The Sporting News' 10 Greatest NFL Teams Ever

[FirstTimer]

1. 1972 Miami Dolphins
2. 1984 San Francisco 49ers
3. 1985 Chicago Bears
4. 1978 Pittsburgh Steelers
5. 1962 Green bay packers
6. 1958 Baltimore Colts
7. 1992 Dallas Cowboys
8. 2004 New England Patriots
9. 1977 Dallas Cowboys
10.1976 Oakland Raiders

[G-men]

The 1972 Dolphins may have had the best record, but they were definitely not the best team. Maybe it's just homerism, but I think the 1986 Giants could make an argument for being on this list. Another one that comes to mind is the 1994 49ers.

[Hitman]

97 Broncos ....

[jms493]

No 2007 Patriots......lulz

[Warner2BruceTD]

2007 Patriots and 2001 Rams would beat most of these teams in a best of three. Pats would sweep almost all of them.

[EmpireWF]

2007 Patriots and 2001 Rams would beat most of these teams in a best of three. Pats would sweep almost all of them.

Sucks both couldn't win the big game though. Especially the greatest team in the history of teams, the 07 Pats. :rolling:

[FirstTimer]

2007 Patriots and 2001 Rams would beat most of these teams in a best of three. Pats would sweep almost all of them.

Worst 18-1 team ever.

[Aso]

I thought the '89 49ers would have a place on this list.

[nflman2033]

Sucks both couldn't win the big game though. Especially the greatest team in the history of teams, the 07 Pats. :rolling:

Yeah clearly not winning championship is instant disqualification from list.

I do agree record aside I don't think 72 Dolphins should be #1.

[dave]

I would rank the 85 Bears as the greatest team ever. That loss to Miami really killed them in the rankings.

[Saluki]

1. 1972 Miami Dolphins
2. 1984 San Francisco 49ers
3. 1985 Chicago Bears
4. 1978 Pittsburgh Steelers
5. 1962 Green bay packers
6. 1958 Baltimore Colts
7. 1992 Dallas Cowboys
8. 2004 New England Patriots
9. 1977 Dallas Cowboys
10.1976 Oakland Raiders

[Senser81]

I would rank the 85 Bears as the greatest team ever. That loss to Miami really killed them in the rankings.

I think what hurt the Bears more was that they only won 1 title with that group of players. All the other teams on that list won multiple titles (although the Cowboys and Raiders might be stretching it).

The 72 Dolphins went undefeated and played most of their games with their backup QB (Earl Morrall). They are one of the only teams in NFL history to lead the league in most points scored and fewest points allowed. I don't know what more people expected them to do.

[FirstTimer]

I think what hurt the Bears more was that they only won 1 title with that group of players. All the other teams on that list won multiple titles (although the Cowboys and Raiders might be stretching it).

The 72 Dolphins went undefeated and played most of their games with their backup QB (Earl Morrall). They are one of the only teams in NFL history to lead the league in most points scored and fewest points allowed. I don't know what more people expected them to do.

That's where these list get confusing because are they simply taking into account ONLY that season or are they weighing past and future seasons as well?

[Senser81]

That's where these list get confusing because are they simply taking into account ONLY that season or are they weighing past and future seasons as well?

But even if its just one season, the Dolphins went undefeated and won the Super Bowl. No other team has done this.

[FirstTimer]

But even if its just one season, the Dolphins went undefeated and won the Super Bowl. No other team has done this.

While that's true all undefeated seasons aren't created equal. I don't think there is any hard and fast rule saying that simply because a team doesn't lose a game within the context of it's season that it's the best team ever when held up against the accomplishments of other teams.

Would I rank the Bears #1 overall? Maybe, maybe not. But I think there at least other candidates besides the Dolphins for that number 1 spot, mainly the '85 Bears, '78 Steelers, and either the '89 or '84 49ers.