List of NFL franchise post-season droughts
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 steep in the NFL playoff system. Those franchise which have never made certain points in playoffs and are listed by the date they entered the leagues.
[edit] NFL franchises with the longest post-season drought
Note: This list shows the exit point for the team in the playoffs.
(*): Only represent all games that team managed to play in that year's playoffs.
(**): Team started in Divisional Playoffs round and could at most only play 3 games in the playoffs instead of 4 games.
[edit] NFL franchises with the longest playoff game victory drought
(*): Only represent all games that team managed to win in that year's playoffs.
(**): Franchise started in Divisional Playoffs round and could only play at most 3 games in the playoffs insteed of 4 games in the playoff.
[edit] NFL franchises with the longest Conference Championships game appearance drought
| Team | Last Conference Championships game appearance |
|---|---|
| Arizona Cardinals | none* |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 1988 AFC |
| Cleveland Browns | 1989 AFC |
| Detroit Lions | 1991 NFC |
| Washington Redskins | 1991 NFC |
| Miami Dolphins | 1992 AFC |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 1993 AFC |
| Buffalo Bills | 1993 AFC |
| Dallas Cowboys | 1995 NFC |
| San Francisco 49ers | 1997 NFC |
| New York Jets | 1998 AFC |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 1999 AFC |
| Minnesota Vikings | 2000 NFC |
| Baltimore Ravens | 2000 AFC |
| Saint Louis Rams | 2001 NFC |
| Houston Texans | none (franchise started in 2002) |
| Oakland Raiders | 2002 AFC |
| Tennessee Titans | 2002 AFC |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 2002 NFC |
| Atlanta Falcons | 2004 NFC |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 2004 NFC |
| Denver Broncos | 2005 AFC |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 2005 AFC |
| Carolina Panthers | 2005 NFC |
| Seattle Seahawks | 2005 NFC |
| New Orleans Saints | 2006 NFC |
| Chicago Bears | 2006 NFC |
| Indianapolis Colts | 2006 AFC |
| Green Bay Packers | 2007 NFC |
| New England Patriots | 2007 AFC |
| San Diego Chargers | 2007 AFC |
| New York Giants | 2007 NFC |
(*): See below for appearance in NFL Championship games
[edit] NFL franchises with the longest Super Bowl appearance drought
Note: Super Bowl I took place January 15, 1967 after the 1966 regular season. Super Bowls I through IV matched the respective league champions. The leagues officially merged for the 1970 season, so Super Bowl V was the first Super Bowl after the NFL-AFL merger.
(*): Team in Chicago in 1948.
(**): Cleveland Browns lost to the Minnesota Vikings who went to the Super Bowl IV.
[edit] NFL franchises with the longest Super Bowl crown drought
Note: Super Bowl I took place January 15, 1967 after the 1966 regular season. Super Bowls I through IV matched the respective league champions. The leagues officially merged for the 1970 season, so Super Bowl V was the first Super Bowl after the NFL-AFL merger.
(*): Team in Chicago in 1947.
(**): Team known as Houston Oilers in 1961.
(***): Minnesota Vikings did win the 1969 NFL Championship. However they lost in Super Bowl IV to the AFL Champions Kansas City Chiefs.
(****): Team in Los Angeles when it won Super Bowl XVIII.
[edit] Cities/regions awaiting first Super Bowl crown
Listed according to seasons waited
Current NFL cities/regions only
| City/region | Seasons waited | Conference Title(s) | Team(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | 42 | 1998 | Atlanta Falcons (1966-) | Reached Super Bowl XXXIII |
| Buffalo | 42 | 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993 | Buffalo Bills (1966-) | Reached Super Bowls XXV, XXVI, XXVII, and XXVIII |
| Detroit | 42 | None | Detroit Lions (1966-) | Reached the 1991 NFC Championship Game |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul | 42 | 1969, 1973, 1974, 1976 | Minnesota Vikings (1966-) | Reached Super Bowls IV, VIII, IX, and XI |
| Philadelphia | 42 | 1980, 2004 | Philadelphia Eagles (1966-) | Reached Super Bowls XV and XXXIX |
| San Diego | 42 | 1994 | San Diego Chargers (1966-) | Reached Super Bowl XXIX |
| New Orleans | 41 | None | New Orleans Saints (1967-) | Reached the 2006 NFC Championship Game |
| Cincinnati | 40 | 1981, 1988 | Cincinnati Bengals (1968-) | Reached Super Bowls XVI and XXIII |
| Cleveland | 39 | None | Cleveland Browns (1966-95,1999-) | Reached the 1968 and 1969 NFL Championship Games and 1986, 1987, and 1989 AFC Championship Games |
| Houston | 37 | None | Includes the Oilers (1966-96) and the Texans (2002-) | Reached the 1978 and 1979 AFC Championship Games |
| Seattle | 32 | 2005 | Seattle Seahawks (1976-) | Reached Super Bowl XL |
| Phoenix | 20 | None | Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals (1988-) | No NFC Championship Game appearances Last best finish 1975, NFC East Division Champion (as St. Louis Cardinals) |
| Charlotte | 13 | 2003 | Carolina Panthers (1995-) | Reached Super Bowl XXXVIII |
| Jacksonville | 13 | None | Jacksonville Jaguars (1995-) | Reached the 1996 and 1999 AFC Championship Games |
| Nashville | 11 | 1999 | Tennessee Oilers-Titans (1997-) | Reached Super Bowl XXXIV |
