If I had to pick one thing that I love about the NFL, it would be the expansion teams. Every four years or so a team is added to the league, and this creates amazing storylines and moments. As a long time sports fan, there’s nothing more exciting than watching a great team join the ranks of the already established ones.
The NFL currently has 14 expansion teams, and most of them have had great success. The most recent addition is the Las Vegas Raiders, which have quickly become one of the most popular teams in the league. The team has some of the biggest names in the game, including newly acquired star QB Derek Carr and running back Josh Jacobs. The Raiders are only the latest NFL expansion team to make a mark on the league.
The Carolina Panthers franchise started life as an expansion team in 1995 and quickly made their mark on the league. The team’s first season was a success, with the Panthers making the playoffs and ending the season with an 11-5 record. The team has gone on to become a powerhouse and a perennial Super Bowl contender.
The Seattle Seahawks were added to the league in 1976, and just a few years later they were a legitimate championship contender with the legendary “12th man” crowd behind them. The Seahawks have made 7 trips to the Super Bowl and that number is sure to keep growing as the team is always one of the most feared contenders in the league.
The Houston Texans were welcomed to the league in 2002, and the team quickly found success. The Texans broke the curse of expansion teams and made the playoffs for the first time in 2011. The Texans have been a perennial postseason team ever since, and their success has been built around the deep and talented roster that the team holds.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have also become a legitimate contender, making it to the AFC Championship game in 2017. The Jags have had ups and downs, but they have always been a competitive club.
The most recent editions to the NFL expansion teams are the Carolina Panthers and Detroit Lions. Both of these teams have had their share of success, with the Panthers reaching the Super Bowl in recent years and the Lions always being tough teams to beat.
The addition of these expansion teams has been great for the NFL, as it has added some great teams to the league. There’s nothing more exciting than watching an unfamiliar team carve out their own little spot in the NFL landscape. These teams create amazing storylines and moments that keep us talking and watching and that’s why the NFL expansion teams have been so successful.