List of National Football League teams that finished last before 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
2006 New Orleans Saints NFC South 10-6 3-13
2006 Philadelphia Eagles NFC East 10-6 6-10
2008 Miami Dolphins AFC East 11-5 1-15
a This was in the American Football League.
b Tied for last place.
c Tied for first place.

References