5) 1991 Washington
Speaking of absolute reckoning, the 1991 Washington team might deserve a higher ranking on the list. Sadly, they have an extra tick in the loss column than the ’84 49ers and ’85 Bears.
Their offense was similarly impressive to the 2007 Patriots. This is one of the greatest NFL teams of all time for that reason alone, but also their defensive dominance. Washington’s offense scored a staggering 59.6% above the league average. Their defense, conversely, ranked second in the league. The team allowed 26.3% fewer points than the league average for 1991.
The 1991 team had two All-Pros in OT Jim Lachey and CB Darrell Green. Moreover, Washington boasted six Pro Bowlers, including their QB, RB, and leading WR. Art Monk also registered over 1,000 yards receiving but did not make the Pro Bowl.
4) 2007 New England Patriots
I’d argue this is the best of the greatest teams in NFL history. Unfortunately for them, they had performance issues when it mattered most. Losing to a flukey New York Giants team in the Super Bowl doesn’t help their case for the most outstanding team ever. However, their offensive output alone almost matches the overall dominance of the top three teams relative to the mean.
Their offense scored 69.7% more points than the league average. For reference, the 1972 Dolphins were better than the mean 75.5% of the time between their offense AND defense. The Patriots’ defense was also 21% better than the mean. That gives them a staggering 90.7% total better than the scoring mean for 2007. The next-highest-scoring offense was 134 points behind.
Unfortunately, that three-point loss to the Giants due to the right arm of Eli Manning and the earhole of David Tyree ruined the Patriots’ chance at immortality. It’s a shame, too. This team was the most dominant force ever assembled, and it happened AFTER THE INTRODUCTION OF THE SALARY CAP! It would take a miracle for this to ever happen again.
3) 1984 San Francisco 49ers
The 1984 San Francisco 49ers are one of the greatest teams in NFL history. However, this 49ers team has an interesting lack of personal achievement relative to their team dominance for the year.
Offensive tackle Keith Fahnhorst was the only first-team AP All-Pro on the 1984 roster. Nevertheless, the 49ers’ offense commanded the rankings.
They suffered from the fewest turnovers in the league. Montana’s 32 passing touchdowns ranked second, and his 10 interceptions ranked first. The 49ers also came in second in net yards gained per pass attempt.
The rushing attack was similarly dominant. The 49ers finished second in average per rush and touchdowns. They were also third in total yards on the ground.
Their defensive excellence came by way of not giving up touchdowns. San Francisco falls outside the top 10 in many spots, but they were first in passing touchdowns allowed and second in rushing touchdowns allowed.
2) 1985 Chicago Bears
The argument between the 1985 Chicago Bears and 1984 49ers for the second-greatest NFL team of all time was the most difficult. After all, they happened in back-to-back seasons. Both teams finished second in points scored and first in points allowed.
The Bears were a combined 74.9% better than the mean in points scored (32.4%) and points against (42.5%.) The 49ers, meanwhile, were 73.1% in that category but skewed a bit more toward offensive dominance (40%) rather than defensive dominance (33.1%).
The Bears’ defense also forced 54 turnovers and allowed just 12.4 points per game. That defense boasted three first-team All-Pros and five Pro Bowlers. Overall, the team generated five first-team All-Pros and nine Pro Bowlers. But what put the ’85 Bears over the ’84 49ers was the strength of schedule. The Bears SOS was -0.19 compared to the 49ers -2.75.
They were doing the Super Bowl Shuffle, and Walter Payton was dual-threatening his way toward his fifth and final All-Pro selection.
1) 1972 Miami Dolphins
The undefeated 1972 Dolphins sit on the throne of the greatest NFL teams of all time. They had, by all accounts, a cupcake of a schedule. Red velvet, maybe?
Despite their -4.27 SOS (strength of schedule), that is only good for the second easiest on the list (stay tuned). The ’72 Dolphins are the only team on this list to best the league in points for and points against.
The amazing thing about the 1972 season is they did it mostly with backup quarterback Earl Morrall at the helm, winning nine games. He was also named as a first-team All-Pro that season. Additionally, both Larry Csonka and Mercury Morris (which still might be the greatest name of all time) rushed for over 1,000 yards and made the Pro Bowl in 1972.
Legendary Dallas Cowboys head coach Tom Landry coined the ’72 Dolphins’ defense as the “No-Name Defense” because the offense won the headlines while the defense quietly dominated. The team ended up with four All-Pro selections and nine Pro Bowlers.
Now let’s hit the nutty numbers narrative.
As already stated, they led in points for and against. The Dolphins were also first in yards gained and yards allowed. They tied the Steelers for first in fumbles recovered and were second in defensive interceptions.
Additionally, Miami was second in offensive first downs and allowed the least amount of first downs in the league. The Dolphins ranked third in both net yards gained and allowed per pass attempt. If that wasn’t enough, they ranked first in rushing attempts, yards, and yards per attempt. Despite rushing the ball 69 more times than the next-closest team, and 354 more times than they passed the ball, they ranked second in yards per carry with 4.8.
The greatest team we’ll probably ever see.