Top 12 NFL/AFL regular season Power Rankings, 1969

[74_75_78_79_]

Both leagues combined. Normally I allow for as many spots that there was playoff teams but for this I thought I expand. 13 teams total had winning seasons. Who'll be the odd-man out? Interesting to see how the winning non-playoff teams from the NFL (7-5-2 Washington, 8-5-1 Colts, 9-4-1 Lions, 8-6 Packers) rank amongst each other as well as amongst the winners from the AFL. Pretty safe bet the Vikings will be #1 with everyone, but how about the 12-1-1 Raiders who swept KC (as well as beating every other winning team they faced)? Are they #2; or does 11-2-1 Dallas and/or 10-3-1 Browns and/or 11-3 Rams have a say? Any possibility the Colts, a year removed from NFL juggernaut status, rank ahead of them as well? How about Raiders vs Schmidt's Lions (Packers vs Chargers?)? Though the AFL, in its final year, lessened the gap even further if not catch up to or even surpass the NFL, there were many going into this post-season who still didn't respect the AFL, calling SBIII was a fluke.

[ChrisBabcock]

A combined AFL/NFL regular season power ranking. Love it.

1. Vikings
2. Cowboys
3. Chiefs
4. Raiders
5. Rams... The article in the Coffin Corner this past summer about this team was very interesting. Though I would probably still have the Vikes #1 if the Rams win out and go 14-0.
6. Lions
7. Browns
8. Jets
9. Packers
10. Colts
11. Chargers
12. Falcons... what? Won 3 in a row to close out the year including a home win vs. Minnesota

[74_75_78_79_]

A combined AFL/NFL regular season power ranking. Love it.

1. Vikings
2. Cowboys
3. Chiefs
4. Raiders
5. Rams... The article in the Coffin Corner this past summer about this team was very interesting. Though I would probably still have the Vikes #1 if the Rams win out and go 14-0.
6. Lions
7. Browns
8. Jets
9. Packers
10. Colts
11. Chargers
12. Falcons... what? Won 3 in a row to close out the year including a home win vs. Minnesota

Interesting pick with Atl, but with exception to finale vs getting-ready-for-the-playoffs Vikes, every single above-500 they played against (8 altogether) they lost to. Lombardi's Redskins didn't win against a winner in '69 either (including finale vs already-in Dallas) but they did at least finish above-500 and they did...beat Atlanta.

Here are mine...

1) Vikings
2) Raiders - both wins over KC were close but a sweep is a sweep; plus...12-1-1
3) Chiefs - yes, another AFL team to round-out top-3; whether SBIII a fluke or not, AFL arrived or at least its (two) top-teams
4) Browns - belting Boys 42-10 Week #7 gets them here; yes lost to Lions but that was early
5) Rams - lost last 3 but they did beat Dallas; skid maybe due to having already clinched (like '09 Saints)
6) Cowboys
7) Lions
8) Colts
9) Packers
10) Chargers
11) Jets - zero wins vs above-500 teams, lost to Chargers
12) Redskins