Opta Analyst / Author, Matt Sisneros / Design
One of theNFL’s calling cards is its “parity.”
But there is clear disparity between theNFL’s elites and its bottom feeders, especially in the 21st century.
Of the 32 teams in theNFL, 12 have never won aSuper Bowl. Four have never appeared in aSuper Bowl.
A long-said trope in theNFLis that winning is hard. This list ofplayoffdroughts proves that.
Longest ActivePlayoffDroughts
1.New York Jets, 13 Seasons (LastPlayoffAppearance: 2010)
After another losing season, the Jets added another year to their postseason drought, tying a franchise record and extending the active record forlongestplayoffdrought. New York last made theplayoffsduring the 2010 season when Mark Sanchez led the Jets to their second consecutiveAFCchampionshipgameappearance.
After 2010, it’s been a series of disappointments, including butt fumbles and failed quarterback saviors.
2.Denver Broncos, 8 (2015)
The last time the Broncos made theplayoffs, they wonSuper Bowl50 and sent Peyton Manning riding off into the sunset…er, retirement. Since then, they have not figured out their quarterback situation, relegating them toNFLfutility.
Longest ActivePlayoffWin Droughts
1.Detroit Lions, 31 Seasons (Last Playoff Win: 1991)
After the Cincinnati Bengals ended their 31-season drought with a win over the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2021 wild-card round, the Lions rose to the top of this list. The Lions have lost nine consecutiveplayoffgames, the longest streak in theNFL. Barry Sanders led the Lions in rushing in 1991, as Detroit crushed the DallasCowboys 38-6.
2.MiamiDolphins, 22 (2000)
It’s been two decades of mediocrity in South Florida. A Dan Marino-ledDolphinsteam defeated the IndianapolisColts23-17 in overtime.
3. Las VegasRaiders, 21 (2002)
After defeating theTennessee Titansin theAFCchampionshipgame, theRaiderswere once again on the brink of football immortality. But they lost to theTampa BayBuccaneersinSuper BowlXXXVII and did not return to the postseason until the 2016 season. They lost again in 2021 to the Bengals.
4.WashingtonCommanders, 18 (2005)
Washingtonhasn’t won in the playoffs since beating Tampa Bay 17-10 in the 2005NFCwild-cardround. The slide includes three straight losses to theSeattleSeahawksin 2005, 2007 and 2012.
Longest ActiveSuper BowlAppearance Droughts
T-1.Detroit Lions, 57 Years (Never)
The Lions are one of fourNFLteamsthat have never reached theSuper Bowl. They last reached theNFLchampionship in 1957, defeating theCleveland Browns59-14.
T-1.Cleveland Browns, 57 (Never)
The Brownsare one of those team to have never played in theSuper Bowl. In theSuper Bowlera, they reached theNFLchampionship in 1969 but lost to the MinnesotaVikings27-7.
3.New York Jets, 55 (Super BowlIII, 1968 Season)
The Jets haven’t made theSuper Bowlsince the days of Broadway Joe Namath. Namath and AFL champion New York defeated theNFLchampionBaltimoreColts16-7.
4. MinnesotaVikings, 47 (Super BowlXI, 1976 Season)
TheVikingsare a long way from the Purple People Eaters. Minnesota made four of the first 11Super Bowls, but lost all four, joining theBuffaloBillsas the only teams to lose fourSuper Bowlswithout winning one.
5.MiamiDolphins, 37 (Super BowlXIX, 1984 Season)
For older football fans, it seems hard to believe that theDolphins, one of the winningest teams in league history and the owner of the only undefeated season in league history, haven’t reached theSuper Bowlsince Dan Marino’s second season. For younger football fans, it might be harder to believe that theDolphinshave made even oneSuper Bowl. Miami made three consecutiveSuper Bowlsfrom 1971-73, losing the first before winning the next two. TheDolphinsthen lostSuper BowlsXVII and XIX toWashingtonand the San Francisco 49ers, respectively.
Most Consecutive Seasons MissingPlayoffs(All Time)
T-1.Chicago/St. Louis Cardinals, 25 Seasons (1949-73)
The Cardinals used to be the model of doormat franchises in professional sports. And in a way, they still hold some of those qualities. After winning theNFLchampionship in 1947 and reaching it again in 1948, the Cardinals went more than two decades without making theplayoffs. They are one of 12 teams still waiting for their first Lombardi Trophy.
- T-1.Washington Commanders, 25 (1946-70)
- 3.PittsburghSteelers, 24 (1948-71)
- 4.New OrleansSaints, 20 (1967-86)
- T-5.Cleveland Browns, 17 (2003-19)
- T-5.BuffaloBills, 17 (2000-16)
- T-5. New YorkGiants, 17 (1964-80)
- T-5.PhiladelphiaEagles, 17 (1961-77)
- T-5.Denver Broncos, 17 (1960-76)
Most Consecutive Seasons Without a Playoff Win (All Time)
1.Chicago/St. Louis/Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals, 50 Seasons (1948-97)
Before becoming one of the more well-runNFLteamsin the 21st century, the Cardinals were the model for a struggling franchise. The Cardinals, inChicagoat the time, won theNFLchampionship gamein 1947, lost it in 1948 and then didn’t return to the postseason until 1974, over a decade after they had moved to St. Louis.
2. Pittsburgh Pirates/Steelers, 37 (1933-71)
It’s almost hard to believe theSteelersexperiencing any sort of postseason pain. But prior to becoming one of the most winningest franchises in theSuper Bowlera, theSteelersonly appeared in oneplayoffgamefrom 1933-71, losing in a division tiebreaker to thePhiladelphiaEaglesin 1947.
- T-3.New OrleansSaints, 33 Seasons (1967-99)
- T-3.Detroit Lions, 33 (1958-90)
- 6.Cincinnati Bengals, 30 Seasons (1991-2021)
Most ConsecutivePlayoffLosses (All Time)
1.Detroit Lions, 9 Games (1992-Present)
Has any American sports franchise tortured its fanbase quite like theLions?
Despite having generational talents like Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson, the Lions have not won anNFLplayoffgamesince the 1991 divisional round.
T-2.Kansas City Chiefs, 8 (1994-2014)
The Chiefs have no issue winning postseason games these days. But before Andy Reid came to Kansas City, the Chiefs had a difficult time finding success in January. Four of their eight losses were by one possession.
- T-2.Cincinnati Bengals, 8 (1991-2021)
- T-4. New YorkGiants, 6 Games (1939-50)
- T-4.Cleveland Browns, 6 (1970-86)
- T-4. MinnesotaVikings, 6 (1989-96)
- T-4.SeattleSeahawks, 6 (1984-2005)
- T-4. DallasCowboys, 6 (1997-2008)
- T-4.BuffaloBills, 6 (1996-2020)
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