NFL All-Time Bracket: 1989 49ers Crowned the Ultimate Champion in AI Simulation Tournament

To be the best, you've got to beat the best. And, according to an AI simulation, the 1989 San Francisco 49ers are the greatest NFL team of all time.

Joe Montana and the Niners beat the betting favorite 1985 Chicago Bears in the championship round of the NFL all-time bracket - a 16-team tournament we simulated using ChatGPT - to earn the title of the best team in NFL history. They also took down Tom Brady and the 2004 New England Patriots en route to the tournament final.

Their path notably did not include the '72 Miami Dolphins, the tournament's No. 1 seed whose perfect run ended in the first round at the hands of Brady and Co. The Patriots were still no match for the 49ers behind Montana, who finished as the tournament MVP.

You can see the full methodology for how we trained ChatGPT, as well as how we seeded the initial bracket, at the end of this article. For now, here's how our AI simulation settled the ultimate debate of the best team in NFL history.

Who is the greatest NFL team of all time?

The 1989 San Francisco 49ers are the best NFL team of all time, according to the AI simulation we ran with ChatGPT.

After leading his team to a 14-2 record in the regular season, Montana - who won his first of two back-to-back NFL MVP awards in '89 - guided the 49ers to one of the most dominant postseasons in league history. San Francisco outscored its opponents by 100 points - by far the widest margin in a single playoff run - to cement its legacy as one of the all-time greats.

Montana enjoyed perhaps the most impressive postseason run by a quarterback in NFL history that year, and he carried that momentum into this all-time tournament, throwing for 1,128 yards and eight touchdowns to win tournament MVP honors. That helped San Francisco survive the gauntlet in this 16-team showcase of the greatest football teams we've ever seen.

NFL all-time tournament bracket

Odds to win NFL all-time tournament

Betting odds created using ChatGPT before the tournament was simulated.

Though the 1972 Dolphins are widely considered the greatest NFL team of all time - the reward for pulling off the only perfect season in league history - the 1985 Bears entered this tournament as the favorites, according to ChatGPT.

Those two were priced just ahead of the 1978 Pittsburgh Steelers, while the 2007 New England Patriots were the team with the shortest odds relative to their seeding among the biggest favorites. The 1999 St. Louis Rams also snuck into the top half of the tournament betting odds as the No. 11 seed.

Tough luck to the Green Bay Packers, who were one of four franchises with multiple teams in the field, though each entry on this list was priced as a long shot entering the tournament. (Spoiler alert: they both lost in the first round.)

Game-by-game recaps, box scores of NFL all-time tournament

All box scores, recaps, and betting odds created using ChatGPT.

1st round

1972 Miami Dolphins (1) vs. 2004 New England Patriots (16)

Betting odds

• Point spread: Dolphins -5.5
• Moneyline: Dolphins -250, Patriots +200
• Total O/U: 41.5 points

Scoring summary

1st quarter

• (11:27) Patriots: Corey Dillon 4-yard run (Adam Vinatieri kick) - NE 7, MIA 0
• (3:05) Dolphins: Larry Csonka 2-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick) - NE 7, MIA 7

2nd quarter

• (10:45) Patriots: Adam Vinatieri 44-yard field goal - NE 10, MIA 7
• (2:14) Dolphins: Garo Yepremian 36-yard field goal - NE 10, MIA 10
• (0:58) Patriots: Deion Branch 22-yard pass from Tom Brady (Adam Vinatieri kick) - NE 17, MIA 10

3rd quarter

• (7:50) Patriots: Corey Dillon 7-yard run (Adam Vinatieri kick) - NE 24, MIA 10
• (2:31) Dolphins: Jim Kiick 3-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick) - NE 24, MIA 17

4th quarter

• (12:04) Patriots: Adam Vinatieri 28-yard field goal - NE 27, MIA 17
• (5:15) Dolphins: Paul Warfield 18-yard pass from Bob Griese (Garo Yepremian kick) - NE 27, MIA 24
• (1:05) Patriots: Adam Vinatieri 33-yard field goal - NE 30, MIA 24

Team stats

Player stats

Passing

• Patriots: Tom Brady - 24/36, 282 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
• Dolphins: Bob Griese - 21/33, 225 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

Rushing

• Patriots: Corey Dillon - 24 carries, 105 yards, 2 TD
• Dolphins: Larry Csonka - 22 carries, 98 yards, 1 TD

Receiving

• Patriots: Deion Branch - 8 receptions, 115 yards, 1 TD
• Dolphins: Paul Warfield - 6 receptions, 87 yards, 1 TD

Defense

• Patriots: Rodney Harrison - 11 tackles, 1 INT
• Dolphins: Nick Buoniconti - 10 tackles, 1 sack

Game recap

Corey Dillon led the charge for the Patriots with two rushing touchdowns, while Adam Vinatieri’s reliable leg added three crucial field goals. Tom Brady’s precision passing and a balanced offensive attack proved too much for Miami's defense.

The Dolphins, led by Larry Csonka’s powerful running and Bob Griese’s timely throws, kept the game close. A late touchdown pass to Paul Warfield brought Miami within three points. Griese's interception by Rodney Harrison at the 3:10 mark in the fourth quarter was a pivotal moment.

In the final minutes, Deion Branch made a critical 22-yard reception on third down to set up Vinatieri's final field goal. Harrison's crucial interception and late-game tackles stifled Miami's comeback attempts, sealing the Patriots' victory in a hard-fought battle.

1985 Chicago Bears (2) vs. 1991 Washington Redskins (15)

Betting odds

• Point spread: Bears -7.5
• Moneyline: Bears -350, Redskins +275
• Total O/U: 40.5 points

Scoring summary

1st quarter

• (12:42) Bears: Walter Payton 5-yard run (Kevin Butler kick) - CHI 7, WAS 0

2nd quarter

• (9:35) Redskins: Chip Lohmiller 28-yard field goal - CHI 7, WAS 3
• (5:18) Bears: Willie Gault 12-yard pass from Jim McMahon (Kevin Butler kick) - CHI 14, WAS 3

3rd quarter

• (10:12) Redskins: Earnest Byner 3-yard run (Chip Lohmiller kick) - CHI 14, WAS 10
• (6:47) Bears: Kevin Butler 42-yard field goal - CHI 17, WAS 10

4th quarter

• (14:52) Bears: Walter Payton 2-yard run (Kevin Butler kick) - CHI 24, WAS 10
• (8:22) Bears: Kevin Butler 25-yard field goal - CHI 27, WAS 10
• (3:07) Redskins: Gary Clark 22-yard pass from Mark Rypien (Chip Lohmiller kick) - CHI 27, WAS 17

Team stats

Player stats

Passing

• Bears: Jim McMahon - 17/26, 218 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
• Redskins: Mark Rypien - 19/30, 189 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

Rushing

• Bears: Walter Payton - 24 carries, 122 yards, 2 TD
• Redskins: Earnest Byner - 15 carries, 66 yards, 1 TD

Receiving

• Bears: Willie Gault - 6 receptions, 89 yards, 1 TD
• Redskins: Gary Clark - 7 receptions, 95 yards, 1 TD

Defense

• Bears: Richard Dent - 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble
• Redskins: Charles Mann - 1 sack, 6 tackles

Game recap

Walter Payton led the Bears with 122 rushing yards and two touchdowns, setting the tone early with a 5-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Jim McMahon efficiently managed the game, connecting with Willie Gault for a 12-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter.

The Redskins struggled to find consistency on offense, but Mark Rypien's 22-yard touchdown pass to Gary Clark in the fourth quarter brought them within striking distance. However, the Bears' defense, led by Richard Dent's two sacks and a forced fumble, stifled the Redskins' comeback hopes.

Kevin Butler's reliable kicking added two field goals to secure the Bears' 27-17 victory, propelling them to the next round of the tournament.

1978 Pittsburgh Steelers (3) vs. 1998 Denver Broncos (14)

Betting odds

• Point spread: Steelers -4.5
• Moneyline: Steelers -200, Broncos +175
• Total O/U: 42.5 points

Scoring summary

1st quarter

• (10:45) Steelers: Franco Harris 8-yard run (Matt Bahr kick) - PIT 7, DEN 0
• (2:37) Broncos: Jason Elam 37-yard field goal - PIT 7, DEN 3

2nd quarter

• (8:22) Steelers: Lynn Swann 25-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick) - PIT 14, DEN 3
• (3:16) Broncos: Terrell Davis 5-yard run (Jason Elam kick) - PIT 14, DEN 10
• (0:20) Steelers: Matt Bahr 42-yard field goal - PIT 17, DEN 10

3rd quarter

• (11:08) Broncos: Rod Smith 15-yard pass from John Elway (Jason Elam kick) - PIT 17, DEN 17
• (4:55) Steelers: Rocky Bleier 2-yard run (Matt Bahr kick) - PIT 24, DEN 17

4th quarter

• (9:14) Broncos: Jason Elam 30-yard field goal - PIT 24, DEN 20
• (3:30) Steelers: Matt Bahr 35-yard field goal - PIT 27, DEN 20

Team stats

Player stats

Passing

• Steelers: Terry Bradshaw - 19/29, 231 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
• Broncos: John Elway - 22/34, 256 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

Rushing

• Steelers: Franco Harris - 22 carries, 104 yards, 1 TD
• Broncos: Terrell Davis - 21 carries, 97 yards, 1 TD

Receiving

• Steelers: Lynn Swann - 7 receptions, 102 yards, 1 TD
• Broncos: Rod Smith - 8 receptions, 114 yards, 1 TD

Defense

• Steelers: Jack Lambert - 11 tackles, 1 sack
• Broncos: Steve Atwater - 10 tackles, 1 INT

Game recap

Franco Harris opened the scoring with an 8-yard run, and Terry Bradshaw connected with Lynn Swann for a 25-yard touchdown that showcased the Steelers' offensive prowess. Despite a strong performance by John Elway and a 5-yard touchdown run by Terrell Davis, the Broncos couldn't overcome their turnovers.

Key defensive plays, including an interception by Jack Lambert, helped Pittsburgh maintain control. Matt Bahr's reliable kicking extended the Steelers' lead, while the Broncos' attempts to rally fell short. A late field goal by Bahr sealed the victory for the Steelers.

1984 San Francisco 49ers (4) vs. 1966 Green Bay Packers (13)

Betting odds

• Point spread: 49ers -6
• Moneyline: 49ers -240, Packers +200
• Total O/U: 45.5 points

Scoring summary

1st quarter

• (12:34) 49ers: Roger Craig 4-yard run (Ray Wersching kick) - SF 7, GB 0
• (3:28) Packers: Don Chandler 33-yard field goal - SF 7, GB 3

2nd quarter

• (10:45) 49ers: Dwight Clark 18-yard pass from Joe Montana (Ray Wersching kick)- SF 14, GB 3
• (5:12) Packers: Elijah Pitts 2-yard run (Don Chandler kick) - SF 14, GB 10
• (0:35) 49ers: Ray Wersching 40-yard field goal - SF 17, GB 10

3rd quarter

• (8:16) Packers: Boyd Dowler 23-yard pass from Bart Starr (Don Chandler kick) - SF 17, GB 17
• (2:47) 49ers: Wendell Tyler 5-yard run (Ray Wersching kick) - SF 24, GB 17

4th quarter

• (11:05) Packers: Elijah Pitts 6-yard run (Don Chandler kick) - SF 24, GB 24
• (4:13) 49ers: Roger Craig 10-yard pass from Joe Montana (Ray Wersching kick) - SF 31, GB 24

Team stats

Player stats

Passing

• 49ers: Joe Montana - 24/34, 278 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
• Packers: Bart Starr - 20/30, 245 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

Rushing

• 49ers: Roger Craig - 18 carries, 85 yards, 1 TD
• Packers: Elijah Pitts - 16 carries, 78 yards, 2 TD

Receiving

• 49ers: Dwight Clark - 8 receptions, 112 yards, 1 TD
• Packers: Boyd Dowler - 7 receptions, 104 yards, 1 TD

Defense

• 49ers: Ronnie Lott - 10 tackles, 1 INT
• Packers: Ray Nitschke - 12 tackles, 1 sack

Game recap

Joe Montana's precision passing and Roger Craig's dual-threat capabilities were on full display. Dwight Clark's 18-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter and Craig's 10-yard catch in the fourth were pivotal moments. Despite Bart Starr's efficient passing and Elijah Pitts' two rushing touchdowns, the Packers couldn't overcome two costly turnovers.

The 49ers' defense, led by Ronnie Lott, stifled Green Bay's late-game efforts. A critical interception by Lott halted a promising Packers drive, securing the win for San Francisco. Ray Wersching's consistent kicking also played a crucial role, helping the 49ers advance with a hard-fought 31-24 victory over the resilient Packers.

1989 San Francisco 49ers (5) vs. 1986 New York Giants (12)

Betting odds

• Point spread: 49ers -7
• Moneyline: 49ers -270, Giants +220
• Total O/U: 42.5 points

Scoring summary

1st quarter

• (10:13) 49ers: Jerry Rice 40-yard pass from Joe Montana (Mike Cofer kick) - SF 7, NYG 0
• (2:45) Giants: Raul Allegre 37-yard field goal - SF 7, NYG 3

2nd quarter

• (8:21) 49ers: Mike Cofer 45-yard field goal - SF 10, NYG 3
• (1:38) Giants: Phil McConkey 12-yard pass from Phil Simms (Raul Allegre kick) - SF 10, NYG 10
• (0:11) 49ers: Roger Craig 3-yard run (Mike Cofer kick) - SF 17, NYG 10

3rd quarter

• (9:02) 49ers: John Taylor 18-yard pass from Joe Montana (Mike Cofer kick) - SF 24, NYG 10

4th quarter

• (11:22) Giants: Joe Morris 5-yard run (Raul Allegre kick) - SF 24, NYG 17
• (4:33) 49ers: Mike Cofer 38-yard field goal - SF 27, NYG 17

Team stats

Player stats

Passing

• 49ers: Joe Montana - 25/35, 302 yards, 2 TD
• Giants: Phil Simms - 20/33, 214 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

Rushing

• 49ers: Roger Craig - 20 carries, 85 yards, 1 TD
• Giants: Joe Morris - 18 carries, 76 yards, 1 TD

Receiving

• 49ers: Jerry Rice - 7 receptions, 115 yards, 1 TD
• Giants: Mark Bavaro - 6 receptions, 88 yards

Defense

• 49ers: Ronnie Lott - 9 tackles, 1 INT
• Giants: Lawrence Taylor - 10 tackles, 2 sacks

Game recap

The 49ers displayed their offensive firepower against the Giants, with Joe Montana connecting early with Jerry Rice for a 40-yard touchdown. Despite a strong defensive effort from the Giants, highlighted by Lawrence Taylor's two sacks, San Francisco maintained control with consistent scoring drives. Roger Craig's 3-yard run just before halftime provided a crucial cushion.

Phil Simms kept the Giants competitive, finding Phil McConkey for a second-quarter touchdown, but turnovers and penalties stymied their momentum. The 49ers' defense, led by Ronnie Lott, forced two turnovers, including a pivotal interception that halted a promising Giants drive late.

1992 Dallas Cowboys (6) vs. 1999 St. Louis Rams (11)

Betting odds

• Point spread: Cowboys -4
• Moneyline: Cowboys -180, Rams +150
• Total O/U: 51.5 points

Scoring summary

1st quarter

• (13:15) Rams: Torry Holt 35-yard pass from Kurt Warner (Jeff Wilkins kick) - STL 7, DAL 0
• (8:32) Cowboys: Emmitt Smith 3-yard run (Lin Elliott kick) - STL 7, DAL 7
• (2:10) Rams: Marshall Faulk 5-yard run (Jeff Wilkins kick) - STL 14, DAL 7

2nd quarter

• (11:05) Cowboys: Michael Irvin 20-yard pass from Troy Aikman (Lin Elliott kick) - STL 14, DAL 14
• (5:50) Rams: Isaac Bruce 22-yard pass from Kurt Warner (Jeff Wilkins kick) - STL 21, DAL 14
• (0:02) Cowboys: Lin Elliott 42-yard field goal - STL 21, DAL 17

3rd quarter

• (10:45) Cowboys: Alvin Harper 28-yard pass from Troy Aikman (Lin Elliott kick) - DAL 24, STL 21
• (3:22) Rams: Ricky Proehl 15-yard pass from Kurt Warner (Jeff Wilkins kick) - STL 28, DAL 24

4th quarter

• (9:48) Cowboys: Emmitt Smith 1-yard run (Lin Elliott kick) - DAL 31, STL 28
• (0:55) Rams: Marshall Faulk 8-yard run (Jeff Wilkins kick) - STL 35, DAL 31

Team stats

Player stats

Passing

• Rams: Kurt Warner - 27/38, 335 yards, 3 TD
• Cowboys: Troy Aikman - 24/34, 301 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT

Rushing

• Rams: Marshall Faulk - 22 carries, 105 yards, 2 TD
• Cowboys: Emmitt Smith - 24 carries, 115 yards, 2 TD

Receiving

• Rams: Torry Holt - 7 receptions, 112 yards, 1 TD
• Cowboys: Michael Irvin - 9 receptions, 132 yards, 1 TD

Defense

• Rams: London Fletcher - 10 tackles, 1 sack
• Cowboys: Ken Norton Jr. - 11 tackles, 1 sack

Game recap

Torry Holt opened the scoring with a 35-yard touchdown catch from Kurt Warner, but the Cowboys quickly responded with an Emmitt Smith 3-yard touchdown run. The Rams took the lead again with Marshall Faulk’s 5-yard touchdown run to close out the first quarter.

Michael Irvin tied the game with a 20-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter, but the Rams answered with Isaac Bruce’s 22-yard touchdown catch. The Cowboys managed a field goal just before halftime, making it a 21-17 game.

In the second half, the teams traded touchdowns, with Alvin Harper and Ricky Proehl scoring. Emmitt Smith’s second touchdown put the Cowboys ahead in the fourth quarter, but Marshall Faulk's 8-yard touchdown run in the final minute sealed the Rams' victory.

2007 New England Patriots (7) vs. 1975 Pittsburgh Steelers (10)

Betting odds

• Point spread: Patriots -7
• Moneyline: Patriots -300, Steelers +240
• Total O/U: 48.5 points

Scoring summary

1st quarter

• (12:34) Patriots: Randy Moss 40-yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick) - NE 7, PIT 0
• (6:45) Steelers: Franco Harris 10-yard run (Roy Gerela kick) - NE 7, PIT 7

2nd quarter

• (11:55) Patriots: Wes Welker 22-yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick) - NE 14, PIT 7
• (4:29) Steelers: Roy Gerela 35-yard field goal - NE 14, PIT 10
• (1:13) Patriots: Laurence Maroney 4-yard run (Stephen Gostkowski kick) - NE 21, PIT 10

3rd quarter

• (9:43) Patriots: Stephen Gostkowski 42-yard field goal - NE 24, PIT 10
• (4:20) Steelers: Lynn Swann 18-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick) - NE 24, PIT 17

4th quarter

• (12:57) Patriots: Randy Moss 15-yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick) - NE 31, PIT 17
• (8:22) Steelers: Roy Gerela 28-yard field goal - NE 31, PIT 20
• (1:40) Patriots: Kevin Faulk 10-yard run (Stephen Gostkowski kick) - NE 38, PIT 20

Team stats

Player stats

Passing

• Patriots: Tom Brady - 30/38, 345 yards, 3 TD
• Steelers: Terry Bradshaw - 16/28, 198 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

Rushing

• Patriots: Laurence Maroney - 18 carries, 84 yards, 1 TD
• Steelers: Franco Harris - 20 carries, 95 yards, 1 TD

Receiving

• Patriots: Randy Moss - 8 receptions, 130 yards, 2 TD
• Steelers: Lynn Swann - 5 receptions, 77 yards, 1 TD

Defense

• Patriots: Mike Vrabel - 9 tackles, 1 sack
• Steelers: Jack Lambert - 11 tackles, 1 sack

Game recap

Tom Brady connected early with Randy Moss for a 40-yard touchdown, and Moss added another score in the fourth quarter. The Steelers kept pace early with a Franco Harris touchdown, but Brady’s precision passing led to a 21-10 halftime lead.

In the second half, the Patriots extended their lead with a field goal and a Moss touchdown. Terry Bradshaw found Lynn Swann for a score, but it wasn't enough. Kevin Faulk's late touchdown run sealed the game, highlighting a dominant offensive performance by New England. The Patriots' defense, led by Mike Vrabel, stifled Pittsburgh’s comeback attempts.

1976 Oakland Raiders (8) vs. 1962 Green Bay Packers (9)

Betting odds

• Point spread: Raiders -3.5
• Moneyline: Raiders -170, Packers +150
• Total O/U: 43.5 points

Scoring summary

1st quarter

• (12:48) Raiders: Clarence Davis 7-yard run (George Blanda kick) - OAK 7, GB 0
• (5:32) Packers: Jim Taylor 9-yard run (Don Chandler kick) - OAK 7, GB 7

2nd quarter

• (9:14) Raiders: George Blanda 33-yard field goal - OAK 10, GB 7
• (1:21) Raiders: Fred Biletnikoff 16-yard pass from Ken Stabler (George Blanda kick) - OAK 17, GB 7

3rd quarter

• (7:46) Packers: Don Chandler 35-yard field goal - OAK 17, GB 10

4th quarter

• (14:05) Raiders: Pete Banaszak 10-yard run (George Blanda kick) - OAK 24, GB 10
• (9:22) Packers: Carroll Dale 12-yard pass from Bart Starr (Don Chandler kick) - OAK 24, GB 17
• (3:13) Raiders: George Blanda 24-yard field goal - OAK 27, GB 17

Team stats

Player stats

Passing

• Raiders: Ken Stabler - 19/28, 236 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
• Packers: Bart Starr - 16/27, 192 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

Rushing

• Raiders: Clarence Davis - 23 carries, 110 yards, 1 TD
• Packers: Jim Taylor - 20 carries, 88 yards, 1 TD

Receiving

• Raiders: Fred Biletnikoff - 6 receptions, 89 yards, 1 TD
• Packers: Carroll Dale - 4 receptions, 64 yards, 1 TD

Defense

• Raiders: Jack Tatum - 8 tackles, 1 INT
• Packers: Ray Nitschke - 11 tackles, 1 sack

Game recap

Clarence Davis started the scoring with a 7-yard touchdown run, and Jim Taylor responded with a 9-yard run for the Packers. George Blanda's field goal and a touchdown pass from Ken Stabler to Fred Biletnikoff extended the Raiders' lead in the second quarter.

In the third quarter, Don Chandler's field goal narrowed the gap, but Pete Banaszak's 10-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter gave the Raiders a comfortable lead. Bart Starr connected with Carroll Dale for a 12-yard touchdown pass, but another Blanda field goal sealed the win for the Raiders.

1st round scores and betting recap

Quarterfinals

1976 Oakland Raiders (8) vs. 2004 New England Patriots (16)

Betting odds

• Point spread: Patriots -2.5
• Moneyline: Patriots -135, Raiders +115
• Total O/U: 44.5 points

Scoring summary

1st quarter

• (12:44) Patriots: Adam Vinatieri 34-yard field goal - NE 3, OAK 0
• (5:23) Raiders: Mark van Eeghen 3-yard run (Errol Mann kick) - OAK 7, NE 3

2nd quarter

• (8:10) Patriots: Deion Branch 12-yard pass from Tom Brady (Adam Vinatieri kick) - NE 10, OAK 7
• (1:37) Raiders: Errol Mann 22-yard field goal - NE 10, OAK 10

3rd quarter

• (10:05) Patriots: David Givens 45-yard pass from Tom Brady (Adam Vinatieri kick) - NE 17, OAK 10
• (3:42) Raiders: Fred Biletnikoff 7-yard pass from Ken Stabler (Errol Mann kick) NE 17, OAK 17

4th quarter

• (12:16) Patriots: Corey Dillon 1-yard run (Adam Vinatieri kick) - NE 24, OAK 17
• (4:20) Raiders: Cliff Branch 25-yard pass from Ken Stabler (Errol Mann kick) - NE 24, OAK 24
• (0:03) Patriots: Adam Vinatieri 29-yard field goal - NE 27, OAK 24

Team stats

Player stats

Passing

• Patriots: Tom Brady - 23/34, 278 yards, 2 TD
• Raiders: Ken Stabler - 18/27, 218 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT

Rushing

• Patriots: Corey Dillon - 23 carries, 109 yards, 1 TD
• Raiders: Mark van Eeghen - 19 carries, 95 yards, 1 TD

Receiving

• Patriots: Deion Branch - 7 receptions, 104 yards, 1 TD
• Raiders: Fred Biletnikoff - 6 receptions, 82 yards, 1 TD

Defense

• Patriots: Tedy Bruschi - 11 tackles, 1 INT
• Raiders: Jack Tatum - 10 tackles, 1 sack

Game recap

The Patriots struck first with a field goal by Adam Vinatieri, but the Raiders quickly answered with a touchdown run by Mark van Eeghen. Tom Brady found Deion Branch for a 12-yard touchdown in the second quarter, with the Raiders tying it before halftime with a field goal.

Brady’s 45-yard touchdown pass to David Givens in the third quarter put the Patriots ahead, but Ken Stabler’s pass to Fred Biletnikoff tied the game again. In the fourth quarter, Corey Dillon’s touchdown run gave the Patriots the lead, only for Stabler to tie it once more. Tedy Bruschi’s interception on the Raiders' final drive set up Vinatieri’s last-second field goal to secure the Patriots' victory.

1985 Chicago Bears (2) vs. 2007 New England Patriots (7)

Betting odds

• Point spread: Bears -1.5
• Moneyline: Bears -125, Patriots +105
• Total O/U: 44.5 points

Scoring summary

1st quarter

• (12:43) Bears: Walter Payton 4-yard run (Kevin Butler kick) - CHI 7, NE 0
• (6:38) Patriots: Stephen Gostkowski 36-yard field goal - CHI 7, NE 3

2nd quarter

• (9:07) Patriots: Randy Moss 22-yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick) - NE 10, CHI 7
• (3:14) Bears: Kevin Butler 38-yard field goal - NE 10, CHI 10
• (0:18) Patriots: Stephen Gostkowski 42-yard field goal - NE 13, CHI 10

3rd quarter

• (11:27) Bears: Willie Gault 10-yard pass from Jim McMahon (Kevin Butler kick) - CHI 17, NE 13
• (5:22) Patriots: Wes Welker 15-yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick) - NE 20, CHI 17

4th quarter

• (7:41) Bears: Walter Payton 12-yard run (Kevin Butler kick) - CHI 24, NE 20
• (3:09) Patriots: Stephen Gostkowski 44-yard field goal - CHI 24, NE 23

Team stats

Player stats

Passing

• Bears: Jim McMahon - 16/27, 223 yards, 1 TD
• Patriots: Tom Brady - 24/36, 265 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT

Rushing

• Bears: Walter Payton - 22 carries, 120 yards, 2 TD
• Patriots: Laurence Maroney - 18 carries, 75 yards

Receiving

• Bears: Willie Gault - 5 receptions, 85 yards, 1 TD
• Patriots: Randy Moss - 7 receptions, 103 yards, 1 TD

Defense

• Bears: Mike Singletary - 11 tackles, 1 sack
• Patriots: Tedy Bruschi - 10 tackles

Game recap

The Bears started strong with Walter Payton powering into the end zone early, but the Patriots kept it close with a field goal from Stephen Gostkowski. Tom Brady connected with Randy Moss for a 22-yard touchdown in the second quarter, and Gostkowski’s 42-yard kick put the Patriots ahead again at halftime.

In the third quarter, Jim McMahon found Willie Gault for a 10-yard touchdown pass, but Brady responded with a 15-yard strike to Wes Welker. Walter Payton’s second touchdown run in the fourth quarter proved decisive. Despite a late Gostkowski field goal, the Bears held on for a 24-23 victory.

1978 Pittsburgh Steelers (3) vs. 1999 St. Louis Rams (11)

Betting odds

• Point spread: Steelers -2.5
• Moneyline: Steelers -135, Rams +115
• Total O/U: 46.5 points

Scoring summary

1st quarter

• (13:02) Rams: Marshall Faulk 5-yard run (Jeff Wilkins kick) - STL 7, PIT 0
• (5:47) Steelers: Franco Harris 8-yard run (Matt Bahr kick) - PIT 7, STL 7

2nd quarter

• (10:34) Rams: Jeff Wilkins 27-yard field goal - STL 10, PIT 7
• (1:12) Steelers: Matt Bahr 34-yard field goal - PIT 10, STL 10

3rd quarter

• (12:45) Steelers: Lynn Swann 18-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Matt Bahr kick) - PIT 17, STL 10
• (7:21) Rams: Isaac Bruce 42-yard pass from Kurt Warner (Jeff Wilkins kick) - PIT 17, STL 17
• (0:29) Steelers: Franco Harris 3-yard run (Matt Bahr kick) - PIT 24, STL 17

4th quarter

• (9:12) Rams: Torry Holt 15-yard pass from Kurt Warner (Jeff Wilkins kick) - PIT 24, STL 24
• (5:04) Steelers: Matt Bahr 41-yard field goal - PIT 27, STL 24
• (2:11) Rams: Jeff Wilkins 38-yard field goal - PIT 27, STL 27
• (0:01) Steelers: Matt Bahr 36-yard field goal - PIT 30, STL 27

Team stats

Player stats

Passing

• Steelers: Terry Bradshaw - 20/32, 245 yards, 1 TD
• Rams: Kurt Warner - 23/37, 298 yards, 2 TD

Rushing

• Steelers: Franco Harris - 22 carries, 117 yards, 2 TD
• Rams: Marshall Faulk - 18 carries, 94 yards, 1 TD

Receiving

• Steelers: Lynn Swann - 6 receptions, 97 yards, 1 TD
• Rams: Isaac Bruce - 7 receptions, 128 yards, 1 TD

Defense

• Steelers: Jack Lambert - 12 tackles, 1 sack
• Rams: London Fletcher - 10 tackles, 1 forced fumble

Game recap

The Rams started strong with a 5-yard touchdown run by Marshall Faulk. Franco Harris responded with an 8-yard touchdown run for the Steelers. The teams traded field goals, ending the first half tied at 10.

The third quarter featured Terry Bradshaw connecting with Lynn Swann for an 18-yard touchdown, only for Kurt Warner to respond with a 42-yard strike to Isaac Bruce. Franco Harris added another touchdown, but the Rams tied it up with a 15-yard pass to Torry Holt. In the final moments, Matt Bahr’s 36-yard field goal secured the win for Pittsburgh.

1984 San Francisco 49ers (4) vs. 1989 San Francisco 49ers (5)

Betting odds

• Point spread: '84 49ers -1.5
• Moneyline: '84 49ers -120, '89 49ers +100
• Total O/U: 45.5 points

Scoring summary

1st quarter

• (10:45) '89 49ers: Roger Craig 5-yard run (Mike Cofer kick) - '89 SF 7, '84 SF 0
• (2:12) '84 49ers: Ray Wersching 42-yard field goal - '89 SF 7, '84 SF 3

2nd quarter

• (11:07) '89 49ers: Mike Cofer 34-yard field goal - '89 SF 10, '84 SF 3
• (4:32) '84 49ers: Wendell Tyler 11-yard run (Ray Wersching kick) - '89 SF 10, '84 SF 10

3rd quarter

• (12:24) '89 49ers: Jerry Rice 18-yard pass from Joe Montana (Mike Cofer kick) - '89 SF 17, '84 SF 10
• (5:11) '84 49ers: Dwight Clark 25-yard pass from Joe Montana (Ray Wersching kick) - '89 SF 17, '84 SF 17

4th quarter

• (9:15) '89 49ers: Roger Craig 1-yard run (Mike Cofer kick) - '89 SF 24, '84 SF 17
• (2:44) '84 49ers: Russ Francis 6-yard pass from Joe Montana (Ray Wersching kick) - '89 SF 24, '84 SF 24
• (0:21) '89 49ers: Mike Cofer 27-yard field goal - '89 SF 27, '84 SF 24

Team stats

Player stats

Passing

• '89 49ers: Joe Montana - 23/35, 289 yards, 1 TD
• '84 49ers: Joe Montana - 21/32, 257 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT

Rushing

• '89 49ers: Roger Craig - 20 carries, 102 yards, 2 TD
• '84 49ers: Wendell Tyler - 18 carries, 87 yards, 1 TD

Receiving

• '89 49ers: Jerry Rice - 8 receptions, 128 yards, 1 TD
• '84 49ers: Dwight Clark - 6 receptions, 110 yards, 1 TD

Defense

• '89 49ers: Charles Haley - 8 tackles, 1 sack
• '84 49ers: Ronnie Lott - 10 tackles

Game recap

Roger Craig opened the scoring with a 5-yard touchdown run, but the '84 squad responded with a field goal. Both teams exchanged blows in the second quarter, with Wendell Tyler's touchdown run tying the game at 10-10.

The '89 49ers took control in the third quarter as Joe Montana connected with Jerry Rice for an 18-yard touchdown. The '84 team fought back, with Montana finding Dwight Clark for a 25-yard score. In the final quarter, Roger Craig's second touchdown gave the '89 team a 7-point lead, but the '84 49ers tied it again with a pass to Russ Francis.

Montana led the '89 team on a game-winning drive in the final minutes, with Mike Cofer's late field goal capping off a classic battle between two legendary squads.

Quarterfinal scores and betting recap

Semifinals

1989 San Francisco 49ers (5) vs. 2004 New England Patriots (16)

Betting odds

• Point spread: 49ers -3.5
• Moneyline: 49ers -170, Patriots +150
• Total O/U: 44.5 points

Scoring summary

1st quarter

• (13:21) 49ers: Jerry Rice 12-yard pass from Joe Montana (Mike Cofer kick) - SF 7, NE 0
• (8:34) Patriots: Adam Vinatieri 37-yard field goal - SF 7, NE 3

2nd quarter

• (11:15) 49ers: Roger Craig 5-yard run (Mike Cofer kick) - SF 14, NE 3
• (4:07) Patriots: David Givens 15-yard pass from Tom Brady (Adam Vinatieri kick) - SF 14, NE 10

3rd quarter

• (9:22) 49ers: Mike Cofer 41-yard field goal - SF 17, NE 10
• (2:56) Patriots: Corey Dillon 3-yard run (Adam Vinatieri kick) - SF 17, NE 17

4th quarter

• (11:44) 49ers: Jerry Rice 20-yard pass from Joe Montana (Mike Cofer kick) - SF 24, NE 17
• (7:11) Patriots: Deion Branch 8-yard pass from Tom Brady (Adam Vinatieri kick) - SF 24, NE 24
• (1:06) 49ers: Mike Cofer 33-yard field goal - SF 27, NE 24

Team stats

Player stats

Passing

• 49ers: Joe Montana - 22/31, 267 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
• Patriots: Tom Brady - 23/35, 254 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT

Rushing

• 49ers: Roger Craig - 20 carries, 88 yards, 1 TD
• Patriots: Corey Dillon - 18 carries, 90 yards, 1 TD

Receiving

• 49ers: Jerry Rice - 8 receptions, 122 yards, 2 TD
• Patriots: Deion Branch - 6 receptions, 84 yards, 1 TD

Defense

• 49ers: Ronnie Lott - 9 tackles, 1 INT
• Patriots: Tedy Bruschi - 11 tackles, 1 sack

Game recap

Joe Montana's early connection with Jerry Rice set the tone, but Tom Brady's Patriots responded with a field goal. Roger Craig's touchdown run in the second quarter extended the 49ers' lead, though Brady's pass to David Givens kept New England close.

In the second half, Montana's precision passing and Cofer's field goal built a lead, but Corey Dillon's powerful running and a late touchdown pass to Deion Branch tied the game. Ultimately, a last-minute drive led by Montana set up Cofer's game-winning field goal in a dramatic victory for the 49ers.

1985 Chicago Bears (2) vs. 1978 Pittsburgh Steelers (3)

Betting odds

• Point spread: Bears -4
• Moneyline: Bears -180, Steelers +150
• Total O/U: 37.5 points

Scoring summary

1st quarter

• (10:45) Steelers: Roy Gerela 28-yard field goal - PIT 3, CHI 0
• (2:32) Bears: Walter Payton 12-yard run (Kevin Butler kick) - CHI 7, PIT 3

2nd quarter

• (12:12) Bears: Willie Gault 45-yard pass from Jim McMahon (Kevin Butler kick) - CHI 14, PIT 3
• (5:10) Steelers: John Stallworth 18-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick) - CHI 14, PIT 10
• (1:27) Bears: Kevin Butler 34-yard field goal - CHI 17, PIT 10

3rd quarter

• (6:50) Bears: Mike Singletary 30-yard interception return (Kevin Butler kick) - CHI 24, PIT 10

4th quarter

• (11:23) Steelers: Franco Harris 5-yard run (Roy Gerela kick) - CHI 24, PIT 17
• (3:47) Bears: Richard Dent safety - CHI 26, PIT 17

Team stats

Player stats

Passing

• Bears: Jim McMahon - 16/28, 188 yards, 1 TD
• Steelers: Terry Bradshaw - 18/31, 220 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT

Rushing

• Bears: Walter Payton - 22 carries, 115 yards, 1 TD
• Steelers: Franco Harris - 20 carries, 89 yards, 1 TD

Receiving

• Bears: Willie Gault - 4 receptions, 87 yards, 1 TD
• Steelers: John Stallworth - 6 receptions, 102 yards, 1 TD

Defense

• Bears: Mike Singletary - 10 tackles, 1 INT (30-yard TD return)
• Steelers: Jack Lambert - 12 tackles, 1 sack

Game recap

The Bears' defense was pivotal, with Mike Singletary returning an interception for a touchdown in the third quarter. Walter Payton had a standout game, rushing for 115 yards and a touchdown, while Jim McMahon connected with Willie Gault for a 45-yard score.

Despite a strong effort from Terry Bradshaw and the Steelers' offense, including a touchdown pass to John Stallworth and a late field goal, Chicago's defense proved too strong with Richard Dent's late safety securing the win. Key stops, including Jack Lambert's 12 tackles and a sack, kept Pittsburgh in the game, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Bears' defensive dominance and Payton's ground game.

Semifinal scores and betting recap

Championship final

1985 Chicago Bears (2) vs. 1989 San Francisco 49ers (3)

Betting odds

• Point spread: Bears -2
• Moneyline: Bears -130, 49ers +110
• Total O/U: 41.5 points

Scoring summary

1st quarter

• (12:47) 49ers: Jerry Rice 27-yard pass from Joe Montana (Mike Cofer kick) - SF 7, CHI 0
• (6:11) Bears: Kevin Butler 25-yard field goal - SF 7, CHI 3

2nd quarter

• (10:12) 49ers: John Taylor 9-yard pass from Joe Montana (Mke Cofer kick) - SF 14, CHI 3
• (3:33) Bears: Walter Payton 5-yard run (Kevin Butler kick) - SF 14, CHI 10
• (0:22) 49ers: Mike Cofer 37-yard field goal - SF 17, CHI 10

3rd quarter

• (9:45) Bears: Dennis McKinnon 8-yard pass from Jim McMahon (Kevin Butler kick) - SF 17, CHI 17
• (1:14) 49ers: Mike Cofer 29-yard field goal - SF 20, CHI 17

4th quarter

• (7:52) 49ers: Brent Jones 14-yard pass from Joe Montana (Mike Cofer kick) - SF 27, CHI 17
• (1:55) Bears: Walter Payton 1-yard run (Kevin Butler kick) - SF 27, CHI 24

Team stats

Player stats

Passing

• 49ers: Joe Montana - 24/34, 271 yards, 3 TD
• Bears: Jim McMahon - 18/28, 204 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

Rushing

• 49ers: Roger Craig - 19 carries, 89 yards
• Bears: Walter Payton - 24 carries, 127 yards, 2 TD

Receiving

• 49ers: Jerry Rice - 8 receptions, 112 yards, 1 TD
• Bears: Willie Gault - 5 receptions, 78 yards

Defense

• 49ers: Ronnie Lott - 9 tackles, 1 INT, 1 fumble recovery
• Bears: Richard Dent - 7 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble

Game recap

The 1989 San Francisco 49ers edged out the 1985 Chicago Bears in a nail-biting 27-24 victory, showcasing a legendary clash between two of the NFL's greatest teams. The stage was set for an epic showdown, and the game did not disappoint.

1st quarter

The 49ers struck first when Joe Montana found Jerry Rice on a spectacular 27-yard touchdown pass, sending a message to the vaunted Bears' defense and drawing extra attention the rest of the game. The Bears quickly answered with Walter Payton breaking free for a 20-yard run, setting up a field goal by Kevin Butler to make it 7-3. The tension in the stadium was palpable as both teams traded punches.

2nd quarter

Montana continued to dissect the Bears' defense, orchestrating a drive that culminated in a 9-yard touchdown pass to John Taylor, pushing the 49ers' lead to 14-3. But the Bears, known for their resilience, fought back. Jim McMahon connected with Willie Gault for a 15-yard gain, leading to Payton's 5-yard touchdown run, cutting the deficit to 14-10. Ronnie Lott's crucial interception of McMahon late in the quarter prevented the Bears from taking the lead, setting up a field goal by Mike Cofer to extend the 49ers' advantage to 17-10 at halftime.

3rd quarter

The Bears came out of the locker room with renewed vigor. Richard Dent sacked Montana, forcing a fumble that Mike Singletary recovered. This turnover set up a short field for the Bears, and McMahon capitalized with a touchdown pass to Dennis McKinnon, tying the game at 17-17. The momentum seemed to be shifting, but Montana's steady hand guided the 49ers on another scoring drive, ending with a Cofer field goal to reclaim the lead at 20-17.

4th quarter

With the game hanging in the balance, Montana showcased his legendary poise. He engineered a critical drive highlighted by a 14-yard touchdown pass to Brent Jones, extending the lead to 27-17.

The Bears, facing a 10-point deficit, mounted a furious comeback. Payton bulldozed his way into the end zone on a 1-yard run, bringing the Bears within three points at 27-24. With less than two minutes left, the Bears' defense held strong, giving McMahon one last chance.

As McMahon led the Bears down the field, the 49ers' defense dug deep. On a crucial fourth down, Charles Haley broke through the line, sacking McMahon and forcing a fumble recovered by Lott. The 49ers managed to run out the clock, sealing their hard-fought victory.

NFL all-time tournament MVP

QB Joe Montana (1989 49ers)

Montana's performance throughout the tournament was nothing short of spectacular, showcasing his poise, precision, and ability to perform under pressure. His remarkable ability to stay cool under pressure, deliver pinpoint passes, and lead his team to victory in the most critical moments solidified his legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history.

Key stats

• Passing yards: 1,128
• Touchdowns: 8
• Interceptions: 2
• Completion: 69.6%
• Passer rating: 108.5

Key moments

1st round vs. 1986 New York Giants

Montana threw for 302 yards and two touchdowns, leading his team to a convincing 27-17 victory. His pinpoint 40-yard touchdown pass to Jerry Rice in the first quarter set the tone for the game and, ultimately, the entire tournament.

Quarterfinals vs. 1984 San Francisco 49ers

Montana threw for 289 yards and a touchdown in a thrilling 27-24 victory over his own former team. His game-winning drive in the final minutes included a clutch 22-yard pass to John Taylor, setting up the winning field goal by Mike Cofer.

Semifinals vs. 2004 New England Patriots

Montana threw for 267 yards and two touchdowns, overcoming a tough Patriots defense to secure a 27-24 victory. His calm demeanor and strategic play-calling were evident as he orchestrated another game-winning drive, highlighted by a 31-yard pass to Brent Jones to set up Cofer once again.

Championship vs. 1985 Chicago Bears

Montana cemented his MVP status with a masterful performance in the championship game, throwing for 271 yards and three touchdowns against one of the best defenses in NFL history. His leadership and accuracy were on full display from the opening quarter, when a 27-yard touchdown pass to Rice and another to Taylor gave the 49ers early control in an instant classic.

NFL all-time bracket methodology

The margin of error is, obviously, unknown for an AI simulation of a hypothetical tournament. So we established a clear and structured process to deliver the most realistic simulation possible using ChatGPT 4o, the latest model of the popular chatbot by OpenAI.

This is far from the only AI simulation I've conducted via similar methods, having previously used ChatGPT to seed and eventually crown the all-time March Madness champion, predict the winner of the 2024 NCAA Tournament, and simulate every game of Copa America 2024.

The first was hypothetical, but ChatGPT correctly predicted the winner in the other two simulations. Though similar in nature, this simulation was run from a brand-new chat window to allow for a rebuilt engine focused specifically on the NFL.

How was the tournament seeded?

The seeding for this tournament was rather straightforward: we simply used the NFL 100 Greatest Teams that the league produced in 2019 to celebrate its 100th anniversary. While that list doesn't include recent champions like the Kansas City Chiefs, this still felt like a strong basis for the initial 16-team field to determine the best of all time.

There was no home-field advantage in this tournament, and all teams were considered to be at full strength with their entire roster available. Each game was officiated by modern rules, though ChatGPT was explicitly told to consider the era of each team as it relates to penalties like roughing the passer or illegal contact.

How did we train ChatGPT?

First, as is always advisable when running a detailed simulation via ChatGPT, I initialized the scope of the project. I explained that we would be constructing a simulation to determine the greatest NFL team of all time and the parameters of the 16-team tournament, as explained above.

I asked ChatGPT to conduct independent research on how to predict football games and, specifically, how varying offensive and defensive schemes might succeed against one another on the field. ChatGPT conducted three such rounds of research, identifying schemes and play styles throughout history and assessing which ones might be most and least effective against each other.

Then, I fed it an immense amount of training data for each team. This included every team's Pro Football Reference and Wikipedia pages in full; box scores from every game of their season, including play-by-play data from the Super Bowl; and other historical data like DVOA to contextualize team strength across eras. I also asked ChatGPT to research each team's offensive and defensive schemes and any other information it might find useful for this simulation.

Finally, I spent hours (and hours and hours) running test simulations to refine ChatGPT's internal simulation engine and fully explain concepts like proper clock management and variance in big plays and turnovers. It also showed me snippets of its internal simulation model, which it wrote using Python, though I did not write the code nor see it in its entirety.

While this simulation engine isn't as advanced as some modern predictive models, one of the reasons I've continually turned to ChatGPT for these simulations is its ability to integrate context and qualitative data better than most predictive models. The result is a hypothetical simulation that, in my view, provides as accurate of an answer as possible to such nuanced questions as "what is the greatest NFL team of all time?"

NFL all-time tournament final bracket