Usually, there are upsets in the playoffs, or the two best teams might be in the same conference. But what are the most recent Super Bowls to truly pit the two best teams in the NFL?
And yes, I realize that the playoffs determine it. So, let’s just say the two best teams before the playoffs start. The home-field for the AFC vs the home-field for the NFC meet in the Super Bowl. Like in 1985: 15-1 Niners vs 14-2 Dolphins. But not like the early 90s Super Bowls where the Cowboys vs Niners from the NFC were better than the AFC team.
Maybe, but I don’t know if the Saints were a clear cut #2- heading in to the playoffs ESPN even had them ranked #5 in their power rankings. The Colts and Chargers were considered by many to be 1 and 2.
2009 Season: Colts and Saints*
1993 Season: Bills and Cowboys
1991 Season: Bills and Redskins
1984 Season: Dolphins and 49ers
1983 Season: Raiders and Redskins
1981 Season: Bengals and 49ers
1977 Season: Broncos and Cowboys
1976 Season: Raiders and Vikings
1973 Season: Dolphins and Vikings
1972 Season: Dolphins and Redskins**
*Like Bootis said, the Saints and the Chargers both had 13-3 seasons.
**The Redskins and the Steelers both had an 11-3 season and again I’m not sure which was ranked #2.
Well, the Saints had NFC home field, which was one of the criteria in the OP. Sadly, the Saints pretty much have to have home field to get to the Super Bowl. They are very much not a cold weather team, and they seem to lose a step playing outside even when it is not cold or wet.