Special teams
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Our first two “special teams” didn’t have the staying power of our Teams of the Decade, but are worth noting for being sensational one-hit wonders. Our third unit is, indeed, special for being the only team ever to play in four straight Super Bowls. Alas they wound up as “no-hit” wonders.
Miami Dolphins, 1973
The only perfect record (17-0) in NFL history, a feat that grows in stature with each passing season. They featured a big-time “No-Name Defense,” with LB Nick Buoniconti, DT Manny Fernandez and DB Jake Scott the least anonymous. A superb running game was led by fullback Larry Csonka and halfbacks Mercury Morris and Jim Kiick. Miami also won the Super Bowl the next season with basically the same team.
Chicago Bears, 1985
Their only loss in a 15-1 season was a Monday night defeat in Miami, with members of the 1973 team in attendance rooting them on. The ‘46” defense is one of the great shut-down units in history, leading the league in fewest points, rushing defense, overall defense and interceptions. Among the All-Pros were LBs Mike Singletary and Otis Wilson, DE Richard Dent and DB Gary Fencik. Oh, and Walter Payton ran for 1,551 yards.
Buffalo Bills, 1989-92
They had the perfect combination to dominate the AFC for four consecutive seasons. The offensive featured gritty QB Jim Kelly, versatile RB Thurman Thomas and tricky WR Andre Reed. The defense could be impenetrable, led by DE Bruce Smith and LB Cornelius Bennett. During their Super stretch, the Bills went 13-3, 13-3, 11-5 and 12-4. But they were blown out in three Super Bowls and lost a heartbreaker to the Giants in their fourth, when Scott Norwood’s field went wide right.
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