Is There Precedence for the Cincinnati Bengals to Snap a Three-Season Playoff Drought and Make Deep Run?

The Cincinnati Bengals have failed to make the playoffs in three consecutive seasons for the sixth time in franchise history.

The longest drought, of course, came from 1991-2004, a 14-year run that ended with the team sweeping the division on the way to the AFC North title.

The next longest skid is five seasons, which has happened three times – from 1976-80, ending with a Super Bowl run in 1981; from 1983-87, ending with a Super Bowl run in 1988; and 2016-2020, ending with a Super Bowl run in 2021.

There also was another three-year drought from 2006-08, which ended with another sweep to the AFC North title in 2009.

X user @Brandon23637884 wanted to know the best finishes for teams that lost three consecutive seasons.

What are the best finishes for teams who have missed the playoffs the previous 3 years?
— WhoDey Nation vs Everybody (@Brandon23637884) June 12, 2026

Since 2000, there have been 69 streaks of at least three consecutive seasons without a playoff berth. Forty-five of them continued, while 24 ended at three.

The Bengals are one of nine teams with an active streak of three seasons or more.

The list:

Jets, 15

Falcons, 8

Colts, 5

Saints, 5

Cardinals, 4

Titans, 4

Raiders, 4

Bengals, 3

Giants, 3

Of the 60 streaks that eventually ended, here is a look at the teams that snapped them with the best runs, two won the Super Bowl.

The 2020 Buccaneers ended a 12-season drought by adding Tom Brady to the roster and going 11-5 to earn a Wild Card berth before winning three road games to reach Super Bowl LV, where they beat the Chiefs 31-9.

The 2017 Eagles ended a three-year skid by going 13-3 to win the NFC East and beat the Patriots 41-33 in Super Bowl LII.

Six teams reached the Super Bowl and lost, including the 2021 Bengals.

The others:

The 2008 Cardinals ended an eight-year drought by going 9-7 and winning the NFC West. They reached Super Bowl XLIII, where they fell to the Steelers 27-23.

The 2019 49ers snapped a five-season skid by winning the NFC West with a 13-3 record. They lost to the Chiefs 31-20 in Super Bowl LIV.

The 2003 Panthers got back to the playoffs after a three-season absence by going 11-5 and winning the NFC South. Carolina reached Super Bowl XXXVIII but fell to the Patriots 32-29.

The 2016 Falcons ended a three-year drought by going 11-5 to win the NFC South. They reached Super Bowl LI but blew a 28-3 lead and lost to the Patriots 34-28 in overtime.

The 2025 Patriots stopped a three-season skid by winning the AFC East with a 14-3 record and meeting the Seahawks in Super Bowl LX, where they were dominated 29-13.

Four other teams reached their conference championship game.

The 2017 Jaguars snapped a nine-year absence but lost to the Patriots.

The 2023 Lions stopped a six-season skid but lost to the 49ers,

The 2024 Commanders broke a three-year run but lost to the Eagles.

The 2010 Bears also ended a three-season drought but lost to the Packers.

Of the 22 teams that made the playoffs after an absence of exactly three years …

13 won the division

9 got in as a wildcard

11 advanced

11 were one and done

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