Who are the teams in NFL history that you think would defeat this Patriots team?

Nobody. Not even the Duke of Earl, and NOTHING can stop the Duke of Earl (except the Pats).

Both '89 49ers and the '85 Bears would beat them as well as a lot of the other great teams in the PRE-SALARY CAP era.

These teams did not have to deal with free agency, but then again, they had NO SALARY CAP. Could the '78 Steelers exist in this current environment? NO! No one can keep 9 HOF in their prime on their team in todays NFL. What about a HOF QB backing up a HOF QB like the '89 49ers? NO!! The Salary cap forces teams to only keep a few HOF in their prime.

In their prime, how many HOF do the '07 Pats have 3 maybe.

Many of these great teams in the pas had 5 or 6 that was the norm because the other ones had several as well.

'42 Bears - probably the best team ever

'85 Bears

'79 Steelers

'89 and '94 49ers

'62 Packers

'90's Cowboys

'04 Patriots

I find it hilarious that anyone would say free agency makes this Patriot team's accomplishment so special since the offense is a free agent creation. They had the same line and quarterback for years and Brady averaged 25 TD's a year. Add Moss, Welker, and Stallworth from free agency and he throws 50.

Salary caps promote parity. Free agency does not.

It would depend on matchups, what rules/officiating patterns were being used (offense or defense friendly, etc), etc. And various offenses & defenses that did wholesale damage during the peak years would be 'figured out' later.

I recall on ESPN w/ Bill Parcells they compared this years Pats to other good teams in the past. IIRC I think it was one of the top Niner teams & one of the Aikman Cowboy teams that had the best shot. The Bears tactic in 85 was to bum rush the QB and it worked brilliantly against most teams, but failed against Marino, and probably would against Brady. (Though the Bears managed to be the #4 offense in yards that year despite getting more of it on the ground than in the air, which really is amazing. Ball control would be their chance to beat them much more than their D).

Here's the deal...it depends on what era's rules we are playing by.

If we play by the 1970's NFL rule book, the 1979 Steelers would DESTROY them.

Back then, you could "chuck" a receiver until the play was over...not just the first five yards.

Patiot recievers (yes, even Randy Moss) would not even get off of the line before Mel Blount or Donnie Shell laid them out.

And without a without that passing attack...that Patriot running game goes NOWHERE against Joe Green, Jack Lambert, Jack Ham and the rest of the Hall of Fame Steel curtain defense.

Probably nobody.

But it's fun to guess... Probably a Steel Curtain team from Pittsburgh b/c they were so physical. The 85 Bears had it all, and the Fridge would light them up. Also, with a different theory, I suspect that the early 2000 Rams teams would do well. The explosive offense and timing routes would matchup well now. (and yes I know that N.E. beat the Rams later, but that was when Warner was starting to slip) Some of the linebackers currently for N.E. would possibly struggle.

1985 Chicago Bears

you need a good powerful runningback, the pats lb will get really tired and eventually let the rb get losse into the secondary. plus the ability to pressure brady. just as the teams that almost beat NE this year: philly (westbrook is not that powerful but he is brian westbrook after all.) ravens and giants. i agree with your choices and i'll add a dallas team or two including emmitt smith

1996 Packers

1998 Broncos

2000 Ravens

2003 Bucs

1990 Niners

If you notice, four of these teams are after free agency.

2007-2008 Giants

'85 Bears

'04 Patriots

Present Colts