Greatest NFL Franchise of All-Time? (1 Viewer)

[Joe T]

I'd probably vote Packers here with the Cowboys a close second.Just want some other opinions.

 

[dgreen]

Anyone not voting for the Packers is not familiar with the history of the league or is a complete homer.Speaking of being a homer, my second place franchise would be the Redskins.

 

[Native]

The Miami Dolphins have the highest NFL winning percentage in NFL history - .600. And this includes their woeful AFL days when they were pernnial losers.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

I think I'll take the team with the most championships, made more remarkable by the fact that it is the smallest market team.You also have to like their representation in the hall of fame.

 

[Native]

This is a great topic for debate. Id like to hear the homers from each team state their case. Despite my Dolphins bias, I have to think, in all honesty, that the "Greatest" franchise would have to have been around from the onset of the NFL - in 1919. While modern football is said to to have begun with AFL/NFL merger in the 60's, the truth is that the league has been around for much, much longer. And while its history is not as celebrated as Major League Baseball, it still has a rich legacy of its own. That should be taken into account, imo.

 

[B-Deep]

Anyone not voting for the Packers is not familiar with the history of the league or is a complete homer.

Speaking of being a homer, my second place franchise would be the Redskins.

I dunno, a franchise that goes to the superbowl on average once every 5 years and has won 5 of them...I think you could make a case for them over Green Bay.

 

[Big Score]

Voted "Other" = Steelers

 

[dgreen]

Anyone not voting for the Packers is not familiar with the history of the league or is a complete homer.

Speaking of being a homer, my second place franchise would be the Redskins.

I dunno, a franchise that goes to the superbowl on average once every 5 years and has won 5 of them...I think you could make a case for them over Green Bay.

That's why I said, "not familiar with the history of the league." The NFL did not start with the first SB. The non-SB era is longer than the SB era.

 

[thesurfshop19]

Anyone not voting for the Packers is not familiar with the history of the league or is a complete homer.

Speaking of being a homer, my second place franchise would be the Redskins.

I dunno, a franchise that goes to the superbowl on average once every 5 years and has won 5 of them...I think you could make a case for them over Green Bay.

I also voted for the Cowboys, just edging out the Packers.The Packers have a legendary history, but the Cowboys have been amazing over a 46-year span, and you could argue they've done more in that time period (despite the coinciding Lombardi era).

IMO it probably has to be one of those two teams. about the Patriots being on the list ....

 

[pigskinliquors]

I think I'll take the team with the most championships, made more remarkable by the fact that it is the smallest market team.

You also have to like their representation in the hall of fame.

I think a better question would be who is the 2nd best franchise of all-time, or who is the best franchise since the merger.

My answers would be:

Best franchise of all-time: Packers

2nd best all-time: Bears

Best since merger: take your pick between SF, Dallas, Pittsburgh and Miami

edited to add: Best team in the last decade (very short-sighted) = Patriots

 

[Idiot Boxer]

I don't know if they're the greatest all time, but not even making the Steelers a choice in this poll is insulting.4 Super Bowl Trophies.Loads of Hall of Famers.One of the most respected owners in the NFL.Consistency and Loyalty.

 

[surferskin]

hands down, the arizona cardinals.

 

[Joe T]

Voted "Other" = Steelers

I knew I was missing someone.

 

[Joe T]

I don't know if they're the greatest all time, but not even making the Steelers a choice in this poll is insulting.

4 Super Bowl Trophies.

Loads of Hall of Famers.

One of the most respected owners in the NFL.

Consistency and Loyalty.

If I could edit it I would.Please use other as the option for the Steelers.

TIA

 

[Autumn Wind]

The Patriots have no business being on this list.

 

[DoctorDetroit]

Voted "Other" = Steelers

I knew I was missing someone.

Considering their success, the ownership, only two coaches in 30+ years, and the support from the city I'd say the Steelers are the best. All these franchises are great though but the Steelers have just been so good since the early seventies that they have my vote.

 

[Autumn Wind]

Voted "Other" = Steelers

I knew I was missing someone.

Considering their success, the ownership, only two coaches in 30+ years, and the support from the city I'd say the Steelers are the best. All these franchises are great though but the Steelers have just been so good since the early seventies that they have my vote.

So I guess the first 35 or so years of their history didn't happen?

 

[BGP]

The Steelers were horrible for 40 years prior to their run in the 1970s.The Browns I believe still lead the all-time series on them because of that past.Heck, if the Steelers get listed you might as well put the Browns on there as well. They also dominated one decade and have fallen on hard times for a far shorter duration than the Steelers ever did.

 

[Husker]

As part of this debate I once created a spreadsheet going back to 1950. The spreadsheet does not include anything from 2005. Assuming you give the following points:25 = Superbowl win - (or before the merger a NFL or an AFL Championship)5 = Superbowl loss.3 = Conference championship game loss.2 = Playoff round loss1 = Wildcard round loss0 = Missed playoffs.The spreadsheet is adjustable, so I can quickly answer the questions such as, for example, you want to say a Superbowl win is only worth 10 points - that can be quickly changed. However, under the points listed above, the 10 most successful franchises are:(1) Dallas Cowboys - 182 points(2) Green Bay Packers - 178 points Cleveland Browns - 178 points(4) San Francisco 49ers - 165 points(5) Pittsburgh Steelers - 142 points(6) Oakland Raiders - 124 points(7) New York Giants - 117 points(8) Indianapolis / Baltimore Colts - 112 points(9) St. Louis / Los Angeles Rams - 110 points(10) Washington Redskins - 104 points.

 

[Autumn Wind]

Nice work. Why only back to 1950 though?And for the sake of argument, you could say that the sheet should start at 1960, as going back further penalizes team like Oakland and Miami who weren't around in the '50s.

 

[vitaflo]

As part of this debate I once created a spreadsheet going back to 1950. The spreadsheet does not include anything from 2005.

Assuming you give the following points:

25 = Superbowl win - (or before the merger a NFL or an AFL Championship)

5 = Superbowl loss.

3 = Conference championship game loss.

2 = Playoff round loss

1 = Wildcard round loss

0 = Missed playoffs.

The spreadsheet is adjustable, so I can quickly answer the questions such as, for example, you want to say a Superbowl win is only worth 10 points - that can be quickly changed.

However, under the points listed above, the 10 most successful franchises are:

(1) Dallas Cowboys - 182 points

(2) Green Bay Packers - 178 points

Cleveland Browns - 178 points

(4) San Francisco 49ers - 165 points

(5) Pittsburgh Steelers - 142 points

(6) Oakland Raiders - 124 points

(7) New York Giants - 117 points

(8) Indianapolis / Baltimore Colts - 112 points

(9) St. Louis / Los Angeles Rams - 110 points

(10) Washington Redskins - 104 points.

If you're going since the begining of the NFL you'll have to give Green Bay 80 more points (3 NFL championship wins and one loss pre-1950).

 

[ThisGuy]

Other = NY GiantsIf not for the integrity of Wellington Mara, there would be no NFL as we know it today. Plus, being one of the original teams helps too.

 

[vitaflo]

Nice work. Why only back to 1950 though?

And for the sake of argument, you could say that the sheet should start at 1960, as going back further penalizes team like Oakland and Miami who weren't around in the '50s.

Perhaps we should start in 1996, so we don't penalize the Ravens too.Part of being one of the great franchises of all time is surviving as long as some of them have.

 

[Husker]

I think my source went back to 1950 (or I got lazy, one of the two). Nothing else magical about the date. If you go back to 1960, the list is:(1) Dallas Cowboys - 182(2) Green Bay Packers - 178(3) San Francisco 49ers - 162(4) Pittsburgh Steelers - 142(5) Oakland Raiders - 124(6) Washington Redskins - 104(7) New England Patriots - 101(8) Miami Dolphins - 95(9) Buffalo Bills - 92(10) Denver Broncos - 85

 

[Andy Dufresne]

This Vikings fan votes for the Steelers.The Packers were just too bad of a team from the late 70' through the mid-90's for consideration for the top spot.

 

[rifkin]

As part of this debate I once created a spreadsheet going back to 1950. The spreadsheet does not include anything from 2005. Assuming you give the following points:25 = Superbowl win - (or before the merger a NFL or an AFL Championship)5 = Superbowl loss.3 = Conference championship game loss.2 = Playoff round loss1 = Wildcard round loss0 = Missed playoffs.

Husker - I think you should factor in won/loss record by giving a point for every win and subtracting for each loss. Maybe just regualr season NFL games. So the Packers have a NFL regualr season won/loss of 616-492-36 so they would get 124 more points. Dallas has a record of 352-236-6 through 1999 so that alone would give them 116 points though they may get more.

 

[Prime]

This Vikings fan votes for the Steelers.

The Packers were just too bad of a team from the late 70' through the mid-90's for consideration for the top spot.

Good Point.I voted for my Cowboys. Obviously I am biased, but nobody has been to or won more Super Bowls then them, and they have only been around since 1960.

Packers Shhmackers.

I rank them like this:

Cowboys

Steelers

Packers

49ers

Miami

Then after that you could argue for any of these teams and in no particular order they are:

Redskins

Raiders

Bears

Giants

Pats

Broncos

Cheifs

 

[DoctorDetroit]

The Steelers were horrible for 40 years prior to their run in the 1970s.

The Browns I believe still lead the all-time series on them because of that past.

Heck, if the Steelers get listed you might as well put the Browns on there as well. They also dominated one decade and have fallen on hard times for a far shorter duration than the Steelers ever did.

This should have its own thread: "Funniest post from a Cleveland Browns fan in FBG history." I'm not even a Steelers, Bagels, or Ravens fan and it's easy to hate the Browns.

 

[Ack88]

I'll admit a bias here, but no team has been as consistently good, with a few eras of excellence, and one era of dominance...like the Dallas Cowboys. Other than the late 80's and the early 00's, a span of 7 years or so, the Cowboys have been a contending team.

 

[Cannon Fodder]

Before hitting the "Vote" button I has hoping to God that nobody picked the Patriots. How can there be anybody out there besides people who might live there vote for them? Besides the last few years, what has that franchise done?

 

[rustycolts]

Have to be the Packers they have won 12 league championships 2nd would be the Bears with 9.By the way I am a Dolphin fan and they cannot be mentioned in the same breath with the Packers.

 

[Pat Patriot]

The Patriots were a joke of a franchise from 1970 to 1995. No way they can be part of this discussion. If it is a discussion of the best current franchises they are involved, anything going back 10 years and they are out of it.

 

[clint_c]

while I agree that the NFL pre-superbowl championships should be recognized, I do not feel that they should be given the same weight as a team that won a championship after the merger.Just by numbers it is much more difficult to win a championship now with 32 teams than it was back then, and adding the salarycap in the mid ninties has even made it more difficult.just my two cents....I would probably rank themallasPittsburghGreen BaySan FransiscoOakland Raidersvery close sixth to washington and the NY Giants

 

[Noahs Troopers]

Voted 49ers, surprised Steelers wasn't an option.

 

[Jim11]

Bogus poll - Steelers not on list.

 

[Koya]

THE PATRIOTS?OF ALL TIME?Hmmmmph.

 

[Koya]

Other = NY Giants

If not for the integrity of Wellington Mara, there would be no NFL as we know it today. Plus, being one of the original teams helps too.

I like the chart idea - but you have to give something for just being in the league (maybe a point a year). Let's face it, being an OLD time, and especially an original team, is something in itself, in a historic context.

For example, until last year, the Red Sox were one of the best MLB franchises of all time - and they wouldnt exactly match up with modern era WS wins.

 

[JohnnyU]

Definitely close between the Seahawks and Bucs

 

[Yah_Shoor_Yoobetchya]

I think I'll take the team with the most championships, made more remarkable by the fact that it is the smallest market team.

You also have to like their representation in the hall of fame.

A little support for my vote for the Packers (from a Titans & :gulp: Vikings fan):1. No owner (last remaining publicly owned pro sports team, 4,749,925 shares, 111,921 stockholders, none of whom receive dividend on initial investment).

2. Team plays in major sports' smallest TV market--68th (Jacksonville, 52, is closest).

3. Packers have 10 playoff appearances in last 12 years, and won most NFL titles (12).

4. Green Bay has 20 Pro Hall of Famers, second-most in league.

5. Team has averted four financial collapses: 1921, 1922, 1934 and 1950, each time gaining monetary support from community.

6. In a century of franchise movement, only 10 other pro sports teams -- none in football -- have held same moniker in same location longer (nine baseball, one hockey).

7. Only two other pro sports venues have been in continuous use longer than Lambeau Field (1957) -- Boston's Fenway Park (1912) and Chicago's Wrigley Field (1916).

8. With season-ticket holders from all 50 states, as well as Washington D.C., Canada, Japan and Australia, team's waiting list has more than 67,500 names.

9. Packers have most fans in league based on recent Harris polls, merchandise sales and Web site attraction. Plus, team sells every available seat at Lambeau Field for intra-squad scrimmage, "Family Night."

10. Before radio, when Packers played on the road, as many as 500 fans turned out at Legion Park to "watch" game on Playograph board (telegraph reports from press box re-created game on screen, complete with PA).

11. Packers were first to open hall of fame and museum (1967).

 

[John 14:6]

This Vikings fan votes for the Steelers.

The Packers were just too bad of a team from the late 70' through the mid-90's for consideration for the top spot.

I'm also a Vikings fan who votes Steelers. Cowboys would be my #2.

 

[Native]

Heres some hard-data to mull over:

1) Most Regular Season Wins: Bears 646

2) Most Post-Season Wins: Cowboys 32

3) Most Combined Wins: Bears 660

4) Highest Winning Percentage, Regular Season: Dolphins .600

5) Highest Winning Percentage, Post-Season: Ravens, .714

6) Highest Winning Percentage, Overall: Dolphins .594

http://www.profootballhof.com/history/stat...oss_records.jsp

http://www.profootballhof.com/assets/history/W_L_2005.pdf

 

[Prime]

I think I'll take the team with the most championships, made more remarkable by the fact that it is the smallest market team.

You also have to like their representation in the hall of fame.

A little support for my vote for the Packers (from a Titans & :gulp: Vikings fan):1. No owner (last remaining publicly owned pro sports team, 4,749,925 shares, 111,921 stockholders, none of whom receive dividend on initial investment).

2. Team plays in major sports' smallest TV market--68th (Jacksonville, 52, is closest).

3. Packers have 10 playoff appearances in last 12 years, and won most NFL titles (12).

4. Green Bay has 20 Pro Hall of Famers, second-most in league.

5. Team has averted four financial collapses: 1921, 1922, 1934 and 1950, each time gaining monetary support from community.

6. In a century of franchise movement, only 10 other pro sports teams -- none in football -- have held same moniker in same location longer (nine baseball, one hockey).

7. Only two other pro sports venues have been in continuous use longer than Lambeau Field (1957) -- Boston's Fenway Park (1912) and Chicago's Wrigley Field (1916).

8. With season-ticket holders from all 50 states, as well as Washington D.C., Canada, Japan and Australia, team's waiting list has more than 67,500 names.

9. Packers have most fans in league based on recent Harris polls, merchandise sales and Web site attraction. Plus, team sells every available seat at Lambeau Field for intra-squad scrimmage, "Family Night."

10. Before radio, when Packers played on the road, as many as 500 fans turned out at Legion Park to "watch" game on Playograph board (telegraph reports from press box re-created game on screen, complete with PA).

11. Packers were first to open hall of fame and museum (1967).

So they have been around forever. When I see a restaurant say they have been in business since 1898, that doesn't make me want to eat there.

 

[Yah_Shoor_Yoobetchya]

I think I'll take the team with the most championships, made more remarkable by the fact that it is the smallest market team.

You also have to like their representation in the hall of fame.

A little support for my vote for the Packers (from a Titans & :gulp: Vikings fan):1. No owner (last remaining publicly owned pro sports team, 4,749,925 shares, 111,921 stockholders, none of whom receive dividend on initial investment).

2. Team plays in major sports' smallest TV market--68th (Jacksonville, 52, is closest).

3. Packers have 10 playoff appearances in last 12 years, and won most NFL titles (12).

4. Green Bay has 20 Pro Hall of Famers, second-most in league.

5. Team has averted four financial collapses: 1921, 1922, 1934 and 1950, each time gaining monetary support from community.

6. In a century of franchise movement, only 10 other pro sports teams -- none in football -- have held same moniker in same location longer (nine baseball, one hockey).

7. Only two other pro sports venues have been in continuous use longer than Lambeau Field (1957) -- Boston's Fenway Park (1912) and Chicago's Wrigley Field (1916).

8. With season-ticket holders from all 50 states, as well as Washington D.C., Canada, Japan and Australia, team's waiting list has more than 67,500 names.

9. Packers have most fans in league based on recent Harris polls, merchandise sales and Web site attraction. Plus, team sells every available seat at Lambeau Field for intra-squad scrimmage, "Family Night."

10. Before radio, when Packers played on the road, as many as 500 fans turned out at Legion Park to "watch" game on Playograph board (telegraph reports from press box re-created game on screen, complete with PA).

11. Packers were first to open hall of fame and museum (1967).

So they have been around forever. When I see a restaurant say they have been in business since 1898, that doesn't make me want to eat there.

But they've got to be doing something right in order to get (other) people to keep coming back year after year.

 

[Autumn Wind]

I think I'll take the team with the most championships, made more remarkable by the fact that it is the smallest market team.

You also have to like their representation in the hall of fame.

A little support for my vote for the Packers (from a Titans & :gulp: Vikings fan):1. No owner (last remaining publicly owned pro sports team, 4,749,925 shares, 111,921 stockholders, none of whom receive dividend on initial investment).

2. Team plays in major sports' smallest TV market--68th (Jacksonville, 52, is closest).

3. Packers have 10 playoff appearances in last 12 years, and won most NFL titles (12).

4. Green Bay has 20 Pro Hall of Famers, second-most in league.

5. Team has averted four financial collapses: 1921, 1922, 1934 and 1950, each time gaining monetary support from community.

6. In a century of franchise movement, only 10 other pro sports teams -- none in football -- have held same moniker in same location longer (nine baseball, one hockey).

7. Only two other pro sports venues have been in continuous use longer than Lambeau Field (1957) -- Boston's Fenway Park (1912) and Chicago's Wrigley Field (1916).

8. With season-ticket holders from all 50 states, as well as Washington D.C., Canada, Japan and Australia, team's waiting list has more than 67,500 names.

9. Packers have most fans in league based on recent Harris polls, merchandise sales and Web site attraction. Plus, team sells every available seat at Lambeau Field for intra-squad scrimmage, "Family Night."

10. Before radio, when Packers played on the road, as many as 500 fans turned out at Legion Park to "watch" game on Playograph board (telegraph reports from press box re-created game on screen, complete with PA).

11. Packers were first to open hall of fame and museum (1967).

So they have been around forever. When I see a restaurant say they have been in business since 1898, that doesn't make me want to eat there.

But they've got to be doing something right in order to get (other) people to keep coming back year after year.

What else is there to do up there?

 

[Rhino]

As my teachers in high school always used to tell us...

Read The Question!

What is the Greatest NFL Franchise of ALL-TIME

Not the last 5 years (Patriot Fans)

Not since the merger

Not since 1950

ALL TIME

If you answered anything other than the Green Bay Packers, you were wrong. If you hesitated on the Packers to possibly answer the Chicago Bears or the New York Giants, then perhaps we'll give you partial credit.

 

[Foosball God]

Voted "Other" = Steelers

I was surprised they weren't included in the poll.

 

[Yankee23Fan]

If I vote for my Giants, can I do so removing the Handley years?

 

[Husker]

Question - how does one count the AFL (prior to the merger) when evaluating greatest franchises of all time?

 

[dgreen]

Question - how does one count the AFL (prior to the merger) when evaluating greatest franchises of all time?

The Packers weren't in the AFL, so it really doesn't matter.

 

[sho nuff]

This Vikings fan votes for the Steelers.

The Packers were just too bad of a team from the late 70' through the mid-90's for consideration for the top spot.

Posted in another thread...but since people were talking about things..from 70 to current the Packers have only finished last in the division 6 times...in that same span they have won the division 9 times and finished 2nd 8 times.Late 70s? if you start at say 75...it cuts it down to 4 times at the bottom of the division and the 1st place finishes only go down by one...2nd stays the same.

I would not say they were "too bad" of a team...given what other teams did during those years. Pitt obviously dominated those years...along with Dallas, SF, and Dallas again.