The 2015 NFL season is upon us and a number of teams hope to shock the world by having their best season in years. The ultimate goal for NFL teams is a Super Bowl title, but for some, a playoff appearance or division title would constitute a successful season. With the start of the regular season less than a month away, here’s a look at the longest division championship drought in each of the league’s eight divisions:
AFC East
Buffalo Bills
Last Division Title: 1995
Last Playoff Appearance: 1999
Last World Championship: 1965 (AFL)
Overview: Last season, the Buffalo Bills enjoyed their first winning campaign in 15 years at 9-7. Not since falling to the eventual AFC champion Tennessee Titans in the 1999 Wild Card game on a play known as the Music City Miracle however, have the Bills reached the playoffs. From 1990-93, the Bills played in a NFL-record four straight Super Bowls, but unfortunately lost all four.
AFC North
Cleveland Browns
Last Division Title: 1989
Last Playoff Appearance: 2002
Last World Championship: 1964
Overview: Sports fans in Cleveland are known for their suffering and for those younger than 60 years old, the Browns are the biggest reason why. Cleveland hasn’t claimed a division crown since it was a member of the 4-team AFC Central. Since, the Browns have reached the playoffs only twice and were defeated by the arch-rival Pittsburgh Steelers each time. Cleveland reached the AFC Championship in 1986, 1987 and 1989, but were defeated by the Denver Broncos each time with the first two coming in heartbreaking fashion.
AFC South
Jacksonville Jaguars
Last Division Title: 1999
Last Playoff Appearance: 2007
Last World Championship: N/A
Overview: One of the NFL’s most downtrodden franchises, the Jacksonville Jaguars came out of the gate strong after expansion in 1995. Jacksonville had eight winning seasons in its first 13 years as a franchise, reaching the AFC Championship in 1996 and 1999. Since 2007 however, the Jaguars have not had a winning season and the team hasn’t claimed a division crown since finishing 14-2 and winning the 6-team AFC Central in 1999. Both of Jacksonville’s losses during the regular season came to the Tennessee Titans, who defeated the Jaguars a third time for the conference crown.
OAKLAND, CA – NOVEMBER 24: Sebastian Janikowski #11 of the Oakland Raiders kicks a fifty-two yard field goal against the Tennessee Titans during the first quarter at O.co Coliseum on November 24, 2013 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
AFC West
Oakland Raiders
Last Division Title: 2002
Last Playoff Appearance: 2002
Last World Championship: 1983
Overview: The Oakland Raiders have not had a winning season since 2002 when they were blasted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl XXXVII. In the 12 seasons since, the Raiders have had eight head coaches and have finished with more than five wins just twice.
NFC East
New York Giants
Last Division Title: 2011
Last Playoff Appearance: 2011
Last World Championship: 2011
Overview: The New York Giants have the longest division drought in the NFC East, but are also the team in the division to win the Super Bowl most recently. The Giants beat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI, but have not reached the playoffs since. A different team has won the NFC East every year since 2011 and if history holds true, 2015 should be New York’s year.
NFC North
Detroit Lions
Last Division Title: 1993
Last Playoff Appearance: 2014
Last World Championship: 1957
Overview: The Detroit Lions are fresh off a playoff appearance, but Detroit has not claimed a division title since winning the NFC Central in 1993. The Lions however, have not won a playoff game since reaching the 1991 NFC Championship. Detroit is also one of only four franchises never to reach the Super Bowl.
NFC South
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Last Division Title: 2007
Last Playoff Appearance: 2007
Last World Championship: 2002
Overview: With four different head coaches over the last seven years, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are hoping to find stability with Lovie Smith and new quarterback and first overall pick Jameis Winston. From 1997-2010, the Buccaneers had just four losing seasons, but have gone a league-worst 6-26 over the last two seasons.
SAN DIEGO, CA – NOVEMBER 23: Running back Tre Mason #27 of the St. Louis Rams carries the ball against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on November 23, 2014 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
NFC West
St. Louis Rams
Last Division Title: 2003
Last Playoff Appearance: 2004
Last World Championship: 1999
Overview: The St. Louis Rams have not had a winning season since Kurt Warner’s final season with the team, but they did make the playoffs with an 8-8 record in 2004. The Rams had an opportunity to claim the division crown in 2010, but lost the regular season finale to Seattle. Early indications seem to suggest that the Rams could be headed back to Los Angeles, but at least the franchise brought the city of St. Louis a unexpected, yet dramatic title in 1999.
