Troy Smith
With the Super Bowl approaching, a potential Kansas City Chiefs dynasty looks to claim their 2nd Super Bowl in just four seasons. A rising Philadelphia Eagles team looks to establish themselves as a playoff presence for years to come.
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With the Super Bowl just ahead, I wanted to take the time to rank the top 5 dynasties in NFL history. There have been many throughout the years, here are the top 5.
5) Dallas Cowboys (1991-1996)
Though this dynasty was short-lived, there was rarely a team in NFL history that carried more talent than the Dallas Cowboys from 1991-1995. Hall of famers Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin lead a potent Cowboy offense that ranked amongst the best in the league.
Their defense lead by linebacker Ken Norton Jr., defensive end Charles Haley, and safety Darren Woodson was also amongst the best in the league. They would eventually add perennial all pro Deion Sanders after the 1994 season.
The Cowboys won 3 Super Bowls in this span, even more than Roger Staubach and Tony Dorsett were able to manage.
4) Pittsburgh Steelers (1974-1979)
This team was downright frightening. Terry Bradshaw, one of the NFL’s most prolific passers, along with Franco Harris and Lynn Swann made them a threat at every level.
Mean Joe Greene, Jack Lambert, Jack Ham, and Mel Blount rounded out a defense that shut opponents out completely. Within this run from 1974-1979, the Steelers secured four Super Bowl victories. More than any other franchise at that time.
3) San Francisco 49ers (1981-1994)
It is not often that a franchise is able to transition from one quarterback to the next. Especially in the time period that the 49ers transitioned from NFL Hall of Famer Joe Montana to another Hall of Famer Steve Young.
The 49ers won four Super Bowls in the 1980s behind the starpower of Montana and greatest wide receiver of all time Jerry Rice.
After winning four championships, they made the transition to Steve Young, letting Montana go to the Chiefs. Even after letting the greatest player in their franchise’s history walk, the 49ers still won the Super Bowl in 1994.
Throughout the early 90s they were always in the playoffs until the bitter end, as the number five dynasty on our list had to play many tough games with San Francisco in the NFC Championship game to advance to the Super Bowl.
2) Dallas Cowboys (1966-1985)
This dynasty gets a higher ranking on our list because of the sheer unbelievable run the Cowboys had from 1966 to 1985. Behind Hall of Fame coach Tom Landry, the Cowboys only failed to reach the playoff twice in 19 years. Even in those seasons, the Cowboys never had a losing record.
They reached the Super Bowl 5 times in this period, only coming away with two wins. Barring a miracle field goal by the Baltimore Colts in 1970, and a dropped wide open touchdown by Jackie Smith in the 1978 Super Bowl loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Cowboys would have won four Super Bowls in this period.
They get a high ranking on our list because no team changed the face of the NFL more than this dynasty. From TV ratings and promoting the NFL to changing the way offenses and defenses scheme, this team changed football forever.
In addition to appearing in five Super Bowls, the Cowboys also appeared in 12 NFC Championship games, winning 5 and losing 7. No team has been more of a presence, besides our number one pick, for longer than the Dallas Cowboys were from 1966-1985.
From Hall of Famer Don Meredith, to Hall of Famer Roger Staubach, to forgotten star QB Danny White, the Cowboys just kept chugging. Something the current state of the franchise could certainly learn something from.
1) New England Patriots (2001-2019)
Two words, Tom Brady. That is why this team makes our #1 spot. When the Patriots drafted Tom Brady all the way back in 2000, the franchise had yet to win a single Super Bowl title.
When Brady eventually left the Patriots after the 2019 season, departing for Tampa Bay, the Patriots had just as many titles as the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have six rings. Brady turned the Patriots from a laughing stock to a perennial contender.
From 2001-2005, Brady and the Patriots won 3 Super Bowl titles. From 2005 to 2013, the Patriots appeared in 2 Super Bowls and lost both to the New York Giants.
From 2014-2019, the Patriots would appear in 4 of 5 Super Bowls. They would win 3 of those games. They represented the AFC in 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2018.
From 2001-2018 the Patriots also appeared in appear in 11 AFC Conference Championship games, only losing four of those.
Make no mistake, this dynasty ended when Tom Brady departed, however, they are still the most impressive dynasty in NFL history.
What are your thoughts? Who ranks as your top dynasty in NFL history?
