In the world of American football, the debate over the greatest Super Bowl champions persists. The 1972 Miami Dolphins, renowned for their undefeated season, face competition from their 1973 counterparts, who were arguably a superior team. The 1973 Dolphins didn't just secure the top spot that year; they also ranked 13th in DVOA history when including the postseason. This article explores how various championship teams stack up against each other in terms of dominance and achievements.
The 1973 Dolphins displayed a formidable playoff presence, surpassing their 1972 predecessors. Their performance solidified them as one of the greatest in league history. Meanwhile, the 1978 Pittsburgh Steelers narrowly missed clinching the top DVOA rank due to strategic player rest in Week 16, ultimately finishing second behind the Dallas Cowboys. If adjustments were made for resting starters, they would have ranked first.
When examining post-1980 teams, the 1995 Cowboys stand out as the last to not lead in regular-season DVOA, finishing slightly behind the San Francisco 49ers. The 1997 Denver Broncos showcased remarkable balance, ranking in the top five across offense, defense, and special teams. They successfully navigated the season with a record of 9-3 in one-score games, despite only outscoring opponents by 59 points.
Conversely, the 2007 New York Giants hold the lowest regular-season DVOA rank among champions, positioned at 15th with a modest 4.5%. The 2011 Giants made history as the only champions to be outscored during the regular season, facing one of the toughest schedules that year, yet still managed a 13th place in regular-season DVOA.
The 2015 Broncos are noted for having the poorest offensive DVOA of any Super Bowl champion. In contrast, the 1978 Steelers excelled both offensively and defensively. They ranked fifth in points scored and second in points allowed, only losing one meaningful game all season.
The performance of other notable teams further enriches this discussion. The 49ers' record of 7-2 in one-score games resulted in a tenth-place finish in DVOA, while the 2018 Patriots led in DVOA but dropped to fourth in 2019. The 1991 Buffalo Bills faced an easier schedule than any team since 1981, influencing their performance metrics.
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