Well, these teams can't travel back in time and compete against one another (yet). All fans can do is backup their opinions regarding their teams dominance. Which Super Bowl teams are the most impressive? The offensive juggernauts who dominated the scoreboard? The defensive teams who were often the underdogs in games against high-powered offenses? The sixth seed that travels the road less desired? Cheaters? Luck?
These are five of the greatest Super Bowl teams in NFL history. Please note that these are in no particular order other than the last one being #1. Honorable mentions are ordered by season.
1985 Chicago Bears
Along with the 1991 Washington Redskins, the 1985 Chicago Bears were probably the most dominating teams in NFL history. They outscored their opponents 456-198 over the regular season, posted back-to-back shutouts in the NFC playoffs, and dominated the New England Patriots 46-10 in the Super Bowl. The Bears were a Monday Night defeat away by the Miami Dolphins from being the NFL's second undefeated team during the Super Bowl era. Shortly after that blunder, the Bears created the "Super Bowl Shuffle" en rout to their first and only Super Bowl championship.
1991 Washington Redskins
The 1991 Washington Redskins managed a 14-2 record despite playing in a conference that featured an 11-5 Dallas Cowboys and 10-6 Philadelphia Eagles team. Both of their losses came against divisional rivals, and their regular season finale was a road loss to the Eagles, although they had already clinched home field throughout the NFC playoffs.
The Redskins demonstrated their dominance throughout the playoffs. They outscored the Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions 65-17 over the NFC playoffs, and they handled the Buffalo Bills 37-24 to win Super Bowl XXVI, led by quarterback Mark Rypien. Overall, the Redskins outscored their opponents 485-224
1996 Green Bay Packers
Throughout the 1990s, the Green Bay Packers were consistently overshadowed by the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers. They started overcoming this trend when they won three consecutive games against the 49ers, but they could never outduel the Dallas Cowboys as they consistently secured home field advantage. However, the Cowboys were on the downslide in 1996, and the Packers were ready to peak behind Brett Favre(notes) and Reggie White.
The 1996 Green Bay Packers made the most of this season, winning their first Super Bowl in nearly thirty seasons. The Packers maintained the NFL's top ranked offense and defense, Brett Favre had arguably the best season of his career, and Desmond Howard had one of the most impressive seasons by any return specialist before Devin Hester(notes).
The Packers cruised through a 13-3 regular season record, clinching home field. The mystique of Lambeau Field was too much for the San Francisco 49ers and Carolina Panthers, and they averaged a victory margin exceeding 17 points and averaged over 33 points per game.
Their most impressive victory may have occurred in a Week 15 match-up with the Denver Broncos. The Broncos were 12-1 with their only loss coming at Arrowhead Stadium, 17-14. The Broncos lost 41-6 and eventually lost three of their last four games, including their AFC divisional playoff match-up. The Broncos would extract revenge in 1997 when they defeated the Packers in the Super Bowl, 31-24.
2003 New England Patriots
The best team or the best cheaters? The New England Patriots were Super Bowl champions in 2001, but they lost some luster after missing the playoffs in 2002. The 2003 New England Patriots didn't start off well either; they were 2-2 and lost to the Buffalo Bills 31-0.
That would be the last time that the Bills would defeat the Patriots. Not only that, but it would be the start of a 21 game winning streak that extended into the 2004 season. Only the 1972 Miami Dolphins had run off such an impressive streak to close the season.
The Patriots didn't dominate challengers, but they were the master of winning close games and finishing off opponents. They relied on clutch quarterback play from Tom Brady(notes), a team-oriented defense, and unbearable weather conditions that were often the undoing of their opponents, primarily Peyton Manning(notes) and the Indianapolis Colts.
From 2003-2004, the Patriots just won games. Even when their winning streak was voided by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2004, they'd gain their revenge in the 2004 AFC championship match-up. Everyone was vulnerable to Bill Belichick and the Patriots during these years.
1972 Miami Dolphins
The 1972 Miami Dolphins are the only NFL team that's rolled through the regular season and playoffs with an unblemished record during the Super Bowl era. Despite their perfection, they're arguably one of the most disrespected teams in sports history. After playing a schedule that featured a weak opponent record, the Dolphins entered the Super Bowl against the Washington Redskins… as underdogs.
Would they fall in a head-to-head match-up with the 1985 Chicago Bears? Very possible since players get bigger, faster, and stronger with each passing decade. In that case, the 1985 Chicago Bears would be at a disadvantage with most of the 2000 era Super Bowl teams.
What we know is that the 1985 Dolphins safeguarded the 1972 Dolphins historical feat by giving the 1985 Bears their only defeat, and none of the other 44 Super Bowl champions have managed to run through the regular season and playoffs undefeated like the 1972 Dolphins. As the only perfect team, I'll give the Dolphins the slight edge over the Bears based on their body of work for their era.
Honorable Mentions: 1971 Dallas Cowboys, 1989 San Francisco 49ers, 1994 San Francisco 49ers, 1999 St. Louis Rams, 2004 New England Patriots
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