CBS Sports ranks greatest NFL teams by decade
The publication identifies the Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Kansas City Chiefs among the era-defining sides, while noting recent shifts in league parity.
CBS Sports has published an analysis identifying the greatest National Football League team for each decade from the 1920s to the present. The article highlights dominant franchises including the Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, and Kansas City Chiefs. It also notes recent performances by the Philadelphia Eagles and Seattle Seahawks, reflecting on a league that has seen significant shifts in competitive balance over the last century.
The piece asserts that the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs, who played in the 2024 Super Bowl, combined to win zero playoff games in 2025. This outcome underscores the article’s observation that there has never been more parity in the league, suggesting that another great team is likely emerging as these former champions struggle to maintain their status.
The Seattle Seahawks are identified as the defending champions, having won the title after missing the playoffs in the previous season. The Los Angeles Rams are described as having lost to the eventual champion Seahawks in the most recent season, having previously defeated the Bengals in Super Bowl LVI. This recent history contrasts with the dynasties of the past, where dominant teams often secured multiple titles in succession.
The analysis details the historical context of NFL championships, noting that the league did not hold a championship game until 1933. Early decades were defined by teams like the Akron Pros and the Canton Bulldogs, while the 1930s saw the rise of the Packers and Bears. The 1950s featured the Cleveland Browns’ dominance under Otto Graham, and the 1960s marked the beginning of the Super Bowl era with victories by the Packers and Chiefs.
The 1970s were characterised by the Pittsburgh Steelers’ record four Super Bowl wins, followed by the San Francisco 49ers’ dominance in the 1980s and the Dallas Cowboys’ success in the 1990s. The 2000s and 2010s saw the rise of the New England Patriots and the Kansas City Chiefs. The text claims the Chiefs became the first reigning back-to-back Super Bowl champions to return to the Super Bowl in 2024, only to be "blown out" by the Eagles in Super Bowl LIX.
