Team of the Decade

**Corvus Corax** · 07-20-2013, 08:26 PM

Question: What NFL team will ultimately be remembered as the team of the current decade (2010 through 2019)? Of course, we will have to wait until February 2020 (after Super Bowl LIV is over) to be certain. No SB winner has yet to repeat thus far this decade (Packers, Giants, Ravens).

Here are the NFL teams of the decade (since I have been around):

1950's Detroit & Cleveland (each won three titles)
1960's Green Bay (won five titles)
1970's Pittsburgh (won four titles)
1980's San Francisco (won four titles)
1990's Dallas (won three titles)
2000's New England (won three titles)
2010's ???

Except for one, all of the above listed teams won their first title (within the decade) by the third year of the decade. The Steelers won their first in the fifth year ('74). The '70 Steelers were 5-9. So it is conceivable that the 2010's team of the decade is not yet 'on the radar screen' (or whatever the modern digital version is called).

Nevertheless, I believe the Ravens are just as viable candidate as any current or projected contender. They should have gone to the Super Bowl the last three seasons. Their organization (front office, coaching) is solid. Their QB is still young with winning experience in the postseason. They have young, exceptionable personnel at key positions. And they have a proven track record in replacing celebrated players and in rebuilding almost constantly (due to free agency and salary cap). The question remains are they hungry enough and committed enough to maintain themselves as Super Bowl contenders?

CC

**Mista T** · 07-21-2013, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by Corvus Corax

1950's Detroit & Cleveland (each won three titles)

While the Colts won "only" two titles, few fans outside of Cleveland or Detroit would consider the Lions or Browns to have been the teams of the decade. The differences in how football was played, attended, reported in sports sections, and watched on TV was dramatically different between 1950 and 1959. The NFL in the early part of that decade still had vagabond teams (Dallas Texans) and unstable franchises, and few if any sellouts. By the end of the decade, the NFL had surpassed the NCAA in popularity and was about to overtake MLB. The major reason: the original "America's Team", the Baltimore Colts.

It'sway too early to think about the team of the 2010's. We certainly have a good start!

**BigPlayReceiver** · 07-21-2013, 01:33 PM

Our method will be simple. It's all going to come down to #5 and the team that Ozzie & Eric continue to build around him.

**lowrider** · 07-21-2013, 03:09 PM

I think we're off to a good start.

**Corvus Corax** · 07-22-2013, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by Mista T

While the Colts won "only" two titles, few fans outside of Cleveland or Detroit would consider the Lions or Browns to have been the teams of the decade. The differences in how football was played, attended, reported in sports sections, and watched on TV was dramatically different between 1950 and 1959. The NFL in the early part of that decade still had vagabond teams (Dallas Texans) and unstable franchises, and few if any sellouts. By the end of the decade, the NFL had surpassed the NCAA in popularity and was about to overtake MLB. The major reason: the original "America's Team", the Baltimore Colts.

It'sway too early to think about the team of the 2010's. We certainly have a good start!

Good point. It is still amazing that the '58 championship game aftermath was even celebrated on the Ed Sullivan Show (ruled the airwaves on Sunday nights) live from New York after the Giants lost! Talk about transcending the world of sports!

**packfntk** · 07-22-2013, 04:23 PM

2010's- Well with the small sample size we have and just a hint of what is to come, I would have to say my guess would be Packers, Ravens, Seahawks, and 9ers. Teams built for now, and the future.

**ed from Bel Air** · 07-22-2013, 05:01 PM

Originally Posted by packfntk

2010's- Well with the small sample size we have and just a hint of what is to come, I would have to say my guess would be Packers, Ravens, Seahawks, and 9ers. Teams built for now, and the future.

Agreed. With the rules favoring passing offenses, and with Peyton and Brady getting older, a team must have an "elite" (boy I hate that term) QB to take advantage of the way the rules are currently being applied in the NFL. The Ravens and Packers qualify, and if Wilson, and Kapernick stay healthy, they should be included.

RG III may be the best of the young QB's but I do not think DC ( or Indy for that matter) has the front office to stay in contention throughout the decade.

**PurpleApocalypse37** · 07-22-2013, 06:32 PM

Ravens are winning 5 Superbowls this decade.

**HoustonRaven** · 07-22-2013, 08:47 PM

At least you're optimistic.

Wildly optimistic but optimistic still.

**PurpleApocalypse37** · 07-22-2013, 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by HoustonRaven

At least you're optimistic.

Wildly optimistic but optimistic still.

You see, since 2009... I've been screaming for Cam Cameron to be fired. I've KNOWN he's been holding Flacco back. I was amazed that the last two years Flacco still managed to almost get the Ravens to the Super Bowl despite Cam Cameron. Then the Ravens got rid of Cam Cameron. Then when Flacco threw that pick-six... While the broncos defender was running it back, I said "screw Flacco." I threw in the towel. At that moment, I wanted the Ravens to get rid of him. I felt trapped, like the Ravens were never, ever, ever going to win a Super Bowl with Flacco. But then, when I saw him "Flaccoing".. Laying on the turf, I had an epiphany. I realized THIS IS JOE FLACCO's ROCK BOTTOM. He will either crumble, or he will rise from the ashes like the Phoenix. And I just KNEW that he was going to rise up. I had no doubt in my mind. And since then? Since Flacco's rock bottom? He has 15 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, and a 119 QBR. I think that pick-six against Broncos will in 20 years from now be seen as the greatest moment in Baltimore sports history.

**HoustonRaven** · 07-22-2013, 09:02 PM

Originally Posted by PurpleApocalypse37

You see, since 2009... I've been screaming for Cam Cameron to be fired. I've KNOWN he's been holding Flacco back. I was amazed that the last two years Flacco still managed to almost get the Ravens to the Super Bowl despite Cam Cameron. Then the Ravens got rid of Cam Cameron. Then when Flacco threw that pick-six... While the broncos defender was running it back, I said "screw Flacco." I threw in the towel. At that moment, I wanted the Ravens to get rid of him. I felt trapped, like the Ravens were never, ever, ever going to win a Super Bowl with Flacco. But then, when I saw him "Flaccoing".. Laying on the turf, I had an epiphany. I realized THIS IS JOE FLACCO's ROCK BOTTOM. He will either crumble, or he will rise from the ashes like the Phoenix. And I just KNEW that he was going to rise up. I had no doubt in my mind. And since then? Since Flacco's rock bottom? He has 15 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, and a 119 QBR. I think that pick-six against Broncos will in 20 years from now be seen as the greatest moment in Baltimore sports history.

Ok.

And what you fail to understand is the amount of luck that goes into ONE Super Bowl run, let alone multiple runs.

Again, pimping individual stats doesn't help your argument. You keep telling us Flacco's numbers as if we've never seen them before.

Are multiple SB titles possible this decade? Yes.

Likely? Not even close. And that's not a knock on the team. It's simply reality.

**packfntk** · 07-22-2013, 09:12 PM

Houstonraven- You said it perfect. In any given Super Bowl year it is the perfect storm of luck, skill, getting hot at the right time, playing the right opponents, and execution. Savor every moment of right now because it will be twice as hard next year. Everyone plays their best game against the Champs.