With Super Bowl 52 coming up, and the amazing game last year in Houston between the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons, it’s time to find out who are the best teams who have ever won the big game.
The criteria is how good the division is, how they got to the game, their record, and star players.
- 1976 Oakland Raiders 13-1
The Raiders had one the best offenses in the NFL in 1976 with 350 points scored, and they were ranked 4th in team offense. The team that came in second place was the Denver Broncos who went 9-5. Their star players were Quarterback Ken Stabler (he went to the Pro-Bowl that year, throwing for 2,737 passing yards and 27 touchdowns0 and Wide Receiver Cliff Branch, another Pro-Bowler. Branch caught 1,111 yards and 12 touchdowns. The Raiders also had head coach with John Madden
- 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers 11-5
Pittsburgh won three road games to win it all. They had one of the best defenses in the NFL in 2005 with a team ranked No. 4.. Pittsburgh came in second place that year with Cincinnati going 11-5, but they beat the Bengals and went on the win it all. The Steelers’ star players included Troy Polamalu (he went the Pro-Bowl and was 1st team all defense with eight pass deflections and two interceptions) and Hines Ward , who had 985 yards and nine touchdowns. The Steelers were coached by Bill Cowher in his last season, as well.
- 2013 Seattle Seahawks 13-3
The Seahawks had the best defense in the NFL in 2013: they ranked No. 1 in team defense allowing 231 points all year. The NFC West was one of the best divisions in football with the 49ers going 12-4; they made it all the way to the NFC championship and lost to Seattle. The Seahawks star players were Quarterback Russell Wilson (he threw for 3,357 yards and 25 touchdowns) and Cornerback Richard Sherman, who was first team defense, with eight interceptions that year. The Seahawks were led by Head Coach Pete Carroll.
- 2016 New England Patriots 14-2
New England started the season without star Quarterback Back Tom Brady who was suspended However, they went 3-1 without Brady. New England had the best scoring Defense in the NFL. In Super Bowl 51, New England found themselves down 28-3, but they came back to win it in overtime. The star players were Tom Brady, who went to the Pro Bowl and threw 3,554 yards and 28 touchdowns. Also, wide Receiver Julian Edelman went over 1,000 yards caught. New England was led by Bill Belichick.
- 1999 St. Louis Rams 13-3
St. Louis had one of the best offenses ever to take the field. They were called the Greatest Show on Turf. They scored 526 points and were ranked No. 1 in team offenses. The Rams’ star players were Quarterback Kurt Warner (he won MVP and went to the Pro-Bowl and was first team all offense). He threw for 4,000 yards, but they also had running back Marshall Faulk. He went to the Pro-Bowl first team all offense and rushed for 1,000 yards. St. Louis was led by Dick Vermeil as the Head Coach.
- 1972 Miami Dolphins 14-0
The Dolphins are the only team to win the Super Bowl and go undefeated. They did only have to play 14 games instead of 16 like teams do now. Miami’s star players were Quarterback Earl Morrall who threw over 1,660 passing yards and ll touchdowns. They also had running back Mercury Morris, who rushed for 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns, and Cornerback Herb Adderley who had four interceptions. Mimai was led by head coach Don Shula.
- 1994 San Francisco 49ers 15-1
The 49ers had one of the best teams in 1994. They had some of the best offensive players in the NFL at the time. They also had one of the best defenses in the NFL, allowing 227 points all year. San Francisco’s star players were quarterback Joe Montana, who went to the Pro-Bowl with 3,360 yards and 28 touchdowns. They also had running back Wendell Tyler, who went to the Pro-Bowl rushing for 1,262 and seven touchdowns. The 49ers were led by Bill Walsh
- 1992 Dallas Cowboys 13-3
The Cowboys were a great team put together with a great defense and a really good offense. Dallas had 409 points scored and was ranked second in team offense, and 243 points against with fifth team defense. The NFC East in 1992 was amazing with three teams making the playoffs; the Eagles went 11-5 and made it into the NFC Championship, and the Redskins were 9-7 and lost in division round. The Cowboys star players included quarterback Troy Aikman, who he went to the Pro-bowl and threw for 3,445 yards and 23 touchdowns. Also, running back Emmitt Smith went to the Pro-bowl and Smith rushed for 1,713 yards and 18 touchdowns.
- 2000 Baltimore Ravens 12-4
The Ravens had one of the best defenses ever to play in the NFL. They only allowed 165 points and were the No. 1 team defense in the NFL. The Ravens won three road games, only giving up 23 points all playoffs. The star players were linebacker Ray Lewis, who and free safety Rod Woodson.Woodson had four interceptions. Baltimore was led by Brian Billick.
- 1978 Pittsburgh Steelers 14-2
The Steelers are one of the few teams that won the Superbowl in back-to-back seasons. They had one of the greatest defenses ever (The Steel Curtain) with only 195 points allowed. They also had the MVP quarterback Terry Bradshaw. Pittsburgh won their second super bowl in franchise history. The star players were Terry Bradshaw who threw for 2,915 passing yards and 28 touchdowns, and lineman Joe Green, and linebacker Jack Lambert. They were led by Chuck Noll.
Colby Sherwin, Staff Writer