The NFL’s longest playoff win droughts: Who’s been waiting the longest now that the Lions are off the list?

Detroit Lions fans have been waiting since 1991 (!!!!) to celebrate an NFL playoff win.

No wonder there were tears from fans after they beat the Los Angeles Rams at Ford Field in 2024.

But with that playoff winless streak now vanquished, we now get to turn our attention to the other NFL teams on this list, and who replaced the Lions: Which franchises have the longest streaks of seasons without a postseason victory?

I’ll say that the top team isn’t one I’d expect to see — it’s one that has made the playoffs fewer times than you think, but just hasn’t been able to get past the first round:

1

Miami Dolphins (last won in 2000)

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

2

Las Vegas Raiders (last won in 2003)

(Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty Images) 

3

Washington Commanders (last won in 2006)

Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

4

New York Jets and Chicago Bears (last won in 2011)

 (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin) 

5

Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos (last won in 2016)

Rob Schumacher/The Republic/USA TODAY NETWORK