Current:Home > FinanceWhich NFL teams have never played in the Super Bowl? It's a short list. -RiskWatch
Which NFL teams have never played in the Super Bowl? It's a short list.
Johnathan Walker View
Date:2025-04-09 01:50:06
Only four NFL teams have never played in the Super Bowl.
Out of 32 NFL franchises: 20 different teams have won the Super Bowl, and eight others have played in the big game but never won the championship.
That leaves four franchises that are still vying for their first trip to the Super Bowl.
Two of the NFL’s most historic franchises – the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions – won NFL championship games prior to the Super Bowl’s creation. But they have yet to even play in the Super Bowl.
And there are two relatively new NFL franchises – the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars – are still looking for their first Super Bowl trip.
NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.
Here’s what you need to know about the four teams who have never reached the Super Bowl.
NFL PLAYOFF FORMAT:How many teams make it, how many rounds are there and more
WHO'S FEELING SUPER?Which teams will be playing in Super Bowl 58? Breaking down the NFL playoff bracket
Detroit Lions
The Lions won four NFL championship games in 1935, 1952, 1953 and 1957, but they have yet to reach the Super Bowl since it was created in 1966.
The Lions have reached the playoffs just 13 times since their last championship. They snapped a 31-season drought without a postseason victory by beating the Los Angeles Rams in the 2023 wild-card round. Detroit's only other playoff win during that stretch allowed them to reach the NFC championship game against Washington during the 1991 postseason. The Lions lost that game 41-10, and Washington went on to win Super Bowl 26 that year.
But the Lions have not gotten any closer to the Super Bowl.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns won four championships in the All-America Football Conference in 1946, 1947, 1948 and 1949. They also won four NFL championships in 1950, 1954, 1955 and 1964.
But Cleveland also hasn't reached the Super Bowl since its inception in 1966.
The Browns reached the conference championship games in 1967, 1969, 1986, 1988 and 1989. The latter three trips ended in heartbreaking fashion against John Elway and the Denver Broncos, against whom the team suffered "The Drive," and "The Fumble."
The Browns moved to Baltimore and became the Ravens after the 1995 season, but they returned in 1999. They've only been to the playoffs three times since coming back, most recently falling short against the Houston Texans in the 2023 wild-card round.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars’ first season was in 1995, and the franchise has not reached the Super Bowl in its 29 seasons in the NFL.
The Jaguars have had eight postseason appearances in 29 years and reached the conference championship game in 1997 and 2017, falling both times to the New England Patriots.
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are the youngest NFL franchise, joining the league in 2002.
The Texans have not reached the Super Bowl in 21 seasons, but they're still alive in the 2023 postseason after beating the Cleveland Browns in the wild-card round. It marked the fifth time in the Texans' seven postseason appearances that they won a playoff game. They've lost in the divisional round the other four times (2011, 2012, 2016, 2019).
veryGood! (362)
Related
- Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
- Proof Austin Butler and Kaia Gerber's Love Is Burning Hot During Mexico Getaway
- What scientists are hoping to learn by flying directly into snowstorms
- Ariana Madix’s Next Career Move Revealed After Vanderpump Rules Breakup Drama
- Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett
- Brie Larson Seemingly Confirms Breakup With Boyfriend Elijah Allan-Blitz
- A Chinese drone for hobbyists plays a crucial role in the Russia-Ukraine war
- Raiders' Foster Moreau Stepping Away From Football After Being Diagnosed With Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
- Jamie Foxx reps say actor was hit in face by a glass at birthday dinner, needed stitches
- Nordstrom Rack's Epic Clear the Rack Sale Is Here With $13 Dresses, $15 Jackets & More 80% Off Deals
Ranking
- NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
- John Deere vows to open up its tractor tech, but right-to-repair backers have doubts
- 2 people charged after Hitler speeches blared on train intercom in Austria
- Derek Jeter Shares Rare Look Inside His All-Star Life as a Girl Dad
- Costco membership growth 'robust,' even amid fee increase: What to know about earnings release
- Gisele Bündchen Recalls Challenging Time of Learning Tom Brady Had Fathered Child With Bridget Moynahan
- Teacher missing after shark attack off Australia; surfboard found with one bite in the middle
- 2 Palestinians killed in West Bank raid; Israel and Palestinian militants trade fire in Gaza
Recommendation
Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
Vanderpump Rules’ Lala Kent Has a Message for Raquel Leviss Before the Season 10 Reunion
AI-generated fake faces have become a hallmark of online influence operations
'Resident Evil 4' Review: A bold remake that stands on its own merits
See you latte: Starbucks plans to cut 30% of its menu
What to know about the Natalee Holloway case as Joran van der Sloot faces extradition
This man's recordings spent years under a recliner — they've now found a new home
We’re Convinced Matthew McConaughey's Kids Are French Chefs in the Making