by The most and least successful NFL teams are often judged by a mix of factors, and no single measure tells the full story. Some fans argue that consistent regular-season wins define success, while others believe it’s all about Super Bowl victories and the ability to perform when the stakes are highest. Appearances in the big game, playoff consistency, and historical championships also play major roles in shaping a team’s legacy.
For instance, franchises like the Packers, Steelers, and Patriots have cemented themselves as dynasties, while teams such as the Lions and Texans are still fighting to prove themselves. Success can also be about longevity, culture, and the ability to bounce back from failure. By analyzing these metrics together, we gain a clearer picture of what it truly means to rank among the most and least successful NFL teams.
What Defines “Success” in the NFL?
Before naming names, it’s important to define what makes a team “successful.” Some standard metrics include:
- All-time regular-season wins – total number of wins over the franchise’s history.
- Winning percentage – how often a team wins, adjusted for years in existence and games played.
- Super Bowl wins – the big one: how many Lombardi Trophies a team has.
- Super Bowl appearances – getting there matters, even if you don’t win.
- Playoff consistency – how frequently a team makes the postseason, how deep they go.
- Historical championships (pre-Super Bowl era) for older franchises.
Different fans weight these differently. But using these metrics gives a fuller picture of what “most and least successful NFL teams” really means.
The Most Successful NFL Teams
Using the criteria above, here are some of the franchises that consistently rank near the top in success:
1. Green Bay Packers
- The Packers have the most regular-season wins in NFL history.
- They’re also among the top in all-time winning percentage and historical championships (including Super Bowls).
2. Pittsburgh Steelers & New England Patriots
- Both franchises have six Super Bowl titles, tied for the NFL record.
- The Patriots also have made the most Super Bowl appearances (11), giving them more chances to compete for the title.
3. Other Consistent Contenders
- The Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, and New York Giants all have strong combinations of regular-season success, championship wins (pre- and post-Super Bowl), and historical relevance.
- The Baltimore Ravens recently moved to the top of win-percentage rankings among active teams.
Putting It Together
If you asked: Which are the most and least successful NFL teams?, you’d probably have franchises like Green Bay, New England, Pittsburgh, Dallas, San Francisco, and the Bears among the “most successful.” These teams show long-term consistency, multiple championships, and strong win records.
The Least Successful NFL Teams
On the flip side, some teams lag behind when compared under similar metrics. “Least successful” doesn’t always mean “bad” every season, but rather comparatively weak across decades.
Criteria for “Least Successful”
- Few or no Super Bowl wins or appearances
- Low win percentages over long stretches
- Long playoff droughts or few deep playoff runs
- Younger franchises with less history, though that doesn’t always equate to failure
Teams With No Super Bowl Wins
As of the start of the 2025-26 season:
- Twelve teams have never won a Super Bowl, including longstanding franchises like the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Minnesota Vikings, Tennessee Titans, Los Angeles Chargers, and several others.
- Among these, some have had multiple appearances (Bills, Vikings) but came up short.
Teams With No Super Bowl Appearances
- Four teams have never even played in a Super Bowl: Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans.
- Some of these (e.g. Texans, Jaguars) are relatively new expansion teams; others like the Browns and Lions have deep history but long stretches without top-level success.
Low Win Percentages & Droughts
- Teams with lower all-time winning percentages, especially those who struggle to stay competitive year after year, tend to cluster among those that have never won or rarely compete.
- Long droughts since last championship or last deep playoff run also count heavily.
Case Studies: Success & Struggle
Putting names to the statistics helps illustrate how varied the landscape of “most and least successful NFL teams” is.
Success Case: New England Patriots
- Six Super Bowl wins.
- Eleven appearances, showing deep consistency.
- Strong recent history, organizational stability, star coaches and QB play.
Struggle Case: Detroit Lions
- Never appeared in a Super Bowl.
- Despite being one of the older franchises, they have had long stretches without playoff success or postseason relevance.
- Their historical championships are pre-Super Bowl, so in the modern era many see them as among the least successful.
Middle Ground: Buffalo Bills & Minnesota Vikings
- Both have been to the Super Bowl multiple times (Bills and Vikings 4 each) but have never won one.
- Their histories show great teams, heartbreaking losses, and persistent pursuit of that elusive Lombardi.
Why Some Teams Succeed & Others Struggle
What separates the truly successful NFL franchises from the rest? Some recurring themes:
- Strong Front Office and Leadership
Teams that build wisely (drafting, trading, coaching hires) tend to sustain more success. - Quarterback Play
As in many sports, having a great, stable quarterback matters a lot. Look at Brady, Montana, Rodgers, etc. - Coaching and Stability
Teams with fewer coaching changes or strong coaching trees tend to remain competitive. - Market, Resources, and Fan Culture
While smaller markets can succeed (see Green Bay), overall resources for scouting, development, stadiums help. - Luck & Timing
Injuries, close losses, playoff luck: these all affect whether a season is great or just good.
Ranking Snapshot: 2025 & All-Time
Here are some up-to-date stats (as of the end of the 2024 season / entering 2025) to ground the discussion of the most and least successful NFL teams:
- Most regular-season wins: Green Bay Packers lead the pack.
- Highest all-time win percentage: Baltimore Ravens have recently overtaken others in win percentage among active teams.
- Most Super Bowl wins: Patriots & Steelers (6 each).
- Teams never winning a Super Bowl: 12 franchises.
- Never appeared in a Super Bowl: Browns, Lions, Jaguars, Texans.
Why This Matters: Beyond the Trophies
Fans often focus on wins, trophies, and records, but being among the most or least successful teams also affects:
- Fan loyalty and engagement
- Brand value, media rights, merchandise
- Ability to attract top coaching and playing talent
- Legacy and community pride
Even teams that haven’t won a Super Bowl can command huge fanbases and respect (think Bills, Vikings). And some “least successful” teams may be on the rise – NFL parity means fortunes can change more quickly than many other major sports.
Conclusion
If you ask “What are the most and least successful NFL teams?”, the answer isn’t single-sided. It depends on what you value: all-time wins, championship hardware, consistency, or perhaps overcoming adversity. But by most measures:
- Most successful franchises include the Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, and Chicago Bears.
- Least successful (by modern era standards) tend to be teams that have never won a Super Bowl, never appeared, or have very low winning percentages, such as the Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, and some others in that group of twelve without titles.
