The Super Bowl, which now draws in millions of viewers worldwide and is a staple of American culture, didn’t actually exist until 1967.
Meaning—not every NFL franchise has managed to secure a win in the most important game in the sport—and, thus, a dozen NFL teams have a chance heading into the 2024 season to earn its way into the history books.
So, as we gear up for the 2024 season, it’s time to take a hard look at these ringless teams and see which ones have a legitimate shot at rewriting history—and which ones are likely to keep their dusty trophy cabinets intact for another year.
Can one of these teams make a surprising run and win the Super Bowl this year?
12. Carolina Panthers
Despite having two Super Bowl appearance to their name—during a relatively short franchise lifespan, as Carolina’s one of the most recent expansion teams… the Panthers are an easy choice for last on this list.
There is nothing about this Carolina Panthers team that inspires a lot of confidence heading into 2024.
Looking back at their brutal 2023 campaign, which, admittedly, was marred by the growing pains of rookie quarterback Bryce Young, there were issues all over the organization.
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Not just on the field in terms of the lackluster supporting cast, but the way that they made decisions and operated throughout—starting at the top with owner David Tepper!
It is nearly impossible for a team to turn it around when there is such misalignment running rampant throughout the ranks.
The reality is that the Panthers are still in the midst of a rebuild, and while Young is expected to improve—based solely on the fact that it can’t get any worse—the overall roster just doesn’t stack up against the league’s top contenders.
It’s hard to envision any reality in which Carolina can make a legitimate push for the Super Bowl this year… or, frankly, anywhere in the near future. The Panthers are likely to keep their trophy cabinet empty for a long time—until Tepper can figure out how to actually run an NFL franchise.
11. Tennessee Titans
Despite having been a consistent playoff contender over the past few seasons, the Tennessee Titans find themselves near the bottom of this list—and for a good reason.
For starters, Head Coach Mike Vrabel, who many believe to have been the lynch pin of stability in a generally chaotic organization was jettisoned out of town after a disappointing 2023 campaign where the offense never seemed to click.
Granted, his squad was hampered by a litany of injuries—at the quarterback position too… but alas, the Titans brass decided that they had seen enough!
Between the split with Vrabel and Derrick Henry, their longtime All-Pro running back, signing with the Baltimore Ravens, the Titans are heading into 2024 with more questions than answers.
The Titans have the feel of a team in transition without any real clear direction or identity. Will Levis showed some promise last year, but the train kind of came off the tracks as the season wore on.
It is hard to see them even making the playoffs, let alone making any real noise in it.
10. Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings have had their moments over the years, particularly under Kevin O’Connell, who has led them to multiple playoff appearances, but heading into 2024, the outlook isn’t particularly rosy.
For starters, they are entering a new era, post-Kirk Cousins. Obviously, Cousins wasn’t the perfect franchise quarterback, but he was as competent as it gets… And we think that Minny will have a very sobering experience once they start watching Sam Darnold take meaningful NFL snaps for them.
If Vikings fans thought that the 2023 season was a rollercoaster—just wait until they get acquainted with the Darnold experience!
There is still some hope that their star-studded offense, led by Justin Jefferson, can carry them, but there is only so much that one wide receiver can do… Especially with his running mate, Jordan Addison’s availability, constantly in question because of the issues he keeps causing off the field.
The Vikings’ defense also has major holes—especially after the departure of Danielle Hunter.
Let’s face it… Minnesota’s Super Bowl prospects look bleak. At best, they could sneak into the playoffs as a Wild Card, but they aren’t true contenders.
Expect their Super Bowl drought to stay alive!
9. Arizona Cardinals
With Kyler Murray missing significant time last year, the Cardinals were never going anywhere… And the roster’s flaws were on full display as they struggled to stay competitive.
There’s some renewed optimism that Murray’s return to full health will spark a turnaround this year—especially with the addition of Marvin Harrison Jr. through the draft, who many expect to be a generational talent at wide receiver.
However, the Cardinals still have significant issues on both sides of the ball—and are a major work in progress. Don’t go penciling them into the big game anytime soon.
8. Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns entered last year with high hopes but were met with almost immediate disappointment as their high-price tag, controversial quarterback, Deshaun Watson, continued to be a major flop.
He was expected to elevate the team, but instead, the team actually fared better once he was finally forced out of play by injuries.
Obviously, Cleveland still has some serious talent with guys like Myles Garrett on the defensive side of the ball, who can make life hell for opposing quarterbacks—and Amari Cooper split out wide on offense…
But without a legitimate starting quarterback—this team is in trouble. Particularly when you factor in how much they’ve invested in their lemon of a QB.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars
It wasn’t perfect… but Trevor Lawrence, who had a rocky start to his NFL career, has started to take form under the tutelage of Doug Pederson.
In the first half of 2023, Lawrence showed why he was the first overall pick, as he had the Jags humming and looking like they were heading to playoffs.
Of course, the train went off the tracks there… But still!
The signs were there.
With weapons like Travis Etienne and Christian Kirk at his disposal, we expect a fully healthy Lawrence to take a major step forward this year and build on what he did in the first half of the 2023 season.
Defensively, the Jaguars are young but hungry—and steadily improving. Linebacker Josh Allen continues to be a force off the edge, and Tyson Campbell is emerging as a legit shutdown corner.
If Pederson can stir the drink correctly, the Jaguars have the potential to be one of the most balanced teams in the NFL.
Now… the path through the AFC playoffs is expected to be brutal, as the Jaguars would likely need to navigate through heavyweights like the Chiefs, Bills, and Bengals to make it to the Super Bowl.
But there is at least a cause for optimism in Duvall.
6. Atlanta Falcons
There is no doubt that they were among the most talented offenses in the league last year—at least in terms of skill position players… with guys like Kyle Pitts at tight end, Drake London at wide receiver—and Bijan Robinson coming out of the backfield…
But the statistical output was simply not there.
In part—because of abysmal quarterback play from both Desmond Ridder, the team’s former 3rd round pick—and his replacement, Taylor Heinicke, who they essentially picked up off the scrap heap.
There was also a contingent of fans and analysts that put blame on former head coach, Arthur Smith, but it is hard to say that he should have been calling the games more aggressively based on the guys he had under center.
In any case, the Falcons brought in a new coaching regime led by Raheem Morris.
They hedge their bets with two great options at quarterback, acquiring proven veteran Kirk Cousins via free agency—and Washington standout Michael Penix Jr. through the draft.
The move was heavily scrutinized, but this is a franchise that was determined to leave quarterback purgatory.
The defense was a little bit up and down last year, but with Morris’s pedigree, they should take a step forward—and we could see this team really bring it together and contend in the NFC.That said… A Super Bowl run is still a major long shot, but they are miles ahead of where they were last year!
5. Los Angeles Chargers
Over the years, the Chargers have become a franchise that’s become synonymous with unfulfilled potential. Whether it was the Rivers and L.T. led squads—or more recently Justin Herbert and Keenan Allen—the performance never seems to match the potential.
In 2023, it was the same story—a season plagued by injuries and inconsistencies that ultimately ended in disappointment… But this year—it could be different! It could be different because of Mr. Jim Harbaugh—the human-smelling salt that they brought in to be the head coach and rid the Chargers organization of its losing ways…
Just like he did at the University of Michigan!
L.A. has talent all over the field… Especially on defense, which is Harbaugh’s forte.
If he can rewire the Chargers culture, they have a lot of the pieces already in place to make a run—and they might just surprise teams this year!
4. Buffalo Bills
While there has been a lot of changes in Western New York, namely Stefon Diggs departure, the Bills remain a contender as long as Josh Allen remains the engine that drives this team.
His dual-threat ability as both a passer and runner makes him one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the league.
Of course, his highly aggressive style also leads to turnovers, which have been a thorn in the Bills’ side, but that is neither here nor there!
Someone is going to need to fill the void that Diggs left as Allen’s number-one target—and the Bills did lose a couple of key players on defense in Jordan Poyer and Tre’Davious White…
But with Allen under center, they always have a shot. Even as a cursed franchise!
3. Houston Texans
The Houston Texans have been in rebuild mode ever since the train came off the tracks with Deshaun Watson, but 2023 marked the beginning of a new chapter for the franchise.
C.J. Stroud, the second overall pick in the draft, was as good as it gets for a rookie quarterback—and has turned the Texans into real contenders.
Especially with all of the playmakers he has around him, like Nico Collins, Tank Dell, and now Stefon Diggs!
Defensively, the Texans have made strides as well, with players like Derek Stingley Jr. and Will Anderson Jr. emerging as cornerstone-type players.
While it might be premature to consider the Texans Super Bowl favorites in 2024, they are undoubtedly a team on the rise, and they have an outside chance of winning!
2. Cincinnati Bengals
Last season was a tough one for the Cincinnati Bengals, as they were missing their number one gun, Joe Burrow, for most of the season.
When healthy, Burrow is among the best QBs in the game… and he has one of the best-receiver duos in Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins at his disposal… making the Bengals’ offense a force to be reckoned with.
They’ve come close to winning it all, and as they head into 2024, they’re as ready, poised, and hungry as ever to finally bring a Lombardi Trophy to Cincinnati.
Between their experience in big games—and the star power they have across the roster, the Bengals have to be among the top contenders in the AFC to knock off the reigning champion, Kansas City Chiefs.
1. Detroit Lions
When you run through the list of Super Bowl ringless NFL teams—there is no squad garnering more excitement than the Detroit Lions.
I know… Crazy… The generally lowly Detroit Lions have somehow managed to climb the ranks and are the team everyone is talking about heading into 2024.
But I suppose that is to be expected with all of the changes that have taken place in the Motor City during the Dan Campbell era…
After a strong finish to 2022, where they narrowly the playoffs—and managed to play spoiler to Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, Detroit came into the ‘23 season on a mission—and stormed all the way to the NFC Championship Game, where they were unfortunately edged out by a more experienced 49ers Team.
Lest we forget that Detroit was led by 17 points. Before Shanahan’s crew came storming back to win 34 to 31!
Now—heading into this season, many believe that Detroit is well-positioned for a legitimate Super Bowl run.
It is clear that Jared Goff has found a new lease on life in Mo-Town, and the Lions’ offense is one of the most explosive in the league.
The defense, led by former Michigan standout—and budding NFL superstar Aidan Hutchinson, is improving, and Campbell has this team believing they can win it all.
The Lions are no longer the underdogs—they’re legitimate Super Bowl contenders in 2024.
