NFL Standings

NFL Standings
Up to the minute NFL standings.

NFL Standings

Below are the current NFL standings updated in real-time. Broken down into American Football Conference (AFC) and National Football Conference (NFC). Click here for a list of all NFL teams. Click here for the NFL schedule.

2020 NFL Standings | 2019 NFL Standings |2018 NFL Standings | 2017 NFL Standings | NFL Standings 2016 | NFL Standings 2015 |2014 NFL Standings | 2013 NFL Standings | 2012 NFL Standings | 2011 NFL Standings |2010 NFL Standings | 2009 NFL Standings | 2008 NFL Standings | 2007 NFL Standings |2006 NFL Standings | 2005 NFL Standings | 2004 NFL Standings | 2003 NFL Standings | 2002 NFL Standings

Beneath the final 2021 NFL standings are the season standings for several years.

NFL Standings 2021

For the first time ever the NFL expanded to a 17 game regular season. The hardest part for me was learning the vernacular. No longer could you say “This is a .500 team.” Or, “This is a classic 6-10 Bears squad.” You had to do the math before every damn thing. The playoffs also changed, adding an additional Wild Card team and allocating the first round byes to the #1 seeds in each conference exclusively.

The biggest trade of the year was the Rams acquisition of QB Matthew Stafford from the Lions for Jared Goff and three draft picks. Alongside trading for Von Miller from Denver, these moves put the Rams over the top and culminated in them winning the Super Bowl. “RAM IT” indeed!

Some absolute STUDS retired in 2021.

2021 also saw the NFL relax its policy on jersey number ranges by position. In true NFL fashion, a league run by lawyers, “any player who changed his number this season was required to buy out the inventory of his existing jersey before the change was made. A player who intends to change his number for the 2022 season can do so without cost.”

The coolest individual play of the season was Justin Tucker’s game winning, all-time longest FG of 66-yard to beat the Lions in week 3.

Here’s some perspective for ya. In week 7, Matt Stafford became the 13th player to have 300 careering passing TDs. Also in week 7, Tom Brady became the first player to record 600 passing TUDS. Insane.

My favorite performance of the season had to be Jets QB Mike White. In week 8 he made his first career start due to injury and completed 37 of 45 passes for 405 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions as the Jets won 34–31. He was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance.

Weirdest stat of 2021. In week 16, Dak Prescott became the first QB to ever throw TD passes to a running back, wide receiver, tight end, and offensive lineman in the same game.

Because of the expansion to 17 games, many records fell which I will not acknowledge in this post.

Sean McVay’s Super Bowl win made him the youngest coach to win the Super Bowl. Mike Tomlin was also 36, but McVay beat him by 303 days.

NFL Awards 2021

AP Most Valuable Player: Aaron Rodgers
AP Offensive Player of the Year: Cooper Kupp
AP Defensive Player of the Year: TJ Watt
AP Coach of the Year: Mike Vrabel
AP Assistant Coach of the Year: Dan Quinn
AP Offensive Rookie of the Year: Ja’Marr Chase
AP Defensive Rookie of the Year: Michah Parsons
Super Bowl Most Valuable Player: Cooper Kupp

2021 AFC Standings

2021 afc standings

2021 NFC Standings

NFL Standings 2020

The 2020 NFL season was the year of Tom Brady. The 43-year old won his 7th Super Bowl, the most for any player ever. The Buccaneers became the first team to win the Super Bowl in their home stadium when they defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9 to win Super Bowl 55.

His 4,633 passing yards during the season were 3rd most and his 40 passing TUDS were 2nd most. Interestingly, he also completed the 2nd most passes with 401.

But, Aaron Rodgers won the MVP award and honestly he deserved it. His 48 passing TD led the league and it honestly felt like he had about 100. Stats don’t really tell the tale of how dominant he was. Every time the Packers needed a big play, he made it happen. Working with a crew of WR you had never heard of.

For as great as Brady was, and Rodgers, the Titan’s Derrick Henry dominated his position like no one else. While you could argue who was between Brady or Rodgers, there was no argument that Henry was the best running back in the NFL during the 2020 season.

He led the NFL in carries (378), yards (2,027), and rushing TD (17). His 2,000 yard rushing season was probably the quietest, least celebrated 2k season ever, and the 8th man to do it. So lowly regarded, I just went to the Pro HOF website about 2,000 yard rushers and Henry isn’t even included.

Defensively, Aaron Donald was regarded as the best player. TJ Watt led the NFL with 15 sacks and was upset that Donald, not him, won the NFL DPOY award. The Dolphins Xavien Howard led the NFL with 10 interceptions.

A couple of weird stats:

  • Ryan Fitzpatrick became the first quarterback to defeat the same opponent as a member of six different teams after leading Miami to a win over Jacksonville. Fitzpatrick also defeated Jacksonville as a starting quarterback for Cincinnati, Buffalo, Tennessee, Houston, and the New York Jets.
  • The Chicago Bears became the first NFL team to win two games in the same season after trailing by at least 16 points in the fourth quarter.
  • Drew Brees passed Anthony Calvillo for most career passing yards in any professional football league, with 79,846. Calvillo passed for 79,816 yards in the Canadian Football League.
  • Alvin Kamara tied the record for most individual rushing touchdowns in a game, with six. The record was previously set by Ernie Nevers in 1929.

NFL Awards 2020

AP Most Valuable Player: Aaron Rodgers
AP Offensive Player of the Year: Derrick Henry
AP Defensive Player of the Year: Aaron Donald
AP Coach of the Year: Kevin Stefanski
AP Assistant Coach of the Year: Brian Daboll
AP Offensive Rookie of the Year: Justin Herbert
AP Defensive Rookie of the Year: Chase Young
Super Bowl Most Valuable Player: Tom Brady

NFL Standings 2020 AFC

NFL Standings 2020 NFC

NFL Standings 2019

The Chiefs defeated the 49ers in Miami 31-20 in Super Bowl LIV. The first half of the game was back and forth between both teams and game tied at 10 at the half. After a Robbie Gould field goal and a rushing touchdown by Raheem Mostert the 49ers had a 20–10 lead going into the fourth. However, over the last 6:13 of the game, the Chiefs offense completed two touchdown drives with Mahomes and never looked back.

Regardless, this was the year of Lamar Jackson. Every week he went OFF. The Ravens ripped thru everyone during the regular season, and after a first round bye, were upset by the Tennessee Titans during their Great, Weird Playoff Run in the 2019 playoffs. After a 9-7 regular season in the NFL Standings 2019, they beat the Patriots and Ravens on the road and put up an earlier thriller vs. the Chiefs in Arrowhead before getting overpowered in the 2nd half.

In the NFC conference championship, Raheem Mostert became the first player in NFL history to rush for at least 200 yards and four touchdowns in a playoff game. His 248 yard performance became the most ever in a conference championship game.

NFL Awards 2019

AP Most Valuable Player: Lamar Jackson
AP Offensive Player of the Year: Michael Thomas
AP Defensive Player of the Year: Stephon Gilmore
AP Coach of the Year: John Harbaugh
AP Assistant Coach of the Year: Greg Roman
AP Offensive Rookie of the Year: Kyler Murray
AP Defensive Rookie of the Year: Nick Bosa
Super Bowl Most Valuable Player: Patrick Mahomes

NFL Standings AFC

NFL Standings 2019

2018 NFL Standings

The 2018 NFL season culminated with Super Bowl LIII. On February 3, 2019, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the Patriots (go to Patriot Place if you haven’t) defeated the Rams 13–3 for their sixth Super Bowl championship.

Some people said it was a boring game but I just cooked and ate nachos the entire time and drank several Budweiser tall boys with my friend Doug and kids and loved the low scoring battle. Belichick shutdown the NFL’s most potent offense and the Rams never looked like they knew how to adapt to the Patriots’ defense.

The 2018 NFL season will be remembered as the year of Patrick Mahomes. He destroyed NFL defenses from week one on, like a toddler antagonizing a house cat at a friend’s house. And he made Andy Reid look like a genius for moving on at the QB position and trading former Pro Bowl QB Alex Smith to the Redskins, clearing the way for Mahomes to blow up.

NFL Awards 2018

AP Most Valuable Player: Patrick Mahomes
AP Offensive Player of the Year: Patrick Mahomes
AP Defensive Player of the Year: Aaron Donald
AP Coach of the Year: Matt Nagy
AP Assistant Coach of the Year: Vic Fangio
AP Offensive Rookie of the Year: Saquon Barkley
AP Defensive Rookie of the Year: Darius Leonard
Super Bowl Most Valuable Player: Julian Edelman

NFL Standings 2018 AFC

NFL Standings 2018 NFC

2017 NFL Standings

The 2017 NFL season began on September 7, 2017. The season culminated with Super Bowl LII, located in U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN. The Eagles beat the Patriots 41–33 to win their first Super Bowl ever and finish #1 in the standings. Tom Brady set a Super Bowl record with 505 passing yards. The Patriots also set Super Bowl records for most total yards in a game with 613, and the fewest punts in a game with zero — and still lost to the Eagles.

Forever remembered as the “Philly Special” which sounds either like a sandwich or a sex act you pay the extra $5 for, Nick Foles catching a TUD against the Pats was the play that this season is remembered for. Super Bowl LII was especially cool for me cuz I was there, fool, read the 3 day recap featuring interviews with household names you love.

In the playoffs in 2017, Marcus Mariota caught his own pass and ran it in for a touchdown, which made him the first QB in NFL postseason history to complete a TD pass to himself.

Weird Factoid: This also made him the first player in the Super Bowl era with passing and receiving touchdowns in the same playoff game.

Also in the 2017 NFL season, the Browns lost every game, joining the 2008 Lions as the only teams to be total losers.

NFL Awards 2017

AP Offensive Player of the Year: Todd Gurley
AP Defensive Player of the Year: Aaron Donald
AP Coach of the Year: Sean McVay
AP Assistant Coach of the Year: Pat Shurmur
AP Offensive Rookie of the Year: Alvin Kamara
AP Defensive Rookie of the Year: Marshon Lattimore
Super Bowl Most Valuable Player: Nick Foles

NFL Standings 2017 AFC

NFL Standings 2017 NFC

NFL Standings 2016

The 2016 NFL season began on September 8, 2016, with the Broncos collecting a “W” against the Panthers 21–20 in the first game of the year in which Cam Newton got the absolute shit beat out of him. A trend that various opposing NFL defenses continued throughout the entire season and really broke his body down for years to come.

The season ended with Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium in Houston. The Patriots beat the Atlanta Falcons 34–28 in OT. The Patriots completed the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history. It is arguably the greatest Super Bowl game ever…unless you are a Falcons fan.

The Falcons offense unexpectedly blew up this year. QB Matt Ryan (I had an entertaining convo w/him here) WR Julio Jones, and OC Kyle Shanahan had a great season. Ryan/Jones became the first quarterback/wide receiver duo in NFL history with 500+ passing yards and 300+ receiving yards in a single game. I remember because I was going AGAINST Julio Jones in many leagues that day and he kept fucking scoring while I was mowing. In fact I continued to busy myself with yard work to get rid of the anxiety until the middle of the afternoon games.

Dak Prescott became the starting QB in Dallas and he was immediately successful, leading them to a 13-3 record and NFC East crown in his rookie season.

The Patriots comeback in the Super Bowl is really what defined the 2016 NFL season.

NFL Awards 2016

AP Most Valuable Player: Matt Ryan
AP Offensive Player of the Year: Matt Ryan
AP Defensive Player of the Year: Khalil Mack
AP Coach of the Year: Jason Garrett
AP Assistant Coach of the Year: Kyle Shanahan
AP Offensive Rookie of the Year: Dak Prescott
AP Defensive Rookie of the Year: Joey Bosa
Super Bowl Most Valuable Player: Tom Brady

NFL Standings 2016

NFL Standings 2016 AFC

NFL Standings 2015

The 2015 NFL season began on Thursday, September 10, 2015, with the Patriots beating the Steelers 28-21. The 2015 season ended with Super Bowl 50. On Sunday, February 7, 2016, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, the Broncos beat the Panthers 24–10.

This was the 50th year of the Super Bowl era and the NFL did a bunch of cool branding. Like making the 50 yard line marker on every field gold and using a gold-plated NFL shield logo.

This was also the last year of Chip Kelly’s fast break offense with the Eagles. Which was kind of a harsh reaction considering the Eagles went 10-6 in each of the prior two seasons.

The 2015 NFL season was the first year of “completing the process of the catch” making the understanding of what constitutes a “catch” as confusing as what a room fool of lawyers could make it. Scumbags. I knew what I catch was when I was 4 years old. Just like I know a goddamn fumble when I see it and don’t need 15 minutes, 87 camera angles, and two commercial breaks to finger it out.

The NFL moved the extra point back from the 2-yard line to the 15. Defenses were now allowed to return turnovers on two-point tries or blocked or missed PAT kicks to the opposing end zone for two points.

The Falcons were stripped of draft pick and fined $350,000 after being caught supplementing crowd noise during home games in 2013 and 2014. To make it weirder, team President Rich McKay was also the chairman of the league’s competition committee. #UnscrupulousMuch?

Four teams started the season 7–0, setting a new NFL record. For the first time in NFL history, three teams (the Bengals, Patriots, and Panthers) started the same season 8–0.

The Denver Broncos became the fourth team to appear in eight Super Bowls, joining the Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Denver Broncos’ head coach Gary Kubiak became the first person in NFL history to reach a Super Bowl as both a player and a head coach with the same franchise.

NFL Awards 2016

AP Most Valuable Player: Cam Newton
AP Offensive Player of the Year: Cam Newton
AP Defensive Player of the Year: JJ Watt
AP Coach of the Year: Ron Rivera
AP Assistant Coach of the Year: Wade Phillips
AP Offensive Rookie of the Year: Todd Gurley
AP Defensive Rookie of the Year: Marcus Peters
Super Bowl Most Valuable Player: Von Miller

2014 NFL Standings

The season began on Thursday, September 4, 2014 and ended with Super Bowl XLIX, On Sunday, February 1, 2015, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, Patriots beat the Seahawks, 28–24.

Malcom Butler’s interception on his own goal line in the final seconds sealed the “W.” And cemented the Pats at the top of the NFL standings. The interception also ended the Seahawks bid to become back-to-back Super Bowl champions.

Interesting 2014 NFL Standings happenings:

  • The weirdest thing about the 2014 NFL season was Michael Sam becoming the first gay player in NFL history. Watching him make out with his boyfriend during the NFL Draft upon selection, was weird.
  • Colts owner Jim Irsay got suspended for 6 games. He got pulled over and had “numerous prescription medication bottles containing pills” as well as almost $30,000 in cash.” I wanna party with that guy, like, yesterday.
  • Ray Rice KO’d his girlfriend in an elevator and ended his NFL career.
  • Adrian Peterson got suspended for alleged child abuse.
  • Peyton Manning defeated his former team, the Colts, and became the second quarterback to defeat all 32 NFL teams, joining Brett Favre.
  • Devin Hester set an NFL record with 20 total returns for touchdowns. The previous record was held by Deion Sanders, who had 19 touchdowns.
  • Wes Welker became the NFL’s all-time leader in career pass receptions amongst undrafted wide receivers.
  • DeMarco Murray became the first player in NFL history to rush for at least 100 yards in each of his team’s first seven games to start a season, breaking the record he held with Jim Brown. Murray would extend his record to eight games.
  • Michael Vick became the first quarterback in NFL history to reach 6,000 career rushing yards.
  • Matt Forte set the league season record for receptions by a running back, finishing with 102.

NFL Awards 2014

AP Most Valuable Player: Aaron Rodgers
AP Offensive Player of the Year: DeMarco Murray
AP Defensive Player of the Year: J. J. Watt
AP Coach of the Year: Bruce Arians
AP Offensive Rookie of the Year: Odell Beckham Jr.
AP Assistant Coach of the Year: Todd Bowles
AP Defensive Rookie of the Year: Aaron Donald
Super Bowl MVP: Tom Brady

2014 NFL Standings

2014 NFC NFL Standings

2013 NFL Standings

The 2013 NFL season saw the Seahawks and Broncos ascend the NFL standings and make it to the Super Bowl. The Seahawks spanked the butts of Peyton “noodle-arm” Manning. The game was over by the end of the first quarter and the Seahawks won 43-8. The Super Bowl was played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sunday, February 2, 2014.

I remember this day vividly because my GF broke up with me in bed early in the day. But we’d already RSVPd as a couple to a Super Bowl party so we had to go together. So I got real drunk.

Scoring reached historic levels throughout the league in 2013 NFL standings. As a whole the league set records for total points scored, points scored per game and the number of both touchdowns and field goals scored. The Broncos set a new standard for team scoring in the regular season with 606 points. In addition to the Broncos, ten other teams each scored over 400 points, the greatest number of teams to surpass that in a single season. Games averaged 46.8 points, the highest average in NFL history – 46.5 in 1948 was the previous highest scoring average season.

Peel back blocks were made illegal, just like weed in Nebraska.

Aaron Hernandez was charged with murder. It was the weirdest, never ending story ever.

Riley Cooper was caught on video using a racial slur during a music concert.

The Richie Incognito “bulling” episode took place. It was a farce.

Russell Wilson the second-year quarterback of the Super Bowl champion Seahawks led all NFL players in terms of total licensed product sales (jerseys, T-shirts, figurines, photos, etc.)

2013 NFL Awards

AP Most Valuable Player: Peyton Manning
AP Offensive Player of the Year: Peyton Manning
AP Defensive Player of the Year: Luke Kuechly
AP Coach of the Year: Ron Rivera
AP Offensive Rookie of the Year: Eddie Lacy
AP Defensive Rookie of the Year: Sheldon Richardson
Super Bowl MVP: Malcolm Smith

2013 NFL Standings

2013 NFL Standings NFC

2012 NFL Standings

The 2012 standings ended with Super Bowl XLVII, on Sunday, February 3, 2013, at the  Superdome in New Orleans, LA. The “Harbaugh Bowl” featured the Jim Harbaugh-coached 49ers against the John Harbaugh-coached Ravens.

The Ravens won 34-31 in a weird game that featured an extended delay due to a power outage. The 49ers had a chance to win with just a few seconds left and threatening on the Ravens goal line, but could not convert on the game’s final play.

This was the year of replacement referees – remember that? It was all anyone could talk about in the beginning of the 2012 NFL season because they were HORRIBLE and directly impacted the outcome of several games.

Most notably was the Goldengate/Fail Mary/Inaccurate Reception game in front of a Monday Night Football game between the Seahawks and Packers. On the games final play, one ref signaled TD while the other signaled interception. Two days letter, the refs were back.

The NFL also got rid of Sudden Death overtime, and changed the format so both teams have the opportunity to have a possession. Crack back blocks were outlawed, a rule I still hate.

The Dolphins traded WR Brandon Marshall to the Bears where he would have a ton of success and become the franchise’s all-time leading receiver.

The Saints got busted for “Bounty Gate” scandal under former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams (Why do we just put “Gate” after the first word of any scandal now?). Williams paid his players to injure opposing teams best weapons. Williams was caught on audio tape appearing to put a bounty on 49ers QB Alex Smith after he told his men to hit Smith in the chin, “then he rubs his thumb against his index and middle fingers – the cash sign – and says, I got the first one. I got the first one. Go get it. Go lay that [expletive] out.”

Lions kicker Jason Hanson set a record for longest time with one team, with 21 years of service. He must’ve liked the community because ALL. THAT. LOSING. Must’ve sucked.

In other kicker news, David Akers kicked a 63-yard FG to tie the NFL record for longest FG.

In even MORE kicker news, Greg Zuerlein became the first kicker in NFL history to make a 50+ yard and 60+ yard FG in the same game.

Charles Tillman and Lance Briggs became the first pair of teammates in NFL history to each return an INT for a TD in consecutive games.

The Bears became the first team in NFL history to record a TD pass, a TD run, an interception return for a touchdown, and a blocked kick/punt for a score in the same quarter in their week 9 destruction of the Titans. Peanut Tillman set a record for most forced fumble sin one game with 4. I remember this game because as a Bears fan it was INCREDIBLY fun to watch. So fun in fact, I got hammered and got a DUI this evening. #TrueStory.

Jason Witten set the NFL record for receptions by a tight end, a stat he made completely useless. I wrote in this article that if Jason Witten gets in the Hall of Fame, Todd Christensen had damn well better be there too. Alongside a host of other TE that were more productive.

But the story of the year was Adrian Peterson. After returning from a torn ACL in record time, he dominated the NFL, and rushed for over 2,000 yards. The Vikings offense was putrid and opposing defenses knew what was coming on every play – AP “All Day.”

2012 NFL Awards

AP Most Valuable Player: Adrian Peterson
AP Offensive Player of the Year: Adrian Peterson
AP Defensive Player of the Year: JJ Watt
AP Coach of the Year: Bruce Arians
AP Offensive Rookie of the Year: Robert Griffin III
AP Defensive Rookie of the Year: Luke Kuechly
Super Bowl MVP: Malcolm Joe Flacco

2012 NFL NFC Standings

2011 NFL Standings

The 2011 season began on Thursday, September 8, 2011, with the Packers defeating the Saints 42–34 at Lambeau Field and ended with Super Bowl XLVI on February 5, 2012, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Giants defeated the Patriots 21–17 thanks to an amazing catch on 3rd down by Mario Manningham that netted 38-yards and sealed the deal.

Drew Brees set the NFL single season passing record with 5,476 yards and had 46 passing TUDS. In this video I asked Brees how far he can throw left handed and what it felt like to kill a crocodile with a knife.

Cam Newton set the NFL record for most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in a season w 14. Newton also set the single season rookie-record for most passing yards (4,051).

David Akers made the most FG in a single season in history (44) and scored the most points ever in a single season without scoring a TD.

2011 NFL Awards

Offensive Player of the Year: Drew Brees
Defensive Player of the Year: Terrell Suggs
Coach of the Year: Jim Harbaugh
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Cam Newton
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Von Miller
Super Bowl Most Valuable Player: Eli Manning

NFL Standings 2011

2010 NFL Standings

In Super Bowl XLV played at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the Packers defeated the Steelers 31–25 to win their fourth Super Bowl. Aaron Rodgers won his first SB and the shadow of Brett Favre was forever banished. I spoke to Packers WR Greg Jennings and he told me who the better QB was.

The Seahawks won the NFC West with a 7–9 record and becam the first team in NFL history to win the division and make the playoffs with a losing record. The culmination was a Sunday Night Football game vs the Rmas, winner take all. Whoever won, won the division and made the playoffs. It was a great game to watch. Led by Charlie “Jesus” Whitehurst at QB, the Seahawks won. A week later, because the were division champs, hosted a playoff game against the Super Bowl champ Saints. The Seahawks won thanks to Marshawn Lynch’s “Beast Quake” TD run to seal it, my vote for best run in NFL history. In winning, they became the first team with a losing record to win a playoff game.

The NFL changed the rule and made the defenseless receiver rule apply to every receiver.

The NFL relaxed all rules regarding crowd noise. These rules were created to help visiting offensive players hear the snap count. In one example, then-Cincinnati Bengals head coach Sam Wyche and then-quarterback Boomer Esiason “protested” the crowd noise rules during a 1989 nationally televised game against the Saints by constantly complaining to the referee about the loud crowd.

After week 5, there were no undefeated teams.

Starting with the Super Bowl during the 2010 NFL season (XLV), the league went bland AF by using announcing a template of all Super Bowl logos will virtually remain the same. The NFL also introduced new Lamar Hunt and George Halas trophies for the AFC and NFC champions. They were widely panned and still suck.

Devin Hester set the NFL record for kicks returned for TD with 14.

DeSean Jackson became the first player in NFL history to win a game by scoring on a punt return as time expired and did it in an amazing comeback against the Giants in the Meadowlands.

Arian Foster led the NFL in rushing yards (1,616) and TDs (18).

2010 NFL Awards

Offensive Player of the Year: Tom Brady
Defensive Player of the Year: Troy Polamalu
Coach of the Year: Bill Belichick
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Sam Bradford
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Ndamukong Suh
Super Bowl Most Valuable Player: Aaron Rodgers

2010 NFL Standings

NFL Standings 2010

2009 NFL Standings

The 2009 standings ended with Super Bowl XLIV on February 7, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium. The Saints beat Colts 31–17 thanks to a terrible, inexcusable INT by noodle-arm Peyton Manning in the 4th quarter. Interestingly, both the Colts and Saints began the season 14–0 and 13–0, marking the first time in history two teams won their first thirteen games and were 13-0 in the NFL standings.

The 2009 NFL standings were hugely influenced by rules changes that have accounted for the explosion in passing yards, and scoring, ever since.

  • Two attempts on an onside kick were limited to one.
  • Blindside blocks aka “earholing a dude” were outlawed.
  • The “defenseless receiver” rule was implemented; imagine how Chuck Cecil felt about this.
  • The “Tom Brady Rule” was enforced, QBs could no longer be hit at the knees or below.The Pro Bowl was now happening a week before the Super Bowl for the first time since 1979.

A lot of interesting stuff happened on the field as well. After a season with the Jets, and in a three month period, Brett Favre retired from the Jets, unretired, and signed as a free agent with the Vikings. The Vikings finished their season with a record of 12–4 and made the playoffs as the number two seed.

Jay Cutler got traded to the Bears in 2009, and Bengals explosive receiver Chris Henry passed away. Michael Vick got out of prison and signed with the Eagles and was modestly used. No one knew how he was gonna blow TF UP a year later.

DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart became the first teammates to each rush for 1,100+ yards in a season. Chris Johnson AKA CJ2K became the 6th RB to run for over 2,000 yards.

The highest scoring playoff game in NFL history also took place in 2009. The Cardinals beat the Packers. 51–45 for a combined total of 96 points, setting a new NFL playoff record for total combined points scored.

the 2009 Super Bowl XLIV was watched by 153.4 million people. It became the most viewed program in history and surpassed the 1983 finale of M*A*S*H. Alan Alda cried himself to sleep that night and every night since.

2009 NFL Awards

Most Valuable Player: Peyton Manning
Offensive Player of the Year: Chris Johnson
Defensive Player of the Year: Charles Woodson
Coach of the Year: Marvin Lewis
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Percy Harvin
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Brian Cushing
Super Bowl Most Valuable Player: Drew Brees

2009 NFL Standings

NFL Standings 2009

2008 NFL Standings

Super Bowl XLIII, the league’s championship game, was at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on February 1, 2009. The Steelers beat the Cardinals 27–23 in an awesome back and forth game. Personally this may be the best Super Bowl I have ever watched (Bills v Giants ’91, 49ers v Bengals ’89 are both strong competitors).

It literally had EVERYTHING. Just a complete chess battle between two organizations that have had a lot of employee crossover. The second memory I immediately have of this game is a resurgent Kurt Warner getting picked by James Harrison at the Steelers goal line on the last play before halftime and returning it 100 yards for the TUD.

But the immediate memory I have is the game winning TD pass from Ben Roethliesberger to Santonio Holmes. With 37 seconds left in the game, Rapistberger found Holmes INCREDIBLY between 3 Cardinals defenders with a perfect pass, while Holmes collected the ball and did the ultimate sideline tight rope – to win the fucking SUPER BOWL.

2008 featured the first 0-16 team in NFL history, the Detroit Lions. DeAngelo Williams led the NFL with 20 total TDs, I challenged him to a 40 yard dash once.

2008 NFL Awards

AP Most Valuable Player: Peyton Manning
AP Offensive Player of the Year: Drew Brees
AP Defensive Player of the Year: James Harrison
AP Coach of the Year: Mike Smith
AP Offensive Rookie of the Year: Matt Ryan
AP Defensive Rookie of the Year: Jerod Mayo (who told me about a the body spray “overspraying epidemic” amongst our youth)
Super Bowl Most Valuable Player: Santonio Holmes

2008 NFL Standings

NFL Standings 2008

2007 NFL Standings

The Patriots became the first team in NFL history to go 16-0 – read former Patriots defensive lineman Jarvis Green’s recap of the 2007 Patriots season here – only to lose in the Super Bowl to the Giants, 17-14. at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on February 3.

David Tyree’s helmet catch was miraculous and was the most notable play, at the most critical time, of the 2007 season.

The Patriots absolute ROMP through the entire NFL is what this season is remembered for. The Patriots scored the most points in NFL history in a single season (589). Tom Brady set the single season passing TD record (50) and receiver Randy Moss, supposedly past his prime and done and ready for the rest home, set an NFL single season record for receiving touchdowns (23) – both records set in the Meadowlands against the Giants in the final game of the regular season in front of a nationally televised audience. The offense scored the most touchdowns ever (75) and even lil Stevie Gostkowski got into the action by setting the all-time NFL records for most PATs kicked (74) and made (74).

2007 NFL Awards

AP Most Valuable Player: Tom Brady
AP Offensive Player of the Year: Tom Brady
AP Defensive Player of the Year: Bob Sanders
AP Coach of the Year: Bill Belichick
AP Offensive Rookie of the Year: Adrian Peterson
AP Defensive Rookie of the Year: Patrick Willis
Super Bowl Most Valuable Player: Eli Manning

2007 NFL Standings

NFL Standings 2007

2006 NFL Standings

The Colts beat the Chicago Bears 29–17 in Super Bowl XLI at Dolphin Stadium at Miami Gardens, Florida on February 4. Devin Hester returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, the fastest TD in Super Bowl history.

The Bears offense was one of the biggest surprises of the 2006 season. Behind Rex Grossman (aka “Gross Rexman”), the offense achieved incredible highs in terms of producing yards and in some cases points, while scraping the lowest of lows due to turnovers and inconsistent play.

The comeback win over the Cardinals on Sunday Night Football in front of a nationally televised audience gave birth to one of the greatest coaching meltdowns of all-time from Dennis Green.

This was the season of LaDainian Tomlinson. He caught, ran, and threw his way to an NFL record 31 TD and scored the most points in a single-season (186) EVER. His AFC West division rival, Larry Johnson, set the single season mark for carries (416).

This was the year of Devin Hester – no one could stop him, yet they still continued to kick to him. 5 kick and punt return for TD was a single-season record.

2006 NFL Awards

AP Most Valuable Player: LaDainian Tomlinson
Offensive Player of the Year: LaDainian Tomlinson
Defensive Player of the Year: Jason Taylor
Coach of the Year: Sean Peyton
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Vince Young
Defensive Rookie of the Year: DeMeco Ryans
Super Bowl Most Valuable Player: Peyton Manning

2005 NFL Standings

The Steelers defeated the Seahawks 21–10 in Super Bowl XL at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan on February 5. In Jerome Bettis‘ return to his hometown of Detroit, he finally won a Super Bowl title in his last NFL game.

The most annoying thing about this game was the blatant favoritism by the refs towards the Steelers in the 2nd half, negating several key plays. Though he was shut down in the Super Bowl, Shaun Alexander won regular season MVP and set a new NFL record with 28 total TDs breaking the record of 27 set by Priest Holmes.

The 2005 NFL standings were weirder than usual thanks to Hurricane Katrina, which displaced the Saints. Star Saints’ WR Joe Horn was a vocal proponent and de facto spokesperson for the region.

This was the first year Panthers’ Steve Smith (STEVE SMIFFFF!) would go completely ape shit and single-handedly beat the Bears at Soldier Field in the playoffs. He won Comeback Player of the Year for leading the NFL in receiving yards and receiving TUDS.

The Horse Collar tackle AKA the “Roy Williams Rule” was implemented. The first NFL regular season game played outside the US took place in Mexico City.

2005 NFL Awards

Most Valuable Player: Shaun Alexander
Offensive Player of the Year: Shaun Alexander
Defensive Player of the Year: Brian Urlacher
Coach of the Year: Lovie Smith
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Carnell Williams
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Shawne Merriman
Super Bowl Most Valuable Player: Hines Ward

2004 NFL Standings

The Patriots won their second title in two years and completed the rare occurance of a back to back championship. They defeated the Eagles 24–21 in Super Bowl XXXIX at ALLTEL Stadium in Jacksonville, FL on February 6. Donovan McNabb supposedly puked in the huddle during a potential game-winning drive. Terrell Owens played on a broken leg with screws and metal plates and told me about it.

The saddest thing about the 2004 NFL season was the elimination one bar facemask, a Gary Anderson favorite. Thanks to 2003, and the likes of Chad Johnson, Terrell Owens, and Joe Horn, officials are instructed to penalize excessive TD celebrations more harshly.

Peyton Manning set the NFL single-season record for TD passes (49). Ed Reed was at the height of his power and set record for single-season interception return yards (358), including a 106-yard INT return that was the longest in NFL hissss.

2004 NFL Awards

AP Most Valuable Player: Peyton Manning
Offensive Player of the Year: Peyton Manning
Defensive Player of the Year: Ed Reed
Coach of the Year: Marty Schottenheimer
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Ben Rothliesberger
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Jonathan Vilma
Super Bowl Most Valuable Player: Deion Branch

2003 NFL Standings

The Patriots beat the Panthers 32–29 in Super Bowl XXXVIII at Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX on February 1. The first half was scoreless after 26:55 had elapsed in the game and set the record for the longest amount of time a Super Bowl remained scoreless. The party I was at, people said it was “boring.” Personally, I loved it. My kind of game.

Then suddenly, the two teams combined for 24 points in just over 3 minutes. At halftime, the Pats led 14-10 and the “Wardrobe Malfunction” between Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake “took hold” and “captivated” a nation.

The Patriots would ultimately win it on an Adam Vinatieri 41-yard FG as time expired.

This game is one of the most underrated games, not just Super Bowls, in NFL history.

The 2003 NFL season had a ton of great storylines. The Chiefs started the season 9-0, buoyed by the insane season of “X Factor” Dante Hall, only to lose in their first playoff game in a shoot out vs. the Colts, 38-31.

Steve McNair willed the Titans to a 12-4 record, which was only good enough to garner a Wild Card spot – 12-4 would’ve tied them for 1st in the NFC. (It seems you can’t talk about him without talking about the way he died, and I HIGHLY recommend this podcast, Fall of a Titan, if you are into podcasts.)

Peyton Manning led the NFL in passing completions (357), passing yards (4,413), and passing TD (33) and the Colts to a 10-6 record. He was also named All-Pro for the first time in his career. This is the first year he and Tom Brady faced off in AFC Championship, and, the beginning of one of the best QB rivalries in NFL history.

For me, the 2003 NFL season was defined by the dominance of Jamal Lewis. Week in, week out, he blew up. Check out this game by game recap of highlights on YouTube. No one could stop him.

Even running into consistent eight and nine man (at least) defensive fronts, he was physically superior. Even with Kyle Boller as QB and Todd Heap leading the team with just 593 receiving yards. There was no secret Lewis was going to jam it down your throat and he still did it. Over the years I’ve spoken to many players, and more than any other player, his name gets mentioned as a true freak. His teammate Terrell Suggs told me that once.

In week two he set the single game NFL rushing record (besting Corey Dillon’s 278) with 295 against the Browns, adding 3 TD. Lewis had 12 games with 100+ yards, 2 with 200+, averaged 129 YPG, had 14 rushing TD, and 2,066 rushing yards (3rd most in a single season behind only Adrian Peterson and Eric Dickerson) were the most in the league in 2003.

McNair and Manning were named Co-MVPs for the Associated Press (and more popular) version of the award, and Lewis won the Pro Football Writers Association (PFWA) MVP award.

2003 NFL Awards

AP Most Valuable Player: Peyton Manning and Steve McNair
Offensive Player of the Year: Jamal Lewis
Defensive Player of the Year: Ray Lewis
Coach of the Year: Bill Belichick
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Anquan Bolden
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Terrell Suggs
Super Bowl Most Valuable Player: Tom Brady

2002 NFL Standings

The 2002 NFL season was the year Rich Gannon came out of nowhere, after a solid if at times middling career as an NFL journeyman QB, to win the MVP and lead the Raiders to the top of the NFL standings and ultimately an appearance in the Super Bowl.

The Super Bowl did not go as well as the regular season. It was the 2nd time in history the NFL’s #1 offense, the Raiders, faced the #1 defense, the Buccaneers, in the Super Bowl.

Former Raiders coach Jon Gruden had become the Bucs HC prior to the 2002 season and knew all the plays. Infamous dumbass (and Gruden’s former OC/replacement) Bill Callahan never changed any of the play-calls from the prior season. AS a result, the Bucs defense, already beastly AF, could read every play.

Tampa Bay beat the Raiders 48-21. Dexter Jackson won the Super Bowl MVP. And Jon Gruden won carte blanche for the rest of his life.

Gannon’s 4,689 passing yards led the NFL. He had the 3rd most passing TD (26) and 2nd highest QB Rating.

His 293 yards passing per game average was the highest by 21 ypg over second place finisher Drew Bledsoe, 31 more than 3rd place Peyton Manning (262) and 40 more than Kerry Collins in 4th (254). Speaking of Collins and Manning, they tied to lead the league in game-winning drives with 5.

But it wasn’t all butterflies and rainbows for NFL quarterbacks during the 2002 season. David Carr was sacked 76 times, the most times a qb has been sacked in a single season in NFL history.

2002 was the inaugural season for the Houston Texans.

Couple the NFL sack record with a single-season NFL record for punts (116) it is no wonder the Texans went 4-12. The highlight of the season was when they beat the Dallas Cowboys in a nationally televised Sunday Night NFL game on ESPN.

Ricky Williams led the NFL in rushing yards (1,853), carries (383), and yards per game (115) as a member of the Miami Dolphins. HIs 16 rushing TD were second to Priest Holmes league-leading 21.

The Beer Man Michael Lewis of the Saints hopped out of a beer truck and into the role of kick returner for the Saints and led the NFL with 2 KR TDs. He was named All-Pro after accumulating 2,432 yards on kick and punt returns.

The Dolphins’ Jason Taylor was the league-leader in sacks with 18.5 in 2002.

Tampa’s Brian Kelly and Oakland’s Rod Woodson (aka “GOD Woodson”) tied to lead the league in interceptions with 8.

2002 NFL Records

  • Most Pass Receptions, Season Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis (143)
  • Longest Return of a Missed Field Goal Chris McAlister, Baltimore (107 yards)
  • Yards From Scrimmage, Career Jerry Rice, Oakland (21,284)
  • Most Rushing Yards Gained, Career Emmitt Smith, Dallas
  • Most Rushing Yards by a Quarterback, Game Michael Vick, Atlanta (173)
  • Most First Downs by Both Teams, Game Seattle (32) vs. Kansas City (32) [64 total]
  • Fewest Fumbles by a Team, Season Kansas City (7)
  • Fewest Fumbles Lost by a Team, Season Kansas City (2)
  • Most Punts by a Team, Season Houston (116)

2002 NFL Awards

AP MVP: Rich Gannon
AP Offensive Player of the Year: Priest Holmes
AP Defensive Player of the Year: Derrick Brooks
AP Coach of the Year: Andy Reid
AP Offensive Rookie of the Year: Clinton Portis
AP Defensive Rookie of the Year: Julius Peppers
Walter Payton Man of the Year: Troy Vincent
AP Comeback Player of the Year: Tommy Maddox
PFWA Comeback Player of the Year: Tommy Maddox
Super Bowl MVP: Dexter Jackson

2002 AFC Standings

2002-afc-standings-records

2002 NFC Standings

2002-nfc-standings-records