In the NFL, winning is everything. But that doesn’t mean every team has made the playoffs in recent years. Since 2000, there have been several seasons in which not every team in the league has made it to the postseason. In fact, there have been 17 separate seasons in which not every team in the league has qualified for postseason play. Some of those seasons even included an expansion team failing to make the playoffs. In this article, we will explain all you need to know about whether or not every NFL team has made the playoffs. You may be surprised by what you read! Read on to discover everything you need to know about whether or not every NFL team has made the playoffs.
Has every NFL team made the playoffs?
Yes, every NFL team has made the playoffs at least once. The only team that never made the playoffs is the Jacksonville Jaguars, who entered the league as an expansion in 2017. The Green Bay Packers are the oldest club to never make the playoffs, founded in 1921.
Which Teams Have Missed The Playoffs?
1. The 2000 New York Giants
The Giants were one of the best teams in the NFL during the first half of their existence, but they collapsed late in the season and missed out on the playoffs. A 15-1 start was followed by an eight-game losing streak that cost them a playoff spot.
2. The 2001 New England Patriots
The Patriots were a juggernaut in 2001, finishing with a record of 14-2 and winning their division. Their only loss came against the Giants, who finished 12-4. The Patriots lost to the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XXXVI.
3. The 2002 Miami Dolphins
After making it to Super Bowl XXXVII, they had one of the most disappointing performances ever by winning just one game against a team that had won only two games all season long—the Baltimore Ravens, who had gone 0-14 before beating Miami 17-3.
4. The 2003 Carolina Panthers
The Panthers entered the season with high expectations, but they were unable to recover from a 2-4 start. They lost to the New York Giants in the wild-card round of the playoffs.
5. The 2007 New England Patriots
After a 14-2 season and their third Super Bowl win, the Patriots stumbled in their post-season run, losing to the Giants 23-10 in a game that saw Tom Brady throw four interceptions.
6. The 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers had a disappointing season, losing four of their last five games and missing out on the playoffs by just one game over the Cincinnati Bengals.
7. The 2009 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers started off with an impressive 13-3 record, but their final three games were all losses, and they failed to make it into the playoffs for only the second time since their inception in 1976.
8. The 2012 Arizona Cardinals
After winning Super Bowl XLIII, they lost six of their last seven games and missed out on making the playoffs. They lost to the Seattle Seahawks in the wild-card round.
9. The 2013 Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers went 12-4, but they lost to the Colts on a last-second Hail Mary pass in the playoffs, which led to a lot of criticism from fans and analysts alike.
10. The 2014 Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs were one of the most successful teams in recent history, going 13-3 and winning their first-ever playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens in overtime. But they finished with two losses after being upset by the San Diego Chargers in Week 17.
Which Teams Have Qualified For The Playoffs?
1. The 2000 New England Patriots
The Patriots started off the season with a win in Super Bowl XXXVI, but they were unable to win more than two games the rest of the way.
2. The 2002 Miami Dolphins
After making it to Super Bowl XXXVII, they had one of the most disappointing performances ever by winning just one game against a team that had won only two games all season long—the Baltimore Ravens, who had gone 0-14 before beating Miami 17-3.
3. The 2007 New England Patriots
After a 14-2 season and their third Super Bowl win, the Patriots stumbled in their post-season run, losing to the Giants 23-10 in a game that saw Tom Brady throw four interceptions.
4. The 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers had a disappointing season, losing four of their last five games and missing out on the playoffs by just one game over the Cincinnati Bengals.
5. The 2009 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers started off with an impressive 13-3 record, but their final three games were all losses, and they failed to make it into the playoffs for only the second time since their inception in 1976.
6. The 2012 Arizona Cardinals
After winning Super Bowl XLIII, they lost six of their last seven games and missed out on making the playoffs. They lost to the Seattle Seahawks in the wild-card round.
7. The 2013 Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers went 12-4, but they lost to the Colts on a last-second Hail Mary pass in the playoffs, which led to a lot of criticism from fans and analysts alike.
8. The 2014 Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs were one of the most successful teams in recent history, going 13-3 and winning their first-ever playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens in overtime. But they finished with two losses after being upset by the San Diego Chargers in Week 17.
9. The 2016 Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals started off with a 13-3 record, but their final three games were all losses, and they failed to make it into the playoffs for only the second time since their inception in 1976. They lost to the Seattle Seahawks in the wild-card round.
10. The 2017 Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings started off with a 9-7 record, but they won six of their last seven games and made it into the playoffs as a wild-card team. But they were upset by the New Orleans Saints on a last-second field goal in Week 16 and lost to them again in Week 17, which led to speculation that they would not be able to repeat their Super Bowl win from 2018.
How Often Does Every NFL Team Make The Playoffs?
1. The Green Bay Packers
The Packers have made the playoffs an NFL-record 18 times since 1921, more than any other team in league history.
2. The New England Patriots
The Patriots have made the playoffs 14 times since 2002, and they have won four Super Bowls.
3. The Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have made the playoffs 12 times since 1970, and they have won four Super Bowls.
4. The New York Giants
The Giants have made the playoffs 11 times since 2000, and they have won three Super Bowls.
5. The Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys have made the playoffs 10 times since 1970, and they have won two Super Bowls.
6. The Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings have made the playoffs eight times since 1998, with two trips to Super Bowl XXXII and one trip to Super Bowl LII coming in the 2016-17 season.
7. The Detroit Lions
The Lions have made the playoffs seven times since 1957, but only twice in their history (1957 and 1973). They’ve won one NFL Championship (in 1957).
Conclusion
Since 2000, 14 NFL teams have failed to make the playoffs in a given season. These teams include the Arizona Cardinals, the Atlanta Falcons, the Baltimore Ravens, the Buffalo Bills, the Carolina Panthers, the Chicago Bears, the Cincinnati Bengals, the Cleveland Browns, the Denver Broncos, the Detroit Lions, the Houston Texans, the Indianapolis Colts, the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Miami Dolphins. For one reason or another, not every NFL team has made the playoffs in recent years.
