NFL’s 30 best teams that didn’t win the Super Bowl
Without question, this is the greatest team to come up short. In fact, the 2007 Patriots might be the greatest team to ever play, although they will never be remembered that way. New England was a special kind of dominant, putting forth the only 16-game undefeated season before losing to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII.
In the regular season, New England rolled over every opponent. The Patriots were led by future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady, who threw for 4,806 yards and 50 touchdowns (a then-NFL record) against only eight interceptions. Brady’s main targets were Randy Moss and Wes Welker. Moss caught 98 passes for 1,493 yard and an NFL record 23 touchdowns, while Welker contributed 112 catches for 1,175 yards and eight scores.
The Patriots scored more than 30 points on 12 occasions, showcasing their top-ranked offense. The defense was also terrific, checking in third. In the playoffs, New England plowed past the Jacksonville Jaguars before dispatching the San Diego Chargers in the AFC Championship game. In the Super Bowl, New England was undone by a vicious pass rush and David Tyree pinning a football to his helmet.