Although it seems slightly surprising, there are still 12 NFL franchises that have yet to win a Super Bowl as the league approaches Super Bowl 57.
With 56 Super Bowls in the books, it seems at least a little surprising that there are still 12 NFL teams — more than one-third of the league — that have yet to take home a Lombardi Trophy.
Plenty of those teams have been close, but at this point in time, there are still 12 NFL franchises that have yet to reach the pinnacle of the sport.
Which 12 NFL teams have yet to win a Super Bowl?
Never even made a Super Bowl appearance
1. Cleveland Browns
Although the Cleveland Browns have never reached or won the Super Bowl, there was a point in NFL history when the Browns relocated out of Cleveland and became the Baltimore Ravens, who have obviously won multiple Super Bowls.
Unfortunately, that doesn’t count and it’s not the same as the Houston Oilers relocating to Tennessee and becoming the Titans.
When the Browns became the Ravens, they were forced to vacate their history as the Browns.
Therefore, the Browns have never won or even made the Super Bowl.
2. Detroit Lions
Does this surprise anyone?
The Detroit Lions are one of the saddest franchises in NFL history.
3. Houston Texans
This year will mark 20 years since the Houston Texans were an expansion franchise back in 2002.
They have yet to reach the Super Bowl in that timeframe, although they have had some pretty good teams that were considered legitimate contenders.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars have been close to reaching the Super Bowl a couple of times, most recently reaching the AFC Championship in the 2017 season.
Unfortunately, they have not been able to turn those opportunities into an AFC title.
Teams that have never won it, in order of most recent appearance
5. Cincinnati Bengals (2021-22)
The Bengals were not far from winning their first Super Bowl in franchise history last year.
A couple of lucky bounces of the ball the other way, who knows what could have happened?
With Joe Burrow under center, they’ve got to feel good about their chances moving forward.
6. Atlanta Falcons (2016-17)
Falcons fans, should we just not bring this up?
The Falcons’ latest trip to the Super Bowl has become one of the most notorious fourth-quarter collapses in NFL history.
See, didn’t even have to mention 28-3.
7. Carolina Panthers (2015-16)
The Carolina Panthers were heavily favored over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50 with league MVP Cam Newton and a high-octane offense.
Unfortunately, the Denver Broncos’ legendary defense that season had different plans and Peyton Manning rode off into the sunset.
8. Arizona Cardinals (2008-09)
The Arizona Cardinals played in one of the most unforgettable Super Bowls in the last couple of decades.
Larry Fitzgerald was sensational, but Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers made one too many plays for the Cardinals to overcome in this one.
9. Tennessee Titans (1999-00)
If you want to talk about teams that have truly been the closest to getting off this list, the Tennessee Titans came about a yard away, maybe less.
At least, they would have tied the game and gone into overtime if not for “The Tackle” of wide receiver Kevin Dyson just before he was able to cross the plane and score.
10. Los Angeles Chargers (1994-95)
It’s been a long drought for the Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers, who are annual favorites to get off this schnide and win it all.
Unfortunately, some of the best teams in Chargers’ history haven’t even reached the Super Bowl.
11. Buffalo Bills (1993-94)
The Buffalo Bills made it to four straight Super Bowls in the early 1990s.
It is one of the most unbelievable facts in sports history that they went 0-4 in those opportunities and still haven’t won a championship.
Heading into the 2022 NFL season, the Buffalo Bills are considered one of the favorites to win it all.
12. Minnesota Vikings (1976-77)
One of the best chances the Minnesota Vikings had at making it to and possibly winning a Super Bowl came in the 1998-99 season until kicker Gary Anderson — who hadn’t missed a field goal all year — missed a huge kick in the playoffs that helped send the Atlanta Falcons to an absolute slaughtering at the hands of the Denver Broncos.
The Vikings were the best team in the NFC last year but, unfortunately for them, didn’t make enough plays to even get a shot.
Most Vikings fans have never seen their team in a Super Bowl and the running joke is — they never will.