On February 9, 2025, the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles will become the 117th and 118th teams to compete in the Super Bowl, facing off at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. This matchup marks the second time in three seasons that these franchises will meet on the biggest stage in football.

Over the years, we’ve seen various teams establish their dominance, some capturing lightning in a bottle at just the right moment, while others had the potential for greatness but fell short of winning the NFL’s top honor.

With Super Bowl 59 (LIX) approaching, here is my take on the 59 best teams that have graced Super Sunday—note that not all of these teams emerged victorious:

1. 1985 Chicago Bears, champions of Super Bowl 20 (XX)

A true powerhouse. The Bears achieved 15 regular-season victories, winning by an average margin of 18.1 points. Their defense was a force, racking up 64 sacks and conceding just 12.4 points per game. Chicago obliterated both the Giants and the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC playoffs before dominating New England, 46-10, in the Super Bowl. Overall, they outscored their playoff opponents 91-10. While a rematch with QB Dan Marino and the Dolphins, who handed the Bears their only loss that year, would have been intriguing, the team was consistently supported by star players like RB Walter Payton (1,551 rushing yards) and the legendary defense led by coordinator Buddy Ryan. The memorable personalities, including coach Mike Ditka and “The Super Bowl Shuffle,” added character to this legendary team.

2. 1984 San Francisco 49ers, champions of Super Bowl 19 (XIX)

While they may not have had the same flair as the ’85 Bears, the 1984 49ers deserve recognition of their own, standing out from the historic Bill Walsh-Joe Montana teams of the ’80s. This squad was groundbreaking, becoming the first to win 15 games in the regular season with a near 17-point average victory margin. They went on to finish 18-1, becoming the only teams to achieve that record and secure Super Bowl rings. In the playoffs, they demolished a talented Dolphins team led by Marino, winning 38-16, after already defeating the Giants and Bears with a combined score of 44-10 in the NFC playoffs, showcasing their dominance. Remarkably, this happened before the arrival of WR Jerry Rice.

3. 1989 49ers, champions of Super Bowl 24 (XXIV)

Comparing them to their ’84 counterparts is a matter of preference. The ’89 49ers, with Rice now recognized as the premier wide receiver in the league, recorded a still-impressive 14-2 regular season with an average victory margin of almost 14 points. However, they shifted into another gear during the playoffs, scoring a combined 126-26 in three games. Their 55-10 victory against the Broncos marks the biggest margin in Super Bowl history, and the most points scored by a single team. Though their playoff competition didn’t match that of the 1984 champs, QB Joe Montana delivered a career-best 112.4 rating, earning both league MVP and Super Bowl MVP honors.

4. 1972 Miami Dolphins, champions of Super Bowl 7 (VII)

As the only team to complete a Super Bowl season undefeated (17-0), the Dolphins achieved a level of perfection that’s hard to argue against. However, this argument feels somewhat superficial. Their postseason victories came by a mere 17 points, and they faced a weak regular-season schedule with only two opponents finishing with winning records. This isn’t meant to diminish the strengths of the “No-Name Defense” or the contributions of legendary coach Don Shula, who is the winningest coach in NFL history. Yet, there’s a case to be made that teams from the 1970s such as the Steelers, Cowboys, and even Raiders might be more deserving of higher rankings.

5. 1991 Washington, champions of Super Bowl 26 (XXVI)

With a stellar 14-2 season and a whopping 261-point scoring differential, this team made waves during the playoffs, winning by over 20 points on average. As the only Washington team to win a Super Bowl outside of a strike season, their balanced attack shone as they scored 40+ points on five occasions and kept three teams scoreless, with standout performances by return specialist Brian Mitchell helping the cause.

6. 1994 49ers, champions of Super Bowl 29 (XXIX)

Under QB Steve Young, the 1994 49ers made history as the only team to score over 500 points in the regular season. After defeating the Cowboys, who were vying for a three-peat, they cruised to victory against the San Diego Chargers in the Super Bowl, where Young set a record with six touchdown passes, while both Rice and RB Ricky Watters scored three touchdowns each. Their defense, bolstered by Defensive Player of the Year Deion Sanders, was also pivotal.

7. 1975 Pittsburgh Steelers, champions of Super Bowl 10 (X)

It’s a bit disrespectful to take this long to recognize the Steel Curtain dynasty, arguably the greatest in NFL history. The challenge is that none of their teams showcased their Hall of Fame talents at their peak simultaneously, with the defense taking charge in the early ’70s and the offense coming into its own later. Although the 1976 Steelers didn’t reach the Super Bowl, they may have been the most dominant of their era, hindered by injuries in the playoffs. Nevertheless, the ’75 team boasts a compelling case with a strong 12-2 record, the all-time franchise point differential of +211, and a Super Bowl win against a similarly great Cowboys team.

8. 1999 St. Louis Rams, champions of Super Bowl 34 (XXXIV)

While other passing teams have dazzled in the past, the “Greatest Show on Turf” set the stage for today’s pass-heavy style. With QB Kurt Warner, RB Marshall Faulk, and WRs Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt, the Rams achieved 13 regular-season victories by nearly 23 points on average. They only fell below 20 points once in the playoffs and scored 30 or more points 13 times. Warner’s rise from an unknown player to an MVP and Hall of Famer is a remarkable journey. Their playoff run included a narrowly contested win over the Buccaneers and a last-second escape against the Titans in the Super Bowl.

9. 1996 Green Bay Packers, champions of Super Bowl 31 (XXXI)

While it may seem controversial to place QB Brett Favre’s Packers ahead of Vince Lombardi’s legendary teams, it’s essential to consider the evolution of excellence in the league. Lombardi’s dynasty achieved five championships in seven years prior to the Super Bowl era, yet the Packers led by Favre showcased a captivating blend of talent and skill that deserves recognition in its own right.

Since its inception, the 1962 edition has showcased the finest roster of talent. Fast forward thirty years, and Favre was on his way to being the first player to secure MVP honors for three straight seasons. Alongside him, Reggie White—who may be the greatest defensive lineman ever—continued to dominate, achieving a record three sacks against Patriots QB Drew Bledsoe in the Super Bowl. Statistically, this team stands out in Green Bay’s illustrious history, finishing the regular season with a 13-3 record and defeating playoff rivals by an average margin of 17.3 points.

10. 1973 Dolphins, champions of Super Bowl 8 (VIII)

Although they recorded an “only” 15-2 overall record, including playoffs, advocates argue that this Miami squad might have outperformed the unbeaten team from ’72. The ’73 Dolphins were notably stronger in the postseason, boasting an average victory margin of 17.3 points.

11. 2013 Seattle Seahawks, champions of Super Bowl 48 (XLVIII)

Many believe this team represents the top single-season performance of the 21st century. While Patriots fans might contest this, pointing to Seattle’s defeat to New England in the following Super Bowl, many analysts argue that coach Pete Carroll’s decisions contributed to that loss. Importantly, the “Legion of Boom” decisively overpowered Denver, a team with a historic offense, winning the Super Bowl 43-8 just weeks after the Broncos defeated the Patriots in the AFC championship. It will be fascinating to see how the history assesses the LOB’s achievements, which included surrendering only 172 passing yards per game in 2013.

12. 1978 Steelers, champions of Super Bowl 13 (XIII)

By this time, the offense may have eclipsed the renowned defense, as shown by their 35-31 triumph over Dallas, where league MVP Terry Bradshaw secured the first of his two Super Bowl MVP awards.

13. 1998 Denver Broncos, champions of Super Bowl 33 (XXXIII)

Their title defense was on track to becoming legendary, starting the season 13-0 and featuring RB Terrell Davis, who went on to rush for 2,008 yards and win the MVP trophy. Denver fans enjoyed watching QB John Elway retire with a Super Bowl MVP performance, relieved that they faced the Atlanta Falcons rather than a high-powered Vikings team on Super Bowl Sunday.

14. 1966 Packers, champions of Super Bowl 1 (I)

After a sluggish beginning, the team secured a 35-10 victory in the inaugural Super Bowl—though to be precise, it was officially known as the “AFL-NFL World Championship Game” at that time. This victory came with significant expectations, as many believed it was a foregone conclusion.

15. 1968 New York Jets, champions of Super Bowl 3 (III)

Their iconic Super Bowl win against the Baltimore Colts, ensured by bold QB Joe Namath’s guarantee, is considered one of the most crucial games in professional football history, solidifying the eventual merger of the AFL and NFL. Although they were underdogs against a formidable Colts team, the Jets were a legitimate threat, propelled by Hall of Famer Namath’s passing to two 1,100-yard receivers (George Sauer and Hall of Famer Don Maynard). Ultimately, RB Matt Snell’s running combined with a strong, underrated defense helped them secure a 16-7 victory that wasn’t as close as the score suggested.

16. 2007 New England Patriots, runners-up in Super Bowl 42 (XLII)

The Patriots experienced a disappointing performance at a crucial time, narrowly falling to the Giants 17-14 in the Super Bowl. Although they missed out on a championship, this New England squad will always be recognized as the sole team to finish a regular season with a perfect 16-0 record. QB Tom Brady became the first player to throw 50 touchdown passes in a season, 23 of which were to WR Randy Moss—still a record for scoring receptions in a season. The team outscored their opponents by an average of 19.7 points, significantly greater than any team in the franchise’s storied history, crossing the 30-point mark in 13 out of 19 games. Though they didn’t achieve the historic 19-0 finish, they hold a deserving spot on this list.

17. 2016 Patriots, champions of Super Bowl 51 (LI)

They overcame various challenges, including Brady’s four-game suspension due to “Deflategate,” TE Rob Gronkowski’s season-ending injury, and a daunting 28-3 deficit against Atlanta, ultimately clinching the first overtime win in Super Bowl history.

18. 1971 Dallas Cowboys, champions of Super Bowl 6 (VI)

Under the guidance of coach Tom Landry, with QB Roger Staubach and the Bob Lilly-led “Doomsday Defense,” you’d be hard pressed to find a better version of what would become “America’s Team.” Dallas limited the Dolphins, who would go on to have an undefeated season, to a record-low three points in the Super Bowl.

19. 1969 Kansas City Chiefs, champions of Super Bowl 4 (IV)

Often overshadowed by the ’68 Jets, the Chiefs possessed a stronger roster and secured the AFL’s second Super Bowl victory prior to the 1970 merger. Their defense featured six Hall of Famers and deserves more recognition for allowing the fewest points, rushing yards, passing yards, and total yards in the AFL that year while also leading the league with 47 takeaways.

20. 1992 Cowboys, champions of Super Bowl 27 (XXVII)

We can confidently declare them the finest of the ’90s “Triplets” Cowboys. Dallas achieved a franchise record with 13 wins in the regular season, and with contributions from WR Michael Irvin, RB Emmitt Smith, and Super Bowl MVP Troy Aikman, they dominated Buffalo 52-17 in the Super Bowl—albeit DT Leon Lett’s showboating cost his team a scoring record that day.

21. 1968 Baltimore Colts, runners-up in Super Bowl 3 (III)

They will sadly remain known for yielding the NFL’s perceived supremacy after losing to the Jets. Before that defeat, Baltimore was establishing its claim as one of the greatest teams ever, even without Hall of Fame QB Johnny Unitas on the field. Under league MVP Earl Morrall, the Colts finished the season with a 13-1 record, winning their regular-season games by an average of 20.6 points, and clinching the NFL championship with a collective playoff score of 58-14 against the Vikings and Browns.

22. 1986 New York Giants, champions of Super Bowl 21 (XXI)

Big Blue’s inaugural Super Bowl-winning team was led by linebacker Lawrence Taylor, the last defensive player to be named league MVP. However, QB Phil Simms captured the spotlight on Super Sunday, completing 22 out of 25 passes in a 39-20 victory over Elway’s Broncos. The Giants dominated their three playoff matches, winning by an average of 27.3 points, highlighted by a 49-3 rout against Montana’s 49ers.

23. 2017 Philadelphia Eagles, champions of Super Bowl 52 (LII)

When presumed league MVP Carson Wentz suffered a torn ACL in Week 14, it seemed likely that Philadelphia’s Super Bowl drought would continue. However, QB Nick Foles stepped in and won the Super Bowl MVP award, triumphing in a thrilling shootout against Brady with a score of 41-33 that featured a record 1,151 yards of total offense—truly a “Philly Special.”

24. 2009 New Orleans Saints, champions of Super Bowl 44 (XLIV)

Starting with a remarkable 13-0 record, a three-game slump at the end of the regular season hinted at another playoff letdown. Yet, coach Sean Payton and QB Drew Brees orchestrated a triumphant Lombardi Gras celebration four years post-Hurricane Katrina, defeating teams led by Warner, Favre, and Peyton Manning in the playoffs.

25. 2004 Patriots, champions of Super Bowl 39 (XXXIX)

These Patriots became the second team in history to win three Super Bowls in a four-year span, setting a record with 21 consecutive victories—a streak initiated by the 2003 team.

26. 2000 Baltimore Ravens, won Super Bowl 35 (XXXV)

The dominance of this team is more remarkable considering they did not secure the AFC Central title and averaged below 21 points per game. The highlight was their defense, which allowed only 10.3 points on average throughout the season, marking the fewest since the league expanded to 16 games in 1978. In four playoff games, the Ravens gave away just 23 points, and Super Bowl MVP Ray Lewis led a unit that completely shut out the Giants, with New York’s only points coming from a kickoff return.

27. 1976 Oakland Raiders, won Super Bowl 11 (XI)

Despite their impressive 13-1 record suggesting an easy path, Oakland faced struggles early in the season, including a severe 31-point defeat against New England. However, they peaked later on, dominating Minnesota’s “Purple People Eaters” with a 32-14 victory in the Super Bowl.

28. 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, won Super Bowl 37 (XXXVII)

Leveraging their famous “Tampa 2” defense and the expertise of rookie coach Jon Gruden, the Buccaneers claimed their first title by defeating the Raiders thoroughly in the Super Bowl. They intercepted league MVP Rich Gannon five times, three of which were returned for touchdowns.

29. 1997 Broncos, won Super Bowl 32 (XXXII)

The Broncos didn’t capture the AFC West title but achieved the franchise’s inaugural championship, avenging an earlier playoff loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars and ultimately overcoming Brett Favre’s Packers.

30. 2020 Buccaneers, won Super Bowl 55 (LV)

In a surprising move, Brady left New England to join Tampa Bay as a free agent. It didn’t take long for him to make an impact, leading the Buccaneers through the postseason without a loss and defeating the reigning champion Chiefs 31-9 in the Super Bowl. Brady earned the MVP title for the fifth time, garnering his seventh Super Bowl ring, more than any NFL team. However, the Buccaneers’ defense was the standout, overpowering the 14-2 Chiefs and pressuring QB Patrick Mahomes.

31. 2014 Patriots, won Super Bowl 49 (XLIX)

Ten years after their previous Super Bowl win, New England added Lombardi Trophy No. 4 in thrilling fashion, with rookie DB Malcolm Butler intercepting Seattle’s Russell Wilson at the goal line to thwart their attempt at a repeat.

32. 1979 Steelers, won Super Bowl 14 (XIV)

The Steel Curtain struggled at times but secured their fourth and final Super Bowl victory against a 9-7 LA Rams team, pulling ahead in the final quarter.

33. 1977 Cowboys, won Super Bowl 12 (XII)

The “Doomsday II” defense showcased its strength in the Super Bowl, creating eight turnovers against Denver. Defensive linemen Harvey Martin and Randy White shared the Super Bowl MVP award. Dallas achieved an average postseason victory margin of 21.3 points.

34. 1983 Los Angeles Raiders, won Super Bowl 18 (XVIII)

With a strong 12-4 regular-season record, the Raiders excelled in the playoffs, winning three games by an average of 24.3 points and defeating a formidable Washington team in the Super Bowl. They became the first team to bring a Lombardi Trophy to LA.

35. 2019 Chiefs, won Super Bowl 54 (LIV)

Kansas City reclaimed the Lombardi Trophy, ending a 50-year wait. While their offensive prowess didn’t match that of the previous season, the balanced team overcame double-digit deficits in all three playoff contests, culminating in a 31-20 Super Bowl win over the 49ers. Mahomes was named MVP despite throwing two interceptions.

36. 1993 Cowboys, won Super Bowl 28 (XXVIII)

Once running back Emmitt Smith concluded his brief holdout, the Cowboys became an unstoppable force, with Smith ultimately earning both league and Super Bowl MVP honors.

37. 2010 Packers, won Super Bowl 45 (XLV)

The Packers secured their fourth Super Bowl title through a wild-card playoff run, with QB Aaron Rodgers stepping out from Brett Favre’s shadow.

38. 2022 Chiefs, won Super Bowl 57 (LVII)

The second championship for Mahomes, Andy Reid, and Travis Kelce came with slim margins. After finishing the regular season 14-3, the Chiefs won all three playoff games by a total of just 13 points. A late holding call on Eagles’ James Bradberry allowed Harrison Butker to kick the winning 27-yard field goal in a dramatic 38-35 Super Bowl victory. Mahomes was again the MVP, although Eagles QB Jalen Hurts had a standout performance.

39. 2013 Broncos, lost Super Bowl 48 (XLVIII)

They set a record by scoring over 600 points (606), largely due to Manning’s historic 5,477 yards and 55 touchdown passes. Unfortunately, they are remembered for being crushed by Seattle in the Super Bowl.

40. 1967 Packers, won Super Bowl 2 (II)

As the Lombardi era was drawing to a close, the Packers managed to edge past Dallas in the legendary “Ice Bowl” before overpowering the AFL’s Raiders, marking a significant achievement in Green Bay’s history as they effectively claimed a three-peat since they also won the 1965 NFL title.

41. 1995 Cowboys, won Super Bowl 30 (XXX)

This season marked the first instance of a team winning the Super Bowl three times in four seasons, highlighted by the dynamic presence of Deion Sanders.

42. 1967 Oakland Raiders, lost Super Bowl 2 (II)

The Raiders dominated their way to the AFL title, finishing with a 13-1 record and defeating the Houston Oilers 40-7 in the championship game. However, they fell short against the aging Packers in the Super Bowl, losing 33-14.

43. 1969 Minnesota Vikings, lost Super Bowl 4 (IV)

Expected to easily claim the title over the AFL representative, Minnesota, featuring one of the fiercest “Purple People Eaters” squads, suffered its first of four Super Bowl defeats within eight years.

44. 1983 Washington, lost Super Bowl 18 (XVIII)

Despite scoring 541 points in the regular season, a record that lasted 15 years, Washington was unexpectedly dominated by the Raiders, missing out on a Super Bowl repeat.

45. 1990 Giants, won Super Bowl 25 (XXV)

Innovative coaching by Bill Parcells and stellar performances from QB Jeff Hostetler—who stepped in after Simms was injured—enabled New York to overcome San Francisco and Buffalo, securing their second Super Bowl championship in five years.

46. 2003 Patriots, won Super Bowl 38 (XXXVIII)

Although they finished the season with a 14-2 record, eight of their victories were by just a single score. This trend continued during the Super Bowl, where they narrowly defeated the Carolina Panthers 32-29.

47. 1981 49ers, won Super Bowl 16 (XVI)

Thanks to the unforgettable “The Catch” play—where Montana connected with WR Dwight Clark—the 49ers, a group of relatively unknown players, clinched the first of their five titles in a remarkable stretch of 14 seasons.

48. 2005 Steelers, won Super Bowl 40 (XL)

The Steelers did not perform as impressively during the regular season compared to the prior 15-1 squad. But as wild-card entrants (with an 11-5 record), they benefitted from moments of playoff fortune, culminating in a stylish send-off for Jerome Bettis.

49. 2011 Patriots, lost Super Bowl 46 (XLVI)

What if star tight end Gronkowski hadn’t been hindered by a high ankle sprain? Would he have caught Brady’s Hail Mary for a Super Bowl miracle? And what if wide-open WR Wes Welker hadn’t let that pass slip away with only four minutes remaining? We can only speculate. If only TB12 could throw the ball to himself, right, Gisele?

50. 1978 Cowboys, lost Super Bowl 13 (XIII)

Had Hall of Fame tight end Jackie Smith managed to catch what would have been a touchdown, Dallas could have claimed a Super Bowl victory against the Steelers and solidified its reputation as the team of the ’70s.

51. 1988 49ers, won Super Bowl 23 (XXIII)

After a forgettable regular season with a 10-6 record, they dominated Minnesota and Chicago in the NFC playoffs by a combined score of 62-12. Joe Montana then orchestrated a memorable 92-yard drive to defeat Cincinnati in the Super Bowl during the final minute.

52. 1974 Steelers, won Super Bowl 9 (IX)

Thanks to an exceptional rookie class that included WR Lynn Swann, MLB Jack Lambert, WR John Stallworth, C Mike Webster, and S Donnie Shell, they secured Pittsburgh’s first championship by overpowering Minnesota.

53. 2018 Patriots, won Super Bowl 53 (LIII)

The journey to their record-tying sixth Lombardi Trophy was largely straightforward, even with the flamboyant Gronk announcing his retirement (for a period) afterward.

54. 2008 Steelers, won Super Bowl 43 (XLIII)

QB Ben Roethlisberger and WR Santonio Holmes brought home ring number six for Pittsburgh, although their struggle to defeat the less esteemed Arizona Cardinals in an exciting Super Bowl possibly kept this top-ranked defense from joining the all-time greats.

55. 2001 Patriots, won Super Bowl 36 (XXXVI)

Despite Brady’s incredible start as a quarterback, highlighted by that contentious “Tuck Rule” victory over Oakland, few had faith in them against the Rams. But a brilliant game strategy from Bill Belichick, combined with solid management by Brady and a clutch kick from K Adam Vinatieri, launched an unexpected dynasty.

56. 2021 Los Angeles Rams, won Super Bowl 56 (LVI)

They finally claimed a Lombardi trophy for Los Angeles at SoFi Stadium. This team’s journey was quite unusual, as they faced several significant defeats during the regular season yet won their last three playoff games, including a narrow 23-20 victory over Cincinnati on Super Bowl Sunday. This was made possible by Matthew Stafford stepping into a championship-level quarterback role, Aaron Donald’s disruptive defense against the Bengals, and Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp producing one of the greatest seasons for a wide receiver in NFL history, including playoffs.

57. 2007 Giants, won Super Bowl 42 (XLII)

They bounced back from a rough 0-2 start to earn a wild-card spot, ultimately culminating in an unforgettable upset against the previously undefeated Patriots. WR David Tyree’s “Helmet Catch” became one of the most iconic moments in NFL history.

58. 2001 St. Louis Rams, lost Super Bowl 36 (XXXVI)

They were the only team in their franchise history to achieve a remarkable 14 regular-season wins but fell short of dynasty status after being taken down by New England’s rising power.

59. 2023 Chiefs, won Super Bowl 58 (LVIII)

Under QB Mahomes since 2018, Kansas City had its fewest regular-season victories (11), with most coming by single-digit margins, leading to Mahomes playing postseason games away from home for the first time. Nonetheless, the Chiefs triumphed over Buffalo and top-seeded Baltimore before needing overtime to beat a strong 49ers team in Las Vegas’s inaugural Super Bowl. In doing so, Kansas City became the first team in nearly two decades to win consecutive titles.

Other Super Bowl champions: 1970 Baltimore Colts, 1980 Oakland Raiders, 1982 Washington, 1987 Washington, 2006 Indianapolis Colts, 2011 Giants, 2012 Ravens, 2015 Broncos.