Five most disappointing NFL playoff teams since 2000
By Mark Paul, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Jan 12, 3:35 pm EST
The NFL playoffs feature 12 teams aspiring to bring home a Super Bowl title. Most seasons, some teams disappoint while others surprise. Just because a team posts a remarkable regular season doesn't mean they are destined to bring home a title. Since 2000, there have been plenty of playoff teams that have disappointed. Here's a look at the 5 who had the biggest letdowns.
1. 2007 New England Patriots
A list like this has to include the Patriots. Since 1972, no team has duplicated the perfect season posted by the Miami Dolphins. The Patriots seemed destined to do it. Led by a dynamic offense, New England went 16-0. Their final regular season game was a hard fought win against the New York Giants. The Patriots rolled through the AFC playoffs, beating Jacksonville and San Diego. However, they're dream run came up short. The New York Giants, a wild card team, stunned New England 17-14. It will always be considered one of the biggest upsets in the history of the Super Bowl.
2. 2005 Indianapolis Colts
The Colts were the dominant team of 2005. They started 13-0 before the San Diego Chargers pulled an upset. They entered the playoffs 14-2 and the clear favorite to win the Super Bowl. In the divisional round, they faced the sixth seeded Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh got off to a 21-3 lead, but the Colts battled back. With the score 21-18, previously automatic kicker Mike Vanderjagt missed a game tying field goal. Instead of the ultimate glory, it was another disappointing playoff run for Peyton Manning(notes).
3. 2008 Tennessee Titans
Journeyman Kerry Collins(notes) led the Titans to a 10-0 start. A key late season win over the Steelers cemented home field advantage for this season teamed. In the divisional round, they faced off against the Baltimore Ravens, the sixth seed in the playoffs. Collins and the Tennessee offense could do little to penetrate the Baltimore defense. In the end, a Matt Stover(notes) field goal sealed the upset. Tennessee joined a long list of AFC teams to flame out during the divisional playoffs.
4. 2010 New Orleans Saints
The Saints were the defending champions. They entered the final week of the season with an outside shot at home field advantage. That didn't pan out, and the 11-5 Saints earned the fifth seed. They gave them a game against the 7-9 Seattle Seahawks. Seattle had been blown out in all nine of their losses, including one to the Saints. However, New Orleans blew an early lead and fell behind. A late rally wasn't enough, and the Seahawks earned a 41-36 stunner.
5. 2007 Indianapolis Colts
The Colts figured to be the big challenger to New England. They started the season 7-0 and finished with a 13-3 record. The Colts earned the second seed in the AFC. The experts were pining for another Indianapolis-New England classic in the AFC Championship Game. However, that never happened. The Chargers and Colts had a back and forth game that went down to the wire. With stars LaDanian Tomlinson and Philip Rivers(notes) sidelined, the Chargers rallied for the winning score.
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