The Carolina Panthers And The Longest Ongoing NFL Postseason Droughts

On the planet {of professional} soccer, the pursuit of constructing it to the postseason is a marathon, not a dash. Each season, groups throughout the NFL put in a gruelling year-round effort with the hope of clinching a spot within the playoffs. Nonetheless, for some, that hope could seem to be a distant reminiscence, a dream deferred season after season. 

Ending the Drought 

Final season, two groups ended their long-standing droughts. The Cleveland Browns – impressed by the resurgence of veteran quarterback Joe Flacco – reached the postseason for the primary time in seven years. They have been one among three groups that certified from the uber-competitive AFC North, ending behind the Baltimore Ravens and forward of the Pittsburgh Steelers, with a Joe Burrow-less Cincinnati Bengals stranded in fourth place after consecutive journeys to the Convention Champions. Followers primarily based in Previous North State will quickly be capable of again the Bengals when DraftKings launches in North Carolina and they’re at present the sixth favorites for glory subsequent season. 

The Detroit Lions in the meantime gained the NFC North for the primary time in franchise historical past. Then, they ended their decades-long baron spell within the postseason, defeating the Los Angeles Rams within the wildcard spherical to safe their first playoff victory since 1992. And through the halftime of their NFC Championship recreation, it appeared as if they may have made all of it the best way to the Tremendous Bowl. Sadly for them, nonetheless, a Brock Purdy-inspired San Francisco 49ers accomplished the comeback of all comebacks, and it was them that headed to Las Vegas on the Lions’ expense. 

However with these two droughts ending, that are the longest-standing droughts at current? Let’s have a look. 

Carolina Panthers 

For the Carolina Panthers, the postseason drought has been a latest chapter of their journey. Whereas the crew was established in 1995, it took solely two seasons for them to achieve the playoffs. Success got here rapidly, with the Charlotte-based outfit showing within the postseason seven instances between 1996 and 2017, together with two Tremendous Bowl appearances, each of which resulted in defeat. The power of their early years was chartered by impactful gamers like quarterback Jake Delhomme, broad receiver Steve Smith, and linebacker Luke Kuechly. 

However as any sports activities fan is aware of, the tides of fortune in soccer can change swiftly. With new eras got here new challenges for the Panthers, and as of 2022, they’re experiencing their second-longest playoff drought and the third-longest in all the league. Regardless of selecting Bryce Younger with the primary decide of the 2023 NFL draft, they have been one of many worst groups within the nation final 12 months and so they might want to strengthen closely within the shut season if they’re to be aggressive subsequent time period. 

New York Jets

Conversely, for the New York Jets, playoff frustrations have been woven into the material of their latest historical past. Since their miraculous Tremendous Bowl III victory, the Massive Apple outfit has endured prolonged intervals of playoff absence, with their present drought starting after the 2010 season.

Regardless of teaching adjustments and participant shifts, the crew has not discovered the best system to return to the postseason. Many hoped that the baron spell would come to an finish final season with the commerce of legendary quarterback Aaron Rodgers, however his season resulted in six minutes with an Achilles damage and he took the Jets’ playoff hopes with him. 

Denver Broncos

Within the mile-high metropolis, Broncos followers aren’t any strangers to the ups and downs of a playoff chase. The crew loved a interval of dominance within the late Nineties, culminating in back-to-back Tremendous Bowl wins. Nonetheless, they’ve additionally recognized the frustration of postseason shortages. After profitable Tremendous Bowl 50 within the 2015 season, the Broncos haven’t even reached the postseason since. 

The Colorado facet has fielded legendary quarterbacks like John Elway and Peyton Manning, and their formidable defence, labelled the “Orange Crush,” is the stuff of NFL folklore. With a concentrate on rebuilding and a fervent need to return to profitable methods, the Broncos stay one of the crucial watched and talked-about groups of their quest to interrupt their playoff dry spell.