The NFL has designed the Super Bowl to be the ultimate sporting contest. Given the myriad ways games turn, the teams with the best record or scariest reputation do not always win. Many factors are considered when assessing champions, and this inspires intense—and hopefully—good-natured debate. With that, ranking the top 10 Super Bowl champions should not be taken literally. Still, there is a reasonable case for all 10.
1972 Miami Dolphins
- Won Super Bowl VII, 14-7 over Washington
- 17-0 Record
- MVP: Jake Scott, Free Safety
The following statement can counteract any pushback against the ’72 Dolphins said in this cadence:
They…won…every…game.
Don Shula’s 17-0 team was pushed, prodded, dragged, and manipulated by its mercurial head coach. They were ranked first in the league in both offense and defense. Quarterback Bob Griese, fullback Larry Csonka, center Jim Langer, guard Larry Little, wide receiver Paul Warfield, and linebacker Nick Buoniconti are all in the Hall of Fame as is Shula and director of player personnel Bobby Beathard.
1985 Chicago Bears
- Won Super Bowl XX, 46-10 over New England
- 18-1 Record
- MVP: Richard Dent, Defensive End
The ’85 Bears are remembered for their colorful personalities from head coach Mike Ditka, defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan, iconoclastic quarterback Jim McMahon, defensive lineman/occasional running back William “The Refrigerator” Perry, and the most fearsome defense perhaps in NFL history.
Then there was the Super Bowl Shuffle.
Chicago started the season 12-0 and the only thing that prevented them from breaking the Dolphins’ record was a 38-24 loss in Miami. They tore through the playoffs, shutting out the Giants and Rams by a combined score of 45-0, and were angry they let the Patriots score in the Super Bowl.
1966 Green Bay Packers
- Won Super Bowl I, 35-10 over Kansas City
- 14-2 Record
- MVP: Bart Starr, Quarterback
This was the Packers’ fourth championship of the decade and probably the most important. Although they boasted eight Hall of Famers including quarterback Starr and defensive back Willie Wood, their entire aura under the Vince Lombardi era could have come undone had they lost to what was then viewed as the inferior AFL in the inaugural Super Bowl.
They overcame a slow start to blow out Kansas City and, in the process, knocked out hard-hitting (some said dirty) Chiefs defensive back Fred “The Hammer” Williamson.
1978 Pittsburgh Steelers
- Won Super Bowl XIII, 35-31 over Dallas
- 17-2 Record
- MVP: Terry Bradshaw, Quarterback
This was the third Steelers Super Bowl win of the 1970s and the team was at its apex under Hall of Fame head coach Chuck Noll. They had nine Hall of Famers on the field including Super Bowl MVP Terry Bradshaw.
Bradshaw threw four touchdown passes as the Steelers broke out to a 35-17 lead. Dallas rallied to cut the deficit to 35-31 before succumbing. Wide receiver Lynn Swann made several insane catches on the way to victory.
1989 San Francisco 49ers
- Won Super Bowl XXIV, 55-10 over Denver
- 17-2 Record
- MVP: Joe Montana, Quarterback
This was the 49ers’ fourth and final Super Bowl of the decade and the first after the retirement of Hall of Fame head coach Bill Walsh. It was probably their best team from start to finish with Montana at the height of his powers throwing five touchdown passes and wide receiver Jerry Rice cementing his reputation as an unstoppable force with seven catches for 148 yards and three TDs. The score could have been 80-10 had they really wanted to humiliate the Broncos.
1986 New York Giants
- Won Super Bowl XXI, 39-20 over Denver
- 17-2 Record
- Super Bowl MVP: Phil Simms, Quarterback
Three years earlier, the Giants had gone 3-12-1 and Bill Parcells was nearly fired as head coach in favor of Howard Schnellenberger. Lawrence Taylor was perhaps already the best defensive player in NFL history. Phil Simms pitched a near-perfect game completing 22 of 25 passes for 268 yards and three touchdowns including this carom off tight end Mark Bavaro to wide receiver Phil McConkey.
1976 Oakland Raiders
- Won Super Bowl XI, 32-14 over Minnesota
- 16-1 Record
- Super Bowl MVP: Fred Biletnikoff, Wide Receiver
Under owner/GM Al Davis and head coach John Madden, the Raiders had garnered the reputation of always losing in big games. They lost Super Bowl II to Green Bay in forgettable fashion, a game no one ever talks about. Every year, it seemed they came in second to Miami, Pittsburgh, or Kansas City.
In 1976, they broke through in a selfless team effort from Hall of Fame quarterback Ken Stabler to his fellow Hall of Famers Biletnikoff and veteran cornerback Willie Brown. Brown intercepted a Fran Tarkenton pass and ran 75 yards for a touchdown.
2000 Baltimore Ravens
- Won Super Bowl XXXV, 34-7 over New York Giants
- 16-4 Record
- Super Bowl MVP: Ray Lewis, Linebacker
Even though it was only 10-0 at halftime, the game was over. The Giants couldn’t score against Baltimore’s punishing, vicious defense led by Ray Lewis. New York was held to 152 total yards. Baltimore intercepted quarterback Kerry Collins four times and won with a mediocre quarterback in Trent Dilfer and that defense.
Eventually, they became known as the “Bullies of Baltimore.”
1992 Dallas Cowboys
- Won Super Bowl XXVII, 52-17 over Buffalo
- 16-3 Record
- Super Bowl MVP: Troy Aikman, Quarterback
Four years earlier, Dallas went 1-15 and head coach Jimmy Johnson was being slaughtered for trading one of their few good players, running back Herschel Walker.
That trade is widely regarded as the most lopsided in history considering the wealth of draft picks he accrued from Minnesota. He was able to draft and trade for the players he needed to win. Had this team stayed together with the deep and diverse roster behind stars QB Troy Aikman, running back Emmitt Smith, and wide receiver Michael Irvin, they could have won five Super Bowls in seven years.
2003 New England Patriots
- Won Super Bowl XXXVIII, 32-29 over Carolina
- 17-2 Record
- Super Bowl MVP: Tom Brady, Quarterback
This was a seesaw affair with Carolina taking a 22-21 lead with less than seven minutes remaining. Tom Brady (32 of 48 for 354 yards and 3 touchdowns) hit current Pats head coach and usual linebacker Mike Vrabel for a 1-yard TD pass. Carolina came back to tie it at 29 before Adam Vinatieri’s game-winning field goal.
This was Bill Belichick’s second Super Bowl title and punctured any claims of the first being a fluke. Brady, Richard Seymour, Kevin Faulk, Vrabel, and Brady were all still in their 20s just starting their dynasty.
How Are You Ranking the Top 10 Super Bowl Champions?
Any subjective ranking is arguable, especially ranking the top 10 Super Bowl champions with so many great ones to choose from. There are no parameters. So, is this a good list or not? Will the Chiefs, Ravens, or Lions join them in a few weeks?
As Super Bowl LIX approaches, the argument will rage on.
-
Tags:
Leave a Comment