New York Giants helmets – Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
15. Chicago Bears: 156 Points
Chicago Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher (54) – Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
The 1985 Bears are one of the most recognizable teams in NFL history. Unfortunately for Chicago, that was the only year in which they won the Super Bowl. Still, their 10 division championships helped them crack this list. But look out Chicago, the Seattle Seahawks are closing in on you fast. Maybe Jay Cutler and the Bears’ potent offense will be able to bring a second Super Bowl to the city of Chicago — and a little breathing room from Seahawks.
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
14. Philadelphia Eagles: 158 Points
The Eagles are one of two teams on this list to never win a Super Bowl. But they did win two conference championships and reached the postseason 21 times. Their overall lack of success at the highest level keeps them low on this list despite their impressive competitiveness of the era. But to be included among the NFL’s best teams of the era without winning it all must feel pretty good.
Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
13. Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams: 212 Points
The Rams have snagged one Super Bowl so far but have seen relative success going to the playoffs 21 times. They lost two other Super Bowls and have been subpar ever since quarterback Kurt Warner left St. Louis.
Jeff Fisher, the Rams’ new coach, will try and get the team back on track as this decade unfolds. If the Rams can get going in the right direction, they’ll have a chance to pass Washington, a team they trail by only eight points.
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
12. Washington “Redskins”: 220 Points
The ‘Skins have had quite a successful run in the Super Bowl Era; they boast three Super Bowl Championships and five conference championships. Impressively their three rings have come on the arms of three separate quarterbacks.
But they’ve been so-so lately and inconsistent over the era as a whole. Robert Griffin III has the chance to help stop Washington’s slide down this list over the coming years if he can stay healthy — fingers crossed. Although, maybe it’ll be Kirk Cousins that brings this franchise back.
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
11. New York Giants: 238 Points
Fans of the Giants will no doubt be the angriest at this list. Understandably so, as they’ve had much success in the Super Bowl era. They do belong where they’re currently ranked, as far as overall success is concerned, in the Super Bowl Era — when more than championships are factored in.
Despite their amazing success of four Super Bowl victories, they haven’t been consistent at all. That lack of consistency (only eight division championships in the entire era) hurt their ranking considerably.
To put it into perspective, they made the playoffs 15 less times than the Cowboys in the Super Bowl era. Read that again, that’s a real statistic. But I expect the Giants to climb this list at some point, as they’re a quality organization.
Next: Franchises 10 Through 6