A Recent History of Overhyped NFL Teams

Image via Complex Original

Year: 1986
Record: 14-2
Coach: Mike Ditka
Notable players: Jim McMahon, Walter Payton, Mike Singletary

The Bears just came off from winning the Super Bowl with one of the best defenses in league history. They then followed that up with another great defensive effort, allowing fewer points per game than the previous year. With their championship experience and 14-2 record, everyone thought they would hoist the Lombardi in consecutive seasons. However, that wasn't the case. After winning seven straight games to close out the season, the Bears lost to the Redskins 27-13 in the Divisional round.

Year: 1996
Record: 1-15
Coach: Rich Kotite
Notable players: Neil O'Donnell, Keyshawn Johnson, Hugh Douglas

The Jets signed Neil O'Donnell away from the Steelers the year after Pittsburgh lost in the Super Bowl to the Cowboys. They also were coming off a dismal 3-13 season and had taken wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson with the first pick. Gang Green was looking to at least make the playoffs. But the players weren't the problem, head coach Rich Kotite was. After finishing with a pathetic 1-15 record, the Jets replaced him with Bill Parcells. And whadayaknow? They went 9-7 in 1997 and made it to the AFC Championship game in '98.

Year: 2002
Record: 7-9
Coach: Mike Martz
Notable players: Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk, Torry Holt

The Greatest Show on Turf was looking to make its third trip to the Super Bowl after losing to the Patriots the previous year by a field goal. Every offensive weapon came back: Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Isaac Bruce, Tory Holt. But they couldn't seem to get it together as the Rams started the season by losing five straight and went 7-9, giving way to a new dynasty in New England.

Year: 2002
Record: 11-5
Coach: Bill Callahan
Notable players: Rich Gannon, Jerry Rice, Tim Brown, Rod Woodson

The Raiders had Hall of Famers on both sides of the ball and got scorching hot from Week 10 on after losing four games in a row. The hype surrounding the team, their experience, and their talent took them all the way to the Super Bowl to face their former coach Jon Gruden. Unfortunately, they ran into a buzzsaw of a defense that featured monsters like Warren Sapp, Simeon Rice, and Derrick Brooks. Oakland got trounced 48-21. Recently, former players have come out to put the blame on Bill Callahan for changing the gameplan because of the Barret Robbins situation.

Year: 2003
Record: 7-9
Coach: Jon Gruden
Notable players: Warren Sapp, Simeon Rice, Derrick Brooks, Keyshawn Johnson

Tampa Bay was considered to be the favorites and was set to defend their championship in 2003. However, QB Brad Johnson came back down to Earth after his superb 2002 season where he threw for 22 touchdowns and six interceptions. Their steller defense was depleted by injuries, resulting in a 7-9 record and an early end to their season.

Year: 2004
Record: 13-3
Coach: Andy Reid
Notable players: Donovan McNabb, Terrell Owens, Jevon Kearse

The 2004 Eagles were a problem. They had "The Freak" Jevon Kearse chasing down QBs on defense, and Donovan McNabb and Terrell Owens on the offensive side wreaking havoc on secondaries across the league. T.O. talked a big game all year and backed it up for the most part. However, Owens broke his leg and tore a ligament in his ankle causing him to miss the last two weeks of the season and the playoffs. Without him, Philly made their fourth straight NFC Championship game, finally winning one to face the Patriots in Super Bowl 39.

Owens miracurously returned for the big game and put on a spectacular performance, catching nine passes for 122 yards. The same couldn't be said about his QB Donovan McNabb. The Eagles signal caller ran out of gas towards the end of the game and pulled a Willie Beamon, throwing up on the field.

Year: 2006
Record: 8-8
Coach: Bill Cowher
Notable players: Ben Roethlisberger, Willie Parker, Hines Ward

The Steelers were the defending champs and had many of their core players and coaches coming back. Everything was on the up and up until Ben Roethlisberger got into a motorcycle accident without a helmet during the offseason. An accident that gave him a concussion, multiple facial fractures, and left him in serious condition. After leaving the hospital, he had to be rushed back in for an emergency appendectomy. Big Ben only missed one game but wasn't quite himself in 2006. The Steelers finished with a .500 record and missed the playoffs.

Year: 2006
Record: 9-7
Coach: Bill Parcells
Notable players: Tony Romo, Terrell Owens, Marion Barber

We could honestly use every recent Cowboy team here because, you know, they're "America's team" and all that nonsense. In 2006, Tony Romo replaced Drew Bledsoe in Week 8 and looked good doing it. Fans and analysts alike liked the new look Cowboys with Romo flinging it around to Terrell Owens and Demarcus Ware running wild on defense. They finished the year 9-7, making it to the playoffs. But the first of many Tony Romo fails happened in the Wild Card game versus the Seahawks. Romo botched a snap during a field goal attempt, giving Seattle a 21-20 victory.

Year: 2007
Record: 11-5
Coach: Norv Turner
Notable players: LaDainian Tomlinson, Phillip Rivers, Antonio Gates

The year after firing Marty Schottenheimer for not being able to win the big one, the Chargers decided to promote their offensive coordinator Norv Turner to head coach. Norv has never had a good go at it as the main guy but those year's of experience failing must've taught him lessons. The Chargers went 11-5 and reached the AFC Championship game. They lost to the Patriots 21-12 due in part to an injury that LaDainian Tomlinson suffered in the the Divisional round against the Colts. An injury that he may or may not have been able to play with.

Year: 2008
Record: 9-7
Coach: Eric Mangini
Notable players: Brett Favre, Thomas Jones, Darrellle Revis

The Jets had high hopes when they landed Brett Favre after he retired for the first time. They thought the ol' gunslinger had a few left in the chamber. He did, but it wasn't enough. They Jets imploded after Week 12. They were 8-3 but Favre started to break down during the last five games of the season. An MRI revealed a torn right bicep tendon and he ended the season with 22 touchdowns and 22 interceptions. Admist all the hype, Gang Green went 9-7, failed to make the playoffs, head coach Eric Mangini was let go, and Brett retired once again. Favre enjoyed his time in New York at least.

Year: 2010
Record: 6-10
Coach: Brad Childress/Leslie Frazier (interim)
Notable players: Brett Favre, Percy Harvin, Adrian Peterson

The Vikings were fresh off signing their former arch nemesis in Brett Favre, going 12-4, and losing in the NFC Championship game in OT. Things were looking up. But age is undefeated and Brett Favre finally hit a wall during the 2010 season. He struggled all year and the Vikings went 6-10. Favre finally called it quits after changing his mind 1,700 times.

Year: 2011
Record: 8-8
Coach: John Fox
Notable players: Tim Tebow, Von Miller, Champ Bailey

There was nothing quite like Tebowmania. After starting 1-4 the Broncos replaced Kyle Orton for Tim Tebow. The second year QB took the Broncos to an 8-8 record and beat the Steelers in OT during the Wild Card round in stunning fashion. During his run in Denver all the sports shows talked about the Broncos non stop. And that continued for another year, especially on ESPN.

Year: 2011
Record: 10-6
Coach: Mike Smith
Notable players: Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Tony Gonzalez

Do you believe in the Falcons? You probably shouldn't. To be fair they finally won a playoff game last year but even that was a surprise. Especially since their offense has been nothing short of amazing with Matt Ryan as their QB. Since drafting Ryan, Atlanta is 56-22 with him as their starter but only have one playoff win. After going 13-3 in 2010 and getting waxed 48-21 by the Packers in the Divisional round, the Falcons were poised to make some noise in 2011.

They lived up to expectations somewhat, finishing the year with a 10-6 record. However, their bad playoff play reared its ugly head again and they lost to the eventual champion Giants 24-2. An embarrassing way to finish off such a promising and hyped up year.

Year: 2011
Record: 8-8
Coach: Andy Reid
Notable players: Mike Vick, LeSean McCoy, DeSean Jackson

Dream Team? The Eagles had a shit load of talent on their 2011 squad coupled with a successful veteran coach in Andy Reid. During the preseason, backup QB Vince Young declared them to be a Dream Team and ran down a grocery list of names—really? We believed him too, on paper anyway, but the play on the field told a different story. Philly finished the season 8-8 and missed the playoffs. And they followed that disappointment up with a 4-12 2012 campaign, leaving Andy Reid without a job for the first time in 14 years.

Year: 2011
Record: 8-8
Coach: Rex Ryan
Notable players: Mark Sanchez, Darrelle Revis, LaDainian Tomlinson

Rex Ryan has a big mouth. After leading the Jets to two straight AFC Championship games with Mark Sanchez under center and a good but aging defense, Rex declared that they would make it to the Super Bowl in 2011. After starting the 2011 season at 2-0, the Jets lost three games in a row and Mark Sanchez started to play like he does now. They finished the season 8-8 and failed to make the playoffs. And Rex still has a cartoon tat of his wife wearing a Mark Sanchez jersey. You gotta respect those kinds of cojones.