The Dolphins, Cowboys, and Raiders are far from their championship heyday.
The Dolphins, Cowboys, and Raiders: Far From Their Championship Heyday
In the world of the NFL, few franchises have the kind of rich history and championship pedigree as the Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys, and Las Vegas Raiders. These three iconic teams have played an instrumental role in shaping the NFL landscape, but in recent years, all have found themselves far from the glory days of their respective championship runs. Despite their historic success, the Dolphins, Cowboys, and Raiders are currently experiencing periods of rebuilding and searching for the right formula to return to their former dominance.
In this article, we will take a closer look at each of these teams—once mighty forces in the NFL—exploring their championship glory, the struggles they have encountered, and the challenges they face in the modern NFL. These franchises, while still filled with passionate fanbases, have been unable to recapture the magic that once made them staples of postseason contention. But with young talent, evolving rosters, and ambitious leadership, each team may have the potential to rise from the ashes and return to greatness.
Miami Dolphins: Once an NFL Dynasty, Now in Search of Consistency
The Miami Dolphins are one of the oldest and most successful franchises in NFL history, having dominated much of the league’s early years. The Dolphins are the team that boasts an undefeated season—a record no other NFL team has matched in the Super Bowl era—finishing the 1972 season with a perfect 17-0 record and winning their first Super Bowl. Under the leadership of coach Don Shula, the Dolphins became an emblem of sustained excellence throughout the 1970s, earning two Super Bowl championships (1972, 1973) and establishing themselves as a perennial contender.
In the years following their success in the 1970s, the Dolphins continued to be competitive. The franchise’s subsequent eras were marked by several Hall of Fame players, including quarterback Dan Marino, who led the Dolphins to an AFC Championship and a Super Bowl appearance in 1984, although Marino was never able to win the big game.
However, despite flashes of brilliance, the Dolphins have struggled to recapture that sustained success in the years since the 1980s. In recent decades, the franchise has experienced inconsistency, particularly at the quarterback position, which has been a significant hindrance. Since Marino’s retirement in 1999, Miami has cycled through a long list of quarterbacks, none of whom have been able to match the standard set by Marino.
The Dolphins have often found themselves in the middle of the pack, finishing with mediocre records and failing to secure playoff berths on a regular basis. Though they have had some strong seasons, including a playoff appearance in 2016 under head coach Adam Gase, the franchise has largely been in a state of rebuilding. The arrival of Tua Tagovailoa in the 2020 draft brought hope to the team, but he has yet to fully prove himself as the franchise quarterback. In 2022, the Dolphins made a significant splash with a revamped roster, including the acquisition of wide receiver Tyreek Hill and linebacker Bradley Chubb, but their playoff hopes were dashed after a disappointing end to the regular season.
As the Dolphins continue their search for stability, there are signs of hope with young talent on the roster. Tagovailoa, Jaylen Waddle, and others represent the future of the team, but they still need time to mature and gel as a cohesive unit. While the Dolphins have shown flashes of brilliance, their inability to return to Super Bowl contention in the modern NFL speaks to the challenges they face in their pursuit of relevance. For Miami, the key to returning to the top is consistency—particularly at quarterback—and building a defense that can complement their high-powered offense.
Dallas Cowboys: A Legacy of Success, Yet Forever Chasing the Past
The Dallas Cowboys are a franchise that epitomizes both glory and frustration. Known as “America’s Team,” the Cowboys boast a rich history that includes five Super Bowl championships, two in the 1970s (1971, 1977) and three in the 1990s (1992, 1993, 1995). The team’s incredible success in the 1990s, led by the likes of quarterback Troy Aikman, running back Emmitt Smith, and wide receiver Michael Irvin, solidified the Cowboys as one of the NFL’s most dominant and respected franchises. During that era, the Cowboys were virtually unbeatable, compiling multiple playoff appearances, NFC Championships, and ultimately capturing their fifth Super Bowl victory.
However, since that championship win in 1995, the Cowboys have faced a prolonged period of underachievement. Despite boasting some of the league’s best talent, the Cowboys have struggled to win another Super Bowl. Under head coach Jason Garrett, who served from 2010 to 2019, the Cowboys failed to make a deep playoff run, finishing with just three playoff appearances. Garrett’s tenure was often defined by missed opportunities, particularly in years when the Cowboys had a roster capable of competing for a title.
More recently, Dak Prescott, drafted in 2016, represented a glimmer of hope for the Cowboys. Prescott had an immediate impact, leading the team to playoff appearances and becoming one of the league’s most reliable quarterbacks. However, despite solid regular-season success, the Cowboys have failed to make it to the Super Bowl during Prescott’s time at the helm. A consistent theme in the Cowboys’ struggles has been their inability to perform when it matters most in the postseason. Year after year, the team has fallen short, leading to frustration from both fans and analysts who question whether the Cowboys’ championship window has closed.
Despite their struggles, the Cowboys remain one of the league’s most valuable and high-profile teams, thanks to their immense brand recognition and the leadership of Jerry Jones, the team’s owner and general manager. However, their failure to win a Super Bowl since the mid-1990s remains a major blemish on the franchise’s legacy.
The key issue for the Cowboys has been consistency, particularly in the postseason. Their roster is filled with talent, especially on defense, where players like Micah Parsons have elevated the unit to elite status. The offensive line, once a major strength, has experienced some declines in recent years, but players like Tyron Smith and Zeke Elliott have kept the offense in a strong position. Still, the Cowboys’ inability to capitalize on their talent in the playoffs, coupled with the pressure of expectations, has made the pursuit of a Super Bowl increasingly difficult.
As long as Dak Prescott is at quarterback, the Cowboys will likely remain in the championship conversation, but the team’s lack of postseason success in recent years has left fans yearning for a return to the glory of the 1990s.
Las Vegas Raiders: A Storied History, But No Recent Success
The Las Vegas Raiders (formerly the Oakland Raiders and Los Angeles Raiders) are one of the NFL’s most iconic teams, despite not winning a Super Bowl since their triumph in 1983. The Raiders’ franchise history is a mix of brilliance and controversy, with legendary coaches such as Al Davis, one of the most iconic figures in NFL history, and memorable players like Ken Stabler, Fred Biletnikoff, and Howie Long.
In the 1970s, the Raiders were among the NFL’s elite teams, winning Super Bowl XI and regularly competing for championships. Their fierce, physical brand of football made them a team that fans loved to root for, and even those who didn’t support the Raiders respected their tenacity. The Raiders were also known for their aggressive, no-nonsense mentality, particularly under the leadership of Davis, who made waves as an owner and general manager.
However, since their last Super Bowl win in 1983, the Raiders have been a franchise in search of consistency. The team has never truly recaptured the dominance they enjoyed in the 1970s and early 1980s. They have cycled through numerous quarterbacks, coaches, and general managers in an attempt to restore their place among the NFL’s elite, with mixed results. Despite talented players like Derrick Carr, Khalil Mack, and Amari Cooper passing through the organization, the Raiders have remained in mediocrity, unable to put together a team capable of truly challenging for a championship.
The team’s move from Oakland to Las Vegas in 2020 marked a new chapter in the franchise’s history. The Raiders now play in the Allegiant Stadium, an opulent venue that represents a fresh start. Yet, despite this exciting new chapter, the Raiders have continued to underperform. They made the playoffs in 2020 under head coach Jon Gruden, but their playoff appearance was short-lived, and they failed to make a deep postseason run.
The primary challenge for the Raiders is their ability to build a winning roster that can compete at a high level consistently. While they have some promising young players, the Raiders’ inability to develop and maintain sustained success has kept them far from championship contention.
