The list of best teams to not win a championship rolls on with some historic offensive units being displayed.
If you missed the first article, here’s the link to see which teams ranked from 15-11.
10. 2011 Green Bay Packers
Regular season record: 15-1
Key Contributors: QB Aaron Rodgers (MVP), WR Jordy Nelson, WR Greg Jennings, TE Jermichael Finley, CB Charles Woodson, LB Clay Matthews
Signature wins:
- vs 13-3 NO (42-34)
- at 10-6 ATL (25-14)
- at 9-7 SB Champs NYG (38-35)
- 2-0 vs 10-6 DET
Why they should have won it all: This was a team in the midst of a 21-1 run from late 2010 into the 2011 season. The offense was outstanding on all phases led by Aaron Rodgers, who had earned both a Super Bowl trophy and a MVP in just under 12 months. The accolades Rodgers picked up for himself and the offense are simply outstanding.
- Rodgers finished with the best single season passer rating of all time. (122.5)
- This passing attack is ranked as the 3rd best passing unit of all time according to DVOA. (67.6%)
- Broke franchise record for most points scored in a season (560)
The depth of these pass catchers was simply outrageous, as five different players recorded 6+ touchdowns with Jordy Nelson leading the way. Donald Driver was towards the end of his career, but having a player as accomplished as him as the 5th option shows the level of talent that was in this receiving room.
Why they lost it all: The defense had to catch up to how great the offense was. Yes, they had great players in Charles Woodson, Clay Matthews, and BJ Raji. But, they actually ranked 32nd in the NFL in total yards allowed and allowed 30+ points five times. These struggles culminated in Eli Manning shredding the Packers defense in the divisional round for 330 yards and 3 touchdowns.
And to be fair, this historically great Packers offense was grounded throughout the game. They scored just one touchdown in the first 55 minutes of that game. Add on 4 turnovers (3 fumbles) and you have a recipe for a first round exit. For all the records, they also managed to bring home one more unfortunate one. The distinction of being the only 15-1 team to be eliminated in their first playoff game.
9. 2018 New Orleans Saints
Regular season record: 13-3
Key Contributors: QB Drew Brees, WR Michael Thomas, RB Alvin Kamara, DE Cameron Jordan, DT Sheldon Rankins, CB Marshon Lattimore, LB Demario Davis, C Max Unger, LT Terron Armstead, LG Andrus Peat, RG Larry Warford
Signature wins:
- at 10-6 BAL (24-23)
- vs 13-3 LAR (45-35)
- vs 9-6-1 PIT (31-28)
- 2-0 vs 9-7 PHI
Why they should have won it all: When you talk about teams that did not win a championship, the Saints are going to be one we discuss for a while. The Saints have the distinction of being the team that won the most regular season games (49) in a 4 year stretch without appearing in a Super Bowl.
Make no mistake about it, the Saints were among the elite of the NFL from 2017-2020. But in 2018, I believe they had their best team. The Saints scored 40+ in 6 games, while having a defense that was among the top 10 in the league. We all know what the Drew Brees and Michael Thomas connection did, along with the 1-2 punch of Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram.
But the strength of this team was in the trenches. They featured 4 Pro Bowlers on the offensive line, with Cam Jordan leading a stout defensive line on the other side. The Saints lost their first and last game of the season, but in between went 13-1. Arguably, they were the most complete team in 2018 in all phases of the game.
Why they lost it all:
You knew that clip was coming. While this was not the only reason the Saints did not make it to the Super Bowl, it was a deciding factor. If the Saints get the call, they are set up with first and goal at the 5 with 1:45. They could have killed the clock and set up a chip shot field goal to leave the Rams with virtually no time.
However, there were more opportunities for the Saints to ice this game. The defense could have made a stop after this call. The Saints got the ball first in overtime, but a Drew Brees interception set up Greg Zuerlein to kick a 57 yard field goal and send the Rams to the Super Bowl.
The missed call was a terrible break for the Saints, however they never fully got their heads back in the game and missed their chance to overcome the obstacle thrown in front of them.
8. 2013 Denver Broncos
Regular season record: 13-3
Key Contributors: QB Peyton Manning (MVP), WR Demaryius Thomas, WR Eric Decker, WR Wes Welker, TE Julius Thomas, OLB Von Miller, LB Danny Trevathan, RG Louis Vasquez
Signature wins:
- vs 10-6 PHI (52-20)
- vs 8-8 DAL (51-48)
- vs 12-4 NE (26-16)
- 2-0 vs 11-5 KC
Why they should have won it all: Peyton Manning and this offense were on a different level than everybody else in 2013. Think about all the great offenses we have covered on this list, and the ones that have won Super Bowls. None of them put up the type of production that Manning and the Broncos did in 2013. Let’s reel off the records:
- Offense broke the single season record for most TD’s (76)
- Peyton Manning broke the all time single season TD record (55)
- Manning broke the all time single season passing yards record (5,477)
- Matt Prater kicked the longest field goal in NFL history (64 yards)
It was a historic season in Denver, as they ran through the regular season with ease. The Broncos won 9 games by 14+ points and did not lose a game by more than one touchdown. Until…
Why they lost it all: They ran up against another all time unit. The Seahawks led by the Legion of Boom were just as good defensively as the Broncos were offensively. And it showed, as the Broncos scored just 8 points and turned the ball over 4 times in MetLife Stadium.
The drive chart for the Broncos in this game is about as brutal as it gets. Their first half went as follows:
- Safety
- Punt
- Interception
- Interception
- Turnover on downs
To see a historic offense get blown up like that in the biggest stage was shocking (and something we will see more of on this list). Their defense also got beat up, allowing Seattle to score on 6 of 10 possessions.
It was one of the more disappointing ends to a historic season that we will see, but does have a happy ending. The Broncos were able to build up their defense and win a championship 2 years later against Cam Newton and the Panthers.
7. 2009 Indianapolis Colts
Regular season record: 14-2
Key Contributors: QB Peyton Manning (MVP), WR Reggie Wayne, WR Pierre Garcon, TE Dallas Clark, RB Joseph Addai, C Jeff Saturday, DE Robert Mathis, DE Dwight Freeney, FS Antoine Bethea
Signature wins:
- at 10-6 ARZ (31-10)
- vs 10-6 NE (35-34)
- vs 9-7 NYJ (30-17)
- 2-0 vs 9-7 BAL
Why they should have won it all: Hall of fame talent at 5 different positions. Manning. Freeney. Mathis. Wayne. Saturday. Clark. Just a stacked group of veteran talent who were all either at their peak or near it. Freeney and Mathis combined for 23 sacks. Manning won his fourth MVP. Dallas Clark had his only 1,000+ yard receiving season.
It just seemed like every player was clicking at the same time. A lot of it had to do with the chemistry that was building up for almost a decade at this point. This was also the first season under Jim Caldwell, who built on the groundwork laid by Tony Dungy. They picked up big wins, taking care of Tom Brady, Ray Lewis, and the upstart Jets en route to their second Super Bowl appearance under Peyton Manning.
Why they lost it all: The 2009 season always seemed like it was heading to a collision course. The Colts and the Saints were the undisputed best teams of the NFL with both teams combining for a 26-0 record through 14 weeks. After playing some tough games in the postseason, both of these teams would collide in Miami to determine who the best really was.
The Colts got off to a hot start in this Super Bowl matchup, scoring on their first two drives. But they would go on to score just 7 points the rest of the game. The defense matched the offense’s energy, by allowing just 6 points in the first half. But they too struggled down the stretch, allowing the Saints to score on 4 consecutive drives. Indy was playing well, out-gaining the Saints by more than 100 yards in this game and were the better team on 3rd down.
The two major plays that sealed the deal are plays that live in infamy. Words won’t do them justice so if you haven’t seen these in a while, take a chance to relive history.
6. 2020 Kansas City Chiefs
Regular season record: 14-2
Key Contributors: QB Patrick Mahomes, WR Tyreek Hill, TE Travis Kelce, SS Tyrann Mathieu, DT Chris Jones, DE Frank Clark, LT Eric Fisher
Signature wins:
- at 11-5 BAL (34-20)
- at 11-5 SB Champs TB (27-24)
- at 12-4 NO (32-29)
- vs 11-5 CLE (22-17)
- 2-0 against 13-3 BUF
Why they should have won it all: This offense was downright unstoppable. Until they weren’t. But, the Chiefs were in the midst of a dominating 3 year stretch in which they already won a Super Bowl against the 49ers. The trio of Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, and Travis Kelce to go along with the brilliant play calling of Andy Reid were hitting home runs every week.
This year felt like they were unstoppable, beating the best of the best in 2020. 4 road wins against teams that combined for a 47-17. Not only were the Chiefs a fun, flashy team with great stats. But, they also had the big wins in critical situations to back up the fact they were a clutch unit as well.
Why they lost it all: Losing both Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz provided to be too much against a fantastic pass rush. Had they been able to mitigate pressure even a little bit, they would have been able to make that game competitive. But the Bucs played a masterful game and made Patrick Mahomes look like an average QB.
Also penalties. And more penalties. An interception was called back, and a drive was extended in the 2nd quarter. These penalties killed any chance of the Chiefs picking up true momentum.
Losing wasn’t out of the question even for as talented as they were. But nobody could have expected no touchdowns from the Chiefs and a 31-9 loss. It was a truly shocking result when you consider the Chiefs have been running roughshod through the NFL for the past 3 seasons.
10 teams down, 5 to go. What do you think about the list so far? Let me know on Twitter @James_Costanz.
