List of NFL franchise post-season droughts
This is a list of current and former National Football League franchise droughts 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.
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 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. Thus, the Vikings along with the other five teams 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 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 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 Browns relocation controversy, absorbed the Browns' personnel upon their suspension, but not their history.
Active team droughts
Playoff game victory droughts
Longest active playoff game victory droughts
Sortable table, click on the header arrows.| ^ | Longest drought in team history |
| ♦ | Most consecutive losses in team history |
| ¤ | Tied for most consecutive losses in team history |
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.- The Las Vegas Raiders last appeared in the AFC Divisional playoff game as the Oakland Raiders.
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 |
- The Browns were dormant from 1996–1998. Since returning years ago, the Browns have never played in an AFC Championship Game.
- The Las Vegas Raiders last appeared in the AFC Championship Game as the Oakland Raiders.
- The Los Angeles Chargers last appeared in the AFC Championship Game as the San Diego Chargers.
Super Bowl appearance droughts
This is also the last time club won AFC or NFC championship game.- The Browns are considered to have suspended operation from 1996–1998. Since returning in 1999, or years ago they have never appeared in the Super Bowl, while the franchise that moved in 1995, has made two appearances in the Super Bowl since the relocation controversy.
- The Washington Commanders last appeared in the Super Bowl as the Washington Redskins.
- The Los Angeles Chargers last appeared in the Super Bowl as the San Diego Chargers.
- The Las Vegas Raiders last appeared in the Super Bowl as the Oakland Raiders.
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
| Seasons | Team | Last League championship crown pre-merger | Season |
| Arizona Cardinals | 1947 NFL championship | ||
| [List of Detroit Detroit Lions|Lions seasons|Detroit Lions] | 1957 NFL championship | ||
| Tennessee Titans | 1961 AFL championship | ||
| Los Angeles Chargers | 1963 AFL championship | ||
| [List of Greater Cleveland|Cleveland Browns seasons|Cleveland Browns] | 1964 NFL championship | ||
| Buffalo Bills | 1965 AFL championship | ||
| Minnesota Vikings | 1969 NFL championship |
- Team won as the Chicago Cardinals in 1947.
- Team won as the Houston Oilers in 1961.
- Team won as the San Diego Chargers in 1963.
- 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.- The Browns suspended operation from 1996–1998. Since returning in 1999, or 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.
- Team won Super Bowl XVIII as the Los Angeles Raiders.
- Team won Super Bowl XXVI as the Washington Redskins
Super Bowl crown droughts by division
Cities/regions awaiting first Super Bowl crown
Listed according to seasons waited.Current NFL cities/regions only.
| City/region | Seasons waited | Conference title | Team | Notes |
| Detroit | - | Detroit Lions | Played in the 1991 and 2023 NFC Championship Games. NFL championship won in 1935, 1952, 1953, and 1957. | |
| Buffalo | 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993 | Buffalo Bills | Played in Super Bowls XXV, XXVI, XXVII, and XXVIII. Last AFL championship won in 1965. Buffalo's previous NFL franchise, the Buffalo All-Americans, claimed an unrecognized 1921 championship. | |
| Atlanta | 1998, 2016 | Atlanta Falcons | Played in Super Bowls XXXIII and LI. | |
| Minneapolis–St. Paul | 1969, 1973, 1974, 1976 | Minnesota Vikings | 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 | 1981, 1988, 2021 | Cincinnati Bengals | Played in Super Bowls XVI, XXIII and LVI. Previous NFL team, the Cincinnati Celts, never won an NFL title. | |
| Cleveland | - | Cleveland Browns | Played in the 1986, 1987, and 1989 AFC Championship Games. Last NFL championship won in 1964. | |
| Houston | - | 31 Oilers seasons and Texans seasons | Played in the 1978 and 1979 AFC Championship Games. The Oilers franchise in Houston won the AFL championship in 1960 and 1961. To date, the Texans have never played in the AFC championship. | |
| Phoenix | 2008 | Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals | Played in Super Bowl XLIII. | |
| Jacksonville | - | Jacksonville Jaguars | Played in the 1996, 1999 and 2017 AFC Championship Games. | |
| Charlotte | 2003, 2015 | Carolina Panthers | Played in Super Bowls XXXVIII and 50. | |
| Nashville | 1999 | Tennessee Oilers/Titans | Played in Super Bowl XXXIV. | |
| Las Vegas | - | Las Vegas Raiders |
Division title droughts
Listed according to seasons waited.- *Does not include the three seasons 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.| Team | Wild Card appearances | Divisional appearances | Conference Championship appearances | Super Bowl appearances | Fewest wins short of Super Bowl title |
| Minnesota Vikings | 16 | 21 | 9 | 4 | 1 win short: 1969, 1973, 1974, 1976 |
| Buffalo Bills | 14 | 16 | 7 | 4 | 1 win short: 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 11 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 win short: 1981, 1988, 2021 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 8 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 1 win short: 1998, 2016 |
| Carolina Panthers | 5 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 win short: 2003, 2015 |
| Tennessee Titans | 15 | 14 | 5 | 1 | 1 win short: 1999 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 11 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 1 win short: 1994 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 6 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 win short: 2008 |
| Cleveland Browns | 6 | 9 | 5 | - | 2 wins short: 1968, 1969, 1986, 1987, 1989 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 8 | 6 | 3 | - | 2 wins short: 1996, 1999, 2017 |
| Detroit Lions | 10 | 5 | 2 | - | 2 wins short: 1991, 2023 |
| Houston Texans | 9 | 7 | - | - | 3 wins short: 2011, 2012, 2016, 2019, 2023, 2024, 2025 |
- First round in the 1982 playoffs for the Vikings, Bengals, Falcons, Chargers, Cardinals, Browns, and Lions.
- Second round in the 1982 playoffs for the Vikings and Chargers.
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, AFL Championship, or Super Bowl Championship. Active droughts are listed in bold type.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, AFL Championship, or Super Bowl Championship. Active droughts are listed in bold type.| Seasons | Team | Previous appearance | Drought streak | Next appearance |
| ' | Detroit Lions | 1957 | 1958—present | — |
| Chicago/St. Louis/Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals | 1947 | 1948—2007 | 2008 | |
| ' | New York Jets | 1968 | 1969—present | — |
| ' | Cleveland Browns | 1969 | 1970—1995, 1999—present | — |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 1969 | 1970—2018 | 2019 | |
| ' | Minnesota Vikings | 1976 | 1977—present | — |
| New Orleans Saints | — | 1967—2008 | 2009 | |
| Pittsburgh Pirates/Steelers | — | 1933—1973 | 1974 | |
| ' | Miami Dolphins | 1984 | 1985—present | — |
| Houston/Tennessee Oilers/Titans | 1962 | 1963—1998 | 1999 | |
| Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts | 1970 | 1971—2005 | 2006 | |
| ' | Washington Redskins/Football Team/Commanders | 1991 | 1992—present | — |
| Atlanta Falcons | — | 1966—1997 | 1998 | |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 1988 | 1989—2020 | 2021 | |
| ' | Buffalo Bills | 1993 | 1994—present | — |
| ' | San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers | 1994 | 1995—present | — |
| ' | Jacksonville Jaguars | — | 1995—present | — |
| San Francisco 49ers | — | 1950—1980 | 1981 | |
| ' | Dallas Cowboys | 1995 | 1996—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 2025-26 playoffs
| Team | Streak lasted | Last win | Games lost | Playoff losses | Opponent | Next win |
| Arizona Cardinals | 51 years | 1947 NFL Champ. | 1948 NFL Champ. 1974 Divisional 1975 Divisional 1982 1st Round | Eagles Vikings Rams Packers | 1998 Wild Card | |
| Atlanta Falcons | 8 years | 2004 Divisional | 2004 NFC Champ. 2008 Wild Card 2010 Divisional 2011 Wild Card | Eagles Cardinals Packers Giants | 2012 Divisional | |
| Baltimore Ravens 2 streaks | 7 years | 2001 Wild Card | 2001 Divisional 2003 Wild Card 2006 Divisional | Steelers Titans Colts | 2008 Wild Card | |
| Baltimore Ravens 2 streaks | 5 years | 2014 Wild Card | 2014 Divisional 2018 Wild Card 2019 Divisional | Patriots Chargers Titans | 2020 Wild Card | |
| Buffalo Bills | 24 years | 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 ^ 2 streaks | 8 years | 2005 Divisional | 3 | 2005 NFC Champ. 2008 Divisional 2013 Divisional | Seahawks Cardinals 49ers | |
| Carolina Panthers ^ 2 streaks | years | 2015 NFC Championship | 2017 Wild Card 2025 Wild Card | Broncos Saints Rams | TBD | |
| Chicago Bears ^ 2 streaks | 12 years | 1994 Divisional 2001 Divisional 2005 Divisional | 49ers Eagles Panthers | 2006 Divisional | ||
| Chicago Bears ^ 2 streaks | 15 years | 2010 Divisional | 2010 NFC Champ. 2018 Wild Card 2020 Wild Card | Packers Eagles Saints | 2025 Wild Card | |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 31 years | 8 | 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 | 17 years | 1969 Divisional | 6 | 1969 NFL Champ. 1971 Divisional 1972 Divisional 1980 Divisional 1982 1st Round 1985 Divisional | Vikings Colts Dolphins Raiders Raiders Dolphins | 1986 Divisional |
| Dallas Cowboys | 13 years | 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 | 9 years | 1977 AFC Championship | 1978 Divisional 1979 Wild Card 1983 Wild Card 1984 Divisional | Cowboys Steelers Oilers Seahawks Steelers | 1986 Divisional | |
| Detroit Lions | 32 years | 1991 Divisional | 9 | 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 ^ | years | 2023 Wild Card | 3 | 2023 Divisional 2024 Wild Card 2025 Wild Card | 49ers Eagles Bears | TBD |
| Houston Texans 2 streaks | 4 years | 2012 Wild Card | 2 | 2015 Wild Card | Patriots Chiefs | 2016 Wild Card |
| Houston Texans 2 streaks | 2 years | 2016 Wild Card | 2 | 2018 Wild Card | Patriots Colts | 2019 Wild Card |
| Indianapolis Colts 2 streaks | 24 years | 1971 Divisional | 1975 Divisional 1976 Divisional 1977 Divisional 1987 Divisional | Dolphins Steelers Steelers Raiders Browns | 1995 Wild Card | |
| Indianapolis Colts 2 streaks | 8 years | 1995 Divisional | 1996 Wild Card 1999 Divisional 2000 Wild Card 2002 Wild Card | Steelers Steelers Titans Dolphins Jets | 2003 Wild Card | |
| Jacksonville Jaguars ^ 3 streaks | 2 years | 1996 Divisional | 1997 Wild Card | Patriots Broncos | 1998 Wild Card | |
| Jacksonville Jaguars ^ 3 streaks | 8 years | 1999 Divisional | 2005 Wild Card | Titans Patriots | ||
| Jacksonville Jaguars ^ 3 streaks | years | 2022 Wild Card | 2 | 2025 Wild Card | Chiefs Bills | TBD |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 21 years | 1993 Divisional | 8 | 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 ^ | years | 2002 AFC Championship | 3 | 2016 Wild Card 2021 Wild Card | Buccaneers Texans Bengals | TBD |
| Los Angeles Chargers ^ 2 streaks | 13 years | 1994 AFC Championship | 1995 Wild Card 2004 Wild Card 2006 Divisional | 49ers Colts Jets Patriots | ||
| Los Angeles Chargers ^ 2 streaks | years | 2018 AFC Wild Card | 4 | 2018 Divisional 2022 Wild Card 2024 Wild Card 2025 Wild Card | Patriots Jaguars Texans Patriots | TBD |
| Los Angeles Rams | 23 years | 1951 NFL Championship | 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 ^ | years | 2000 Wild Card | 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 | 9 years | 1988 Wild Card | 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 | 22 years | 1963 Divisional | 1963 AFL Champ. 1976 Divisional 1978 Divisional 1982 1st Round | Chargers Raiders Oilers Dolphins | 1985 Wild Card | |
| New Orleans Saints | 32 years | 1967 Enfranchised No Playoff Wins until 2000 | 1987 Wild Card 1990 Wild Card 1991 Wild Card 1992 Wild Card | Vikings Bears Falcons Eagles | 2000 Wild Card | |
| New York Giants | 18 years | 1938 NFL Championship | 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 streaks | 14 years | 1968 Super Bowl III | 1969 AFL Divisional 1981 Wild Card | Chiefs Bills | 1982 First Round | |
| New York Jets 5 streaks | 4 years | 1982 2nd Round | 1985 Wild Card | Dolphins Patriots | 1986 Wild Card | |
| New York Jets 5 streaks | 12 years | 1986 Wild Card | 1986 Divisional 1991 Wild Card | Browns Oilers | ||
| New York Jets 5 streaks | 4 years | 1998 Divisional | 2001 Wild Card | Broncos Raiders | ||
| New York Jets 5 streaks | 5 years | 2004 Wild Card | 2006 Wild Card | Steelers Patriots | 2009 Wild Card | |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 12 years | 1980 NFC Championship | 1981 Wild Card 1988 Divisional 1989 Wild Card 1990 Wild Card | Raiders Giants Bears Rams Redskins | 1992 Wild Card | |
| Pittsburgh Steelers ^ | years | 2016 Divisional | 7 | 2016 AFC Champ. 2017 Divisional 2020 Wild Card 2021 Wild Card 2023 Wild Card 2024 Wild Card 2025 Wild Card | Patriots Jaguars Browns Chiefs Bills Ravens Texans | TBD |
| San Francisco 49ers | 4 years | 1984 Super Bowl XIX | 1985 Wild Card 1986 Divisional 1987 Divisional | Giants Giants Vikings | 1988 Divisional | |
| Seattle Seahawks | 21 years | 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 streaks | 18 years | 1979 Divisional | 1981 Divisional 1982 1st Round | Rams Cowboys Cowboys | 1997 Wild Card | |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2 streaks | 3 years | 1999 Divisional | 2000 Wild Card 2001 Wild Card | Rams Eagles Eagles | 2002 Divisional | |
| Tennessee Titans ^ 5 streaks | 17 years | 1961 AFL Championship | 1962 AFL Champ. 1967 AFL Champ. 1969 AFL Divisional | Raiders Raiders | 1978 Wild Card | |
| Tennessee Titans ^ 5 streaks | 3 years | 1988 Wild Card | 1988 Divisional 1989 Wild Card 1990 Wild Card | Bills Steelers Bengals | 1991 Wild Card | |
| Tennessee Titans ^ 5 streaks | 8 years | 1992 Wild Card 1993 Divisional | Broncos Bills Chiefs | 1999 Wild Card | ||
| Tennessee Titans ^ 5 streaks | 13 years | 2003 Wild Card | 2007 Wild Card 2008 Divisional | Patriots Chargers Ravens | 2017 Wild Card | |
| Tennessee Titans ^ 5 streaks | years | 2019 Divisional | 2020 Wild Card 2021 Divisional | Chiefs Ravens Bengals | TBD | |
| Washington Commanders | 19 years | 2005 Wild Card | 2005 Divisional 2007 Wild Card 2012 Wild Card 2015 Wild Card 2020 Wild Card | Seahawks Seahawks Seahawks Packers Buccaneers | 2024 Wild Card | |
| Team | Streak lasted | Last win | Games lost | Playoff games | Opponent | Next win |
| Team | Streak lasted | Last win | Games lost | Playoff games | Opponent | Next 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 were the only postseason matchups in this era. The Bert Bell Benefit Bowl is considered an exhibition game for the purpose of this list.Updated through 2025-26 playoffs