NFL Team of the Decades
| 11
|
by Behbigben15
The team of the 2000's is, yes of course, the New England Patriots, who won three of four super bowls from '01-'04. But, the "Team of the Decade" for the rest of the decades in NFL history is more of a debate.
Here are the teams of the decade since the first Super Bowl during the 1966 NFL season.
1960's:
Green Bay Packers- Mostly because of head coach Vince Lombardi, and of course the fact that they won the first two super bowls beating the chiefs 35-10, and then the raiders the following year 33-14. Before the first Super Bowl the Packers won three NFL Championships in the 1960's ('61, '62, and '65).
1970's:
Pittsburgh Steelers- Won four Super Bowls in the '70's, beating the Vikings (16-6) in '74, the Cowboys in '75 by the score of 21-17, the cowboys again 35-31 in '78, and the finale was L.A. (Rams) in '79 by the score of 31-19. The Steelers defense was without a doubt the best in at least that decade, and possibly one of the best defenses in NFL history.
Runner-up:
Miami Dolphins- Won two Super Bowls, in 1972 (after going a perfect 14-0 during the regular season) defeating the Washington Redskins 14-7, and in '73 defeated the Vikings 24-7. The dolphins went to one other super bowl in 1971, but lost to the Cowboys 24-3. The dolphins were the only undefeated team in NFL history.
1980's:
San Francisco 49ers- Won four Super Bowls, like the Steelers from the 70's, the niners won seven of the possible ten division titles in the 80's, and had possible the best coach in NFL history, Bill Walsh, who sadly died recently of Leukemia on July 30th at the age of 75.
1990's:
Dallas Cowboys- The Cowboys, led by hall of fame QB Troy Aikman, and WR Michael Irvin (getting inducted into HOF this weekend), and soon to be HOF RB Emmitt Smith (not eligible for HOF yet). The Cowboys won three Super Bowls in the 90's, and were certainly (then, and only then) "America's team."
Runner-up:
Buffalo Bills- They may not have won a Super Bowl, but every single year were right in the middle of playoff contention, and every year they just came up on the short end. They won four Division championships, and after three of them went on to the super bowl ('90, '91, '93). The bills reached the super bowl in '92 as a wild card team. They lost in the super bowl in 1990 to the NY Giants 20-19, and in '91 lost to Washington 37-24, and then losing two straight to the cowboys in '92-'93 by the scores of 52-17, and 30-13. So, despite being consistent and winning four straight conference championships, the Bills cam up short FOUR straight times! How embarrassing!!
2000's:
New England Patriots- Of course, I already told you that the Pats are the team of the decades of the 2000's. They had a second year QB take over for the injured Drew Bledsoe in 2001, only to win the super bowl, which was unexpected, the patriots have absolutely dominated the 2000's so far, and they are expected to win it all again this year. There is no need for a runner-up since they are so far behind these New England Patriots.
