With the Packers making a run at history this season, it brings up the question of what were the most dominant teams in NFL history. For purposes of this list, only regular-season performances since the merger will be considered.
With so many performances to choose from, choosing five is a pretty tough proposition. So here are the honorable mentions that just missed the cut, in chronological order: 1975 Pittsburgh, 1979 Pittsburgh, 1984 Miami, 1989 San Francisco, 1991 Washington, 1994 San Francisco, and 1999 St. Louis.
Onto the list, beginning with the fifth-most dominant team:
5. 1984–San Francisco, 15–1 record:Bill Walsh’s best team ever was built around Joe Montana’s passing and the defense coordinated by future coach George Seifert. Their balanced offense had no receiver with even 900 yards through the air, but Montana still threw for 3,630 yards and 28 scores while running back Wendell Tyler ran for 1,262 yards.
The Niners finished second in the league in scoring at 29.7 per game that year and first in points allowed at 14.2.
Why here: Tough call over multiple runners-up especially the Redskins. Washington’s ‘91 team actually had higher average scoring margin (16.3 to 15.5) but finished a game behind at 14–2, giving a slight edge to San Francisco.
4. Minnesota–1998, 15–1:The Vikings became the most explosive team in history (to that point) when they stole Randy Moss in the draft and paired him with wide receiver Cris Carter, dual-threat quarterback Randall Cunningham, and a very underrated running back in Robert Smith.
The 556 total points amassed that year by the Vikings was an NFL record and the 34.8 scored per contest was the most by any team since the merger.
Lost in the record-breaking season was the defense’s performance which ranked sixth in points allowed at 18.5 per game.
Why here: Their scoring margin is higher than San Francisco’s in ‘84 and even the Dolphins in ’72, but Miami made it through their albeit-weak schedule unblemished.
3. Miami–1972, 14–0:The last team to go wire-to-wire with an unblemished record had an offense (offensive coordinator was Howard Schnellenberger) revolving around famous, but steady quarterbacks Earl Morrall (nine starts) and Bob Griese (five starts) with fullback Larry Csonka (1,117 yards rushing, 6 TDs) as the focal point. Don Shula’s team also featured lesser-known running back Mercury Morris (1,000 yards rushing, 12 TDs).
The run-first offense (they ran the ball at a 2.4:1 run-pass ratio that season) led the league in scoring at 27.2 per game while their stingy defense also led the league in points allowed at just 12.2 a game.
Why here: Still considered the greatest team of all-time, the only knock on the Dolphins was their aforementioned strength of schedule. Miami played just two games against teams that ended with a winning record all season (both were a mediocre 8–6), giving the slight edge to Chicago’s run in ‘85.
2. Chicago–1985, 15–1:The Bears’ star-studded team featured Wilber Marshall, Richard Dent, William “Refrigerator” Perry, and Mike Singletary on Buddy Ryan’s famously-aggressive 46 defense. The result was a defense that allowed a league-best 12.4 points per game, resulting in a league-high +23 turnover differential.
On offense Walter Payton ran for 1,551 yards while quarterback Jim McMahon engineered the league’s second-highest scoring offense at 28.5 points per game.
Why here: Their one loss was to Dan Marino’s high-flying Dolphins who were 12–4 that season. The loss was one of only five games where an opponent was even with 10 points of them.
1. New England–2007, 16–0: The Patriots run in 2007 was historic. Not only did they best Minnesota’s scoring record (589 points, 36.8 per game) they were fourth in points allowed (17.1 per game). The resulting scoring margin of 19.7 per contest was the highest in history. And that was after the Patriots cooled down. The average score of their first eight games was an incredible 41–16.
Through the air was where the Pats were most dangerous. With the addition of Randy Moss, both he (23 touchdown receptions) and Tom Brady (50 touchdown passes) broke single-season records while Wes Welker pitched in with a league-leading 112 catches.
Why here: A pretty easy selection. The only possible argument is the difference in eras. Miami ‘72 and Chicago ’85 played in slightly-lower scoring times than New England did, but there’s no arguing their perfect record.
