The NFL has been around for more than a century now. What began as a relatively small sport has grown in size and stature over the years to the yearly phenomenon it is now. Over its course, its structure has undergone massive changes. But, throughout its history, some teams have stood out above the rest.
While it remains a sport based on unrivaled parity, the NFL sees a dynasty come out in its midst every so often, leading to some incredible runs for franchises. As the Kansas City Chiefs look to continue their dynastic run in Super Bowl 59, we take a look through some of the best-sustained runs for teams in league history.
Greatest NFL Dynasties
New England Patriots (2001-2019)
A nearly two-decade-long run of dominance was cemented by the New England Patriots as the pinnacle of the sport. They won six Super Bowls, and made it to nine, with 13 AFC Championship Game appearances to their credit for a combined playoff record of 30-11 over 17 appearances.
But beyond their postseason success, they posted a perfect 16-0 season, a combined record of 232-72, and dominated opponents to the tune of a regular season point differential of +149.5 points per season.
In that run, they saw no less than 18 players make first-team All-Pro appearances, with the likes of Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Richard Seymour, Matthew Slater, Wes Welker, Stephen Gostkowski, Adam Vinatieri, and Stephon Gilmore making multiple appearances.
They paved the way for the greatest QB-head coach duo, as Brady and Bill Belichick remain the only duo to have won five or more Super Bowls together. Their run saw them tie the Pittsburgh Steelers for most Super Bowls for a franchise at six.
Additionally, they were dominant in one-score games, winning 14 out of 21 in the playoffs, including five Super Bowl victories in that equation, including a legendary 28-3 comeback against the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl 51.
Green Bay Packers (1960-1967)
The run that saw the birth of Titletown, the Green Bay Packers’ dynasty crossed over from the NFL Championship to the Super Bowl era. They won five total Championships, including the first two Super Bowls, while making six total appearances in the Championship round.
Over that stretch, they played in 10 playoff games in six appearances, losing just once, right in line with their regular season dominance where they compiled an 82-24-4 record, to the tune of +150.6 points per season.
Under the Green Bay Packers dynasty in the ’60s, 20 different players were selected to the first-team All-Pro list, with Forrest Gregg making it seven different times. The next best were Willie Davis, Henry Jordan, and Jerry Kramer at five each.
Surprisingly, the MVP of their two Super Bowl victories, Bart Starr, was selected as a first-team All-Pro just once. While the Chiefs attempt a three-peat, the Packers technically already hold the distinction, with three straight championships beginning in 1965, though they did not all come during the Super Bowl era.
Their 21-17 victory in Super Bowl 2 is famously known as the “Ice Bowl,” which remains the coldest game played in NFL history at a temperature of -13 degrees Fahrenheit, which further dropped to -48 in real feel due to a wind chill.
Pittsburgh Steelers (1974-1979)
The famed Steel Curtain: A six-year run of dominance established the Pittsburgh Steelers as the premier franchise in the National Football League as they made four Super Bowls and won each of them.
A regular attendee in the playoffs in each of those years, they lost just twice for a 13-2 combined record, matching their regular season dominance of 67-20-1. Eleven players earned first-team All-Pro nods during their run, including Jack Ham, who was nominated in each of the six seasons.
Additionally, Jack Lambert, Mike Webster, L.C. Greenwood, Joe Greene, and Donnie Shell made two appearances each. Their four championships in six years remain the highest mark in that timespan unless the Chiefs match their number in 2024.
Over that run, Terry Bradshaw won two Super Bowl MVPs, throwing for 300+ passing yards in both Super Bowls 13 and 14. In Super Bowl 14, it was Franco Harris standing out with 158 rushing yards, while Lynn Swann took home the prize in Super Bowl 10 after recording 161 receiving yards.
Chuck Noll became the first head coach to win three and then four Super Bowls; Harris (354 rushing yards) is still the all-time rushing leader in Super Bowls.
San Francisco 49ers (1981-1994)
The greatest wide receiver ever and two of the greatest quarterbacks of all time formed the backbone of the San Francisco 49ers’ dynasty. Over 12 playoff appearances, they took home five Super Bowl victories, winning in each appearance while boasting a 19-7 playoff record.
They had a similarly dominant regular season run as well, going 159-56-1 with a +149.4 point differential per season. They were led by Jerry Rice, Ronnie Lott, Joe Montana, and Steve Young, who all made three or more first-team All-Pro appearances.
Their dominance in the Super Bowl, however, is what truly set them apart. Whether it was the 215 receiving yards by Rice in Super Bowl 23, Young throwing six touchdowns in Super Bowl 29, or the all-time Super Bowl record with 55 points in Super Bowl 24, the record books are littered with their echoes.
Kansas City Chiefs (2018-2024)
The first team to make it to five Super Bowls in six seasons, the worst end to their season has come in the final seconds of the AFC Championship Game during their run. Winning three Super Bowls already, the Chiefs have a chance to be the first team to record the NFL’s first-ever three-peat of the Super Bowl era.
They are already one of just eight franchises to win back-to-back Super Bowls, and Patrick Mahomes is only the third player in league history to win back-to-back Super Bowl MVPs.
What makes their run improbable is the difficulty of their wins. Only four teams had overcome double-digit trails to win a Super Bowl; the Chiefs have made the comeback in each of their wins.
Travis Kelce has 31 receptions in four Super Bowls, just two behind Jerry Rice for the most all-time. Harrison Butker has scored the second-most points in Super Bowl history with 37, trailing Rice by 11, and has won nine of 11 one-score games.
Dallas Cowboys (1992-1995)
Their run might have been shorter than most, but the Dallas Cowboys stormed their way to three Super Bowl victories in four years and into America’s hearts. Ever since then, they’ve been America’s Team, highlighted by their insane collection of talent.
They scored the second-most points in Super Bowl history with 52 in Super Bowl 28, which also made Jimmy Johnson the first coach to win a college national championship and a Super Bowl in the NFL.
Emmitt Smith, en route to his career as one of the greatest running backs of all time, became the first player to win the rushing title and a Super Bowl in the same season. All three victories saw different Super Bowl MVPs.
In order, they are: Troy Aikman in Super Bowl 27, Smith in Super Bowl 28, and Larry Brown in Super Bowl 30.
Miami Dolphins (1971-1973)
Two Super Bowl wins while making three straight appearances puts the Miami Dolphins among the closest contenders to a three-peat in NFL history. They held a 36-5-1 record over that stretch, including an undefeated campaign for 1972.
They lost Super Bowl 6, before rattling off an undefeated season and returning for back-to-back Super Bowls the following season. Both Bob Griese and Earl Morrall handled quarterbacking duties for the team, and each earned a first-team All-Pro selection.
Running back Larry Csonka powered Miami to a dominant 24-7 win over the Minnesota Vikings, rushing for 145 yards and two touchdowns to earn Super Bowl MVP honors, his second 100+ rushing performance for a Miami Super Bowl win.
Denver Broncos (1997-1998)
The 1997 and 1998 Denver Broncos became the sixth franchise to win back-to-back Super Bowls, joining the Packers, Dolphins, Steelers (twice), 49ers, and Cowboys in accomplishing the feat.
An underdog victory in Super Bowl 32 against the defending champion Packers, led by Terrell Davis’ MVP performance, paved the way for the first Super Bowl win of John Elway’s career after four tries.
The Broncos and Davis flirted with NFL history during the 1998 regular season. Denver opened the year with 13 consecutive wins, while Davis became just the fourth player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season, finishing with 23 total touchdowns on his way to winning league MVP honors.
Denver capped off its dominant run with a commanding victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl 33, with Elway earning MVP honors in the final game of his legendary career.