Ranking the 12 teams without a Super Bowl title by how close they are
After two months of free agency and the completion of the 2021 draft, we have a good notion of what NFL teams will look like when the regular season begins. And, for 12 of those clubs, this year brings another chance to capture that elusive first Super Bowl.
Here's how the teams without a Super Bowl title rank by how close they are to clinching their first trophy.
12. Detroit Lions
Super Bowl history: Have never appeared in Super Bowl. Last conference-championship appearance came in 1991 vs. Washington Football Team
It's hard to project what the Lions will look like in 2021, and it's even harder to envision success for Detroit after the team lost so much individual talent this offseason. The Lions traded quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams for Jared Goff, who's coming off another unimpressive campaign, and they lost their top two receivers while doing little to address a struggling defense in free agency.
Dan Campbell may be an upgrade over Matt Patricia, but the first-year head coach and his new staff have a lot to prove. The Lions need to discover their identity before entertaining the idea of a Super Bowl run.
11. Houston Texans
Super Bowl history: Have never advanced past divisional round
There are just too many unknowns in Houston right now. The Texans still don't know who will be under center to start the season as Deshaun Watson faces off-field issues and requested a trade prior to that. If the star quarterback plays, he'll have to work with a talent-thin roster managed by first-year head coach David Culley.
It was just two seasons ago that the Texans offered a tough challenge to the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round, but it's hard to picture this roster succeeding even if Watson remains with the team. Houston finished last season with a 4-12 record despite its signal-caller tossing a league-high 4,823 yards with a 112.4 passer rating.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars
Super Bowl history: Have never appeared in Super Bowl. Last conference-championship appearance came in 2017 vs. New England Patriots
Unlike the first two teams on this list, the Jaguars were able to answer some of their biggest questions this offseason. The main one came through the draft with the selection of Trevor Lawrence, the top quarterback prospect in recent memory. The Jaguars made another important change on the sideline, hiring legendary college head coach Urban Meyer.
Jacksonville's ceiling with Lawrence and Meyer is very high, but the Lombardi Trophy will remain out of reach for the franchise until the first overall pick proves himself in the NFL.
9. Atlanta Falcons
Super Bowl history: Lost to Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXXIII, Patriots in Super Bowl LI
It's tough to believe the Falcons' Super Bowl window with Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, and Co. is even open at this point. Atlanta has declined year after year since losing Super Bowl LI, and it reached a low point with a 4-12 record last season.
The Falcons still possess enough firepower to have an above-average offense, but the defense has too many holes. There's a reason why Ryan and Jones were linked to trade rumors this year; Atlanta is closer to a full rebuild than it is being a Super Bowl contender.
8. Carolina Panthers
Super Bowl history: Lost to Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVIII, Broncos in Super Bowl 50
Though the Panthers improved in Matt Rhule's first year as head coach, they still have a long way to go. However, the team should continue to improve after a busy offseason, during which it added talent to both sides of the ball. Defensively, Rhule and Co. welcome free-agent edge rusher Haason Reddick and first-round cornerback Jaycee Horn.
The Panthers made their biggest move on offense, though, trading for Sam Darnold. Acquiring the quarterback ahead of his age-24 campaign is a low-risk, high-reward deal, as Carolina hopes the 2018 third overall pick still has untapped upside after he struggled with the New York Jets.
7. Cincinnati Bengals
Super Bowl history: Lost to San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XVI, XXIII
It'd be jumping the gun to say the Bengals are ready to threaten the NFL's best teams at the moment. But what rookie quarterback Joe Burrow did before he went down with a knee injury should provide optimism. Burrow should have extra help in his sophomore campaign, too, as running back Joe Mixon will be healthier and Cincy added wideout Ja'Marr Chase in the draft.
But the Bengals still have too many unanswered questions on the offensive line and defensive side of the ball. Drafting Burrow was the first and most important step toward a championship, but Cincinnati's unproven roster suggests a potential Super Bowl run is still a long-term goal.
6. Los Angeles Chargers
Super Bowl history: Lost to 49ers in Super Bowl XXIX
Though none of the following teams are betting favorites or relative powerhouses, they're in a different tier than those above. Each appears to at least already have the weapons to win a Super Bowl.
The Chargers rostered proven playmakers on both sides of the ball before finding one of the NFL's most exciting young quarterbacks in Justin Herbert. Los Angeles has since focused on improving the offensive line, with 2021 first-round tackle Rashawn Slater being the latest addition.
Granted, the Chargers have flaws: they have a history of falling short, some of their star players have injury issues, and first-year head coach Brandon Staley still has a lot to prove. But don't be surprised if L.A. climbs multiple spots on this list sooner rather than later; Herbert looked like a legit franchise signal-caller as a rookie.
5. Minnesota Vikings
Super Bowl history: Lost to Chiefs in Super Bowl IV, Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VIII, Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl IX, then-Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XI
The Vikings are among the most talented teams without a Super Bowl, but it's getting tougher to believe Minnesota will compete for a championship with its current roster. The team is coming off a 7-9 campaign, which tied its worst record under coach Mike Zimmer, largely thanks to a disastrous defense.
Minnesota now hopes Zimmer's experience and the returns of Danielle Hunter, Eric Kendricks, and Anthony Barr, who all battled injuries last season, will help fix the unit. If the defense can make even marginal improvements, an offense featuring Dalvin Cook, Adam Thielen, and Justin Jefferson should be able to lead the Vikings back to the playoffs.
4. Arizona Cardinals
Super Bowl history: Lost to Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII
The Cardinals are on the right track. In 2020, Arizona's defense was above average in both scoring and yards for the first time since 2015, and its biggest acquisitions this offseason - free-agent lineman J.J. Watt and first-round linebacker Zaven Collins - should make for an even stronger unit.
On the other side of the ball, Kyler Murray improved in his sophomore campaign. It's just a matter of time until the quarterback truly breaks out, and based on Arizona's latest additions to its receiving corps, that could come sooner rather than later. Despite some issues on the offensive line and in the secondary, Cardinals fans are witnessing the construction of a really good football team.
3. Tennessee Titans
Super Bowl history: Lost to then-St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV
The Titans' Super Bowl chances with Derrick Henry, Ryan Tannehill, and coach Mike Vrabel looked stronger in previous years. Tennessee's defense has taken a step back each year over the last three campaigns, and the club's 2021 offseason moves don't promise those issues will be fixed anytime soon.
With that being said, Henry continues to dominate opposing defenders, Tannehill is playing the best football of his career, and the Titans reached the AFC Championship Game just two seasons ago. The supporting cast may not be as talented this year, but the most important weapons are still there.
2. Cleveland Browns
Super Bowl history: Have never appeared in Super Bowl. Last conference-championship appearance came in 1989 vs. Broncos
It's easy to understand why the Browns addressed their defensive holes so aggressively this offseason: Cleveland has an explosive offense and enough individual talent throughout its roster to compete in the AFC. Plus, reigning Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski apparently figured out how to finally put everything together for the Browns, helping them reach the divisional round last season.
The next step is to find out whether the Browns' new additions to the secondary (Troy Hill, Greg Newsome, and John Johnson) and linebackers unit (Anthony Walker and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah) will meet expectations. That may be the only thing stopping Cleveland's star-studded roster from achieving more playoff success.
1. Buffalo Bills
Super Bowl history: Lost to New York Giants in Super Bowl XXV, Washington in Super Bowl XXVI, Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl XXVII, XXVIII
The Bills are coming off their best campaign in almost 30 years, and there are plenty of reasons to believe Buffalo will be a serious contender for years to come.
It begins with Josh Allen, who looks to be among the best young quarterbacks in the game. Allen turns 25 this season, and his offensive supporting cast remains solid thanks to a tremendous job done by Buffalo's front office.
Bills fans would love to see an improvement on defense so the unit can offer a bigger challenge to other offensive juggernauts in the AFC. Using their first two draft picks on edge rushers is a step in the right direction.