Winning a playoff game is the ultimate currency in the NFL, but for a handful of franchises, that moment has felt painfully distant. As the postseason approaches, several teams are carrying lengthy active playoff win droughts, measured not in seasons — but in days.
At the top of the list as of December 26, sits Miami, whose last playoff victory came more than two decades ago. The Dolphins defeated the Colts on December 30, 2000, and have gone 9,127 days without another postseason win. The Raiders aren’t far behind, with their last playoff success coming in January 2003 against Tennessee — a drought now stretching 8,377 days.
A pair of iconic franchises share the same breaking point in history. Both the Chicago Bears and New York Jets last won a playoff game on January 16, 2011, meaning each has gone 5,458 days without postseason success. Chicago’s win came against Seattle; New York’s against New England. As the Bears push toward relevance again, they’ll be looking to finally exit this uncomfortable territory.
The middle of the list features teams whose droughts began in the 2015–16 postseason. The Cardinals, Panthers, and Broncos all last tasted playoff victory within weeks of each other, but each has now gone over 3,600 days without another. Denver’s drought is especially notable given its Super Bowl win in February 2016 — the victory over Carolina that now marks the start of its current playoff dry spell.
Rounding out the list are teams that still feel “recent” but are quietly piling up time. Pittsburgh, Atlanta, and Indianapolis all last won playoff games between 2017 and 2019, yet even those droughts now span three to seven years. For franchises like the Steelers and Colts — accustomed to postseason relevance — the pressure to reset the clock is mounting.
With playoff spots still up for grabs, Chicago, Denver, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, and Carolina all enter the stretch run with a chance to escape this list entirely. For some, it would be a long-awaited breakthrough. For others, a reminder that postseason success can never be taken for granted.
Longest Active NFL Playoff Win Droughts (by days)
-
Miami Dolphins — 9,127 days
(last win vs. Indianapolis Colts, December 30, 2000) -
Las Vegas Raiders — 8,377 days
(last win vs. Tennessee Titans, January 19, 2003) -
Chicago Bears — 5,458 days
(last win vs. Seattle Seahawks, January 16, 2011) -
New York Jets — 5,458 days
(last win vs. New England Patriots, January 16, 2011) -
Arizona Cardinals — 3,632 days
(last win vs. Green Bay Packers, January 16, 2016) -
Carolina Panthers — 3,624 days
(last win vs. Arizona Cardinals, January 24, 2016) -
Denver Broncos — 3,610 days
(last win vs. Carolina Panthers, February 7, 2016) -
Pittsburgh Steelers — 3,267 days
(last win vs. Kansas City Chiefs, January 15, 2017) -
Atlanta Falcons — 2,911 days
(last win vs. Los Angeles Rams, January 6, 2018) -
Indianapolis Colts — 2,547 days
(last win vs. Houston Texans, January 5, 2019)
For some teams, the drought is history weighing them down. For others, it’s motivation — and a chance to finally turn days into memories again.