.