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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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CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 21: Quarterback Jake Delhomme #17 of the Carolina Panthers high fives teammates as he is introduced before the game against the Detroit Lions on December 21, 2003 at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers defeated the Lions 20-14. (Photo By Craig Jones/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 21: Quarterback Jake Delhomme #17 of the Carolina Panthers high fives teammates as he is introduced before the game against the Detroit Lions on December 21, 2003 at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers defeated the Lions 20-14. (Photo By Craig Jones/Getty Images) /

No. 6: 2003 Carolina Panthers

A lot of people have called the 2003 Panthers the most boring team to ever reach a Super Bowl in NFL history. Sure it didn’t have much in the way of personality, but not enough people are giving that team credit for where it came from. They’d been 1-15 in 2001 and 7-9 the next year, finishing last in the division both years. Considering they had to get past the defending champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, no one gave them a chance.

Not only did they go 11-5, they defeated the Buccaneers not once but twice in order to ensure their mastery of the division. From there they battled their way through the Dallas Cowboys, a double-overtime win over the St. Louis Rams, and upset the favored Eagles in Philadelphia to reach the Super Bowl. Then they took the mighty New England Patriots to the wire in a 32-29 slugfest.

They may not be widely remembered today, but what they accomplished deserves praise.

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