The Greatest NFL Team Debate
Everyone seems to enjoy debating who the greatest NFL team ever is. Names like the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins and the powerful 1985 Chicago Bears often come up, alongside more recent franchises like the 1999 St. Louis Rams and the 2013 Seahawks.
Now, Philadelphia Eagles‘ running back Saquon Barkley is adding another team to the discussion: the 2024 Eagles.
In a conversation during the engaging MICS podcast, hosted by Eagles’ defensive backs Reed Blankenship and Cooper Dejean, Barkley shared his thoughts on the 2024 Eagles.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hlv_jcabje
“When I saw our team last year, I think we’re in the top five teams of all time… If you really look at the seasons outside the first four games, it was the ass of the belt.”
Barkley brings up an interesting point. After a shaky 2-2 start to the season, the Eagles rallied to win 16 of their next 17 games, culminating in a commanding Super Bowl win. According to Pro Football Reference, their point differential was a remarkable +160. This is impressive when compared to legendary squads like the 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers and those who won Super Bowls from 2018-2021. The Eagles have certainly made their mark, even defeating legendary figures like Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid on the largest stage.
However, evaluating how the Eagles compare with historic teams is tricky. The 2024 Eagles’ total DVOA of 21.3% from the historic DVOA database of FTN Fantasy doesn’t even represent the best performance since last season, let alone that of the previous Super Bowl champs. Their DVOA numbers are similar to those of the 2000 Ravens—great teams, yes, but maybe not crowned as the best Super Bowl champions when relying on DVOA metrics. When looking back, some earlier teams like the Bears from 1991 and 1985 or the 1996 Green Bay Packers clear the bar. Even within the 2000s, teams like the 2004 Patriots and the 2013 Seahawks had higher DVOA scores than the Eagles.
While you could argue that the Eagles had a fantastic playoff run, proclaiming them as the best team ever might be reaching a bit too far.
