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Ranking all 32 NFL franchises based on success of first quarter century of 2000s
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- Ranking all 32 NFL franchises based on success of first quarter century of 2000s
During the first 25 years of the 2000s, NFL teams have played 404 regular season games, except the Texans , who didn't play their first game until 2002, and the Bills and Bengals , who have 403 because a game was canceled in 2023 the night Damar Hamlin was seriously injured during the game.
Here are some stats to know about the past quarter century:
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Of the 32 NFL teams, 11 have not appeared in a Super Bowl.
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13 teams have won a Super Bowl
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7 teams have won multiple Super Bowls
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12 teams did not play in a Super Bowl
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11 teams have winning playoff records
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13 teams have overall winning records
This is a ranking of all 32 teams between 2000-24, taking into consideration their regular season and postseason records, as well as Super Bowl appearances and championships.
1. New England Patriots
Overall record:270-134-0 (404 games)
Playoff appearances:18
Super Bowl appearances:9 (SB XXXVI, Patriots 20, Rams 17; SB XXXVIII, Patriots 32, Panthers 29; SB XXXIX, Patriots 24, Eagles 21; SB XLII, Giants 17, Patriots 14; SB XLVI, Giants 21, Patriots 17; SB XLIX, Patriots 28, Seahawks 24; SB LI, Patriots 34, Falcons 28, OT; SB LII, Eagles 41, Patriots 33; SB LIII, Patriots 13, Rams 3)
Super Bowl titles:6
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Playoff record:30-12
Analysis:This is a no-brainer. The Patriots have twice as many Super Bowl wins as any other team, they have the most overall victories, the most playoff victories and they're tied for the most playoff appearances.
The New England Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime in Super Bowl LI on Feb. 5, 2017, at NRG Stadium in Houston.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
Overall record:232-172-0 (404 games)
Playoff appearances:14
Super Bowl appearances:5 (SB LIV, Chiefs 31, 49ers 20; SB LV, Buccaneers 31, Chiefs 9; SB LVII, Chiefs 38, Eagles 35; SB LVIII, Chiefs 25, 49ers 22; SB LIX, Eagles 40, Chiefs 22).
Super Bowl titles:3
Playoff record:18-11
Analysis:The Chiefs appeared in and won the second-most Super Bowls. They've also made it to the playoffs for the past 10 consecutive years.
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3. Philadelphia Eagles
Overall record:242-160-2 (404 games)
Playoff appearances:17
Super Bowl appearances:4 (SB XXXIX, Patriots 24, Eagles 21; SB LII, Eagles 41, Patriots 33; SB LVII, Chiefs 38, Eagles 35; SB LVIII, SB LIX, Eagles 40, Chiefs 22)
Super Bowl titles:2
Playoff record:20-15
Analysis:Of the five teams to win two Super Bowls, they have appeared in the most Super Bowls, have the most playoff appearances and have the most playoff wins. It nudges them slightly ahead of the close competition.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers
Overall record:255-146-3 (404 games)
Playoff appearances:16
Super Bowl appearances:3 (SB XL, Steelers 21, Seahawks 10; SB XLIII, Steelers 27, Cardinals 23, SB XLV, Packers 31, Steelers 25)
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Super Bowl titles:2
Playoff record:15-14
Analysis:They have the second-best overall record, are tied for fifth-most playoff games and are tied with four other teams for fourth-most Super Bowl appearances. They also only have one sub-.500 record in their past 25 seasons.
5. Baltimore Ravens
Overall record:244-160-0 (404 games)
Playoff appearances:16
Super Bowl appearances:2 (SB XXXV Ravens 34, Giants 7; SB XLVII Ravens 34, 49ers 31)
Super Bowl titles:2
Playoff record:18-14
Analysis:The Ravens have the fourth-best overall record, are tied for fourth-most playoff appearances and are third for most playoff games played. They're also 2-for-2 in the Super Bowl.
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6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Overall record:189-215-0 (404 games)
Playoff appearances:10
Super Bowl appearances:2 (SB XXXVII, Buccaneers 48, Raiders 21; SB LV, Buccaneers 31, Chiefs 9)
Super Bowl titles:2
Playoff record:9-8
Analysis:Despite having one fewer Super Bowl appearance than the next team on the list, the Bucs have won more overall games, have one more playoff appearance and an unblemished record in the Super Bowl. It nudges them just past…
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Oakland Raiders 48-21 in Super Bowl XXXVII on Jan. 26, 2003, at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego.
7. New York Giants
Overall record:186-217-1 (404 games)
Playoff appearances:9
Super Bowl appearances:3 (SB XXXV, Ravens 34, Giants 7; SB XLII, Giants 17, Patriots 14; SB XLVI, Giants 21, Patriots 17)
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Super Bowl titles:2
Playoff record:11-7
Analysis:The Giants could have been further down this ranking because of their overall record, but given they are the seventh and final team to have multiple Super Bowl wins, and they've been in three of them this quarter century, it keeps them up high on the list.
8. Seattle Seahawks
Overall record:229-174-1 (404 games)
Playoff appearances:15
Super Bowl appearances:3 (SB XL, Steelers 21, Seahawks 10, SB XLVIII, Seahawks 43, Broncos 8, SB XLIX, Patriots 28, Seahawks 24)
Super Bowl titles:1
Playoff record:14-14
Analysis:The Seahawks are the best of the six teams to have one Super Bowl win. They should have had two titles, but a poor play call led to them losing to the Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX. They've played in three Super Bowls, a fact that nudges them past the next team on the list.
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9. Green Bay Packers
Overall record:251-151-2 (404 games)
Playoff appearances:18
Super Bowl appearances:1 (SB XLV, Packers 31, Steelers 25)
Super Bowl titles:1
Playoff record:15-17
Analysis:Despite having the third-best overall record, and being tied for the most years in the playoffs, the Packers slide down the ranking because of just one Super Bowl appearance. They won it, but should have been in it several more times with Brett Favre and his successor, Aaron Rodgers .
10. Indianapolis Colts
Overall record:238-165-1 (404 games)
Playoff appearances:15
Super Bowl appearances:2 (SB XLI, Colts 29, Bears 17; SB XLIV, Saints 31, Colts 17)
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Super Bowl titles:1
Playoff record:13-14
Analysis:The Colts have an excellent overall record and plenty of playoff appearances, but because of Tom Brady , Payton Manning was limited to far fewer Super Bowl appearances than he should have had.
11. Los Angeles Rams
Overall record:191-212-1 (404 games)
Playoff appearances:10
Super Bowl appearances:3 (SB XXXVI, Patriots 20, Rams 17; SB LIII, Patriots 13, Rams 3; SB LVI, Rams 23, Bengals 20)
Super Bowl titles:1
Playoff record:11-9
Analysis:The Rams have one more Super Bowl appearance than the Colts, but five fewer playoff appearances and a sub-.500 record. That knocked them one spot down.
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12. New Orleans Saints
Overall record:225-179-0 (404 games)
Playoff appearances:10
Super Bowl appearances:1 (SB XLIV Saints 31, Colts 17)
Super Bowl titles:1
Playoff record:10-9
Analysis:The Saints have a better overall record than the Rams, but they have the same number of playoff appearances, one fewer playoff victory and two fewer Super Bowl appearances. That helps the Rams nudge one spot ahead of the Saints.
The New Orleans Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 in Super Bowl XLIV on Feb. 7, 2010, at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens.
13. Denver Broncos
Overall record:217-187-0 (404 games)
Playoff appearances:10
Super Bowl appearances:2 (SB XLVIII, Seahawks 43, Broncos 8; SB 50, Feb. 7, 2016, Broncos 24, Panthers 10)
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Super Bowl titles:1
Playoff record:7-9
Analysis:The Broncos fell behind the Saints despite having one more Super Bowl appearance, but with fewer overall wins, a worse overall playoff record and one of the worst Super Bowl losses in the history of the game, this is where they landed.
14. San Francisco 49ers
Overall record:195-208-1 (404 games)
Playoff appearances:9
Super Bowl appearances:3 (SB XLVII Ravens 34, 49ers 31; SB LIV, Chiefs 31, 49ers 20; SB LVIII, Chiefs 25, 49ers 22).
Super Bowl titles:0
Playoff record:14-9
Analysis:The 49ers top the list of non-Super Bowl winners because they have three appearances in the big game. They also have a very good playoff record, as well. They are only one of three teams with five more playoff wins than losses.
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15. Carolina Panthers
Overall record:181-222-1 (404 games)
Playoff appearances:7
Super Bowl appearances:2 (SB XXXVII, Feb. 1, 2004, Patriots 32, Panthers 29; SB 50, Feb. 7, 2016, Broncos 24, Panthers 10)
Super Bowl titles:0
Playoff record:8-7
Analysis:There are teams lower on the list with better overall records, but the Panthers have been in two Super Bowls, something no team lower on the list can say. They also have a winning playoff record, also something no team lower on the list can say. Here's a random fact: Both times the Panthers have made it to a Super Bowl, they played their first game of the season against the Jacksonville Jaguars . In 2025, the Panthers open the season against — you guessed it — the Jaguars.
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16. Cincinnati Bengals
Overall record:189-210-4 (403 games)
Playoff appearances:9
Super Bowl appearances:1 (SB LVI, Rams 23, Bengals 20)
Super Bowl titles:0
Playoff record:5-9
Analysis:The Bengals had a long streak of futility until their Super Bowl run of 2021. From 2000 to 2020, they had seven playoff appearances, all wild card round losses. If they can get any type of defense, perhaps Joe Burrow can get this team started off on the right foot in the second 25 years of the century.
17. Atlanta Falcons
Overall record:197-206-1 (404)
Playoff appearances:8
Super Bowl appearances:1 (SB LI Feb. 5, 2017, Patriots 34, Falcons 28, OT)
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Super Bowl titles:0
Playoff record:6-8
Analysis:Oh, what could have been for the Falcons. They led the New England Patriots 28-3 in the third quarter of Super Bowl LI only to watch Tom Brady score on them over and over and over again, and they lost in overtime.
18. Chicago Bears
Overall record:186-218-0 (404 games)
Playoff appearances:6
Super Bowl appearances:1 (SB XLI, Colts 29, Bears 17)
Super Bowl titles:0
Playoff record:3-6
Analysis:The Bears haven't won a playoff game since 2010. To their credit, they led the Colts 14-6 at halftime of Super Bowl XLI, but Peyton Manning was too much for their defense to handle and they lost 29-17. They haven't been close since.
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19. Arizona Cardinals
Overall record:172-230-2 (404 games)
Playoff appearances:5
Super Bowl appearances: 1 (SB XLIII, Feb. 1, 2009, Steelers 27, Cardinals 23)
Super Bowl titles:0
Playoff record:Playoff record: 5-5
Analysis:Prior to the Cardinals making the Super Bowl, they had gone nine seasons without even a playoff appearance. After their two magical Kurt Warner seasons in 2008 and 2009, it's been fairly dismal for the Cardinals. If there's one other positive you can take away, it's that they have an even .500 record in playoff games.
20. Las Vegas Raiders
Overall record:161-243-0 (404 games)
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Playoff appearances:5
Super Bowl appearances:1 (SB XXXVII, Buccaneers 48, Raiders 21)
Super Bowl titles:0
Playoff record:4-5
Analysis:The Raiders haven't had a playoff win since their Super Bowl run in 2002. Since then, they've only been in the playoffs twice, losing in the wild card round both times. They went 13 seasons from 2003-2015 without making the playoffs. And they've only had two 10-plus winning seasons between 2003-2024. But, they made it into a Super Bowl, even if it was closer to the start of the quarter century.
21. Minnesota Vikings
Overall record:214-188-2 (404 games)
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Playoff appearances:10
Super Bowl appearances:0
Super Bowl titles:0
Playoff record:5-10
Analysis:The Vikings made it to three NFC Championship games but could never get over the hump. They have a great overall record, and 10 playoff appearances is nice, but they never got to vie for a Super Bowl title.
22. Dallas Cowboys
Overall record:217-187-0 (404 games)
Playoff appearances:10
Super Bowl appearances:0
Super Bowl titles:0
Playoff record:4-10
Analysis:Could an argument be made that the Cowboys have had a more successful 25 years than the Bears, Cardinals, Raiders or Vikings? Maybe. But given in 6 of their 10 postseason showings they lost in their opening game, it's hard to make an argument. In those other four postseasons, they lost in the Divisional round and never made it into a Conference championship. They have a good overall record, but it hasn't translated in the postseason.
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23. Tennessee Titans
Overall record:199-205-0 (404 games)
Playoff appearances:9
Super Bowl appearances:0
Super Bowl titles:0
Playoff record:5-9
Analysis:If you think I've made a mistake, I have not. The Titans played in the Super Bowl in 2000, but that was for the 1999 season. They've made two AFC Championship games this quarter century. If you look at their records through the years, you'll notice they have ebbs and flows. They've been down for a few years. If history repeats, good things are in the near future for the Titans.
24. Los Angeles Chargers
Overall record:204-200-0 (404 games)
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Playoff appearances:9
Super Bowl appearances:0
Super Bowl titles:0
Playoff record:5-9
Analysis:You'd think a franchise that had Drew Brees , Phillip Rivers and Justin Herbert for the past 23 years would have done more. However, the only two things that stand out for the Chargers in the postseason is one Conference final loss to the Patriots in 2007, and the third-worst collapse in playoff history when they gave away a 27-0 lead to lose to the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022. That last tidbit made me drop the Chargers below the Titans.
25. Buffalo Bills
Overall record:198-205-0 (403 games)
Playoff appearances:7
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Super Bowl appearances:0
Super Bowl titles:0
Playoff record:7-7
Analysis:The Bills started off the 21st century slowly. They missed the playoffs the first 17 seasons of the quarter century. Josh Allen has taken them to six consecutive postseasons to end the 25 years. (Check out the Bills' passing leaders from 2000-2017. Insert gag emoji). They've been in the postseason 6 of the past 7 years with two AFC Championship appearances. If only they didn't have to play the Chiefs.
26. New York Jets
Overall record:173-231-0 (404 games)
Playoff appearances:6
Super Bowl appearances:0
Super Bowl titles:0
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Playoff record:6-6
Analysis:Remember those two crazy years where the Jets made the AFC championship game in back-to-back years? That was in 2010 and 2011. Sadly for Fireman Ed, the Jets haven't been back to the playoffs since. They're at 14 years and counting…
27. Houston Texans
Overall record:162-209-1 (372 games)
Playoff appearances:8
Super Bowl appearances:0
Super Bowl titles:0
Playoff record:6-8
Analysis:It took a while for the Texans to get their footing as a franchise, but after missing the playoffs their first nine seasons, they've made the postseason 8 of the past 14 years. They have a good young quarterback and reside in the lowly AFC South. They have the potential for a solid start to the next 25 years.
28. Washington Commanders
Overall record:170-232-2 (404 games)
Playoff appearances:6
Super Bowl appearances:0
Super Bowl titles:0
Playoff record:3-6
Analysis:They've undergone a name change. At one point, they employed Gators coaching legend Steve Spurrier. They've recently changed owners. It's been a strange quarter century for the Commanders. They got their first postseason victory in 19 years in 2024, making it all the way to the NFC Championship game. They have high hopes for their young quarterback, a good sign to start the next quarter century.
29. Miami Dolphins
Overall record:196-208-0 (404 games)
Playoff appearances:6
Super Bowl appearances:0
Super Bowl titles:0
Playoff record:1-6
Analysis:The Miami Dolphins haven't won a playoff game since Dec. 30, 2000, in the wild card round against the Indianapolis Colts. They started off the 2001 playoffs with a loss to the Raiders, and haven't won in the postseason since. That alone could drop the Dolphins into last place in this ranking, but the overall record of the final three teams is so bad, I just couldn't make the Dolphins last.
30. Detroit Lions
Overall record:158-244-2 (404 games)
Playoff appearances:5
Super Bowl appearances:0
Super Bowl titles:0
Playoff record:2-5
Analysis:Sure, things have looked up for the Lions the past two years but look at the first 23 years of the quarter century. It's a dumpster fire that included three wild card round losses and 17 losing seasons, including a zero win season in 2008 that was the first of the 16-game era (The Browns have since matched them at 0-16). Lions fans are ever hopeful.
31. Jacksonville Jaguars
Overall record:153-251-0 (404 games)
Playoff appearances:4
Super Bowl appearances:0
Super Bowl titles:0
Playoff record:4-4
Analysis:The Jaguars recently were named the 31st most valuable franchise in the NFL based on data crunched by business website Sportico. They also fall at No. 31 on this ranking for basic futility. Still, they made an AFC title game in 2017, nearly knocking off Tom Brady, and they had the aforementioned third-largest playoff comeback in NFL history in 2022, so it's not all bad in Duuuval.
32. Cleveland Browns
Overall record:139-264-1 (404 games)
Playoff appearances:3
Super Bowl appearances:0
Super Bowl titles:0
Playoff record:1-3
Analysis:This team at No. 32 is as much of a no-brainer as the Patriots were at No. 1. They have the fewest overall wins and the fewest number of playoff appearances. They went 17 years between playoff appearances from 2002 to 2019. Their lone playoff win was in 2020. If they can sort through their current QB debacle, maybe they can find a glimmer of hope. Maybe.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: NFL rankings: Every team based on success of last 25 years
