Which NFL team is on longest drought without a Conference Championship Game

The Cincinnati Bengals’ Divisional Round win over the Tennessee Titans makes it repeat of last year’s divisional final against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Cowboys failed to end Conference Championship games drought

Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys struggle in the divisional round after winning a playoff game away from home for the first time in 30 years.

Last week was Prescott’s best. He threw for 305 yards and four touchdowns and ran for another to help the Dallas Cowboys beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-14. He made the Cowboys so dominating that it didn’t matter that Dallas kicker Brett Maher missed four extra straight points, and Tom Brady led the opposing team as quarterback.

Sunday brought lows. Prescott struggled against the 49ers. Dak had 206 yards and a touchdown, but he also had two devastating first-half interceptions and might have had more turnovers on sloppy throws. One interception led to a 49ers field goal, while the other started a long drive that resulted in a field goal. They effectively decided the game.

Washington Commanders, Lions now the longest Conference Championship absentees

Cincinnati’s unwanted record has been passed to the Washington Football Team and the Detroit Lions, who have both failed to make the conference decider in 30 years.

The two franchises last reached the Conference Championship Game in the 1991 season, when they faced off for the NFC title. Washington defeated the Lions 41-10, before claiming their third Super Bowl championship by beating the Bills 37-24.

Conference Championship Game’s longest active absentees

Browns, Dolphins and Cowboys complete top five

The third-longest active run without reaching the Conference Championship Game is now in the joint possession of the Cleveland Browns and the Miami Dolphins.

Although the Browns last competed for the AFC title in the 1989 campaign - losing to the Denver Broncos - their drought is only counted at 29 years, as the organisation disappeared for three seasons, between 1996 and 1998, after being re-located to Baltimore.

The Dolphins haven’t had a crack at the Conference Championship since the 1992 season, when a Miami team still featuring Don Sula and Dan Marino were beaten to the AFC title by the Bills.

Finally, the Dallas Cowboys have been waiting 26 years to return to the NFC Championship Game - since beating the Green Bay Packers in 1995, on their way to their fifth NFL title.