NFL Rankings: 25 Least Deserving Playoff Teams in History

As the playoffs draw ever closer and the playoffs races heat up, there's one question that's on the mind of a lot of football fans:

Can anyone win the NFC West?

The Rams lead the division right now and would be the champ if the playoffs started today (they're 6-7, by the way), and perhaps nothing boils the blood of Packers' fans more that their team could be sitting home with a better record while the NFC West winner goes.

And did I mention they'll host a playoff game.

All this got us thinking about this topic, so here are the 25 least deserving playoff teams of all time.

25) 2008 Arizona Cardinals

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 28: Wide receivers Jerheme Urban #85 and Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrate after Urban's touchdown catch against the Seattle Seahawks on December 28, 2008 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona

The Cardinals earn the lowest spot on the list because of a couple of reasons. Yes, the 9-7 record was pretty bad but the Cardinals were one of the better teams in the NFC before limping down the stretch the last few weeks of the season. And while at the time they were labeled one of the worst division winners of all-time, it's hard to forget they were also two minutes away from perhaps being one of the worst teams ever to win a Super Bowl too.

Season Record: 9-7

24) 2002 New York Jets

Al Bello/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 29: Quarterback Chad Pennington #10 of the New York Jets passes during the NFL game against the Green Bay Packers at Giants Stadium on December 29, 2002 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Jets won 42-17. (Photo by Al Bell

Most football fans think of the 2002 Jets and remember that magical last game against the Packers that won the Jets the division title. But this was a team that started 2-5 and needed to run off a big winning streak at the end of the season just to make the playoffs. New York, Miami and New England all ended up tied and the Jets held the tiebreaker, ergo the division title.

Season Record: 9-7

23) 2008 San Diego Chargers

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 28: Kris Dielman #68 and Steve Gregory #28 of the San Diego Chargers celebrate as they walk off the field after defeating the Denver Broncos in the NFL game at Qualcomm Stadium on December 28, 2008 in San Diego, California. The Charg

The Chargers were the first for a lot of things. They were the first team to win the division while never having a winning record during the season. They were the first team since 1985 to win the division with a .500 record. It was an extremely talented team that lost in the Divisional Round to Pittsburgh, but it was a team that defined the term "flipping the switch".

Season Record: 8-8

22) 2006 Seattle Seahawks

A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Nate Burleson grabs a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Dec. 31, 2006 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Another NFC West team. Go figure.

The Seahawks were one of the few teams in recent years to make the playoffs the year after losing in the Super Bowl, but did so after a season of struggles and a up-and-down offense that couldn't get consistency out of Shawn Alexander at the running back position. Seattle did however win it's Wild Card game against Dallas before losing in overtime to Chicago.

Season Record: 9-7

21) 1999 Seattle Seahawks

Todd Warshaw/Getty Images

Like the Cardinals, the Seahawks started off the season very hot, winning eight of their first 10 games. But the Seahawks collapsed down the stretch, losing five of their last six and backing into a division title before losing at home in what turned out to be Dan Marino's last playoff win. The Seahawks would struggle until Matt Hasselbeck came along.

Season Record: 9-7

20) 1999 Detroit Lions

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

12 Dec 1999: Gus Frerotte #12 of the Detroit Lions calls the count from the line of scrimmage during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay, Florida. The Buccaneers defeated the Lions 23-16. Mandatory Credit: A

Led by such timeless and historic names as Gus Frerotte, Greg Hill and others, this Detroit team started 6-2 and lost six of the last eight games before dropping out in the Wild Card round to Washington. Although there is some nostalgia and some treasured memories about this team in the Motor City. It is the last Lions team to make the postseason.

Season Record: 8-8

19) 2007 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 30: Tight end Jerramy Stevens #86 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates a touchdown catch against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium on December 30, 2007 in Tampa, Florida. The Panthers won 31 - 23. (Photo by Al Messer

The last Buccaneer team to make the playoffs and the beginning of the decline under Jon Gruden. The Buccaneers rushed out to an 8-4 record, but lost three out their last four games to back into the postseason. The city was so lukewarm about the team that there was a fear the game could be blacked out in Tampa, although Minnesota also almost had that problem, and there was a ploy to even make sure only Florida residents bought tickets. Even so, the team is now remembered as the team that launched the Giants' journey to a Super Bowl.

Season Record 9-7

18) 1999 Dallas Cowboys

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

25 Nov 1999: Michael Lucky #84 of the Dallas Cowboys carries the ball as he is tackled during the game against the Miami Dolphins at the Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Dolphins 20-3. Mandatory Credit: Ronald Martinez /Allsport

The 1999 season turned out to be the last stand for the Triplets of Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin and Emmitt Smith. Irvin suffered a career-ending neck injury in Philadelphia, and the Cowboys didn't win consecutive games after Week 3. Dallas won it's last game of the season against the Giants to get into the playoffs and lost to Minnesota in the Wild Card Round. The Cowboys didn't make the Playoffs again until 2003.

Season Record: 8-8

17) 1996 Indianapolis Colts

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

29 Dec 1996: A Indianapolis Colts player is injured during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Colts 42-14. Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger /Allsport

The 1995 Colts were a Hail Mary away from a trip to the Super Bowl, the 1996 Colts struggled and barely made the playoffs in '96, doing so while having a -17 point differential. Of course, it turned out to be the beginning of the end for the Jim Harbaugh-Marshall Faulk Colts. In 1997, they finished with the worst record in the league and received the No. 1 pick in the Draft. They picked Peyton Manning, and the rest is history.

Season Record: 9-7

16) 1991 Los Angeles Raiders

Ken Levine/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES - SEPTEMBER 29: Defensive lineman Howie Long #75 of the Los Angeles Raiders looks on as he stand on the sideline during a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 29, 1991 in Los Angeles, California.

The 1991 Raiders at one point were 9-4 and battling for a division title behind an aging core of Howie Long and Marcus Allen. But the Raiders lost the last three games and fell to third, sneaking into the playoffs and losing in the Wild Card Round to Kansas City. The next year, Oakland fell to 7-9 and missed the playoffs.

Season Record: 9-7

15) 2006 New York Giants

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 30: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants stands under center against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field on December 30, 2006 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

The 2006 Giants have been a perfect crystallization of Tom Coughlin's tenure in Gotham. The Giants started out slow, hit their stride in October, then completely collapsed in November and December under a rash of injuries to the top players. Still, the Giants made the playoffs with a porous defense and almost won their playoff game, losing to Philadelphia in the Wild Card Round.

Season Record: 8-8

14) 1985 Cleveland Browns

George Rose/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - SEPTEMBER 25: Tight end Kellen Winslow #80 of the San Diego Chargers sets up a block against linebacker Clay Matthews #57 of the Cleveland Browns for Chargers running back James Brooks #21 during a game at Jack Murphy Stadium on September 25,

The Browns had one of the worst offenses in the NFL that year, finishing 23rd in points scored. It was the Browns top-10 defense, however, that helped Cleveland win the division with a .500 record. Ironically, it was the defense that let the Browns down in the postseason, as Cleveland blew a 21-3 lead in second half and lost to Dan Marino and the Dolphins in the Divisional Round.

Season Record: 8-8

13) 1978 Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings went through an up and down season, thanks mostly to a defense that was 20th in points allowed that season. Yet Minnesota, thanks greatly to a 10-10 tie with second-place Green Bay, won the division, thanks to a 38-year-old Fran Tarkenton throwing for more than 3,000 yards and 25 touchdowns.

Season Record: 8-7-1

12) 2010 St. Louis Rams*

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 05: Quarterback Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams scrambles to pass the football during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Rams defeate

Since all four teams in this year's NFC West are still alive to win the division, all four make this list. Not to take anything away from St. Louis, who has been one of the better stories in the League this year. But 6-7 (including 2-3 in the last five games) and scoring the fewest touchdowns in the division does not make a playoff team.

*Current Record as of posting: 6-7, 1st in NFC West

11) 2010 Seattle Seahawks*

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO - DECEMBER 12: Matt Hasselbeck #8 of the Seattle Seahawks looks on against the San Francisco 49ers during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on December 12, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Neither do the Seahawks, who seem to get blown out every time they lose. To put it this way, only Dallas, Carolina and Arizona have allowed more points in the NFC than Seattle. There's some good young pieces in Seattle, especially on defense. But 329 points allowed with the struggles Seattle's offense has had will not get it done.

*Current Record as of posting: 6-7, 1st in NFC West

10) 2010 San Francisco 49ers*

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO - DECEMBER 12: Alex Smith #11 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball against Dexter Davis #58 of the Seattle Seahawks during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on December 12, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsoh

The 49ers were the team that were supposed to run away with this division. They had the best defense and perhaps the second best offense in the division. Instead the 49ers have played quarterback roulette with guys named Smith (they're back to Alex now) and they've struggled to a disappointing record. That equates to only a game out of first in the 2010 NFC West.

*Current Record as of posting: 5-8, 3rd in NFC West

9) 1998 Arizona Cardinals

Vincent Laforet/Getty Images

20 Dec 1998: Aeneas Williams #35 of the Arizona Cardinals points during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Saints 19-17. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Laforet /Allsport

The 1998 Cardinals were a great story at the time, the lowly Cardinals making the playoffs for the first time since they moved to Arizona. But while Jake Plummer was leading comebacks in the last three games just to get the Cards in, Arizona was allowing 53 more points than it scored. It's hard to say what's worse, the defense or the fact Arizona beat one playoff team that year.

Season Record: 9-7

8) 1983 Seattle Seahawks

George Rose/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 15: Running back Curt Warner #28 of the Seattle Seahawks rushes for yards during the game against the Los Angeles Raiders at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 15, 1985 in Los Angeles, California. The Raiders won 13-3.

Curt Warned lived up to his hype as a rookie, and so did Dave Krieg at quarterback, taking over for Jim Zorn. But the Seahawks still had one of the worst defenses in the league and struggled to make the playoffs. Of course then, all the Seahawks did was make a run to the AFC Conference Title game before losing to Oakland.

Season Record: 9-7

7) 2004 Minnesota Vikings

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

MINNEAPOLIS - DECEMBER 24: Randy Moss #84 of the Minnesota Vikings points to the crowd against the Green Bay Packers during the game on December 24, 2004 at the Hubert H Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Imag

The M.O. on the Mike Tice Vikings of the early 2000s were: great offense, awful defense. Fast start, collapse down the stretch. 2004 wasn't any different, as the Vikings lost seven of their last ten to crawl to .500 and sneak in as the last seed in the NFC. Of course, then the Vikings ended up upsetting the Packers in Green Bay (the infamous Randy Moss faux moon) before losing to the Eagles in the NFC Divisional Round.

Season Record: 8-8

6) 2004 St. Louis Rams

Elsa/Getty Images

ST.LOUIS - DECEMBER 27: Shaun McDonald #84 of the St. Louis Rams runs with the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles on December 27, 2004 at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

The last gasp of an aging team and the Greatest Show on Turf years. During their heyday, the offense covered up the inadequacies of the defense. But the 25th ranked defense in the league and a -73 point differential is hard to cover up, even for an offense like St. Louis. Not surprisingly, the Rams were able to beat a somewhat struggling Seahawks team before losing to Atlanta in the playoffs.

Season Record: 8-8

5) 1994 Chicago Bears

George Rose/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO - JANUARY 7: Linebacker Lee Woodall #54 of the San Francisco 49ers puts a hit on tight end Ryan Wetnight of the Chicago Bears during the 1994 NFC Divisional Playoff game at Candlestick Park on January 7, 1995 in San Francisco, California.

Dave Wannstedt's only playoff appearance as Bears coach came with a team that had one of the worst offenses in football and were, of course, carried by a highly-touted defense. But the Bears were still lightyears from their old glory days, and it showed when they were railroaded in the Divisional Round by eventual Super Bowl Champion San Francisco.

Season Record: 9-7

4) 1990 New Orleans Saints

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

23 Dec 1990: Defensive lineman Kevin Fagan of the San Francisco 49ers (left) works against the New Orleans Saints during a game at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. The Saints won the game, 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule /Allsport

Like the Bears, bad offense, good defense. That was enough to get the Saints into the playoffs before losing to, of all teams, Chicago. Making the playoffs with a team that started 2-5 was an accomplishment in it of itself however. But considering it was the Saints at the time, this might have been enough for a parade on Bourbon Street.

Season Record: 8-8

3) 1978 Atlanta Falcons

Mike Powell/Getty Images

SEPTEMBER 1985: Quarterback Steve Bartkowski #10 of the Atlanta Falcons calls the signals before the snap during a 1985 season NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams. (Photo by Mike Powell/Getty Images)

Bad offense, good defense. I'm sensing a theme here.

The Falcons' first-ever playoff berth in 1978 might have been something to celebrate, but it wasn't a team worth glowing over. The quarterbacks combined for 11 touchdowns and 23 interceptions, while the -50 point differential wasn't pretty either. The Falcons did lose in the playoffs, and would have to wait longer at the time for their first-ever playoff win.

Season Record: 9-7

2) 1989 Pittsburgh Steelers

Tim DeFrisco/Getty Images

DENVER ?? NOVEMBER 5: Wide receiver Louis Lipps #83 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in motion during an NFL game against the Denver Broncos at Mile High Stadium on November 5, 1989 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Steelers 34-7. (Photo by Tim D

The team that was last in offense in the NFL didn't look like a playoff team after losing by a combined score of 92-10 in its first two games. Eventually the Steelers somehow bounced back, won it's Wild Card Game and almost made it to the AFC Title Game before losing by one point to Denver. They were definitely overachievers, to say the least.

Season Record: 9-7

1) 1983 Denver Broncos

George Rose/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 13: Todd Christensen #46 of the Los Angeles Raiders is tackled by Dennis Smith #49 of the Denver Broncos during the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 13, 1983 in Los Angeles, California. The Raiders won 22-

The Broncos were an anomaly. They won nine games, yet only beat one team better than 9-7. The defense was ninth in points allowed, yet 21st in total defense. John Elway started in ten games as a rookie, but split time with Steve DeBerg. Yes, THAT Steve DeBerg. The Broncos went out in their first playoff game, but there was hope from the quarterback position.

Not from DeBerg, he was gone. But that Elway guy turned out to be someone.

Season Record: 9-7