The 2024 Philadelphia Eagles put together one of the most dominant runs in recent NFL history, yet according to FS1 pundit Nick Wright, they don’t crack the all-time top five.
Philadelphia started their season slowly at 2-2 heading into their October bye week, but came back looking like an entirely different team.
Behind new superstar running back Saquon Barkley and quarterback Jalen Hurts, the Eagles ripped off 12 wins in their final 13 games. Their lone defeat in that stretch came with Hurts sidelined.
In the postseason, the Birds won two nail-biters against the Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Rams before hitting full stride. They closed the playoffs by dismantling the Washington Commanders and Kansas City Chiefs by a combined 50 points, looking every bit like an all-time juggernaut.
That dominance led Barkley himself to declare that this Eagles squad deserves recognition among the top five greatest NFL teams ever.
Nick Wright, however, sees things differently.
“As far as single seasons go, they are not one of the ten best teams ever… (they had the) number seven offense, number two defense, and almost doubled their opponents up in the postseason 145-77. But their first two playoff wins were razor thin before they got dominant.”
Nick Wright’s Top 5 Greatest NFL Teams of All Time
Despite acknowledging the Eagles’ remarkable run, Wright unveiled his personal five greatest teams ever—and none came from the 21st century.
The NFL’s only perfect season. Don Shula’s team went undefeated (17-0) with the league’s top offense and top defense, powered by Larry Csonka, Mercury Morris, and the famed “No-Name Defense.”
Don Shula’s squad was a well-oiled machine that dominated both on offense and defense. The offense was led by 1,000 rushers in Larry Csonka and Mercury Morris, while the aerial attack was manned by two of the most underrated quarterbacks ever, Bob Griese then Earl Morral.
The Dolphins were a true team, greater than the sum of their parts, which is why they are often listed among the greatest NFL teams of all time.
The peak of the Steel Curtain era. Pittsburgh went 14-2 with the No. 5 offense and No. 1 defense, then rolled through the playoffs behind MVP Terry Bradshaw and a dominant defensive front.
Under center, Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw had the best season of his career, winning his sole MVP in 1978. This aerial explosiveness carried Pittsburgh, as it scored more than 30 points in all three postseason clashes.
The Steelers’ season ended in a 35-31 win against the 
Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl XIII.
Bill Walsh’s West Coast offense revolution in full effect. The Niners finished 15-1 with the No. 2 offense and No. 1 defense, then crushed the Dolphins in Super Bowl XIX behind Joe Montana.
Joe Montana was just hitting his prime during this season, throwing for 3630 yards, 28 touchdowns, and just 10 interceptions. The 49ers’ only loss came against the Pittsburgh Steelers in a Week 7 three-point loss.
That same Steelers’ squad ultimately made it to the AFC Championship game. Meanwhile, San Francisco ran through the rest of their schedule and the playoffs, winning Super Bowl XIX 38-16 over the Miami Dolphins.
Arguably the most feared team ever. Mike Ditka’s Bears went 15-1, featuring the NFL’s No. 2 offense and No. 1 defense, Hall of Fame RB Walter Payton, and a defense that outscored playoff opponents 91-10 en route to Super Bowl XX glory.
Chicago’s defense, which featured six All-Pros that season, allowed only 198 total points, giving up an average of 12.4 points per game.
On the other side was the immortal Walter Payton, who was still a phenomenal player in his early 30s. The nine-time Pro Bowler recorded his fourth career season of 1500+ yards on the ground while also racking up 483 receiving yards.
Jim McMahon led the Bears at quarterback, putting together his best season yet in 85. Ditka’s squad had few, if any, flaws.
The launch of a dynasty. With Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin, Jimmy Johnson’s Cowboys went 13-3, finished with the No. 2 offense and No. 5 defense, and demolished opponents in the postseason—including a 52-17 win in Super Bowl XXVII.
The 1992 Dallas Cowboys might have had the worst record on the list, but they made up for it by consistently blowing teams out. Jimmy Johnson’s squad won all but three games by double digits, thanks in large part to the legendary trio of Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin.
All three of these Hall of Famers were at or near the peak of their powers this season, resulting in an explosive, multifaceted offense that only got better in the postseason.
Verdict: Eagles Fall Short of All-Time Top Tier
When the NFL celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2019, all five of Wright’s picks were ranked among the six greatest teams ever. That historical recognition only reinforces why the 2024 Eagles, despite their magical run, may not yet belong in the same class.
For now, Nick Wright is probably right—Philadelphia’s 2024 squad was special, but not quite immortal.
