15 Should've-Been Super Bowl Teams That Fell Short of Glory

Throughout NFL history, many teams have dazzled fans with remarkable regular-season performances, only to falter when it matters most—in the playoffs.

This listicle highlights some of the greatest NFL teams that, despite their promise and potential, ultimately failed to secure championship glory. From overhyped rosters to dramatic playoff upsets, these teams remind us that regular-season success does not always translate into postseason triumphs.

15. The 2021 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

After winning Super Bowl LV, the 2021 Buccaneers were expected to repeat their success. Despite a strong 13-4 regular season, they fell short in the playoffs, losing to the Rams 30-27 in the Divisional Round. Injuries and inconsistent defense ultimately derailed their championship aspirations, ending their season earlier than anticipated.

14. The 2016 Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys went 13-3 in the regular season, led by rookie sensations Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott. Despite securing the NFC’s top seed, their playoff run ended abruptly with a 34-31 loss to the Packers in the divisional round, extending their NFC Championship game drought to 22 seasons.

13. The 1988 Chicago Bears

The 1988 Bears, led by coach Mike Ditka, dominated the regular season with a 12-4 record. Despite home-field advantage and high expectations, they were crushed 28-3 by the 49ers in the NFC Championship. The loss marked the end of an era, as it was Jim McMahon’s last season as the Bears’ starting quarterback.

12. The 2019 Baltimore Ravens

Led by MVP Lamar Jackson, the Ravens dominated the regular season with a 14-2 record and the league’s best offense. However, their high-flying attack was grounded in a shocking 28-12 divisional round loss to the Titans. Despite breaking numerous records, Baltimore’s historic season ended in disappointment.

11. The 1986 New York Giants

Contrary to popular belief, the 1986 New York Giants were not overhyped. Led by MVP linebacker Lawrence Taylor and Super Bowl MVP quarterback Phil Simms, they dominated with a 14-2 regular season record. The Giants crushed their playoff opponents and won Super Bowl XXI against the Broncos 39-20, living up to their hype.

10. The 2005 Indianapolis Colts

The 2005 Colts, led by Peyton Manning, dominated the regular season with a 14-2 record. Their high-powered offense and improved defense seemed unstoppable. However, they crumbled in the playoffs, losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers 21-18 in the divisional round, crushing Super Bowl dreams and disappointing fans nationwide.

9. The 2015 Carolina Panthers

Led by MVP Cam Newton, the Panthers dominated the regular season with a 15-1 record and averaged 31.3 points per game. Despite entering Super Bowl 50 as favorites, they crumbled against the Broncos’ defense, losing 24-10. Newton’s lackluster performance (0 TDs, 3 turnovers) shattered their dreams of glory.

8. The 1983 Washington Redskins

The defending champions entered Super Bowl XVIII with a 14-2 record and the NFL’s highest-scoring offense. Led by MVP quarterback Joe Theismann and record-breaking running back John Riggins, Washington was favored to repeat. However, they were stunned by the Raiders in a 38-9 blowout, failing to live up to their dominant regular season performance.

7. The 2011 Green Bay Packers

The 2011 Packers, led by MVP Aaron Rodgers, went 15-1 in the regular season and seemed destined for greatness. However, their high-powered offense sputtered in the playoffs, losing to the 9-7 Giants in the divisional round. This unexpected early exit left fans stunned and questioning the team’s playoff readiness.

6. The 1998 Minnesota Vikings

The 1998 Vikings set an NFL record with 556 points scored and went 15-1 in the regular season. Led by Randy Moss and Cris Carter, they were heavy favorites to reach the Super Bowl. However, they suffered a shocking 30-27 overtime loss to the Falcons in the NFC Championship, crushing their Super Bowl dreams.

5. The 2013 Denver Broncos

Led by Peyton Manning’s record-breaking 55 touchdown passes, the Broncos boasted the highest-scoring offense in NFL history. However, their championship dreams were shattered in Super Bowl XLVIII, where they were dismantled 43-8 by the Seattle Seahawks’ dominant defense, failing to score until the final play of the third quarter.

4. The 1990 Buffalo Bills

The Bills’ high-powered offense led them to a 13-3 record and their first Super Bowl appearance. Despite boasting the league’s highest-scoring offense and Defensive Player of the Year Bruce Smith, they fell short in a heartbreaking 20-19 loss to the Giants, remembered for Scott Norwood’s infamous missed field goal.

3. The 2001 St. Louis Rams (“The Greatest Show on Turf”)

The 2001 Rams, led by MVP Kurt Warner, set franchise records with a 14-2 season and perfect 8-0 road record. Despite their high-powered offense, they fell short in Super Bowl XXXVI, losing 20-17 to the underdog New England Patriots. This upset marked the end of the “Greatest Show on Turf” era.

2. The 1968 Baltimore Colts

The 1968 Colts, led by coach Don Shula, dominated the NFL with a 13-1 record and were heavily favored in Super Bowl III. Despite their stellar defense and MVP quarterback Earl Morrall, they suffered a shocking 16-7 upset loss to the AFL’s New York Jets, forever changing the perception of the AFL’s competitiveness.

1. The 2007 New England Patriots (18-1)

The 2007 Patriots, led by Tom Brady and Randy Moss, seemed unstoppable with a perfect 16-0 regular season and two playoff wins. They set records for points scored (589) and point differential (+315). However, their quest for perfection ended in a shocking 17-14 Super Bowl XLII loss to the New York Giants, crushing dreams of a 19-0 season.

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