[sitescools]

i dont think they are equal on any level, it was just a debate between a friend and i and i happened to find him very wrong on this topic.

[Twelearly]

You've got to go with the...entity...with the better record.

im not sure if anyone will ever upset the almighty bryant gumbel.

[goldcigarettes]

Why dont we just come to agreement, and say that bryant gumbel is the best ever.

[JRixlcvF]

A friend and i were having a debate about this, so i thought i'd post a poll to see what you guys think. Notice its on the NFL general board, no team board specifically. Feel free to share your vote and why, but keep it clean boys. Thanks.


edit: this is assuming Philly were to win this coming Sunday.

[Goodwin]

and for those who dont believe this team is top 15 all time, i'll tell you the same thing i told those on ESPN....

the 96 Packers DO belong on this list. They had one of the toughest schedules in the NFL at the time (if you dont believe me, go look it up). They likely would have gone 15-1, had it not been for a 2 game stretch mid season where they were missing their #1, #2, and #3 WRs as well as their #1 TE. Above all else, they are the only team in NFL History to lead the league in points scored and least points allowed AND go on to win the Super Bowl. Not only did they beat teams, they manhandled them winning by lopsided scores of 34-3, 39-13, 42-10, 31-10, 37-6, 24-9, 41-6, 31-3, 38-10, 35-14, 30-13, and 35-21 in 12 of their 16 total wins that season. Doing all this with a rather rough schedule automatically qualifies them as one of the top teams in the history of the NFL, theres no arguement to prove otherwise.

[GAGNAPPEAPH]

No matter what, both teams scrapped hard to get where they have gotten.

Overall I have to go with the Packers of '96. First off, the team was a virtual all-star team on both sides of the ball. I don't remember all the names, but some of the receivers, Brooks, Freeman, Beebe, Chmura, Kieth Jackson, and Andre Rison. Running backs, Edgar Bennett, and Dorsey Levens. Fullback, William Henderson. Line included Frankie "Bag o' Donuts" Winters, Earl Dotson, Adam Timmerman, Aaron Taylor, and John Michels. And BRETT FAVRE at QB.

Defense included such names as Reggie White, Sean Jones, Santana Dotson, Gilbert Brown, Eugene Robinson, Craig Newsome, Wayne Simmons, George Teague, LeRoy Butler, and Doug Evans as well as others.

This whole group including the others not mentioned could have easily represented the NFC in the Pro Bowl that year legitimately IMO. The names on the D-line all together was enough to give ANY coach in the NFL at that time a wet dream they were that good. With the exception of Brown I believe all of them will end up in the HOF. That team without throwing in Jerry Rice, James Lofton, Sweetness, Bruce Smith, Lawrence Taylor, and Sterling Sharpe was IMO probably one of the greatest teams ever assembled in the history of the NFL. There wasn't a single player on the team that year that complained publicly. Everyone exuded an attitude of ultimate unselfishness. Everyone was given the chance to put up the big numbers and made the most of those chances given. IMO, we have two people in the front office at that time to thank. Bob Harlan for bringing in Ron Wolf, and Ron Wolf for assembling the talent to make that team.

If I compare the two teams I can't fully say the same about the Eagles. However I will say that both are TRUE TEAMS. Everyone then and now stuck together and supported each other no matter what.

However none of this talk matters at all until we see the final outcome of SB 39. Then we can really talk about who was better.
Although, shouldn't we really be talking about the '96 Pack vs. the '03 or '04 Pats? That in my mind is perhaps a better comparison. Or, the '96 Pack vs. the '66/'67 Championship teams of the Pack?

[Unjucky]

the 96 Packers would have beaten the 85 Bears IMO the Ds where about equal but the Packers offense was by far better.

da Bears All tha Way

CHICAGO BEARS

1985 Season
9/8 Tampa W 38-28
*9/15 New England W 20-7
9/19 @Minnesota W 33-24
*9/29 Washington W 45-10
10/6 @Tampa W 27-19
*10/13 @San Fran W 26-10
*10/21 Green Bay W 23-7
*10/27 Minnesota W 27-9
11/3 @Green Bay W 16-10
*11/10 Detroit W 24-3
*11/17 @Dallas W 44-0
*11/24 Atlanta W 36-0
12/2 @Miami L 24-38
12/8 Indianapolis W 17-10
*12/14 @NY Jets W 19-6
*12/22 @Detroit W 37-17
*1/5 NY Giants W 21-0
*1/12 LA Rams W 24-0
*1/26 NE Patriots W 46-10

(13 lopsided games won.Including 4 shutouts. . .18-1 final record.)

Chicago Outscored opponets 547-198 in 1985

http://www.bearshistory.com/seasons/1985.html

[Menierofe]

Are the Packers still the only team to win the SB with the toughest schedule or has the pats done that now? Also gotta respect a team that finished number one in offense and defense. IMO that team would beat ANY team in the NFL TODAY.

[JonnLeejsp]

I think the 96 Packers were the best team of the two,but only because the Eagles havent won the Super Bowl Yet.As for the best team since the 72 Dolphins I would have to say based on a 1 yr anylasists that would have to be the 1985 Bears,they went 15 and 1 and stomped the NE Patriots 46-10 in the SB.



http://football.about.com/od/morechi.../a/85bears.htm

[JediReturns84]

Realy..... John Michels?

I said virtually the whole team. There are exceptions to just about every rule.

[ardsdelinq]

I don't see how the 2004 eagles fit into this? They were not that dominant of a team, and everyone knows the NFC was weak compared to the AFC this year.

[Fausqueuego]

As for my opinion on the 2 teams, i honestly think the 1996 Green Bay Packers were the best all around team since the '72 dolphins.

I don't really remember them that much so I won't comment (I only remember the Super Bowl). This years Eagles team was and is very good. I'm sure the Packers were very good too.

[enentique]

I don't see how the 2004 eagles fit into this? They were not that dominant of a team, and everyone knows the NFC was weak compared to the AFC this year.

The NFC was weak but the Eagles dominated them to that extent, in games they actually gave a rats ass, they only did not outscore their NFC foe by less than 10 points twice. 11 out of 13 games they won by more than 10 points, that includes the playoffs in which they dominated the NFC without TO.

Makes you wonder what the rest of the NFC has to look forward to for the future with the eagles showing no weakness of getting worse and only signs of getting better.

I'm not going to debate this question, the only thing I remember from the '96 packers was Reggie running off the field and Favre after that first TD. Not much else comes to mind, didn't even know their D was that dominate during the year. I think it's hard to put them over the Bears in '85 even givin that stat. I just wanted to respond to the weak NFC statement.

[DrJonson]

Im watching the 30 Minute NFL Films season recap on the season, followed by the 30 minute Super Bowl XXXI recap show (both from the Brett Favre Day on ESPN Classic). Damn, we were so good. Im speechless everytime i watch this team.


just to make a small clarification on Dr. Suess' post from earlier, George Teague left in the team in 1995, so he was not on the super bowl champion Packers.

Thanks for the correction. My bad.

[Plonnikas]

No matter what, both teams scrapped hard to get where they have gotten.

Overall I have to go with the Packers of '96. First off, the team was a virtual all-star team on both sides of the ball. I don't remember all the names, but some of the receivers, Brooks, Freeman, Beebe, Chmura, Kieth Jackson, and Andre Rison. Running backs, Edgar Bennett, and Dorsey Levens. Fullback, William Henderson. Line included Frankie "Bag o' Donuts" Winters, Earl Dotson, Adam Timmerman, Aaron Taylor, and John Michels. And BRETT FAVRE at QB.

Defense included such names as Reggie White, Sean Jones, Santana Dotson, Gilbert Brown, Eugene Robinson, Craig Newsome, Wayne Simmons, George Teague, LeRoy Butler, and Doug Evans as well as others.

This whole group including the others not mentioned could have easily represented the NFC in the Pro Bowl that year legitimately IMO. The names on the D-line all together was enough to give ANY coach in the NFL at that time a wet dream they were that good. With the exception of Brown I believe all of them will end up in the HOF. That team without throwing in Jerry Rice, James Lofton, Sweetness, Bruce Smith, Lawrence Taylor, and Sterling Sharpe was IMO probably one of the greatest teams ever assembled in the history of the NFL. There wasn't a single player on the team that year that complained publicly. Everyone exuded an attitude of ultimate unselfishness. Everyone was given the chance to put up the big numbers and made the most of those chances given. IMO, we have two people in the front office at that time to thank. Bob Harlan for bringing in Ron Wolf, and Ron Wolf for assembling the talent to make that team.

If I compare the two teams I can't fully say the same about the Eagles. However I will say that both are TRUE TEAMS. Everyone then and now stuck together and supported each other no matter what.

However none of this talk matters at all until we see the final outcome of SB 39. Then we can really talk about who was better.
Although, shouldn't we really be talking about the '96 Pack vs. the '03 or '04 Pats? That in my mind is perhaps a better comparison. Or, the '96 Pack vs. the '66/'67 Championship teams of the Pack?

Realy..... John Michels?

[Butiqueso]

I don't see how the 2004 eagles fit into this? They were not that dominant of a team, and everyone knows the NFC was weak compared to the AFC this year.

Well...they could have gone 15-1 and may win the Super Bowl. Of course that didn't happen and they may not, so...

[GEAntonio]

Im watching the 30 Minute NFL Films season recap on the season, followed by the 30 minute Super Bowl XXXI recap show (both from the Brett Favre Day on ESPN Classic). Damn, we were so good. Im speechless everytime i watch this team.


just to make a small clarification on Dr. Suess' post from earlier, George Teague left in the team in 1995, so he was not on the super bowl champion Packers.

[Cofeeman]

by the way, the combined record of opponents faced that season was 154-150


http://profootballreference.com/years/1996.htm

[Lvnufcdc]

I've gotta go with the 2004 Patriots in this one. They are so good that they can win in a matchup that doesn't even include them.

I've been waiting for someone to say this. It's soooooooooooooooooooo obvious.

[Qnpqbpac]

im not sure if anyone will ever upset the almighty bryant gumbel.

I would certainly hope not.