List of NFL franchise post-season droughts

Last updated

This is a list of current and former National Football League (NFL) franchise droughts (multiple consecutive seasons of not reaching a certain achievement) related to the post-season and Super Bowl. The length of a drought is the number of seasons since the last time a franchise achieved a certain milestone. For a milestone that a franchise has never achieved, the length of the corresponding drought is equal to the number of seasons the franchise has been active.

Contents

All 32 active NFL teams have qualified for the playoffs and won at least one playoff game in their history. Of the 12 teams that have never won the Super Bowl, the seven who predate the institution of the game (the Cardinals, Lions, Oilers/Titans, Chargers, Browns, Bills, and Vikings) had all won an NFL or AFL championship prior to the AFL–NFL merger. In the case of the Vikings, however, the Super Bowl existed at the time they won their only league title (in 1969). Thus, the Vikings along with the other five teams (the Falcons, Bengals, Panthers, Jaguars and Texans, whose history is no older than the Super Bowl itself) are the only franchises to have never won the highest championship available to them. The Cardinals own the longest drought since a championship of any kind, at 77 seasons.

Note that for continuity purposes, the Cleveland Browns are officially considered to have suspended operations for the 1996, 1997, and 1998 seasons. Since returning 26 years ago, they have only made the playoffs three times, while the Baltimore Ravens are considered to be a separate team that began play in 1996. The Ravens, as a result of the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy, absorbed the Browns' personnel upon their suspension, but not their history.

Active team droughts

Post-season droughts

^Longest drought in team history
Playoff droughts [1] [2]
TeamLast appearance in post-seasonSeasons
New York Jets ^ 2010 AFC Championship 14
Carolina Panthers ^ 2017 NFC Wild Card 7
Atlanta Falcons 2017 NFC Divisional 7
Indianapolis Colts 2020 AFC Wild Card 4
Chicago Bears 2020 NFC Wild Card 4
New Orleans Saints 2020 NFC Divisional 4
Las Vegas Raiders 2021 AFC Wild Card 3
New England Patriots 2021 AFC Wild Card 3
Arizona Cardinals 2021 NFC Wild Card 3
Tennessee Titans 2021 AFC Divisional 3
Seattle Seahawks 2022 NFC Wild Card 2
Jacksonville Jaguars 2022 AFC Divisional 2
New York Giants 2022 NFC Divisional 2
Cincinnati Bengals 2022 AFC Championship 2
Cleveland Browns 2023 AFC Wild Card 1
Miami Dolphins 2023 AFC Wild Card 1
Dallas Cowboys 2023 NFC Wild Card 1
San Francisco 49ers Super Bowl LVIII 1
2024 playoff teams
Pittsburgh Steelers 2024 AFC Wild Card 0
Los Angeles Chargers 2024 AFC Wild Card 0
Denver Broncos 2024 AFC Wild Card 0
Green Bay Packers 2024 NFC Wild Card 0
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2024 NFC Wild Card 0
Minnesota Vikings 2024 NFC Wild Card 0
Houston Texans 2024 AFC Divisional 0
Baltimore Ravens 2024 AFC Divisional 0
Los Angeles Rams 2024 NFC Divisional 0
Detroit Lions 2024 NFC Divisional 0
Buffalo Bills 2024 AFC Championship 0
Washington Commanders 2024 NFC Championship 0
Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl LIX 0
Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl LIX 0

Playoff game victory droughts

Sortable table, click on the header arrows.

^Longest drought in team history
Most consecutive losses in team history [3]
¤Tied for most consecutive losses in team history


Current playoff losing streak [1]
Seasons
since win
TeamLast playoff game winLoss
streak
Playoff losses – teams
24 Miami Dolphins ^ 2000 AFC Wild Card 6 ♦2000 divisional – Oakland
2001 wild card – Baltimore
2008 wild card – Baltimore
2016 wild card – Pittsburgh
2022 wild card – Buffalo
2023 wild card – Kansas City
22 Las Vegas Raiders ^ 2002 AFC Championship 3 ♦2002 Super Bowl – Tampa Bay
2016 wild card – Houston
2021 wild card – Cincinnati
14 New York Jets 2010 AFC Divisional 12010 AFC championship – Pittsburgh
14 Chicago Bears 2010 NFC Divisional 3 ¤2010 NFC championship – Green Bay
2018 wild card – Philadelphia
2020 wild card – New Orleans
9 Arizona Cardinals 2015 NFC Divisional 22015 NFC championship – Carolina
2021 wild card – Los Angeles Rams
9 Carolina Panthers 2015 NFC Championship 22015 Super Bowl – Denver
2017 wild card – New Orleans
9 Denver Broncos Super Bowl 50 12024 wild card – Buffalo
8 Pittsburgh Steelers 2016 AFC Divisional 6 ♦2016 AFC championship – New England
2017 divisional – Jacksonville
2020 wild card – Cleveland
2021 wild card – Kansas City
2023 wild card – Buffalo
2024 wild card – Baltimore
7 Atlanta Falcons 2017 NFC Wild Card 12017 divisional – Philadelphia
6 Indianapolis Colts 2018 AFC Wild Card 22018 divisional – Kansas City
2020 wild card – Buffalo
6 Los Angeles Chargers 2018 AFC Wild Card 32018 divisional – New England
2022 wild card – Jacksonville
2024 wild card – Houston
6 New England Patriots Super Bowl LIII 22019 wild card – Tennessee
2021 wild card – Buffalo
5 Minnesota Vikings 2019 NFC Wild Card 32019 divisional – San Francisco
2022 wild card – New York Giants
2024 wild card – Los Angeles Rams
5 Seattle Seahawks 2019 NFC Wild Card 32019 divisional – Green Bay
2020 wild card – Los Angeles Rams
2022 wild card – San Francisco
5 Tennessee Titans 2019 AFC Divisional 3 ¤2019 AFC championship – Kansas City
2020 wild card – Baltimore
2021 divisional – Cincinnati
4 Cleveland Browns 2020 AFC Wild Card 22020 divisional – Kansas City
2023 wild card – Houston
4 New Orleans Saints 2020 NFC Wild Card 12020 divisional – Tampa Bay
2 Jacksonville Jaguars 2022 AFC Wild Card 12022 divisional – Kansas City
2 New York Giants 2022 NFC Wild Card 12022 divisional – Philadelphia
2 Dallas Cowboys 2022 NFC Wild Card 22022 divisional – San Francisco
2023 wild card – Green Bay
2 Cincinnati Bengals 2022 AFC Divisional 12022 AFC championship – Kansas City
1 Green Bay Packers 2023 NFC Wild Card 2 ¤2023 divisional – San Francisco
2024 wild card – Philadelphia
1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2023 NFC Wild Card 22023 divisional - Detroit
2024 wild card - Washington
1 Detroit Lions 2023 NFC Divisional 22023 NFC championship - San Francisco
2024 divisional - Washington
1 San Francisco 49ers 2023 NFC Championship 1Super Bowl LVIII - Kansas City
2024 playoff winners
0 Houston Texans 2024 AFC Wild Card 12024 divisional – Kansas City
0 Baltimore Ravens 2024 AFC Wild Card 12024 divisional – Buffalo
0 Los Angeles Rams 2024 NFC Wild Card 12024 divisional – Philadelphia
0 Washington Commanders 2024 NFC Divisional 12024 NFC championship – Philadelphia
0 Buffalo Bills 2024 AFC Divisional 12024 AFC championship – Kansas City
0 Kansas City Chiefs 2024 AFC Championship 09-game win streak
0 Philadelphia Eagles 2024 NFC Championship 03-game win streak
Seasons
Since Win
TeamLast playoff game winLoss
Streak
Playoff Losses – Teams

AFC/NFC Divisional playoffs game appearance droughts

This is also a list of the last time a particular club won a wild card playoff game or had a first-round bye.

^Longest drought in team history
First round bye
Drought Reference [1]
SeasonsTeamLast appearance in
Divisional playoff game
Result
24 Miami Dolphins 2000 AFC Lost vs. Oakland Raiders
22 Las Vegas Raiders [a] 2002 AFC♦ Won vs. New York Jets
14 New York Jets 2010 AFC Won vs. New England
14 Chicago Bears 2010 NFC♦ Won vs. Seattle
9 Denver Broncos 2015 AFC♦ Won vs. Pittsburgh
9 Arizona Cardinals 2015 NFC♦ Won vs. Green Bay
9 Carolina Panthers 2015 NFC♦ Won vs. Seattle
7 Atlanta Falcons 2017 NFC Lost vs. Philadelphia
7 Pittsburgh Steelers 2017 AFC♦ Lost vs. Jacksonville
6 Los Angeles Chargers 2018 AFC Lost vs. New England
6 New England Patriots 2018 AFC♦ Won vs. Los Angeles Chargers
6 Indianapolis Colts 2018 AFC Lost vs. Kansas City
5 Seattle Seahawks 2019 NFC Lost vs. Green Bay
5 Minnesota Vikings 2019 NFC Lost vs. San Francisco
4 Cleveland Browns 2020 AFC Lost vs. Kansas City
4 New Orleans Saints 2020 NFC Lost vs. Tampa Bay
3 Tennessee Titans 2021 AFC♦ Lost vs. Cincinnati
2 Cincinnati Bengals 2022 AFC Won vs. Buffalo
2 Jacksonville Jaguars 2022 AFC Lost vs. Kansas City
2 Dallas Cowboys 2022 NFC Lost vs. San Francisco
2 New York Giants 2022 NFC Lost vs. Philadelphia
1 Green Bay Packers 2023 NFC Lost vs. San Francisco
1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2023 NFC Lost vs. Detroit
1 San Francisco 49ers 2023 NFC♦ Won vs. Green Bay
2024 Divisional playoff teams
0 Baltimore Ravens 2024 AFC Lost vs. Buffalo
0 Houston Texans 2024 AFC Lost vs. Kansas City
0 Los Angeles Rams 2024 NFC Lost vs. Philadelphia
0 Detroit Lions 2024 NFC♦ Lost vs. Washington
0 Kansas City Chiefs 2024 AFC♦ Won vs. Houston
0 Buffalo Bills 2024 AFC Won vs. Baltimore
0 Philadelphia Eagles 2024 NFC Won vs. Los Angeles Rams
0 Washington Commanders 2024 NFC Won vs. Detroit

AFC/NFC Championship Game appearance droughts

This is also a list of the last time a particular club won a divisional playoff game.

^Longest drought in team history
Tied for longest drought in team history
Drought Reference [1]
SeasonsTeamLast appearance in
conference championship game
Result
32 [a] Cleveland Browns ^ 1989 AFC Lost vs. Denver
32 Miami Dolphins ^ 1992 AFC Lost vs. Buffalo
29 Dallas Cowboys ^ 1995 NFC Won vs. Green Bay
23 Houston Texans ^Never (enfranchised 2002)
22 Las Vegas Raiders ^ [b] 2002 AFC Won vs. Tennessee
17 Los Angeles Chargers ^ [c] 2007 AFC Lost vs. New England
14 New York Jets 2010 AFC Lost vs. Pittsburgh
14 Chicago Bears 2010 NFC Lost vs. Green Bay
13 New York Giants 2011 NFC Won vs. San Francisco
10 Indianapolis Colts 2014 AFC Lost vs. New England
10 Seattle Seahawks 2014 NFC Won vs. Green Bay
9 Denver Broncos 2015 AFC Won vs. New England
9 Arizona Cardinals 2015 NFC Lost vs. Carolina
9 Carolina Panthers 2015 NFC Won vs. Arizona
8 Pittsburgh Steelers 2016 AFC Lost vs. New England
8 Atlanta Falcons 2016 NFC Won vs. Green Bay
7 Jacksonville Jaguars 2017 AFC Lost vs. New England
7 Minnesota Vikings 2017 NFC Lost vs. Philadelphia
6 New England Patriots 2018 AFC Won vs. Kansas City
6 New Orleans Saints 2018 NFC Lost vs. Los Angeles Rams
5 Tennessee Titans 2019 AFC Lost vs. Kansas City
4 Green Bay Packers 2020 NFC Lost vs. Tampa Bay
4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2020 NFC Won vs. Green Bay
3 Los Angeles Rams 2021 NFC Won vs. San Francisco
2 Cincinnati Bengals 2022 AFC Lost vs. Kansas City
1 Baltimore Ravens 2023 AFC Lost vs. Kansas City
1 San Francisco 49ers 2023 NFC Won vs. Detroit
1 Detroit Lions 2023 NFC Lost vs. San Francisco
2024 Conference finalists
0 Buffalo Bills 2024 AFC Lost vs. Kansas City
0 Washington Commanders 2024 NFC Lost vs. Philadelphia
0 Kansas City Chiefs 2024 AFC Won vs. Buffalo
0 Philadelphia Eagles 2024 NFC Won vs. Washington

Super Bowl appearance droughts

This is also the last time club won AFC or NFC championship game.

Last appearance in Super Bowl [1] [4]
SeasonsTeamLast appearanceNFL
season
Result
59 Detroit Lions Never (Enfranchised pre-Super Bowl)
56 Cleveland Browns [a] Never (Enfranchised pre-Super Bowl)
56 New York Jets 1968 Won vs. Baltimore Colts
48 Minnesota Vikings 1976 Lost vs. Oakland
40 Miami Dolphins 1984 Lost vs. San Francisco
33 Washington Commanders [b] 1991 Won vs. Buffalo
31 Buffalo Bills 1993 Lost vs. Dallas
30 Jacksonville Jaguars
30 Los Angeles Chargers [c] 1994 Lost vs. San Francisco
29 Dallas Cowboys 1995 Won vs. Pittsburgh
25 Tennessee Titans 1999 Lost vs. St. Louis Rams
23 Houston Texans
22 Las Vegas Raiders [d] 2002 Lost vs. Tampa Bay
18 Chicago Bears 2006 Lost vs. Indianapolis
16 Arizona Cardinals 2008 Lost vs. Pittsburgh
15 New Orleans Saints 2009 Won vs. Indianapolis
15 Indianapolis Colts 2009 Lost vs. New Orleans
14 Green Bay Packers 2010 Won vs. Pittsburgh
14 Pittsburgh Steelers 2010 Lost vs. Green Bay
13 New York Giants 2011 Won vs. New England
12 Baltimore Ravens 2012 Won vs. San Francisco
10 Seattle Seahawks 2014 Lost vs. New England
9 Carolina Panthers 2015 Lost vs. Denver
9 Denver Broncos 2015 Won vs. Carolina
8 Atlanta Falcons 2016 Lost vs. New England
6 New England Patriots 2018 Won vs. Los Angeles Rams
4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2020 Won vs. Kansas City
3 Cincinnati Bengals 2021 Lost vs. Los Angeles Rams
3 Los Angeles Rams 2021 Won vs. Cincinnati
1 San Francisco 49ers 2023 Lost vs. Kansas City
Super Bowl LIX teams
0 Kansas City Chiefs 2024 TBD vs. Philadelphia
0 Philadelphia Eagles 2024 TBD vs. Kansas City

Super Bowl or NFL championship win droughts

This list also counts all seasons since a team last won the league championship or Super Bowl. Of active NFL teams, 20 have won the Super Bowl, 7 have not won a Super Bowl, but have won an AFL or NFL championship pre-merger, and 5 have not won any championship or Super Bowl.

NFL or AFL Championship pre-1970s Merger

Drought References [1] [4]
SeasonsTeamLast League championship crown
pre-Merger
(1920–1969)
Season
77 Arizona Cardinals [a] 1947 NFL championship 1947
67 Detroit Lions 1957 NFL championship 1957
63 Tennessee Titans [b] 1961 AFL championship 1961
61 Los Angeles Chargers [c] 1963 AFL championship 1963
57 [d] Cleveland Browns 1964 NFL championship 1964
59 Buffalo Bills 1965 AFL championship 1965
55 Minnesota Vikings 1969 NFL championship [e] [5] 1969
  • a Team won as the Chicago Cardinals in 1947.
  • b Team won as the Houston Oilers in 1961.
  • c Team won as the San Diego Chargers in 1963.
  • e Super Bowl was first played in 1967, while the final official NFL or AFL championship game pre-AFL-NFL merger were played in 1969.

Super Bowl win droughts

This list counts all seasons since a team last won the Super Bowl.

Drought References [1] [4]
SeasonsTeamLast Super Bowl crown
(1966–present)
Season
59 Arizona Cardinals Never (Enfranchised pre-Super Bowl)
59 Detroit Lions Never (Enfranchised pre-Super Bowl)
59 Buffalo Bills Never (Enfranchised pre-Super Bowl)
59 Tennessee Titans Never (Enfranchised pre-Super Bowl)
59 Los Angeles Chargers Never (Enfranchised pre-Super Bowl)
59 Minnesota Vikings Never (Enfranchised pre-Super Bowl)
59 Atlanta Falcons Never (enfranchised 1966)
57 Cincinnati Bengals Never (enfranchised 1968)
56 Cleveland Browns [d] Never (Enfranchised pre-Super Bowl)
56 New York Jets Super Bowl III 1968
51 Miami Dolphins Super Bowl VIII 1973
41 Las Vegas Raiders [f] Super Bowl XVIII 1983
39 Chicago Bears Super Bowl XX 1985
33 Washington Commanders [g] Super Bowl XXVI 1991
30 San Francisco 49ers Super Bowl XXIX 1994
30 Carolina Panthers Never (enfranchised 1995)
30 Jacksonville Jaguars Never (enfranchised 1995)
29 Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl XXX 1995
23 Houston Texans Never (enfranchised 2002)
18 Indianapolis Colts Super Bowl XLI 2006
16 Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl XLIII 2008
15 New Orleans Saints Super Bowl XLIV 2009
14 Green Bay Packers Super Bowl XLV 2010
13 New York Giants Super Bowl XLVI 2011
12 Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl XLVII 2012
11 Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl XLVIII 2013
9 Denver Broncos Super Bowl 50 2015
7 Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl LII 2017
6 New England Patriots Super Bowl LIII 2018
4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Super Bowl LV 2020
3 Los Angeles Rams Super Bowl LVI 2021
1 Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl LVIII 2023
  • d The Browns suspended operation from 1996–1998. Since returning in 1999, or 26 years ago they have never won the Super Bowl, while the franchise that moved in 1995, has won the Super Bowl twice since the relocation controversy.
  • f Team won Super Bowl XVIII as the Los Angeles Raiders.
  • g Team won Super Bowl XXVI as the Washington Redskins

Super Bowl crown droughts by division

DivisionLast Super Bowl crownSeasons
AFC South XLI — Colts 18
NFC North XLV — Packers 14
AFC North XLVII — Ravens 12
NFC East LII — Eagles 7
AFC East LIII — Patriots 6
NFC South LV — Buccaneers 4
NFC West LVI — Rams 3
AFC West LVIII — Chiefs 1

Cities/regions awaiting first Super Bowl crown

Listed according to seasons waited. Current NFL cities/regions only.

Last city to leave list: Philadelphia, 2017 season
City/regionSeasons waitedConference Title(s)Team(s)Notes
Detroit 59None [6] Detroit Lions (1966–present)Played in the 1991 and 2023 NFC Championship Games. NFL championship won in 1935, 1952, 1953, and 1957.
Buffalo 59 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993 Buffalo Bills (1966–present)Played in Super Bowls XXV, XXVI, XXVII, and XXVIII. Last AFL championship won in 1965 (pre-merger). Buffalo's previous NFL franchise, the Buffalo All-Americans, claimed an unrecognized 1921 championship.
Atlanta 59 1998, 2016 Atlanta Falcons (1966–present)Played in Super Bowls XXXIII and LI.
Minneapolis–St. Paul 59 1969, 1973, 1974, 1976 Minnesota Vikings (1966–present)Played in Super Bowls IV, VIII, IX, and XI. NFL championship won in 1969 was last title before formal AFL–NFL merger later in 1970.
Cincinnati 57 1981, 1988, 2021 Cincinnati Bengals (1968–present)Played in Super Bowls XVI, XXIII and LVI. Previous NFL team, the Cincinnati Celts, never won an NFL title.
Cleveland 56None Cleveland Browns (19661995, 1999–present)Played in the 1986, 1987, and 1989 AFC Championship Games. Last NFL championship won in 1964 (pre-merger).
Houston 54None31 Oilers seasons (19661996) and 23 Texans seasons (2002–present)Played in the 1978 and 1979 AFC Championship Games. The Oilers franchise in Houston won the AFL championship in 1960 and 1961 (pre-merger). To date, the Texans have never played in the AFC championship.
Phoenix 37 2008 Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals (1988–present)Played in Super Bowl XLIII.
Jacksonville 30None Jacksonville Jaguars (1995–present)Played in the 1996, 1999 and 2017 AFC Championship Games.
Charlotte 30 2003, 2015 Carolina Panthers (1995–present)Played in Super Bowls XXXVIII and 50.
Nashville 27 1999 Tennessee Oilers/Titans (1998–present)Played in Super Bowl XXXIV.
Las Vegas 5None Las Vegas Raiders (2020–present)

Division title droughts

Listed according to seasons waited.

^Longest drought in team history
Franchise Most recent division titleYearSeasons
Cleveland Browns^ AFC Central 1989 32**
Las Vegas Raiders^ AFC West 2002 22
New York Jets AFC East 2002 22
Miami Dolphins^ AFC East 2008 16
Los Angeles Chargers^ AFC West 2009 15
New York Giants NFC East 2011 13
Indianapolis Colts AFC South 2014 10
Arizona Cardinals NFC West 2015 9
Carolina Panthers^ NFC South 2015 9
Denver Broncos AFC West 2015 9
Atlanta Falcons NFC South 2016 8
Chicago Bears NFC North 2018 6
New England Patriots AFC East 2019 5
Pittsburgh Steelers AFC North 2020 4
Washington Commanders NFC East 2020 4
New Orleans Saints NFC South 2020 4
Seattle Seahawks NFC West 2020 4
Tennessee Titans AFC South 2021 3
Green Bay Packers NFC North 2021 3
Cincinnati Bengals AFC North 2022 2
Jacksonville Jaguars AFC South 2022 2
Minnesota Vikings NFC North 2022 2
Dallas Cowboys NFC East 2023 1
San Francisco 49ers NFC West 2023 1
2024 Division champions
Buffalo Bills AFC East 2024 0
Baltimore Ravens AFC North 2024 0
Houston Texans AFC South 2024 0
Kansas City Chiefs AFC West 2024 0
Philadelphia Eagles NFC East 2024 0
Detroit Lions NFC North 2024 0
Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFC South 2024 0
Los Angeles Rams NFC West 2024 0


**Does not include the three seasons (1996–1998) during which the franchise suspended operations.

Historical team droughts

Closest approaches without winning the Super Bowl

Counted from the first Super Bowl season, 1966, to present.

TeamWild Card [a] appearancesDivisional [b] appearancesConference Championship appearancesSuper Bowl appearancesFewest wins short of
Super Bowl title
Minnesota Vikings 16231041 win short: 1969, 1973, 1974, 1976
Buffalo Bills 1315841 win short: 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993
Cincinnati Bengals 118431 win short: 1981, 1988, 2021
Atlanta Falcons 810421 win short: 1998, 2016
Carolina Panthers 47421 win short: 2003, 2015
Tennessee Titans 1515611 win short: 1999
Los Angeles Chargers 1012411 win short: 1994
Arizona Cardinals 66211 win short: 2008
Cleveland Browns 695-2 wins short: 1968, 1969, 1986, 1987, 1989
Jacksonville Jaguars 763-2 wins short: 1996, 1999, 2017
Detroit Lions 1052-2 wins short: 1991, 2023
Houston Texans 86--3 wins short: 2011, 2012, 2016, 2019, 2023, 2024

Longest NFL / AFL / Super Bowl championship droughts through history

This list only shows droughts of 30 or more seasons for teams. A championship is considered as winning an NFL Championship (1920—1969), AFL Championship (1960—1969), or Super Bowl Championship (1966—present). Active droughts are listed in bold type.

SeasonsTeamPrevious TitleDrought StreakNext Title
77 Chicago/St. Louis/Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals 19471948—present
67 Detroit Lions 19571958—present
63 Houston/Tennessee Oilers/Titans 19611962—present
61 San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers 19631964—present
59 Atlanta Falcons 1966—present
59 Buffalo Bills 19651966—present
57 Cleveland Browns 19641965—1995, 1999—present
57 Cincinnati Bengals 1968—present
56 New York Jets 19681969—present
56 Philadelphia Eagles 19601961—20162017
55 Minnesota Vikings 19691970—present
51 Miami Dolphins 19731974—present
49 Kansas City Chiefs 19691970—20182019
47 Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams 19511952—19981999
42 New Orleans Saints 1967—20082009
41 Pittsburgh Pirates/Steelers 1933—19731974
41 Boston/New England Patriots 1960—20002001
41 Los Angeles/Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders 19831984—present
39 Washington Redskins 19421943—19811982
39 Chicago Bears 19851986—present
37 Denver Broncos 1960—19961997
37 Seattle Seahawks 1976—20122013
34 Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts 19701971—20052006
33 Washington Redskins/Football Team/Commanders 19911992—present
30 San Francisco 49ers 19941995—present
30 Carolina Panthers 1995—present
30 Jacksonville Jaguars 1995—present

Longest NFL / AFL / Super Bowl championship appearance droughts through history

This list only shows droughts of 30 or more seasons for teams. A championship appearance is listed as appearing in an NFL Championship (1932—1969), AFL Championship (1960—1969), or Super Bowl Championship (1966—present). Active droughts are listed in bold type.

SeasonsTeamPrev. AppearanceDrought StreakNext Appearance
67 Detroit Lions 19571958—present
60 Chicago/St. Louis/Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals 19471948—20072008
56 New York Jets 19681969—present
52 Cleveland Browns 19691970—1995, 1999—present
49 Kansas City Chiefs 19691970—20182019
48 Minnesota Vikings 19761977—present
42 New Orleans Saints 1967—20082009
41 Pittsburgh Pirates/Steelers 1933—19731974
40 Miami Dolphins 19841985—present
36 Houston/Tennessee Oilers/Titans 19621963—19981999
35 Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts 19701971—20052006
33 Washington Redskins/Football Team/Commanders 19911992—present
32 Atlanta Falcons 1966—19971998
32 Cincinnati Bengals 19881989—20202021
31 San Francisco 49ers 1950—19801981
31 Buffalo Bills 19931994—present
30 San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers 19941995—present
30 Jacksonville Jaguars 1995—present

Most consecutive post-season losses in team history

This is a sortable table of all 32 current NFL teams. Ten teams have multiple losing streaks where they lost an equal number of post season games before breaking the drought.

Updated through the 2024 season

^Denotes active drought
TeamStreak lastedLast winGames LostPlayoff LossesOpponentNext win
Arizona Cardinals 1947 NFL Championship4 1948 NFL Champ.
1974 Divisional
1975 Divisional
1982 1st Round
Eagles
Vikings
Rams
Packers
1998 Wild Card
Atlanta Falcons 2004 Divisional4 2004 NFC Champ.
2008 Wild Card
2010 Divisional
2011 Wild Card
Eagles
Cardinals
Packers
Giants
2012 Divisional
Baltimore Ravens
2 (3 loss) streaks
2001 Wild Card3 2001 Divisional
2003 Wild Card
2006 Divisional
Steelers
Titans
Colts
2008 Wild Card
2014 Wild Card3 2014 Divisional
2018 Wild Card
2019 Divisional
Patriots
Chargers
Titans
2020 Wild Card
Buffalo Bills 1995 Wild Card6 1995 Divisional
1996 Wild Card
1998 Wild Card
1999 Wild Card
2017 Wild Card
2019 Wild Card
Steelers
Jaguars
Dolphins
Titans
Jaguars
Texans
2020 Wild Card
Carolina Panthers 2005 Divisional3 2005 NFC Champ.
2008 Divisional
2013 Divisional
Seahawks
Cardinals
49ers
2014 Wild Card
Chicago Bears ^
2 (3 loss) streaks
1994 Wild Card3 1994 Divisional
2001 Divisional
2005 Divisional
49ers
Eagles
Panthers
2006 Divisional
14 years2010 Divisional3 2010 NFC Champ.
2018 Wild Card
2020 Wild Card
Packers
Eagles
Saints
TBD
Cincinnati Bengals 1990 Wild Card8 1990 Divisional
2005 Wild Card
2009 Wild Card
2011 Wild Card
2012 Wild Card
2013 Wild Card
2014 Wild Card
2015 Wild Card
Raiders
Steelers
Jets
Texans
Texans
Chargers
Colts
Steelers
2021 Wild Card
Cleveland Browns 1969 Divisional6 1969 NFL Champ.
1971 Divisional
1972 Divisional
1980 Divisional
1982 1st Round
1985 Divisional
Vikings
Colts
Dolphins
Raiders
Raiders
Dolphins
1986 Divisional
Dallas Cowboys 1996 Wild Card6 1996 Divisional
1998 Wild Card
1999 Wild Card
2003 Wild Card
2006 Wild Card
2007 Divisional
Panthers
Cardinals
Vikings
Panthers
Seahawks
Giants
2009 Wild Card
Denver Broncos 1977 AFC Championship5 Super Bowl XII
1978 Divisional
1979 Wild Card
1983 Wild Card
1984 Divisional
Cowboys
Steelers
Oilers
Seahawks
Steelers
1986 Divisional
Detroit Lions 1991 Divisional9 1991 NFC Champ.
1993 Wild Card
1994 Wild Card
1995 Wild Card
1997 Wild Card
1999 Wild Card
2011 Wild Card
2014 Wild Card
2016 Wild Card
Redskins
Packers
Packers
Eagles
Buccaneers
Redskins
Saints
Cowboys
Seahawks
2023 Wild Card
Green Bay Packers
7 (2 loss) streaks
1997 NFC Championship2 Super Bowl XXXII
1998 Wild Card
Broncos
49ers
2001 Wild Card
2001 Wild Card2 2001 Divisional
2002 Wild Card
Rams
Falcons
2003 Wild Card
2003 Wild Card2 2003 Divisional
2004 Wild Card
Eagles
Vikings
2007 Divisional
2007 Divisional2 2007 NFC Champ.
2009 Wild Card
Giants
Cardinals
2010 Wild Card
2012 Wild Card2 2012 Divisional
2013 Wild Card
49ers
49ers
2014 Divisional
2020 Divisional2 2020 NFC Champ.
2021 Divisional
Buccaneers
49ers
2023 Wild Card
1 year2023 Wild Card2 2023 Divisional
2024 Wild Card
49ers
Eagles
TBD
Houston Texans
2 (2 loss) streaks
2012 Wild Card2 2012 Divisional
2015 Wild Card
Patriots
Chiefs
2016 Wild Card
2016 Wild Card2 2016 Divisional
2018 Wild Card
Patriots
Colts
2019 Wild Card
Indianapolis Colts
2 (5 loss) streaks
1971 Divisional5 1971 AFC Champ.
1975 Divisional
1976 Divisional
1977 Divisional
1987 Divisional
Dolphins
Steelers
Steelers
Raiders
Browns
1995 Wild Card
1995 Divisional5 1995 AFC Champ.
1996 Wild Card
1999 Divisional
2000 Wild Card
2002 Wild Card
Steelers
Steelers
Titans
Dolphins
Jets
2003 Wild Card
Jacksonville Jaguars
2 (2 loss) streaks
1996 Divisional2 1996 AFC Champ.
1997 Wild Card
Patriots
Broncos
1998 Wild Card
1999 Divisional2 1999 AFC Champ.
2005 Wild Card
Titans
Patriots
2007 Wild Card
Kansas City Chiefs 1993 Divisional8 1993 AFC Champ.
1994 Wild Card
1995 Divisional
1997 Divisional
2003 Divisional
2006 Wild Card
2010 Wild Card
2013 Wild Card
Bills
Dolphins
Colts
Broncos
Colts
Colts
Ravens
Colts
2015 Wild Card
Las Vegas Raiders ^22 years2002 AFC Championship3 Super Bowl XXXVIII
2016 Wild Card
2021 Wild Card
Buccaneers
Texans
Bengals
TBD
Los Angeles Chargers 1994 AFC Championship4 Super Bowl XXIX
1995 Wild Card
2004 Wild Card
2006 Divisional
49ers
Colts
Jets
Patriots
2007 Wild Card
Los Angeles Rams 1951 NFL Championship5 1952 Nat. Conf.
1955 NFL Champ.
1967 NFL W Conf.
1969 NFL W Conf.
1973 Divisional
Lions
Browns
Packers
Vikings
Cowboys
1974 Divisional
Miami Dolphins ^24 years2000 Wild Card6 2000 Divisional
2001 Wild Card
2008 Wild Card
2016 Wild Card
2022 Wild Card
2023 Wild Card
Raiders
Ravens
Ravens
Steelers
Bills
Chiefs
TBD
Minnesota Vikings 1988 Wild Card6 1988 Divisional
1989 Divisional
1992 Wild Card
1993 Wild Card
1994 Wild Card
1996 Wild Card
49ers
49ers
Redskins
Giants
Bears
Cowboys
1997 Wild Card
New England Patriots 1963 Divisional4 1963 AFL Champ.
1976 Divisional
1978 Divisional
1982 1st Round
Chargers
Raiders
Oilers
Dolphins
1985 Wild Card
New Orleans Saints 1967 Enfranchised
No Playoff Wins
until 2000
4 1987 Wild Card
1990 Wild Card
1991 Wild Card
1992 Wild Card
Vikings
Bears
Falcons
Eagles
2000 Wild Card
New York Giants 1938 NFL Championship6 1939 NFL Champ.
1941 NFL Champ.
1943 East Divisional
1944 NFL Champ.
1946 NFL Champ.
1950 Am. Conf.
Packers
Bears
Redskins
Packers
Bears
Browns
1956 NFL Championship
New York Jets
5 (2 loss) streaks
1968
Super Bowl III
2 1969 AFL Divisional
1981 Wild Card
Chiefs
Bills
1982 First Round
1982 2nd Round2 1982 AFC Champ.
1985 Wild Card
Dolphins
Patriots
1986 Wild Card
1986 Wild Card2 1986 Divisional
1991 Wild Card
Browns
Oilers
1998 Divisional
1998 Divisional2 1998 AFC Champ.
2001 Wild Card
Broncos
Raiders
2002 Wild Card
2004 Wild Card2 2004 Divisional
2006 Wild Card
Steelers
Patriots
2009 Wild Card
Philadelphia Eagles 1980 NFC Championship5 Super Bowl XV
1981 Wild Card
1988 Divisional
1989 Wild Card
1990 Wild Card
Raiders
Giants
Bears
Rams
Redskins
1992 Wild Card
Pittsburgh Steelers ^8 years2016 Divisional6 2016 AFC Champ.
2017 Divisional
2020 Wild Card
2021 Wild Card
2023 Wild Card
2024 Wild Card
Patriots
Jaguars
Browns
Chiefs
Bills
Ravens
TBD
San Francisco 49ers 1984
Super Bowl XIX
3 1985 Wild Card
1986 Divisional
1987 Divisional
Giants
Giants
Vikings
1988 Divisional
Seattle Seahawks 1984 Wild Card6 1984 Divisional
1987 Wild Card
1988 Divisional
1999 Wild Card
2003 Wild Card
2004 Wild Card
Dolphins
Oilers
Bengals
Dolphins
Packers
Rams
2005 Divisional
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2 (3 loss) streaks
1979 Divisional3 1979 NFC Champ.
1981 Divisional
1982 1st Round
Rams
Cowboys
Cowboys
1997 Wild Card
1999 Divisional3 1999 NFC Champ.
2000 Wild Card
2001 Wild Card
Rams
Eagles
Eagles
2002 Divisional
Tennessee Titans ^
5 (3 loss) streaks
1961 AFL Championship3 1962 AFL Champ.
1967 AFL Champ.
1969 AFL Divisional
Dallas Texans
Raiders
Raiders
1978 Wild Card
1988 Wild Card3 1988 Divisional
1989 Wild Card
1990 Wild Card
Bills
Steelers
Bengals
1991 Wild Card
1991 Wild Card3 1991 Divisional
1992 Wild Card
1993 Divisional
Broncos
Bills
Chiefs
1999 Wild Card
2003 Wild Card3 2003 Divisional
2007 Wild Card
2008 Divisional
Patriots
Chargers
Ravens
2017 Wild Card
5 years2019 Divisional3 2019 AFC Champ.
2020 Wild Card
2021 Divisional
Chiefs
Ravens
Bengals
TBD
Washington Commanders 19 years2005 Wild Card5 2005 Divisional
2007 Wild Card
2012 Wild Card
2015 Wild Card
2020 Wild Card
Seahawks
Seahawks
Seahawks
Packers
Buccaneers
2024 Wild Card
TeamStreak lastedLast winGames LostPlayoff GamesOpponentNext win

Longest post-season droughts in team history

Note that the NFL did not institute a permanent playoff tournament until 1967 and that the NFL Championship Game and any impromptu one-game playoffs (played only in the event of a tie atop the division standings) were the only postseason matchups in this era. The Bert Bell Benefit Bowl (aka the Playoff Bowl; 1960–1969) is considered an exhibition game for the purpose of this list.

Updated through the 2024 season

^Denotes active streak

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Season Index". pro-football-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
  2. "NFL Playoff Picture". National Football League. November 5, 2015. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
  3. The record for most consecutive losses in NFL history is nine.
  4. 1 2 3 "Super Bowl List". pro-football-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
  5. Also lost Super Bowl IV pre NFL-AFL merger
  6. Detroit won four NFL champions pre-Super Bowl era.