How depressing it must be to know that your favorite NFL team doesn’t stand a chance at making the playoffs even in a league of parity.  Ah parity.  It’s the NFL concept of all teams being equal.  It’s the idea that with a tweak here and a transaction there, every team has a chance to go to the Super Bowl in any given season.   In 2011, the New York Giants were one game over .500 yet they won the Super Bowl.  In fact, there were nine teams with a better record than the World Champion Giants but when it was all said and done, New York hoisted the Lombardi.  That should give a lot of franchises hope going into the 2012 season.  But even with league parity some franchises remain hopeless.  Several NFL teams are just so bad that they don’t have a chance at getting to the Super Bowl or even making the playoffs for that matter.   Here are five NFL teams who won’t make the playoffs in 2012.

Cleveland Browns – This franchise has never been the same since it went inactive from 1996-99 following owner Art Modell’s move of the original  Brown’s team to Baltimore after the 1995 season.  The NFL reactivated the Cleveland Browns in 1999 but you’ve got to wonder why?  Since then the Browns have posted only two winning seasons (10-6 in 2007 and 9-7 in 2002).  The Browns currently have questions and holes at quarterback, running back, and wide receiver.  Cleveland has the 4th overall pick in the upcoming draft and a likely candidate could be Robert Griffin III.  The problem is that even with RG3, the Browns don’t have enough talent to put around him to make a run at the playoffs.  This franchise will remain in distress for several years to come.

Minnesota Vikings – Where to start with this team?  The Vikings finished the 2011 regular season at 3-13.  How a team with Adrian Peterson only wins three games is pretty remarkable.  Christian Ponder made some strides at quarterback in his rookie season but let’s be honest; this team is more than a few pieces away from becoming competitive again.  Unfortunately for Vikings fans, don’t expect things to stabilize in 2012.  If the Vikings can’t get it turned around, look for the organization to make coaching changes starting at the top with  head coach Leslie Frazier.

Jacksonville Jaguars – New Ownership, new coaching staff, same Jaguars.  This team is a lot like the Vikings.  They have a prized possession at running back but nothing else to compliment Maurice Jones-Drew.  Blaine Gabbert is questionable at best as a future starting quarterback in the NFL and this team has many needs on both sides of the ball.  A smart move for the Jaguars may be to trade MJD to Denver for Tim Tebow.  Yeah, the team would still suck but Tebow would generate media buzz in Florida like no other.  Ticket sales would skyrocket and he would restore interest to a very uninteresting franchise.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers – After a 10-6 2010 season the Buccaneers quit on former head coach Raheem Morris in 2011.  Josh Freeman took two steps back and the rest of the team seemed to follow.  Even with that said of all the teams on this list Tampa will be the first to return to the playoffs but there’s absolutely no  way that will happen in 2012.  The Bucs have the 5th pick in the 2012 NFL draft and if Cleveland is foolish enough to pass on RG3 then they should definitely take him.  RG3 and Legarrette Blount could provide a solid nucleus for this team for years to come.

Indianapolis Colts – It will take more than Luck for this team to make the playoffs in 2012.  The Colts cleaned house after their regular season ended with a 2-14 record.  They have multiple veterans who are likely to become free agents as the path that this franchise has chosen to take is clearly to wipe the slate clean and start anew.  Some teams reload, but the Colts are definitely rebuilding.  In all likelihood they will take Andrew luck with the first overall pick.  Unfortunately for Colts fans, Luck is not the savior of this franchise because in its current state, there is nothing to save.  Consider 2012 a successful season if the Colts win five games.

You can follow Aaron on Facebook and Twitter @Da_Bear_Truth.  You can also follow him on Google+ or contact him directly at AMoon@thepenaltyflagblog.com.

Sign up for TPF’s Daily Newsletter and enter to win a TPF T-Shirt

Related articles

• NFL Running Backs who should take their talents elsewhere (thepenaltyflagblog.com)
• 5 NFL owners who shouldn’t own teams (thepenaltyflagblog.com)
• 2012 NFL Mock Draft: Top 10 Picks (thepenaltyflagblog.com)
• STB’s Hottie of the Week: Kim Kardashian (shatterthebackboard.com)