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The Top 10 worst-to-first seasons in NFL history

By Erik Lambert

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 24: Jake Elliott #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates with teammates after making a game winning 61 yard field goal against the New York Giants on September 24, 2017 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 24: Jake Elliott #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates with teammates after making a game winning 61 yard field goal against the New York Giants on September 24, 2017 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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03 Feb 2002: David Patten #86 of the New England Patriots celebrates a touchdown against the St.Louis Rams with his teammates during Superbowl XXXVI at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Patriots defeated the Rams 20-17. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello/Getty Images
03 Feb 2002: David Patten #86 of the New England Patriots celebrates a touchdown against the St.Louis Rams with his teammates during Superbowl XXXVI at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Patriots defeated the Rams 20-17. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello/Getty Images /

No. 2: 2001 New England Patriots

Impressive as the Eagles were, their Super Bowl opponent had already seen that story before. In fact, they’d lived it 16 years earlier. In 2001, the Patriots were an unknown. They’d gone 5-11 the year before and were being run by a head coach in Bill Belichick who’d only made the playoffs once in his career to that point dating back to the early 1990s. Things only got worse when the season began and former Pro Bowl quarterback Drew Bledsoe was knocked out with a collapsed lung.

This forced a second-year kid into the starting lineup names Tom Brady. He’d been a 6th round pick the year before. While tall with a decent arm and a proven background at Michigan, he was skinny, inexperienced and slow. Things didn’t start out great but suddenly after a few games, the Patriots started to win. Then they kept winning. Before long they’d found their way into the playoffs at 11-5.

There the winds of fate were on their side in the infamous “Tuck Rule” game against the Raiders followed by a big road upset of the Steelers in Pittsburgh. Nobody gave them a chance to beat the Rams in the Super Bowl though. They were the powerhouse team destined to be a dynasty. Four quarters later, led by an inspired effort from Brady and the defense, Adam Vinatieri kicked them to their first championship in franchise history.

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