List of NFL franchise post-season droughts
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This is a list of current National Football League franchise post-season and Super Bowl droughts (spells of not winning). Listed here are both appearance droughts and winning droughts in almost every level of the NFL playoff system.
As of the 2011 NFL season, every active NFL team has qualified for, and won a game in, the playoffs at least once. Teams that have never made it beyond each successive milestone are listed under the year in which they began NFL play.
Of the 14 teams that have never won the Super Bowl, 5 are expansion franchises younger than the Super Bowl itself (Bengals, Seahawks, Panthers, Jaguars, and Texans). The Falcons first season was also the start of the Super Bowl era. The 8 others (Cardinals, Lions, Eagles, Oilers/Titans, Chargers, Browns, Bills, and Vikings) all won an NFL or AFL championship prior to the AFL–NFL merger. The longest drought since a championship of any kind is that of the Cardinals, at 65 seasons.
Note that for continuity purposes, the Cleveland Browns are officially considered to have suspended operations for the 1996, 1997 and 1998 seasons, and that the Baltimore Ravens are 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 post-season droughts[edit]
Updated through 2012-13 playoffs.
| ^ | Longest drought in team History |
| † | Tied for Longest drought in team history |
Active playoff game victory droughts[edit]
Updated through 2012-13 playoffs.
| ^ | Longest drought in team History |
| † | Tied for Longest drought in team history |
(*): Franchise earned a bye in the Wild Card round.
(**): Franchise dormant 1996-1999.
Active AFC/NFC Championship game appearance droughts[edit]
Updated through 2012-13 playoffs.
| ^ | Longest drought in team History |
| † | Tied for Longest drought in team history |
(*): Franchise first played in 2002 season
(**): Franchise dormant 1996, 1997, 1998.
Active Super Bowl appearance droughts[edit]
(*): Cleveland's drought does not include three seasons (1996–98) where the franchise was dormant.
Active Super Bowl win droughts[edit]
This list also counts all seasons since last league championship.
Updated through 2012-13 playoffs.
- a Team won as the Chicago Cardinals in 1947.
- b Team won as the Houston Oilers in 1961.
- c AFL and NFL League Champions met in Super Bowls I thru IV before the 1970 merger (1966-1969). They are not generally counted in overall league Championship list.
- d Cleveland's drought does not include three seasons (1996–98) when the franchise was dormant.
- e Super Bowl winner was not the NFL League Champion till after 1970 merger (Super Bowl V)
- f Team in Los Angeles when it won Super Bowl XVIII.
Active Super Bowl crown droughts by division[edit]
Updated through 2012-13 playoffs.
| Division | Last Super Bowl crown | Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| AFC West | XXXIII — Broncos | 14 |
| NFC West | XXXIV — Rams | 13 |
| AFC East | XXXIX — Patriots | 8 |
| AFC South | XLI ——– Colts | 6 |
| NFC South | XLIV —– Saints | 3 |
| NFC North | XLV —–– Packers | 2 |
| NFC East | XLVI —– Giants | 1 |
| AFC North | XLVII —– Ravens | — |
Cities/regions awaiting first Super Bowl crown[edit]
Listed according to seasons waited. Updated through 2012 season.
Current NFL cities/regions only
Active division title droughts[edit]
Listed according to seasons waited. Updated through 2012 season.
| ^ | Longest drought in team History |
*does not include three seasons (1996–1998) during which the franchise suspended operations.
Historical Team Droughts[edit]
Most consecutive post-season losses in team history[edit]
This is a sortable table of all 32 current NFL teams. Several teams have changed their names and locations through the years. Only the current team names are used. If the streak occurred while the team had a different name, it is noted. After sorting, you must reload page if you want table back in the original layout.
Updated through 2012-13 playoffs.
| ^ | Denotes active drought |
| Team | Streak lasted | Games Lost | Playoff Games | Score | Opponent | Next win | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Years | Last win | ||||||
| Arizona Cardinals | 51 years | 1947 Championship |
4 | 1948 NFL Championship Chicago Cardinals |
0-7 | Eagles | 1998 Wild Card |
| 1974 Divisional | 14-30 | Vikings | |||||
| 1975 Divisional | 23-35 | Rams | |||||
| 1982 First Round | 16-41 | Packers | |||||
| Atlanta Falcons | 8 years | 2004 Divisional |
4 | 2004 NFC Championship | 10-27 | Eagles | 2012 Divisional |
| 2008 Wild Card | 24-30 | Cardinals | |||||
| 2010 Divisional | 21-48 | Packers | |||||
| 2011 Wild Card | 2-24 | Giants | |||||
| Baltimore Ravens | 7 years | 2001 Wild Card |
3 | 2001 Divisional | 10-27 | Steelers | 2008 Wild Card |
| 2003 Wild Card | 17-20 | Titans | |||||
| 2006 Divisional | 6-15 | Colts | |||||
| Buffalo Bills^ | 17 years | 1995 Wild Card |
4 | 1995 Divisional | 21-40 | Steelers | TBD |
| 1996 Wild Card | 27-30 | Jaguars | |||||
| 1998 Wild Card | 17-24 | Dolphins | |||||
| 1999 Wild Card | 16-22 | Titans | |||||
| Carolina Panthers^ | 7 years | 2005 Divisional |
2 | 2005 NFC Championship | 14-34 | Seahawks | TBD |
| 2008 Divisional | 13-33 | Cardinals | |||||
| Chicago Bears | 12 years | 1994 Wild Card |
3 | 1994 Divisional | 15-44 | 49ers | 2006 Divisional |
| 2001 Divisional | 19-33 | Eagles | |||||
| 2005 Divisional | 21-29 | Panthers | |||||
| Cincinnati Bengals^ | 22 years | 1990 Wild Card |
5 | 1990 Divisional | 10-20 | Raiders | TBD |
| 2005 Wild Card | 17-31 | Steelers | |||||
| 2009 Wild Card | 14-24 | Jets | |||||
| 2011 Wild Card | 10-31 | Texans | |||||
| 2012 Wild Card | 13-19 | Texans | |||||
| Cleveland Browns | 17 years | 1969 Divisional |
6 | 1969 NFL Championship | 7-27 | Vikings | 1986 Divisional |
| 1971 Divisional | 3-20 | Colts | |||||
| 1972 Wild Card | 14-20 | Dolphins | |||||
| 1980 Divisional | 12-14 | Raiders | |||||
| 1982 First Round | 10-27 | Raiders | |||||
| 1985 Divisional | 21-24 | Dolphins | |||||
| Dallas Cowboys | 13 years | 1996 Wild Card |
6 | 1996 Divisional | 17-26 | Panthers | 2009 Wild Card |
| 1998 Wild Card | 7-20 | Cardinals | |||||
| 1999 Wild Card | 10-27 | Vikings | |||||
| 2003 Wild Card | 10-29 | Panthers | |||||
| 2006 Wild Card | 20-21 | Seahawks | |||||
| 2007 Divisional | 17-21 | Giants | |||||
| Denver Broncos | 9 years | 1977 Conference Championship |
5 | Super Bowl XII | 10-27 | Cowboys | 1986 Divisional |
| 1978 Divisional | 10-33 | Steelers | |||||
| 1979 Wild Card | 7-13 | Oilers | |||||
| 1983 Wild Card | 7-31 | Seahawks | |||||
| 1984 Divisional | 17-24 | Steelers | |||||
| Detroit Lions^ | 21 years | 1991 Divisional |
7 | 1991 NFC Championship | 10-41 | Redskins | TBD |
| 1993 Wild Card | 24-28 | Packers | |||||
| 1994 Wild Card | 12-16 | Packers | |||||
| 1995 Wild Card | 37-58 | Eagles | |||||
| 1997 Wild Card | 10-20 | Buccaneers | |||||
| 1999 Wild Card | 13-27 | Redskins | |||||
| 2011 Wild Card | 28-45 | Saints | |||||
| Green Bay Packers | 4 years | 1997 Conference Championship |
2 | Super Bowl XXXII | 24-31 | Broncos | 2001 Wild Card |
| 1998 Wild Card | 27-30 | 49ers | |||||
| 2 years | 2001 Wild Card |
2 | 2001 Divisional | 17-45 | Rams | 2003 Wild Card | |
| 2002 Wild Card | 7-27 | Falcons | |||||
| 4 years | 2003 Wild Card |
2 | 2003 Divisional | 17-20 (OT) | Eagles | 2007 Divisional | |
| 2004 Wild Card | 17-31 | Vikings | |||||
| 3 years | 2007 Divisional |
2 | 2007 NFC Championship | 20-23 (OT) | Giants | 2010 Wild Card | |
| 2009 Wild Card | 45-51 (OT) | Cardinals | |||||
| Houston Texans | 1 year | 2011 Wild Card | 1 | 2011 Divisional | 13-20 | Ravens | 2012 Wild Card |
| 1 year | 2012 Wild Card | 1 | 2012 Divisional | 28-41 | Patriots | TBD | |
| Indianapolis Colts | 24 years | 1971 Divisional |
5 | 1971 AFC Championship Baltimore Colts |
0-21 | Dolphins | 1995 Wild Card |
| 1975 Divisional Baltimore Colts |
10-28 | Steelers | |||||
| 1976 Divisional Baltimore Colts |
14-40 | Steelers | |||||
| 1977 Divisional Baltimore Colts |
31-37 (2OT) | Raiders | |||||
| 1987 Divisional | 21-38 | Browns | |||||
| 8 years | 1995 Divisional |
5 | 1995 AFC Championship | 16-20 | Steelers | 2003 Wild Card | |
| 1996 Wild Card | 14-42 | Steelers | |||||
| 1999 Divisional | 16-19 | Titans | |||||
| 2000 Wild Card | 17-23 (OT) | Dolphins | |||||
| 2002 Wild Card | 0-41 | Jets | |||||
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 2 years | 1996 Divisional |
2 | 1996 AFC Championship | 6-20 | Patriots | 1998 Wild Card |
| 1997 Wild Card | 17-42 | Broncos | |||||
| 8 years | 1999 Divisional |
2 | 1999 AFC Championship | 14-33 | Titans | 2007 Wild Card | |
| 2005 Wild Card | 3-28 | Patriots | |||||
| Kansas City Chiefs^ | 19 years | 1993 Divisional |
7 | 1993 AFC Championship | 13-30 | Bills | TBD |
| 1994 Wild Card | 17-27 | Dolphins | |||||
| 1995 Divisional | 7-10 | Colts | |||||
| 1997 Divisional | 10-14 | Broncos | |||||
| 2003 Divisional | 31-38 | Colts | |||||
| 2006 Wild Card | 8-23 | Colts | |||||
| 2010 Wild Card | 7-30 | Ravens | |||||
| Miami Dolphins | 9 years | 1973 Super Bowl |
4 | 1974 Divisional | 26-28 | Raiders | 1982 Wild Card |
| 1978 Wild Card | 9-17 | Oilers | |||||
| 1979 Divisional | 14-34 | Steelers | |||||
| 1981 Divisional | 38-41 (OT) | Chargers | |||||
| Minnesota Vikings | 9 years | 1988 Wild Card |
6 | 1988 Divisional | 9-34 | 49ers | 1997 Wild Card |
| 1989 Divisional | 13-41 | 49ers | |||||
| 1992 Wild Card | 7-24 | Redskins | |||||
| 1993 Wild Card | 10-17 | Giants | |||||
| 1994 Wild Card | 18-35 | Bears | |||||
| 1996 Wild Card | 15-45 | Cowboys | |||||
| New England Patriots | 22 years | 1963 Divisional |
4 | 1963 AFL Championship Boston Patriots |
10-51 | Chargers | 1985 Wild Card |
| 1976 Divisional | 21-24 | Raiders | |||||
| 1978 Divisional | 14-31 | Oilers | |||||
| 1982 First Round | 13-28 | Dolphins | |||||
| New Orleans Saints | 32 years | No Playoff Wins till 2000 |
4 | 1987 Wild Card | 10-44 | Vikings | 2000 Wild Card |
| 1990 Wild Card | 6-16 | Bears | |||||
| 1991 Wild Card | 20-27 | Falcons | |||||
| 1992 Wild Card | 20-36 | Eagles | |||||
| New York Giants | 18 years | 1938 Championship |
6 | 1939 NFL Championship | 0-27 | Packers | 1956 Championship |
| 1941 NFL Championship | 9-37 | Bears | |||||
| 1943 Eastern Divisional | 0-28 | Redskins | |||||
| 1944 NFL Championship | 7-14 | Packers | |||||
| 1946 NFL Championship | 14-24 | Bears | |||||
| 1950 American Conference | 3-8 | Browns | |||||
| New York Jets | 14 years | 1968 Super Bowl III |
2 | 1969 AFL Divisional | 6-13 | Chiefs | 1982 First Round |
| 1981 Wild Card | 27-31 | Bills | |||||
| 4 years | 1982 Second Round | 2 | 1982 AFC Championship | 0-14 | Dolphins | 1986 Wild Card | |
| 1985 Wild Card | 14-26 | Patriots | |||||
| 12 years | 1986 Wild Card | 2 | 1986 Divisional | 20-23 (2OT) | Browns | 1998 Divisional | |
| 1991 Wild Card | 10-17 | Oilers | |||||
| 4 years | 1998 Divisional | 2 | 1998 AFC Championship | 10-23 | Broncos | 2002 Wild Card | |
| 2001 Wild Card | 24-38 | Raiders | |||||
| 5 years | 2004 Wild Card |
2 | 2004 Divisional | 17-20 (OT) | Steelers | 2009 Wild Card | |
| 2006 Wild Card | 16-37 | Patriots | |||||
| Oakland Raiders | 3 years | 1970 Divisional |
2 | 1970 AFC Championship | 17-27 | Colts | 1973 Divisional |
| 1972 Divisional | 7-13 | Steelers | |||||
| 7 years | 1983 Super Bowl XVIII |
2 | 1984 Wild Card LA Raiders |
7-13 | Seahawks | 1990 Divisional | |
| 1985 Divisional LA Raiders |
20-27 | Patriots | |||||
| 3 years | 1990 Divisional | 2 | 1990 AFC Championship LA Raiders |
3-51 | Bills | 1993 Wild Card | |
| 1991 Wild Card LA Raiders |
6-10 | Chiefs | |||||
| Philadelphia Eagles | 12 years | 1980 Conference Championship |
5 | Super Bowl XV | 10-27 | Raiders | 1992 Wild Card |
| 1981 Wild Card | 21-27 | Giants | |||||
| 1988 Divisional | 20-12 | Bears | |||||
| 1989 Wild Card | 7-21 | Rams | |||||
| 1990 Wild Card | 6-20 | Redskins | |||||
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 5 years | 1989 Wild Card |
3 | 1989 Divisional | 23-24 | Broncos | 1994 Divisional |
| 1992 Divisional | 3-24 | Bills | |||||
| 1993 Wild Card | 24-27 | Chiefs | |||||
| San Diego Chargers | 13 years | 1994 Conference Championship |
4 | Super Bowl XXIX | 26-49 | 49ers | 2007 Wild Card |
| 1995 Wild Card | 20-35 | Colts | |||||
| 2004 Wild Card | 17-20 (OT) | Jets | |||||
| 2006 Divisional | 21-24 | Patriots | |||||
| San Francisco 49ers | 4 years | 1984 Super Bowl XIX |
3 | 1985 Wild Card | 3-17 | Giants | 1988 Divisional |
| 1986 Divisional | 3-49 | Giants | |||||
| 1987 Divisional | 24-36 | Vikings | |||||
| Seattle Seahawks | 21 years | 1984 Wild Card |
6 | 1984 Divisional | 10-31 | Dolphins | 2005 Divisional |
| 1987 Wild Card | 20-23 (OT) | Oilers | |||||
| 1988 Divisional | 13-21 | Bengals | |||||
| 1999 Wild Card | 17-20 | Dolphins | |||||
| 2003 Wild Card | 27-33 (OT) | Packers | |||||
| 2004 Wild Card | 20-27 | Rams | |||||
| St. Louis Rams | 23 years | 1951 Championship |
5 | 1952 National Conference LA Rams |
21-31 | Lions | 1974 Divisional |
| 1955 NFL Championship LA Rams |
14-38 | Browns | |||||
| 1967 NFL Western Conference LA Rams |
7-28 | Packers | |||||
| 1969 NFL Western Conference LA Rams |
20-23 | Vikings | |||||
| 1973 Divisional LA Rams |
16-27 | Cowboys | |||||
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 18 years | 1979 Divisional |
3 | 1979 NFC Championship | 0-9 | Rams | 1997 Wild Card |
| 1981 Divisional | 0-38 | Cowboys | |||||
| 1982 First Round | 17-30 | Cowboys | |||||
| 3 years | 1999 Divisional |
3 | 1999 NFC Championship | 6-11 | Rams | 2002 Divisional | |
| 2000 Wild Card | 3-21 | Eagles | |||||
| 2001 Wild Card | 9-31 | Eagles | |||||
| Tennessee Titans^ | 17 years | 1961 AFL Championship |
3[Hou] | 1962 AFL Championship | 17-20 (2 OT) | Dallas Texans | 1978 Wild Card |
| 1967 AFL Championship | 7-40 | Raiders | |||||
| 1969 AFL Divisional | 7-56 | Raiders | |||||
| 3 years | 1988 Wild Card |
3[Hou] | 1988 Divisional | 10-17 | Bills | 1991 Wild Card |
|
| 1989 Wild Card | 23-26 (OT) | Steelers | |||||
| 1990 Wild Card | 14-41 | Bengals | |||||
| 8 years | 1991 Wild Card |
3[Hou] | 1991 Divisional | 24-26 | Broncos | 1999 Wild Card |
|
| 1992 Wild Card | 38-41 (OT) | Bills | |||||
| 1993 Divisional | 20-28 | Chiefs | |||||
| 9 years | 2003 Wild Card |
3 | 2003 Divisional | 14-17 | Patriots | TBD | |
| 2007 Wild Card | 6-17 | Chargers | |||||
| 2008 Divisional | 10-13 | Ravens | |||||
| Washington Redskins | 10 years | 1972 Conference Championship |
4 | Super Bowl VII | 7-14 | Dolphins | 1982 Wild Card |
| 1973 Divisional | 20-27 | Vikings | |||||
| 1974 Divisional | 10-19 | Rams | |||||
| 1976 Divisional | 20-35 | Vikings | |||||
| Team | Years | Last win | Games Lost | Playoff Games | Score | Opponent | Next win |
| Streak lasted | |||||||
- Hou These three streaks occurred when the team was the Houston Oilers.
Longest post-season droughts in team history[edit]
Updated through 2012 season.
| ^ | Denotes active streak |
| † | Denotes team that participated in the Playoff Bowl during postseason drought, which by current NFL record books count as an exhibition game and does not count towards any postseason statistics. |
| Team | Longest streak with no post-season appearances |
Seasons | Longest streak with no post-season victories |
Seasons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona Cardinals | 1949–1973† | 25 | 1948–1997 | 50 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 1948–1971† | 24 | 1933–1971 | 39 |
| Detroit Lions | 1936–1951 | 16 | 1958–1990 | 33 |
| New Orleans Saints | 1967–1986 | 20 | 1967–1999 | 33 |
| Washington Redskins | 1946–1970 | 25 | 1944–1971 | 28 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 1978–1986 | 9 | 1972–1994 | 23 |
| St. Louis Rams | 1956–1966 | 11 | 1952–1973 | 22 |
| New York Giants | 1964–1980 | 17 | 1959–1980 | 22 |
| Cincinnati Bengals^ | 1991–2004 | 14 | 1991–2012^ | 22 |
| New England Patriots | 1964–1975 | 12 | 1964–1984 | 21 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 1972–1985 | 14 | 1970–1990 | 21 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 1958–1969 | 12 | 1950–1969 | 20 |
| Chicago Bears | 1964–1976 | 13 | 1964–1983 | 20 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 1989–1998 | 10 | 1985–2004 | 20 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 1961–1977† | 17 | 1961–1978 | 18 |
| Denver Broncos | 1960–1976 | 17 | 1960–1976 | 17 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 1983–1996 | 14 | 1980–1996 | 17 |
| Buffalo Bills^ | 2000–2012^ | 13 | 1996–2012^ | 17 |
| Green Bay Packers | 1945–1959 | 15 | 1945–1960 | 16 |
| Tennessee Titans | 1970–1977 | 8 | 1962–1977 | 16 |
| San Diego Chargers | 1966–1978 | 13 | 1964–1979 | 16 |
| Cleveland Browns^ | 2003–2012^ | 10 | 1970–1985 | 16 |
| New York Jets | 1970–1980 | 11 | 1969–1981 | 13 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 1966–1977 | 12 | 1966–1977; 1979–1990 |
12 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 1960–1965† | 6 | 1997–2008 | 12 |
| Miami Dolphins^ | 2002–2007 | 6 | 2001–2012^ | 12 |
| Oakland Raiders^ | 2003–2012^ | 10 | 2003–2012^ | 10 |
| Houston Texans | 2002–2010 | 9 | 2002–2010 | 9 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 1961–1967 | 7 | 1961–1968; 1989–1996 |
8 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars^ | 2000–2004;
2008–2012^
|
5 | 2000–2006 | 7 |
| Carolina Panthers^ | 1997–2002 | 6 | 2006–2012^ | 7 |
| Baltimore Ravens | 1996–1999 | 4 | 2002–2007 | 6 |
See also[edit]
- List of NFL franchise post-season streaks
- List of NFL champions (1920–69)
- List of Super Bowl Champions
- List of MLB franchise postseason droughts
- List of MLS club post-season droughts
- List of NBA franchise post-season droughts
- List of NHL franchise post-season droughts
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f "Season Index". pro-football-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
- ^ a b "Super Bowl List". pro-football-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
