Rank all '80s NFL seasons, #1-thru-#10

[74_75_78_79_]

Below are mine, already. Sure-enough anyone who's read my posts isn't surprised at what my top-2 are. To me, they are the two best seasons since 1980-period! However, had 1978 been my first season following, then it would be 1st instead, '79 in 2nd, and then '80 followed by '81 thus those four being my since-following 'Rushmore'. As for the two at the bottom? They should be everyone else's as well. Not just '80s, but of course of all-time!

1) 1980
2) 1981
3) 1983
4) 1988
5) 1984
6) 1986
7) 1985
8) 1989
9) 1987
10) 1982

Had '82 gone full, though, I feel it would have topped both seasons prior for reasons that I've already discussed. '83 picked up where '81 left off more-so than not. Not a big falloff from '80/'81, but not too slight either for both seasons were quite special.

Quite a falloff from a great '85 season to '89, though! Despite a certain team going from '10-92' to a one-point loss at top-seed in the divisional, '89 clearly the weakest of the '80s non-strike campaigns (weaker than all '90s seasons as well). An exciting final week/playoff possibilities that had my team winning themselves that super-unlikely four-game-parlay (yes, real exciting! that Min-over-Cincy on MNF one of my best Christmas memories/gifts), but it was all simply predicated on just how damn weak that AFC was!

How much better would '87 have been if it went full/no scabs? Noticeably better, of course. But as for this list in such an event, '89 is the only season I could see it being placed above for sure. Better than '85 and the few others above? Maybe, maybe not.

[Mark]

I'm not going to make a full list but personally I would probably list 1984 as #1. In fact I would probably list it as my favorite season of all. Marino, Payton, Dickerson, and Monk all breaking records. The 49ers were one of the great teams of all time and while the SB wasn't close they soundly defeated a worthy opponent, it wasn't an obvious mismatch as other SBs had been. The NFC East and the AFC West both had great divisional races. I think 1983 or 1981 would be my 2nd favorite.

[74_75_78_79_]

I'm not going to make a full list but personally I would probably list 1984 as #1. In fact I would probably list it as my favorite season of all. Marino, Payton, Dickerson, and Monk all breaking records. The 49ers were one of the great teams of all time and while the SB wasn't close they soundly defeated a worthy opponent, it wasn't an obvious mismatch as other SBs had been. The NFC East and the AFC West both had great divisional races. I think 1983 or 1981 would be my 2nd favorite.

Great selling-point on '84, Mark! Yes, SBXIX was a dud of a game after the 1st Q. But not just the two-week hype leading up, but the exciting all-season-long/collision-course between Marino and Montana, and both their teams (two different Diet Pepsi commercials being filmed with them - "Next year, I'M buying") shouldn't be completely disqualified due to how not-so-good that game was. The combined regular-season records between both at 29-3 (.906) is still a SB record!

And even if you're a Steeler-fan, you have to admit with un-bias that had Elway's 13-3 Broncos met Marino instead in the AFCC, and they would have kept it close, that'd serve as another feather in 1984's cap! Other notables about '84 was Ditka and Tuna's playoff debuts. Da Bears hosting that bloodbath of an affair over the Raiders en route to that division title and upset at RFK thus warning what 'Shuffle' would take place the following year. Dallas actually missing the playoffs for the first time in ten years as the Cardinals almost got in! And, of course, Payton and Dickerson!

I still really like '88 though, and for reasons that I've already specified in a recent post. This all despite it being the since-'69 Steelers nadir as well as low-points for other '70s stalwarts like Raiders, Dolphins, Cowboys. Whether - outside my opinion - '84 is actually better than '88 or not, both seasons are basically of the same caliber pretty safe to say.

1983...that would be tougher for me to drop in these rankings! Numerous all-time-great regular-season games, most of them involving the same few teams! Let's start with that MNF opener, Dallas coming back at RFK! Raiders at RFK as well - one that Rupert would give kudos to! You got the lesser-remembered first loss that Dallas suffered - home against Raiders - on that rare at the time Sunday Nighter! Dickey's Packers over Washington, 48-47, on MNF as well as many Packer games that year (FIVE of them going into OT)! Though (like SBXIX) not living up to the hype, that battle-of-12-2s between Washington and Dallas is a vital highlight for '83 - seen by many as the 'last breath' of Super Bowl flirtation in the Landry Era. Then you got the Montana-vs-Theismann NFCCG (and nail-biter Detroit at Candlestick the week before)! Seattle adding flavor to things by sweeping the Raiders en route to finally making the playoffs and upending Elway, and then Marino, in each of their playoff debuts! Bum Phillips guiding Saints to a play-in game vs Rams on Week #16! Bradshaw's 'last stand' at Shea!

Much to say about '83! That 38-9 final game shouldn't overall ruin things either. There's room for argument that it may be better than '80 & '81. Just like '84 itself may be the best. All just a matter of opinion, though, in the end.

[Brian wolf]

83 and 84 were big years because the NFL was getting over the strike-shortened season from 1982 and dealing with the USFL competing for talent, fans and ratings. ESPN was gaining momentum covering and highlighting both leagues and football fans got to digest a lot of games from different networks. Had Herschel Walker, Anthony Carter and other players chose the NFL over the USFL, they would be in the HOF now but you cant blame the players going for the bigger money, though greed and expansion killed the USFL.

The early 80s were exciting football, with lots of young talent but teams still had major problems with turning over the football and defenses not being able to handle the onslaught of passing and big plays from receivers due to the Mel Blount rule from 1978. By 1986, team defenses finally started to get a handle on stopping major passing attacks but running the football and controlling the clock were a major part of helping the defenses. With defenses putting more effort to get to the QB with more 34, 46 and other styles of defense, fundamentals in pass protection and running backs being able to pass block were at a premium. I miss those days where a team had to wait its turn to be a champion by knocking off the dominant team but the teams with the best talent, depth and better coaching, resided in the NFC ...

1980
1983
1981
1984
1988
1985
1986
1989
1987
1982

I chose 1983 over 1981, simply because it was rare for Cinderella teams like the Niners and Bengals meeting for a SB that year.

1987 had the strike and the stupid replacement player games but gained momentum towards the end of the year with talent from the USFL starting to make its mark in the league, for many teams.

1989 was a great year as well with the AFC getting better and defenses finally starting to control football games again but I still chose 85 and 86 because teams like the Bears, Giants and Redskins were learning what it truly took to knock off a great team like the Niners off its perch.