We’ve all heard about teams going from worst to first, but what about the other side of the coin? Which teams followed up dominant seasons with dreadful showings the year after? Let’s take a look back at some of the biggest letdowns in NFL history.
Dallas Cowboys (2014-2015)
The 2014 Dallas Cowboys were a force to be reckoned with, bringing back memories of their glory days in the 90s. Behind an imposing offensive line, Tony Romo, Dez Bryant, and DeMarco Murray flourished. Dallas finished 12-4, only to suffer a heartbreaking loss to Green Bay in the divisional round.
However, the 2015 season told a completely different story. DeMarco Murray departed for the rival Eagles, Dez Bryant broke his foot in Week 1, and Tony Romo fractured his collarbone the following week. With Brandon Weeden, Matt Cassel, and Kellen Moore all starting games, the Cowboys’ offense plummeted from 5th to 31st in scoring. They won only two of their last 14 games, finishing with a 4-12 record—their worst since 1989.
Indianapolis Colts (2010-2011)
Peyton Manning and the Colts were dominant in 2010, finishing with a 10-6 record and the top passing offense in the league. However, they were stunned by the Jets in the playoffs, which turned out to be Manning’s final game in Indianapolis. After undergoing neck surgery, Manning missed the entire 2011 season, and the team fell apart. Curtis Painter, Kerry Collins, and Dan Orlovsky combined for just two wins, and the defense gave up 27 points per game. The Colts finished with a dismal 2-14 record, culminating in a 55-point loss to the Saints.
San Francisco 49ers (1998-1999)
The 1998 San Francisco 49ers boasted the NFL’s most prolific offense, led by Steve Young, Jerry Rice, and Terrell Owens. They finished with a 12-4 record and were eliminated in the NFC Wild Card round by the Green Bay Packers. The following year, things went south quickly. Garrison Hearst, who had been a key contributor, suffered a major injury, and Steve Young was lost for the season by Week 3. The 49ers went from 3-1 to finishing with an 4-12 record, losing 11 of their final 12 games.
Baltimore Ravens (2006-2007)
The 2006 Ravens were one of the league’s best teams, finishing with a 13-3 record, driven by a stifling defense. However, in the playoffs, the offense struggled, and they were bounced by the Colts in the divisional round. The following season, things fell apart. The defense regressed, and injuries to quarterback Steve McNair left the team in disarray. Baltimore dropped nine straight games, finishing the 2007 season with a 5-11 record, one of the worst collapses in franchise history.
Denver Broncos (1998-1999)
The Denver Broncos were coming off back-to-back Super Bowl wins in the late 90s, led by John Elway and running back Terrell Davis. They finished the 1998 season with a 14-2 record, dominating the league. But in 1999, everything fell apart. The team struggled under new quarterback Brian Griese and were unable to replace Davis after his season-ending injury in Week 4. The Broncos finished 6-10 in 1999, marking a huge drop from their championship form.
Carolina Panthers (2015-2016)
The 2015 Carolina Panthers were the league’s most dominant team, finishing the regular season 15-1 behind MVP Cam Newton. Their defense, with stars like Luke Kuechly and Josh Norman, was unstoppable. But in Super Bowl 50, the Broncos delivered a crushing defeat. The 2016 season saw the Panthers fall apart. Newton’s production dropped significantly, and the defense regressed, finishing with a 6-10 record. The Super Bowl hangover was real for Carolina.
Houston Texans (2012-2013)
The Houston Texans had their best season in franchise history in 2012, finishing 12-4 and winning the AFC South. With stars like J.J. Watt and Andre Johnson, they looked poised for success. But the following season, everything went wrong. Quarterback Matt Schaub’s struggles, injuries to key players, and an offense that could barely move the ball led the Texans to lose 14 straight games to end the season. They finished 2013 with a 2-14 record, one of the worst collapses in the NFL that year.
New York Giants (2006-2017)
The 2006 New York Giants made a solid run, finishing with an 11-5 record, led by stars like Eli Manning, Odell Beckham Jr., and Landon Collins. However, they were eliminated in the Wild Card round by the Packers. But it was 2017 when things truly went downhill. The Giants started the season 0-5 and finished with a 3-13 record. Injuries, bad play calling, and the infamous benching of Eli Manning led to a disastrous season for New York.
Other Notable Letdowns
Chicago Bears (2001-2002): After a surprise 13-win season, the Bears fell to 4-12 the following year, with the defense plummeting from first to 25th in points allowed.
Atlanta Falcons (1998-1999): Coming off a Super Bowl appearance, the Falcons were a mess in 1999, finishing 5-11 after a 14-2 season the year before.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2005-2006): After a strong 11-5 season and NFC South title in 2005, the Bucs faltered, finishing just 4-12 in 2006.
Washington Redskins (2012-2013): After winning the NFC East in 2012 with rookie RG3, Washington collapsed to a 3-13 record in 2013.
Houston Oilers (1993-1994): After a solid 12-4 season, the Oilers collapsed, finishing 2-14 in 1994, setting a record for the biggest drop-off in NFL history.
Conclusion
From the Cowboys’ shocking fall in 2015 to the Texans’ heartbreaking collapse in 2013, these teams went from championship contenders to irrelevance in the blink of an eye. Injuries, turnover, and off-field drama were often the culprits, but regardless of the reason, the drop from first to worst remains one of the most perplexing and disappointing aspects of NFL history.
