Everybody knows how hard it is to get accustomed to a new home. After a few stubbed toes in the dark, eventually you learn where the light switches are.
RedEye took a look at the most recent moves into new stadiums by 28 NFL teams (Cleveland, Houston and Jacksonville are in their original stadiums) and found that only one–the 1971 Dallas Cowboys–went on to win the Super Bowl in the first season in their new home. Of the 22 teams which didn’t make the playoffs the year before inaugurating a new home field, only four made the postseason the following year.
That doesn’t bode well for the Bears, who went 4-12 last season while playing in Champaign’s Memorial Stadium.
Then again, if the new Soldier Field comes equipped with a 1500-yard running back and a pair of All-Pro offensive tackles, they could be in good shape.
Only one team has won the Super Bowl in the first season in a new home.
Team, stadium: Arizona Cardinals, Sun Devil Stadium
Move year: 1988
Before: 7-8
After: 7-9
Team, stadium: Atlanta Falcons, Georgia Dome
Move year: 1992
Before: 10-6 (playoffs)
After: 6-10
Team, stadium: Baltimore Ravens, M&T Bank Stadium
Move year: 1998
Before: 5-11
After: 4-12
Team, stadium: Buffalo Bills, Ralph Wilson Stadium
Move year: 1973
Before: 4-9-1
After: 9-5
Team, stadium: Carolina Panthers, Ericsson Stadium
Move year: 1996
Before: 7-9
After: 12-4 (playoffs)
Team, stadium: Cincinnati Bengals, Paul Brown Stadium
Move year: 2000
Before: 4-12
After: 4-12
Team, stadium: Dallas Cowboys, Texas Stadium
Move year: 1971
Before: 10-4 (playoffs)
After: 11-3 (playoffs)
Team, stadium: Denver Broncos, Invesco Field
Move year: 2001
Before: 11-5 (playoffs)
After: 8-8
Team, stadium: Detroit Lions, Ford Field
Move year: 2002
Before: 2-14
After: 3-13
Team, stadium: Green Bay Packers, City Stadium*
Move year: 1957
Before: 4-8
After: 3-9
Team, stadium: Kansas City Chiefs, Arrowhead Stadium
Move year: 1972
Before: 10-3-1
After: 8-6
Team, stadium: Indianapolis Colts, RCA Dome
Move year: 1984
Before: 7-9
After: 4-12
Team, stadium: Miami Dolphins, Pro Player Stadium
Move year: 1987
Before: 8-8
After: 8-7
Team, stadium: Minnesota Vikings, Metrodome
Move year: 1982
Before: 7-9
After: 5-4 (playoffs)
Team, stadium: New Orleans Saints, Superdome
Move year: 1975
Before: 5-9
After: 2-12
Team, stadium: New York Giants, Giants Stadium
Move year: 1976
Before: 5-9
After: 3-11
Team, stadium: New York Jets, Giants Stadium
Move year: 1984
Before: 7-9
After: 7-9
Team, stadium: New England Patriots, Gillette Stadium
Move year: 2002
Before: 11-5 (playoffs)
After: 9-7
Team, stadium: Oakland Raiders, Network Assoc. Stadium
Move year: 1995
Before: 9-7
After: 8-8
Team, stadium: Philadelphia Eagles, Veterans Stadium
Move year: 1971
Before: 3-10-1
After: 6-7-1
Team, stadium: Pittsburgh Steelers, Heinz Field
Move year: 2001
Before: 9-7
After: 13-3 (playoffs)
Team, stadium: St. Louis Rams, TWA Dome*
Move year: 1995
Before: 4-12
After: 7-9
Team, stadium: San Diego Chargers, San Diego Stadium*
Move year: 1967
Before: 7-6-1
After: 8-5-1
Team, stadium: San Francisco 49ers, Candlestick Park
Move year: 1971
Before: 10-3-1 (playoffs)
After: 9-5 (playoffs)
Team, stadium: Seattle Seahawks, Seahawks Stadium
Move year: 2002
Before: 9-7
After: 7-9
Team, stadium: Tampa Bay Bucs, Raymond James Stadium
Move year: 1998
Before: 10-6 (playoffs)
After: 8-8
Team, stadium: Tennessee Titans, The Coliseum
Move year: 1999
Before: 8-8
After: 13-3 (playoffs)
Team, stadium: Washington Redskins, FedEx Field
Move year: 1997
Before: 9-7
After: 8-7-1
(playoffs) indicates team qualified for playoffs.
*Stadium renamed at later date.
