The Best Song Written for Each NFL Team

Baseball can call itself "America's Pastime", but the truth is it falls short to football. Americans love their football, and the NFL reigns supreme above all of the big four professional sports.

In no other sport are the fans as passionate and colorful, donning not only the jerseys, but also painting their bodies to show their loyalty to their favorite team.

The USA Today reported in January of 2011 the results of a Harris Interactive poll. For the ninth consecutive year, the NFL came out on top as the most popular sport in America.

Perhaps with football it's because we typically have to wait an entire week between games to either lament about the losses, or savor the wins.

Even the worst team in the league will have their loyal fans, singing the praises of every victory.

For the NFL, unlike college football, not every team has a traditional fight song, or rouser that has been with the team since its inception. A classic marching band tune that brings the fans to their feet in a single entity of support.

I perused the internet in search of the best songs written for each NFL team. The results were varied and interesting.

Arizona Cardinals: Parody of "Let It Rock"

Even though the Cardinals have been in Arizona for 24 years, I still remember them as the St. Louis Cardinals, when Jim Hart was quarterback, Terry Metcalf was the running back and Mel Gray was the leading receiver.

The Cardinals called St. Louis home from 1959 until 1987.

No doubt there are probably still a few fans that remember them from their days in Chicago. From their first season in 1920 as a member of the APFA, American Professional Football Association, that two years later would become the NFL. 

For 40 seasons, from 1920 until 1959, the Cardinals played in Chicago. There was one blip when in 1944 they merged with the Pittsburgh Steelers to be known as the Chi-Pitt Card-Steelers. The merger was required because of the shortage of players due to World War II.

While the Cardinals won NFL Championships in 1925 and 1947, they lost their only appearance in the Super Bowl following the 2008 season, after winning the NFC West with a 9-7 record.

They lost Super Bowl XLIII to the Steelers 27-23, in a game that was much closer than many thought it would be. The Steelers were 6.5 favorites to win.

The best song for the Cardinals comes from their Super Bowl season—a parody of "Let it Rock" by Kevin Rudolph.

Atlanta Falcons: "Fly, Falcons, Fly"

The Falcons enter their 46th season with a 299-399-6 record. 

With only 12 winning seasons, their current run of four consecutive winning seasons is the longest in franchise history.

The Falcons have made the playoffs 11 times, making it to the Super Bowl following the 1998 season. They shocked the 15-1 Vikings at the Metrodome, winning the NFC Championship 30-27 in overtime. 

This was a game I had the displeasure of watching in person, as Dan Reeves and the Falcons danced the Dirty Bird as they received the George Halas trophy.  

They lost Super Bowl XXXIII to the Denver Broncos, 34-19.

Since that memory still makes me shudder I could not use any song that references the Dirty Birds.

Here's a more classic-sounding fight song called "Fly High Falcons", enjoy.

Baltimore Ravens: Ravenation

Baltimore is a two-time home of the Colts.

The first Baltimore Colts team was a member of the All American Football Conference (AAFC) for three years before moving into the NFL in 1950.

After a single season, they folded.

Three years later, the Colts were resurrected and called Baltimore home until 1984 when they moved to Indianapolis.

At midnight, the day before the Maryland state legislature tried to block the move, all of the team's assets were loaded onto Mayflower trucks and moved under the cover of darkness.

It would be 12 long years before Baltimore would get another franchise.

While the Browns would relocate to Baltimore in 1996, the name and the team history would stay in Cleveland. The franchise was renamed the Ravens in honor to Edgar Allen Poe who lived in Baltimore. 

The Ravens own a 140-115-1 record and have made the playoffs in eight of their 16 seasons.

Behind quarterback Trent Dilfer who went 7-1 as a starter during the 2000 season, the Ravens won Super Bowl XXXV over the New York Giants.

There were plenty of songs for the Ravens that really gave it to the Steelers, some with colorful language that might cause some problems.

Here's "Ravenation" that has simple lyrics for those football fans who imbibe a little too much while tailgating.

Buffalo Bills: "Buffalo Bill-IeVing"

The Buffalo Bills are one of my favorite AFC teams.

It's because they share the record of futility with my beloved Vikings by losing the Super Bowl four times without a victory.

In the midst of seven consecutive losing seasons, there has not been much for the Bills' fans to sing about.

Since 1999, the last time the Bills made the playoffs, there has been only one winning season, and the last time the Bills won a playoff game was 1995.

To make matters worse, since 2008 the team has surrendered one of their home dates, moving it 60 miles North, across the border, playing a game at Toronto's Rogers Centre—perhaps this was to relieve some pain by removing one home game from the schedule.

Things were looking up when the Bills opened the 2011 season 3-0; perhaps this parody of the Beach Boys song "Kokomo" that was posted on YouTube the day they beat the Patriots was the start of the downfall that led to only three more wins the rest of the season.

Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers joined the NFL as an expansion team in 1995. Over their 17 years, every time the Panthers have had a winning season they made the playoffs.

Their first appearance came in only their second year of existence, when both the Panthers and the Jaguars, the other expansion team from 1995, made the playoffs.

After winning the NFC West, they defeated the Dallas Cowboys in the divisional round of the playoffs before losing to the Packers in the NFC Championship game.

Seven years later, after six losing seasons, including going 1-15 in 2001, the Panthers made a return to the playoffs in 2003.

Behind first-year starter, Jake Delhomme, an undrafted free agent from Louisiana-Lafayette who signed with the New Orleans Saints in 1997, the Panthers made it all the way to Super Bowl XXXVIII.

They fell to the New England Patriots in a close game, 32-29.   

After finishing with the worst record in the NFL at 2-14 in 2010, things are looking up in Carolina. Last season, behind rookie quarterback Cam Newton, the top pick in the 2011 draft, the Panthers finished 6-10. 

The Chicago Bears Fight Song

The Chicago Bears are only one of two original NFL franchises. The team was founded in 1919 in Decatur Illinois as the Staleys. Two years later they moved to Chicago and in 1922 changed their name to the Bears.

The Bears have more regular season wins than any other team in the NFL. The franchise record of 721-520-42 with a winning percentage of .578 is the highest in the NFL.

The Monsters of the Midway own nine NFL championships, eight coming before the Super Bowl era. Twice the Bears went undefeated to win the NFL Championship, 13-0 in 1934 and 11-0 in 1942.

Perhaps one of the best known teams is the 1985 Bears, a team with swagger.

Mike Ditka, the Bears first round draft pick in 1961, who played six seasons in Chicago, was the head coach.

They were led by outspoken quarterback Jim McMahon, hall of fame running back Walter Payton, middle linebacker Mike Singletary and defensive tackle William "Refrigerator" Perry. 

This was also the season that cornerback Leslie Frazier led the team with six interceptions.

After finishing the season 15-1, the Bears romped through the playoffs, shutting out the Giants and Rams.

Leading up to Super Bowl XX the team put out the Super Bowl Shuffle, a music video with many of the team's players.

I chose a more traditional fight song to represent the grand tradition that is the Chicago Bears.

Cincinnati Bengals: Welcome to the Jungle by Guns and Roses

The Bengals joined the AFL in 1966 and have called Cincinnati home for all 46 years of their existence.

Since the AFL-NFL merger, the Bengals are 295-379-2. Their .438 winning percentage is the sixth lowest in the history of the NFL.

The Bengals only have 13 winning winning seasons in the history of the franchise, turning these into 10 trips to the postseason—three of them coming since 2005. 

Twice they hit the high water mark with a season record of 12-4, and both times they turned their success into Super Bowl appearances, following the 1981 season and again after the 1988 season.

Both times they were defeated by Joe Montana and the San Francisco 49ers.

In Super Bowl XVI, quarterback Ken Anderson and the Bengals lost 26-21. Seven years later in Super Bowl XXIII, Boomer Esiason had the Bengals poised for a win, leading the 49ers 16-13 with 3:10 left in the game. Montana led the 49ers on a 92-yard touchdown drive, winning the game 20-16.

Last season, behind rookie quarterback Andy Dalton, the Bengals finished 9-7, earning a wild card berth into the playoffs.  

It's been 29 seasons going back to 1982 since the Bengals have had back-to-back winning seasons; with a young quarterback to build around, the future looks bright for Cincinnati.

Searching through YouTube, the best video I came across was the Bengals tribute with "Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns and Roses.

It wasn't written specifically for the Bengals, but it's a great song that fits.

Cleveland Browns: "Brown and Orange" by Cleveland Rock Band, Dirt

The Browns have called Cleveland home since 1946. The franchise started as a member of the All American Football Conference, where they won all four of the championships before moving to the NFL in 1950.

A franchise that has struggled with only three winning seasons and two playoff appearances since 1990, the Browns still have an overall winning record of 489-410-13.

The franchise record remained intact, due to some politicking by the city, despite the team relocating to Baltimore in 1996.

A legal settlement between officials of the two cities, the NFL and Art Modell, the owner of the Browns, allowed Cleveland to retain the legacy of the Browns. 

In 1999 Cleveland was awarded an expansion franchise, and the Browns were reborn.

While the Browns franchise has eight championships and made the playoffs in 12 of their first 13 seasons, they have only two playoff appearances over their last 19 seasons.

The Browns are one of only four teams to never play in the Super Bowl, along with the Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans.

In a search on the internet I came across a CD containing the Cleveland Browns Greatest Hits, but when I clicked the link it indicated that it was no longer available. Surely this is not a reflection of the recent success, or lack thereof, of the Browns.

I also found a parody of "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" by Jim Croce called "Bad, Bad Cleveland Browns"—but I felt that would just be piling on.

Dallas Cowboys Pride by Charley Pride

There doesn't seem to be much middle ground among football fans when it comes to the Dallas Cowboys.

The self-proclaimed "America's Team", they are a dichotomy, being one of the most loved and hated franchises at the same time.

The Cowboys, along with the Pittsburgh Steelers, own the most Super Bowl appearances, having played in eight of them.

Their five Super Bowl wins is second to the Steelers and ties them with the 49ers.

In their 56 seasons they have made the playoffs more than half the time, with 30 appearances and a 33-25 record in the postseason.

However, having only made the playoffs four times over the last dozen years, the Cowboys are in a bit of a dry spell, having missed the playoffs the last two seasons.

I found a classic song performed by country singer Charley Pride. Heck, if the Cowboys are America's team they might as well have a "country" song.

Denver Broncos Fight Song: We Ready

Up until 1997 the Denver Broncos were one of my other favorite football teams. That was because up to that point they, like the Minnesota Vikings, had lost four straight Super Bowls.

That was until John Elway, a 37-year-old quarterback, would lead his Broncos to back-to-back Super Bowl Championships following the 1997 and 1998 seasons.

Before the 1997 season, like Fran Tarkenton, Elway had the distinction of losing three Super Bowls.

Elway was someone I always rooted against. It was because he forced the Baltimore Colts, who drafted him No. 1 overall, into a trade by threatening to play professional baseball.

In some ways it seems almost fitting that Peyton Manning, a Super Bowl winning quarterback from the Indianapolis Colts, is making the move to Denver. 

The expectations are more than a mile high, that the 36-year-old Manning still has enough ability to lead Denver to another Super Bowl. 

Surprisingly, there were not that many songs for the Broncos that I could find.

The best I found only had 7,526 views on YouTube.

Detroit Lions Fight Song: Born to Lose

The Detroit Lions have four NFL Championships to their credit, with the most recent coming in 1957.

The franchise started as the Portsmouth Spartans in 1930 and in 1934 became the Detroit Lions. 

Over their 82-year history, the Lions have only 15 postseason appearances.

Before making the playoffs in 2011 with a 10-6 record, the Lions averaged only 3.9 wins per season over the previous 10 years. In eight of those 10 years they finished last or tied for last in their division.

But things are looking up in Motown, and the Motor City Kitties have a dynamic duo on offense that is turning things around.

Last season, quarterback Matthew Stafford was able to put play in all 16 games for the first time in his young career, throwing 41 touchdowns.

His favorite target was Calvin Johnson who led the Lions with 96 receptions, catching 16 of Stafford's touchdowns.

A perusal of YouTube came up with plenty of videos with the Detroit Lions fight song that is played after every Lions score, a song that is being heard more often at Ford Field the past couple of years

However, the best was a song lamenting the long lean years of being a Lions fan—Born to Lose.

Green Bay: Go Pack Go!

If there truly is an "America's Team," no doubt it would be the Green Bay Packers.

Perhaps it's my close proximity to the state of Wisconsin, but cheese heads seem to be everywhere.

While Vikings fans claim the Packers as their biggest rival, Packers fans always point to the longest running rivalry in the NFL—the battle between the Packers and Bears.

The Packers and Bears have met 182 times, with Chicago holding a 91-85-6 edge over the Packers.  

With 13 NFL Championships, the Packers own more than any other NFL team.

As part of their dynasty, they won Super Bowls I and II, and have a 4-1 record overall in the Super Bowl.

A quick scan of the internet found more songs for the Packers than any other team.

In the end I chose the one that most NFL fans have heard, and the one easiest for Green Bay fans to remember, since the refrain is only two words.

All right, I admit it, that was a cheap shot, but after all I am a Vikings fan.

Houston Texans: Stampede

In so many ways it's unfortunate that the city of Houston did not reach a similar deal with the NFL as Cleveland. 

When the Oilers left town following the 1996 season, they took with them all of the history from the previous 37 seasons.

As an expansion team in 2002, the city of Houston was starting from scratch. When the Texans made the playoffs last season, instead of it being the team's 16th appearance, it was their first.

The Texans were able to take advantage of Peyton Manning's absence last season from the AFC South. With only their second winning season in 10 years, they won the division.

It led to an unlikely playoff matchup of rookie quarterbacks.

Bengals second-round draft pick Andy Dalton led the Bengals against T.J, Yates, the Texans fifth-round selection. In the end Yates and the Texans routed the Bengals 31-10.

Before going down with an injury, starting quarterback Matt Schaub had the Texans at 7-3. In the last year of his contract, he will need to prove he can bounce back from the injury and lead the Texans to another playoff season.

As a fairly new franchise there were not many songs for the Texans, but I found a tribute to their first playoff season.

Indianapolis Colts: This Is Our House

In a way, it's fitting that the Colts follow the Texans in this slideshow.

After all, the Texans displaced the Colts, with the aid of a neck injury that knocked Peyton Manning out for the entire season, as the AFC South champions.

The Colts find themselves in a very similar situation as they did 14 seasons ago.

Following the 1997 season, the Colts finished with the worst record in the NFL at 3-13.

Just like this past season, they used the first pick in the draft to select a quarterback. As a rookie, Manning was handed the keys to the Indianapolis offense.

That first year the results were no better, and the Colts finished 3-13 again.

But in 1999 everything fell into place. The Colts have rattled off 11 playoff seasons over 12 years, missing them in 2001—only the second losing season in Manning's career.

In 2006, Manning led the Colts to a 12-4 record and their first Super Bowl appearance in 26 years. Manning and the Colts defeated the Bears in Super Bowl XLI 29-17. 

Three years later, they made a return trip to Super Bowl XXIV, this time losing to the New Orleans Saints.

There will be a lot of pressure on Andrew Luck to follow the legacy of Manning.  

The best song I found is "This is Our House."

Jacksonville Jaguars: Uh Oh Jaguars Championship Song

After finishing their inaugural season in 1995 with a 4-12 record, the Jacksonville Jaguars rolled off four straight playoff appearances.

Their best season came in 1999 when they finished with a 14-2 record.

They extended their season all the way to the AFC Championship game against the Titans—the only team that beat the Jaguars that season, and they did it three times. 

In the 12 seasons since then, the Jaguars have only two playoff appearances and three winning seasons.

The success of the Jaguars is in the hands of second-year quarterback Blaine Gabbert who finished with a 4-10 record last season.

According to a report in the Sporting News, new head coach Mark Mularkey has been working with Gabbert to pick up the offense. Gabbert has shown signs of promise with a whole offseason of OTA's heading into training camp. Adding a couple of capable receivers with Laurent Robinson and Justin Blackmon should help Gabbert.

I found a tribute song that was done by some of the Jaguar players following their 14-2 season.

Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl Champs

In an interesting twist, the Kansas City Chiefs franchise started out as the Dallas Texans as a member of the AFL in 1960.

In 1962 the Texans won the AFL Championship, defeating the Houston Oilers 20-17 in overtime.

After three seasons, the team moved to Kansas City where they have played since.

Their only other championship followed the 1969 season when they upset the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IV. It was the Chiefs second Super Bowl appearance having lost to the Packers in Super Bowl II.

At this point, some of you are thinking that the Chiefs must fall into one of the teams I don't like since they defeated the Vikings. Actually, since I was way too young to care about such things back then, that loss doesn't bother me.

Since their Super Bowl winning season, the Chiefs have only made the playoffs 12 times over the past 42 years. Seven of those appearances came when Marty Schottenheimer was the head coach from 1989 to 1998.

On YouTube I found a song that celebrates the Chiefs Super Bowl victory over the Vikings.

Bill Roberts, the man who wrote that song in 1970, commented on how quickly the song and the record came together. 

Miami Dolphins Fight Song

The Miami Dolphins came into existence the first season the Super Bowl was played. 

By their fifth season in 1971, the Dolphins made three straight trips to the Super Bowl, winning Super Bowls VII and VIII.  With their victory over the Vikings in Super Bowl VIII, they are the only team to finish the season undefeated.

The Dolphins made two more trips to the Super Bowl following the 1982 and 1984 seasons. The latter featured the quarterback matchup of second-year quarterback Dan Marino and Joe Montana who led the 49ers to their second championship in Super Bowl XIX.

Since their last Super Bowl appearance, the Dolphins have made 11 trips to the postseason over 28 years. Their one playoff appearance over the last 10 seasons represents the worst stretch in franchise history.

When one thinks of the Dolphins, Don Shula comes front and center. Shula coached Miami for 26 seasons, leading the team to all five of its Super Bowl appearances.

Since his departure in 1996 the Dolphins have had seven different coaches in 16 seasons. Joe Philbin becomes the eighth in 2012.

I came across a classic fight song for the Dolphins that sounded like it came straight out of the 60's, then found the updated version posted above.

Minnesota Vikings: I Got a Feeling

Now we come to the team that I love and love to hate. This franchise continues to drive me crazy.

With the four failed trips to the Super Bowl, the 1998 Vikings looked like they were the team to turn things around. They finished the season 15-1 with the best offense in the NFL.

Up to that point, the only two teams that had won 15 games in the regular season had gone on to win the Super Bowl in blowout fashion—the 49ers in 1984 and the Bears in 1985.

All the Vikings had to do was take care of business in the NFC Championship game against the Atlanta Falcons.

Kicker Gary Anderson, who hadn't missed a field goal all season, was wide on a 38-yard attempt that would have all but clinched a trip to the Super Bowl. The Atlanta Falcons tied the score in regulation and won the game in overtime.

With the signing of quarterback Brett Favre in 2009 the Vikings had the last piece to solve their Super Bowl puzzle. Favre brought his magic to Minnesota, leading the Vikings to the NFC Championship game against the Saints in New Orleans. 

Late in the fourth quarter, with the game tied at 28, the Vikings were deep in Saints territory. All they had to do was run one more play and then lineup for the game winning field goal—that is until the infamous 14-men-in-the-huddle penalty pushed the Vikings five yards. 

Instead of trying a field goal Favre threw an interception that allowed the Saints to run out the clock and force overtime. The Vikings never got the ball back and the Saints went on to win Super Bowl XLIV.

Enough lamenting.

The "Skol Vikings" song played after every Vikings score in the Metrodome does little to dispel how Minnesotans talk from the movie Fargo, don't ya know.

So I selected a song for 2011 that is a parody from the Black Eyed Peas song, "I got a Feeling."

No song could have been more wrong—how appropriate.

New England Patriots 18-0 Fight Song

Whenever I hear the phrase "if you're not cheating, you're not trying hard enough" three things come to mind: Jimmy Johnson and Chad Knaus, Lance Armstrong and the New England Patriots.

It's because all three have done something that defies the odds. Johnson won five consecutive NASCAR championships, Armstrong won the Tour de France seven straight years, and the Patriots have won at least 10 games every season over the last nine years despite turning over the roster.

It's also because all three have been accused of cheating.

Moving on...

The Patriots joined the AFL in 1960 as the Boston Patriots.

In 1971 they changed their name to the New England Patriots.

In their first 40 seasons, the Patriots made the playoffs 10 times and made it to the Super Bowl twice.

Since Bill Belichick took over in 2000, they have made the playoffs nine of 12 seasons with five Super Bowl appearances, winning it three times.

He started a sixth-round draft pick from Michigan in his second year at quarterback in 2001. Tom Brady has gone 124-35 over 11 seasons and is one of the best quarterbacks to have played the game. 

While Brady is only fifth in the history of the NFL with 124 wins, behind Brett Favre (186), John Elway (148), Dan Marino (147) and Peyton Manning (141), his .780 winning percentage is the best of the bunch.

The Patriots are the only team in the history of the NFL to go 18-0. After completing only the second perfect regular season in NFL history in 2007, the Patriots won their two playoff games to earn their sixth trip to the Super Bowl.

They ran into the New York Giants who upset them in Super Bowl XLII 17-14.

Perhaps the song above came out a little too quickly and jinxed the Patriots.

New Orleans Saints: Who Dat!

If I thought the New England Patriots were cheaters, you can probably guess how I feel about the bounty-hunting Saints.

Of course, the Saints and their fans have gone through a lot together.

After all, it took the franchise 21 seasons after joining the NFL in 1967 to make the playoffs. It was the year of the replacement players—1987.

After Week 2 of the season, the players went on strike. Games scheduled for Week 3 were cancelled, reducing the season to only 15 games. The next three games were all played by replacement players before the labor dispute was resolved.

The Saints replacement players went 2-1 as the team finished 12-3—the first time the Saints had won more than eight games in a season. They finished second to the 49ers in the NFC West to earn a wild card playoff berth.

In their first playoff game in franchise history, the Saints hosted the Vikings in the Superdome. The Vikings rolled to a 44-10 rout of the Saints.

Fortunately for Saints' fans, they only had to wait three seasons for the next playoff berth.

With their new $100 million man, Drew Brees, at quarterback, the Saints have made the playoffs the last three seasons, matching the most consecutive playoff runs in team history.

It's going to be a very interesting season to see what impact the suspension of Sean Payton has on the success of the team.

The best song written for the Saints can be no other than "Who Dat" written and performed by K. Gates.

New York Giants: Go Big Blue by Bill Griese

The New York football Giants joined the NFL in 1925. Their eight championships ties them for third all-time with the Cleveland Browns, behind the Bears (9) and Packers (13).

Four of the championships have come during the Super Bowl era, where the Giants are 4-1.

What brings hope to every football fan is that the Giants' two most recent Super Bowl Championships came from a team with a low playoff seed. In 2007 they were the fifth seed, and in 2011 they were fourth. 

In those two playoff seasons the Giants went 6-0 in the NFC playoffs, playing five of those games on the road.

In both Super Bowl XLII and XLVI they faced the New England Patriots, the top seed from the AFC. And in both cases, the Giants pulled off the upset as they went in as the underdog.

In perhaps a bigger surprise, the younger Manning, Eli, with a lower passer rating (82.1) than his brother Peyton (94.9), has won more Super Bowls.

The best song for the Giants is "Go Big Blue" by Bill Griese.

New York Jets Rock Anthem

It always seems to be the case, that in a major metropolitan city with two franchises from the same league, there's a successful one, and a less than successful one.

The New York Jets would be the latter.

While the Giants have the seventh best winning percentage at .548, the Jets are 24th, with a .460 winning percentage. 

The Jets joined the AFL in 1960 as the Titans. Three years later they changed their name to the Jets. Over their 52 seasons they have made the playoffs only 14 times, with seven of them coming in the last 14 years.

At least the Jets can claim to be perfect in the Super Bowl, winning Super Bowl III.

Behind the bold prediction made by Jets quarterback, Joe Namath, the Jets upset the Colts 16-7.

Namath is the most noted personality from the Jets—although I do believe head coach Rex Ryan is doing his best to gain ground.

Broadway Joe even has his own theme song.

But the best song I found was the video posted above that pays tribute to Jets players from across their history.

Oakland Raiders: Raider Nation by Ice Cube

The Raiders joined the AFL in 1960. Over their 52 seasons the Raiders have 21 playoff appearances, winning the Super Bowl three times in their five trips. 

For most of their existence the Raiders were owned by Al Davis, who also coached the team from 1963 to 1965.

Their first playoff appearance came in 1967 and ended with a loss to the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl II.

In the bicentennial year of 1976, the Raiders finished the regular season 13-1. This time their trip to the Super Bowl resulted in a 32-14 rout of the Minnesota Vikings behind left-handed quarterback Ken Stabler, who was known as "the Snake."

In 1980 Jim Plunkett led the Raiders to their second Super Bowl Championship, defeating the Eagles in Super Bowl XV.

Davis moved the Raiders to Los Angeles in 1982, where they won their third Super Bowl following the 1983 season, again with Plunkett at quarterback.

After 13 seasons in LA, Davis returned to Oakland for the 1995 season. Since then the Raiders have only three playoff appearances, and their playoff-drought the past nine seasons is the longest in team history.

I found the NFL Raider Theme Song to have a classic sound that captures greatness from the Raiders past, even without any lyrics. 

The narrative opening to Ice Cube's "Raider Nation" sealed the selection for me. It combines a mix of the classic with a modern sound. 

Philadelphia Eagles: Fly, Eagles, Fly

The Eagles joined the NFL in 1933. Over their 79 years they have 23 playoff appearances, winning three NFL Championships in 1948, 1949 and 1960.

In 1943, due to the shortage of players because of World War II, they merged with the Pittsburgh Steelers for a season and were known as the "Steagles". 

Since the Super Bowl era the Eagles are 0-2, appearing in Super Bowl XV against the Raiders and XXXIX against the Patriots.

Their most successful period in Eagles history is from 2000 to 2010. In 11 seasons Philadelphia went to the playoffs nine times. Behind the leadership of quarterback Donovan McNabb, the Eagles played in four straight NFC Championship games from 2001 to 2004.

Current head coach, Andy Reid, holds the franchise record with the most wins at 126. 

With Michael Vick currently the starting quarterback, an obvious song to link here is "Who Let the Dogs Out?" by the Baha Men. I will take the high road and pass.

The best choice, however, is the Eagles fight song, "Fly, Eagles, Fly," a classic.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Here We Go

Along with the Dallas Cowboys, the Pittsburgh Steelers have appeared in the most Super Bowls with eight trips.  They own the most Super Bowl wins with six, and these six championships ranks them fifth all-time behind the Packers (13), Bears (9), Giants (8) and Browns (8).

Pittsburgh joined the NFL in 1933 at the Pirates. After seven seasons they changed their name to the Steelers. 

In 1943, due to player shortages because of World War II, they merged with the Philadelphia Eagles. The following season they merged with the Chicago Cardinals.

The Steelers franchise did not start out very strong. The first playoff appearance came in 1947 and the second in 1972, when things really turned around.

The Steelers have made the playoffs in 26 of the past 40 seasons. They built a dynasty in the 1970's with eight straight trips to the playoffs and won four Super Bowls. The team was known for its defense, called the Steel Curtain led by Joe Greene and L.C. Greenwood.

I suspect most people would expect to see "Black and Yellow" by Pittsburgh native Wiz Khalifa as the best song for the Steelers.

This song has just been so overdone, with a version created for almost every team, that I cringe every time I hear the intro. 

It's almost as bad as in 1977 when Debby Boone came out with "You Light Up My Life" that played everywhere.

San Diego Super Chargers

One of the eight original AFL teams in 1960, the Chargers first season was played in Los Angeles. The following year they moved to San Diego.

In their 52 seasons, the Chargers have 17 playoff appearances with a single Super Bowl appearance following the 1994 season.

They tend to bunch their playoff seasons, making the it five times in their first six seasons. They matched this between 2005 and 2009, again making the playoffs five of six seasons. 

Sid Gillman, the Chargers first coach, remains their most successful with an 86-53-6 record from 1960 to 1969. 

The best song I came across for the Chargers was Super Chargers. 

San Francisco 49ers: "We're the 49ers"

When you think of NFL dynasties, the 49ers of the 1980's come to the forefront. In the decade they won four Super Bowls behind quarterback Joe Montana.

The 49ers were a charter member of the AAFC in 1946. They joined the NFL in 1950 when the two leagues merged. Their overall record of 522-423-15 is the fifth-best winning percentage at .552 in NFL history.

Besides the four Super Bowl wins by Montana, the 49ers also won Super Bowl XXIX with Steve Young at quarterback, making the 49ers a perfect 5-0 in the Super Bowl.

San Francisco has 24 playoff appearances in their 66-year history. In the 22 seasons between 1981 and 2002, the 49ers made the playoffs an incredible 18 times. 

After finishing the 2011 season 13-2 and winning the NFC West, the 49ers ended an eight-year playoff drought.

In the weakest division in the NFL, the 49ers have a very good chance to make the playoffs for quite a few years.  

The best song I found came out after the 49ers won their second Super Bowl in 1984.

Seattle Seahawks "Taking the Field"

The Seattle Seahawks joined the NFL as an expansion team with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1976.

In their 36-year history they have 11 postseason appearances, making it all the way to the Super Bowl following the 2005 season. They lost Super Bowl XL to the Pittsburgh Steelers 21-10.

In 2010 the Seahawks became the first team with a losing record in a full season of play to make the playoffs. They won the NFC West that year with a 7-9 record. They shocked the Saints, the reigning Super Bowl Champions, beating them in Seattle 41-36 in the wild card playoff game.

From 2003 to 2007 the Seahawks made the playoffs five straight times behind quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.

As far as the best song written for the Seahawks—there are none.

The best I could find was their official "Taking the Field" song. Fortunately, it's only 56 seconds long.

St. Louis Rams: The 2010 Rams Draft Day Song

The city of St. Louis is on their second NFL franchise. The first started out as the Chicago Cardinals, moving to St. Louis in 1960, and then further West to Arizona in 1988.

For seven seasons St. Louis went without football, until they lured the Rams from Los Angeles.

The Rams franchise started out in 1937 in Cleveland. After eight seasons they moved to Los Angeles where they played until 1994.

Over 75 years and three cities, the Rams have a 513-506-20 record. They have 27 playoff appearances and three championships.

The first came in 1945, the last season the team played in Cleveland. The second came in 1951, when they beat the Cleveland Browns for the NFL Championship.

The third came with Kurt Warner leading the "Greatest Show on Turf" to a win over the Tennessee Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV following the 1999 season.

The Rams have missed the playoffs for seven straight seasons. They finished the 2011 season at 2-14, tied with the Colts for the worst record in the NFL.

Because of strength of schedule the Colts got the first pick in the draft.

The Rams, with Sam Bradford set as the team's quarterback, decided to part with the second pick and traded Washington for their first and second round picks this year, and the Redskins first round picks in 2013 and 2014. This could help the Rams turn things around over the next three years.

The pickings were extremely slim in trying to find a song for the Rams.

The best I found was a parody of Green Day's "Time of Your Life." It laments about the Rams first selection in the 2010 NFL draft.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Hey, Hey Tampa Bay!

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have seen both ends of the NFL spectrum.

Joining the NFL along with the Seattle Seahawks in 1976 as an expansion team, the Buccaneers set a record becoming the first team to lose all 14 games in a season.

They expanded that record by losing their first 12 games of 1977, for a record 26-game losing streak.

Only two seasons later the Buccaneers would win the NFC Central and make their first trip to the playoffs. They made it all the way to the NFC Championship Game in 1979, losing to the Rams 9-0.

The franchise record of 222-341-1 is the lowest winning percent of any NFL team—a measly .395 winning percentage.

The opposite end of the spectrum came in 2002. In his first year as the head coach, Jon Gruden led the Buccaneers to a 12-4 record, winning the NFC South. Tampa Bay rolled through the playoffs, defeating the 49ers 31-6 and the Eagles 27-10. 

In Super Bowl XXXVII, Gruden faced his former team, the Oakland Raiders. Once again the Bucs rolled, beating the Raiders 48-21.

The best song for the Buccaneers comes from that 1979 season.

Tennessee Titans; "Titans Won't Back Down"

The Tennessee Titans started out as the Houston Oilers as a charter member of the AFL in 1960.

The Oilers won the first two AFL Championships. In both championship games they faced the Chargers. The Los Angeles Chargers in 1960 and the San Diego Chargers in 1961.

They are the only championships the franchise has won.

In 1997 the Oilers relocated to Tennessee. After two seasons they changed their name to the Titans.

Over their 52 seasons, the Oilers/Titans have a 386-396-6 record, making it to the postseason 21 times. 

The Titans earned their only Super Bowl berth following the 1999 season. They finished the season with a 13-3 record, good for only second place in the AFC South. The Titans faced the first place Jaguars in the AFC title game, beating them in Jacksonville for the third time that season. 

It earned them the pleasure of facing the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV. The Titans came up a yard short of scoring a game-tying touchdown on the final play of the game. 

The Titans finished 2011 with a 9-7 record under first-year head coach Mike Munchak. Munchak replaced Jeff Fisher who had coached the team for 16 years, taking over in 1994 from Jack Pardee in Houston.

The best song I found for the Titans was a parody of Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down."

Washington Redskins: "Hail to the Redskins"

The Washington Redskins joined the NFL in 1932 as the Boston Braves. A year later the team changed their name to the Redskins. In 1937 the Redskins moved to Washington, DC.

In their 80 seasons the Redskins have 22 postseason appearances, winning five championships, including three Super Bowls.

The Redskins first NFL Championship came in 1937. After winning the NFL East division they defeated the Chicago Bears out of the West. The Bears would get their revenge three years later in an NFL rematch. This time the Bears defeated the Redskins 73-0 for the most lopsided score ever in an NFL game. 

A look at the names of some of the Redskin coaches finds a rich history.

Curly Lambeau, the long-time Green Bay coach, finished his coaching career in Washington, leading the Redskins to a 10-13-1 record in 1952 and 1953.

Another former Green Bay coach, Vince Lombardi, also coached his last season with the Redskins in 1969. The legendary coach finished 7-5-2 that year.

George Allen coached the team from 1971 until 1977. He finished as the Redskin coach with the second-most wins with a 67-30-1 record.

Joe Gibbs, who coached the Redskins to three Super Bowl titles, owns the most wins by a Redskin coach. Gibbs coached the team for a total of 16 seasons over two stints. The first, and most successful stint, was from 1981 to 1992, and the second from 2004 to 2007. 

With Mike Shanahan, a two-time Super Bowl winning coach, at the helm, the expectations are very high for the Redskins. 

With Robert Griffin III coming in as the quarterback, Shanahan needs to push the win total up.

As of right now, his two-year win total is one less than that of Jim Zorn, who he replaced as coach in 2010.

Surprisingly, I could not find any songs written for the Redskins, except for the fight song "Hail to the Redskins" that is played after every score.