The NFL offseason is a breeding ground for delusion. Every year, fans and analysts fall head over heels for a team that looks great on paper, only to be painfully reminded that games aren’t won in the headlines—they’re won on the field.
Some teams entered the season with massive expectations and Super Bowl buzz, only to flame out spectacularly. Whether due to big-name signings, flashy draft picks, or viral training camp clips, these are the 15 most overhyped NFL teams of the last 25 years.
15. 2022 Denver Broncos
“Let Russ Cook” turned into “Let Russ Panic” faster than expected. A disastrous offense, an overwhelmed head coach, and constant primetime embarrassment made this team the opposite of must-watch.
14. 2019 Cleveland Browns
Baker, OBJ, and endless preseason hype turned this into everyone’s trendy Super Bowl pick. Then they started playing football, and reality hit like Myles Garrett with a helmet.
13. 2000 Washington Football Team
They spent like drunken sailors in free agency and added Deion Sanders for the vibes. The vibes were bad, and they stumbled to an 8-8 finish before blowing it all up.
12. 2015 Indianapolis Colts
After adding Frank Gore and Andre Johnson, this team launched a “Build the Monster” marketing campaign. However, the monster was imaginary, and so was their playoff run.
11. 2023 New York Jets
Aaron Rodgers lasted four plays, and the Jets’ Super Bowl dreams evaporated in a puff of smoke. The defense was legit, but the offense was a rerun of sadness.
10. 2011 Philadelphia Eagles
The “Dream Team” quickly turned into a nightmare. Despite signing a fantasy football roster of stars, they missed the playoffs, leaving fans wondering what went wrong.
9. 2008 Dallas Cowboys
They were coming off a 13-3 season and loaded with talent, but the locker room combusted. Terrell Owens’ drama defined this mess, missed playoffs, and crushed expectations.
8. 2007 Chicago Bears
Fresh off a Super Bowl appearance, people thought Rex Grossman could improve. Instead, the Bears fell apart and reminded us why defenses can’t carry everything.
7. 2017 Oakland Raiders
Everyone thought Derek Carr and Khalil Mack would take them to the next level. Instead, the team regressed and fired Jack Del Rio before the calendar hit January.
6. 2001 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
They had an elite defense, tons of buzz, and Super Bowl or bust energy. They busted, fired Tony Dungy, and gave Jon Gruden the keys (who won it the following year).
5. 2004 Washington Commanders
Joe Gibbs returned, expectations skyrocketed, and everyone expected vintage glory. Instead, they stumbled to 6-10, and Gibbs looked like he’d rather be racing cars again.
4. 2016 Arizona Cardinals
This team was pegged as a title contender after nearly making the Super Bowl 2015. They finished 7-8-1, Carson Palmer regressed, and the window slammed shut.
3. 2003 Atlanta Falcons
Everyone bought into Michael Vick’s MVP hype—and then he broke his leg in preseason. The Falcons went 5-11, and backup Doug Johnson was not the savior anyone hoped for.
Read More: Ranking the 10 Most Disappointing Teams of the 24-25 NFL Season
2. 2021 Kansas City Chiefs
Yes, they eventually figured it out—but the early-season talk of 20-0 and dynasty domination aged like spoiled milk. The defense was awful, Mahomes was erratic, and the team felt more chaotic than championship-caliber.
Read More: Ranking the 15 Most Overhyped Quarterbacks of All Time
1. 2007 New England Patriots (Post-Super Bowl)
Yes, they were 18-0. But the way people crowned them as the greatest team of all time before the Super Bowl—and then watched them lose to Eli Manning—makes them the all-time overhyped heartbreakers.
Read More: The 15 Most Overhyped Teams Heading Into the 2025 NFL Season
