New NFL Network Top 10 Greatest Teams

[74_75_78_79_]

Saw it last night for the very first time. It’s a new one, from 2017.

Here was the countdown...

10) ’92 Cowboys
9) ’68 Colts
8) ’04 Patriots
7) ’98 Broncos
6) ’85 Bears
5) ’62 Packers
4) ’72 Dolphins
3) ’07 Patriots
2) ’78 Steelers
1) ’89 Forty Niners

Thoughts?

[BD Sullivan]

#3 and #9 are the two non-Super Bowl winners on the list, with the '62 Packers obviously not having the opportunity to play in one.

[L.C. Greenwood]

Saw it last night for the very first time. It’s a new one, from 2017.

Here was the countdown...

10) ’92 Cowboys
9) ’68 Colts
8) ’04 Patriots
7) ’98 Broncos
6) ’85 Bears
5) ’62 Packers
4) ’72 Dolphins
3) ’07 Patriots
2) ’78 Steelers
1) ’89 Forty Niners

Thoughts?

I could not put the 1968 Colts or 2007 Patriots on any greatest teams list, they faltered on the biggest stage. Regarding the top spot, someone could argue beating the 1978 Cowboys was more impressive than beating the 1989 Broncos. Interesting to note some of the 1972 Dolphins believe the 1973 edition was the better team.

[74_75_78_79_]

Their ‘reasoning’ behind certain teams not making the list are questionable (yes, I know most of us don’t exactly treat NFL Network as ‘Gospel’ [major understatement], but still). The ’94 Forty Niners, for instance (and not totally sure they’d make my top 10 anyway; maybe, maybe not), the reasoning is their lopsided loss to Philly; but that was early before taking their true form (got to give me a better reason). The ’73 Dolphins...(who I certainly think should make the list)...the ‘reasoning’ is their 2nd loss being against a then 2-10 Colts team (???). And the ’91 Redskins NOT being on the list nor even mentioned?? Yet the ’83 Redskins are mentioned - only for it to (rightfully so) be explained that getting blown-out in SBXVIII to be reason for their exclusion (secondary, of course, should have been mentioned as well).

It’s good that ’62 Packers were on the list. A Paul Brown Browns installment would have been nice but this is NFLN we’re talking about so cant ask for that much (although ’42 Bears we’re at least mentioned). Good to see ’98 Broncos get due considering they forever being historically overshadowed by not just early-’90s Cowboys, but that other ’98 team that didn’t even make the SB! I respect the 2004 Pats, but not sure they make this list yet alone actually top ’92 Boys. In my mind, the best Belichick/Brady Pats teams are the more recent championship installments - 2014 & ’16. As for the top-2...cant disagree. I always considered the ’89 Forty Niners the greatest since 1980. Perhaps I’m biased in thinking both spots should be flipped around (or maybe NOT).

All that’s been opined by me on this post is if you must transcend eras. I feel, as I’m sure most of you would agree, that any such ‘greatest teams’ lists should be one before ’78, and one since.

[74_75_78_79_]

Saw it last night for the very first time. It’s a new one, from 2017.

Here was the countdown...

10) ’92 Cowboys
9) ’68 Colts
8) ’04 Patriots
7) ’98 Broncos
6) ’85 Bears
5) ’62 Packers
4) ’72 Dolphins
3) ’07 Patriots
2) ’78 Steelers
1) ’89 Forty Niners

Thoughts?

I could not put the 1968 Colts or 2007 Patriots on any greatest teams list, they faltered on the biggest stage. Regarding the top spot, someone could argue beating the 1978 Cowboys was more impressive than beating the 1989 Broncos. Interesting to note some of the 1972 Dolphins believe the 1973 edition was the better team.

That would be an argument ’78 Steelers have over ’89 Forty Niners. All the other teams of ’89 were ‘good’ at best. Steelers essentially beat that ’77 version of Big D in SBXIII. I would put Bum’s Oilers in Earl’s rookie year as better than any non-SF squad from ’89 as well. Just the same, SF is pretty damn historically scary. The crucial ‘wrinkle’ Matt Millen further added to that already tough championship team cannot be calculated. Maybe (again, maybe) they are #1 (maybe). They did win some close games throughout that season, but didn’t ’78 Steelers as well?

I respect ’72 Dolphins as a true champion (undefeated is undefeated; can never be ignored, saved their most dominant performance for their toughest opponent - Redskins), but I’ve always seen and always will see ’73 as noticeably better.

[Rupert Patrick]

I'm surprised the 1999 Rams aren't on the list. I would rate the top three 72 Dolphins, 78 Steelers and 85 Bears, not sure of the order though. I would scratch the 1968 Colts and 2004 Pats, add the 1999 Rams and the 1991 Redskins. I would take the 94 49ers over the 89 49ers. There's a part of me that would want to add a Browns team, maybe the 1950 team, but I would put them at number 11.

My list would look like this:

1 - 1985 Bears
2 - 1978 Steelers
3 - 1972 Dolphins
4 - 2007 Patriots
5 - 1962 Packers
6 - 1994 49ers
7 - 1992 Cowboys
8 - 1998 Broncos
9 - 1991 Redskins
10 - 1999 Rams

[Jay Z]

Saw it last night for the very first time. It’s a new one, from 2017.

Here was the countdown...

10) ’92 Cowboys
9) ’68 Colts
8) ’04 Patriots
7) ’98 Broncos
6) ’85 Bears
5) ’62 Packers
4) ’72 Dolphins
3) ’07 Patriots
2) ’78 Steelers
1) ’89 Forty Niners

Thoughts?

Would take off '78 Steelers in favor of '75 Steelers. Would take off '89 Forty Niners in favor of '84 Forty Niners. Would take off last three in favor of 1999 Rams, 1991 Redskins, 1996 Packers.

1968 Colts had a great point differential, so I think they are worth considering. SB III knocks them off, though.

[BD Sullivan]

If the '68 Colts make the list, the '69 Vikings should be there as well. They were absolutely dominant during the regular season, managed to have a strong second half to complete a comeback against the Rams in the playoff before then easily handling the Browns in the NFL title game. Then came New Orleans...

[Citizen]

It's ridiculous to include teams that didn't win a championship. 2004 Patriots are a sketchy choice as well. And of course it's doubly ridiculous that there are no teams from before 1962, but that's our beloved NFLN for you.

[74_75_78_79_]

Saw it last night for the very first time. It’s a new one, from 2017.

Here was the countdown...

10) ’92 Cowboys
9) ’68 Colts
8) ’04 Patriots
7) ’98 Broncos
6) ’85 Bears
5) ’62 Packers
4) ’72 Dolphins
3) ’07 Patriots
2) ’78 Steelers
1) ’89 Forty Niners

Thoughts?

Would take off '78 Steelers in favor of '75 Steelers. Would take off '89 Forty Niners in favor of '84 Forty Niners. Would take off last three in favor of 1999 Rams, 1991 Redskins, 1996 Packers.

1968 Colts had a great point differential, so I think they are worth considering. SB III knocks them off, though.

Shame on me for not mentioning ’84 Forty Niners who, like that much more-heralded team a year later, were also 15-1. And I’ve already commented here about actually preferring their underrated D over Bears. IMO, ’89 is still better; they had weapons in Rice, Taylor, Jones, and Craig at peak-of-powers if only for that one more year. Don’t really see 1989’s D as any lesser than 1984’s; both superb. 1994 you may have to shove in there as well making it three SF squads.

’83 Raiders, #1 Raider team IMO, weren’t mentioned. Madden’s 13-1 ’76 installment not mentioned either. ’75 Steelers? ’66 Packers? ’02 Bucs? ’13 Hawks? If ’09 Saints don’t lose last three, perhaps they’re deep into consideration.

Yes, SBIII has to knock off Colts. They had no reason to be ‘uptight’ before that game. Namath’s boast should have fired them up like nobody’s business! Same with ’07 Pats. Going into playoffs, they weren’t that great; barely beat Jags and an undermanned SD team at home. Had Colts not suffered yet another playoff upset, Pats don’t even make SB IMO.

As for pre-’60s, any late-’40s/’50s Browns squad as already mentioned, a ’50s Lions installment? ’46 Rams? ’47 Cards? a Halas team? Etc.

A top ten regardless of eras is very tough. But a pre-’78 one and a since-’78 one...not too much easier.