All 32 NFL Franchises Statistically Ranked In Order Of All-Time Greatness
By Daniel
Philadelphia Eagles helmet: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
16. Philadelphia Eagles: 330 Points
Established 1933 – The Eagles are another example of a very old franchise that does not find itself high on this list. Quite frankly, for all the attention that the Eagles have received over the years they’ve hardly lived up to it. The team with one of the most patriotic mascots of all has yet to win a a Super Bowl; they lost both of their appearances.
They have sent only nine players to the Hall of Fame, despite their long tenure in the NFL. But they have managed to make it to the playoffs an impressive 26 times and they did win three World Championships, to go along with three conference championships. But overall, they’re far from a historic NFL superpower.
Points added in 2014 season: 0
Icons: Chuck Bednarik, Reggie White, Steve Van Buren, Donovan McNabb
Denver Broncos helmet: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
15. Denver Broncos: 344 Points
Established 1970 – The franchise that John Elway is currently in a state of limbo as Peyton Manning decides if he’s going to continue to play football. They’ve long been a competitive franchise. Historically they’ve been a tough team to play, especially at home.
Since joining the NFL they’ve won the conference championship seven times and snagged two Super Bowl rings (winning them back-to-back). They have only sent a shockingly-low four players to the Hall of Fame, but they have managed to reach the playoffs 21 times. Their three AP MVPs and three Offensive Player of the Year awards are impressive though.
Points added in 2014 season: 10
Icons: John Elway, Shannon Sharpe, Mike Shanahan, Gary Zimmerman
Miami Dolphins helmet: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports
14. Miami Dolphins: 350 Points
Established 1970 – The professional team from southern Florida is the only team to go undefeated for an entire season; accounting for one of their two Super Bowl championships. They have nine Hall of Fame inductees and happen to have had one of the most prolific quarterbacks of all-time — Dan Marino. Infamously though, Marino never brought home a Super Bowl championship.
The lack of championships in Marino’s era (and since) is what’s keeping the Dolphins from nearing the top ten of this list. But they have seen the playoffs 22 times and have been responsible for some of the NFL’s most marquee players and moments.
Points added in 2014 season: 0
Icons: Don Shula, Dan Marino, Bob Griese, Larry Csonka
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
13. New England Patriots: 386 Points
Established 1970 – The brand new Super Bowl Champions are climbing this list. The Pats are the NFL’s only twenty-first century dynasty and their leader Tom Brady will go down as one of the all-time greats — if not the greatest to ever play the game. But it should be known that this franchise has won a conference championship game in four consecutive decades. Now that’s consistency that stretches beyond the 2000s.
Overall, they’ve bagged four Super Bowls and have won a respectable eight conference championships. In their history they’ve seen 22 postseasons. But their severe lack of Hall of Fame inductees (only four all-time) hurts their ranking significantly. That may change in the coming years though as the players that comprised their dynasty become eligible to enter Canton.
The Pats are definitely eyeing a top-10 spot on this ranking and may just get there in the near future. I sure as hell wouldn’t bet against them.
Points added in 2014 season: 40
Icons: Bill Belichick, Tom Brady, Andre Tippett, Tedy Bruschi
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