What NFL teams have never won a Super Bowl? There are 12
- - What NFL teams have never won a Super Bowl? There are 12
Nick Brinkerhoff, USA TODAYJanuary 7, 2026 at 5:05 AM
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Only one team can be the Super Bowl champion in a given year.
Just like life, the NFL isn't fair. Not every team gets the chance to be crowned champions before the cycle continues. No, you have to earn it the old-fashioned way through hard work and determination. After all, the Lombardi Trophy is a merit-based award that plenty of teams haven't had the joy of hoisting.
In fact, 12 of the league's 32 teams are still hoping to get to the mountaintop for the first time.
NFL PLAYOFFS: Predictions and odds for every wild-card game
It's a long climb, but one that is guaranteed to pay off when it eventually happens. Unlike other sports, there is no threat of relegation to worry about. No matter how bad or good a team is in a given year, everyone starts with a clean slate the following season.
By the time December gives way to January, 14 teams will lace up their cleats in the NFL playoffs in the hope that it will finally be their year.
For five of those 12 franchises without a Super Bowl win, they'll have that chance during the 2025 NFL playoffs. Here's what to know about the teams that are still seeking that elusive Super Bowl victory.
makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
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Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
">Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
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1 / 4Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
What NFL teams have never won a Super Bowl?Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals franchise dates back to 1898, making it the oldest professional football club in the NFL, according to the league. They've bounced around through their history, beginning in Chicago as one of the NFL's founding teams. They eventually moved to St. Louis, Mo., before heading west to the desert, settling in Arizona.
Despite all that history, the Cardinals have made just one Super Bowl appearance, losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl 43.
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons entered the NFL during the Super Bowl's first season but still haven't captured one. In two appearances, Atlanta fell short in Super Bowl 33 and lost more famously in Super Bowl 51. The New England Patriots would win that game after the Falcons blew a 28-3 lead.
Buffalo Bills
As good as Buffalo has been in recent history, it still hasn't reached the top. They've been around for 66 seasons and arguably have experienced some of the most heartbreak. As if losing four consecutive Super Bowls in the 1990s wasn't enough, they have also run into the Kansas City Chiefs' dynasty. Their presence has blocked Buffalo from reaching the Super Bowl, knocking them out of the playoffs four times in the last five seasons. That won't be the case this season, however, since the Chiefs failed to make the postseason.
Carolina Panthers
One of the NFL's younger teams, the Panthers have only 31 seasons of experience. Still, they've played in the big game twice, losing Super Bowls 38 and 50. Carolina's recent run has relegated them to the basement of the league, but it's not far off from their dominant seasons with Cam Newton under center. In Super Bowl 50, the Panthers ran into Peyton Manning's storybook ending, wasting a 15-1 regular season. Now the Panthers are back in the postseason for the first time since 2017, hoping to make some noise after qualifying for the playoffs with an 8-9 record.
Cincinnati Bengals
Often associated with losing in the wild-card round thanks to the Marvin Lewis days, Cincinnati has been to three Super Bowls, losing 16, 23 and 56. They've typically been described as a cheap franchise, seemingly unwilling to invest whatever it takes to win. Another tough, injury-filled year leaves the Bengals with more questions than answers. The biggest? Did the Super Bowl window already close?
Cleveland Browns
A juggernaut before the formation of the NFL and then the Super Bowl, the Browns have eight championships in team history. However, that couldn't be further from the case in recent history. Not only has Cleveland failed to win a Super Bowl, but they haven't even made it to one. Maybe one day, Cleveland.
Detroit Lions
The Lions' franchise has been around since 1930. They claimed four championships before the first Super Bowl but haven't won since the big game was introduced. Like the Browns, the Lions haven't even made it to the event.
Houston Texans
The youngest NFL franchise, the Texans turned 24 this season. Despite hosting two Super Bowls at their stadium, the Texans have required an entry ticket each time. Typically associated with the 4:30 p.m. ET kickoff on Saturday afternoon on wild-card weekend, Houston is still trying to break through in the AFC to reach their first Super Bowl. If nothing else, they graduated to a different kickoff to begin the 2025 NFL playoffs, when they'll play on "Monday Night Football." Progress.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Like their AFC South mates, the Jaguars are also seeking their first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history. Although they have played 31 seasons, they are a little older than their Houston foes but they have at least made the conference championship game three times.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers profile as one of the NFL's cursed franchises – relegated to a reality of often being good but never being good enough. The Chargers joined the league from the AFL in the merger, but have only had the honor of playing in Super Bowl 29, losing in what was their only appearance in team history.
Minnesota Vikings
While some other teams know all about the pain of falling short, no one knows it like the Vikings. The franchise has seen plenty of wins, posting a 546-446-11 record. Despite all that success, it hasn't translated to the playoffs. The Vikings have lost six times in the NFC championship game and four times in the Super Bowl. Whether it was Brett Favre's interception in 2010 or Blair Walsh's missed 27-yard field goal in the wild-card round, there is plenty of subject matter and none of it is particularly good.
Not even Stefon Diggs' "Minneapolis Miracle" can compensate for all that heartbreak. They'll have to overcome the Minnesota sports curse, but you'd have to think that the Vikings can one day make their Super Bowl dream a reality.
Tennessee Titans
Closing out the list of Super Bowl-less teams is the Titans. Tennessee has been a team of peaks and valleys but has always found itself without a seat in the champions' chair when the music stops. They've only appeared once in the big game, losing Super Bowl 34 to the Rams.
The Tennessee version of the franchise has only been around since the 1997 season, but its history extends back to 1960 as the Houston Oilers. If it's any consolation, they won two AFL championships in 1960 and 1961.
What NFL teams have never made a Super Bowl?
Only four NFL teams have not played in a Super Bowl – the Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What NFL teams have never won a Super Bowl? List of 12 teams
Source: “AOL Sports”
