I hate to say it, but major kudos to the New York Giants football franchise. Why? Because there have been two long-term dynasties since 1980 - the San Francisco 49ers and the New England Patriots.
From 1981-1998, an incredible span of 18 years, the 49ers went 207-72-1 (.742), an average of 11.5 wins a year, went to the playoffs 16 times (88.9%), won 13 division championships (72.2%), and won 5 Super Bowls (27.8%).
However, during this amazing run, they were knocked out of the playoffs three times by the NY Giants. In 1985, the 10-6 49ers were beaten by the 10-6 Giants, 17-3. In 1986, the 10-5-1 49ers were beaten by the 14-2 Giants, 49-3. And then in 1990, the 49ers were 14-2 and were beaten by the underdog 13-3 Giants, 15-13.
So in a span of six years, the 49ers were derailed in their title run by the NY Giants.
As for the Patriots, from 2001-2011, an 11-year span, the Pats went 134-42 (.761), and average of 12.2 wins per year, went to the playoffs 9 times (81.8%), won 9 division championships (81.8%), and won 3 Super Bowls (27.3%).
Yet twice during this period they were knocked out of the playoffs by....yes, the NY Giants. Except, of course, those playoff losses were in the Super Bowl.
So if not for the Giants, the 49ers could have won 8 titles and the Pats could have won 5.
So as much as I hate to admit it, the Giants have been giant-killers for the two premier dynasties in the modern era in football.
From 1981-1998, an incredible span of 18 years, the 49ers went 207-72-1 (.742), an average of 11.5 wins a year, went to the playoffs 16 times (88.9%), won 13 division championships (72.2%), and won 5 Super Bowls (27.8%).
However, during this amazing run, they were knocked out of the playoffs three times by the NY Giants. In 1985, the 10-6 49ers were beaten by the 10-6 Giants, 17-3. In 1986, the 10-5-1 49ers were beaten by the 14-2 Giants, 49-3. And then in 1990, the 49ers were 14-2 and were beaten by the underdog 13-3 Giants, 15-13.
So in a span of six years, the 49ers were derailed in their title run by the NY Giants.
As for the Patriots, from 2001-2011, an 11-year span, the Pats went 134-42 (.761), and average of 12.2 wins per year, went to the playoffs 9 times (81.8%), won 9 division championships (81.8%), and won 3 Super Bowls (27.3%).
Yet twice during this period they were knocked out of the playoffs by....yes, the NY Giants. Except, of course, those playoff losses were in the Super Bowl.
So if not for the Giants, the 49ers could have won 8 titles and the Pats could have won 5.
So as much as I hate to admit it, the Giants have been giant-killers for the two premier dynasties in the modern era in football.