Fansided

Top 30 NFL teams in history

By Jarrett Bailey

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 9: Quarterback Terry Bradshaw #12 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks to pass as snow falls during a game against the Baltimore Colts at Three Rivers Stadium on December 9, 1978 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Colts 35-13. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 9: Quarterback Terry Bradshaw #12 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks to pass as snow falls during a game against the Baltimore Colts at Three Rivers Stadium on December 9, 1978 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Colts 35-13. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /
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San Francisco 49ers running back Roger Craig (3) streaks through the defense during the 1984 NFC Championship Game, a 23-0 victory over the Chicago Bears on January 6, 1985, at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Rob Brown/Getty Images)
San Francisco 49ers running back Roger Craig (3) streaks through the defense during the 1984 NFC Championship Game, a 23-0 victory over the Chicago Bears on January 6, 1985, at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Rob Brown/Getty Images) /

4. 1984 San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers won the Super Bowl a few seasons prior, but they really came to life in 1984. San Francisco went 15-1 in the regular season.

The 49ers finished with the NFL’s second best offense. They scored 475 points in the season, good for 29.7 points per game. Joe Montana was a Pro Bowler, throwing 28 touchdowns to just 10 interceptions. Defensively, the Niners allowed the fewest points in the league. Their 227 points allowed were good for an average of just 14.2 points per game. San Francisco allowed nine or fewer points on six occasions in 1984.

They met the NFL’s top offense in the Super Bowl when they faced the Dolphins. Dan Marino was coming off his historic season, throwing for over 5,000 yards and 48 touchdowns. The 49ers held the Dolphins to 16 points, and they ran away with their second Super Bowl of the decade, winning 38-16.

The 49ers were the team of the decade. While Montana and Jerry Rice would take the league by storm later on in the decade, 1984 was the best team of all the 49ers Super Bowl teams in the 1980s., and served as a precursor for things to come.

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