The NFL's Actual Top Five Teams of the Decade

Nick Signorelli

Senior Analyst Written on June 27, 2009

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TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 30: The Vince Lombardi Trophy is seen during the NFC Head coach press conference prior to Super Bowl XLIII held at the Tampa Convention Center on January 30, 2009 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

I just came across an article on ESPN.com, where the teams are rated, since the beginning of the decade.

Rather than dispute the entire list, I have decided to create my own list top five.

You will see first my ranking, and then where ESPN has them ranked. I will explain to you why I felt they were wrong, and I was right.

1 — New England Patriots / New England Patriots

Tom Brady holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy as he stands on the podium after The New England Patriots defeated The Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX at Alltel Staduim in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

ESPN had the Patriots ranked first, and I am hard-pressed not to agree with them on this one.

New England dominated the first half of the century with victories in Super Bowls XXXVI, XXXVIII and XXXIX.

In addition, they have been to the playoffs six times with a total of 14 wins.

They have a total of 102 regular season wins, for a win percentage of .708.

2 — Pittsburgh Steelers / Indianapolis Colts

DETROIT - FEBRUARY 03: A helmit AFC Champion Pittsburgh Steelers is pictured with the Lombardi Trophy in between press conferences at the Renaissance Center on February 3, 2006 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

ESPN ranked the Colts as the No. 2 team. My selection is the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Indianapolis has seven more wins over the course of the decade, 101 to 94, also having two more playoff appearances than the Steelers.

However, Pittsburgh has a much higher winning percentage in the playoffs than the Colts, .714 to .500. Plus Pittsburgh has 10 playoff wins to the Colts' seven.

In addition to that, Pittsburgh has won two Super Bowls (XL, XLIII) to the Colts' one (XLI).

Apparently, ESPN believes winning in the regular season is more important than winning in the postseason. I do not agree.

3 — Philadelphia Eagles / Pittsburgh Steelers

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 07: Donovan McNabb #5 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks to pass against the New York Giants during their game on December 7, 2008 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

The Philadelphia Eagles, in my opinion are the third best team of the decade, meaning they are also ranked higher than the Indianapolis Colts in my pole.

Philadelphia has lost nine more games than the Colts since the decade started, 101 to 92. However, they have been to the playoffs only one fewer time.

In one less year than Indianapolis, Philadelphia has won a total of three MORE playoff games than the Colts.

4 — Indianapolis Colts / Philadelphia Eagles

INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 02: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates the COlts 18-15 win against the New England Patriots at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 2, 2008 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

I believe that this is the best place for the Indianapolis Colts. Even though the Ravens and Giants behind them have better winning percentages in the playoffs, the shear number of wins for the Colts places them ahead of both Baltimore and New York Giants.

The Colts have 18 regular season victories more than the Ravens, meaning that if the Colts pull a Detroit Lions and lose every game next year, and Baltimore pulls a '72 Dolphins and wins them all, Indy will still have more victories.

Add to that Indy has won as many Super Bowls as Baltimore and the Giants, Peyton Manning and the Colts fit at number four perfectly.

5 — Baltimore Ravens / Baltimore Ravens

BALTIMORE - OCTOBER 26: Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens runs on the field during the game against the Oakland Raiders at M&T Bank Stadium on October 26, 2008 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by: Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

ESPN ranked the Baltimore Ravens as the fifth best team, and on this one I also agree.

The biggest competition was the New York Giants, and the stats between the two of them were comparable.

Baltimore won 83 regular season games while the Giants won 80. The Giants went to the playoffs six times while the Ravens only went five, but the Ravens won seven games to the Giants six.

All in all, the Giants did defeat the previously unbeaten Patriots to win Super Bowl XLII, however their loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XXXV was my deciding factor.

Conclusion

TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 01: Players from the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrate with the Vince Lombardi trophy after their 27-23 win against the Arizona Cardinals during Super Bowl XLIII on February 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by

Everyone has a different take on who is the best, and why. I did not agree with most choices that ESPN made, and have given my reasons as to why.

Feel free to comment with your own top five, or more if you would like. The link to the ESPN story is at the bottom.

Thanks for reading.

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nflnation/0-8-205/Power-rankings--Best--worst-teams-of-decade.html

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written on June 27, 2009 Opinion

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