List of NFL franchise post-season droughts

List of NFL Franchise Post-Season Droughts details the periods during which teams in the National Football League (NFL) have not made the playoffs. The NFL playoffs are a high-stakes end to the regular season where teams compete for the Super Bowl, the championship game of the NFL. This list highlights the challenges and competitive nature of the league, where maintaining consistent success can be difficult due to factors like player injuries, changes in coaching staff, and the inherent unpredictability of the sport.

Overview

A post-season drought in the NFL refers to the number of consecutive seasons a team has failed to qualify for the NFL playoffs. This can be particularly frustrating for the teams' fanbases, as making the playoffs is a basic indicator of a team's success in a given season. The length of a drought can vary significantly, from just a year or two to several decades.

Longest Droughts

The longest post-season drought in NFL history was held by the Arizona Cardinals, who missed the playoffs for 24 consecutive seasons from 1948 to 1971. Other notable long droughts include:

• The Detroit Lions, who have frequently faced extended periods out of the playoffs, including a 12-year drought from 2000 to 2011.
• The Cleveland Browns, known for their struggles, particularly after reactivating the franchise in 1999, went 17 seasons without a playoff appearance until they broke the streak in 2020.

Current Droughts

As of the last NFL season, several teams are in the midst of notable post-season droughts:

• The New York Jets have not appeared in the playoffs since the 2010 season, marking one of the longer active droughts.
• The Denver Broncos, despite their historical success, have missed the playoffs for several consecutive seasons since their last appearance in 2015.

Factors Contributing to Droughts

Several factors can contribute to a team's inability to reach the playoffs, including:

• **Poor Draft Choices:** Ineffective drafting can cripple a team's ability to compete by failing to secure key young talents.
• **Injuries:** Key player injuries can derail a season, particularly if the injured players are central to the team's success.
• **Management Issues:** Dysfunctional management and frequent changes in coaching staff can prevent a team from developing a consistent winning strategy.

Breaking the Drought

Teams can break out of a post-season drought through various means such as rebuilding their roster, hiring new coaching staff, or a change in management. A notable example is the Buffalo Bills, who ended a 17-year playoff drought in 2017 by building a strong defense and revitalizing their offense.

See Also

• List of Super Bowl champions
• NFL records (team)
• History of NFL expansions and relocations