Here is a list of the top 10 NFL teams of all time. The list includes many great teams and some which were not so great but had memorable moments. Often, the best team wins the Super Bowl at the end of the season, but that may not always be true, as we will see by following their ranking order.
10. The 1958-59 Colts
The ’58-’59 Colts were one of the most talented teams in NFL history with future Hall of Famers Johnny Unitas, Raymond Berry, Lenny Moore, and Jim Parker on offense; and Art Donovan, Gino Marchetti, Ordell Brause, and Don Shinnick on defense. They went 12-2 during the 1958 regular season with four shutouts, outscoring their opponents by an average of 19.5 to 7.
9. The 1974-75 Steelers
The ’74-’75 Steelers had the number one defense in NFL history (yards allowed) with four future Hall of Famers; Mean Joe Green, Jack Lambert, Mel Blount, and Donnie Shell. With Terry Bradshaw at quarterback and Franco Harris running the ball, they won 14 games during the regular season, outscoring opponents by an average of 20 to 10.
8. The 1975-76 Raiders
The ’75-’76 Raiders won a playoff game for the first time in 11 years. They went 13-1 during the regular season with Jim Plunkett at quarterback and Ken Stabler running the offense, while Ben Davidson, Phil Villapiano, and Ted Hendricks were shutting down the opposition on defense.
7. The 1985-86 Bears
The ’85-’86 Bears went 15-1 in the regular season with Walter Payton leading the way on offense, while Buddy Ryan’s 46 defense was the top-ranked defense in NFL history at the time. They also had Richard Dent and Dan Hampton, two of the best defensive players ever.
6. The 1991-92 Cowboys
The ’91-’92 Cowboys went 13-3 in the regular season with Emmitt Smith leading the way on offense, and Jimmy Johnson’s defense was ranked number one in NFL history at the time. They also beat the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl.
5. The 1998-99 Rams
The ’98-’99 Rams went 14-2 during the regular season with Kurt Warner at quarterback and Marshall Faulk leading the way on offense, while Mike Martz, Orlando Pace, and Kevin Carter led an excellent defense, ranked number one in NFL history at the time.
4. The 2007-08 Patriots
The ’07-’08 Patriots went 16-0 during the regular season with Tom Brady leading the way on offense, while Bill Belichick’s defense was ranked number one in NFL history at the time. They are considered to be one of the best teams not to win a Super Bowl.
3. The 1984-85 Bears
The ’84-’85 Bears went 15-1 during the regular season with Walter Payton at running back and William “The Refrigerator” Perry on defense, while Mike Ditka’s offense was ranked number one in the NFL history at the time. They also beat the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.
2. The 2007-08 Steelers
The ’07-’08 Steelers went 14-2 during the regular season with Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback and Willie Parker leading the way on offense, while Dick LeBeau’s defense was ranked number one in NFL history at the time. They also beat the Cardinals in Super Bowl.
1. The 1985-86 New England Patriots
The ’85-’86 Patriots went 18-1 in the regular season with Tony Eason at quarterback and Craig James leading the way on offense, while Raymond Berry’s defense was ranked number two in NFL history at the time. They also beat the New York Giants in Super Bowl.
Conclusion
The ’85-’86 Patriots have to be considered the best team of all time based on their performance during the regular season. They are ranked number one in points for, second in points against, first in passing yards per game, ninth in rushing yards per game, and third in total offensive yards per game. The defense was also outstanding, allowing 20.2 points per game, which ranked second in the NFL for that season.