NFL: The Top 30 teams of the modern era

1. 1963 San Diego Chargers

While there is no doubt that this pick is controversial since this version of the Chargers played in the early days of the American Football League, head coach Sid Gillman’s team was an offensive juggernaut.

The Chargers had the No. 1 offensive and defensive team in the AFL that season, and they had one of the best 1-2 punches at the running back position with Paul Lowe and Keith Lincoln. Quarterback Tobin Rote was a smart and solid leader who could make all the throws in Gillman’s offense, but what really made this team special was the presence of wide receiver Lance Alworth. Silky smooth and deceptively strong, Alworth caught everything that he could catch and he was an exceptional runner.

The Chargers hosted the Boston Patriots in the AFL Championship game and rolled to a 51-10 victory in San Diego’s Balboa Stadium. Many thought that this was the AFL’s best team of its first five years and that they could have given the 1963 NFL champion Chicago Bears a decent battle.

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