The journey to the NFL postseason is a dream for many teams, yet some find themselves trapped in lengthy droughts. This article delves into the current and historical records of teams struggling to make playoff appearances.
In the list of active postseason droughts, the New York Jets lead with 14 straight seasons without a playoff game since their 2010 AFC Championship clash with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Their last Super Bowl appearance goes even further back to Super Bowl III against the Baltimore Colts, marking their sole Super Bowl win.
Following the Jets, the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers each endure an eight-season dry spell. The Broncos last celebrated postseason success at Super Bowl 50 in February 2016 against the Carolina Panthers, where they also claimed their last Super Bowl title. The Panthers last saw playoff victory in the 2015 NFC Championship.
The Atlanta Falcons hold a six-season drought, with their latest postseason win in the 2017 NFC wild card game against the Los Angeles Rams. They reached the Super Bowl LI but were unable to secure a win against the New England Patriots.
The New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears have been absent from the postseason for four seasons. The Saints last celebrated a playoff victory during the 2020 NFC wild card game against the Chicago Bears, securing their most recent Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XLIV. Meanwhile, the Bears’ last postseason win came in the 2010 NFC divisional game against the Seattle Seahawks.
The Indianapolis Colts and Washington Commanders each face a three-season drought. The Colts last moved forward in the playoffs in 2018, while the Commanders haven’t celebrated a playoff victory since 2005.
Historically, several teams have struggled with prolonged postseason absences. The Arizona Cardinals and Washington team (under its previous names) share the record for the longest drought at 25 seasons. The Pittsburgh Steelers follow with a 24-season dry spell from 1948 to 1972, while the Saints endured 20 seasons of postseason futility from 1967 to 1987.
While some NFL teams face challenging paths to the playoffs, the drive for change and improvement remains a constant. Overcoming such droughts often requires strategic adjustments and perseverance.
Source: Espn