Top 10 Most Noteworthy Worst-to-First NFL Teams of All-Time

This season, two teams have a chance for incredible turnarounds – going from worst-to-first in just one year.  The New England Patriots finished 4-13 in 2024 while the Chicago Bears 5-12, last in their respective divisions.  Now, both teams head into Week 14 in first place, but can they hold on to that top spot at season’s end? Only time will tell.  In the meantime, here are the top 10 significant turnarounds in NFL history.

10.  San Diego Chargers 1992

The Chargers are the only team to start 0-4 and make the playoffs despite finishing 4-12 the previous season. QB Stan Humphries was brought in to help turn things around.  San Diego finished 11-5, first in the AFC West and would lose to Miami in the Divisional Round. The defense was led by all-stars Junior Seau and Leslie O’Neal.  Two years later, the Chargers made it to Super Bowl XXIX.

9. Carolina Panthers 2003

The Panthers struggled at quarterback so they took a shot at  Saints backup Jake Delhomme and that move would pay off.  Carolina went from 7-9 in 2002 to 11-5 in 2003 and would go on to upset the Rams and Eagles on their way to Super Bowl XXXVIII – where the dream season would fall short to the Patriots.  This squad was led by a stout defense and included Steve Smith’s breakthrough season in the NFL.

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1979  

Just two years earlier the Buccaneers set an NFL record losing 26 games in a row but by the 1979 season, they shocked everyone by finishing 10-6, first in the NFC Central — after going 5-11 the year before.  A tough defense led the Bucs to a 5-0 start – led by Hall of Fame pass rusher Lee Roy Selmon, who was named Defensive Player of the Year.  Tampa Bay advanced to the NFC title game but would lose to Los Angeles.

7. 1999 Indianapolis Colts 1999 

The Colts fortunes changed in 1998 when they finished 3-13 earning them the top pick where they selected a quarterback named Peyton Manning.  The following season, the rookie QB struggled to a 3-13 season but one season later, worst-to-first, as Indianapolis finished 13-3.

Indy’s roster included Edgerrin James and Marvin Harrison which built the core of this franchise for years to come.  Unfortunately, they wouldn’t win the playoff game this season, losing in the Divisional Round to the Titans.

6. 2009 New Orleans Saints 2009

Drew Brees led the turnaround in New Orleans after an 8-8 season in 2008, where the QB was just 15-yards short of Dan Marino’s single-season record and led the Saints to a Super Bowl the following year.  Last to first in less than a year as the Saints would finish 13-2, including winning 13 in a row to start the season.  After defeating Peyton Manning and the Colts in the Super Bowl, Brees and the Saints never returned to the championship game in his final 11 seasons in the Big Easy. 

5. Philadelphia Eagles 2017

Another team that not only went last-to-first, but their turnaround culminated with a Super Bowl.  The Eagles were 7-9 in 2016 in the tough NFC East. One season later, Philadelphia went 13-3 on their way to a championship.  Carson Wentz was on his way to an MVP before a knee injury late in the season.  In comes Nick Foles who essentially saved the season on his way to earning Super Bowl MVP honors giving the Eagles their first title since 1960.

4. Cincinnati Bengals 1988 

After a horrible 4-11 season the Bengals put together an epic turnaround, going 12-4 on their way to another Super Bowl appearance. Head coach Sam Wyche and QB Boomer Esiason led this high-octane offense that led to Esiason being named NFL MVP.  The Bengals rushed for nearly 2,000 yards with Ickey Woods and James Brooks but just like seven seasons earlier, their season came to an end at the hands of the 49ers in Super Bowl XVI as San Francisco won 20-16.

3. New Orleans Saints 2006 

Months after Hurricane Katrina, the Saints hired Sean Payton as their coach and signed QB Drew Brees. Those moves turned their fortunes as they went from 3-13 to 10-6, last-to-first.  Adding the second overall pick, Reggie Bush to the mix, the Saints became instant contenders leading them to where they would lose to the Bears.  But this kick started the franchise’s mojo that led to a title a few seasons later.  (See No. 6) 

2. New England Patriots 2001

In his first season, Bill Belichick went 5-11, last in the AFC East.  That season also included a big extension for QB Drew Bledsoe. In 2001, Bledsoe went down with an injury in Week 2 as the Pats started 0-2.  In came a guy named Tom Brady.  He would lead New England to an 11-5 record, first in the division and would go on to upset the Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI.  This run started what is considered the greatest dynasty not only in the NFL, but all professional sports.

1. St. Louis Rams 1999

 
Coming in at the top spot is the 1999 St. Louis Rams.  After going 4-12 in 1998, the Rams went on to one of the greatest seasons a year later culminating with a Super Bowl ring.  Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk, Torry Holt, and Isaac Bruce formed the “Greatest Show on Turf” as a ‘backup’ quarterback led the team to glory.  They even made a movie about Warner.  At the time, the Rams offense scored the third most points in one season, all-time with 526.  This season is considered the greatest one-season turnaround in NFL history.   

Final Thoughts

While going from last place in a division to first was once infrequent, the NFL sees it happen nearly every year in the modern era. We’re seeing it again this season and likely will continue to see this as the NFL has more parody than ever so expect this list to change in subsequent seasons.