Who were the two best teams to meet in the Super Bowl?

[Clayton]

I mean Chiefs Eagles 2025 was 17-2 vs 16-3

That's the best combined record ever i believe

Also probably Mahomes' 2nd worst team. I think its fair to suggest that the past two AFC Super Bowl teams got lucky

 

[Xeliou66]

Also probably Mahomes' 2nd worst team. I think its fair to suggest that the past two AFC Super Bowl teams got lucky

That Chiefs 15 win team was so lucky to win a bunch of their games - several of their games came down to last second FGs or were decided on the last plays - they weren’t dominant at all, and their luck finally ran out in the Super Bowl. And yeah the Pats last year beat mostly weak teams and then got lucky to make the Super Bowl because of Nix’s injury - I’m almost certain the Broncos would’ve won the AFC championship game if Nix had been healthy.

 

[Clayton]

That Chiefs 15 win team was so lucky to win a bunch of their games - several of their games came down to last second FGs or were decided on the last plays - they weren’t dominant at all, and their luck finally ran out in the Super Bowl. And yeah the Pats last year beat mostly weak teams and then got lucky to make the Super Bowl because of Nix’s injury - I’m almost certain the Broncos would’ve won the AFC championship game if Nix had been healthy.

The Broncos also won a game against the Bills where they were outgained by 100yards and the Bills went 10-15 on third down. Broncos went 12-3 in close games last year including the playoffs.

The three best teams were in the NFC last year imo

 

[Xeliou66]

The Broncos also won a game against the Bills where they were outgained by 100yards and the Bills went 10-15 on third down. Broncos went 12-3 in close games last year including the playoffs.

The three best teams were in the NFC last year imo

The two best teams were definitely in the NFC IMO in Seahawks/Rams - they were clearly the top 2 teams and the NFC Title Game felt like the Super Bowl, and their meeting in December was game of the year. Who do you think the 3rd best team was?
The Broncos did win some close ones last year, but I think they were better than the Pats and I don’t think they would’ve gotten blown out in the Super Bowl the way the Pats did, but you never know.

 

[Clayton]

The two best teams were definitely in the NFC IMO in Seahawks/Rams - they were clearly the top 2 teams and the NFC Title Game felt like the Super Bowl, and their meeting in December was game of the year. Who do you think the 3rd best team was?
The Broncos did win some close ones last year, but I think they were better than the Pats and I don’t think they would’ve gotten blown out in the Super Bowl the way the Pats did, but you never know.

Bears. Although I guess if you want to think that it was too soon for them regardless thats a fair take. They definitely could have beaten the Rams.

 

[rmilia1]

That Chiefs 15 win team was so lucky to win a bunch of their games - several of their games came down to last second FGs or were decided on the last plays - they weren’t dominant at all, and their luck finally ran out in the Super Bowl. And yeah the Pats last year beat mostly weak teams and then got lucky to make the Super Bowl because of Nix’s injury - I’m almost certain the Broncos would’ve won the AFC championship game if Nix had been healthy.

I think if you look through history must 14+ win teams for very very very lucky to get there

NFL games are almost always close

The league is designed like that on purpose

The difference between a 14 win team and an 8 win team is usually 10 plays or less all season

 

[saturdaysarebetter]

I think this is where it gets difficult because for example the Cowboys that year lost 5 games including the Super Bowl. There is no way they would count as an all time team if we are just looking at that season

Its why I mentioned the Saints and Colts. Both basically went close to undefeated when they were trying. My memory is a little hazy but I believe the Colts were undefeated when trying and the Saints only lost one close game when trying.

But the Cowboys were the defending Super Bowl Champion with future Hall of Famers: Roger Staubach, Tony Dorsett, Randy White, Cliff Harris, Drew Pearson, Rayfield Wright, and head coach Tom Landry. They also had as Pro Bowlers that year: Thomas Henderson, Charlie Waters, Harvey Martin, and Billy Joe DuPree. 10 of their starting 22 were either Pro Bowlers or Future Hall of Famers.

Their 12-4 record was the second best in the NFL that year. The Steelers were 14-2, the Cowboys and Rams were 12-4.

I think this is where it gets difficult because for example the Cowboys that year lost 5 games including the Super Bowl. There is no way they would count as an all time team if we are just looking at that season

Its why I mentioned the Saints and Colts. Both basically went close to undefeated when they were trying. My memory is a little hazy but I believe the Colts were undefeated when trying and the Saints only lost one close game when trying.

 

[Clayton]

But the Cowboys were the defending Super Bowl Champion with future Hall of Famers: Roger Staubach, Tony Dorsett, Randy White, Cliff Harris, Drew Pearson, Rayfield Wright, and head coach Tom Landry. They also had as Pro Bowlers that year: Thomas Henderson, Charlie Waters, Harvey Martin, and Billy Joe DuPree. 10 of their starting 22 were either Pro Bowlers or Future Hall of Famers.

Their 12-4 record was the second best in the NFL that year. The Steelers were 14-2, the Cowboys and Rams were 12-4.

Sure, I'm just saying that there are multiple ways to spin this. Sounds like you already had your mind made up when you posted, though.

I don't think people watch football today to see all of the HOF talent on the same two or three teams. Its a parity/gambling sport

 

[saturdaysarebetter]

I think this is where it gets difficult because for example the Cowboys that year lost 5 games including the Super Bowl. There is no way they would count as an all time team if we are just looking at that season

Its why I mentioned the Saints and Colts. Both basically went close to undefeated when they were trying. My memory is a little hazy but I believe the Colts were undefeated when trying and the Saints only lost one close game when trying.

Your point is taken, but no one mentions the New Orleans Saints as one of football's all-time great teams.

 

[saturdaysarebetter]

Sure, I'm just saying that there are multiple ways to spin this. Sounds like you already had your mind made up when you posted, though.

I don't think people watch football today to see all of the HOF talent on the same two or three teams. Its a parity/gambling sport

I've read it many times that Super Bowl XIII had the most HOFers play in that game, and as I mentioned, you had two teams that knew how to win Super Bowls, the Steelers a few years previous and the Cowboys defending Super Bowl champions both playing for not just a Super Bowl but to be named team of the decade. They weren't one year wonders by any stretch.

I just wondered if any more recent Super Bowl match-ups were in the discussion.

 

[Clayton]

Your point is taken, but no one mentions the New Orleans Saints as one of football's all-time great teams.

I would say there is too much variance to many too many teams considered all time greats. The Seahawks just came off one of the all time great seasons. 8th all time defense DVOA and a top 3 offense in that season. Might be lucky to have 2 Hall of Famers on it.

 

[Clayton]

I've read it many times that Super Bowl XIII had the most HOFers play in that game, and as I mentioned, you had two teams that knew how to win Super Bowls, the Steelers a few years previous and the Cowboys defending Super Bowl champions both playing for not just a Super Bowl but to be named team of the decade. They weren't one year wonders by any stretch.

I just wondered if any more recent Super Bowl match-ups were in the discussion.

2023 Niners probably had 5 future HOF players (CmC, Kittle, Trent Williams, Bosa, Warner) and 2023 Chiefs probably had 3 (Mahomes, Kelce, Jones) with maybe an outside chance at Creed Humphrey, Joe Thuney, and Trent McDuffie somehow getting a couple more nods. Andy Reid also a lock but not a player. Maybe that gets to 10 all people considered with a chance at 9 or 11.

Funny enough Niners added Mike Evans this year so if they got to the SB and won it against...the Ravens maybe might get you something in that ballpark.

 

[Wamu]

Who were the two best teams to meet in the Super Bowl?

For example, if I asked who were the two best teams to meet in the NBA Finals? -->One might think of 1986 NBA Finals that matched the 67-win Boston Celtics vs. the 62-win LA Lakers with all those future HOFers on their rosters.

Super Bowl XIII - Pittsburgh 14-2 vs. defending Super Bowl champion Dallas 12-4 each team going for their third Super Bowl that decade to decide the team of the decade. HOFers and Pro Bowl players all over the field.

Others?

As a Celtics fan I wish they would have beaten the Lakers in '86 but they beat the Rockets. 1984 Celtics beat the Lakers in the Finals.

 

[saturdaysarebetter]

As a Celtics fan I wish they would have beaten the Lakers in '86 but they beat the Rockets. 1984 Celtics beat the Lakers in the Finals.

Good catch. Thank you for pointing that out. My faux pas, but hopefully, you got the gist.