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
the-most-penalised-nfl-teams
Patrik Lidin
Writer: Principal Writer and Editor / Head of Content
Experience: Sports Trader, Market Maker, Product Owner Sportsbook, Professional Gambler, Poker Player
Reviewed by:   Expert review board

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. 

These are the most Penalized NFL teams
The most Penalized NFL teams Infographic.

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%
Table with all NFL teams and their number of penalties, compared to average.

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!

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