Here's what this is - I took Simple Rating System from Pro Football Reference; ELO from FiveThirtyEight; the NFL Network Top 100 List; and the USA Today ranking of the top 100 teams of all time and smashed them all together, with a bent toward valuing contemporary teams given a constant improvement of football as a system.
It ain't bad. Here are the top 128 teams in NFL History (through 2018, to be updated after the Super Bowl). Why 128? Brackets, makes it easy to do a tournament.
Here we go:
128. 2015 Arizona Cardinals (13-3, lost NFC Championship to Panthers)
-This is the top ranked team in 2015 by Simple Rating System; they averaged 30 points a game. Got whipped pretty good by the Panthers.
QB: Carson Palmer (36, Passer Rating Index 122)
1st Team All Pro: Tyrann Mathieu, Patrick Peterson
Approximate Value Leaders: Carson Palmer (16), Calais Campbell (13)
127. 2015 Carolina Panthers (15-1, lost Super Bowl to Broncos)
-Not many 15-1 teams in NFL history and they averaged 30 points a game; your expectation might be that this team is more highly ranked (ELO likes them a little more than this and the subjective lists like them solidly more than this) but their pythagorean record was 12-4 and they played a really soft schedule.
QB: Cam Newton (26, Passer Rating Index 115)
1st Team All Pro: Cam Newton, Ryan Kalil, Luke Kuechly, Thomas Davis, Josh Norman,
Approximate Value: Cam Newton (20), Thomas Davis (16), Luke Kuechly (15), Josh Norman (15)
126. 1988 San Francisco 49ers (10-6, beat Bengals in Super Bowl)
-Winning is an excellent deodorant; 10-6 doesn't scream the 124th best team of all time, and their pythagorean record is also 10-6; neither their offense nor defense was in the top 5 for points scored/allowed for the season. But Championships matter; the ELO (sustained success over multiple years is also baked into their ELO score, which is a valuable element in considering a core group of players; say if they were in a tournament battling against each other) and the subjective rankings are going to value rings (and should)
QB: Joe Montana (32, Passer Rating Index 117)
1st Team All Pro: Roger Craig, Jerry Rice
Approximate Value: Roger Craig (17) Michael Carter (14)
125. 1950 New York Giants (10-2, lost to Browns in playoffs)
-Good strength of schedule; they beat the Browns twice during the regular season; that Browns team is going to be much higher on this list, and the team that shut out the 1950 Browns is going to get a hard look. Middle of the pack offense in points scored in 1950.
QB: Charlie Conerly (29, Passer Rating Index 112)
1st Team All Pro: Arnie Weinmeister
124. 1980 Oakland Raiders (11-5, beat Eagles in Super Bowl)
-Similar to the '88 Niners, this is a team largely here because they got a ring; ELO likes them, the subjective lists like them. There's nothing special in their metrics; they scored only 3 more points a game than they gave up. But they whipped a pretty good Eagle team in the Super Bowl (Philly had top SRS score in 1980) and it gets them here.
QB: Jim Plunkett (33, Passer Rating Index 101)
1st team All Pro: Ted Hendricks, Lester Hayes
Approximate Value: Lester Hayes (17) Ted Hendricks (16) Jim Plunkett (9)
123. 1922 Canton Bulldogs (10-0-2, league's best record, there was no postseason)
-I've never been great about incorporating the leather helmet guys in with any type of historical list; the game has just advanced so far just as a game that it's hard to bend the mind far enough to include them. But - each of the inputs I used here do incorporate them, and my subjective sense about these teams isn't included at all. So - here we are. Canton gave up 15 points all year and went undefeated; the two games they tied were scoreless ties.
1st team All Pro: Harry Robb, Doc Elliott, Duke Osborn, Pete Henry, Bird Carroll,
122. 2015 Denver Broncos (12-4, beat Panthers to win Super Bowl)
-4th in points allowed make up for a thoroughly mediocre offense (and, honestly, a terrible Peyton Manning); strong schedule.
QB: Peyton Manning (39, Passer Rating Index 68, his last season, just atrocious)
1st Team All Pro: Von Miller
Approximate Value: Von Miller (17) Demaryius Thomas (9)
121. 1973 Dallas Cowboys (10-4, lost to Vikings in NFC Championship)
-1973 had a few really good teams; the Dolphin team that won the Super Bowl, it will not surprise you, is much higher on the list and there's even a third team who will appear later on. Second highest scoring team in the league, 11 win pythag, Dallas has third best SRS in the NFL in '73 and lost to the two top teams (Dolphins, Rams, then they beat the Rams in the playoffs)
QB: Roger Staubach (31, Passer Rating Index 133, led league)
1st Team All Pro: Rayfield Wright
Approximate Value: Roger Staubach (17) Calvin Hill (16) Mel Renfro (15) Rayfield Wright (15)
120. 2017 New England Patriots (13-3, lost to Eagles in Super Bowl)
-2nd highest scoring team, 5th least scored upon team, but a sub-average strength of schedule. SRS, ELO, the subjective lists all like this team at about this spot. The Eagles team that beat them is higher on the list.
QB: Tom Brady (40, Passer Rating Index 117)
1st team All Pro: Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski,
Approximate Value: Tom Brady (19) Trey Flowers (9)
119. 1965 Baltimore Colts (10-3-1, lost in playoffs to Packers)
-This is the year Unitas got hurt and Tom Matte wound up at QB against Green Bay. Shula's coaching this team. Really good strength of schedule, two other '65 teams are also on this list (that Packer team and another) and the Colts played them both twice and then Green Bay a third time in the playoffs (Packers swept them). SRS and ELO like these '65 teams more than the subjective lists.
QB: Johnny Unitas (32, Passer Rating Index 126, best in NFL)
1st team All Pro: Johnny Unitas, Jimmy Orr, Jim Parker, Bobby Boyd,
Approximate Value: Bobby Boyd (17) Johnny Unitas (14)
118. 2005 Denver Broncos (13-3, lost AFC Championship to Steelers)
-Defense is strong; third in points allowed with a strong strength of schedule. Steeler team that beat them went onto win the Super Bowl and they're on this list (as is a third team from 2005). SRS and ELO like the Broncos right about here; the subjective lists don't have them ranked.
QB: Jake Plummer (31, Passer Rating Index 112)
1st team All Pro: Al Wilson, Champ Bailey,
Approximate Value: Jake Plummer (15) Al Wilson (15)
117. 2011 New Orleans Saints (13-3, lost in playoffs to Niners)
-Top SRS in league, offense was second in scoring at 34 points a game (middle of the pack defense in points allowed) Two other 2011 teams are on the list and all three of those teams had solid representation all across the board both analytics and subjective (not the Niners, not the Giants team that beat the Niners and went onto win the whole thing).
QB: Drew Brees (32, Passer Rating Index 133)
1st team All Pro: Carl Nicks, Jahri Evans,
Approximate Value: Drew Brees (20), Jahri Evans (19), Carl Nicks (19) Roman Harper (7)
116. 1987 Washington Redskins (11-4, beat Broncos to win Super Bowl)
-Really soft schedule drives down their SRS; a 1987 team of my acquaintance is still to come. They blasted through that Bronco team in the Super Bowl. You remember Doug Williams Super Bowl performance, but he only started two games in the regular season, this was actually a Jay Schroeder team most of the way. He's got a good year coming, but it's as a Raider in 1990.
QB: Jay Schroeder (26, Passer Rating Index 96)
1st Team All Pro: Gary Clark, Barry Wilburn,
Approximate Value: Barry Wilburn (16) Gary Clark (11)
115. 1950 Philadelphia Eagles (6-6 and yeah, that does seem light)
-The driver here is a really high SRS, their pythagorean win total was over 9 and a half, strong strength of schedule - they lost twice to the Browns team yet to come and twice to the Giants team we've already seen. Gave up less than 12 points a game, best in the league. Obviously a .500 team isn't ever showing up on a subjective list.
QB: Tommy Thompson (34, Passer Rating Index 90, this is his last season)
1st Team All Pro: Chuck Bednarik
114. 1973 Los Angeles Rams (12-2, lost in playoffs to Cowboys)
-top SRS in league, top scoring offense in football and the defense wasn't bad either. The Dallas team who knocked them off has already appeared on the initial version of this list.
QB: John Hadl (33, Passer Rating Index 127, his first year in LA and the best season in career)
1st team All Pro: John Hadl, Harold Jackson, Isiah Robertson,
Approximate Value: Lawrence McCutcheon (19) Harold Jackson (17) Isiah Robertson (16) Jim Bertelsen (15) John Hadl (15)
113. 2004 Indianapolis Colts (12-4, lost in playoffs to Patriots)
-top scoring offense in NFL (over 32 points a game) and a sub mediocre defense in points allowed; 2nd best SRS in the league behind that Patriots team (who we'll see later). No shame to lose to the 2004 Patriots (which the Colts also did in the regular season).
QB: Peyton Manning (28, Passer Rating Index 151, best in league, it's his career season)
1st team All Pro: Peyton Manning, Dwight Freeney,
Approximate Value: Edgerrin James (21) Peyton Manning (21) Tarik Glenn (16) Reggie Wayne (15) Dwight Freeney (12)
112. 1970 Detroit Lions (10-4, lost in playoffs to Cowboys by the improbable score of 5-0)
-Joe Schmidt coached this team with Chuck Knox (who coached that '73 Rams team) on his staff; second in both points scored and allowed, really good strength of schedule and the second best SRS in the league. Getting shut out in their only playoff game was an ignominious end.
QB: Bill Munson (29, Passer Rating Index 111)
1st team All Pro: Charlie Sanders,
Approximate Value: Altie Taylor (13) Lem Barney (12)
111. 1968 Dallas Cowboys (12-2, lost in playoffs to Browns)
-Ray Berry's on Landry's staff. Most points scored and second fewest allowed, but the SRS (still super high) is just 4th because of a soft schedule. I don't know as I type this which season has the most entrants - but there are still 3 more 1968 teams to come on the list and 4 is a pretty big number (none of those teams is the Super Bowl champion Jets, but they were close on the strength of the subjective lists). That Browns team they lost to wasn't any of those three other teams.
QB: Don Meredith (30, Passer Rating Index 123, Meredith's best season and his last season)
1st Team All Pro: Bob Hayes, Bob Lilly, Chuck Howley,
Approximate Value: Chuck Howley (15) Bob Hayes (14)
110. 2013 San Francisco 49ers (12-4, lost in NFC Championship to Seahawks)
-Third in points allowed, that Seahawk team that got by them in the NFC Title game is really high on the list. Offense is middle of the pack in points scored; Greg Roman, who will go on to call plays for the 2019 Ravens is the Offensive Coordinator here.
QB: Colin Kaepernick (26, Passer Rating Index 106)
1st team All Pro: NaVorro Bowman
Approximate Value: NaVorro Bowman (18) Colin Kaepernick (15)
109. 1977 Oakland Raiders (11-3, lost to Broncos in AFC Championship)
Oakland won the title the year before and then kept it rolling in '77, really aiding their ELO and driving this rank. Good SRS (second best in league behind Denver) top scoring offense in league and a mediocre defense in points allowed. They split their two regular season games with the Broncos, aiding strength of schedule.
QB: Ken Stabler (32, Passer Rating Index 112)
1st Team All Pro: Dave Casper, Art Shell, Gene Upshaw, Ray Guy
Approximate Value: Mark van Eeghen (17) Art Shell (16) Gene Upshaw (16) Willie Brown (8)
108. 1997 Green Bay Packers (13-3, lost to Broncos in Super Bowl)
Top 5 in both points scored (Andy Reid's on Holmgren's staff) and allowed; strength of schedule is a little soft and the SRS is not very good. This rank is ELO based; take that '96 Packer team and have them win the NFC the next year and you get a strong ELO. Denver's still to come.
QB: Brett Favre (28, Passer Rating Index 112)
1st Team All Pro: Brett Favre, LeRoy Butler,
Approximate Value: Brett Favre (17) Dorsey Levens (16) Reggie White (15)
107. 1965 Chicago Bears (9-5, no playoffs)
Tough strength of schedule, top SRS in the league, second in both points scored and allowed. We've seen the '65 Colts already (Bears split with them) and the Champion Packers are still to come (Bears split with them too). It's the SRS that carries almost all of this ranking. This is Sayers/Butkus rookie season.
QB: Rudy Bukich (35, Passer Rating Index 122, his career season)
1st Team All Pro: Gale Sayers, Joe Fortunato, Dick Butkus,
Approximate Value: Gale Sayers (18), Dick Butkus (13)
106. 1994 Dallas Cowboys (12-4, lost to Niners in NFC Championship)
Three Cowboy titles in a four year stretch; this was the year they didn't win. Top 3 in points scored and allowed. That Niner team they lost to is coming up later.
QB: Troy Aikman (28, Passer Rating Index 109)
1st Team All Pro: Emmitt Smith, Nate Newton, Charles Haley, Darren Woodson
Approximate Value: Emmitt Smith (17) Charles Haley (16) Michael Irvin (15)
105. 2011 New England Patriots (13-3, lost Super Bowl to Giants)
Solid offense, third in points scored. Middle of the pack in points allowed. ELO and the subjective lists carry this group further than its run of the mill SRS. We've seen the Saints already from 2011; one team still to come (it's not New York).
QB: Tom Brady (34, Passer Rating Index 127)
1st Team All Pro: Wes Welker, Rob Gronkowski,
Approximate Value: Tom Brady (21) Wes Welker (17) Logan Mankins (15) Vince Wilfork (13)
104. 2018 New England Patriots (11-5, beat Rams in Super Bowl)
Third Patriots team on the list; soft schedule, not a particularly good SRS, but the ELO and subjective ranks get them here. Top 5 offense in points scored,
QB: Tom Brady (41, Passer Rating Index 110 - 2016 was Brady's last year as an elite QB, he's dropped ground each year since)
1st Team All Pro: Stephon Gilmore
Approximate Value: Tom Brady (14) Stephon Gilmore (14)
103. 1949 Cleveland Browns (9-1-2, beat Niners to win AAFC Championship)
It's our first look at the Browns dynasty; its also the first team outside of the NFL. This was the last year of the rival AAFC, both Cleveland the Niners join the NFL in 1950. The AAFC is a 7 team league in '49, Browns strength of schedule isn't good, but SRS matches ELO and places the Browns team right around this spot. The Browns won the title each of the 4 year existence of the AAFC.
QB: Otto Graham (28, Passer Rating Index 134, top mark in the AAFC)
1st Team All Pro: Otto Graham, Mac Speedie
102. 1990 San Francisco 49ers (14-2, lost NFC Championship to Giants)
It's the end of the Niners dynasty, the real break between the Montana era and the Young era is the loss to New York in the NFC Championship. Soft strength of schedule drives down their SRS, 2nd in NFL in points allowed; they get the bounce of the prior two titles with ELO and that plus the subjective ranks drive this placement. Jon Gruden's on this staff.
QB: Joe Montana (34, Passer Rating Index 118)
1st Team All Pro: Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Charles Haley, Ronnie Lott
Approximate Value: Charles Haley (20) Joe Montana (14)
101. 2006 San Diego Chargers (14-2, lost in playoffs to Patriots)
SRS, ELO, the subjective polls, they all like the Chargers right about here; top of the league in points scored, this was a Schottenheimer team. The Patriots are going to lose to the Colts team that won the Super Bowl; they're still to come. This is the best Chargers team of all time; a couple of the Fouts teams and a Sid Gillman team aren't too far from the bottom of the list, but none made it but this group.
QB: Philip Rivers (25, Passer Rating Index 115, it's his first season getting any kind of playing time at all)
1st Team All Pro: LaDainian Tomlinson, Antonio Gates, Jamal Williams, Shawne Merriman
Approximate Value: LaDainian Tomlinson (26), Philip Rivers (18), Jamal Williams (14)
100. 1974 Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3-1, beat Vikings to win Super Bowl)
-The first team from the Steeler dynasty to appear on the list is their first Super Bowl Champion. Second in points allowed, soft schedule pushes down the SRS. The ELO is good and the subjective ranks are better, four titles between '74-79 will do that.
QB: Terry Bradshaw (26, Passer Rating Index 90)
1st Team All Pro: LC Greenwood, Mean Joe Greene, Jack Ham
Approximate Value: Joe Greene (15) Jack Ham (15) Franco Harris (12)
99. 1964 Buffalo Bills (12-2, beat Chargers to win AFL Title)
-Our first AFL team; the best Bills team in history. Highest scoring team in AFL in '64 and the fewest points allowed. The subjective rankings really push Buffalo up here.
QB: Jack Kemp (29, Passer Rating Index 87)
1st Team All Pro: Cookie Gilchrist, Stew Barber, Billy Shaw, Mike Stratton, George Saimes, Tom Sestak
Approximate Value: Tom Sestak (15), Stew Barber (12)
98. 1930 New York Giants (13-4, no playoffs)
Giants finished second behind the Packers. Really good pythagorean win total, nearly 16. 1st in scoring, third in points allowed (they had 5 shutouts).
1st Team All Pro: Benny Friedman
97. 2015 Seattle Seahawks (10-6, lost in playoffs to Panthers)
2nd in SRS, first in points allowed, 4th in points scored, this is the 4th 2015 team on the initial version of the list. ELO also likes this Seahawk group as this was the real good stretch of Seahawk football.
QB: Russell Wilson (27, Passer Rating Index 131, top in league, it's Wilson's career year)
1st Team All Pro: Tyler Lockett
Approximate Value: Russell Wilson (19), Bobby Wagner (15)
96. 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4, beat Cardinals to win Super Bowl)
First Roethlisberger team on the list. Ken Anderson, all time underrated QB, is the QB coach for this group. Pretty good strength of schedule, the ELO and the subjective rankings all like this Steeler team. The offense isn't good, 20th in points scored, but the defense is first in points allowed. The Arizona team they beat in the Super Bowl was not good.
QB: Ben Roethlisberger (26, Passer Rating Index 97)
1st Team All Pro: James Harrison, Troy Polamalu
Approximate Value: James Harrison (19) Troy Polamalu (18) James Farrior (16) Ben Roethlisberger (10)
95. 1990 New York Giants (13-3, beat Bills to win Super Bowl)
It's the first Parcells/Belichick team on the list. Mediocre offense, but top defense in points allowed. Tom Coughlin's on this staff. The subjective rankings really push the Giants up to this spot. That NFC Title game is my worst football loss; it's not the Ravens Super Bowl or either of the Harbaugh NFC Championship game losses; it's not the Dallas NFC Championship game losses - it's that 1990 game. That's the worst loss.
QB: Phil Simms (35, Passer Rating Index 123, that's Simms' career year, but it's Hostetler who wins the Super Bowl)
1st Team All Pro - Pepper Johnson
Approximate Value: Pepper Johnson (19) Lawrence Taylor (17) Bart Oates (11)
94. 2014 Seattle Seahawks (12-4, lost Super Bowl to Patriots)
Ken Norton's a player for both Niners and Cowboys on teams still to come and on some Seattle coaching staffs. This is another year where Seattle leads the league in points allowed - we've seen the 2012, 2015 and now the 2014 Seahawks; all propelled by that defense and rewarded by ELO.
QB: Russell Wilson (26, Passer Rating Index 109)
1st Team All Pro: Richard Sherman, Bobby Wagner, Earl Thomas
Approximate Value: Russell Wilson (19) Richard Sherman (16)
93. 1977 Denver Broncos (12-2, lost Super Bowl to Cowboys)
Top SRS in the league, strong schedule (split in regular season with Raiders, beat them in AFC Championship; lost to Dallas in regular season and then, obviously, just couldn't move the ball at all in the Super Bowl) third in points allowed with that Orange Crush defense. When you only lose to the '77 Raiders and Cowboys that's a pretty good year.
QB: Craig Morton (34, Passer Rating Index 119, Super Bowls could have gone better for Morton)
1st Team All Pro: Randy Gradishar, Billy Thompson. Tom Jackson, Lyle Alzado
Approximate Value: Randy Gradishar (16) Billy Thompson (16) Lyle Alzado (15) Tom Jackson (15) Craig Morton (12)
92. 1963 Green Bay Packers (11-2-1, no playoffs)
First Lombardi team on the list, Tom Fears is on this coaching staff; didn't make the playoffs but had top SRS in the league. ELO really likes this team, feeding off the success the year prior. The Bears won the title this year and they're still to come. Both Packer losses were to Bears. Pack was second in both points scored and allowed.
QB: Bart Starr (29, Passer Rating Index 112)
1st Team All Pro: Herb Adderley, Henry Jordan, Jerry Kramer, Forrest Gregg, Jim Ringo
Approximate Value: Herb Adderley (17) Henry Jordan (16) Jerry Kramer (13)
91. 1967 Los Angeles Rams (11-1-2, lost in playoffs to Packers)
George Allen's the head coach here; Marion Campbell, Marchibroda, Schellenberger all on the staff. 2nd best SRS in the league, Rams were first in scoring and in points allowed and their only loss was by a FG to the Niners. That SRS drives this ranking; there are a few good teams in '67 and LA gets a little lost historically.
QB: Roman Gabriel (27, Passer Rating Index 118)
1st Team All Pro: Deacon Jones, Merlin Olsen
Approximate Value: Roman Gabriel (15) Deacon Jones (15) Eddie Meador (15) Merlin Olsen (15)
90. 1959 Baltimore Colts (9-3, beat Giants to win NFL Title)
Couple of Baltimore teams who knocked off the Giants to win Championships sitting here near each other on the list of greatest teams of all time. Weeb Ewbank, assistant on the '49 Browns team we've already seen, is the head coach here. Baltimore had the top SRS in the league - number one scoring offense carried a mediocre defense. SRS and ELO like the Colts right about here. Colts trailed 9-7 headed to the 4th quarter in the title game and ripped off 24 consecutive points.
QB: Johnny Unitas (26, Passer Rating Index 125)
1st Team All Pro: Johnny Unitas, Ray Berry, Big Daddy Lipscomb, Gino Marchetti, Lenny Moore, Jim Parker
89. 2000 Baltimore Ravens (12-4, beat Giants to win Super Bowl)
My guess is this ranking is an eyebrow raiser, lower than you might think. Their SRS score is low given a really soft schedule. The defense was tremendous, gave up just a little more than 10 points a game and that allowed them to have a thoroughly mediocre offense. ELO likes Baltimore right about here and the subjective ranks are understandably much better than this spot. Look at the stats for that divisional round win over Tennessee; sort of hard to believe they won that game.
QB: Trent Dilfer (28, Passer Rating Index 98)
1st Team All Pro: Ray Lewis, Jonathan Ogden
Approximate Value: Ray Lewis (23) Rob Burnett (21) Sam Adams (17) Rod Woodson (17) Jonathan Ogden (13)
88. 1964 Baltimore Colts (12-2, lost NFL Championship to Browns)
Another Baltimore team; the '65 Colt team has already appeared - Shula coaches this Colts squad; first in both points scored and allowed, very high SRS really carries the heft of this ranking. We've already seen the '64 Bills - the Jim Brown team that won the title didn't make it to this list.
QB: Johnny Unitas (31, Passer Rating Index 124)
1st Team All Pro: Bobby Boyd, Johnny Unitas, Gino Marchetti, Jim Parker, Lenny Moore
Approximate Value: Bobby Boyd (18) Johnny Unitas (17)
87. 1931 Green Bay Packers (12-2, 1st place)
No postseason in '31, Packers finished at the top. First in SRS, top scoring offense, second in points allowed. 5 shutouts.
First Team All Pro: Lavvie Dilweg, Cal Hubbard, Mike Michalske
86. 1948 Chicago Cardinals (11-1, lost NFL Championship to Eagles)
Three teams from 1948 are going to make this list, which seems like a lot - strong SRS and ELO for these groups. Cards had top scoring offense in NFL.
QB: Ray Mallouf (30, Passer Rating Index 127)
1st Team All Pro: Charley Trippi, Buster Ramsey, Mal Kutner,
85. 1968 Kansas City Chiefs (12-2, lost in playoffs to Raiders)
We've already seen the '68 Cowboys and two more '68 teams are on their way (not the Jets, who just missed; like they might be team #129 on the initial build of the list). Terrific SRS, First in points allowed in the AFL. SRS really carries this ranking.
QB: Len Dawson (33, Passer Rating Index 137, led AFL, Dawson led AFL five straight years)
1st Team all Pro: Bobby Bell, Willie Lanier, Buck Buchanan, Johnny Robinson, Jim Tyrer
Approximate Value: Bobby Bell (15) Willie Lanier (15) Len Dawson (13)
84. 2006 Indianapolis Colts (12-4, beat Bears to win Super Bowl)
The '04 Colts have already appeared; the SRS score here is really soft as this team gave up a ton of points (23rd overall - this Colts defense might be the worst position group in the entire list) and that dropped their pythagorean win total below 10. 2nd most points scored in the league, though, solid ELO and subjective ranks get them this spot.
QB: Peyton Manning (30, Passer Rating Index, 126, led league)
1st Team All Pro: Marvin Harrison
Approximate Value: Peyton Manning (20) Marvin Harrison (17) Jeff Saturday (17) Reggie Wayne (17) Joseph Addai (15) Cato June (7)
83. 1995 San Francisco 49ers (11-5 lost in playoffs to Packers)
First Steve Young team on the list; Niners were first in scoring, second in points allowed, top SRS in the league. ELO would place this team right about here; there's another '95 team still to come. Pete Carroll was the Defensive Coordinator for this Niners squad.
QB: Steve Young (34, Passer Rating Index 120, Young led league 6 of 7 seasons, this was the year he did not)
1st Team All Pro: Jerry Rice, Ken Norton, Eric Davis
Approximate Value: Jerry Rice (19) Ken Norton (15)
82. 1966 Kansas City Chiefs (11-2-1, lost Super Bowl to Packers)
'68 Chiefs just appeared; this is the squad that lost SB; the Packers team that beat them is still to come. Top scoring offense in AFL, second in points allowed. 2nd best SRS in AFL and the subjective ratings like them right about this spot.
QB: Len Dawson (31, Passer Rating Index, 138, led the AFL, this is Dawson's career year)
1st Team All Pro: Otis Taylor, Len Dawson, Ed Budde, Jim Tryer, Bobby Bell, Buck Buchanan, Jerry Mays, Johnny Robinson
Approximate Value: Otis Taylor (20) Len Dawson (16) Bobby Bell (11)
81. 1954 Detroit Lions (9-2-2, lost NFL Championship to Browns)
Detroit's best stretch was in the early 50s; the best team in franchise history is coming up soon. Really heavy SRS for this group, best in the league - top scoring offense and third in points allowed. Cleveland really took them apart in the title game. SRS drives this ranking.
QB: Bobby Layne (28, Passer Rating Index 118)
Ist Team All Pro: Lou Creekmur, Dick Stanfel, Les Bingaman, Joe Schmidt, Jack Christiansen
80. 1965 Green Bay Packers (10-3-1, beat Browns to win NFL Championship)
Second Lombardi team. Mediocre offense but first in points allowed. Norb Hecker was on both Lombardi's staff here and Walsh's staff in the 80s, which is a largely forgotten connection between the two dynasties. Super strong schedule; the Bears and Colts have already appeared on the list, Packers split with the Bears and beat Baltimore three times including an overtime playoff win. This is an SRS ranking.
QB: Bart Starr (31, Passer Rating Index 117)
1st Team All Pro: Herb Adderley, Willie Davis, Willie Wood
Approximate Value: Herb Adderley (16) Forrest Gregg (12)
79. 1983 Los Angeles Raiders (12-4, beat Redskins to win Super Bowl)
Mediocre SRS, pythagorean win total isn't great, third in points scored; the Haynes in-season acquisition really improved the defense; this is a team that was fine in the regular season and just blew through the playoffs; combined scores of 116-33, including beating up a Redskin team that is still to come. The ELO is good and the subjective ranks really help - like the '81 Niners who added Fred Dean, the defense this team had at the end of season just isn't the same as prior to the big acquisition.
QB: Jim Plunkett (36, Passer Rating Index 109, probably Plunkett's best year; Plunkett's an interesting career, he never really had anything more than just an okay regular season and he was terrific in both Super Bowl wins; that 1980 game was an all time great game.
1st Team All pro: Todd Christensen
Approximate Value: Howie Long (14) Marcus Allen (13)
78. 1936 Green Bay Packers (10-1-1, beat Redskins to win NFL Title)
Second Lambeau team on the list; top scoring offense, top SRS.
1st Team All pro: Clark Hinkle, Ernie Smith, Lon Evans, Milt Gantenbein,
77. 1967 Baltimore Colts (11-1-2, no playoffs)
Unbeaten going into the last week of the season and wound up missing the playoffs. Chuck Noll, who played for Paul Brown, is on Shula's staff. Second in both points scored and allowed. 4 teams from '67 made the list; this is the second. Strong SRS and that drives this ranking.
QB: Johnny Unitas (34, Passer Rating Index 116)
1st Team All Pro: Johnny Unitas, Willie Richardson, John Mackey
Approximate Value: Johnny Unitas (19) Ordell Braase (14)
76. 1948 Cleveland Browns (14-0, beat Bills to win AAFC Title)
We already saw the '49 Browns team that won Cleveland's 4th straight title - the year prior they went undefeated. Second in points scored in the AAFC, first in points allowed. If I were doing a subjective list of the best teams ever, I don't know if I'd include teams prior to 1950.
QB: Otto Graham (27, Passer Rating Index 120, only year Graham didn't lead AAFC)
1st Team All Pro: Otto Graham, Marion Motley, Mac Speedie,
75. 1952 Detroit Lions (9-3, beat Browns to win NFL Title)
It's the best team in Lions history; 2nd in scoring, first in points allowed, top SRS in the league, it's the front half of a back to back Lions NFL Champion run. The subjective rankings like them right about this spot.
QB: Bobby Layne (26, Passer Rating Index 109)
1st Team All Pro: Bobby Layne, Cloyce Box, Lou Creekmur, Thurman McGraw, Jack Christiansen
74. 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5, beat Seahawks to win Super Bowl)
It's our second Roethlisberger team; the defense is third in points allowed, SRS is just okay, but the subjective rankings like them here and they have a terrific ELO.
QB: Ben Roethlisberger (23, Passer Rating Index 122)
1st Team All Pro: Alan Faneca, Troy Polamalu,
Approximate Value: Alan Faneca (17) Troy Polamalu (14)
73. 1987 San Francisco 49ers (13-2, lost to Vikings in playoffs)
Top scoring offense, third in points allowed, top SRS in the league - it was a pretty good surprise to get bounced in the first round of the playoffs. Both Denny Green and Holmgren are on Walsh's staff. This is the third Montana team on the list so far (Wilson, Unitas, Brady all have three upon the initial build of the list). ELO likes the Niners about here as well.
QB: Joe Montana (31, Passer Rating Index 136, led league)
1st Team All Pro: Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Michael Carter, Ronnie Lott
Approximate Value: Michael Carter (17) Ronnie Lott (16) Joe Montana (15)
72. 2003 New England Patriots (14-2, beat Panthers to win Super Bowl)
Brady team #4. Mediocre offense for this year's Pats, but the defense was first in points allowed. Pythagorean wins much lower at about 11 and a half and the SRS reflects that. ELO and the subjective rankings really like this team.
QB: Tom Brady (26, Passer Rating Index 107, lowest mark he'd have until 2013)
1st Team All Pro: Ty Law, Richard Seymour, Rodney Harrison
Approximate Value: Ty Law (17), Richard Seymour (16) Tedy Bruschi (15) Tom Brady (11)
71. 1953 Cleveland Browns (11-1, lost NFL Title to Lions)
Third look at the Browns dynasty and its a rare season they didn't win the title. First in points allowed, top SRS in the league. ELO is solid as well.
QB: Otto Graham (32, Passer Rating Index 142, top in the league and probably considering this is an NFL season the best of his career)
1st team all Pro: Otto Graham, Lou Groza, Frank Gatski, Bill Willis, Len Ford, Tommy Thompson
70. 1954 Cleveland Browns (9-3, beat Lions to win NFL Title)
And here's Browns team number 4. 2nd in points scored, 1st in points allowed, 2nd in SRS despite a soft schedule. Just beat the hell out of Detroit in that title game. Solid ELO.
QB: Otto Graham (33, Passer Rating Index 114)
1st Team All Pro: Otto Graham, Lou Groza, Len Ford, Dante Lavelli
69. 1955 Cleveland Browns (9-2-1, beat Rams to win NFL Title)
Can I interest you in a fifth Browns team? This was the end, Graham retired, for good this time, after this season. First in points scored and allowed, first in SRS, ELO is also pretty good; SRS loves these Browns teams.
QB: Otto Graham (34, Passer Rating Index 138, best in the league)
1st Team all Pro: Otto Graham, Lou Groza, Frank Gatski
68. 1961 Houston Oilers (10-3-1, beat Chargers to win AFL Title)
Mac Speedie, from many of those Browns teams, is on the Houston staff. The Oilers averaged over 36 points a game and was second in points allowed. 12 win pythag. Enormous SRS despite the soft schedule, the subjective rankings like them right about here.
QB: George Blanda (34, Passer Rating Index 130, easily his career year)
1st Team All pro: George Blanda, Billy Cannon, Bill Groman, Charley Hennigan, Al Jamison, Tony Banfield,
Approximate Value: George Blanda (22) Charley Hennigan (21) Tony Banfield (17) Billy Cannon (16)
67. 2019 Kansas City Chiefs (12-4, beat Niners to win Super Bowl)
5th in points scored, 7th in points allowed, so an okay SRS pumped up by a strong ELO; remarkable comeback to win the Super Bowl.
QB: Patrick Mahomes (24, Passer Rating Index 119)
1st Team All Pro: Tyrann Mathieu
Approximate Value: Patrick Mahomes (17) Mitchell Schwartz (16)
66. 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (12-4, beat Raiders to win Super Bowl)
Gave up a little more than 12 points a game, Mike Tomlin's on this staff. SRS is just okay; ELO likes them right about here and the subjective rankings really like them.
QB: Brad Johnson (34, Passer Rating Index 121, it's Johnson's career year)
1st Team All Pro: Derrick Brooks, Simeon Rice, Warren Sapp,
Approximate Value: Derrick Brooks (22) Simeon Rice (21) Warren Sapp (21) Ronde Barber (15) Brad Johnson (9)
65. 2005 Indianapolis Colts (14-2, lost to Steelers in playoffs)
4th Peyton Manning on the list; the two Colts teams surrounding this have already appeared. 2nd in both points scored and allowed, top SRS and then the first round exit. ELO likes them a lot; this core had a good run.
QB: Peyton Manning (29, Passer Rating Index 129, led league)
1st Team All Pro: Peyton Manning, Jeff Saturday, Dwight Freeney, Bob Sanders
Approximate Value: Edgerrin James (19) Peyton Manning (18) Jeff Saturday (18) Marvin Harrison (15) Montae Reagor (14)
64. 1977 Dallas Cowboys (12-2, beat Broncos to win Super Bowl)
Landry's third team; 2nd in points scored, but the Doomsday defense was 8th in points allowed and Dallas' pythagorean win total was down at 10 and a half. Factor in a soft schedule and this team has an okayish SRS. They really turned it on in the postseason, 1983 Raiders style, 87-23 cumulative score. ELO and the subjective rankings really like this team.
QB: Roger Staubach (35, Passer Rating Index 125, led league)
1st Team All Pro: Drew Pearson, Cliff Harris, Harvey Martin
Approximate Value: Roger Staubach (17) Tony Dorsett (16) Cliff Harris (13)
63. 1984 Miami Dolphins (14-2, lost Super Bowl to Niners)
First in scoring, over 32 points a game, the defense wasn't quite that good, so the Pythag is a little lower at 12.5, soft schedule and that drives down the SRS. ELO and the subjective rankings like Miami right about here.
QB: Dan Marino (23, Passer Rating Index 141, led league and this is easily his career year)
1st Team All Pro: Dan Marino, Dwight Stephenson, Ed Newman, Reggie Roby
Approximate Value: Dan Marino (21) Ed Newman (19) Dwight Stephenson (19) Mark Clayton (16) Mark Duper (15) Bob Baumhower (13)
62. 2007 Indianapolis Colts (13-3, lost in playoffs to Chargers)
5th Manning team; another great regular season turned into a first round knockout, third in points scored and first - first in points allowed. Second best SRS in the league (it's 2007, you know who the best was). ELO likes them right about here.
QB: Peyton Manning (31, Passer Rating Index 122)
1st Team All Pro: Jeff Saturday
Approximate Value: Jeff Saturday (19) Reggie Wayne (19) Peyton Manning (17) Bob Sanders (13)
61. 2013 Denver Broncos (13-3, lost Super Bowl to Seahawks)
And here's the 6th Peyton Manning team. All offense - 1st in points scored 22nd in points allowed, 2nd in SRS, just got killed in that Super Bowl. Everyone likes them a little bit, the subjective rankings push them up here.
QB: Peyton Manning (37, Passer Rating Index 137)
1st Team All Pro: Peyton Manning, Louis Vasquez,
Approximate Value: Louis Vasquez (20) Peyton Manning (19) Danny Trevathan (9)
60. 1943 Chicago Bears (8-1-1, beat Redskins to win NFL Title)
First in scoring, second in points allowed, SRS and ELO both like them a lot.
QB: Sid Luckman (27, Passer Rating Index 143, led league)
1st Team All Pro: Sid Luckman, Harry Clarke, Danny Fortmann, Bulldog Turner,
59. 1948 Chicago Bears (10-2, no playoffs)
1st in points allowed, 3rd in points scored, just an enormous SRS to drive this ranking.
QB: Sid Luckman (32, Passer Rating Index 106, both Johnny Lujack and Bobby Layne are on this team)
1st Team All Pro: Bulldog Turner
58. 1961 Green Bay Packers (11-3, beat Giants to win NFL Title)
Here's the third Lombardi team. First in points scored, second in points allowed, really good SRS and that drives this ranking.
QB: Bart Starr (27, Passer Rating Index 111)
1st Team: Jim Ringo, Fuzzy Thurston, Paul Hornung, Jesse Whittenton, Bill Forester, Henry Jordan,
Approximate Value: Jim Taylor (17) Jim Ringo (16) Fuzzy Thurston (16) Jesse Whittenton (13)
57. 1992 San Francisco 49ers (14-2, lost NFC Championship to Cowboys)
Second Steve Young team on the list; the Niners were first in points scored, third in points allowed, top SRS in the league. Jeff Fisher was an assistant with this team (as was Mike Shanahan, but probably you knew that). SRS, the subjective rankings - everything points this group to right about this spot.
QB: Steve Young (31, Passer Rating Index 142 - don't listen to any ranking of the 10 best QBs in NFL history that doesn't include this guy)
1st Team all pro: Steve Young, Jerry Rice, Harris Barton
Approximate Value: Steve Young (22) Jerry Rice (17) Ricky Watters (16) Harris Barton (15) Guy McIntyre (15) Steve Wallace (15) Pierce Holt (14)
56. 2010 New England Patriots (14-2, lost in playoffs to Jets)
Brady team number 5. Top scoring offense in football, over 32 points a game; ridiculously high SRS (strong schedule) gets them this spot.
QB: Tom Brady (33, Passer Rating Index 130, led league)
1st Team all Pro: Tom Brady, Jerod Mayo, Logan Mankins
Approximate Value: Tom Brady (18) Sebastian Vollmer (17) Jerod Mayo (14)
55. 2012 New England Patriots (12-4, lost in AFC Championship to Ravens)
Brady team number 6. Once again, top scoring offense in football. Nearly 35 a game. Top SRS in the league. ELO likes them somewhere around this spot.
QB: Tom Brady (35, Passer Rating Index 116)
1st Team All pro: Vince Wilfork
Approximate Value: Tom Brady (18) Vince Wilfork (16) Wes Welker (15)
54. 1978 Dallas Cowboys (12-4, lost in Super Bowl to Steelers)
1st in points scored, third in points allowed, a 13 win pythag, top SRS in the league; ELO and the subjective rankings all all clustered right around this spot.
QB Roger Staubach (36, Passer Rating Index 126, led league)
1st Team All Pro: Cliff Harris, Randy White
Approximate Value: Tony Dorsett (17) Roger Staubach (16) Cliff Harris (14)
53. 1968 Oakland Raiders (12-2, lost AFL Championship to Jets)
First in points scored in AFL, second in points allowed. Very high SRS, lost to what has to be considered a Jet team on a hot streak. ELO likes this team right around here.
QB: Daryle Lamonica (27, Passer Rating Index 119)
1st Team all Pro: Hewritt Dixon, Gene Upshaw, Jim Otto, Dan Birdwell, Willie Brown, Dave Grayson,
Approximate Value: Willie Brown (14) Daryle Lamonica (13)
52. 1963 Chicago Bears (11-1, beat Giants to win NFL Title)
This is the second (last) Bear team from this era; Halas is still the head coach here (George Allen on the staff) First in points allowed but the offense is just bad, 10th in points scored in a 14 team league. SRS, ELO, the subjective rankings all zero in at about this spot.
QB: Billy Wade (33, Passer Rating Index 102)
1st Team All Pro: Joe Fortunato, Doug Atkins, Bill George, Richie Petitbon, Rosey Taylor, Mike Ditka,
Approximate Value: Joe Fortunato (19) Doug Atkins (18) Bill George (17) Richie Petitbon (17) Rosey Taylor (17) Larry Morris (15) Billy Wade (11)
51. 1929 Green Bay Packers (12-0-1, first in NFL)
Curly Lambeau's best team. First in points allowed, second in points scored, only blemish was a scoreless tie. Gave up less than 2 points a game. If you're going to have teams from a hundred years ago on the list; the team that gave up less than two a game probably deserves a slot. ELO likes them.
1st Team All Pro: Lavvie Dilweg, Mike Michalske, Verne Lewellen
50. 1976 Oakland Raiders (13-1, beat Vikings to win Super Bowl)
Here's the best of the Raiders Super Bowl Champions. 4th in points scored, SRS is just okay, the pythag wins are down at 10 with the shaky defense. They really put a good beating on the Vikings. ELO and the subjective rankings both like this team more than this (so do I).
QB: Ken Stabler (31, Passer Rating Index 140, it's the Snake's career season)
1st team all Pro: Cliff Branch, Dave Casper, Ray Guy,
Approximate Value: Cliff Branch (16) Ken Stabler (15) Ted Hendricks (9)
49.2011 Green Bay Packers (15-1, lost to Giants in playoffs)
It's Aaron Rodgers - like the '77 Raiders, this is the year after the year - the Packers win the title in 2010, then lose just one game by 5 points all season this year. They average 35 points a game, tops in the league (the defense is not as successful, and so the pythag is much lower than this, a little below 12 wins). Really good SRS and a terrific ELO pushes them here. 15 regular season wins and then bounced by 17.
QB: Aaron Rodgers (28, Passer Rating Index 149, it's Rodgers' career year
1st Team all Pro: Aaron Rodgers, Charles Woodson,
Approximate Value: Aaron Rodgers (23) Scott Wells (16) Jordy Nelson (15) Charles Woodson (12)
48. 1923 Canton Bulldogs (11-0-1 1st in NFL)
This is the best football team from the 20s. 12 win pythag - and when you're unbeaten and your pythag is better than your record, that's pretty good. 1st in points scored and allowed, gave up fewer than 2 points a game. Huge SRS. Shut out first four opponents; shut out last three opponents.
1st Team All pro: Doc Elliott, Pete Henry
47. 1967 Green Bay Packers (9-4-1, beat Raiders to win Super Bowl)
The end of the Lombardi dynasty; third in points allowed but in the middle of the pack in points scored. Jerry Burns is on the staff for these Super Bowl era Packer teams before heading to Minnesota for the next two decades. SRS is okay, really good ELO, the subjective rankings like them right about here.
QB: Bart Starr (33, Passer Rating Index 97, his worst year in the dynasty)
1st Team All Pro: Bob Jeter, Dave Robinson, Willie Davis, Willie Wood, Forrest Gregg, Jerry Kramer
Approximate Value: Bob Jeter (15) Dave Robinson (15) Forrest Gregg (11)
46. 1978 Pittsburgh Steelers (14-2, beat Cowboys to win Super Bowl)
ELO likes them more than this and the subjective rankings really....really like them more than this (me too) but SRS is low given a soft schedule. First in points allowed, just a little more than twelve a game, fifth in points scored. I'm too young to remember the '75 team, so, for me, when I think about the height of the Steelers, I think about this team. But here - there are still three of those Steeler teams yet to come. They just blew through the AFC playoffs before winning one of the great Super Bowls ever played.
QB: Terry Bradshaw (30, Passer Rating Index 126, Bradshaw leads league and this is his career season)
1st Team All Pro: Terry Bradshaw, Jack Ham, Mike Webster, Lynn Swann
Approximate Value: Terry Bradshaw (16) Jack Ham (15) Mike Webster (15)
45. 1970 Minnesota Vikings (12-2, lost to Niners in playoffs)
This is our first look (of only two) at the Purple People Eater teams; This team had a monster SRS, 1st in points allowed, 2nd in points scored - and then bounced from the playoffs in the divisional round. ELO likes them right about this spot.
QB: Gary Cuozzo (29, Passer Rating Index 99, not Joe Kapp, not Tarkenton, it's Cuozzo)
1st Team All Pro: Alan Page Carl Eller
Approximate Value: Alan Page (22) Carl Eller (19) Gene Washington (11)
44. 2017 Philadelphia Eagles (13-3, beat Patriots to win Super Bowl)
The second best Eagles team in history; 3rd in points scored, 4th in points allowed, top SRS in the league. ELO and the subjective ranks like them right about here.
QB: Carson Wentz (25, Passer Rating Index 116; not the QB in the Super Bowl, as you may recall)
1st Team All Pro: Jason Kelce, Lane Johnson
Approximate Value: Jason Kelce (15) Fletcher Cox (14)
43. 1999 St Louis Rams (13-3, beat Titans to win Super Bowl)
First look at the Greatest Show on Turf. One of the very softest schedules on the list and that puts a governor on the SRS. 1st in points scored, 4th in points allowed. The subjective rankings really love this team.
QB: Kurt Warner (28, Passer Rating Index 136, led league, it's Warner's first season getting any playing time at all)
1st Team All Pro: Marshall Faulk, Kevin Carter, Kurt Warner, Orlando Pace
Approximate Value: Marshall Faulk (25), Kevin Carter (19) Kurt Warner (19) Orlando Pace (18)
42. 1951 Cleveland Browns (11-1, lost NFL Championship to Rams)
Sixth Browns team on the list. One still to come. This was the first Browns season they didn't win the title; third in points scored, first in points allowed, another big SRS. ELO likes them right about here. Shula's on this club.
QB: Otto Graham (30, Passer Rating Index 127)
1st Team All Pro: Len Ford, Otto Graham, Dub Jones, Bill Willis
41. 1995 Dallas Cowboys (12-4, beat Steelers to win Super Bowl)
This was Switzer's title; third in both points scored and allowed. Decent SRS but the ELO is solidly higher and the subjective ranks like them right about this spot.
QB: Troy Aikman (29, Passer Rating Index 122)
1st Team All Pro: Emmitt Smith, Nate Newton, Darren Woodson
Approximate Value: Emmitt Smith (20), Michael Irvin (19) Nate Newton (16) Troy Aikman (15) Darren Woodson (12)
40. 2010 Green Bay Packers (10-6, beat Steelers to win Super Bowl)
Another Super Bowl champion from the 2010s, Packers had a 12 win pythag, 2nd in points allowed, it was the defense that carried this team (until the Super Bowl, Rodgers had a helluva Super Bowl and then carried that all the way into the next year). SRS/ELO/rankings all like them right about the same spot.
QB: Aaron Rodgers (27, Passer Rating Index 119)
1st Team All Pro: Clay Matthews
Approximate Value Clay Matthews (19) Aaron Rodgers (15)
39. 1967 Oakland Raiders (13-1, lost to Packers in Super Bowl)
The best Raider team of all time. First in points scored in AFL, second in points allowed. Big league SRS, ELO is okay; it's the subjective rankings that most closely approximate this. The Packers whipped them.
QB: Daryle Lamonica (26, Passer Rating Index 115, Lamonica's first year as a starter)
1st Team All Pro: Daryle Lamonica, Kent McCloughan, Ben Davidson, Tom Keating, Jim Otto, Billy Cannon)
Approximate Value: Daryle Lamonica (15) Kent McCloughan (15)
38. 2019 Baltimore Ravens (14-2, lost to Titans in AFC Playoffs)
Through 2019, the best team in professional football history that didn't make a conference title game; just an enormous SRS; their failure to advance further was a real surprise. 1st in points scored, 3rd in points allowed
QB Lamar Jackson (22, Passer Rating Index 130)
1st Team All Pro: Lamar Jackson, Ronnie Stanley, Marlon Humphrey, Marcus Peters, Justin Tucker
Approximate Value: Lamar Jackson (15) Ronnie Stanley (18)
37. 1971 Dallas Cowboys (11-3, beat Dolphins to win Super Bowl)
Landry's best team. Soft schedule lowers their SRS, 1st in points scored; ELO likes them about here and the subjective rankings like them a little more than this.
QB: Roger Staubach (29, Passer Rating Index 144, Staubach's first year as a starter and he just crushes the league)
1st Team All Pro: John Niland, Rayfield Wright, Bob Lilly
Approximate Value: John Niland (15) Rayfield Wright (15) Bob Lilly (12)
36. 1934 Chicago Bears (13-0, lost NFL Title to Giants)
The best football team from the 1930s. Unbeaten right up until losing to the Giants in the title game. If that sounds like another team, they're still to come. 1st in points scored, second in points allowed, super SRS.
QB: Carl Brumbaugh (28)
1st Team All Pro: Bronko Nagurski, Beattie Feathers, Bill Hewitt, Link Lyman, Joe Kopcha, Jack Manders
35. 2001 St Louis Rams (14-2, lost Super Bowl to Patriots)
The best Rams team. 1st in points scored, really strong SRS with a 13 pythagorean win season. Lost two games by a combined ten points...and then that Super Bowl. ELO and the rankings are both good and a little lower than this.
QB: Kurt Warner (30, Passer Rating Index 132, top in the league)
1st Team All Pro: Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Orlando Pace, Aeneas Williams
Approximate Value: Marshall Faulk (22) Kurt Warner (20) Orlando Pace (18) Torry Holt (16) Aeneas Williams (16) Adam Timmerman (15)
34. 1958 Baltimore Colts (9-3, beat Giants to win NFL Championship)
Its the 5th Unitas team on the list. The team that won the greatest game ever played in the NFL Championship. First in points scored, second in points allowed. Big ole' SRS and the rankings are also really strong and that pulls up the okayish ELO.
QB: Johnny Unitas (25, Passer Rating Index, 127)
1st Team All pro: Johnny Unitas, Ray Berry, Lenny Moore, Jim Parker, Gino Marchetti, Big Daddy Lipscomb)
33. 1997 Denver Broncos (12-4, beat Packers to win Super Bowl)
Both ends of the back to back Super Bowl Champion Broncos are here, this is the first. Top scoring offense, top SRS; ELO and the subjective rankings like them around here.
QB: John Elway (37, Passer Rating Index 113)
1st Team All pro: Terrell Davis, Shannon Sharpe, John Mobley
Approximate Value: Terrell Davis (19) John Elway (18) Darrien Gordon (17) John Mobley (17) Rod Smith (15)
32. 1986 New York Giants (14-2, beat Broncos to win Super Bowl)
Man, the playoff run. 66-3 in the NFC playoffs. And then Simms had that Super Bowl. 2nd in points allowed, top SRS in the league. ELO and the subjective rankings are really high, the pythag is a tick below 12 as the offense we saw in the postseason was not the same offense during the regular season.
QB: Phil Simms (31, Passer Rating Index 100)
1st Team All Pro: Lawrence Taylor, Joe Morris, Mark Bavaro
Approximate Value: Lawrence Taylor (17) Leonard Marshall (15) Joe Morris (15)
31. 1976 Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4, lost to Raiders in AFC Championship)
If not for Franco's injury, maybe they go back to back to back; Defense gave up less than 10 points a game; the pythag wins are 12.5; the SRS is enormous and it yanks the ELO and subjective rankings up from a middle 50s slot.
QB: Terry Bradshaw (28, Passer Rating Index 101)
1st Team All Pro: Jack Lambert, Jack Ham,
Approximate Value: Jack Lambert (19) Jack Ham (17) Rocky Bleier (16)
30. 2009 New Orleans Saints (13-3, beat Colts to win Super Bowl)
The best team in Saints history. Top scoring in the league (the defense was not good, and that ticks down the pythag and SRS) It's the subjective rankings that like them right about here.
QB: Drew Brees (30, Passer Rating Index 132, he led league)
1st Team All Pro: Jahri Evans, Darren Sharper
Approximate Value: Jahri Evans (18) Drew Brees (16) Darren Sharper (13)
29. 1969 Minnesota Vikings (12-2, lost Super Bowl to Chiefs)
First in both points scored and allowed (they gave up 9.5 points a game) giving them one of the great SRS scores of all time and that heavily influences this ranking.
QB: Joe Kapp (31, 111, the only good season of his career)
1st Team All Pro: Alan Page, Carl Eller, Grady Alderman, Mick Tingelhoff, Gene Washington, Fred Cox
Approximate Value: Alan Page (23) Carl Eller (21) Paul Krause (19) Jim Marshall (17) Gary Larsen (16) Earsell Mackbee (15) Lonnie Warwick (15)
28. 1993 Dallas Cowboys (12-4, beat Bills to win Super Bowl)
Our first look at the back to back Super Bowl Champion Cowboys. 2nd in both points scored and allowed, the SRS is a little lower than you'd expect but ELO loves this team and the subjective rankings like them right about here.
QB: Troy Aikman (27, Passer Rating Index 129, it's his career year)
1st Team All Pro: Emmitt Smith, Erik Williams
Approximate Value: Emmitt Smith (20) Michael Irvin (17) Troy Aikman (16) Erik Williams (16) Ken Norton (15)
27. 1998 Denver Broncos (14-2, beat Falcons to win Super Bowl)
Let's talk back to back Super Bowl Champions. The SB2 Packers have already appeared, the SB1 Packers are still to come. Both the '72 and '73 Dolphins are still to come. We've seen both the '76 and '78 Steelers and the '75 and '79 squads are still to come. The SB23 Niners have appeared, the SB24 Niners will appear. We just saw one of the Dallas teams and the other one is still to come. And finally the '03 Patriots are in the books and the '04 squad are comin', Bottom line - back to back Super Bowl Champs are going to make the Top 128 (the '88 Niners are just hanging on though).
2nd in points scored, the strength of schedule is super, super soft and it drives the SRS down. ELO and the subjective rankings are both really, really high.
QB: John Elway (38 Passer Rating Index 119, it's Elway's last year)
1st Team All Pro: Terrell Davis, Shannon Sharpe
Approximate Value: Terrell Davis (22) Rod Smith (17) Bill Romanowski (11)
26. 2014 New England Patriots (12-4, beat Seahawks to win Super Bowl)
Here's the 7th Brady/Belichick team. 4th in points scored, above average strength of schedule, top SRS in the league. ELO and the subjective ranks also pretty good.
QB: Tom Brady (37, Passer Rating Index 112)
1st Team All Pro: Darrelle Revis, Rob Gronkowski
Approximate Value: Tom Brady (16) Darrelle Revis (14)
25. 1998 Minnesota Vikings (15-1, lost to Falcons in NFC Championship)
The best team in Viking history wasn't any of their Super Bowl losers - it was the 15 win Viking team whose only loss was by a FG. Almost 35 points a game, Strong SRS, the rankings like this group a lot.
QB: Randall Cunningham (35, Passer Rating Index 135, its Cunningham's career year)
1st Team All Pro: Randall Cunningham, Randall McDaniel, Randy Moss, John Randle, Gary Anderson
Approximate Value: Randall Cunningham (19) Randall McDaniel (18) Randy Moss (17) Robert Smith (16) Jeff Christy (15) John Randle (15)
24. 1949 Philadelphia Eagles (11-1, beat Rams to win NFL Championship)
The greatest Eagle team of all time; first in points scored and allowed, really, really big SRS.
QB: Tommy Thompson (33, Passer Rating Index 123, top in the league)
1st Team All Pro: Steve Van Buren, Pete Pihos,
23. 2016 New England Patriots (14-2, beat Falcons to win Super Bowl)
The 8th Brady/Belichick team on the list; at the time of this first composition of the list this is the second best football team of the decade. First in points allowed, third in points scored, Soft strength of schedule knocks down their SRS, but the subjective rank is excellent at the ELO is ridiculous.
QB: Tom Brady (39, Passer Rating Index 133, might turn out to be the last great year of his career)
1st Team All Pro: Matthew Slater
Approximate Value: Dont'a Hightower (14) Tom Brady (13)
22. 1979 Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4, beat Rams to win Super Bowl)
4th team from the Steeler dynasty; 1st in points scored, 5th in points allowed, solid schedule and the top SRS in the league. ELO and the subjective ranks all like this team somewhere around this area. I'd take the '78 group over this one.
QB: Terry Bradshaw (31, Passer Rating Index 110)
1st Team All Pro: Mike Webster, Donnie Shell, Jack Ham, Jack Lambert, John Stallworth,
Approximate Value: Mike Webster (16) Terry Bradshaw (14) Donnie Shell (14)
21. 1992 Dallas Cowboys (13-3, beat Bills to win Super Bowl)
The greatest Cowboy team of all time; 2nd in points scored, 5th in points allowed, SRS is just okay, ELO is right about here and the subjective rankings like them a little more than this.
QB: Troy Aikman (26, Passer Rating Index 118)
1st Team All pro: Emmitt Smith, Jay Novacek
Approximate Value: Emmitt Smith (20) Michael Irvin (18) Troy Aikman (17) Tony Casillas (9)
20. 1942 Chicago Bears (11-0, lost NFL Championship to Redskins)
Monster SRS, scored more than 34 a game, gave up fewer than 8
QB: Sid Luckman (26, Passer Rating Index 122)
1st Team All Pro: Sid Luckman, Danny Fortmann, Bulldog Turner, Lee Artoe, George Wilson, Frank Maznicki
19. 1983 Washington Redskins (14-2, lost Super Bowl to Raiders)
Man did this team get boat raced in the Super Bowl. Tremendous offense, almost 34 points a game. ELO loves this team and pulls them up here.
QB: Joe Theismann (34, Passer Rating Index 126, it's his career year)
1st Team All pro: Joe Theismann, Mike Nelms, Russ Grimm, Joe Jacoby, Dave Butz, Mark Murphy, John Riggins
Approximate Value: Joe Theismann (18) Russ Grimm (17) Joe Jacoby (17) Charlie Brown (15) Dave Butz (15)
18. 1969 Kansas City Chiefs (11-3, beat Vikings to win Super Bowl)
Best team in Chiefs history. First in the AFL in points allowed and second in points scored. ELO likes the Chiefs right about here.
QB: Len Dawson (34, Passer Rating Index 106)
1st Team All Pro: Bobby Bell, Buck Buchanan, Johnny Robinson, Ed Budde, Jim Tyrer
Approximate Value: Bobby Bell (17) Buck Buchanan (16) Johnny Robinson (15)
17. 1972 Miami Dolphins (14-0, beat Redskins to win Super Bowl)
Both halves of the Dolphin back to back Champions are here, but it's the Perfect Team who we see first. First in points scored, first in points allowed. Soft schedule drives down the SRS, ELO likes Miami right about here and the subjective rankings are much higher.
QB: Earl Morrall (38, Passer Rating Index 129, led league, got replaced by the returning Griese at halftime of the AFC Championship)
1st Team All Pro: Larry Little, Bill Stanfill, Dick Anderson, Earl Morrall
Approximate Value: Larry Little (17) Bill Stanfill (17)
16. 1994 San Francisco 49ers (13-3, beat Chargers to win Super Bowl)
Steve Young's best team; 1st in points scored, 6th in points allowed, Top SRS in the league, the ELO is right about here and the rankings really like this team...my subjective rankings would definitely have this group in the top 12.
QB: Steve Young (33, Passer Rating Index 147, he led league, it's his career year)
1st Team All Pro: Steve Young, Jerry Rice, Deion Sanders
Approximate Value: Steve Young (23) Jerry Rice (21) Ricky Watters (19)
15. 1941 Chicago Bears (10-1, beat Giants to win NFL Championship)
-It's the best team from the 40s; George Halas's best team; the best team in the first 30 years of the sport. Averaged 36 points a game. Only loss was by two to the Packers.
QB: Sid Luckman (25, Passer Rating Index 137, the top mark in the league)
1st Team All Pro: Sid Luckman, Danny Fortmann, Bulldog Turner
14. 1989 San Francisco 49ers (14-2, beat Broncos to win Super Bowl)
-I'd vote that this is the best postseason team ever; combined score of 126-26. In the regular season, tops in points scored, third in points allowed. Top 5 in both ELO and the subjective ranks. They'd be in my subjective top 8 without question. Jerry Rice's best team.
QB: Joe Montana (33, Passer Rating Index 149, top in league, it's his career season
1st Team All Pro: Mike Cofer, Jerry Rice, Joe Montana, Ronnie Lott
Approximate Value: Jerry Rice (18) Joe Montana (17) Roger Craig (15) Ronnie Lott (14)
13. 1950 Cleveland Browns (10-2, beat Rams to win NFL Championship)
Paul Brown's best team, the best team from the 50s, the best team in the first 40 years of professional football. 2nd in points allowed, 4th in points scored, terrific SRS pulls them up here.
QB: Otto Graham (29, Passer Rating Index 110)
1st Team All Pro: Marion Motley,
12. 2013 Seattle Seahawks (13-3, beat Broncos to win Super Bowl)
At least until the end of the 2019 season, its the best team of the decade. Top defense in points allowed. Subjective rankings like them right about here.
QB: Russell Wilson (25, Passer Rating Index 119)
1st Team All Pro: Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas
Approximate Value: Richard Sherman (19) Russell Wilson (16)
11. 1968 Baltimore Colts (13-1, lost Super Bowl to Jets)
Best Colts team of all time; second best team ever that lost at the end. First in points allowed, second in scoring. Really high SRS and thats the number that pulls them up here.
QB: Earl Morrall (34, Passer Rating Index 128)
1st Team All Pro: Bobby Boyd, Mike Curtis, Earl Morrall, John Mackey
Approximate Value: Bobby Boyd 21, Mike Curtis 19, Earl Morrall 17 Billy Ray Smith 15
10. 1966 Green Bay Packers (12-2, beat Chiefs to win Super Bowl)
First in points scored, pretty good SRS, ELO and the subjective rankings are right in the same spot.
QB: Bart Starr (32, Passer Rating Index 135, led league)
1st Team All Pro: Herb Adderley, Lee Roy Caffey, Willie Davis, Ray Nitschke, Forrest Gregg, Bart Starr, Willie Wood
Approximate Value: Herb Adderley (15), Lee Roy Caffey (15) Willie Davis (15) Forrest Gregg (12)
9. 1973 Miami Dolphins (12-2, beat Vikings to win Super Bowl)
First in points allowed, pretty good SRS, ELO is right about this spot.
QB: Bob Griese (28, Passer Rating Index 122)
1st Team All Pro Dick Anderson, Jake Scott, Jim Langer, Larry Csonka, Larry Little, Paul Warfield, Garo Yepremian
Approximate Value: Dick Anderson (16) Jim Langer (13)
8. 2004 New England Patriots (14-2, beat Eagles to win Super Bowl)
It's Brady/Belichick team 9, the best of their Super Bowl Champions, 2nd in points allowed, 4th in points scored, top SRS in the league. ELO is super high and pulls them up here.
QB: Tom Brady (27, Passer Rating Index 115)
1st Team All Pro: Richard Seymour, Adam Vinatieri
Approximate Value: Tom Brady (15) Corey Dillon (15) Richard Seymour (14)
7. 1984 San Francisco 49ers (15-1, beat Dolphins to win Super Bowl)
Two teams in professional football history have won 15 games and titles and the other one is still to come. Subjectively, this is a top 4 all time team for me for sure. Thinking about the 3 really great Niners teams, if you said this team was 4th best, the '89 team was 8th best and the '94 team was 12th best, I think that's the floor; and if you said all 3 of them were top 5 I think that's the ceiling. The subjective ranks like this team as much as ELO likes the '04 Patriots. 2nd in points scored, first in points allowed.
QB: Joe Montana (28, Passer Rating Index 134)
1st Team All pro: Keith Fahnhorst
Approximate Value: Keith Fahnhorst (17) Joe Montana (16) Randy Cross (15) Eric Wright (14)
6. 1996 Green Bay Packers (13-3, beat Patriots to win Super Bowl)
First in points scored and allowed; heck, they were first in special teams. Higher than any of the individual ranks, SRS is the highest.
QB: Brett Favre (27, Passer Rating Index 126)
1st Team All Pro: LeRoy Butler, Brett Favre,
Approximate Value: Reggie White (19) LeRoy Butler (18) Brett Favre (17)
5. 1975 Pittsburgh Steelers (12-2, beat Cowboys to win Super Bowl)
The best Steeler team. The best 70s team. They gave up fewer than a dozen points a game, strong in SRS, ELO and the subjective rankings.
QB: Terry Bradshaw (27, Passer Rating Index 122, this was Bradshaw's first good season)
1st Team All Pro: Mel Blount, Jack Ham, LC Greenwood
Approximate Value: Mel Blount (17) Jack Ham (16) Franco Harris (16) LC Greenwood (15)
4. 1991 Washington Redskins (14-2, beat Bills to win Super Bowl)
The best Redskin team, the team of the 90s - first in points scored, second in points allowed, huge SRS.
QB: Mark Rypien (29, Passer Rating Index 130, his career year)
1st Team All Pro Darrell Green, Jim Lachey,
Approximate Value: Gary Clark (18) Darrell Green (18) Jim Lachey (18) Wilber Marshall (17) Mark Rypien (17) Charles Mann (15)
3. 1962 Green Bay Packers (13-1, beat Giants to win NFL Title)
The team of the 60s, the best team in the first 60 years of professional football. First in points scored and allowed. Enormous SRS, as big as the sky.
QB: Bart Starr (28, Passer Rating Index 124)
1st Team All Pro: Jerry Kramer, Herb Adderley, Willie Davis, Jim Taylor, Bill Forester, Henry Jordan, Dan Currie, Forrest Gregg, Jim Ringo, Ron Kramer
Approximate Value: Herb Adderley (21) Willie Davis (18) Jim Taylor (18) Bill Forester (17) Henry Jordan (17) Ray Nitschke (17) Dan Currie (16) Jerry Kramer (16) Bart Starr (15)
2. 2007 New England Patriots (16-0, lost Super Bowl to Giants)
The 10th Patriots team on the list; if they had closed it out, there wouldn't be much debate about who the best team was. Averaged almost 37 points a game. Huge SRS and top ELO; if the subjective ranks were just a tick higher they'd hit the top spot.
QB: Tom Brady (30, Passer Rating Index 148, top in the league)
1st Team All pro: Tom Brady, Matt Light, Randy Moss, Asante Samuel, Mike Vrabel,
Approximate Value: Tom Brady (24), Matt Light (20) Randy Moss (20) Logan Mankins (17) Dan Koppen (16) Wes Welker (16) Asante Samuel (15) Mike Vrabel (15)
1. 1985 Chicago Bears (15-1, beat Patriots to win Super Bowl)
And then there was one. The most famous team in football history to be sure. 1st in points allowed, second in points scored. Number one in the subjective rankings.
QB: Jim McMahon (26, Passer Rating Index 111)
1st Team All Pro: Richard Dent, Walter Payton, Steve McMichael, Jimbo Covert, Mike Singletary
Approximate Value: Richard Dent (19) Walter Payton (18) Steve McMichael (17) Jimbo Covert, (15) Mike Singletary (17) Otis Wilson (15)
And there you have it.
By Approximate Value - here's the 53 Man Roster from the greatest teams of all time:
Starters
Offense
QB Lamar Jackson 2019 Ravens
RB LaDainian Tomlinson 2006 Chargers
RB Marshall Faulk 1999 Rams
WR Jerry Rice 1994 49ers
WR Charley Hennigan 1961 Oilers
TE Rob Gronkowski 2011 Patriots
LT Matt Light 2007 Patriots
LG Carl Nicks 2011 Saints
C Dwight Stephenson 1984 Dolphins
RG Louis Vasquez 2013 Broncos
RT Orlando Pace 2001 Rams
Defense
RDE Simeon Rice 2002 Bucs
DT Alan Page 1969 Vikings
LDE Carl Eller 1969 Vikings
ROLB Derrick Brooks 2002 Bucs
RILB Jack Lambert 1976 Steelers
LILB Ray Lewis 2000 Ravens
LOLB Charles Haley 1990 49ers
LCB Herb Adderley 1962 Packers
FS Yale Lary 1962 Lions
SS Troy Polamalu 2008 Steelers
RCB Bobby Boyd 1968 Colts
PK Jan Stenerud 1968 Chiefs
P Ray Guy 1977 Raiders
Reserves
Offense
QB Tom Brady 2007 Patriots
Steve Young 1994 49ers
RB Terrell Davis 1998 Broncos
Marshall Faulk 2001 Rams
Edgerrin James 2004 Colts
WR Randy Moss 2007 Patriots
Otis Taylor 1966 Chiefs
Jerry Rice 1995 49ers
TE Antonio Gates 2006 Chargers
Shannon Sharpe 1997 Broncos
C Jeff Saturday 2007 Colts
G Ed Newman 1984 Dolphins
Randall McDaniel 1998 Vikings
T Jim Lachey 1991 Redskins
Ronnie Stanley 2019 Ravens
Defense
DE Rob Burnett 2000 Ravens
Richard Dent 1985 Bears
Reggie White 1996 Packers
DT Alan Page 1970 Vikings
Warren Sapp 2002 Bucs
OLB Mike Curtis 1968 Colts
James Harrison 2008 Steelers
ILB Pepper Johnson 1990 Giants
NaVorro Bowman 2013 49ers
CB Richard Sherman 2013 Seahawks
Lester Hayes 1980 Raiders
Darrell Green 1991 Redskins
FS Paul Krause 1969 Vikings
SS LeRoy Butler 1996 Packers
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