There’s a fine line between swagger and delusion in the NFL—and these teams sprinted across it like they were chasing a Super Bowl parade. Whether it was preseason hype, a string of easy wins, or just an inflated sense of self, each one of these squads flew a little too close to the sun and paid the price.
Some got smacked in the playoffs, others imploded spectacularly, and a few just embarrassed themselves after months of chest-puffing. Let this be a cautionary tale: the football gods don’t take kindly to arrogance without receipts.
15. 2022 Green Bay Packers
They talked like contenders but played like a team still figuring out the playbook. Missing the playoffs after losing to the Lions in Week 18 was the final slap of reality.
14. 2017 Dallas Cowboys
Coming off a 13-3 season, they acted like the NFC was already theirs. Instead, sophomore struggles and suspensions derailed everything fast.
13. 2019 Cleveland Browns
They won the offseason, they won the hype, and then they got punched in the mouth for four straight months. It turns out that Super Bowl expectations don’t mix well with foul offensive line play.
12. 2010 Minnesota Vikings
Fresh off an NFC Championship appearance, they begged Brett Favre to return… and immediately regretted it. The season crashed and burned before the leaves finished falling.
11. 2008 Dallas Cowboys
This was “Super Bowl or bust” energy all year. Spoiler alert: it was bust—especially after getting obliterated 44-6 by Philly to miss the playoffs.
10. 2011 Philadelphia Eagles
The “Dream Team” talked a big game before Week 1 started. By December, they were a meme sitting at home for the postseason.
9. 2002 St. Louis Rams
They were still basking in their “Greatest Show on Turf” glow, but forgot to show up. A 0-5 start wiped away every ounce of confidence they brought in.
8. 1998 Minnesota Vikings
15-1 with a record-breaking offense had them feeling invincible. One missed kick and one upset later, they were watching the Super Bowl on TV.
7. 2020 Pittsburgh Steelers
They started 11-0 and acted like they were steamrolling to a ring. Then they lost five of their last six and got embarrassed by the Browns in the playoffs.
6. 2015 Carolina Panthers
Cam Newton dabbed to the Super Bowl, but the Broncos’ defense reminded them that celebrations don’t win championships. The postgame sulk matched the postgame score.
5. 2007 New England Patriots
They had the perfect season narrative locked in—and made sure everyone knew it. But a scrappy Giants team humbled them with one of the greatest upsets in NFL history.
4. 2003 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The defending champs spent the offseason chirping and chest-thumping. They finished 7-9 and missed the playoffs entirely, taking their swagger with them.
3. 2012 New York Jets
“Ground and pound” turned into “grounded and pathetic.” The circus around this team was louder than its actual success, and it showed.
2. 1995 Dallas Cowboys
After winning three Super Bowls in four years, they entered the season like it was already over. They still made the playoffs, but their dynasty energy fizzled fast.
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1. 1985 Miami Dolphins
They strutted in as the team that beat the Bears. But while Chicago went on to dominate, the Dolphins got stunned in the AFC Championship and left everyone wondering what happened.
Read More: Ranking the 15 Most Frustrating NFL Teams to Root For
