document_title: Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Arlington)

question_text: when is the tomb of the unknown soldier guarded

text: Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Arlington)

text: Tomb of 1921[edit]

text: On March 4, 1921, the United States Congress approved the burial of an unidentified American serviceman from World War I in the plaza of the new Memorial Amphitheater. On November 11, 1921, the unknown soldier brought back from France was interred below a three-level marble tomb. The bottom two levels are six marble sections each and the top at least nine blocks with a rectangular opening in the center of each level through which the unknown remains were placed through the tomb and into the ground below. A stone, rather than marble, slab covers the rectangular opening.[4][5][6]

text: Tomb of 1931[edit]

text: Since 1921 the intent was to place a superstructure on top of the Tomb, but it was not until July 3, 1926, that Congress authorized the completion of the Tomb and the expenditure of $50,000 (with a completed cost of $48,000). A design competition was held and won by architect Lorimer Rich[nb 1] and sculptor Thomas Hudson Jones. An appropriation from Congress for the work was secured and on December 21, 1929, a contract for completion of the Tomb itself was entered into. The Tomb would consist of seven pieces of marble in four levels (cap, die, base and sub-base) of which the die is the largest block with the sculpting on all four sides.[4][7]

text: Quarrying the Yule marble (3.9 miles south of Marble, Colorado by the Vermont Marble Company) was a one-year process beginning in 1930. The cap was quarried on the first attempt but the base required three tries. The large middle block also required three tries. In late January 1931, the 56 ton middle block was lifted out of the quarry. The quarrying involved 75 men. When the block was separated from the mountain inside the quarry it weighed 124 tons. A wire saw was then brought into the quarry to cut the block down to 56 tons.

text: On February 3, the block reached the marble mill site (in the town of Marble) after a four-day trip from the quarry. Here it was crated, then shipped to Vermont on February 8. The block was sawn to final size in West Rutland, Vermont, and fabricated by craftsmen in Proctor, Vermont, before it was shipped by train to Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia.[8] By September, all 7 blocks were on the grounds of the Tomb site, at Arlington.

text: Assembly began in September 1931. An imperfection was found in the base, requiring three more quarryings. By the end of December 1931, the assembly was completed. Finishing work followed with the carvings on the die block by the Piccirilli Brothers under the direction of the sculptor Thomas Jones.[4][9] (The brothers also carved the Lincoln statue for the Lincoln Memorial). The Tomb was completed without formal ceremony on April 9, 1932.[10]

text: The Tomb[nb 2] was placed at the head of the grave of the World War I Unknown. West of this grave are the crypts of Unknowns from World War II (south) and Korea (north). Between the two lies a crypt that once contained an Unknown from Vietnam (middle). His remains were positively identified in 1998 through DNA testing as First Lieutenant Michael Blassie, United States Air Force and were removed. Those three graves are marked with white marble slabs flush with the plaza.

text: The Tomb has a flat-faced form and is relieved at the corners and along the sides by neo-classical pilasters set into the surface with objects and inscription carved into the sides. The 1931 symbolism[9] of the objects on the north, south and east sides changed over time.[4][7]

text: Tomb Dimensions[nb 3] as of 2004[11] (xxx)* 1931 die block dimension coming out of the quarry.[8]

text:
Level
Length
Width
Height
Cubic Feet
Tons

Cap
12'-5.4"
6'-6.7"
1'-3.3"
100.69
8.56

Die
12'-3.0" (14'-0")*
6'-6.4" (7'-4.8")*
5'-2.1" (6"-0")*
385.43 (621.6)*
32.76 (52.84)*

Base
13'-10.0"
7'-11.9"
1'-11.1"
198.64
16.88

Sub-Base
14'-10.4"
9'-0.2"
1'-10.9"
255.81
21.74

text: The Unknown of World War I[edit]

text: On Memorial Day, 1921, four unknown servicemen were exhumed from four World War I American cemeteries in France. U.S. Army Sgt. Edward F. Younger, who was wounded in combat, highly decorated for valor and received the Distinguished Service Cross in "The Great War" selected the Unknown of World War I from four identical caskets at the city hall in Châlons-en-Champagne, France, on October 24, 1921.[6] Younger selected the World War I Unknown by placing a spray of white roses on one of the caskets. He chose the third casket from the left. The chosen Unknown was transported to the United States aboard the USS Olympia. Those remaining were interred in the Meuse Argonne Cemetery, France.[6]

text: The World War I Unknown lay in state in the Capitol Rotunda from his arrival in the United States until Armistice Day, 1921. On November 11, 1921, President Warren G. Harding officiated at the interment ceremonies at the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery. During the ceremony, the World War I Unknown was awarded the Victoria Cross by Admiral of the Fleet Lord Beatty, on behalf of King George V of the United Kingdom.[12] (The United Kingdom Victoria Cross was placed with the soldier. Earlier, on March 4, 1921, the British Unknown Warrior was conferred the U.S. Medal of Honor by General of the Armies John Pershing.) In 1928, the Unknown Soldier was presented the Silver Buffalo Award for distinguished service to America's youth by the Boy Scouts of America.[13]

text: The Unknowns of World War II and Korea[edit]

text: On August 3, 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill to select and pay the tribute to the Unknowns of World War II and the Korean War.[14] The selection ceremonies and the interment of these Unknowns took place in 1958. The World War II Unknown was selected from remains exhumed from cemeteries in Europe, Africa, Hawaii, and the Philippines.[15]

text: Two Unknowns from World War II, one from the European Theater and one from the Pacific Theater, were placed in identical caskets and taken aboard the USS Canberra, a guided-missile cruiser resting off the Virginia Capes. Navy Hospital Corpsman 1st Class William R. Charette, then the U.S. Navy's only active-duty Medal of Honor recipient who was an enlisted man, selected the World War II Unknown. The remaining casket received a solemn burial at sea.[15]

text: Four unknown Americans who died in the Korean War were disinterred from the National Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii. Army Master Sergeant Ned Lyle made the final selection.[15]

text: Both caskets arrived in Washington on May 28, 1958, where they lay in the Capitol Rotunda until the morning of May 30, when they were carried on caissons to Arlington National Cemetery. President Eisenhower awarded each the Medal of Honor, and the Unknowns of World War II and the Korean War were interred in the plaza beside their World War I comrade.[15]

text: The Unknown of Vietnam[edit]

text: This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (November 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

text: The designation of the Vietnam Unknown proved to be difficult – with improvements in DNA testing it is possible, though unlikely, that the recovered remains for every unknown soldier killed in the Vietnam War will be identified.

text: The Vietnam Unknown service member was originally designated by Medal of Honor recipient U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Allan Jay Kellogg, Jr., during a ceremony at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, May 17, 1984.

text: Each branch of the Armed Services took part in the transportation to honor the unknown. The Marines from Marine Barracks Hawaii consisted of an Honor Guard of 9 enlisted men and Lt. Denis Muller. The designated Vietnam Unknown was transported aboard the USS Brewton, where the Marines stood guard over the casket during the voyage to Naval Air Station Alameda, California. At Travis, the debarkation ceremony turned the remains over to the USAF on May 24. The next day, the remains of were flown from Travis Air Force Base, California, arriving at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland. Once there the remains were turned over to the US Army, where the remains were taken to Fort McNair for placement upon the horse-drawn wagon which later carried the Unknown to the Capital Rotunda for display before interment. While on display for public viewing, all branches of the US Armed Forces stood in honor, guarding the casket of the Unknown for 2 weeks.

text: Many Vietnam veterans and President Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan visited the Vietnam Unknown in the U.S. Capitol. An Army caisson carried the Vietnam Unknown from the Capitol to the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day, May 28, 1984.

text: President Reagan presided over the funeral, and presented the Medal of Honor to the Vietnam Unknown, and also acted as next of kin by accepting the interment flag at the end of the ceremony. The interment flags of all Unknowns at the Tomb of the Unknowns are on view in the Memorial Display Room.

text: Identification of the Unknown[edit]

text: In 1994, Ted Sampley, a POW/MIA activist, determined that the remains of the Vietnam Unknown were likely those of Air Force 1st Lt. Michael Joseph Blassie, who was shot down near An Lộc, Vietnam, in 1972. Sampley published an article in his newsletter and contacted Blassie's family, who attempted to pursue the case with the Air Force's casualty office without result. In January 1998 CBS News broadcast a report based on Sampley's investigation which brought political pressure to support the identification of the remains.[16] The body was exhumed on May 14, 1998. Based on mitochondrial DNA testing, Department of Defense scientists confirmed the remains were those of Blassie. The identification was announced on June 30, 1998, and on July 10, Blassie's remains arrived home to his family in St. Louis, Missouri; he was reinterred at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery on July 11.[17][nb 4]

text: Redesignation of the crypt[edit]

text: The slab over the crypt that once held the remains of the Vietnam Unknown has since been replaced. The original inscription of "Vietnam" and the dates of the conflict has been changed to "Honoring and Keeping Faith with America's Missing Servicemen" as a reminder of the commitment of the Armed Forces to the fullest possible accounting of missing service members.

text: Tomb guards[edit]

text: The tomb guards are soldiers of the United States Army. The first military guards were troopers from the 3rd Cavalry, "Brave Rifles", who were posted nearby on Fort Myer. Since April 6, 1948, (known then as "Army Day"), when the regiment was reactivated, it has been guarded by soldiers from 3rd Infantry Regiment, "The Old Guard". The Old Guard is also posted to Fort Myer, Virginia, adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery. It is considered one of the highest honors to serve as a Sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknowns. Fewer than 20 percent of all volunteers are accepted for training and of those only a fraction pass training to become full-fledged Tomb Guards. This attrition rate has made the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Guard Identification Badge the second least-awarded qualification badge of the United States military (the first being the Astronaut Badge).[18]

text: The soldier "walking the mat" does not wear rank insignia, so as not to outrank the Unknowns, whatever their ranks may have been. Non-commissioned officers (usually the Relief Commander and Assistant Relief Commanders), do wear insignia of their rank when changing the guard only. They have a separate uniform (without rank) that is worn when they actually guard the Unknowns or are "posted."

text: The duties of the sentinels are not purely ceremonial. The sentinels will confront people who cross the barriers at the tomb or who they perceive to be disrespectful or excessively loud.

text: Weapons[edit]

text: Over the years there have been several different types of weapons used by the tomb guards. The changes in weapons reflect the changes in the Army, including M1903 Springfield rifle, M1 Garand and M14 rifles, M1911 and M9 pistols. Tomb guards currently carry M14 rifles, which are unloaded and affixed to ceremonial rifle stocks. These rifles are cleaned daily and kept ready for use at all times.[19]

text: Walking the mat[edit]

text: There is a meticulous routine that the guard follows when watching over the graves.[20] The tomb guard:

text:
Marches 21 steps south down the black mat laid across the Tomb.
Turns and faces east, toward the Tomb, for 21 seconds.
Turns and faces north, changes weapon to outside shoulder, and waits 21 seconds.
Marches 21 steps down the mat.
Turns and faces east for 21 seconds.
Turns and faces south, changes weapon to outside shoulder, and waits 21 seconds.
Repeats the routine until the soldier is relieved of duty at the Changing of the Guard.

tag: ol

text: After each turn, the guard executes a sharp "shoulder-arms" movement to place the weapon on the shoulder closest to the visitors to signify that the guard stands between the Tomb and any possible threat.

text: Out of respect for the interred, the sentinels command silence at the tombs. If the guard walking the mat must vocally confront a disturbance from spectators, or a threat, the routine is interrupted, and remains so until the disturbance is under control. The sentinel will exit the mat, place the weapon in port arms position, and confront the disturbance. Once under control, the sentinel then walks on the pavement to the other side of the mat, turns to shoulder arms, and continues the routine.

text: Twenty-one was chosen because it symbolizes the highest military honor that can be bestowed—the 21-gun salute.

text: The mat is usually replaced twice per year: before Memorial Day and before Veterans Day. This is required because of the wear on the rubber mat by the special shoes worn by tomb guards. The sentinels have metal plates built into the soles and inner parts of their shoes to allow for a more rugged sole and to give the signature click of the heel during maneuvers. The sentinels wear sunglasses because of the bright reflection from the marble surrounding the Tomb and the Memorial Amphitheater.

text: On the ground not covered by the mat, a rust pattern in the tile can be seen that corresponds to the precise steps taken during the changing of the guard. The metal from the guards' boots causes the brown rust markings on the stone. On the mat itself, footprints caused by standing guard are also visible.

text: Changing of the Guard[edit]

text: While Arlington National Cemetery is open, during the day in summer months from April 1 to September 30, the guard is changed every half hour. During the winter months, from October 1 to March 31, the guard is changed every hour. After the cemetery closes to the public (7 p.m. to 8 a.m. April through September, and 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. October through March), the guard is changed every 2 hours. The ceremony can be witnessed by the public whenever Arlington National Cemetery is open.[21][22]

text: The guard change is very symbolic, but also conducted in accordance with Army regulations. The relief commander or assistant relief commander, along with the oncoming guard, are both required for a guard change to take place. The relief commander orders the guard being relieved to "pass on your orders" to the oncoming guard. The guard being relieved will say to the oncoming guard, "Post and orders remain as directed." The oncoming guard's response is always, "Orders acknowledged." During changes when the public is witnessing the ceremony, the commander will inform the public that the ceremony is about to take place and that those in attendance should remain "silent and standing" throughout the entire event.

text: Dedication[edit]

text: A civilian guard was first posted at the Tomb on November 17, 1925, to prevent, among other things, families from picnicking on the flat marble slab with views of the city. A military guard was first posted on March 25, 1926. The first 24-hour guard was posted on midnight, July 2, 1937. The Tomb of the Unknowns has been guarded continuously, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, since that time.[23] Inclement weather,[24][25] terrorist attacks,[26] et cetera, do not cause the watch to cease.[27]

text: Since 1948, the tomb guards, a special platoon within the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) work on a team rotation of 24 hours on, 24 hours off, for five days, taking the following four days off. A guard takes an average of six hours to prepare his uniform – heavy wool, regardless of the time of year – for the next day's work. In addition to preparing the uniform, guards also conduct physical training, tomb guard training, participate in field exercises, cut their hair before the next work day, and at times are involved in regimental functions as well. Tomb guards are required to memorize 35 pages of information about Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, including the locations of nearly 300 graves and who is buried in each one.[21]

text: A special Army decoration, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Guard Identification Badge is authorized for wear after passing a detailed test of 100 questions (from a pool of more than 300), a uniform test with two gigs (errors) or fewer (measured to the 1/64"), and a test on the guard changing sequence. After serving honorably for a period of nine months, and having passed the sequence of tests, a tomb guard is permanently awarded the Badge. Since the first award on February 7, 1958, fewer than 650 soldiers have completed training and been awarded this badge, including four women. A small number of tomb guard Identification Badges have also been retroactively awarded to soldiers who served as Guards before 1959. Those numbers make the Badge the second rarest award currently issued in the United States Army; only the Army Astronaut Badge is rarer.[nb 5]

text: The badge was designed in 1956 and first issued to members of the Honor Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns on February 7, 1958. The badge was first issued only as a temporary wear item, meaning the soldiers could only wear the badge during their tenure as members of the honor guard. Upon leaving the duty, the badge was returned and reissued to incoming soldiers. In 1963, a regulation was enacted that allowed the badge to be worn as a permanent part of the military uniform, even after the soldier's completion of duty at the Tomb of the Unknowns.

text: Damage and repair to the Tomb Monument[edit]

text: Cracking and weathering are causing concerns for the long-term preservation of the Tomb Monument. A November 1963 report first recorded horizontal cracking of the monument's marble die block. Though this was the first time that the damage was documented, the report made it clear that the cracks had become visible some time before that date.[28]

text: In 1963–1964, there were two cracks—referred to as "primary" and "secondary"—extending approximately 34 feet around the die block. By 1974, they had extended to 40 feet. They grew another 4.6 feet over the next 15 years. Inspection has determined that the cracks have increased horizontally since 1990. Analysis also indicates that the cracks are not surficial but extend partially through the block and will eventually extend all the way through.[28]

text: The 1990 report documented deterioration of the marble's surface. As much as 2.85 mm of the marble surface has been lost through weathering. The study projected that before 2010, the Tomb Monument will have been weathered enough to have a negative effect on the experience of the visitors and concludes the only solutions are to enclose or replace the monument.[28]

text: Several options have been considered to deal with the damage. Officials at Arlington National Cemetery determined that proper repair can return the Tomb Monument to an acceptable appearance. However, because the cracks will continue to lengthen and widen, continuous grouting, regrouting, touch-up, monitoring, and maintenance would be required. Therefore, a report commissioned by Arlington National Cemetery and published in June 2006 confirmed the Cemetery's conclusion that "replacement of the three pieces of the Tomb Monument is the preferred alternative". A final decision was scheduled to be made on September 30, 2007.[28]

text: The National Trust for Historic Preservation objects to the plan to replace the authentic Tomb Monument. The Trust expressed concern that Arlington National Cemetery seeks to replace the existing monument with marble from the original quarry, which experts agree is likely eventually to crack.[29]

text: The Trust has observed that the Cemetery's own 1990 report recommended that the monument be repaired and that the Cemetery, in fact, commissioned Oehrlein Architects to repair the stone. In 2007, Mary Oehrlein informed Congressional staff members that: "The existing monument can easily be repaired, as was done 17 years ago, using conventional conservation methods to re-grout the cracks. Once repaired, the fault lines would be virtually invisible from the public viewing areas."[30][31]

text: On September 26, 2007, U.S. Senator Daniel Akaka announced that an amendment crafted together with Senator Jim Webb will be added to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (H.R. 1585) that would require a report on the plans of the Secretary of the Army and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to replace the monument at the Tomb of the Unknowns. The secretaries would be required to advise Congress on the current efforts to maintain and preserve the monument. Additionally, they would have to provide an assessment on the feasibility and advisability of repairing rather than replacing the Tomb Monument. Finally, if the secretaries choose replacement, they would have to report those plans and detail how they intend to dispose of the current monument. Once the report is provided, the secretaries are prevented from taking action to replace the monument for at least 180 days. The Akaka-Webb amendment was included in the bill by unanimous consent of the Senate.[32] An amendment to the Fiscal Year 2008 Defense Authorization Bill authorized a review of the monument's condition. The bill also authorized repair, but not replacement, of the monument.[33] Final passage of the National Defense Authorization Act for 2008 (H.R. 4986) was signed by President Bush on January 28, 2008.

text: In 2003 John Haines, a retired car dealer, offered to donate a large slab of marble to the Arlington National Cemetery to replace the existing marble. Haines paid $31,000 for the marble slab.[34] The marble was not removed from the quarry, however, because imperfections were found and the block was rejected.

text: In June 2009 Arlington National Cemetery and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that the monument was to be repaired, not replaced.[35] In 2010, the cracks were filled but the repairs lasted only a few months.[36] As of June 2011, the cemetery was struggling to repair the cracks in the monument, one of which measured 28.4 feet (8.7 m) long, with another at 16.2 feet (4.9 m).[37] In September 2011, the cracks were filled again[36] and on October 21, 2011, inspection by the Corps of Engineers and other experts pronounced the repairs a success.[38]


document_title: List of NFL franchise post-season droughts

question_text: when was the last time the browns won a playoff game

root

text: Active team droughts[edit]

text: Post-season droughts[edit]

text: Updated through the end of the 2017 regular season.

tag: p

text:
0^0
Longest drought in team history

tag: table

text:
Playoff Droughts [1][2]

0Team0
Last appearance in post-season
Seasons

Cleveland Browns ^
2002 AFC Wild Card Playoffs
15

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2007 NFC Wild Card Playoffs
10

New York Jets
2010 AFC Championship Game
7

Chicago Bears
2010 NFC Championship Game
7

Los Angeles Chargers
2013 AFC Divisional Playoffs
4

San Francisco 49ers
2013 NFC Championship Game
4

Baltimore Ravens
2014 AFC Divisional Playoffs
3

Indianapolis Colts
2014 AFC Championship Game
3

Cincinnati Bengals
2015 AFC Wild Card Playoffs
2

Washington Redskins
2015 NFC Wild Card Playoffs
2

Arizona Cardinals
2015 NFC Championship Game
2

Denver Broncos
Super Bowl 50
2

Miami Dolphins
2016 AFC Wild Card Playoffs
1

Oakland Raiders
2016 AFC Wild Card Playoffs
1

New York Giants
2016 NFC Wild Card Playoffs
1

Detroit Lions
2016 NFC Wild Card Playoffs
1

Houston Texans
2016 AFC Divisional Playoffs
1

Dallas Cowboys
2016 NFC Divisional Playoffs
1

Seattle Seahawks
2016 NFC Divisional Playoffs
1

Green Bay Packers
2016 NFC Championship Game
1

2017 Playoff Teams

Buffalo Bills
2017 AFC Wild Card Playoffs
—

Kansas City Chiefs
2017 AFC Wild Card Playoffs
—

Carolina Panthers
2017 NFC Wild Card Playoffs
—

Los Angeles Rams
2017 NFC Wild Card Playoffs
—

Jacksonville Jaguars
2017 AFC Divisional Playoffs
—

Tennessee Titans
2017 AFC Divisional Playoffs
—

Pittsburgh Steelers
2017 AFC Divisional Playoffs
—

New England Patriots
2017 AFC Divisional Playoffs
—

New Orleans Saints
2017 NFC Divisional Playoffs
—

Atlanta Falcons
2017 NFC Divisional Playoffs
—

Minnesota Vikings
2017 NFC Divisional Playoffs
—

Philadelphia Eagles
2017 NFC Divisional Playoffs
—

text: Playoff game victory droughts[edit]

text:
Updated through wild card weekend.
Sortable table, click on header arrows.

text:
0^0
Longest drought in team history

0†0
Tied for longest drought in team history

0♦0
Most consecutive losses in team history

0¤0
Tied for most consecutive losses in team history

0♣ ♣0
Most consecutive losses in NFL history

text:
Current Playoff Loss Streak[1]

Team
Last playoff game win
Seasons
Since Win
Loss
Streak
Playoff Losses - Teams

Cincinnati Bengals ^
1990 AFC Wild Card Playoffs
27
♦ 8
1990 Divisional - L A Raiders
2005 Wild Card - Pittsburgh
2009 Wild Card - New York Jets
2011 Wild Card - Houston
2012 Wild Card - Houston
2013 Wild Card - San Diego
2014 Wild Card - Indianapolis
2015 Wild Card - Pittsburgh

Detroit Lions
1991 NFC Divisional Playoffs*
26
♣ ♣ 9
1991 NFC Championship - Washington
1993 Wild Card - Green Bay
1994 Wild Card - Green Bay
1995 Wild Card - Philadelphia
1997 Wild Card - Tampa Bay
1999 Wild Card - Washington
2011 Wild Card - New Orleans
2014 Wild Card - Dallas
2016 Wild Card - Seattle

Buffalo Bills ^
1995 AFC Wild Card Playoffs
22
♦ 5
1995 Divisional - Pittsburgh
1996 Wild Card - Jacksonville
1998 Wild Card - Miami
1999 Wild Card - Tennessee
2017 Wild Card - Jacksonville

Cleveland Browns ^
1994 AFC Wild Card Playoffs
20**
2
1994 Divisional - Pittsburgh
2002 Wild Card - Pittsburgh

Miami Dolphins ^
2000 AFC Wild Card Playoffs
17
4 ¤
2000 Divisional - Oakland
2001 Wild Card - Baltimore
2008 Wild Card - Baltimore
2016 Wild Card - Pittsburgh

Oakland Raiders ^
2002 AFC Championship*
15
2 ¤
2002 Super Bowl - Tampa Bay
2016 Wild Card - Houston

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Super Bowl XXXVII*
15
2
2005 Wild Card - Washington
2007 Wild Card - New York Giants

Los Angeles Rams
2004 NFC Wild Card Playoffs
13
2
2004 Divisional - Atlanta
2017 Wild Card - Atlanta

Washington Redskins
2005 NFC Wild Card Playoffs
12
4 ¤
2005 Divisional - Seattle
2007 Wild Card - Seattle
2012 Wild Card - Seattle
2015 Wild Card - Green Bay

Philadelphia Eagles
2008 NFC Divisional Playoffs
9
4
2008 NFC Championship - Arizona
2009 Wild Card - Dallas
2010 Wild Card - Green Bay
2013 Wild Card - New Orleans

Minnesota Vikings †
2009 NFC Divisional Playoffs*
8
3
2009 NFC Championship - New Orleans
2012 Wild Card - Green Bay
2015 Wild Card - Seattle

New York Jets
2010 AFC Divisional Playoffs
7
1
2010 AFC Championship - Pittsburgh

Chicago Bears
2010 NFC Divisional Playoffs*
7
1
2010 NFC Championship - Green Bay

New York Giants
2011 !Super Bowl XLVI
6
1
2016 Wild Card - Green Bay

Los Angeles Chargers
2013 AFC Wild Card Playoffs
4
1
2013 Divisional - Denver

San Francisco 49ers
2013 NFC Divisional Playoffs
4
1
2013 NFC Championship - Seattle

Baltimore Ravens
2014 AFC Wild Card Playoffs
3
1
2014 Divisional - New England

Dallas Cowboys
2014 NFC Wild Card Playoffs
3
2
2014 Divisional - Green Bay
2016 Divisional - Green Bay

Indianapolis Colts
2014 AFC Divisional Playoffs
3
1
2014 AFC Championship - New England

Kansas City Chiefs
2015 AFC Wild Card Playoffs
2
3
2015 Divisional - New England
2016 Divisional - Pittsburgh
2017 Wild Card - Tennessee

Arizona Cardinals
2015 NFC Divisional Playoffs*
2
1
2015 NFC Championship - Carolina

Carolina Panthers
2015 NFC Championship*
2
2
2015 Super Bowl - Denver
2017 Wild Card - New Orleans

Denver Broncos
Super Bowl 50*
2
0
3 game win streak

Houston Texans
2016 AFC Wild Card Playoffs
1
1
2016 Divisional - New England

Seattle Seahawks
2016 NFC Wild Card Playoffs
1
1
2016 Divisional - Atlanta

Pittsburgh Steelers
2016 AFC Divisional Playoffs
0
1
2016 AFC Championship - New England

Green Bay Packers
2016 NFC Divisional Playoffs
1
1
2016 NFC Championship - Atlanta

New England Patriots
Super Bowl LI*
0
0
3 game win streak

2017 Playoff0
Winners

Tennessee Titans
2017 AFC Wild Card Playoffs
0
0
1 game win streak

Jacksonville Jaguars
2017 AFC Wild Card Playoffs
0
0
1 game win streak

Atlanta Falcons
2017 NFC Wild Card Playoffs
0
0
1 game win streak

New Orleans Saints
2017 NFC Wild Card Playoffs
0
0
1 game win streak

Team
Last playoff game win
Seasons
Since Win
Loss
Streak
Playoff Losses - Teams

text:
(*): Franchise earned a bye in the Wild Card round.
(**): Franchise dormant 1996–1998.

text: AFC/NFC Championship game appearance droughts[edit]

text: This is also a list of the last time a particular club won a Divisional playoff game.

text:
Drought Reference [1]

Seasons
Team
Last appearance
in Conference Championship Game
Result

29
Cincinnati Bengals ^
1988 AFC
Won vs. Buffalo

26
Washington Redskins ^
1991 NFC
Won vs. Detroit

26
Detroit Lions ^
1991 NFC
Lost vs. Washington

25
Miami Dolphins ^
1992 AFC
Lost vs. Buffalo

25 [d]
Cleveland Browns ^
1989 AFC
Lost vs. Denver

24
Buffalo Bills ^
1993 AFC
Won vs. Kansas City

24
Kansas City Chiefs †
1993 AFC
Lost vs. Buffalo

22
Dallas Cowboys ^
1995 NFC
Won vs. Green Bay

18
Jacksonville Jaguars ^
1999 AFC
Lost vs. Tennessee

16
Houston Texans ^
1985Never [c]
y —

16
Los Angeles Rams ^ [a]
2001 NFC
Won vs. Philadelphia

15
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2002 NFC
Won vs. Philadelphia

15
Oakland Raiders ^
2002 AFC
Won vs. Tennessee

15
Tennessee Titans
2002 AFC
Lost vs. Oakland

10
Los Angeles Chargers [b]
2007 AFC
Lost vs. New England

9
Philadelphia Eagles
2008 NFC
Lost vs. Arizona

8
New Orleans Saints
2009 NFC
Won vs. Minnesota

8
Minnesota Vikings
2009 NFC
Lost vs. New Orleans

7
New York Jets
2010 AFC
Lost vs. Pittsburgh

7
Chicago Bears
2010 NFC
Lost vs. Green Bay

6
New York Giants
2011 NFC
Won vs. San Francisco

5
Baltimore Ravens
2012 AFC
Won vs. New England

4
San Francisco 49ers
2013 NFC
Lost vs. Seattle

3
Indianapolis Colts
2014 AFC
Lost vs. New England

3
Seattle Seahawks
2014 NFC
Won vs. Green Bay

2
Denver Broncos
2015 AFC
Won vs. New England

2
Arizona Cardinals
2015 NFC
Lost vs. Carolina

2
Carolina Panthers
2015 NFC
Won vs. Arizona

-.55
Z2016 Conference Finalists
2029
z

0
Pittsburgh Steelers
2016 AFC
Lost vs. New England

0
New England Patriots
2016 AFC
Won vs. Pittsburgh

1
Green Bay Packers
2016 NFC
Lost vs. Atlanta

0
Atlanta Falcons
2016 NFC
Won vs. Green Bay

-.75
Z2017 Conference Finalists
2030
z

TBD

text:
a The Los Angeles Rams last appeared in the NFC Championship game as the St. Louis Rams.
b The Los Angeles Chargers last appeared in the AFC Championship game as the San Diego Chargers.
c The Texans first played in 2002 season
d The Browns were dormant from 1996–1998.

tag: ul

text: Super Bowl or NFL Championship appearance droughts[edit]

text:
Last appearance in Super Bowl or
NFL Championship[1][3]

Seasons
Team
Last appearance
in Super Bowl
NFL
Season
Result

60
Detroit Lions
7003195700000000000♠ 1957 NFL Championship Game
1957
Won vs. Cleveland

49
New York Jets
7003196800000000000♠ Super Bowl III
1968
Won vs. Baltimore Colts

48
Kansas City Chiefs
7003196900000000000♠ Super Bowl IV
1969
Won vs. Minnesota

45 [e]
Cleveland Browns
7003196910000000000♠1969.1 1969 NFL Championship Game
1969
Lost vs. Minnesota

41
Minnesota Vikings
7003197700000000000♠ Super Bowl XI
1976
Lost vs. Oakland

33
Miami Dolphins
7003198400000000000♠ Super Bowl XIX
1984
Lost vs. San Francisco

29
Cincinnati Bengals
7003198800000000000♠ Super Bowl XXIII
1988
Lost vs. San Francisco

26
Washington Redskins
7003199100000000000♠ Super Bowl XXVI
1991
Won vs. Buffalo

24
Buffalo Bills
7003199300000000000♠ Super Bowl XXVIII
1993
Lost vs. Dallas

23
Jacksonville Jaguars
7000100000000000000♠ Never (enfranchised 1995)

z —

23
Los Angeles Chargers [f]
7003199400000000000♠ Super Bowl XXIX
1994
Lost vs. San Francisco

22
Dallas Cowboys
7003199500000000000♠ Super Bowl XXX
1995
Won vs. Pittsburgh

18
Tennessee Titans
7003199900000000000♠ Super Bowl XXXIV
1999
Lost vs. St. Louis Rams

16
Houston Texans
7000200000000000000♠ Never (enfranchised 2002)

z —

16
Los Angeles Rams [g]
7003200100000000000♠ Super Bowl XXXVI
2001
Lost vs. New England

15
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
7003200200000000000♠ Super Bowl XXXVII
2002
Won vs. Oakland

15
Oakland Raiders
7003200210000000000♠ Super Bowl XXXVII
2002
Lost vs. Tampa Bay

13
Philadelphia Eagles
7003200400000000000♠ Super Bowl XXXIX
2004
Lost vs. New England

11
Chicago Bears
7003200600000000000♠ Super Bowl XLI
2006
Lost vs. Indianapolis

9
Arizona Cardinals
7003200800000000000♠ Super Bowl XLIII
2008
Lost vs. Pittsburgh

8
New Orleans Saints
7003200900000000000♠ Super Bowl XLIV
2009
Won vs. Indianapolis

8
Indianapolis Colts
7003200900000000000♠ Super Bowl XLIV
2009
Lost vs. New Orleans

7
Green Bay Packers
7003201000000000000♠ Super Bowl XLV
2010
Won vs. Pittsburgh

7
Pittsburgh Steelers
7003201010000000000♠ Super Bowl XLV
2010
Lost vs. Green Bay

6
New York Giants
7003201100000000000♠ Super Bowl XLVI
2011
Won vs. New England

5
Baltimore Ravens
7003201200000000000♠ Super Bowl XLVII
2012
Won vs. San Francisco

5
San Francisco 49ers
7003201210000000000♠ Super Bowl XLVII
2012
Lost vs. Baltimore Ravens

3
Seattle Seahawks
7003201420000000000♠ Super Bowl XLIX
2014
Lost vs. New England

2
Carolina Panthers
7003201500000000000♠ Super Bowl 50
2015
Lost vs. Denver

2
Denver Broncos
7003201500000000000♠ Super Bowl 50
2015
Won vs. Carolina

.75
ZSuper Bowl LI participants
2016
2016
zz

0
Atlanta Falcons
7003201600000000000♠ Super Bowl LI
2016
Lost vs. New England

0
New England Patriots
7003201600000000000♠ Super Bowl LI
2016
Won vs. Atlanta

text:
e The Browns were dormant from 1996–1998.
f The Los Angeles Chargers last appeared in the Super Bowl as the San Diego Chargers.
g The Los Angeles Rams last appeared in the Super Bowl as the St. Louis Rams.

text: Super Bowl win droughts[edit]

text: This list also counts all seasons since a team last won the league championship.

text: Competing in the 2017 NFL Playoffs

text:
Drought References[1][3]

Seasons
Team
Last Super Bowl crown
(1966–present)
NFL
Season
Last League Championship crown
Before 1970 Merger
(1920–1969)
Seasons

52
Arizona Cardinals[a]
Never
—
1947 NFL Championship
70

52
Detroit Lions
Never
—
1957 NFL Championship
60

52
Philadelphia Eagles
Never
—
1960 NFL Championship
57

52
Tennessee Titans[b]
Never
—
1961 AFL Championship
56

52
Los Angeles Chargers
Never
—
1963 AFL Championship
54

52
Buffalo Bills
Never
—
1965 AFL Championship
52

49
Cleveland Browns [d]
Never
—
1964 NFL Championship
50

52
Minnesota Vikings
Never
—
1969 NFL Championship[c]
48

52
Atlanta Falcons
Never (enfranchised 1966)
—

50
Cincinnati Bengals
Never (enfranchised 1968)
—

49
New York Jets[e]
Super Bowl III
1968

48
Kansas City Chiefs[e]
Super Bowl IV
1969

44
Miami Dolphins
Super Bowl VIII
1973

34
Oakland Raiders[f]
Super Bowl XVIII
1983

32
Chicago Bears
Super Bowl XX
1985

26
Washington Redskins
Super Bowl XXVI
1991

23
Jacksonville Jaguars
Never (enfranchised 1995)
—

23
Carolina Panthers
Never (enfranchised 1995)
—

23
San Francisco 49ers
Super Bowl XXIX
1994

22
Dallas Cowboys
Super Bowl XXX
1995

18
Los Angeles Rams[g]
Super Bowl XXXIV
1999

16
Houston Texans
Never (enfranchised 2002)
—

15
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Super Bowl XXXVII
2002

11
Indianapolis Colts
Super Bowl XLI
2006

9
Pittsburgh Steelers
Super Bowl XLIII
2008

8
New Orleans Saints
Super Bowl XLIV
2009

7
Green Bay Packers
Super Bowl XLV
2010

6
New York Giants
Super Bowl XLVI
2011

5
Baltimore Ravens
Super Bowl XLVII
2012

4
Seattle Seahawks
Super Bowl XLVIII
2013

2
Denver Broncos
Super Bowl 50
2015

.75
ZDefending champion
2015
z

0
New England Patriots
Super Bowl LI
2016

text:
a Team won as the Chicago Cardinals in 1947.
b Team won as the Houston Oilers in 1961.
c AFL and NFL league champions met in Super Bowls I thru IV before the 1970 merger (1966–1969). They are not generally counted in the overall league championship list.
d Cleveland's drought does not include three seasons (1996–98) when the franchise was dormant.
e Super Bowl winner was not the NFL league champion till after 1970 merger (Super Bowl V).
f Team was based in Los Angeles when it won Super Bowl XVIII.
g Team was based in St. Louis when it won Super Bowl XXXIV.

text: Super Bowl crown droughts by division[edit]

text:
Division
Last Super Bowl crown
Seasons

AFC South
XLI — Colts
11

NFC South
XLIV — Saints
8

NFC North
XLV — Packers
7

NFC East
XLVI — Giants
6

AFC North
XLVII — Ravens
5

NFC West
XLVIII — Seahawks
4

AFC West
50 — Broncos
2

AFC East
LI — Patriots
0

text: Cities/regions awaiting first Super Bowl crown[edit]

text: Listed according to seasons waited. Current NFL cities/regions only

text: Competing in the 2017 NFL Playoffs

text:
Last city to leave list - Seattle, 2013 season

City/region
Seasons waited
Conference Title(s)
Team(s)
Notes

Detroit
52
None
Detroit Lions (1966–)
Played in the 1991 NFC Championship Game

Philadelphia
52
1980, 2004
Philadelphia Eagles (1966–)
Played in Super Bowls XV and XXXIX

Buffalo
52
1990, 1991, 1992, 1993
Buffalo Bills (1966–)
Played in Super Bowls XXV, XXVI, XXVII, and XXVIII

Atlanta
52
1998, 2016
Atlanta Falcons (1966–)
Played in Super Bowls XXXIII and LI

Minneapolis–St. Paul
52
1969, 1973, 1974, 1976
Minnesota Vikings (1966–)
Played in Super Bowls IV, VIII, IX, and XI

Cincinnati
50
1981, 1988
Cincinnati Bengals (1968–)
Played in Super Bowls XVI and XXIII

Cleveland
49
None
Cleveland Browns (1966–1995, 1999-)
Played in the 1986, 1987, and 1989 AFC Championship Games

Houston
47
None
31 Oilers seasons (1966–1996) and 16 Texans seasons (2002–)
Played in the 1978 and 1979 AFC Championship Games

Phoenix
30
2008
Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals (1988–)
Played in Super Bowl XLIII

Jacksonville
23
None
Jacksonville Jaguars (1995–)
Played in the 1996 and 1999 AFC Championship Games

Charlotte
23
2003, 2015
Carolina Panthers (1995–)
Played in Super Bowls XXXVIII and 50

Nashville
21
1999
Tennessee Oilers/Titans (1997–)
Played in Super Bowl XXXIV

text: Division title droughts[edit]

text: Listed according to seasons waited. Updated through the 2017 season.

text:
0^0
Longest drought in team history

text:
Franchise
0 0 Most recent0 0
division title
0Year0
Seasons

Cleveland Browns^
AFC Central
1989
25**

Detroit Lions^
NFC Central
1993
24

Buffalo Bills^
AFC East
1995
22

Oakland Raiders^
AFC West
2002
15

New York Jets
AFC East
2002
15

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NFC South
2007
10

Miami Dolphins^
AFC East
2008
9

Tennessee Titans
AFC South
2008
9

Los Angeles Chargers
AFC West
2009
8

Chicago Bears
NFC North
2010
7

New York Giants
NFC East
2011
6

Baltimore Ravens
AFC North
2012
5

San Francisco 49ers
NFC West
2012
5

Indianapolis Colts
AFC South
2014
3

Cincinnati Bengals
AFC North
2015
2

Denver Broncos
AFC West
2015
2

Washington Redskins
NFC East
2015
2

Carolina Panthers
NFC South
2015
2

Arizona Cardinals
NFC West
2015
2

Houston Texans
AFC South
2016
1

Dallas Cowboys
NFC East
2016
1

Green Bay Packers
NFC North
2016
1

Atlanta Falcons
NFC South
2016
1

Seattle Seahawks
NFC West
2016
1

2017 Division Champions

New England Patriots
AFC East
2017
—

Pittsburgh Steelers
AFC North
2017
—

Jacksonville Jaguars
AFC South
2017
—

Kansas City Chiefs
AFC West
2017
—

Philadelphia Eagles
NFC East
2017
—

Minnesota Vikings
NFC North
2017
—

New Orleans Saints
NFC South
2017
—

Los Angeles Rams
NFC West
2017
—

text: **Does not include the three seasons (1996–1998) during which the franchise suspended operations.

text: Historical team droughts[edit]

text: Closest approaches without winning the Super Bowl[edit]

text: Counted from the first Super Bowl seaon, 1966, to present. Updated through the 3rd wild card game.

text: Competing in the 2017 NFL Playoffs

text:
Last team to leave this list - 2013 Seattle Seahawks

Team
Wild Card appearances1
Divisional Round appearances2
Conference Final appearances3
Super Bowl appearances
Fewest wins short of
Super Bowl Title

Minnesota Vikings
12
21
8
4
1 win short : 1969, 1973, 1974, 1976

Buffalo Bills
7
10
5
4
1 win short : 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993

Philadelphia Eagles
15
13
6
2
1 win short : 1980, 2004

Cincinnati Bengals
8
6
2
2
1 win short : 1982, 1988

Atlanta Falcons
7
10
4
2
1 win short : 1998, 2016

Carolina Panthers
4
7
4
2
1 win short : 2003, 2015

Los Angeles Chargers
6
10
4
1
1 win short : 1994

Tennessee Titans
13
13
4
1
1 win short : 1999

Arizona Cardinals
4
6
2
1
1 win short : 2008

Cleveland Browns
3
8
6

2 wins short : 1968, 1969, 1986, 1987, 1989

Jacksonville Jaguars
6
5
2

2 wins short : 1996, 1999

Detroit Lions
8
3
1

2 wins short : 1991

Houston Texans
4
3

3 wins short : 2011, 2012, 2016

text: Playoff droughts of 5 plus seasons[edit]

text:
0^0
Denotes active streak

text:
Last place NFL finishes
Last place AFL finishes (1960–1969)

text:
List of Droughts[1]

Seasons
Team
Drought Duration
Division or Conference Last Place
finishes during drought
League Worst win-loss record
during drought

Last Place
Seasons

7001250000000000000♠25
Washington Redskins A !Washington Redskins
1946–1970
4
1950, 1952, 1960–1961
1961

7001250000000000000♠25
Arizona Cardinals A !Chicago / St. Louis Cardinals
1949–1973
5
1951, 1953–1954, 1957, 1959
1953, 1954, 1957 tie, 19591959 tie

7001240000000000000♠24
Pittsburgh Steelers A !Pittsburgh Steelers
1948–1971
5
1955, 1965, 1967–1969
1965, 1969 tie

7001200000000000000♠20
New Orleans Saints A !New Orleans Saints
1967–1986
9
1967, 1970–1972, 1975, 1977, 1980–1981, 1986
19751975 tie, 1980

7001170000000000000♠17
Denver Broncos A !Denver Broncos
1960–1976
8
1960, 1963–1967, 1970–1971
1960, 1963, 1964, 1965 tie, 1967

7001170000000000000♠17
Philadelphia Eagles A !Philadelphia Eagles
1961–1977
7
1962–1963, 1968–1970, 1972, 1975
1968 tie

7001170000000000000♠17
New York Giants D !New York Giants
1964–1980
9
1964, 1966, 1971, 1973–1974, 1976–1978, 1980
1964, 1966, 1974 tie

7001170000000000000♠17
Buffalo Bills A !Buffalo Bills
2000–2016
8
2001–2002, 2008–2013
—

7001160000000000000♠16
Detroit Lions A !Detroit Lions
1936–1951
4
1942, 1946–1948
1942, 1946, 1948

7001150000000000000♠15
Arizona Cardinals B !Chicago Cardinals
1932–1946
10
1933, 1935–1936, 1938–1940, 1943–1946
1933, 1938 tie, 1939, 1943, 1944 tie[a], 1945

7001150000000000000♠15
Green Bay Packers A !Green Bay Packers
1945–1959
4
1949, 1953, 1957, 1958
1957 tie, 1958

7001150000000000000♠15
Arizona Cardinals C !St. Louis / Phoenix / Arizona Cardinals
1983–1997
7
1985–1986, 1990–1992, 1995, 1997
—

7001150000000000000♠15 ^
Cleveland Browns A !Cleveland Browns
2003–2017
13
2003–2006, 2008–2009, 2011–2017
2015 tie, 2016, 2017

7001140000000000000♠14
Pittsburgh Steelers B !Pittsburgh Pirates / Steelers
1933–1946
7
1933–1934, 1938–1939, 1941, 1944–1945
1938 tie, 1941, 1944 tie[a]

7001140000000000000♠14
Philadelphia Eagles B !Philadelphia Eagles
1933–1946
5
1935–1937, 1940, 1942
1935, 1936, 1940

7001140000000000000♠14
Kansas City Chiefs A !Kansas City Chiefs
1972–1985
5
1977–1979, 1983, 1985
19771977 tie

7001140000000000000♠14
Tampa Bay Buccaneers A !Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1983–1996
8
1983, 1985–1986, 1989, 1991, 1993–1995
19831983 tie, 1985 tie, 1986

7001140000000000000♠14
Cincinnati Bengals A !Cincinnati Bengals
1991–2004
6
1991–1993, 1998, 2001–2002
1993, 1998 tie, 2002

7001130000000000000♠13
Chicago Bears A !Chicago Bears
1964–1976
5
1969–1970, 1972–1974
1969 tie

7001130000000000000♠13
San Diego Chargers A !San Diego Chargers
1966–1978
3
1972–1973, 1975
1975 tie

7001130000000000000♠13
Oakland Raiders A !Oakland Raiders
2003–2015
6
2004–2007, 2013–2014
2003 tie, 2006

7001120000000000000♠12
Detroit Lions B !Detroit Lions
1958–1969
2
1966, 1968
—

7001120000000000000♠12
San Francisco 49ers A !San Francisco 49ers
1958–1969
3
1963–1964, 1969
1963

7001120000000000000♠12
New England Patriots A !Boston / New England Patriots
1964–1975
4
1967, 1970, 1972, 1975
1970

7001120000000000000♠12
Atlanta Falcons A !Atlanta Falcons
1966–1977
3
1967–1968, 1974
1967, 1968 tie

7001120000000000000♠12
Los Angeles Rams A !St. Louis / Los Angeles Rams
2005–2016
6
2007–2009, 2011, 2013–2014
2009, 2011 tie

7001110000000000000♠11
Los Angeles Rams B !Los Angeles Rams
1956–1966
4
1956, 1959, 1962, 1965
19591959 tie, 1962

7001110000000000000♠11
New York Jets A !New York Jets
1970–1980
1
1980
—

7001110000000000000♠11
Detroit Lions C !Detroit Lions
1971–1981
1
1979
19791979 tie

7001110000000000000♠11
Detroit Lions D !Detroit Lions
2000–2010
6
2001–2003, 2006, 2008–2009
2008

7001100000000000000♠10
Philadelphia Eagles C !Philadelphia Eagles
1950–1959
2
1956, 1958
1956

7001100000000000000♠10
Green Bay Packers B !Green Bay Packers
1983–1992
1
1988
—

7001100000000000000♠10
Seattle Seahawks A !Seattle Seahawks
1989–1998
4
1992–1994, 1996
1992 tie

7001100000000000000♠10 ^
Tampa Bay Buccaneers B !Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2008–2017
7
2009, 2011–2015, 2017
20142014 tie

7000900000000000000♠9
Green Bay Packers C !Green Bay Packers
1973–1981
2
1976, 1980
—

7000900000000000000♠9
Indianapolis Colts A !Baltimore / Indianapolis Colts
1978–1986
4
1978 - 1979, 1982, 1986
1981 tie, 1982

7000900000000000000♠9
San Diego Chargers B !San Diego Chargers
1983–1991
4
1984, 1986, 1989, 1991
—

7000900000000000000♠9
Los Angeles Rams C !Los Angeles / St. Louis Rams
1990–1998
6
1991–1994, 1997–1998
—

7000900000000000000♠9
Arizona Cardinals E !Arizona Cardinals
1999–2007
4
2000, 2002–2003, 2006
2003 tie

7000900000000000000♠9
Houston Texans A !Houston Texans
2002–2010
5
2002–2003, 2005–2007
2005

7000900000000000000♠9
Jacksonville Jaguars A !Jacksonville Jaguars
2008–2016
4
2008–2009, 2012, 2016
2012 tie

7000800000000000000♠8
New York Jets B !New York Titans / Jets
1960–1967
2
1962–1963
—

7000800000000000000♠8
Tennessee Titans A !Houston Oilers
1970–1977
4
1970, 1972–1973, 1976
1972, 1973

7000800000000000000♠8
San Francisco 49ers B !San Francisco 49ers
1973–1980
2
1978–1979
1978, 1979 tie

7000800000000000000♠8
Atlanta Falcons B !Atlanta Falcons
1983–1990
7
1983–1985, 1987–1990
1987

7000800000000000000♠8
San Diego Chargers C !San Diego Chargers
1996–2003
5
1997–1998, 2000–2001, 2003
2000, 2003 tie

7000800000000000000♠8
San Francisco 49ers C !San Francisco 49ers
2003–2010
2
2004–2005
2004

7000800000000000000♠8
Tennessee Titans B !Tennessee Titans
2009–2016
3
2010, 2014–2015
20142014 tie, 2015 tie

7000700000000000000♠7
Los Angeles Rams D !Cleveland Rams
1937–1944 [b]
2
1937, 1941
1937

7000700000000000000♠7
San Francisco 49ers D !San Francisco 49ers
1950–1956
0
—
—

7000700000000000000♠7
Oakland Raiders B !Oakland Raiders
1960–1966
2
1961–1962
1961, 1962

7000700000000000000♠7
Minnesota Vikings A !Minnesota Vikings
1961–1967
3
1961, 1966–1967
—

7000700000000000000♠7
Buffalo Bills B !Buffalo Bills
1967–1973
2
1968, 1971

1968
1971

7000700000000000000♠7
Cleveland Browns B !Cleveland Browns
1973–1979
3
1974–1975, 1977
—

7000700000000000000♠7
Seattle Seahawks B !Seattle Seahawks
1976–1982
3
1976, 1980–1981
—

7000700000000000000♠7
Detroit Lions E !Detroit Lions
1984–1990
1
1987
—

7000700000000000000♠7
New England Patriots A !New England Patriots
1987–1993
2
1990, 1992
1990, 1992 tie

7000700000000000000♠7
Indianapolis Colts B !Indianapolis Colts
1988–1994
2
1991, 1993
1991

7000700000000000000♠7
New Orleans Saints B !New Orleans Saints
1993–1999
3
1995–1996, 1999
—

7000700000000000000♠7
Miami Dolphins A !Miami Dolphins
2009–2015
1
2015
—

7000700000000000000♠7 ^
Chicago Bears B !Chicago Bears
2011–2017
4
2014–2017
—

7000700000000000000♠7 ^
New York Jets C !New York Jets
2011–2017
3
2014, 2016–2017
—

7000600000000000000♠6
Chicago Bears C !Chicago Bears
1957–1962
0
—
—

7000600000000000000♠6
Dallas Cowboys A !Dallas Cowboys
1960–1965
1
1960
1960

7000600000000000000♠6
Arizona Cardinals E !St. Louis Cardinals
1976–1981
2
1979, 1981
—

7000600000000000000♠6
Tennessee Titans C !Houston Oilers
1981–1986
4
1983–1986
19831983 tie

7000600000000000000♠6
Buffalo Bills C !Buffalo Bills
1982–1987
2
1984–1985
1984, 1985 tie

7000600000000000000♠6
Philadelphia Eagles D !Philadelphia Eagles
1982–1987
1
1984
—

7000600000000000000♠6
New York Jets D !New York Jets
1992–1997
3
1994–1996
1995, 1996

7000600000000000000♠6
Washington Redskins B !Washington Redskins
1993–1998
2
1993–1994
—

7000600000000000000♠6
Oakland Raiders C !Los Angeles / Oakland Raiders
1994–1999
0
—
—

7000600000000000000♠6
Chicago Bears D !Chicago Bears
1995–2000
4
1997–2000
—

7000600000000000000♠6
Carolina Panthers A !Carolina Panthers
1997–2002
2
2001–2002
2001

7000600000000000000♠6
Miami Dolphins B !Miami Dolphins
2002–2007
3
2004, 2006–2007
2007

7000500000000000000♠5
New York Giants D !New York Giants
1951–1955
0
—
—

7000500000000000000♠5
Chicago Bears E !Chicago Bears
1951–1955
0
—
—

7000500000000000000♠5
Indianapolis Colts C !Baltimore Colts
1953–1957
1
1954
—

7000500000000000000♠5
Cleveland Browns C !Cleveland Browns
1959–1963
0
—
—

7000500000000000000♠5
Buffalo Bills D !Buffalo Bills
1975–1979
2
1976–1977
—

7000500000000000000♠5
Cincinnati Bengals B !Cincinnati Bengals
1976–1980
3
1978–1980
—

7000500000000000000♠5
Washington Redskins C !Washington Redskins
1977–1981
0
—
—

7000500000000000000♠5
Cincinnati Bengals C !Cincinnati Bengals
1983–1987
1
1987
—

7000500000000000000♠5
Dallas Cowboys B !Dallas Cowboys
1986–1990
2
1988, 1989
1988, 1989

7000500000000000000♠5
Tennessee Titans D !Houston / Tennessee Oilers
1994–1998
1
1994
1994

7000500000000000000♠5
Kansas City Chiefs B !Kansas City Chiefs
1998–2002
1
2002
—

7000500000000000000♠5
Washington Redskins D !Washington Redskins
2000–2004
1
2004
—

7000500000000000000♠5
Jacksonville Jaguars B !Jacksonville Jaguars
2000–2004
0
—
—

7000500000000000000♠5
New Orleans Saints C !New Orleans Saints
2001–2005
1
2005
—

7000500000000000000♠5
Denver Broncos B !Denver Broncos
2006–2010
1
2010
—

Seasons
Team
Drought Duration
Last Place
Seasons
League Worst win-loss record
during drought

Division or Conference Last Place
finishes during drought

text: Most consecutive post-season losses in team history[edit]

text: This is a sortable table of all 32 current NFL teams. Ten teams have multiple losing streaks where they lost an equal number of post season games before breaking the drought.

text: Updated through the 2017 season.

text:
0^0
Denotes active drought

text:
Team
Streak lasted
Last win
Games Lost
Playoff Losses
Score
Opponent
Next win

Arizona Cardinals
7001510000000000000♠ 51 years
1947
Championship
4.1 !4
1948 NFL Champ.
1974 Div.
1975 Div.
1982 1st Round
-1 !0–7
14–30
23–35
16–41
Eagles
Vikings
Rams
Packers
1998 Wild Card

Atlanta Falcons
7000800000000000000♠ 8 years
2004 Divisional
4.2 !4
2004 NFC Champ.
2008 Wild Card
2010 Div.
2011 Wild Card
10–27
24–30
21–48
2–24
Eagles
Cardinals
Packers
Giants
2012 Divisional

Baltimore Ravens
7000700000000000000♠ 7 years
2001
Wild Card
3.1 !3
2001 Div.
2003 Wild Card
2006 Div.
10–27
17–20
6–15
Steelers
Titans
Colts
2008 Wild Card

Buffalo Bills^
7001220000000000000♠ 22 years
1995
Div !1995
Wild Card
5.3 !5
1995 Div.
1996 Wild Card
1998 Wild Card
1999 Wild Card
2017 Wild Card
21–40
27–30
17–24
16–22
3–10
Steelers
Jaguars
Dolphins
Titans
Jaguars
TBD

Carolina Panthers
7000800000000000000♠ 8 years
2005
Divisional
3
2005 NFC Champ.
2008 Div.
2013 Div.
14–34
13–33
10–23
Seahawks
Cardinals
49ers
2014 Div !2014 Wild Card

Chicago Bears
7001120000000000000♠ 12 years
1994
AF !1994
Wild Card
3.2 !3
1994 Div.
2001 Div.
2005 Div.
15–44
19–33
21–29
49ers
Eagles
Panthers
2006 Divisional

Cincinnati Bengals^
7001270000000000000♠ 27 years
1990 Div !1990
Wild Card
8
1990 Div.
2005 Wild Card
2009 Wild Card
2011 Wild Card
2012 Wild Card
2013 Wild Card
2014 Wild Card
2015 Wild Card
10–20
17–31
14–24
10–31
13–19
10–27
10–26
16–18
Raiders
Steelers
Jets
Texans
Texans
Chargers
Colts
Steelers
TBD

Cleveland Browns
7001170000000000000♠ 17 years
1969 Divisional
6
1969 NFL Champ.
1971 Div.
1972 Div.
1980 Div.
1982 1st Round
1985 Div.
7–27
3–20
14–20
12–14
10–27
21–24
Vikings
Colts
Dolphins
Raiders
Raiders
Dolphins
1986 Divisional

Dallas Cowboys
7001130000000000000♠ 13 years
1996
Div !1996
Wild Card
6.2 !6
1996 Div.
1998 Wild Card
1999 Wild Card
2003 Wild Card
2006 Wild Card
2007 Div.
17–26
7–20
10–27
10–29
20–21
17–21
Panthers
Cardinals
Vikings
Panthers
Seahawks
Giants
2009 Wild Card

Denver Broncos
7000900000000000000♠ 9 years
1977
Conference
Championship
5.1 !5
1977 !Super Bowl XII
1978 Div.
1979 Wild Card
1983 Wild Card
1984 Div.
10–27
10–33
7–13
7–31
17–24
Cowboys
Steelers
Oilers
Seahawks
Steelers
1986 Divisional

Detroit Lions^
7001260000000000000♠ 26 years
1991
Divisional
9
1991.2 !1991 NFC Champ.
1993 Wild Card
1994 Wild Card
1995 Wild Card
1997 Wild Card
1999 Wild Card
2011 Wild Card
2014 Wild Card
2016 Wild Card
10–41
24–28
12–16
37–58
10–20
13–27
28–45
20–24
6-26
Redskins
Packers
Packers
Eagles
Buccaneers
Redskins
Saints
Cowboys
Seahawks
TBD

Green Bay Packers
005 (2 loss) streaks
7000400000000000000♠ 4 years
1997 Conference
Championship
2.2 !2
1997.2 !Super Bowl XXXII
1998 Wild Card
24–31
27–30
Broncos
49ers
2001 Wild Card

7000200000000000000♠ 2 years
2001
Wild Card
2.3 !2
2001.1 !2001 Div.
2002 Wild Card
17–45
7–27
Rams
Falcons
2003 Wild Card

7000400000000000000♠ 4 years
2003
Wild Card
2.4 !2
2003.1 !2003 Div.
2004 Wild Card
17–20 (OT)
17–31
Eagles
Vikings
2007 Divisional

7000300000000000000♠ 3 years
2007
Divisional
2.5 !2
2007.2 !2007 NFC Champ.
2009 Wild Card
20–23 (OT)
45–51 (OT)
Giants
Cardinals
2010 Wild Card

7000200000000000000♠ 2 years
2012
Wild Card
2.6 !2
2012 Div.
2013 Wild Card
31–45
20–23
49ers
49ers
2014 Divisional

Houston Texans
7000400000000000000♠ 4 years
2012 Wild Card
2
2012.1 !2012 Divisional
2015 Wild Card
28–41
0–30
Patriots
Chiefs
2016 Wild Card

Indianapolis Colts
002 (5 loss) streaks
7001240000000000000♠24 years
1971
Divisional
5.2 !5
1971.1 !1971 AFC Champ.
1975 Div.
1976 Div.
1977 Div.
1987 Div.
0–21
10–28
14–40
31–37 (2 OT)
21–38
Dolphins
Steelers
Steelers
Raiders
Browns
1995 Wild Card

7000800000000000000♠ 8 years
1995
Divisional
5.3 !5
1995.3 !1995 AFC Champ.
1996 Wild Card
1999 Div.
2000 Wild Card
2002 Wild Card
16–20
14–42
16–19
17–23 (OT)
0–41
Steelers
Steelers
Titans
Dolphins
Jets
2003 Wild Card

Jacksonville Jaguars
002 (2 loss) streaks
2 years
1996
Divisional
2.6 !2
1996.2 !1996 AFC Champ.
1997 Wild Card
6–20
17–42
Patriots
Broncos
1998 Wild Card

7000800000000000000♠ 8 years
1999
Divisional
2.7 !2
1999.2 !1999 AFC Champ.
2005 Wild Card
14–33
3–28
Titans
Patriots
2007 Div !2007 Wild Card

Kansas City Chiefs
7001210000000000000♠ 21 years
1993
Divisional
8
1993.2 !1993 AFC Champ.
1994 Wild Card
1995 Div.
1997 Div.
2003 Div.
2006 Wild Card
2010 Wild Card
2013 Wild Card
13–30
17–27
7–10
10–14
31–38
8–23
7–30
44–45
Bills
Dolphins
Colts
Broncos
Colts
Colts
Ravens
Colts
2015 Wild Card

Los Angeles Chargers
7001130000000000000♠ 13 years
1994
AFC Championship
4.8 !4
1994.2 !Super Bowl XXIX
1995 Wild Card
2004 Wild Card
2006 Div.
26–49
20–35
17–20 (OT)
21–24
49ers
Colts
Jets
Patriots
2007 Div !2007 Wild Card

Los Angeles Rams
7001230000000000000♠ 23 years
1951
Championship
5.5 !5
1952 Nat. Conf.
1955 NFL Champ.
1967 NFL W Conf.
1969 NFL W Conf.
1973 Div.
21–31
14–38
7–28
20–23
16–27
Lions
Browns
Packers
Vikings
Cowboys
1974 Divisional

Miami Dolphins ^
002 (4 loss) streaks
7000900000000000000♠ 9 years
1973
Super Bowl
4.5 !4
1974 Div.
1978 Wild Card
1979 Div.
1981 Div.
26–28
9–17
14–34
38–41 (OT)
Raiders
Oilers
Steelers
Chargers
1982 First Round

7001170000000000000♠ 17 years
2000
Wild Card
4.9 !4
2000 Div.
2001 Wild Card
2008 Wild Card
2016 Wild Card
0–27
3–20
9–27
12–30
Raiders
Ravens
Ravens
Steelers
TBD

Minnesota Vikings
7000900000000000000♠ 9 years
1988
Wild Card
6.3 !6
1988 Div.
1989 Div.
1992 Wild Card
1993 Wild Card
1994 Wild Card
1996 Wild Card
9–34
13–41
7–24
10–17
18–35
15–45
49ers
49ers
Redskins
Giants
Bears
Cowboys
1997 Wild Card

New England Patriots
7001220000000000000♠ 22 years
1963
Divisional
4.6 !4
1963 AFL Champ.
1976 Div.
1978 Div.
1982 1st Round
10–51
21–24
14–31
13–28
Chargers
Raiders
Oilers
Dolphins
1985 Wild Card

New Orleans Saints
7001320000000000000♠ 32 years
1967 Enfranchised
No Playoff
Wins
till 2000
4.7 !4
1987 Wild Card
1990 Wild Card
1991 Wild Card
1992 Wild Card
10–44
6–16
20–27
20–36
Vikings
Bears
Falcons
Eagles
2000 Wild Card

New York Giants
7001180000000000000♠ 18 years
1938
Championship
6.4 !6
1939 NFL Champ.
1941 NFL Champ.
1943 East Div.
1944 NFL Champ.
1946 NFL Champ.
1950 Am. Conf.
0–27
9–37
0–28
7–14
14–24
3–8
Packers
Bears
Redskins
Packers
Bears
Browns
1956 Championship

New York Jets
005 (2 loss) streaks
7001140000000000000♠ 14 years
1968
Super Bowl III
2.8 !2
1969 AFL Div.
1981 Wild Card
6–13
27–31
Chiefs
Bills
1982 First Round

7000400000000000000♠ 4 years
1982 2nd Round
2.9 !2
1982.1 !1982 AFC Champ.
1985 Wild Card
0–14
14–26
Dolphins
Patriots
1986 Wild Card

7001120000000000000♠ 12 years
1986 Wild Card
2.91 !2
1986 Div.
1991 Wild Card
20–23 (2 OT)
10–17
Browns
Oilers
1998 World !1998 Divisional

7000400000000000000♠ 4 years
1998 Divisional
2.92 !2
1998.1 !1998 AFC Champ.
2001 Wild Card
10–23
24–38
Broncos
Raiders
2002 Div !2002 Wild Card

7000500000000000000♠ 5 years
2004
Wild Card
2.93 !2
2004.1 !2004 Divisional
2006 Wild Card
17–20 (OT)
16–37
Steelers
Patriots
2009 Wild Card

Oakland Raiders ^
004 (2 loss) streaks
7000300000000000000♠ 3 years
1970
Divisional
2.94 !2
1970 AFC Champ.
1972 Div.
17–27
7–13
Colts
Steelers
1973 Divisional

7000700000000000000♠ 7 years
1983
Super Bowl XVIII
2.95 !2
1984 Wild Card
1985 Div.
7–13
20–27
Seahawks
Patriots
1990 Divisional

7000300000000000000♠ 3 years
1990 Divisional
2.96 !2
1990.2 !1990 AFC Champ.
1991 Wild Card
3–51
6–10
Bills
Chiefs
1993 Wild Card

7001150000000000000♠ 15 years
2002 AFC Championship
2.96 !2
1990.2 !Super Bowl XXXVIII
2016 Wild Card
24-41
14-27
Bucs
Texans
TBD

Philadelphia Eagles
7001120000000000000♠ 12 years
1980
Conference
Championship
5.4 !5
1980.1 !Super Bowl XV
1981 Wild Card
1988 Div.
1989 Wild Card
1990 Wild Card
10–27
21–27
12–20
7–21
6–20
Raiders
Giants
Bears
Rams
Redskins
1992 Wild Card

Pittsburgh Steelers
002 (3 loss) streaks
7000500000000000000♠ 5 years
1989
Wild Card
3.3 !3
1989.1 !1989 Div.
1992 Div.
1993 Wild Card
23–24
3–24
24–27
Broncos
Bills
Chiefs
1994 Divisional

7000400000000000000♠4 years
2010 AFC Championship
3
2010.1 !Super Bowl XLV
2011 Wild Card
2014 Wild Card
25–31
23–29
17–30
Packers
Broncos
Ravens
2015 Wild Card

San Francisco 49ers
7000400000000000000♠4 years
1984
Super Bowl XIX
3.4 !3
1985 Wild Card
1986 Div.
1987 Div.
3–17
3–49
24–36
Giants
Giants
Vikings
1988 Divisional

Seattle Seahawks
7001210000000000000♠ 21 years
1984
Su !1984
Wild Card
6.5 !6
1984.2 !1984 Div.
1987 Wild Card
1988 Div.
1999 Wild Card
2003 Wild Card
2004 Wild Card
10–31
20–23 (OT)
13–21
17–20
27–33 (OT)
20–27
Dolphins
Oilers
Bengals
Dolphins
Packers
Rams
2005 Divisional

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
002 (3 loss) streaks
7001180000000000000♠ 18 years
1979
Divisional
3.5 !3
1979.2 !1979 NFC Champ.
1981 Div.
1982 1st Round
0–9
0–38
17–30
Rams
Cowboys
Cowboys
1997 Wild Card

7000300000000000000♠3 years
1999
Divisional
3.6 !3
1999.3 !1999 NFC Champ.
2000 Wild Card
2001 Wild Card
6–11
3–21
9–31
Rams
Eagles
Eagles
2002 Divisional

Tennessee Titans
004 (3 loss) streaks
7001170000000000000♠ 17 years
1961 AFL
Championship
3.7 !3
1962 AFL Champ.
1967 AFL Champ.
1969 AFL Div.
17–20 (2 OT)
7–40
7–56
Chief !Dallas Texans
Raiders
Raiders
1978 Wild Card

7000300000000000000♠ 3 years
1988
Wild Card
3.8 !3
1988 Div.
1989 Wild Card
1990 Wild Card
10–17
23–26 (OT)
14–41
Bills
Steelers
Bengals
1991 Wild Card

7000800000000000000♠ 8 years
1991
Div !1991
Wild Card
3.9 !3
1991.1 !1991 Divisional
1992 Wild Card
1993 Divisional
24–26
38–41 (OT)
20–28
Broncos
Bills
Chiefs
1999 Wild Card

7001130000000000000♠ 13 years
2003
Wild Card
3.91 !3
2003.3 !2003 Div.
2007 Wild Card
2008 Div.
14–17
6–17
10–13
Patriots
Chargers
Ravens
2017 Wild Card

Washington Redskins ^
002 (4 loss) streaks
7001100000000000000♠ 10 years
1972
NFC Championship
4.9 !4
1972.2 !Super Bowl VII
1973 Div.
1974 Div.
1976 Div.
7–14
20–27
10–19
20–35
Dolphins
Vikings
Rams
Vikings
1982 First Round

7001120000000000000♠ 12 years
2005
Wild Card
4.9 !4
2005 Div.
2007 Wild Card
2012 Wild Card
2015 Wild Card
10–20
14–35
14–24
18–35
Seahawks
Seahawks
Seahawks
Packers
TBD

Team
Streak lasted
Last win
Games Lost
Playoff Games
Score
Opponent
Next win

text: Longest post-season droughts in team history[edit]

text: Note that the NFL did not institute a permanent playoff tournament until 1967 and that the NFL Championship Game and any impromptu one-game playoffs (played only in the event of a tie atop the division standings) were the only postseason matchups in this era (the Bert Bell Benefit Bowl is considered an exhibition game for the purpose of this list).

text: Updated through the 2017 season.

text:
0^0
Denotes active streak

text:
No post season appearances

Team
Longest streak with
no post-season appearances
Seasons

Washington Redskins
1946–1970
25

Arizona Cardinals
1949–1973
25

Pittsburgh Steelers
1948–1971
24

New Orleans Saints
1967–1986
20

Denver Broncos
1960–1976
17

Philadelphia Eagles
1961–1977
17

New York Giants
1964–1980
17

Buffalo Bills
2000–2016
17

Detroit Lions
1936–1951
16

Green Bay Packers
1945–1959
15

Cleveland Browns^
2003–2017^
15

Kansas City Chiefs
1972–1985
14

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1983–1996
14

Cincinnati Bengals
1991–2004
14

Chicago Bears
1964–1976
13

Los Angeles Chargers
1966–1978
13

Oakland Raiders
2003–2015
13

San Francisco 49ers
1958–1969
12

New England Patriots
1964–1975
12

Atlanta Falcons
1966–1977
12

Los Angeles Rams
2005–2016
12

New York Jets
1970–1980
11

Seattle Seahawks
1989–1998
10

Indianapolis Colts
1978–1986
9

Houston Texans
2002–2010
9

Jacksonville Jaguars
2008–2016
9

Tennessee Titans
1970–1977
2009–2016

8

Minnesota Vikings
1961–1967
7

Miami Dolphins
2009–2015
7

Dallas Cowboys
1960–1965
6

Carolina Panthers
1997–2002
6

Baltimore Ravens
1996–1999
4

Team
Longest streak with
no post-season appearances
Seasons

No post season victories

Team
Longest streak with
no post-season victories
Seasons

Arizona Cardinals
1948–1997
50

Pittsburgh Steelers
1933–1971
39

Detroit Lions
1958–1990
33

New Orleans Saints
1967–1999
33

Washington Redskins
1944–1971
28

Cincinnati Bengals^
1991–2017^
27

Indianapolis Colts
1972–1994
23

Los Angeles Rams
1952–1973
22

New York Giants
1959–1980
22

Buffalo Bills^
1996–2017^
22

New England Patriots
1964–1984
21

Kansas City Chiefs
1970–1990
1994–2014
21

San Francisco 49ers
1950–1969
20

Chicago Bears
1964–1983
20

Seattle Seahawks
1985–2004
20

Cleveland Browns^
1995, 1999–2017^
20

Philadelphia Eagles
1961–1978
18

Denver Broncos
1960–1976
17

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1980–1996
17

Miami Dolphins^
2001–2017^
17

Green Bay Packers
1945–1960
16

Tennessee Titans
1962–1977
16

Los Angeles Chargers
1964–1979
16

Oakland Raiders^
2003–2017^
15

New York Jets
1969–1981
13

Atlanta Falcons
1966–1977;
1979–1990
12

Dallas Cowboys
1997–2008
12

Houston Texans
2002–2010
9

Jacksonville Jaguars
2008–2016
9

Minnesota Vikings
1961–1968;
1989–1996
8

Carolina Panthers
2006–2013
8

Baltimore Ravens
2002–2007
6

Team
Longest streak with
no post-season victories
Seasons


document_title: Hills Like White Elephants

question_text: hills like white elephants what kind of operation are the characters discussing

text: Hills Like White Elephants

text: Synopsis[edit]

text: The story focuses on a conversation between an American man and a woman at a Spanish train station while waiting for a train to Madrid. The woman compares the nearby hills to white elephants. The pair indirectly discuss an "operation" that the man apparently wants the woman to have, which is implied to be an abortion.

text: Analysis[edit]

text: There is little context or background information about the characters. The reader must infer their own conclusions based off of the dialogue. This has led to varying interpretations of the story. One point of debate is whether or not the woman decides to get an abortion. Critics like Stanley Renner assert that the details in the story imply that the woman decides to keep the baby: “The logic of the story's design enjoins the conclusion that she smiles brightly at the waitress's announcement of the train because she is no longer headed in the direction of having the abortion that she has contemplated only with intense distress”.[1] Other critics conclude that the woman ultimately decides to get an abortion.[2] Furthermore, most critics acknowledge that the story has several possible interpretations: “The two organizing questions of the narrative—will they have the abortion or the baby? Will they break up or stay together?—imply four possible outcomes: 1) they will have the abortion and break up; 2) they will have the abortion and stay together; 3) they will have the baby and break up; and 4) they will have the baby and stay together”.[3] There are many essays written which argue for all of these possibilities and more. There is no universal consensus because of the nature of the story; the reader is simply not given much information.

text: Symbolism[edit]

text: The description of the valley of Ebro, in the opening paragraph, is often seen as having deeper meanings: "It has long been recognized that the two sides of the valley of the Ebro represent two ways of life, one a sterile perpetuation of the aimless hedonism the couple have been pursuing, the other a participation in life in its full natural sense."[4] Critics also point to the various positions of the characters, with relation to the train tracks and the valley, to show a wide variety of possible symbolic interpretations.[4]

text: Doris Lanier writes about the significance of Absinthe (also called "Anis del Toro") in the story. She explains the drink “was alluring not only because of its narcotic effects but also because of its reputation as an aphrodisiac.”[2] Lanier asserts that every detail in “Hills Like White Elephants” is intentionally placed by Hemingway, and the Absinthe could have several possible connotations. She postulates that “the addictive quality of the drink…is meant to emphasize the addictive nature of the couple’s lifestyle…It is an empty, meaningless existence that revolves around traveling, sex, drinking, looking at things, and having pointless conversations about these things”.[2] Another possible interpretation of the Absinthe relates to it’s appeal and effects. Like the man and woman’s relationship, it is alluring at first, but “It becomes a destroyer of the child, who is aborted; a destroyer of the girl, who endures the physical and emotional pain of aborting the child she wants; and a destroyer of the couple’s relationship”.[2] It is important to note that this interpretation assumes the couple have the abortion and end their relationship; neither of these are certain, due to the ambiguity of the story.

text: Dialogue[edit]

text:
"They look like white elephants," she said.
"I've never seen one," the man drank his beer.
"No, you wouldn't have."
"I might have," the man said. "Just because you say I wouldn't have doesn't prove anything."
The girl looked at the bead curtain. "They've painted something on it," she said. "What does it say?"
"Anis del Toro. It's a drink."
"Could we try it?"

text: The reader must interpret their dialogue and body language to infer their backgrounds and their attitudes with respect to the situation at hand, and their attitudes toward one another. From the outset of the story, the contentious nature of the couple's conversation indicates resentment and unease. Some critics have written that the dialogue is a distillation of the contrasts between stereotypical male and female relationship roles: in the excerpt above, for instance, the woman draws the comparison with white elephants, but the hyper-rational male immediately denies it, dissolving the bit of poetry into objective realism with "I've never seen one." By saying, "No, you wouldn't have" she implies he hadn't had a child before, or hadn't allowed birth in the past. She also asks his permission to order a drink. Throughout the story, the woman is distant; the American is rational.[5] There may be more serious problems with the relationship than the purely circumstantial. While most critics have espoused relatively straightforward interpretations of the dialogue, a few have argued for alternate scenarios.[6]

text: Reception[edit]

text: “Hills Like White Elephants” has been criticized for being anti-feminist; it has also been interpreted as being pro-feminist. The anti-feminist perspective emphasizes the notion that the male dominates the female in the story, and she ultimately succumbs to his will by getting the abortion. Frederick Busch asserts that the woman “‘buries her way of seeing as she will bury her child’”[7]. However, critics also argue that the female character makes her own decision in the end, and the story is actually pro-feminist[1]. Stanley Renner claims that “Hills Like White Elephants” is primarily empathetic towards the female character: “So firmly does the story's sympathy side with the girl and her values, so strong is her repugnance toward the idea of abortion, and so critical is the story of the male's self-serving reluctance to shoulder the responsibility of the child he has begotten that the reading I have proposed seems the most logical resolution to its conflict.[1]” There is evidence for both possibilities, and there is no clear consensus.