These are the most Penalized NFL teams
- Seattle Seahawks rank as the most penalized team in the NFL
- Indianapolis Colts come in as the least penalized team
- Analysis of season data from 2009 to the present reveals the most penalized teams in the NFL
- Findings show that penalties have a negligible effect on Super Bowl odds

A new study by our sports betting experts has uncovered which NFL teams have picked up the most penalties.
Our study analysed NFL sports data going back to 2009 to see which NFL teams picked up the most penalties throughout the seasons. The goal was to find indicators that may impact the overall winner odds of the Super Bowl.
Seattle Seahawks: The Most Penalized Team
In first place are the Seattle Seahawks. The one-time Super Bowl champions have racked up an impressive 1,165 penalties since 2009. The Seahawks’ worst season for receiving penalties is a tie between the 2012 and 2013 seasons, in which they received an impressive 114 penalties. During the same period, they won one Super Bowl in 2014 and three NFC championships in 2014 and 2015.
The Seahawks received penalties 46.44% more than the average team within the NFL.
Las Vegas Raiders: Second Most Penalized
The Las Vegas Raiders place second, picking up 1,115 penalties since 2009. The three-time champions received the most penalties of any team in the 2010, 2011, 2016, and 2021 seasons, receiving 105, 99, 107, and 86, respectively.
The 2016 season, in which they received 107 penalties, was their worst season for picking up penalties. The Raiders received penalties 40.15% more than the average team in the NFL.
Dallas Cowboys: Third Most Penalized
Dallas Cowboys take the third spot on the list, with 986 penalties since 2009. This three-time champion team has consistently been a contender in penalty counts, particularly noteworthy for their performance in the 2012, 2014, and 2022 seasons, where they received 77, 82, and 95 penalties, respectively.
The 2014 season marked their highest penalty count, and the Cowboys garnered penalties 23.94% more than the average NFL team during this period.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Fourth Place
Fourth place goes to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have managed to accumulate 957 penalties since 2009. Their noteworthy seasons include 2015 and 2024, when they accumulated 90 and 82 penalties, respectively. During the same period, they won one Super Bowl in 2021 and one NFC championship in 2020.
The 2015 season stands out as their peak in penalties, and overall, the Buccaneers received penalties 20.29% more than the average NFL team.
Kansas City Chiefs: Fifth Place
In fifth place are the Kansas City Chiefs, who, since 2009, have garnered 938 penalties. This team’s worst seasons for penalties were the 2020 and 2023 seasons, where they received 90 and 78 penalties, respectively, and the Chiefs accumulated penalties 17.90% more than the average NFL team. During the same period, they won two Super Bowls in 2019 and 2022 and four AFC championships in 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2023.
Philadelphia Eagles: Sixth Place
Philadelphia Eagles take the sixth spot on the list, amassing 872 penalties since 2009. This team's penalty counts peaked in the 2009 and 2017 seasons, with 80 and 78 penalties, respectively. During the same period, they won one Super Bowl in 2017 and two NFC championships in 2017 and 2022.
The 2009 season marked their highest penalty count, and the Eagles received penalties 9.61% more than the average NFL team.
San Francisco 49ers: Seventh Place
The seventh spot on the list is the San Francisco 49ers, who, since 2009, have managed to receive 867 penalties. Noteworthy seasons include 2012 and 2023, where they received 77 and 81 penalties, respectively. During the same period, they won two NFC championships in 2012, 2019 and 2023.
The 49ers' 2012 season was their highest in penalties, and overall, they accumulated 8.98% more penalties than the average NFL team.
Denver Broncos: Eighth Place
Eighth place goes to the Denver Broncos, who have picked up 861 penalties since 2009. Their penalty counts peaked in the 2015 and 2023 seasons, with 90 and 73 penalties, respectively. During the same period, they won one Super Bowl in 2015 and two AFC championships in 2013 and 2015.
The 2015 season was particularly penalty-heavy for the Broncos, who received 8.23% more penalties than the average NFL team.
Houston Texans: Ninth Place
The Houston Texans are ninth on the list, receiving 858 penalties since 2009. Noteworthy seasons include 2013 and 2023, when they received 68 and 87 penalties, respectively.
Their 2023 season marked their highest in penalties, and the Texans accumulated penalties 7.85% more than the average NFL team.
Buffalo Bills: Tenth Place
Rounding out the list in tenth place are the Buffalo Bills, who have received 847 penalties since 2009. Their peak penalty season was in
2015, when they received 90 penalties. Overall, the Bills accumulated penalties 6.47% more than the average NFL team.
Least Penalized Team: Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts come in as the team that has received the least penalties since 2009, only managing to be on the receiving end of 646 penalties. The Colts are followed by the Miami Dolphins and N.Y. Giants, who received 654 and 657 penalties, respectively. During the same period, they won one AFC championship in 2009.
The Penalties in Numbers
Across the NFL, the average number of penalties a team has received since 2009 was 795—or 51.65 per season.
Rank | Team | Number of penalties | Compared to average |
---|---|---|---|
1. | Seattle Seahawks | 1165 | 46.44% |
2. | Las Vegas Raiders | 1115 | 40.15% |
3. | Dallas Cowboys | 986 | 23.94% |
4. | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 957 | 20.29% |
5. | Kansas City Chiefs | 938 | 17.90% |
6. | Philadelphia Eagles | 872 | 9.61% |
7. | San Francisco 49ers | 867 | 8.98% |
8. | Denver Broncos | 861 | 8.23% |
9. | Houston Texans | 858 | 7.85% |
10. | Buffalo Bills | 847 | 6.47% |
Methodology:
We compiled and analyzed the NFL season data from 2009 to the present. These penalties were grouped by year and team. We grouped the teams that had changed names since 2009 (such as Oakland) with their correct counterparts and then ranked them by the total number of penalties received.
Below is a table of extended results:
Rank | Team | Number of penalties | Compared to average |
---|---|---|---|
1. | Seattle Seahawks | 1165 | 46.44% |
2. | Las Vegas Raiders | 1115 | 40.15% |
3. | Dallas Cowboys | 986 | 23.94% |
4. | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 957 | 20.29% |
5. | Kansas City Chiefs | 938 | 17.90% |
6. | Philadelphia Eagles | 872 | 9.61% |
7. | San Francisco 49ers | 867 | 8.98% |
8. | Denver Broncos | 861 | 8.23% |
9. | Houston Texans | 858 | 7.85% |
10. | Buffalo Bills | 847 | 6.47% |
11. | Detroit Lions | 837 | 5.21% |
12. | Baltimore Ravens | 831 | 4.45% |
13. | N.Y. Jets | 803 | 0.93% |
14. | Arizona Cardinals | 795 | -0.07% |
15. | New Orleans Saints | 795 | -0.07% |
16. | Cleveland Browns | 784 | -1.45% |
17. | LA Rams | 776 | -2.46% |
18. | Chicago Bears | 742 | -6.73% |
18. | Tennessee Titans | 742 | -6.73% |
18. | Pittsburgh Steelers | 742 | -6.73% |
19. | LA Chargers | 722 | -9.25% |
20. | Minnesota Vikings | 716 | -10.00% |
21. | Green Bay Packers | 709 | -10.88% |
22. | Atlanta Falcons | 691 | -13.14% |
23. | Cincinnati Bengals | 686 | -13.77% |
24. | Washington Commanders | 676 | -15.03% |
25. | Jacksonville Jaguars | 668 | -16.03% |
26. | New England Patriots | 663 | -16.66% |
27. | Carolina Panthers | 657 | -17.42% |
27. | N.Y. Giants | 657 | -17.42% |
28. | Miami Dolphins | 654 | -17.79% |
29. | Indianapolis Colts | 646 | -18.80% |
Join the Conversation!
Our analysis uncovers intriguing patterns in NFL team discipline over the past 14 years. Colts fans, are you proud of your team's low penalty count? Seahawks supporters, what do you think about their penalty history?
Do you believe penalties majorly impact a team's success, or are they just one of many factors? We want to hear your thoughts! Share your insights, opinions, and experiences in the comments below!