#WhatHaveYaDone4MeLately

AFC and NFC teams ranked by their most recent Super Bowl appearance. The Browns, Lions, and Titans/Oilers have not appeared in a Super Bowl, but did appear in an AFL or NFL Championship Game before the Super Bowl Era. Jacksonville lost the AFC Championship Game twice. The expansion Texans are the only other team to have never played for a championship.  

 

When the Falcons beat the Packers there was dismay in the media that a “familiar” team was not facing the Patriots in this year’s Super Bowl. It was suggested that the Packers, Giants, Seahawks, or Cowboys would have pulled in higher ratings. Only three NFC teams have longer Super Bowl droughts than the once proud Dallas Cowboys. For a franchise who considers themselves to be America’s team, they have fallen far. The Cowboys have only won one playoff game since the 1990’s.

 

For ten straight years (2002-2011) the NFC sent a different representative to the Super Bowl: Rams, Bucs, Panthers, Eagles, Seahawks, Bears, Giants, Cardinals, Saints, Packers.

 

The AFC had two streaks of five different representatives: 1997-2001 with the Bills, Chargers, Steelers, Patriots, and Broncos, as well as 1999-2003 with the Broncos, Titans, Ravens, Patriots, and Raiders.

The Bills appeared in four straight Super Bowl between 1993 and 1997, the longest streak in history. The Dolphins appeared in three straight (1972-1974). The Patriots, Broncos, Steelers, Seahawks, 49ers, Packers, Cowboys, Redskins, and Vikings appeared in two straight Super Bowls. The Patriots, Broncos, Steelers, and Packers went to back to back Super Bowls two times, and the Cowboys appeared in two straight Super Bowls three times.  

 

2017 Patriots 2015 2012 2008 2005 2004 2002 1997 1986

2016 Broncos 2014 1999 1998 1990 1988 1987 1978

2013 Ravens 2001

2011 Steelers 2009 2006 1996 1980 1979 1976 1975

2010 Colts 2007 1971 1969

2003 Raiders 1984 1981 1977 1968

2000 Titans

1995 Chargers

1994 Bills 1993 1992 1991

1989 Bengals 1982

1985 Dolphins 1983 1974 1973 1972

1970 Chiefs 1967

1969 Jets

1965 Browns

0000 Jaguars

0000 Texans

 

2017 Falcons 1999

2016 Panthers 2004

2015 Seahawks 2014 2006

2013 49ers 1995 1990 1989 1985 1982

2012 Giants 2008 2001 1991 1987

2011 Packers 1998 1997 1968 1967

2010 Saints

2009 Cardinals

2007 Bears 1986

2005 Eagles 1981

2003 Buccaneers

2002 Rams 2000 1980

1996 Cowboys 1994 1993 1979 1978 1976 1972 1971

1992 Redskins 1988 1984 1983 1973

1977 Vikings 1975 1974 1970

1954 Lions

During his four game Deflategate suspension, Patriots QB Tom Brady flew in his throwing coach, former Atlanta Braves pitcher Tom House, to review mechanics. Brady also visited his sick mother, golfed with his father, spoke to the Michigan Wolverines before their game against Northwestern, and vacationed in Italy – all the while practicing just as much as his teammates. He even tossed the ball in his back yard.