Can't miss, definitive seasons of each decade

[Oszuscik]

Looking back on the 2000s, '90s, '80s, '70s, and so on, which seasons would you rank as the can't miss, definitive season of each decade? A season that was equal parts memorable on its own, while also playing a big part in defining the decade it was a part of.

Two seasons instantly come to mind for me: 1984 for the '80s and 2004 for the 2000s. Coincidentally, both years have parallels regarding QB play. Both Dan Marino and Peyton Manning had record-setting, MVP seasons, while Joe Montana and Tom Brady each added rings to their dynasties. Marino and Manning (early in his career anyways) had reputations of putting up great stats while coming up short in the playoffs, while Montana and Brady had reputations as winners.

Beyond Marino, 1984 also saw the record-setting year of Eric Dickerson. There was a lot of good, exciting football this year. The Super Bowl matchup featured the team of the decade vs the superstar QB of the decade, but the championship games had good matchups too. San Francisco vs Chicago, though the game was a shutout it was part of the catalyst for the Bears' 1985 season. Pittsburgh losing to Miami is fun because of Rooney's lament of not drafting Marino.

2004 encapsulated the 2000s for me. Brady vs Manning was at its peak: one a champion who cemented a dynasty (3rd Super Bowl in 4 years), the other an MVP who put together the greatest statistical season the league had ever seen. The Eagles, a team who would play in half the NFC Championship Games of the decade, were a good representative in the Super Bowl, finally breaking through. This season was the convergence of a lot of good coaches too. Look at this lineup of head coaches from 2004: Dennis Green, Brian Billick, Lovie Smith, John Fox, Mike Shanahan, Tony Dungy, Bill Belichick, Tom Coughlin, Andy Reid, Bill Cowher, Mike Holmgren, Jon Gruden, and then members of the old guard like Bill Parcells, Dick Vermeil, Marty Schottenheimer, and Joe Gibbs.

[Crazy Packers Fan]

Very good question. "Definitive" implies something other than just "most exciting," which is how I rank seasons. So, while 2007 was easily the most exciting season of the 2000s, I wouldn't call it definitive because the Super Bowl champion ended up being one of the flukiest teams of all time. Similarly, while 1987 was a thrilling season with all kinds of excitement, it obviously doesn't define the decade, especially since it had three games of replacement players.

So, I can't argue too much with your choices of 1984 and 2004. For the nineties, I'd probably go with 1992. You need to have the Cowboys and the Bills in the Super Bowl to define the decade, and the 49ers being the best regular-season team but coming up short in the end. As for the seventies, I'd probably pick 1978, because it had the Steelers and the Cowboys meeting in the Super Bowl, and was a very exciting season as well. I could go with other years for each decade, but those are the first ones that come to mind for me.

[ShinobiMusashi]

1984 seems like a pretty great answer for the 80's. Also I have a ton of nostalgia for the 2004 season in general for various reasons, I may lean towards 2001 for the 2000's decade though. For the 90's I would say 1998 was the golidlocks zone, I probably would have had a different answer prior to diving into that season this Summer.

[JameisBrownston]

2011 and 2018 for '10s, the latter just ended poorly. I'll go with 06-07 for '00s, back to back seasons with records (LT TDs and undefeated Pats) that still stand and likely will for a long time to come.