National Football League: Last to first
The following is a list of National Football League teams that finished in first place in their division the season following finishing last place in their division.
Season |
Team |
Division |
Record |
Prior Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1967 |
Houston Oilers |
AFL Eastern |
9-4-1 |
3-11a |
1968 |
Minnesota Vikings |
NFL Central |
8-6 |
3-8-3 |
1970 |
Cincinnati Bengals |
AFC Central |
8-6 |
4-9-1 |
1970 |
San Francisco 49ers |
NFC West |
10-3-1 |
4-8-2 |
1972 |
Green Bay Packers |
NFC Central |
10-4 |
4-8-2 |
1975 |
Baltimore Colts |
AFC East |
10-4 |
2-12 |
1979 |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
NFC Central |
10-6 |
5-11 |
1981 |
Cincinnati Bengals |
AFC Central |
12-4 |
6-10 |
1987 |
Indianapolis Colts |
AFC East |
9-6 |
3-13 |
1988 |
Cincinnati Bengals |
AFC Central |
12-4 |
4-11 |
1990 |
Cincinnati Bengals |
AFC Central |
9-7 |
8-8 |
1991 |
Denver Broncos |
AFC West |
12-4 |
5-11 |
1992 |
San Diego Chargers |
AFC West |
11-5 |
4-12 |
1993 |
Detroit Lions |
NFC Central |
10-6 |
5-11 |
1997 |
New York Giants |
NFC East |
10-5-1 |
6-10 |
1999 |
Indianapolis Colts |
AFC East |
13-3 |
3-13 |
1999 |
St. Louis Rams |
NFC West |
13-3 |
4-12 |
2000 |
New Orleans Saints |
NFC West |
10-6 |
3-13 |
2001 |
Chicago Bears |
NFC Central |
13-3 |
5-11 |
2001 |
New England Patriots |
AFC East |
11-5 |
5-11 |
2003 |
Kansas City Chiefs |
AFC West |
13-3 |
8-8b |
2003 |
Carolina Panthers |
NFC South |
11-5 |
7-9 |
2004 |
Atlanta Falcons |
NFC South |
11-5 |
5-11 |
2004 |
San Diego Chargers |
AFC West |
12-4 |
4-12b |
2005 |
Chicago Bears |
NFC North |
11-5 |
5-11 |
2005 |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
NFC South |
11-5c |
5-11 |
- a This was in the American Football League.
- b Tied for last place.
- c Tied for first place.
References
- 2005 NFL Record and Fact Book (ISBN 1-932994-36-X)