Ranking the 12 teams without a Super Bowl title by how close they are

After two months of free agency and with the 2020 draft in the books, we have a good notion of what NFL teams will look like when the regular season commences. And, for 12 of those clubs, this year means another chance to capture that elusive first Super Bowl.

Here's how the clubs without a Super Bowl title rank by how close they are to clinching their first trophy.

12. Jacksonville Jaguars Todd Kirkland / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Super Bowl history: Have never appeared in a Super Bowl. Last conference championship appearance came in 2017 vs. Patriots

The Jaguars don't seem close to building a winning team. On offense, they've had four different starting quarterbacks in the last two years. Though Gardner Minshew was better than anticipated last season, it's hard to imagine the sophomore signal-caller being the franchise's savior.

On the other side of the ball, Jacksonville's once-great defense should feel the loss of Calais Campbell and the likely departure of Yannick Ngakoue in the short term despite the arrival of two promising first-round prospects. The Jaguars' 2017 run to the AFC Championship Game continues to look more and more like an aberration, and any result other than a top-10 pick in next year's draft would be considered progress.

11. Carolina Panthers

Super Bowl history: Lost to Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVIII, Broncos in Super Bowl 50

Any remnants of the Panthers' 2015 NFC-winning roster are now gone. Carolina is looking for a new identity and faces questions regarding recently signed quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and the team's franchise-worst defense from a year ago.

Head coach Matt Rhule's new squad does have reasons to celebrate in All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey and a trio of young wideouts, but the Panthers' future remains murky.

10. Cincinnati Bengals

Super Bowl history: Lost to 49ers in Super Bowl XVI, XXIII

Any evaluation of the Bengals depends on Joe Burrow. However, Cincinnati acquired reinforcements to assist the rookie quarterback, signing offensive guard Xavier Su'a-Filo while also drafting wide receiver Tee Higgins.

Though the Bengals' 2-14 record last season may suggest differently, they weren't far from being competitive, and they're set to welcome A.J. Green and 2019 first-round offensive tackle Jonah Williams back from injury. A Super Bowl might be a ways away, but Cincinnati is ahead of schedule for a club that owned the first overall pick just one month ago.

9. Detroit Lions Mark Brown / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Super Bowl history: Have never appeared in a Super Bowl. Last conference championship appearance came in 1991 vs. Redskins

Unlike the previous teams on this list, the Lions know they can rely on their quarterback. Matthew Stafford was leading the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns last season before suffering a season-ending injury in Week 9.

However, outside of a solid receiving corps, Detroit's supporting cast is lacking. The Lions' running game continued to struggle in 2019, the pass-rushing group didn't click, and their secondary was one of the league's worst. Granted, all of those issues were addressed during free agency and the draft, but head coach Matt Patricia still has a lot of work to do to make Detroit playoff contenders.

8. Los Angeles Chargers

Super Bowl history: Lost to 49ers in Super Bowl XXIX

A capable quarterback is essential to winning a Super Bowl. We've seen plenty of teams with an elite defense and an otherwise complete roster fall short of a Lombardi Trophy due to poor play under center. For the Chargers, who added Pro Bowlers and a pair of first-round prospects on both sides of the ball to complement one of the league's most decorated rosters, the question is: Which quarterback will lead them?

Tyrod Taylor takes care of the ball but won't make eye-popping plays with his arm, while Justin Herbert is a promising signal-caller whose talent brings more uncertainties while giving the team a higher ceiling. Los Angeles' Super Bowl prospects will depend greatly on which path the team chooses, and how much risk it's willing to take.

7. Cleveland Browns

Super Bowl history: Have never appeared in a Super Bowl. Last conference championship appearance came in 1989 vs. Broncos

The Browns don't lack for individual talent. Their roster, which already featured the likes of Myles Garrett, Odell Beckham Jr., and Nick Chubb, improved with the arrivals of tight end Austin Hooper, offensive tackle Jedrick Wills, and safety Grant Delpit, among others.

What makes Cleveland a hit-or-miss team is its inability to put everything together. The Browns will be led by another first-time head coach in Kevin Stefanski, and until he figures out how to get the most out of quarterback Baker Mayfield and his offense, Cleveland doesn't deserve the benefit of the doubt.

6. Arizona Cardinals Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty

Super Bowl history: Lost to Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII

Who would've thought the Cardinals would need just one campaign under quarterback Kyler Murray, and a very productive offseason, before garnering hype as a dark-horse contender. How well Arizona's offensive system operated under Kliff Kingsbury and Murray last season is exactly what teams want to see from a young head coach-quarterback duo.

On the other hand, a championship-caliber club can't afford a defense that allows more than 400 yards per game like the Cardinals did in 2019. Though Arizona could be in postseason contention this season, there are too many on-field questions for the team to make a strong championship case.

5. Atlanta Falcons

Super Bowl history: Lost to Broncos in Super Bowl XXXIII, Patriots in Super Bowl LI

The Falcons would've consistently been at the top of this list in the middle of the last decade, but their reality has changed. Atlanta's been inconsistent over the last two seasons, including 2019's 1-7 start that was followed by a 6-2 finish. Also, the fact that quarterback Matt Ryan's best days could be a thing of the past also hurts the team's Super Bowl aspirations.

However, there are reasons for optimism. The Falcons looked like a playoff team in the second half of 2019, they could improve as the roster gets healthy, and they're coming off of a strong 2020 offseason. Additionally, Ryan and Julio Jones are still among the best players at their positions. This is a franchise that's trending down, but it still has the firepower to go on a remarkable run at any time.

4. Houston Texans

Super Bowl history: Have never appeared in a Super Bowl. Team has never advanced past the divisional round

The Texans have the best quarterback among the 12 teams on this list, and Deshaun Watson has proven that he can win games in January. His talent gives Houston a shot against any team on any given Sunday.

However, the Texans are set to make Watson's life even harder after some key departures this offseason. Houston lost playmakers on both sides of the ball and didn't find any impact replacements. Watson would need to go on an all-time run to lead the Texans to the Super Bowl in 2020.

3. Tennessee Titans Jamie Sabau / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Super Bowl history: Lost to Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV

The Titans' opponents knew what they were going to do last year, but they still couldn't stop Tennessee. Derrick Henry added enormous value with his outstanding performances on the ground, while head coach Mike Vrabel put together a balanced defense and found a quarterback capable of making the right throw.

Though the Titans may not have as many superstars or as much offensive depth as other teams on this list, their on-field organization makes them a tough opponent. As long as Henry is surrounded by a solid blocking group, allowing him to leave Ryan Tannehill in comfortable situations, Tennessee's Super Bowl dreams won't be shut down easily.

2. Buffalo Bills

Super Bowl history: Lost to Giants in Super Bowl XXV, Redskins in Super Bowl XXVI, Cowboys in Super Bowl XXVII, XXVIII

The Bills' good offseason decisions in recent years started to pay off last season, leaving Buffalo in position to compete in the AFC. The team has a premier defense, solid offensive line depth, an eye-popping triplet of wideouts, and a solid running game.

Josh Allen, though, is a question mark. The third-year signal-caller will have to figure out how to consistently put points on the board in order to compete with the likes of Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson in the AFC; the Bills failed to score 20 points in each of their last five games in 2019, including during their playoff loss. Reaching the Super Bowl for the first time since 1993 could be just a matter of whether Allen can step up his game.

1. Minnesota Vikings Jonathan Bachman / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Super Bowl history: Lost to Chiefs in Super Bowl IV, Dolphins in Super Bowl VIII, Steelers in Super Bowl IX, Raiders in Super Bowl XI

The Vikings haven't come close to reaching the Super Bowl since they signed Kirk Cousins after reaching the 2017 NFC Championship Game. However, this is still a 10-win team that finished in the top 10 in scoring both offensively and defensively last year. Running back Dalvin Cook finally had a breakout season, safety Anthony Harris returns after a standout campaign, and the team addressed several areas of need with promising draft prospects.

If Minnesota finds a way to get red-hot late in the season and extend its momentum through January, triumphs like the wild-card round in New Orleans last year prove this team has a real shot of competing in the wide-open NFC.

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