Trying to figure out what the best team of all-time (or at least the Super Bowl era) is pretty much impossible. There are just way to many things to take into account.
It's almost as pointless an argument as the best QB of all time (Brett Favre, btw, if anyone cares to know my opinion) but I have compiled a list of what I believe are the top five teams of the Super Bowl era. Now by no means is this an end-all list but just my humble opinion. So here we go.
5: The 1978 Steelers
Wow, what a team and this is only No. 5 on my list.
A team littered with talent they cruised to a league best 14-2 record behind the play of MVP QB Terry Bradshaw (207 of 368 passes for 2,915 yards and 28 touchdowns, with 20 interceptions), RB Franco Harris (1,082 yards and 8 touchdowns), and WR Lynn Swann and John Stallworth (combined 102 catches for 1678 yards and 20 touchdowns).
The defense was also stellar, finishing third in the NFL in total defense. Thanks to the exceptional play of "Mean" Joe Greene, L.C. Greenwood, Jack Ham, Jack Lambert, Mel Blount and Tony Dungy.
In the playoffs the Steelers played several quality opponents, first defeating the defending AFC Champion Denver 33-10 and the Houston Oilers 30-5 before facing down the Cowboys in an epic Super Bowl match up35-31.
The reason for only being #5 on my list? Super Bowl XIII was one of the most controversial Super Bowls of all time with several questionable penalties that really helped the Steelers. Factored in with the lucky break that was Jackie Smith's infamous dropped TD pass and it caused this great Steelers team to drop in my eyes.
4: The 1989 49ers
Just another incredible team.
Guided by the arm of Joe Montana (3,512 yards, 26 touchdowns, and only 8 interceptions along 227 rushing yards and 3 TD's on the ground for a then NFL record QB rating of 112.4) the legs of Roger Craig (1,054 yards and 6 touchdowns along with 49 receptions for 473 yards and another touchdown), the hands of WR Jerry Rice (82 passes for 1,483 yards and 17 touchdowns), and breakout star John Taylor (60 passes for 1,077 yards and 10 touchdowns) the team finished at a league best 14-2.
Hell this offense was so good Montana's backup, Steve Young, had a great season (1,001 yards and 8 touchdowns with only 3 interceptions, while also rushing for 126 yards and 2 touchdowns).
The defense wasn't to shabby either, finishing third in total defense. Defensive end Pierce Holt recorded 10.5 sacks, as did linebacker Charles Haley. In addition to Haley, their linebacker corps was anchored by Keena Turner, Matt Millen, and Bill Romanowski.
Safety Ronnie Lott led the team with five interceptions. Defensive backs Eric Wright and Chet Brooks also combined for five interceptions between them.
My knock against this stellar team? Week playoff opponents. The Vikings and Rams in 1989 weren't exactly stellar teams and their Super Bowl opponent, Denver, was pretty pathetic. As this was easily one of the worst Super Bowl teams ever fielded even with John Elway at the helm.
3: The 1985 Bears
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