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Top 10 NFL Dynasties of the Super Bowl Era

NFLheaderBy Dave “Mythical” Siderski

NFL Network ran a special a couple of weeks back listing their 10 greatest dynasties of all time. After seeing their list, I was compelled to write this as a rebuttal. Now I love NFL network but took serious issue with some of their choices. Inexplicably, they had the 1990’s Buffalo Bills, a team that never won a Super Bowl, at #8 ahead of both the 70’s Cowboys and the 70’s Raiders. These Cowboys and Raiders teams not only won the “big one” but also sustained their success for well over a decade, far longer than the Bills 4 year run of excellence. This is just one instance where NFL Network’s logic escapes me. So without further ado, here is my list.

10) 2004-2011 Pittsburgh Steelers
Super Bowl Championships: 2
Super Bowl Appearances: 3
AFC Conference Finalist: 4
Won/Lost Percentage: 69.5%

The arrival of Ben Roethlisberger in 2004 signaled a new era of excellence for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers went 15-1 in his rookie season and the next year won Super Bowl XL, defeating the Seattle Seahawks 21-10. Pittsburgh would go on to defeat the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII, 27-23. In 2011, they lost in Super Bowl XLV 31-25 to the Green Bay Packers. In the early years of the Steelers run, Roethlisberger was a strictly a game manager and the strength of the team was its pounding running game and tenacious defense. However, by the end of the era, Big Ben had put his stamp on the team with his playmaking skills and downfield passing ability. Ultimately, he’s established himself as a probable future hall of famer. NFL Network did not include this Pittsburgh Steelers team on its list but I disagree. In my view, their accomplishments over an 8 year period do warrant a place among the top 10 dynasties of the Super Bowl Era.

9) 1992-1995 Dallas Cowboys
Super Bowl Championships: 3
Super Bowl Appearances: 3
NFC Conference Finalist: 4
Won/Lost Percentage: 76.6%

Some will probably be outraged the 90’s Cowboys are so low on this list. For what it’s worth, NFL Network agrees with you, ranking them #5. I agree this Cowboys team was truly special. They were the first team in NFL history to win 3 Super Bowls over a 4 year period, narrowly missing out on the opportunity for a 4-peat with a tough loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the 1994 NFC conference championship game. This Cowboys team had perhaps the greatest collection of talent ever assembled. Offensively, you had big three of Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin, along with perhaps the most dominant offensive line in NFL history. Defensively, you had playmakers like Leon Lett, Charles Haley, Ken Norton, Deion Sanders and Darren Woodson.

So why are they not higher? As special as this four year run was, it was only four years. This Cowboys team accomplished little of note in the years immediately before and afterwards. They simply didn’t have the staying power of those teams that rank higher.

8) 1982-1991 Washington Redskins
Super Bowl Championships: 3
Super Bowl Appearances: 4
NFC Conference Finalist: 5
Won/Lost Percentage: 70.3%

NFL Network left this team off its list which is a complete travesty. The 82-91 Redskins were consistent winners for a decade. The Redskins run was unique in that their three Super Bowl wins were spearheaded by three different quarterbacks: Joe Theismann (Super Bowl XVII), Doug Williams (Super Bowl XXII) and Mark Rypien (Super Bowl XXVI). Over the course of this “dynasty”, their offensive attack transformed from a power running game led by John Riggins to a dangerous passing attack featuring explosive wide outs Art Monk, Gary Clark and Ricky Sanders.

The mainstays of this dynasty were Coach Joe Gibbs and a legendary offensive line nicknamed “The Hogs” featuring the likes of Russ Grimm, Joe Jacoby and Mark May. Defensively, they were anchored by one of the greatest cornerbacks to ever play the game in Darrell Green. With 3 Super Bowl championships over a 10 year period, the 82-91 Redskins must be included among the top 10 dynasties of the Super Bowl era.

7) 1971-1985 Miami Dolphins
Super Bowl Championships: 2
Super Bowl Appearances: 5
AFC Conference Finalist: 7
Won/Lost Percentage: 72.7%

From 1971-73, the Dolphins appeared in a record three consecutive Super Bowls, winning back to back championships in Super Bowl VII and VIII. The historic 1972 team was the only one in the Super Bowl Era to achieve a perfect season. The Dolphins were led by an outstanding defense and one of the most punishing rushing attacks in NFL history. After 1973, the Dolphins never achieved the same heights but still consistently won and made the playoffs on a regular basis. Then came the early 1980’s when the Dolphins advanced to the Super Bowl two more times (Super Bowl XVII and XIX), losing both. By 1983, legendary quarterback Dan Marino was leading the team. He along with the “Mark’s Brothers”, Mark Clayton and Mark Duper, formed one of the most devastating passing attacks in NFL history. In this case, NFL Network and I agree, both listing this Dolphins team as #7 on our list.

6) 1967-1983 Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders
Super Bowl Championships: 3
Super Bowl Appearances: 4
AFC Conference Finalist: 11
Won/Lost Percentage: 73.5%

NFL network has this Raiders team at #10 which is completely ridiculous. From 1967 to 1983, the Raiders were one of the most intimidating teams in NFL history. At first, these Raiders were perennial bridesmaids, losing Super Bowl II and 4 AFC conference championship games between 1970 and 1975. Finally, the 1976 Raiders stormed through the NFL with a record of 16-1 and demolished the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XI. That team was led by colorful veteran quarterback and riverboat gambler, Ken Stabler.

In 1980, “The Snake” was replaced by former #1 draft pick Jim Plunkett who revived his career and led the Raiders to victories in Super Bowl XV and XVIII. Over the course of this era, the Raiders cast of supporting characters including offensive stars like: Marcus Allen, Cliff Branch, Fred Biletnikoff, Dave Casper, Todd Christensen and hall of fame offensive lineman Art Shell, Gene Upshaw and Jim Otto. Defensively they players such as Ben Davidson, Ted “Mad Stork” Hendricks, Matt Millen, Willie Brown, Mike Haynes, and Lester Hayes. This Raiders team was truly a model of what a “Commitment to Excellence” is all about.

5) 1966-1982 Dallas Cowboys
Super Bowl Championships: 2
Super Bowl Appearances: 5
NFC Conference Finalist: 11
Won/Lost Percentage: 73.9%

Once again, NFL Network gets it wrong placing this team at #9 on their list. Under Tom Landry, the Dallas Cowboys built a legendary team that achieved a record 20 straight winning seasons. Like the Raiders, these Cowboys spent years knocking at the door of a world championship before finally breaking through. Finally, they destroyed the Miami Dolphins 24-3 in Super Bowl VI to win their first World Championship. Six years later, they would win their second Super Bowl, decimating the Denver Broncos 27-10.

Although this Cowboys team only won 2 Super Bowls, they were among the NFL’s elite each and every year for nearly two decades. The three Super Bowls they lost were by an aggregate total of 10 points, including two life and death struggles with the legendary Pittsburgh Steelers. Consider these names: Roger Staubach, Don Meredith, Tony Dorsett, Tony Hill, Drew Pearson, “Bullet” Bob Hayes, Lance Alworth, Bob Lily, Randy White, Harvey Martin, Ed “Too Tall” Jones, Charlie Waters, Mel Renfro, and Cliff Harris. Those are just some of the legends that played for this Dallas team. Were it not for a certain team in Steel Town, this Dallas Cowboys team might appear much higher on the list.

4) 1960-1967 Green Bay Packers
Super Bowl Championships: 2
NFL Championships: 5
NFL Championship Finalist: 6
Won/Lost Percentage: 76.4%

NFL Network ranked the 60’s Packers as the number one dynasty of all-time and I can see their point. This team won an unprecedented 5 NFL championships over a 7 year period. Vince Lombardi is considered by many to be the greatest coach in NFL history. The peak of this team’s dynasty occurred prior to the Super Bowl Era but this team was still good enough at the tail end to win the first two Super Bowls in resounding fashion. These Packers were true old school with an offense that ran the ball down your throat and a stifling defense including hall of famers such as Dave Robinson, Leroy Jordan, Ray Nitschke and Herb Adderley. Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr wasn’t flashy but he was clutch in the post season leading the Packers to victory in 9 out of 10 playoff games.

So why are they only #4 on my list? First, much of the Packers run occurred during an era when the NFL only had 14-16 teams which plays a small role in my evaluation. Second, the Packers dynasty, as great as it was, lasted 8 years while two of the three teams that rank higher remained among the NFL’s elite for well over a decade.

3) 1972-1979 Pittsburgh Steelers
Super Bowl Championships: 4
AFC Conference Finalist: 6
Won/Lost Percentage: 76.3%

The Pittsburgh Steelers of the 1970’s might have been the most talented NFL team of all-time, loaded at virtually every position. NFL Network ranked them #2 on their list of top dynasties. Led by legendary coach Chuck Noll, the Steelers went back to back twice and were the only team in NFL history to win 4 Super Bowls over a 6 year period. At quarterback they had Terry Bradshaw, two time Super Bowl MVP. He was complimented by hall of fame wide outs Lynn Swann and John Stallworth, along with hall of famer and perennial 1,000 yard rusher Franco Harris. As talented as the Steelers were on offense, the true strength of this team was on defense. The “Steel Curtain” may have been the greatest defense the NFL has ever seen. Just look at these names: “Mean” Joe Greene, L.C Greenwood, Jack Lambert, Jack Ham, Mel Blount, Mike Wagner and the list goes on.

Only two teams rank ahead of the 70’s Steelers on my list. Again, the reason is Pittsburgh’s reign atop the NFL was incredible but lasted less than a decade. The remaining two teams reigned a-top the NFL for a much longer period of time.

2) 2001-15 New England Patriots
Super Bowl Championships: 4
Super Bowl Appearances: 6
AFC Conference Finalist: 10
Won/Lost Percentage: 76.0%

The New England Patriots have been the preeminent NFL franchise over the past 15 years. This dynasty started with an improbable win by the underdog 2001 Patriots over the vaunted St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI. Subsequently, they won back to back Super Bowls over the Carolina Panthers (Super Bowl XXXVII) and Philadelphia Eagles (Super Bowl XXXIX), becoming only the second team in NFL history to win 3 Super Bowls in 4 years. This alone would have earned the Patriots a place on this list.

However, it is what they achieved over the next decade that makes this dynasty truly special. From 2006-15, the Patriots advanced to three Super Bowls and six conference championship games. Last year, in Super Bowl XLI, they finally won their 4th Super Bowl with a 28-24 win over the defending champion Seahawks. To date, the Patriots have a streak of 12 straight 10+ win seasons. The championship seasons of the early 2000’s were built on defense. In more recent years, the Patriots have relied on an innovative, high powered offense. Either way, they’ve found a way to win consistently and remain in the hunt for a World Championship each and every year. The two constants of this team have been Coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady, arguably the greatest coach and quarterback in NFL history.

1) 1981-98 San Francisco 49ers
Super Bowl Championships: 5
NFC Conference Finalist: 10
Won/Lost Percentage: 74.1%

After years of losing seasons, the 49ers were brought back to life by Bill Walsh and Joe Montana. This dynamic duo led San Francisco to a victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XVI. The 49ers went on to win 4 Super Bowl championships over a nine year period. The innovative 49ers West Coast offense, led by Walsh and Montana, included such skill position players as Roger Craig, Wendell Tyler, Dwight Clark, John Taylor and the greatest wide receiver of all time, Jerry Rice. Defensively this team was stacked as well, including such stars as Fred Dean, Carlton Williamson and the great Ronnie Lott. The 80’s 49ers peaked with a devastating 55-10 victory over the Denver Broncos in Super XXIV.

Joe Montana was succeeded by Steve Young and Bill Walsh stepped aside for George Seifert but the one thing that didn’t change was the winning. The 49ers remained among the NFL’s elite throughout the 90’s, appearing in 5 NFC conference championship games and winning Super Bowl XXIX over the San Diego Chargers in 1995. From 1983-98, the 49ers amassed an incredible streak of 16 straight 10+ win seasons. It was tough choosing between this 49ers team and the 21st century Patriots. Ultimately, the 49ers edge in Super Bowl wins 5-4 gives them the edge in my view.

Teams that warrant honorable mention in my view include the: 2003-2010 Indianapolis Colts, 1996-1998 Denver Broncos, 1990-1993 Buffalo Bills, 1969-1976 Minnesota Vikings, 1966-1969 Kansas City Chiefs and the 1964-1971 Baltimore Colts. All of these teams has excellent runs which included multiple Super Bowl appearance. However, all in my view, fall just short of top 10 status. Sports fans, let the debate begin.

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