As they say, “There’s no such thing as bad publicity.” But for some NFL teams, that might not be entirely true. While some teams are beloved by their fans and even the league, others have a reputation for being the black sheep of the NFL family. These teams may have different numbers of fans, but they certainly have the unique charm that sets them apart from the rest.
Of course, we all know the likes of the Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys, and New England Patriots. Each team has had iconic players feature for them in recent years, and they have racked up a plethora of Lombardis. However, not all teams are quite as blessed. Some teams have been left with little attention, so let’s talk about the least popular NFL teams.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Let’s start with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Florida-based team has struggled to gain a loyal fan base since they were founded in 1995, hence why owner Shahid Khan has repeatedly attempted to relocate the franchise across the pond to London. But they still need to make a name for themselves in the league.
The Jags topped the AFC South for the second time in their history last season. Then, they gave the eventual champion Kansas City Chiefs all they could handle in the postseason, eventually succumbing to a narrow 27-20 defeat in the Divisional Round.
This term, the Jaguars look set to win the division once more and have begun the new campaign with an impressive 6-2 record. They may not be among the more popular 2024 Super Bowl odds selections. However, they are priced as short as +1600 with some outlets, and the bookies think the Jags are in with a chance.
Detroit Lions
The poor Lions have never seen the Super Bowl, so it’s understandable that they might not get as much attention. However, the team has a loyal fanbase that has stood by them for decades despite losing streaks. They have reached the postseason three times this millennium and have been without a playoff victory since 1991.
However, their loyal supporters look set to be rewarded for their years of suffering this term. The Lions currently sit at the top of the NFC North with six wins and two defeats this year. They have already knocked off Patrick Mahomes’ Chiefs – on enemy territory, no less – and they may very well be one of the dark horses for the Lombardi this season,
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals hardly ever made it into the playoffs – until recently, but they have a unique football history. Their founder and owner, the late Paul Brown, is one of the great figures in NFL history, having also founded the Cleveland Browns. This team is often considered one of the more undervalued teams in the league.
Before the 2020s, Cincy was without a playoff victory in 30 years and a Super Bowl appearance in 33 years. But that all changed with the drafting of quarterback Joe Burrow. The former LSU standout was brought to Paycor Stadium with the first overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft, and in his second campaign, he led them all the way to the Super Bowl. Last term, he led them to their second consecutive AFC Championship games and has ensured that the Bengals are one of the conference’s heavy hitters again.
Houston Texans
The Texans are a good team that doesn’t need to figure out what to do with that talent. Since 2002, the team has appeared in seven playoff games and has won only two, hampered at every turn by a lack of consistency under center. On a more positive note, the team featured one of the most feared defensive players in the NFL, J.J. Watt, for several years. They are still waiting for their breakthrough, but after a decade of existence, they are still an attractive portion of the league.
New York Jets
The New York Jets have been plagued by inconsistency, both on and off the field. They went to the Super Bowl greatly in the late ’60s but have yet to return since in over 50 years. Although they have struggled with the said consistency, they have a passionate fan base that sticks with them through thick and thin, and their stadium is one of the loudest in the NFL. Overall, the New York Jets are a pretty great football team and truly the epitome of being “good but not great.”
Cleveland Browns
Next up, we have the Cleveland Browns. The Browns have had a rough go of it recently, with only two playoff appearances in the last two decades. But despite their lack of success on the field, the Browns have one of the league’s most passionate and dedicated fan bases. Their fans are so loyal that they have a section of their stadium called “The Dawg Pound,” filled with rowdy and enthusiastic supporters.
