These Squads Will Forever be Remembered in Super Bowl Lore
The best teams in Super Bowl history are often romanticized as the years go by. Organizations are often remembered for their outstanding performances in big games. Luckily, football fans around the globe were treated to some wonderful performances this past decade. Here we remember some of the greatest Super Bowl teams of the decade.
NFL Super Bowl 2020 Champions
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Super Bowl XLVII-Baltimore Ravens
This squad was absolutely stacked. Led by a suddenly “elite” Joe Flacco, Anquan Boldin, and Ray Rice on offense, the Ravens were able to go head-to-head with the
star-studded teams of the AFC. Flacco completed an historic postseason run and was rewarded with the largest contract ever seen in the NFL. With all due respect to Flacco, the Ravens defense were always the real stars.
Featuring future Hall of Famers on every level, this unit beat everybody up. Led by infallible duo of middle linebacker Ray Lewis, and Bill Belichick’s favorite player of all-time in Ed Reed, the defense had game changers everywhere. Featuring future gold jacket wearers at every level in defensive tackle Haloti Ngata and sack master Terrell Suggs, the Ravens were able to slow the likes of Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, and Colin Kaepernick to lift the Lombardi trophy.
Super Bowl XLVIII-Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks left the Denver Broncos battered, bruised, and boring. This team ultimately did the whole league a favor and shifted league thinking back to the defensive side of the ball. Defense was back. After this performance half the league looked to copy the Seahawks cover 3 scheme. Outspoken cornerback Richard Sherman led a cast of characters that included future Hall of Famer Earl Thomas, perennial All-Pro Bobby Wagner, and pass-rusher Michael Bennett.
Second-year quarterback Russell Wilson showed his poise in the biggest game of his life, and Marshawn Lynch provided the Skittles. The biggest praise can be given to General Manager John Schneider and Head Coach Pete Carroll for building a team that undoubtedly changed the game.
Super Bowl XLIX-New England Patriots
It is a testament to the greatness of Tom Brady that his team was able to do the unthinkable and beat the above mentioned Seahawks squad. Staring down a fourth
quarter deficit of 14 points, the Patriots defense stiffened and Brady was able to orchestrate a comeback. Obviously, this team was aided by the Seahawks choice to throw the ball from the 1, and yet this New England team had their own collection of stars.
Tom “Terrific” had Julian Edelman, Rob Gronkowski and James White in tow. In a common theme on this list, the Patriots defense boasted so much experience and athleticism it would have been a travesty to lose. Vince Wilfork held the line, while edge rusher Chandler Jones wreaked havoc on opposing quarterbacks. Linebackers Dont’a Hightower and Jamie Collins patrolled the middle.
Free agent additions Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner bolstered the back end. Familiar safeties Devin McCourty, Patrick Chung and Daron Harmon handled the rest. This may have been the greatest iteration of Bill Belichick’s defense. With all that talent on hand it was a young, undrafted free agent named Malcolm Butler who stole the show. Incredible.
Super Bowl 2020
Super Bowl XLV-Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers came away victorious over the legend fueled Steelers defense. Often picking on a hobbled Troy Polamalu in coverage, Rodgers put on a show with the help of an array of offensive weapons in Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, James Jones, and Jordy Nelson was too much for the Steelers on this night. Stud rusher Clay Matthews forced a key fumble late in the 4th to seal the game. Charles Woodson and Nick Collins patrolled the back end, and even with Woodson injured in the contest the Packers managed to come out on top.
