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sycophantman
The question here is, which team do you think should be number one? They are somewhat vague about what they consider the criteria for greatness. Is it the most talented team? The greatest blowout? The longest longshot to win? I guess we'll have to wait and see. They have already announced their pick for 20th place to be the 1983 Raiders. That Super Bowl ended 38-9, and at the time was the most lopsided victory ever in the Super Bowl.
I can only hope that the 49ers of the 1989 season aren't the top team. That was the most lopsided victory yet, but it wasn't all that interesting to watch. For my money you have to go with a close game, perhaps even an upset victory. It's hard to top Super Bowl III on that count, with Joe Namath guaranteeing victory and coming through, but it was a low scoring game in the end, 16-7.
It's a thorny debate, which way to you go? What is your guys top five teams? Here's mine, and bear in mind that I am playing favorites here...
1 - 1985 Chicago Bears
2 - 1972 Miami Dolphins
3 - 2001 New England Patriots
4 - 1988 San Francisco 49ers
5 - 1992 Dallas Cowboys
I'll try to post the teams as they announce them, here also is an [url=http://www.superbowl.com/news/story/9187922]interesting article[/url] from two of the writers that voted on this...
[Edited on 11/17/2006 by sycophantman]
NFL - Countdown to History - Rating the five best Super Bowl teams
November 17, 2006 at 02:31PM View BBCode
Starting tonight, the NFL network will begin a 41-part series called [url=http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/americas_game]America's Game : The Countdown to History[/url], which will recap all the Super Bowl teams in history. They have ranked the teams in order of the top 20 greatest winners and will reveal them as the season progresses up until this year's Super Bowl, when they will reveal their pick as greatest champion.The question here is, which team do you think should be number one? They are somewhat vague about what they consider the criteria for greatness. Is it the most talented team? The greatest blowout? The longest longshot to win? I guess we'll have to wait and see. They have already announced their pick for 20th place to be the 1983 Raiders. That Super Bowl ended 38-9, and at the time was the most lopsided victory ever in the Super Bowl.
I can only hope that the 49ers of the 1989 season aren't the top team. That was the most lopsided victory yet, but it wasn't all that interesting to watch. For my money you have to go with a close game, perhaps even an upset victory. It's hard to top Super Bowl III on that count, with Joe Namath guaranteeing victory and coming through, but it was a low scoring game in the end, 16-7.
It's a thorny debate, which way to you go? What is your guys top five teams? Here's mine, and bear in mind that I am playing favorites here...
1 - 1985 Chicago Bears
2 - 1972 Miami Dolphins
3 - 2001 New England Patriots
4 - 1988 San Francisco 49ers
5 - 1992 Dallas Cowboys
I'll try to post the teams as they announce them, here also is an [url=http://www.superbowl.com/news/story/9187922]interesting article[/url] from two of the writers that voted on this...
[Edited on 11/17/2006 by sycophantman]
lvnwrth
Using dominant relative to era, here are my choices:
1. 1985-90 San Francisco 49ers
2. 1975-1980 Pittsburgh Steelers
3. 1993-96 Dallas Cowboys
4. 2002-05 New England Patriots
5. 1972-74 Miami Dolphins
Interesting to note that four of Syco's choices are on my list as well. The only difference is his list has the 1985 Bears instead of the late 1970's Steelers.
[Edited on 11-17-2006 by lvnwrth]
November 17, 2006 at 03:58PM View BBCode
Best, as in most dominant relative to their era? Best, as in for that particular season? Best for that particular SB game? Best all-time? (Problem: Today's Oakland Raiders or Arizona Cardinals would beat the 1967-68 Packers.) How are we defining best?Using dominant relative to era, here are my choices:
1. 1985-90 San Francisco 49ers
2. 1975-1980 Pittsburgh Steelers
3. 1993-96 Dallas Cowboys
4. 2002-05 New England Patriots
5. 1972-74 Miami Dolphins
Interesting to note that four of Syco's choices are on my list as well. The only difference is his list has the 1985 Bears instead of the late 1970's Steelers.
[Edited on 11-17-2006 by lvnwrth]
scaffdog
2. '78 Steelers
3. '97 Broncos
4. '72 Dolphins
5. '76 Raiders
I based this on talent. If you want to talk about the longest longshot id say the '80 Raiders or the '01 Patriots.
'83 Raiders beat the Redskins from kickoff to final whistle, scoring on a blocked punt, a td pass, 2 TD runs including the longest at that point(74 yards), interception return, and a FG. Highest point total at that point and largest margin.
They also held John Riggins to less than 2.5 yards per carry
[Edited on 11-18-2006 by scaffdog]
November 17, 2006 at 04:10PM View BBCode
1. '83 Raiders2. '78 Steelers
3. '97 Broncos
4. '72 Dolphins
5. '76 Raiders
I based this on talent. If you want to talk about the longest longshot id say the '80 Raiders or the '01 Patriots.
'83 Raiders beat the Redskins from kickoff to final whistle, scoring on a blocked punt, a td pass, 2 TD runs including the longest at that point(74 yards), interception return, and a FG. Highest point total at that point and largest margin.
They also held John Riggins to less than 2.5 yards per carry
[Edited on 11-18-2006 by scaffdog]
sycophantman
November 17, 2006 at 04:17PM View BBCode
The NFL network didn't define criteria, so I didn't either. I jumped all over the place, from the Patriots of 2001 who barely won, to the Bears who completely overran the Pats that year...
rkinslow19
I grew up in the bay area, but that is the year that stands out. Their annual battles with the cowboys seemed larger than life.
November 18, 2006 at 03:46AM View BBCode
I'm partial to the '94 49ers.I grew up in the bay area, but that is the year that stands out. Their annual battles with the cowboys seemed larger than life.
scaffdog
November 18, 2006 at 04:02AM View BBCode
yeah bobcat, good point, you know any team who didnt need the greatest running back ever to win a superbowl isnt that good.
whiskybear
The '85 Bears outscored their opponents 456-198 in the regular season and 91-10 in the playoffs. They're No. 1, and it's not close.
1. 1985 Chicago Bears (18-1, points for/against: 547-208)
2. 1984 San Francisco 49ers (18-1, 557-255)
3. 1992 Dallas Cowboys (16-3, 525-290)
4. 1978 Pittsburgh Steelers (17-2, 459-241; extra-credit for beating a superb Dallas team 35-31 in the Super Bowl)
5. 1972 Miami Dolphins (17-0, 440-209; remembered primarily by virtue of their undefeated season, they are otherwise fairly forgettable).
Just missing the cut: 1966 Green Bay Packers
November 18, 2006 at 04:59AM View BBCode
Much as I love Tom Brady, the Patriots teams of 2001, 2003 and 2004 don't belong anywhere near the Top 5.The '85 Bears outscored their opponents 456-198 in the regular season and 91-10 in the playoffs. They're No. 1, and it's not close.
1. 1985 Chicago Bears (18-1, points for/against: 547-208)
2. 1984 San Francisco 49ers (18-1, 557-255)
3. 1992 Dallas Cowboys (16-3, 525-290)
4. 1978 Pittsburgh Steelers (17-2, 459-241; extra-credit for beating a superb Dallas team 35-31 in the Super Bowl)
5. 1972 Miami Dolphins (17-0, 440-209; remembered primarily by virtue of their undefeated season, they are otherwise fairly forgettable).
Just missing the cut: 1966 Green Bay Packers
ironhorse2ko
Since the criteria wasn't stated by the NFL, I suppose to make it fair, I would have to go with one team from one year (since a lot of these teams did play in the SB many times, and there are other teams that can make a strong case).
1. 85 Chicago Bears (Simply handled NE like it was their B***h.)
2. 89 San Francisco 49ers (Could have easily said the 82 team; they was simply that good in the 80's)
3. 72 Miami Dolphins
4. 78 Steelers (Again, we have three other teams to choose from during their run)
5. Baltimore Ravens (Besides living in B-more they got my vote for getting the job done, especially being a defensive team; they could probably make another run at it this year at 7-2)
Close seconds : 69 Jets, 67 Packers, 01 Patriots, 96 Packers, 83 Raiders, 92 Cowboys, 97 Broncos
November 18, 2006 at 05:46AM View BBCode
Hmm tough choices to pick here. At 20, I don't have many picks to choose from my own experiences. As a history major however, that makes this a little easier.Since the criteria wasn't stated by the NFL, I suppose to make it fair, I would have to go with one team from one year (since a lot of these teams did play in the SB many times, and there are other teams that can make a strong case).
1. 85 Chicago Bears (Simply handled NE like it was their B***h.)
2. 89 San Francisco 49ers (Could have easily said the 82 team; they was simply that good in the 80's)
3. 72 Miami Dolphins
4. 78 Steelers (Again, we have three other teams to choose from during their run)
5. Baltimore Ravens (Besides living in B-more they got my vote for getting the job done, especially being a defensive team; they could probably make another run at it this year at 7-2)
Close seconds : 69 Jets, 67 Packers, 01 Patriots, 96 Packers, 83 Raiders, 92 Cowboys, 97 Broncos
barterer2002
1. '85 Bears-make it as a single season entry. Wildly disappointing in that they were a one year wonder but that hardly takes away from that one year.
2. '78 Steelers-Syco, how could you possibly leave the Steel Curtain teams off of the top five. That's a major oversight.
3. '84 49ers-I actually like the '81 team better but this version of the Walsh dynasty was the best San Fran team to ever don the uniform
4. '66 Packers-Probably not as good as the '62 team but that one predates the SuperBowl. The Packers get a little bit of a short shift in all-time great team discussions because their dominance came, mostly, before the Super Bowl existed.
5. '72 Dolphins-Undefeated, how are they possibly fifth. In short its because they won but didn't dominate the playoff opponants in the same way as their predecesors (OK I'm grasping for straws to rank them fifth)
November 18, 2006 at 02:46PM View BBCode
Here would be my top 5.1. '85 Bears-make it as a single season entry. Wildly disappointing in that they were a one year wonder but that hardly takes away from that one year.
2. '78 Steelers-Syco, how could you possibly leave the Steel Curtain teams off of the top five. That's a major oversight.
3. '84 49ers-I actually like the '81 team better but this version of the Walsh dynasty was the best San Fran team to ever don the uniform
4. '66 Packers-Probably not as good as the '62 team but that one predates the SuperBowl. The Packers get a little bit of a short shift in all-time great team discussions because their dominance came, mostly, before the Super Bowl existed.
5. '72 Dolphins-Undefeated, how are they possibly fifth. In short its because they won but didn't dominate the playoff opponants in the same way as their predecesors (OK I'm grasping for straws to rank them fifth)
lvnwrth
You're using the criteria of best single-season team. In that case, you can certainly make an argument that the 1985 Bears are #1. That's not the critieria I used in selecting the Patriots. I used the criteria of dominant during an era or extended period. I don't remember the Bears winning those 2nd and 3rd Super Bowls, or did I miss something somewhere?
As for the 1972 Fish being forgettable, that's probably true...providing you weren't alive in 1972. Otherwise, you remember.
[Edited on 11-18-2006 by lvnwrth]
November 18, 2006 at 02:55PM View BBCode
Originally posted by whiskybear
Much as I love Tom Brady, the Patriots teams of 2001, 2003 and 2004 don't belong anywhere near the Top 5.
The '85 Bears outscored their opponents 456-198 in the regular season and 91-10 in the playoffs. They're No. 1, and it's not close.
1. 1985 Chicago Bears (18-1, points for/against: 547-208)
2. 1984 San Francisco 49ers (18-1, 557-255)
3. 1992 Dallas Cowboys (16-3, 525-290)
4. 1978 Pittsburgh Steelers (17-2, 459-241; extra-credit for beating a superb Dallas team 35-31 in the Super Bowl)
5. 1972 Miami Dolphins (17-0, 440-209; remembered primarily by virtue of their undefeated season, they are otherwise fairly forgettable).
Just missing the cut: 1966 Green Bay Packers
You're using the criteria of best single-season team. In that case, you can certainly make an argument that the 1985 Bears are #1. That's not the critieria I used in selecting the Patriots. I used the criteria of dominant during an era or extended period. I don't remember the Bears winning those 2nd and 3rd Super Bowls, or did I miss something somewhere?
As for the 1972 Fish being forgettable, that's probably true...providing you weren't alive in 1972. Otherwise, you remember.
[Edited on 11-18-2006 by lvnwrth]
whiskybear
...that's the idea. The question here is "Greatest Super Bowl team," not "most dominant dynasty of the Super Bowl era."
November 18, 2006 at 04:17PM View BBCode
Originally posted by lvnwrth
You're using the criteria of best single-season team.
...that's the idea. The question here is "Greatest Super Bowl team," not "most dominant dynasty of the Super Bowl era."
scaffdog
November 19, 2006 at 06:48AM View BBCode
:( no one is giving any of the Raiders teams love...not even the first Wild Card to win the superbowl...
sycophantman
November 19, 2006 at 01:31PM View BBCode
Well, the Raiders just didn't have the dominance of some of these other teams. I'm starting to question my decision to leave off any of the dominant Steelers teams of the 70's. I might have to take New England off the list to accomidate one of those...
Benne
Next, I guess I'll go with the '94 49ers, then the last team must be the '99 Rams. As much as I hate the Rams, Warner, Faulk and Co. simply steamrolled the NFC in the regular season and won on the unforgetable "1-motherfucking-yard!" play.
Okay, I'm just ranting. Here's my list:
1. '85 Bears
2. '72 Dolphins
3. '78 Steelers
4. '94 49ers
5. '99 Rams
November 22, 2006 at 07:04PM View BBCode
Hmmm...this is hard, but here goes. Like whiskybear, I interpret "greatest Super Bowl Team" as the team that most dominated the league that year. Under that criteria, the #1 team is the '85 Bears, and it's nowhere close. The next logical choice is the '72 Dolphins, for obvious reasons. After that, things get fuzzy. I like the Steelers of the '70s, but which year? Eh, I'll go with '78, great win over the Cowboys.Next, I guess I'll go with the '94 49ers, then the last team must be the '99 Rams. As much as I hate the Rams, Warner, Faulk and Co. simply steamrolled the NFC in the regular season and won on the unforgetable "1-motherfucking-yard!" play.
Okay, I'm just ranting. Here's my list:
1. '85 Bears
2. '72 Dolphins
3. '78 Steelers
4. '94 49ers
5. '99 Rams
sycophantman
November 23, 2006 at 12:08AM View BBCode
See, my take on this challenge is to try and get into the heads of the tv people who put this togther and figure out who they would have picked. The 85 Bears are widely loved, so that is the easy one to pick. Everyone mentions the 72 Dolphins regularly, so they are easily there as well. The recent Patroits are a nod to the more modern viewer, with the great dynasties of the 80's and the 90's accounted for with the 49ers and the Cowboys rounding out my list...Pages: 1