The NFL is a league defined by passion, heartbreak, and dreams of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. Some teams have storied histories, packed trophy cases, and a fervent fan base that has tasted victory. Others, however, are still waiting for their moment in the sun.
Here’s our ranking of all 32 NFL teams based on who deserves to win a Super Bowl the most. The criteria? A mix of historical futility, long-suffering fan bases, near-misses, and emotional narratives.
32. New England Patriots
The Patriots’ dominance over the past two decades leaves little room for sympathy. With six Super Bowl wins since 2001, they’re at the bottom of this list.
31. Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes and company are already building a dynasty, with three recent Super Bowl wins. They’ve had their fun for now.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers’ six Lombardi Trophies make them one of the most successful franchises in NFL history. Their fans know what victory tastes like.
29. San Francisco 49ers
Five Super Bowl wins and regular playoff appearances ensure the 49ers don’t top this list. However, their drought since 1994 might bump them up in the future.
28. Green Bay Packers
With four Super Bowl wins and two decades of Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers, the Packers’ fan base has little to complain about.
27. Dallas Cowboys
Though they’re called “America’s Team,” the Cowboys’ five Super Bowl wins keep them out of the “desperate” conversation. However, a championship drought since 1995 stings.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Two Super Bowl wins, including one with Tom Brady in 2020, give the Buccaneers plenty to savor. They’ve had their recent taste of glory!
25. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles broke through in 2017, but their long history of near-misses and passionate fan base keeps them near the top of this list.
24. Denver Broncos
Three Super Bowl titles, including one in the Peyton Manning era, have rewarded the Broncos’ loyal fan base.
23. New York Giants
Two iconic Super Bowl wins over the Patriots in the last two decades cement the Giants’ place as a team with plenty of glory.
22. Seattle Seahawks
Seattle’s 2013 championship was dominant, and the team remains a competitive force. Their fans aren’t suffering too much.
21. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens’ two Super Bowl wins in 2000 and 2012, along with a reputation for hard-nosed football, give their fan base plenty of pride.
20. Indianapolis Colts
Peyton Manning’s Colts finally broke through in 2006, but Andrew Luck’s abrupt retirement left fans longing for what could have been.
19. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams’ recent Super Bowl win in 2021, coupled with a competitive roster, means their fans are far from desperate.
18. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins’ glory days of the 1970s, capped by a perfect season in 1972, feel like a distant memory. This historic franchise deserves a modern-day triumph.
17. Washington Commanders
Washington’s last Super Bowl came in 1991 and decades of dysfunction have left fans yearning for a return to relevance. But, now that they’ve had a very strong 2024-2025 season, fans are starting to believe another Super Bowl is possible.
16. Las Vegas Raiders
While the Raiders have three Super Bowl wins, their move to Las Vegas and long playoff drought make their current fan base hungry for success.
15. Chicago Bears
The Monsters of the Midway haven’t won since 1985, and a proud fan base is desperate for another title.
14. New York Jets
The Jets’ lone Super Bowl win in 1969 remains one of the NFL’s most iconic moments. A modern-day win would be transformative for this long-suffering fan base.
13. Cleveland Browns
The Browns’ loyal fans have endured relocations, futility, and heartbreak. A Super Bowl win would rewrite their painful history.
12. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals have come tantalizingly close, including a recent Super Bowl appearance in 2022. Their talented roster could finally deliver in the next few years.
11. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals’ lone championship came in 1947, long before the Super Bowl era. Their passionate fans in the desert are overdue for joy.
10. Atlanta Falcons
“28-3” is a haunting memory for Falcons fans. Redemption in the form of a Super Bowl win would be poetic justice.
9. New Orleans Saints
The Saints’ lone Super Bowl win in 2009 brought joy to a city recovering from Hurricane Katrina. With a passionate fan base and years of playoff heartbreak since, they remain a team deserving of another championship.
8. Carolina Panthers
With two Super Bowl appearances and zero wins, the Panthers’ fan base is still waiting for their ultimate reward.
7. Houston Texans
The Texans, founded in 2002, are still seeking their first deep playoff run. Their fans deserve a moment of glory.
6. Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers’ lone Super Bowl appearance ended in defeat, and decades of close calls leave their fans longing for a championship.
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5. Tennessee Titans
The Titans’ near-miss in Super Bowl XXXIV, when they fell one yard short, remains one of the most heartbreaking endings in NFL history.
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4. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars are one of four teams never to make a Super Bowl. A title would be a monumental moment for this young franchise.
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3. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings have made four Super Bowl appearances but have never won. Heartbreaking playoff losses add to their tortured legacy.
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2. Buffalo Bills
Four straight Super Bowl losses in the 1990s define the Bills’ pain, but they’ve also had their fair share of recent playoff losses. Their current resurgence gives fans hope that their time is near and maybe this year will be their year.
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1. Detroit Lions
No team deserves it more. The Lions’ decades of futility, coupled with a loyal fan base that has endured countless heartbreaks, make them the NFL’s most deserving franchise for a Super Bowl win.
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