The remaining five teams which had 21-plus 40-plus gamers were among the 20 squads who did not make the playoffs (Pittsburgh Steelers 27, Houston Texans 23, Atlanta Falcons 23, New York Giants 23, Washington Redskins 23). Run the 2013-14 numbers and you see the typical non-playoff team averaged 17.1 players who played 40-plus games on the same team; the typical playoff team had 21.1 players with 40-plus games on same team; the two Super Bowl squads averaged 23.0. No matter how you look at it—last year or the past decade— continuity definitely correlates with winning and playoff success. At the very least, it significantly increases your odds, as all 11 Super Bowl winners from 2003 through 2013 can attest. Here is a look (see Super Bowl Champions sidebar) back at those teams and more, through the eyes of the 40-Game Super Bowl Champ Rule, dating back to 1993 when the NFL first adopted modern-day, unrestricted free agency. SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS 40g W-L (modern, unrestricted free agency era: 1993 thru Present) 2013 Seahawks 24 13-3 2012 Ravens 22 10-6 2011 Giants 26 9-7 2010 Packers 31 10-6 2009 Saints 22 13-3 2008 Steelers 26 12-4 2007 Giants 21 10-6 2006 Colts 23 12-4 2005 Steelers 27 11-5 2004 Patriots 23 14-2 2003 Patriots 25 14-2 2002 Bucs 19 12-4 2001 Patriots 16 11-5 2000 Ravens 19 12-4 1999 Rams 17 13-3 1998 Broncos 27 14-2 1997 Broncos 22 12-4 1996 Packers 20 13-3 1995 Cowboys 26 12-4 1994 49ers 19 13-3 1993 Cowboys 26 12-4 SOURCE: Pro-Football-Reference.com The long-running Cowboys trio of Michael Irvin (#88), Emmitt Smith (#22) and Troy Aikman took Dallas to three Super Bowl victories from 1993 through 1996. PAUL BUCK/AFP A big reason for Seattle’s “Legion of Boom” success is the 194 combined games the secondary trio of (L-R) Earl Thomas, Richard Sherman and Kam Chancellor have had playing together. OTTO GREULE JR./GETTY IMAGES SPORT
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