Which NFL fan bases have it the worst right now? It’s a question the Sports Misery Index tackled, and while we did an article on the top 25 in all sports, it’s time to delve deeper into which NFL fans feel good about life and which are, quite frankly, miserable.
The Index takes into account five factors: championships, playoff berths, playoff wins, heartbreaks and rival comparison, with recent events being weighted more than events that took place decades ago. We identify how each NFL team rates in each category — the higher the ranking, the more the misery.
1. Cleveland Browns
Total score: 23.46
All-sport rank: 3
Ranking by category: Championships, 9; Playoff berths, 1; Playoff wins, 4; Heartbreaks, 27; Rival comparison, 2
Where they’re especially miserable: Pretty much everywhere. The Browns have the longest playoff drought in the NFL, they haven’t won a playoff game since grunge music was a thing, Jim Brown was their running back the last time they won an NFL title and they’ve had to deal with the Steelers and Ravens being good. Even the Bengals make the playoffs a lot.
Rays of hope: The Browns are low in the heartbreak metric because (A) it’s hard to have your heart broken when you don’t play for anything significant and (B) at least the ’80s heartbreaks are so long ago they barely register. I’m really trying here.
Trend: It can’t get worse than 0-16, but the Browns seem far away from making a positive dent, though they did win a game! Better hope Baker Mayfield is more Bernie Kosar and less Tim Couch/Johnny Manziel.
2. Buffalo Bills
Total score: 22.69
All-sport rank: 5
Ranking by category: Championships, 7; Playoff berths, 4; Playoff wins, 5; Heartbreaks, 26; Rival comparison, 1
Where they’re especially miserable: The Bills haven’t won a playoff game since 1995, have been to the playoffs only three times since then and haven’t won a title of any kind since back in the AFL days. They also have to deal with being in the same division as the Patriots and watching them win all the time.
Rays of hope: The Bills actually made the playoffs last year! Buffalo handed over the “longest playoff drought” medal to the Browns after sliding into the postseason in Week 17. Also, it has been so long since the four straight Super Bowl losses that those teams are getting some overdue appreciation.
Trend: The playoff berth would suggest up, but there’s a feeling it was a “one step forward, two steps back” type of move. So we’ll say “steady.”
3. Chicago Bears
Total score: 19.51
All-sport rank: 10
Ranking by category: Championships, 12; Playoff berths, 2; Playoff wins, 10; Heartbreaks, 30; Rival comparison, 6
Where they’re especially miserable: The Bears haven’t made the playoffs since 2010 and have made it only four times since 1995. The Bears haven’t been able to get the quarterback situation right since Jim McMahon and have had to watch their rivals trot out Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford.
Rays of hope: At least they have the 1985 team to celebrate, even if no one born after 1978 can remember it. That makes the fans feel slightly better, I guess. The Bears are also short on heartbreaks, as they typically win a playoff game or two in the rare years they make it.
Trend: There’s hope that Matt Nagy can mold Mitchell Trubisky into the elusive star quarterback, and getting Khalil Mack helps. But until then, it’s a team with one playoff berth in the last 11 seasons.
4. New York Jets
Total score: 19.05
All-sport rank: 11
Ranking by category: Championships, 8; Playoff berths, 5; Playoff wins, 16; Heartbreaks, 17; Rival comparison, 4
Where they’re especially miserable: Mainly, watching the Patriots and wondering what might have been if Bill Belichick had stayed in New York instead of quitting and moving to New England. Not having been to the playoffs since 2010 or winning a championship since Broadway Joe made the guarantee stinks, too.
Rays of hope: For as bad as the Jets usually are, they do well in the postseason when they make it. They recently had a run of four playoff wins in two seasons in 2009-10, advancing to the AFC Championship Game both years. They’ve also had great players such as Curtis Martin and Darrelle Revis.
Trend: It’s seven years and counting since they made the playoffs, and now they’re starting over with Sam Darnold. We’ll see if he does better than the Jets’ last first-round USC quarterback.
5. Detroit Lions
Total score: 18.61
All-sport rank: 13
Ranking by category: Championships, 5; Playoff berths, 8; Playoff wins, 1; Heartbreaks, 18; Rival comparison, 5
Where they’re especially miserable: Win a playoff game already! The Lions haven’t won a playoff game since 1991, which is the only one they’ve won since their last NFL championship, in 1957. Detroit has the NFL record for consecutive playoff losses (nine). It also has to stink watch the Packers win all the time.
Rays of hope: Unlike the four teams above, the Lions actually do make the playoffs a decent amount, as they’ve qualified three times in the last seven years and were regulars in the 1990s. Plus, Lions fans have been able to watch two greats in Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson.
Trend: The Lions have gone from dreadful in the 2000s to middle-of-the-pack this decade, but there’s a thought that Stafford & Co. might have peaked. So don’t expect that playoff win anytime soon.
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Total score: 18.09
All-sport rank: 15
Ranking by category: Championships, 21; Playoff berths, 3; Playoff wins, 7; Heartbreaks, 24 (tie); Rival comparison, 7
Where they’re especially miserable: The Bucs are second behind the Browns in playoff droughts, as they haven’t made the postseason since 2007. Tampa Bay has been without a playoff victory since 2002 and has only six in the franchise’s 42-year history. It has also done a terrible job of keeping up with the NFC South.
Rays of hope: The Bucs are this low on the list because they actually have a championship this century, as Jon Gruden led Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks and Ronde Barber to the title in 2002. There are a lot of franchises lower on the list that would like a big win like that.
Trend: It looked as if the Bucs had hope after a solid 2016, but a 5-11 stumble last year and Jameis Winston‘s off-the-field issues have clouded the future in Tampa yet again unless FitzMagic lasts.
7. Miami Dolphins
Total score: 18.03
All-sport rank: 16
Ranking by category: Championships, 11; Playoff berths, 11; Playoff wins, 8; Heartbreaks, 29; Rival comparison, 3
Where they’re especially miserable: If it feels like I’ve typed this before, well, I have. The Dolphins have huge problems making the playoffs (only two berths in the last 16 seasons) and winning playoff games (haven’t done it since 2000). They play in a division with the Patriots and have struggled at the quarterback position.
Rays of hope: Good weather and a 20th-century history for parents to tell their kids about. The Dolphins had one of the great quarterbacks in Dan Marino and actually were very good for the better part of three decades. So pop in some VHS and Betamax tapes and enjoy.
Trend: The Dolphins made the playoffs in 2016 but took a pretty significant step back last year. Once again, they have questions at QB and are trying to course-correct, though the 3-0 start is promising.
8. Washington Redskins
Total score: 16.7
All-sport rank: 20
Ranking by category: Championships, 15; Playoff berths, 7; Playoff wins, 6; Heartbreaks, 23; Rival comparison, 8
Where they’re especially miserable: Basically a quarter-century of substandard football and an overall lack of downfield vision. The Redskins are one of two NFC teams that haven’t made it to an NFC Championship Game since 1991 (the Lions are the other) and they have won only three playoff games since their last Super Bowl title, in 1991.
Rays of hope: There really aren’t many. They have three Super Bowl titles they can try to take pride in, but the last of those happened 27 years ago. Perhaps the steady hand of Alex Smith can right the ship, but there’s very little faith in a Daniel Snyder-led operation.
Trend: Not good. Not only do the Redskins seem far away from breaking the NFC title game drought, but they are a boring team in a division with the defending champ (Eagles) and two other potentially exciting teams.
9. Oakland Raiders
Total score: 16.6
All-sport rank: 22
Ranking by category: Championships, 16; Playoff berths, 6; Playoff wins, 9; Heartbreaks, 20; Rival comparison, 9
Where they’re especially miserable: It has been a rough road since the Super Bowl XXXVII loss, as the Raiders haven’t won a playoff game since and have made the playoffs only once. The Raiders have made the playoffs only four times since returning to Oakland in 1995 and haven’t won a Super Bowl in the Bay Area since 1980.
Rays of hope: Chucky is back! Jon Gruden returns after helping build the Raiders team that went to that Super Bowl, along with three consecutive playoff berths from 2000-02. Oakland also has a young star quarterback in Derek Carr, who got the team to the playoffs in 2016.
Trend: Will a decade away hurt Gruden, or can he get back on the winning track? It probably doesn’t matter much, as the Raiders are bound for Las Vegas soon.
10. Los Angeles Chargers
Total score: 13.01
All-sport rank: 38
Ranking by category: Championships, 2; Playoff berths, 10; Playoff wins, 13; Heartbreaks, 14; Rival comparison, 12
Where they’re especially miserable: Simple: no championships. The Chargers haven’t played for a title since 1994 and won their only championship during their AFL days in the 1960s. Recent history has also been unkind, as the Chargers have made the playoffs only once in the last eight seasons and had some bad beats in the 2000s.
Rays of hope: Win or lose, the Chargers are always entertaining. From Dan Fouts and LaDainian Tomlinson in the past to Philip Rivers and Joey Bosa now, the Chargers usually have talent worth watching. And those powder-blue alternate uniforms are as cool as they come. So at least the Chargers look pretty when they lose.
Trend: The Chargers won nine of their last 12 games last season and have a talented team. However, they have yet to gain traction in the Los Angeles market.
11. Cincinnati Bengals
Total score: 11.0
All-sport rank: 45
Ranking by category: Championships, 4; Playoff berths, 20; Playoff wins, 2; Heartbreaks, 15; Rival comparison, 11
Where they’re especially miserable: The Bengals have the longest playoff-win drought in the NFL (yes, even longer than the Lions’), as they haven’t won a postseason game since 1990. They’ve found terrible ways to lose playoff games, from late personal fouls (2015) to Carson Palmer blowing out an ACL (2005) to losing a Super Bowl in the final minute (1988).
Rays of hope: The Bengals have been pretty good about making the postseason, as they qualified five years in a row from 2011-15 and also went in 2009. They made two Super Bowls in the 1980s and got to enjoy the “Ickey Shuffle.” And at least they’re not Cleveland.
Trend: Missing the playoffs the last two seasons suggests maybe the Andy Dalton window is about closed. If so, there could be painful rebuilding in the near future.
12. Jacksonville Jaguars
Total score: 10.92
All-sport rank: 45
Ranking by category: Championships, 13; Playoff berths, 9; Playoff wins, 18; Heartbreaks, 19; Rival comparison, 14
Where they’re especially miserable: After a very auspicious beginning to their franchise (four playoff berths and four playoff wins in their first five seasons), the Jags missed the playoffs 15 of 17 seasons before last year’s renaissance. Speaking of that, Jacksonville fans will maintain that Myles Jack wasn’t touched down for years to come.
Rays of hope: The Jags have made three AFC Championship Games, including last year’s close loss to the Patriots, and have won seven playoff games in their seven playoff appearances. Jacksonville puts on a great show when it makes the playoffs and is typically a tough out.
Trend: Definitely on the track to less misery. The Jags have a young, hungry defense and are a Super Bowl contender — even with Blake Bortles at QB.
13. Dallas Cowboys
Total score: 10.68
All-sport rank: 49
Ranking by category: Championships, 19; Playoff berths, 18; Playoff wins, 14; Heartbreaks, 2; Rival comparison, 18
Where they’re especially miserable: The Cowboys have suffered some serious stomach-punch losses without any championship success during the last couple of decades, whether it’s Dez Bryant’s “non-catch,” Mason Crosby‘s last-second field goal or any one of Tony Romo’s late-season heartbreakers. It adds up to a franchise that hasn’t made it to the NFC title game since 1995.
Rays of hope: If you’re 30 or older, at least you have the three championships during the “Triplets” era, from 1992-95. The Cowboys are usually in the playoffs or on the verge of the playoffs most years, so there’s more opportunity for a breakthrough than with other franchises.
Trend: With Bryant gone and Jason Witten retired, the Cowboys are at a bit of a crossroads, which means that “America’s Team” might continue to accumulate the misery.
14. Tennessee Titans
Total score: 10.53
All-sport rank: 52
Ranking by category: Championships, 14; Playoff berths, 14; Playoff wins, 15; Heartbreaks, 24 (tie); Rival comparison, 13
Where they’re especially miserable: After a strong first few seasons in Nashville, the Titans have struggled to make the playoffs, as they missed the postseason eight straight seasons before qualifying last year. The Titans have also been knocked out in the divisional round twice as the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
Rays of hope: The Titans have typically been strong on defense and physical in the running game, which has been the base of their playoff teams. They’re fresh off their first playoff victory since 2003 and have the personnel to further a physical rushing attack.
Trend: They broke their playoff drought without a big year from Marcus Mariota. If the fourth-year quarterback makes a leap, there could be joy in Nashville.
15. Arizona Cardinals
Total score: 10.37
All-sport rank: 53
Ranking by category: Championships, 10; Playoff berths, 15; Playoff wins, 19; Heartbreaks, 22; Rival comparison, 10
Where they’re especially miserable: The Cardinals have been erratic in their three decades in Phoenix, with playoff droughts more the norm than the exception. The Cardinals missed the playoffs the last two seasons and six of the last eight. And when they were good, Santonio Holmes’ tip-toe catch in Super Bowl XLIII broke their heart.
Rays of hope: The Cardinals advanced to the NFC title game a mere three years ago and have won at least one playoff game in four of their five postseasons appearances in Arizona. Their fans also have the pleasure of watching players such as Larry Fitzgerald and Chandler Jones.
Trend: With Carson Palmer’s retirement and Fitzgerald nearing retirement, Arizona’s window is closing fast. It has to hit a home run on the Josh Rosen pick.
16. Kansas City Chiefs
Total score: 9.62
All-sport rank: 54
Ranking by category: Championships, 6; Playoff berths, 25; Playoff wins, 11; Heartbreaks, 5; Rival comparison, 15
Where they’re especially miserable: Arrowhead Stadium is a great advantage in the regular season but has been horrible for the Chiefs in the playoffs, as January’s collapse to the Titans was the sixth straight home playoff loss dating back to 1995. Kansas City isn’t immune to road collapses, either, having blown a 28-point lead at Indianapolis in the 2013 playoffs.
Rays of hope: The Chiefs became a postseason regular under Andy Reid, having made the playoffs three seasons in a row and four times in five years. Kansas City also has built an explosive offense with game-changers such as Travis Kelce, Kareem Hunt and Tyreek Hill.
Trend: The Chiefs made a gutsy move in turning over their offense from steady veteran Alex Smith to young fireballer Patrick Mahomes. It’s a gamble that could end in triumph or even more Arrowhead misery.
17. San Francisco 49ers
Total score: 9.05
All-sport rank: 56
Ranking by category: Championships, 18; Playoff berths, 12; Playoff wins, 22; Heartbreaks, 8; Rival comparison, 19
Where they’re especially miserable: It’s been tough the last 15 years. Except for a three-year window under Jim Harbaugh, the 49ers have scuffled, missing the playoffs 12 of the last 15 seasons. Even the three Harbaugh years had heartbreaking ends, with a Super Bowl loss and NFC title games that ended on a fumbled overtime punt and a last-minute interception.
Rays of hope: The ’80s and ’90s were pretty sweet. The 49ers were the team of the ’80s, winning four Super Bowls under Joe Montana, then won another in the ’90s behind Steve Young. If you’re old enough to remember those teams, then the recent struggles almost aren’t as bad.
Trend: Jimmy Garoppolo gave this franchise a shot in the arm last year, leading them to five straight wins to close the season. If he recovers from his torn ACL and comes close to that production going forward, 49ers football will be fun again.
18. Houston Texans
Total score: 7.05
All-sport rank: 63
Ranking by category: Championships, 20; Playoff berths, 16; Playoff wins, 12; Heartbreaks, 32; Rival comparison, 17
Where they’re especially miserable: Even though the Texans have been around only 16 seasons, it’s reasonable for Houston fans to expect more than what they’ve gotten. The Texans have qualified for the playoffs only four times and have never advanced to the AFC Championship Game, losing in the divisional round three times.
Rays of hope: The Texans haven’t been around long enough to really disappoint fans (don’t bring your Oilers pain here), and they’ve won a playoff game in three of their four postseason appearances. Houston also has a lot of star power to enjoy in J.J. Watt, DeAndre Hopkins, Deshaun Watson and Jadeveon Clowney.
Trend: If Watson, Watt and company can stay on the field, this is a franchise that should have good times ahead. Keeping players healthy is easier said than done, though.
19. Minnesota Vikings
Total score: 5.83
All-sport rank: 69
Ranking by category: Championships, 1; Playoff berths, 23; Playoff wins, 17; Heartbreaks, 10; Rival comparison, 20
Where they’re especially miserable: Quite simply, the Vikings are the oldest franchise to have never won a championship. The Vikings haven’t made a Super Bowl since 1976 and have found creative ways to lose NFC title games, from Gary Anderson’s missed field goal in 1998 to Brett Favre’s ill-advised interception in 2009. And then there’s Blair Walsh.
Rays of hope: The Vikings haven’t won the ultimate prize yet, but with the frequency of playoff appearances, they’ll likely have more chances to fix that blip on their résumé. “The Minneapolis Miracle” was also quite cool, as Stefon Diggs‘ last-second touchdown will be remembered for decades.
Trend: The Vikings are among the top Super Bowl contenders entering this season behind a defense that’s arguably the best in the NFL. Expect some happy “Skol” chants in the near future.
20. Atlanta Falcons
Total score: 4.86
All-sport rank: 70
Ranking by category: Championships, 3; Playoff berths, 22; Playoff wins, 23; Heartbreaks, 4; Rival comparison, 24
Where they’re especially miserable: 28-3 — enough said. The Falcons pulled off the biggest Super Bowl collapse by far, blowing that 25-point, second-half lead to lose to the Patriots in the only Super Bowl game to go overtime. Coughing up a 17-point lead at home to the 49ers in the 2012 NFC Championship Game wasn’t fun, either.
Rays of hope: The Falcons have gone from being a sporadic playoff team to a regular postseason participant since drafting Matt Ryan in 2008, as they’ve made the postseason in six of Ryan’s 10 seasons at quarterback. The Falcons also fare pretty well comparatively against their NFC South rivals.
Trend: Much of the nucleus of the Falcons’ 2016 almost-championship remains. Presuming they can extend Julio Jones, the Falcons’ success window should be open for a while.
21. New York Giants
Total score: 4.41
All-sport rank: 71
Ranking by category: Championships, 26; Playoff berths, 13; Playoff wins, 20; Heartbreaks, 21; Rival comparison, 16
Where they’re especially miserable: The Giants haven’t been a frequent playoff participant lately. Not only did they implode and record a 3-13 record last year, but the Giants have missed the playoffs in five of the last six seasons and seven of the last nine. They haven’t won a playoff game since 2011.
Rays of hope: Big catches against the New England Patriots in Super Bowls. The Giants used circus catches by David Tyree (Super Bowl XLII) and Mario Manningham (XLVI) to defeat the Patriots, with Tyree’s catch helping the G-Men ruin the Pats’ perfect season. Hard to be too mad when you have bragging rights over Tom Brady.
Trend: The Giants have two of the most exciting offensive players in Odell Beckham Jr. and Saquon Barkley, but an aging Eli Manning likely makes big success hard to come by in the near future.
22. Los Angeles Rams
Total score: 1.01
All-sport rank: 82
Ranking by category: Championships, 25; Playoff berths, 26; Playoff wins, 4; Heartbreaks, 31; Rival comparison, 21
Where they’re especially miserable: The first season back in L.A. was really bad? I’m reaching a bit here, as the Rams haven’t been back long enough to really cause angst among their fan base. I guess older Rams fans who stuck with the team could be upset about the Rams’ having not won a playoff game as the L.A. Rams since 1989.
Rays of hope: The Rams came out of nowhere last season to move from 4-12 to 11-5 and take an NFC West championship, making the playoffs for the first time as a franchise since they were in St. Louis in 2004. The L.A. front office has been aggressive in an attempt to build a winner quickly.
Trend: The Rams are young and exciting on offense and have the makings of a top defense with their free-agent signings. Now that Aaron Donald is happy and signed long term, the sky’s the limit.
23. New Orleans Saints
Total score: 0.7
All-sport rank: 84
Ranking by category: Championships, 23; Playoff berths, 17; Playoff wins, 24; Heartbreaks, 12; Rival comparison, 25
Where they’re especially miserable: Wrap him up! The Saints were the victims of “The Minneapolis Miracle” in the divisional playoffs last season, as Marcus Williams‘ whiff on Stefon Diggs brought about a heartbreaking end to a bounce-back season. The 49ers also broke New Orleans’ heart with a late TD in the 2011 divisional playoffs.
Rays of hope: The last decade has been pretty fun, as the Saints have made the playoffs five times (after having made them only six times prior) and brought a Vince Lombardi Trophy back to the Big Easy after the 2009 season. Plus, having Drew Brees as your quarterback for 12 seasons and counting makes one happy.
Trend: Brees is 39, but shows no signs of slowing down. After a bountiful 2017 draft, the Saints have set themselves up as a Super Bowl contender in the short term.
24. Carolina Panthers
Total score: 0.25
All-sport rank: 85
Ranking by category: Championships, 17; Playoff berths, 27; Playoff wins, 21; Heartbreaks, 28; Rival comparison, 22
Where they’re especially miserable: Try as they’ve might, the Panthers have never been able to string consecutive winning seasons together. It’s a problem that has bedeviled Kerry Collins, Jake Delhomme and Cam Newton. There are also lingering effects from the Panthers’ offensive no-show during Super Bowl 50.
Rays of hope: When the Panthers get to the postseason, good things typically happen. Out of the eight playoff appearances the franchise has made, Carolina has made it to two Super Bowls and two other NFC title games. The Panthers have won nine playoff games, more than several much older franchises.
Trend: Newton’s play has fallen off a bit since his 2015 MVP season, but he’s still one of most unique threats in the league. He’ll keep the Panthers in contender status.
25. Baltimore Ravens
Total score: -1.84
All-sport rank: 88
Ranking by category: Championships, 27; Playoff berths, 19; Playoff wins, 27; Heartbreaks, 6; Rival comparison, 23
Where they’re especially miserable: The Ravens lost a playoff berth in the final minute of their season finale, giving up a 49-yard touchdown pass to the Bengals’ Tyler Boyd on fourth-and-12. That knocked the Ravens out of the playoffs for the third straight year and fourth time in five years, unsettling Baltimore fans who are used to success.
Rays of hope: The Ravens’ 22 seasons in Baltimore have been a smash hit for the most part, as the Ravens have won two Super Bowl titles and made 10 playoff appearances. The Ravens have won 15 playoff games in their two decades, including 10 since John Harbaugh and Joe Flacco joined the team in 2008.
Trend: This is a big year for Flacco and Harbaugh, both of whom could be gone in 2019 if the Ravens have another mediocre or worse season.
26. Indianapolis Colts
Total score: -3.24
All-sport rank: 93
Ranking by category: Championships, 22; Playoff berths, 28; Playoff wins, 25; Heartbreaks, 11; Rival comparison, 26
Where they’re especially miserable: The Colts are coming off a disastrous 4-12 campaign in which they didn’t have star quarterback Andrew Luck, the second time in seven seasons they had to go an entire season without their starting quarterback. Indianapolis has missed the playoffs three seasons in a row.
Rays of hope: The last three seasons might have stunk, but Colts fans were quite spoiled before that. They made the playoffs 14 times in 16 seasons from 1999-2014, winning Super Bowl XLI, qualifying for Super Bowl XLIV and winning 12 playoff games. Getting to watch Luck and Peyton Manning during that time was quite nice, too.
Trend: Luck is back from injury, which will help, but the rest of the Colts’ roster is in need of an overhaul. That could make for some tough years in an improving AFC South.
27. Denver Broncos
Total score: -11.13
All-sport rank: 106
Ranking by category: Championships, 30; Playoff berths, 24; Playoff wins, 28; Heartbreaks, 9; Rival comparison, 28
Where they’re especially miserable: It hasn’t been a fun time since the Broncos beat the Panthers in Super Bowl 50, as Denver has missed the playoffs the last two seasons, going 5-11 in 2017. The Broncos are also one of two franchises to lose five Super Bowls, including a blowout loss to the Seahawks five years ago.
Rays of hope: It’s hard for most NFL fans to have sympathy for the Broncos’ plight, especially since Denver has won three Super Bowls. The Broncos won five division titles in a row from 2011-15, have been to eight Super Bowls and have gotten to watch John Elway and Peyton Manning play quarterback. It’s hard for them to be mad.
Trend: Quarterback problems have plagued the Broncos lately, but new QB Case Keenum is coming off a career season. If he can combine with a still-great defense, their window might not be closed yet.
28. Green Bay Packers
Total score: -11.7
All-sport rank: 109
Ranking by category: Championships, 24; Playoff berths, 31; Playoff wins, 30; Heartbreaks, 1; Rival comparison, 31
Where they’re especially miserable: The Packers have had more stomach-punch losses than anyone in the league. Since Aaron Rodgers took over as the starting quarterback, they’ve lost three playoff games in walk-off fashion in overtime — two to the Cardinals and one to the Seahawks in the 2014 NFC title game after blowing a 12-point, fourth-quarter lead.
Rays of hope: I mean, c’mon, Green Bay is called Titletown for a reason, as the Packers have a league-best 13 NFL championships. While most of those came in the ’60s and earlier, the Packers won a Super Bowl title with Rodgers in 2010 and got one with Brett Favre in 1996. Green Bay has also been to the playoffs nine of the last 11 seasons.
Trend: If Rodgers stays healthy, the Packers will overcome a rare losing season, be back in the Super Bowl hunt and be the envy of their NFC North brethren — just like normal.
29. Philadelphia Eagles
Total score: -11.84
All-sport rank: 110
Ranking by category: Championships, 31; Playoff berths, 21; Playoff wins, 26; Heartbreaks, 13; Rival comparison, 27
Where they’re especially miserable: When you’re the most recent winner of the Vince Lombardi Trophy, it’s tough to be sad, but Eagles fans did have to wait 57 years for that moment. There were several heartbreaks along the way, including two Super Bowl losses, so maybe they haven’t completely let that go yet.
Rays of hope: You beat the Patriots in the Super Bowl by stripping the ball from the Golden Boy and got a heroic performance from a backup quarterback. If that doesn’t give Eagles fans hope, then I’m stumped. Philly has also been a frequent playoff team the last two decades, making 11 appearances and notching 13 postseason wins.
Trend: Carson Wentz has returned from injury and gets a loaded team with championship pedigree. The Eagles are in position to be good for a very long time.
30. Seattle Seahawks
Total score: -14.71
All-sport rank: 111
Ranking by category: Championships, 29; Playoff berths, 29; Playoff wins, 31; Heartbreaks, 7; Rival comparison, 30
Where they’re especially miserable: In second-guessing playcalling. The pass Malcolm Butler picked off in the end zone in Super Bowl XLIX to deny the Seahawks a second straight Super Bowl title still causes heartburn for Seattle fans. You’re 1 yard away, give it to Marshawn Lynch. That play has defined the Seahawks since.
Rays of hope: The Seahawks had a mini-dynasty rolling earlier this decade, as Pete Carroll & Co. went to the playoffs six times in seven seasons, highlighted by a Super Bowl XLVIII demolition of the Broncos. The Legion of Boom and the 12th Man reigned in Seattle, which has gone to three Super Bowls the last 13 seasons.
Trend: Life has been good for Seahawks fans, but an uneasy future awaits, as the Legion of Boom leaves via free agency or retirement. Russell Wilson remains, but a downturn could be in the offing.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers
Total score: -15.0
All-sport rank: 112
Ranking by category: Championships, 28; Playoff berths, 30; Playoff wins, 29; Heartbreaks, 16; Rival comparison, 29
Where they’re especially miserable: We’re coming up on the 10-year anniversary of the Steelers’ last Super Bowl title, which is almost crisis level in Pittsburgh. The Steelers haven’t been to the Super Bowl since the 2010 season and have lost their last two playoff games. Yes, we’re starting to reach a bit here.
Rays of hope: The Steelers have been anywhere from good to great since the early 1970s, as their six championships are the most of the Super Bowl era. They’ve been to the playoffs the last four seasons and 12 times since 2001. They also take pleasure in ruining the seasons of their AFC North brethren, having dealt each a heartbreak playoff loss in the last 16 years.
Trend: They’re still a Super Bowl contender, but with Ben Roethlisberger hinting at retirement and Le’Veon Bell likely leaving after the season, that time could be limited.
32. New England Patriots
Total score: -51.4
All-sport rank: 123
Ranking by category: Championships, 32; Playoff berths, 32; Playoff wins, 32; Heartbreaks, 3; Rival comparison, 32
Where they’re especially miserable: They did lose the last Super Bowl in tough fashion, as Tom Brady was stripped by Brandon Graham before he could lead yet another game-winning touchdown drive. They also have lost two other Super Bowls since 2007, one of which ruined a perfect season, and have the third-highest heartbreak score.
Rays of hope: The Patriots have been to the most Super Bowls (10), have won five Super Bowls since 2001, have made the playoffs and won the AFC East 15 times in the last 17 years and authored the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history. And they arguably have the best coach and best QB ever. They’re literally the least miserable fan base in American sports.
Trend: Father Time has to catch up to Brady at some point, doesn’t he? It will eventually happen, but until then, the Patriots will be the team everyone else hates with a passion.
Source : ESPN
