Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers played their first game in 1995, when they joined Jacksonville as the NFL’s first expansion teams since 1976. Carolina became the most successful expansion franchise in league history in its first season. In their second season they qualified for the postseason, and on to the NFC championship game. The Panthers were not able to capitalize on their startling early run, however, and they posted losing records in five of the next six years, including a disastrous one-win season in 2001 that led to the hiring of new team management and head coach.