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Page 2
<!-- hasAccess this is not a premium story -->After hours upon hours of exhaustive research, Page 2 is settling the debate once and for all with our definitive hierarchy of the first 80 Super Bowl participants.
OK, we admit it, we're just pouring more fuel on the fire. But what better football debate is there to have while we bide our time until this year's big game?
So seek out your favorite team on our list. We hope you'll be pleased with the result ? although we're reasonably certain you won't. If you're curious to know how we arrived at our rankings, and to read the top five lists from John Clayton and Len Pasquarelli, click here.
The rankings: No. 80 to No. 61 | No. 60 to No. 41 | No. 40 to No. 21 | No. 20 to No. 1
<table class="tablehead" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">[FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana, sans-serif]80.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana,sans-serif]1979 LOS ANGELES RAMS 9-7 (2-1)[/FONT] </td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Pts</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Pts
All.</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Diff.</td> <td>Rank
Pts</td> <td>Rank
Yards</td> <td>Rank
Pts All.</td> <td>Rank
Yds All.</td> <td>Opp.
W-L</td> <td>.500+</td> <td>Post.
Score</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>323</td> <td>20.2</td> <td>309</td> <td>19.3</td> <td>+14</td> <td>15 of 28</td> <td>13 of 28</td> <td>11 of 28</td> <td>8 of 28</td> <td>.473</td> <td>3-6</td> <td>49-50</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">Super Bowl: Lost to Pittsburgh 31-19 Coach: Ray Malavasi
Key players: QB Vince Ferragamo (5 TD, 10 INT in 110 PA), RB Wendell Tyler (1,109 yards), OT Jackie Slater, DE Jack Youngblood, LB Jack Reynolds, LB Jim Youngblood, C Rich Saul</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
The Rams were a powerhouse for most of the '70s under Chuck Knox and had six straight seasons of 10 or more wins from '73 to '78, so it was a surprise this 9-7 team was the one that finally reached the Super Bowl (with the worst record ever for a Super Bowl team). The Rams led the NFL in interceptions thrown in '79, with four different QBs contributing. Pat Haden was the starting QB most of the season, but Vince Ferragamo had replaced an injured Haden by the playoffs. Despite leading a superior Steelers team heading into the fourth quarter, this team still gets the No. 80 ranking.
<table class="tablehead" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">[FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana, sans-serif]79.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana,sans-serif]2003 CAROLINA PANTHERS 11-5 (3-1)[/FONT] </td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Pts</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Pts
All.</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Diff.</td> <td>Rank
Pts</td> <td>Rank
Yards</td> <td>Rank
Pts All.</td> <td>Rank
Yds All.</td> <td>Opp.
W-L</td> <td>.500+</td> <td>Post.
Score</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>325</td> <td>20.3</td> <td>304</td> <td>19.0</td> <td>+21</td> <td>15 of 32</td> <td>16 of 32</td> <td>10 of 32</td> <td>7 of 32</td> <td>.445</td> <td>3-3</td> <td>101-68</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">Super Bowl: Lost to New England 32-29 Coach: John Fox
Key players: QB Jake Delhomme (3,219 yards, 19 TD), RB Stephen Davis (1,444 yards), WR Steve Smith (88 rec, 1,110 yards), DT Kris Jenkins, DE Julius Peppers, DE Mike Rucker, S Mike Minter</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
Don't be fooled by Carolina's near win in the Super Bowl. This was a .500 team masquerading as a playoff squad. The Panthers barely outscored their opponents during the regular season (seven of their 11 wins were by three points or less) despite a pretty easy schedule ? only six games against .500-or-better teams. While the defense was solid, especially in an NFC title win over Philly, they lost three straight games late in the season, the offense was mediocre, and just two players (Stephen Davis and Kris Jenkins) made the Pro Bowl. <table class="tablehead" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">[FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana, sans-serif]78.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana,sans-serif]2000 NEW YORK GIANTS 12-4 (2-1)[/FONT] </td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Pts</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Pts
All.</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Diff.</td> <td>Rank
Pts</td> <td>Rank
Yards</td> <td>Rank
Pts All.</td> <td>Rank
Yds All.</td> <td>Opp.
W-L</td> <td>.500+</td> <td>Post.
Score</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>328</td> <td>20.5</td> <td>246</td> <td>15.4</td> <td>+82</td> <td>15 of 31</td> <td>13 of 31</td> <td>5 of 31</td> <td>5 of 31</td> <td>.445</td> <td>4-4</td> <td>68-44</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">Super Bowl: Lost to Baltimore 34-7 Coach: Jim Fassel
Key players: QB Kerry Collins (3,610 yards, 22 TD), RB Tiki Barber (over 1700 total yards), WR Amani Toomer, OG Ron Stone, DE Michael Strahan, LB Jessie Armstead, DT Keith Hamilton</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
A completely uninspiring and forgettable team, which got crushed in a completely uninspiring and forgettable Super Bowl. (Wait, Jim Fassel coached in a Super Bowl? Kerry Collins took every snap for a Super Bowl team?) Nonetheless, the Giants did win the NFC (beating the Vikings 41-0 in the NFC title game when Minnesota essentially quit). The Giants were strong on D, especially against the run (allowing just 3.2 yards per carry) and did beat the Eagles three times, but won a weak conference and lacked star power (only two Pro Bowlers). Did we mention Jim Fassel was the coach?
<table class="tablehead" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">[FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana, sans-serif]77.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana,sans-serif]1982 MIAMI DOLPHINS 7-2 (3-1)[/FONT] </td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Pts</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Pts
All.</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Diff.</td> <td>Rank
Pts</td> <td>Rank
Yards</td> <td>Rank
Pts All.</td> <td>Rank
Yds All.</td> <td>Opp.
W-L</td> <td>.500+</td> <td>Post.
Score</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>198</td> <td>22.0</td> <td>131</td> <td>14.6</td> <td>+67</td> <td>10 of 28</td> <td>19 of 28</td> <td>2 of 28</td> <td>1 of 28</td> <td>.444</td> <td>3-2</td> <td>93-53</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">Super Bowl: Lost to Washington 27-17 Coach: Don Shula
Key players: QB David Woodley (63.5 passer rating), RB Andra Franklin, C Dwight Stephenson, OG Bob Kuechenberg, DT Bob Baumhower, DE Doug Betters, LB A.J. Duhe, CB Don McNeal</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
Two words: David Woodley. Probably the worst QB ever to start a Super Bowl, Woodley went 4-for-14 in the loss. In the AFC Championship Game of this strike season, he threw three picks. The Dolphins beat the Jets 14-0 anyway (Richard Todd threw five picks). The Dolphins were 19th in total yards, making them one of the worst offensive teams to reach the Super Bowl. Notable fact: Miami allowed the fewest passing yards and had the most interceptions in the NFL, yet none of the defensive backs made the Pro Bowl. (Brothers Lyle and Glenn Blackwood started at safety and were known as the "Bruise Brothers.")
<table class="tablehead" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">[FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana, sans-serif]76.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana,sans-serif]1985 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 11-5 (3-1)[/FONT] </td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Pts</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Pts
All.</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Diff.</td> <td>Rank
Pts</td> <td>Rank
Yards</td> <td>Rank
Pts All.</td> <td>Rank
Yds All.</td> <td>Opp.
W-L</td> <td>.500+</td> <td>Post.
Score</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>362</td> <td>22.6</td> <td>290</td> <td>18.1</td> <td>+72</td> <td>10 of 28</td> <td>9 of 28</td> <td>6 of 28</td> <td>5 of 28</td> <td>.496</td> <td>4-5</td> <td>94-94</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">Super Bowl: Lost to Chicago 46-10 Coach: Raymond Berry
Key players: QB Tony Eason (11 TD, 17 INT, 67.5 QB rating), RB Craig James (1,227 yards), WR Irving Fryar, OG John Hannah, LB Andre Tippett, LB Steve Nelson, CB Fred Marion</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
The good: a pretty strong defensive unit that featured four Pro Bowlers (remember how good Andre Tippett was?) and allowed the second-fewest TD passes and fifth-fewest yards in the NFL; Craig James and all-time great John Hannah gave the Pats a solid running game; three playoff wins on the road (at Jets, Raiders and Dolphins). The bad: QB Tony Eason had more picks than TDs (17 to 11). The ugly: that Super Bowl performance (Eason was benched for Steve Grogan after going 0-for-6 with a fumble and three sacks).<table class="tablehead" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">[FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana, sans-serif]75.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana,sans-serif]1986 DENVER BRONCOS 11-5 (2-1)[/FONT] </td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Pts</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Pts
All.</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Diff.</td> <td>Rank
Pts</td> <td>Rank
Yards</td> <td>Rank
Pts All.</td> <td>Rank
Yds All.</td> <td>Opp.
W-L</td> <td>.500+</td> <td>Post.
Score</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>378</td> <td>23.6</td> <td>327</td> <td>20.4</td> <td>+51</td> <td>6 of 28</td> <td>15 of 28</td> <td>15 of 28</td> <td>10 of 28</td> <td>.545</td> <td>7-4</td> <td>65-76</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">Super Bowl: Lost to New York Giants 39-20 Coach: Dan Reeves
Key players: QB John Elway (3,485 yards, 19 TD), RB Sammy Winder (789 yards), WR Mark Jackson, DE Rulon Jones, LB Karl Mecklenburg, CB Mike Harden, S Dennis Smith</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
How did they reach Super Bowl with such mediocre team statistical rankings? Oh yeah, they beat a Marty Schottenheimer-coached team in the AFC title game. Before you make the case that this is the worst Super Bowl team, consider that Denver faced the toughest schedule ever of a Super Bowl participant ? .545 opponents' winning percentage. Oh, and they did have a guy named Elway playing quarterback.<table class="tablehead" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">[FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana, sans-serif]74.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana,sans-serif]1996 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 11-5 (2-1)[/FONT] </td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Pts</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Pts
All.</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Diff.</td> <td>Rank
Pts</td> <td>Rank
Yards</td> <td>Rank
Pts All.</td> <td>Rank
Yds All.</td> <td>Opp.
W-L</td> <td>.500+</td> <td>Post.
Score</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>418</td> <td>26.1</td> <td>313</td> <td>19.6</td> <td>+105</td> <td>2 of 30</td> <td>7 of 30</td> <td>14 of 30</td> <td>19 of 30</td> <td>.512</td> <td>4-5</td> <td>69-44</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">Super Bowl: Lost to Green Bay 35-21 Coach: Bill Parcells
Key players: QB Drew Bledsoe (4,086 yards, 27 TD), RB Curtis Martin (1,152 yards, 14 TD), WR Terry Glenn (90 rec, 1,132 yards), TE Ben Coates, OT Bruce Armstrong, DE Willie McGinest</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
Bill Parcells likes to run the ball, but this was a throwing team: The Pats were second in the NFL in attempts and third in passing yards. That wasn't the only strange stat. While finishing second in points, the offense was more methodical than scary: 19th in yards per passing attempt and 25th in average yards per carry. And while the defense gave up a lot of yards (over 4,000 passing yards), it did have a tough run D (third-best yards per carry) and picked off 23 passes. But it certainly wasn't a great team and was helped when 9-7 Jacksonville knocked off 13-3 Denver in the divisional round.
<table class="tablehead" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">[FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana, sans-serif]73.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana,sans-serif]1993 BUFFALO BILLS 12-4 (2-1)[/FONT] </td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Pts</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Pts
All.</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Diff.</td> <td>Rank
Pts</td> <td>Rank
Yards</td> <td>Rank
Pts All.</td> <td>Rank
Yds All.</td> <td>Opp.
W-L</td> <td>.500+</td> <td>Post.
Score</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>329</td> <td>20.6</td> <td>242</td> <td>15.1</td> <td>+87</td> <td>7 of 28</td> <td>6 of 28</td> <td>5 of 28</td> <td>27 of 28</td> <td>.500</td> <td>7-4</td> <td>72-66</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">Super Bowl: Lost to Dallas 30-13 Coach: Marv Levy
Key players: QB Jim Kelly (3,382 yards, 18 TD, 18 INT), RB Thurman Thomas (1,315 yards), WR Andre Reed, DE Bruce Smith, LB Cornelius Bennett, CB Nate Odomes, OT Howard Ballard</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
Hey, only three more Bills teams to go! Despite a 12-4 record, this team had slipped substantially from previous years. Jim Kelly's passer rating declined for the third consecutive season, so the team relied heavily on Thurman Thomas. Buffalo went 7-4 against teams .500 or better during a difficult schedule and allowed the fifth-fewest points in the NFL, but one important statistic can't be ignored. Buffalo ranked next to last in yards allowed (and was outgained on the season by 294 yards). The Bills built a 13-6 halftime lead in the Super Bowl, a short-lived advantage as Dallas scored the last 24 points.
<table class="tablehead" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">[FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana, sans-serif]72.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana,sans-serif]1999 TENNESSEE TITANS 13-3 (3-1)[/FONT] </td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Pts</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Pts
All.</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Diff.</td> <td>Rank
Pts</td> <td>Rank
Yards</td> <td>Rank
Pts All.</td> <td>Rank
Yds All.</td> <td>Opp.
W-L</td> <td>.500+</td> <td>Post.
Score</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>392</td> <td>24.5</td> <td>324</td> <td>20.3</td> <td>+68</td> <td>7 of 31</td> <td>13 of 31</td> <td>15 of 31</td> <td>17 of 31</td> <td>.461</td> <td>5-2</td> <td>90-69</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">Super Bowl: Lost to St. Louis 23-16 Coach: Jeff Fisher
Key players: QB Steve McNair, QB Neil O'Donnell, RB Eddie George (1,304 yards, 13 TD), TE Frank Wycheck, OG Bruce Matthews, DE Jevon Kearse, S Blaine Bishop, CB Samari Rolle</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
This team was defined more by grit, guts and a bit of a miracle than glamour and pizzazz. Despite its 13-3 record, there were some smoke and mirrors involved since the Titans barely outgained their opponents and didn't dominate any statistical category. They won the close games (one point over Cincy, one over Jacksonville, three other wins by three points) and owned Jacksonville, which lost three games all year ? all to the Titans, including the AFC Championship Game. And that miracle? The Titans used it up in the wild-card playoff victory over Buffalo and fell a yard short of tying the Super Bowl on the game's final play.<table class="tablehead" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">[FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana, sans-serif]71.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana,sans-serif]1994 SAN DIEGO CHARGERS 11-5 (2-1)[/FONT] </td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Pts</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Pts
All.</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Diff.</td> <td>Rank
Pts</td> <td>Rank
Yards</td> <td>Rank
Pts All.</td> <td>Rank
Yds All.</td> <td>Opp.
W-L</td> <td>.500+</td> <td>Post.
Score</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>381</td> <td>23.8</td> <td>306</td> <td>19.1</td> <td>+75</td> <td>5 of 28</td> <td>11 of 28</td> <td>9 of 28</td> <td>15 of 28</td> <td>.543</td> <td>4-3</td> <td>65-83</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">Super Bowl: Lost to San Francisco 49-26 Coach: Bobby Ross
Key players: QB Stan Humphries (3,209 yards, 17 TD), RB Natrone Means (1,350 yards, 12 TD), WR Tony Martin, DE Leslie O'Neal, DE Chris Mims, LB Junior Seau, K John Carney</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
This team takes its lumps because of the pummeling it took in the Super Bowl against one of the finest offenses ever assembled. The Chargers were the last undefeated team in the league at 6-0, and while their blue-collar offense boasted just one Pro Bowl player (Natrone Means), it ranked fifth in points scored. Stan Humphries navigated a balanced passing game that boasted four players with 40 or more receptions. San Diego won the AFC Championship Game at top-seeded Pittsburgh, and its only losses of more than seven points came against high-flying San Francisco in Week 14 and then in the Super Bowl.
<table class="tablehead" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">[FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana, sans-serif]70.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana,sans-serif]1970 DALLAS COWBOYS 10-4 (2-1)[/FONT] </td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Pts</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Pts
All.</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Diff.</td> <td>Rank
Pts</td> <td>Rank
Yards</td> <td>Rank
Pts All.</td> <td>Rank
Yds All.</td> <td>Opp.
W-L</td> <td>.500+</td> <td>Post.
Score</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>299</td> <td>21.4</td> <td>221</td> <td>15.8</td> <td>+78</td> <td>10 of 26</td> <td>4 of 26</td> <td>4 of 26</td> <td>4 of 26</td> <td>.487</td> <td>3-4</td> <td>35-26</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">Super Bowl: Lost to Baltimore 16-13 Coach: Tom Landry
Key players: QB Craig Morton (1,819 yards, 15 TD), RB Duane Thomas (803 yards), RB Calvin Hill, WR Bob Hayes, DT Bob Lilly, LB Chuck Howley, CB Mel Renfro, CB Herb Adderley</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
This might seem like a low ranking for a team that lost the Super Bowl on a last-second field goal. But there are factors working against this squad. They went just 3-4 against teams .500 or better, including drubbings of 38-0 and 54-13. Their leading passer, Craig Morton, completed less than half his passes. Dallas had seven takeaways in the Super Bowl and still lost. Positively, rookie Duane Thomas bolstered the Cowboys' rushing attack and Bob Hayes averaged an incredible 26.1 yards per catch, as America watched a certain fedora-wearing coach begin to make his mark.
<table class="tablehead" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">[FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana, sans-serif]69.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana,sans-serif]1988 CINCINNATI BENGALS 12-4 (2-1)[/FONT] </td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Pts</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Pts
All.</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Diff.</td> <td>Rank
Pts</td> <td>Rank
Yards</td> <td>Rank
Pts All.</td> <td>Rank
Yds All.</td> <td>Opp.
W-L</td> <td>.500+</td> <td>Post.
Score</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>448</td> <td>28.0</td> <td>329</td> <td>20.6</td> <td>+119</td> <td>1 of 28</td> <td>1 of 28</td> <td>17 of 28</td> <td>17 of 28</td> <td>.482</td> <td>5-3</td> <td>58-43</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">Super Bowl: Lost to San Francisco 20-16 Coach: Sam Wyche
Key players: QB Boomer Esiason (3,572 yards, 28 TD), RB Ickey Woods (1,066 yards, 15 TD), RB James Brooks (931 yards), WR Eddie Brown (1,273 yards), OT Anthony Munoz, S David Fulcher</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
One of the forgotten offensive powerhouses, the Bengals led the NFL in rushing yards behind the dangerous 1-2 punch of Ickey Woods and James Brooks, and Boomer Esiason was the NFL MVP with a league-leading 97.4 QB rating. The other weapon was wide receiver Eddie Brown, who averaged an amazing 24 yards per catch. But this Bengals team had a split personality. They allowed the second-most points of any playoff teams, and while three of Cincinnati's four losses were by seven or fewer points, the fourth was a 35-point defeat at Houston with home-field advantage and the playoffs still at stake. Cincinnati also has the distinction of losing to the team with the most defeats of any Super Bowl champion.
<table class="tablehead" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">[FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana, sans-serif]68.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana,sans-serif]1995 PITTSBURGH STEELERS 11-5 (2-1)[/FONT] </td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Pts</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Pts
All.</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Diff.</td> <td>Rank
Pts</td> <td>Rank
Yards</td> <td>Rank
Pts All.</td> <td>Rank
Yds All.</td> <td>Opp.
W-L</td> <td>.500+</td> <td>Post.
Score</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>407</td> <td>25.4</td> <td>327</td> <td>20.4</td> <td>+80</td> <td>5 of 30</td> <td>6 of 30</td> <td>9 of 30</td> <td>3 of 30</td> <td>.495</td> <td>4-3</td> <td>77-64</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">Super Bowl: Lost to Dallas 27-17 Coach: Bill Cowher
Key players: QB Neil O'Donnell (2,970 yards, 17 TD), RB Erric Pegram (813 yards), WR Yancey Thigpen (1,307 yards), C Dermontti Dawson, LB Kevin Greene, LB Greg Lloyd, CB Rod Woodson</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
Pro: The Steelers had a fearsome defense that ranked second in the NFL in yards allowed. They had four defenders named to the Pro Bowl, including intimidators Greg Lloyd and Kevin Greene. Con: Their leading rusher was Erric Pegram, and they lost three games by 13 or more points. Pittsburgh outgained Dallas in the Super Bowl, but it couldn't overcome three Neil O'Donnell interceptions. To be fair, Pittsburgh faced a difficult schedule, but it also avoided the top-seeded team, Kansas City, in the AFC playoffs.
<table class="tablehead" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">[FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana, sans-serif]67.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana,sans-serif]1966 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 11-2-1 (1-1)[/FONT] </td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Pts</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Pts
All.</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Diff.</td> <td>Rank
Pts</td> <td>Rank
Yards</td> <td>Rank
Pts All.</td> <td>Rank
Yds All.</td> <td>Opp.
W-L</td> <td>.500+</td> <td>Post.
Score</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>448</td> <td>32.0</td> <td>276</td> <td>19.7</td> <td>+172</td> <td>1 of 9</td> <td>1 of 9</td> <td>2 of 9</td> <td>2 of 9</td> <td>n/a</td> <td>6-2-1</td> <td>41-42</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">Super Bowl: Lost to Green Bay 35-10 Coach: Hank Stram
Key players: QB Len Dawson (2,527 yards, 26 TD), RB Mike Garrett, WR Otis Taylor (1,224 yards), DE Buck Buchanan, DT Jerry Mays, LB Bobby Bell, LB E.J. Holub, DB Johnny Robinson</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
The AFL's best offense had good balance. Len Dawson compiled the second-best passer rating of his Hall of Fame career. Mike Garrett topped 800 rushing yards, and Curtis McClinton and Bert Coan added more than 500 apiece. Otis Taylor and Chris Burford combined for 116 receptions, 16 touchdowns and 2,055 receiving yards. The Chiefs had the No. 2 defense in the AFL, bolstered by future Hall of Famers Bobby Bell and Buck Buchanan. As the losing team in the first AFL-NFL championship game, the Chiefs earned player shares of $7,500 each.
<table class="tablehead" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">[FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana, sans-serif]66.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana,sans-serif]1992 BUFFALO BILLS 11-5 (3-1)[/FONT] </td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Pts</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Pts
All.</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Diff.</td> <td>Rank
Pts</td> <td>Rank
Yards</td> <td>Rank
Pts All.</td> <td>Rank
Yds All.</td> <td>Opp.
W-L</td> <td>.500+</td> <td>Post.
Score</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>381</td> <td>23.8</td> <td>283</td> <td>17.7</td> <td>+98</td> <td>3 of 28</td> <td>2 of 28</td> <td>4 of 28</td> <td>13 of 28</td> <td>.492</td> <td>6-3</td> <td>111-103</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">Super Bowl: Lost to Dallas 52-17 Coach: Marv Levy
Key players: QB Jim Kelly (3,457 yards, 23 TD), RB Thurman Thomas (over 2,000 total yards), WR Andre Reed, OG Will Wolford, DE Bruce Smith, LB Cornelius Bennett, S Henry Jones</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
They're back! OK, let's say something nice here: The Bills had excellent rankings in the major categories, with the exception of 13th in yards allowed. Thurman Thomas had the highest rushing total of his career. And the Bills rallied behind backup QB Frank Reich to overcome a 32-point deficit against Houston in a classic playoff game and followed it up with two comfortable victories to win the AFC championship. Unfortunately, they did play the Super Bowl. Buffalo committed a record nine turnovers and, well, at least Don Beebe chased down Leon Lett. Not that that really salvaged any pride.<table class="tablehead" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">[FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana, sans-serif]65.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana,sans-serif]1974 MINNESOTA VIKINGS 10-4 (2-1)[/FONT] </td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Pts</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Pts
All.</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Diff.</td> <td>Rank
Pts</td> <td>Rank
Yards</td> <td>Rank
Pts All.</td> <td>Rank
Yds All.</td> <td>Opp.
W-L</td> <td>.500+</td> <td>Post.
Score</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>310</td> <td>22.1</td> <td>195</td> <td>13.9</td> <td>+115</td> <td>5 of 26</td> <td>3 of 26</td> <td>3 of 26</td> <td>10 of 26</td> <td>.454</td> <td>4-3</td> <td>50-40</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">Super Bowl: Lost to Pittsburgh 16-6 Coach: Bud Grant
Key players: QB Fran Tarkenton (2,598 yards, 17 TD), RB Chuck Foreman (777 yards, 15 TD), WR John Gilliam, OT Ron Yary, DT Alan Page, DE Carl Eller, S Paul Krause</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
And before the Bills there were the Minnesota Vikings! This was the third of Minnesota's four Super Bowl teams between 1969 and 1976 -- the Vikings would lose the four Super Bowls by a combined score of 95-34 and average just 237 yards per game (really, when you look back at the Super Bowls from the early '70s, you wonder how the game ever caught on). Anyway, this team lost by more than four points only once, but laid an egg in the Super Bowl, compiling a mere 119 net yards and scoring only on a blocked punt recovered in the end zone.
<table class="tablehead" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">[FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana, sans-serif]64.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana,sans-serif]1987 DENVER BRONCOS 10-4-1 (2-1)[/FONT] </td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Pts</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Pts
All.</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Diff.</td> <td>Rank
Pts</td> <td>Rank
Yards</td> <td>Rank
Pts All.</td> <td>Rank
Yds All.</td> <td>Opp.
W-L</td> <td>.500+</td> <td>Post.
Score</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>379</td> <td>29.3</td> <td>288</td> <td>19.2</td> <td>+91</td> <td>4 of 28</td> <td>2 of 28</td> <td>7 of 28</td> <td>9 of 28</td> <td>.464</td> <td>5-3</td> <td>82-85</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">Super Bowl: Lost to Washington 42-10 Coach: Dan Reeves
Key players: QB John Elway (3,198 yards, 19 TD), RB Sammy Winder, WR Vance Johnson, WR Ricky Nattiel, OL Keith Bishop, DE Rulon Jones, LB Karl Mecklenburg, CB Mike Harden</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
Denver won its second consecutive AFC championship, but the Broncos' defense ultimately capsized. After allowing more than 30 points just once in 12 nonstrike games, Denver coughed up a combined 75 in the AFC Championship Game and the Super Bowl. A telling statistic was the 4.44 yards per carry that the Broncos allowed in the regular season, which ranked near the bottom of the league. Washington exploited that weakness to the tune of 280 rushing yards in a Super Bowl blowout.
<table class="tablehead" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">[FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana, sans-serif]63.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana,sans-serif]1975 DALLAS COWBOYS 10-4 (2-1)[/FONT] </td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Pts</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Pts
All.</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Diff.</td> <td>Rank
Pts</td> <td>Rank
Yards</td> <td>Rank
Pts All.</td> <td>Rank
Yds All.</td> <td>Opp.
W-L</td> <td>.500+</td> <td>Post.
Score</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>350</td> <td>25.0</td> <td>268</td> <td>19.1</td> <td>+82</td> <td>8 of 26</td> <td>3 of 26</td> <td>9 of 26</td> <td>5 of 26</td> <td>.459</td> <td>4-2</td> <td>71-42</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">Super Bowl: Lost to Pittsburgh 21-17 Coach: Tom Landry
Key players: QB Roger Staubach (2,666 yards, 17 TD), RB Robert Newhouse (930 yards), WR Drew Pearson, OT Rayfield Wright, DE Harvey Martin, LB Lee Roy Jordan, S Cliff Harris</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
This team overachieved to reach the Super Bowl (only three Pro Bowlers), then suffered a narrow defeat against a powerful Steelers team. In the NFC Championship Game, the Cowboys earned a blowout 37-7 victory at Los Angeles against the league's stingiest scoring defense. Of course, if not for the controversial Hail Mary pass from Roger Staubach to Drew Pearson, this team wouldn't have beaten top-seeded Minnesota in the first round. Staubach didn't have one of his better seasons statistically (16 picks), and the Cowboys had the worst record among NFC playoff participants.
<table class="tablehead" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">[FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana, sans-serif]62.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana,sans-serif]1981 CINCINNATI BENGALS 12-4 (2-1)[/FONT] </td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Pts</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Pts
All.</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Diff.</td> <td>Rank
Pts</td> <td>Rank
Yards</td> <td>Rank
Pts All.</td> <td>Rank
Yds All.</td> <td>Opp.
W-L</td> <td>.500+</td> <td>Post.
Score</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>421</td> <td>26.3</td> <td>304</td> <td>19.0</td> <td>+117</td> <td>3 of 28</td> <td>2 of 28</td> <td>12 of 28</td> <td>12 of 28</td> <td>.463</td> <td>6-1</td> <td>76-54</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">Super Bowl: Lost to San Francisco 26-21 Coach: Forrest Gregg
Key players: QB Ken Anderson (3,754 yards, 29 TD), RB Pete Johnson (1,077 yards, 16 TD), WR Cris Collinsworth (1,009 yards), TE Dan Ross, OT Anthony Munoz, DE Ross Browner</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
The Bengals made a nice turnaround by doubling their win total from the previous season. Maybe it had something to do with the snazzy new uniforms the team introduced to replace the conservative attire the franchise had worn since its inaugural season in 1968. More likely, it involved the performances of Ken Anderson (98.4 QB rating, NFL MVP) and RB Pete Johnson, who both had career years. The Bengals held the NFL's highest-scoring team, the Chargers, to a single touchdown in the AFC Championship Game ? the coldest contest in league history at minus-9 degrees with a wind chill of minus-59.
<table class="tablehead" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">[FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana, sans-serif]61.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana,sans-serif]1977 DENVER BRONCOS 12-2 (2-1)[/FONT] </td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Pts</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Pts
All.</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Diff.</td> <td>Rank
Pts</td> <td>Rank
Yards</td> <td>Rank
Pts All.</td> <td>Rank
Yds All.</td> <td>Opp.
W-L</td> <td>.500+</td> <td>Post.
Score</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>274</td> <td>19.6</td> <td>148</td> <td>10.6</td> <td>+126</td> <td>10 of 28</td> <td>17 of 28</td> <td>3 of 28</td> <td>8 of 28</td> <td>.520</td> <td>8-2</td> <td>64-65</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">Super Bowl: Lost to Dallas 27-10 Coach: Red Miller
Key players: QB Craig Morton (1,929 yards, 14 TD), DL Lyle Alzado, LB Randy Gradishar, LB Tom Jackson, CB Louis Wright, CB Billy Thompson, KR Rick Upchurch</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
Although statistically unimpressive, the Broncos tied for the best record in the league against a difficult schedule. Denver had neither a 500-yard rusher nor a 30-catch wide receiver, but still went 8-2 against opponents .500 or better. These Broncos are the only Super Bowl participant to average less than 20 points per game. Craig Morton quarterbacked the team effectively, although he completed just 51.6 percent of his passes, but then chunked against his former team in the Super Bowl, throwing as many interceptions (four) as completions. <!---------------------INLINE TABLE (BEGIN)--------------------> <table id="inlinetable" target="new" align="left" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="550"> <tbody><tr style="background-color: rgb(236, 236, 236);" target="new" valign="top"> <td width="550"> STATISTICAL KEY: Pts: points scored; Pts: Points allowed; Avg.: Average; Diff.: Point differential; Rank Pts.: League ranking in points scored; Rank Yards: League ranking in yards gained; Rank Pts. All.: League ranking in points allowed; Rank Yds All.: League ranking in yards allowed; Opp. W-L: Combined winning percentage of opponents (includes games played against featured team); .500 +: Record against teams with record of .500 or better; Post. Score: Cumulative score in postseason games. Note: All statistics are regular season only. </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <!---------------------INLINE TABLE (END)-------------------->
Rankings by Kevin Jackson, Thomas Neumann and David Schoenfield. Capsules by Thomas Neumann and David Schoenfield. Statistical sources include "The ESPN Pro Football Encyclopedia," espn.com, pro-football-reference.com, databasefootball.com, superbowl.com, profootballhof.com and Eddie Epstein's "Dominance: The Best Seasons of Pro Football's Greatest Teams."
Do you take issue with our rankings? Sound off here.
Page 2
<!-- hasAccess this is not a premium story -->After hours upon hours of exhaustive research, Page 2 is settling the debate once and for all with our definitive hierarchy of the first 80 Super Bowl participants.
OK, we admit it, we're just pouring more fuel on the fire. But what better football debate is there to have while we bide our time until this year's big game?
So seek out your favorite team on our list. We hope you'll be pleased with the result ? although we're reasonably certain you won't. If you're curious to know how we arrived at our rankings, and to read the top five lists from John Clayton and Len Pasquarelli, click here.
The rankings: No. 80 to No. 61 | No. 60 to No. 41 | No. 40 to No. 21 | No. 20 to No. 1
<table class="tablehead" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">[FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana, sans-serif]80.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana,sans-serif]1979 LOS ANGELES RAMS 9-7 (2-1)[/FONT] </td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Pts</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Pts
All.</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Diff.</td> <td>Rank
Pts</td> <td>Rank
Yards</td> <td>Rank
Pts All.</td> <td>Rank
Yds All.</td> <td>Opp.
W-L</td> <td>.500+</td> <td>Post.
Score</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>323</td> <td>20.2</td> <td>309</td> <td>19.3</td> <td>+14</td> <td>15 of 28</td> <td>13 of 28</td> <td>11 of 28</td> <td>8 of 28</td> <td>.473</td> <td>3-6</td> <td>49-50</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">Super Bowl: Lost to Pittsburgh 31-19 Coach: Ray Malavasi
Key players: QB Vince Ferragamo (5 TD, 10 INT in 110 PA), RB Wendell Tyler (1,109 yards), OT Jackie Slater, DE Jack Youngblood, LB Jack Reynolds, LB Jim Youngblood, C Rich Saul</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
The Rams were a powerhouse for most of the '70s under Chuck Knox and had six straight seasons of 10 or more wins from '73 to '78, so it was a surprise this 9-7 team was the one that finally reached the Super Bowl (with the worst record ever for a Super Bowl team). The Rams led the NFL in interceptions thrown in '79, with four different QBs contributing. Pat Haden was the starting QB most of the season, but Vince Ferragamo had replaced an injured Haden by the playoffs. Despite leading a superior Steelers team heading into the fourth quarter, this team still gets the No. 80 ranking. <table class="tablehead" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">[FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana, sans-serif]79.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana,sans-serif]2003 CAROLINA PANTHERS 11-5 (3-1)[/FONT] </td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Pts</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Pts
All.</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Diff.</td> <td>Rank
Pts</td> <td>Rank
Yards</td> <td>Rank
Pts All.</td> <td>Rank
Yds All.</td> <td>Opp.
W-L</td> <td>.500+</td> <td>Post.
Score</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>325</td> <td>20.3</td> <td>304</td> <td>19.0</td> <td>+21</td> <td>15 of 32</td> <td>16 of 32</td> <td>10 of 32</td> <td>7 of 32</td> <td>.445</td> <td>3-3</td> <td>101-68</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">Super Bowl: Lost to New England 32-29 Coach: John Fox
Key players: QB Jake Delhomme (3,219 yards, 19 TD), RB Stephen Davis (1,444 yards), WR Steve Smith (88 rec, 1,110 yards), DT Kris Jenkins, DE Julius Peppers, DE Mike Rucker, S Mike Minter</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
Don't be fooled by Carolina's near win in the Super Bowl. This was a .500 team masquerading as a playoff squad. The Panthers barely outscored their opponents during the regular season (seven of their 11 wins were by three points or less) despite a pretty easy schedule ? only six games against .500-or-better teams. While the defense was solid, especially in an NFC title win over Philly, they lost three straight games late in the season, the offense was mediocre, and just two players (Stephen Davis and Kris Jenkins) made the Pro Bowl. <table class="tablehead" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">[FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana, sans-serif]78.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana,sans-serif]2000 NEW YORK GIANTS 12-4 (2-1)[/FONT] </td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Pts</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>PtsAll.</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Diff.</td> <td>Rank
Pts</td> <td>Rank
Yards</td> <td>Rank
Pts All.</td> <td>Rank
Yds All.</td> <td>Opp.
W-L</td> <td>.500+</td> <td>Post.
Score</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>328</td> <td>20.5</td> <td>246</td> <td>15.4</td> <td>+82</td> <td>15 of 31</td> <td>13 of 31</td> <td>5 of 31</td> <td>5 of 31</td> <td>.445</td> <td>4-4</td> <td>68-44</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">Super Bowl: Lost to Baltimore 34-7 Coach: Jim Fassel
Key players: QB Kerry Collins (3,610 yards, 22 TD), RB Tiki Barber (over 1700 total yards), WR Amani Toomer, OG Ron Stone, DE Michael Strahan, LB Jessie Armstead, DT Keith Hamilton</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
A completely uninspiring and forgettable team, which got crushed in a completely uninspiring and forgettable Super Bowl. (Wait, Jim Fassel coached in a Super Bowl? Kerry Collins took every snap for a Super Bowl team?) Nonetheless, the Giants did win the NFC (beating the Vikings 41-0 in the NFC title game when Minnesota essentially quit). The Giants were strong on D, especially against the run (allowing just 3.2 yards per carry) and did beat the Eagles three times, but won a weak conference and lacked star power (only two Pro Bowlers). Did we mention Jim Fassel was the coach? <table class="tablehead" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">[FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana, sans-serif]77.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana,sans-serif]1982 MIAMI DOLPHINS 7-2 (3-1)[/FONT] </td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Pts</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Pts
All.</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Diff.</td> <td>Rank
Pts</td> <td>Rank
Yards</td> <td>Rank
Pts All.</td> <td>Rank
Yds All.</td> <td>Opp.
W-L</td> <td>.500+</td> <td>Post.
Score</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>198</td> <td>22.0</td> <td>131</td> <td>14.6</td> <td>+67</td> <td>10 of 28</td> <td>19 of 28</td> <td>2 of 28</td> <td>1 of 28</td> <td>.444</td> <td>3-2</td> <td>93-53</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">Super Bowl: Lost to Washington 27-17 Coach: Don Shula
Key players: QB David Woodley (63.5 passer rating), RB Andra Franklin, C Dwight Stephenson, OG Bob Kuechenberg, DT Bob Baumhower, DE Doug Betters, LB A.J. Duhe, CB Don McNeal</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
Two words: David Woodley. Probably the worst QB ever to start a Super Bowl, Woodley went 4-for-14 in the loss. In the AFC Championship Game of this strike season, he threw three picks. The Dolphins beat the Jets 14-0 anyway (Richard Todd threw five picks). The Dolphins were 19th in total yards, making them one of the worst offensive teams to reach the Super Bowl. Notable fact: Miami allowed the fewest passing yards and had the most interceptions in the NFL, yet none of the defensive backs made the Pro Bowl. (Brothers Lyle and Glenn Blackwood started at safety and were known as the "Bruise Brothers.") <table class="tablehead" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">[FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana, sans-serif]76.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana,sans-serif]1985 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 11-5 (3-1)[/FONT] </td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Pts</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Pts
All.</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Diff.</td> <td>Rank
Pts</td> <td>Rank
Yards</td> <td>Rank
Pts All.</td> <td>Rank
Yds All.</td> <td>Opp.
W-L</td> <td>.500+</td> <td>Post.
Score</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>362</td> <td>22.6</td> <td>290</td> <td>18.1</td> <td>+72</td> <td>10 of 28</td> <td>9 of 28</td> <td>6 of 28</td> <td>5 of 28</td> <td>.496</td> <td>4-5</td> <td>94-94</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">Super Bowl: Lost to Chicago 46-10 Coach: Raymond Berry
Key players: QB Tony Eason (11 TD, 17 INT, 67.5 QB rating), RB Craig James (1,227 yards), WR Irving Fryar, OG John Hannah, LB Andre Tippett, LB Steve Nelson, CB Fred Marion</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
The good: a pretty strong defensive unit that featured four Pro Bowlers (remember how good Andre Tippett was?) and allowed the second-fewest TD passes and fifth-fewest yards in the NFL; Craig James and all-time great John Hannah gave the Pats a solid running game; three playoff wins on the road (at Jets, Raiders and Dolphins). The bad: QB Tony Eason had more picks than TDs (17 to 11). The ugly: that Super Bowl performance (Eason was benched for Steve Grogan after going 0-for-6 with a fumble and three sacks).<table class="tablehead" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">[FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana, sans-serif]75.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana,sans-serif]1986 DENVER BRONCOS 11-5 (2-1)[/FONT] </td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Pts</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>PtsAll.</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Diff.</td> <td>Rank
Pts</td> <td>Rank
Yards</td> <td>Rank
Pts All.</td> <td>Rank
Yds All.</td> <td>Opp.
W-L</td> <td>.500+</td> <td>Post.
Score</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>378</td> <td>23.6</td> <td>327</td> <td>20.4</td> <td>+51</td> <td>6 of 28</td> <td>15 of 28</td> <td>15 of 28</td> <td>10 of 28</td> <td>.545</td> <td>7-4</td> <td>65-76</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">Super Bowl: Lost to New York Giants 39-20 Coach: Dan Reeves
Key players: QB John Elway (3,485 yards, 19 TD), RB Sammy Winder (789 yards), WR Mark Jackson, DE Rulon Jones, LB Karl Mecklenburg, CB Mike Harden, S Dennis Smith</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
How did they reach Super Bowl with such mediocre team statistical rankings? Oh yeah, they beat a Marty Schottenheimer-coached team in the AFC title game. Before you make the case that this is the worst Super Bowl team, consider that Denver faced the toughest schedule ever of a Super Bowl participant ? .545 opponents' winning percentage. Oh, and they did have a guy named Elway playing quarterback.<table class="tablehead" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">[FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana, sans-serif]74.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana,sans-serif]1996 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 11-5 (2-1)[/FONT] </td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Pts</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>PtsAll.</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Diff.</td> <td>Rank
Pts</td> <td>Rank
Yards</td> <td>Rank
Pts All.</td> <td>Rank
Yds All.</td> <td>Opp.
W-L</td> <td>.500+</td> <td>Post.
Score</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>418</td> <td>26.1</td> <td>313</td> <td>19.6</td> <td>+105</td> <td>2 of 30</td> <td>7 of 30</td> <td>14 of 30</td> <td>19 of 30</td> <td>.512</td> <td>4-5</td> <td>69-44</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">Super Bowl: Lost to Green Bay 35-21 Coach: Bill Parcells
Key players: QB Drew Bledsoe (4,086 yards, 27 TD), RB Curtis Martin (1,152 yards, 14 TD), WR Terry Glenn (90 rec, 1,132 yards), TE Ben Coates, OT Bruce Armstrong, DE Willie McGinest</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
Bill Parcells likes to run the ball, but this was a throwing team: The Pats were second in the NFL in attempts and third in passing yards. That wasn't the only strange stat. While finishing second in points, the offense was more methodical than scary: 19th in yards per passing attempt and 25th in average yards per carry. And while the defense gave up a lot of yards (over 4,000 passing yards), it did have a tough run D (third-best yards per carry) and picked off 23 passes. But it certainly wasn't a great team and was helped when 9-7 Jacksonville knocked off 13-3 Denver in the divisional round. <table class="tablehead" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">[FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana, sans-serif]73.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana,sans-serif]1993 BUFFALO BILLS 12-4 (2-1)[/FONT] </td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Pts</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Pts
All.</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Diff.</td> <td>Rank
Pts</td> <td>Rank
Yards</td> <td>Rank
Pts All.</td> <td>Rank
Yds All.</td> <td>Opp.
W-L</td> <td>.500+</td> <td>Post.
Score</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>329</td> <td>20.6</td> <td>242</td> <td>15.1</td> <td>+87</td> <td>7 of 28</td> <td>6 of 28</td> <td>5 of 28</td> <td>27 of 28</td> <td>.500</td> <td>7-4</td> <td>72-66</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">Super Bowl: Lost to Dallas 30-13 Coach: Marv Levy
Key players: QB Jim Kelly (3,382 yards, 18 TD, 18 INT), RB Thurman Thomas (1,315 yards), WR Andre Reed, DE Bruce Smith, LB Cornelius Bennett, CB Nate Odomes, OT Howard Ballard</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
Hey, only three more Bills teams to go! Despite a 12-4 record, this team had slipped substantially from previous years. Jim Kelly's passer rating declined for the third consecutive season, so the team relied heavily on Thurman Thomas. Buffalo went 7-4 against teams .500 or better during a difficult schedule and allowed the fifth-fewest points in the NFL, but one important statistic can't be ignored. Buffalo ranked next to last in yards allowed (and was outgained on the season by 294 yards). The Bills built a 13-6 halftime lead in the Super Bowl, a short-lived advantage as Dallas scored the last 24 points. <table class="tablehead" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">[FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana, sans-serif]72.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana,sans-serif]1999 TENNESSEE TITANS 13-3 (3-1)[/FONT] </td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Pts</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Pts
All.</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Diff.</td> <td>Rank
Pts</td> <td>Rank
Yards</td> <td>Rank
Pts All.</td> <td>Rank
Yds All.</td> <td>Opp.
W-L</td> <td>.500+</td> <td>Post.
Score</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>392</td> <td>24.5</td> <td>324</td> <td>20.3</td> <td>+68</td> <td>7 of 31</td> <td>13 of 31</td> <td>15 of 31</td> <td>17 of 31</td> <td>.461</td> <td>5-2</td> <td>90-69</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">Super Bowl: Lost to St. Louis 23-16 Coach: Jeff Fisher
Key players: QB Steve McNair, QB Neil O'Donnell, RB Eddie George (1,304 yards, 13 TD), TE Frank Wycheck, OG Bruce Matthews, DE Jevon Kearse, S Blaine Bishop, CB Samari Rolle</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
This team was defined more by grit, guts and a bit of a miracle than glamour and pizzazz. Despite its 13-3 record, there were some smoke and mirrors involved since the Titans barely outgained their opponents and didn't dominate any statistical category. They won the close games (one point over Cincy, one over Jacksonville, three other wins by three points) and owned Jacksonville, which lost three games all year ? all to the Titans, including the AFC Championship Game. And that miracle? The Titans used it up in the wild-card playoff victory over Buffalo and fell a yard short of tying the Super Bowl on the game's final play.<table class="tablehead" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">[FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana, sans-serif]71.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana,sans-serif]1994 SAN DIEGO CHARGERS 11-5 (2-1)[/FONT] </td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Pts</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>PtsAll.</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Diff.</td> <td>Rank
Pts</td> <td>Rank
Yards</td> <td>Rank
Pts All.</td> <td>Rank
Yds All.</td> <td>Opp.
W-L</td> <td>.500+</td> <td>Post.
Score</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>381</td> <td>23.8</td> <td>306</td> <td>19.1</td> <td>+75</td> <td>5 of 28</td> <td>11 of 28</td> <td>9 of 28</td> <td>15 of 28</td> <td>.543</td> <td>4-3</td> <td>65-83</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">Super Bowl: Lost to San Francisco 49-26 Coach: Bobby Ross
Key players: QB Stan Humphries (3,209 yards, 17 TD), RB Natrone Means (1,350 yards, 12 TD), WR Tony Martin, DE Leslie O'Neal, DE Chris Mims, LB Junior Seau, K John Carney</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
This team takes its lumps because of the pummeling it took in the Super Bowl against one of the finest offenses ever assembled. The Chargers were the last undefeated team in the league at 6-0, and while their blue-collar offense boasted just one Pro Bowl player (Natrone Means), it ranked fifth in points scored. Stan Humphries navigated a balanced passing game that boasted four players with 40 or more receptions. San Diego won the AFC Championship Game at top-seeded Pittsburgh, and its only losses of more than seven points came against high-flying San Francisco in Week 14 and then in the Super Bowl. <table class="tablehead" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">[FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana, sans-serif]70.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana,sans-serif]1970 DALLAS COWBOYS 10-4 (2-1)[/FONT] </td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Pts</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Pts
All.</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Diff.</td> <td>Rank
Pts</td> <td>Rank
Yards</td> <td>Rank
Pts All.</td> <td>Rank
Yds All.</td> <td>Opp.
W-L</td> <td>.500+</td> <td>Post.
Score</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>299</td> <td>21.4</td> <td>221</td> <td>15.8</td> <td>+78</td> <td>10 of 26</td> <td>4 of 26</td> <td>4 of 26</td> <td>4 of 26</td> <td>.487</td> <td>3-4</td> <td>35-26</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">Super Bowl: Lost to Baltimore 16-13 Coach: Tom Landry
Key players: QB Craig Morton (1,819 yards, 15 TD), RB Duane Thomas (803 yards), RB Calvin Hill, WR Bob Hayes, DT Bob Lilly, LB Chuck Howley, CB Mel Renfro, CB Herb Adderley</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
This might seem like a low ranking for a team that lost the Super Bowl on a last-second field goal. But there are factors working against this squad. They went just 3-4 against teams .500 or better, including drubbings of 38-0 and 54-13. Their leading passer, Craig Morton, completed less than half his passes. Dallas had seven takeaways in the Super Bowl and still lost. Positively, rookie Duane Thomas bolstered the Cowboys' rushing attack and Bob Hayes averaged an incredible 26.1 yards per catch, as America watched a certain fedora-wearing coach begin to make his mark. <table class="tablehead" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">[FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana, sans-serif]69.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana,sans-serif]1988 CINCINNATI BENGALS 12-4 (2-1)[/FONT] </td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Pts</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Pts
All.</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Diff.</td> <td>Rank
Pts</td> <td>Rank
Yards</td> <td>Rank
Pts All.</td> <td>Rank
Yds All.</td> <td>Opp.
W-L</td> <td>.500+</td> <td>Post.
Score</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>448</td> <td>28.0</td> <td>329</td> <td>20.6</td> <td>+119</td> <td>1 of 28</td> <td>1 of 28</td> <td>17 of 28</td> <td>17 of 28</td> <td>.482</td> <td>5-3</td> <td>58-43</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">Super Bowl: Lost to San Francisco 20-16 Coach: Sam Wyche
Key players: QB Boomer Esiason (3,572 yards, 28 TD), RB Ickey Woods (1,066 yards, 15 TD), RB James Brooks (931 yards), WR Eddie Brown (1,273 yards), OT Anthony Munoz, S David Fulcher</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
One of the forgotten offensive powerhouses, the Bengals led the NFL in rushing yards behind the dangerous 1-2 punch of Ickey Woods and James Brooks, and Boomer Esiason was the NFL MVP with a league-leading 97.4 QB rating. The other weapon was wide receiver Eddie Brown, who averaged an amazing 24 yards per catch. But this Bengals team had a split personality. They allowed the second-most points of any playoff teams, and while three of Cincinnati's four losses were by seven or fewer points, the fourth was a 35-point defeat at Houston with home-field advantage and the playoffs still at stake. Cincinnati also has the distinction of losing to the team with the most defeats of any Super Bowl champion. <table class="tablehead" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">[FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana, sans-serif]68.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana,sans-serif]1995 PITTSBURGH STEELERS 11-5 (2-1)[/FONT] </td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Pts</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Pts
All.</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Diff.</td> <td>Rank
Pts</td> <td>Rank
Yards</td> <td>Rank
Pts All.</td> <td>Rank
Yds All.</td> <td>Opp.
W-L</td> <td>.500+</td> <td>Post.
Score</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>407</td> <td>25.4</td> <td>327</td> <td>20.4</td> <td>+80</td> <td>5 of 30</td> <td>6 of 30</td> <td>9 of 30</td> <td>3 of 30</td> <td>.495</td> <td>4-3</td> <td>77-64</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">Super Bowl: Lost to Dallas 27-17 Coach: Bill Cowher
Key players: QB Neil O'Donnell (2,970 yards, 17 TD), RB Erric Pegram (813 yards), WR Yancey Thigpen (1,307 yards), C Dermontti Dawson, LB Kevin Greene, LB Greg Lloyd, CB Rod Woodson</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
Pro: The Steelers had a fearsome defense that ranked second in the NFL in yards allowed. They had four defenders named to the Pro Bowl, including intimidators Greg Lloyd and Kevin Greene. Con: Their leading rusher was Erric Pegram, and they lost three games by 13 or more points. Pittsburgh outgained Dallas in the Super Bowl, but it couldn't overcome three Neil O'Donnell interceptions. To be fair, Pittsburgh faced a difficult schedule, but it also avoided the top-seeded team, Kansas City, in the AFC playoffs. <table class="tablehead" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">[FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana, sans-serif]67.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana,sans-serif]1966 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 11-2-1 (1-1)[/FONT] </td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Pts</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Pts
All.</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Diff.</td> <td>Rank
Pts</td> <td>Rank
Yards</td> <td>Rank
Pts All.</td> <td>Rank
Yds All.</td> <td>Opp.
W-L</td> <td>.500+</td> <td>Post.
Score</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>448</td> <td>32.0</td> <td>276</td> <td>19.7</td> <td>+172</td> <td>1 of 9</td> <td>1 of 9</td> <td>2 of 9</td> <td>2 of 9</td> <td>n/a</td> <td>6-2-1</td> <td>41-42</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">Super Bowl: Lost to Green Bay 35-10 Coach: Hank Stram
Key players: QB Len Dawson (2,527 yards, 26 TD), RB Mike Garrett, WR Otis Taylor (1,224 yards), DE Buck Buchanan, DT Jerry Mays, LB Bobby Bell, LB E.J. Holub, DB Johnny Robinson</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
The AFL's best offense had good balance. Len Dawson compiled the second-best passer rating of his Hall of Fame career. Mike Garrett topped 800 rushing yards, and Curtis McClinton and Bert Coan added more than 500 apiece. Otis Taylor and Chris Burford combined for 116 receptions, 16 touchdowns and 2,055 receiving yards. The Chiefs had the No. 2 defense in the AFL, bolstered by future Hall of Famers Bobby Bell and Buck Buchanan. As the losing team in the first AFL-NFL championship game, the Chiefs earned player shares of $7,500 each. <table class="tablehead" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">[FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana, sans-serif]66.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana,sans-serif]1992 BUFFALO BILLS 11-5 (3-1)[/FONT] </td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Pts</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Pts
All.</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Diff.</td> <td>Rank
Pts</td> <td>Rank
Yards</td> <td>Rank
Pts All.</td> <td>Rank
Yds All.</td> <td>Opp.
W-L</td> <td>.500+</td> <td>Post.
Score</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>381</td> <td>23.8</td> <td>283</td> <td>17.7</td> <td>+98</td> <td>3 of 28</td> <td>2 of 28</td> <td>4 of 28</td> <td>13 of 28</td> <td>.492</td> <td>6-3</td> <td>111-103</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">Super Bowl: Lost to Dallas 52-17 Coach: Marv Levy
Key players: QB Jim Kelly (3,457 yards, 23 TD), RB Thurman Thomas (over 2,000 total yards), WR Andre Reed, OG Will Wolford, DE Bruce Smith, LB Cornelius Bennett, S Henry Jones</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
They're back! OK, let's say something nice here: The Bills had excellent rankings in the major categories, with the exception of 13th in yards allowed. Thurman Thomas had the highest rushing total of his career. And the Bills rallied behind backup QB Frank Reich to overcome a 32-point deficit against Houston in a classic playoff game and followed it up with two comfortable victories to win the AFC championship. Unfortunately, they did play the Super Bowl. Buffalo committed a record nine turnovers and, well, at least Don Beebe chased down Leon Lett. Not that that really salvaged any pride.<table class="tablehead" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">[FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana, sans-serif]65.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana,sans-serif]1974 MINNESOTA VIKINGS 10-4 (2-1)[/FONT] </td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Pts</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>PtsAll.</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Diff.</td> <td>Rank
Pts</td> <td>Rank
Yards</td> <td>Rank
Pts All.</td> <td>Rank
Yds All.</td> <td>Opp.
W-L</td> <td>.500+</td> <td>Post.
Score</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>310</td> <td>22.1</td> <td>195</td> <td>13.9</td> <td>+115</td> <td>5 of 26</td> <td>3 of 26</td> <td>3 of 26</td> <td>10 of 26</td> <td>.454</td> <td>4-3</td> <td>50-40</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">Super Bowl: Lost to Pittsburgh 16-6 Coach: Bud Grant
Key players: QB Fran Tarkenton (2,598 yards, 17 TD), RB Chuck Foreman (777 yards, 15 TD), WR John Gilliam, OT Ron Yary, DT Alan Page, DE Carl Eller, S Paul Krause</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
And before the Bills there were the Minnesota Vikings! This was the third of Minnesota's four Super Bowl teams between 1969 and 1976 -- the Vikings would lose the four Super Bowls by a combined score of 95-34 and average just 237 yards per game (really, when you look back at the Super Bowls from the early '70s, you wonder how the game ever caught on). Anyway, this team lost by more than four points only once, but laid an egg in the Super Bowl, compiling a mere 119 net yards and scoring only on a blocked punt recovered in the end zone. <table class="tablehead" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">[FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana, sans-serif]64.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana,sans-serif]1987 DENVER BRONCOS 10-4-1 (2-1)[/FONT] </td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Pts</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Pts
All.</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Diff.</td> <td>Rank
Pts</td> <td>Rank
Yards</td> <td>Rank
Pts All.</td> <td>Rank
Yds All.</td> <td>Opp.
W-L</td> <td>.500+</td> <td>Post.
Score</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>379</td> <td>29.3</td> <td>288</td> <td>19.2</td> <td>+91</td> <td>4 of 28</td> <td>2 of 28</td> <td>7 of 28</td> <td>9 of 28</td> <td>.464</td> <td>5-3</td> <td>82-85</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">Super Bowl: Lost to Washington 42-10 Coach: Dan Reeves
Key players: QB John Elway (3,198 yards, 19 TD), RB Sammy Winder, WR Vance Johnson, WR Ricky Nattiel, OL Keith Bishop, DE Rulon Jones, LB Karl Mecklenburg, CB Mike Harden</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
Denver won its second consecutive AFC championship, but the Broncos' defense ultimately capsized. After allowing more than 30 points just once in 12 nonstrike games, Denver coughed up a combined 75 in the AFC Championship Game and the Super Bowl. A telling statistic was the 4.44 yards per carry that the Broncos allowed in the regular season, which ranked near the bottom of the league. Washington exploited that weakness to the tune of 280 rushing yards in a Super Bowl blowout. <table class="tablehead" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">[FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana, sans-serif]63.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana,sans-serif]1975 DALLAS COWBOYS 10-4 (2-1)[/FONT] </td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Pts</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Pts
All.</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Diff.</td> <td>Rank
Pts</td> <td>Rank
Yards</td> <td>Rank
Pts All.</td> <td>Rank
Yds All.</td> <td>Opp.
W-L</td> <td>.500+</td> <td>Post.
Score</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>350</td> <td>25.0</td> <td>268</td> <td>19.1</td> <td>+82</td> <td>8 of 26</td> <td>3 of 26</td> <td>9 of 26</td> <td>5 of 26</td> <td>.459</td> <td>4-2</td> <td>71-42</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">Super Bowl: Lost to Pittsburgh 21-17 Coach: Tom Landry
Key players: QB Roger Staubach (2,666 yards, 17 TD), RB Robert Newhouse (930 yards), WR Drew Pearson, OT Rayfield Wright, DE Harvey Martin, LB Lee Roy Jordan, S Cliff Harris</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
This team overachieved to reach the Super Bowl (only three Pro Bowlers), then suffered a narrow defeat against a powerful Steelers team. In the NFC Championship Game, the Cowboys earned a blowout 37-7 victory at Los Angeles against the league's stingiest scoring defense. Of course, if not for the controversial Hail Mary pass from Roger Staubach to Drew Pearson, this team wouldn't have beaten top-seeded Minnesota in the first round. Staubach didn't have one of his better seasons statistically (16 picks), and the Cowboys had the worst record among NFC playoff participants. <table class="tablehead" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">[FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana, sans-serif]62.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana,sans-serif]1981 CINCINNATI BENGALS 12-4 (2-1)[/FONT] </td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Pts</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Pts
All.</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Diff.</td> <td>Rank
Pts</td> <td>Rank
Yards</td> <td>Rank
Pts All.</td> <td>Rank
Yds All.</td> <td>Opp.
W-L</td> <td>.500+</td> <td>Post.
Score</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>421</td> <td>26.3</td> <td>304</td> <td>19.0</td> <td>+117</td> <td>3 of 28</td> <td>2 of 28</td> <td>12 of 28</td> <td>12 of 28</td> <td>.463</td> <td>6-1</td> <td>76-54</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">Super Bowl: Lost to San Francisco 26-21 Coach: Forrest Gregg
Key players: QB Ken Anderson (3,754 yards, 29 TD), RB Pete Johnson (1,077 yards, 16 TD), WR Cris Collinsworth (1,009 yards), TE Dan Ross, OT Anthony Munoz, DE Ross Browner</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
The Bengals made a nice turnaround by doubling their win total from the previous season. Maybe it had something to do with the snazzy new uniforms the team introduced to replace the conservative attire the franchise had worn since its inaugural season in 1968. More likely, it involved the performances of Ken Anderson (98.4 QB rating, NFL MVP) and RB Pete Johnson, who both had career years. The Bengals held the NFL's highest-scoring team, the Chargers, to a single touchdown in the AFC Championship Game ? the coldest contest in league history at minus-9 degrees with a wind chill of minus-59. <table class="tablehead" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">[FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana, sans-serif]61.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial Black,Helvetic,Verdana,sans-serif]1977 DENVER BRONCOS 12-2 (2-1)[/FONT] </td> </tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>Pts</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Pts
All.</td> <td>Avg</td> <td>Diff.</td> <td>Rank
Pts</td> <td>Rank
Yards</td> <td>Rank
Pts All.</td> <td>Rank
Yds All.</td> <td>Opp.
W-L</td> <td>.500+</td> <td>Post.
Score</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td>274</td> <td>19.6</td> <td>148</td> <td>10.6</td> <td>+126</td> <td>10 of 28</td> <td>17 of 28</td> <td>3 of 28</td> <td>8 of 28</td> <td>.520</td> <td>8-2</td> <td>64-65</td> </tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td colspan="12">Super Bowl: Lost to Dallas 27-10 Coach: Red Miller
Key players: QB Craig Morton (1,929 yards, 14 TD), DL Lyle Alzado, LB Randy Gradishar, LB Tom Jackson, CB Louis Wright, CB Billy Thompson, KR Rick Upchurch</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
Although statistically unimpressive, the Broncos tied for the best record in the league against a difficult schedule. Denver had neither a 500-yard rusher nor a 30-catch wide receiver, but still went 8-2 against opponents .500 or better. These Broncos are the only Super Bowl participant to average less than 20 points per game. Craig Morton quarterbacked the team effectively, although he completed just 51.6 percent of his passes, but then chunked against his former team in the Super Bowl, throwing as many interceptions (four) as completions. <!---------------------INLINE TABLE (BEGIN)--------------------> <table id="inlinetable" target="new" align="left" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="550"> <tbody><tr style="background-color: rgb(236, 236, 236);" target="new" valign="top"> <td width="550"> STATISTICAL KEY: Pts: points scored; Pts: Points allowed; Avg.: Average; Diff.: Point differential; Rank Pts.: League ranking in points scored; Rank Yards: League ranking in yards gained; Rank Pts. All.: League ranking in points allowed; Rank Yds All.: League ranking in yards allowed; Opp. W-L: Combined winning percentage of opponents (includes games played against featured team); .500 +: Record against teams with record of .500 or better; Post. Score: Cumulative score in postseason games. Note: All statistics are regular season only. </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <!---------------------INLINE TABLE (END)--------------------> Rankings by Kevin Jackson, Thomas Neumann and David Schoenfield. Capsules by Thomas Neumann and David Schoenfield. Statistical sources include "The ESPN Pro Football Encyclopedia," espn.com, pro-football-reference.com, databasefootball.com, superbowl.com, profootballhof.com and Eddie Epstein's "Dominance: The Best Seasons of Pro Football's Greatest Teams."
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In his second season at the helm in Washington, George Allen coached the "Over the Hill Gang" to the NFC championship. The Redskins enjoyed solid performances from Billy Kilmer and Larry Brown, but their offense ranked just 11th in total yardage. After earning two playoff victories by a combined score of 42-6, Washington was actually a slight favorite over the undefeated Dolphins in Super Bowl VII. However, the Redskins were unable to dent Miami's "no-name defense" and were 2:07 from getting shut out until Mike Bass' fortuitous fumble recovery and touchdown return of Garo Yepremian's infamous flub. 
League MVP Rich Gannon played the best football of his career in leading the No. 2 offense in the league. Jerry Rice, Tim Brown, Charlie Garner and Jerry Porter combined for 315 receptions and 3,770 receiving yards. The Raiders faced a difficult schedule, going 9-4 against teams .500 or better. But they lost four straight at one point, and were woefully unprepared for Tampa Bay in the Super Bowl. The Raiders, 3?-point favorites in the big game, scored two offensive touchdowns – and allowed three defensive touchdowns. 
The Eagles were a team that thrived on defense, allowing the fewest points and second-fewest yards in the NFL. They also had solid offensive weapons in Ron Jaworski (top passer rating in the NFC in his best season), Wilbert Montgomery (1,185 yards from scrimmage, 50 receptions) and Harold Carmichael (nine touchdown catches). However, Philadelphia loses style points for dropping three of its last four regular-season games and for going just 4-3 against teams with a record of at least .500. The Eagles had just three Pro Bowlers that season and no players who ultimately reached the Hall of Fame. 
The least memorable Super Bowl champ of all time, the Colts earned that distinction: They lost four fumbles and threw three interceptions and still won the game. Of course, the Cowboys tossed three picks of their own and committed 10 penalties (seriously, these Super Bowls from the early '70s are unwatchable when you see them pop up on TV). Baltimore's leading rusher gained just 426 yards. Johnny Unitas, the primary quarterback, threw 18 interceptions against 14 touchdowns and completed just 51.7 percent of his passes. Also, the Colts had the second-easiest strength of schedule among postmerger Super Bowl teams, losing two of their three games against .500-plus teams -- by 20 and 17 points. Wait, is it too late to adjust our rankings? 
What does it say about Seattle that it became the only team to outgain and commit fewer turnovers than its Super Bowl opponent and still lose? It means the Seahawks either (A) got screwed, or (B) easily could be ranked ahead of the Steelers. Alas, we stick them here, because (A) they did lose just three games, including one in OT and the season finale in which Shaun Alexander and Matt Hasselback sat the second half, but (B) benefited from a very easy schedule, and (C) featured the NFL MVP in Alexander, but (D) still managed to mess up the Super Bowl by dropping several passes and allowing two big plays to Pittsburgh. 
The Jets are undeniably the biggest surprise in Super Bowl history, but they are also one of the least impressive champions. Sure, there's the glitz of Joe Namath and his guarantee of victory over an 18-point favorite. New York also boasted a future Hall of Fame wide receiver in Don Maynard and a solid ground game with Matt Snell and Emerson Boozer. However, the Jets had just the third-best record in the AFL that season. Namath completed fewer than 50 percent of his passes, throwing more interceptions than touchdowns. Coincidentally, Weeb Ewbank coached New York to victory in the Super Bowl over his former team, the Colts. Oh yeah … and the Jets lost the "Heidi" game that season. 
Bring on the hate, old-school Packers fans, but the team that marked the end of the 1960s Packers dynasty also winds up near the bottom of the Super Bowl winners. This team gets docked for ranking just ninth out of 16 NFL teams in points and yards gained. Bart Starr would become Super Bowl MVP but he threw almost twice as many interceptions (17) as touchdowns (9). Further, its leading rusher, Jim Grabowski, averaged just 3.9 yards per carry. That said, the Packers flipped the switch in Vince Lombardi's final postseason, routing the top-seeded Rams, sneaking past Dallas in the Ice Bowl and ultimately toppling the Raiders for the world championship. 
The Falcons rumbled through the NFC West behind workhorse Jamal Anderson's 410 carries, an NFL record until 2006. Chris Chandler posted a career-best passer rating, and Tony Martin and Terance Mathis each topped 60 receptions and 1,100 yards. Atlanta knocked out the highest-scoring team in NFL history in the NFC Championship Game. Its only two losses came against 12-4 teams. Of course, if Minnesota's Gary Anderson hadn't missed a field-goal attempt for the first time that season, it would've been the Vikings in the Super Bowl instead of the Falcons. 
The least impressive of the 49ers' championship teams, it had the most losses of any Super Bowl champion, but it proved it belonged with a memorable touchdown drive in the final minutes. Although the Niners lost six games in Bill Walsh's final season, they went 6-3 against .500 or better teams and easily won their first two postseason games (34-9 and 28-3). Joe Montana had an average season by his standards, but San Francisco enjoyed fine seasons by Roger Craig and Jerry Rice, each of whom scored 10 touchdowns. This team proved that even a mediocre season during the 49ers dynasty was pretty darn good. 
Defense, defense, defense. Tampa Bay's offensive rankings were even worse than those of the 2000 Ravens. But the Bucs' defense was tops in the league in points, yardage and intimidation (this team actually allowed fewer points than the famed '85 Bears). It scored three touchdowns in the Super Bowl – one more than Oakland's offense. OK, so the running game was minimal (Michael Pittman, anyone?), but underrated quarterback Brad Johnson was No. 3 in the NFL in passer rating, with 22 touchdowns and just six interceptions, and Keyshawn Johnson topped 1,000 receiving yards for the fourth time. 
We struggled where to rank this team more than any other. Statistically, this was the best defense in NFL history (the Ravens allowed 33 fewer points than the '85 Bears). Led by Super Bowl MVP Ray Lewis, it allowed just 10.3 points per game and 2.69 yards per rushing attempt. Including the postseason, the Ravens held their opponents to 10 or fewer points 15 times, including four shutouts. Baltimore allowed a mere 5.8 points per game in four postseason contests. If not for a kickoff returned for a touchdown, the Ravens would have recorded the only shutout in Super Bowl history. Alas, defense is only half the game. Baltimore's offense, which went five consecutive games without a touchdown at one point and saw Tony Banks benched for Trent Dilfer, relied heavily on rookie running back Jamal Lewis (backup Priest Holmes wasn't too shabby, either). Also, note that the Ravens played a soft schedule and didn't even win their division (Tennessee went 13-3). 
Da Bears were great. But not quite The Greatest. Chicago won its first championship in 22 years behind one of the most fearsome defenses in NFL history. It was a defining season for one of the game's finest players, Walter Payton. A rookie defensive lineman from Clemson, William Perry, became a cult hero by scoring three touchdowns in the regular season and another in the Super Bowl. Richard Dent helped anchor the vaunted "46" defense with a league-high 17 sacks and went on to win Super Bowl MVP honors. A powerful rushing attack built around Payton mitigated a passing attack that recorded as many interceptions as touchdown passes. Payton was also the team's runaway leader in receptions, and he recorded 2,000 yards from scrimmage for the third consecutive season. The Bears won 14 games by double digits, including three dominant postseason performances. Chicago overcame the distraction of season-long holdouts by Todd Bell and Al Harris, both defensive starters in 1984, inserting Dave Duerson and Wilber Marshall into their spots. The Bears had nine players named to the Pro Bowl and certainly never lacked confidence, supposedly filming the video for "Super Bowl Shuffle" the day after the team's only loss of the season. And if you want to know why they're only No. 2, 
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <!---------------------INLINE TABLE (END)-------------------->This team had a future Hall of Famer, Steve Young, as its backup quarterback. Montana recorded the third-highest single-season passer rating in NFL history – more than 20 points higher than the No. 2 mark that season. Rice was unstoppable, as he and John Taylor teamed for 142 receptions, 2,560 yards and 27 touchdowns.