NFL
New NFL team becomes the worst in the NFC after Commanders’ victory
The Washington Commanders shocked the Detroit Lions in the NFL playoffs to reach their first NFC Championship Game in over 30 years.
The Washington Commanders’ long, long wait to make it to the NFC Championship Game is finally over following their shock victory over the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in the Divisional Round.
The Commanders’ surprise 45-31 triumph in Detroit means they will feature in the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 1992 (the 1991 season), when they were, of course, still known as the Redskins.
Washington’s win is bad news for another seriously underperforming franchise: the Cowboys. Dallas, who finished well outside the wild card spots in 2024, are now the only team in the NFC that have yet to feature in a Championship Game this century.
Last NFC Championship Game appearances
Here are the seasons in which the 16 NFC teams made - or will make - their most recent Championship Game appearance:
Most recent NFC Championship Game appearance (season)
- Washington Commanders - 2024
- San Francisco 49ers - 2023
- Detroit Lions - 2023
- Phildelphia Eagles - 2022
- Los Angeles Rams - 2021
- Green Bay Packers - 2020
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 2020
- New Orleans Saints - 2018
- Minnesota Vikings - 2017
- Atlanta Falcons - 2016
- Carolina Panthers - 2015
- Seattle Seahawks - 2014
- New York Giants - 2011
- Chicago Bears - 2010
- Arizona Cardinals - 2008
- Dallas Cowboys - 1995
To make matters even worse for Cowboys fans, their team’s most recent appearance in the NFC Championship Game came a full 13 years before the next “worst” team, the Arizona Cardinals.
The worst team in the NFL
The good news for Dallas is that, going on the same criteria, two other NFL franchises have worse records, both in the AFC.
The Miami Dolphins haven’t reached the AFC Championship Game since 1992, while the Cleveland Browns made three losing appearances in four years between 1986 and 1989 but haven’t been back since.
The Houston Texans have never played in the conference decider but only joined the NFL for the first time in 2002, so we can cut them a little slack.
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