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Key Takeaways:
– The Detroit Lions have not won a playoff game since January 5, 1992, making it the longest active playoff win drought in the NFL.
– The Lions’ last playoff win came in a dominant 38-6 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in the 1991 season.
– Despite several opportunities to end the drought, including three playoff appearances in the Matthew Stafford era, the Lions have been unable to secure a playoff victory.
– Other teams with long playoff win droughts include the Dolphins (22 seasons), Raiders (20 seasons), Commanders (17 seasons), Jets (12 seasons), and Bears (12 seasons).
– The Broncos are the only team on the list whose last playoff win was a Super Bowl victory in Super Bowl 50.
Article:
The Detroit Lions have had a long and painful playoff drought, with their last playoff win dating all the way back to January 5, 1992. This makes them the team with the longest active playoff win drought in the NFL. The Lions’ last taste of playoff success came in a dominant 38-6 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in the 1991 season.
Since then, the Lions have had their fair share of opportunities to end their playoff drought. The team suffered five wild card losses in the 1990s, including four with the legendary Barry Sanders on the roster. In the new century, the Lions endured an 11-year playoff drought, which included the infamous 0-16 season in 2008. The team returned to the playoffs in 2011, led by quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Calvin Johnson, but their three playoff appearances during the Stafford era all ended without a single win.
The closest the Lions came to ending their drought was in 2014 when they held a 14-0 lead over the Cowboys in the wild card round. However, the Cowboys scored a go-ahead touchdown with under three minutes remaining, ending the Lions’ hopes. Another near miss was in 2011 when the Lions led the Saints at halftime before collapsing in the fourth quarter.
The Lions’ playoff drought stands out even more when compared to other teams in the league. The team with the second-longest drought, the Miami Dolphins, last won a playoff game in December 2000, making it a 22-season drought. The remaining teams with long playoff win droughts include the Raiders (20 seasons), Commanders (17 seasons), Jets (12 seasons), and Bears (12 seasons).
Interestingly, the Broncos are the only team on the list whose last playoff win was a Super Bowl victory. They haven’t won a playoff game since their Super Bowl 50 triumph over the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers, on the other hand, won their last playoff game two weeks earlier in the NFC championship game.
As the 2023 NFL season approaches, there are high expectations for the Lions to finally end their playoff drought. After finishing 9-8 in the 2022 season and narrowly missing the playoffs, many fans believe this could be the year the team takes the next step and potentially even wins the NFC North. However, history has shown that just getting to the playoffs won’t be easy for the Lions.
In conclusion, the Detroit Lions have had a long and painful playoff win drought, with their last victory dating back to January 5, 1992. Despite numerous opportunities and talented players over the years, the team has been unable to secure a playoff win. As the 2023 season approaches, there is hope that the Lions can put an end to the drought, but only time will tell if they can overcome their history of futility.