He was an easy snap decision in front of Derek Carr. Harold "Red" Grange, wearing helmet at right, watches a pro football game in 1933 in Los Angeles, Calif. Grange, the galloping ghost of the Chicago Bears, is seated with team coach Earl "Curly" Lambeau, left, and film actress Myrna Kennedy during a game against a team composed of former Southern California stars. Teams: Houston Oilers, Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs, Career accolades: Pro Football Hall of Famer, 1990 NFL offensive player of the year, Moon's skill set was an ideal fit for the Oilers' run-and-shoot offense that lit up scoreboards in the late-1980s and early-1990s. Mike Singletary was an intense presence for the Bears defense in the 1980s. With Malcolm Jenkins out of the league, White gets to take over this pristine number. Brandon Scherff, G, Washington Football Team. Perry's touchdown and the extra point gave the Bears a gaudy 44-3 lead over the New England Patriots. What's in a number? Teams: Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers, Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles. He's a rising young pass rusher to the Maxx. Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Vikings, Randle went on to record eight consecutive double-digit sack seasons. Site Last Updated: Saturday, December 12, … Peppers has registered 10 double-digit sack seasons during his 17-year career. New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and New England Patriots strong safety Steve Gregory chow on some turkey after the win on Nov. 22, 2012 in East Rutherford, N.J. A general view during a power outage in the third quarter of Super Bowl XLVII between the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The only top back who can hit blackjack on every run. New York Giants halfback Frank Gifford (16), cuts past the Baltimore Colts' Jesse Thomas (40) for a 45-yard run at the Polo Grounds in New York during a game on Nov. 13, 1955. Mathis is the NFL's all-time career leader in forced fumbles. Career accolades: Pro Football Hall of Famer, five-time all-pro, Also considered: Pat Tillman, Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch. Consider him the Airness of New Orleans’ defense. It was his last NFL game. The Bears defeated the Raiders 17-6. Allen posted double-digit sack seasons eight times, including a career-high 22 in 2011. Baltimore Colts fullback Alan Ameche advances through a big opening provided by teammates to score the winning touchdown in overtime period against the New York Giants at Yankee Stadium in New York, Dec. 28, 1958. Teams: Los Angeles Rams, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Raiders, Atlanta Falcons, Career accolades: Pro Football Hall of Famer, 1986 NFL offensive player of the year. He is the only dominant defensive force who make can J.J. Watt settle for second. Whoa. The premier guard of his era, Hannah was named to the NFL's all-decade teams for the 1970s and 1980s, as well as the NFL's 75th anniversary all-time team. Teams: Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys. Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kevin Dyson looks back as he returns a kickoff with seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to defeat the Buffalo Bills in their AFC wild-card game on Jan. 8, 2000. SportsPulse: With the NFL turning 100, we at USA TODAY Sports unveil our list of the greatest teams in NFL history and debate if the team at the top truly deserves its title. In this Sept. 20, 1964 file photo, New York Giants' Y.A. The NFL Top 100 Players of 2018 was the eighth season in the series. Woodson was named to the NFL's 75th anniversary all-time team while only midway through his playing career. Cleveland Browns coach Paul Brown diagrams one of his pass plays on the blackboard in Cleveland on Sept. 26, 1947. Center: Curly Lambeau Like Khail Mack, he has found a happy new home in sweet home Chicago. Bryant won the Super Bowl in his rookie season and went on to become one of the NFL's top defensive linemen. Tittle, who suffered a cheek bone fracture against the Detroit Lions on October 11, is wearing the mask he used in game with Chicago Bears on November 1, when he led his team to victory. Michael Jackson performs during his halftime appearance at Super Bowl XXVII in Pasadena, Calif on Jan. 31, 1993. The Patriots won the game, 28-24. Career accolades: Three-time Super Bowl champion, five-time Pro Bowler. They say nine has some mystical mathematical properties — like Brees’ healthy career stats. Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders leaves behind a bunch of New York Jets defenders on his way to scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter in Pontiac, Mich.,on Dec. 21, 1997. No. Minnesota Vikings running back Herschel Walker scores a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Tampa Stadium less than a month after the blockbuster trade from the Cowboys to the Vikings. The Vikings defeated the Buccaneers, 24-10, in the game played on Nov. 12,1989. 99 J.J. Watt You can double a departed Brady and get a Patriot the team can’t do without now. But of the league's current players, who is the best at each number? The Broncos defeated the Steelers, 29-23, in the AFC wild-card playoff game. Kuechenberg appeared in four Super Bowls during his career with the Dolphins. Career accolades: Pro Football Hall of Famer, four-time Super Bowl champion, 1975 NFL defensive player of the year. In conjunction with the NFL’s 100th season celebration, 19 current and former reporters across the USA TODAY Sports Network were asked to compile a list ranking the 100 greatest players in … From left to right: Corby Davis, Rudy Mucha, Johnny Drake and Parker Hall. Doug Williams threw for four touchdowns in the second quarter as the Washington Redskins beat the Denver Broncos, 42-10, in Super Bowl XXII in San Diego. Career accolades: Pro Football Hall of Famer, nine-time Pro Bowler. The touchdown gave Pittsburgh a 13-7 lead with five second left in the game. A heavy fog enveloped Soldiers Field creating decreased visibility. An elite defender, Huff emerged as an on- and off-field star in New York and appeared on the cover of "Time" magazine, a big deal for a pro football player at that time. The best players in the NFL show up for the biggest occasions, and that typifies what DeAndre Hopkins did this season. The first-rounder still has a lot of room to improve. Dallas Cowboys head coach Tom Landry rides on the shoulders of his players after the Cowboys defeated the Denver Broncos 27-10 in Super Bowl XII, Jan. 15, 1978, in New Orleans. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account. The Chargers beat the Denver Broncos 48-20 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego on Dec. 10, 2006. New York Giants place holder Matt Allen throws a desperation pass while being chased by the San Francisco 49ers defense after a botched field goal attempt in the closing seconds the 2002 NFC wild-card playoff game in San Francisco on Jan. 5, 2003. Share this article 230 shares share tweet text email link Marcus Mosher. Berry and Johnny Unitas formed one of the all-time great passing combos, one that was vital in the Colts' overtime victory in "The Greatest Game Ever Played. "Joe Cool" was known for his late-game comebacks, most notably the 1981 NFC Championship that resulted in "The Catch" and a 92-yard drive to win Super Bowl XXIII. The greatest NFL players of all time each left their respective marks upon gridiron lore, and indisputably changed the game. The Patriots won the game, 34-28, after trailing 28-3. Munoz — arguably the greatest offensive lineman in league history — was a first-team all-pro selection in nine of his 13 NFL seasons. Career accolades: Pro Football Hall of Famer, two-time NFL champion, Also considered: Tony Dorsett, Roger Craig. Hutson's 99 career touchdown receptions stood as an NFL record for decades until Steve Largent broke it in 1989. Harris gets them on the board in the 40s as usual. A strong arm and quick release helped Marino become one of the league's most prolific passers. Buffalo Bills receiver Steve Tasker kisses his son Deacon,4, after the Bills lost to the Washington Redskins 37-24 in Super Bowl XXVI Sunday, Jan. 26, 1992 in Minneapolis. Among the greatest players in league history, Brown is the only player to finish his career averaging more than 100 rushing yards per game. Teams: Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams, Career accolades: Pro Football Hall of Famer, eight-time Pro Bowler, Also considered: John Henry Johnson, Pete Pihos. Lott, a feared hitter who also had 63 interceptions in his career, famously had the tip of his finger amputated in order to keep playing. NFL players take pride in the digits they wear on their jerseys. SN names the best NFL player at each jersey number — 1 through 99 — for the 2020 season. With Philip Rivers in decline, there was no choice but to go to the elite receiver for Aaron Rodgers. Washington Redskins quarterback Sammy Baugh drops back to pass against the Chicago Bears during a game in 1942 in Washington. (Photo: Robert Riger, Getty Images), Career accolades: Pro Football Hall of Famer, one-time NFL champion. An original Raider and one of three players to play all of his team's games in the 10-year history of the American Football League, Otto is considered one of the greatest centers ever. Getty Joe Burrow, the 2019 Heisman Trophy winner and the No. Career accolades: Pro Football Hall of Famer, Super Bowl champion. Teams: Houston Oilers, Washington Redskins, Career accolades: Pro Football Hall of Famer, 12-time Pro Bowler, Also considered: Steve Atwater, Eddie George. Kupp ends the long run of A.J. After Lett touched the ball the Dolphins recovered and then kicked again for the 16-14 win. Louis Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers. Throughout the summer, the roster sizes expand but must be cut down to 53 players by Week 1. Phil Huber, The Dallas Morning News via AP. "Sweetness" retired as the NFL's all-time leader in rushing yards with 16,726. Lockett takes over this sweet one from Rams rival Jared Goff. Entered NFL lore with "The Drive," leading the Broncos to the first of five Super Bowl appearances during Elway's career. Oakland Raiders Raiderette cheerleaders perform in pink vests to recognize breast cancer awareness month against the Denver Broncos at O.co Coliseum on Oct. 11, 2015 in Oakland. Rex is in effect with the Sweetness number. Cleveland Rams players are seen at the Polo Grounds in New York, Nov. 13, 1941. He's the crown Jewell of this number with not much out there except a few more linebackers. In the 32 years prior to Ryan's arrival in Atlanta, the Falcons made the playoffs eight times. Lane's 14 interceptions during his rookie season is still the NFL record, and he set that mark in a 12-game regular season. With a knack for the big play, "Prime Time" scored touchdowns on interception returns, punt and kickoff returns, as well as a wide receiver. Rivers enters the 2019 season ranked sixth all time in passing touchdowns and eighth in passing yards. The Falcons have made the playoffs six times in Ryan's 11-year career. Late-game heroics in "The Greatest Game Ever Played" made Unitas an NFL icon. 12 and No. Bottom Row: from left-Nate Abrams, Fritz Gavin, Tudy McLean, Tubby Bero. A link has been sent to your friend's email address. Struggling to name out the players wit… The Seahawks won the game, 41-36. Humphrey continues to make it a Ravens-heavy list. "Slingin'" Sammy Baugh played a major role in the emergence of the passing game in the NFL. Teams: San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, Career accolades: Pro Football Hall of Famer, four-time Super Bowl winner, two-time NFL MVP, Also considered: Len Dawson, Frank Gifford. The 2020 NFL Draft kicks off April 23 and 255 players will be selected through seven rounds over three days. Pugh is a huge asset for Arizonaand replaces Daniel Kilgore on this list. With no Antonio Brown, it's time to turn to a promising young tight end. The Bears' signing of "The Galloping Ghost" helped vault pro football into national prominence. With Jones and Steve Hutchinson, the Seahawks possessed the NFL's best left side of the offensive line. (Photo: GEORGE NIKITIN, Associated Press), Teams: Los Angeles Rams, Chicago Cardinals, Detroit Lions, Career accolades: Pro Football Hall of Famer, seven-time Pro Bowler, Also considered: Doug Atkins, Torry Holt, Terrell Owens. 199th overall selection in the 2000 NFL draft the greatest quarterback in league history. We spend 100 hours ranking 10 Nfl Players By Number seen on Wirecutter, Consumer Reports, Reddit to find the Top Rated. A. Tittle the plastic mask he has worn most of the current professional football season, at a practice session at Menlo Park, California on Nov. 4, 1953. We spend 69 hours on researching and comparing 36 of popular models to determine the Best Nfl Player By Number 2020 you can buy. One of the great defensive backs in NFL history, Tunnell is second on the all-time list with 79 interceptions. Four elite tight ends in a row. As Marshal Yanda hangs it up, the door opens for the Bengals' young tackle. Teams: Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, Carolina Panthers. The best players of the Super Bowl era by uniform number: Nos. To celebrate the NFL's 100th season, the USA TODAY Sports Network is compiling a variety of lists and stories that look at the league's history. He’s still Calais after all these years, and Baltimore also looks great on him. Career accolades: Pro Football Hall of Famer, 1992 NFL defensive player of the year. Teams: San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders, Seattle Seahawks, Career accolades: Pro Football Hall of Famer, three-time Super Bowl champion, two-time NFL offensive player of the year, Also considered: Steve Largent, Kellen Winslow. To Warren Sapp, we have the perfect spot for you offensive player of ball! Line has strength in numbers, too: Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers, Also:. Posted January 09, 2008 here is my list of the offensive line 's go the! Bowl in his hometown of Detroit every run lead over the course a! 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