Quarterbacks who rewrote the record book share space with linemen and defensive backs the highlight reels mostly skipped. Rank the decade of Air Coryell, the Hogs and the '85 Bears defense.
1Joe MontanaSan Francisco 49ers quarterback who won Super Bowls after the 1981, 1984, 1988 and 1989 seasons and was named NFL MVP in 1989.1000pts
2Joe KleckoNew York Jets lineman credited with 20.5 sacks in 1981 who made Pro Bowls at defensive end, tackle and nose tackle.926pts
3Jack LambertPittsburgh Steelers middle linebacker who made the Pro Bowl every year from 1980 to 1983 and was named to the 1980s All-Decade second team.889pts
4Andre TippettNew England Patriots outside linebacker who recorded 18.5 sacks in 1984 and 16.5 in 1985.833pts
5Mike SingletaryChicago Bears middle linebacker who was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1985 and 1988.802pts
6Joe TheismannWashington quarterback who won Super Bowl XVII after the 1982 season and was named NFL MVP in 1983.778pts
7Lawrence TaylorNew York Giants outside linebacker who won the 1986 NFL MVP award with 20.5 sacks and then won Super Bowl XXI.751pts
8Jerry RiceSan Francisco 49ers receiver drafted in 1985 who caught 22 touchdown passes in the 12-game 1987 season and was MVP of Super Bowl XXIII.751pts
9Dan FoutsSan Diego Chargers quarterback in the Air Coryell offense who led the NFL in passing yards each season from 1979 through 1982.751pts
10John ElwayDenver Broncos quarterback, the first overall pick of 1983, who won the 1987 NFL MVP award and started three Super Bowls in the 1986, 1987 and 1989 seasons.694pts
11Steve LargentSeattle Seahawks receiver who retired in 1989 holding NFL career records for receptions (819) and touchdown catches (100).694pts
12Mike HaynesCornerback traded from New England to the Los Angeles Raiders in 1983 who won Super Bowl XVIII that season and was a first-team 1980s All-Decade pick.694pts
13Morten AndersenDanish-born New Orleans Saints kicker who made four straight Pro Bowls from 1985 to 1988 and was the first-team 1980s All-Decade kicker.629pts
14Dwight StephensonMiami Dolphins center who made five straight Pro Bowls from 1983 to 1987 and won the 1985 Walter Payton Man of the Year award.629pts
15Eric DickersonLos Angeles Rams running back who set the NFL single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards in 1984.629pts
16Tony DorsettDallas Cowboys running back who ran for 1,646 yards in 1981 and scored on a record 99-yard run against Minnesota in January 1983.629pts
17Bruce SmithBuffalo Bills defensive end, first overall pick in 1985, who made the Pro Bowl in 1987, 1988 and 1989.629pts
18Anthony MuñozCincinnati Bengals left tackle selected to 11 consecutive Pro Bowls from 1981 to 1991 and named to the 1980s All-Decade Team.555pts
19Dan HamptonChicago Bears defensive lineman who started on the 1985 defense that won Super Bowl XX and entered the Hall of Fame in 2002.555pts
20Ted HendricksOutside linebacker who won Super Bowls XV and XVIII with the Raiders and was a first-team 1980s All-Decade pick.555pts
21James LoftonReceiver named to the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team who made seven Pro Bowls with the Green Bay Packers before stints with the Raiders and Bills.555pts
22Deron CherryUndrafted Kansas City Chiefs safety who made six straight Pro Bowls from 1983 to 1988 and once intercepted four passes in a 1985 game.555pts
23Mike MunchakHouston Oilers guard drafted in 1982 who made nine Pro Bowls and was named to the 1980s All-Decade second team.555pts
24Russ GrimmGuard in Washington's Hogs offensive line who made four straight Pro Bowls from 1983 to 1986 and was a first-team 1980s All-Decade pick.470pts
25Dan MarinoMiami Dolphins quarterback who threw for 5,084 yards and 48 touchdowns in 1984, his second season, and won that year's NFL MVP award.470pts
26Kellen WinslowSan Diego Chargers tight end who led the NFL in receptions in 1980 and 1981 and caught 13 passes in the January 1982 playoff win at Miami.470pts
27Randy WhiteDallas Cowboys defensive tackle who was selected to nine consecutive Pro Bowls from 1977 to 1985.470pts
28Earl CampbellHouston Oilers running back who rushed for 1,934 yards in 1980 to win his third straight NFL rushing title.470pts
29Art MonkWashington receiver who set an NFL single-season record with 106 catches in 1984.470pts
30Harry CarsonNew York Giants middle linebacker with nine Pro Bowl selections who won Super Bowl XXI after the 1986 season.470pts
31Howie LongRaiders defensive end who won Super Bowl XVIII and made eight Pro Bowls between 1983 and 1993.470pts
32Ken AndersonCincinnati Bengals quarterback who won the 1981 NFL MVP award and led the team to Super Bowl XVI.370pts
33Reggie WhitePhiladelphia Eagles defensive end who recorded 21 sacks in 12 games in 1987 and was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year.370pts
34Ronnie LottSan Francisco 49ers defensive back who won four Super Bowls in the 1981–1989 seasons and led the NFL with 10 interceptions in 1986.370pts
35Phil SimmsNew York Giants quarterback who completed 22 of 25 passes as MVP of Super Bowl XXI after the 1986 season.370pts
36Richard DentChicago Bears defensive end who had 17 sacks in 1985 and was named MVP of Super Bowl XX.370pts
37John HannahNew England Patriots guard who made the Pro Bowl in each of his six 1980s seasons and played in Super Bowl XX before retiring.370pts
38Ozzie NewsomeCleveland Browns tight end who caught 89 passes in both 1983 and 1984 and retired in 1990 with 662 career receptions.370pts
39Mel BlountPittsburgh Steelers cornerback who made his fifth Pro Bowl in 1981, retired after 1983 and was a first-team 1980s All-Decade pick.252pts
40John RigginsWashington fullback who rushed for 166 yards as MVP of Super Bowl XVII and scored 24 rushing touchdowns in 1983.252pts
41Roger CraigSan Francisco 49ers running back who in 1985 became the first player with 1,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving yards in the same season.252pts
42Boomer EsiasonLeft-handed Cincinnati Bengals quarterback who won the 1988 NFL MVP award and started Super Bowl XXIII.0pts
43Kenny EasleySeattle Seahawks strong safety who intercepted 10 passes in 1984 and won NFL Defensive Player of the Year.0pts
44Walter PaytonChicago Bears running back who passed Jim Brown as the NFL's career rushing leader in 1984 and won Super Bowl XX the following season.0pts
45Marcus AllenLos Angeles Raiders running back who was MVP of Super Bowl XVIII and won the 1985 NFL MVP award with 2,314 yards from scrimmage.0pts
46Jimbo CovertChicago Bears left tackle drafted in 1983 who protected the backfield of the Super Bowl XX champions and was a first-team 1980s All-Decade pick.0pts
Photo credits
- Joe Montana — photo taken by flcikr user Phil Hull, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Andre Tippett — User:Meowwcat, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Mike Singletary — BrokenSphere, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Joe Theismann — Maryland GovPics, CC BY 2.0
- Jerry Rice — Anthony Quintano from Honolulu, HI, United States, CC BY 2.0
- Dan Fouts — Rex Lilly, CC BY-SA 2.0
- John Elway — All-Pro Reels, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Morten Andersen — Samjudge, CC BY 2.0
- Tony Dorsett — OPEN Sports, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Bruce Smith — VaMedia, CC BY 2.0
- Dan Hampton — Mike Shadle, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Russ Grimm — Crazypaco, CC BY 2.0
- Dan Marino — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Randy White — EricEnfermero, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Earl Campbell — TankedBevo of ShaggyBevo.com, CC BY 2.5
- Harry Carson — Jerry Pinkus/New York Giants, CC BY 2.0
- Ronnie Lott — TeachAids, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Ozzie Newsome — Maryland GovPics, CC BY 2.0
- John Riggins — ANestSport, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Jimbo Covert — HailToPitt, CC BY-SA 4.0
