List of NFL franchise post-season droughts

Last updated

This is a list of current National Football League (NFL) franchise post-season and Super Bowl droughts (multiple consecutive seasons of not winning). Listed here are both appearance droughts and winning droughts in almost every level of the NFL playoff system.

Contents

All 32 active NFL teams have qualified for and won a game in the playoffs. Teams that have never made it beyond each successive milestone are listed under the year in which they began NFL play.

Of the 12 teams that have never won the Super Bowl, four are expansion franchises younger than the Super Bowl itself (the Bengals, Panthers, Jaguars, and Texans), while the Falcons began playing during the season in which the Super Bowl was first played. The other seven clubs (Cardinals, Lions, Oilers/Titans, Chargers, Browns, Bills, and Vikings) 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), leaving them and the Falcons as the only two teams to have never won the highest championship available to them. The longest drought since a championship of any kind is that of the Cardinals, at 76 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 25 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
Tied for longest drought in team history
Playoff droughts [1] [2]
TeamLast appearance in post-seasonSeasons
New York Jets ^ 2010 AFC Championship 13
Denver Broncos Super Bowl 50 8
Carolina Panthers 2017 NFC Wild Card 6
Atlanta Falcons 2017 NFC Divisional 6
Washington Commanders 2020 NFC Wild Card 3
Indianapolis Colts 2020 AFC Wild Card 3
Chicago Bears 2020 NFC Wild Card 3
New Orleans Saints 2020 NFC Divisional 3
New England Patriots 2021 AFC Wild Card 2
Arizona Cardinals 2021 NFC Wild Card 2
Tennessee Titans 2021 AFC Divisional 2
Las Vegas Raiders 2021 AFC Wild Card 2
Los Angeles Chargers 2022 AFC Wild Card 1
Minnesota Vikings 2022 NFC Wild Card 1
Seattle Seahawks 2022 NFC Wild Card 1
Jacksonville Jaguars 2022 AFC Divisional 1
New York Giants 2022 NFC Divisional 1
Cincinnati Bengals 2022 AFC Championship 1
2023 playoff teams
Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 AFC Wild Card 0
Cleveland Browns 2023 AFC Wild Card 0
Miami Dolphins 2023 AFC Wild Card 0
Los Angeles Rams 2023 NFC Wild Card 0
Philadelphia Eagles 2023 NFC Wild Card 0
Dallas Cowboys 2023 NFC Wild Card 0
Houston Texans 2023 AFC Divisional 0
Buffalo Bills 2023 AFC Divisional 0
Green Bay Packers 2023 NFC Divisional 0
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2023 NFC Divisional 0
Baltimore Ravens 2023 AFC Championship 0
Detroit Lions 2023 NFC Championship 0
Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl LVIII 0
San Francisco 49ers Super Bowl LVIII 0

Playoff game victory droughts

Sortable table, click on the header arrows.

^Longest drought in team history
Tied for 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
23 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
21 Las Vegas Raiders ^ 2002 AFC Championship 3 ♦2002 Super Bowl – Tampa Bay
2016 wild card – Houston
2021 wild card – Cincinnati
18 Washington Commanders 2005 NFC Wild Card 5 ♦2005 divisional – Seattle
2007 wild card – Seattle
2012 wild card – Seattle
2015 wild card – Green Bay
2020 wild card – Tampa Bay
13 New York Jets 2010 AFC Divisional 12010 AFC championship – Pittsburgh
13 Chicago Bears 2010 NFC Divisional 3 ¤2010 NFC championship – Green Bay
2018 wild card – Philadelphia
2020 wild card – New Orleans
8 Arizona Cardinals 2015 NFC Divisional 22015 NFC championship – Carolina
2021 wild card – Los Angeles Rams
8 Carolina Panthers 2015 NFC Championship 22015 Super Bowl – Denver
2017 wild card – New Orleans
8 Denver Broncos Super Bowl 50 03-game win streak
7 Pittsburgh Steelers 2016 AFC Divisional 5 ♦2016 AFC championship – New England
2017 divisional – Jacksonville
2020 wild card – Cleveland
2021 wild card – Kansas City
2023 wild card – Buffalo
6 Atlanta Falcons 2017 NFC Wild Card 12017 divisional – Philadelphia
5 Indianapolis Colts 2018 AFC Wild Card 22018 divisional – Kansas City
2020 wild card – Buffalo
5 Los Angeles Chargers 2018 AFC Wild Card 22018 divisional – New England
2022 wild card – Jacksonville
5 New England Patriots Super Bowl LIII 22019 wild card – Tennessee
2021 wild card – Buffalo
4 Minnesota Vikings 2019 NFC Wild Card 22019 divisional – San Francisco
2022 wild card – New York Giants
4 Seattle Seahawks 2019 NFC Wild Card 32019 divisional – Green Bay
2020 wild card – Los Angeles Rams
2022 wild card – San Francisco
4 Tennessee Titans 2019 AFC Divisional 3 ¤2019 AFC championship – Kansas City
2020 wild card – Baltimore
2021 divisional – Cincinnati
3 Cleveland Browns 2020 AFC Wild Card 22020 divisional – Kansas City
2023 wild card – Houston
3 New Orleans Saints 2020 NFC Wild Card 12020 divisional – Tampa Bay
2 Los Angeles Rams Super Bowl LVI 12023 wild card – Detroit
1 Jacksonville Jaguars 2022 AFC Wild Card 12022 divisional – Kansas City
1 New York Giants 2022 NFC Wild Card 12022 divisional – Philadelphia
1 Dallas Cowboys 2022 NFC Wild Card 22022 divisional – San Francisco
2023 wild card – Green Bay
1 Cincinnati Bengals 2022 AFC Divisional 12022 AFC championship – Kansas City
1 Philadelphia Eagles 2022 NFC Championship 2Super Bowl LVII – Kansas City
2023 wild card – Tampa Bay
2023 Playoff Winners
0 Houston Texans 2023 AFC Wild Card 12023 divisional – Baltimore
0 Buffalo Bills 2023 AFC Wild Card 12023 divisional – Kansas City
0 Green Bay Packers 2023 NFC Wild Card 12023 divisional – San Francisco
0 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2023 NFC Wild Card 12023 divisional - Detroit
0 Baltimore Ravens 2023 AFC Divisional 12023 AFC championship - Kansas City
0 Detroit Lions 2023 NFC Divisional 12023 NFC championship - San Francisco 49ers
0 Kansas City Chiefs 2023 AFC Championship 06-game win streak
0 San Francisco 49ers 2023 NFC Championship 02-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
23 Miami Dolphins 2000 AFC Lost vs. Oakland Raiders
21 Las Vegas Raiders [c] 2002 AFC♦ Won vs. New York Jets
18 Washington Commanders [a] 2005 NFC Lost vs. Seattle
13 New York Jets 2010 AFC Won vs. New England
13 Chicago Bears 2010 NFC♦ Won vs. Seattle
8 Denver Broncos 2015 AFC♦ Won vs. Pittsburgh
8 Arizona Cardinals 2015 NFC♦ Won vs. Green Bay
8 Carolina Panthers 2015 NFC♦ Won vs. Seattle
6 Atlanta Falcons 2017 NFC Lost vs. Philadelphia
6 Pittsburgh Steelers 2017 AFC♦ Lost vs. Jacksonville
5 Los Angeles Chargers 2018 AFC Lost vs. New England
5 New England Patriots 2018 AFC♦ Won vs. Los Angeles Chargers
5 Indianapolis Colts 2018 AFC Lost vs. Kansas City
4 Seattle Seahawks 2019 NFC Lost vs. Green Bay
4 Minnesota Vikings 2019 NFC Lost vs. San Francisco
3 Cleveland Browns 2020 AFC Lost vs. Kansas City
3 New Orleans Saints 2020 NFC Lost vs. Tampa Bay
2 Los Angeles Rams 2021 NFC Won vs. Tampa Bay
2 Tennessee Titans 2021 AFC♦ Lost vs. Cincinnati
1 Cincinnati Bengals 2022 AFC Won vs. Buffalo
1 Jacksonville Jaguars 2022 AFC Lost vs. Kansas City
1 Dallas Cowboys 2022 NFC Lost vs. San Francisco
1 New York Giants 2022 NFC Lost vs. Philadelphia
1 Philadelphia Eagles 2022 NFC♦ Won vs. New York Giants
2023 Divisional playoff teams
0 Buffalo Bills 2023 AFC Lost vs. Kansas City
0 Houston Texans 2023 AFC Lost vs. Baltimore
0 Green Bay Packers 2023 NFC Lost vs. San Francisco
0 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2023 NFC Lost vs. Detroit
0 Kansas City Chiefs 2023 AFC Won vs. Buffalo
0 Baltimore Ravens 2023 AFC♦ Won vs. Houston
0 San Francisco 49ers 2023 NFC♦ Won vs. Green Bay
0 Detroit Lions 2023 NFC Won vs. Tampa Bay

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 Washington Commanders ^ [a] 1991 NFC Won vs. Detroit
31 [b] Cleveland Browns ^ 1989 AFC Lost vs. Denver
31 Miami Dolphins ^ 1992 AFC Lost vs. Buffalo
28 Dallas Cowboys ^ 1995 NFC Won vs. Green Bay
22 Houston Texans ^Never (enfranchised 2002)
21 Las Vegas Raiders ^ [c] 2002 AFC Won vs. Tennessee
16 Los Angeles Chargers ^ [d] 2007 AFC Lost vs. New England
13 New York Jets 2010 AFC Lost vs. Pittsburgh
13 Chicago Bears 2010 NFC Lost vs. Green Bay
12 New York Giants 2011 NFC Won vs. San Francisco
9 Indianapolis Colts 2014 AFC Lost vs. New England
9 Seattle Seahawks 2014 NFC Won vs. Green Bay
8 Denver Broncos 2015 AFC Won vs. New England
8 Arizona Cardinals 2015 NFC Lost vs. Carolina
8 Carolina Panthers 2015 NFC Won vs. Arizona
7 Pittsburgh Steelers 2016 AFC Lost vs. New England
7 Atlanta Falcons 2016 NFC Won vs. Green Bay
6 Jacksonville Jaguars 2017 AFC Lost vs. New England
6 Minnesota Vikings 2017 NFC Lost vs. Philadelphia
5 New England Patriots 2018 AFC Won vs. Kansas City
5 New Orleans Saints 2018 NFC Lost vs. Los Angeles Rams
4 Tennessee Titans 2019 AFC Lost vs. Kansas City
3 Buffalo Bills 2020 AFC Lost vs. Kansas City
3 Green Bay Packers 2020 NFC Lost vs. Tampa Bay
3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2020 NFC Won vs. Green Bay
2 Los Angeles Rams 2021 NFC Won vs. San Francisco
1 Cincinnati Bengals 2022 AFC Lost vs. Kansas City
1 Philadelphia Eagles 2022 NFC Won vs. San Francisco
2023 conference finalists
0 Kansas City Chiefs 2023 AFC Won vs. Baltimore
0 Baltimore Ravens 2023 AFC Lost vs. Kansas City
0 San Francisco 49ers 2023 NFC Won vs. Detroit
0 Detroit Lions 2023 NFC Lost vs. San Francisco

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
58 Detroit Lions Never (Enfranchised pre-Super Bowl)
55 Cleveland Browns [d] Never (Enfranchised pre-Super Bowl)
55 New York Jets 1968 Won vs. Baltimore Colts
47 Minnesota Vikings 1976 Lost vs. Oakland
39 Miami Dolphins 1984 Lost vs. San Francisco
32 Washington Commanders [b] 1991 Won vs. Buffalo
30 Buffalo Bills 1993 Lost vs. Dallas
29 Jacksonville Jaguars
29 Los Angeles Chargers [c] 1994 Lost vs. San Francisco
28 Dallas Cowboys 1995 Won vs. Pittsburgh
24 Tennessee Titans 1999 Lost vs. St. Louis Rams
22 Houston Texans
21 Las Vegas Raiders [d] 2002 Lost vs. Tampa Bay
17 Chicago Bears 2006 Lost vs. Indianapolis
15 Arizona Cardinals 2008 Lost vs. Pittsburgh
14 New Orleans Saints 2009 Won vs. Indianapolis
14 Indianapolis Colts 2009 Lost vs. New Orleans
13 Green Bay Packers 2010 Won vs. Pittsburgh
13 Pittsburgh Steelers 2010 Lost vs. Green Bay
12 New York Giants 2011 Won vs. New England
11 Baltimore Ravens 2012 Won vs. San Francisco
9 Seattle Seahawks 2014 Lost vs. New England
8 Carolina Panthers 2015 Lost vs. Denver
8 Denver Broncos 2015 Won vs. Carolina
7 Atlanta Falcons 2016 Lost vs. New England
5 New England Patriots 2018 Won vs. Los Angeles Rams
3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2020 Won vs. Kansas City
2 Cincinnati Bengals 2021 Lost vs. Los Angeles Rams
2 Los Angeles Rams 2021 Won vs. Cincinnati
1 Philadelphia Eagles 2022 Lost vs. Kansas City
Super Bowl LVIII teams
0 Kansas City Chiefs 2023 TBD
0 San Francisco 49ers 2023 TBD

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,
Of active NFL teams 7 have not won a Super Bowl, but have won an AFL or NFL championship pre-merger
Of active NFL teams 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
76 Arizona Cardinals [a] 1947 NFL championship 1947
66 Detroit Lions 1957 NFL championship 1957
62 Tennessee Titans [b] 1961 AFL championship 1961
60 Los Angeles Chargers [c] 1963 AFL championship 1963
56 [d] Cleveland Browns 1964 NFL championship 1964
58 Buffalo Bills 1965 AFL championship 1965
54 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
58 Arizona Cardinals Never (Enfranchised pre-Super Bowl)
58 Detroit Lions Never (Enfranchised pre-Super Bowl)
55 Cleveland Browns [d] Never (Enfranchised pre-Super Bowl)
58 Buffalo Bills Never (Enfranchised pre-Super Bowl)
58 Tennessee Titans Never (Enfranchised pre-Super Bowl)
58 Los Angeles Chargers Never (Enfranchised pre-Super Bowl)
58 Minnesota Vikings Never (Enfranchised pre-Super Bowl)
58 Atlanta Falcons Never (enfranchised 1966)
56 Cincinnati Bengals Never (enfranchised 1968)
55 New York Jets Super Bowl III 1968
50 Miami Dolphins Super Bowl VIII 1973
40 Las Vegas Raiders [f] Super Bowl XVIII 1983
38 Chicago Bears Super Bowl XX 1985
32 Washington Commanders [g] Super Bowl XXVI 1991
29 San Francisco 49ers Super Bowl XXIX 1994
29 Carolina Panthers Never (enfranchised 1995)
29 Jacksonville Jaguars Never (enfranchised 1995)
28 Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl XXX 1995
22 Houston Texans Never (enfranchised 2002)
17 Indianapolis Colts Super Bowl XLI 2006
15 Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl XLIII 2008
14 New Orleans Saints Super Bowl XLIV 2009
13 Green Bay Packers Super Bowl XLV 2010
12 New York Giants Super Bowl XLVI 2011
11 Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl XLVII 2012
10 Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl XLVIII 2013
8 Denver Broncos Super Bowl 50 2015
6 Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl LII 2017
5 New England Patriots Super Bowl LIII 2018
3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Super Bowl LV 2020
2 Los Angeles Rams Super Bowl LVI 2021
1 Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl LVII 2022
  • d The Browns suspended operation from 1996–1998. Since returning in 1999, or 25 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 XXXVI as the Washington Redskins

Super Bowl crown droughts by division

DivisionLast Super Bowl crownSeasons
AFC South XLI — Colts 17
NFC North XLV — Packers 13
AFC North XLVII — Ravens 11
NFC East LII — Eagles 6
AFC East LIII — Patriots 5
NFC South LV — Buccaneers 3
NFC West LVI — Rams 2
AFC West LVII — 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 58None [6] Detroit Lions (1966–present)Played in the 1991 and 2023 NFC Championship Games. NFL championship won in 1935, 1952, 1953, and 1957.
Buffalo 58 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 58 1998, 2016 Atlanta Falcons (1966–present)Played in Super Bowls XXXIII and LI.
Minneapolis–St. Paul 58 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 56 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 55None Cleveland Browns (19661995, 1999–present)Played in the 1986, 1987, and 1989 AFC Championship Games. Last NFL championship won in 1964 (pre-merger).
Houston 53None31 Oilers seasons (19661996) and 22 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 36 2008 Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals (1988–present)Played in Super Bowl XLIII.
Jacksonville 29None Jacksonville Jaguars (1995–present)Played in the 1996, 1999 and 2017 AFC Championship Games.
Charlotte 29 2003, 2015 Carolina Panthers (1995–present)Played in Super Bowls XXXVIII and 50.
Nashville 26 1999 Tennessee Oilers/Titans (1998–present)Played in Super Bowl XXXIV.
Las Vegas 4None Las Vegas Raiders (relocated in 2020)

Division title droughts

Listed according to seasons waited.

^Longest drought in team history
Tied for longest drought in team history
Franchise Most recent
division title
YearSeasons
Cleveland Browns^ AFC Central 1989 31**
Las Vegas Raiders^ AFC West 2002 21
New York Jets AFC East 2002 21
Miami Dolphins^ AFC East 2008 15
Los Angeles Chargers AFC West 2009 14
New York Giants NFC East 2011 12
Indianapolis Colts AFC South 2014 9
Arizona Cardinals NFC West 2015 8
Carolina Panthers^ NFC South 2015 8
Denver Broncos AFC West 2015 8
Atlanta Falcons NFC South 2016 7
Chicago Bears NFC North 2018 5
New England Patriots AFC East 2019 4
Pittsburgh Steelers AFC North 2020 3
Washington Commanders NFC East 2020 3
New Orleans Saints NFC South 2020 3
Seattle Seahawks NFC West 2020 3
Tennessee Titans AFC South 2021 2
Green Bay Packers NFC North 2021 2
Los Angeles Rams NFC West 2021 2
Cincinnati Bengals AFC North 2022 1
Jacksonville Jaguars AFC South 2022 1
Philadelphia Eagles NFC East 2022 1
Minnesota Vikings NFC North 2022 1
2023 Division Champions
Buffalo Bills AFC East 2023 0
Baltimore Ravens AFC North 2023 0
Houston Texans AFC South 2023 0
Kansas City Chiefs AFC West 2023 0
Dallas Cowboys NFC East 2023 0
Detroit Lions NFC North 2023 0
Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFC South 2023 0
San Francisco 49ers NFC West 2023 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 1523941 win short: 1969, 1973, 1974, 1976
Buffalo Bills 1214641 win short: 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993
Cincinnati Bengals 119431 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 912411 win short: 1994
Arizona Cardinals 66211 win short: 2008
Cleveland Browns 6952 wins short: 1968, 1969, 1986, 1987, 1989
Jacksonville Jaguars 7632 wins short: 1996, 1999, 2017
Detroit Lions 10422 wins short: 1991, 2023
Houston Texans 753 wins short: 2011, 2012, 2016, 2019, 2023

Longest NFL / AFL / Super Bowl championship droughts through history

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

SeasonsTeamPrevious TitleDrought StreakNext Title
76 Chicago/St. Louis/Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals 19471948—present
66 Detroit Lions 19571958—present
62 Houston/Tennessee Oilers/Titans 19611962—present
60 San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers 19631964—present
58 Atlanta Falcons 1966—present
58 Buffalo Bills 19651966—present
56 Philadelphia Eagles 19601961—20162017
56 Cleveland Browns 19641965—1995, 1999—present
56 Cincinnati Bengals 1968—present
55 New York Jets 19681969—present
54 Minnesota Vikings 19691970—present
50 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
40 Los Angeles/Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders 19831984—present
39 Washington Redskins 19421943—19811982
38 Chicago Bears 19851986—present
37 Denver Broncos 1960—19961997
37 Seattle Seahawks 1976—20122013
34 Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts 19701971—20052006
32 Washington Redskins/Football Team/Commanders 19911992—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
66 Detroit Lions 19571958—present
60 Chicago/St. Louis/Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals 19471948—20072008
55 New York Jets 19681969—present
51 Cleveland Browns 19691970—1995, 1999—present
49 Kansas City Chiefs 19691970—20182019
47 Minnesota Vikings 19761977—present
42 New Orleans Saints 1967—20082009
41 Pittsburgh Pirates/Steelers 1933—19731974
39 Miami Dolphins 19841985—present
36 Houston/Tennessee Oilers/Titans 19621963—19981999
35 Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts 19701971—20052006
32 Atlanta Falcons 1966—19971998
32 Washington Redskins/Football Team/Commanders 19911992—present
32 Cincinnati Bengals 19881989—20202021
31 San Francisco 49ers 1950—19801981
30 Buffalo Bills 19931994—present

Playoff droughts of at least five seasons


Sort by clicking on desired column heading.
Teams grouped together when sorting -
Arizona, Phoenix, St. Louis and Chicago Cardinals
Indianapolis and Baltimore Colts
Los Angeles, St. Louis and Cleveland Rams
Tennessee Titans, Houston Oilers and Tennessee Oilers
Las Vegas, Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders


Denotes active streak^Last place NFL finishesLast place AFL finishes (1960–1969)

List of droughts [1]
SeasonsTeamDrought durationDivision or conference last place
finishes during drought
League worst win–loss record
during drought
Last PlaceSeasons
Washington Redskins 19461970 41950, 1952, 19601961 1961
Chicago / St. Louis Cardinals 19491973 51951, 19531954, 1957, 1959 1953, 1954, 1957 tie, 1959 tie
Pittsburgh Steelers 19481971 51955, 1965, 19671969 1965, 1969 tie
New Orleans Saints 19671986 91967, 19701972, 1975, 1977, 19801981, 1986 1975 tie, 1980
Denver Broncos 19601976 81960, 19631967, 19701971 1960, 1963, 1964, 1965 tie, 1967
Philadelphia Eagles 19611977 719621963, 19681970, 1972, 1975 1968 tie
New York Giants 19641980 91964, 1966, 1971, 19731974, 19761978, 1980 1964, 1966, 1974 tie
Buffalo Bills 20002016 820012002, 20082013
Cleveland Browns 20032019 1320032006, 20082009, 20112017 2015 tie, 2016, 2017
Detroit Lions 19361951 41942, 19461948 1942, 1946, 1948
Chicago Cardinals 19321946 101933, 19351936, 19381940, 19431946 1933, 1938 tie, 1939, 1943, 1944 tie [a] , 1945
Green Bay Packers 19451959 41949, 1953, 1957, 1958 1957 tie, 1958
St. Louis / Phoenix / Arizona Cardinals 19831997 719851986, 19901992, 1995, 1997
Pittsburgh Pirates / Steelers 19331946 719331934, 19381939, 1941, 19441945 1938 tie, 1941, 1944 tie [a]
Philadelphia Eagles 19331946 519351937, 1940, 1942 1935, 1936, 1940
Kansas City Chiefs 19721985 519771979, 1983, 1985 1977 tie
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 19831996 81983, 19851986, 1989, 1991, 19931995 1983 tie, 1985 tie, 1986
Cincinnati Bengals 19912004 619911993, 1998, 20012002 1993, 1998 tie, 2002
Chicago Bears 19641976 519691970, 19721974 1969 tie
San Diego Chargers 19661978 319721973, 1975 1975 tie
Oakland Raiders 20032015 620042007, 20132014 2003 tie, 2006
New York Jets 20112023 72014, 20162018, 20202022
Detroit Lions 19581969 21966, 1968
San Francisco 49ers 19581969 319631964, 1969 1963
Boston / New England Patriots 19641975 41967, 1970, 1972, 1975 1970
Atlanta Falcons 19661977 319671968, 1974 1967, 1968 tie
St. Louis / Los Angeles Rams 20052016 620072009, 2011, 20132014 2009, 2011 tie
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20082019 82009, 20112015, 20172018 2014 tie
Los Angeles Rams 19561966 41956, 1959, 1962, 1965 1959 tie, 1962
New York Jets 19701980 11980
Detroit Lions 19711981 11979 1979 tie
Detroit Lions 20002010 620012003, 2006, 20082009 2008
Philadelphia Eagles 19501959 21956, 1958 1956
Green Bay Packers 19831992 11988
Seattle Seahawks 19891998 419921994, 1996 1992 tie
Green Bay Packers 19731981 21976, 1980
Baltimore / Indianapolis Colts 19781986 41978 - 1979, 1982, 1986 1981 tie, 1982
San Diego Chargers 19831991 41984, 1986, 1989, 1991
Los Angeles / St. Louis Rams 19901998 619911994, 19971998
Arizona Cardinals 19992007 42000, 20022003, 2006 2003 tie
Houston Texans 20022010 520022003, 20052007 2005
Jacksonville Jaguars 20082016 420082009, 2012, 2016 2012 tie
New York Titans / Jets 19601967 219621963
Houston Oilers 19701977 41970, 19721973, 1976 1972, 1973
San Francisco 49ers 19731980 219781979 1978, 1979 tie
Atlanta Falcons 19831990 719831985, 19871990 1987
San Diego Chargers 19962003 519971998, 20002001, 2003 2000, 2003 tie
San Francisco 49ers 20032010 220042005 2004
Tennessee Titans 20092016 32010, 20142015 2014 tie, 2015 tie
8 ^Denver Broncos 20162023 42017, 20202022
Cleveland Rams 19371944 [b] 21937, 1941 1937
San Francisco 49ers 19501956 0
Oakland Raiders 19601966 219611962 1961, 1962
Minnesota Vikings 19611967 31961, 19661967
Buffalo Bills 19671973 21968, 1971
Cleveland Browns 19731979 319741975, 1977
Seattle Seahawks 19761982 31976, 19801981
Detroit Lions 19841990 11987
New England Patriots 19871993 21990, 1992 1990, 1992 tie
Indianapolis Colts 19881994 21991, 1993 1991
New Orleans Saints 19931999 319951996, 1999
Miami Dolphins 20092015 12015
Chicago Bears 20112017 420142017
Chicago Bears 19571962 0
Dallas Cowboys 19601965 11960 1960
St. Louis Cardinals 19761981 21979, 1981
Houston Oilers 19811986 419831986 1983 tie
Buffalo Bills 19821987 219841985 1984, 1985 tie
Philadelphia Eagles 19821987 11984
New York Jets 19921997 319941996 1995, 1996
Washington Redskins 19931998 219931994
Los Angeles / Oakland Raiders 19941999 0
Chicago Bears 19952000 419972000
Carolina Panthers 19972002 220012002 2001
Miami Dolphins 20022007 32004, 20062007 2007
Detroit Lions 20172022 420182021
Carolina Panthers 20182023 32019, 2021; 2023 2023
Atlanta Falcons 20182023 22020; 2022
New York Giants 19511955 0
Chicago Bears 19511955 0
Baltimore Colts 19531957 11954
Cleveland Browns 19591963 0
Buffalo Bills 19751979 219761977
Cincinnati Bengals 19761980 319781980
Washington Redskins 19771981 0
Cincinnati Bengals 19831987 11987
Dallas Cowboys 19861990 21988, 1989 1988, 1989
Houston / Tennessee Oilers 19941998 11994 1994
Kansas City Chiefs 19982002 12002
Washington Redskins 20002004 12004
Jacksonville Jaguars 20002004 0
New Orleans Saints 20012005 12005
Denver Broncos 20062010 12010
San Francisco 49ers 20142018 32015-2017
Arizona Cardinals 20162020 220182019 2018
Cincinnati Bengals 20162020 320182020 2019
New York Giants 20172021 320172018, 2021
Miami Dolphins 20172021 12019
SeasonsTeamDrought durationLast PlaceSeasonsLeague worst win–loss record
during drought
Division or conference last place
finishes during drought
a In 1944, during World War II, Pittsburgh and the Chicago Cardinals were a combined team called Card-Pitt.
b The Cleveland Rams suspended operations in the 1943 season due to World War II.

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 2023-24 playoffs

^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
2010 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
6 (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
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 ^2002 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 ^2000 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 ^7 years2016 Divisional5 2016 AFC Champ.
2017 Divisional
2020 Wild Card
2021 Wild Card
2023 Wild Card
Patriots
Jaguars
Browns
Chiefs
Bills
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
4 years2019 Divisional3 2019 AFC Champ.
2020 Wild Card
2021 Divisional
Chiefs
Ravens
Bengals
TBD
Washington Commanders ^2005 Wild Card5 2005 Divisional
2007 Wild Card
2012 Wild Card
2015 Wild Card
2020 Wild Card
Seahawks
Seahawks
Seahawks
Packers
Buccaneers
TBD
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 2023-24 playoffs

^Denotes active streak

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "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.