These long-standing NFL streaks could finally be broken in the 2025 playoffs

With only two weeks remaining in the 2025 NFL regular season, the playoff picture is coming into focus. Ten of the league’s 14 postseason spots are already locked in heading into Weeks 17 and 18.

In the AFC, five of the seven qualifiers are known, with an epic race brewing at the top. Five teams are still battling for the No. 1 seed, while four franchises are fighting over the final two playoff berths.

AFC playoff race

1. Denver Broncos (12-3) - qualified for the postseason
2. New England Patriots (12-3) - qualified for the postseason
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4) - qualified for the postseason
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6)
5. Los Angeles Chargers (11-4) - qualified for the postseason
6. Buffalo Bills (11-4) - qualified for the postseason
7. Houston Texans (10-5)
8. Indianapolis Colts (8-7)
9. Baltimore Ravens (7-8)

The exact same is true in the NFC, which has the only division winners as things stand.

Despite stretches of inconsistency, the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles cruised to the NFC East title, finishing ahead of the Dallas Cowboys, Washington Commanders and New York Giants.

NFC playoff race

1. Seattle Seahawks (12-3) - qualified for the postseason
2. Chicago Bears (11-4) - qualified for the postseason
3. Philadelphia Eagles (10-5) - qualified for the postseason
4. Carolina Panthers (8-7)
5. San Francisco 49ers (11-4) - qualified for the postseason
6. Los Angeles Rams (11-4) - qualified for the postseason
7. Green Bay Packers (9-5-1)
8. Detroit Lions (8-7)
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8)

With 10 of the 14 playoff berths already clinched, we have a pretty good idea of which teams will be fighting for conference titles and, ultimately, the Super Bowl.

Some franchises, such as the Eagles, are very familiar with recent postseason success. Others, not so much.

Below are some of the longest NFL droughts that could finally come to an end this postseason, including one franchise that has never appeared in the Super Bowl despite playing every season of the Super Bowl era.

The longest NFL droughts that could end in 2025-26

59 years

The Detroit Lions are the team in question. They are chasing an NFC championship and a return to the league’s title game for the first time since before the Super Bowl was introduced in 1966.

40 years

The Chicago Bears are bidding to win their first Super Bowl since 1985. They came close in 2006 but were beaten by the Indianapolis Colts.

32 years

The Buffalo Bills won four straight AFC championships between 1990 and 1993, only to lose the Super Bowl each time. They have not been back since.

31 years

The San Francisco 49ers won the last of their five Super Bowls in 1994. Since then, they have lost three Super Bowls, falling short in 2012, 2019 and 2023.

31 years

That 1994 victory came against the San Diego Chargers. Now based in Los Angeles, the Chargers have not won an AFC championship or returned to the Super Bowl since.

30 years

The Carolina Panthers are still searching for their first Super Bowl title after entering the NFL in 1995.

30 years

The Jacksonville Jaguars share a similar story. They also debuted in 1995 and are still chasing both their first Super Bowl appearance and their first conference title.

23 years

The Houston Texans joined the league in 2002 and have yet to win an AFC championship or reach the Super Bowl.

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