Fansided

NFL’s 30 best teams that didn’t win the Super Bowl

By Matt Verderame

Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) reacts after throwing an interception during the third quarter against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) reacts after throwing an interception during the third quarter against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 10, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Television and radio personality and former NFL football player Boomer Esiason in attendance during the first period of a game between the New York Rangers and the Dallas Stars at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Television and radio personality and former NFL football player Boomer Esiason in attendance during the first period of a game between the New York Rangers and the Dallas Stars at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

23. 1988 Cincinnati Bengals

NFL Films did a recent documentary on this team entitled Missing Rings, and it tells the story of a colorful cast of characters who changed the way football is played. How so? The Bengals were the first team to run a true no-huddle offense throughout an entire game, something Marv Levy of the Buffalo Bills complained to the league office about before famously adopting the next year.

Cincinnati was coming off a brutal 4-11 campaign before completely reversing ots fortunes under head coach Sam Wyche. The Bengals went 12-4 and won the AFC Central behind the tremendous play of quarterback Boomer Esiason, who was named the league MVP. Esiason had plenty to work with, most notably running backs James Brooks and Ickey Woods, and receiver Eddie Brown.

Cincinnati tore through the AFC playoffs, beating the Seattle Seahawks and Buffalo Bills before falling in the dramatic Super Bowl XXIII to Joe Montana and the San Francisco 49ers. The Bengals were leading 16-13 until Montana hit John Taylor on a 10-yard touchdown pass with 34 seconds remaining. Cincinnati has not been to the Super Bowl since.

Next: 22. 1971 Kansas City Chiefs

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