Have you ever gotten into a debate among friends on who had the better NFL offense? For example, I think the 1998 Viking offense was better than the 2011 Green Bay Packers, which my buddies will argue to the end. So, here are my ranks for the top 10 offenses in history:
10. 1981 San Diego Chargers
One of the best offenses I’ve seen, especially for that ERA. They were a must-watch and an offense people talked about on Mondays. Teams weren’t going up and down the field like these guys. QB Dan Fouts ran an Air Coryell offense that involved throwing to weapons like Charlie Joyner, Wes Chandler, and Kellen Winslow. Plus, running backs Chuck Muncie and James Brooks were no slouches.
9. 1983 Washington Redskins
The Redskins are another pre-90s offense that was far above the best offense in the league. They pounded teams on the ground with RB John Riggins and QB Joe Theismann was able to make big plays downfield. They set the record for points at that time with 541.
8. 2011 New Orleans Saints
The Saints has a prolific offense with QB Drew Brees setting the single-season passing record with 5,476 yards. Opposing teams had no answers for tight end Jimmy Graham, and Brees was able to spread the ball to a multitude of receivers. They averaged 34.2 points per game.
7. 2018 Kansas City Chiefs
Imagine an offense with TE Travis Kelce and WR Tyreek Hill both in their primes. Then imagine the QB is Patrick Mahomes. You get an offense that averaged 35 points a game with Mahomes throwing for 50 touchdown passes. Their season ended by scoring 31 points but losing to the Patriots in overtime.
6. 1990 Buffalo Bills
QB Jim Kelly led an offense that often played no-huddle, which opposing defenses could not keep up with. They revolutionized the game and had other Super Stars like WR Andre Reed and RB Thurman Thomas.
5. 1994 San Francisco 49ers
You know, an offense with WR Jerry Rice had to make the top 5. Not only that but QB Steve Young broke the QB passer rating record with over a 112 rating. RB Ricky Watters was also outstanding and they finished the season by winning the Super Bowl over the San Diego Chargers 49-26.
4. 2013 Denver Broncos
QB Peyton Manning threw for a whopping 55 touchdown passes and the Broncos scored the most points of all time with 606 but they didn’t win the Super Bowl. The best offense of all time needs to win the Super Bowl in my opinion, which knocks them down a peg.
3. 2007 New England Patriots
Had the Patriots won the Super Bowl, they would have been my best offense of all time. They could score at will with Tom Brady, Randy Moss, and Rob Gronkowski but the offense laid an egg in the Super Bowl when their defense played great.
2. 1998 Minnesota Vikings
One of the most explosive teams I’ve ever seen. They had a trio of receivers led by Randy Moss and Cris Carter. RB Robert Smith could score from anywhere on the field. They did not win a Super Bowl, but to no fault of their own. They scored 27 points and had kicker Gary Anderson made a 39-yard field goal they would have scored 30 and appeared in the Super Bowl.
1 1999 St. Louis Rams
Known as “The Greatest Show on Turf,” the Rams could score from anywhere on the field. QB Kurt Warner had his breakout season, and receivers Isaac Bruce and Tory Holt were outstanding. What stands them apart from other top offenses is RB Marshall Faulk who was the best receiving back I have ever seen. Also, they were able to win a Super Bowl, which places them at the top of my list.
