There are 28 states that don’t have an NFL team. If you are in one of these states, which franchise should you swear allegiance to and why?
Football. The number one sport in the United States. Watched by millions, attended by millions and bet on by millions every single year.
If you are a non-American, it is common knowledge that you will not have a geographic allegiance to any NFL franchise. However, if you love the sport, it is likely that you have a favorite team to follow week-by-week.
The team you choose may be influenced by family members, your favorite colors, specific players or a love for a certain place in the States.
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Surprisingly, this is also the case for those in 28 states of America. They have no local team to cheer on, no stadium to visit on NFL Sunday, no merch to rep during the week.
So, what states don’t have an NFL team? And if yours doesn’t, which team should you support every week?
NFL Teams By State
| State | Number of NFL Teams | Team(s) |
| Alabama | 0 | |
| Alaska | 0 | |
| Arizona | 1 | Arizona Cardinals |
| Arkansas | 0 | |
| California | 3 | Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers |
| Colorado | 1 | Denver Broncos |
| Connecticut | 0 | |
| Delaware | 0 | |
| Florida | 3 | Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| Georgia | 1 | Atlanta Falcons |
| Hawaii | 0 | |
| Idaho | 0 | |
| Illinois | 1 | Chicago Bears |
| Indiana | 1 | Indianapolis Colts |
| Iowa | 0 | |
| Kansas | 0 | |
| Kentucky | 0 | |
| Louisiana | 1 | New Orleans Saints |
| Maine | 0 | |
| Maryland | 2 | Baltimore Ravens, Washington Commanders |
| Massachusetts | 1 | New England Patriots |
| Michigan | 1 | Detroit Lions |
| Minnesota | 1 | Minnesota Vikings |
| Mississippi | 0 | |
| Missouri | 1 | Kansas City Chiefs |
| Montana | 0 | |
| Nebraska | 0 | |
| Nevada | 1 | Las Vegas Raiders |
| New Hampshire | 0 | |
| New Jersey | 0 | |
| New Mexico | 0 | |
| New York | 3 | Buffalo Bills, New York Giants, New York Jets |
| North Carolina | 1 | Carolina Panthers |
| North Dakota | 0 | |
| Ohio | 2 | Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns |
| Oklahoma | 0 | |
| Oregon | 0 | |
| Pennsylvania | 2 | Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers |
| Rhode Island | 0 | |
| South Carolina | 0 | |
| South Dakota | 0 | |
| Tennessee | 1 | Tennessee Titans |
| Texas | 2 | Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans |
| Utah | 0 | |
| Vermont | 0 | |
| Virginia | 0 | |
| Washington | 1 | Seattle Seahawks |
| West Virginia | 0 | |
| Wisconsin | 1 | Green Bay Packers |
| Wyoming | 0 |
Don’t Have an NFL Team in Your State?
Given the popularity of the sport, it seems crazy that less than half of the states in America are home to an NFL team. Just 22 states have NFL teams.
We have covered what states don’t have an NFL team. Now, let’s explore the team that you could support if you are in a team-less state. We will also outline the reasons why you could support that team, incase you wish to relay the information!
Alabama
Home of the Crimson Tide. But, Alabama is home to no major professional sports teams.
Geographically, Alabama is in the South East. You’ve got Tennessee to the North and Georgia to the East. That gives you two options of the Tennessee Titans or the Atlanta Falcons. Neither have won the Super Bowl, so you will be cheering on your franchise to win their first if you go with either of those options.
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Alaska
It’s not the most accessible state in the world for attending NFL games. However, the sensible option would be to support the Seattle Seahawks in Washington.
Arkansas
With Texas to the West and Tennessee to the East, your best options are going to be the Tennessee Titans or the Houston Texans.
However, it is worth noting that the Texans are the only NFL franchise to not appear in a conference championship. They aren’t the most successful franchise, that’s for sure.
Connecticut
Those in Connecticut are right in between New York and Massachusetts. If you are closer to New York, you could support the New York Jets or the New York Giants. Or, if you are closer to Massachusetts, New England Patriots is the team for you.
Delaware
The three teams closest to you in Delaware are three huge franchises. Take your pick of the New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers or New York Giants.
Hawaii
Similar to Alaska, Hawaii is a state that sits on its own. There are no neighboring states with NFL franchises to choose from.
One shout would be the Miami Dolphins. Their first-choice quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, is Hawaiian. Go on, cheer him on from his native state!
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Idaho
Geographically, there is only one team for you in Idaho. And that’s the Seattle Seahawks in Washington.
Iowa
What states don’t have an NFL team around Iowa? The answer is, not many.
But Iowa hasn’t been blessed with a team of its own. You could support the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs or Minnesota Vikings. All franchises are located in bordering states.
Kansas
This one is confusing. You have the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL but, technically, the Chiefs are actually located in Missouri. This shouldn’t stop you from supporting Kansas City’s team. Let’s go Chiefs!
Kentucky
If you are in Kentucky, you’ve got Cincinnati and Indianapolis to the North, and Nashville to the South.
That gives you a choice to make between the Bengals, Colts and Titans. The Bengals are certainly a team to watch as we head into the 2023/24 season.
Mississippi
Another Southern state. Falcons, Saints or Titans could be your calling.
Maine
It’s gotta be the Patriots. All day long.
Montana
None of the states in this part of the country have an NFL team. If you are in Montana, you might want to go get yourself a Seahawks jersey. And even make the trip to Seattle if you’re feeling adventurous.
Nebraska
The college sports teams are strong in Nebraska. However, the professional sports teams are non-existent.
With Colorado and Kansas/Missouri bordering the state, why not swear your allegiance to the Denver Broncos or Kansas City Chiefs? It is worth noting that the Chiefs are favorites to win Super Bowl 58 in Las Vegas.
New Hampshire
If you are in New Hampshire then you are part of New England, right? Right – Patriots.
New Jersey
Technically, New Jersey is home to two NFL teams. The New York Giants and the New York Jets both play their home games at the MetLife Stadium. However, they are both classed as ‘New York teams’.
Confusing, eh? We will keep out of this one.
New Mexico
If you are in New Mexico, the nearby franchises are the Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans. The Dallas Cowboys are just +1400 to win the Super Bowl in 2024…
North Dakota
If you are from North Dakota, you should support the Minnesota Vikings. It is the closest NFL team to you by a long stretch.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma have an NBA team – Oklahoma City Thunder. But they don’t have an NFL franchise. Your best bet is probably to support the Kansas City Chiefs. Or the Dallas Cowboys or Houston Texans.
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Oregon
We keep coming back to the Seattle Seahawks, but once again this an understandable choice for you in Oregon. Or, choose another West Coast team like the San Francisco 49ers or the Raiders, who recently moved from Oakland to Vegas.
Rhode Island
Sitting on that East Coast with no local NFL team to root for. You Rhode Island mob have got it tough.
Luckily, you’ve got the Patriots in bordering Massachusetts and the Giants and Jets in New York. It would be sensible to take your pick of these three.
South Carolina
North Carolina’s NFL team, the Carolina Panthers, is one option for you here. Or, you could choose to support the Atlanta Falcons in neighboring state Georgia.
South Dakota
South Dakotans, your team should feasibly be the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings head into the new season as a middle-of-the-pack franchise. Anything can happen once Week 1 begins.
Utah
Denver to the East. Las Vegas and Phoenix to the South. That gives you in Utah the option of three nearby franchises – the Broncos, the Raiders or the Cardinals.
Vermont
Vermont is a beautiful state. But it’s one of the smallest in terms of population. And, more importantly, it has no NFL team.
It is a common theme here, but the only logical choice from a geographic point of view is the New England Patriots. If you’re from Vermont, you will probably be a Patriots fan.
Virginia
If you’re in Virginia, you can bet on sports! But, unfortunately, you have no local team to support or bet on.
The Carolina Panthers are probably the NFL team for you in Virginia. You just need to go across the border to the South to get to Charlotte.
West Virginia
Another one of the states that doesn’t have an NFL team, but does have legalized online sports betting. You can even bet on casino online in WV.
If you are in West Virginia, you’ve got a strong choice between the Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers and Washington Redskins nearby. Baltimore are probably the strongest of the three heading into the 2023/2024 season.
Wyoming
Last on our list of what states don’t have an NFL team is Wyoming. The Denver Broncos are literally the only franchise available nearby. Or go wild and pick a team further afield?
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