Every NFL season, fans dream of their team hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. While iconic franchises like the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers have made it look easy, a significant chunk of the league is still searching for that elusive championship. Believe it or not, 12 teams have never won the Super Bowl, and four have never even played in one.
Let’s dive into the heartbreak, close calls, and missed opportunities that define these teams’ Super Bowl struggles.
12 Teams Without A Super Bowl Win
The following teams are still waiting to celebrate their first Super Bowl victory:
- Arizona Cardinals
- Atlanta Falcons
- Buffalo Bills
- Carolina Panthers
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Cleveland Browns
- Detroit Lions
- Houston Texans
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Minnesota Vikings
- Tennessee Titans
These teams have had varying levels of heartbreak, with some coming agonizingly close and others struggling to even make the playoffs.
Four Teams Have Never Played In A Super Bowl
Among the 12 teams without a championship, four have never even reached the big game:
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- Cleveland Browns: Despite winning four NFL championships before the Super Bowl era (1950, 1954, 1955, and 1964), the Browns have never played on the league’s biggest stage.
- Detroit Lions: Like the Browns, the Lions also have four pre-Super Bowl titles (1935, 1952, 1953, and 1957) but have failed to make a Super Bowl appearance.
- Houston Texans: As the youngest NFL franchise (established in 2002), the Texans are still building toward their first Super Bowl run.
- Jacksonville Jaguars: Debuting in 1995, the Jaguars have reached the AFC Championship Game three times but have fallen short of advancing to the Super Bowl.
Also Read: The Lombardi Trophy: Exploring The History And Significance Of The NFL’s Super Bowl Award
Close Calls And Heartbreak
Some teams on this list have come painfully close to Super Bowl glory:
- Buffalo Bills: No team has suffered quite like the Bills, who lost four consecutive Super Bowls from 1990 to 1994. Their heartbreaks include Scott Norwood’s infamous “wide right” miss in Super Bowl XXV and lopsided losses to the Dallas Cowboys in back-to-back years.
- Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings made it to four Super Bowls between 1970 and 1977 but lost all of them, often in blowout fashion.
- Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals have played in three Super Bowls (1982, 1989, 2022) and came tantalizingly close in 2022, losing to the Los Angeles Rams in the final moments.
- Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons’ most infamous moment came in Super Bowl LI, where they blew a 28-3 lead to the Patriots, losing 34-28 in overtime.
- Carolina Panthers: Carolina has reached two Super Bowls (2004, 2016), but they couldn’t seal the deal against the Patriots or Broncos.
Oldest Team Without A Super Bowl Win
The Arizona Cardinals hold the honor of being the NFL’s oldest team without a Super Bowl win. Established in 1920, the Cardinals have just one NFL title to their name (1947). Their lone Super Bowl appearance came in 2009, where they lost a nail-biter to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 27-23.
But we're the oldest team without a super bowl pic.twitter.com/XRMTYLMbF3
— Da Royal Fool (@quest71084) November 2, 2023
Teams With Built-In Excuses
You could argue that some of these teams deserve a bit of slack due to their relative youth:
- Houston Texans: Playing their first season in 2002, the Texans are still finding their footing.
- Jacksonville Jaguars and Carolina Panthers: Both teams began in 1995, and while they’ve had competitive seasons, they’ve yet to capture a title.
Pre-Super Bowl Success Doesn’t Count
It’s worth noting that the Browns and Lions both dominated in the pre-Super Bowl era. Unfortunately, those titles don’t carry the same weight in modern discussions, leaving their fanbases longing for more recent success.
Will The Wait To End?
Every year offers a new chance for these 12 franchises to break their Super Bowl drought. With rising stars, savvy coaches, and passionate fanbases, it’s only a matter of time before one of these teams finally captures the Lombardi Trophy. Until then, their fans will keep hoping, cheering, and waiting.
Also Read: Which Are The Best NFL Super Bowl Commercials Of All Time?