What NFL teams have never won a Super Bowl? There are 12. Here's what to know
At its core, the arcade is nothing more than a casino designed for children.
The flashing bright lights, sounds of coins adding up and the promised sweet smell of victory keep people coming back. It's a marketer's paradise and a study in behavioral science.
That drive to win is powerful, after all.
Claw machines dominate the arcade scene. Typically loaded with stuffed animals, others promise the latest and greatest in the tech world – if you can pick it up, of course. The game is often the same. Swipe the card, fiddle around with setting the claw in the perfect spot, hit the button and watch as it descends on your desired prize.
It's momentarily off the ground, giving you hope. Then a split-second later, the prize falls from the claw and drops back to the ground.
That's the reality for some NFL teams. They get close to glory only to experience another failure. Luckily in the NFL, it's play until you win.
There are 12 teams still hoping to reach the mountaintop. Here's a look at the squads still eyeing their first Super Bowl victory.
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What NFL teams have never won a Super Bowl?
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals franchise dates back to 1898, making it the oldest professional football club in the NFL, according to the league. They've bounced around through their history, beginning in Chicago as one of the NFL's founding teams. They eventually moved to St. Louis, Mo., before heading west to the desert, settling in Arizona.
Despite all that history, the Cardinals have made just one Super Bowl appearance, losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl 43.
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons came into the NFL during the Super Bowl's first season but still haven't captured one yet. In two appearances, Atlanta fell short in Super Bowl 33 and lost more famously in Super Bowl 51. The New England Patriots would win that game after the Falcons blew a 28-3 lead.
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Buffalo Bills
As good as Buffalo has been in recent history, it still hasn't reached the mountaintop. They've been around for 65 seasons and arguably have experienced some of the most heartbreak. As if losing four consecutive Super Bowls in the 1990s wasn't enough, they have also run into the Kansas City Chiefs' dynasty. Their presence has blocked Buffalo from reaching the Super Bowl, knocking them out of the playoffs four times in the last five seasons.
Carolina Panthers
One of the younger teams in the NFL, the Panthers only have 30 seasons of experience. Still, they've played in the big game twice, losing Super Bowls 38 and 50. Carolina's recent run has relegated them to the basement of the league for now, but it's not far off from their dominant seasons with Cam Newton under center. In Super Bowl 50, the Panthers ran into Peyton Manning's storybook ending, wasting a 15-1 regular season.
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Cincinnati Bengals
Often associated with losing in the wild-card round thanks to the Marvin Lewis days, Cincinnati has been to three Super Bowls, losing 16, 23 and 56. They've been typically described as a cheap franchise, seemingly unwilling to invest in whatever it takes to win. With a big offseason on the horizon, it'll be revealing how the team proceeds with a window to win, promising to shut sooner rather than later.
Cleveland Browns
A juggernaut prior to the formation of the NFL and then the Super Bowl, the Browns have eight championships in team history. However, that couldn't be further from the case in recent history. Not only has Cleveland failed to win a Super Bowl, they haven't even managed to get to one. Maybe one day, Cleveland.
Detroit Lions
The Lions' franchise has been around since 1930. They claimed four championships before the first Super Bowl but haven't won since the introduction of the big game. Like the Browns, the Lions haven't even managed to get to the event.
The franchise looked primed for a run this year but fell short after being upset by the Washington Commanders. With the departures of both coordinators, it's a mystery whether the team can replicate the same success next year.
Houston Texans
The youngest NFL franchise, the Texans turned 23 this season. Despite hosting two Super Bowls in their stadium, the Texans have required a ticket to gain entry each time. Typically associated with the 4:30 p.m. ET kickoff on Saturday afternoon on wild-card weekend, Houston is still trying to break through in the AFC to reach their first Super Bowl.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Like their AFC South mates, the Jaguars are also seeking their first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history. Although they have played 30 seasons, they are a little older than their Houston foes but they have at least made the conference championship game three times.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers profile as one of the NFL's cursed franchises – relegated to a reality of often being good but never being good enough. The Chargers joined the league from the AFL in the merger but have only had the honor of playing for Super Bowl 29, losing in what was their only appearance in team history.
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Minnesota Vikings
While some other teams know all about the pain of falling short, no one knows it like the Vikings. The franchise has seen plenty of wins, posting a 537-438-11 record or a .551 winning percentage. Despite all that success, it hasn't translated to the playoffs. The Vikings have lost six times in the NFC championship game and another four times in the Super Bowl. Whether it was Brett Favre's interception in 2010 or Blair Walsh's missed 27-yard field goal in the wild-card round, there is plenty of subject matter and none of it is particularly good.
Not even Stefon Diggs' "Minneapolis Miracle" can compensate for all that heartbreak. They'll have to overcome the Minnesota sports curse, but you'd have to think that the Vikings can one day make their Super Bowl dream a reality.
Tennessee Titans
Closing out the list of Super Bowl-less teams is the Titans. Tennessee has been a team of peaks and valleys but has always found itself without a seat in the champions' chair when the music stops. They've only made one appearance in the big game, losing Super Bowl 34 to the Rams.
The Tennessee version of the franchise has only been around since the 1997 season, but their history extends back to 1960 as the Houston Oilers. If it's any consolation, they won two AFL championships in 1960 and 1961.
What NFL teams have never made a Super Bowl?
Only four NFL teams have not played in a Super Bowl – the Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What NFL teams have never won a Super Bowl? List of 12 teams
