Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Most Influential Super Bowl teams in NFL history (44-41).

I am fascinated by the history of the National Football League and wanted to investigate the Superbowl further. The following list, that I will post once a week, is my personal rankings in order of teams importance to the NFL. Feel free to leave comments

Number 44: Super Bowl V

1970 Season.

Baltimore Colts defeats Dallas Cowboys (16-13)

Orange Bowl

MVP: Chuck Howley

The last championship the Colts would bring home to Baltimore and also the last time Johnny Unitas plays for an NFL championship. However the sting of the loss in Super Bowl III and the Colts leaving Baltimore a decade later overshadows the thrill of victory in Super Bowl V. This game also features the only time the MVP has been named from the losing team.

Number 43 Super Bowl XLIV

2009 Season

New Orleans Saints defeat Indianapolis Colts (31-17)

Pro Player Stadium

MVP: Drew Brees

I am not ready to give the Saints a higher ranking. Teams that only win one Super Bowl especially in the free agency era are the ones I criticize the most. However if the Saints go on a fun similar to teams in the past, I will bite my tongue and move them up. That being said the importance of the Super Bowl to the city of New Orleans can’t be measured however it’s importance to the league as a whole is another question yet to be answered.

Number 42:Super Bowl VIII

1973 Season

Miami Dolphins defeat Minnesota Vikings. (24-7)

MVP: Larry Csonka

It’s hard to follow a team that goes undefeated but the 1973 Dolphins were issued the challenge. The ’73 Dolphins won the Super Bowl defeating the Buffalo Bills of the 1970’s (Minnesota Vikings). Not a lot of flash, other than Larry Csonka’s mustache, and the no name defense went out and won just like they were supposed to.

Number 41: Super Bowl XXXIV

St. Louis Rams defeat Tennessee Titans. (23-16)

MVP: Kurt Warner.

It pains me to put “The Greatest Show on Turf” this low but while they were good for a few years after never regained the magic of the 1999 season. Explosive offense and a defense with brass balls but winning only one title keeps them at 41 on my list.