Power Ranking The Decade:
The Top Ten # 10-1
by Chris Brophy
30/5/2008
 
So here it is, after much thought and consideration, the Diner presents it's orderly list of the top ten teams of the decade thus far. Look out for an undated list this time next year with all the movers and shakers. For now, decide if you agree with this list:
 
10, Chicago Bears
Record: 65 - 63 (0.508)
Play-off Appearances: Three (2-3)
Division Titles: Three (2001, 2004, 2005)
Super Bowl Appearances: One
 
The Bears finally returned to the Super Bowl over twenty years after winning their first Super Bowl but they couldn't repeat the trick. The NFC's version of the Ravens, it's defense that usually carries this team but the electrifying edge of Devin Hester may see him dominate the thoughts of many when they think of the Bears in this time period.
 
9, Seattle Seahawks
Record: 73-55 (0.570)
Play-off Appearances: Five
Division Titles: Four (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007)
Super Bowl Appearances: One (2005)
 
A switch to the NFC has seen a strong period in Seahawk's history emerge which included the franchises first ever Super Bowl appearance. The record is pretty good but they have taken advantage of a weak division for the most part and I do wonder if they would have had the same success had another team in the division being able to provide a better challenge.
 
8, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Record: 67-61 (0.523)
Play-off Appearances: Five (3-4)
Division Titles: Two (2002, 2007)
Super Bowl Appearances: One (2002)
World Championships: One (2002)
 
Well, after being the kick toy of the NFL for so long, it was sweet for Buccaneer fans to finally taste ultimate glory in 2002 and considering it came at the expense of a team where they had hired their coach from and had also had a rich tradition in the times when they had really struggled, that must have made it all the better. It's not all good though, there have been some lean years in a division that is very topsy turvy and it effects their regular season record that in turn, effects their ranking here.
 
7, Green Bay Packers
Record: 76 - 42 (0.594)
Play-off Appearances: Five
Division Titles: Four (2002, 2003, 2004, 2007)
Super Bowl Appearances: None
 
The King might be dead and he may not have had a number one hit (aka, a Super Bowl) in his last decade of playing to his fans, but he has still helped make the Packers one of the better teams of this decade. How will they survive without him and how will it effect their future ranking will be interesting to see.
 
6, Philadelphia Eagles
Record: 83-45 (0.648)
Play-off Appearances: Six (7-6)
Division Titles: Five (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006)
Super Bowl Appearances: One (2004)
 
The Eagles have put up some impressive numbers in this decade. Four straight NFC East titles, remaining dominant in a tough division and a Super Bowl appearance to boot but for the most part they will be known as the nearly team of the decade. It took them four years to get over the NFC Championship Game hump only to find the Super Bowl another hill they could not yet climb. Things have gotten a bit more inconsistent recently but they can still compete with the best for this past eight years.
 
5, Baltimore Ravens
Record: 72 - 56 (0.563)
Play-off Appearances: Four (5-3)
Division Titles: Two (2003, 2006)
Super Bowl Appearances: One (2000)
World Championships: One (2000)
 
They opened the decade with a Super Bowl win and whilst they have never managed to return, they have stayed consistent in that they have always played fantastic defense and not so great offense (or at least, passing offense). The Ravens have spent this decade showcasing one of the best defenses of all time and deserve their place in the top five. Even two final mediocre years would probably see them remain in the ten best but I don't think that's how Ray Lewis and company will want this decade to end.
 
4, New York Giants
Record: 68-60 (0.531)
Play-off Appearances: Five (6-4)
Division Titles: Two (2000, 2005)
Super Bowl Appearances: Two (2000, 2007)
World Championships: One (2007)
 
Before winning this past season's Super Bowl, the Giants would have struggled to make the top ten but the achievement of knocking off the almost perfect Pats means that the 'what have you done for me lately' factor plays a part in boosting the Big Blue up the board to the heady heights of 4th overall. Let's not forget Jim Fassel laid his cards on the table early in the decade and got rewarded with a Super Bowl appearance and that they have remained very consistent in a tough division.
 
3, Pittsburgh Steelers
Record: 82-46 (0.641)
Play-off Appearances: Five (7-4)
Division Titles: Five (2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007)
Super Bowl Appearances: One (2005)
World Championships: One (2005)
 
Finally, after a long wait, the Steelers got one for the thumb as they won their 5th World Championship in 2005. Despite being in a tough division that started the decade with six teams before realignment and has had the high powered Bengals offense and tough Ravens defense to battle against year on year, the Steelers have always managed to be there or thereabouts nearly every season. Even without Bill Cowher's chin, they seem to have found a worthy replacement in Mike Tomlin.
 
2, Indianapolis Colts
Record: 89 - 39 (0.695)
Play-off Appearances: Seven (6-5)
Division Titles: Five (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007)
Super Bowl Appearances: One (2006)
World Championships: One (2006)
 
Peyton Manning was threatening to be this generation's Dan Marino but he finally got his Championship in 2006/7. When we consider what they have achieved in five straight division titles (and not an easy division by any means with the Jaguars and Titans to consider), a high powered offense and an underrated cover-2 defense that Tony Dungy has shaped well, they are the only team that has a slight (and it is slight) chance of knocking the Pats off their lofty perch.
 
1, New England Patriots
Record: 91-37 (0.711)
Play-off Appearances: Six (14-3)
Division Titles: Six (2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007)
Super Bowl Appearances: Four (2001, 2003, 2004, 2007)
World Championships: Three (2001, 2003, 2004)
 
Not a hard choice, even with the anti-climax of this past year where they had the perfect record denied in Super Bowl by the Giants. They have set records, proved to be clutch when it matters and only a disaster will see them not crowed as the Team Of The Decade in two years time. If we are being picky, it could have been even better had they completed a three-peat in 2005 or had they gone 19-0 this past season.
 
Previously:
Middle Of The Pack # 20-11
Wooden Spoon Winners # 32-21