2014: Arizona Cardinals (11-5)
Super Bowl XLIX: University of Phoenix Stadium
The Cardinals finished the 2014 season 11-5 before losing in the wild card round to the Carolina Panthers, but that masks the true story of the season, which was Carson Palmer’s health. Palmer played in only six games before tearing his ACL in Week 10 against the St. Louis Rams. On the year, Palmer had 11 touchdowns and three interceptions. It was his second season playing under Bruce Arians, and the improvement people saw between Year 1 and Year 2 is why many, including Palmer, felt the Bucs should’ve given Jameis Winston one more chance. But, when you can get a quarterback like Tom Brady, you do it. Speaking of Brady, he and the Patriots won Super Bowl XLIX in the Cardinals’ home stadium, courtesy of Malcolm Butler’s goal-line interception.