Ethan Fore / Author, Matt Sisneros / Design
Ask anyone in and around the league, and they will tell you the same thing: Winning in the NFL is incredibly hard.
It’s why there exists a constant cycle ofhead coachesand quarterbacks.
But there are a few franchises that have cracked the code; teams that have built consistent contenders.
We’re diving into the history books to find the longestNFLplayoffstreaksever.
Longest ActiveRun of PlayoffAppearances
1. Kansas City Chiefs, 8 Seasons (2015-22)
Andy Reid joined the Chiefs in 2013 and has made theNFLplayoffsan annual occurrence in Kansas City. And with Patrick Mahomes leading his offense, expect to see the Chiefs play deep into January and beyond for several years.
2.Buffalo Bills, 4 (2019-22)
Buffalo owns one of thelongestplayoffappearancedroughtsinNFL history(17 seasons from 2000-16). But the Bills now appear to be one of theAFC’s top contenders, both in the short-term, and the long, thanks to Josh Allen.
MostConsecutive Playoff Appearances(All Time)
1. New England Patriots, 11 (2009-19)
The NFL has never seen dominance like theBill Belichick-Tom BradyNew England teams. After Brady tore his ACL at the beginning of the 2008 season, leading to New England missing thepostseason, the Patriots made 11consecutiveplayoffappearances, winning threeSuper Bowlsalong the way.
T-2.Indianapolis Colts, 9 (2002-10)
Arguably the Patriots’ biggest adversary during the first half of their dynasty, the PeytonManning-led Colts were a worthy opponent. Indianapolis finally broke through in 2006, defeating the ChicagoBearsinSuper BowlXLI.
T-2.Dallas Cowboys, 9 (1975-83)
- T-3.Green Bay Packers, 8 (2009-16)
- T-3.San Francisco 49ers, 8 (1983-90)
- T-3.Los AngelesRams, 8 (1973-80)
- T-3.Pittsburgh Steelers, 8 (1972-79)
- T-3.Dallas Cowboys, 8 (1966-73)
MostConsecutive SeasonsWith a Playoff Win(All Time)
1.New England Patriots, 8 (2011-18)
The Patriots, understandably, are all over this list. That’s thanks in part totheir regular-seasondominance, especially over theirAFCEast foes. But what makes this era so unique is the sustained dominance they continued to have comeplayofftime.
2.Dallas Cowboys, 6 (1991-96)
This streak was kicked off by Jimmy Johnson’s Cowboys teams, which made three consecutivepostseasonsand won twoSuper Bowls. After Johnson’s infamous exit from Dallas, Barry Switzer picked up things right where Johnson left off with three moreconsecutiveplayoffappearancesand anotherSuper Bowltitle.
- T-3. SeattleSeahawks, 5 (2012-16)
- T-3. Baltimore Ravens, 5 (2008-12)
- T-3.New England Patriots, 5 (2003-07)
- T-3. PhiladelphiaEagles, 5 (2000-04)
- T-3.Green Bay Packers, 5 (1993-97)
- T-3. OaklandRaiders, 5 (1973-77)
- T-3. Kansas City Chiefs, 5 (2018-2022)
Most ConsecutivePostseasonWins (All Time)
1. New England Patriots, 10 (2002–06)
The dawn of the Patriots’ dominance was a special run. New England won theSuper Bowlin 2001, then missed theplayoffs, only to win theSuper Bowlin back-to-back seasons in 2003 and 2004. The Patriots won awild cardgame against theJacksonvilleJaguarsin 2005 before losing to theDenver Broncosin the divisional round.
2. Green Bay Packers, 9 (1961-68)
Vince Lombardi earned his reputation somehow, right? Nine consecutiveplayoffwinswill do just that, including five NFL championships and twoSuper Bowls. Green Bay was the first glimpse of a dynasty as the NFL entered theSuper Bowlera, and have continued to hold that same cache 60 years later.
- T-3.Pittsburgh Steelers, 7 (1974–76)
- T-3.San Francisco 49ers, 7 (1989–91)
- T-3.Dallas Cowboys, 7 (1993–95)
- T-3.Denver Broncos, 7 (1997–99)
MostConsecutive Conference/League Championship Appearances (All Time)
1. New England Patriots, 8 (2011-18)
Is there a better representation of the Patriots’ dominance of theAFCthan this? Making theplayoffs11consecutive seasonsis one thing. Being one step away from the most-watched game in American sports for eightconsecutive seasonsis completely different – and far more impressive.
2. ClevelandBrowns, 6 (1950-55)
Before theBrownsbecame the laughingstock of the league, they were one of the league’s most dominating forces. The PaulBrown-ledBrownsappeared in six straight NFL championships, winning three.
T-3. OaklandRaiders, 5 (1973-77)
T-3. Kansas City Chiefs, 5 (2018-22)
MostConsecutive Super Bowl Appearances(All Time)
1. Buffalo Bills, 4 (1990-93)
The Bills own what is likely the most famous – or infamous – streak in the history of the NFL. Buffalo lost all fourSuper Bowls, all to currentNFCEast teams. Only one game –Super BowlXXV against the New YorkGiants– was decided by one possession.
T-2. New England Patriots, 3 (2016-18)
The final chapters of the Brady-Belichick era in New England were as compelling as any other climax to a great story. The Patriots reached three consecutiveSuper Bowls, including winningSuper BowlLI against the Atlanta Falcons in thrilling comeback fashion.
T-2. MiamiDolphins (1971-73)
MostConsecutive Super Bowl Victories(All Time)
Seven franchises make up the list of eight times in which theSuper Bowlwas won in consecutive years by the same team.
Naturally, there is no shortage of iconic players and coaches among these teams.
T-1.New England Patriots, 2 (2003-04)
New England’s back-to-back run in 2003 and 2004 concluded the first chapter of its dynasty, as the Patriots won three Lombardi Trophies in four years and Brady and Belichick cemented themselves among the greats early in their respective careers.
T-1.Denver Broncos, 2 (1997-98)
John Elway, at long last, won two rings with Broncos at the end of his career in the late 1990s.
T-1.Dallas Cowboys, 2 (1992-93)
T-1.San Francisco 49ers, 2 (1988-89)
The Cowboys and 49ers further established themselves as two of the great franchises in the history of the NFL with their consecutive titles. Dallas’ wins secured Jimmy Johnson’s legacy, while San Francisco’s first win capped off Bill Walsh’s legendary career and second win kicked off George Seifert’s impressive one.
T-1.Pittsburgh Steelers, 2 (1978-79 &1974-75)
TheSteelers, the onlyNFLteamto win consecutiveSuper Bowlstwice, dominated the 1970s with players like Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, Jack Lambert and Joe Greene.
T-1. MiamiDolphins, 2 (1972-73)
TheDolphins, led by the NFL’s winningesthead coachDon Shula, kicked off their streak with the famous perfect season, and followed that performance by proving it was no fluke.
T-1.Green Bay Packers, 2 (1966-67)
The team to do it first, inSuper BowlI and II, was thePackers, with none other than Vince Lombardi at the helm.
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